Liquid miniaturization device, and humidification device

Abstract

To provide a liquid miniaturization device capable of maintaining humidifying ability in use for a long time.SOLUTION: The liquid miniaturization device includes a water storage part for storing water, a lifting pipe to be rotated for lifting the water from the water storage part via a lifting opening provided in the lower end and releasing it in the centrifugal direction, a groove part provided in the inner face of the water storage part, and a water discharge port provided in the groove part and opened in the moving direction of a rotated water flow caused by the rotation of the lifting pipe for communicating the inside and the outside of water storage part with each other. By suppressing the import of scale components into the lifting pipe while reducing the remainder of the scale components in the water storage part, the humidifying ability can be maintained for a long period.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid atomization device and a humidifying device.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, the number of highly airtight houses has increased, and the indoor relative humidity tends to decrease during the heating operation of air conditioners. In order to cope with the drying associated with the decrease in relative humidity, the demand for humidifying devices is increasing. As an example of a humidifying device, a centrifugal crushing type humidifying device is known in which water in a water storage section is atomized by centrifugal crushing and applied to air to perform humidification (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a liquid atomization device that constitutes a humidifying device and performs centrifugal crushing, moisture such as water droplets adhering to the inner surface of the water storage section dries, and scale components such as calcium and magnesium components contained in the water are deposited. The scale components are lifted inside the lift pipe together with water, but are not discharged outside the lift pipe and adhere to the inner surface of the lift pipe, which may prevent the discharge of water from the inside of the lift pipe and cause a decrease in humidifying ability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To solve this problem, a liquid atomization device according to the present invention and a humidifying device equipped with the liquid atomization device include a water storage section for storing water, a water pumping pipe that rotates to pump water from the water storage section through a water pumping opening provided below and discharges it in the centrifugal direction, a groove section provided on the inner surface of the water storage section, and a drain opening provided in the groove section, opening in the advancing direction of the rotating water flow generated by the rotation of the water pumping pipe, and communicating the inside and outside of the water storage section.

Advantages of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a liquid atomization device capable of maintaining the humidifying ability even during long-term use and a humidifying device equipped with the liquid atomization device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments show an example of a liquid atomization device according to the present invention and a humidification device including the liquid atomization device. Numerical values, shapes, materials, components, positional relationships of components, etc. shown in the embodiments are examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. Also, terms indicating relationships between elements such as vertical and parallel do not indicate only strict meanings and include substantially equivalent ranges, for example, differences of about several percent. Also, each drawing is not necessarily drawn precisely. For substantially the same configuration in each drawing, the same reference numerals are assigned, and duplicate explanations may be omitted or simplified. Terms indicating relationships between elements such as vertical and parallel do not indicate only strict meanings and include substantially equivalent ranges, for example, differences of about several percent. Also, each drawing is not necessarily drawn precisely. For substantially the same configuration in each drawing, the same reference numerals are assigned, and duplicate explanations may be omitted or simplified. (Embodiment 1) First, an air conditioning system 100 including a humidification device 10 will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a building 80 equipped with the air conditioning system 100.

[0009] The air conditioning system 100 can be suitably installed between floors or in the ceiling space of the building 80. In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the air conditioning system 100 is installed in the ceiling space 82 of the building 80 and supplies air to a living room 81 located below the ceiling board 83. The air conditioning system 100 includes a supply air duct 101 and an exhaust air duct 102.

[0010] The supply air duct 101 guides air (hereinafter, supply air flow) sucked in from the outside through a duct or the like into the room, that is, the living room 81.

[0011] The exhaust air duct 102 guides air (hereinafter, exhaust air flow) sucked in from the room, that is, the living room 81 through a duct or the like, to the outside through a duct or the like.

[0012] The air conditioning system 100 further includes a heat exchange section 90 and a humidification device 10.

[0013] The heat exchange section 90 is, for example, a heat exchange type ventilation fan that performs heat exchange between the air passing through the supply air duct 101 and the air passing through the exhaust air duct 102. The heat exchange section 90 includes a heat exchange element 95, a supply air blower section 96, and an exhaust air blower section 97.

[0014] The heat exchange element 95 is provided to efficiently exchange thermal energy between the supply air flow and the exhaust air flow. The heat exchange element 95 is configured, for example, by laminating heat transfer materials at a predetermined interval, and exchanges the thermal energy of each other by alternately flowing the supply air flow and the exhaust air flow through a plurality of spaces formed by the lamination.

[0015] The supply air blowing unit 96 is a so-called blower that draws outdoor air into the room and is configured to include, for example, a sirocco fan. The supply air blowing unit 96 circulates the supply air flow from the outside through the heat exchange element 95 and the humidifying device 10, and then blows the air into the living room 81.

[0016] The exhaust air blowing unit 97 is a so-called blower that discharges indoor air to the outside and is configured to include, for example, a sirocco fan. The exhaust air blowing unit 97 circulates the exhaust air flow from the inside through the heat exchange element 95 and then blows the air to the outside.

[0017] The humidifying device 10 is provided on the downstream side of the heat exchange unit 90 in the supply air duct 101. The humidifying device 10 humidifies the air in the supply air duct 101 and blows it into the living room 81 to humidify the living room 81. The humidifying device 10 performs humidification by imparting water atomized by a liquid atomizing device to the supply air flow. Details will be described later.

[0018] Next, the configuration of the humidifying device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0019] The humidifying device 10 includes a housing 50, an intake adapter 51, a blowout adapter 52, and a liquid atomizing device 1.

[0020] The housing 50 is a box-shaped structure that holds the constituent members in the internal space. The constituent members include the blower 54, the liquid atomizing device 1, and the like.

[0021] The intake adapter 51 is formed in a cylindrical shape and protrudes from one surface of the housing 50, and is a portion to which a duct is connected. The supply air flow before humidification flows inside the intake adapter 51.

[0022] The blowing adapter 52 is cylindrical and protrudes from one surface of the housing 50. It is the part to which the duct is connected. Inside the blowing adapter 52, the humidified air supply flow circulates.

[0023] The liquid atomization device 1 is the main part of the humidifying device 10. It is a device that atomizes water and imparts it to air. The detailed configuration will be described later.

[0024] Next, the configuration of the liquid atomization device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

[0025] The liquid atomization device 1 includes a water storage part 5, an electric motor 14, a lift pipe 16, a drain port 40, and a stop valve 41.

[0026] The water storage part 5 is a container for storing water and constitutes the outer shell of the liquid atomization device 1. The water storage part 5 in the present embodiment is a hollow hemispherical shape that opens vertically upward, and is formed such that the part directly below the lift pipe 16 becomes the deepest part.

[0027] The electric motor 14 is a motor for rotating the lift pipe 16. The lift pipe 16 is rotated about a rotation shaft 15 that extends vertically through the center of the electric motor 14 in a top view.

[0028] Note that the top view is a perspective looking down on the liquid atomization device 1 in the installed state. Specifically, it is the perspective of looking at the liquid atomization device 1 in the direction of arrow I in FIG. 3.

[0029] The lift pipe 16 has an inverted conical hollow structure. The lift pipe 16 is connected to an electric motor 14 located above the lift pipe 16, and by rotating along with the rotation of the electric motor 14, it pumps the water stored in the water storage section 5 and discharges it in the centrifugal direction. The lift pipe 16 forms a rotating water flow in the water stored in the water storage section 5 by rotating. Note that the rotating water flow means the water stored in the water storage section 5 flows around the rotation axis 15 of the lift pipe 16 in a top view. Although the advancing direction of the rotating water flow is not particularly limited, the advancing direction of the rotating water flow in the present embodiment is clockwise in a top view. The lift pipe 16 includes a pumping opening 17, a rotating plate 18, and a through hole 19.

[0030] The pumping opening 17 is a hole provided at the lower end of the lift pipe 16, and pumps the water stored in the water storage section 5 into the inside of the lift pipe 16 through the hole.

[0031] The rotating plate 18 is provided so as to protrude outward in the circumferential direction from the outer surface of the lift pipe 16, and is connected to the lift pipe 16 in plurality with a predetermined interval in the vertical direction. In other words, the rotating plate 18 is provided so as to overlap below the electric motor 14.

[0032] The through hole 19 is a hole provided in the wall surface of the lift pipe 16, and the water pumped into the lift pipe 16 through the through hole 19 is discharged in the centrifugal direction as water droplets.

[0033] The drain port 40 is an opening that communicates the inside and outside of the water storage section 5, and drains the water stored in the water storage section 5 to the outside of the water storage section 5. Details will be described later.

[0034] The water stop valve 41 is a plate-like member made of, for example, an elastic material provided at the opening of the drain port 40, and can be switched between an open state allowing water to pass through the drain port 40 and a closed state not allowing water to pass through. That is, by setting the water stop valve 41 to the open state, the water stored in the water storage section 5 is drained.

[0035] The liquid atomization device 1 further includes a first eliminator 21, a second eliminator 22, an air inlet 11, an air outlet 12, and a blower 54.

[0036] The first eliminator 21 has the purpose of further pulverizing the water droplets by causing the water droplets discharged in the centrifugal direction from the lift pipe 16 to collide, and preventing the scattering of large water droplets accompanying the air flow, and is a porous body through which air and the pulverized water droplets can flow. The first eliminator 21 is provided at a position a certain distance away from the outer periphery of the lift pipe 16 in the centrifugal direction. The certain distance is the distance such that the water droplets discharged through the through holes 19 reach the first eliminator 21. The first eliminator 21 in the present embodiment is provided so as to surround the lift pipe 16 in a ring shape.

[0037] The second eliminator 22 has the purpose of preventing the scattering of large water droplets accompanying the air flow, and is a porous body through which air and the pulverized water droplets can flow. The second eliminator 22 is provided on the outer periphery of the first eliminator 21 as viewed from the lift pipe 16. In other words, the second eliminator 22 is provided so as to surround the first eliminator 21 in a ring shape.

[0038] The intake port 11 is a rectangular opening provided at one end above the circumference of the upper surface opening of the water storage portion 5. Air to be humidified flows through the intake port 11. The air to be humidified in the present embodiment is the supply air flow sent into the humidifying device 10 from the heat exchange portion 90 (see FIG. 1).

[0039] The air outlet 12 is a rectangular opening provided at one end above the circumference of the water storage portion 5, which is different from the intake port 11. Air humidified in the liquid atomization device 1 flows through the air outlet 12.

[0040] The blower 54 is provided on the upstream side of the water storage portion 5 in the supply air passage 101, and is provided to blow air containing water discharged in the centrifugal direction by the rotation of the lift pipe 16 from the inside of the water storage portion 5 to the outside. The type of the blower 54 is not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, it is a sirocco fan.

[0041] Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the configuration of the liquid atomization device 1 will be further described. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid atomization device 1 taken along the broken line A - A' in FIG. 3.

[0042] The liquid atomization device 1 further includes a water supply unit 6, a water level detection unit 4, a groove portion 45, and a control unit 2.

[0043] The water supply unit 6 supplies water to the water storage unit 5. Note that the water is not limited to only tap water or pure water, and may be an aqueous solution such as an aqueous solution of hypochlorous acid. Tap water is used in this embodiment. The water supply unit 6 includes a water supply port 61 and a solenoid valve 64.

[0044] The water supply port 61 is an opening for supplying tap water supplied from the water pipe 62 into the water storage unit 5. Note that the position of the water supply port 61 is not particularly limited and may be anywhere as long as it can supply water to the water storage unit 5.

[0045] The solenoid valve 64 is provided in the water pipe 62 and opens and closes the water supply port 61 in order to adjust the amount of water supplied to the water storage unit 5 through the water supply port 61 and / or the water supply timing.

[0046] The water level detection unit 4 detects the water level of the water stored in the water storage unit 5 and transmits the detection result to the control unit 2. Specifically, the water level detection unit 4 detects a state where the water level in the water storage unit 5 is at the upper limit (hereinafter, the full water state ) and a state where the water level in the water storage unit 5 is at the lower limit (hereinafter, the water shortage state), and transmits the detection result to the control unit 2. The water level detection unit 4 is a so-called water level sensor, and for example, a float type sensor or a thermistor sensor is applicable. A float type sensor is used in this embodiment. Note that the water level detection unit 4 may be configured to detect the full water state and the water shortage state with independent water level sensors respectively.

[0047] The groove portion 45 is a substantially U-shaped groove provided on the inner surface of the water storage portion 5 in the B-B' cross section of FIG. 4, and is formed from the bottom surface of the water storage portion 5 directly below the pumping opening 17, more precisely, from the deepest part of the inner surface of the water storage portion 5 to the drain port 40. Further, the groove portion 45 is provided so as to be downwardly inclined from the deepest part of the inner surface to the drain port 40. The groove portion 45 includes an upstream edge 43 and a downstream edge 44.

[0048] The upstream edge 43 is one end of the opening side of the substantially U-shaped groove formed by the groove portion 45. In other words, the upstream edge 43 is the edge of the groove portion 45 located on the upstream side of the rotating water flow. The upstream edge 43 is provided lower than the downstream edge 44 in a side view. The side view is the viewing point of looking at the liquid atomization device 1 in the direction of arrow L in FIG. 4.

[0049] The downstream edge 44 is the other end of the opening side of the substantially U-shaped groove formed by the groove portion 45. In other words, the downstream edge 44 is the edge of the groove portion 45 located on the downstream side of the rotating water flow. The downstream edge 44 is provided higher than the upstream edge 43 in a side view.

[0050] The control unit 2 is communicably connected to the electric motor 14 (see FIG. 3), the water level detection unit 4, the electromagnetic valve 64, and the blower 54. As long as communication is possible, it does not matter whether it is wired communication or wireless communication. The arrangement of the control unit 2 is not particularly limited, but it is preferably arranged at a position where water supplied into the water storage portion 5 and atomized water do not intrude. In the present embodiment, the control unit 2 is arranged at a position separated from the partition wall 68 (a part of the housing 50) when viewed from the liquid atomization device 1. The control unit 2 includes a solenoid valve control unit 85, a blower control unit 86, and a lift pipe control unit 87.

[0051] The solenoid valve control unit 85 controls the opening and closing operation of the solenoid valve 64. Specifically, the solenoid valve control unit 85 controls so that the solenoid valve 64 is opened during water supply and closed at other times than during water supply.

[0052] The air supply control unit 86 controls the operation of the air blower. Specifically, the air supply control unit 86 has a scale removal air supply operation mode in which, even when the water storage unit 5 is not storing water, it controls to blow air toward the inside of the water storage unit 5 via the air blower 54.

[0053] The lift pipe control unit 87 controls the rotational speed of the electric motor 14, more precisely, the lift pipe 16. Specifically, as a method of controlling the rotational speed of the lift pipe 16, it has a scale exclusion operation mode and a scale peeling operation mode.

[0054] The scale exclusion operation mode is an operation mode in which, at a stage before starting the humidification operation, the rotational speed of the lift pipe 16 is rotated at a rotational speed that forms a rotating water flow but does not discharge water in the centrifugal direction (hereinafter referred to as low-speed rotation) for a predetermined time. Note that the humidification operation means an operation in which the lift pipe 16 rotates at a rotational speed that discharges water in the centrifugal direction. Also, the stage before the humidification operation is, for example, during the water supply by the water supply unit 6.

[0055] The scale peeling operation mode is an operation mode in which the lift pipe 16 is rotated even when the water storage unit 5 is not storing water.

[0056] The above is the description of the configuration of the liquid atomization device 1 using FIG. 4.

[0057] Next, the detailed configuration of the drain port 40 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the drain port 40. For the sake of understanding, the illustration of the check valve 41 is omitted in FIG. 5.

[0058] The drain port 40 is provided at one end of the groove portion 45 and is an opening that communicates the inside and outside of the water storage portion 5. The drain port 40 is opened so that water flow can flow from above to below with respect to a reference line X that is an extension line of the drain port 40 in the horizontal direction, that is, from the inside to the outside of the water storage portion 5. This direction is defined as the opening direction. In other words, the drain port 40 is opened in the advancing direction of the rotating water flow A. Here, the advancing direction of the rotating water flow at each point of the water storage portion 5 is the tangential direction of concentric circles centered on the rotation axis 15 in a top view. Specifically, when the drain port 40 is provided at the position shown in FIG. 5, the advancing direction of the rotating water flow at the approximate center point O of the drain port 40 is the direction indicated by the arrow of the rotating water flow A.

[0059] Here, a drain surface 48 is defined. The drain surface 48 is a virtual surface through which the drained water passes, with the outer periphery of the opening of the drain port 40 as its outer shape. The drain port 40 is provided such that, in a top view of the liquid atomization device 1, the angle θ1 formed by the direction perpendicular to the drain surface 48, that is, the direction in which the reference line Y extends, and the advancing direction of the rotating water flow A is less than 90 degrees. So far, the rotating water flow passing through the approximate center point O of the drain port 40 has been described as an example. However, the drain port 40 is preferably provided such that, at any point on the drain port 40, the angle formed by the direction perpendicular to the drain surface 48 and the advancing direction of the rotating water flow is less than 90 degrees.

[0060] Note that those designed with the intention of a rotating water flow having an advancing direction along the reference line X or a rotating water flow having an advancing direction toward the drain port 40 from the direction opposite to the opening direction of the drain port 40 do not fall under the "the drain port 40 is opened in the advancing direction of the rotating water flow" as referred to in the present application.

[0061] Next, the operation of the humidifying device 10 and the effects obtained from this configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of the humidifying device 10.

[0062] First, the basic operation of the humidifying device 10 and the effects that can be expected during this basic operation will be described.

[0063] For example, when the humidifying device 10 starts operating by a user's operation, the solenoid valve 64 is opened, and water is supplied from the water supply unit 6 to the water storage unit 5. When the immersion water level 71 at which the lift pipe 16 is immersed due to the water supply is reached, the lift pipe control unit 87 controls the electric motor 14, more precisely, the rotation speed of the lift pipe 16. Specifically, although the lift pipe 16 forms a rotating water flow, it controls the rotation speed to be such that the water is not discharged in the centrifugal direction (hereinafter, low-speed rotation) and maintains it for a predetermined time, and executes a scale removal operation. In other words, before starting the humidifying operation, the lift pipe 16 is rotated at a low speed for a predetermined time. The predetermined time is a time sufficient to exclude the scale component staying directly below the lift pipe 16, that is, at the deepest part of the water storage unit 5, from directly below the lift pipe 16, and specifically, for example, about 15 seconds.

[0064] With the above configuration, since the scale component remaining directly below the lift pipe 16 can be reduced, it is possible to suppress the scale component from being sucked up by the lift pipe 16 during the humidifying operation. That is, since it is possible to suppress the scale component from adhering to the inner surface of the lift pipe 16, the humidifying ability can be maintained even during long-term use.

[0065] By the way, the scale component excluded from directly below the lift pipe 16 by the rotation of the lift pipe 16 is collected by the groove portion 45. The groove portion 45 is provided such that the downstream edge 44 is higher than the upstream edge 43, so that it is possible to suppress the scale component moving in the water storage unit 5 along with the rotating water flow from crossing the downstream edge 44 and moving in the water storage unit 5 again. (See FIG. 4).

[0066] With the above configuration, it is possible to suppress the scale component once excluded from directly below the lift pipe 16 from flowing back directly below the lift pipe 16 again. As a result, it is possible to suppress the scale component from being sucked up by the lift pipe 16, and the humidifying ability can be maintained even during long-term use.

[0067] Furthermore, by opening the drain port 40 during the above-described scale removal operation, the scale components collected in the groove portion 45 can be discharged to the outside of the water storage portion 5. Here, since the drain port 40 opens in the direction of the progress of the rotating water flow, the scale components can be efficiently discharged by taking advantage of the momentum of the rotating water flow. When the drain port 40 is in the open state during the scale removal operation, it is necessary to avoid the situation where the water level drops due to the drainage from the drain port 40 and reaches a level at which the lift pipe 16 is not submerged. For this purpose, it is preferable to set the water supply amount per unit time to be larger than the drainage amount per unit time. The stop valve 41 closes the drain port 40, for example, after the scale removal operation is completed.

[0068] With the above configuration, the scale components staying in the water storage portion 5 can be efficiently reduced, so that it is possible to suppress the scale components from being sucked up by the lift pipe 16. As a result, the humidifying ability can be maintained even during long-term use.

[0069] Next, after the scale removal operation is completed, the lift pipe control unit 87 controls the rotational speed of the electric motor 14 to be the rotational speed at which the water lifted from the water storage portion 5 by the lift pipe 16 is discharged in the centrifugal direction, and the humidifying operation is started. Also, the water supply by the water supply portion 6 stops when the water level detection unit 4 detects that the water level in the water storage portion 5 has reached the full water level 73.

[0070] Next, when the humidifying operation is performed for a certain period of time, the water level in the water storage portion 5 drops according to the humidifying amount and reaches the drought water level 72. When the water level detection unit 4 detects that the drought water level 72 has been reached, the drain port 40 is opened and drainage is started. When the drainage starts, the lift pipe control unit 87 executes a scale discharge operation in which the lift pipe 16 rotates at a low speed for a predetermined time. The predetermined time is a time during which the scale components in the water storage portion 5 can be sufficiently discharged from the drain port 40, for example, 60 seconds.

[0071] With the above configuration, it is possible to efficiently discharge the scale components from the water storage unit 5 in the same manner as the scale removal operation performed during water supply. As a result, it is possible to suppress the scale components from being sucked into the inside of the lift pipe 16, and the humidifying ability can be maintained even during long-term use.

[0072] The above is the basic operation of the humidifying device 10 and the effects that can be expected in the basic operation. The basic operation is repeated, for example, until the operation of the humidifying device 10 ends by the operation of the user.

[0073] Next, the drying operation of the humidifying device 10 will be described. Each time the humidifying device 10 performs the above-described basic operation a certain number of times or for a certain period of time, it performs a drying operation in which water is not stored in the water storage unit 5 for a certain period of time. The drying operation is an operation for suppressing the generation of mold in the water storage unit 5.

[0074] For example, when the drainage in the basic operation is completed, the drying operation is started. When the drying operation is started, the lift pipe control unit 87 executes a scale peeling operation in which the lift pipe 16 is continuously rotated during drainage. In other words, the lift pipe control unit 87 rotates the lift pipe 16 even when there is no water stored in the water storage unit 5. That is, the lift pipe 16 in a drier state than during the humidifying operation is rotated.

[0075] With the above configuration, the scale components adhering to or having a tendency to adhere to the through holes 19 of the lift pipe 16 are easily peeled off by drying, and by the force generated by the rotation of the lift pipe 16 it is possible to peel off the scale components. As a result, the humidifying ability can be maintained even during long-term use.

[0076] Furthermore, during the drying operation, the air supply control unit 86 executes a scale removal air supply operation in which air is supplied toward the inside of the water storage unit 5 via the air blower 54. In other words, the air supply control unit 86 supplies air toward the inside of the water storage unit 5 via the air blower 54 even when there is no water stored in the water storage unit 5.

[0077] With the above configuration, the drying of the lift pipe 16 is promoted, and the scale components in the through holes 19 can be peeled off more efficiently. As a result, the humidifying ability can be maintained even during long-term use.

[0078] The above is the description of Embodiment 1. (Modification example) The present invention has been described based on Embodiment 1 above. This Embodiment 1 is an example, and it is understood by those skilled in the art that there are various modification examples for each component shown in Embodiment 1, and such modification examples are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0079] Hereinafter, modification examples in Embodiment 1 will be described. Descriptions of configurations and other contents that overlap with Embodiment 1 will be omitted, and configurations different from Embodiment 1 will be mainly described.

[0080] First, an example of a modification is shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the liquid atomization device 1s and a plan view in a top view of the liquid atomization device 1s, corresponding to FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0081] This modified example is different from the first embodiment in that the inner surface of the water storage part 5s is provided with a partition plate 23. The partition plate 23 is a porous body standing upright from the inner surface of the water storage part 5s, and is provided such that the tip in the standing direction is below the water shortage level 72s. This is to prevent a state where there is no water below the vertical lower part of the lift pipe 16s when the water level in the water storage part 5s is at a level higher than the water shortage level 72s. That is, even though the water level is higher than the water shortage level 72s, the lift pipe 16s cannot pump water, and as a result, to avoid the inability to perform the humidification operation. Further, the partition plate 23 is provided so as to surround the pumping opening 17s in a top view. In other words, the partition plate 23 is provided along the outer peripheral side of the pumping opening 17s in a top view. Here, the phrase "along the outer peripheral side" does not strictly mean only the state where the partition plate 23 is provided along the outer periphery of the pumping opening 17s. For example, it includes the case where it is provided at a position several millimeters to about a dozen millimeters away from the outer periphery of the pumping opening 17s, and is referred to as "along the outer peripheral side". That is, the partition plate 23 only needs to be provided outside the pumping opening 17s in a top view.

[0082] With the above configuration, it is possible to suppress the scale component floating in the water storage part 5s from entering the space directly below the lift pipe 16s. As a result, it is possible to suppress the scale component from being sucked into the inside of the lift pipe 16s, and the humidification ability can be maintained even during long-term use.

[0083] Next, FIG. 8 shows an example of another modified example. FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of the liquid atomization device 1t and corresponds to FIG. 3.

[0084] This modified example is different from the first embodiment in that the inner surface of the water storage part 5t is provided with a convex part 24. The convex part 24 forms a dome shape protruding vertically upward from the inner surface of the water storage part 5t corresponding to directly below the pumping opening 17t. The convex part 24 is provided such that the boundary M between the convex part 24 and the inner surface of the water storage part 5t is located on the outer peripheral side of the pumping opening 17t. That is, the point where the inclination of the convex part 24 starts is provided on the outer peripheral side of the pumping opening 17t.

[0085] With the above configuration, it is possible to suppress the intrusion of scale components directly below the pumping opening 17t. As a result, it is possible to prevent scale components from being sucked into the inside of the pumping pipe 16t, and the humidifying ability can be maintained even during long-term use.

Industrial Applicability

[0086] It is applicable to a humidifying device for humidifying general buildings.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0087] 1, 1s, 1t Liquid Atomization Device 2 Control Unit 4 Water Level Detection Unit 5, 5s, 5t Water Storage Unit 6 Water Supply Unit 10, 10s, 10t Humidifying Device 11 Air Inlet 12 Air Outlet 14 Electric Motor 15 Rotating Shaft 16, 16s, 16t Pumping Pipe 17, 17s, 17t Pumping Opening 18, 18s, 18t Rotating Plate 19, 19s, 19t Through Hole 21, 21s, 21t First Eliminator 22, 22s, 22t Second Eliminator 23 Partition Plate 24 Protrusion 25 Inner Peripheral Surface 26 Outer Peripheral Surface 40, 40s, 40t Drain Outlet 41 Check Valve 43 Upstream Edge 44 Downstream Edge 45 Groove Portion 50 Housing 51 Air Inlet Adapter 52 Air Outlet Adapter 54 Blower 61 Water Inlet 62 Water Pipe 64 Electromagnetic Valve 68 Partition 71 Water immersion level 72, 72s, 72t Drought water level 73 Full water level 80 Building 81 Living room 82 Ceiling space 83 Ceiling 90 Heat exchange section 95 Heat exchange element 96 Supply air blower section 97 Exhaust air blower section 100 Air conditioning system 101 Supply air duct 102 Exhaust air duct

Claims

1. A water storage section for storing water, A water pumping pipe that rotates to pump water from the water storage section through a water pumping opening provided below and discharges it in the centrifugal direction, A groove provided on the inner surface of the water storage section, A drain opening provided in the groove, opening in the advancing direction of the rotating water flow generated by the rotation of the water pumping pipe, and communicating the inside and outside of the water storage section, A liquid atomization device comprising the above.

2. The drain opening, In a top view, the angle formed by the direction perpendicular to the drain surface constituting the drain opening and the advancing direction of the rotating water flow is less than 90 degrees. The liquid atomization device according to Claim 1.

3. The groove, An upstream edge which is an edge of the groove located on the upstream side of the rotating water flow generated by the rotation of the water pumping pipe, And a downstream edge which is an edge of the groove located on the downstream side. The liquid atomization device according to Claim 1. The upstream edge, In a side view, is provided lower than the downstream edge. The liquid atomization device according to Claim 1.

4. The groove, Is provided from directly below the water pumping opening to the drain opening. The liquid atomization device according to Claim 1.

5. A control section for controlling the rotation of the water pumping pipe is provided, The control section, Before starting the humidification operation, rotates the water pumping pipe at a rotation speed that forms the rotating water flow but does not discharge the water in the centrifugal direction for a predetermined time, and after the elapse of the predetermined time, rotates the water pumping pipe at a rotation speed that discharges the water in the centrifugal direction. The liquid atomization device according to Claim 1 performs a scale exclusion operation.

6. A control section for controlling the rotation of the water pumping pipe, And a water supply section for supplying water to the water storage section. The liquid atomization device according to Claim 1. The control section, While the water supply section is supplying water, rotates the water pumping pipe at a rotation speed that forms the rotating water flow but does not discharge the water in the centrifugal direction for a predetermined time. The liquid atomization device according to Claim 1 performs a scale exclusion operation.

7. A control section for controlling the rotation of the water pumping pipe is provided, The control section, While draining water from the water storage section, rotates the water pumping pipe at a rotation speed that forms the rotating water flow but does not discharge the water in the centrifugal direction for a predetermined time. The liquid atomization device according to Claim 1 performs a scale discharge operation.

8. A control section for controlling the rotation of the water pumping pipe is provided, The control section, Performs a scale peeling operation of rotating the water pumping pipe even when the water storage section is not storing water. The liquid atomization device according to Claim 1.

9. A blower for blowing air containing the water discharged in the centrifugal direction from the inside of the water storage section to the outside is provided. The control unit The liquid atomization device according to claim 8, comprising a scale removal air blowing operation for blowing air toward the inside of the water storage unit through the blower even when the water storage unit is not storing water. **Claim 10** Comprising a partition plate standing upright from the inner surface of the water storage unit, The partition plate Is a porous body provided along the outer peripheral side of the pumping opening in a top view, and is the liquid atomization device according to claim 1. **Claim 11** The water storage unit Is a hollow hemispherical shape that opens vertically upward, And is provided below the pumping opening in the vertical direction and has a convex portion that protrudes vertically upward, and is the liquid atomization device according to claim 1. **Claim 12** The convex portion In a top view, the boundary with the inner surface of the water storage unit is located on the outer peripheral side of the pumping opening, and is the liquid atomization device according to claim 11. **Claim 13** A humidifying device provided with the liquid atomization device according to claim 1.

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