Humidifier, humidification system, and filter member

Abstract

To provide a humidifier, a humidification system, and a filter member hardly causing deposition of crystals in a filter.SOLUTION: A humidifier 10 includes a filter holding part 21 and a cleaning mechanism 5. The filter holding part 21 holds a filter 3 so that a part of the filter 3 is immersed in liquid L1 stored in a water storage part 22. The cleaning mechanism 5 cleans the filter 3 with the liquid L1 by moving at least one of the liquid L1 and the filter 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a humidifier, a humidification system, and a filter member including a filter holding part for holding a filter.

Background Art

[0002] As related art, a humidifier including a filter (humidification filter) for holding and vaporizing a liquid such as water is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this type of humidifier, by immersing a part of the filter in water, water is sucked up by the filter to hold the water. Then, by passing wind (or warm wind) through the filter holding the water, it is possible to obtain humidified air in which the water vaporizes and evaporates.

[0003] The filter according to the related art uses a perforated nonwoven fabric having distinct apertures. As a result, in the filter, a fiber bundle having pores in which fibers are arranged in a direction around the distinct apertures is formed, and the filter has high water suction property due to the capillary phenomenon of the water conduction path and is suitable as a vaporization material.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the humidifier according to the above related art, since the same part of the filter is always immersed in water, discoloration due to crystal precipitation or the like may occur in the part of the filter exposed from the water after long-term use.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a humidifier, a humidification system, and a filter member in which crystal precipitation hardly occurs in the filter.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A humidifier according to one aspect of the present invention includes a filter holding portion and a cleaning mechanism. The filter holding portion holds the filter such that a part of the filter is immersed in the liquid stored in the water storage portion. The cleaning mechanism cleans the filter with the liquid by moving at least one of the liquid and the filter.

[0008] A humidification system according to one aspect of the present invention includes the humidifier and the filter used in the humidifier.

[0009] A filter member according to one aspect of the present invention is used as the filter in the humidification system.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a humidifier, a humidification system, and a filter member in which crystal precipitation hardly occurs on the filter.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are an example of embodying the present invention and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0013] (Embodiment 1) [1] Overall Configuration First, the overall configuration of the humidifier 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0014] In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the vertical direction in the state where the humidifier 10 can be used is defined as the vertical direction D1. Further, with reference to the direction when the humidifier 10 is viewed from the front, the left-right direction D2 is defined, and the front-rear direction D3 is defined with the front side of the humidifier 10 as the front and the rear side as the rear. However, these directions are not intended to limit the use direction (direction during use) of the humidifier 10.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the humidifier 10 is used in a state of being placed on an installation surface X1 composed of, for example, the top surface of a desk or the floor surface of a living room in a house. The humidifier 10 stands on the installation surface X1 in a state of being placed on the installation surface X1. That is, the humidifier 10 according to the present embodiment is a self-standing and portable device, and the user can freely carry the humidifier 10 and install it at an arbitrary position on the installation surface X1.

[0016] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the humidifier 10 includes a main body 1 and a tray unit 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the tray unit 2 is detachably attached to the main body 1 (tray attachment portion 13).

[0017] The main body 1 has a housing 11, an air outlet 12, and a tray attachment portion 13. The main body 1 has a power supply unit, a control unit, a fan, etc. inside the housing 11.

[0018] In this embodiment, as an example, the housing 11 has a substantially prismatic shape (rectangular parallelepiped shape) with a length in the vertical direction D1. The housing 11 can adopt various shapes, and in addition to the prismatic shape, for example, it may be cylindrical or the like.

[0019] The air outlet 12 is an opening through which the air humidified by the humidifier 10 is blown out. The air outlet 12 is disposed, for example, on the upper surface of the housing 11. The tray attachment portion 13 is a space for attaching the tray unit 2. In this embodiment, as an example, the tray attachment portion 13 is disposed at the lower part of the housing 11.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the tray unit 2 has a filter holding portion 21 and a water storage portion 22. A filter 3 is held in the filter holding portion 21. However, in this embodiment, the filter 3 is not included in the components of the humidifier 10. That is, the filter 3 is not included in the components of the tray unit 2 and is configured to be detachable from the tray unit 2.

[0021] Such a filter 3 constitutes a humidification system 100 together with the humidifier 10. In other words, the humidification system 100 according to this embodiment includes the humidifier 10 and the filter 3. In such a humidification system 100, the filter 3 is basically a consumable, and only the filter 3 can be replaced.

[0022] In short, when it is time to replace the filter 3, the user removes the filter 3 from the tray unit 2 and replaces it with a new filter (filter member). At this time, the filter member used for replacement is a member used as the filter 3 in the humidification system 100. The filter 3 is replaced in a state where the tray unit 2 is removed from the main body 1.

[0023] In this embodiment, as an example, as shown in FIG. 2, the tray unit 2 is attached to the tray mounting portion 13 provided at the lower part of the main body 1 from the front. That is, the front surface of the tray mounting portion 13 is open, and both surfaces in the vertical direction D1, both surfaces in the left - right direction D2, and the back surface are spaces surrounded by the housing 11. The user can attach and detach the tray unit 2 to and from the main body 1 by moving the tray unit 2 parallel along the front - rear direction D3 with respect to such a tray mounting portion 13.

[0024] Specifically, the user holds the tray unit 2 by hand and operates to push the tray unit 2 backward from the front opening of the tray mounting portion 13, thereby attaching the tray unit 2 to the main body 1 (the state in FIG. 1). On the other hand, the user holds the tray unit 2 by hand and operates to pull the tray unit 2 forward from the tray mounting portion 13, thereby removing the tray unit 2 from the main body 1 (the state in FIG. 2). In this way, the tray unit 2 can be attached and detached to and from the main body 1 of the humidifier 10 by being inserted and removed from the main body 1.

[0025] The filter holding portion 21 is a member that holds the filter 3. In this embodiment, as an example, the filter holding portion 21 is formed in a box shape (hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape) with an open upper surface. Here, in this embodiment, the entire tray unit 2 constitutes the filter holding portion 21. That is, the tray unit 2 as a whole is formed in a box shape with an upper - surface opening.

[0026] The water storage part 22 is a part for storing a liquid L1 (see Fig. 3) such as water (tap water as an example). In the present embodiment, the water storage part 22 is provided in the filter holding part 21. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 3, the space from the bottom surface side to a predetermined height inside the box-shaped filter holding part 21 functions as the water storage part 22.

[0027] Here, the liquid L1 stored in the water storage part 22 is not limited to tap water, and may be, for example, a liquid such as pure water, drinking water, lotion, warm water (hot water), deodorant, fragrance, or sterilized water. In the present disclosure, regardless of the type of the liquid L1 stored in the water storage part 22, the operation of replenishing the liquid L1 to the water storage part 22 is referred to as "water supply operation".

[0028] Since the liquid L1 stored in the water storage part 22 is used to humidify the air in the humidifier 10, it decreases as the humidifier 10 is used. Therefore, a "water supply operation" for replenishing the liquid L1 (tap water as an example) to the water storage part 22 is required. In the present embodiment, the water supply operation is to be performed by replenishing the liquid L1 such as tap water from the upper surface opening of the tray unit 2 (filter holding part 21) with the tray unit 2 removed from the main body 1. Therefore, the user needs to perform a "water supply operation" of periodically or irregularly removing the tray unit 2 from the main body 1, replenishing the liquid L1 to the water storage part 22, and then mounting the tray unit 2 on the main body 1.

[0029] The filter 3 is held in the filter holding part 21 of the tray unit 2. In the present embodiment, as an example, the filter 3 is formed in a rectangular plate shape (cuboid shape) having a thickness in one direction as shown in Fig. 2. When mounted on the filter holding part 21, the filter 3 is installed in a direction in which its thickness direction coincides with the front-rear direction D3 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Here, the width dimension of the filter 3 (the dimension in the left-right direction D2 in Fig. 2) is larger than the height dimension of the filter 3 (the dimension in the up-down direction D1 in Fig. 2).

[0030] Part of the filter 3 is immersed in the liquid L1 (water) in the water storage section 22, so that the liquid L1 impregnates the entire filter 3. As an example, it is formed in a wavy shape in which mountain portions and valley portions are arranged alternately with a non-woven fabric obtained by subjecting rayon fibers and / or polyester fibers to acrylic impregnation processing. Such a filter 3 can distribute water throughout itself by capillary action or the like in a state where a part of it is immersed in water.

[0031] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the filter 3 is held by the filter holding section 21 in a state of being accommodated in the central portion of the filter holding section 21 in the front-rear direction D3 of the box-shaped filter holding section 21. At this time, the lower part of the filter 3 will be immersed in the liquid L1 (water) stored in the water storage section 22 of the tray unit 2. As a result, the liquid L1 sucked up inside the filter 3 will also spread to the portion of the filter 3 exposed from the water surface (above the water surface).

[0032] The humidifier 10 (humidification system 100) according to the present embodiment configured as described above is a so-called vaporization type humidifier, and can humidify air using the liquid L1 (water) stored in the water storage section 22. That is, in the humidifier 10, as shown in FIG. 3, by blowing air onto the filter 3 containing water, the water contained in the filter 3 is vaporized, and a humidified air flow is generated on the downstream side of the filter 3. In FIG. 3, the flow of air (air flow) is indicated by white arrows. That is, by the fan or the like of the main body 1 blowing air (air flow) from the front onto the portion of the filter 3 exposed from the water surface, the moist air passes through the filter 3 and blows out from the downstream side (rear side) of the filter 3 through the air outlet 12 to the outside of the housing 11.

[0033] However, the configuration is not limited to the one in which the wind (airflow) passes through the filter 3 from the front to the rear. For example, a configuration in which the wind (airflow) passes through the filter 3 from the rear to the front may also be used. Further, the humidifier 10 (humidification system 100) is not limited to the vaporization type. For example, it may be a heating vaporization type (hybrid type) or the like that emits moist air by blowing warm air (heated air) heated by a heat source such as a heater against the filter 3.

[0034] [2] Configuration of the cleaning mechanism Next, the configuration of the cleaning mechanism 5 of the humidifier 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0035] As described above, in the humidifier 10 (humidification system 100) in which a part of the filter 3 is immersed in the water stored in the water storage part 22, if the same part of the filter 3 is always immersed in water, it may lead to discoloration of the filter 3 or the like. That is, if the same part of the filter 3 is always immersed in water, discoloration or the like due to crystal precipitation may occur in the part of the filter 3 exposed from the water during long-term use.

[0036] The humidifier 10 according to the present embodiment adopts the configuration described below to realize a humidifier in which crystal precipitation hardly occurs on the filter 3.

[0037] That is, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the humidifier 10 according to the present embodiment includes a filter holding part 21 and a cleaning mechanism 5. The filter holding part 21 holds the filter 3 so that a part of the filter 3 is immersed in the liquid L1 stored in the water storage part 22. The cleaning mechanism 5 cleans the filter 3 with the liquid L1 by moving at least one of the liquid L1 and the filter 3.

[0038] In short, in the humidifier 10 according to the present embodiment, with a part of the filter 3 immersed in the liquid L1 stored in the water storage unit 22, the cleaning mechanism 5 moves at least one of the liquid L1 stored in the water storage unit 22 and the filter 3. Thereby, the cleaning mechanism 5 can wash (clean) the filter 3 by flushing the filter 3 with the liquid L1 stored in the water storage unit 22. Therefore, for example, even if "scale" as an adhesion adheres to the filter 3 due to the deposition of precipitated crystals, the scale can be efficiently dissolved and flushed with the liquid L1 stored in the water storage unit 22.

[0039] As described above, according to the humidifier 10 (humidification system 100) according to the present embodiment, even during long-term use, crystal precipitation is less likely to occur on the portion of the filter 3 exposed from the water. Therefore, discoloration of the filter 3 due to crystal precipitation can be suppressed, and this leads to an extended service life of the filter 3, which in turn leads to a reduction in the frequency of filter 3 replacement.

[0040] Further, the humidifier 10 according to the present embodiment further includes a posture change mechanism 4. The posture change mechanism 4 changes the posture of the filter 3 among a plurality of postures including a first posture in which a first portion of the filter 3 is immersed in water and a second posture in which a second portion 302 of the filter 3 is immersed in water.

[0041] Here, the first posture is, for example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a posture in which the first portion 301 (the lower end portion in FIGS. 4 and the like) of the filter 3 is immersed in water, and in this state, the second portion 302 (the upper end portion in FIGS. 4 and the like) of the filter 3 is exposed from the water surface (upward). On the other hand, the second posture is, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, a posture in which the second portion 302 of the filter 3 is immersed in water, and in this state, the first portion 301 of the filter 3 is exposed from the water surface (upward). In the present embodiment, as an example, the posture change mechanism 4 changes the posture of the filter 3 between these two postures, the first posture and the second posture.

[0042] In short, in the humidifier 10 according to the present embodiment, the first posture and the second posture of the filter 3 are postures in which the top and bottom of the filter 3 are reversed. The posture changing mechanism 4 can alternately change the posture of the filter 3 between such a first posture and a second posture.

[0043] According to this configuration, it becomes possible to change the posture of the filter 3 between a plurality of postures including a first posture in which the first portion 301 is immersed in water and a second posture in which the second portion 302 is immersed in water by the posture changing mechanism 4 regularly or irregularly. As a result, instead of always having the same part of the filter 3 immersed in water, the parts immersed in water are replaced, so that crystal deposition is less likely to occur on the part of the filter 3 exposed from the water. That is, even if crystal deposition starts partially in the filter 3, the deposited crystals dissolve in the liquid L1 by immersing this part in the liquid L1, and as a result, crystal deposition can be suppressed.

[0044] In the present embodiment, the posture changing mechanism 4 mainly has a rotating shaft 41 and a bearing portion 42. The rotating shaft 41 is provided on the filter 3, and the bearing portion 42 is provided on the filter holding portion 21. The filter holding portion 21 holds the filter 3 by rotatably holding the rotating shaft 41 at the bearing portion 42.

[0045] Specifically, a pair of rotating shafts 41 are provided so as to protrude from both surfaces of the filter 3 in the left - right direction D2, and a pair of bearing portions 42 are provided at positions on both side walls of the filter holding portion 21 in the left - right direction D2 that face the pair of rotating shafts 41. Each of the pair of rotating shafts 41 is a columnar portion extending along the left - right direction D2, and each of the pair of bearing portions 42 is a recess formed on the inner surface of the filter holding portion 21. Thereby, the filter 3 is held by the filter holding portion 21 by fitting the pair of rotating shafts 41 into the pair of bearing portions 42.

[0046] By providing such a rotation axis 41, the filter 3 can rotate (spin) with respect to the filter holding portion 21 about the rotation axis 41 (central axis Ax1) along the left-right direction D2. When the filter 3 rotates half a turn (180-degree rotation), the top and bottom of the filter 3 are inverted, so that the first posture and the second posture are switched.

[0047] More specifically, the filter 3 includes a filter main body 31 and a frame body 32. The frame body 32 is a frame-shaped member that penetrates in the front-rear direction and holds the filter main body 31 inside thereof. The pair of rotation axes 41 are disposed at the central portion of the frame body 32 in a side view. However, the "rotation axis" referred to in the present disclosure does not necessarily have a solid body as a columnar shaft member, and may be, for example, a virtual axis that is the center when the filter 3 rotates (spins).

[0048] In addition, in the present embodiment, the posture changing mechanism 4 has a drive source 43. The drive source 43 is a device that generates a driving force for rotating the rotation axis 41 and is composed of, for example, an electric motor or the like. Here, the drive source 43 is preferably realized by, for example, a stepping motor or the like in order to freely control the rotation amount (rotation angle) and the rotation direction of the rotation axis 41.

[0049] Here, as an example, the drive source 43 is provided in the main body 1. The drive source 43 is coupled to the rotation axis 41 via a power transmission portion such as a gear or a belt, and the driving force generated by the drive source 43 is transmitted to the rotation axis 41 via the power transmission portion.

[0050] Incidentally, in the humidifier 10 according to the present embodiment, the posture changing mechanism 4 and the cleaning mechanism 5 share at least a part thereof. In the present embodiment, as an example, all of the rotation axis 41, the bearing portion 42, and the drive source 43 in the posture changing mechanism 4 are also shared by the cleaning mechanism 5. That is, the cleaning mechanism 5 has the rotation axis 41, the bearing portion 42, and the drive source 43.

[0051] As a result, when using components different from the posture changing mechanism 4 as components of the cleaning mechanism 5, the number of components of the posture changing mechanism 4 and the cleaning mechanism 5 can be reduced as compared with the case of using different components, and the configuration can be simplified.

[0052] [3] Operations of the Posture Changing Mechanism and the Cleaning Mechanism Next, operations of the posture changing mechanism 4 and the cleaning mechanism 5 of the humidifier 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0053] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate operations in the case where the posture of the filter 3 is changed from the first posture to the second posture by the posture changing mechanism 4 and the filter 3 is cleaned by the cleaning mechanism 5. In FIG. 6, two consecutive states are shown vertically side by side, indicating a transition from the state shown in the upper row to the state shown in the lower row.

[0054] Here, as an initial state, it is assumed that the filter 3 is in the first posture. The posture changing mechanism 4 periodically or irregularly drives the rotating shaft 41 by the drive source 43, and rotates the filter 3 by half a turn (180 degrees) with respect to the filter holding portion 21 about the central axis Ax1 of the rotating shaft 41. As a result, the upper / lower of the filter 3 is inverted periodically or irregularly, so that the first posture and the second posture of the filter 3 are switched.

[0055] In the present embodiment, as an example, when the liquid L1 stored in the water storage portion 22 decreases and the remaining amount of the liquid L1 reaches a predetermined amount, the posture changing mechanism 4 drives the rotating shaft 41 by the drive source 43, and rotates the filter 3 by half a turn with respect to the filter holding portion 21 about the rotating shaft 41. Here, the predetermined amount is at least the remaining amount of the liquid L1 when the lower part (here, the first part 301) of the filter 3 is immersed in the liquid L1.

[0056] Therefore, when the remaining amount of the liquid L1 stored in the water storage part 22 reaches a predetermined amount with the filter 3 in the first posture, first, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 6, the posture changing mechanism 4 rotationally drives the rotary shaft 41 by the drive source 43. Here, it is assumed that the filter 3 rotates in the direction indicated by the broken-line arrow (clockwise in the figure) around the rotary shaft 41.

[0057] Then, from the state shown in the lower part of FIG. 6, the posture changing mechanism 4 further rotationally drives the rotary shaft 41 by the drive source 43. Here, the filter 3 further rotates in the direction indicated by the broken-line arrow (clockwise in the figure) around the rotary shaft 41. Finally, the posture changing mechanism 4 rotates the filter 3 by half a turn (180 degrees) with respect to the filter holding part 21. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7 (by the solid line), the filter 3 assumes a second posture in which the second part 302 is positioned downward and the first part 301 is positioned upward.

[0058] That is, when the posture changing mechanism 4 operates, the filter 3 rotates by half a turn (180 degrees) from the first posture and transitions to the second posture. And in the state shown in FIG. 7, at least the second part 302 of the filter 3 is immersed in the liquid L1. Thereby, when the filter 3 is in the first posture, even if crystal precipitation occurs on the portion (the second part 302) of the filter 3 that is exposed from the water and this accumulates and scale adheres, when the filter 3 assumes the second posture, the scale is immersed in the liquid L1. Therefore, the scale dissolves in the liquid L1, and as a result, crystal precipitation can be suppressed.

[0059] By the way, in the humidifier 10 according to the present embodiment, the cleaning mechanism 5 cleans the filter 3 with the liquid L1 by moving the filter 3 in the water storage part 22. That is, the cleaning mechanism 5 can clean the filter 3 with the liquid L1 by applying "movement" to the portion of the filter 3 immersed in the liquid L1, which is the same as applying a flow (water flow) of the liquid L1 to the portion of the filter 3 immersed in the liquid L1.

[0060] As a result, the cleaning mechanism 5 can clean the filter 3 by moving only the filter 3 out of the filter 3 and the liquid L1, and there is no need for a configuration for moving the liquid L1, making it easy to simplify the configuration.

[0061] In the present embodiment, as described above, the cleaning mechanism 5 shares at least a part (the rotating shaft 41, the bearing portion 42, and the drive source 43) with the posture changing mechanism 4. Therefore, the cleaning mechanism 5 can drive the rotating shaft 41 by the drive source 43 and rotate the filter 3 with respect to the filter holding portion 21 around the rotating shaft 41, so that the filter 3 can be moved within the water storage portion 22.

[0062] Specifically, as shown by the dashed arrow in FIG. 7, the cleaning mechanism 5 rotates the filter 3 around the central axis Ax1 of the rotating shaft 41 by rotationally driving the rotating shaft 41 by the drive source 43. At this time, the cleaning mechanism 5 rotates the rotating shaft 41 in both directions so that the filter 3 swings within a predetermined angle range, for example, with reference to the second posture. Here, as an example, the predetermined angle is about ±15 degrees.

[0063] That is, the cleaning mechanism 5 reciprocates the filter 3 between a position where the filter 3 is rotated 15 degrees clockwise and a position where the filter 3 is rotated 15 degrees counterclockwise, as shown by the imaginary line (two-dot chain line) in FIG. 7 with reference to the second posture. As a result, the portion of the filter 3 immersed in the liquid L1 reciprocates in the liquid L1 like a pendulum with the central axis Ax1 of the rotating shaft 41 as a fulcrum.

[0064] In this way, in the present embodiment, the movement of the filter 3 includes reciprocating movement. Therefore, the cleaning mechanism 5 can efficiently clean the scale by an operation of shaking off the scale adhering to the filter 3 in the liquid L1.

[0065] Moreover, the reciprocating movement of the filter 3 is accompanied by the rotation of the filter 3. Therefore, the cleaning mechanism 5 can reciprocate the filter 3 with the minimum necessary movement, and it is also difficult for the filter 3 to be displaced in position after the reciprocating movement.

[0066] In addition, the speed (vibration frequency) at which the cleaning mechanism 5 reciprocates the filter 3 can be set as appropriate. As an example, the cleaning mechanism 5 may vibrate the filter 3 at a vibration frequency (frequency) similar to ultrasonic waves or sound waves (audible sound). In this way, when the filter 3 is reciprocated (vibrated) at high speed, although the rotation angle (i.e., amplitude) of the filter 3 becomes relatively small, it is possible to efficiently clean the scale.

[0067] Here, the length of the cleaning period during which the cleaning mechanism 5 cleans by moving the filter 3 may be, for example, several tens of seconds and can be set as appropriate. The length of the cleaning period is not limited to a fixed time and may be changed, for example, according to the amount of scale adhering to the filter 3 or the interval at which the posture changing mechanism 4 changes the posture of the filter 3.

[0068] In addition, the timing at which the cleaning mechanism 5 cleans by moving the filter 3 within the water storage section 22 is preferably after a certain period of time has elapsed since the posture of the filter 3 has changed by the posture changing mechanism 4. That is, for example, when the posture of the filter 3 is switched from the first posture to the second posture as described above, at the time when a certain period of time (for example, about several minutes) has elapsed after the filter 3 has become the second posture, the cleaning mechanism 5 cleans by moving the filter 3.

[0069] As a result, the scale adhering to the filter 3 is softened in a state of being mixed with the liquid L1, and the filter 3 is moved, so that it becomes possible to more efficiently clean the scale.

[0070] [4] Other configurations In addition to or instead of the above-described configuration, the humidifier 10 may adopt the configurations listed below.

[0071] The humidifier 10 may include packings that fill the gaps between the filter 3 and the filter holding part 21 and the main body 1 on both sides and / or above the filter 3 in the left-right direction D2. In particular, when the filter 3 rotates, gaps are required on both sides in the left-right direction D2 of the filter 3 so as not to impede the rotation of the filter 3. To prevent the unhumidified air flow from passing through this gap, it is preferable to fill the gap with packings. This will be the case.

[0072] Furthermore, the posture changing mechanism 4 and the cleaning mechanism 5 are not limited to a completely automatic (electric) configuration. For example, a manually operated configuration may be applied to part or all of them.

[0073] [5] Modification example Hereinafter, modification examples of Embodiment 1 will be listed. The modification examples described below can be applied in appropriate combinations.

[0074] The posture changing mechanism 4 is not limited to two postures, the first posture and the second posture, and may change the posture of the filter 3 among three or more postures.

[0075] Also, the posture changing mechanism 4 is not an essential configuration and can be omitted as appropriate. Even when the posture changing mechanism 4 is omitted, for example, when the user removes the filter 3 from the filter holding part 21 during the water supply operation, reverses the filter 3, and attaches it to the filter holding part 21, the posture of the filter 3 can be switched between the first posture and the second posture.

[0076] Also, the cleaning mechanism 5 may move the filter 3 back and forth without rotating the filter 3. Furthermore, the cleaning mechanism 5 may move the filter 3, for example, back and forth in the front-rear direction D3 to move and clean the filter 3.

[0077] Also, the drive source 43 may be provided in the tray unit 2 instead of the main body 1. In this case, power supply is required from the main body 1 to the tray unit 2 (the drive source 43).

[0078] Further, the cleaning mechanism 5 may clean the filter 3 with the liquid L1 by moving at least one of the liquid L1 stored in the water storage unit 22 and the filter 3. In addition to or instead of the filter 3, the liquid L1 may be moved. Specifically, for example, the cleaning mechanism 5 may generate a water flow in the liquid L1 stored in the water storage unit 22 by a pump or the like, and clean the filter 3 with the water flow. Further, the cleaning mechanism 5 may clean the filter 3 with the vibration of the liquid L1 by vibrating the liquid L1 stored in the water storage unit 22.

[0079] (Embodiment 2) As shown in FIG. 8, the humidifier 10A according to the present embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment in the configuration of the cleaning mechanism 5. Hereinafter, for the same configurations as those in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and the description is appropriately omitted.

[0080] In the present embodiment, the movement of the filter 3 by the cleaning mechanism 5 involves the deformation of the filter body 31 included in the filter 3. That is, in the present embodiment, the cleaning mechanism 5 does not move the filter 3, but deforms the filter body 31 by applying an external force to the filter body 31.

[0081] Due to such deformation of the filter body 31, the cleaning mechanism 5 can move the filter 3 in the water storage unit 22 and clean the filter 3 with the liquid L1. According to this configuration, compared with the case of moving the filter 3 itself, the space required to move the filter 3 can be reduced.

[0082] In particular, in the present embodiment, the deformation of the filter body 31 includes at least one of torsional deformation and compressive deformation. In short, depending on the way of applying the external force to the filter body 31, torsional deformation (twisting deformation) of the filter body 31 and / or compressive deformation of the filter body 31 can be realized.

[0083] According to this configuration, even though it is a deformation mode with a relatively small burden on the filter body 31, such as torsional deformation and / or compressive deformation, the scale attached to the filter body 31 can be peeled off from the filter body 31 and efficiently removed.

[0084] In this embodiment, as an example, the cleaning mechanism 5 is configured to clean the filter 3 by torsional deformation of the filter body 31. Specifically, the filter 3 has a pair of holding members 33 that hold the filter body 31 from both sides in one direction (here, the left - right direction D2). The cleaning mechanism 5 deforms the filter body 31 by driving at least one of the pair of holding members 33 so as to change the relative positional relationship between the pair of holding members 33.

[0085] Here, as shown in FIG. 8, a pair of rotating shafts 41 are provided so as to protrude from a pair of holding members 33 provided on both sides of the filter 3 in the left - right direction D2. The cleaning mechanism 5 can rotate the pair of holding members 33 in opposite directions (for example, the direction indicated by the dashed - line arrow in FIG. 8) about the central axis Ax1 of the rotating shafts 41 by rotating the pair of rotating shafts 41 relatively in opposite directions. Thereby, the cleaning mechanism 5 can deform the filter body 31 held between the pair of holding members 33 so as to twist around the central axis Ax1 of the rotating shafts 41.

[0086] Thereby, even with a relatively small external force, it is easy to deform the filter body 31, and the scale attached to the filter body 31 can be peeled off from the filter body 31 and efficiently removed.

[0087] Also, as a modification of Embodiment 2, the cleaning mechanism 5 may fix one of the pair of holding members 33 and rotate only the other. Even in this case, since the pair of holding members 33 rotate in opposite directions (for example, the direction indicated by the dashed - line arrow in FIG. 8) about the central axis Ax1 of the rotating shafts 41 relatively, the filter body 31 can be deformed.

[0088] The configuration (including modifications) of Embodiment 2 can be adopted in appropriate combination with various configurations (including modifications) described in Embodiment 1.

[0089] (Embodiment 3) As shown in FIG. 9, for the humidifier 10B according to this embodiment, the configuration of the cleaning mechanism 5 is different from that of Embodiment 1. Hereinafter, for the configurations similar to those in Embodiment 1, common reference numerals will be given and the description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0090] In this embodiment, the cleaning mechanism 5 is configured to rotate the filter 3 about the central axis Ax2 of the rotation shaft 44 along the vertical direction D1. Specifically, a pair of rotation shafts 44 are provided so as to protrude from both surfaces of the filter 3 in the vertical direction D1. Each of the pair of rotation shafts 44 is a columnar portion extending along the vertical direction D1, and the filter 3 is held by the filter holding portion 21 such that the pair of rotation shafts 44 fit into the depressions formed on the inner surface of the filter holding portion 21.

[0091] By providing such a rotation shaft 44, the filter 3 can rotate (spin) with respect to the filter holding portion 21 about the rotation shaft 44 (central axis Ax2) along the vertical direction D1. Then, the cleaning mechanism 5 rotates the rotation shaft 44 by the drive source 43 to rotate the filter 3 in the direction indicated by the broken-line arrow about the central axis Ax2 of the rotation shaft 44. At this time, the cleaning mechanism 5 rotates the rotation shaft 44 in both directions so as to swing the filter 3 within a predetermined angle range, for example.

[0092] According to this configuration, the portion of the filter 3 immersed in the liquid L1 will reciprocate in the liquid L1 like a pendulum with the central axis Ax2 of the rotation shaft 44 as the fulcrum. As a result, the cleaning mechanism 5 can efficiently clean the scale by an operation of shaking off the scale adhering to the filter 3 in the liquid L1.

[0093] The configuration (including modifications) of Embodiment 3 can be adopted in appropriate combination with various configurations (including modifications) described in Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2.

[0094] (Embodiment 4) As shown in FIG. 10, the humidifier 10C according to this embodiment is different from that of Embodiment 1 in the configuration of the cleaning mechanism 5. Hereinafter, for the same configurations as those in Embodiment 1, the same reference numerals will be given and the description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0095] In this embodiment, the reciprocating movement of the filter 3 by the cleaning mechanism 5 involves taking the filter 3 in and out of the water storage section 22. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the cleaning mechanism 5 reciprocates a pair of rotating shafts 41 along the vertical direction D1 by a drive source 43, thereby reciprocating the filter 3 along the vertical direction D1 and taking the lower part of the filter 3 (the second part 302 in the example of FIG. 10) in and out of the liquid L1 stored in the water storage section 22.

[0096] In short, as indicated by the dashed arrow, the cleaning mechanism 5 reciprocates the filter 3 along the vertical direction D1. As a result, the filter 3 is alternately repeated between a state where it is lifted to the upper end position of its movable range as shown by the solid line in FIG. 10 and a state where it is lowered to the lower end position of its movable range as shown by the imaginary line (two-dot chain line) in FIG. 10.

[0097] According to this configuration, the part of the filter 3 immersed in the liquid L1 will reciprocate along the vertical direction D1. As a result, the cleaning mechanism 5 can efficiently clean the scale by an operation of shaking off the scale attached to the filter 3 in the liquid L1.

[0098] Also, for the filter 3, it is sufficient that at least the lower end of the filter body 31 is immersed in the liquid L1 at the lower end position of the movable range, and it is not essential that the filter body 31 is completely out of the liquid L1 at the upper end position of the movable range.

[0099] The configuration of Embodiment 4 (including modifications) can be adopted in appropriate combination with various configurations (including modifications) described in Embodiment 1, Embodiment 2, or Embodiment 3.

[0100] [Supplementary Note of the Invention] The following is an appendix regarding the outline of the invention extracted from the above-described embodiments. Note that each configuration and each processing function described in the following appendix can be arbitrarily selected and combined as appropriate.

[0101] <Appendix 1> A filter holding part that holds the filter such that a part of the filter is immersed in the liquid stored in the water storage part, and a cleaning mechanism that cleans the filter with the liquid by moving at least one of the liquid and the filter. A humidifier.

[0102] <Appendix 2> The cleaning mechanism cleans the filter with the liquid by moving the filter within the water storage part. The humidifier according to Appendix 1.

[0103] <Appendix 3> The movement of the filter includes reciprocating movement. The humidifier according to Appendix 2.

[0104] <Appendix 4> The reciprocating movement is accompanied by rotation of the filter. The humidifier according to Appendix 3.

[0105] <Appendix 5> The reciprocating movement is accompanied by insertion and removal of the filter with respect to the water storage part. The humidifier according to Appendix 3 or 4.

[0106] <Appendix 6> The movement of the filter is accompanied by deformation of the filter body included in the filter. The humidifier according to any one of Appendices 2 to 5.

[0107] <Appendix 7> The deformation of the filter body includes at least one of torsional deformation and compressive deformation. The humidifier according to Appendix 6.

[0108] <Appended Note 8> The filter has a pair of holding members that hold the filter body from both sides in one direction. The cleaning mechanism deforms the filter body by driving at least one of the pair of holding members so as to change the relative positional relationship between the pair of holding members. The humidifier according to Appended Note 7.

[0109] <Appended Note 9> Further provided is a posture changing mechanism that changes the posture of the filter among a plurality of postures including a first posture in which a first part of the filter is immersed in water and a second posture in which a second part of the filter is immersed in water. The humidifier according to any one of Appended Notes 1 to 8.

[0110] <Appended Note 10> At least a part of the posture changing mechanism and the cleaning mechanism is shared. The humidifier according to Appended Note 9.

[0111] <Appended Note 11> The humidifier according to any one of Appended Notes 1 to 10, and the filter used in the humidifier. A humidification system.

[0112] <Appended Note 12> A filter member used as the filter in the humidification system according to claim 11.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0113] 3 Filter 4 Posture changing mechanism 5 Cleaning mechanism 10, 10A, 10B, 10C Humidifier 21 Filter holding part 22 Water storage part 31 Filter body 33 Holding member 100 Humidification system 301 First part 302 Second part L1 Liquid

Claims

1. A filter holding part that holds the filter so that a part of the filter is immersed in the liquid stored in the water storage part, A cleaning mechanism that cleans the filter with the liquid by moving at least one of the liquid and the filter, and A humidifier.

2. The cleaning mechanism cleans the filter with the liquid by moving the filter within the water storage part, The humidifier according to claim 1.

3. The movement of the filter includes reciprocating movement, The humidifier according to claim 2.

4. The reciprocating movement is accompanied by rotation of the filter, The humidifier according to claim 3.

5. The reciprocating movement is accompanied by inserting and removing the filter with respect to the water storage part, The humidifier according to claim 3 or 4.

6. The movement of the filter is accompanied by deformation of the filter body included in the filter, The humidifier according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

7. The deformation of the filter body includes at least one of torsional deformation and compressive deformation, The humidifier according to claim 6.

8. The filter has a pair of holding members that hold the filter body from both sides in one direction, The cleaning mechanism deforms the filter body by driving at least one of the pair of holding members so as to change the relative positional relationship of the pair of holding members, The humidifier according to claim 7.

9. A posture changing mechanism that changes the posture of the filter among a plurality of postures including a first posture in which a first part of the filter is immersed in water and a second posture in which a second part of the filter is immersed in water, is further provided, The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

10. At least a part of the posture changing mechanism and the cleaning mechanism is shared, The humidifier according to claim 9.

11. A humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and The filter used in the humidifier, and A humidification system.

12. A filter member used as the filter in the humidification system according to claim 11.

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