Liquid micronization device

Abstract

To provide a liquid micronization device suppressing the occurrence of clogging in the device.SOLUTION: A liquid micronization device micronizes water stored in a water storage part, and includes: a water supply part supplying the water to the water storage part; a drainage part draining the water stored in the water storage part; a residual water amount acquisition part acquiring a residual water amount in the storage part; a transition determining part detecting transition from a prescribed residual water amount threshold value or more to less than the residual water amount threshold value; and a water supply / drainage control part surely draining all the water in the water storage part at the drainage part and supplying the water to the water storage part at the water supply part in a state where no water is in the water storage part when detecting the transition at the transition determining part at the time of micronization.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a liquid atomization device that atomizes water stored in a water storage section (for example, Patent Document 1). In the conventional liquid atomization device, the water stored in the water storage section is pumped up by a pump pipe, and the pumped-up water is radiated in the centrifugal direction. By passing the radiated water through a porous section, the water is atomized. Patent Document 1 states that the water storage section can always be maintained at a constant water level without excess or deficiency by an automatic water supply valve.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the conventional liquid atomization device, when the humidification operation is continuously performed, only the water in the water storage section is vaporized. If the operation of the liquid atomization device is continued in this state, scale components such as calcium contained in the water are concentrated in proportion to the usage time and the amount of water used. As a result, scale components are deposited in the water storage section, and there is a possibility that the pump pipe and the drain hole may be clogged.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention provides a liquid atomization device capable of suppressing the occurrence of clogging in the device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve this object, the liquid atomization device of the present invention is a liquid atomization device that atomizes water stored in a water storage section, and includes a water supply section that supplies water to the water storage section, a drainage section that drains the water stored in the water storage section, a remaining water amount acquisition section that acquires the remaining water amount in the water storage section, a transition determination section that detects a transition from equal to or greater than a predetermined remaining water amount threshold to less than the remaining water amount threshold, and a water supply and drainage control section that, when the transition determination section detects a transition during atomization, always drains all the water in the water storage section at the drainage section and supplies water to the water storage section at the water supply section with no water in the water storage section.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a liquid atomization device that can suppress the occurrence of clogging inside the device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that all of the embodiments described below show preferred specific examples of the present invention. Therefore, numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions of components, connection forms, etc. shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Accordingly, among the components in the following embodiments, components not described in the independent claims indicating the highest concept of the present invention are described as optional components. Also, in each figure, the same reference numerals are given to substantially the same configurations, and overlapping descriptions are omitted or simplified.

[0010] (Embodiment) First, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the schematic configuration of the liquid atomization device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the liquid atomization device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the liquid atomization device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid atomization device 1 includes a suction port 2 for sucking air and a blowout port 3 for blowing out the air sucked from the suction port 2. The suction port 2 is provided on the side surface of the liquid atomization device 1. The blowout port 3 is provided above the liquid atomization device 1.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2, in the liquid atomization device 1, an air passage 4, an air passage 5, and an air passage 6 are formed from the suction port 2 to the blowout port 3. Further, the liquid atomization device 1 includes a liquid atomization chamber 7 provided in the air passages 4, 5, and 6, and the suction port 2, the liquid atomization chamber 7, and the blowout port 3 communicate with each other.

[0013] The liquid atomization chamber 7 is the main part of the liquid atomization device 1 and is where water is atomized. In the liquid atomization device 1, the air taken in from the suction port 2 is sent to the liquid atomization chamber 7 via the air passage 4. Then, the liquid atomization device 1 is configured to include the water atomized in the liquid atomization chamber 7 in the air passing through the air passage 4 and blow out the air containing the water from the blowout port 3 via the air passages 5 and 6 in this order. Here, the air passage 5 is configured to change the direction of the air containing water from flowing downward in the vertical direction of the liquid atomization chamber 7 to flowing upward in the vertical direction on its outer periphery. The air passage 6 is configured to flow the air passing through the air passage 5 directly upward in the vertical direction and blow it out from the blowout port 3.

[0014] In the liquid atomization chamber 7, a cylindrical collision wall 8 with openings at the upper and lower sides is provided. The collision wall 8 is fixed inside the liquid atomization chamber 7. Also, in the liquid atomization chamber 7, inside the area surrounded by the collision wall 8, a cylindrical water lift pipe 9 that pumps up (lifts) water while rotating is provided. The water lift pipe 9 has an inverted conical hollow structure, has a circular water lift port 9a at the lower part, and a rotating shaft 10 arranged vertically is fixed at the center of the top surface of the inverted conical shape above the water lift pipe 9. When the rotating shaft 10 is connected to a rotation motor 11 provided on the outer surface of the liquid atomization chamber 7, the rotational motion of the rotation motor 11 is conducted to the water lift pipe 9 through the rotating shaft 10, and the water lift pipe 9 rotates. Note that the rotation motor 11 is configured to execute a rotational motion based on a control signal from a humidification control unit 30 described later.

[0015] The water lift pipe 9 is provided with a plurality of rotating plates 12 formed to protrude outward from the outer surface of the water lift pipe 9 on the top surface side of the inverted conical shape. The plurality of rotating plates 12 are formed to protrude outward from the outer surface of the water lift pipe 9 with a predetermined interval in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 10 between the vertically adjacent rotating plates 12. Since the rotating plates 12 rotate together with the water lift pipe 9, a horizontal disk shape coaxial with the rotating shaft 10 is preferable. Note that the number of the rotating plates 12 is appropriately set according to the target performance or the dimensions of the water lift pipe 9.

[0016] In addition, a plurality of openings 13 penetrating the wall surface of the lift pipe 9 are provided on the wall surface of the lift pipe 9. Each of the plurality of openings 13 is provided at a position communicating the inside of the lift pipe 9 and the upper surface of a rotating plate 12 formed so as to protrude outward from the outer surface of the lift pipe 9.

[0017] Below the liquid atomization chamber 7, a water storage section 14 for storing the water pumped by the lift pipe 9 from the water intake port 9a is provided vertically below the lift pipe 9. The depth of the water storage section 14 is designed such that a part of the lower portion of the lift pipe 9, for example, a length of about one-third to one-hundredth of the conical height of the lift pipe 9 is immersed. This depth can be designed according to the required pumping volume. Further, the bottom surface of the water storage section 14 is formed in a mortar shape toward the water intake port 9a (see FIG. 3).

[0018] The supply of water to the water storage section 14 is performed by a water supply section 15. A water supply pipe 15a is connected to the water supply section 15, and water is directly supplied by the water supply pipe 15a, for example, from a water supply through a water supply valve 15b. The water supply valve 15b is, for example, an electric valve, and switches between an open state of supplying water to the water storage section 14 and a closed state of stopping the water supply to the water storage section 14. The water supply section 15 is provided vertically above the bottom surface of the water storage section 14. Further, the water supply section 15 is preferably provided vertically above not only the bottom surface of the water storage section 14 but also the upper surface of the water storage section 14 (the surface of the maximum water level that can be stored in the water storage section 14). Note that the water supply section 15 may be configured to pump only the necessary amount of water from a water tank provided outside the liquid atomization chamber 7 in advance by the principle of siphon and supply the water to the water storage section 14.

[0019] A tubular drain section 16 is connected to the bottom surface of the water storage section 14. The circular drain hole 16a provided at the position where the drain section 16 is connected is provided at the lowest position of the bottom surface of the water storage section 14 formed in a mortar shape. Further, a drain valve 16b is provided vertically below the drain hole 16a to control water stoppage and drainage by the drain section 16. The drain valve 16b is, for example, an electric valve, and switches between a closed state of stopping water in the water storage section 14 and an open state of draining water from the water storage section 14. Note that even if the drain valve 16b is in the open state, it is possible to stop the water in the water storage section 14 by rotating the lift pipe 9. Details of water stoppage by the lift pipe 9 will be described later.

[0020] In addition, the liquid atomization device 1 is provided with a water level sensor 18 for detecting the water level of the water storage section 14 in order to acquire the remaining water volume of the water storage section 14. A plurality of water level sensors 18 may be provided according to the function of the liquid atomization device 1. For example, in the present embodiment, as the water level sensor 18, it has a first water level sensor 18a for detecting whether the water storage section 14 is in a full water state and a second water level sensor 18b for detecting whether the water storage section 14 is in a water shortage state. Note that the water level sensor 18 may be arbitrarily selected from a float switch, a thermistor, etc. as long as it can detect the water level of the water storage section 14.

[0021] The first water level sensor 18a is turned off when the water in the water storage section 14 is less than a predetermined first water level threshold (full water state), and is turned on when the water in the water storage section 14 is equal to or higher than the first water level threshold (full water state). The first water level sensor 18a is installed, for example, at a water level higher than the lower end of the collision wall 8 with reference to the bottom surface of the water storage section 14 so as to be turned on.

[0022] The second water level sensor 18b turns on when the water in the water storage section 14 is at or above a predetermined second water level threshold (drought state), and turns off when the water in the water storage section 14 is below the second water level threshold (drought state). The second water level sensor 18b is installed so as to turn on at a water level that is equal to or higher than the water outlet 9a and lower than the lower end of the collision wall 8, with reference to the bottom surface of the water storage section 14. In other words, it is installed so that the water outlet 9a is in a state where pumping is possible and a drought state is determined. Although details will be described later, when a drought state occurs, the drain valve 16b is opened to start draining. Since the amount of drained water can be reduced, it is preferable to provide the second water level sensor 18b so that it turns on at the same water level as the water outlet 9a.

[0023] In this way, the water level sensor 18 detects whether the water storage section 14 is full by switching the on / off state of the first water level sensor 18a, and detects whether the water storage section 14 is in a drought state by switching the on / off state of the second water level sensor 18b. In other words, the water level sensor 18 indirectly obtains the remaining water volume in the water storage section 14 by detecting the transition of the water level in the water storage section 14. Then, the water level sensor 18 outputs information regarding the on or off state of the first water level sensor 18a and the second water level sensor 18b to the humidification control unit 30.

[0024] As another means of indirectly obtaining the remaining water volume in the water storage section 14, for example, a humidity sensor 21 may be provided at the air outlet 3. The humidity sensor 21 detects the humidity of the air blown out from the air outlet 3. When the remaining water volume in the water storage section 14 decreases, the amount of water atomized in the liquid atomization chamber 7 decreases, and the humidity of the air blown out from the air outlet 3 decreases. Therefore, even when the humidity detected by the humidity sensor 21 transitions from equal to or higher than a predetermined humidity threshold to less than the humidity threshold, it can be detected that the water storage section 14 is in a drought state.

[0025] Also, a cylindrical eliminator 17 is provided below the collision wall 8 (in the space between the collision wall 8 and the water storage part 14). The eliminator 17 is arranged so as to separate the inside and outside of the liquid atomization chamber 7 and collects a part of the atomized water droplets. Further, the eliminator 17 is composed of a porous body through which air can flow. The eliminator 17 is fixed so as to be enclosed in an eliminator holder 19 connected to the lower part of the collision wall 8. Specifically, the eliminator holder 19 includes a top plate 19c, a first holding part 19a extending vertically downward from the top plate 19c, and a second holding part 19b extending vertically downward from the top plate 19c inside (on the side of the lift pipe 9) of the first holding part 19a. The eliminator 17 is clamped and fixed by the first holding part 19a and the second holding part 19b of the eliminator holder 19. Note that a support part 22 of the water flow control plate 20 is connected to the second holding part 19b of the eliminator holder 19.

[0026] The eliminator 17 is arranged in the air passage 5 and collects water droplets among the water contained in the air passing through the liquid atomization chamber 7 by flowing through the eliminator 17. As a result, the air flowing through the air passage 5 only contains vaporized water.

[0027] The water flow control plate 20 is provided above the water storage part 14 so as to cover the water storage part 14. Specifically, the outer diameter of the water flow control plate 20 is formed to be smaller than the inner wall diameter of the water storage part 14 and is provided so as to cover the upper part of the water storage part 14 below the space surrounded by the eliminator 17. The water flow control plate 20 has a substantially disc shape, and an opening (not shown) is formed in the central part with a diameter through which the lift pipe 9 can penetrate the water flow control plate 20. Further, the water flow control plate 20 has a plurality of support parts 22 on the upper surface side of the outer peripheral part (outer edge), and is fixed to the second holding part 19b of the eliminator holder 19 through the support parts 22. Note that the water flow control plate 20 prevents an increase in noise due to the generation of bubbles in the water flow accompanying the rotation of the lift pipe 9.

[0028] Furthermore, a humidification control unit 30 is provided in the liquid atomization device 1. The humidification control unit 30 controls the humidification operation (atomization operation) in the humidification process by controlling the operation of the liquid atomization device 1. In addition, the humidification control unit 30 controls the water supply and drainage of the liquid atomization device 1 based on information regarding the remaining water volume in the water storage unit 14 obtained from, for example, the first water level sensor 18a and the second water level sensor 18b. In the present embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, the humidification control unit 30 is provided inside the liquid atomization device 1, but it may be configured to be disposed outside the liquid atomization device 1. Details of the control by the humidification control unit 30 will be described later.

[0029] Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the operation principle of humidification (atomization of water) in the liquid atomization device 1 will be described.

[0030] First, the blowing of outside air (suction of air from the suction port 2) is started. Then, With no water in the water storage unit 14, the drain valve 16b is closed. Further, the rotary shaft 10 is rotated by the rotary motor 11 at a first rotational speed R1 (for example, 2000 rpm), and the lift pipe 9 is rotated accordingly. Then, by opening the water supply valve 15b, water is supplied from the water supply unit 15 to the water storage unit 14. At this time, in the water storage unit 14, due to the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the lift pipe 9, the water supplied to the water storage unit 14 is pumped up by the lift pipe 9. The water supplied to the water storage unit 14 is stopped from draining through the drain hole 16a regardless of the state of the drain valve 16b, and the water supplied from the water supply unit 15 is stored in the water storage unit 14. When the first water level sensor 18a detects that the water storage unit 14 is full, the water supply valve 15b is closed to stop the supply of water from the water supply unit 15 to the water storage unit 14.

[0031] Subsequently, when the rotary shaft 10 is rotated at a second rotational speed R2 which is equal to or higher than the first rotational speed R1 by the rotary motor 11 and the lift pipe 9 is rotated accordingly, the water stored in the water storage section 14 is pumped up by the lift pipe 9 due to the centrifugal force generated by the rotation. Here, the second rotational speed R2 of the rotary motor 11 (lift pipe 9) is set between 2000 - 5000 rpm according to the amount of humidification to air. Since the lift pipe 9 has an inverted conical hollow structure, the water pumped up by the rotation is lifted upward along the inner wall of the lift pipe 9. Then, the lifted water is discharged centrifugally from the opening 13 of the lift pipe 9 through the rotary plate 12 and scattered as water droplets.

[0032] The water droplets scattered from the rotary plate 12 fly through the space (liquid atomization chamber 7) surrounded by the collision wall 8, collide with the collision wall 8, and are atomized. On the other hand, the air passing through the liquid atomization chamber 7 moves from above the collision wall 8 to the inside of the collision wall 8, and moves from below to the outside of the collision wall 8 while containing the water droplets crushed (atomized) by the collision wall 8. Then, the air containing the water droplets passes through the eliminator 17. Thereby, the liquid atomization device 1 can humidify the air sucked from the suction port 2 and blow out the humidified air from the blowout port 3.

[0033] Note that the liquid to be atomized may be other than water. For example, it may be a liquid such as hypochlorous acid water having bactericidal or deodorizing properties. By making the atomized hypochlorous acid water contained in the air sucked from the suction port 2 of the liquid atomization device 1 and blowing out the air from the blowout port 3, the space where the liquid atomization device 1 is placed can be sterilized or deodorized.

[0034] Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the details of the water stop mechanism and the drainage mechanism of the water storage section 14 by the drainage section 16 and the lift pipe 9 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the water stop mechanism of the water storage section 14 by the drainage section 16 and the lift pipe 9 in the liquid atomization device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3, in the liquid atomization device 1, when the humidifying operation is started and the rotary motor 11 (lift pipe 9) rotates at the third rotational speed R3 (for example, 2000 rpm), a vortex 24 is generated in the water in the water storage section 14 inside the lift pipe 9 due to the centrifugal force of the rotation. Then, the lift pipe 9 forms a gap 25 communicating between the water outlet 9a and the drain hole 16a at the center of the vortex generated by its rotation. Thereby, if the gap 25 is sufficiently larger than the drain hole 16a, even if the drain valve 16b is in the open state, the water in the water storage section 14 can be prevented from flowing into the drain hole 16a. That is, in the liquid atomization device 1, it is possible to prevent the water in the water storage section 14 from being drained from the drain hole 16a during the humidifying operation (when the rotary motor 11 is rotating at the second rotational speed R2).

[0036] On the other hand, when the rotation of the rotary motor 11 (lift pipe 9) stops, the gap 25 disappears together with the vortex 24. At this time, if the drain valve 16b is in the open state, the water in the water storage section 14 flows into the drain hole 16a. That is, in the liquid atomization device 1, by stopping the humidifying operation (the rotation operation of the rotary motor 11), the water in the water storage section 14 can be drained through the drain hole 16a.

[0037] Thus, if the gap 25 is sufficiently larger than the drain hole 16a, even when the drain valve 16b is in the open state and the lift pipe 9 rotates during the humidifying operation, the drainage (water stoppage) of the water in the water storage section 14 from the drain hole 16a can be suppressed.

[0038] Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the heat exchange air device 60 provided with the liquid atomization device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the heat exchange air device provided with the liquid atomization device according to the first embodiment.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 4, the heat exchange air device 60 includes a liquid atomization device 1, a humidity recovery unit 65, and a blower 67. The heat exchange air device 60 blows the outside air (the air whose humidity has been recovered after passing through the humidity recovery unit 65) sucked from the outside air suction port 63 to the suction port 2 (see FIG. 1) of the liquid atomization device 1 through the connection duct 66. The liquid atomization device 1 performs a humidification process on the air sucked from the suction port 2, blows out the humidified air from the blowout port 3 (see FIG. 1), and supplies it into the room through the air supply port 64. Here, the heat exchange air device 60 corresponds to the "air blowing device" in the claims.

[0040] The heat exchange air device 60 has a box-shaped main body case 50 and is used, for example, in a state of being placed on the floor. An indoor air suction port 61, an exhaust port 62, an outside air suction port 63, and an air supply port 64 are provided on the top surface of the main body case 50 (the surface on which the liquid atomization device 1 is mounted). Further, the liquid atomization device 1 is installed on the top surface of the main body case 50. And a humidity recovery unit 65 and a blower 67 are provided inside the main body case 50.

[0041] The indoor air suction port 61 is a suction port that sucks the air (indoor air) inside the building into the heat exchange air device 60. Specifically, the indoor air suction port 61 is connected in communication with an indoor exhaust port that sucks indoor air through a duct (not shown) extending to the ceiling surface or wall surface of each space inside the building.

[0042] The exhaust port 62 is a discharge port that blows the indoor air from the heat exchange air device 60 to the outside of the building. Specifically, the exhaust port 62 is connected in communication with an outdoor exhaust port that blows out indoor air through a duct (not shown) extending to the outer wall surface of the building.

[0043] The outside air suction port 63 is a suction port that sucks the air (outside air) outside the building into the heat exchange air device 60. Specifically, the outside air suction port 63 is connected in communication with an outdoor air supply port that sucks outside air through a duct (not shown) extending to the outer wall surface of the building.

[0044] The air supply port 64 is an outlet for blowing outside air from the heat exchange air device 60 into the room through the liquid atomization device 1. Specifically, the air supply port 64 communicates and is connected to an indoor air supply port that blows out outside air through a duct (not shown) extending to the ceiling surface or wall surface of each space in the building. Note that the heat exchange air device 60 and the suction port 2 of the liquid atomization device 1 are connected via a connection duct 66.

[0045] The humidity recovery section 65 is provided inside the main body case 50 on the upstream side of the blower 67. The humidity recovery section 65 has a function of recovering (exchanging) the humidity of the air sucked in when the blower 67 operates and passing through the inside of the heat exchange air device 60 (particularly, the air supply duct). The humidity recovery section 65 is, for example, a desiccant type or a heat pump type heat exchanger.

[0046] Although not particularly shown, the air supply duct sucks fresh outdoor air (outside air) from the outside air suction port 63, passes it through the humidity recovery section 65, the blower 67, the connection duct 66, and the liquid atomization device 1 in this order, and is an air duct for supplying it into the room from the air supply port 64.

[0047] The blower 67 is a device for blowing outside air from the outside air suction port 63 to the air supply port 64. By blowing air, the blower 67 circulates outside air inside the humidity recovery section 65. Examples of the blower 67 include a cross-flow fan or a blower fan. Note that the blower 67 is configured to execute a blowing operation based on a control signal from a control section 60a (see FIG. 5) that controls the heat exchange air device 60.

[0048] In addition, a water supply and drainage pipe 51 is provided in the heat exchange air device 60. The supply and drainage of water to and from the liquid atomization device 1 are performed by the water supply and drainage pipe 51. Specifically, one end of the water supply and drainage pipe 51 is connected to the water supply pipe 15a (see FIG. 2) and the drain pipe 16 (see FIG. 2) of the liquid atomization device 1, respectively. The other end of the water supply and drainage pipe 51 is connected to the water supply facility and the drainage facility of the house or facility, respectively.

[0049] As described above, in the heat exchange ventilation device 60, while recovering the moisture discharged outdoors during ventilation into the air supplied indoors, if the moisture cannot be completely recovered by the humidity recovery unit 65, it can be supplemented or further added when passing through the liquid atomization device 1. Therefore, the indoor humidity can be maintained within a humidified and comfortable humidity range.

[0050] Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the humidification control unit 30 of the liquid atomization device 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the humidification control unit 30 in the liquid atomization device 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 5, the humidification control unit 30 includes a remaining water amount acquisition unit 30a, a transition determination unit 30b, a drainage timer 30c, and a water supply / drainage control unit 30d. Hereinafter, for the sake of explanation, the value of the remaining water amount at the water level threshold at which the water level of the water storage unit 14 becomes full is referred to as the full water threshold, and the value of the remaining water amount at the water level threshold at which the water level of the water storage unit 14 becomes dry is referred to as the remaining water amount threshold. In other words, the full water threshold is the remaining water amount at the water level at which the first water level sensor 18a switches from off to on. Also, the remaining water amount threshold is the remaining water amount at the water level at which the second water level sensor 18b switches from on to off.

[0052] The remaining water amount acquisition unit 30a receives the information of the first water level sensor 18a and the information of the second water level sensor 18b as information regarding the remaining water amount of the water storage unit 14. Note that the remaining water amount acquisition unit 30a may receive the information of the humidity sensor 21 instead of the water level sensor 18 as information regarding the remaining water amount of the water storage unit 14, or may use the water level sensor 18 and the humidity sensor 21 in combination. The remaining water amount acquisition unit 30a outputs the received information to the transition determination unit 30b.

[0053] The transition determination unit 30b determines the transition of the remaining water volume in the water storage unit 14 based on the information regarding the remaining water volume in the water storage unit 14 acquired by the remaining water volume acquisition unit 30a. For example, when the information received from the first water level sensor 18a transitions from off to on, it is determined that the remaining water volume in the water storage unit 14 has transitioned from less than the full water threshold to equal to or greater than the full water threshold. In other words, it is determined that the water storage unit 14 is in a full water state. Also, when the information received from the second water level sensor 18b transitions from on to off, it is determined that the water level in the water storage unit 14 has transitioned from equal to or greater than the remaining water volume threshold to less than the remaining water volume threshold. In other words, it is determined that the water storage unit 14 is in a water shortage state. The transition determination unit 30b specifies the control content for the water supply valve 15b or the drain valve 16b based on the determination result, and outputs it to the drain timer 30c and the water supply and drainage control unit 30d.

[0054] The drain timer 30c measures the time elapsed since the start of drainage. In other words, the drain timer 30c measures the time elapsed since the drain valve 16b became open. The drain timer 30c, for example, sets 20 as the initial value, decreases the count by 1 every second until the count reaches 0, and sends a signal to the water supply and drainage control unit 30d when the count reaches 0.

[0055] The water supply and drainage control unit 30d outputs a signal (control signal) for controlling the opening and closing operations of the water supply valve 15b and the drain valve 16b based on the control content specified by the transition determination unit 30b. The drain control unit 30d is electrically connected to the water supply valve 15b and the drain valve 16b.

[0056] In the above manner, the humidification control unit 30 controls the water supply valve 15b and the drain valve 16b. In other words, based on the change in the water level in the water storage unit 14 and the change in the humidification amount of the liquid atomization device 1, it controls the water supply operation to the water storage unit 14 and the drainage operation from the water storage unit 14.

[0057] Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the procedure of the water supply and drainage treatment in the humidifying operation of the liquid atomization device 1 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the water supply and drainage control process by the liquid atomization device 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Here, each step in the flowchart is numbered with S as the initial letter. For example, S001 etc. indicate processing steps. Note that the magnitude of the numerical values indicating the processing steps has no relation to the order of the processing.

[0058] With reference to FIG. 6, the procedure of the water supply and drainage control of the liquid atomization device 1 will be described.

[0059] When the liquid atomization device 1 starts the humidifying treatment operation, the drain valve 16b is in the closed state and the water supply valve 15b is in the open state, and the water supply unit 15 starts supplying water to the water storage unit 14 (S001).

[0060] The remaining water amount acquisition unit 30a acquires the remaining water amount in the water storage unit 14 (S002). Here, information is acquired from the first water level sensor.

[0061] The transition determination unit 30b determines whether the remaining water amount in the water storage unit 14 has transitioned from less than the full water threshold to equal to or more than the full water threshold (S003).

[0062] If the remaining water amount in the water storage unit 14 has not transitioned from less than the full water threshold to equal to or more than the full water threshold, in other words, if the water in the water storage unit 14 is not in the full water state, the open state of the water supply valve 15b is continued (S003: NO → S002).

[0063] If the remaining water amount in the water storage unit 14 has transitioned from less than the full water threshold to equal to or more than the full water threshold, in other words, if the water in the water storage unit 14 has become in the full water state (S003: YES), the water supply valve 15b is closed (S004).

[0064] By such control, the water in the water storage unit 14 becomes in the full water state. When the water supply process to the water storage unit 14 is completed and the water supply valve 15b is closed, the water in the water storage unit 14 gradually decreases by the humidifying operation of the liquid atomization device 1. In other words, the remaining water amount in the water storage unit 14 decreases, and the water level in the water storage unit 14 gradually drops.

[0065] The remaining water amount acquisition unit 30a acquires the remaining water amount in the water storage unit 14 (S005). Here, information is acquired from the second water level sensor 18b or the humidity sensor 21.

[0066] The transition determination unit 30b determines whether the remaining water amount in the water storage unit 14 has transitioned from equal to or greater than the remaining water amount threshold to less than the remaining water amount threshold (S006).

[0067] If the remaining water amount in the water storage unit 14 has not transitioned from equal to or greater than the remaining water amount threshold to less than the remaining water amount threshold, in other words, if the water in the water storage unit 14 is not in a drought state, the closed state of the drain valve 16b is continued (S006: NO → S005).

[0068] If the remaining water amount in the water storage unit 14 has transitioned from equal to or greater than the remaining water amount threshold to less than the remaining water amount threshold, in other words, if the water in the water storage unit 14 is in a drought state (S006: YES), the drain valve 16b is surely opened (S007).

[0069] The drainage timer 30c measures the time elapsed since the drain valve 16b became open (S008).

[0070] If the time measured by the drainage timer 30c is less than the predetermined time threshold (S008: NO), the open state of the drain valve 16b is continued.

[0071] If the time measured by the drainage timer 30c is equal to or greater than the predetermined time threshold (S008: YES), the drain valve 16b is closed (S009).

[0072] If the operation of the liquid atomization device 1 has ended (S010: YES), the humidification operation process ends.

[0073] If the operation of the liquid atomization device 1 is continuing, the water supply to the water storage unit 14 is started again (S010 → NO S001).

[0074] With such control, the water supplied by the water supply unit 15 is always drained by the drainage unit 16. In other words, the water supply to the water storage unit 14 is performed after the remaining water is necessarily drained.

[0075] Conventionally, when the water supply process was performed without draining water during the humidification operation, in other words, when additional water was added while water still remained, scale components such as calcium content in the water were concentrated in proportion to the usage time and the amount of water used. As a result, scale components were deposited in the water storage unit 14, and there was a possibility that the lift pipe 9 and the drain hole 16a would become clogged.

[0076] In this embodiment, the remaining water is always drained once in response to a single water supply to the water storage unit 14. In other words, since new water is supplied with no water remaining in the water storage unit 14, concentration of scale components in the water storage unit 14 can be suppressed. As a result, clogging within the liquid atomization device 1 can be suppressed. (Summary of the Invention) A liquid atomization device according to the present invention is a liquid atomization device that atomizes water stored in a water storage unit, and includes a water supply unit that supplies water to the water storage unit, a drainage unit that drains the water stored in the water storage unit, a remaining water amount acquisition unit that acquires the remaining water amount in the water storage unit, a transition determination unit that determines a transition from equal to or greater than a predetermined remaining water amount threshold to less than the remaining water amount threshold based on the remaining water amount acquired by the remaining water amount acquisition unit, and a water supply and drainage control unit that, when the transition determination unit detects a transition during atomization, always drains all the water in the water storage unit at the drainage unit and supplies water to the water storage unit at the water supply unit with no water in the water storage unit.

[0077] According to such a configuration, since new water is supplied with no water remaining in the water storage unit 14, clogging within the liquid atomization device 1 can be suppressed.

[0078] Further, it may further include a water level sensor that detects the water level of the water storage unit, and the transition determination unit may be configured to determine that a transition has occurred from equal to or greater than a predetermined water level threshold to less than the water level threshold when the water level detected by the water level sensor has transitioned.

[0079] According to such a configuration, the water level can be indirectly obtained as the remaining water volume.

[0080] Furthermore, it may further include a humidity sensor that detects the humidity of the air blown out from the air outlet that blows out the air containing the atomized water, and the transition determination unit may be configured such that when the humidity detected by the humidity sensor transitions from equal to or higher than a predetermined humidity threshold to less than the humidity threshold, it is considered to have transitioned from equal to or higher than the remaining water volume threshold to less than the remaining water volume threshold.

[0081] According to such a configuration, the humidification amount can be indirectly obtained as the remaining water volume.

[0082] Furthermore, it may include a drainage timer that measures the time elapsed since the start of drainage, and the water supply and drainage control unit may be configured to stop drainage regardless of the detection result of the transition determination unit and supply water to the water storage unit by the water supply unit when the time measured by the drainage timer is equal to or longer than a predetermined time threshold.

[0083] According to such a configuration, water supply can be started in a state where the water in the water storage unit 14 is surely not remaining.

[0084] Furthermore, the drainage unit may include a drainage hole for draining water from the water storage unit and a drainage valve for opening and closing the drainage hole, and the water supply and drainage control unit may always set the drainage valve to the open state when the transition determination unit detects a transition during atomization, and set the drainage valve to the closed state regardless of the detection result of the transition determination unit when the time measured by the drainage timer is equal to or longer than the predetermined time threshold.

[0085] Furthermore, it may be configured to include a cylindrical water lifting pipe that has a water lifting port vertically downward and discharges the water sucked up from the water storage unit at the water lifting port in the centrifugal direction as it rotates, and a collision wall that collides with the water discharged from the water lifting pipe to atomize it.

Industrial Applicability

[0086] The liquid atomization device according to the present disclosure is useful as a device for vaporizing a liquid such as a humidifying device or a hypochlorous acid vaporization device for sterilization or deodorization purposes.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0087] 1 Liquid atomization device 2 Suction port 3 Outlet 4 Air passage 5 Air passage 6 Air passage 7 Liquid atomization chamber 8 Collision wall 9 Lift pipe 9a Lift water inlet 10 Rotating shaft 11 Rotation motor 12 Rotating plate 13 Opening 14 Water storage part 15 Water supply part 15a Water supply pipe 15b Water supply valve 16 Drainage part 16a Drainage hole 16b Drainage valve 17 Eliminator 18 Water level sensor 18a First water level sensor 18b Second water level sensor 19 Eliminator holder 19a First holding part 19b Second holding part 19c Top plate 20 Water flow control plate 21 Humidity sensor 22 Support part 24 Vortex 25 Gap 30 Humidification control part 30a Remaining water amount acquisition part 30b Transition determination part 30c Drainage timer 30d Water supply and drainage control part 50 Main body case 51 Water supply and drainage pipe 60 Heat exchange air device 61 Inner air suction port 62 Exhaust port 63 Outer air suction port 64 Air supply port 65 Humidity recovery part 66 Connection duct 67 Blower

Claims

1. A liquid atomization device for atomizing water stored in a water storage section, comprising: a water supply section for supplying water to the water storage section; a drainage section for draining the water stored in the water storage section; a remaining water amount acquisition section for acquiring the remaining water amount in the water storage section; a transition determination section for determining a transition from equal to or greater than a predetermined remaining water amount threshold to less than the remaining water amount threshold based on the remaining water amount acquired by the remaining water amount acquisition section; a water supply / drainage control section that, when the transition is detected by the transition determination section during atomization, always drains all the water in the water storage section at the drainage section and supplies water to the water storage section at the water supply section with no water in the water storage section. A liquid atomization device comprising the above.

2. Further comprising a water level sensor for detecting the water level in the water storage section, wherein the transition determination section assumes that a transition from equal to or greater than a predetermined water level threshold to less than the water level threshold detected by the water level sensor is a transition from equal to or greater than the remaining water amount threshold to less than the remaining water amount threshold. The liquid atomization device according to claim 1.

3. Further comprising a humidity sensor for detecting the humidity of the air blown out from a blowout port that blows out air containing the atomized water, wherein the transition determination section assumes that a transition from equal to or greater than a predetermined humidity threshold to less than the humidity threshold detected by the humidity sensor is a transition from equal to or greater than the remaining water amount threshold to less than the remaining water amount threshold. The liquid atomization device according to claim 1.

4. Comprising a drainage timer for measuring the time elapsed since the start of drainage, wherein the water supply / drainage control section stops the drainage regardless of the detection result of the transition determination section and supplies water to the water storage section at the water supply section when the time measured by the drainage timer is equal to or greater than a predetermined time threshold. The liquid atomization device according to claim 1.

5. The drainage section comprises a drainage hole for draining water from the water storage section and a drainage valve for opening and closing the drainage hole, wherein the water supply / drainage control section always opens the drainage valve when the transition is detected by the transition determination section during atomization, and closes the drainage valve regardless of the detection result of the transition determination section when the time measured by the drainage timer is equal to or greater than the predetermined time threshold. The liquid atomization device according to claim 4.

6. A cylindrical lift pipe having a lift port vertically below and discharging the water sucked up from the water storage section at the lift port in the centrifugal direction as it rotates, and a collision wall for colliding the water discharged from the lift pipe to atomize it. The liquid atomization device according to claim 5.

Images