Humidifier

Abstract

To provide a humidifier suppressing noise generated when humidified air is generated by a liquid atomization device from being transmitted to the outside of the humidifier.SOLUTION: A humidifier 1 includes: a housing 5; a liquid atomization device 33 humidifying air sucked to the inside of the housing 5; a blowout air passage 40 introducing the air humidified by the liquid atomization device 33 to a blowout port 12; and a plate-like panel part 6 located vertically below the housing 5 and facing the blowout port 12. The blowout air passage 40 includes an almost U-shaped bent part 40a receiving the air blown out from the liquid atomization device 33. A rectification space R rectifying the air blown out through the blowout port 12 toward the prescribed direction and blowing out the air is provided between the housing 5 and the panel part 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a humidifier. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional structure for blowing air into a room from a ceiling is disclosed in Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-249181 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There are ceiling-mounted humidifiers that draw in indoor air from below the humidifier and then blow the resulting humidified air back into the room. Among these humidifiers, there are also those that use a liquid atomization device. Liquid atomization devices use a centrifugal crushing method, in which water is pumped from a water reservoir by a high-speed rotation of a water pumping pipe. The water is then crushed into fine particles by centrifugal force against a collision wall, and the resulting fine particles are then added to the air to humidify the air. While this liquid atomization device eliminates the need for humidification filter replacement, which is required with evaporative systems, it generates motor noise due to the high-speed rotation of the water pumping pipe, wind noise from the water pumping pipe, and impact noise when the water collides with the collision wall. Conventional humidifiers have the potential for noise generated inside the housing containing the liquid atomization device to be transmitted directly to the outside through the humidifier's outlet.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a humidifier that can suppress transmission of sound generated when humidified air is produced by a liquid atomization device to the outside of the humidifier. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above object, one embodiment of the present invention provides a humidifier comprising a housing, a liquid atomization device that humidifies air drawn into the housing, an outlet airflow path that guides the air humidified by the liquid atomization device to an outlet, and a plate-like panel portion positioned vertically below the housing and facing the outlet. The housing is box-shaped and has a bottom surface with an inlet and an outlet, a top surface facing the bottom surface, and multiple side surfaces connected to the bottom and top surface. The outlet airflow path has a substantially U-shaped bend that receives the air blown out from the liquid atomization device. A rectifying space is provided between the housing and the panel portion for rectifying the air blown out from the outlet in a predetermined direction and blowing it out. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a humidifier that can suppress transmission of sound generated when humidified air is produced by a liquid atomization device to the outside of the humidifier. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view of the humidifier as viewed from above, and FIG. 1(b) is an enlarged view of a part of the bottom surface and panel portion in FIG. 1(a). [Figure 2] FIG. 2(a) is a front view of the humidifier with the air inlet side facing forward, and FIG. 2(b) is a left side view of the humidifier. [Figure 3] FIG. 3(a) is a bottom view of the humidifier with the panel removed, viewed from vertically below, and FIG. 3(b) is a view of the humidifier with the panel removed, viewed from diagonally below. [Figure 4] 4(a) and 4(b) are schematic diagrams showing the procedure for installing the panel unit in the housing. [Figure 5] 5(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3(a), and FIG. 5(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 3(a). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are examples of the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and their description will be omitted. Furthermore, in each drawing, detailed descriptions of components not directly related to the present invention will be omitted.

[0010] (Schematic configuration of humidifier 1) First, the schematic configuration of a humidifier 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3. Fig. 1(a) is a perspective view of the humidifier 1 viewed from above, and Fig. 1(b) is an enlarged view of a portion of the bottom surface 2 and panel portion 6 in Fig. 1(a). Fig. 2(a) is a front view of the humidifier 1 with the air inlet 11 facing forward, and Fig. 2(b) is a left side view of the humidifier 1. Fig. 3(a) is a bottom view of the humidifier 1 with the panel portion 6 removed, viewed from vertically below, and Fig. 3(b) is a view of the humidifier 1 with the panel portion 6 removed, viewed from diagonally below.

[0011] The humidifier 1 is a device that humidifies a target space by drawing in air from a target room, humidifying the drawn-in air, and then blowing it out into the room. The humidifier 1 is fixed to the ceiling of the target room. For example, the humidifier 1 is installed so that it is embedded in the ceiling with a portion of the bottom surface 2 (described below) exposed to the room. The humidifier 1 comprises a housing 5, a panel unit 6, a liquid atomization device 33 (see FIG. 5), and an outlet air duct 40 (see FIG. 5). Details of the liquid atomization device 33 and the outlet air duct 40 will be described later.

[0012] The housing 5 is the outer shell of the humidifier 1, which is configured in the shape of a hollow box. In addition to the liquid atomization device 33, an air supply fan 34, which will be described later, is arranged inside the housing 5. The housing 5 includes a bottom surface 2, a top surface 3, side surfaces 4, a filter 35, an intake port 11, an intake air duct 41, an outlet port 12, a shielding wall 13, a panel support portion 14, a fastening wall 15, a maintenance portion 17, and a locking portion 21.

[0013] The bottom surface 2 is one surface that constitutes the box shape of the housing 5, and is provided in the shape of a rectangular plate. The bottom surface 2 is provided with an air inlet 11 and an air outlet 12.

[0014] The top surface 3 is a surface facing the bottom surface 2 and is provided in the shape of a rectangular plate that is smaller than the bottom surface 2.

[0015] The side surface 4 is a surface that connects the bottom surface 2 and the top surface 3, and a plurality of rectangular plate-shaped surfaces are provided. In this embodiment, four side surfaces 4 are provided. Hereinafter, of the four side surfaces 4, when the side of the suction port 11 described below is the front surface of the housing 5, the side surface on the front side will be referred to as the suction port-side side surface 4c, and the side surface on the rear side, which is the side of the air outlet 12 described below, will be referred to as the air outlet-side side surface 4d. In addition, the side surface on the left side will be referred to as one side surface 4a, and the side surface on the right side opposite one side surface 4a will be referred to as the opposing side surface 4b.

[0016] In this embodiment, the bottom surface 2 is rectangular and larger than the top surface 3, and extends outward beyond the side surface 4. Hereinafter, the portion of the bottom surface 2 that is inside the side surface 4 will be referred to as an inner periphery 2a, and the portion that is outside the side surface 4 will be referred to as a flange portion 2b.

[0017] Filter 35 is a member that purifies the air drawn into housing 5. Filter 35 is provided on side surface 4c on the inlet side. Filter 35 is, for example, a HEPA filter (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter), and captures 99.97% or more of particles with a particle size of 0.3 μm.

[0018] Suction port 11 is a rectangular opening provided in flange portion 2b of bottom surface 2 and located near suction port side surface 4c. In other words, suction port 11 is located on bottom surface 2 outside suction port side surface 4c.

[0019] Intake air passage 41 is an air passage that guides indoor air sucked in through inlet 11 into the inside of housing 5. Intake air passage 41 communicates between inlet 11 provided in flange portion 2b and filter 35 provided on inlet-side side surface 4c.

[0020] The air outlets 12 are openings that blow out humidified air, which is air that has been humidified inside the housing 5, vertically downward, and two of them are provided in a rectangular shape on the inner periphery 2a of the bottom surface 2. Here, the inner periphery 2a is the part of the bottom surface 2 that is more inward than the side surfaces 4. Therefore, the two air outlets 12 are located more inward than the one side surface 4a, the opposing surface 4b, the inlet-side side surface 4c, and the air outlet-side side surface 4d on the bottom surface 2. Here, as shown in FIG. 3(b), one of the two air outlets 12 is located near the one side surface 4a, and the other is located near the opposing surface 4b.

[0021] Shielding wall 13 is a wall for preventing the humidified air blown out from outlet 12 from short-circuiting to inlet 11. In other words, shielding wall 13 is a member located between inlet 11 and outlet 12, and prevents the humidified air blown out from outlet 12 from being sucked into inlet 11.

[0022] In this embodiment, the shielding wall 13 is located on the same plane as the suction port side surface 4c, and extends vertically downward from the bottom surface 2. As shown in FIG. 2(a), the tip of the extension of the shielding wall 13 abuts against the panel portion 6. Furthermore, one longitudinal end of the shielding wall 13 is located on approximately the same plane as one side surface 4a, and the other longitudinal end of the shielding wall 13 is located on approximately the same plane as the opposing surface 4b.

[0023] Here, air inlet 11 is located on flange portion 2b, air outlet 12 is located on inner periphery 2a, and shielding wall 13 is located on the same plane as air inlet-side side surface 4c, which is the boundary between flange portion 2b and inner periphery 2a. In other words, shielding wall 13 is located between air inlet 11 and air outlet 12 on bottom surface 2, thereby separating air inlet 11 and air outlet 12. With this configuration, the humidified air blown out from air outlet 12 is blocked by shielding wall 13, thereby preventing short-circuiting to air inlet 11.

[0024] It is not necessary for the longitudinal end of shielding wall 13 to be completely flush with one side surface 4a and the opposing surface 4b. For example, a state in which one longitudinal end is located outside one side surface 4a or a state in which the other longitudinal end is located outside the opposing surface 4b are also included as being on approximately the same plane. It is sufficient that the length of shielding wall 13 is at least the length connecting one side surface 4a and the opposing surface 4b, and that the humidified air blown out from air outlet 12 is prevented from short-circuiting to air inlet 11.

[0025] In addition, in this embodiment, the shielding wall 13 is located on the same plane as the suction port-side side surface 4c, but is not limited to this. The shielding wall 13 may be provided in any manner as long as the suction port 11 and the air outlet 12 are separated by the shielding wall 13.

[0026] The panel support portion 14 is a member that rotatably supports the panel portion 6. The panel support portion 14 protrudes vertically downward from the flange portion 2b of the bottom surface 2, and the tip of the protrusion bends upward, forming a substantially U-shape in a side view from one side surface 4a. One panel support portion 14 is provided at each of the four corners of the rectangular shape of the bottom surface 2. Hereinafter, of the panel support portions 14, the one provided near the inlet-side side surface 4c will be referred to as the inlet-side panel support portion 14a, and the one provided near the outlet-side side surface 4d will be referred to as the outlet-side panel support portion 14b. The tip of the protrusion of the inlet-side panel support portion 14a bends in a direction away from the inlet-side side surface 4c. The tip of the protrusion of the outlet-side panel support portion 14b bends in a direction away from the outlet-side side surface 4d.

[0027] The fastening walls 15 are walls for fixing the panel unit 6 to the housing 5 so that it does not rotate, and are provided in pairs on one side surface 4a and the opposite side 4b. In this embodiment, one of the fastening walls 15 is located on the same plane as the one side surface 4a, and the other is located on the same plane as the opposite side surface 4b. In other words, the pair of fastening walls 15 face each other. Each of the fastening walls 15 extends vertically downward from the bottom surface 2, with the tip of the extension abutting against the panel unit 6. Two circular holes are provided horizontally adjacent to each other in the center of each fastening wall 15 for fastening the panel unit 6 to the housing 5. The engagement between the housing 5 and the panel unit 6 will be described in detail below.

[0028] In addition, the shielding wall 13 and the fastening wall 15 also serve as a sound-insulating wall 18 that reflects and absorbs part of the sound generated when humidified air is produced by the liquid atomization device 33 described below, thereby reducing the sound that transmits outside the humidifier 1.

[0029] The fastening wall 15 is provided with ventilation openings 16 for ventilating the humidified air blown out from the air outlet 12 to the outside of the humidifier 1. The ventilation openings 16 are rectangular openings provided in the fastening wall 15, and in this embodiment, one is provided in each of the pair of fastening walls 15. As will be described later, the humidifier 1 not only blows out humidified air from the air outlet-side side surface 4d where the shielding wall 13 and fastening wall 15 are not provided, but also from the one side surface 4a and the opposing surface 4b by providing the ventilation openings 16 in the fastening wall 15. This makes it easier for the humidifier 1 to diffuse humidified air into the room.

[0030] As described above, the air outlets 12 are disposed on the inner periphery 2a of the bottom surface 2 near one side surface 4a and on the inner periphery 2a of the bottom surface 2 near the opposing surface 4b. Meanwhile, the ventilation openings 16 are provided in each of the two fastening walls 15 located on the same plane of the one side surface 4a and the opposing surface 4b, but as shown in Fig. 3(b), these ventilation openings 16 are provided in the fastening walls 15 at positions that are not adjacent to the air outlets 12. The reason why the ventilation openings 16 are provided in the fastening walls 15 at positions that are not adjacent to the air outlets 12 will be described later.

[0031] The maintenance section 17 is an openable and closable rectangular opening provided on the inner circumferential portion 2a of the bottom surface 2. The maintenance section 17 is located vertically below the air supply fan 34 described below, and is located near the shielding wall 13 on the bottom surface 2.

[0032] The locking portions 21 are members for fixing the humidifier 1 to the ceiling and are locked to hanging bolts suspended from a position higher than the ceiling. The locking portions 21 are attached at two locations each on the inlet side surface 4c and the outlet side surface 4d.

[0033] The panel portion 6 is a member for rectifying the humidified air blown vertically downward from the air outlets 12 in a horizontal direction along the ceiling. The panel portion 6 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate facing the bottom surface 2 including the air outlets 12, and is located vertically below the bottom surface 2 of the housing 5. The panel portion 6 is large enough to cover at least one of the air outlets 12 and the other air outlet 12. The panel portion 6 forms a rectification space R (see FIG. 5 ) between the housing 5 and the panel portion 6. The rectification space R is a space for rectifying the air blown vertically downward from the air outlets 12 in a horizontal direction and blowing it out of the humidifier 1. This horizontal direction corresponds to the predetermined direction in the present invention.

[0034] The panel unit 6 may be attached in two pieces. In this embodiment, the panel unit 6 is attached in two pieces. Hereinafter, the panel unit 6 located vertically below the air inlet 11 and maintenance unit 17 will be referred to as the air inlet-side panel unit 6a, and the panel unit 6 located vertically below the air outlet 12 will be referred to as the air outlet-side panel unit 6b. By dividing the panel unit 6 into two in this way, maintainability can be improved. For example, to access the maintenance unit 17, it is only necessary to remove the air inlet-side panel unit 6a, which reduces the weight by half compared to when attaching and detaching a panel unit 6 that is not separated, thereby reducing the burden on the worker.

[0035] The panel unit 6 has a panel rotation shaft 7 for mounting to the housing 5 and a fastening portion 8. The panel rotation shaft 7 is a rotation shaft for rotatably engaging the panel unit 6 with the panel support portion 14. The panel rotation shafts 7 are formed in a cylindrical shape and are provided at two adjacent corners of the four rectangular corners of the panel unit 6. In this embodiment, the panel unit 6 is divided into two parts, so that the inlet-side panel unit 6a is provided with two panel rotation shafts 7 corresponding to the inlet-side panel support portion 14a, and the outlet-side panel unit 6b is provided with two panel rotation shafts 7 corresponding to the outlet-side panel support portion 14b. The panel rotation shafts 7 may be provided in any manner as long as they can rotatably engage with the panel support portion 14 provided on the housing 5. For example, one side of the rectangular shape of the panel unit 6 may be machined into a cylindrical shape to form one panel rotation shaft 7 that can simultaneously engage with two panel support portions 14.

[0036] The fastening portions 8 are members for fixing the panel portion 6 to the housing 5 so that it does not rotate. The fastening portions 8 extend from the panel portion 6 toward the bottom surface 2 and are provided in the form of plates parallel to the fastening wall 15. Of the four rectangular corners of the panel portion 6, one fastening portion 8 is provided at each of the two corners opposite the corner where the panel rotation axis 7 is provided. In other words, the fastening portions 8 are provided in pairs on the panel portion 6, and the fastening portions 8 face each other. The fastening portions 8 abut against the outer surfaces of the fastening walls 15 when the panel portion 6 is fixed to the housing 5 (when the panel portion 6 is parallel to the bottom surface 2).

[0037] Here, the engagement between the housing 5 and the panel section 6 will be described with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the movement when the panel section 6 is attached to the housing 5. While the case of attaching the inlet-side panel section 6a will be described as a representative example, the same procedure can be used when attaching the outlet-side panel section 6b. Figure 4(a) shows the movement of engaging the panel rotation shaft 7 with the inlet-side panel support section 14a. Also, Figure 4(b) shows the procedure for fixing the inlet-side panel section 6a to the housing 5 so that it does not rotate.

[0038] First, with the portion of the suction port side panel 6a where the panel rotation shaft 7 is located facing up, the suction port side panel 6a is lifted from diagonally below the housing 5 to engage the panel rotation shaft 7 with the suction port side panel support part 14a (see Figure 4(a)). Because the suction port side panel support part 14a is roughly U-shaped and the panel rotation shaft 7 is cylindrical, the engaged suction port side panel 6a is rotatably supported by the housing 5.

[0039] Next, rotate suction port side panel 6a toward bottom surface 2 so that bottom surface 2 and suction port side panel 6a are parallel (see FIG. 4(b)). At this time, shielding wall 13 and fastening wall 15 abut against suction port side panel 6a, separating suction port 11 and air outlet 12. Fastening portion 8 abuts against the outer surface of fastening wall 15, and the circular hole provided in fastening portion 8 and the circular hole provided in fastening wall 15 overlap.

[0040] Next, fastening portion 8 and fastening wall 15 are fastened with screws or the like to fix suction port side panel portion 6a and housing 5 so that they do not rotate. This procedure makes it possible to easily attach panel portion 6 to housing 5.

[0041] (Internal configuration of humidifier 1) Next, the internal configuration of the humidifier 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 3(a), and Fig. 5(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 3(a).

[0042] The housing 5 has therein an air supply space 32, a humidification space 31, and an outlet air passage 40. The air supply space 32 and the humidification space 31 communicate with each other to allow ventilation.

[0043] The air supply space 32 is a space for blowing air that has flowed into the inside of the housing 5 through a filter 35 to the humidifying space 31. In the air supply space 32, an air supply fan 34 is arranged.

[0044] The air supply fan 34 is a fan that guides the air drawn into the air supply space 32 from the suction port 11 to the humidification space 31. The air supply fan 34 is located vertically above the maintenance unit 17. The air supply fan 34 may be, for example, a sirocco fan.

[0045] The humidifying space 31 is a space for humidifying the air drawn into the housing 5. In the humidifying space 31, a liquid atomization device 33 is disposed.

[0046] The liquid atomization device 33 is a device for humidifying the air in the humidification space 31. The liquid atomization device 33 includes a water storage section 33a, a water lifting pipe 33b, and a collision wall 33c.

[0047] The water reservoir 33a is formed in a mortar shape and stores water supplied from the outside. The water reservoir 33a is provided below the liquid atomization device 33.

[0048] The lift pipe 33b has a hollow conical shape and is open at the tip of the cone that faces the bottom surface of the water storage section 33a. The lift pipe 33b is connected to a rotary motor (not shown), and as the lift pipe 33b rotates, centrifugal force causes the water stored in the water storage section 33a to rotate along the inner wall surface of the lift pipe 33b and is pumped from the lower end to the upper end. An opening is provided in the wall surface at the upper end of the lift pipe 33b, and the pumped water is released as water droplets from the opening in the wall surface by centrifugal force caused by the rotation.

[0049] The collision wall 33c is a wall that annularly surrounds the water rise pipe 33b. When the water droplets discharged from the water rise pipe 33b collide with the collision wall 33c, the water droplets can be further broken down into finer droplets.

[0050] By atomizing the water droplets in this way, the liquid atomization device 33 humidifies the air in the humidification space 31.

[0051] The outlet air duct 40 is an air duct that connects the humidification space 31 and the outlet 12, and guides humidified air, which is air humidified in the humidification space 31, into the room. The outlet air duct 40 has a plurality of substantially U-shaped bends 40a (two for each outlet air duct 40 in this embodiment) that receive the humidified air blown out from the liquid atomization device 33 and change the flow direction of the humidified air. All of the locations in the outlet air duct 40 where the flow direction of the humidified air changes are included in the substantially U-shaped bends 40a. In this embodiment, since two outlets 12 are provided on the bottom surface 2, two outlet air ducts 40 are also provided corresponding to the respective outlets 12. A bend 40a is provided in each of the two outlet air ducts 40.

[0052] (Humidification operation of humidifier 1) Next, the humidifying operation of the humidifier 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0053] When a user issues a command to start the humidifying operation of the humidifier 1 via an operating means (not shown), the air intake fan 34 is driven, and rotation of the water lift pipe 33b of the liquid atomization device 33 and supply of water to the water storage section 33a begin. When the air intake fan 34 is driven, indoor air is taken in through the air intake port 11. The taken in air is sent to the filter 35 via the air intake duct 41, where fine particles in the air are removed, before being drawn into the air intake space 32. The air drawn into the air intake space 32 from the air intake port 11 by the air intake fan 34 is guided to the humidification space 31, where it is humidified by the liquid atomization device 33. The humidified air is blown vertically downward from the air outlet 12 via the air outlet duct 40 and rectified horizontally in the rectification space R.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 5(a), the air inlet 11 and the air outlet 12 are separated by a shielding wall 13. In addition, a ventilation opening 16 is provided in the fastening wall 15. Therefore, the humidified air blown out from the air outlet 12 and rectified in the horizontal direction in the rectification space R is blown out in the directions of the three sides excluding the direction of the air outlet-side side surface 4d. This configuration makes it possible to diffuse the humidified air into the room while suppressing a short circuit from the air outlet 12 to the air inlet 11. In other words, when the air inlet 11 draws in air from below and the air outlet 12 blows out the humidified air downward again, it is possible to prevent the air blown out from the air outlet 12 from being sucked into the air inlet 11.

[0055] (Sound insulation effect of humidifier 1) The liquid atomization device 33 generates various sounds, such as motor noise from the rotary motor caused by rotating the water pumping pipe 33b at high speed, wind noise from the water pumping pipe 33b, and collision noise when water collides with the collision wall 33c. The air supply fan 34 also generates motor noise and wind noise. The humidifier 1 suppresses the propagation of such sounds emitted from inside the housing 5 containing the liquid atomization device 33 to the outside of the humidifier 1 in the following manner.

[0056] Sound emitted from inside the housing 5 including the liquid atomization device 33 propagates through the outlet air duct 40. Since the outlet air duct 40 is provided with a substantially U-shaped bend 40a, the sound propagating through the outlet air duct 40 collides with and is reflected by the bend 40a, and a portion of the sound is absorbed by the bend 40a. As a result, the sound emitted from inside the housing 5 is output from the air outlet 12 in a state where it has been reduced by the bend 40a.

[0057] In addition, sound that is generated inside the housing 5 including the liquid atomization device 33 and that is not absorbed by the bent portion 40a and that comes out of the outlet 12 through the outlet air passage 40 is further blocked by the panel portion 6. That is, the sound that comes out of the outlet 12 collides with the panel portion 6 that faces the outlet 12, and part of it is reflected and part of it is absorbed by the panel portion 6, so that the sound that passes through the panel portion 6 can be reduced.

[0058] Therefore, the bent portion 40a and the panel portion 6 prevent the sound generated when humidified air is produced by the liquid atomization device 33 from being transmitted to the outside of the humidifier 1.

[0059] Furthermore, the wind speed of the humidified air generated by the liquid atomization device 33 is weakened by pressure loss caused by bending the flow direction at the bent portion 40a provided in the outlet air passage 40. Furthermore, the wind speed of the air blown out vertically downward from the outlet 12 is further weakened as the air is rectified in the horizontal direction by the rectification space R. This makes it possible to prevent sound generated by the liquid atomization device 33 from being carried by the humidified air, which has a strong wind speed, and propagating to the outside of the humidifier 1.

[0060] Furthermore, when the air blown out vertically downward from the air outlet 12 collides with the panel portion 6, a collision noise is generated. However, the flow velocity of the air blown out from the air outlet 12 is suppressed by the bent portion 40a provided in the air outlet duct 40, so that the collision noise can also be reduced.

[0061] In this embodiment, since a bent portion 40a is provided in each of the two outlet air ducts 40, it is possible to suppress the sound generated inside the housing 5 containing the liquid atomization device 33 from propagating from the outlet 12 in each outlet air duct 40.

[0062] The shielding wall 13 and the fastening wall 15 also function as a sound insulating wall 18 that constitutes the rectifying space R. That is, sound that propagates from the air outlet 12 and is reduced by impinging on the panel portion 6 facing the air outlet 12 then impinges on the sound insulating wall 18, where it is partially reflected and partially absorbed by the sound insulating wall 18. This reduces the sound that passes through the sound insulating wall 18 from the rectifying space R, thereby further reducing the transmission of sound generated inside the housing 5 including the liquid atomization device 33 to the outside of the humidifier 1 via the rectifying space R. Furthermore, even if the sound insulating wall 18 (fastening wall 15) is provided with a ventilation opening 16 for discharging humidified air to the outside of the humidifier 1, the presence of the sound insulating wall 18 can prevent sound from propagating to the outside of the humidifier 1.

[0063] Here, ventilation opening 16 is provided in fastening wall 15 at a position that is not adjacent to air outlet 12. This makes it possible to prevent sound emitted from air outlet 12 from passing directly through ventilation opening 16 without being absorbed by sound insulation wall 18 or panel portion 6 and propagating to the outside of humidifier 1.

[0064] Furthermore, in this embodiment, two bends 40a are provided in the blowout air duct 40, but the number may be any number, including one. However, by providing multiple bends 40a, sound emitted from inside the housing 5 including the liquid atomization device 33 is repeatedly absorbed by the multiple bends 40a, thereby further reducing transmission of sound to the outside of the humidifier 1. Furthermore, the humidified air generated by the liquid atomization device 33 experiences a pressure loss equal to the number of bends 40a, and the wind speed is weakened, so that sound carried by the wind can be prevented from propagating to the outside of the humidifier 1.

[0065] Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, it is not limited to the above embodiments, and it is easily understood that various improvements and modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, each embodiment, including the modifications described below, may be modified by adding or replacing a part or parts of the configuration of another embodiment with that embodiment. Furthermore, the numerical values ​​given in each embodiment are merely examples, and other numerical values ​​may naturally be adopted.

[0066] In the humidifier 1 according to the present embodiment, the water atomized by the liquid atomization device 33 is sprayed out, but this is not limiting. For example, hypochlorous acid water may be atomized and sprayed out by the liquid atomization device 33. In this way, the effect of reducing noise can be enjoyed even when the humidifier 1 is functioning to purify the space by purifying the air in the room.

[0067] Furthermore, in the humidifier 1 according to the present embodiment, the shielding wall 13 and the fastening wall 15 extend vertically downward from the bottom surface 2, with the tips of the extensions abutting the panel portion 6, but this is not limited thereto, and the shielding wall 13 and the fastening wall 15 may extend vertically upward from the panel portion 6, with the tips of the extensions abutting the bottom surface 2. This provides the same effects as the shielding wall 13 and the fastening wall 15 of the humidifier 1 according to the present embodiment. Furthermore, since the present invention is only concerned with reducing sound that passes through the sound insulating wall 18 (the shielding wall 13 and the fastening wall 15) from the rectifying space R, the shielding wall 13 and the fastening wall 15 may extend at an angle from the bottom surface 2 toward the panel portion 6, or from the panel portion 6 toward the bottom surface 2, as long as the tips of the extensions abut against the opposing surfaces.

[0068] Furthermore, in the humidifier 1 according to this embodiment, a soundproofing material may be provided on the surface of the panel portion 6 facing the bottom surface 2, which is the surface facing the housing, and a soundproofing material may also be provided on the surface of the sound-insulating wall 18 facing the rectifying space R. Furthermore, a soundproofing material may be provided at the bent portion 40a provided in the blow-out air passage 40, at least at a location where sound generated inside the housing 5 including the liquid atomization device 33 hits. By providing a soundproofing material, it is possible to further prevent sound generated inside the housing 5 including the liquid atomization device 33 from propagating to the outside of the humidifier 1.

[0069] (Summary of the Invention) The humidifier 1 according to the present invention comprises a housing 5, a liquid atomization device 33 that humidifies air drawn into the housing 5, an outlet air duct 40 that guides the air humidified by the liquid atomization device 33 to an outlet 12, and a plate-like panel portion 6 that is located vertically below the housing 5 and faces the outlet 12. The housing 5 is box-shaped and has a bottom surface 2 that has an intake port 11 and an outlet 12, a top surface 3 that faces the bottom surface 2, and a plurality of side surfaces 4 that connect the bottom surface 2 and the top surface 3. The outlet air duct 40 has a substantially U-shaped bent portion 40a that receives the air blown out from the liquid atomization device 33, and a rectifying space R between the housing 5 and the panel portion 6 that rectifies the air blown out from the outlet 12 in a predetermined direction and blows it out.

[0070] With this configuration, sound emitted from the liquid atomization device 33 collides with and is reflected by the bent portion 40a, with a portion of the sound being absorbed by the bent portion 40a. Furthermore, sound that is not absorbed by the bent portion 40a and is emitted from the outlet 12 collides with the panel portion 6 facing the outlet 12, where a portion of the sound is reflected and a portion of the sound is absorbed by the panel portion 6, thereby reducing the amount of sound that passes through the panel portion 6. This has the effect of preventing sound generated when humidified air is produced by the liquid atomization device 33 from being transmitted to the outside of the humidifier 1. In addition, the wind speed of the humidified air produced by the liquid atomization device 33 is weakened by pressure loss caused by the direction of the humidified air being bent by the bent portion 40a and the rectifying space R provided in the outlet air passage 40. This also has the effect of preventing sound from being carried by the wind and propagating to the outside of the humidifier 1.

[0071] In addition, either one of the bottom surface 2 and the panel portion 6 is provided with a sound-insulating wall 18 that extends from the surface facing the other of the bottom surface 2 and the panel portion 6 toward the other, and the tip of the extension abuts against the other to form a straightening space R, and the sound-insulating wall 18 may be provided with a ventilation opening 16 for ventilating the air straightened in the straightening space R outside the straightening space R.

[0072] With this configuration, sound that is reduced by impacting against the panel portion 6 facing the air outlet 12 impacts against the sound insulating wall 18 that constitutes the rectifying space R provided on either the bottom surface 2 or the panel portion 6, where part of the sound is reflected and part is absorbed by the sound insulating wall 18. This reduces the sound that passes through the sound insulating wall 18 from the rectifying space R, thereby having the effect of further reducing the sound of humidified air being generated by the liquid atomization device 33 from being transmitted to the outside of the humidifier 1 via the rectifying space R. Furthermore, even if the sound insulating wall 18 is provided with a ventilation opening 16 for discharging humidified air to the outside of the humidifier 1, the presence of the sound insulating wall 18 has the effect of suppressing sound from propagating to the outside of the humidifier 1.

[0073] Furthermore, a plurality of bent portions 40a may be provided in the outlet airflow path 40.

[0074] With this configuration, sound emitted from the liquid atomization device 33 is repeatedly absorbed by the multiple bends 40a provided in the outlet air passage 40, which has the effect of further reducing transmission of the sound to the outside of the humidifier 1. In addition, the humidified air generated by the liquid atomization device 33 experiences a pressure loss equal to the number of bends 40a provided in the outlet air passage 40, which reduces the wind speed, which has the effect of reducing the transmission of sound carried by the wind to the outside of the humidifier 1. [Industrial Applicability]

[0075] The humidifier according to the present invention is useful as a ceiling-embedded humidifier for humidifying a room. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1 Humidifier 2 Bottom 2a Inner circumference 2b Flange part 3 Top 4 Sides 4a one side 4b Opposite surface 4c Inlet side 4d Air outlet side side 5. Cabinet 6 Panel section 6a Intake port side panel 6b Air outlet side panel 7 Panel rotation axis 8 Fastening part 11 Intake port 12 Air outlet 13 Shielding Wall 14 Panel support 14a Intake port side panel support 14b Air outlet side panel support part 15 Fastening Wall 16 Ventilation opening 17 Maintenance Department 18 Soundproofing Wall 21 Locking portion 31 Humidified space 32 Air supply space 33 Liquid atomization device 33a Water storage section 33b Riser pipe 33c collision wall 34 Air supply fan 35 filters 40 Air outlet 40a bend 41 Intake air duct R rectification space

Claims

1. a box-shaped housing formed with a bottom surface having an inlet and an outlet, a top surface facing the bottom surface, and a plurality of side surfaces connected to the bottom surface and the top surface; a liquid atomization device that humidifies the air drawn into the housing; an air outlet duct that guides the air humidified by the liquid atomization device to the air outlet; a plate-shaped panel portion located vertically below the housing and facing the air outlet, The blowout air duct is a substantially U-shaped bent portion for receiving the air blown out from the liquid atomization device; Between the housing and the panel section, The humidifier includes a rectifying space for rectifying the air blown out from the outlet in a predetermined direction.

2. One of the bottom surface and the panel portion is a sound insulating wall extending from a surface facing the other of the bottom surface and the panel portion toward the other, with a tip of the extension abutting against the other, thereby forming the rectifying space; The sound insulating wall is The humidifier according to claim 1 , further comprising a ventilation opening for ventilating the air rectified in the rectification space to the outside of the rectification space.

3. The bent portion is The humidifier according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of humidifiers are provided in the outlet air passage.

Images