Humidification device, method for controlling the same, and air cleaning device comprising the same

Abstract

To provide a humidification device, a method for controlling the humidification device, and an air cleaning device comprising the humidification device.SOLUTION: A humidification device comprises: a water storage unit; a humidification unit that releases water stored in the water storage unit into air during operation; a water level sensor that detects a water level of water stored in the water storage unit; and a control unit that starts the operation of the humidification unit when the water level does not decrease in a state where the operation of the humidification unit is stopped.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a humidifier, a control method for the humidifier, and an air purifying device including the humidifier. [Background technology]

[0002] Some humidifiers use water stored in a water storage container to humidify a room. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a humidifier that humidifies the room by vaporizing the water in the water storage container using an evaporator. The humidifier has a detection unit that detects the water level in the water storage container, and based on the detection result of the detection unit, notifies the user that water needs to be added. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-053754 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If water stored in a water storage container is left for a certain period of time, bacteria from the air may enter the remaining water, causing problems such as an unpleasant odor. Furthermore, minerals, iron, and other components in the remaining water can cause limescale and other dirt to adhere to the evaporation component, inhibiting water evaporation and reducing the humidifying performance of the humidifier. Therefore, if water remains in the water storage container for a certain period of time without being consumed, it is preferable to discard the remaining water or replace it with new water.

[0005] However, in the humidifier of Patent Document 1, when the water in the water storage container is consumed during humidification operation and the water level drops, the user is notified that water needs to be added, but if, for example, the water level does not change significantly while the humidification operation is stopped, the user is not notified. Therefore, even if the water in the water storage container is left for a certain period of time, the user may not notice, and the above-mentioned problem may occur.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a humidifier that can prevent water from remaining in a water storage container for more than a certain period of time, a control method for the humidifier, and an air purifier equipped with the humidifier. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A humidifying device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a water storage unit, a humidifying unit that releases water stored in the water storage unit into the air during operation, a water level sensor that detects the level of water stored in the water storage unit, and a control unit that starts operation of the humidifying unit if the water level does not decrease when operation of the humidifying unit is stopped. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a humidifier according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of an air purifying device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram of a humidifier according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a humidifier according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a humidifier according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, identical or equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted. Furthermore, the present disclosure and the embodiments of the present disclosure described below do not unduly limit the content of the present disclosure described in the claims, and not all of the configurations described in the embodiments are necessarily essential as means for solving the problems of the present disclosure.

[0010] <humidifier> 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a humidifier 100 according to the present disclosure. Humidifier 100 has a main body 101, which houses a water storage section 102, a humidifying section 103, a water level sensor 104, a control section 105, etc. Main body 101 is a housing, and has an internal space surrounded by the housing. Although not shown, a portion of the housing of main body 101 is detachable, and removing it allows access to each component in the internal space.

[0011] <Water storage section> The water storage unit 102 is, for example, a box-shaped container, and is installed on the bottom surface inside the main body 101. Note that the water storage unit 102 is not limited to a box-shaped container, and may be, for example, a dish-shaped container with an open top. Water can be stored inside the water storage unit 102. Although not shown, a part of the outer shell of the main body 101 can be removed, and water can be supplied into the water storage unit 102 through a water inlet provided in the water storage unit 102. Furthermore, the water storage unit 102 may be designed to be able to be pulled out to the outside of the main body 101.

[0012] <Humidification section> Humidifying section 103 is a section that releases water stored in water storage section 102 into the air during humidifying operation. As shown in FIG. 1, for example, an evaporative humidifying section 103 using a humidifying filter is used as humidifying section 103. In the evaporative humidifying section, the lower part of humidifying section 103 is installed inside water storage section 102 and immersed in water, and the stored water is sucked up by the humidifying filter and moved to the upper part of humidifying section 103. Fan motor 108 generates an airflow along the path indicated by the dotted arrow in FIG. 1 from inlet 300, which is an opening provided on one side of main body 101, passing through the upper part of humidifying section 103 and reaching outlet 301, which is an opening provided on the top surface of main body 101. As the air passes over the upper part of humidifying section 103, the moisture contained in the humidifying filter evaporates, humidifying the air, and the humidified air is released from outlet 301 to the outside space, thereby achieving humidification.

[0013] The humidifying section 103 is not limited to the type using the humidifying filter described above, but may be, for example, an ultrasonic humidifying type in which ultrasonic waves are used to generate fine mist on the surface of the water in the water storage section 102, and the mist is then released into the air from the outlet 301 by the fan motor 108 to humidify the air, or a steam type in which a heater is used to heat the water inside the water storage section 102 to generate water vapor, and the water vapor is then released into the air from the outlet 301 to humidify the air, or a hybrid type that combines multiple of these types.

[0014] Alternatively, the humidifying unit 103 may be a type that uses a rotating humidifying filter. For example, the humidifying filter is a disk-shaped member provided with a water-absorbent and breathable sheet, a portion of which is removed. When the humidifying filter rotates, its upper portion passes through the airflow path indicated by the dotted arrow in FIG. 1, while its lower portion passes through the interior of the water storage unit 102. During humidifying operation, the humidifying filter continues to rotate, and the sheet that has passed through the water in the water storage unit 102 absorbs water. As the water-absorbed sheet passes through the airflow path, the water evaporates, humidifying the air. When humidifying operation is stopped, the removed portion of the humidifying filter is positioned inside the water storage unit 102 and the rotation is stopped. As a result, the entire water-absorbent sheet is positioned outside the water storage unit 102, and the sheet no longer absorbs water, thereby stopping humidification.

[0015] <Water level sensor> A water level sensor 104 is installed inside the main body 101 to detect the level of water stored in the water storage section 102. The water level sensor 104 is configured by arranging multiple sensor elements capable of detecting magnetic force in a vertical direction, for example, on the inner surface of the main body 101 at a position facing the water storage section 102 or on the outer surface of the water storage section 102. A float having a magnet is installed inside the water storage section 102, and changes in the water level, which are the movement of the water surface in the vertical direction, can be detected based on the position of the sensor element that detects the magnetic force of the float, which indicates the position of the water surface.

[0016] The water level sensor 104 is not limited to the magnetic type described above. For example, it may be an electrode type in which multiple detection electrode rods extending vertically are inserted into the water and the water level is detected based on whether or not a current flows between the detection electrode rods, a capacitance type in which a ground electrode and a detection electrode are placed underwater and the water level is detected by the change in capacitance between them, an ultrasonic type in which an ultrasonic pulse is emitted from above to the water surface and the water level is detected by the time it takes for the pulse to be reflected and returned, or any other type of water level sensor using a piezoelectric element, laser, light-emitting element, etc. may be used.

[0017] In systems that require contact with the water to be measured, water level sensor 104 is provided in water storage section 102. In systems that do not require contact with water, such as systems that use magnetic force, water level sensor 104 may be provided on the inside of main body 101 in a position facing water storage section 102. In cases where water storage section 102 is removable from main body 101, providing water level sensor 104 on the main body 101 side is preferable because it eliminates the need for wiring to supply electricity to water level sensor 104 from a power source (not shown) provided inside main body 101, and it simplifies the structure of humidifier 100.

[0018] <Control unit> A control unit 105 is provided inside the main body 101. The control unit 105 is composed of a microcontroller and peripheral circuits. The microcontroller has a processor and memory. The processor executes a control program stored in the memory to cause the microcontroller and peripheral circuits to operate as the control unit 105. All or part of the processing performed by the microcontroller may be performed by a dedicated electronic circuit. The control unit 105 also has a real-time clock, which is an integrated circuit for keeping time. The control unit 105 transmits and receives measurement data, control signals, etc. to and from each unit of the humidifier 100 in response to input operations by the user via an operation panel (not shown), and causes the humidifier 100 to perform various operations.

[0019] The humidifier 100 may include, for example, a humidity sensor (not shown) to measure the humidity of the external space. This allows the control unit 105 to automatically control the humidifier unit 103 to stop humidifying operation when the humidity is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and to start humidifying operation when the humidity is less than the predetermined value, based on the humidity data of the external space measured by the humidity sensor. For example, if the humidifier unit 103 is an evaporative type using a humidifying filter, the humidifying operation can be stopped by temporarily retracting the humidifying filter from the airflow path. If the humidifier unit 103 is an ultrasonic humidifier or steam humidifier, the humidifying operation can be stopped by stopping the operation of the ultrasonic generator and heater. Furthermore, if a rotating humidifying filter is used, the humidifying operation can be stopped by positioning the water-absorbent sheet portion outside the water storage unit 102 and stopping the rotation of the humidifying filter.

[0020] <Air purifier> Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of air purifying device 200 according to the present disclosure. Air purifying device 200 has a configuration in which air purifying section 201 is added to humidifying device 100 of Fig. 1, for example, and is also called a humidifying air purifying device.

[0021] Air purifying unit 201 is a component that purifies air, and is, for example, a dust-collecting filter that captures airborne particles such as viruses, bacteria, allergens, and pollen. Air drawn into main body 101 from air inlet 300 by fan motor 108 passes through air purifying unit 201 to be purified, and then humidified by humidifying unit 103 and released from air outlet 301. While FIG. 2 illustrates an example in which air purifying unit 201 is a single dust-collecting filter, it may also be a stack of multiple filters. For example, air purifying unit 201 may be a stack of three filters: a pre-filter that captures large floating particles such as dust floating in the air, a deodorizing filter that captures odor-causing particles in the air, and a dust-collecting filter that captures airborne particles, in that order from the air inlet 300 side.

[0022] Although not shown, air purifier 200 may include an ion generating unit that generates positive ions and negative ions in the air by plasma discharge as part of air purification section 201. The positive and negative ions generated by the ion generating unit can further purify the air by inactivating allergens, viruses, and the like floating in the air. For example, in air purifier 200 of FIG. 2, the ion generating unit is installed inside main body 101 near air outlet 301, and positive and negative ions are released from air outlet 301 to the outside space along with humidified air.

[0023] The air purifying device 200 can also be operated in an air purifying mode in which the air purifying function works alone without humidifying, for example, by continuing to operate the fan motor 108 while the operation of the humidifying device 100 is stopped.

[0024] <Embodiment 1> Next, a humidifier 100 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a humidifier according to the first embodiment. Fig. 4 is a flowchart according to the first embodiment. Note that in the following description, the configuration of each embodiment of the present disclosure can also be applied to the air purifying device 200 shown in Fig. 2.

[0025] 3, humidifier 100 includes, for example, water storage section 102, humidifying section 103 and water level sensor 104 attached to water storage section 102, and control section 105. Control section 105 is connected to water level sensor 104 and humidifying section 103 by signal lines. Information indicating the water level of water stored in water storage section 102 is sent from water level sensor 104 to control section 105, and based on that information, control section 105 sends a signal to humidifying section 103 to control the operation of humidifying section 103.

[0026] <Flowchart of the first embodiment> Operation control of the humidifying unit 103 by the control unit 105 in the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0027] In step S101, the flowchart starts when operation of humidifying unit 103 is stopped. Operation of humidifying unit 103 is stopped, for example, when a user operates humidifying device 100 to stop the humidifying operation, or when humidifying device 100 determines using a humidity sensor that humidification is not necessary and automatically stops the operation. When the humidifying operation is stopped, the water in water storage unit 102 is not consumed and remains as residual water.

[0028] After a certain period of time has elapsed since step S101, in step S102, the control unit 105 determines whether the water level in the water storage unit 102 has decreased. Specifically, the control unit 105 stores in memory the first water level in the water storage unit 102 detected by the water level sensor 104 at the time of step S101. Then, the process proceeds to step S102, where the control unit 105 measures the passage of time using a real-time clock. The control unit 105 records the second water level detected by the water level sensor 104 after a certain period of time has elapsed. The control unit 105 compares the first water level with the second water level, and determines that the water level in the water storage unit 102 has decreased if, for example, the second water level is lower than the first water level by a predetermined height or more, and otherwise determines that the water level in the water storage unit 102 has not decreased.

[0029] If it is determined that the water level in water storage section 102 has decreased, it is determined that the remaining water has not been left unattended, that the user has discarded the remaining water in water storage section 102, or that the operation of humidifier section 103 has been temporarily resumed and the water has been consumed, and it is assumed that there is no increased possibility of problems such as the generation of an unpleasant odor or the buildup of limescale. In this case, the process returns to step S102, and the above-mentioned determination is made again. If it is determined that the water level in water storage section 102 has not decreased, it is determined that the remaining water in water storage section 102 has been left unattended for a certain period of time, and there is an increased possibility of problems such as the generation of an unpleasant odor or the buildup of limescale. In this case, the process proceeds to step S103.

[0030] The length of the certain period of time may be stored in advance in the memory of the control unit 105. The length of the certain period of time is set to be shorter than the time it takes for bacteria to grow or for scale to form in the residual water in the water storage unit 102, and is set to, for example, between 24 and 48 hours. The predetermined height is preferably set to the height of the water level that is expected to drop due to natural evaporation of the residual water in the water storage unit 102. This prevents the device from erroneously determining that the water level has decreased due to natural evaporation, even though the residual water has been left for a certain period of time, and thus concluding that the residual water has not been left standing.

[0031] In step S103, operation of humidifying unit 103 is started. More specifically, if control unit 105 determines in step S102 that the water level in water storage unit 102 has not decreased, control unit 105 sends a signal to humidifying unit 103 to start the humidifying operation in step S103, and humidifying unit 103 receiving the signal starts the humidifying operation. With the start of the humidifying operation, water stored in water storage unit 102 is released into the air, and the remaining water begins to be consumed, and the water level in water storage unit 102 gradually decreases.

[0032] After the humidification operation is started in step S103, it is determined in step S104 whether the water level in the water storage section 102 is zero. More specifically, when the humidification operation is started and the water level gradually decreases, the water level sensor 104 repeatedly detects the water level in the water storage section 102 in step S104, and when it is determined that the water level is zero, the process proceeds to step S105.

[0033] In step S105, the operation of humidifying unit 103 is stopped. At this time, the water level in water storage unit 102 becomes zero, and there is no remaining water in water storage unit 102. As described above, the process flow of steps S101 to S105 makes it possible to automatically eliminate the remaining water in water storage unit 102 without the user having to manually discard the remaining water. This prevents water from remaining in water storage unit 102 for more than a certain period of time, and can prevent the generation of unpleasant odors, a decrease in the humidifying performance of humidifier 100, etc.

[0034] 2 is also commonly used year-round, for example, by operating only the air purification function with the humidification operation stopped even during seasons when humidification is not required. With humidifier 100, the user is likely to discard the remaining water when the device is put away during seasons when humidification is not required. However, with air purifier 200, which is used year-round, there is no such timing, and the user may not think to discard the remaining water. The present disclosure is particularly useful for air purifier 200 equipped with humidifier 100, because it can automatically eliminate the remaining water in water reservoir 102 without the user having to manually discard the remaining water.

[0035] <Embodiment 2> Next, a humidifier 100 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Fig. 5 is a block diagram of a humidifier according to the second embodiment. Fig. 6 is a flowchart according to the second embodiment. The humidifier 100 according to the second embodiment is the same as the humidifier 100 in Fig. 1 except for the configuration shown in Fig. 5. Note that descriptions of configurations common to the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0036] <Block diagram of embodiment 2> As shown in FIG. 5, the humidifier 100 of the second embodiment further includes a communication unit 107 that receives information from outside the humidifier 100, and a notification unit 106 that notifies the user of the information.

[0037] Communication unit 107 is a circuit having a function of receiving information from an external device, such as a server or mobile terminal (not shown), that is external to humidifier 100, and transmitting that information to control unit 105. Communication unit 107 and control unit 105 may be separate components connected to each other by a signal line, or may be an integrated component in which both control unit 105 and communication unit 107 are mounted on a single circuit board. Communication between communication unit 107 and the external device may be, for example, wired communication via electric wires, optical fiber, etc., or wireless communication via radio waves.

[0038] The notification unit 106 is a component that receives a signal transmitted from the control unit 105 and notifies the user of information based on the signal. The control unit 105 and the notification unit 106 may be separate components connected to each other by a signal line, or may be an integrated component mounted on a single circuit board together with the control unit 105, the communication unit 107, and the like. The configuration of the notification unit 106 is not particularly limited as long as it can notify the user of information. For example, although not shown, the notification unit 106 may be a plurality of lamps (not shown) provided on the outer surface of the main body 101 in FIG. 1 and having instructions for the user, such as "water supply" and "maintenance," written on them, and may be configured to notify the user of information by lighting or flashing the lamps. Alternatively, the notification unit 106 may be configured to notify the user of information to a mobile device or the like external to the humidifier 100 via the communication unit 107. When information is to be notified to an external mobile device or the like, each of the control unit 105, the communication unit 107, and the external mobile device or the like can be considered to also correspond to the notification unit 106.

[0039] <Flowchart of Embodiment 2> Operation control of the humidifying unit 103 by the control unit 105 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0040] In step S201, the flowchart starts when operation of humidifier 103 is stopped. Operation of humidifier 103 is stopped, for example, when a user operates humidifier 100 to stop the humidification operation, or when humidifier 100 determines using a humidity sensor that humidification is not necessary and automatically stops the operation. When the humidification operation is stopped, the water in water storage section 102 is not consumed and remains as residual water.

[0041] After a certain period of time has elapsed since step S201, in step S202, control unit 105 determines whether the water level in water storage unit 102 has decreased.

[0042] If control unit 105 determines in step S202 that the water level in water storage unit 102 has decreased, it is determined that the remaining water has not been left unattended, and that the user has discarded the remaining water in water storage unit 102, or that the operation of humidifier unit 103 has been temporarily resumed and the water has been consumed. In this case, control unit 105 returns to step S202 and performs the above-mentioned determination again. If control unit 105 determines that the water level in water storage unit 102 has not decreased, it is determined that the remaining water in water storage unit 102 has been left unattended for a certain period of time. In this case, control unit 105 proceeds to step S203.

[0043] The length of the above-mentioned certain period may be stored in advance in the memory of the control unit 105, or may be stored in a server, mobile terminal, or the like external to the humidifier 100 and transmitted to the control unit 105 via the communication unit 107 as necessary. The length of the certain period is set to be shorter than the time it takes for bacteria to grow or limescale to form in the remaining water in the water storage unit 102, and is set to, for example, between 24 and 48 hours.

[0044] In step S203, the control unit 105 determines whether the current time belongs to the first period or the second period. The first period and the second period are periods set by dividing a year into two different periods. For example, the first period is a period set as a season suitable for humidification, and the second period is a period set as a season when humidification is not necessary. In this case, in Japan, for example, the first period is set as the period from October to April, and the second period is set as the period from May to September. If the control unit 105 determines that the current time belongs to the first period, the process proceeds to step S204. Conversely, if the control unit 105 determines that the current time belongs to the second period, the process proceeds to step S401.

[0045] <If you are currently in the first period> In step S204, control unit 105 transmits a control signal to notification unit 106 to perform a first notification instructing the user to change the water in water storage unit 102. The notification by notification unit 106 can be, for example, lighting a lamp on the outer surface of main body 101 along with a description of "change the water," or displaying a message on a mobile terminal carried by the user to change the water in water storage unit 102. After step S204 is performed, the process proceeds to step S205.

[0046] In step S205, control unit 105 starts the operation of humidifying unit 103. More specifically, if control unit 105 determines in step S202 that the water level in water storage unit 102 has not decreased and if control unit 105 determines in step S203 that it is now the first period, control unit 105 sends a signal to humidifying unit 103 to start the humidifying operation in step S205, and humidifying unit 103, upon receiving the signal, starts the humidifying operation. With the start of the humidifying operation, water stored in water storage unit 102 is released into the air, and the remaining water begins to be consumed, and the water level in water storage unit 102 gradually decreases.

[0047] Through steps S202 to S205, during the first period, the control unit 105 waits without causing the alarm unit 106 to issue an alarm or causing the humidifier unit 103 to perform humidification operation until a certain period has elapsed, and in synchronization with the elapse of the certain period, causes the alarm unit 106 to issue an alarm and causes the humidifier unit 103 to perform humidification operation.

[0048] After the humidification operation is started in step S205, in step S206, control unit 105 determines whether the water level in water storage unit 102 is zero. If the water level is not zero, the process proceeds to step S301.

[0049] <If the water level is determined to be not zero> In step S301, the control unit 105 determines whether the water level in the water storage unit 102 has increased. Specifically, the control unit 105 stores in memory the first water level in the water storage unit 102 detected by the water level sensor 104 at the time of step S202. Thereafter, in step S206, the control unit 105 records the second water level detected by the water level sensor 104. The control unit 105 compares the first water level with the second water level, and determines that the water level in the water storage unit 102 has increased if, for example, the second water level is higher than the first water level; otherwise, it determines that the water level in the water storage unit 102 has not increased. If the control unit 105 determines that the water level in the water storage unit 102 has increased, it can be determined that the user has replaced the remaining water in the water storage unit 102 with new water, and the process proceeds to step S302.

[0050] <If it is determined that the water level has increased> In step S302, control unit 105 transmits a control signal to alarm unit 106 to stop the first alarm instructing the user to change the water. For example, the control signal may be turned off by turning off a lamp on the exterior of main body 101 that also displays a message saying "Change Water," or by turning off a message displayed on the user's mobile device instructing the user to change the water in water storage unit 102. The alarm from alarm unit 106 prompts the user to change the remaining water in water storage unit 102, and it is possible to determine whether the water has actually been replaced with new water. This prevents stale water that has remained for a certain period of time from being used for humidification during the first period, which is a period suitable for humidification operation, and thereby prevents the generation of unpleasant odors, etc. Note that control unit 105 may stop the operation of humidifier unit 103 after step S302.

[0051] <If it is determined that the water level is not increasing> In step S301, if the control unit 105 determines that the water level in the water storage unit 102 has not increased, the process returns to step S206, where the control unit 105 again determines whether the water level in the water storage unit 102 is zero. When it is determined in step S206 that the water level is zero, the process proceeds to step S207.

[0052] <If the water level is determined to be zero> In step S207, control unit 105 stops the operation of humidifying unit 103. At this time, the water level in water storage unit 102 becomes zero, and there is no remaining water in water storage unit 102. Therefore, even if the user does not notice the notification from notification unit 106 and does not manually replace the remaining water, the remaining water in water storage unit 102 can be automatically eliminated. This prevents water from being used for humidification after remaining in water storage unit 102 for a certain period of time and becoming stale during the first period, which is a period suitable for humidifying operation, and thereby prevents the generation of unpleasant odors, etc.

[0053] Through steps S206 to S207 and steps S301 to S302 branched off at step S206, control unit 105 automatically stops the humidifying operation of humidifier unit 103 when the water storage unit 102 becomes empty as all the remaining water has been used for humidification without the user changing the water, and automatically stops the notification unit 106 from issuing a water change instruction when the user changes the water.

[0054] <If you are currently in the second period> In step S401, control unit 105 transmits a control signal to notification unit 106 to perform a second notification instructing the user to discard the water in water storage unit 102. The notification by notification unit 106 can be, for example, lighting a lamp on the outer surface of main body 101 along with a description that says "discard water," or displaying a message on a mobile terminal carried by the user to discard the water in water storage unit 102. After step S401 is performed, the process proceeds to step S402.

[0055] In step S402, control unit 105 determines whether the water level in water storage unit 102 is zero. If the water level is not zero, step S402 is repeated, and when the water level reaches zero, the process proceeds to step S403.

[0056] In step S403, control unit 105 transmits a control signal to alarm unit 106 to stop the second alarm instructing the user to discard the water. For example, the control signal may be turned off by turning off a lamp on the exterior of main body 101 that also has a message saying "Discard Water," or by turning off a message displayed on the user's mobile terminal instructing the user to discard the water in water storage unit 102. The alarm from alarm unit 106 can prompt the user to discard the remaining water in water storage unit 102, and it can also be determined whether the water has actually been discarded. This prevents water from remaining in water storage unit 102 for more than a certain period of time, and can prevent the generation of unpleasant odors and a decrease in the humidifying performance of humidifier 100.

[0057] By steps S401 to S403, during the second period, the control unit 105 continues to cause the notification unit 106 to issue a water disposal instruction until the user discards the water, and when the user actually discards the water and the water storage unit 102 becomes empty, the control unit 105 automatically stops issuing the water disposal instruction from the notification unit 106.

[0058] Furthermore, if the humidifier 100 were to automatically start operating and consume the remaining water in the water storage unit 102 during the second period, which is a period set as a season when humidification is not necessary, as in embodiment 1, the humidity in the room could rise too much, creating an environment that the user finds uncomfortable and making the room more susceptible to mold growth. In embodiment 2 of the present disclosure, the control unit 105 performs different control operations during the first and second periods, and by controlling the humidifier unit 103 not to automatically start operating during the second period, the occurrence of the above-mentioned problems can be suppressed.

[0059] The respective periods of the first period and the second period may be stored in advance in the memory of the control unit 105, or the control unit 105 may obtain information on the period set to belong to the first period and the period set to belong to the second period from a server, mobile terminal, etc. external to the humidifier 100 via the communication unit 107.

[0060] The first and second periods do not have to be set by dividing a year into two different periods in advance, and the control unit 105 may determine whether the current time is the first period or the second period based on past humidity time-series data. For example, if the average value of multiple humidity values ​​over a predetermined period prior to the current time is less than a predetermined threshold in time-series data of multiple humidity values ​​included in past weather data recorded on an external server, the control unit 105 determines that the current time belongs to the first period. In other words, if the air has been dry for the past few weeks, for example, the current time can be determined to be the first period, which is a period suitable for humidification operation. On the other hand, if the average value of multiple humidity values ​​over a predetermined period prior to the current time is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the control unit 105 determines that the current time belongs to the second period. In other words, if the air has been humid for the past few weeks, for example, the current time can be determined to be the second period, which is a period when humidification operation is not necessary. This makes it possible to determine whether the season is the first or second period based on actual weather data, even in seasons where it is unclear whether it is suitable for humidification, further reducing the possibility of the environment becoming uncomfortable for the user or making the room more susceptible to mold growth.

[0061] <Embodiment 3> Next, a humidifier 100 according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the humidifier 100 according to the third embodiment. Note that descriptions of configurations common to the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0062] The humidifier 100 of the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it includes a tank 110. The tank 110 is a container that can hold water to replenish the water storage unit 102, and is detachably attached to the main body 101. For example, in FIG. 7, the tank 110 can be removed from the main body 101 by pulling it upward, and can be attached to the main body 101 by inserting it downward again. A supply port 111 is provided on the underside of the tank 110, and water is supplied from the tank 110 to the water storage unit 102 through the supply port 111. For example, water may be supplied from the tank 110 naturally as the water level in the water storage unit 102 drops, or water may be sent from the tank 110 to the water storage unit 102 using an electric pump (not shown) or the like. The tank 110 makes it easy to replenish water even while the humidification operation is continuing. Tank 110 is arranged so as not to block the passage between inlet 300 and humidifying section 103, so as not to obstruct the airflow along the path indicated by the dotted arrow in FIG.

[0063] 7, the humidifier 100 includes a tank water level sensor 112 for detecting the water level in the tank 110. As a result, similar to the water storage unit 102 and water level sensor 104 in the first and second embodiments, the tank water level sensor 112 can also prevent the remaining water in the tank 110 from being left for a certain period of time or longer.

[0064] More specifically, if the tank water level sensor 112 determines that the water level in the tank 110 has decreased, it is determined that the remaining water in the tank 110 has not been left unattended, that the user has discarded the remaining water in the tank 110, or that the humidifying unit 103 has temporarily resumed operation and consumed the water, and it is assumed that there is no increased likelihood of problems such as the generation of an unpleasant odor or the buildup of limescale. Conversely, if it determines that the water level in the tank 110 has not decreased, it is determined that the remaining water in the tank 110 has been left unattended for a certain period of time, and there is an increased likelihood of problems such as the generation of an unpleasant odor or the buildup of limescale. In this case, the humidifying operation can be automatically started to consume the water in the tank 110, as in the first embodiment, or the user can be notified to discard the water in the tank 110, as in the second embodiment. This prevents water from remaining in the tank 110 for more than a certain period of time, thereby preventing the generation of an unpleasant odor and a decrease in the humidifying performance of the humidifying device 100.

[0065] The present disclosure is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments and modified examples, and may be replaced with a configuration that is substantially the same as the configurations shown in the above-described embodiments and modified examples, a configuration that has the same effect, or a configuration that can achieve the same purpose. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 100: Humidifier 101:Main body 102: Water storage section 103: Humidification unit 104: Water level sensor 105: Control unit 106: Information Department 107: Communications Department 108: Fan motor 110: Tank 111: Supply port 112: Tank water level sensor 200:Air purifier 201: Air purifier 300: Intake port 301: Air outlet

Claims

1. A water reservoir; a humidifying section that releases the water stored in the water storage section into the air during operation; a water level sensor that detects the level of water stored in the water storage section; a control unit that starts operation of the humidifying unit when the water level does not decrease with operation of the humidifying unit stopped.

2. 2. The humidifying device according to claim 1, wherein, when the water level does not decrease with the humidifying unit stopped from operating, the control unit determines whether the current time belongs to a first period or a second period, and if it determines that the current time belongs to the first period, starts operating the humidifying unit, and if it determines that the current time belongs to the second period, does not start operating the humidifying unit.

3. The humidifier according to claim 2 , further comprising a notification unit that issues a first notification instructing the user to change the water when the control unit determines that the current time falls within the first period.

4. The humidifier according to claim 3 , wherein if the water level increases after the notification unit has made the first notification, the notification unit stops making the first notification.

5. The humidifier according to claim 3 , wherein the notification unit issues a second notification instructing the user to discard the water when the control unit determines that the current time falls within the second period.

6. The humidifier according to claim 5 , wherein if the water level indicates zero after the notification unit has made the second notification, the notification unit stops making the second notification.

7. a communication unit for receiving information from an external device; The humidifier according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit acquires information on the period set to belong to the first time period and the period set to belong to the second time period from the outside via the communication unit.

8. a main body that houses the water storage unit and the humidifying unit; 3. The humidifier according to claim 1, further comprising: a tank detachably attached to the main body and containing water to replenish the water storage section.

9. An air purifying device comprising the humidifier according to claim 1 or 2 and an air purifying section.

10. A water reservoir; a humidifying section that releases the water stored in the water storage section into the air during operation; a water level sensor that detects the level of water stored in the water storage section, A method for controlling a humidifier, comprising: starting operation of the humidifier unit when the water level does not decrease with the humidifier unit stopped.

11. 11. The method for controlling a humidifier according to claim 10, further comprising: determining whether the current time falls within a first period or a second period when the water level does not decrease with the humidifier unit stopped; starting operation of the humidifier unit when it is determined that the current time falls within the first period; and not starting operation of the humidifier unit when it is determined that the current time falls within the second period.

12. 12. The method for controlling a humidifier according to claim 11, further comprising: determining, based on time series data of a plurality of humidity values, that the current time belongs to the first period if the average value of the plurality of humidity values ​​over a predetermined period going back from the current time is less than a predetermined threshold; and determining, based on time series data of a plurality of humidity values, that the current time belongs to the second period if the average value of the plurality of humidity values ​​over a predetermined period going back from the current time is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold.

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