Humidifier

Abstract

To provide a technology making a filter hard to be broken even when a device falls.SOLUTION: A first shielding plate 300 forms a first ventilation passage going toward a filter part 250 from a suction port. A second shielding plate 310 forms a second ventilation passage going toward a blowout port 112 from the filter part 250. The filter part 250 has a hollow cylinder shape, and also is rotatable around a central axis in an almost horizontal direction. The second shielding plate 310 extends upward from a side near to the filter part 250. The first shielding plate 300 extends toward a direction different from the second shielding plate 310 from the side near to the filter part 250. The second shielding plate 310 comes in contact to a rear surface 304 on a side opposite to the filter part 250 in the first shielding plate 300.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a humidifier device that includes a filter. [Background technology]

[0002] A filter is provided in the air passage of the air purifier. The filter is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and is rotatable. The filter rotates in the direction that the electrolyzed water enters the air passage from the downstream side and moves to the upstream side of the air passage. This reduces the amount of humidification while improving sterilization and deodorization performance (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-64743 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As mentioned above, the filter is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and is rotatable, so it cannot be fixed with screws, etc. Therefore, if the device is dropped, the filter may move and come into contact with surrounding parts, causing damage.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure is intended to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and aims to provide a technology that makes it difficult for a filter to be damaged even if the device is dropped. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above problems, a humidifier according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a blower provided inside the housing, and an air adjustment unit provided inside the housing. The air adjustment unit is disposed in a lower portion of the housing and includes a water storage unit for storing water, a filter partially immersed in the water in the water storage unit, a first shielding plate that forms a first air passage from the inlet to the filter, and a second shielding plate that forms a second air passage separate from the first air passage and from the filter to the outlet. Air drawn in through the intake port by the blower is blown to the outlet port via the first ventilation passage, the filter, and the second ventilation passage. The filter has a hollow cylindrical shape and is rotatable about a substantially horizontal central axis. The second shielding plate extends upward from the side closer to the filter. The first shielding plate extends from the side closer to the filter in a different direction from the second shielding plate, and the second shielding plate contacts the back surface of the first shielding plate on the side opposite the filter. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the filter is less likely to be damaged even if the device is dropped. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1(a)-(c) are perspective views of a humidifier according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the humidifier of FIGS. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a water storage section and a filter section in the humidifier of FIGS. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a region of FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are examples that embody the present disclosure and do not limit the technical scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each drawing described in the embodiments is a schematic drawing, and the ratios of the sizes and thicknesses of the components in each drawing do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios.

[0010] Figures 1(a)-(c) are perspective views of a humidifier 1000. Figure 1(a) shows a state in which a panel 120 is closed, Figure 1(b) shows a state in which the panel 120 is open, and Figure 1(c) shows a state in which the panel 120 is open and a tank member 150 has been removed. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the humidifier 1000, taken along line AA in Figure 1(a). Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a water storage section 140 and a filter section 250 in the humidifier 1000.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1(a)-(c) to 3, the humidifier 1000 includes a substantially box-shaped housing 100, a blower 200, and an air adjustment unit 160. The housing 100 is a main body case shaped like a vertically long box, and one of the four side surfaces of the housing 100 is a first side surface 102, and the surface opposite the first side surface 102 is a second side surface 104. The upper surface of the housing 100 is a top surface 106, and the surface opposite the top surface 106 is a bottom surface 108.

[0012] An openable panel 120 is provided on the first side surface 102. When the panel 120 is opened, a vertically elongated rectangular opening 130 is provided inside the housing 100. Below the opening 130 on the side surface of the housing 100, an installation space 132 is provided, which is a hollow space extending horizontally inward from the opening 130. An air adjustment unit 160 is detachably provided inside the opening 130 and the installation space 132. As shown in FIG. 1(b), the air adjustment unit 160 is removable from the housing 100. An air intake 110 is provided on the second side surface 104. Furthermore, a fixed air outlet 112 is provided on the top surface 106.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 2, first ventilation passage 400a and second ventilation passage 400b are provided within housing 100, connecting intake port 110 (not shown) and outlet port 112. First ventilation passage 400a and second ventilation passage 400b are collectively referred to as ventilation passage 400. In ventilation passage 400, air adjustment section 160 (water storage section 140, filter section 250), blower 200, and outlet port 112 are provided in this order from intake port 110. Here, ventilation passage 400 from intake port 210 toward filter section 250 is first ventilation passage 400a, and ventilation passage 400 from filter section 250 toward outlet port 112 is second ventilation passage 400b. In other words, second ventilation passage 400b is a ventilation passage separate from first ventilation passage 400a.

[0014] When fan 204 is rotated by motor 202 of blower 200, external air that has entered housing 100 from air intake 110 passes through first ventilation passage 400a to air adjustment unit 160, and the air passes through second ventilation passage 400b, passes through blower 200, and air outlet 112, and is blown out of housing 100. In other words, air sucked in from air intake 210 by blower 200 is blown to air outlet 112 via first ventilation passage 400a, air adjustment unit 160, and second ventilation passage 400b.

[0015] 2, blower 200 is provided in the center of housing 100 and includes motor 202, fan 204 rotated by motor 202, and scroll-shaped casing 206 that surrounds them. Motor 202 is fixed to casing 206. Fan 204 is a sirocco fan, and is fixed to a rotating shaft (not shown) that extends horizontally from motor 202. The rotating shaft (not shown) of motor 202 extends from the front side to the rear side of housing 100.

[0016] Casing 206 is provided with an inlet 210 and an outlet 220. Inlet 210 is provided on the rear side of housing 100 of casing 206, and outlet 220 is provided on the upper side of housing 100 of casing 206.

[0017] Air adjustment unit 160 includes water storage unit 140, tank member 150, filter portion 250, first shielding plate 300, and second shielding plate 310. Water storage unit 140 is a box-shaped container with an opening on the top surface. Water storage unit 140 is disposed in the lower portion of housing 100 and is detachable by sliding horizontally from housing 100. Water storage unit 140 stores water supplied from tank member 150. Water storage unit 140 includes bearing 144 that rotatably supports filter portion 250. Bearing 144 extends upward from the bottom surface of water storage unit 140 and has a semicircular notch (not shown) at its tip, into which the shaft of filter portion 250 is rotatably inserted.

[0018] The tank member 150 is installed on the first side surface 102 side inside the housing 100 and is detachable from the water storage unit 140. The tank member 150 is attached to a tank holder 142 provided on the bottom surface of the water storage unit 140. The tank member 150 includes a tank 152 that stores water, and a lid 154 that is attached to an opening (not shown) of the tank 152. An opening / closing part (not shown) is provided in the center of the lid 154, and when this opening / closing part is opened, water in the tank 152 is supplied to the water storage unit 140. Specifically, when the tank member 150 is attached to the tank holder 142 of the water storage unit 140 with the opening of the tank 152 facing downward, the opening / closing part is opened by the tank holder 142. In other words, when water is filled in the tank member 150 and it is attached to the tank holder 142, the opening / closing part opens, water is supplied from the tank member 150 to the water storage unit 140, and the water accumulates in the water storage unit 140. When the water level in the water storage section 140 rises and reaches the lid 154, the opening of the tank member 150 is sealed with water, and water supply stops. Water remains inside the tank member 150, and whenever the water level in the water storage section 140 drops, water from inside the tank 152 is supplied to the water storage section 140. In other words, the water level in the water storage section 140 is kept constant.

[0019] Filter portion 250 is a member that brings the water stored in water storage portion 140 into contact with the indoor air drawn into housing 100 by blower 200. Filter portion 250 includes filter 260, a filter frame (not shown), and a drive portion (not shown). Filter 260 has a hollow cylindrical shape, and holes that allow air to pass through are provided around the circumference. Filter portion 250 is rotatably incorporated within water storage portion 140 by the filter frame around the central axis of filter portion 250 as the center of rotation, so that one end of filter 260 is immersed in the water in water storage portion 140. Therefore, filter 260 is rotatable about a central axis that is approximately horizontal.

[0020] The filter frame is structured to be rotatably supported by bearing 144 of water storage section 140. The filter frame includes a cylindrical frame (not shown), a first shaft cover 270, and a second shaft cover 280. The first shaft cover 270 includes a first cover 272, which is a circular plate fixed to one side of the cylindrical frame in the central axial direction, and a first shaft 274, which is a cylindrical protrusion protruding outward from the center of first cover 272. The diameter of first cover 272 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of filter 260. The first shaft 274 fits into a notch in bearing 144 on one side of water storage section 140. The cylindrical frame, first cover 272, and first shaft 274 are integrally structured. The outer peripheral surface of the tip portion of first shaft 274 is provided with a number of protrusions, or teeth. The numerous teeth of the first shaft 274 come into contact with the gear of the drive unit, which will be described later, and the filter frame rotates via the first shaft 274 as the gear of the drive unit rotates.

[0021] The second shaft cover 280 includes a second cover 282, which is a circular plate that can be attached and detached to the other side in the central axial direction of the cylindrical frame, and a second shaft 284, which is a cylindrical protrusion that protrudes outward from the center of the second cover 282. The diameter of the second cover 282 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the filter 260. The second shaft 284 fits into a notch (not shown) in a bearing (not shown) on the other side of the water storage section 140. The second cover 282 and the second shaft 284 have an integral structure.

[0022] The drive unit includes gears (not shown), and rotation of the gears rotates the filter frame, which in turn rotates the filter portion 250. One end of the filter 260 is immersed in the water in the water storage unit 140, resulting in a structure in which the water and indoor air are in continuous contact with each other.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3, when the water storage section 140 and the filter section 250 are attached to the housing 100, a first shielding plate 300 and a second shielding plate 310 are provided above the filter section 250. The first shielding plate 300 is a plate member for forming a first ventilation passage 400a extending from the air inlet 210 toward the filter section 250. The second shielding plate 310 is a plate member for forming a second ventilation passage 400b extending from the filter section 250 toward the air outlet 112. The second shielding plate 310 extends upward from the side closer to the filter. Furthermore, the first shielding plate 300 extends from the side closer to the filter in a different direction from the second shielding plate 310.

[0024] If the humidifier 1000 is dropped and the bottom surface 108 of the housing 100 hits the ground, the filter portion 250 will move upward. As the filter portion 250 moves upward, it may hit the first shielding plate 300 and the second shielding plate 310. Even in such a situation, it is desirable that the first shielding plate 300, the second shielding plate 310, and the filter portion 250 are not damaged. Below, with reference to FIG. 4 as well, the structure of the first shielding plate 300 and the second shielding plate 310 that makes the first shielding plate 300, the second shielding plate 310, and the filter portion 250 less likely to be damaged even when the housing 100 is dropped will be described.

[0025] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of region R in FIG. 2. The end of first shielding plate 300 closest to filter portion 250 is first end 302. First shielding plate 300 is formed in a flat plate shape and extends obliquely upward so as to move away from second shielding plate 310 as it moves upward from first end 302. In FIG. 4, the tangent line to filter 260 (filter portion 250) at a position closest to first shielding plate 300 is indicated as tangent line T. Furthermore, the straight line extending from first end 302 of first shielding plate 300 toward filter 260 is indicated as line L. An acute angle θ is formed between tangent line T and line L. The surface of first shielding plate 300 opposite filter portion 250 is back surface 304.

[0026] The end of the second shielding plate 310 that is closest to the filter portion 250 is the second end 312. The second end 312 is located farther from the filter portion 250 than the first end 302. The second shielding plate 310 includes a contact surface 314, a bent portion 316, and a vertical plate 318. The contact surface 314 is located above the second end 312 of the second shielding plate 310. The contact surface 314 is the surface of the second shielding plate 310 that comes into contact with the back surface 304 of the first shielding plate 300.

[0027] In a normal state, contact surface 314 is in contact with back surface 304. When humidifier 1000 is dropped and bottom surface 108 of housing 100 hits the ground, causing filter portion 250 to move upward, filter portion 250 hits first shielding plate 300. Furthermore, when first shielding plate 300 bends with contact surface 314 and back surface 304 in contact, and the leading end portion (lower end portion) of first shielding plate 300 moves upward, second shielding plate 310 bends in a direction away from first shielding plate 300. In other words, contact surface 314 of second shielding plate 310 slides on back surface 304 of first shielding plate 300, and moves in a direction away from first shielding plate 300 (toward the leading end of first shielding plate 300). Here, part of the load applied from filter portion 250 to first shielding plate 300 is applied to second shielding plate 310, and the load from filter portion 250 is distributed to first shielding plate 300 and second shielding plate 310. This makes first shielding plate 300, second shielding plate 310, and filter portion 250 less likely to be damaged. The material of first shielding plate 300 and second shielding plate 310 is a flexible resin material.

[0028] The contact surface 314 of the second shielding plate 310 extends in a direction closer to the first shielding plate 300. A distance D1 between the end of the contact surface 314 on the bent portion 316 side and the end of the contact surface 314 on the filter portion 250 side is set to be 2 mm or more. The end of the contact surface 314 on the filter portion 250 side may be the second end 312.

[0029] A bent portion 316 is disposed above the contact surface 314 of the second shielding plate 310. The bent portion 316 changes the orientation of the second shielding plate 310, which had been extending in a direction closer to the first shielding plate 300, to face upward. A distance D2 between the end of the bent portion 316 on the vertical plate 318 side and the second end 312 is set to 5 mm or less. The vertical plate 318 is disposed above the bent portion 316. The vertical plate 318 extends in the up-down direction. In other words, the bent portion 316 is disposed between the vertical plate 318 and the contact surface 314, and changes the orientation of the second shielding plate 310.

[0030] According to this embodiment, the provision of first shielding plate 300 and second shielding plate 310 allows the load to be distributed when filter portion 250 collides. Furthermore, because the load is distributed when filter portion 250 collides, first shielding plate 300, second shielding plate 310, and filter portion 250 are less likely to be damaged even if humidifier 1000 is dropped. Furthermore, because back surface 304 of first shielding plate 300 and contact surface 314 of second shielding plate 310 come into contact, the contact area can be increased. Furthermore, the increased contact area allows the load to be distributed.

[0031] Furthermore, since a bent portion 316 is provided between the contact surface 314 and the vertical plate 318, the direction of the load applied to the second shielding plate 310 can be changed. Furthermore, since the first shielding plate 300 forms an acute angle with the tangent line of the filter 260 at the position closest to the first shielding plate 300, the air flow can be smoothed. Furthermore, since the distance between the end of the contact surface 314 on the bent portion 316 side and the end of the contact surface 314 on the filter 260 side is 2 mm or more, the load can be dispersed. Furthermore, since the end of the bent portion 316 on the vertical plate 318 side is positioned within 5 mm from the side closer to the second end 312, the direction of the load can be changed.

[0032] An outline of one aspect of the present disclosure is as follows. (Item 1) a housing (100) having an inlet (110) and an outlet (112); a blower (200) provided inside the housing (100); an air adjustment unit (160) provided inside the housing (100); The air adjustment unit (160) a water reservoir (140) disposed in a lower portion of the housing (100) and configured to store water; a filter (250, 260) partially immersed in the water in the water storage section (140); a first shielding plate (300) that forms a first ventilation passage (400a) extending from the inlet (110) toward the filters (250, 260); a second air passage (400b) separate from the first air passage (400a), and a second shielding plate (310) forming the second air passage (400b) extending from the filter (250, 260) toward the air outlet (112); The air drawn in through the air inlet (110) by the blower (200) is blown to the air outlet (112) through the first air passage (400a), the filters (250, 260), and the second air passage (400b), The filters (250, 260) have a hollow cylindrical shape and are rotatable about a central axis in a substantially horizontal direction; The second shielding plate (310) extends upward from the side closer to the filters (250, 260), The first shielding plate (300) extends from the side closer to the filters (250, 260) in a direction different from that of the second shielding plate (310), The humidifier (1000) has a back surface (304) of the first shielding plate (300) opposite to the filter (250, 260) and the second shielding plate (310) in contact with the back surface (304).

[0033] (Item 2) The first shielding plate (300) is formed in a flat plate shape, 2. The humidifier (1000) according to claim 1, wherein the second shielding plate (310) has a contact surface (314) that can come into contact with the rear surface (304) of the first shielding plate (300).

[0034] (Item 3) The second shielding plate (310) is A vertical plate (318) extending in the vertical direction; The humidifier (1000) according to claim 2, further comprising a bending portion (316) disposed between the vertical plate (318) and the contact surface (314) for changing the orientation of the second shielding plate (310).

[0035] (Item 4) 3. The humidifier (1000) according to claim 2, wherein the first shielding plate (300) forms an acute angle with a tangent line of the filter (250, 260) at a position closest to the first shielding plate (300).

[0036] (Item 5) 4. The humidifier (1000) according to claim 3, wherein the distance between the end of the contact surface (314) on the bent portion (316) side and the end of the contact surface (314) on the filter (250, 260) side is 2 mm or more.

[0037] (Item 6) 6. The humidifier (1000) according to claim 5, wherein an end of the bent portion (316) on the side of the vertical plate (318) is positioned within 5 mm from a side of the second shielding plate (310) closer to the filters (250, 260).

[0038] The present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and it can be easily inferred that various improvements and modifications are possible within the scope that does not deviate from the spirit of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 100 housing, 102 first side surface, 104 second side surface, 106 top surface, 108 bottom surface, 110 intake port, 112 outlet port, 120 panel, 130 opening, 132 mounting space, 140 water storage section, 142 tank holding section, 144 bearing, 150 tank member, 152 tank, 154 lid, 160 air adjustment section, 200 blower, 202 motor, 204 fan, 206 casing, 210 intake port, 220 outlet port, 250 filter section, 260 filter, 262 annular plate, 270 first shaft cover, 272 first cover, 274 first shaft, 280 second shaft cover, 282 Second cover, 284 second shaft, 300 first shielding plate, 302 first end, 304 back surface, 310 second shielding plate, 312 second end, 314 contact surface, 316 bending portion, 318 vertical plate, 400 ventilation passage, 1000 humidifier.

Claims

1. a housing having an inlet and an outlet; a blower provided inside the housing; an air adjustment unit provided inside the housing, The air adjustment unit is a water reservoir disposed in a lower portion of the housing and configured to store water; a filter that is partially immersed in the water in the water storage section; a first shielding plate that forms a first ventilation path from the suction port toward the filter; a second shielding plate that forms a second ventilation passage separate from the first ventilation passage and extending from the filter toward the air outlet, The air drawn in through the air inlet by the blower is blown to the air outlet through the first air passage, the filter, and the second air passage, The filter has a hollow cylindrical shape and is rotatable about a central axis in a substantially horizontal direction; the second shielding plate extends upward from a side closer to the filter, the first shielding plate extends from a side closer to the filter in a direction different from that of the second shielding plate, The humidifier has a second shielding plate in contact with a rear surface of the first shielding plate opposite to the filter.

2. The first shielding plate is formed in a flat plate shape, The humidifier according to claim 1 , wherein the second shielding plate has a contact surface that can come into contact with the rear surface of the first shielding plate.

3. The second shielding plate is a vertical plate extending in the up-down direction; The humidifier according to claim 2 , further comprising a bending portion disposed between the vertical plate and the contact surface, the bending portion changing the orientation of the second shielding plate.

4. The humidifier according to claim 2 , wherein the first shielding plate forms an acute angle with a tangent line of the filter at a position closest to the first shielding plate.

5. 4. The humidifier according to claim 3, wherein the distance between the end of the contact surface on the bent portion side and the end of the contact surface on the filter side is 2 mm or more.

6. The humidifier according to claim 5 , wherein an end of the bent portion on the vertical plate side is located within 5 mm from a side of the second shielding plate that is closer to the filter.

Images