Humidifier

Abstract

To provide a humidifier that enables clear visual recognition of the water level in the water tank. 【Solution means】In a humidifier comprising a water tank 1 that functions as an exterior part, and a main body part 2 installed in the water tank 1 and having a mechanism for generating water vapor from the water in the water tank, the member forming the water tank 1 is formed of a material that changes color when filled with water, and is configured such that the water level can be visually recognized from the exterior.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a humidifier including a water tank and a main body having a mechanism for generating water vapor from the water in the water tank.

Background Art

[0002] There are many known documents regarding such humidifiers. For example, there is a humidifier disclosed in Patent Document 1 below.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] A humidifier is provided with a water tank for storing water. However, when the water in the water tank decreases, operations such as adding water are required. Therefore, it is necessary to check the water level in the water tank. For this purpose, the water tank is formed of a transparent material so that the water level can be checked from the outside.

[0005] At present, the water level can be checked from the outside, but it is desired to make it more clearly visible.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a humidifier capable of clearly visualizing the water level in the water tank.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve the above problems, the humidifier according to the present invention includes a water tank that functions as an exterior part, and a main body installed in the water tank and having a mechanism for generating water vapor from the water in the water tank. In a humidifier equipped with a member forming a water tank is formed of a material that changes color when water is contained therein, and is configured such that the water level can be visually recognized from the appearance.

[0008] Explain the operation and effects of the humidifier with such a configuration. This humidifier is provided with a water tank that functions as an exterior part. This water tank is formed of a material that changes color when water is contained therein. That is, the color of the material of the water tank changes depending on the temperature of the contained water. Therefore, a difference in the color of the water tank occurs between the area where water is contained and the area where it is not. By appropriately selecting this color, the boundary between the two areas becomes clear, and the water level can be visually recognized from the appearance. As a result, it is possible to provide a humidifier in which the water level in the water tank can be clearly visually recognized.

[0009] In the present invention, the member constituting the water tank is preferably a colorless or colored transparent resin containing a material that changes color with temperature.

[0010] In the present invention, it is preferable that the upper surface of the main body portion protrudes more than the upper surface of the water tank.

[0011] In the present invention, a removable cover is provided between the outer peripheral portion of the main body portion and the inner peripheral portion of the water tank, and it is preferable that an opening for injecting water is formed in this cover.

[0012] In the present invention, it is preferable that the upper surface of the cover is formed as an inclined surface such that the opening is at a lower position.

[0013] The water tank according to the present invention has an upper tank main body portion with a large outer shape and a lower tank main body portion with a small outer shape, and it is preferable that a handle is provided on the upper tank main body portion.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

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Figure 8

Figure 9

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] A preferred embodiment of the humidifier according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the humidifier according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view, FIG. 3 is a side view, FIG. 4 is a side view of the state in which water is contained, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 2.

[0016] <First Embodiment> The humidifier includes a water tank 1 that functions as an external appearance part, and a main body part 2 installed in the water tank 1. The water tank 1 is provided with a removable cover 3 on the upper part. The water tank 1 has an oval outer shape in plan view. The water tank 1 functions as an external appearance part as a whole. The water tank 1 is formed of a colorless or colored transparent resin.

[0017] The external shape of the water tank 1 shown in the figure is an example and is not limited thereto. Although it is oval in plan view, various shapes such as circular, square, and elliptical can be adopted. The side is vertical, but an inclined shape may be adopted, or any other shape may be adopted.

[0018] The outer appearance of the main body part 2 is cylindrical, and as shown in Fig. 2, it is arranged inside the water tank 1 at an eccentric position in a plan view. An opening 30 is formed in the cover 3, and water can be poured into the water tank 1 from here. The cover 3 is arranged between the outer peripheral part of the main body part 2 and the inner peripheral part of the water tank 1. The cover 3 is attached so as to be set at a predetermined height position. For example, by appropriately providing a stepped part, the cover 3 can be installed at a predetermined position.

[0019] The opening 30 is formed in a state where a part of the cover 3 is cut out. The opening 30 is formed in contact with the inner wall surface of the water tank 1. Thus, when water is poured from the upper part of the cover 3, the water is injected into the water tank 1 without remaining on the surface of the cover 3.

[0020] The shape of the main body part 2 shown in the figure is an example and is not limited thereto. In the present embodiment, it is circular in a plan view (the overall shape is cylindrical), but other shapes such as square and elliptical may be adopted. Also, where to arrange the main body part 2 in the water tank 1 can be appropriately determined in consideration of the position of the opening 30 and the like.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 3, the upper part of the main body part 2 protrudes from the upper part of the water tank 1. On the upper part of the main body part 2, a steam outlet 20 and an operation part 21 are arranged side by side. As the operation part 21, an on / off switch is arranged. As the operation part, a push button type is exemplified. Steam generated inside the main body part 1 blows upward from the outlet 20. The height at which the main body part 2 protrudes from the upper part of the water tank 1 can be appropriately determined. For example, it can be determined in consideration of the circuit configuration arranged inside and the arrangement of the ultrasonic vibrator. For example, it can be set to a height of about several centimeters.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 2, a connection part 4 for an AC adapter is provided on the side surface part of the main body part 2. Power is supplied to the main body part 2 through this connection part 4.

[0023] Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of Figure 2. Inside the main body 2, a mechanism for generating water vapor is provided. As shown in Figure 5, the surface of the cover 3 is arranged in an inclined state. As a result, the water poured from above the cover 3 surely flows in the direction of the opening 30, so that water does not accumulate on the cover 3.

[0024] The lower space 22 of the main body 2 is configured such that water can move from the internal space 10 of the water tank 1. Therefore, the water levels in the lower space 22 and the internal space 10 are the same. In the lower space 20, although not shown, a float that can move up and down according to the water level is provided, and an ultrasonic vibrator (atomizer) is arranged on this float. Using an ultrasonic vibrator as a means for generating water vapor is a well-known technique as disclosed in Patent Document 1 mentioned above.

[0025] In the upper space 23 of the main body 2, a passage for guiding the generated water vapor to the outlet 20, a fan for blowing out the water vapor, and circuit parts such as a drive circuit and a control circuit for driving the ultrasonic vibrator and the fan are provided, but these are known configurations and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0026] A feature of the present invention is that the color of the water tank 1 changes when water is put in it. The water tank 1 is formed of a material in which a pigment ink is mixed with a resin (for example, ABS). This pigment ink has the property of changing color depending on temperature. Regarding the pigment ink, various materials are known and it is not limited to a specific material.

[0027] Regarding the temperature setting, in this embodiment, it is set to 22°C. That is, when water at 22°C or lower is put into the water tank 1, the part of the water tank 1 where water is put changes color. Figure 4 shows the appearance of the water tank 1 when water is put in it. The colors of the upper part 1A and the lower part 1B of the water tank 1 are different. Originally, the whole was the same color as the upper part 1A, but when water is put in, the color of the lower part 1B in contact with the water changes. Thereby, the boundary between the upper part 1A and the lower part 1B can be recognized as the water level W. Note that the temperature setting at which the color changes is not limited to the above and various setting changes are possible.

[0028] Various combinations of the colors of the upper part 1A and the lower part 1B are conceivable. In order to clearly recognize the water level W, it is preferable that the contrast at the boundary is clear. For example, it is set such that the upper part 1A is white and the lower part 1B is blue. In this case, the color of the water tank 1 is white, but when water is filled, the portion where water exists changes color from white to blue. Thereby, the water level W can be clearly visually recognized.

[0029] By forming the material of the water tank 1 with a transparent resin, it is possible to visually recognize the water level from the outside, but by using a material whose color changes depending on the temperature, it becomes possible to more clearly visually recognize the water level from the outside. Also, it is possible to enhance the design by the selection of colors.

[0030] <Second Embodiment> Next, the humidifier according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of the humidifier according to the second embodiment. The humidifier includes a water tank 5 and a main body 6 provided inside thereof. The water tank 5 has an upper tank main body 50 with a large outer shape (outer diameter) and a lower tank main body 51 with a small outer shape (outer diameter). These tank main bodies 50 and 51 have a cylindrical outer shape. Also, the tank main bodies 50 and 51 are integrally formed and can be configured as one member.

[0031] Although it is the shape of the tank main body, it is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and it may be formed into other shapes, for example, a rectangular shape, an oval shape, or a cylindrical shape having an elliptical cross-sectional shape.

[0032] A handle 52 is formed on the side surface of the upper tank main body 50. The handle 52 may be integrally formed with the water tank 5, or may be formed as a separate member and coupled to the upper tank main body 50. By providing the handle 52, it becomes easy to carry.

[0033] On the upper part of the main body 6, a steam outlet 60 and an operation part 61 are provided in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The main body 6 is detachably attached to the water tank 5. When filling water into the water tank 5, lift the main body 6 and remove it from the water tank 5. A flange 62 is provided on the upper part of the main body 6 and is placed on the upper end part of the water tank 5.

[0034] Fig. 9 shows a central longitudinal sectional view of the humidifier. Water is stored in the internal space 53 of the water tank 5. An ultrasonic vibrator (not shown) for generating steam is arranged at the bottom inside the water tank 5. The mechanism for generating steam is well-known and will be omitted from the description.

[0035] Fig. 8 is an external side view showing the state with water filled. The colors of the upper part 5A and the lower part 5B are different, and the water level can be recognized. This is the same as in the case of the first embodiment. Also, the material can be the same as in the first embodiment.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0036] 1, 5 Water tank 1A, 5A Upper part 1B, 5B Lower part 2, 6 Main body 20, 60 Outlet 21, 61 Operation part 3 Cover 30 Opening 4 Connection part

Claims

1. A water tank that functions as an appearance part, A main body part installed in this water tank and having a mechanism for generating water vapor from the water in the water tank, In a humidifier provided with, The member forming the water tank is formed of a material that changes color when water is contained, and the water level is configured to be visible from the outside. A humidifier characterized by this.

2. The member constituting the water tank is a colorless or colored transparent resin, and the humidifier according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains a material that changes color depending on temperature.

3. The humidifier according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the upper surface of the main body part protrudes more than the upper surface of the water tank.

4. A removable cover is provided between the outer peripheral part of the main body part and the inner peripheral part of the water tank, and an opening for injecting water is formed in this cover. The humidifier according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by this.

5. The humidifier according to claim 4, characterized in that the upper surface of the cover is formed as an inclined surface such that the opening is in a low position.

6. The water tank has an upper tank main body part with a large outer shape and a lower tank main body part with a small outer shape, and the humidifier according to claim 1, characterized in that a handle is provided on the upper tank main body part.

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