Humidifier

Abstract

To provide a steam type humidifier capable of efficiently and effectively imparting sterilizing and antibacterial effects to humidifying steam before release by a UV lamp, capable of efficiently and effectively imparting the sterilizing and antibacterial effects by a simple configuration in which the UV lamp is disposed at an appropriate position, and capable of always releasing extremely hygienic humidifying steam.SOLUTION: In a humidifier, a UV lamp for irradiating humidifying steam with ultraviolet light is disposed above a non-meandering vertical guide path part that guides the steam linearly from below to above, and above a large-space guide path part that guides and rectifies the steam.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Various types of humidifiers have been developed to date, but steam humidifiers, which use a heater to heat water to generate water vapor and then spray (emit) this humidifying water vapor containing water vapor and water droplets (mist) to humidify the room, are highly popular for their high humidifying capacity.

[0003] For such steam humidifiers, the applicant has developed a steam humidifier that can make a room safe and evenly humidify a wide area in a short time with hygienic humidifying steam by cooling the humidifying steam mixed with outside air and blowing it out, using a blower, outside air mixing structure, serpentine guide structure, etc., as shown in Patent Document 1.

[0004] Furthermore, such steam humidifiers have a high humidifying capacity and a boiling disinfection effect, making them hygienic; however, when the configuration is such that outside air is taken in, mixed, and sufficiently cooled by the serpentine guide path section as described above, it is desirable to further provide a UV lamp which irradiates the humidifying steam with ultraviolet light to impart a sterilizing or antibacterial effect.

[0005] However, the effect cannot be fully expected by simply irradiating the inside of the guide path with ultraviolet light. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-116878 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The present invention solves these problems, and aims to provide an excellent steam type humidifier that can guide and induce humidifying steam containing high-temperature water vapor or water droplets, which is generated in large quantities in the water vapor generation section, in a serpentine manner to the blowing section (outlet) to cool it and release it outside the body of the device, and can further provide and enhance the sterilizing and antibacterial effects by irradiating the humidifying steam with ultraviolet light before it is released outside the body of the device, and further arranges this UV lamp above the non-serpentine vertical guide path section through which the humidifying steam rises and above the large space guide path section which guides, rectifies, or retains the humidifying steam, thereby allowing the UV lamp to efficiently and effectively impart sterilizing and antibacterial effects to the humidifying steam before it is released, and further provides an excellent steam type humidifier that can efficiently and effectively impart sterilizing and antibacterial effects to the humidifying steam before it is released, with a simple arrangement in which this UV lamp is arranged in the above-mentioned appropriate location, and can always release extremely hygienic humidifying steam. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The gist of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0009] The present invention is a humidifier comprising: a water vapor generating section 3 in which water in a heating water tank section 2, which is replenished from a tank 1 at any time, is heated by a heating section to generate water vapor; a serpentine guide path section 5 in which the water vapor or humidification water vapor containing water droplets generated in the water vapor generating section 3 is guided in a serpentine manner to a blowing section 4 at the upper part of the device body and cooled; the blowing section 4 for discharging the humidification water vapor guided in a serpentine manner by the serpentine guide path section 5 to the outside of the device body; and a UV lamp 6 for irradiating ultraviolet light onto the humidification water vapor guided in a serpentine manner within the serpentine guide path section 5, wherein the serpentine guide path section 5 is provided with a non-serpentine vertical guide path section 7 for linearly guiding the humidification water vapor from below to above. Both relate to a humidifier characterized in that a vast space guide path section 8 is provided which is connected to the upper part of the non-serpentine vertical guide path section 7, has a larger width in the horizontal or front-to-rear directions and a larger path volume than the lower part of the non-serpentine vertical guide path section 7, and guides, induces, rectifies, or guides and retains the humidification steam rising up the non-serpentine vertical guide path section 7, the UV lamp 6 is disposed above the non-serpentine vertical guide path section 7 and above the vast space guide path section 8, and irradiates ultraviolet light downward onto the humidification steam rising up the non-serpentine vertical guide path section 7, and the upper part of the vast space guide path section 8 is connected to the blowing section 4.

[0010] The humidifier according to claim 1, further characterized in that the serpentine guide path section 5 is provided above the heating water tank section 2 of the steam generating section 3 at the bottom of the device body, and the lower part of this serpentine guide path section 5 is provided with a lower non-serpentine vertical guide path section 9 that is connected to the heating water tank section 2 and guides the humidification steam in a straight line from below to above, and a midway serpentine guide path section 10 that is connected to the upper part of the lower non-serpentine vertical guide path section 9 and extends in the horizontal or front-to-rear direction to guide and guide the humidification steam in a serpentine manner, and the upper part of the serpentine guide path section 5 is provided with the non-serpentine vertical guide path section 7 that is connected to the midway serpentine guide path section 10 and guides the humidification steam in a straight line from below to above.

[0011] The large space guide path section 8, which is connected to the upper part of the non-serpentine vertical guide path section 7 and extends in the horizontal or front-to-rear direction, is set to be a large space having a larger path volume than the lower part of the non-serpentine vertical guide path section 7, including the upper part of the non-serpentine vertical guide path section 7, and the blowing section 4 is arranged in a communicating state at the upper part of the end of this large space guide path section 8.

[0012] The present invention relates to a humidifier device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the large space guide path section 8, which is connected to the upper part of the non-serpentine vertical guide path section 7 and extends in the horizontal or front-to-rear direction, is set to be a large space having a larger path volume, including the upper part of the non-serpentine vertical guide path section 7, than the lower part of the non-serpentine vertical guide path section 7, with the vertical direction being equal to or longer than the horizontal or front-to-rear direction.

[0013] The humidifier according to claim 1, further characterized in that a mixing and cooling section 12 in which the water vapor and outside air introduced from outside the device body by an air blowing section 11 are mixed and cooled with the water vapor is provided above the heating water tank section 2 of the water vapor generating section 3 at the bottom of the device body, or in the guide path section between the heating water tank section 2 and the serpentine guide path section 5, or below the serpentine guide path section 5, the outside air is introduced into the device body and guided and blown to the mixing and cooling section 12, where it is mixed with the water vapor and cooled, and the humidification water vapor, which is a humidification mixture containing the water vapor or water droplets mixed with the outside air and cooled, is guided and guided in a serpentine manner to the upper part by the serpentine guide path section 5, is further cooled in the meandering direction, and is released to the outside of the device body from the blowing section 4.

[0014] The humidifier according to claim 1 is characterized in that the serpentine guide path section 5 provided between the heating water tank section 2 and the blowing section 4 of the water vapor generating section 3 is composed of pipe parts 13 that can be separated and connected freely when separating or opening and closing the device body, and is configured to be easily disassembled and cleaned. Effect of the Invention

[0015] Because the present invention is configured as described above, it is possible to guide and induce high-temperature water vapor or humidification steam containing water droplets, which is generated in large quantities in the water vapor generation section, in a serpentine manner to the blowing section (outlet), where it can be cooled and released outside the body of the device, and it is also possible to provide and enhance the sterilizing and antibacterial effects by irradiating the humidification steam with ultraviolet light before it is released outside the body of the device.Furthermore, by configuring this UV lamp to be disposed above the non-serpentine vertical guide path section through which the humidification steam rises and above the large space guide path section which guides, rectifies, or retains the humidification steam, the UV lamp can efficiently and effectively provide a sterilizing and antibacterial effect to the humidification steam before it is released, and the simple configuration of disposing this UV lamp in the appropriate location as described above can efficiently and effectively provide a sterilizing and antibacterial effect, resulting in an excellent steam-type humidifier that can always release extremely hygienic humidification steam. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic external view of a configuration according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the first embodiment as seen from the front. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of the first embodiment as seen from the side. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory perspective cross-sectional view of the main part of the first embodiment as viewed from below. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a schematic external view of the configuration of the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the second embodiment as seen from the front. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of Example 2 as seen from the side. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is an explanatory perspective cross-sectional view of a main part of a second embodiment as viewed from below. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE The operation of the present invention will be briefly described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] A large amount of water vapor is generated in the water vapor generating unit 3 inside the device. That is, the water in the heating water tank 2 of the water vapor generating unit 3, which is constantly replenished from the tank 1, is heated in a heating unit that employs a high-output heater to increase the amount of humidification, for example, and a large amount of water vapor is generated in a short time, which is guided to the blowing unit 4 at the top.

[0019] The amount of water vapor (humidification amount) generated in this water vapor generation section 3 is large and high in temperature, but it is mixed and cooled in the mixing and cooling section 12 with outside air drawn in from outside the device body by the blower section 11, and the humidification water vapor (humidification mixed gas) containing a large amount of water vapor or water droplets (mist) generated in this mixing and cooling section 12 is guided in a serpentine manner by the serpentine guide path section 5 to the upper blowing section 4, but is cooled during this process.

[0020] That is, the humidification water vapor guided in a serpentine manner by this serpentine guide path section 5 is sufficiently cooled (for example, to a safe temperature of 70°C or less) by, for example, mixing with the outside air and serpentine guiding, not only increasing the length of the guide path but also colliding with the inner surface. Then, the humidification water vapor (humidification mixed gas) cooled to this safe temperature is blown and scattered outside the device body from the upper blowing section 4 by, for example, the blowing section 11.

[0021] In this way, for example, the blower section 11 can blow and scatter sanitary humidifying steam over a wide area in a short time, making it possible to easily and evenly humidify the room.

[0022] Furthermore, the present invention is further hygienic because it is equipped with a UV lamp that irradiates the humidifying steam discharged outside the device body with ultraviolet light to impart and enhance sterilizing and antibacterial effects.

[0023] Furthermore, in the present invention, this UV lamp is not simply provided above the serpentine guide path section 5, but is arranged above the non-serpentine vertical guide path section 7 through which the humidifying steam rises, and above the large space guide path section 8 which guides, rectifies, or retains the humidifying steam.

[0024] Therefore, since ultraviolet rays are irradiated from above downward onto the humidifying steam that is guided upward in a linear manner, the humidifying steam can be constantly irradiated with ultraviolet rays for a long period of time, and since the humidifying steam that is straightened or stagnant in the large space guide path section 8 is also irradiated from above, ultraviolet rays can be irradiated even more constantly for a long period of time, so that the UV lamp can efficiently and effectively impart sterilizing and antibacterial effects.

[0025] Furthermore, the present invention has a simple configuration in which the UV lamps are disposed in the appropriate locations as described above, which can efficiently and effectively impart and enhance sterilizing and antibacterial effects, resulting in an excellent steam-type humidifier that can emit extremely hygienic humidifying steam while providing serpentine cooling. EXAMPLES

[0026] A specific embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG.

[0027] In this embodiment, the device is configured so that the heated water tank section 2 is supplied with water from a replaceable and replenishable cartridge tank 1 via a supply line as needed, and the water vapor generating section 3 is located at the bottom of the device body. The high-output heater serves as a heating section at the bottom of the heated water tank section 2 to heat the water in the water tank section 2 in a short period of time and generate a large amount of water vapor.

[0028] In addition, a mixing and cooling section 12 is provided above the water vapor generating section 3, in which the water vapor generated in the water vapor generating section 3 is mixed with and cooled by outside air drawn in from outside the device body by a blower (blower section 11) for introducing and blowing outside air.

[0029] In this embodiment, the mixing and cooling section 12 is provided in the upper part of the heating water tank section 2 of the steam generating section 3, i.e., in the large space guide path section (which can also be said to be the base of the serpentine guide path section 5) between the heating water tank section 2 and the upper serpentine guide path section 5.

[0030] Specifically, the blower 11 (fan) is provided on the side of the water vapor generating section 3 at the bottom of the device body, and this blower 11 draws outside air into the device body and blows it out. This outside air passes through an outside air guide path, goes around the bottom or side of the heating water tank section 2 of the water vapor generating section 3, and is guided and blown to the mixing and cooling section 12 at the top of the heating water tank section 2, where it mixes with the water vapor.

[0031] That is, in this embodiment, the outside air and water vapor that are blown into the mixing and cooling section 12, which is the large space guide path section, are mixed and stirred here, the water vapor is cooled, and the humidification mixture (humidification water vapor) containing the water vapor or water droplets (mist) that has been mixed and cooled with the outside air is guided by blowing guidance to the serpentine guide path section 5 that connects the mixing and cooling section 12 to the lower part, and is then guided by serpentine guidance to the upper blowing section 4, and during this time the humidification water vapor is further cooled and is blown and scattered outwards from the upper blowing section 4.

[0032] To explain further, in this embodiment, in the mixing and cooling section 12 above the water vapor generation section 3, outside air is brought into contact with and stirred by the introduction of outside air, which cools the large amount of high-temperature water vapor generated, and this water vapor or water droplets are mixed with outside air to produce water vapor for humidification. This water vapor is guided in a serpentine guide path section 5 to the upper blowing section 4, where it is further cooled. The humidification water vapor which has been guided in a serpentine guide and cooled is then blown out from the upper blowing section 4 by the blowing force of the air blowing section 11.

[0033] In addition, the serpentine guide path section 11 provided between the heating water tank section 2 and the blowing section 4 of the water vapor generating section 3 in this embodiment is not a straight pipe that simply guides the steam upward, but is configured as a serpentine guide pipe that guides the steam in a serpentine or roundabout manner. Specifically, a serpentine section is formed by guiding the humidification steam laterally or forward / backward or by narrowing the pipe, and a top surface section or an inclined surface section is formed so that the humidification steam collides with the inner surface of the pipe, thereby not only increasing the length of the pipe but also causing a sufficient temperature drop due to the collision with the inner surface.

[0034] In this embodiment, the serpentine guide path section 5 in the form of a serpentine guide tube thus constructed is made up of a resin guide tube made up of resin pipe parts 13 which can be freely removed or exposed from the inside by removing the panel of the device body, and which can be freely separated and connected when the device body is separated or opened / closed. This allows the parts to be disassembled for cleaning, and is configured to maintain good hygiene.

[0035] In addition, the serpentine guide path section 5 in this embodiment is provided with a non-serpentine vertical guide path section 7 at its upper part which guides the humidification steam in a straight line from below to above, and a vast space guide path section 8 which is connected to the upper part (upper half) of this non-serpentine vertical guide path section 7 and which is a vast space whose front-to-rear width is longer toward the rear than the lower part of this non-serpentine vertical guide path section 7 and has a large path volume, and which guides, induces and rectifies or guides and retains the humidification steam rising up the non-serpentine vertical guide path section 7 in this vast space, and the blowing section 4 which releases the humidification steam outside the device body is arranged in a connected state at the upper part (above the tip of the vast space guide path section 8).

[0036] In this embodiment, the UV lamp 6 is disposed at the top of the non-serpentine vertical guide path section 7, which guides the humidifying water vapor upward in a linear manner, and at the top of the base of the large space guide path section 8, and emits ultraviolet light downward to irradiate the humidifying water vapor rising up the non-serpentine vertical guide path section 7.

[0037] To explain further, the serpentine guide path section 5 is provided in communication with the upper part of the mixing and cooling section 12, where outside air and water vapor are mixed, above the heating water tank section 2 of the water vapor generating section 3 at the lower part of the device body.

[0038] In this embodiment, a lower non-serpentine vertical guide path section 9 is provided at the lower part of the serpentine guide path section 5, which is connected to the mixing and cooling section 12, which is the large space path section at the upper part of the heating water tank section 2, and which guides the humidification steam in a straight line from below to above, and an intermediate serpentine guide path section 10 is provided at the upper part of the lower non-serpentine vertical guide path section 9, which extends in the front-to-rear direction and guides the humidification steam in a horizontal serpentine direction.Furthermore, at the upper part of this, i.e., at the upper part of the serpentine guide path section 5, the non-serpentine vertical guide path section 7 is provided, which is connected to the end of the intermediate serpentine guide path section 10 and guides the humidification steam in a straight line from below to above, and the large space guide path section 8 is provided, which is connected to the upper part of the non-serpentine vertical guide path section 7 and extends in the rearward direction.

[0039] In addition, in this embodiment, the spacious space guide path section 8 is configured to be longer in the front-to-back direction than in the vertical direction, or even if it is equal, when combined with the non-serpentine up-down direction guide path section 7 it is longer in the front-to-back direction, creating a spacious space larger than the path volume of the lower part of the non-serpentine up-down direction guide path section 7, and the blowing section 4 is arranged in a connected state at the upper part of the rear end of the spacious space guide path section 8 via a folded serpentine guide section.

[0040] Therefore, in this embodiment, the UV lamp 6 that irradiates ultraviolet light onto the humidifying water vapor that is guided in a serpentine manner within the serpentine guide path section 5 is not simply provided at the top of the serpentine guide path section 5, but this UV lamp 6 is provided at the top of the non-serpentine vertical guide path section 7, and at the top of the basemost part of the large space guide path section 8.

[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the UV lamp 6 is configured to protrude rearward in the front-to-rear direction along the upper portion of the large space guide path portion 8 to a width equal to or greater than the front-to-rear width of the non-serpentine vertical guide path portion 7.

[0042] Therefore, in this embodiment, the UV lamp is not simply provided above the serpentine guide path section 5, but is arranged above the non-serpentine vertical guide path section 7 through which the humidification steam rises, and above the large space guide path section 8 which guides, rectifies, or guides and retains the humidification steam. Therefore, since the humidification steam which is guided upward and guided is irradiated with ultraviolet rays from above downward, the humidification steam can be constantly irradiated with ultraviolet rays for a long period of time, and since the humidification steam which is rectified or retained in the large space guide path section 8 is also irradiated from above, it is possible to irradiate ultraviolet rays even more constantly for a long period of time. Therefore, the UV lamp 6 can efficiently and effectively impart and enhance the sterilizing and antibacterial effects, and it is possible to emit humidification steam which is extremely hygienic while being cooled in a serpentine manner. EXAMPLES

[0043] A second specific embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0044] This embodiment has the same configuration as Example 1, but the large space guide path section 8, which is connected to the upper part of the non-serpentine vertical guide path section 7 and extends in the front-to-rear direction, is configured to extend forward and is set as a large space having a larger path volume than the lower part of the non-serpentine vertical guide path section 7, including the upper part of the non-serpentine vertical guide path section 7.In this embodiment, the UV lamp 6 is provided at the top of the non-serpentine vertical guide path section 7, which is the top of the vertically elongated large space guide path section 8, and furthermore, in this embodiment, it is configured to protrude laterally from the non-serpentine vertical guide path section 7.

[0045] Therefore, the second embodiment also achieves the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0046] Incidentally, the present invention is not limited to the first and second embodiments, and the specific configuration of each component can be designed as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1 Tank 2 Heating water tank 3. Steam generation section 4. Speech bubble section 5. Serpentine guideway 6 UV lamps 7. Non-wandering vertical guideway section 8. Wide-open guideway section 9 Lower non-wandering vertical guideway section 10. Winding road section 11 Blower section 12 Mixed cooling section 13 Tube parts

Claims

1. a water vapor generating section in which water in the heating water tank section, which is constantly replenished from the tank, is heated by a heating section to generate water vapor; a meandering guide path section in which the water vapor or humidifying water vapor containing water droplets generated in the water vapor generating section is guided in a meandering manner to an outlet section at an upper portion of the device body and cooled; the blowing section that discharges the humidification steam guided by the meandering guide path section to the outside of the device body; a UV lamp that irradiates ultraviolet light onto the humidification water vapor that is guided and meandered through the meandering guide path portion, a non-serpentine vertical guide path section that linearly guides the humidification steam from below to above the serpentine guide path section, and a large-space guide path section that communicates with an upper portion of the non-serpentine vertical guide path section and has a larger width in the lateral or front-to-rear direction than a lower portion of the non-serpentine vertical guide path section and a larger path volume, and that guides, induces, and rectifies or guides and retains the humidification steam rising through the non-serpentine vertical guide path section, the UV lamp is disposed above the non-serpentine vertical guide path section and above the large space guide path section, and irradiates ultraviolet light downward to the humidification water vapor ascending along the non-serpentine vertical guide path section, A humidifier characterized in that an upper portion of the large space guide path portion and the blowing portion are in communication with each other.

2. The meandering guide path is provided above the heating water tank of the steam generating unit in the lower part of the device body, a lower non-serpentine vertical guide path section that communicates with the heating water tank section and linearly guides the humidification steam from below to above, and a midway serpentine guide path section that communicates with an upper portion of the lower non-serpentine vertical guide path section and extends in a lateral direction or a front-rear direction to guide and guide the humidification steam in a serpentine manner, 2. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the non-serpentine vertical guide path section is provided above the serpentine guide path section and is connected to the intermediate serpentine guide path section to linearly guide the humidification steam from below to above.

3. The humidifier according to claim 1, characterized in that the large space guide path section, which is connected to the upper part of the non-serpentine vertical guide path section and extends in the horizontal or front-to-rear direction, is set to be a large space having a larger path volume than the lower part of the non-serpentine vertical guide path section, including the upper part of the non-serpentine vertical guide path section, with the large space being equally or longer in the horizontal or front-to-rear direction than in the vertical direction, and the blowing section is arranged in a communicating state at the upper part of the end of this large space guide path section.

4. The humidifier according to claim 1, characterized in that the large space guide path section, which is connected to the upper part of the non-serpentine vertical guide path section and extends in the horizontal or front-to-rear direction, is set to be a large space having a path volume larger than that of the lower part of the non-serpentine vertical guide path section, including the upper part of the non-serpentine vertical guide path section, in a vertical direction that is equal to or longer than that of the horizontal or front-to-rear direction.

5. 2. The humidifier according to claim 1, characterized in that a mixing and cooling section in which the water vapor and outside air introduced from outside the device body by an air blowing section are mixed and cooled with each other is provided above the heating water tank section of the water vapor generating section at the bottom of the device body, or in a guide path section between the heating water tank section and the serpentine guide path section, or in a bottom of the serpentine guide path section, the outside air is introduced into the device body and guided and blown into the mixing and cooling section, where it is mixed with the water vapor and the water vapor is cooled, and the humidification water vapor, which is a humidification mixture containing the water vapor or water droplets mixed with the outside air and cooled, is guided and serpentine-guided to the upper part by the serpentine guide path section, further cooled in the meandering direction, and released to the outside of the device body from the blowing section.

6. A humidifier as described in claim 1, characterized in that the serpentine guide path section provided between the heating water tank section and the outlet section of the water vapor generating unit is composed of pipe parts that can be freely separated and connected when separating or opening and closing the device body, and is configured to be freely disassembled and cleaned.

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