Humidifier

Abstract

To provide a humidifier that has a water feeding mechanism for feeding water in a water storage container and can suppress water leakage due to insufficient connection between a first coupling part and a second coupling part of the water feeding mechanism during an operation.SOLUTION: A humidifier includes: a water storage container 21 attachable to / detachable from a body case 1; and a water feeding mechanism 40 feeding water in the water storage container 21 to an electrolytic tank 32. The water feeding mechanism 40 includes: a first transport pipe 49 provided in the water storage container 21; a second transport pipe 50 having one end connected to the electrolytic tank 32; a connection unit 51 for connecting the first transport pipe 49 with the second transport pipe 50 so as to enable communication; and a connection auxiliary unit 52 for assisting the connection of the connection unit 51. The connection unit 51 includes a first coupling part 53 and a second coupling part 54. The connection auxiliary unit 52 enhances a degree of the connection between the first coupling part 53 and the second coupling part 54.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a humidifier comprising a water storage container detachable from a main body case, a water supply means for supplying water to the water storage container, an electrolytic cell for electrochemically treating water, and a water supply mechanism for supplying water from the water storage container to the electrolytic cell. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional humidifiers include a water storage container that stores water and a water supply mechanism that supplies the water in the water storage container, and the water supply mechanism includes a first supply pipe and a first connecting part that are integrated with the water storage container, and a second supply pipe and a second connecting part that are provided on the main body case, and the first connecting part and the second connecting part are configured to be detachable (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Users of humidifiers detach the water storage container from the main body case for the purpose of maintenance such as cleaning the water storage container. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6846592 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In such conventional humidifiers, when attaching the water storage container to the main body case, the user may insufficiently connect the first connecting part and the second connecting part, and if the user starts operating the humidifier without realizing this, water leakage may occur. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention provides a water supply system comprising a main body case having an intake port and an outlet port, a water storage container detachable from the main body case, an electrolytic cell that produces water with sterilizing and deodorizing effects, a water supply compartment provided in the water storage container that stores water, a sterilization compartment provided in the water storage container that performs sterilization and deodorization using the sterilizing and deodorizing water produced in the electrolytic cell, a filter having one end immersed in the sterilizing and deodorizing water in the sterilization compartment, a blower that blows air to the filter, and a water supply mechanism that supplies the water in the water supply compartment to the electrolytic cell, the water supply mechanism having one end immersed in the water in the water storage compartment and connected to a first transport pipe provided in the water storage container and a first air blower provided in a front side wall of the main body case. The electrolytic cell has a second transport pipe whose end is connected to the electrolytic cell, a connection unit that connects the first transport pipe and the second transport pipe so that they are in communication with each other, and a connection auxiliary unit that assists in the connection of the connection unit, wherein the connection unit has a hollow first connecting portion provided at the other end of the first transport pipe and a hollow second connecting portion provided at the other end of the second transport pipe, and when the water storage container is attached to the main body case, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion come into contact so as to be in communication with each other, and the connection auxiliary unit improves the degree of connection between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion, thereby achieving the desired object. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] As described above, the present invention provides a humidifier that can prevent water leakage due to insufficient connection between the first connecting part and the second connecting part during operation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a humidifier according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the humidifier with the door open. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the humidifier. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a water storage section of the humidifier; [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the humidifier; [Figure 6]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a water storage section of the humidifier; [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the water storage section of the humidifier; [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a water supply means of the humidifier; [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the electrolytic cell of the humidifying device; [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the electrolytic cell of the humidifying device; [Figure 11] Cross-sectional view of the electrolytic cell of the humidifier [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a tablet injection mechanism of the humidifying device; [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the inside of a tablet insertion case of the tablet insertion mechanism of the humidifier. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a front view of the water storage unit of the humidifier; [Figure 15] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the humidifier. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a water supply mechanism of the humidifier; [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a water supply mechanism of the humidifier; [Figure 18] Cross-sectional view of the water supply mechanism of the humidifier [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the inside of a tablet insertion case of the tablet insertion mechanism of the humidifier. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a connection auxiliary unit of the humidifier; [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a connection auxiliary unit of the humidifier; [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a connection auxiliary unit of the humidifier; [Figure 23] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the structure of the humidifier; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] (Embodiment 1) Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of a humidifier according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 is a view of the humidifier as seen from the front side. Figure 2 is a view of the humidifier as seen from the front side with the door open and the water storage unit removed. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the humidifier according to the first embodiment.

[0010] In the following, the vertical direction when the humidifier is installed (hereinafter also referred to as the "installed state") as shown in Figure 1 may be referred to as the up-down direction, and the horizontal direction as the left-right direction. In the following, in the installed state, the side of the humidifier on which door 3 is provided will be referred to as the "front", the side opposite the front of the humidifier will be referred to as the "rear", the side to the right when viewed from the front of the humidifier will be referred to as the "right side", and the side to the left will be referred to as the "left side".

[0011] The detailed configuration of the humidifier will be described below. As shown in Figure 1, the humidifier of this embodiment has a roughly box-shaped main body case 1, with roughly square-shaped air intakes 2 on both sides of the main body case 1. An openable door 3 is provided on the front of the main body case 1, and opening the door 3 allows removal of part of an air purification unit 7 inside the main body case 1, which will be described later. An openable air outlet 4 is provided on the top surface of the main body case 1.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the main body case 1 contains a partition plate 5, a blower 6, an air purification unit 7, a sterilization air duct 8, and a control unit 9.

[0013] The partition plate 5 is a plate provided in the center of the main body case 1, and separates the front side and rear side of the main body case 1 together with a partition wall 24 described later, with the rear side forming a sterilization air passage 8.

[0014] The blower 6 blows air, that is, it draws air into the main body case through the intake port 2 and blows the drawn air out through the outlet port 4. The blower 6 is provided in the center of the main body case 1 and includes a motor unit 10, a fan unit 11 rotated by the motor unit 10, and a casing unit 12 that surrounds them.

[0015] In this embodiment, the operation of blower 6 is determined by operation unit 1A provided in main body case 1. As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, operation unit 1A is covered by an openable cover 1B provided on the top surface of main body case 1. A user of the humidifier of the present invention can adjust the air volume of blower 6 in stages by operating an air volume switch button (not shown) provided on operation unit 1A, and information about this operation is sent to control unit 9 as a signal.

[0016] The fan section 11 is a sirocco fan fixed to a motor shaft 13 extending horizontally from the motor section 10, which is fixed to the casing section 12. The casing section 12 has an outlet 14 on the top surface side of the main body case 1 of the casing section 12, and an inlet 15 on the back surface side of the main body case 1 of the casing section 12.

[0017] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the water storage container of the humidifier of embodiment 1 placed inside the main body case. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the internal structure of the humidifier of embodiment 1 with some of its components removed. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the water storage section of the humidifier of embodiment 1.

[0018] As shown in Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, the air purification unit 7 is a device that stores water from a water supply means in an electrolytic cell, adds electrolysis-promoting tablets to the water in the electrolytic cell using a tablet addition mechanism, electrolyzes the water to generate electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid, and then brings the generated electrolyzed water into contact with air drawn into the main body case through an air intake by a blower, and sprays it from an outlet.

[0019] The air purification unit 7 includes a water storage section 16, an electrolysis section 17, a first water transport section 18, a second water transport section 19, and an electrolyzed water transport section 20.

[0020] The water storage unit 16 stores water and sterilizes it. The water storage unit 16 has a water storage container 21, a water supply means 22, and a gas-liquid contact means 23.

[0021] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the water storage unit of the humidifier according to the first embodiment.

[0022] 4, 6, and 7, water storage container 21 is located at the bottom of main body case 1, has a box shape with an open top, is configured to store water, and has a partition wall 24, a water supply compartment 25, and a sterilization compartment 26. Water storage container 21 can be attached to and detached from main body case 1 from the front side of main body case 1 with door 3 open.

[0023] 4, partition wall 24 is a plate that separates the front side of main body case 1 (outside sterilization air duct 8) from the back side of main body case 1 (sterilization air duct 8) in water storage container 21, and extends upward from the bottom surface of water storage container 21, with its upper end positioned higher than the upper end of water storage container 21. Furthermore, part of the surface of the upper end of partition wall 24 is in face contact with the wall surface of partition plate 5, which separates the front side of main body case 1 (outside sterilization air duct 8) from the back side of main body case 1 (sterilization air duct 8) so that air does not flow in or out of each other.

[0024] The water supply compartment 25 is roughly bowl-shaped and is a compartment for storing water supplied from the water supply means 22.When the water storage container 21 is placed at the bottom of the main body case 1, it is located closer to the front of the main body case 1 than the partition wall 24, and is structured to be able to hold the water supply means 22.It has a cylindrical protrusion 27 on the bottom at a position to hold the water supply means 22.

[0025] The sterilization compartment 26 is roughly bowl-shaped and is a compartment for storing electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid at a predetermined concentration, and is provided across the front and rear sides of the partition wall 24.

[0026] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the water supply means of the humidifier according to the first embodiment.

[0027] 2 and 8, water supply means 22 is installed in water supply compartment 25, has a structure that allows it to be attached and detached to water supply compartment 25, and automatically supplies water to maintain a constant water level in water supply compartment 25. Water supply means 22 has a hollow tank 28 that stores water, and a handle 28a provided on the top of tank 28, this handle 28a being integrated with tank 28, and it can be attached and detached to and from water supply compartment 25 while holding handle 28a.

[0028] When the tank 28 is attached to the water supply section 25, it has a circular tank opening (not shown) in the center of the bottom surface, and this tank opening is cylindrical in shape with its central axis extending vertically, and is structured so that it can be sealed by a removable cap 29 attached to the outer periphery of the tank opening.

[0029] The cap 29 has a cylindrical shape with a central axis extending vertically, and when attached to the water storage container 21, has a cylindrical cap opening 29a that opens vertically in the center of the bottom surface, and the cap opening 29a is equipped with a water faucet 29b that opens and closes the lid opening.

[0030] Faucet 29b comprises a cylindrical shaft (not shown), an on-off valve (not shown) provided on one side of the shaft to close cap opening 29a, a coil spring (not shown) arranged to pass through the center of the shaft, and a spring stop portion (not shown) provided on the other side of the shaft.

[0031] When tank 28 is installed in water supply compartment 25, a spring stopper contacts protrusion 27 of water supply compartment 25, and this spring stopper moves upward while compressing the spring. Accordingly, the on-off valve also moves upward, and the on-off valve moves away from cap opening 29a of cap 29, causing water in tank 28 to flow from cap opening 29a of cap 29 into water supply compartment 25. Here, when water accumulates in water supply compartment 25 up to the bottom end of cap opening 29a, air cannot enter tank 28 from the bottom end of cap opening 29a, and water in tank 28 does not flow into water supply compartment 25. In other words, as the water in water supply compartment 25 decreases, the water level rises up to the bottom end of cap opening 29a, and the water level is kept constant at the bottom end of cap opening 29a, so a constant water level can always be maintained.

[0032] 6 and 7, the gas-liquid contact means 23 is located on the rear side of the partition wall 24 in the sterilization compartment 26, and is a member that brings the water stored in the sterilization compartment 26 into contact with the room air sucked into the main body case 1 by the blower 6. The gas-liquid contact means 23 has a filter 30, a filter frame 31, and a drive unit (not shown). As shown in FIG. 3, the gas-liquid contact means 23 is provided on the upwind side of the blower 6 in the sterilization air duct 8.

[0033] The filter 30 has water-retentive properties, is cylindrical, and has holes around its circumference that allow air to pass through. The filter 30 is attached to a filter frame 31 so that one end of the filter 30 is immersed in the water in the sterilization section 26.

[0034] The filter frame 31 is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown) provided in the water storage container 21. The filter 30 and the filter frame 31 are configured to rotate by a drive unit.

[0035] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the electrolytic cell of the humidifier of embodiment 1. Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the electrolytic cell of the humidifier of embodiment 1 with some of the components removed. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the electrolytic cell of the humidifier of embodiment 1 as seen from the side.

[0036] The electrolysis section 17 includes an electrolytic cell 32, a tablet injection mechanism 33, and an electrolysis unit .

[0037] The electrolytic cell 32 is provided above the water storage container 21 and has a generally box-like shape with an open top. The electrolytic cell 32 stores therein the water transported from the water storage unit 16 by the first water transport unit 18.

[0038] Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the tablet feeding mechanism of the humidifier according to embodiment 1. Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing the inside of a tablet feeding case of the tablet feeding mechanism of the humidifier according to embodiment 1.

[0039] 12 and 13, the tablet injection mechanism 33 is installed above the electrolytic bath 32 and includes a tablet injection case 35, a tablet injection member 36 provided within the tablet injection case 35, and a tablet injection cover 37 detachably provided on the top of the tablet injection case 35. When the tablet injection cover 37 is removed from the tablet injection case 35 and an electrolysis-accelerating tablet 38 is placed inside the tablet injection case 35, the tablet injection member 36 rotates, and the electrolysis-accelerating tablet 38 automatically falls into the electrolytic bath 32 through an opening 35a in the bottom of the tablet injection case 35. As an example, sodium chloride can be used as the electrolysis-accelerating tablet 38.

[0040] The electrolysis unit 34 immerses a first electrode (not shown) and a second electrode (not shown) in the water of the electrolytic bath 32, applies a voltage to the first and second electrodes, and electrochemically processes the water in the electrolytic bath 32 containing electrolysis-promoting tablets 38 (described later) inserted by the tablet insertion mechanism 33, to produce hypochlorous acid. An example of the electrolysis-promoting tablets 38 is sodium chloride. The electrolysis unit 34 electrochemically decomposes an aqueous sodium chloride solution to produce electrolyzed water containing active oxygen species (hypochlorous acid in this embodiment). Here, active oxygen species refers to oxygen molecules with higher oxidative activity than normal oxygen and related substances. For example, active oxygen species include not only so-called active oxygen in the narrow sense, such as superoxide anion, singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical, or hydrogen peroxide, but also so-called active oxygen in the broad sense, such as ozone, hypochlorous acid (hypohalous acid), etc. In addition, in this embodiment, the production of electrolyzed water containing active oxygen species (here, hypochlorous acid) may be expressed as generating active oxygen species (here, hypochlorous acid).

[0041] 4 and 5, the first water transport unit 18 transports water from the water storage unit 16 to the electrolysis unit 17. The first water transport unit 18 has a first water pump 39 that is provided so as to be immersed in the water in the water supply section 25, and a water supply mechanism 40 that is connected to the first water pump 39.

[0042] The first water pump 39 is a pumping type pump that moves the water supplied from the water supply means 22 to the water supply section 25 to the water conveying mechanism 40 .

[0043] The water conveying mechanism 40 is provided partially inside the water storage container 21 and partially inside the main body case 1 , and conveys the water pumped up by the first water pump 39 to the electrolytic cell 32 .

[0044] 6 and 7, the second water transport unit 19 transports water from the water supply section 25 to the sterilization section 26. The second water transport unit 19 has a second water pump 41 that is provided so as to be immersed in the water of the water supply section 25, and a water transport channel 42 connected to the second water pump 41.

[0045] The second water pump 41 is a pumping type pump that moves water supplied from the water supply means 22 to the water supply section 25 into the water transport waterway 42 and transports it to the sterilization section 26.

[0046] The water transport channel 42 is a cylindrical pipe with both ends open, one end connected to the second water pump 41 and the other end located just above the water surface on the front side of the partition 24 of the sterilization section 26.

[0047] As shown in Figures 4, 5, 10 and 11, the electrolyzed water transport unit 20 transports water from the electrolysis unit 17 to the water storage unit 16. The electrolyzed water transport unit 20 has an electrolyzed water pump 43 immersed in the water in the electrolytic bath 32, a front-stage transport water channel 44 connected to the electrolyzed water pump 43, a supply tank 45 provided inside the electrolytic bath 32, and a rear-stage transport water channel 46 connected to the supply tank 45.

[0048] The electrolytic water pump 43 is a pumping type pump that moves the water that has been electrochemically treated in the electrolytic cell 32 to the upstream transport water channel 44 and transports it to the supply cell 45 .

[0049] The upstream transport water channel 44 is a cylindrical pipe with both ends open, one end connected to the electrolytic water pump 43 and the other end connected to a connection port 47 of the supply tank 45, which will be described later.

[0050] The supply tank 45 is roughly bowl-shaped with an open top, and is provided inside the electrolytic tank 32. It has a connection port 47 on the side for connecting to the upstream transport waterway 44, and a drop opening 48 on the bottom. The upper end of the supply tank 45 is located lower than the upper end of the electrolytic tank 32.

[0051] The connection port 47 is an opening formed in a part of the side surface of the supply tank 45 and has a circular shape equal to the outer diameter of the upstream transport water channel 44 .

[0052] The drop opening 48 is provided so as to penetrate the bottom surface of the supply tank 45, and has a circular shape with a predetermined diameter.

[0053] The downstream transport waterway 46 is a cylindrical pipe with open ends, one end of which is connected to the drop opening 48 and the other end of which is located above the sterilization section 26 .

[0054] Fig. 14 is a front view of a water storage unit of the humidifier of embodiment 1. Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the humidifier of embodiment 1. Fig. 16 is an enlarged perspective view of a water supply mechanism of the humidifier of embodiment 1. Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing some components of the water supply mechanism of the humidifier of embodiment 1. Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing some components of the water supply mechanism of the humidifier of embodiment 1.

[0055] As shown in Figures 4, 14, and 15, the water supply mechanism 40 has one end immersed in the water in the water supply compartment 25 and includes a first transport pipe 49 provided in the water storage container 21, a second transport pipe 50 provided on the back side of the partition plate 5 in the main body case 1, a connection unit 51 that connects the first transport pipe 49 and the second transport pipe 50 so that they are in communication with each other, and a connection auxiliary unit 52 that assists in connecting the connection unit 51.

[0056] The first transport pipe 49 is a cylindrical pipe with open ends, and is provided in the water storage container 21. One end of the first transport pipe 49 is connected to the first water pump 39, and the other end is connected to a first coupling portion of the connection unit 51, which will be described later.

[0057] The second transport pipe 50 is a cylindrical pipe with both ends open, and is provided on the rear side of the partition plate 5 in the main body case 1. One end of the second transport pipe 50 is located above the top surface of the electrolytic cell 32, and the other end is connected to a second connecting portion of the connection unit 51, which will be described later.

[0058] 16, 17, and 18, the connection unit 51 is provided on the partition plate 5 and the bulkhead 24, and connects the first transport pipe 49 and the second transport pipe 50 so that they communicate with each other. The connection unit 51 has a hollow first coupling portion 53 connected to the first transport pipe 49 and a hollow second coupling portion 54 connected to the second transport pipe, and is structured so that the first coupling portion 53 and the second coupling portion 54 can be connected. The first transport pipe 49 and the second transport pipe 50 communicate with each other by connecting the first coupling portion 53 and the second coupling portion 54.

[0059] The first connecting portion 53 has an L-shaped hollow tube shape with both ends open, and is provided on the partition wall 24. One end of the first connecting portion 53 extends from the partition wall 24 so as to protrude toward the rear side of the main body case 1, and its outer diameter is long enough to fit snugly into the inner diameter of one end of the second connecting portion 54. The other end of the first connecting portion 53 extends vertically downward, and its outer diameter is long enough to fit snugly into the inner diameter of the first transport pipe 49, and is connected to the other end of the first transport pipe 49.

[0060] The second connecting portion 54 has an L-shaped hollow tube shape with openings at both ends and is provided to penetrate the partition plate 5. One end of the second connecting portion 54 extends from the partition plate 5 toward the front side of the main body case 1, and its inner diameter is long enough to fit the outer diameter of one end of the first connecting portion 53. The other end of the second connecting portion 54 extends vertically upward, and its outer diameter is long enough to fit the inner diameter of the second transport pipe 50 and is connected to the other end of the second transport pipe 50. By pushing the partition wall 24 from the front side to the rear side of the main body case 1, one end of the second connecting portion 54 is inserted into one end of the first connecting portion 53, and the first and second connecting portions are connected. The second connecting portion 54 also has an annular water-stopping portion 54a on the inner wall of one end.

[0061] The watertight portion 54a is a circular ring provided so as to fit closely to the inner wall of the second connecting portion, and its inner diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of one end of the first connecting portion 53. When one end of the first connecting portion 53 is inserted from one end of the second connecting portion 54, it comes into contact with the watertight portion 54a by being inserted a predetermined length, thereby forming a seal to prevent water leakage. The watertight portion 54a is preferably made of a soft material such as silicone.

[0062] The water pumped up by the first water pump 39 passes through the first transport pipe 49 , the first connecting part 53 , the second connecting part 54 and the second transport pipe 50 and is supplied to the electrolytic cell 32 .

[0063] The connection auxiliary unit 52 improves the degree of connection between the first connecting portion 53 and the second connecting portion 54 so that the connection between the first connecting portion 53 and the second connecting portion 54 is not insufficient. The degree of connection refers to whether or not one end of the first connecting portion 53, inserted from one end of the second connecting portion 54, makes contact with the water-stopping portion 54a. If the connection between the first connecting portion 53 and the second connecting portion 54 is insufficient, that is, if one end of the first connecting portion 53 does not make contact with the water-stopping portion 54a, water will flow into the water supply mechanism 40, causing water leakage from the connection unit 51. Note that the form of the connection auxiliary unit 52 is not limited as long as it has a seal that prevents water leakage when the first connecting portion 53 is inserted into the second connecting portion 54 by a predetermined length.

[0064] That is, the apparatus comprises a main body case 1 having an intake port 2 and an outlet port 4, a water storage container detachable from the main body case 1, an electrolytic cell 32 that produces water with sterilizing and deodorizing effects, a water supply section 25 provided in the water storage container 21 that stores water, a sterilization section 26 provided in the water storage container 21 that performs sterilization and deodorization using the sterilizing and deodorizing water produced in the electrolytic cell 32, a filter 30 one end of which is immersed in the sterilizing and deodorizing water in the sterilization section 26, a blower 6 that blows air to the filter 30, and a water supply mechanism 40 that supplies the water in the water supply section 25 to the electrolytic cell 32, the water supply mechanism 40 having one end immersed in the water in the water supply section 25 and connected to a first transport pipe 49 provided in the water storage container 21, and the main body case 1, a second transport pipe 50 provided within the front side wall portion of the main body case 1, one end of which is connected to the electrolytic cell 32, a connection unit 51 that connects the first transport pipe 49 and the second transport pipe 50 so that they are in communication with each other, and a connection auxiliary unit 52 that assists in the connection of the connection unit 51. The connection unit 51 has a hollow first connecting portion 53 provided at the other end of the first transport pipe 49 and a hollow second connecting portion 54 provided at the other end of the second transport pipe 50, and when the water storage container 21 is attached to the main body case 1, the first connecting portion 53 and the second connecting portion 54 come into contact so as to be in communication with each other, and the connection auxiliary unit 52 improves the degree of connection between the first connecting portion 53 and the second connecting portion 54.

[0065] With the above configuration, it is possible to obtain a humidifier that can prevent water leakage due to insufficient connection between the first connecting part 53 and the second connecting part 54 during operation.

[0066] Specifically, the connection auxiliary unit 52 is provided above the connection unit 51 on the front side of the main body case 1 of the partition plate 5, and includes a connection auxiliary member 55 and a connection auxiliary cover .

[0067] Fig. 19 is a side view of the connection unit of the humidifier of embodiment 1. Fig. 20 is a perspective view showing the operation of the connection auxiliary unit of the humidifier of embodiment 1. Fig. 21 is a perspective view showing the operation of the connection auxiliary unit of the humidifier of embodiment 1. Fig. 22 is a perspective view showing the operation of the connection auxiliary unit of the humidifier of embodiment 1.

[0068] As shown in Figures 19, 20, 21, and 22, the connection assisting member 55 has a three-dimensional trapezoidal shape and can rotate 90 degrees from the horizontal direction downward around a predetermined position on the partition plate 5, with the front-to-back direction of the main case 1 as its axis. When the connection assisting member 55 is rotated 90 degrees downward, it contacts a portion of the partition wall 24 and pushes the partition wall 24 toward the rear of the main case 1, thereby assisting in securely connecting the first connecting portion 53 and the second connecting portion 54. Note that, hereinafter, the position of the connection assisting member 55 when facing horizontally, as shown in Figure 14, is referred to as the pre-connection assistance position, and the position rotated 90 degrees downward from the pre-connection assistance position, as shown in Figure 22, is referred to as the post-connection assistance position. The connection assisting member 55 also has a first contact portion 55a, a second contact portion 55b, and a third contact portion 55c, which successively contact portions of the partition wall 24.

[0069] The first contact portion 55a is a rib that protrudes downward from the surface of the connection auxiliary member 55 on the front side of the main body case 1, and is the portion that first comes into contact with a part of the partition wall 24 when the connection auxiliary member 55 is moved from the pre-connection assistance position to the post-connection assistance position. As shown in FIG. 20 , when the connection auxiliary member 55 is moved toward the post-connection assistance position with the first contact portion 55a in contact with a part of the partition wall 24, the partition wall 24 is pushed toward the rear surface of the main body case 1.

[0070] The second contact portion 55b is an inclined surface of the protruding portion 57 provided on the rear side of the main case 1 of the connection assisting member 55, and is the portion that next comes into contact with the partition wall 24 that has been pushed toward the rear side of the main case 1 by the first contact portion 55a. As shown in FIG. 21 , when the connection assisting member 55 is moved toward the post-connection assistance position with the second contact portion 55b in contact with part of the partition wall 24, the partition wall 24 is further pushed toward the rear side of the main case 1.

[0071] Third contact portion 55c is a surface provided at the apex of protruding portion 57 provided on the rear side of main case 1 of connection assisting member 55, and is the portion that next comes into contact with partition wall 24 that has been pushed toward the rear side of main case 1 by second contact portion 55b. As shown in Figure 22, when connection assisting member 55 is moved to the post-connection assistance position with third contact portion 55c in contact with part of partition wall 24, partition wall 24 is further pushed toward the rear side of main case 1, and the degree of connection between first connecting portion 53 and second connecting portion 54 is improved.

[0072] The connection auxiliary cover 56 has a hollow cylindrical shape, and is screwed to the partition plate 5 together with the connection auxiliary member 55. The connection auxiliary cover 56 is screwed to the partition plate 5 with screws (not shown) while covering a part of the connection auxiliary member 55, thereby holding the connection auxiliary member 55 so that it does not come off the partition plate 5.

[0073] The specific operations for attaching and detaching the water storage container 21 to and from the main body case 1 will now be described.

[0074] To remove the water storage container 21 from the main case 1, the user opens the door 3, grasps the connection assisting member 55 in the connection assist rear position, rotates it 90 degrees, and moves it to the connection assist front position. Next, the user grasps the wall surface around the first connecting portion 53 of the partition wall 24 and pulls the first connecting portion 53 out of the second connecting portion 54. Next, the user grasps a portion of the water storage container 21 and pulls it toward the front of the main case 1. To attach the water storage container 21 to the main case 1, the user keeps the door 3 open and inserts the water storage container 21 into the lower part of the main case 1 from the front side of the main case 1. Next, the user pushes the first connecting portion 53 toward the second connecting portion 54 to connect the first connecting portion 53 and the second connecting portion 54. At this time, even if the connection between the first connecting portion 53 and the second connecting portion 54 is insufficient, by moving the connection auxiliary member 55 from the pre-connection auxiliary position to the post-connection auxiliary position, the first contact portion 55a, the second contact portion 55b, and the third contact portion 55c will contact the partition wall 24 in sequence, pushing the first connecting portion 53 toward the second connecting portion 54, thereby improving the degree of connection.

[0075] In other words, the connection auxiliary unit 52 is movable from a pre-connection auxiliary position to a post-connection auxiliary position, and when the water storage container 21 is attached to the main body case 1 and the connection auxiliary unit 52 is moved from the pre-connection auxiliary position to the post-connection auxiliary position, the first connecting portion 53 is pushed in the direction of the second connecting portion 54.

[0076] The above configuration can improve the degree of connection between first connecting part 53 and second connecting part 54. This makes it possible to obtain a humidifier that can prevent water leakage due to insufficient connection between first connecting part 53 and second connecting part 54 during operation.

[0077] Furthermore, even if the connection auxiliary unit 52 is not in the post-connection auxiliary position, there is a possibility that the user may start operation. Therefore, in order to prevent water leakage during operation, it is desirable that the blower 6, electrolytic cell 32, and water supply mechanism 40 cannot be operated when the connection auxiliary member 55 is not in the post-connection auxiliary position.

[0078] That is, when the connection assist unit 52 has not moved to the post-connection assist position, the blower 6, the electrolytic cell 32, and the water supply mechanism 40 cannot be operated.

[0079] With the above configuration, it is possible to obtain a humidifier that can further suppress water leakage due to insufficient connection between the first transport pipe 49 and the second transport pipe 50 during operation.

[0080] An example in which the blower 6, electrolytic cell 32, and water supply mechanism 40 cannot be operated when the connection assist unit 52 has not moved to the post-connection assist position will be described below.

[0081] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the humidifier according to the first embodiment.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 23, the main body case 1 is provided with a door detection mechanism 58 that detects whether the door 3 is open or closed.

[0083] The door detection mechanism 58 includes a microswitch 59 provided above the electrolytic cell 32 and a detection protrusion 60 provided on the rear side of the door 3 .

[0084] Microswitch 59 is a push-in type switch, and is provided above electrolytic cell 32. Microswitch 59 sends a signal to control unit 9 when it detects that it is pushed in.

[0085] Detection protrusion 60 is a generally rectangular parallelepiped protrusion provided on the rear side of door 3, and is provided in a position facing microswitch 59. Detection protrusion 60 extends toward the rear of main body case 1 and has a length that allows it to come into contact with microswitch 59 when door 3 is fully closed, causing microswitch 59 to be pushed in.

[0086] The control unit 9 is provided inside the main body case 1, and receives signals from the operation unit 1A and the microswitch 59 to control the operation of the blower 6, electrolytic cell 32, first water transport unit 18, second water transport unit 19, electrolyzed water transport unit 20, and tablet injection mechanism 33. When the control unit 9 does not receive a signal from the microswitch 59, it will not start the operation of the blower 6, electrolytic cell 32, or first water transport unit 18.

[0087] The tank 28 has a recess 28b at a predetermined position on the rear side surface of the main body case 1, which can accommodate the connection assisting member 55 in the post-connection assist position when the tank 28 is attached to the main body case 1.

[0088] The recess 28b is a generally rectangular recess, and is provided on the rear side surface of the main body case 1 of the tank 28 when it is attached to the main body case 1. The width and depth of the recess 28b are large enough to accommodate the connection support member 55.

[0089] In this embodiment, when the connection auxiliary member 55 is in the connection auxiliary post-position, when attempting to attach the tank 28 to the main body case 1, the connection auxiliary member 55 fits into the recess 28b of the tank 28 and does not come into contact with the tank 28, allowing the water supply means 22 to be attached to the main body case 1 and starting operation of the main body. On the other hand, when the connection auxiliary member 55 is not in the connection auxiliary post-position, the connection auxiliary member 55 comes into contact with the side surface of the tank 28 on the rear side of the main body case 1. At this time, the side surface of the tank 28 on the front side of the main body case 1 protrudes toward the front of the main body case 1. At this time, if an attempt is made to close the door 3, the side surface of the tank 28 on the front side of the main body case 1 comes into contact with the door 3, preventing the door 3 from being closed. As a result, the microswitch 59 cannot detect that the door 3 is fully closed, and operation of the main body cannot be started.

[0090] That is, the main body case 1 has an openable and closable door 3 and a water supply means 22 that supplies water to the water storage container 21, and the water supply means 22 is detachable from the water storage container 21. When the door 3 is opened, the water storage container 21 and the water supply means 22 can be attached and detached inside the main body case 1, and the blower 6, electrolytic cell 32 and water supply mechanism 40 cannot be operated unless the door 3 is closed. When the connection auxiliary unit 52 is not in the post-connection auxiliary position, when the water supply means 22 is attached to the water storage container 21, the water supply means 22 comes into contact with the connection auxiliary unit 52 and the water supply means 22 becomes tilted, and when the water supply means 22 is tilted, the door 3 comes into contact with the water supply means 22 and the door 3 cannot be closed.

[0091] With the above configuration, it is possible to obtain a humidifier that can further suppress water leakage due to insufficient connection between the first transport pipe 49 and the second transport pipe 50 during operation. [Industrial Applicability]

[0092] The humidifier according to the present invention is useful as a humidifier with sterilizing and deodorizing functions for use in homes and offices. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1 Main unit case 1A Operation unit 1B Cover 2 air intakes 3 doors 4 Air outlet 5 Divider 6. Blower 7 Air Purification Unit 8 Sterilization air path 9 Control Unit 10 Motor section 11 Fan Club 12 Casing 13 Motor shaft 14 Outlet 15 Intake port 16 Water storage section 17 Electrolytic section 18 1st Water Transport Department 19 2nd Water Transport Department 20 Electrolyzed water transport section 21 Water storage container 22 Water supply means 23 Gas-liquid contact means 24 Bulkhead 25 Water Supply Section 26 Sterilization Area 27 Protrusion 28 Tank 28a Toride 28b Recess 29 Cap 29a Cap opening 29b Faucet 30 filters 31 Filter Frame 32 Electrolytic cell 33 Tablet injection mechanism 34 Electrolysis Unit 35 Tablet case 35a opening 36 Tablet injection member 37 Tablet dispenser cover 38 Electrolysis Accelerator Tablets 39 No. 1 Water Pump 40 Water conveyance mechanism 41 Second water pump 42 Water transport canals 43 Electrolytic water pump 44 First stage transport waterway 45 Supply tank 46 Downstream Transport Channel 47 Connection port 48 Drop-out 49 First Transport Pipe 50 Second Transport Pipe 51 Connection Unit 52 Connection auxiliary unit 53 First connection 54 Second connection 54a Water stop part 55 Connection auxiliary parts 55a 1st contact part 55b 2nd contact part 55c 3rd contact part 56 Connection auxiliary cover 57 Protruding part 58 Door detection mechanism 59 Microswitch 60 Detection protrusion

Claims

1. a main body case having an intake port and an outlet port; a water storage container that is detachable from the main body case; An electrolytic cell that produces water with sterilizing and deodorizing effects, a water supply compartment provided in the water storage container for storing water; a sterilization section provided in the water storage container for sterilization and deodorization using the sterilizing and deodorizing water produced in the electrolytic cell; a filter having one end immersed in the sterilizing and deodorizing water in the sterilization section; a blower that blows air to the filter; a water supply mechanism that supplies water from the water supply compartment to the electrolytic cell, The water supply mechanism includes: a first transport pipe provided in the water storage container, one end of which is immersed in the water in the water supply compartment; a second transport pipe provided within the front side wall of the main body case, one end of the second transport pipe being connected to the electrolytic cell; a connection unit that connects the first transport pipe and the second transport pipe so that they communicate with each other; a connection auxiliary unit that assists the connection of the connection unit, The connection unit comprises: a hollow first connecting portion provided at the other end of the first transport pipe; a hollow second connecting portion provided at the other end of the second transport pipe, When the water storage container is attached to the main body case, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion come into contact with each other so as to communicate with each other, A humidifier, characterized in that the connection auxiliary unit improves the degree of connection between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion.

2. The connection auxiliary unit includes: It is movable from a pre-connection assistance position to a post-connection assistance position, 2. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein when the water storage container is attached to the main body case and the connection assistance unit is moved from the pre-connection assistance position to the post-connection assistance position, the first connecting portion is pushed toward the second connecting portion.

3. When the connection assist unit has not moved to the post-connection assist position, 3. The humidifying device according to claim 2, wherein the blower, the electrolytic cell, and the water supply mechanism cannot be operated.

4. The main body case has an openable and closable door and a tank for supplying water to the water storage container; The tank is detachable from the water storage container, When the door is opened, the water storage container and the tank can be attached and detached to and from the main body case. The blower, the electrolytic cell, and the water supply mechanism cannot be operated unless the door is closed, The connection auxiliary unit includes: When not in the connection assist position, When the tank is attached to the water storage container, the tank comes into contact with the connection auxiliary unit and the tank is tilted.

4. The humidifier according to claim 3, wherein when the tank is tilted, the door comes into contact with the tank and the door cannot be closed.

Images