Humidifying filter holder, humidifying filter unit, and humidifying device

Abstract

Provided is a humidifying filter holder capable of improving the amount of humidification. This humidifying filter holder holds a humidifying filter body, and comprises a water reception unit that is located above a holding space where the humidifying filter body is disposed, and that receives water to be supplied to the humidifying filter body. The water reception unit has a water supply unit that is formed with a plurality of openings in communication with the holding space, and supplies water flowing in from one side in a first direction, which is the longitudinal direction, to the humidifying filter body through the plurality of openings. The ratio of some of the plurality of openings per unit area of the water supply unit is defined as the opening ratio; the opening ratio on the other side of the water supply unit in the first direction is greater than the opening ratio on the one side in the first direction.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a humidifying filter holder, a humidifying filter unit, and a humidifier. This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-125291, filed on July 22, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a humidifying device that includes a humidifying tray that temporarily stores water in a water tank, a humidifying filter that evaporates the water to humidify it, a water spraying means that draws water with a pump and sprays it from above the humidifying filter, and a blower that blows air onto the humidifying filter. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-32314 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a humidifying filter holder and the like that can improve the amount of humidification in a humidifier. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One form of the present invention provides a humidifying filter holder that holds a humidifying filter body, and is located above a holding space in which the humidifying filter body is arranged, and is equipped with a water receiving portion that receives water to be supplied to the humidifying filter body, the water receiving portion having a plurality of openings that communicate with the holding space, and a water supply portion that supplies water flowing in from one side in a first direction, which is the longitudinal direction, to the humidifying filter body through the plurality of openings, the proportion of the plurality of openings per unit area of ​​the water supply portion being defined as an opening ratio, and the opening ratio on the other side of the first direction in the water supply portion is greater than the opening ratio on one side of the first direction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a humidifier according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a front view of a humidifying filter holder according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the humidifying filter holder according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the humidifying filter holder taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 5] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the humidifying filter holder taken along line VV of FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the humidifying filter holder taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the state of water flowing through the humidifying filter unit during humidification. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a humidifying filter holder according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the humidifying filter holder shown in FIG. 8 taken along line IX-IX. [Figure 10] 9 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the humidifying filter holder shown in FIG. 8 taken along line XX. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of a first modified example of the water supply section. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of a second modified example of the water supply section. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a humidifying filter holder according to a third embodiment. [Figure 14] 14 is a cross-sectional view of the humidifying filter holder taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG. 13. FIG. [Figure 15] 14 is a cross-sectional view of the humidifying filter holder taken along line XV-XV of FIG. 13. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0008] [First embodiment] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a humidifier according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a front view of a humidifying filter holder according to the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is a plan view of a humidifying filter holder according to the first embodiment. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the humidifying filter holder shown in Fig. 3 taken along line IV-IV. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the humidifying filter holder shown in Fig. 3 taken along line VV. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the humidifying filter holder shown in Fig. 3 taken along line VI-VI. The humidifier 1 includes, for example, an electric heating appliance or the like that has functions such as humidifying and heating air.

[0009] As shown in FIG. 1, the humidifier 1 includes a humidifying filter unit 2 (described later) and a main body 3 that holds the humidifying filter unit 2.

[0010] The main body 3 is formed, for example, in a box shape. The main body 3 has an outlet 4 formed at the bottom of the front surface for discharging heated or humidified air to the outside of the device. The main body 3 also has an inlet 5 formed at the back surface for drawing air inside.

[0011] An air passage 6 is formed inside the main body 3, through which air flows from the inlet 5 toward the outlet 4. In the air passage 6, a filter 7, a blower 8, a ceramic heater 9 that heats the air sucked in by the blower 8, and a humidifying filter unit 2 that humidifies the air are provided in this order from the inlet 5 toward the outlet 4.

[0012] The filter 7 is provided on the rear surface of the main body 3, and captures dust particles (dirt) in the air passing through due to the suction force of the blower 8.

[0013] The blower 8 includes a fan 8a that generates airflow to draw air into the main body 3, and a fan motor 8b that rotates the fan 8a. The blower 8 is formed by a centrifugal fan 8a such as a sirocco fan that is driven by the fan motor 8b, and draws in air in the axial direction and sends it out in the circumferential direction.

[0014] The ceramic heater 9 is provided between the blower 8 inside the main body 3 and a humidifying filter holder 10 (described later), and heats the air sucked in by the blower 8.

[0015] The humidifying filter unit 2 shown in FIG. 2 includes a humidifying filter holder 10 and a humidifying filter body 11 held by the humidifying filter holder 10.

[0016] The humidification filter body 11 is formed by continuously folding a water-absorbent nonwoven fabric of a predetermined thickness into a W-shape when viewed from above. In this example, two humidification filter bodies 11 are arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction. When air passes through the folded portions 11a and 11b of each humidification filter body 11, the moisture adsorbed to the humidification filter body 11 evaporates.

[0017] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the humidifying filter holder 10 has a water receiving portion 12 at the top for spraying water onto the humidifying filter body 11, and a substantially horizontally elongated box-shaped outer frame 13 at the bottom for holding the humidifying filter body 11.

[0018] The outer frame 13 is open on a top surface 31, a front surface 32, a rear surface 33, and a bottom surface 36, and is closed on left and right side surfaces 34, 35. The outer frame 13 has a holding space S in which the humidifying filter body 11 is disposed. The top surface 31 of the outer frame 13 is provided with an opening (not shown) that communicates with the holding space S, and when the humidifying filter body 11 is held in the holding space S of the outer frame 13, the folded portions 11a, 11b on the front and rear sides of the humidifying filter body 11 are arranged to face the front surface 32 and rear surface 33 of the outer frame 13.

[0019] Furthermore, the upper bent portions 11a, 11b of the humidifying filter body 11 are arranged to face the openings in the top surface 31 of the outer frame 13. Protruding beams 18a, 18b are attached to the front surface 32 and rear surface 33 of the outer frame 13. The protruding beams 18a, 18b have multiple protrusions and maintain the shape of the bent portions 11a, 11b of the humidifying filter body 11.

[0020] Specifically, each of the protruding beams 18a, 18b has a main body extending across both the left and right ends of the front surface 32 and the rear surface 33, and multiple protrusions provided on the main body. The main body is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate with the longitudinal direction extending left and right and the thickness direction extending front to back. The multiple protrusions are formed side by side in the left and right directions on one inner surface of the main body and protrude in the front to back direction. The multiple protrusions of each of the protruding beams 18a, 18b fit into the bent portions 11a, 11b of the humidifying filter body 11, thereby maintaining the shape of the bent portions 11a, 11b.

[0021] Furthermore, a protrusion beam 18c is provided between the protrusion beams 18a and 18b in the front-to-rear direction within the outer frame 13 below the bottom 22 of the water receiving portion 12 (described later). The protrusion beam 18c has a main body provided across both left and right ends in the center of the outer frame 13 in the front-to-rear direction, and multiple protrusions provided on the main body. The main body is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate with the left-to-right direction as the longitudinal direction and the front-to-rear direction as the thickness direction. The multiple protrusions are formed side by side in the left-to-right direction on both sides of the main body and protrude in the front-to-rear direction. The multiple protrusions of the protrusion beam 18c fit into the bent portions 11a and 11b of the humidifying filter body 11, thereby maintaining the shape of the bent portions 11a and 11b. That is, the humidification filter bodies 11, 11 are held between the protruding beam 18c and the protruding beams 18a, 18b such that the multiple protrusions of the protruding beams 18a to 18c fit into the bent portions 11a, 11b, thereby maintaining their shape.

[0022] Furthermore, the humidifying filter unit 2 includes a water tank (not shown) that can be freely attached to the main body 3, and a humidifying tray 19 (see FIG. 1) for storing water supplied from the water tank.

[0023] The water in the humidifying tray 19 is supplied to the water receiving section 12 (described later) by the pump 17 via the extension pipe 16. One end of the extension pipe 16 is connected to the pump 17 of the humidifying tray 19, and the other end is connected to the water supply hole 12a of the water receiving section 12 (see FIG. 3).

[0024] 3, the humidifying filter holder 10 is located above the holding space S in which the humidifying filter body 11 is placed, and includes a water receiving portion 12 that receives water to be supplied to the humidifying filter body 11. The humidifying filter holder 10 also includes a cover (not shown) that covers the water receiving portion 12 from above.

[0025] The water receiving portion 12 is configured in a generally box-like shape and has multiple water supply portions 21, 21. The longitudinal direction of each water supply portion 21 is the left-right direction (first direction), and water is introduced from one side (the left side in this embodiment) in the left-right direction that is closer to the water supply hole 12a. Each water supply portion 21 has multiple openings 25,..., 25 that communicate with the holding space S. Specifically, the water supply portion 21 is a flow path C through which water flows, and water flowing through the flow path C flows downward from the multiple openings 25 into the holding space S below. The two water supply portions 21, 21 are arranged side by side in a front-rear direction (second direction) that intersects with the left-right direction. The water receiving portion 12, including the two water supply portions 21, 21, is surrounded by a wall portion 121 in the front-rear and left-right directions. The water receiving portion 12 temporarily stores water pumped up through the extension pipe 16 and allows the water to flow to each of the two water supply portions 21, 21.

[0026] 3 and 5, water supply section 21 has a flow path C that is generally V-shaped in cross section. Specifically, water supply section 21 has a bottom 22 that extends in the left-right direction, a generally rectangular first inclined surface 23 formed on one side (the rear side in this embodiment) of bottom 22 in the front-to-rear direction that intersects with the left-to-right direction, and a generally rectangular second inclined surface 24 formed on the other side (the front side in this embodiment) of bottom 22 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0027] As shown in Figure 4, bottom 22 is formed to have a tapered surface that slopes downward from one side closer to water inlet 12a in the left-right direction to the other side farther from water inlet 12a. Specifically, bottom 22 is configured to become lower the further away from water inlet 12a it is. In water receiving section 12, water pumped up by pump 17 flows along the tapered surface from one side to the other in the left-right direction. Note that bottom 22 is not limited to a tapered surface, and may be formed in a stepped shape that slopes downward from one side to the other in the left-right direction, as long as a difference in height is created.

[0028] 5 and 6, the first inclined surface 23 and the second inclined surface 24 are inclined upward with increasing distance in the front-rear direction from the bottom 22. Specifically, the first inclined surface 23 and the second inclined surface 24 are inclined at an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to an imaginary plane along the front-rear direction and the left-right direction.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 3, a plurality of openings 25 are formed in each of the first inclined surface 23 and the second inclined surface 24. Each opening 25 is formed in a substantially circular shape in a plan view, and is formed so as to penetrate the first inclined surface 23 or the second inclined surface 24 in the vertical direction. Furthermore, a plurality of substantially cylindrical connecting portions 28, ..., 28 extending downward are provided on the first inclined surface 23 and the second inclined surface 24. One end of each connecting portion 28 communicates with the opening 25, and the other end of each connecting portion 28 communicates with the holding space S that holds the humidification filter body 11. The shape of the openings 25 may be elliptical, rectangular, or any other polygonal shape.

[0030] Here, the percentage of a portion of the multiple openings 25 per unit area of ​​water supply section 21 is referred to as the opening percentage. "A portion of the multiple openings 25" includes not only one or more openings 25, but also a portion of a single opening 25. In other words, the opening percentage is the percentage of the total opening area per unit area of ​​water supply section 21. In the present disclosure, the unit area of ​​water supply section 21 includes at least one opening 25. For example, the size of the unit area of ​​water supply section 21 is the area obtained by dividing each of first inclined surface 23 and second inclined surface 24 into multiple sections in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the opening percentage on the right side of water supply section 21 is greater than the opening percentage on the left side. In other words, in water supply section 21, the total opening area per unit area on the right side, which is far from water supply hole 12a, is greater than the total opening area per unit area on the left side, which is closer to water supply hole 12a.

[0031] Specifically, the multiple openings 25,...,25 have different sizes of opening area. The multiple openings 25,...,25 have an opening area (opening area) that increases from one side closer to the water supply hole 12a in the left-right direction to the other side farther from the water supply hole 12a. That is, of the multiple openings 25, the openings 25 farther from the water supply hole 12a have a larger opening area than the openings 25 closer to the water supply hole 12a. Specifically, on each of the first inclined surface 23 and the second inclined surface 24, the opening areas of the multiple openings 25 gradually increase the further away from the water supply hole 12a they are. Furthermore, the interval between adjacent openings 25,25 in the left-right direction increases as the opening area of ​​the opening 25 decreases, and decreases as the opening area of ​​the opening 25 increases.

[0032] Thus, in this embodiment, the openings 25,..., 25 formed on each of the first inclined surface 23 and the second inclined surface 24 have smaller opening areas closer to the water inlet 12a and larger opening areas farther from the water inlet 12a. Therefore, water introduced from the water inlet 12a passes over the openings closer to the water inlet 12a and more easily reaches the openings 25 farther from the water inlet 12a, and water also more easily flows into the openings 25 farther from the water inlet 12a. This makes it possible to equalize the amount of water flowing into each opening 25 per unit time. Therefore, it is possible to uniformize the amount of water supplied to each portion of the humidifying filter body 11 along the left-right direction.

[0033] Here, when distinguishing between the multiple openings 25,...,25, the multiple openings 25 formed in the first inclined surface 23 are referred to as multiple first openings 251, and the multiple openings 25 formed in the second inclined surface 24 are referred to as multiple second openings 252. In other words, the multiple openings 25,...,25 include the multiple first openings 251 formed in the first inclined surface 23 and the multiple second openings 252 formed in the second inclined surface 24.

[0034] The multiple first openings 251 and the multiple second openings 252 are formed such that the multiple first openings 251 and the multiple second openings 252 are alternately positioned in the left-right direction. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 3, the positions of the multiple first openings 251 and the positions of the multiple second openings 252 are different from each other in the left-right direction. In other words, the multiple first openings 251 and the multiple second openings 252 are shifted in the left-right direction so as not to be aligned in the front-rear direction. The centers of the first openings 251 and the second openings 252 are at different positions in the left-right direction.

[0035] As a result, the first openings 251 and the second openings 252 are positioned alternately in the left-right direction, making it possible to uniformize the amount of water supplied to each portion along the left-right direction of the humidification filter body 11. Furthermore, compared to a configuration in which each of the multiple first openings 251 and each of the multiple second openings 252 are aligned in the front-rear direction, water more easily passes above the first openings 251 and second openings 252 that are close to the water inlet 12a, making it easier for water to reach the first openings 251 and second openings 252 that are far from the water inlet 12a.

[0036] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , some of the openings 25 are formed above the bottom 22. Furthermore, the remaining openings 25 have larger opening areas than the remaining openings 25 and are formed to be continuous with the bottom 22. When distinguishing between the openings 25, the remaining openings 25 formed above the bottom 22 are referred to as small openings 25S, and the remaining openings 25 have larger opening areas than the small openings 25S and are formed to be continuous with the bottom 22 and are referred to as large openings 25L. The openings 25 include the small openings 25S and the large openings 25L. The first inclined surface 23 and the second inclined surface 24 each have the small openings 25S and the large openings 25L. In the left-right direction, the small openings 25S are formed closer to the water supply hole 12a than the large openings 25L.

[0037] 5, small opening 25S is formed above bottom 22. Bottom 22 here refers to the portion connecting the lower ends of first inclined surface 23 and second inclined surface 24. The open end of small opening 25S is located above bottom 22.

[0038] 6, the large opening 25L is formed so as to be continuous with the bottom portion 22. That is, a part of the opening end of the large opening 25L is formed in the bottom portion 22.

[0039] This allows water introduced from water supply hole 12a to flow along bottom 22, making it easier to reach large opening 25L, and also makes it easier for water to flow into large opening 25L that is partially formed in bottom 22. Furthermore, when pump 17 stops, water that has accumulated in bottom 22 can be discharged through large opening 25L, making it possible to prevent water from remaining in bottom 22.

[0040] [Humidifier operation] Next, the operation of the humidifier will be described. When an operation to start humidification operation is performed in the humidifier, a control unit (not shown) receives an operation signal and controls the blower 8, ceramic heater 9, and pump 17.

[0041] In the humidifier 1 shown in FIG. 1, the humidifying operation is started when an operating unit (not shown) is operated.

[0042] 7, water supplied from a water tank (not shown) is stored in humidifying tray 19, and the water in humidifying tray 19 is pumped up into water receiving section 12 through extension pipe 16 by driving pump 17. The pumped water flows through each flow path C, C of each water supply section 21, 21.

[0043] Water flows down through the openings 25, 25 provided in each of the water supply portions 21, 21 into the holding space S below. Specifically, water introduced from the water supply hole 12a flows through the flow path C, with a portion of the water flowing down through the openings 25 into the holding space S. As a result, the humidifying filter body 11 arranged in the holding space S absorbs the water that has flowed down from the water receiving portion 12 through the multiple openings 25. Of the water that has flowed down through the multiple openings 25, the water that has not been absorbed by the humidifying filter body 11 flows into the humidifying tray 19 and is pumped up again into the water receiving portion 12.

[0044] In the humidifying filter holder 10 of this embodiment, the openings 25,..., 25 formed on each of the first inclined surface 23 and the second inclined surface 24 have smaller opening areas closer to the water inlet 12a and larger opening areas farther from the water inlet 12a. Therefore, water introduced through the water inlet 12a passes over the openings closer to the water inlet 12a and more easily reaches the openings 25 farther from the water inlet 12a, and water also more easily flows into the openings 25 farther from the water inlet 12a. This allows for a more uniform amount of water flowing into each opening 25 per unit time. This also allows for a more uniform amount of water to be supplied to each portion of the humidifying filter body 11 along the left-right direction. This increases the amount of water absorbed by the humidifying filter body 11 compared to when water is supplied locally to the humidifying filter body 11, thereby increasing the amount of humidification.

[0045] Furthermore, because the first openings 251 and the second openings 252 are positioned alternately in the left-right direction, it is possible to uniformly supply the amount of water to each portion along the left-right direction of the humidification filter body 11. Furthermore, compared to a configuration in which each of the multiple first openings 251 and each of the multiple second openings 252 are aligned in the front-rear direction, water more easily passes above the first openings 251 and second openings 252 that are close to the water inlet 12a, making it easier for water to reach the first openings 251 and second openings 252 that are far from the water inlet 12a.

[0046] Furthermore, small opening 25S (see FIG. 5) is formed above bottom 22, and large opening 25L (see FIG. 6) is formed so as to be continuous with bottom 22. This allows water introduced from water supply hole 12a to flow along bottom 22, making it easier to reach large opening 25L, and also makes it easier for water to flow into large opening 25L, a portion of which is formed in bottom 22.

[0047] As described above, the humidifying filter holder 10 of this embodiment is positioned above the holding space S in which the humidifying filter body 11 is disposed. It includes a water receiving portion 12 that receives water to be supplied to the humidifying filter body 11. The water receiving portion 12 has a water supply portion 21 with a first direction as its longitudinal direction, through which water is introduced from one side in the first direction, and which has multiple openings 25,..., 25 formed therein and communicating with the holding space S. The multiple openings 25,..., 25 have different opening areas, with the opening area being larger on the other side in the first direction than on the other side. This allows water introduced through the water supply hole 12a to pass over the openings closer to the water supply hole 12a and more easily reach the openings 25 farther from the water supply hole 12a, and also allows water to more easily flow into the openings 25 farther from the water supply hole 12a. This allows for a uniform amount of water flowing into each opening 25 per unit time. This allows for a uniform amount of water to be supplied to each portion of the humidifying filter body 11 along the left-right direction. Therefore, the humidifying filter holder 10 can achieve the effect of performing the water sprinkling operation more efficiently.

[0048] In the humidifying filter holder 10 of this embodiment, the water supply portion 21 has a bottom 22, a first inclined surface 23 formed on one side of the bottom 22 in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a second inclined surface 24 formed on the other side of the bottom 22 in the second direction. The first inclined surface 23 and the second inclined surface 24 are inclined upward with increasing distance from the bottom 22 in the second direction, and a plurality of openings 25, 25 are formed in the first inclined surface 23 and the second inclined surface 24. Therefore, with the humidifying filter holder 10, the formation of the plurality of openings 25, 25 in the first inclined surface 23 and the second inclined surface 24 makes it possible to maintain the water level flowing into the water supply portion 21. Water flows into the plurality of openings 25, 25 formed in the first inclined surface 23 and the second inclined surface 24, which has the effect of spraying water approximately uniformly onto the humidifying filter body 11.

[0049] In the humidifying filter holder 10 of this embodiment, the multiple openings 25 include multiple first openings 251 formed in the first inclined surface 23 and multiple second openings 252 formed in the second inclined surface 24. The multiple first openings 251 and the multiple second openings 252 are formed so that the multiple first openings 251 alternate with the multiple second openings 252 in the first direction. As a result, the first openings 251 and the second openings 252 alternate in the left-right direction, making it possible to uniform the amount of water supplied to each portion of the humidifying filter body 11 along the left-right direction. Furthermore, compared to a configuration in which each of the multiple first openings 251 and each of the multiple second openings 252 are aligned in the front-to-back direction, water can more easily pass above the first openings 251 and second openings 252 that are close to the water supply hole 12a, making it easier for water to reach the first openings 251 and second openings 252 that are far from the water supply hole 12a.

[0050] In the humidifying filter holder 10 of this embodiment, of the multiple openings 25, some of the openings 25 are formed above the bottom 22, and the remaining openings 25 have a larger opening area than the some of the openings 25 and are formed so as to be continuous with the bottom 22. Therefore, with the humidifying filter holder 10, the amount of water guided per unit time to the some of the openings 25 formed above the bottom 22 and the openings 25 with a larger opening area that are formed so as to be continuous with the bottom 22 is equal, allowing the entire humidifying filter body 11 to be wetted efficiently.

[0051] In the humidifying filter holder 10 of this embodiment, the water receiving portion 12 has a plurality of water supply portions 21, which are arranged side by side in a second direction that intersects with the first direction. Therefore, the humidifying filter holder 10 can guide water to each of the water supply portions 21. Water flowing into each water supply portion 21 flows into the plurality of openings 25, ..., 25 formed in the first inclined surface 23 and the second inclined surface 24, thereby evenly wetting the range of the humidifying filter body 11 in the second direction.

[0052] [Second embodiment] A humidifier according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 10. The humidifier according to the second embodiment differs from the humidifier according to the first embodiment in the positions of the multiple openings. Note that the components of the second embodiment are given the same reference numerals as the components of the first embodiment, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0053] As shown in Figures 8 to 10, the humidifying filter holder 10 of this embodiment has one water supply section 21. The longitudinal direction of water supply section 21 is the left-right direction (first direction), and water is introduced from one side in the left-right direction that is closer to water supply hole 12a (the left side in this embodiment). Water supply section 21 has a flow path C that is approximately V-shaped in cross section. Specifically, water supply section 21 has a bottom 22 that extends in the left-right direction, a substantially rectangular first inclined surface 23 formed on one side in the front-rear direction (the front side in this embodiment) of bottom 22 that intersects with the left-right direction, and a substantially rectangular second inclined surface 24 formed on the other side in the front-rear direction (the rear side in this embodiment) of bottom 22.

[0054] The water supply section 21 is formed with a plurality of openings 25,...,25 that communicate with the holding space S. Specifically, the plurality of openings 25,...,25 are formed in two rows along the left-right direction on both the front and rear sides of the bottom 22. The plurality of openings 25,...,25 are formed on each of the first inclined surface 23 and the second inclined surface 24. Specifically, at the front of the bottom 22, the plurality of openings 25,...,25 are formed across the first inclined surface 23 and a first flat surface 26 extending forward from the upper end of the first inclined surface 23. At the rear of the bottom 22, the plurality of openings 25,...,25 are formed across the second inclined surface 24 and a second flat surface 27 extending rearward from the upper end of the second inclined surface 24. The first flat surface 26 and the second flat surface 27 are formed along the front-rear and left-right directions.

[0055] The multiple openings 25,...,25 have different sizes of opening area. The multiple openings 25,...,25 have opening areas (areas) that increase from one side closer to the water supply hole 12a to the other side farther from the water supply hole 12a in the left-right direction. That is, of the multiple openings 25, the openings 25 farther from the water supply hole 12a have larger opening areas than the openings 25 closer to the water supply hole 12a. Specifically, on each of the first inclined surface 23 and the second inclined surface 24, the opening areas of the multiple openings 25 gradually increase the further away from the water supply hole 12a.

[0056] Moreover, the multiple openings 25, 25 are formed above the bottom 22. Specifically, each opening 25 is formed so that the entire peripheral edge is above the bottom 22. In other words, the peripheral edge of each opening 25 is spaced apart from the bottom 22 along the first inclined surface 23 and the second inclined surface 24.

[0057] Furthermore, each of the plurality of openings 25, ···, 25 formed in the first inclined surface 23 and each of the plurality of openings 25, ···, 25 formed in the second inclined surface 24 are formed so as to be positioned at the same position in the left-right direction. In other words, each of the plurality of openings 25, ···, 25 formed in the first inclined surface 23 and each of the plurality of openings 25, ···, 25 formed in the second inclined surface 24 are formed so as to be aligned in the front-rear direction.

[0058] As described above, in the humidifying filter holder 10 of this embodiment, the multiple openings 25, 25 are formed above the bottom 22. Therefore, water introduced through the water inlet 12a flows through the water supply section 21 and overflows from the multiple openings 25. The multiple openings 25, 25 have smaller opening areas the closer they are to the water inlet 12a, and larger opening areas the farther they are from the water inlet 12a. In other words, the multiple openings 25, 25 are formed so that their opening areas increase toward the downstream side, where the water flow is slower. This allows for the amount of water flowing into each opening 25 per unit time to be uniform. This allows for the amount of water supplied to each portion of the humidifying filter body 11 along the left-right direction to be uniform.

[0059] (Variation) Next, we will explain modified examples of the humidifying filter holder 10. Each modified example described below can be applied by appropriately combining the configurations of the above-mentioned embodiment or the modified examples. In the following explanation, the same reference numerals will be used to designate the same configuration as the above-mentioned embodiment, and explanations thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0060] In the embodiment described above, the multiple openings 25 formed in water supply section 21 have different opening areas, and are formed so that the opening area gradually increases with increasing distance from water supply hole 12a. As a result, in the embodiment described above, the opening ratio on the right side of water supply section 21, which is farther from water supply hole 12a, is configured to be larger than the opening ratio on the left side, which is closer to water supply hole 12a. However, the configuration in which the opening ratio on the right side of water supply section 21 is larger than the opening ratio on the left side is not limited to the above configuration.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 11, the multiple openings 25 formed in the water supply unit 21 may have multiple sizes of opening area, and may be formed so that the opening area gradually increases toward the right. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the multiple openings 25 have three different sizes of opening area, and the number of each type of opening 25 is the same. The multiple (12) openings 25 are formed in two rows of six each along the left-right direction. In each row, the multiple openings 25 are formed so that the size of the opening area increases in three steps toward the right, with two openings 25 of the same size in one row. This configures the water supply unit 21 so that the opening ratio on the right side, far from the water supply hole 12a, is larger than the opening ratio on the left side, close to the water supply hole 12a.

[0062] 12, the multiple openings 25 formed in water supply section 21 may have the same size of opening area, and may be formed so that the spacing between openings 25 decreases toward the right. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the multiple openings 25 are formed in two rows along the left-right direction. The multiple openings 25 are formed so that the spacing between two adjacent openings 25 in each row decreases toward the right. Therefore, the number of openings 25 per unit area of ​​water supply section 21 increases toward the right. This results in the water supply section 21 being configured so that the proportion of openings on the right side, far from water supply hole 12a, is greater than the proportion of openings on the left side, close to water supply hole 12a.

[0063] 12, the openings 25 are formed so that the opening areas are the same size, but the opening areas may be different in size. For example, the openings 25 may be formed so that the intervals between the openings 25 become smaller and the opening areas become gradually larger toward the right.

[0064] Each opening 25 may have a reduction mechanism formed on its inner circumferential surface to reduce the surface tension of water. The reduction mechanism may be, for example, a rib, a groove, a recess, or a protrusion. Forming the reduction mechanism on the inner circumferential surface of the opening 25 prevents water from remaining inside or at the periphery of the opening 25 due to surface tension. This prevents water from becoming blocked through the opening 25, improving the amount of water supplied to the humidifying filter body 11. The shape of the opening 25 is not limited to a perfect circle, and may be an ellipse or a polygonal shape such as a square or hexagon.

[0065] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the humidifying filter holder 10 is configured to include one water supply portion 21, but may be configured to include a plurality of (for example, two) water supply portions 21 arranged in the front-rear direction.

[0066] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be replaced with a configuration that is substantially the same as the configuration shown in the above-described embodiments, a configuration that has the same effect, or a configuration that can achieve the same purpose.

[0067] [Third embodiment] A humidifier 1 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 13 to 15. The humidifier 1 of the third embodiment differs from the humidifier 1 of the first embodiment in that it has a partition plate 29 that separates two water supply sections 21 arranged in the front-to-rear direction in the front-to-rear direction. Note that the same components as those of the humidifier 1 of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted where appropriate.

[0068] Water receiving section 12 of this embodiment is provided with a partition plate 29. Partition plate 29 is provided between two water supply sections 21 lined up in the front-to-rear direction, and separates the two water supply sections 21 in the front-to-rear direction. Specifically, water supply section 21 has a substantially V-shaped cross section and has a bottom 22 formed along the left-to-right direction, a first inclined surface 23 formed rearward relative to bottom section 22, and a second inclined surface 24 formed forward relative to bottom section 22.

[0069] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, water supply section 21 has a plurality of openings 25 formed in only one of first inclined surface 23 and second inclined surface 24. Specifically, rear water supply section 21 has a plurality of openings 25 formed in first inclined surface 23, and front water supply section 21 has a plurality of openings 25 formed in second inclined surface 24. As in the first embodiment, water supply section 21 may have a plurality of openings 25 formed in both first inclined surface 23 and second inclined surface 24.

[0070] Partition plate 29 is formed to protrude upward from the connection between first inclined surface 23 of front water supply section 21 and second inclined surface 24 of rear water supply section 21. Partition plate 29 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate extending in the left-right direction, with the thickness direction being the front-to-rear direction. Partition plate 29 is also formed across both ends of water supply section 21 in the left-right direction.

[0071] Water is introduced into each of the two water supply units 21 from the left. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 13, water is introduced into the two water supply units 21 from water supply holes 12a provided on the left front side of the two water supply units 21. In other words, water flowing from water supply holes 12a toward the right rear side is introduced into the two water supply units 21. In Fig. 13, the flow of water supplied from water supply holes 12a is conceptually shown by arrows.

[0072] Here, water receiving section 12 of this embodiment is provided with partition plate 29 that separates two water supply sections 21 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, a portion of the water flowing from the front left toward two water supply sections 21 is blocked by partition plate 29, and is prevented from flowing over first inclined surface 23 of the front water supply section 21 into the rear water supply section 21. The water blocked by partition plate 29 flows to the right along partition plate 29 and is supplied to humidifying filter body 11 through multiple openings 25 formed in the front water supply section 21.

[0073] In this way, in this embodiment, partition plate 29 prevents water from flowing over first inclined surface 23 of front water supply section 21 into rear water supply section 21, thereby ensuring the amount of water introduced into front water supply section 21. This reduces the difference in the amount of water introduced between front water supply section 21 and rear water supply section 21, and therefore reduces the difference in the amount of water supplied to front humidification filter body 11 and rear humidification filter body 11. As a result, both humidification filter bodies 11 can be efficiently wetted in their entirety.

[0074] In this embodiment, partition plate 29 is formed across both left and right ends of water supply section 21, but the left and right dimension may be shorter than the left and right dimension of water supply section 21. In this case, for example, partition plate 29 may be formed from the left end of water supply section 21 to around the center of water supply section 21.

[0075] In addition, in this embodiment, the partition plate 29 is arranged so that a small gap is formed between the upper end of the partition plate 29 and the cover that covers the water receiving portion 12 from above, but the upper end of the partition plate 29 may also be in contact with the cover.

[0076] In addition, in this embodiment, the partition plate 29 is formed so as to protrude upward from the water receiving portion 12, but it may be formed so as to protrude downward from a cover that covers the water receiving portion 12 from above. In this case, the lower end of the partition plate 29 may be in contact with the water receiving portion 12, or a small gap may be formed.

Claims

1. A humidifying filter holder for holding a humidifying filter body, a water receiving portion located above the holding space in which the humidifying filter body is disposed and receiving water to be supplied to the humidifying filter body; the water receiving portion has a plurality of openings communicating with the holding space, and includes a water supply portion that supplies water flowing in from one side of a first direction, which is a longitudinal direction, to the humidifying filter body through the plurality of openings; The ratio of the portion of the plurality of openings per unit area of ​​the water supply section is defined as an opening ratio, In the water supply section, the opening ratio on the other side in the first direction is larger than the opening ratio on the one side in the first direction, the water supply section has a bottom, a first inclined surface formed on one side of the bottom in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a second inclined surface formed on the other side of the bottom in the second direction, the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are inclined upward as they move away from the bottom in the second direction, the plurality of openings are formed in at least one of the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface, Among the plurality of openings, some small openings are formed above the bottom, and the remaining large openings have opening areas larger than the some small openings and are formed so as to be continuous with the bottom. Humidification filter holder.

2. The plurality of openings have different opening areas, Among the plurality of openings, the openings located on the other side in the first direction have a larger opening area than the openings located on the one side in the first direction. The humidifying filter holder according to claim 1 .

3. the plurality of openings include a plurality of first openings formed in the first inclined surface and a plurality of second openings formed in the second inclined surface, The plurality of first openings and the plurality of second openings are formed such that each of the plurality of first openings and each of the plurality of second openings are alternately positioned in the first direction.

3. The humidifying filter holder according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The water receiving portion has a plurality of the water supply portions, The plurality of water supply units are arranged side by side in the second direction. The humidifying filter holder according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. Further provided is a partition plate that separates the plurality of water supply units in the second direction. The humidifying filter holder according to claim 4.

6. A holder for a humidifying filter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, a humidifying filter body held by the humidifying filter holder, Humidifying filter unit.

7. A humidifying filter unit according to claim 6, a main body for holding the humidifying filter unit; humidifier.

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