humidifier

Abstract

Disclosed is a humidifier.The humidifier according to the present disclosure includes: an inner tank which has a space in which water is held and which is opened on an upper side; an outer tank having a space in which the inner tank is accommodated; a handle fixedly disposed on an upper end portion of the inner tank; and a water tank sealer disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the handle and being in contact with an upper end portion of the outer tank.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a humidifier, and more particularly, to a humidifier capable of top water supplying.2. Description of the Related Art

[0002] A humidifier is a device that evaporates water to emit humidified air with a high moisture content.

[0003] In the humidifier, a water tank holding water can be located under the humidifier. In addition, the water tank can be located on a top portion of the humidifier to form a channel through which air moves around the water tank.

[0004] Korean Patent Registration No. KR 10-2667526 B1 also discloses a structure in which a water tank is placed at a top portion and a channel is formed around the water tank. However, when the air moves around the water tank, water can be generated on an outer wall of the water tank at a temperature difference from water held therein.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present disclosure to solve the above-described problems and other problems.

[0006] That is, the present disclosure provides a humidifier that prevents water from being generated due to a temperature difference toward a channel through which air moves.

[0007] The humidifier according to the present disclosure has a structure in which a water tank is in double contact, and thus it is possible to reduce a temperature difference between the inside of the water tank and the channel. However, water may be generated between water tanks having a double contact structure. In addition, when air moves between water tanks having the double contact structure, such water generation can be actively formed.

[0008] Another object is to solve this problem.

[0009] In addition, there may be a problem in that water discharged from the water tank moves out between the water tanks coupled in a double scheme.

[0010] Yet another object is to solve this problem.

[0011] In order to achieve the object, a humidifier according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: an inner tank forming a space for storing water and having an open top; an outer tank having a space in which the inner tank is accommodated; a handle fixedly disposed on an upper end portion of the inner tank; and a water tank sealer disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the handle and being in contact with an upper end portion of the outer tank.

[0012] The water tank sealer includes a contact portion being in contact with the handle, an extension portion extending outward from an upper end of the contact portion, and a sealing portion extending downward on an end portion of the extension portion.

[0013] The sealing portion has an outwardly convex shape.

[0014] A thickness of the outer tank is greater than a thickness of the inner tank.

[0015] The humidifier includes a connector connected to the inner tank, and sending the water stored in the inner tank to a humidification module. A bottom hole through which the connector passes is formed on a bottom surface of the inner tank. A through-hole through which the connector passes is formed on a bottom surface of the outer tank. The connector is disposed to be in contact with each of the inner tank and the outer tank.

[0016] The humidifier includes a packing disposed around the bottom hole on the bottom surface of the inner tank and contacts the connector.

[0017] An outer sealer being in contact with the outer tank is disposed on the connector.

[0018] The connector includes a connector body disposed to pass through the bottom hole, and connector holder disposed outside the inner tank and coupled to the connector body.

[0019] When the connector holder is coupled to the connector body, the connector is in contact with the inner tank and the outer tank to seal the bottom hole and the through-hole.

[0020] A top surface of the connector holder is in contact with the bottom surface of the inner tank. A circumferential surface of the connector holder is in contact with the outer tank.

[0021] The humidifier includes a packing disposed on the periphery of the bottom hole and being in contact with the connector on the bottom surface of the inner tank. The packing is in contact with the connector body.

[0022] The outer sealer being in contact with the outer tank is disposed on the circumferential surface of the connector holder.

[0023] A lower rim extending downward is disposed around the through-hole is disposed on the bottom surface of the outer tank. An inner protrusion protruding inward and being in contact with the outer sealer is disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the lower rim.

[0024] The humidifier includes an inner shell disposed spaced apart from a periphery of the water tank, and forming a discharge passage in which humidified air moves between the inner shell and the water tank.

[0025] The humidifier includes an upper rim protruding upward is formed on a bottom surface of the inner shell around a shell through-hole formed below the through-hole.

[0026] The upper rim is disposed around the lower rim.

[0027] The upper rim is in contact with a bottom surface of the inner protrusion.

[0028] Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

[0029] The humidifier of the present disclosure has one or more of the following effects.

[0030] First, the humidifier has a structure in which an inner tank and an outer tank are placed in contact with each other. Further, a water tank sealer is placed at upper end portions of the inner tank and the outer tank, and it is possible to prevent air or water from moving into the inner tank or the outer tank.

[0031] Second, a connector coupled to the inner tank has a structure that is coupled to be sealed with the inner tank and the outer tank. Such a structure can prevent water discharged from the inner tank from moving between the inner tank and the outer tank.

[0032] Third, a discharge passage through which humidified air moves is formed between the outer tank and an inner shell. Through the structure of the connector and the structures of the inner shell and the outer tank, it is possible to prevent the humidified air moving into the discharge passage from moving into the outer tank.

[0033] The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects that are not mentioned may be obviously understood by those skilled in the art from the claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a humidifier according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III′ of FIG. 2.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an inner tank according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a handle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 6 is a one-side cross-sectional view of FIG. 5.

[0040] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a handle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] FIG. 8 is a plan view of a handle according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a water tank cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] FIG. 10 is a one-side cross-sectional view of FIG. 9.

[0044] FIG. 11 is a diagram for describing one embodiment in which the water tank cover is held on the handle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] FIG. 12 is a diagram for describing another embodiment in which the water tank cover is mounted on the handle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which an inner tank is mounted on an outer tank according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which a water tank on which a connector is mounted is placed inside an inner shell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of a top portion of the humidifier according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0049] Advantages and features of the present disclosure and methods of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms, and these embodiments are provided only to allow the disclosure of the present disclosure to be complete, and to completely inform those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs, the scope of the invention, and the present disclosure is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

[0050] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings for explaining a humidifier according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0051] The humidifier of the present disclosure may generate humidified air by ultrasonic vibration of water. The humidifier of the present disclosure may generate humidified air by heating water. The humidifier of the present disclosure may generate humidified air generated by ultrasonic vibration and humidified air generated by heating.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 1, an exterior of the humidifier of the present disclosure is described.

[0053] The humidifier includes a casing 10 that forms the appearance, and has an inlet 24a and an outlet 12a.

[0054] The casing 10 may have a generally cylindrical shape.

[0055] The casing 10 may include an intake grille 24 that forms the inlet 24a through which air enters, and a discharge grille 12 that forms the outlet 12a through which air is discharged. The inlet 24a may be formed on a peripheral surface of the casing 10 having the cylindrical shape. The outlet 12a may be formed on a top surface of the casing 10 having the cylindrical shape. The humidifier of the present disclosure may allow air into be admitted through the peripheral surface and be discharged through the top surface.

[0056] The intake grille 24 includes a plurality of grilles 24b that extend vertically. The plurality of grilles 24b may be spaced apart in a circumferential direction of the intake grille 24. A plurality of inlets 24a may be formed between the plurality of grilles 24b.

[0057] The casing 10 may include a water tank cover 14 disposed on a top of a water tank 100.

[0058] The humidifier may include a discharge grille 12 that forms the outlet 12a and a water tank cover 14 which is disposed on the top of the water tank 100.

[0059] The discharge grille 12 may be configured to be separated upward from an outer shell 22 to be described later. The water tank cover 14 may be configured to be separated from the discharge grille 12 or from the water tank 100 to be described later.

[0060] The discharge grille 12 may include a plurality of ribs 12b that extend radially from the outer periphery of the water tank cover 14. The plurality of ribs 12b placed at the discharge grille 12 may be spaced apart circumferentially from the outer periphery of the water tank cover 14.

[0061] The casing 10 may include the outer shell 22 that guides air moving therein to the outlet 12a.

[0062] The outer shell 22 includes an upper outer shell 22a placed under the discharge grille 12 and a lower outer shell 22b placed under the upper outer shell 22a. The lower outer shell 22b may be made of a transparent material.

[0063] The humidifier may include a base 28 placed under the casing 10, which causes the casing 10 to be spaced a certain distance apart from the ground. An upper end of the base 28 may be connected to a lower end of the casing 10.

[0064] Hereinafter, a top portion of the humidifier will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0065] The water tank cover 14 may include a central cover 16 and a peripheral cover 18 placed around the central cover 16. The central cover 16 may bulge upward toward the center. A water supply hole 20 may be formed between the peripheral cover 18 and the central cover 16 to allow water to move into the water tank 100.

[0066] A plurality of outlets 12a may be placed between the plurality of ribs 12b formed at the discharge grille 12.

[0067] Hereinafter, an internal construction of the humidifier will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

[0068] The humidifier includes a filter unit placed inside the casing 10, for filtering the air admitted into the inlets 24a. The humidifier includes a blower 60 placed inside the casing 10, for moving the air inside the casing 10 from the inlets 24a to the outlets 12a. The humidifier includes a water tank 100 placed inside the casing 10, for holding water. The humidifier includes a humidification module that generates humidified air from water supplied from the water tank 100.

[0069] The humidifier may include a base 28. The base 28 may cause the casing 10 to be spaced upward from the ground. The base 28 may be connected to a bottom wall 26 of the casing 10.

[0070] The casing 10 may include a bottom wall 26 which covers the bottom of the intake grille 24.

[0071] An upper end portion of the base 28 may be connected to the bottom wall 26. The bottom wall 26 may be placed in such a way as to cover a bottom surface of the humidifier which is spaced upward from the ground by the base 28.

[0072] The intake grille 24 may cover the outsides of a filter 50 and a blower housing 68 to be described below. The intake grille 24 may have a plurality of inlets 24a that are vertically formed and circumferentially spaced apart. The inlets 24a may be formed around where the filter 50 is placed. The inlets 24a may be formed in a lower portion of the intake grille 24. The lower portion of the intake grille 24 may be formed with inlets 24a, and a top portion of the intake grille 24 may be enclosed to protect the internal construction of the humidifier.

[0073] The outer shell 22 may be placed over the intake grille 24.

[0074] The filter unit may allow the air admitted through the inlets 24a to be filtered through the filter 50. The filter unit may allow the filtered air to move upward.

[0075] The filter unit includes a filter 50 for filtering the air admitted through the inlets 24a and a filter mounting portion for fixing the filter 50 in place inside the casing 10.

[0076] The filter 50 may have the cylindrical shape. Accordingly, the filter 50 is able to filter air drawn in from longitudinal and lateral directions perpendicular to the vertical direction. The air admitted through the inlets 24a may move to an inside space of the filter 50. The air passed through the filter 50 may move to the blower 60 placed over the filter 50.

[0077] The filter mounting portion includes a lower plate 52 disposed on a lower side of the filter 50, an upper plate 54 disposed on an upper side of the filter 50, and a supporter (not illustrated) connecting the lower plate 52 and the upper plate 54.

[0078] The lower plate 52 is disposed on a lower side of the filter 50. The lower plate 52 may move up and down and detect whether the filter 50 is placed. A fan sterilizer 53 may be placed in the center of the lower plate 52 to emit ultraviolet light upward.

[0079] The fan sterilizer 53 may sterilize a blower fan 62 to be described below or the inside of the filter 50.

[0080] An orifice 56 is formed in the upper plate 54. The orifice 56 may be formed in the center of the upper plate 54. The orifice 56 may allow the air admitted to the inside of the filter 50 to move to the blower fan 62. An inner circumferential end of the upper plate 54 may be bent upward so as to guide the upward movement of air in the inside space of the filter 50 to the blower fan 62.

[0081] The supporter 58 may connect the lower plate 52 and the upper plate 54. The supporter 58 may be circumferentially spaced apart.

[0082] The blower 60 includes a blower fan 62 that forms an air flow within the casing 10 and a fan motor 64 that rotates the blower fan 62.

[0083] The blower fan 62 may have a fan intake opening on one side facing the orifice 56 and a fan discharge opening on the opposite side of the fan intake opening. The blower fan 62 may be a diagonal flow fan in which the fan discharge opening on the opposite side of the fan intake opening faces in a centrifugal direction. The blower fan 62 may include a hub connected to the fan motor 64, a shroud spaced apart from the hub by a certain distance and forming the fan intake opening, and a blade extending radially to connect the hub and the shroud.

[0084] The blower fan 62 may be activated to send air upward from below. The blower fan 62 may draw air toward the orifice 56 and discharge air to the blower housing 68 where a diffuser 72 is placed.

[0085] The fan motor 64 may be placed over the blower fan 62.

[0086] The blower includes a motor cover 66 that covers the outside of the fan motor 64, and a blower housing 68 spaced radially outward from the motor cover 66, that guides the upward movement of air blown by the blower fan 62.

[0087] A blower channel 70 through which the air moving by the blower fan 62 moves upward may be formed between the motor cover 66 and the blower housing 68. The blower channel 70 may extend to a region where a humidification module housing 410 and a channel housing 430 are formed.

[0088] The intake grille 24 may be disposed on the outside of the blower housing 68.

[0089] The blower 60 includes a diffuser 72 placed between the motor cover 66 and the blower housing 68, that reduces rotational components of the air blown upward by the blower fan 62. A plurality of diffusers 72 may be circumferentially spaced apart.

[0090] A control box 74 forming a space within which a circuit board 76 is placed may be placed over the motor cover 66. The control box 74 may be spaced apart inwardly from the blower housing 68. Accordingly, the blower channel 70 may be formed in the space between the control box 74 and the blower housing 68 as well.

[0091] A plurality of circuit boards 76 may be placed within the control box 74. The humidification module includes a first humidification reservoir 300 which heats water. The humidification module includes a second humidification reservoir 350 which generates humidified air from water. The humidification module may include the humidification module housing 410 that covers peripheries of a first humidification water tank 300 and a second humidification water tank 350. The channel housing 430 may be disposed on an outer periphery of the humidification module housing 410. The blower channel 70 may be formed between the humidification module housing 410 and the channel housing 430.

[0092] The humidifier includes a water tank 100 forming a space in which water is held, an inner shell 180 forming a space in which the water tank 100 is placed, and a middle tray 200 placed under the inner shell 180.

[0093] The water tank 100 may have an inner tank 102 is placed inside an outer tank 160. Accordingly, a connector 120 may be placed in a through-hole 164 of the outer tank 160.

[0094] The outer tank 160, while placed inside the inner shell 180, may be placed over the middle tray 200. The middle tray 200 may be a structure that supports the outer tank 160 and the inner tank 102. Thus, the weights of the inner tank 102, the outer tank 160, and the inner shell 180 may be transferred to the middle tray 200.

[0095] The outer tank 160 is disposed on the outer periphery of the inner tank 10.

[0096] The inner tank 102 may be placed inside the outer tank 160. When the inner tank 102 is placed inside the outer tank 160, an outer circumferential surface of the inner tank 102 may be placed in such a way as to make contact with an inner peripheral surface of the outer tank 160.

[0097] The humidifier includes a water softener 140 placed within the inner tank 102.

[0098] The water softener 140 is placed inside the inner tank 102. The water softener 140 may be fixed in place as it is connected to the connector 120 placed inside the inner tank 102.

[0099] The inner shell 180 is disposed to be spaced apart from the outer tank 160. The inner shell 180 is disposed to be spaced apart from the water tank 100. A first discharge passage 32 along which humidified air moves is formed between the inner shell 180 and the outer tank 160.

[0100] A second discharge passage 34 is formed between the outer shell 22 and the inner shell 180.

[0101] The inner shell 180 and the outer shell 22 are disposed to be spaced apart from each other and form the second discharge passage 34. Filtered clean air blown by the blower 60 may move along the second discharge passage 34.

[0102] The discharge grille 12 may be placed over the first discharge passage 32 and the second discharge passage 34 which will be described below.

[0103] The discharge grille 12 may have a vertically constant height. Thus, a mixture passage 13 may be formed between the plurality of ribs 12b of the discharge grille 12. In the mixture passage 13, the air moving through the first discharge passage 32 and the air moving through the second discharge passage 34 may be mixed together.

[0104] Each of the plurality of ribs 12b is formed in such a way that an outer peripheral end is placed higher than an inner peripheral end. Thus, the air moving through the first discharge passage 32 and the second discharge passage 34 may be guided radially inwardly.

[0105] A display 30 is placed at one side of the casing 10. The display 30 may allow a user to adjust a power or an operation of the humidifier. A display for displaying an operation state of the humidifier to the user may be placed in the display 30.

[0106] The inner tank will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0107] The inner tank 102 includes an inner tank body 104 that forms a space in which water is held, and a handle 108 coupled to the inner tank body 104. The handle 108 is fixedly disposed on upper end of the inner tank body 104.

[0108] The handle 108 is placed at an upper end portion of the inner tank 102. The handle 108 is placed at the upper end portion of the inner tank 102. The handle 108 includes a handle fixing portion 112 connected to the upper end portion of the inner tank 102.

[0109] A water softener may be placed inside the inner tank 102. A bottom hole 106 (see FIG. 13) in which water held inside the inner tank 102 moves is formed on a bottom surface of the inner tank 102.

[0110] The inner tank 102 includes a water tank sealer 118 disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the handle 108. The water tank sealer 118 is in contact with an upper end portion of the outer tank 160.

[0111] Hereinafter, the handle and the water tank sealer will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0112] The handle 108 includes a handle fixing portion 112 fixed to the upper end of the inner tank 102, and a handle bar 110 connecting one side and the other side of the handle fixing portion 112.

[0113] The handle fixing portion 112 includes an outer wall 102 placed an outer side of the inner tank 102, and an inner wall 112b placed at an inner side of the inner tank 102.

[0114] An upper groove 112c into which the upper end portion of the inner tank 102 is inserted is formed between the outer wall 112a and the inner wall 112b.

[0115] A sealer groove 112al in which the water tank sealer 118 is placed is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the outer wall 112a.

[0116] The water tank sealer 118 includes a contact portion 118a that is in contact with the handle fixing portion 112, an extension portion 118b that extends outward from an upper end of the contact portion 118a, and a sealing portion 118c that extends downward from an end portion of the extension portion 118b.

[0117] The sealing portion 118c may have a shape of bulging outward.

[0118] The sealing portion 118c may be disposed to be in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the outer tank 160.

[0119] The water tank sealer 118 may be made of a rubber material whose shape is deformed. Accordingly, when the sealing portion 118c is in contact with the outer tank 160, the shape of the sealing portion 118c may be deformed.

[0120] The handle bar 110 is disposed on one side of a top surface 113 of the handle fixing portion 112.

[0121] The top surface 113 of the handle fixing portion 112 includes an outer top surface 113a that connects an upper end of the outer wall 112a and an upper end of the inner wall 112b, and an inner top surface 113b that is disposed on an inner side of the outer top surface 133a and forms an inclined surface downward toward the inner side.

[0122] The outer top surface 113a is placed over the inner tank body104. The upper groove 112c is formed below the outer top surface 113a.

[0123] The handle bar 110 may be disposed on the inner top surface 113b.

[0124] A holding groove 114 is formed on the top surface 113 of the handle fixing portion 112. The water cover 14 may be temporarily seated in the holding groove 114.

[0125] A handle having a holding groove according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

[0126] The handle 108 includes a ring-shaped handle fixing portion 112 and a handle bar 110 extending from one side to the other side of the handle fixing portion 112.

[0127] The handle bar 110 is disposed on one side of the top surface 113 of the handle fixing portion 112.

[0128] The top surface 113 of the handle fixing portion 112 includes an outer top surface 113a that is placed over the inner tank body 104, and an inner top surface 113b that is disposed on the inner side of the outer top surface 133a and forms an inclined surface downward toward the inner side.

[0129] The handle bar 110 may be disposed on the inner top surface 113b.

[0130] The holding groove 114 that is recessed downward is formed on the top surface 113 of the handle fixing portion 112. The water tank cover 14 may be held at the holding groove 114.

[0131] The holding groove 114 is formed on a periphery of a region in which the handle bar 110 is placed. The holding groove 114 extends in a direction parallel to a direction in which the handle bar 110 extends.

[0132] The holding grooves 114 may be formed on both peripheries of the handle bar 110. The holding groove 114 is formed at each of both ends of the handle fixing portion 112 to which the handle bar 110 is connected.

[0133] A first holding groove 114a that is formed around one end portion of the handle bar 110, and a second holding groove 114b that is formed around the other end portion of the handle bar 110.

[0134] The first holding groove 114a and the second holding groove 114b may be formed in the same shape. Accordingly, a shape of the holding groove 114 described below may be applied to each of the first holding groove 114a and the second holding groove 114b.

[0135] The holding grooves 114 are placed in both directions perpendicular to the direction in which the handle bar 110 extends. The holding groove 114 includes a first part 115a placed in one direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the handle bar 110, and a second part 115b placed in the other direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the handle bar 110.

[0136] The first part 115a and the second part 115b may be formed in corresponding shapes and sizes with respect to the handle bar 110. A length 115L formed by the first part 115a and the second part 115b in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the handle bar 110 may be formed to be larger than a vertical thickness 14D of the water tank cover 14.

[0137] A top structure of the inner tank according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8.

[0138] The handle 108 includes the handle fixing portion 112 and the handle bar 110.

[0139] The holding groove 114 is formed at the handle fixing portion 112. The handle fixing portion 112 includes the first holding groove 114a that is formed around one end portion of the handle bar 110, and the second holding groove 114b that is formed around the other end portion of the handle bar 110.

[0140] The first holding groove 114a and the second holding groove 114b are placed in both directions perpendicular to the extending direction of the handle bar 110, respectively. The holding groove 114 includes the first part 115a placed in one direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the handle bar 110, and the second part 115b placed in the other direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the handle bar 110.

[0141] Each of the first part 115a and the second part 115b includes a separation groove 116a spaced apart from the handle bar 110, and a proximity groove 116b placed between the handle bar 110 and the separation groove 116a.

[0142] The proximity groove 116b is disposed on one side of the handle bar 110. The separation groove 116a is separated from the proximity groove 116b.

[0143] The proximity groove 116b may be formed in a different shape from the separation groove 116a. An area formed by the proximity groove 116b may be formed to be larger than an area formed by the separation groove 116a.

[0144] The proximity groove 116b may have a shape in which a width formed in a circumferential direction decreases as a distance from a center of the inner tank 102 increases. The separation groove 116a and the proximity groove 116b may be placed such that a separation distance increases as the distance from the center of the inner tank 102 increases.

[0145] The first part 115a and the second part 115b may be formed in a shape of being symmetric to each other with respect to the handle bar 110.

[0146] The water tank cover will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0147] The water tank cover 14 may include a central cover 16, and a peripheral cover 18 placed around the central cover 16. The central cover 16 bulges upward. Therefore, when the water is supplied to the central cover 16, the water dropped to the central cover 26 may move to a peripheral side of the central cover 16.

[0148] The central cover 16 includes a rim wall 17 connected to the peripheral cover 18. The rim wall 17 may be coupled to the peripheral cover 18. The rim wall 17 is placed under the peripheral cover 18.

[0149] A water supply hole 20 is formed between the central cover 16 and the peripheral cover 18. A plurality of water supply holes 20 may be formed which are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction.

[0150] The peripheral cover 18 is placed around the central cover 16. A top surface of the peripheral cover 18 may have a shape of being inclined downward toward the central cover 16.

[0151] The peripheral cover 18 includes a top wall 18a, a connection portion 18b that is coupled to the central cover 16 at an inner end portion of the top wall 18a, and an outer wall 18c that protrudes downward from the top wall 18a and is radially spaced from the connection portion 18b.

[0152] A lower end of the outer wall 18c is located higher than a lower end of the central cover 16.

[0153] The water supply hole 20 may be placed over the handle 108.

[0154] A state in which the water tank cover is held on the handle will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.

[0155] The water tank cover 14 may be held at the holding groove 114 of the handle 108. In a state in which the water tank cover 14 is held at the holding groove 114, one side of the water tank cover 14 may be in contact with the handle bar 110.

[0156] As illustrated in FIG. 11, in the state in which the water tank cover 14 is held at the holding groove 114, the water tank cover 14 may be in contact with a bottom portion of the handle bar 110.

[0157] Further, as illustrated in FIG. 12, in the state in which the water tank cover 14 is held at the holding groove 114, the water tank cover 14 may be in contact with the top portion of the handle bar 110.

[0158] The user may supply water into the water tank 100 in a state of holding the water tank cover 14 on the handle 108. In the case of the water tank cover 14, as the humidifier operates, moisture may be formed on the top surface or the bottom surface.

[0159] Therefore, when the water tank cover 14 is held on the handle 108, the moisture present in the water tank cover 4 may enter the inside of the water tank.

[0160] A placement relationship between the inner tank and the outer tank will be described with reference to FIG. 13.

[0161] The inner tank 102 is placed inside the outer tank 160. The inner tank 102 may be disposed to be in contact with the outer tank 160.

[0162] A thickness of the inner tank 102 is formed to be smaller than a thickness of the outer tank 160.

[0163] The handle 108 is mounted on an upper end portion of the inner tank 102. A spiral groove 104a is formed at the upper end portion of the inner tank 102 so that the handle 108 is coupled thereto.

[0164] A bottom hole 106 is formed on a bottom surface of the inner tank 102. A partial component of the connector 120 may pass through the bottom hole 106.

[0165] Forming for rigidity may be formed on the bottom surface of the inner tank 102.

[0166] The outer tank 160 is disposed on an outer periphery of the inner tank 102. The outer tank 160 may be in contact with the inner tank 102 on the peripheral surface and the bottom surface.

[0167] The upper end portion of the outer tank 160 is disposed to be spaced apart from the inner tank 102. The upper end portion of the outer tank 160 is spaced apart from the inner tank 102 to form a space in which the handle 108 is placed.

[0168] The outer tank 160 includes an upper end separation portion 161 that is spaced apart from the inner tank 102 at the upper end portion.

[0169] That is, in the outer tank 160, a region whose diameter rapidly expands toward an upper side is formed at the upper end portion.

[0170] A through-hole 164 through which the connector 120 to be described below passes is formed in the bottom surface of the outer tank 160. The through-hole 164 is placed under the bottom hole 106 of the inner tank 102.

[0171] A lower rim 166 extending downward on a periphery of the through-hole 164 is disposed on the bottom surface of the outer tank 160.

[0172] An inner protrusion 168 protruding inward is disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the lower rim 166.

[0173] A structure of a water tank in which a handle, a water softener, a connector, and an inner shell are coupled will be described with reference to FIG. 14.

[0174] The handle 108 is placed at an upper end portion of the inner tank 102. The upper end portion of the inner tank 102 is placed between the inner wall 112b and the outer wall 112a of the handle fixing portion 112. The upper end portion of the inner tank 102 is disposed to be in contact with the inner wall 112b of the handle fixing portion 112.

[0175] The water tank sealer 118 is disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the outer wall 112a of the handle fixing portion 112. The water tank sealer 118 is in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the outer tank 160.

[0176] A sealing portion 118c of the water tank sealer 118 is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the outer tank 160.

[0177] The water tank sealer 118 may seal the upper end portions of the inner tank 102 and the outer tank 160.

[0178] The water softener 140 is placed inside the inner tank 102. The connector 120 is placed under the water softener 140.

[0179] The connector 120 is coupled to the water softener 140. A partial component of the connector protrudes to the outside of the inner tank 102. The connector 120 is connected to a supply tube 230 connected to a humidification module to supply water of the inner tank 102 to the humidification module.

[0180] The connector 120 sends water held inside the inner tank 102 to the outside.

[0181] The connector 120 includes a connector body 121 placed so as to pass through the bottom hole 106 of the inner tank body 104, a connector holder 132 coupled to the connector body 121 to fix placement of the connector body 121, and a connector valve 130 placed at an inner side of the connector body 121 and configured to open and close an internal passage of the connector body 121.

[0182] The connector body 121 includes a connector plate 122 placed under the water softener 140, and a connector pipe 128 extending to a lower side of the connector plate 122.

[0183] An upper sealer 127a that seals between the connector 120 and the water softener 140 is placed over the connector plate 122.

[0184] A lower sealer 127b that seals between the connector 120 and the inner tank 102 is placed under the connector plate 122.

[0185] A packing 107 is placed at a lower end portion of the inner tank 102. The packing 107 is in contact with the connector 120. The packing 107 is in contact with a bottom surface of the connector plate 122 to prevent the water in the inner tank 102 from moving through the outside of the connector 120.

[0186] The packing 107 may be disposed to be in contact with a top surface of the connector holder 132.

[0187] An outer sealer 134 is disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the connector holder 132. The outer sealer 134 is disposed to be in contact with the lower rim 166 of the outer tank 160. The outer sealer 134 may be in contact with an inner protrusion 168 protruding from the lower rim 166.

[0188] In the connector holder 132, the outer sealer 134 disposed on the outer circumferential surface is in contact with the lower end portion of the outer tank 160. In addition, the top surface of the connector holder 132 is in contact with the packing 107 of the inner tank 102.

[0189] That is, the connector holder 132 may seal the lower ends of the inner tank 102 and the outer tank 160. Accordingly, the upper end portions of the inner tank 102 and the outer tank 160 are sealed by the water tank sealer 118, and the lower end portions thereof are sealed by the connector holder 132, the outer sealer 134 which is in contact therewith, and the packing 107.

[0190] The inner shell 180 is disposed on an outer periphery of the outer tank 160.

[0191] The inner shell 180 is disposed to be spaced apart from the outer tank 160. The inner shell 180 is disposed to be spaced apart from the water tank 100. A first discharge passage 32 through which humidified air moves is formed between the inner shell 180 and the outer tank 160.

[0192] A shell through-hole 186 is formed in the bottom surface of the inner shell 180 so that a part of the connector 120 is placed. The shell through-hole 186 is formed under the through-hole 164 of the outer tank 160. The inner shell 180 includes an upper rim 182 that protrudes upward from a region where the shell through-hole 186 is formed.

[0193] The upper rim 182 is placed at an inner side of the lower rim 166. An upper end of the upper rim 182 is in contact with the inner protrusion 168 that protrudes from an inner circumferential surface of the lower rim 166.

[0194] The outer sealer 134 disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the connector holder 132 is disposed to be in contact with the inner protrusion 168 of the outer tank 160. The outer sealer 134 may be disposed to be in contact with the upper rim 182 of the inner shell 180.

[0195] Placement of the handle and the water tank cover will be described with reference to FIG. 15.

[0196] The handle 108 is placed at the top portion of the inner tank 102. The handle 108 includes the handle bar 110 and the handle fixing portion 112.

[0197] The outer tank 160 is placed at an outer side of the inner tank 102. The inner shell 180 is placed at an outer side of the outer tank 160. The first discharge passage 32 is formed between the outer tank 160 and the inner shell 180.

[0198] The outer shell 22 is placed at an outer side of the inner shell 180. The second discharge passage 34 is formed between the inner shell 180 and the outer shell 22.

[0199] The discharge grille 12 is placed over the first discharge passage 32 and the second discharge passage 34.

[0200] The discharge grille 12 is seated on the outer shell 22. Therefore, the discharge grille 12 does not apply a load to the water tank. The discharge grille 12 includes an inner wall 13a connecting inner ends of a plurality of vanes and an outer wall 13b connecting outer ends of the plurality of vanes.

[0201] A step portion 13al on which the water tank cover 14 is seated is formed on an inner circumferential surface of the inner wall 13a. The step portion 13al has a structure of protruding inward from the inner circumferential surface of the inner wall 13a.

[0202] The water tank cover 14 is seated on the discharge grille 12. The water tank cover 14 includes the central cover 16, and the peripheral cover 18 disposed on the periphery of the central cover 16.

[0203] The central cover 16 includes the rim wall 17 connected to the peripheral cover 18. The rim wall 17 may be coupled to the peripheral cover 18.

[0204] The rim wall 17 is placed at an upper side of the handle fixing portion 112 of the handle 108.

[0205] The water supply hole 20 is formed between the peripheral cover 18 and the central cover 16. The water supply hole 20 is disposed on an upper side of the inner top surface 113b inclined inward in the top surface 113 of the handle fixing portion 112. Accordingly, water dropped through the water supply hole 20 may be supplied to the inner top surface 113b and may move into the inner tank 102.

[0206] The peripheral cover 18 includes the top wall 18a, and the outer wall 18c that protrudes downward on the top wall 18a, and is radially spaced apart from the connection portion 18b. The outer wall 18c is in contact with the inner wall 13a of the discharge grille 12 that connects the inner ends of the plurality of vanes. The outer wall 18c is disposed on the step portion 13al of the inner wall 13a.

[0207] A part of the top wall 18a of the peripheral cover 18 extends outward on the outer wall 18c. Therefore, a part of the top wall 18a is placed over the first discharge passage 32. Accordingly, some of the humidified air discharged to the first discharge passage 32 may be rubbed against the water tank cover 14.

[0208] Throughout the document, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described with reference to appended drawings; however, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments above. Rather, it should be noted that various modifications of the present disclosure may be made by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs without leaving the technical scope of the present disclosure defined by the appended claims, and these modifications should not be understood individually from the technical principles or perspectives of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A humidifier comprising:an inner tank forming a space for storing water and having an open top;an outer tank forming a space in which the inner tank is accommodated;a handle fixedly disposed on an upper end portion of the inner tank; anda water tank sealer disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the handle and being in contact with an upper end portion of the outer tank.

2. The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the water tank sealer includesa contact portion in contact with the handle,an extension portion extending outward from an upper end of the contact portion, anda sealing portion extending downward on an end portion of the extension portion.

3. The humidifier of claim 2, wherein the sealing portion has an outwardly convex shape.

4. The humidifier of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the outer tank is greater than a thickness of the inner tank.

5. The humidifier of claim 1, comprising:a connector connected to the inner tank and configured to send the water stored in the inner tank to a humidification module,wherein a bottom hole through which the connector passes is formed on a bottom surface of the inner tank,wherein a through-hole through which the connector passes is formed on a bottom surface of the outer tank, andwherein the connector is disposed to be in contact with each of the inner tank and the outer tank.

6. The humidifier of claim 5, comprising:a packing disposed around the bottom hole on the bottom surface of the inner tank and contacts the connector.

7. The humidifier of claim 5, wherein an outer sealer in contact with the outer tank is disposed on the connector.

8. The humidifier of claim 5, wherein the connector includesa connector body disposed to pass through the bottom hole, anda connector holder disposed outside the inner tank and coupled to the connector body, andwherein when the connector holder is coupled to the connector body, the connector is in contact with the inner tank and the outer tank to seal the bottom hole and the through-hole.

9. The humidifier of claim 8, wherein a top surface of the connector holder is in contact with the bottom surface of the inner tank, andwherein a circumferential surface of the connector holder is in contact with the outer tank.

10. The humidifier of claim 8, comprising:a packing disposed on the periphery of the bottom hole and in contact with the connector on the bottom surface of the inner tank,wherein the packing is in contact with the connector body.

11. The humidifier of claim 8, wherein the outer sealer in contact with the outer tank is disposed on the circumferential surface of the connector holder.

12. The humidifier of claim 11, wherein a lower rim extending downward is disposed around the through-hole on the bottom surface of the outer tank, andwherein an inner protrusion protruding inward and in contact with the outer sealer is disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the lower rim.

13. The humidifier of claim 12, further comprising:an inner shell disposed spaced apart around the outer tank, and forming a discharge passage for humidified air to flow between the inner shell and the outer tank; andan upper rim protruding upward is formed on a bottom surface of the inner shell around a shell through-hole formed below the through-hole,wherein the upper rim is disposed around the lower rim.

14. The humidifier of claim 13, wherein the upper rim contacts a bottom surface of the inner protrusion.

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