Humidifier and humidifying air purifier having the same

Abstract

A humidifier is provided. The humidifier includes a housing, a water tank provided inside the housing, configured to accommodate water, and in which steam is generated, and a cover detachably coupled to an upper portion of the water tank, wherein the cover includes a button, a first mode in which the cover is unlocked such that the cover is rotatable left and right, by pressing the button, a second mode in which water is suppliable into the water tank while the cover is coupled to the water tank, by pressing the button to unlock the cover and then rotating the cover in a first direction, and a third mode in which the cover is separable from the water tank, by pressing the button to unlock the cover and then rotating the cover in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This application is a continuation application, claiming priority under 35 U.S.C. § 365(c), of an International application No. PCT / KR 2025 / 095583, filed on Sep. 16, 2025, which is based on and claims the benefit of a Korean patent application number 10-2024-0163602, filed on Nov. 15, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The disclosure relates to a humidifier with an improved locking structure and a humidifying air purifier including the same.BACKGROUND ART

[0003] Generally, a humidifier refers to a device that maintains indoor humidity at an appropriate level. A humidifier may vaporize water contained in a water tank and discharge the water into an indoor space.

[0004] Humidifiers may broadly include an evaporative humidifier, an ultrasonic humidifier, and a heating type humidifier in terms of humidification methods that vaporize water for humidification. Among these, the heating type humidifier may generate steam by heating and vaporizing water contained in a water tank using a steam generator.

[0005] An air purifier is a device used to remove pollutants from the air. Air purifiers may remove bacteria, viruses, mold, fine dust, and chemical substances that cause odors in the drawn-in air.

[0006] An air purifier may be equipped with a filter for purifying contaminated indoor air. Air drawn into the air purifier may pass through the filter, in which pollutants are removed, purifying the air into clean air, and the purified air may be discharged to the outside of the air purifier.

[0007] As described above, humidifiers and air purifiers are being used to manage indoor air. Recently, humidifying air purifiers that may perform both humidification and air purification in a single device have been used.

[0008] The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with regard to the disclosure.DISCLOSURETechnical Problem

[0009] Aspects of the disclosure are to address at least the above-mentioned problems and / or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the disclosure is to provide a humidifier with an improved locking structure and a humidifying air purifier including the same.

[0010] Another aspect of the disclosure is to provide a humidifier with an improved locking structure in which the cover is unlocked in two stages through primary unlocking and secondary unlocking, and a humidifying air purifier including the same.

[0011] Another aspect of the disclosure is to provide a humidifier that may allow water to be supplied into a water tank without separating a cover from the water tank, and a humidifying air purifier including the same.

[0012] Another aspect of the disclosure is to provide a humidifier in which a cover may be separated from a water tank by pressing a button of the cover to perform a primary unlocking and then rotating the cover to perform a secondary unlocking, and a humidifying air purifier including the same.

[0013] Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments.Technical Solution

[0014] In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a humidifier is provided. The humidifier includes a housing, a water tank provided inside the housing, configured to accommodate water, and in which steam is generated, and a cover detachably coupled to an upper portion of the water tank, wherein the cover comprises a button, a first mode in which the cover is unlocked such that the cover is rotatable left and right, by pressing the button, a second mode in which water is suppliable into the water tank while the cover is coupled to the water tank, by pressing the button to unlock the cover and then rotating the cover in a first direction, and a third mode in which the cover is separable from the water tank, by pressing the button to unlock the cover and then rotating the cover in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0015] In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a humidifying air purifier is provided. The humidifying air purifier includes a cabinet accommodating a humidifier therein, and an air purifier accommodated inside the cabinet and disposed at a lower side of the humidifier, wherein the humidifier includes a water tank accommodating water therein, and a cover detachably coupled to an upper portion of the water tank, wherein the cover includes a button, an upper cover rotatably provided on the upper portion of the water tank and including a cover opening for supplying water into the water tank, and a lower cover provided at a lower side of the upper cover and including a supply passage configured to supply the water, which is supplied through the cover opening, into the water tank, wherein, after the button is pressed, when the upper cover is rotated in a first direction, water is supplied into the water tank through the cover opening while the cover is coupled to the water tank, and wherein, after the button is pressed, when the upper cover is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the cover is separated from the water tank.

[0016] Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses various embodiments of the disclosure.DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a humidifying air purifier according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0019] FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing a part of a humidifying air purifier according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0020] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a humidifier according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a water tank and a cover are separated according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0022] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a water tank and a cap according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 6 is an exploded view showing a part of an upper cover according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0024] FIG. 7 is an exploded view showing an outer cover and an inner cover of an upper cover according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0025] FIG. 8 is a view showing a process in which a lever is assembled to an inner cover of an upper cover according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 9 is an exploded view showing a first lower cover and a second lower cover of a lower cover according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0027] FIG. 10 is a view showing a part of an upper body according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a humidifier in which a cover is coupled to an upper portion of a water tank according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing steam generated inside a water tank of a humidifier being discharged to the outside according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0030] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a button of a humidifier is not pressed according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0031] FIG. 14 is a view showing a state in which a protrusion is positioned on a first rail of a guide rail according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0032] FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a state in which a button of a humidifier is pressed according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0033] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a button of a humidifier is pressed according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cover is rotated in a first direction while a button of a humidifier is pressed according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0035] FIG. 18 is a view showing a state in which a protrusion is positioned on a second rail with a guide rail being guided by the protrusion when a cover is rotated in a first direction according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0036] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which, with a button pressed, a cover is rotated in a first direction such that an upper cover moves upward, allowing water introduced through a cover opening to be supplied into a water tank according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0037] FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cover is rotated in a second direction while a button is pressed according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0038] FIG. 21 is a view showing a state in which a protrusion is positioned on a third rail with a guide rail being guided by the protrusion when a cover is rotated in a second direction according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0039] FIG. 22 is a view showing a state in which a protrusion is positioned on a fourth rail with a guide rail being guided by the protrusion when a cover is rotated in a second direction and then lifted upward according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and

[0040] FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cover is separated from a water tank according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0041] Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, and structures.MODES OF THE INVENTION

[0042] The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various embodiments of the disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the various embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

[0043] The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of the disclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0044] It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes reference to one or more of such surfaces.

[0045] In the description of the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description of the drawings.

[0046] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing the embodiments and are not intended to restrict and / or to limit the disclosure. In addition, the terms “comprises”, “includes”, and “has” are intended to indicate that there are features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof described in the disclosure, and do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0047] In the disclosure, a phrase such as “A or B,”“at least one of A and B,”“at least one of A or B,”“A, B or C,”“at least one of A, B and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C” may include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase of the phrases, or any possible combination thereof.

[0048] In addition, the term “and / or” refers to a combination of a plurality of related described elements, or any one of the plurality of related described elements.

[0049] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. used in the disclosure may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element could be termed a first element without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The term “and / or” includes combinations of one or all of a plurality of associated listed items.

[0050] In addition, the meaning of “identical” or “same” in the disclosure may include having similar properties or similarity within a certain range. In addition, “identical” or “same” refers to “substantially identical”. It should be understood that the meaning of “substantially identical” refers to a value that falls within an error range in manufacturing or a value having a difference within a range that does not have significance with respect to a reference value.

[0051] The terms, such as “˜part”, “˜device”, “˜block”, “˜member”, “˜module”, and the like may refer to a unit for processing at least one function or act. For example, the terms may refer to at least process processed by at least one hardware, such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) and / or application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), software stored in memories, or processors.

[0052] In the following description, the terms “front,”“rear,”“left,” and “right,” are defined based on the directions illustrated in the drawings, but the terms need not restrict the shape and position of the respective components.

[0053] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0054] It should be appreciated that the blocks in each flowchart and combinations of the flowcharts may be performed by one or more computer programs which include instructions. The entirety of the one or more computer programs may be stored in a single memory device or the one or more computer programs may be divided with different portions stored in different multiple memory devices.

[0055] Any of the functions or operations described herein can be processed by one processor or a combination of processors. The one processor or the combination of processors is circuitry performing processing and includes circuitry like an application processor (AP, e.g. a central processing unit (CPU)), a communication processor (CP, e.g., a modem), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a neural processing unit (NPU) (e.g., an artificial intelligence (AI) chip), a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi™) chip, a Bluetooth™ chip, a global positioning system (GPS) chip, a near field communication (NFC) chip, connectivity chips, a sensor controller, a touch controller, a finger-print sensor controller, a display driver integrated circuit (IC), an audio CODEC chip, a universal serial bus (USB) controller, a camera controller, an image processing IC, a microprocessor unit (MPU), a system on chip (SoC), an IC, or the like.

[0056] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a humidifying air purifier according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing a part of a humidifying air purifier according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0057] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a humidifying air purifier may include a humidifier 2 and an air purifier 3.

[0058] The humidifying air purifier may draw in external air, filter out foreign substances contained in the external air, and then discharge the air back to the outside. Meanwhile, in the following, an air purifier 3, which is a type of air conditioner, has been described as an example, but the disclosure is not limited to the air purifier 3 and may also be applied to other air conditioners for collecting foreign substances in the air.

[0059] The air purifier 3 may include an electrostatic precipitator (not shown). The electrostatic precipitator is a device for removing aerosols in the air generated by activities such as smoking, cooking, cleaning, welding, grinding, and internal combustion engine operation within a certain space. The electrostatic precipitator may be installed inside a device that may perform air filtering functions such as an air conditioners. The air purifier 3 may include various filter devices (not shown) in addition to the electrostatic precipitator.

[0060] The air purifier 3 may include a blower fan (not shown). External air may be introduced into the air purifier by the blower fan. The blower fan may be provided to form an air flow inside the air purifier.

[0061] The air purifier 3 may be disposed at a lower side of the humidifier 2. The humidifying air purifier may include a cabinet 1 that accommodates the humidifier 2 and the air purifier 3. Inside the cabinet 1, the humidifier 2 and the air purifier 3 may be provided to be connected.

[0062] The humidifier 2 may include a housing 10 disposed inside the cabinet. The housing 10 may be provided to accommodate a water tank 100. The humidifier 2 may include a cover 200 that opens and closes the water tank 100 (see FIG. 3).

[0063] The humidifier 2 may include a cap 20 that covers an upper end of the humidifier 2. By the cap 20 covering the upper end of the humidifier 2, various components included in the humidifier 2 may be prevented from being exposed to the outside.

[0064] The humidifier 2 may include a display 11 that indicates a state of the humidifier 2. In the drawings, the display 11 is illustrated as being formed at the front (+X direction) of the upper end of the housing 10, but the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the position in which the display 11 is disposed may not be limited.

[0065] Air filtered by the air purifier 3 may be discharged, to the outside, through a discharge port (not shown) provided in the air purifier 3 or through a discharge port provided in the humidifier 2.

[0066] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a humidifier according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a water tank and a cover are separated according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0067] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a humidifier 2 may include a housing 10, a water tank 100 accommodated inside the housing 10, and a cover 200 coupled to an upper portion of the water tank 100 to open and close the water tank 100.

[0068] The humidifier 2 may include the water tank 100. The water tank 100 may have a cylindrical shape. The water tank 100 may be provided such that an upper portion thereof may be opened and closed. The upper portion of the water tank 100 may be opened and closed by the cover 200. Water may be accommodated inside the water tank 100. A detailed description of the water tank 100 will be provided below.

[0069] The humidifier 2 may include the cover 200. The cover 200 may be provided to open and close the water tank 100. The cover 200 may be detachably coupled to the upper portion of the water tank 100. The cover 200 may include a handle 310 that a user may grip. The cover 200 may include a button 320 provided on the handle 310. The user may manipulate the cover 200 by pressing the button 320 while gripping the handle 310. The user may rotate the cover 200 by pressing the button 320 while gripping the handle 310. The cover 200 may include a cover opening 350. The user may supply water to the inside of the water tank 100 through the cover opening 350 while the cover 200 is coupled to the water tank 100. A detailed description of the cover 200 will be provided below.

[0070] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a water tank and a cap according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 6 is an exploded view showing a part of an upper cover according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 7 is an exploded view showing an outer cover and an inner cover of an upper cover according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 8 is a view showing a process in which a lever is assembled to an inner cover of an upper cover according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 9 is an exploded view showing a first lower cover and a second lower cover of a lower cover according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 10 is a view showing a part of an upper body according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0071] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 10, a water tank 100 may be provided to have a cylindrical shape with an open top. The open top of the water tank 100 may be opened and closed by the cover 200. Water may be accommodated inside the water tank 100.

[0072] The water tank 100 may include a tank 110 in which water is accommodated. The water tank 100 may include a lower body 120 that surrounds the outer circumferential surface of the tank 110. The water tank 100 may include an upper body 130 coupled to an upper portion of the lower body 120. The water tank 100 may include a silicone body 140 mounted on the upper body 130.

[0073] The tank 110 may be provided to have a cylindrical shape with an open top. Water may be stored inside the tank 110. A partition member 150 may be disposed inside the tank 110. The partition member 150 may partition the internal space of the tank 110. Although not shown, in the drawings, the partition member 150 may partition the internal space of the tank 110 into a steam generation area and a storage area. Water stored in the storage area may flow into the steam generation area, and steam may be generated in the steam generation area by a coil (not shown). The steam generation area may be provided inside the storage area.

[0074] The lower body 120 may be provided to surround the outer circumferential surface of the tank 110. The lower body 120 may be provided to have a cylindrical shape with an open top.

[0075] The upper body 130 may be coupled to the upper portion of the lower body 120. The upper body 130 may be provided to have a ring shape. An upper cover 300 may be rotatably coupled to the upper portion of the upper body 130. The silicone body 140 may be mounted on the upper body 130. The silicone body 140 mounted on the upper body 130 may seal between the cover 200 and the water tank 100.

[0076] The upper body 130 may include a discharge port 131. The discharge port 131 may discharge, to a plurality of second discharge holes 360 formed in the upper cover 300, steam discharged through a plurality of first discharge holes 519 formed in a lower cover 500 of the cover 200 to be described below. Steam generated inside the water tank 100 may be discharged to the outside through the plurality of first discharge holes 519, the discharge port 131, and the plurality of second discharge holes 360. A detailed description thereof will be provided below.

[0077] The upper body 130 may include a locking groove 133. The locking groove 133 may be formed in plurality on the upper edge of the upper body 130. In the drawings, four locking grooves 133 are illustrated, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. A locking protrusion 337 of a lever 330 to be described below may be engaged with and disengaged from the locking groove 133. When the button 320 assembled to the handle 310 of the upper cover 300 is pressed, the lever 330 rotates and the locking protrusion 337 may be engaged with and disengaged from the locking groove 133 of the upper body 130. When the locking protrusion 337 of the lever 330 is engaged with the locking groove 133 of the upper body 130, the upper cover 300 may be locked and rotation may be prevented. When the locking protrusion 337 of the lever 330 is disengaged from the locking groove 133 of the upper body 130, the upper cover 300 may be unlocked and rotatable. A detailed description thereof will be provided below.

[0078] The upper body 130 may include a protrusion 135. The protrusion 135 may be formed to protrude on the inner circumferential surface of the upper body 130. The protrusion 135 may be formed to protrude on the inner circumferential surface of a portion adjacent to the upper edge of the upper body 130. The protrusion 135 may be formed in plurality. In the drawings, four protrusions 135 are illustrated, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The protrusion 135 may be provided to move along a guide rail 380 of the upper cover 300. Specifically, the upper body 130 on which the protrusion 135 is formed is fixed, and the upper cover 300 on which the guide rail 380 is formed rotates, and thus the guide rail 380 may be guided by the protrusion 135. A detailed description thereof will be provided below.

[0079] The cover 200 may be provided to open and close the open top of the water tank 100. The cover 200 may be detachably coupled to the upper portion of the water tank 100.

[0080] The cover 200 may include the upper cover 300. The cover 200 may include a water distributor 400 disposed at a lower side of the upper cover 300. The cover 200 may include a lower cover 500 disposed at a lower side of the upper cover 300. The lower cover 500 may be provided at a lower side of the water distributor 400. The cover 200 may include a valve 210 mounted at a lower side of the lower cover 500.

[0081] The valve 210 may be mounted on the upper end portion of the partition member 150. That is, the valve 210 may be disposed between the partition member 150 and the lower cover 500. The valve 210 may allow communication between an outlet hole 527 of the lower cover 500 to be described below with the steam generation area of the water tank 100. With such a configuration, steam generated in the steam generation area may flow into the external space of the water tank 100 via the inside of the valve 210. The valve 210 may be provided to prevent water leakage when the humidifier 2 (see FIG. 2) is overturned.

[0082] The cover 200 may include the upper cover 300. The upper cover 300 may be rotatably coupled to the upper portion of the water tank 100. The upper cover 300 may include an outer cover 301 and an inner cover 303. The outer cover 301 may be provided to be exposed to the outside. The inner cover 303 may be positioned inside the outer cover 301 and not exposed to the outside.

[0083] The upper cover 300 may include a handle 310. The handle 310 may be provided for a user to grip. A user may manipulate the cover 200 by gripping the handle 310. A portion of the handle 310 may be provided on the outer cover 301 of the upper cover 300, and the remaining portion may be provided on the inner cover 303. Specifically, an upper portion of the handle 310 may be provided on the outer cover 301, and a lower portion of the handle 310 may be provided on the inner cover 303.

[0084] The handle 310 may include a rotation hole 311 in which the button 320 is rotatably assembled. The rotation hole 311 may be provided on the outer cover 301.

[0085] The handle 310 may include a rotation groove 313 in which the lever 330 is rotatably assembled. The rotation groove 313 may be provided on the inner cover 303.

[0086] The handle 310 may include an opening 315 through which a portion of the button 320 rotatably assembled in the rotation hole 311 is exposed to the outside. A user may press the button 320 through the opening 315.

[0087] The upper cover 300 may include the button 320. The button 320 may be rotatably assembled to the handle 310. The button 320 may be rotatably assembled to the handle 310 and move in the vertical direction. In the drawings, the button 320 is illustrated as being rotatably assembled to the handle 310 and moving in the vertical direction, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the button 320 may be provided to move in the vertical direction without rotating in the handle 310. That is, the button 320 is not limited in its configuration, as long as it can rotate the lever 330. The button 320 may include a button shaft 321 that is rotatably assembled in the rotation hole 311 of the handle 310. A portion of the button 320 may be exposed to the outside through the opening 315 of the handle 310. The user may press the button 320 through the opening 315. The user may manipulate the cover 200 by pressing the button 320. When the user presses the button 320 while gripping the handle 310, the button 320 may rotate about the button shaft 321. The button 320 may rotate about the button shaft 321 to rotate the lever 330 in contact with the button 320.

[0088] The upper cover 300 may include the lever 330. The lever 330 may be rotatably assembled to the handle 310. The lever 330 may be provided such that one side thereof contacts the button 320. The lever 330 may be provided such that, when one side thereof is in contact with the button 320 and the button 320 is pressed and rotated, the lever 330 is rotated by the button 320.

[0089] In the drawings, the lever 330 is illustrated as being rotatably assembled to the handle 310, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the lever 330 is not limited in it configuration as long as it can be moved by the button 320 such that a locking protrusion 337 to be described below is engaged with and disengaged from the locking groove 133 of the upper body 130.

[0090] Also, in the drawings, the lever 330 is illustrated as being provided separately from the button 320 and contacting the button 320, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the button 320 and the lever 330 may be provided as one body. When the button 320 and the lever 330 are formed as one body, the button 320 may perform the function of the lever 330 such that, when the button 320 is pressed, the button 320 may unlock the upper cover 300 to allow the upper cover 300 to rotate.

[0091] The lever 330 may include a lever shaft 331 that is rotatably assembled to the handle 310. The lever shaft 331 of the lever 330 may be rotatably assembled in the rotation groove 313 of the handle 310. The lever 330 may rotate about the lever shaft 331 when the button 320 is pressed.

[0092] The lever 330 may include a first portion 333 that contacts the button 320. The first portion 333 may be provided on one side with respect to the lever shaft 331. When the button 320 is pressed, the first portion 333 in contact with the button 320 may also be pressed by the button 320. When the first portion 333 is pressed by the button 320, the lever 330 may rotate about the lever shaft 331.

[0093] The lever 330 may include a second portion 335 formed on the opposite side of the first portion 333 with respect to the lever shaft 331. The second portion 335 may be provided on the other side with respect to the lever shaft 331.

[0094] The lever 330 may include a locking protrusion 337 formed at the end of the second portion 335. The locking protrusion 337 may be engaged with and disengaged from the locking groove 133 of the upper body 130. When the locking protrusion 337 is engaged with the locking groove 133 of the upper body 130, the cover 200 may be in a locked state with the water tank 100. When the locking protrusion 337 is disengaged from the locking groove 133 of the upper body 130, the cover 200 may be unlocked from the water tank 100. That is, as will be described below, when the cover 200 is in the first mode, the locking protrusion 337 may release the lock of the cover 200. When the cover 200 is unlocked from the water tank 100, the cover 200 may be rotatable.

[0095] The upper cover 300 may include a spring 340. The spring 340 may be coupled to the lever 330. The spring 340 may accumulate elastic force when the button 320 is pressed and the lever 330 rotates. The spring 340 may cause the lever 330 to rotate to its original position by the accumulated elastic force when the pressure applied to the button 320 is released. That is, the lever 330 may rotate to its position before the button 320 was pressed, by the spring 340.

[0096] The upper cover 300 may include a cover opening 350. The cover opening 350 may be formed at a central portion of the upper cover 300. The cover opening 350 may allow water to be supplied into the water tank 100 while the cover 200 is coupled to the water tank 100. That is, a user may supply water into the water tank 100 by pouring water through the cover opening 350 while the cover 200 is coupled to the water tank 100.

[0097] The upper cover 300 may include a plurality of second discharge holes 360. The plurality of second discharge holes 360 may discharge steam discharged through the plurality of first discharge holes 519 formed in the lower cover 500 to the outside of the cover 200. Steam discharged through the plurality of first discharge holes 519 formed in the lower cover 500 may be discharged to the plurality of second discharge holes 360 formed in the upper cover 300 via the discharge port 131 formed in the upper body 130 of the water tank 100. Steam discharged to the discharge port 131 may be discharged to the outside of the cover 200 through the plurality of second discharge holes 360 and a discharge passage 370.

[0098] The upper cover 300 may include the discharge passage 370. The discharge passage 370 may be provided to communicate with the plurality of second discharge holes 360. Steam discharged to the plurality of second discharge holes 360 through the discharge port 131 may flow to the discharge passage 370 and be discharged to the outside of the cover 200.

[0099] The upper cover 300 may include a guide rail 380. The guide rail 380 may be formed on the inner cover 303. The guide rail 380 may be formed in plurality on the outer wall surface of the inner cover 303. The guide rail 380 may be guided by the protrusion 135 formed on the upper body 130 when the upper cover 300 rotates. The guide rail 380 may be formed as four guide rails to correspond to the number of protrusions 135. However, the number of guide rails 380 is not limited to four guide rails, as in the case with the protrusions 135.

[0100] The guide rail 380 may include a first rail 381 in which the protrusion 135 of the upper body 130 is positioned when the cover 200 is in a locked state with respect to the cover 200. Even when the cover 200 is in an unlocked state with respect to the cover 200, the protrusion 135 of the upper body 130 may be positioned on the first rail 381. As will be described below, the state in which the cover 200 is unlocked with respect to the cover 200 may be when the cover 200 is in the first mode. That is, the first rail 381 may be a portion in which the protrusion 135 of the upper body 130 is positioned when the cover 200 is not rotated.

[0101] The guide rail 380 may include a second rail 383 that extends obliquely downward from one side of the first rail 381. In the drawings, the one side of the first rail 381 may be the right end of the first rail 381. The second rail 383 may be guided by the protrusion 135 when the cover 200 rotates in the first direction in the unlocked state with respect to the water tank 100. The first direction may be clockwise. Because the second rail 383 extends obliquely downward, when the cover 200 rotates in the first direction, the upper cover 300 on which the guide rail 380 is formed may move upward. As will be described below, the state in which the cover 200 is rotated in the first direction after the cover 200 is unlocked from the cover 200 may be when the cover 200 is in the second mode. When the cover 200 is in the second mode, water may be supplied to the inside of the water tank 100 while the cover 200 is coupled to the water tank 100. That is, when the cover 200 is in the second mode, water may be supplied to the inside of the water tank 100 by pouring water into the cover opening 350 while the cover 200 is coupled to the water tank 100.

[0102] The guide rail 380 may include a third rail 385 that extends in parallel from the other side of the first rail 381. In the drawings, the other side of the first rail 381 may be the left end of the first rail 381. The third rail 385 may be guided by the protrusion 135 when the cover 200 rotates in the second direction in the unlocked state with respect to the water tank 100. The second direction may be the direction opposite to the first direction. The second direction may be counterclockwise. Because the third rail 385 extends in parallel, when the cover 200 rotates in the second direction, the upper cover 300 on which the guide rail 380 is formed may only rotate without moving in the vertical direction. As will be described below, the state in which the cover 200 is rotated in the second direction after the cover 200 is unlocked from the cover 200 may be when the cover 200 is in the third mode. When the cover 200 is in the third mode, the cover 200 may be in a state in which the cover 200 may be lifted upward to be separated from the water tank 100.

[0103] The guide rail 380 may include a fourth rail 387 that extends vertically downward from the third rail 385. In the drawings, the fourth rail 387 may extend vertically downward from the left end of the third rail 385. When the cover 200 is in a state of being lifted upward, that is, when the cover 200 is positioned at the left end of the third rail 385, lifting the cover 200 upward may allow the fourth rail 387 to be guided by the protrusion 135. When the fourth rail 387 is guided by the protrusion 135, the cover 200 may be separated from the water tank 100.

[0104] The cover 200 may include a water distributor 400 disposed at a lower side of the upper cover 300. The water distributor 400 may be provided in a disk shape in which a central portion has the highest height and an edge portion has the lowest height. That is, the water distributor 400 may be provided to slope downward from the central portion toward the edge portion. In other words, the water distributor 400 may be provided with a shape in which the central portion is convex upward (see FIG. 16)

[0105] The water distributor 400 may be disposed at a lower side of the cover opening 350. Because the water distributor 400 is disposed at a lower side of the cover opening 350, when water is introduced through the cover opening 350, the water may be guided in the radial direction of the water distributor 400 along the upper surface of the water distributor 400. Water distributed in the radial direction of the water distributor 400 by the water distributor 400 may be uniformly spread and delivered to the lower cover 500 (see FIG. 16)

[0106] The cover 200 may include the lower cover 500. The lower cover 500 may be disposed at a lower side of the upper cover 300. The lower cover 500 may be disposed at a lower side of the water distributor 400. The lower cover 500 may include a first lower cover 510. The lower cover 500 may include a second lower cover 520. The lower cover 500 may include a sealing member 530. The lower cover 500 may include supply passages 511, 521 that supply, to the inside of the water tank 100, water supplied to the cover opening 350.

[0107] The lower cover 500 may include the first lower cover 510. The first lower cover 510 may be disposed at a lower side of the upper cover 300. The first lower cover 510 may be provided to be movable in the vertical direction.

[0108] The first lower cover 510 may include a first supply passage 511 that forms a portion of the supply passages 511 and 521. The first supply passage 511 may include a first supply hole 513 that supplies, to the inside of the water tank 100, water supplied through the cover opening 350 of the upper cover 300. The first supply hole 513 may be formed in plurality.

[0109] The first supply passage 511 may include a first water supply portion 515 that supplies, to the inside of the water tank 100, water supplied through the cover opening 350 of the upper cover 300. The first water supply portion 515 may be provided to extend downward from the first supply hole 513. The first water supply portion 515 may be formed in plurality to correspond to the number of first supply holes 513. The first water supply portion 515 may form a space in which water supplied to the first supply hole 513 flows inside. Water supplied to the first supply hole 513 through the cover opening 350 of the upper cover 300 may flow through the first water supply portion 515.

[0110] The first supply passage 511 may include a second supply hole 517 that supplies, to the inside of the water tank 100, water supplied through the cover opening 350 of the upper cover 300. The second supply hole 517 may be formed to be open at the lower portion of the first water supply portion 515. The second supply hole 517 may be formed in plurality to correspond to the number of first supply holes 513. Water supplied to the first supply hole 513 through the cover opening 350 of the upper cover 300 may flow through the first water supply portion 515 and be supplied to a second supply passage 521, which will be described below, through the second supply hole 517.

[0111] The first lower cover 510 may include a plurality of first discharge holes 519 that discharge, to the outside of the first lower cover 510, steam flowing through an outlet passage 501 to be described below. Steam generated inside the water tank 100 may be discharged through an outlet hole 527 of the second lower cover 520 to be described below, and the steam discharged through the outlet hole 527 may flow through the outlet passage 501 and be discharged to the outside of the first lower cover 510 (see FIG. 12).

[0112] The lower cover 500 may include a second lower cover 520. The second lower cover 520 may be disposed at a lower side of the first lower cover 510. The second lower cover 520 may be coupled to the upper portion of the water tank 100.

[0113] The second lower cover 520 may include a second supply passage 521 that forms the supply passages 511, 521 together with the first supply passage 511. The second supply passage 521 may include a second water supply portion 523 in which the first water supply portion 515 of the first lower cover 510 is accommodated. When the first lower cover 510 moves upward, the first water supply portion 515 may move upward while being accommodated in the second water supply portion 523. The second water supply portion 523 may be formed in plurality to correspond to the number of first water supply portions 515.

[0114] The second supply passage 521 may include a third supply hole 525 formed at a lower portion of the sidewall of the second water supply portion 523. The third supply hole 525 may be formed in plurality at the lower portion of the sidewall of the second water supply portion 523. The third supply hole 525 may be closed by the first water supply portion 515 accommodated in the second water supply portion 523 before the first lower cover 510 moves upward. That is, the third supply hole 525 may be closed by the first water supply portion 515 accommodated in the second water supply portion 523 before the upper cover 300 rotates in the first direction after the cover 200 is unlocked from the water tank 100.

[0115] The third supply hole 525 may be opened when the first lower cover 510 moves upward, because the first water supply portion 515 closing the third supply hole 525 moves upward. That is, the third supply hole 525 may be opened when the upper cover 300 is rotated in the first direction after the cover 200 is unlocked from the water tank 100. When the upper cover 300 is rotated in the first direction after the cover 200 is unlocked from the water tank 100, the third supply hole 525 may be opened and communicate with the second supply hole 517.

[0116] When the upper cover 300 is rotated in the first direction after the cover 200 is unlocked from the water tank 100 and thus the upper cover 300 moves upward, water supplied to the first supply hole 513 through the cover opening 350 of the upper cover 300 may flow through the first water supply portion 515 and be supplied to the third supply hole 525 through the second supply hole 517. Water supplied to the third supply hole 525 may be supplied to the inside of the water tank 100.

[0117] The second lower cover 520 may include an outlet hole 527 that discharges steam generated inside the water tank 100. An outlet passage 501 may be formed between the first lower cover 510 and the second lower cover 520. Steam discharged to the outside of the water tank 100 through the outlet hole 527 may flow along the outlet passage 501. Steam flowing along the outlet passage 501 may be discharged to the outside of the first lower cover 510 through the plurality of first discharge holes 519 of the first lower cover 510 (see FIG. 12).

[0118] The lower cover 500 may include a sealing member 530. The sealing member 530 may be provided between the first lower cover 510 and the second lower cover 520. The sealing member 530 may be provided between the first lower cover 510 and the second lower cover 520 to seal the second supply passage 521.

[0119] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a humidifier in which a cover is coupled to an upper portion of a water tank according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing steam generated inside a water tank of a humidifier being discharged to the outside according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a button of a humidifier is not pressed according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 14 is a view showing a state in which a protrusion is positioned on a first rail of a guide rail according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0120] Referring to FIGS. 11 to 14, steam generated inside a water tank 100 of a humidifier 2 may be discharged to the outside through a cover 200. Steam generated inside the water tank 100 may be discharged to the outside of the water tank 100 through the outlet hole 527 of the second lower cover 520. The steam discharged to the outside of the water tank 100 through the outlet hole 527 may flow to the outlet passage 501 formed between the first lower cover 510 and the second lower cover 520. The steam flowing to the outlet passage 501 may be discharged to the outside of the first lower cover 510 through the plurality of first discharge holes 519 (see FIG. 9) formed in the first lower cover 510, the discharge port 131 (see FIG. 10) formed in the upper body 130, and the plurality of second discharge holes 360 (see FIG. 7) formed in the upper cover 300.

[0121] When steam generated inside the water tank 100 is discharged to the outside, the button 320 may be in a non-pressed state. Because the button 320 is in the non-pressed state, the cover 200 may be in a locked state with respect to the water tank 100. That is, the locking protrusion 337 of the lever 330 may be engaged with the locking groove 133 of the upper body 130. When the button 320 is not pressed and the cover 200 is in the locked state with the water tank 100, the protrusion 135 of the upper body 130 may be positioned on the first rail 381 of the guide rail 380 formed in the upper cover 300.

[0122] FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a state in which a button of a humidifier is pressed according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a button of a humidifier is pressed according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0123] Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, when a button 320 of a humidifier 2 is pressed, a lever 330 may be rotated by the button 320. The lever 330 may rotate clockwise about a lever shaft 331. When the button 320 is pressed and the lever 330 is rotated clockwise about the lever shaft 331, a locking protrusion 337 may be disengaged from a locking groove 133. When the locking protrusion 337 is disengaged from the locking groove 133, the cover 200 may be unlocked from the water tank 100. When the cover 200 is unlocked from the water tank 100, the cover 200 may be rotated left and right. In this case, the protrusion 135 of the upper body 130 may be positioned on the first rail 381 of the guide rail 380 formed in the upper cover 300, similar to when the cover 200 is locked with the water tank 100. It may be referred to as the first mode when the cover 200 is unlocked to be rotatable left and right by pressing the button 320 of the humidifier (see FIG. 14).

[0124] As described above, in a state in which the cover 200 is unlocked by pressing the button 320, the cover 200 may only be rotatable while remaining coupled to the water tank 100. That is, by pressing the button 320, the cover 200 may be primarily unlocked such that the cover 200 may rotate left and right.

[0125] FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cover is rotated in a first direction while a button of a humidifier is pressed according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 18 is a view showing a state in which a protrusion is positioned on a second rail with a guide rail being guided by the protrusion when a cover is rotated in a first direction according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which, with a button pressed, a cover is rotated in a first direction such that an upper cover moves upward, allowing water introduced through a cover opening to be supplied into a water tank according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0126] Referring to FIGS. 17 to 19, after pressing a button 320 to unlock a cover 200, the cover 200 may be rotated in the first direction. The first direction may be clockwise. In the first mode in which the cover 200 is unlocked by pressing the button 320, the cover 200 may be rotated left and right, and thus the cover 200 may be rotated in the first direction. Specifically, the upper cover 300 of the cover 200 may be rotated in the first direction.

[0127] When the cover 200 is rotated in the first direction, because the upper cover 300 rotates in the first direction, the guide rail 380 formed on the inner cover 303 of the upper cover 300 may be guided by the protrusion 135. As the guide rail 380 is guided by the protrusion 135, the protrusion 135 may move along the second rail 383 and be positioned at the end of the second rail 383. The end of the second rail 383 may be the first position. That is, the second rail 383 may cause the first lower cover 510 to move upward by being guided by the protrusion 135 when the cover 200 rotates in the first direction. Because the protrusion 135 is fixed, the first lower cover 510 may move upward when the upper cover 300 rotates in the first direction.

[0128] When the first lower cover 510 moves upward, the upper cover 300 may also move upward together with the first lower cover 510. Therefore, the second rail 383 may cause the upper cover 300 to move upward by being guided by the protrusion 135 when the cover 200 rotates in the first direction.

[0129] When the first lower cover 510 moves upward, the supply passages 511, 521 may be opened. When the first lower cover 510 moves upward, the second supply hole 517 closed by the second water supply portion 523 may be opened. Also, when the first lower cover 510 moves upward, the third supply hole 525 closed by the first water supply portion 515 may be opened.

[0130] When the second supply hole 517 is opened, the first supply passage 511 may be opened. That is, when the second supply hole 517 is opened, water flowing into the cover opening 350 may pass through the first supply hole 513, the first water supply portion 515, and the second supply hole 517 and be supplied to the inside of the water tank 100.

[0131] When both the second supply hole 517 and the third supply hole 525 are opened, both the first supply passage 511 and the second supply passage 521 may be opened. That is, when both the second supply hole 517 and the third supply hole 525 are opened, water flowing into the cover opening 350 may pass through the first supply hole 513, the first water supply portion 515, the second supply hole 517, and the third supply hole 525 and be supplied to the inside of the water tank 100.

[0132] As described above, after pressing the button 320 to unlock the cover 200, rotating the cover 200 in the first direction may allow water to be supplied into the water tank 100 while the cover 200 is coupled to the water tank 100 It may be referred to as the second mode when water is supplied to the inside of the water tank 100 while the cover 200 is coupled to the water tank 100 by rotating the cover 200 in the first direction after pressing the button 320 to unlock the cover 200.

[0133] In the drawings, it is illustrated that when the button 320 is pressed to unlock the cover 200 and then the cover 200 is rotated in the first direction, the first lower cover 510 moves upward and the supply passages 511, 521 are opened, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, when the button 320 is pressed to unlock the cover 200 and then the cover 200 is rotated in the first direction, the first lower cover 510 may rotate, thereby opening the supply passages 511, 521. That is, as the first lower cover 510 rotates, the supply passages 511, 521 may be opened and closed. The first lower cover 510 may be configured to rotate in the first direction or rotate in the second direction. However, for convenience of explanation, it will be described that the first lower cover 510 also rotates in the first direction when the upper cover 300 rotates in the first direction.

[0134] Although not shown in the drawings, in more detail regarding the above embodiment, the configuration of the first supply passage 511 including the first supply hole 513, the first water supply portion 515, and the second supply hole 517 may be the same as the configuration shown in FIGS. 9 and 19. However, because the first lower cover 510 rotates, the configuration of the second water supply portion 523 and the third supply hole 525 constituting the second supply passage 521 may be different.

[0135] The second water supply portion 523 constituting the second supply passage 521 may be formed to have an arc shape along the direction in which the first lower cover 510 rotates. The third supply hole 525 may be formed on the bottom surface of the arc-shaped second water supply portion 523. The third supply hole 525 may be formed on one side of the bottom surface of the second water supply portion 523.

[0136] Before the upper cover 300 rotates in the first direction, the first water supply portion 515 on which the first supply hole 513 and the second supply hole 517 are formed may be positioned on the other side of the bottom surface of the second water supply portion 523. That is, the second supply hole 517 may be closed by the bottom surface of the second water supply portion 523 and the supply passages 511, 521 may be closed.

[0137] When the upper cover 300 rotates in the first direction, the first lower cover 510 rotates in the first direction such that the first water supply portion 515, on which the first supply hole 513 and the second supply hole 517 are formed, may be positioned on one side of the bottom surface of the second water supply portion 523. That is, the second supply hole 517 may be in communication with the third supply hole 525, thereby opening the supply passages 511, 521.

[0138] FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cover is rotated in a second direction while a button is pressed according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 21 is a view showing a state in which a protrusion is positioned on a third rail with a guide rail being guided by the protrusion when a cover is rotated in a second direction according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 22 is a view showing a state in which a protrusion is positioned on a fourth rail with a guide rail being guided by the protrusion when a cover is rotated in a second direction and then lifted upward according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cover is separated from a water tank according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0139] Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, after pressing a button 320 to unlock a cover 200, the cover 200 may be rotated in the second direction. The second direction may be counterclockwise. In the first mode in which the cover 200 is unlocked by pressing the button 320, the cover 200 may be rotated left and right, and thus the cover 200 may be rotated in the second direction. Specifically, an upper cover 300 of the cover 200 may be rotated in the second direction.

[0140] When the cover 200 is rotated in the second direction, the upper cover 300 also rotates in the second direction, and thus the guide rail 380 formed on the inner cover 303 of the upper cover 300 may be guided by the protrusion 135. As the guide rail 380 is guided by the protrusion 135, the protrusion 135 may move along the third rail 385 and be positioned at an end of the third rail 385. The end of the third rail 385 may be the second position. That is, the third rail 385 may cause the cover 200 to be separated from the water tank 100 by being guided by the protrusion 135 when the cover 200 rotates in the second direction.

[0141] As described above, after pressing the button 320 to unlock the cover 200, rotating the cover 200 in the second direction may allow the cover 200 to be separated from the water tank 100. It may be referred to as the third mode when the cover 200 is separated from the water tank 100 by rotating the cover 200 in the second direction after pressing the button 320 to unlock the cover 200.

[0142] Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, after pressing a button 320 to unlock a cover 200, when the cover 200 is rotated in the second direction and then the cover 200 is lifted upward, a guide rail 380 may be guided by a protrusion 135 and thus the protrusion 135 may be positioned on a fourth rail 384. That is, the fourth rail 387 may cause the cover 200 to be separated from the water tank 100 by being guided by the protrusion 135 when the cover 200 is rotated in the second direction. By pressing the button 320 to perform a primary unlocking of the cover 200 and then rotating the cover 200 in the second direction to perform a secondary unlocking, the cover 200 may be separated from the water tank 100.

[0143] After pressing the button 320 to unlock the cover 200, when the cover 200 is rotated in the second direction and then lifted upward, the cover 200 may be separated from the water tank 100. After the cover 200 is separated from the water tank 100, water may be supplied directly to the inside of the water tank 100. Also, after the cover 200 is separated from the water tank 100, the inside of the water tank 100 may be cleaned. Also, after the cover 200 is separated from the water tank 100, the cover 200 may be cleaned.

[0144] A humidifier according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes a housing 10; a water tank 100 provided inside the housing, configured to accommodate water and in which steam is generated; and a cover 200 detachably coupled to an upper portion of the water tank. The cover includes: a button 320; a first mode in which the cover is unlocked such that the cover is rotatable left and right by pressing the button; a second mode in which water is supplied into the water tank while the cover is coupled to the water tank by pressing the button to unlock the cover and then rotating the cover in a first direction; and a third mode in which the cover is separable from the water tank by pressing the button to unlock the cover and then rotating the cover in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0145] The cover may further include: an upper cover 300 rotatably coupled to the upper portion of the water tank and including a cover opening 350 for supplying water into the water tank; a water distributor 400 disposed at a lower side of the upper cover and configured to distribute water supplied through the cover opening; and a lower cover 500 disposed at a lower side of the water distributor and including a supply passage (e.g., at least one of supply passages 511, 521) configured to supply, into the water tank, water supplied through the cover opening.

[0146] The upper cover may include: a handle 310 to which the button is assembled to be movable in a vertical direction and including an opening 315 through which a portion of the button is exposed to the outside; a lever 330 rotatably assembled to the handle and configured to contact the button such that the lever is rotated by the button when the button is pressed; and a spring 340 configured to accumulate an elastic force when the button is pressed and the lever is rotated, and allow the lever to rotate to an original position thereof by the accumulated elastic force when the pressure applied to the button is released.

[0147] The lever may include: a lever shaft 331 rotatably assembled to the handle; a first portion 333 configured to contact the button; a second portion 335 formed on an opposite side of the first portion with respect to the lever shaft; and a locking protrusion 337 formed at an end of the second portion and configured to unlock the cover when the cover is in the first mode.

[0148] The lower cover may include: a first lower cover 510 provided at a lower side of the upper cover and configured to be movable in a vertical direction, the first lower cover including a first supply passage 511 that forms a part of the supply passage; a second lower cover 520 coupled to the upper portion of the water tank to be disposed at a lower side of the first lower cover, the second lower cover including a second supply passage 521 that forms the supply passage together with the first supply passage; and a sealing member 530 provided between the first lower cover and the second lower cover to seal the second supply passage.

[0149] The first supply passage may include: a first supply hole 513 configured to supply, into the water tank, water supplied through the cover opening; a first water supply portion 515 extending downward from the first supply hole and forming a space in which water supplied through the first supply hole flows; and a second supply hole 517 formed to be open at a lower portion of the first water supply portion.

[0150] The second supply passage may include: a second water supply portion 523 in which the first water supply portion is accommodated; and a third supply hole 525 formed at a lower portion of a sidewall of the second water supply portion, the third supply hole being in communication with the second supply hole to supply water into the water tank when the upper cover is rotated in the first direction and the first lower cover moves upward.

[0151] The second lower cover may include an outlet hole 527 configured to discharge steam, generated inside the water tank, to the outside of the water tank.

[0152] An outlet passage 501 through which steam discharged through the outlet hole flows may be formed between the first lower cover and the second lower cover.

[0153] The first lower cover may include a plurality of first discharge holes 519 configured to discharge, to the outside of the first lower cover, the steam flowing through the outlet passage.

[0154] The upper cover may include: a plurality of second discharge holes 360 configured to discharge, to the outside of the cover, steam discharged through the plurality of first discharge holes; and a discharge passage 370 through which the steam discharged through the plurality of second discharge holes flows to the outside of the cover.

[0155] The water tank may include: a tank 110 in which water is accommodated; a lower body 120 configured to surround an outer circumferential surface of the tank; and an upper body 130 coupled to an upper portion of the lower body and to which the upper cover is rotatably coupled.

[0156] The upper body may include: a discharge port 131 configured to discharge, to the plurality of second discharge holes, steam discharged through the plurality of first discharge holes; a locking groove 133 in which the locking protrusion of the lever is engaged and disengaged; and a protrusion 135 formed to protrude on an inner circumferential surface of the upper body and configured to allow the cover to operate in the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode according to the rotation of the upper cover.

[0157] The upper cover may include a guide rail 380 that is guided by the protrusion when the upper cover rotates.

[0158] The guide rail may include: a first rail 381 in which the protrusion is positioned when the cover is in the first mode; a second rail 383 extending obliquely downward from one side of the first rail and guided by the protrusion when the cover rotates in the first direction to allow the upper cover to move upward; a third rail 385 extending in parallel from an other side of the first rail and guided by the protrusion when the cover rotates in the second direction to allow the cover to be separable from the water tank; and a fourth rail 387 extending vertically downward from the third rail and guided by the protrusion when the cover is rotated in the second direction to allow the cover to be separated from the water tank.

[0159] A humidifying air purifier according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes a cabinet 1 accommodating a humidifier 2 therein, and an air purifier 3 accommodated inside the cabinet and disposed at a lower side of the humidifier. The humidifier includes a water tank 100 provided to accommodate water therein, and a cover 200 detachably coupled to an upper portion of the water tank. The cover includes a button 320, an upper cover 300 rotatably provided on the upper portion of the water tank and including a cover opening 350 for supplying water into the water tank, and a lower cover 500 provided at a lower side of the upper cover and including supply passages 511, 521 configured to supply the water, which is supplied through the cover opening, into the water tank. After the button is pressed, when the upper cover is rotated in a first direction, water is supplied into the water tank through the cover opening while the cover is coupled to the water tank, and after the button is pressed, when the upper cover is rotated in a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction, the cover is separated from the water tank.

[0160] The upper cover may include a lever 330 that is rotated by the button when the button is pressed, and the water tank may include a locking groove 133 which the lever is engaged with and disengaged from, and a protrusion 135 that is located at a first position of the upper cover when the upper cover is rotated in the first direction, and is located at a second position of the upper cover when the upper cover is rotated in the second direction.

[0161] When the lever is rotated by pressing the button, the lever may be disengaged from the locking groove, and the upper cover may be unlocked to be rotatable.

[0162] After unlocking the upper cover by pressing the button, when the upper cover is rotated in the first direction such that the protrusion is located at the first position, the lower cover may open the supply passage.

[0163] After unlocking the upper cover by pressing the button, when the upper cover is rotated in the second direction such that the protrusion is located at the second position, the cover may be separated from the water tank.

[0164] According to the disclosure, the locking structure of the humidifier can be improved to enhance convenience of use while meeting safety requirements.

[0165] According to the disclosure, water leakage can be prevented even when the humidifier is overturned by unlocking the cover in two stages through primary unlocking and secondary unlocking.

[0166] According to the disclosure, water can be supplied to the inside of the water tank without separating the cover from the water tank.

[0167] According to the disclosure, the inside of the water tank and the cover can be cleaned after separating the cover from the water tank.

[0168] The effects of the disclosure are not limited to those described above, and other effects that are not described above will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the above detailed description.

[0169] It will be appreciated that various embodiments of the disclosure according to the claims and description in the specification can be realized in the form of hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software.

[0170] Any such software may be stored in non-transitory computer readable storage media. The non-transitory computer readable storage media store one or more computer programs (software modules), the one or more computer programs include computer-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device individually or collectively, cause the electronic device to perform a method of the disclosure.

[0171] Any such software may be stored in the form of volatile or non-volatile storage such as, for example, a storage device like read only memory (ROM), whether erasable or rewritable or not, or in the form of memory such as, for example, random access memory (RAM), memory chips, device or integrated circuits or on an optically or magnetically readable medium such as, for example, a compact disk (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), magnetic disk or magnetic tape or the like. It will be appreciated that the storage devices and storage media are various embodiments of non-transitory machine-readable storage that are suitable for storing a computer program or computer programs comprising instructions that, when executed, implement various embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, various embodiments provide a program comprising code for implementing apparatus or a method as claimed in any one of the claims of this specification and a non-transitory machine-readable storage storing such a program.

[0172] While the disclosure has been shown and described with reference to various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A humidifier comprising:a housing;a water tank provided inside the housing, configured to accommodate water, and in which steam is generated; anda cover detachably coupled to an upper portion of the water tank,wherein the cover comprises:a button,a first mode in which the cover is unlocked such that the cover is rotatable left and right, by pressing the button,a second mode in which water is suppliable into the water tank while the cover is coupled to the water tank, by pressing the button to unlock the cover and then rotating the cover in a first direction, anda third mode in which the cover is separable from the water tank, by pressing the button to unlock the cover and then rotating the cover in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

2. The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises:an upper cover rotatably coupled to the upper portion of the water tank and including a cover opening for supplying water into the water tank;a water distributor disposed at a lower side of the upper cover and configured to distribute water supplied through the cover opening; anda lower cover disposed at a lower side of the water distributor and including a supply passage configured to supply, into the water tank, water supplied through the cover opening.

3. The humidifier of claim 2, wherein the upper cover comprises:a handle to which the button is assembled to be movable in a vertical direction and including an opening through which a portion of the button is exposed to an outside;a lever rotatably assembled to the handle and configured to contact the button such that the lever is rotated by the button when the button is pressed; anda spring configured to:accumulate an elastic force when the button is pressed and the lever is rotated, andallow the lever to rotate to an original position thereof by the accumulated elastic force when a pressure applied to the button is released.

4. The humidifier of claim 3, wherein the lever comprises:a lever shaft rotatably assembled to the handle;a first portion configured to contact the button;a second portion formed on an opposite side of the first portion with respect to the lever shaft; anda locking protrusion formed at an end of the second portion and configured to unlock the cover when the cover is in the first mode.

5. The humidifier of claim 4, wherein the lower cover comprises:a first lower cover provided at a lower side of the upper cover and configured to be movable in the vertical direction, the first lower cover including a first supply passage that forms a part of the supply passage;a second lower cover coupled to the upper portion of the water tank to be disposed at a lower side of the first lower cover, the second lower cover including a second supply passage that forms the supply passage together with the first supply passage; anda sealing member provided between the first lower cover and the second lower cover to seal the second supply passage.

6. The humidifier of claim 5, wherein the first supply passage comprises:a first supply hole configured to supply, into the water tank, water supplied through the cover opening;a first water supply portion extending downward from the first supply hole and forming a space in which water supplied through the first supply hole flows; anda second supply hole formed to be open at a lower portion of the first water supply portion.

7. The humidifier of claim 6, wherein the second supply passage comprises:a second water supply portion in which the first water supply portion is accommodated; anda third supply hole formed at a lower portion of a sidewall of the second water supply portion, the third supply hole being in communication with the second supply hole to supply water into the water tank when the upper cover is rotated in the first direction and the first lower cover moves upward.

8. The humidifier of claim 5, wherein the second lower cover includes an outlet hole configured to discharge steam, generated inside the water tank, to outside of the water tank.

9. The humidifier of claim 8, wherein an outlet passage through which steam discharged through the outlet hole flows is formed between the first lower cover and the second lower cover.

10. The humidifier of claim 9, wherein the first lower cover includes a plurality of first discharge holes configured to discharge, to outside of the first lower cover, the steam flowing through the outlet passage.

11. The humidifier of claim 10, wherein the upper cover comprises:a plurality of second discharge holes configured to discharge, to outside of the cover, steam discharged through the plurality of first discharge holes; anda discharge passage through which the steam discharged through the plurality of second discharge holes flows to the outside of the cover.

12. The humidifier of claim 11, wherein the water tank comprises:a tank in which water is accommodated;a lower body configured to surround an outer circumferential surface of the tank; andan upper body coupled to an upper portion of the lower body and to which the upper cover is rotatably coupled.

13. The humidifier of claim 12, wherein the upper body comprises:a discharge port configured to discharge, to the plurality of second discharge holes, steam discharged through the plurality of first discharge holes;a locking groove in which the locking protrusion of the lever is engaged and disengaged; anda protrusion formed to protrude from an inner circumferential surface of the upper body and configured to allow the cover to operate in the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode according to a rotation of the upper cover.

14. The humidifier of claim 13, wherein the upper cover includes a guide rail that is guided by the protrusion when the upper cover rotates.

15. The humidifier of claim 14, wherein the guide rail comprises:a first rail in which the protrusion is positioned when the cover is in the first mode;a second rail extending obliquely downward from a first side of the first rail and guided by the protrusion when the cover rotates in the first direction to allow the upper cover to move upward;a third rail extending in parallel from a second side of the first rail and guided by the protrusion when the cover rotates in the second direction to allow the cover to be separable from the water tank; anda fourth rail extending vertically downward from the third rail and guided by the protrusion when the cover is rotated in the second direction to allow the cover to be separated from the water tank.

16. The humidifier of claim 15,wherein, as the second rail extends obliquely downward, when the cover rotates in the first direction, the upper cover on which the guide rail is formed moves upward, andwherein the second rail is guided by the protrusion when the cover rotates in the first direction in an unlocked state with respect to the water tank.

17. A humidifying air purifier comprising:a cabinet accommodating a humidifier therein; andan air purifier accommodated inside the cabinet and disposed at a lower side of the humidifier,wherein the humidifier comprises:a water tank accommodating water therein, anda cover detachably coupled to an upper portion of the water tank,wherein the cover comprises:a button,an upper cover rotatably provided on the upper portion of the water tank and including a cover opening for supplying water into the water tank, anda lower cover provided at a lower side of the upper cover and including a supply passage configured to supply the water, which is supplied through the cover opening, into the water tank,wherein, after the button is pressed, when the upper cover is rotated in a first direction, water is supplied into the water tank through the cover opening while the cover is coupled to the water tank, andwherein, after the button is pressed, when the upper cover is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the cover is separated from the water tank.

18. The humidifying air purifier of claim 17, wherein the cover further comprises:an upper cover rotatably coupled to the upper portion of the water tank and including a cover opening for supplying water into the water tank;a water distributor disposed at a lower side of the upper cover and configured to distribute water supplied through the cover opening; anda lower cover disposed at a lower side of the water distributor and including a supply passage configured to supply, into the water tank, water supplied through the cover opening.

19. The humidifying air purifier of claim 18, wherein the upper cover comprises:a handle to which the button is assembled to be movable in a vertical direction and including an opening through which a portion of the button is exposed to an outside;a lever rotatably assembled to the handle and configured to contact the button such that the lever is rotated by the button when the button is pressed; anda spring configured to:accumulate an elastic force when the button is pressed and the lever is rotated, andallow the lever to rotate to an original position thereof by the accumulated elastic force when a pressure applied to the button is released.

20. The humidifying air purifier of claim 19, wherein the lever comprises:a lever shaft rotatably assembled to the handle;a first portion configured to contact the button;a second portion formed on an opposite side of the first portion with respect to the lever shaft; anda locking protrusion formed at an end of the second portion and configured to unlock the cover when the cover is unlocked such that the cover is rotatable left and right, by pressing the button.

Images