Humidifier

Abstract

Provided is a humidifier (100) comprising: a first tank (102) that holds water; a photocatalyst (113) that is disposed inside the first tank; a light (112) that irradiates the photocatalyst with light; a first element (114) for atomizing the water; a second tank (208) that holds a chemical agent; and a second element (211X) for atomizing the chemical agent.

Description

Humidifier

[0001] The present invention relates to the technology of humidifiers.

[0002] Various types of humidifiers have been conventionally known. For example, International Publication No. 2018 / 123456 (Patent Document 1) discloses a humidifier having a sterilization capability. According to Patent Document 1, there is provided a humidifier including a photocatalyst disposed in an area for storing water, a light that irradiates the photocatalyst with light, and an ultrasonic unit for atomizing water that has passed through the photocatalyst.

[0003] International Publication No. 2018 / 123456

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a humidifier that not only decomposes bacteria contained in water to spray moisture, but also can atomize and spray a drug while retaining the original components of the drug at the same time.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a humidifier including: a first tank that stores water; a photocatalyst disposed in the first tank; a light that irradiates the photocatalyst with light; a first element for atomizing water; a second tank that stores a drug; and a second element for atomizing the drug.

[0006] As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a humidifier that not only decomposes bacteria contained in water to spray moisture, but also can atomize and spray a drug while retaining the original components of the drug at the same time.

[0007] These are an upper perspective view showing an appearance of the humidifier according to the first embodiment, a side cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of the humidifier according to the first embodiment, a block diagram showing a configuration of the humidifier according to the first embodiment, an upper perspective view showing an appearance of a spraying device according to the first embodiment, an upper perspective view of the humidifier in a state where the spraying device according to the first embodiment is removed, a side cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of the spraying device according to the first embodiment, a side cross-sectional view showing a state where a lid according to the first embodiment is opened, an schematic diagram showing a configuration of an atomizing module according to the first embodiment, a block diagram showing a configuration of a humidifier according to a third embodiment, and a block diagram showing another configuration of the humidifier according to the third embodiment.

[0008] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions of them will not be repeated. In the following, the overall description of the spraying device 200 and the descriptions of each part of the spraying device 200 will be given in the direction of the arrows shown in Figure 1. [First Embodiment] <Overall Configuration of Humidifier>

[0009] First, with reference to Figures 1 and 2, the overall configuration of the humidifier 100 using the agent according to this embodiment will be described.

[0010] The humidifier 100 mainly consists of a main body cover 101, a base part 110, and a head part 120. In particular, in this embodiment, a chemical spraying device 200, which will be described later, is attached to the head part 120. First, the configuration of the main body of the humidifier 100 will be described below.

[0011] A spray pipe 104 is provided inside the main body cover 101. A water supply tank 102 is housed inside the main body cover 101, accessible from above.

[0012] The water supply tank 102 is configured to be removable from the main body cover 101 and the base portion 110. The water supply tank 102 is equipped with a water supply valve 103 at its lower end, which continuously supplies water so that the amount of water in the disinfection tank 109 (described later) remains constant.

[0013] The spray pipe 104 is integrally formed with the main body cover 101 itself. The lower end of the spray pipe 104 is connected to the upper opening of the disinfection tank 109, and it sends the water vapor generated in the disinfection tank 109 to the head unit 120.

[0014] The base unit 110 houses a control board 111 inside its lower section. The control board 111 is fitted with LED lights 112 and a microcontroller, which will be described later.

[0015] A sterilization tank 109 is provided on the upper part of the base section 110, located inside the main body cover 101, for temporarily storing water from the water supply tank 102.

[0016] Below the sterilization tank 109, an LED light 112, covered with glass or resin, is positioned facing upwards.

[0017] Inside the sterilization tank 109, a photocatalytic plate 113 is positioned directly above the LED light 112.

[0018] An ultrasonic element 114 is also placed on the bottom surface of the sterilization tank 109.

[0019] A blower fan 115 is provided at the bottom of the sterilization tank 109. The blower fan 115 is positioned near the lower end of the spray pipe 104 and pushes the water vapor generated by the ultrasonic element 114 upward through the spray pipe 104.

[0020] Referring to Figure 1, the power key 131, spray key 132, intermittent operation key 133, indicator 134, and the like are arranged on the front of the base unit 110.

[0021] A head unit 120 is detachably attached to the upper end of the main body cover 101. By removing the head unit 120, the user can pull the water tank 102 upward.

[0022] A smart head 121, which serves as a steam outlet, is provided in the head section 120, directly above the spray pipe 104. The smart head 121 is configured to rotate within a range of about 30 degrees in all directions (up, down, left, and right), allowing the steam from the spray pipe 104 to be ejected in the direction desired by the user.

[0023] Because it is configured in this way, users can use the humidifier 100 according to this embodiment in the following manner.

[0024] First, the user removes the head unit 120 and takes the water tank 102 out of the main body cover 101. The user then inverts the water tank 102, removes the water supply valve 103, and fills it with water.

[0025] Next, the user closes the water supply valve 103, inverts the water supply tank 102, and stores it inside the main body cover 101. This supplies a certain amount of water into the sterilization tank 109. The user then secures the head unit 120 to the main body cover 101.

[0026] When the user presses the power key 131, the LED light 112, the ultrasonic element 114, and the blower fan 115 are activated. When the LED light 112 turns on, the water on the surface of the photocatalytic plate 113 is disinfected. At the same time, when the ultrasonic element 114 is activated, the water in the disinfection tank 109 turns into steam and begins to accumulate at the top of the disinfection tank 109. When the blower fan 115 is activated, the steam rises through the spray pipe 104 and is ejected from the smart head 121.

[0027] Next, with reference to Figure 3, the functional configuration of the humidifier 100 according to this embodiment will be described. The humidifier 100 according to this embodiment mainly includes a microcontroller 111X on a control board 111, an LED light 112, an ultrasonic element 114, a blower fan 115, a power key 131, a spray key 132, an intermittent operation key 133, and an indicator 134.

[0028] The microcontroller 111X controls various parts of the humidifier 100 according to the control program. For example, the microcontroller 111X turns the LED light 112 ON / OFF, switches the intensity of the ultrasonic element 114, controls the rotation speed of the blower fan 115, and controls the display of the indicator 134 in response to operation commands from the power key 131, the spray key 132, the intermittent operation key 133, and so on.

[0029] Specifically, when the power key 131 is pressed, the microcontroller 111X turns on the LED light 112, the ultrasonic element 114, and the blower fan 115. This starts photocatalytic sterilization in the sterilization tank 109, and the water in the sterilization tank 109 turns into steam and starts to be blown out from the head unit 120. When the power key 131 is pressed again, the microcontroller 111X turns off the LED light 112, the ultrasonic element 114, and the blower fan 115.

[0030] Each time the spray key 132 is pressed, the microcontroller 111X switches the intensity of the ultrasonic element 114 and the blower fan 115 in the order of weak, medium, and strong. For example, the spray volume for weak is 30 milliliters per hour, for medium it is 50 milliliters per hour, and for strong it is 70 milliliters per hour.

[0031] When the intermittent operation key 133 is pressed, the microcontroller 111X intermittently drives the ultrasonic element 114 and the blower fan 115. For example, the microcontroller 111X drives the ultrasonic element 114 and the blower fan 115 for 6 seconds, and then stops them for 6 seconds. During this time, the microcontroller 111X may keep the LED light 112 constantly lit.

[0032] In addition, the microcontroller 111X lights up or flashes the indicator 134 in a color or manner that matches the current operating status during operation.

[0033] As described above, the humidifier 100 according to this embodiment is able to atomize water while sterilizing it with a photocatalyst in the sterilization tank 109, thereby enabling the spraying of hygienic water vapor.

[0034] In this embodiment in particular, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the spraying device 200 is attached to the rear of the upper part of the humidifier 100. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the spraying device 200 is configured to be detachable from the main body, or head part 120, of the humidifier 100. In other words, the spraying device 200 according to this embodiment can be used while inserted into the mounting hole 107 at the top of the humidifier 100. The configuration of the spraying device 200 according to this embodiment will be described below.

[0035] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the housing 210 of the spraying device 200 according to this embodiment mainly consists of an upper case 201 and a lower case 202.

[0036] The upper case 201 is equipped with a tank 208 for storing chemicals and a spray nozzle 201X. The upper case 201 is equipped with a lid 209 that opens and closes the top of the tank 208. The user can open the tank 208 by lifting the lid 209 at the desired time and replenish the chemicals from above.

[0037] In this embodiment, a piezoelectric misting module 211 is provided on the front of the lower part of the tank 208. When the misting module 211 is driven, the chemical stored in the tank 208 is continuously atomized and flows out forward through the spray nozzle 201X.

[0038] More specifically, as shown in Figure 8, the misting module 211 according to this embodiment is constructed by stacking a piezoelectric element 211X, a mesh plate 211Y, and a stainless steel ring 211Z.

[0039] Returning to Figures 6 and 7, a light guide member 212 is provided in front of the misting module 211. The light guide member 212 is formed in a donut shape. The inner surface of the light guide member 212, i.e., the mist flow path, is coated with a photocatalyst 213. Below the light guide member 212, an LED light 214 and an LED substrate 214X are arranged. A spray nozzle 201X is formed in front of the misting module 211 and the light guide member 212.

[0040] In this embodiment, the agent atomized by the misting module 211 is disinfected by the photocatalyst 213 activated by the LED light 214 as it passes through the light guide member 212 before being sprayed.

[0041] The rear of the upper case 201 is provided with a spray switch 252 and a switch board 252X.

[0042] The lower case 202 is provided with a battery 251 and a control unit 253. The battery 251 supplies electric power to each part of the spraying device 200. The control unit 253 is composed of a control board, a microcomputer, a memory and the like thereon, and controls each part of the spraying device 200. The battery 251 acquires and stores electric power from the outside via a connector or a cable (not shown). However, the battery 251 may be a detachable dry battery, a rechargeable battery, or the like.

[0043] According to the present embodiment, when the spray switch 252 is turned ON, the control unit 253 turns ON the mist generating module 211 and the LED light 214. The control unit 253 keeps the mist generating module 211 and the LED light 214 ON for a predetermined period of time, for example, 1 minute or 3 minutes. When the predetermined period of time elapses, the control unit 253 turns OFF the mist generating module 211 and the LED light 214.

[0044] In other words, when the humidifier 100 is in operation, a user can start spraying a medicament such as aroma or medicine by pressing the spray switch 252 at a desired timing, and perform spraying for a desired period of time. In addition, in the present embodiment, even when the humidifier 100 is not in operation, the user can spray a medicament such as aroma or medicine by pressing the spray switch 252.

[0045] More preferably, when the spray switch 252 is pressed once, the control unit 253 executes an intermittent spray operation; when the spray switch 252 is pressed again, the control unit 253 executes a continuous spray operation; and when the spray switch 252 is pressed again, the control unit 253 terminates the spray operation. The control unit 253, as the intermittent spray operation, alternately repeats an operation of turning ON the mist generating module 211 and the LED light 214 for several minutes, and an operation of turning OFF the mist generating module 211 and the LED light 214 for several minutes or several tens of minutes. Then, as the continuous spray operation, the control unit 253 turns ON the mist generating module 211 and the LED light 214 for several minutes or several tens of minutes, and then turns OFF the mist generating module 211 and the LED light 214. [Second Embodiment]

[0046] In the above embodiment, the spray device 200 is pulled out upward from the upper part of the humidifier 100. However, the spray device 200 may be configured to be attached to the upper part of the humidifier 100 and pulled out laterally. [Third Embodiment]

[0047] Further, in the above embodiment, the spray device 200 is configured to be detachable from the humidifier 100. However, the spray device 200 may be configured integrally with the humidifier 100. That is, the spray device 200 may have a configuration that cannot be removed from the humidifier 100. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, a microcomputer 111X of the main body of the humidifier 100 may control the mist forming module 211, the LED light 214 and the like of the spray device 200.

[0048] In this case, each part of the spray device 200 may be driven using electric power acquired by the main body of the humidifier 100.

[0049] Further, in this case, when the spray key 132 is pressed, the microcomputer 111X preferably drives the ultrasonic element 114 and the blower fan 115, and automatically also drives the piezoelectric element 211X of the mist forming module 211 and the LED light 214.

[0050] However, as shown in FIG. 10, a spray switch 252 for chemicals separate from the spray key 132 may be provided. When the chemical spray switch 252 is pressed, the microcomputer 111X may intermittently or continuously drive the piezoelectric element 211X of the mist forming module 211 and the LED light 214 independently of whether the ultrasonic element 114 of the main body is driven. [Summary]

[0051] In the above embodiment, a humidifier is provided, comprising: a first tank that stores water; a photocatalyst disposed in the first tank; a light that irradiates the photocatalyst with light; a first element for misting water; a second tank that stores a chemical; and a second element for misting the chemical.

[0052] Preferably, the humidifier further comprises a first microcontroller for controlling a first element and a second microcontroller for controlling a second element. A unit including a second tank, a second element, and a second microcontroller is detachable from the main body of the humidifier.

[0053] Preferably, the unit further comprises a switch located on the surface of the unit for receiving a command to initiate the atomization of the drug by a second element.

[0054] Preferably, the first element is an ultrasonic element placed inside the first tank. The second element is a piezoelectric element placed near the spray nozzle of the drug.

[0055] Preferably, the system further includes a microcontroller that controls the first element and the second element.

[0056] Preferably, the humidifier further includes a switch for initiating the atomization of water by the first element. When the switch is pressed, the microcomputer drives the first element to start atomizing water and also drives the second element to start atomizing the chemical.

[0057] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included.

[0058] 100: Humidifier 101: Main body cover 102: Water tank 103: Water supply valve 104: Spray pipe 107: Mounting hole 109: Sterilization tank 110: Base part 111: Control board 111X: Microcontroller 112: LED light 113: Photocatalytic plate 114: Ultrasonic element 115: Blower fan 120: Head part 121: Smart head 131: Power key 132: Spray key 133: Intermittent operation key 134: Indicator 200: Spray device 201: Upper case 201X: Spray nozzle 202: Lower case 208: Tank 209: Lid 210: Housing 211: Misting module 211X: Piezoelectric element 211Y : Mesh plate 211Z : Stainless steel ring 212 : Light guide member 213 : Photocatalyst 214 : LED light 214X : LED substrate 251 : Battery 252 : Spray switch 252X : Switch substrate 253 : Control unit

Claims

1. A humidifier comprising: a first tank for holding water; a photocatalyst disposed in the first tank; a light for irradiating the photocatalyst with light; a first element for atomizing the water; a second tank for storing a chemical; and a second element for atomizing the chemical.

2. The humidifier according to claim 1, further comprising a first microcontroller for controlling the first element and a second microcontroller for controlling the second element, wherein a unit including the second tank, the second element, and the second microcontroller is detachable from the main body of the humidifier.

3. The humidifier according to claim 2, further comprising a switch disposed on the surface of the unit for receiving a command to start atomizing the agent by the second element.

4. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the first element is an ultrasonic element disposed in the first tank, and the second element is a piezoelectric element disposed near the spray nozzle of the chemical.

5. The humidifier according to claim 1, further comprising a microcontroller for controlling the first element and the second element.

6. The humidifier according to claim 5, further comprising a switch for initiating the atomization of the water by the first element, wherein when the switch is pressed, the microcomputer drives the first element to initiate the atomization of the water and drives the second element to initiate the atomization of the chemical.

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