EP1468223A1

EP1468223A1 - Humidifier

Info

Publication number: EP1468223A1
Application number: EP02712842A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Günter Petz; Rolf Petz
Original assignee: Pe Petz Electro & Co KG GmbH
Current assignee: PETZ INDUSTRIES GMBH & CO. KG
Priority date: 2002-01-24
Filing date: 2002-01-24
Publication date: 2004-10-20
Anticipated expiration: 2022-01-24
Also published as: EP1468223B1; US7461835B2; CN1620580A; WO2003062711A1; JP2005515396A; DE50214140D1; CN100357667C; HK1076650A1; ATE453838T1; US20050087071A1; JP4136942B2

Abstract

An air humidifier has an electric fan unit arranged in a housing for delivering a through-flow of air between feed-air and discharge-air openings in the housing; at least one filter device for the through-flow of air; and a device for releasing liquid to the through-flow of air. A first housing component accommodates the fan unit with filter strips and feed-air and discharge-air openings. A second housing component is a vessel for storing liquid. The two housing components form autonomous structural units which can be fixed to and detached from one another. It is possible for the first housing component to be utilized as a separate unit independently of the second housing component.

Description

humidifier

The invention relates to a humidifier with an electric fan unit arranged in a housing for supplying an air flow between Zuluft- and exhaust air openings in the housing, a filter device for the air flow rate and a liquid discharge device to the air flow.

In humidifiers, by passing an air flow stream generated in the casing of the same through to liquid-dispensing bodies, e.g. from textile or sponge materials or the like. Liquid particles are removed and discharged. The known humidifiers are limited in their application, since they do not allow use as loading and / or ventilation devices without liquid delivery.

It is an object of the invention to provide a humidifier according to the preamble of claim 1, which is optionally operational with or without humidification of the air flow.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the measures of the characterizing part of claim 1.

Due to the division of the housing of the humidifier is achieved that the individual housing components can be used either together or independently, whereby the first housing component, for example, as a pure ventilation device is used to reduce weight, while the combination of both housing components in addition to the ventilation, the delivery of airborne liquid - allows particles, so for air humidification and cooling can be used.

According to a preferred embodiment of the humidifier, it is provided that the two housing components are substantially box-shaped and freely connected, superimposed, or inserted into one another by clamping members, e.g. Screw or plug-in elements, clips or the like. releasably connectable firmly connected. The box-shaped design of the housing components contributes to a great stability and mobility of the humidifier. Preferably, the second housing component with the cross-sectional shape and the cross-sectional size of the first housing component is at least approximately formed and designed tannen- or cup-shaped. The trough-shaped design of the second housing component allows the storage of a relatively large amount of liquid, e.g. Water, whereby long periods of use can be achieved without liquid refilling operations.

It is understood that the first housing member is operable with a single fan unit. Of particular advantage, however, the arrangement of a double fan unit for the purpose of increasing the surface of the air flow rate with simultaneous reduction of the noise level thereof.

The first housing component of the humidifier is expediently provided with at least one first filter stage for the supply air and at least one further filter stage for the filter

Exhaust air provided the air flow rate. In this case, the first filter stage in the direction of the air flow rate and, if appropriate, also the second filter stage can be designed as a particle filter. A preferred embodiment of the humidifier results when the first filter terstufe designed as Zuluftfiltertüre, which overlaps by means of hinge joints or attachable housing opening for the supply air. In this way, the filter element is quick and easy, for cleaning purposes, accessible. It is also intended to form the second filter stage as exhaust air filter door. Ultimately, the filter stages can be supplemented by an additional bacterial filter, which has a beneficial effect on the well-being of the user and his health in the use of the humidifier. It is also possible to use additional chemical sterilization facilities instead of the bacteria filters.

In the formation of the humidifier is further provided that in the first housing component of the Luftdurchsatzstromung assigned according to the principle of electrically-disabled discharge ionization and ozonization and in addition to a Zuluftfilter sorption catalyst is designed as an exhaust filter, the latter has the task, the in of the

To eliminate ozone constituents located in the air flow stream. Suitably, the ionisations- and ozonization tion module can be separated via a switching element of the power supply, whereby the humidifier can optionally be used with its first housing component as a ventilation unit with or without ozone treatment of air flow and in combination with the second housing component in addition to humidification , Preferably, the ionization and ozonization assembly is formable by a flat module or by a Siemens ionizing tube. The ozone fraction present in the air flow through flow advantageously produces a sterilizing and odor-eliminating effect on odor-carrying particles in gases or vapors, such as fumigants, and on the liquid intended for moistening. In a further embodiment of the humidifier or the like in the first housing component at least one dispenser for fragrances, flavors. assigned to the air flow rate. When arranging a plurality of such dispensing devices, the fragrances, flavors or the like. optionally separately or in combination with one another mixed to form combinations of fragrances activatable. The fragrances or aromas improve the air in the room and have a positive effect on the psyche of the user. The exhaust devices can preferably be formed by one or more, in particular tubular or cup-shaped containers with a storage medium accommodated therein, eg silica gel, which is able to store the fragrances and out of this, eg continuously or periodically, preferably through the Air flow allowed to discharge. It is understood that as a storage medium for the fragrances or flavors also other suitable materials, such as aluminum oxide, can be used. The dispenser od fragrances, flavors od. Like. can be any of the sorption catalyst upstream and / or downstream.

Furthermore, provision is made for the first housing component to be provided on the side with rocker-type flaps or the like. to provide controllable lead-through openings for a branched-off air flow flow part which can be introduced and diverted into the second housing component. The branched air part which can be guided in this way via the liquid serves to absorb liquid particles and to humidify the flow of air throughput and to improve the effect of the sorption catalyst. The pivotally movable actuation of the flaps can optionally be effected either manually or automatically, for example by means of the second housing component firmly provided lugs, pin body or the like. when connecting both housing construction Parts start to automatic opening process to the flaps.

A more or less intensive transfer of liquid to the branched air part can be achieved by the assignment of evaporation bodies to the liquid, which are wetted by immersion with a partial length in the liquid and protrude with its remaining part in the diverted part of the air flow. The evaporation body allow the liquid transfer by hygroscopy to make changeable and / or adjustable. Advantageous evaporation bodies may be provided by floats, in particular of a spherical shape made of a plastic, e.g. Polyethylene, or by floating body worn disk body, folded strip sections of paper, fabrics or the like., To be formed.

In a further development of the humidifier, the second housing component may be provided with a filling or refilling opening for the liquid which can be controlled by a pivotable or displaceable closure member and which is preferably arranged in a side wall of the second housing component. However, a particularly simple filling of the second housing component with liquid can be achieved if the second housing component projects beyond a side wall of the first housing component with a partial length and / or partial width transversely outwards, wherein the projecting partial length or to avoid inadvertent discharges of liquid Part width can be closed by a swivel, displaceable or plug-in component.

In a further embodiment of the humidifier is provided, the second housing component on the inside with a removable flexible film or the like. to interpret any soils deposited in the liquid quick and easy to remove by removing and cleaning the film or by introducing a Erstatzfolie. For the germification of the liquid, the application foils are made with copper-containing materials, eg. in a plastic carrier as advantageous. The copper materials have proven to be effective against bacterial attack of the liquid. The same effect can be achieved by introducing or placing strip or plate-shaped bodies of copper or copper alloy in or on the film.

Finally, an alternative embodiment of the humidifier is given by the combination of a first, substantially box-shaped housing component with a second cup-shaped housing member as a liquid dispensing device having a permanently open side wall, preferably the top, via which the first housing component in the second housing component from above can be inserted, wherein in the first housing component bottom side formed through openings for the passage of a subset of air flow rate are automatically brought into the open position and close automatically when removing the first housing component. The mating process can be limited by starting approaches or widening of the first housing component to projections or peripheral edge of the second housing component. The so-formed humidifier give the impression of a one-piece device and is space-saving, easy and safe to transport. Preferably, the passage openings are controllable by pivoting or sliding closure elements, such as flaps, the like by the second Geh usebauteil arranged rigid body, such as pins, strip parts or the like. in the plug movement of the first housing component under the influence of the insertion force thereof are actuated. It It can be seen that in humidifiers with housing components which can be plugged into one another, the supply air and exhaust air openings for the flow of air throughput in a freely accessible wall of the first housing component, for example in the upper side, have to lie next to one another at a distance.

The invention is explained with reference to embodiments. Show it:

1 is a side view of a humidifier, partly in section,

Fig. 2 shows a first housing component in perspective,

Fig. 3 shows a second housing component in perspective,

Fig. 4 shows a first housing component in section, FIG. 5 shows a first housing component according to FIG. 1 in section along the line V-V of FIG. 2

Fig. 6 is a partial section of a second housing component,

Fig. 7 shows an evaporation body carrier according to an embodiment in side view, FIG. 8 shows a section along the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7, FIG.

Fig. 9 an evaporation body carrier of another embodiment in front view, FIG. 10 a Lu tbe euchter with an extended second housing component, in perspective,

11 shows a first housing component of another

Lu wbefeuchters, in perspective, Fig. 12 shows a second housing component in section and Fig. 13 shows a humidifier according to FIGS. 11 and 12, in section.

In the Figs. 1 to 3, 1 denotes an air humidifier, which is formed by a first housing component 2 and a second housing component 3. The two housing components 2, 3 are independent components, in the sentlichen box-shaped, one above the other freely erectable or placed together releasably firmly connected. The housing component 2 has, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 4, an electric fan unit 4 and a supply air opening 5, which can be controlled by an air filter door 6 for supply air. The fan unit 4 is assigned in the embodiment, a guide plate 7 for guiding the fan air. The air filter door 6 forms a housing wall of the housing component 2 and has over its entire surface a plurality of perforations 9 for the passage of the supply air. With 8 an exhaust filter is referred to, which forms a further housing wall and is provided with holes 10 for the passage of air. The housing component 2 is the like when used alone as a device for ventilation of rooms. suitable.

With 11 is a dispenser for fragrances, flavors or the like. is preferably formed as a fragrance battery and gives the possibility of the same storage media, e.g. Silica gel, in the dispenser 11 stockpiled fragrances, flavors or the like. continuously or periodically, e.g. a partial air of the air flow 12 flow to the room air.

The housing component 2 of FIG. 5 is differently equipped with two fan units 4 and 4 'and provided with two associated air filter doors 6, 6'. The fan units 4, 4 'produce an air flow with high surface area formation and require a reduced speed with reduced noise level for equal air outputs. An air guide plate 7 in turn serves to guide and align the fan air. The housing component 2 is further in the region of its bottom surface with Durchtrittsöff- openings 13, 13 'for a diverted partial air 12' of Air flow 12 provided. The partial air 12 'passes via the passage opening 13 into the housing component 3, can be guided there via the mirror of the liquid 21 and, enriched with liquid particles, can subsequently be returned to the housing component 2 in the direction of the exhaust air filter 8 via the passage opening 13'. The passages 13,13 'are associated with pivoting flaps 14, 14', which serve as closure members for the passage openings 13, 13 'and either manually or automatically by the arrangement of pins 15 or flat parts 16 in or on the housing member 3 when placing the housing member. 2 On removal of the housing component 2 and termination of the starting force, the flaps 14, 14 'pivot automatically into the closed position for the housing component 2, preferably below the influence of gravity back.

As is shown in FIG. 3, the housing component 3 is trough-shaped and serves for receiving and storing a relatively large quantity of liquid 21. To facilitate handling of the housing component 3, gripping depressions 17 are provided in opposite side walls. Furthermore, the housing part 3 is equipped with a preferably closable filling opening 18 for liquid 21. A particularly simple filling opening for the liquid 21 can Fig. 10 recognize. The local housing component 3 is for this purpose led out with a partial length 3 'on the housing member 2.

While the first housing component 2 is used as a ventilation device in FIG. 2, in FIG. 1 the two housing components 1 and 2 together form the humidifier 1. Under the influence of the suction effect of the fan unit. units 4 bzs. 4 and 4 'passes air through the air filter doors 6 and 6 and 6' in the housing part 2 and exits through the exhaust filter 8 in the room. At the same time, the partial air 12 'can pass through the through-openings 13, 13', the housing member 3 for enrichment with liquid and leave together with the air flow 12 through the housing part 2 as a humidified air flow. The housing component 2 is expediently provided with foot braces 19 which allow the housing component 2 to be set up at a distance above the footprint.

The housing member 2 is equipped with an ionization or ozonization assembly 18 which serves to generate and deliver ozone to the air flow stream 12.

By means of ozone are in the air flow through 12 optionally located harmful gas and / or vapor air ingredients, as well as bacteria, microbes or the like. eliminated. To avoid unwanted ozone leakage into the room, the exhaust filter 8 is formed by an active carbon filter. The ionization and ozonization module 18 is designed in the embodiment of FIG. 1 as a flat module. Ozone production is also otherwise, e.g. conceivable by means of a Siemens ionization tube. The ionization and ozonization assembly 18 may be associated with an on-off switch, whereby the housing component 2 can be used as an air humidifier with or without ozone generation, either with or without ozone generation as a ventilation and filtering device or in common use with the housing is.

The supply air and / or exhaust filter 8 is for the purpose of sterilization of the air flow 12 a flow Rienfilter 20 or the like. or a chemically active degerminator (not shown) associated.

According to FIG. 4, the housing component 3 is designed with a foil which serves to deposit contaminants accumulating in the liquid 21. By removing the film 21 can be a simple and quick cleaning of the housing part 3 make. Preferably, the film 21 is copper-containing or formed as a carrier of insert bodies made of copper or copper-containing materials for additional destruction of germs.

For the purpose of intensive wetting of the air flow 12, the liquid 21 as shown in FIG. 6 serving as evaporation body floating body 22 in spherical or rotatable disk body 23 associated with hygroscopic properties that absorb by immersing with sections in the liquid 21, liquid particles and rotational movements through Flow of partial air 12 ', deliver to this.

Figs. 7 and 8 show an evaporation body formed by a folded paper strip 24 and carried by cylindrical floats 25. In Fig. 9, a modified floating body 26 is shown, which is formed substantially U-shaped with closed end faces and with its legs 26 'is immersed in the liquid 21. The support of the evaporation body 24 via webs 25 ', the ppers 25, 26 are directly or indirectly fixed to the Schwimmkör-.

In Figs. 11 to 13 a modified embodiment of a humidifier 1 'is shown. In the case of the humidifier 1 ', a housing component 2' (FIG. 11) and housing component 3 '(FIG. 12) are used. The housing is preferably Seating part 3 'cup-shaped and provided for the storage of liquid 21. The upper side of the housing component 3 'is designed to be open and the housing component 2' can be inserted into the housing component 3 'via the open side, the insertion process being achieved by supporting the widened edge strip 2 "of the housing component 2' on the peripheral edge 3" of the housing component 3 'is limited.

The housing component 2 'has a fan unit 27 with an associated air guide plate 28, which serve to generate and guide an air flow 12 in the housing part 2'. Furthermore, air passage openings 13, 13 'are provided in the bottom area of the housing component 2', to which bottom flaps 14, 14 'are assigned as closure members. The bottom flaps 14, 14 'are held by separate use of the housing member 2 by gravity in the closed position, while the plug operation of the housing member 2' for the purpose of sharing both housing components 2 'and 3', the bottom flaps 14, 14 'by the housing member 3' provided pins 15 by starting at the bottom flaps 14, 14 'are automatically pivotable in the open positions. With 29 and 30 Zuluft- and exhaust air filters are referred to which optionally bacteria filter 31 are assigned. In addition, that is

Humidifier of Fig. 11 to 13 an ionization and ozonization assembly 32 and a dispenser 33 assigned for fragrances, which are in the range of the air flow rate 12.

To facilitate the handling of the humidifier, especially in stationary use, it is further provided to the second housing member 3 'to create a pipe or hose and the respective line second housing component 3' with liquid periodically manually or continuously regulated to supply automatically.

Claims

claims

An air humidifier having an electric fan unit arranged in a housing for supplying an air flow between supply air and exhaust air openings in the housing, at least one filter device for the air flow flow and a liquid discharge device to the air flow, characterized by a first housing component (2) of the fan unit ( 4) with filter strips (6, 8) and inlet (9) and exhaust openings (10) receives and a second housing member (3) as a container for storing liquid (21), wherein both housing components (2, 3) independently, one another fixable or detachable units form and the first housing component (2) independently of the second housing component (3) is usable as a separate unit.

2. humidifier according to claim 1, characterized in that the two housing components (2, 3) formed in a substantially box-shaped and freely put on or one above the other or are inserted or by clamping members, e.g. Screw or plug elements, e.g. Clips or the like releasably connectable firmly connected.

3. Lu humidifier according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that the second housing component (3) with the cross-sectional shape and the cross-sectional size of the first housing component (2) trough or cup-shaped and the first housing component (2) under cross-trained.

4. Luftbe euchter according to claim 1, characterized in that the first housing part (2) to increase the surface of the air flow rate (12) and a reduction in the noise level has a double fan unit (4, 4 ').

5. humidifier according to claim 1 and 4, characterized in that the first housing component (2) at least a first filter stage (6) for the supply air and at least one further filter stage (8) for the exhaust air of the air flow (12).

6. humidifier according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that in the direction of the Luftdurchsatzströ- tion (12) first (6) and / or second filter stage (8) are designed as a particle filter.

7. humidifier according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that the first filter stage (6) is designed as Zuluft- filter door, which held by means of hinge joints or pluggable on the first housing component (2) and the housing opening (5) for the supply air of Luftdurchsatzstromung ( 12) covers.

8. humidifier according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that the second filter stage (8) formed as Abluftfiltertüre and held by hinged joints or pluggable on the first housing component (2).

9. humidifier according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that in the first housing component (2) of the first (6) and / or the second filter stage (8) is associated with an additional bacterial filter (20) or a chemical sterilization device.

10. humidifier according to claim 1 and 4, characterized in that arranged in the first housing component (2) at least one of the air flow (12) associated, working on the principle of electrically-electrically disabled discharge ionization and ozonization assembly (18) and a sorption catalyst as Exhaust filter (8) for eliminating excess in the Luftdurchsatzstr (12) located excess ozone is provided.

11. humidifier according to claim 10, characterized in that the ionization and ozonization assembly (18) is formed as a flat module or by a Siemens' ere ionization tube.

12. humidifier according to claim 10, characterized in that the sorption catalyst unit by a carbon filter, in particular an active coal filter (8), is formed.

13. humidifier according to claim 1, 2 or 4, characterized in that the first housing component (2) at least one of the air flow throughput (12) associated dispensing means (11) or the like for fragrances, flavors. and in that a plurality of these dispensing devices (11), the fragrances, flavors or the like. separately or combined with each other to form a fragrance combination are activated.

14. humidifier according to claim 13, characterized in that the dispensing device (11) or the like for fragrances, flavors. by one or more, in particular tubular or cup-shaped containers with a stored therein liquid or solid storage medium, for example silica ka gel, aluminum oxide or the like. is formed and that the Fragrances and flavors or the like embedded in the storage medium and from this by a particular gaseous medium, eg the air flow through flow (12), can be discharged.

15. humidifier according to claim 13 and 14, characterized in that the air flow through the flow (12) associated dispensing means (11) or the like for fragrances, flavors. the sorption catalyst unit (18) upstream and / or downstream.

16. humidifier according to claim 1, characterized in that the first housing component (2) on the bottom side by pivotable flaps (14, 14 'controllable through openings (13,13') for a over in the second housing component (3) in and herausleitbaren branched air flow passage part (12 ').

17. Humidifier according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that the second housing component (3) has a flap formed by a pivotable or displaceable closure member controllable filling or refilling (18 ') for liquid (21).

18. humidifier according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that the second housing component (3) to form a filling or Nachfüllöffung for liquid (21) having a partial length (3 ') and / or a partial width of a side wall of the first housing component (2 ) surmounted transversely to the outside.

19. Humidifier according to claim 18, characterized in that serving as a filling or refilling opening part length (3 ') and / or partial width of the second housing component (3) can be closed by a pivotable, displaceable or plug-in component.

20. humidifier according to claim 2 or 4, character- ized in that the liquid transfer to the branched portion (12 ') of the Luftdurchsatzstromung (12) in the second housing component (3) by at least one with a partial length immersed in the liquid, wettable evaporation body enlarged and / or is adjustable.

21. Humidifier according to claim 20, characterized in that the evaporation body as float (22), in particular of spherical shape of a plastic, e.g. Polyethylene, or float bodies rotatably supported by float bodies (23), folded components (24), e.g. Strips of paper, fabric or the like. are formed, with a portion permanently immersed in the liquid (21) and protrude with the remaining portion in the branched part (12 ') of the air flow through flow (12).

22. Humidifier according to claim 1, 3, 16, characterized in that the second housing component (3) internally tig with a removable film (21 ') or the like. is designed from a flexible material.

23. A humidifier according to claim 22, characterized in that the film (21 ') is formed from a copper-containing material or has such a material.

24. humidifier according to claim 22, characterized in that the film (21 'inside a strip or plate-shaped insert body made of copper or a copper alloy fixed or loose wears.

25. Humidifier according to one or more of the preceding claims, having a first housing component with fan, filter, scenting, ionization and ozonization devices housed therein, characterized by a first, substantially box-shaped housing component (2 ') and a second cup-shaped housing component ( 3 ') as a liquid supply device having an open side, via which the first housing component (2') can be inserted into the second housing component (3 '), wherein, in the inserted state in the first housing component (2'), through-openings (13, 13 ' ) for a branched subset (12 ') of the Luftdurchsatzstromung (12) automatically in the open position and when pulling the first housing member (2') from the second housing component (3 ') the Durchtrittsδffnungen (13, 13') are automatically closed.

26. Humidifier according to claim 25, characterized in that the passage openings (13, 13 ') can be controlled by pivoting or displaceable closure elements (14, 14'), which are fixedly arranged by second housing component (3 ') in the starting body, e.g. Pins (15), strip parts or the like., In the plug movement of the first housing part (2 ') by the first housing part (2') can be applied plug-in force or weight in the open position can be brought.

27. humidifier according to claim 25, characterized in that the Zuluft- and exhaust air openings for the air throughput flow (! ") In the upper side of the first housing component (2 ') are formed adjacent to each other at a distance.

28. humidifier according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that the second housing component (3 to a Pipe or hose (34) is applied and that on the pipe or hose (34) of the second housing member (3 ') with liquid (21) periodically manually or continuously controlled automatically, up or refillable.

29. Humidifier according to claim 1, 5 or 8, characterized in that the filter stage (8) for the exhaust air in a side wall and / or in the upper side of the Gehäu- sebauteils (2) is formed.