JP2009024959A - Humidifying device and filter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a humidifying device of a simple constitution capable of allowing the filter to absorb water and preventing the filter from absorbing water in such a state that the disc-shaped filter is disposed in a vertical attitude and the filter is immersed in the water, and to provide a filter. <P>SOLUTION: The filter 2 composed of a filter main body 21 having water absorbing property and a non-water-absorbing holding body 3, is disposed in a vertical attitude, partially immersed in a water tank 18 in the circumferential direction, and rotated in the circumferential direction by a rotating driving mechanism 4. The filter has a water absorbing area 2a and a non-water-absorbing area 2b formed circumferentially in adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. The water absorbing area 2a is immersed in water in accompany with the rotation in the circumferential direction of the filter 2, and a state in which the water absorbing area 2a is immersed in water, so that the filter main body 21 of the filter absorbs water through a water hole 3a, and a state in which the non-water absorbing area 2b is immersed in water, so that the filter main body 21 is prevented from absorbing water by a non-water-absorbing water-proof portion 3b, are continuously replaced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vaporizing humidifier equipped with a disk-shaped filter, and a filter provided in the humidifier.

The vaporization type humidifier is provided with a filter having water absorption and air permeability, and is absorbed by the filter by blowing air outside the device (for example, the room where the humidifier is installed) to the absorbed filter. The water containing the evaporated water (that is, humidified air) is blown to the outside of the apparatus (see Patent Documents 1 to 4).
In general, a filter uses a filter main body having water absorption and air permeability and a frame-shaped holding body that holds the filter main body, and is formed in a rectangular shape, a cylindrical shape, a disk shape, etc., and the filter itself is submerged. To absorb water or to sprinkle water on the filter. Further, the filter may be rotatably provided in order to efficiently absorb water in the entire filter and / or to switch between a flooded state and a non-flooded state.

  First, a humidifier (specifically, a humidifier as disclosed in Patent Document 1) that rotates a disk-shaped filter arranged in a vertical posture in order to efficiently absorb water in the entire filter will be described.

Such a humidifier includes a water tank for storing water, and the filter of the humidifier is orthogonal to the center position of the filter in a state in which a part of the circumferential direction is immersed in the water tank in a vertical posture. It is configured to be rotatable in the circumferential direction around the rotation shaft portion in the horizontal posture. By rotating in the circumferential direction, the filter is continuously submerged in the circumferential direction, and water is drawn up from the submerged part to the non-submerged part, so that the water is spread throughout the filter. As a result, the filter absorbs water efficiently throughout the filter.
Furthermore, when the blower blows air to one side of the filter that has absorbed water, the air that has passed through the filter absorbs moisture, and the absorbed air is blown to the outside of the apparatus.

Next, a humidifier (specifically a humidifier as disclosed in Patent Document 3) that rotates a rectangular filter arranged in a vertical posture to switch between a flooded state and a non-flooded state will be described. .
Such a humidifier includes a rotation mechanism that rotates the filter around a rotation shaft portion in a horizontal posture in a direction along the filter. When humidifying, the filter is placed in a vertical position with the lower end immersed in the water tank. When humidification is not performed, the filter is removed from the water by rotating the rotating mechanism until the filter is in the horizontal position. Pull up. By pulling up from the water, the filter dries and does not absorb fresh water, so that the air in contact with the filter does not absorb moisture.

In particular, when the filter is used for a long time, water-soluble impurities (that is, scales) such as calcium and magnesium contained in the water absorbed by the filter are deposited and adhered to the filter, and the water absorption of the filter is reduced. There's a problem. However, when the humidification is not performed, that is, when the filter is not used, the adhesion of the scale is suppressed to a minimum by keeping the filter in a non-immersed state.
Moreover, since it will become easy to dry a filter when a filter is made into a non-immersed state, generation | occurrence | production of mold | fungi is suppressed in a filter.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 54-172568 JP 2000-74429 A JP 2003-302077 A JP 2005-37076 A

  By the way, when switching the water immersion / non-water immersion of the disk-shaped filter as provided in the humidifying device of Patent Document 1 in the same manner as the rectangular filter as included in the humidifying device of Patent Document 3, It is necessary to provide a rotation shaft portion for switching between the immersion and non-water immersion of the filter and a rotation shaft portion for rotating the disk-shaped filter in the circumferential direction. In other words, it is necessary to provide both the rotation shaft portion in the direction along the filter and the rotation shaft portion orthogonal to the filter. For this reason, the structure for rotating a filter in each direction becomes very complicated.

  Even if two rotation shafts are provided for the filter and both the rotation for absorbing water and the rotation for switching between submersion / non-submersion are made compatible, When arranged in a posture, it is necessary to make the dimensions (for example, the length in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction) of the water tank larger than the diameter of the filter so that water dripping from the filter does not leak to the outside. Furthermore, in order to accommodate the filter arranged in the horizontal position, it is necessary to make the dimension of the housing of the humidifying device in plan view larger than the diameter of the filter. As a result, there arises a disadvantage that the humidifier becomes large.

In order to switch between submersion / non-submersion of the filter without rotating the filter, it is conceivable to switch the submersion / non-submersion of the filter by moving the filter in the vertical direction. However, in this case, since it is necessary to provide a space in which the filter can move, the vertical dimension of the humidifier tends to be large, and a moving mechanism for moving the filter in the vertical direction needs to be newly added. .
If the filter is left immersed in water without switching between water immersion / non-water immersion of the filter, there is an inconvenience that adhesion of scale to the filter, generation of mold, and the like are promoted.

  In addition, when it is desired to simply perform air blowing without humidification, even if the rotation of the filter is stopped, the submerged filter continues to absorb water, so the blown air passes through the filter and absorbs moisture. The problem arises that is discharged from the humidifier.

  In order to solve this problem, it is conceivable to separately provide a ventilation path through which the blown air passes through the filter and a ventilation path through which the air does not pass, and switch between the two ventilation paths depending on whether or not humidification is performed. . However, for this purpose, the humidifier needs to include two different ventilation paths and a means for switching between the ventilation paths, which complicates the apparatus configuration. Furthermore, in order to provide two ventilation paths without increasing the size of the humidifier, each ventilation path tends to be formed in a complicated shape, and as a result, noise due to air passing through the ventilation path tends to increase.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a main object thereof is a configuration in which a filter in which a water absorption region and a non-water absorption region are provided adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction is rotated in the circumferential direction by a rotational drive mechanism. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a humidifying device and a filter having a simple configuration that can cause the filter to absorb water or prevent the filter from absorbing water while the disk-shaped filter is arranged in a vertical posture.

  Another object of the present invention is to cause the filter main body to absorb water through a water passage hole formed in the holding body that holds the water-absorbing filter body, and the waterproof part formed in the holding body allows the filter main body to An object of the present invention is to provide a humidifier capable of providing a water absorption region and a non-water absorption region in the circumferential direction of the filter with a simple configuration by preventing water absorption.

  Another object of the present invention is to reduce the non-water-absorbing region by adopting a configuration in which the operation of the rotary drive mechanism is stopped based on the result of detecting the approach / separation of the detected portion arranged in the filter with respect to the detector. An object of the present invention is to provide a humidifying device having a simple configuration capable of stopping the rotation of a filter in a submerged state.

  Another object of the present invention is a result of detecting the approach / separation of the magnet arranged in the filter with respect to the reed switch by stopping the operation of the rotary drive mechanism based on the on / off of the reed switch. And a humidifier capable of stopping the rotation of the filter while the non-water-absorbing region is submerged.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide a structure in which one end and the other end of the rotating shaft portion having different thicknesses are rotatably supported by bearings formed in accordance with the dimensions of each end portion. Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a humidifier that can prevent a filter from being attached in the wrong direction.

  A humidifier according to the present invention includes a disc-shaped filter having water absorption and air permeability, a rotational drive mechanism for rotating the filter in a circumferential direction, a water tank for storing water, and the filter crossing the filter. In a humidifying device in which the filter is arranged in a vertical posture and a part of the filter in the circumferential direction can be submerged in the water tank, the filter is submerged in water. A water absorption region that absorbs water and a non-water absorption region that does not absorb water even when submerged are provided adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction.

  In the humidifying device according to the present invention, the filter uses a disc-shaped filter body having water absorption and air permeability, and a non-water-absorbing holding body that holds the filter body. Corresponding to the water absorption region, a water passage hole for immersing the filter main body is formed, and a waterproof part for preventing water infiltration of the filter main body is formed corresponding to the non-water absorption region. It is characterized by.

  The humidifying device according to the present invention includes a detection unit disposed on the filter, and a detector that is fixed facing the rotation position of the detection unit and detects an approach / separation of the detection unit. And a rotation control means for stopping the operation of the rotation drive mechanism based on the detection result of the detector so as to stop the filter in a state where the non-water absorption region is submerged in the water tank. Features.

  In the humidifying device according to the present invention, the detector uses a reed switch, the detected portion uses a magnet, and the rotation control means drives the rotation based on on / off of the reed switch. The operation of the mechanism is stopped.

  In the humidifying device according to the present invention, the filter is configured to rotate around a rotating shaft portion that protrudes from both sides of the filter and is disposed in a horizontal posture, and one end portion and the other end of the rotating shaft portion. The first and second end portions are different in thickness from each other, are formed in accordance with the dimensions of the one end portion and the other end portion, and further include two bearings that rotatably support the one end portion and the other end portion. Features.

  The filter according to the present invention is a disc-shaped filter having water absorption and air permeability, wherein a water absorption region that absorbs water during immersion and a non-water absorption region that does not absorb water even when immersed are provided adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. It is characterized by being.

In this invention, a filter, a rotation drive mechanism, a water tank, and a blower are provided, and the filter has a disk shape and has water absorption and air permeability.
The filter is arranged in a vertical posture, and a part of the filter in the circumferential direction can be submerged in a water tank for storing water. The rotation drive mechanism rotates a filter arranged in a vertical posture in the circumferential direction, and the blower blows air to the filter in a direction crossing the filter.
However, a water absorption region and a non-water absorption region are provided adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the filter. For this reason, with the rotation of the filter in the circumferential direction by the rotation drive mechanism, the state where the water absorption region is submerged and the state where the non-water absorption region is submerged are continuously switched.

  The water absorption area absorbs water into the submerged water, and the filter sucks up water from the submerged water absorption area to the non-submerged part, so that the water is distributed throughout the filter. That is, the filter of the present invention absorbs water efficiently throughout the filter. For this reason, by sending air to the filter with a blower, the air that has passed through the filter sufficiently absorbs moisture, and the absorbed air is blown to the outside of the apparatus.

  On the other hand, the non-water-absorbing region does not absorb water even when it is submerged. For this reason, the filter does not absorb new water, and the filter is further dried by dripping or evaporation of the water absorbed by the filter. Even if the air is blown to the dried filter by the blower, the air that has passed through the filter does not absorb moisture, and thus the absorbed air is not blown outside the apparatus. Further, since the filter does not absorb water unnecessarily, scale adhesion to the filter, generation of mold, and the like are suppressed.

In the humidifying apparatus as described above, the filter itself is constantly submerged, and soaking / non-soaking is not switched. However, since the water absorption / non-water absorption of the filter is switched, similarly to the case of switching between the water immersion / non-water immersion, it is possible to prevent the filter from continuing to absorb water unnecessarily and to prevent the occurrence of problems due to unnecessary water absorption.
In addition, since the filter water absorption / non-water absorption switching is performed by rotating the filter in the circumferential direction, it is not necessary to separately provide a rotation mechanism, a moving mechanism, etc. for switching the water absorption / non-water absorption of the filter. That is, the apparatus configuration is simple.

  Furthermore, the filter remains arranged in the vertical posture, and it is not necessary to rotate or move upward so that the filter is arranged in the horizontal posture in order to switch between water absorption and non-water absorption. For this reason, regarding the dimensions of the water tank in plan view and the dimensions of the housing of the humidification device in plan view, for example, the length in the left-right direction needs to be larger than the diameter of the filter, but the length in the front-rear direction is the thickness of the filter. Just make it bigger. Further, it is not necessary to provide a space for the filter to move in the vertical direction. As a result, the humidifier is configured in a compact manner.

Furthermore, since it is not necessary to switch between a ventilation path through which the blown air passes through the filter and a ventilation path through which the blown air does not pass depending on whether humidification is performed, the ventilation path through which the blown air passes through the filter. It is not necessary to provide a means for switching the ventilation path. Furthermore, since the shape of the ventilation path is simple compared to the case where two ventilation paths are provided, noise generated by air passing through the ventilation path is reduced.
By the way, since the non-water absorption area | region is provided in a part of the circumferential direction of the filter, water absorption is inhibited under the condition that this part is submerged while the filter is rotating. However, since the remainder of the filter in the circumferential direction is a water absorption region, it is possible to sufficiently include water in the entire filter by providing a non-water absorption region in a minimum range and continuing to rotate the filter. .

In the present invention, the disk-shaped filter uses a disk-shaped filter body and a holding body that holds the filter body. The filter body has water absorption and air permeability, and the holder has non-water absorption. The holding body has a water passage hole corresponding to the water absorption region, and a waterproof part corresponding to the non-water absorption region. That is, the holding body is provided with a water passage hole and a waterproof portion adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction.
The filter body absorbs water that has passed through the water passage hole.
On the other hand, the waterproof part prevents the filter body from being flooded.
For this reason, when the water passage hole is submerged, the filter main body absorbs water, and when the waterproof part is submerged, the filter main body does not absorb water.

As described above, according to the humidifier of the present invention, it is possible to provide the water absorption region and the non-water absorption region in the circumferential direction of the filter with a simple configuration.
In addition, the filter main body is simple because the filter main body having water absorption and the non-water absorbing holder are provided separately, and the water absorbing area and the non-water absorbing area are provided by devising the shape of the holding body. In addition, a complicated disk shape is not required, and a filter body is not required to be provided with a portion having water absorption and a portion having non-water absorption. That is, the filter can be easily formed.

The present invention further includes a detector, a detected portion, and rotation control means.
The detected part is arranged in the filter. For this reason, the to-be-detected part rotates in the circumferential direction as the filter rotates in the circumferential direction.
The detector is fixed so as to face the rotational position of the detected portion, and the detected portion approaches the detector and is separated from the detector as the filter rotates in the circumferential direction. The detector detects the approach / separation of the detected portion.

  The rotation control means stops the operation of the rotation drive mechanism based on the detection result of the detector. Specifically, depending on the positional relationship between the detector and the detected portion and the positional relationship between the non-water-absorbing region and the water tank, the rotation control means, for example, when the detector detects the closest approach of the detected portion, or The operation of the rotary drive mechanism is stopped when a predetermined time elapses after the detector detects the approach of the detected part. As a result, the filter stops in a state where the non-water absorption region is submerged in the water tank.

  In other words, the rotation of the filter can be stopped with a simple configuration using the detector, the detection target portion, and the rotation control means in a state where the non-water absorption region is submerged, not in a state where the water absorption region is submerged. For this reason, when humidification is performed, the filter continues to rotate, and when humidification is not performed, the rotation of the filter can be appropriately controlled so that the rotation of the filter stops while the non-water-absorbing region is submerged.

In the present invention, a detector using a reed switch, a detected part using a magnet, and a rotation control means for stopping the operation of the rotation drive mechanism based on on / off of the reed switch. Prepare.
The magnet is arranged on the filter. For this reason, the magnet moves in the circumferential direction as the filter rotates in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the magnet may be submerged. However, no problem occurs even if a strong magnet is submerged.

The reed switch is fixed so as to face the rotational position of the detected portion, and the magnet approaches and separates from the reed switch as the filter rotates in the circumferential direction. The reed switch is switched from off to on and from on to off by the approach / separation of the magnet.
Since the on / off of the reed switch by the approach / separation of the magnet can be performed in a non-contact manner, it is not necessary to arrange a reed switch weak against water, for example, inside a water tank that is easily wetted.

The rotation control means stops the operation of the rotation drive mechanism, for example, when the reed switch is switched from off to on, or when a predetermined time has elapsed after the reed switch is switched from on to off. As a result, the filter stops in a state where the non-water absorption region is submerged in the water tank.
That is, with a simple configuration using the reed switch, the magnet, and the rotation control means, the rotation of the filter can be stopped in a state where the non-water absorption region is submerged, not in the state where the water absorption region is submerged.

In this invention, it is further provided with a rotating shaft part and two bearings which support each one end part and other end part of a rotating shaft part rotatably.
The rotation driving mechanism rotates the filter in the circumferential direction around a rotating shaft portion that protrudes from both sides of the filter and is disposed in a horizontal posture.
The one end portion and the other end portion of the rotating shaft portion are different in thickness from each other, and the two bearings are formed in accordance with the dimensions of the one end portion and the other end portion. That is, the two bearings have different dimensions. For this reason, at least the thick end will not be supported by the bearing that should support the thin end without any problem (specifically, it will not enter the bearing in the first place, or it will be smooth even if forced) Does not rotate etc.).

In general, the filter is removed and attached by the user of the humidifying device in order to replace or clean the filter. However, the detected portion is arranged in the filter of the present invention, so that the detected portion that rotates as the filter rotates passes through the detectable range of the detected portion of the detector. Must be attached to the bearing.
If the thicknesses of both ends of the rotating shaft portion are equal, the user must attach the filter in the correct orientation after confirming the positional relationship between the detector and the detected portion. For this reason, the user may install the filter in the wrong direction, which may cause a problem that the detector cannot detect the detected part.

  On the other hand, when the filter of the present invention is used, the user only needs to attach both end portions of the rotating shaft portions having different thicknesses to the bearings having a size corresponding to each end portion. There is no need to confirm the positional relationship with the detection unit. That is, the user can easily and accurately attach the filter, and the detector can reliably detect the detected portion.

  When the humidifying device of the present invention and the filter of the present invention are used, the water absorption / non-water absorption of the filter can be switched only by rotating the filter in the circumferential direction while the disk-shaped filter is arranged in a vertical position and the filter is submerged. Can do. That is, it is possible to prevent a problem caused by unnecessary absorption of water by the filter with a simple configuration.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments thereof.

Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a schematic rear view showing one side of a filter provided in the humidifying device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing the other side of the filter.
The FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing the internal configuration of the humidifier, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the humidifier.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a humidifier. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the humidifier 1 includes a housing 100, a CPU 10, a ROM 11, a RAM 12, an EEPROM 13, a display unit 14, an operation unit 15, a humidity sensor 16, and an air purifier. A filter 17, a water tank 18, a water-absorbing and breathable filter 2, a rotation drive mechanism 4, a blower 5, a reed switch 61 and a magnet 62 are provided. The filter 2 has a disc shape having an appropriate thickness, and includes a filter body 21 having a honeycomb structure having water absorption and air permeability, and a non-water absorbent holder 3 that holds the filter body 21. Further, the filter 2 is provided with a rotating shaft portion 7, and the rotating shaft portion 7 is supported by bearings 81 and 82.

The CPU 10 is a control center of the humidifying device 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the ROM 11, the RAM 12, the EEPROM 13, the display unit 14, the operation unit 15, the humidity sensor 16, and the rotation drive mechanism 4 are connected via an internal bus and signal lines. The filter motor control unit 40, the fan motor control unit 50 of the blower 5, and the reed switch 61. The CPU 10 uses the RAM 12 as a work area, controls each part of the apparatus according to the control program and data stored in the ROM 11 and the data stored in the EEPROM 13, and executes various processes.
A time storage unit 131 is provided in a part of the storage area of the EEPROM 13.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the casing 100 has a vertical rectangular parallelepiped shape standing on the floor surface, and has an intake port 101 on the back surface and an exhaust port 102 on the top surface. Furthermore, it has the ventilation path 103 which connects the inlet port 101 and the exhaust port 102, and the air purification | cleaning filter 17, the filter 2, the rotational drive mechanism 4, the water tank 18, and the air blower 5 are in the middle of the ventilation path 103. The air flow is arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side.

The air purification filter 17 includes a filter body that is both air-permeable for dust collection and deodorization, and a synthetic resin holder that holds the filter body. Then, the air passing through the air purification filter 17 itself is filtered to filter out fine floating dust, sand dust and the like in the air and deodorize.
The air purification filter 17 is configured so that a manufacturing operator or a user of the humidifying device 1 can easily attach and remove the filter body to and from the holding body by hand.

  The water tank 18 is provided on the bottom surface of the housing 100, has a rectangular tray shape with an open top, and stores water supplied from a water supply tank (not shown). The water tank is configured to automatically supply water to the water tank 18 so as to maintain a predetermined water level in the water tank 18.

  The water tank 18 has two side walls 18a and 18b facing each other in a direction along the back and front of the humidifier 1, and the shape of the water tank 18 in a plan view is a rectangular shape elongated in the left-right direction. More specifically, the inner method of the water tank 18 in the front-rear direction (left-right direction in FIG. 3) is sufficiently longer than the thickness of the filter 2, but is significantly shorter than the outer diameter of the filter 2. On the other hand, the inner method of the water tank 18 in the left-right direction (left-right direction in FIGS. 1 and 2) is sufficiently longer than the outer diameter of the filter 2. For this reason, the water dripped from the filter 2 is prevented from leaking out of the water tank 18.

At the center position of the filter 2, a cylindrical rotating shaft portion 7 orthogonal to the filter body 21 is provided. The filter 2 is vertically arranged so that a part of the filter 2 in the circumferential direction can be submerged in the water tank 18. Arranged in posture. Therefore, the rotating shaft part 7 is arranged in a horizontal posture.
Here, the rotary shaft portion 7 is rotatably supported by bearings 81 and 82 provided on support portions 181 and 182 extending upward from the side walls 18a and 18b of the water tank 18, respectively. As a result, the filter 2 Is supported so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction around the rotating shaft 7. The filter main body 21 has a disc shape having an appropriate thickness, and a circular through hole is formed at the center position. The central portion of the rotary shaft portion 7 is fitted into the through hole and fixed by a frictional force. The

The rotation shaft portion 7 passes through the center portion of water passage holes 3a, 3a described later, and one end portion 71 and the other end portion 72 having an outer diameter larger than that of the one end portion 71 serve as the center portion of the rotation shaft portion 7. It is provided between. The outer diameter of the one end portion 71 is equal to the outer diameter of the central portion of the rotary shaft portion 7, and the rotary shaft portion 7 is inserted into the through hole of the filter main body 21, so One end 71 is arranged on one side of the filter 2) and the other end 72 is arranged on the other side.
The dimension of the bearing 81 provided in the support portion 181 is a U shape formed in accordance with the outer diameter of the one end portion 71, and rotatably supports the one end portion 71 inserted from the upper portion of the U shape. Similarly, the dimension of the bearing 82 provided in the support part 182 is formed according to the outer diameter of the other end part 72, and supports the other end part 72 rotatably.

  The holding body 3 is configured so that it can be easily assembled and dismantled manually by a manufacturing operator or user. For this reason, the holding body 3 can be manually operated by the manufacturing operator or user. The filter main body 21 can be easily attached to or removed from the filter. Furthermore, the filter 2 in which the filter main body 21 is attached to the holding body 3 can be easily attached to and detached from the support portions 181 and 182 by a manufacturing operator or a user manually. .

  As will be described later, a reed switch 61 is disposed on the side wall 18 a of the water tank 18, a magnet 62 is disposed on one surface side of the filter 2 (that is, the one end 71 projecting side), and the reed switch 61 approaches / separates the magnet 62. Therefore, the user needs to attach the filter 2 with the surface of the filter 2 on which the magnet 62 is disposed facing the side wall 18a. For this reason, if one end 71 is supported by a bearing 81 corresponding to the thickness of one end 71 and the other end 72 is supported by a bearing 82 corresponding to the thickness of the other end 72, the user However, the filter 2 can be easily and accurately attached without worrying about the positional relationship between the reed switch 61 and the magnet 62.

  Even if the user tries to support the one end 71 on the bearing 82 and the other end 72 on the bearing 81, the other end 72 cannot be inserted into the bearing 81, so the filter 2 is in the wrong direction. It is never attached.

  By the way, the holding body 3 is made of a synthetic resin, and D-shaped water passage holes 3 a and 3 a are formed corresponding to both surfaces of the filter main body 21, so that the approximate shape of the holding body 3 is the filter main body 21. It is a frame shape which covers the outer peripheral part (more specifically, the outer peripheral surface and the vicinity of the outer peripheral surface). The water passage holes 3a and 3a are capable of passing not only water but also air, and are formed in as wide an area as possible except for the holding of the filter body 21 and the formation of waterproof parts 3b and 3b described later. The

  The holding body 3 is composed of a first frame 31 and a second frame 32, and each of the first frame 31 and the second frame 32 has a circular dish shape in which water passage holes 3a and 3a are formed on the bottom surface. The side surface and bottom surface of the first frame 31 cover the outer peripheral surface of the filter main body 21 and the vicinity of the outer peripheral surface of the one side of the filter main body 21, and the side surface and bottom surface of the second frame 32 are the outer side surface of the first frame 31 and the filter main body 21. The filter main body 21 is held by covering the vicinity of the outer peripheral surface on the other surface side.

  As a result, the water that has passed through the water passage holes 3a and 3a reaches the filter main body 21 that is held inside the holding body 3. For example, water enters the holding body 3 from the outer peripheral surface of the holding body 3. It does not penetrate and wet the filter body 21.

  In the filter 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the water absorption areas 2a and 2a that absorb water in the submersion and the non-water absorption areas 2b and 2b that do not absorb water even in the submersion on the one surface side and the other surface side of the filter 2, respectively. And is provided adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. For this reason, the first frame 31 and the second frame 32 of the non-water-absorptive holding body 3 correspond to the water-absorbing regions 2a and 2a, respectively. Holes 3a and 3a are formed, and waterproof portions 3b and 3b having a front-view arch shape for preventing water infiltration of the filter main body 21 are formed corresponding to the non-water-absorbing regions 2b and 2b. Each waterproof part 3b is integrally provided in a portion that covers one side (or the other side) of the filter body 21 of the first frame 31 (or the second frame 32), and one side (or the other side) of the filter body 21. It is plate shape along.

  In the non-water-absorbing regions 2b and 2b, a waterproof container that waterproofs the filter body 21 is formed by the waterproof portions 3b and 3b and the outer peripheral surface of the holding body 3, so that the non-water-absorbing regions 2b and 2b are submerged. However, water does not enter the filter body 21 and the filter body 21 does not absorb water. Here, the water level of the water tank 18 is a level sufficiently lower than the upper ends of the waterproof parts 3b and 3b in a state where the waterproof parts 3b and 3b are located at the lowermost part in the circumferential direction of the filter 2 (see FIG. 1). In addition, in a state where the waterproof portions 3b, 3b are located other than the lowermost portion in the circumferential direction of the filter 2 (see FIG. 2), the water holes 3a, 3a (at least part of the water holes 3a, 3a) Is the water level that is surely submerged.

On the other hand, in the water absorption regions 2a and 2a, even if the outer peripheral surface of the holding body 3 is waterproof, water easily enters the filter body 21 from the water passage holes 3a and 3a, so that the filter body 21 absorbs water.
Note that fine water passage holes may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the holding body 3 in correspondence with the water absorption regions 2a and 2a.

  Incidentally, the magnet 62 is fixed at the center position in the circumferential direction of the waterproof part 3b of the first frame 31, and rotates and moves while drawing a circular orbit as the filter 2 rotates. The reed switch 61 is fixed so as to face the lowermost part of the rotational position of the magnet 62. Specifically, a printed circuit board 65 is fixed to the side wall 18a of the water tank 18, and this printed circuit board 65 (more specifically, A reed switch 61 is mounted on the side wall 18a of the printed board 65 in the left-right direction center position).

  The reed switch 61 is connected to the CPU 10 via a signal line formed on the printed circuit board 65. The reed switch 61 is turned on when the magnet 62 enters within a predetermined range in the vicinity of the reed switch 61. When the magnet 62 retreats, it turns off. In other words, the reed switch 61 is turned on when the magnet 62 approaches the reed switch 61, and turned off when separated. As a result, the reed switch 61 functions as a detector that detects the approach / separation of the magnet 62 with respect to the reed switch 61. Further, the magnet 62 is arranged in the filter 2 and functions as a detected part that is detected by the reed switch 61 that is a detector.

  The reed switch 61 that is turned on outputs an on signal indicating that it is turned on to the CPU 10, and the reed switch 61 that is turned off stops outputting the on signal. On the other hand, the CPU 10 determines that the reed switch 61 is on when the on signal is input from the reed switch 61, and determines that the reed switch 61 is off when the on signal is not input.

  The reed switch 61 remains on while the magnet 62 is positioned within a certain range in the circumferential direction of the filter 2. This fixed range is hereinafter referred to as a switch-on region. When the magnet 62 is arranged at the central position in the circumferential direction of the switch-on region, the non-water-absorbing regions 2b, 2b of the filter 2 are submerged and the water-absorbing regions 2a, 2a are not submerged, and the magnet 62 is circumferential in the switch-on region. When deviating from the center position, at least a part of the water absorption regions 2a, 2a is submerged. When the air is not humidified, it is necessary to stop the rotation of the filter 2 in a state where the non-water absorbing regions 2b and 2b are submerged and the water absorbing regions 2a and 2a are not submerged, that is, the filter main body 21 is waterproof. Therefore, the reed switch 61 and the magnet 62 are used to measure the timing for stopping the rotation.

  In the time storage unit 131 of the EEPROM 13, half the time from when the magnet 62 moves to the inside of the switch-on area until it moves to the outside of the switch-on area (that is, the magnet 62 goes to the inside of the switch-on area). The time from the movement until reaching the center position in the circumferential direction of the switch-on region is stored as a predetermined time. This predetermined time is calculated based on the result of measurement by actually rotating the filter 2 by the rotation drive mechanism 4 at the time of factory shipment of the humidifier 1, for example, and is stored in the time storage unit 131. Therefore, for example, if the filter 2 rotates once in 60 seconds and the magnet 62 passes through the switch-on region in 1 second due to the rotation of the filter 2, the time storage unit 131 stores 0.5 seconds as the predetermined time. .

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the rotation drive mechanism 4 includes a filter motor control unit 40, an electric filter motor 41, a rotation roller 42, and a connecting shaft unit 43. The filter motor control unit 40 is controlled by the CPU 10 to give a control signal indicating the rotation speed [rpm] to the filter motor 41. The filter motor 41 uses an AC motor, and operates at a required number of revolutions in accordance with a control signal given from the filter motor control unit 40.
The output shaft portion of the filter motor 41 and the rotation shaft portion of the rotating roller 42 are connected via a connecting shaft portion 43. When the filter motor 41 is operated, the rotating roller 42 is moved in the direction of arrow A4 in FIGS. Rotate (clockwise in FIG. 1).

The rotating roller 42 is disposed so that the peripheral surface of the rotating roller 42 contacts the topmost portion of the outer peripheral surface of the filter 2, and the rotating shaft portion 7 and the rotating shaft portion of the rotating roller 42 are disposed in parallel to each other. ing.
For this reason, when the rotation roller 42 rotates by the operation of the filter motor 41, the filter 2 rotates in the direction of arrow A2 in FIG. 1 (counterclockwise in FIG. 1) as the rotation roller 42 rotates.
That is, the rotation drive mechanism 4 rotates the filter 2 in the circumferential direction.

  The blower 5 uses a sirocco fan, and includes a fan motor control unit 50, an electric fan motor 51, and blades 52, as shown in FIG. The fan motor control unit 50 is controlled by the CPU 10 to give a control signal indicating the rotation speed [rpm] to the fan motor 51. The fan motor 51 is an AC motor and operates according to a control signal given from the fan motor control unit 50.

  When the fan motor 51 is operated, the blades 52 are rotated, and air with low humidity is sucked from the intake port 101 and passes through the air purification filter 17 and the filter 2 in this order. At this time, the air is blown in a direction orthogonal to the air purification filter 17 and the filter 2 with respect to the air purification filter 17 and the filter 2, respectively. That is, the blower 5 blows air in the direction intersecting the filter 2 with respect to the filter 2.

  The air sucked from the air inlet 101 by the blower 5 passes through the ventilation path 103 in the direction of the white arrow in FIG. More specifically, the air sucked from the intake port 101 is first purified by passing through the air purification filter 17. Next, the purified air passes through the filter 2, whereby the water absorbed by the filter 2 is vaporized, and the vaporized water is included in the air that has passed through the filter 2 (that is, the air is humidified by water vapor). ). The air whose humidity has been increased in this manner is discharged from the exhaust port 102 into the room where the humidifier 1 is installed. However, when the filter 2 is dry, the air that has passed through the filter 2 is not humidified.

The humidity sensor 16 shown in FIG. 4 detects the humidity in the room where the humidifying device 1 is installed, and gives the detection result to the CPU 10. In the present embodiment, the CPU 10 notifies the user of the indoor humidity by causing the display unit 14 to display the detection result of the humidity sensor 16.
The display unit 14 is controlled by the CPU 10 to display, for example, the operating state of the humidifying device 1, the indoor humidity, and the like, and the operation unit 15 includes various function keys using hard keys. In the present embodiment, the user of the humidifying device 1 gives various operation commands to the humidifying device 1 by operating the operation unit 15 while looking at the display unit 14. Note that, for example, the CPU 10 may automatically set the humidification amount and the blowing amount according to the detection result of the humidity sensor 16.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the humidification / non-humidification switching process executed by the CPU of the humidifier according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
The user operates the operation unit 15 to cause the humidifier 1 to start humidification and to end humidification.
CPU10 determines whether the operation part 15 corresponding to the start of humidification was operated (S11), and when not operated (it is NO at S11), repeatedly performs the process of S11.

  When the operation unit 15 corresponding to the start of humidification is operated (YES in S11), the CPU 10 operates the filter motor 41 by controlling the filter motor control unit 40 (S12). When the fan motor 51 is stopped at the time when the process of S12 is executed, the CPU 10 controls the fan motor control unit 50 to operate the fan motor 51 and to the filter 2 by the rotation of the blades 52 of the blower 5. Start blowing.

  When the processing of S12 is executed and the filter motor 41 is operated, the filter 2 rotates, and the water absorption areas 2a and 2a are submerged in the water tank 18, so that the water passing through the water passage holes 3a and 3a is removed from the filter main body 21. Absorb. Furthermore, when the air blown to the filter 2 passes through the water-absorbing filter body 21 through the water passage holes 3a and 3a, the humidifier 1 discharges the sufficiently humidified air from the exhaust port 102. Here, even if the non-water-absorbing regions 2b and 2b are submerged in the water tank 18 during the rotation of the filter 2 and the filter main body 21 is temporarily waterproofed, the non-water-absorbing region 2b, The water immersion time of 2b is 1 second, and the water absorption area 2a, 2a is submerged for the remaining 59 seconds, so that the water absorption amount of the filter main body 21 is not significantly reduced.

Next, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the operation unit 15 corresponding to the stop of humidification has been operated (S13). When the operation unit 15 has not been operated (NO in S13), the process of S13 is repeatedly executed.
When the operation unit 15 corresponding to the stop of humidification is operated (YES in S13), the CPU 10 determines whether or not the reed switch 61 is on (S14), and when it is on (YES in S14), Since the magnet 62 is already located in the switch-on region, it is determined whether or not the reed switch 61 is turned off (S15). If the reed switch 61 remains on (NO in S15), the process proceeds to S15. Repeat the process.

On the other hand, when the reed switch 61 is turned off (YES in S15), since the magnet 62 located in the switch-on area is out of the switch-on area, the CPU 10 moves the process to the next S16. If the reed switch 61 is off (NO in S14), the magnet 62 is out of the switch-on region, and the CPU 10 moves the process to the next S16.
After the processing of S14 or S15 is completed, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the reed switch 61 is turned on (S16). If it is off (NO in S16), the magnet 62 is still out of the switch-on region. Therefore, the process of S16 is repeatedly executed.

When the reed switch 61 is turned on (YES in S16), since the magnet 62 has moved to the inside of the switch-on region, the CPU 10 starts measuring the elapsed time since the reed switch 61 is turned on (S17). . The elapsed time is measured, for example, by counting clocks.
Next, the CPU 10 determines whether or not a predetermined time stored in the time storage unit 131 has elapsed based on the elapsed time measurement result (S18). If not (NO in S18), the switch is turned on. Since the magnet 62 that has moved to the region has not yet reached the center position in the circumferential direction of the switch-on region, the process of S18 is repeatedly executed.

When the predetermined time stored in the time storage unit 131 has elapsed (YES in S18), the magnet 62 that has moved to the switch-on region has reached the center position in the circumferential direction of the switch-on region (that is, the non-water-absorbing regions 2b and 2b are The CPU 10 stops the filter motor 41 by controlling the filter motor control unit 40 (S19), ends the time measurement started in S17 (S20), and returns the process to S11.
The CPU 10 in such humidification / non-humidification switching processing functions as a rotation control means.

When the user does not desire humidification by executing the humidification / non-humidification switching process as described above, in the humidifier 1, the non-water absorption areas 2b and 2b are submerged and the water absorption areas 2a and 2a are not submerged. Thus, the rotation of the filter 2 is stopped. For this reason, the filter main body 21 does not absorb water, and the filter main body 21 is naturally dried by dripping or evaporating water contained in the filter main body 21.
If only the air blow by the blower 5 is executed in this state, only the air purification using the air purification filter 17 is executed without performing the humidification using the filter 2.

  The humidity of the air discharged from the exhaust port 102 after the filter 2 is dried is substantially equal to the humidity in the room where the humidifier 1 is installed. To be exact, the air discharged from the exhaust port 102 contains a slight amount of moisture evaporated from the water tank 18, but is negligible compared to the case where the stopped filter 2 continues to absorb water. Humidification.

In addition, the structure of the humidification apparatus 1 is not limited to the structure of this Embodiment. For example, further transpiration in the filter 2 may be promoted by heating the air blown by the blower 5 on the upstream side of the filter 2, and an ion generating element is disposed in the vicinity of the exhaust port 102, The generated positive ions and negative ions may be added to the exhausted air.
Moreover, when humidification is not performed, the structure in which the blower 5 blows air to the stopped filter 2 with an air blowing amount equal to or higher than the normal air blowing amount, and the filter body 21 that has already absorbed water may be forcibly dried. . In this case, since the state in which the filter body 21 absorbs water unnecessarily is not continued for a long time, generation of mold in the filter 2 is further suppressed.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 6 is a schematic rear view showing one surface side of the filter provided in the humidifying device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a schematic side view showing the internal configuration of the humidifying device.
The humidifying device 1 of the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the humidifying device 1 of the first embodiment, but instead of the reed switch 61, the magnet 62, and the printed circuit board 65, the reed switch 63, the magnet 64, and the printed circuit board. 66.
Other parts corresponding to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

The magnet 64 is arranged at a point-symmetrical position with respect to the center point of the filter 2 where the magnet 62 of the filter 2 of the first embodiment is fixed. That is, the magnet 64 is disposed at the circumferential center position of the water absorption region 2 a of the filter 2 and is fixed to the holding body 3 (more specifically, the first frame 31).
The reed switch 63 is fixed inside the housing 100 so as to face the top of the rotational position of the magnet 64 while being mounted on the printed circuit board 66. However, since the reed switch 63 is disposed closer to the filter motor 41 than the reed switch 61 of the first embodiment, the reed switch 63 and the filter motor 41 are arranged so that the reed switch 63 does not malfunction due to the filter motor 41. It is necessary to secure a sufficient separation distance.

Also in the present embodiment, when the magnet 64 is arranged at the center position in the circumferential direction of the switch-on region, the non-water-absorbing regions 2b and 2b of the filter 2 are submerged and the water-absorbing regions 2a and 2a are not submerged. Is deviated from the center position in the circumferential direction of the switch-on region, at least a part of the water absorption regions 2a, 2a is submerged.
For this reason, when using the humidifying apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the CPU 10 executes the same process as the humidifying / non-humidifying switching process of the first embodiment, only by changing the predetermined time to be stored in the time storage unit 131. Thus, it is possible to switch between performing the humidification of the humidifier 1 and stopping the humidification.

It is a schematic rear view which shows the one surface side of the filter with which the humidification apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is provided. It is a schematic front view which shows the other surface side of the filter with which the humidification apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is provided. It is a schematic side view which shows the internal structure of the humidification apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the humidification apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the humidification / non-humidification switching process which CPU of the humidification apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention performs. It is a schematic back view which shows the one surface side of the filter with which the humidification apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention is provided. It is a schematic side view which shows the internal structure of the humidification apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Humidifier 10 CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 18 Water tank 2 Filter 21 Filter body 2a Water absorption area 2b Non-water absorption area 3 Holding body 3a Water passage 3b Waterproof part 4 Rotation drive mechanism 5 Blower 61, 63 Reed switch (detector)
62, 64 magnet (detected part)
7 Rotating shaft portion 71 One end portion 72 The other end portion 81, 82 Bearing

Claims (6)

A disk-like filter having water absorption and breathability;
A rotation drive mechanism for rotating the filter in the circumferential direction;
A water tank for storing water;
A fan that blows air in a direction crossing the filter with respect to the filter,
In the humidifying device in which the filter is arranged in a vertical posture, and a part of the filter in the circumferential direction can be submerged in the water tank,
The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the filter is provided with a water absorption region that absorbs water during immersion and a non-water absorption region that does not absorb water even when immersed in the circumferential direction. The filter comprises a disc-shaped filter body having water absorption and air permeability, and a non-water-absorbing holding body that holds the filter body.
In the holding body,
Corresponding to the water absorption region, a water passage hole for immersing the filter body is formed,
The humidifying device according to claim 1, wherein a waterproof portion that prevents the filter main body from being flooded is formed corresponding to the non-water-absorbing region. A detection unit disposed on the filter, and a detector that is fixed facing the rotation position of the detection unit, and detects an approach / separation of the detection unit;
Rotation control means for stopping the operation of the rotation drive mechanism based on the detection result of the detector so as to stop the filter in a state where the non-water absorption region is submerged in the water tank. The humidifier according to claim 1 or 2. The detector uses a reed switch,
The detected part uses a magnet,
The humidification device according to claim 3, wherein the rotation control unit is configured to stop the operation of the rotation drive mechanism based on on / off of the reed switch. The filter is configured to rotate around a rotation shaft portion that protrudes from both sides of the filter and is disposed in a horizontal posture,
One end and the other end of the rotating shaft are different in thickness from each other,
5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising two bearings that are formed in accordance with dimensions of the one end and the other end, and that rotatably support the one end and the other end. The humidifier as described in any one. In a disk-shaped filter having water absorption and breathability,
A filter characterized in that a water absorption region that absorbs water during immersion and a non-water absorption region that does not absorb water even during immersion are provided adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction.

Images