JP2005147473A

JP2005147473A - Humidifier

Info

Publication number: JP2005147473A
Application number: JP2003383744A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Hiromitsu Itami; 啓光伊丹; Haruo Kanda; 春夫神田
Original assignee: Hitachi Home Tech Ltd
Current assignee: Hitachi Appliances Inc
Priority date: 2003-11-13
Filing date: 2003-11-13
Publication date: 2005-06-09

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent an antibacterial composition of an antibacterial agent installed in a water tank part from dissolving more than necessary during operation stop and running out early. <P>SOLUTION: This humidifier is provided with the water tank part 2 for holding water, a vaporizing filter for vaporizing by absorbing water of the water tank part 2, a water feeding part 4 for feeding water to the water tank part 2, and a blowing device 5 for supplying air to the vaporizing filter 3 in an inside of a main body 1, and humidifies by promoting vaporization by air supply to the vaporizing filter 3. A recessed part 6 is provided on a bottom surface of the water tank part 2 on the way of a water channel from the water feeding part 4 to the vaporizing filter 3. A bottom surface of the recessed part 6 is in a lowest position of the water tank part 2, and a ceramic porous body 7 for holding the antibacterial agent, a height lower than a depth dimension of the recessed part 6 and effective for bacteria elimination in water, is installed on the bottom surface of the recessed part 6. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

本発明は、加湿器内の水の除菌効果を得るための構造に関するものである。 The present invention relates to a structure for obtaining a sterilizing effect of water in a humidifier.

加湿器内の水に細菌が繁殖した場合、超音波式の加湿器では、水が霧化され空気と共に室内に放出され加湿する際に、霧とともに繁殖した細菌が放出され室内を汚染してしまうことが起こり得た。 When bacteria propagate in the water in the humidifier, in the ultrasonic humidifier, when the water is atomized and released into the room together with air, the bacteria propagated along with the mist is released and contaminates the room. It could happen.

また、気化式の加湿器では、加湿の際に細菌は室内に放出されないが加湿器内の水が細菌の繁殖により臭い、この臭いが室内に漂い室内の環境を悪化させてしまうことがあった。 In addition, in the vaporizing humidifier, bacteria are not released into the room during humidification, but the water in the humidifier smells due to the growth of bacteria, and this smell drifts into the room and may deteriorate the indoor environment. .

そこで、これらを防止するため、加湿器内の水の中に抗菌剤を設置し水を除菌するようにしたものがある。 Therefore, in order to prevent these, there is one in which an antibacterial agent is installed in the water in the humidifier to disinfect the water.

従来のこの種の加湿器で気化式の加湿器の水槽部に抗菌剤を設置したものは図３に示すような構造のものが知られている。 A conventional humidifier of this type having an antibacterial agent installed in the water tank of a vaporizing humidifier has a structure as shown in FIG.

すなわち、本体１の内部に、水を保持する水槽部２と、水槽部２の水を吸水し気化する気化フィルタ３と、水槽部２に水を給水する給水部４と、気化フィルタ３に送風する送風装置５と、気化フィルタ３で気化した風を本体１外に吹き出す吹き出し口１１を備え、給水部４から気化フィルタ３に水が流れる水槽部２の水路上に抗菌剤１４を設置し、この抗菌剤１４の作用で水槽部２内の水を除菌し、この水を吸水した気化フィルタ３への送風により気化を促進し、吹き出し口１１より室内に放出して加湿する。 That is, inside the main body 1, a water tank unit 2 that holds water, a vaporization filter 3 that absorbs and vaporizes water in the water tank unit 2, a water supply unit 4 that supplies water to the water tank unit 2, and a ventilation filter 3. A blower 5 that blows out the air vaporized by the vaporization filter 3 to the outside of the main body 1, and an antibacterial agent 14 is installed on the water channel of the water tank unit 2 through which water flows from the water supply unit 4 to the vaporization filter 3, The action of the antibacterial agent 14 sterilizes the water in the water tank unit 2, promotes vaporization by blowing air to the vaporization filter 3 that has absorbed the water, releases the water into the room from the air outlet 11, and humidifies it.

また、超音波式の加湿器では霧化室下部の超音波振動子近傍の水槽部に抗菌剤を設置し、除菌を行った水を超音波振動子によりミストにして室内に吹き出して加湿するものがある（例えば、特許文献１参照）。 In an ultrasonic humidifier, an antibacterial agent is installed in the water tank near the ultrasonic vibrator at the bottom of the atomization chamber, and the sterilized water is misted by the ultrasonic vibrator and blown into the room for humidification. There are some (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

特開平５−１８０４７１JP-A-5-180471

しかしながら、上記の従来技術において、前者のものは、水槽部の水路上に抗菌剤を設置し、この抗菌剤の抗菌成分が水中に溶けだすことにより水中の抗菌成分の濃度を上げるようにしているが、加湿器の運転を長期間停止しているときに抗菌剤の抗菌成分が水槽部の水に必要以上に溶けだしてしまい、抗菌剤の抗菌成分が早くなくなってしまうという問題があった。 However, in the above prior art, the former one installs an antibacterial agent on the water channel of the water tank, and the antibacterial component of this antibacterial agent is dissolved in water to increase the concentration of the antibacterial component in the water. However, when the operation of the humidifier has been stopped for a long period of time, the antibacterial component of the antibacterial agent is dissolved more than necessary in the water in the aquarium, and the antibacterial component of the antibacterial agent is quickly lost.

また、後者のものも同様に、水槽部に設置した抗菌剤の抗菌成分が早くなくなってしまうという問題があった。 Similarly, the latter has a problem that the antibacterial component of the antibacterial agent installed in the water tank part is quickly lost.

本発明は上記課題を解決するためになされたものであり、請求項１では本体の内部に、水を保持する水槽部と、この水槽部の水を吸水し気化する気化フィルタと、前記水槽部に水を給水する給水部と、前記気化フィルタに送風する送風装置とを備え、気化フィルタへの送風により気化を促進して加湿を行う加湿器において、前記給水部から気化フィルタに至る水路の途中の水槽部の底面に凹部を設け、この凹部の底面が水槽部の最も低い位置にあり、凹部の底面に凹部の深さ寸法以下の高さを有する水の除菌に効果のある抗菌剤を担持したセラミックス多孔質体を設置したものである。 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and in claim 1, a water tank part for holding water, a vaporization filter for absorbing and vaporizing water in the water tank part, and the water tank part. In a humidifier that includes a water supply unit that supplies water to the vaporization filter and a blower that blows air to the vaporization filter, and that promotes vaporization by blowing air to the vaporization filter and performs humidification, in the middle of a water channel from the water supply unit to the vaporization filter An antibacterial agent effective for sterilization of water having a concave portion on the bottom surface of the water tank portion, the bottom surface of the concave portion being at the lowest position of the water tank portion, and having a height below the depth dimension of the concave portion on the bottom surface of the concave portion. A ceramic porous body supported is installed.

また、請求項２では、セラミックス多孔質体は上下方向に貫通する穴を複数備え、セラミックス多孔質体の下面と凹部の底面との隙間ｈは少なくとも１ｍｍ以上の隙間を設けたものである。 According to a second aspect of the present invention, the ceramic porous body includes a plurality of holes penetrating in the vertical direction, and the gap h between the lower surface of the ceramic porous body and the bottom surface of the recess is provided with a gap of at least 1 mm.

本発明の請求項１では、本体の内部に、水を保持する水槽部と、この水槽部の水を吸水し気化する気化フィルタと、前記水槽部に水を給水する給水部と、前記気化フィルタに送風する送風装置とを備え、気化フィルタへの送風により気化を促進して加湿を行う加湿器において、前記給水部から気化フィルタに至る水路の途中の水槽部の底面に凹部を設け、この凹部の底面が水槽部の最も低い位置にあり、凹部の底面に凹部の深さ寸法以下の高さを有する水の除菌に効果のある抗菌剤を担持したセラミックス多孔質体を設置したことにより、水槽部内に水が残ったまま長期間運転していないときでも、水槽部の最も低い位置に設けた凹部に抗菌剤を担持したセラミックス多孔質体を備えてあるので、水槽部全体の抗菌成分の濃度は上がりにくく、必要以上に抗菌剤から抗菌成分が溶け出すことがないため、抗菌剤が長持ちして使い勝手が良い。 In Claim 1 of this invention, the water tank part which hold | maintains water inside a main body, the vaporization filter which absorbs and vaporizes the water of this water tank part, the water supply part which supplies water to the said water tank part, and the said vaporization filter In a humidifier that humidifies by promoting vaporization by blowing air to the vaporization filter, a concave portion is provided on the bottom surface of the water tank portion in the middle of the water channel from the water supply portion to the vaporization filter. By installing a ceramic porous body carrying an antibacterial agent effective for sterilization of water having a height below the depth dimension of the concave portion on the bottom surface of the concave portion at the bottom of the water tank portion, Even when it is not operated for a long time with water remaining in the water tank part, it is equipped with a ceramic porous body carrying an antibacterial agent in the recess provided at the lowest position of the water tank part, so that the antibacterial component of the entire water tank part Concentration is difficult to increase Because never antimicrobial component begins to melt from the antimicrobial agent than necessary, a good usability antimicrobial agent is long lasting.

また、請求項２では、セラミックス多孔質体は上下方向に貫通する穴を複数備え、セラミックス多孔質体の下面と凹部の底面との隙間ｈは少なくとも１ｍｍ以上の隙間を設けたことにより、運転中は給水部からの水の流れが、セラミックス多孔質体の下面と凹部の底面との間の隙間を通り、また、セラミックス多孔質体の上下方向に貫通する穴を通るため、抗菌剤を担持したセラミックス多孔質体の設置場所が水槽部の最も低い位置であっても、水が滞ることなく抗菌成分が水中に溶けだし、水の除菌効果を得るのに十分な抗菌剤成分の濃度とすることができるため、水槽部内の水に細菌が繁殖するのを抑えることができ、水から悪臭が発生して室内の環境を悪化させることを防ぐことができる。 Further, in claim 2, the porous ceramic body is provided with a plurality of holes penetrating in the vertical direction, and the gap h between the lower surface of the porous ceramic body and the bottom surface of the concave portion is provided with a gap of at least 1 mm. Supported the antibacterial agent because the flow of water from the water supply section passes through the gap between the bottom surface of the ceramic porous body and the bottom surface of the recess, and through the hole penetrating in the vertical direction of the ceramic porous body. Even if the place where the ceramic porous body is installed is the lowest position in the water tank, the antibacterial component will dissolve in the water without stagnation, and the concentration of the antibacterial component sufficient to obtain the sterilizing effect of the water. Therefore, it is possible to prevent bacteria from breeding in the water in the water tank, and to prevent the generation of bad odor from the water and deteriorating the indoor environment.

以下、本発明の一実施例を図１、図２を参照して説明する。 An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

図１は本発明の一実施例を示す本体側面概略縦断面図、図２は同じくセラミックス多孔質体の斜視図である。 FIG. 1 is a schematic side sectional view of a main body showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a ceramic porous body.

図において、１は加湿器の本体、２は本体１の内部に備えられ水を保持する水槽部、３は気化フィルタで一端を水槽部２内の水に浸していて水槽部の水を吸水し気化させるものである。４は給水部で前記水槽部２に水を給水している。 In the figure, 1 is a main body of a humidifier, 2 is a water tank part that is provided inside the main body 1 and holds water, 3 is a vaporization filter, and one end is immersed in water in the water tank part 2 to absorb the water in the water tank part. It is something to vaporize. 4 is a water supply part which supplies water to the water tank part 2.

５は送風装置で室内の空気を吸気し気化フィルタ３に送風して気化フィルタ３が吸水し保水している水の気化を促進させ、その風が室内に放出されて室内が加湿される。 Reference numeral 5 denotes a blower that sucks indoor air and blows it to the vaporization filter 3 to promote vaporization of the water absorbed and retained by the vaporization filter 3, and the wind is discharged into the room to humidify the room.

６は凹部であり、水槽部２の底面の最も低い位置で、水槽部２に給水している給水部４から気化フィルタ３に至る水路の途中に設けられている。 Reference numeral 6 denotes a recess, which is provided at the lowest position on the bottom surface of the water tank unit 2 and in the middle of the water channel from the water supply unit 4 supplying water to the water tank unit 2 to the vaporization filter 3.

７は抗菌剤である抗菌性金属の銀を担持したセラミックス多孔質体で、前記凹部６に設置されていて、大きさは凹部６に隙間無く入る程度の大きさで、高さは凹部６の深さ寸法以下の高さを有するものである。また、セラミックス多孔質体７は上下方向に貫通する直径約１ｍｍの穴８を複数備え、さらに、セラミックス多孔質体７の下面と凹部６の底面との隙間ｈは少なくとも１ｍｍ以上の隙間が空くような四隅に出っ張りのある形状とし穴８が塞がれないようにしている。 7 is a ceramic porous body carrying an antibacterial metal silver which is an antibacterial agent. The ceramic porous body 7 is installed in the recess 6 and is large enough to enter the recess 6 without any gap. It has a height less than the depth dimension. The ceramic porous body 7 includes a plurality of holes 8 having a diameter of about 1 mm penetrating in the vertical direction, and the gap h between the lower surface of the ceramic porous body 7 and the bottom surface of the recess 6 is at least 1 mm or more. The four corners have a protruding shape so that the hole 8 is not blocked.

９はヒータで送風装置５と気化フィルタ３との間に設けられていて、送風装置５からの風を加熱している。 A heater 9 is provided between the blower 5 and the vaporization filter 3 and heats the wind from the blower 5.

１１は吹き出し口で送風装置５の送風した空気が気化フィルタ３を通過して加湿された後ここから室内に吹き出される。 Reference numeral 11 denotes a blowout port, and the air blown by the blower 5 passes through the vaporization filter 3 and is humidified, and then blown out from here.

１２は水タンクで本体１に着脱自在に設けられていて、本体１に装着したとき前記給水部４から水槽部２に水を給水している。 A water tank 12 is detachably attached to the main body 1 and supplies water from the water supply section 4 to the water tank section 2 when the main body 1 is mounted.

１３は水タンク１２に設けられた弁機構で、水タンク１２を本体１から分離したとき弁が閉じ内部の水がこぼれないようにし、本体１に装着したとき弁が開き水槽部２に水を給水し水槽部２の水位が一定となるように給水することができる。 Reference numeral 13 denotes a valve mechanism provided in the water tank 12. When the water tank 12 is separated from the main body 1, the valve is closed to prevent the water inside from spilling. Water can be supplied so that the water level in the water tank section 2 is constant.

本発明は以上の構成より成り、次にその作用を説明する。 The present invention has the above configuration, and the operation thereof will be described next.

水タンク１２を本体１に装着すると、給水部４より水槽部２に弁機構１３を介して水槽部２の水位が一定になるように水を給水し、水槽部２内の水に一端を浸した気化フィルタ３は水を吸い上げ保水する。 When the water tank 12 is attached to the main body 1, water is supplied from the water supply part 4 to the water tank part 2 via the valve mechanism 13 so that the water level of the water tank part 2 is constant, and one end is immersed in the water in the water tank part 2. The evaporated filter 3 sucks up water and retains it.

加湿運転を開始すると、送風装置５とヒータ９が通電しヒータ９により温風となった空気を気化フィルタ３に通し、気化フィルタ３が吸水し保水している水を気化して空気を加湿し、加湿された空気は吹き出し口１１より本体１外に吹き出され室内を加湿する。 When the humidification operation is started, the air blower 5 and the heater 9 are energized, the air that has been heated by the heater 9 is passed through the vaporization filter 3, the water that the vaporization filter 3 absorbs and retains is vaporized, and the air is humidified. The humidified air is blown out of the main body 1 through the outlet 11 and humidifies the room.

加湿運転中は気化フィルタ３にて水が気化され水槽部２内の水が減ると、水槽部２の水位を一定に保つように、給水部４から水が給水されるため、水タンク１２の弁機構１３から出た水の一部はセラミックス多孔質体７を設置した凹部６に流れ、セラミックス多孔質体７の下面と凹部６の底面との隙間、およびセラミックス多孔質体７の上下方向に貫通する穴８を通過して流れる。 During the humidification operation, when water is vaporized by the vaporization filter 3 and the water in the water tank part 2 is reduced, water is supplied from the water supply part 4 so as to keep the water level of the water tank part 2 constant. A part of the water discharged from the valve mechanism 13 flows into the recess 6 where the ceramic porous body 7 is installed, and in the gap between the bottom surface of the ceramic porous body 7 and the bottom surface of the recess 6 and in the vertical direction of the ceramic porous body 7. It flows through the through-hole 8.

そして、セラミックス多孔質体７に設けた穴８と底面との隙間を介してセラミックス多孔質体７の周囲を水が移動すること、およびセラミックス多孔質体７が水との接触面積の大きい多孔質体であることにより、セラミックス多孔質体７に担持された抗菌剤の銀が水中に溶け出しやすくなり、水槽部２の凹部６の部分に設置されていても水の除菌効果を得るのに十分な水中の抗菌剤の濃度とすることができる。したがって水槽部２内の水に細菌が繁殖するのを抑えることができるため、水から悪臭が発生して室内の環境を悪化させることを防ぐことができる。 Then, water moves around the porous ceramic body 7 through a gap between the hole 8 and the bottom surface provided in the porous ceramic body 7, and the porous ceramic body 7 has a large contact area with water. By being a body, the silver of the antibacterial agent carried on the ceramic porous body 7 is easily dissolved in water, and even if it is installed in the concave portion 6 of the water tank 2, it can obtain a sterilizing effect on water. The concentration of the antibacterial agent in water can be sufficient. Therefore, since it can suppress that bacteria propagate in the water in the water tank part 2, it can prevent that a bad smell generate | occur | produces from water and an indoor environment is deteriorated.

なお、前記隙間ｈは１ｍｍ〜３ｍｍ程度が望ましく、それ以下では水の通りが悪くなる。また、セラミックス多孔質体７に設けた穴は１ｍｍ〜３ｍｍ程度が望ましくそれ以下では水の通りが悪くなる。 The gap h is preferably about 1 mm to 3 mm. Further, the hole provided in the ceramic porous body 7 is desirably about 1 mm to 3 mm, and if it is less than that, the passage of water becomes poor.

次に、加湿運転を停止している間はほとんど水が気化されず、水槽部２内の水が減らないため給水部４から水が給水されなくなる。 Next, while the humidifying operation is stopped, water is hardly vaporized, and water in the water tank unit 2 is not reduced, so that water is not supplied from the water supply unit 4.

そうするとセラミックス多孔質体７を設置している水槽部２の最も低い位置にある凹部６の水は澱むようになる。 If it does so, the water of the recessed part 6 in the lowest position of the water tank part 2 which has installed the ceramic porous body 7 will come to stagnate.

そして、セラミックス多孔質体７に担持された銀の水中に溶け出す量は、水がほとんど移動せず、また銀が重金属であるため、溶け出した銀が凹部６の外側まで拡散しにくく、凹部６内の銀の濃度は上昇するが凹部６以外の水槽部２の濃度は必要以上に上昇しないため、抗菌剤である銀の抗菌成分の溶け出す量は少量で済み、抗菌剤の抗菌成分が早く無くなってしまうことがなくなるため使い勝手が良いものである。 The amount of the silver supported on the ceramic porous body 7 that dissolves in the water hardly moves, and since silver is a heavy metal, the dissolved silver is difficult to diffuse to the outside of the recess 6. The concentration of silver in 6 increases, but the concentration of the water tank 2 other than the recess 6 does not increase more than necessary, so that the amount of antibacterial component of silver that is an antibacterial agent dissolves little, and the antibacterial component of the antibacterial agent It's easy to use because it won't disappear quickly.

なお、上記実施例ではセラミックス多孔質体に担持する抗菌剤は抗菌性金属の銀を使用したが、抗菌性を有するもので有ればこれに限定するものではない。 In the above embodiment, the antibacterial agent carried on the ceramic porous body is silver, which is an antibacterial metal. However, the antibacterial agent is not limited to this as long as it has antibacterial properties.

本発明の一実施例を示す本体側面概略縦断面図である。It is a main body side surface schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows one Example of this invention. 同じくセラミックス多孔質体の斜視図である。It is a perspective view of a ceramic porous body similarly. 従来例を示す本体側面概略縦断面図である。It is a main body side surface schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows a prior art example.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１本体
２水槽部
３気化フィルタ
４給水部
５送風装置
６凹部
７セラミックス多孔質体
８穴
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body 2 Water tank part 3 Evaporation filter 4 Water supply part 5 Air blower 6 Recessed part 7 Ceramic porous body 8 Hole

Claims

本体（１）の内部に、水を保持する水槽部（２）と、この水槽部（２）の水を吸水し気化する気化フィルタ（３）と、前記水槽部（２）に水を給水する給水部（４）と、前記気化フィルタ（３）に送風する送風装置（５）とを備え、気化フィルタ（３）への送風により気化を促進して加湿を行う加湿器において、前記給水部（４）から気化フィルタ（３）に至る水路の途中の水槽部（２）の底面に凹部（６）を設け、この凹部（６）の底面が水槽部（２）の最も低い位置にあり、凹部（６）の底面に凹部（６）の深さ寸法以下の高さを有する水の除菌に効果のある抗菌剤を担持したセラミックス多孔質体（７）を設置したことを特徴とする加湿器。 Inside the main body (1), a water tank part (2) that holds water, a vaporization filter (3) that absorbs and vaporizes water in the water tank part (2), and water is supplied to the water tank part (2). In a humidifier that includes a water supply unit (4) and a blower (5) that blows air to the vaporization filter (3), and promotes vaporization by blowing air to the vaporization filter (3), the water supply unit ( 4) A recess (6) is provided on the bottom surface of the water tank part (2) in the middle of the water channel from the vaporization filter (3), and the bottom surface of the recess (6) is at the lowest position of the water tank part (2). A humidifier comprising a porous ceramic body (7) carrying an antibacterial agent effective for sterilizing water having a height equal to or less than the depth of the recess (6) on the bottom surface of (6). .

セラミックス多孔質体（７）は上下方向に貫通する穴（８）を複数備え、セラミックス多孔質体（７）の下面と凹部（６）の底面との隙間ｈは少なくとも１ｍｍ以上の隙間を設けたことを特徴とする請求項１記載の加湿器。
The ceramic porous body (7) has a plurality of holes (8) penetrating in the vertical direction, and the gap h between the lower surface of the ceramic porous body (7) and the bottom surface of the recess (6) is provided with a gap of at least 1 mm. The humidifier according to claim 1.