JP7667652B2 - Humidifier - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a humidifier.

In a typical humidifier, the humidifying filter sucks up water supplied to the tray from the water tank, vaporizes the water contained in the humidifying filter, and releases it as water vapor, thereby humidifying the room in which the humidifier is installed.

Generally, the water supply tank is determined to be empty when it is detected that the water supplied to the tray has run out. In this way, when it is detected that the water supplied to the tray has run out, the water supply tank is empty. In this case, a situation arises in which the room in which the humidifier is placed cannot be humidified until the water supply tank is replenished with water.

On the other hand, the humidifier in Patent Document 1 floats a float containing a magnet in the water in the water tank, and detects the position of the water surface in the water tank by detecting the magnetic force of the float.

JP 2016-008784 A

The humidifier in Patent Document 1 requires a float to detect the water surface position, which increases the number of parts and complicates the structure.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a humidifier that has a simple configuration and is capable of detecting a decrease in water in the water tank before the water runs out, and refilling the water in the water tank before it runs out.

The humidifier according to the present invention comprises a water supply tank, a tray, a detection unit, and a biasing unit. The water supply tank contains water. The tray is attached below the water supply tank, and the water is supplied from the water supply tank. The detection unit detects the position of the water supply tank. The biasing unit biases the water supply tank upward. The water supply tank moves upward as the water decreases due to the biasing force of the biasing unit. The detection unit detects that the water supply tank has moved upward.

The present invention makes it possible to detect a decrease in water in the water supply tank before the water runs out with a simple configuration, and to replenish the water before the water runs out in the water supply tank.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a humidifier 100. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the inside of the humidifier 100. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which the water supply unit 5 is removed from the humidifying section 30. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the water supply unit 5. FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing the water supply tank 51. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a first state of a connecting portion 110. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a second state of the connecting portion 110. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the position of the water supply tank 51 depending on the amount of water in the water supply tank 51. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the position of the water supply tank 51 depending on the amount of water in the water supply tank 51. FIG. 5 is a view of the water supply unit 5 shown in FIG. 4 as viewed with the Y direction being the front. 5 is a view of the water supply unit 5 shown in FIG. 4 as viewed with the Y direction being the front. A diagram showing a water supply unit 5A having a spring S1. A diagram showing a water supply unit 5A having a spring S1. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a humidifier 101.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that in the drawings, the same or equivalent parts will be given the same reference symbols and descriptions will not be repeated.

A humidifier 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the humidifier 100. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the inside of the humidifier 100. In this embodiment, the figure shows an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis that are perpendicular to each other. The Z-axis is parallel to the vertical upward direction, and the X-axis and the Y-axis are parallel to the horizontal direction. The positive direction of the X-axis indicates the front side of the humidifier 100. The negative direction of the Z-axis indicates the vertical downward direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, the humidifier 100 includes a housing 1, a humidifying section 30, a control section 200, and a water supply unit 5. The water supply unit 5 includes a water supply tank 51 and a unit outer wall 52. The humidifier 100 is an example of a humidifying device. The humidifier 100 is placed, for example, on the floor of a room.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the housing 1 has a top plate 71, a bottom plate 72, a pair of side plates, a front panel 73, and a rear panel 14. The front panel 73, the rear panel 14, and the pair of side plates are each disposed between the top plate 71 and the bottom plate 72.

The front panel 73 is disposed opposite the rear panel 14. The rear panel 14 is disposed on the rear side of the housing 1. The rear panel 14 has a plurality of suction ports 15. Each of the plurality of suction ports 15 is an opening.

The top plate 71 is disposed opposite the bottom plate 72. The top plate 71 is disposed on the upper side of the housing 1. Specifically, the top plate 71 has an air outlet 16 and an operation panel. The air outlet 16 is an opening. The operation panel receives instructions from a user and outputs a signal indicating the instruction from the user to the control unit 200. The control unit 200 controls the operation of each part of the humidifier 100 according to the signal from the operation panel. The control unit 200 includes, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory such as a semiconductor memory and a HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

The housing 1 further includes a plurality of circulation sections 60 through which air flows, and a blower section 2. Specifically, the plurality of circulation sections 60 include a first chamber 61, a second chamber 62, a third chamber 63, and a fourth chamber 13.

The first chamber 61 is disposed on the rear side of the housing 1. The first chamber 61 is connected to the outside of the housing 1 via a plurality of suction ports 15. The first chamber 61 has a deodorizing filter 17 and a dust collecting filter 18.

The second chamber 62 is located in the center between the front side and the back side of the housing 1. The first chamber 61 and the second chamber 62 are connected. The humidifying section 30 is located inside the second chamber 62. Specifically, the humidifying section 30 has a humidifying filter 3 and a tray 4. The humidifying filter 3 is located inside the tray 4. The tray 4 holds a predetermined amount of water. The humidifying filter 3 sucks up the water in the tray 4.

The third chamber 63 is disposed on the front side of the housing 1. The second chamber 62 and the third chamber 63 are in communication with each other. The blower 2 is disposed in the third chamber 63. The blower 2 has, for example, a fan 20 and a motor 21. The motor 21 rotates the fan 20.

The fourth chamber 13 is disposed on the positive side of the Z axis of the housing 1. The fourth chamber 64 and the third chamber 63 are in communication. The fourth chamber 13 is also in communication with the outside of the housing 1 via the air outlet 16.

Next, the air flow will be described in detail. The fan 20 generates a first airflow F1. The first airflow F1 passes through the first chamber 61, the second chamber 62, the third chamber 63, and the fourth chamber 13 in this order. When the first airflow F1 passes through the second chamber 62, it is humidified by the humidifying section 30. Specifically, the first airflow F1 is applied to the humidifying filter 3. As a result, the water contained in the humidifying filter 3 evaporates and is released as water vapor from the humidifier 100 into the room.

Next, the water supply unit 5 and the humidifying section 30 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the state in which the water supply unit 5 has been removed from the humidifying section 30. As shown in FIG. 3, the tray 4 has a substantially rectangular box shape. The top surface of the tray 4 is open.

Specifically, the tray 4 has a tank chamber 40, a filter chamber 44, and a partition plate 43. The partition plate 43 is disposed between the tank chamber 40 and the filter chamber 44. That is, the tray 4 is divided into the tank chamber 40 and the filter chamber 44. Specifically, the tank chamber 40 and the filter chamber 44 are divided along the Y-axis direction (horizontal direction). More specifically, the tank chamber 40 is provided on the negative side of the Y-axis of the filter chamber 44. A communication port that connects the tank chamber 40 and the filter chamber 44 is provided at the bottom of the partition plate 43.

The filter chamber 44 has two support rollers 6 installed inside the filter chamber 44. The two support rollers 6 are arranged at an appropriate distance apart in the longitudinal direction of the filter chamber 44. The lower part of the humidifying filter 3 is installed in the filter chamber 44. Specifically, the humidifying filter 3 is a circular sheet. The humidifying filter 3 is placed on the two support rollers 6 and supported in a vertically standing position above the filter chamber 44. Then, due to the rolling of the two support rollers 6, the humidifying filter 3 rotates around the central axis while maintaining its supported position.

The sheet of the humidifying filter 3 is made of a material that is absorbent and breathable. The sheet is made of rayon, for example. The tray 4 holds a predetermined amount of water. The humidifying filter 3 sucks up the water in the tray 4.

The tank chamber 40 also has a push-up protrusion 41 and a protruding seat plate 42. The push-up protrusion 41 stands vertically upward from the bottom plate. The push-up protrusion 41 is also surrounded at a suitable distance from the bottom plate by the seat plate 42 that protrudes inward from the side plate.

The water supply unit 5 is placed in the tank chamber 40. Specifically, the water supply unit 5 is placed on the push-up protrusion 41 and the seat plate 42. The water supply tank 51 in the water supply unit 5 stores water. The water supply tank 51 supplies water to the humidifier 100. Specifically, the water supply tank 51 supplies water to the tank chamber 40. The water supplied to the tank chamber 40 flows into the filter chamber 44 through the communication port. When the water supply tank 51 stores water, the water supply from the water supply tank 51 to the tray 4 is performed so that the water level in the tray 4 is always at the appropriate water level L. This configuration for supplying water from the water supply tank 51 to the tray 4 is publicly known, so a detailed description will be omitted here.

In the humidifier 100, when the water supply tank 51 runs out of water, the user or the like stores (replenishes) water in the water supply tank 51. Specifically, the water supply tank 51 and the humidifying section 30 can be separated. In more detail, the tank chamber 40 further has a rotating section 45. The rotating section 45 has a flat plate 45b and a rotating shaft section 45c. The flat plate 45b is arranged to be rotatable with the rotating shaft section 45c as a rotating shaft along the X-axis direction (horizontal direction).

For example, one method of detecting that there is no water left in the water supply tank 51 is to detect that the water level in the tray 4 is below the appropriate water level L. With this method, when it is detected that there is no water left in the water supply tank 51, the amount of water in the tray 4 becomes insufficient, and the humidifier 100 is unable to sufficiently humidify the room in which it is placed.

In this embodiment, the following configuration detects that the water in the water supply tank 51 is decreasing before the water in the water supply tank 51 runs out, and enables the user to refill the water in the water supply tank 51 while continuing humidification by the humidifier 100.

Next, the water supply unit 5 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the water supply unit 5. As shown in FIG. 4, the water supply unit 5 has a water supply tank 51 and a unit outer wall 52. The water supply tank 51 is attached to the unit outer wall 52. The water supply tank 51 has a connecting portion 110.

The water supply tank 51 is capable of storing water. The shape of the water supply tank 51 is, for example, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. Specifically, the water supply tank 51 has an upper wall 511, a lower wall 512, and a number of side walls 513. The upper wall 511 is disposed opposite the lower wall 512. The upper wall 511 is disposed above the water supply tank 51. Each of the multiple side walls 513 is disposed between the upper wall 511 and the lower wall 512. For example, one of the multiple side walls 513 is attached to the unit outer wall 52.

Next, the connecting part 110 will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 5 to 7. Fig. 5 is a bottom view showing the water supply tank 51. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the first state of the connecting part 110. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the second state of the connecting part 110. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the connecting part 110 is in either the first state or the second state. As shown in Figs. 5 to 7, the connecting part 110 is disposed on the lower wall 512.

Specifically, the connecting part 110 has a housing part 111, an opening/closing member 112, and an elastic member 113.

Specifically, the housing 111 has a cylindrical portion 111a and a flat portion 111b. The cylindrical portion 111a has a central axis in the vertical direction and is a substantially cylindrical body having an outer diameter R3. The flat portion 111b is a flat plate perpendicular to the vertical direction. The shape of the flat portion 111b is, for example, substantially circular. The flat portion 111b is disposed inside the cylindrical portion 111a.

In detail, the housing 111 further has a through hole 111c that penetrates in the vertical direction, and a mesh body 111d. Specifically, the shape of the through hole 111c is, for example, substantially circular with a first diameter R1. The through hole 111c is disposed in the center of the flat plate 111b. The mesh body 111d is disposed in the through hole 111c. The mesh body 111d allows water to pass through.

The opening/closing member 112 has a rod-shaped portion 112a, a lower flat portion 112b, and an upper flat portion 112c. The rod-shaped portion 112a is a substantially cylindrical body having a central axis in the vertical direction. The lower flat portion 112b is a flat plate perpendicular to the vertical direction. The shape of the lower flat portion 112b is, for example, a substantially circular shape having a second diameter R2. The lower flat portion 112b is disposed at the lower end of the rod-shaped portion 112a. The upper flat portion 112c is a flat plate perpendicular to the vertical direction. The shape of the upper flat portion 112c is, for example, a substantially circular shape having a second diameter R2. The upper flat portion 112c is disposed at the upper end of the rod-shaped portion 112a. The second diameter R2 is larger than the first diameter R1. The material of the upper flat portion 112c is, for example, rubber.

The rod-shaped portion 112a is disposed in the through hole 111c. The opening/closing member 112 is movable in the up-down direction relative to the housing portion 111. Specifically, the opening/closing member 112 is movable between a position where the flat plate portion 111b and the upper flat plate portion 112c abut, and a position where the flat plate portion 111b and the lower flat plate portion 112b abut.

The elastic member 113 acts on the opening/closing member 112. Specifically, the elastic member 113 is a spiral spring. The elastic member 113 is disposed between the lower flat plate portion 112b and the mesh body 111d. As shown in FIG. 6, the through hole 111c is opened in the first state. In detail, in the first state, the opening/closing member 112 opposes the elastic force of the elastic member 113 and opens the through hole 111c. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, when the lower flat plate portion 112b is pressed upward, it opposes the elastic force of the elastic member 113 and approaches the mesh body 111d. As a result, the upper flat plate portion 112c moves away from the upper surface of the flat plate portion 111b. Therefore, the upper flat plate portion 112c opens the through hole 111c.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the through hole 111c is blocked in the second state. More specifically, in the second state, the opening/closing member 112 blocks the through hole 111c by the elastic force of the elastic member 113. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the elastic member 113 acts on the opening/closing member 112 so that the elastic force of the elastic member 113 moves the lower flat plate portion 112b away from the mesh body 111d. As a result, the upper flat plate portion 112c is pressed against the upper surface of the flat plate portion 111b. Thus, the upper flat plate portion 112c blocks the through hole 111c.

In the humidifier 100, the connecting part 110 can be connected to the tank chamber 40. In detail, the connecting part 110 is connected to the push-up protrusion 41 provided on the bottom of the tank chamber 40. When the connecting part 110 is connected to the push-up protrusion 41, the first state is established. Specifically, when the lower flat plate part 112b is pressed upward by the push-up protrusion 41, the lower flat plate part 112b approaches the mesh body 111d against the elastic force of the elastic member 113. As a result, the upper flat plate part 112c opens the through hole 111c. Thus, the water inside the water supply tank 51 moves to the tank chamber 40 through the through hole 111c. In other words, the first state indicates a state in which water can flow between the inside of the water supply tank 51 and the humidifier 100 through the connecting part 110.

On the other hand, when the connecting part 110 is removed from the humidifier 100, it is in the second state. Specifically, the elastic member 113 acts on the opening and closing member 112 so that the elastic force of the elastic member 113 moves the lower flat plate part 112b away from the mesh body 111d. As a result, the upper flat plate part 112c closes the through hole 111c. As a result, the water inside the water supply tank 51 does not move. In other words, the second state indicates a state in which water cannot flow between the inside and outside of the water supply tank 51 via the connecting part 110.

[Detection using a magnet]
In this embodiment, in order to detect a decrease in water in the water supply tank 51, the humidifier 100 includes a first magnet M1, a second magnet M2, and a magnetic sensor 81. The first magnet M1 and the second magnet M2 bias the water supply tank upward. The magnetic sensor 81 detects the position of the water supply tank. The first magnet M1 and the second magnet M2 are an example of a biasing unit. The magnetic sensor 81 is an example of a detection unit.

Specifically, the first magnet M1 is placed on the bottom of the water tank 51. The second magnet M2 is placed on the tray 4. For example, the second magnet M2 is placed on the upper surface of the seat plate 42. The first magnet M1 is placed in a position facing the second magnet M2. The polarity of the surface M11 of the first magnet M1 facing the second magnet M2 and the polarity of the surface M21 of the second magnet M2 facing the first magnet M1 are the same polarity. For example, if the surface M11 is a north pole, the surface M21 is a north pole. When the first magnet M1 and the second magnet M2 approach each other, the first magnet M1 and the second magnet M2 repel each other, and the water tank 51 in which the first magnet M1 is placed is urged upward.

Next, the position of the water supply tank 51 depending on the amount of water in the water supply tank 51 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 8A and 8B. Figures 8A and 8B are diagrams showing the position of the water supply tank 51 depending on the amount of water in the water supply tank 51. Figure 8A shows the case where the amount of water in the water supply tank 51 is equal to or greater than a certain amount. Figure 8B shows the case where the amount of water in the water supply tank 51 is less than a certain amount.

As shown in FIG. 8A, when the amount of water in the water supply tank 51 is equal to or greater than a certain amount, the weight of the water becomes greater than the biasing force of the first magnet M1 and the second magnet M2, and the distance between the water supply tank 51 (first magnet M1) and the seat plate 42 (second magnet M2) becomes shorter.

As the amount of water in the water supply tank 51 decreases, the weight of the water decreases and the biasing force of the first magnet M1 and the second magnet M2 becomes stronger. As a result, the water supply tank 51 moves upward. As shown in FIG. 8B, when the amount of water in the water supply tank 51 falls below a certain amount, the distance between the water supply tank 51 (first magnet M1) and the seat plate 42 (second magnet M2) increases according to the amount of water in the water supply tank 51.

Note that in Figs. 5 to 7, for ease of explanation, one first magnet M1 and one second magnet M2 are respectively installed on the water supply tank 51 and the tray 4, but multiple first magnets M1 and multiple second magnets M2 may be installed. Specifically, two or more first magnets M1 are installed at multiple locations on the water supply tank 51, and the same number of second magnets M2 as the first magnets M1 are installed at corresponding positions on the tray 4. This allows the water supply tank 51 to be moved upward while maintaining its horizontal balance.

In this embodiment, the magnetic sensor 81 detects that the water tank 51 has moved upward by detecting at least the magnetic force of the first magnet M1.

For example, the magnetic sensor 81 is a Hall element and is installed at a position between the first magnet M1 and the second magnet M2 on the partition plate 43. The magnetic sensor 81 detects a change in the magnetic field caused by a change in the position of the first magnet M1 in response to the movement of the water supply tank 51, for example. Based on the detected change in the magnetic field, the magnetic sensor 81 determines whether the first magnet M1 is closer or further away than a predetermined distance.

Specifically, the magnetic sensor 81 measures the current flowing within the magnetic sensor 81 due to the influence of the surrounding magnetic force, and determines whether the first magnet M1 is closer or farther away than a predetermined distance based on the magnitude and direction of the measured current. For example, the magnetic sensor 81 detects the magnetic fields due to the first magnet M1 and the second magnet M2 when the water supply tank 51 is in the position of FIG. 8A. In this way, when the water supply tank 51 is in the position of FIG. 8B, the magnetic sensor 81 does not detect the magnetic field due to the first magnet M1, but detects the magnetic field due to the second magnet M2. When there is a change between the magnetic field detected when the water supply tank 51 is in the position of FIG. 8A and the magnetic field detected when the water supply tank 51 is in the position of FIG. 8B, the magnetic sensor 81 determines that the first magnet M1 is farther away than a predetermined distance.

The control unit 200 obtains the result of the determination by the magnetic sensor 81, and controls the operation of each unit of the humidifier 100 according to the result of the determination. For example, if the magnetic sensor 81 determines that the first magnet M1 is away from the predetermined distance, the control unit 200 determines that the amount of water in the water supply tank 51 is less than a certain amount, and performs processing such as turning on a lamp to notify the user that the water supply tank 51 needs to be refilled with water and sounding an alarm. This notifies the user that the water supply tank 51 is decreasing while there is still water remaining in the water supply tank 51, and enables the water supply tank 51 to be refilled before it runs out.

The control unit 200 also performs processing such as slowing down the rotation speed of the motor 21 and the fan 20. This allows water to be refilled into the water supply tank 51 before the water in the water supply tank 51 runs out, while continuing humidification by the humidifier 100.

Note that this embodiment is not limited to a configuration in which the magnetic sensor 81 determines whether the first magnet M1 is closer or farther than a predetermined distance, and the control unit 200 may perform the above determination. Specifically, the control unit 200 acquires the magnitude and direction of the current measured by the magnetic sensor 81, and determines whether the first magnet M1 is closer or farther than a predetermined distance based on the acquired magnitude and direction of the current.

In addition, in this embodiment, the position where the magnetic sensor 81 is provided is not limited to between the first magnet M1 and the second magnet M2 on the partition plate 43, but may be, for example, above the water supply tank 51 on the partition plate 43.

In addition, in this embodiment, the magnetic sensor 81 may be, for example, a reed switch. When the magnetic sensor 81 is a reed switch, the magnetic sensor 81 is installed, for example, at a position on the partition plate 43 at the height of the first magnet M1 in FIG. 8B (not shown).

For example, when the water supply tank 51 is in the position shown in FIG. 8A, the reed switch is in the OFF state because it is a predetermined distance away from the first magnet M1. On the other hand, when the water supply tank 51 is in the position shown in FIG. 8B, the reed switch is in the ON state because it is closer to the first magnet M1 than a predetermined distance.

The control unit 200 determines whether the amount of water in the water supply tank 51 is less than a certain amount depending on whether the reed switch is in the ON or OFF state, and controls the operation of each part of the humidifier 100. Specifically, when the reed switch is in the ON state, the control unit 200 determines that the amount of water in the water supply tank 51 is less than a certain amount, and performs processing such as turning on a lamp to notify the user that the water supply tank 51 needs to be refilled with water and sounding an alarm.

In this embodiment, the reed switch is configured to be switched between an ON state and an OFF state by a first magnet M1, but this is not limited thereto. For example, a third magnet M3 may be provided on the side wall 513 of the water supply tank 51, and the reed switch may be configured to be switched between an ON state and an OFF state by the third magnet M3.

In this embodiment, the water supply unit 5 has a guide that determines the direction of movement of the water supply tank 51.

Next, the guide will be described in detail with reference to Figures 9A and 9B. Figures 9A and 9B are diagrams showing a water supply unit 5 having a guide. Figures 9A and 9B are diagrams showing the water supply unit 5 shown in Figure 4 as viewed from the front in the Y direction. Figure 9A shows the position of the water supply tank 51 in the case shown in Figure 8A. Figure 9B shows the position of the water supply tank 51 in the case shown in Figure 8B.

The water supply tank 51 is screwed to the unit outer wall 52. Specifically, the water supply tank 51 has four mounting holes 514. The mounting holes 514 are an example of a guide. The screws 515 pass through the mounting holes 514 and are fastened to corresponding screw holes in the unit outer wall 52. For example, the diameter of the mounting holes 514 is larger than the threaded portion of the screws 515 and smaller than the screw head of the screws 515. The mounting holes 514 are provided in a direction that allows the threaded portion of the screws 515 to move up and down (Z direction) inside. The screws 515 are fastened with a strength that allows the threaded portion to move inside the mounting holes 514. This determines the movement direction of the water supply tank 51 to be the up and down direction (Z direction).

[Spring-based detection]
Next, a water supply unit 5 using a spring S1 as an example of a biasing portion will be described with reference to Figures 10A and 10B. Figures 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a water supply unit 5A having a spring S1.

Compared to the water supply unit 5 shown in Figures 5 to 7, the water supply unit 5A has a spring S1 instead of the first magnet M1 and the second magnet M2. In addition, the water supply unit 5A has, for example, an optical sensor 82 instead of the magnetic sensor 81. The optical sensor 82 is an example of a detection unit.

For example, spring S1 is located between water supply tank 51 and tray 4. Specifically, spring S1 is located between the bottom of water supply tank 51 and seat plate 42. As shown in FIG. 10A, when the amount of water in water supply tank 51 is equal to or greater than a certain amount, the weight of the water exceeds the elastic force of spring S1, causing spring S1 to contract.

As shown in FIG. 10B, as the amount of water in the water supply tank 51 decreases, the weight of the water decreases and the elastic force of the spring S1 becomes stronger. As a result, the spring S1 stretches and the water supply tank 51 moves upward.

The optical sensor 82 is, for example, a photointerrupter and a photoreflector. The optical sensor 82 is installed, for example, at a position above the water supply tank 51 on the partition plate 43. Specifically, the optical sensor 82 is installed at the same position as the upper wall 511 of the water supply tank 51 when the amount of water in the water supply tank 51 is a certain amount (FIG. 10B).

When the optical sensor 82 is a photointerrupter, the optical sensor 82 determines whether the water supply tank 51 blocks the light irradiated from the light-emitting unit to the light-receiving unit. The control unit 200 obtains the determination result by the optical sensor 82 and controls the operation of each unit of the humidifier 100 according to the determination result.

When the optical sensor 82 is a photoreflector, the optical sensor 82 detects whether or not the light receiving unit receives reflected light of the light irradiated from the light emitting unit. Specifically, when the light irradiated from the light emitting unit is reflected by the water supply tank 51, the light receiving unit receives the reflected light. The optical sensor 82 detects the reception of the reflected light. The control unit 200 acquires the detection result by the optical sensor 82, and controls the operation of each unit of the humidifier 100 according to the detection result.

In this embodiment, the first magnet M1 and the second magnet M2 may be combined with the optical sensor 82 to detect a decrease in the water in the water supply tank 51. In addition, if the water supply unit 5A has a spring S1, a third magnet M3 may be provided on the side wall 513 of the water supply tank 51, and the third magnet M3 may be combined with a reed switch to detect a decrease in the water in the water supply tank 51.

[Without water supply unit]
Next, a humidifier 101 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing the humidifier 101.

As shown in FIG. 11, the humidifier 101 includes a housing 1A, a humidifying section 31, a control section 201, a water supply tank 51A, and a tray 4. Specifically, the humidifier 101 does not include a water supply unit 5, and the water supply tank 51A is placed in a tank housing section 49 in the housing 1. The tank housing section 49 is the space above the tray 4.

The air outlet 26 and the operation panel 27 of the humidifier 101 have the same functions as the air outlet 16 and the operation panel of the humidifier 100. The humidifier 101 also includes an actuation unit and a detection unit.

The humidifier 101 is provided with a pair of rails RA1 as an example of a guide. The rails RA1 are provided on the inner wall of the tank housing section 49 and extend in the vertical direction (Z direction) of the tank housing section 49. For example, the rails RA1 are provided so that a protrusion RA2 provided on the water supply tank 51A slides inside the pair of rails RA1. This determines the movement direction of the water supply tank 51 to be the vertical direction (Z direction).

The above describes the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings (Figs. 1 to 11). However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The drawings are mainly schematic, showing each component, for ease of understanding, and the thickness, length, number, etc. of each component shown in the drawings may differ from the actual ones due to the convenience of creating the drawings. In addition, the materials, shapes, dimensions, etc. of each component shown in the above embodiments are merely examples and are not particularly limited, and various modifications are possible without substantially departing from the effects of the present invention.

This invention can be used in the field of humidifiers.

4: Tray 5, 5A: Water supply unit 5A: Water supply unit 51, 51A: Water supply tank 81: Magnetic sensor 82: Optical sensor 100, 101: Humidifier 514: Mounting hole M1: First magnet M2: Second magnet RA1: Rail RA2: Protrusion

Claims (3)

A water tank for storing water;
A housing for holding the water tank;
a tray attached below the water supply tank and receiving the water from the water supply tank;
A detection unit that detects the position of the water supply tank;
a biasing portion that biases the water supply tank upward,
the water supply tank is moved upward by the biasing force of the biasing portion in response to a decrease in the amount of water within a range in which the water supply tank does not protrude upward from the housing;
The detection unit detects that the water supply tank has moved upward,
The biasing portion includes a first magnet and a second magnet,
The first magnet is installed at the bottom of the water tank,
The second magnet is disposed on the tray;
A humidifier, wherein a polarity of a surface of the first magnet facing the second magnet and a polarity of a surface of the second magnet facing the first magnet are the same polarity. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects at least the magnetic force of the first magnet. A water tank for storing water;
A housing for holding the water tank;
a tray attached below the water supply tank and receiving the water from the water supply tank;
A detection unit that detects the position of the water supply tank;
A humidifier comprising: a biasing portion that biases the water supply tank upward;
the water supply tank is moved upward by the biasing force of the biasing portion in response to a decrease in the amount of water within a range in which the water supply tank does not protrude upward from the housing;
The detection unit detects that the water supply tank has moved upward,
The humidifier further includes a guide that determines a moving direction of the water tank,
The humidifier has a water supply unit,
the water supply unit includes the guide, the water supply tank, and a unit outer wall to which the water supply tank is attached;
the water supply unit is detachable from the housing of the humidifier,
A humidifier, wherein the water supply tank moves relative to the unit outer wall of the water supply unit.

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