JP7759537B2 - humidifier - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a humidifier.

Humidifiers that humidify by emitting water vapor or mist are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2015-121388 A

For example, suppose the space in which a humidifier is installed is connected to another space by a door or window. If the humidifier is used to humidify while the door or window is open, the humidified air will flow out of the space in which the humidifier is installed. This will result in poor humidification efficiency in the space in which the humidifier is installed. Here, poor humidification efficiency means that the space in which the humidifier is installed is not being humidified efficiently. In other words, when the humidifier is used to humidify for a certain period of time, the increase in humidity in the space in which the humidifier is installed does not reach the increase value based on the humidification performance of the humidifier.

In such conditions where humidification efficiency is poor, it is common to humidify at the humidifier's maximum humidification level in order to increase the humidity in the space in which it is installed. However, if a door or window is open, there is a chance that humidity will not increase even when humidifying at maximum humidification level. In other words, by humidifying at maximum humidification level, the humidifier wastes a lot of power. Furthermore, the humidifier wastes a lot of water for humidification.

The present invention aims to solve the above problem by providing a humidifier that can determine the degree of humidification efficiency of the space in which the humidifier is installed.

To achieve this object, a humidifier according to the present invention includes a main body case having an air intake port and an air outlet port, a blower fan that draws air into the main body case through the air intake port and blows it out of the main body case through the air outlet port, a humidifier that humidifies the intake air, a controller that controls the blower fan, a temperature detector that detects the temperature of a space, and a humidity detector that detects the humidity of the space. The controller also includes a calculator that calculates an absolute humidity based on the temperature detected by the temperature detector and the humidity detected by the humidity detector, and a determiner that determines a degree of humidification efficiency of the space based on a change in the absolute humidity over time . The controller calculates a first absolute humidity at the start of humidification, calculates a second absolute humidity after a first hour has elapsed since the start of humidification, and performs a process of reducing the rotation speed of the blower fan compared to when humidification was started if the difference between the second absolute humidity and the first absolute humidity is less than a threshold value, and maintaining the rotation speed of the blower fan at the start of humidification if the difference between the second absolute humidity and the first absolute humidity is equal to or greater than the threshold value. When the rotation speed of the blower fan is reduced, the control unit repeats the process, and after a predetermined time has elapsed since the rotation speed of the blower fan was reduced, returns the rotation speed of the blower fan to the rotation speed at the start of humidification, and performs a determination process.
The process is repeated until the above-mentioned objective is achieved.

This invention provides a humidifier that can determine the level of humidification efficiency of the space in which the humidifier is installed, allowing humidification operation to be performed according to the level of humidification efficiency.

FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the air purifying device taken along plane A. FIG. 2 is a schematic functional block diagram of a control unit and peripheral units. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a part of a table stored in a storage unit. 4 is a flowchart showing control content in the first embodiment. 11 is a flowchart showing control content in the third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing control content in the fourth embodiment.

The following describes embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments shown below are merely examples intended to embody the technical concept of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following. In particular, the materials, shapes, components, and the arrangement and relative arrangement of the components described in the embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to these alone. Furthermore, in each drawing, substantially identical components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted or simplified.

In this embodiment, an air purifier with a humidifying function will be used as an example of a humidifier.

(Embodiment 1)
First, an air purifying device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the air purifying device 1. The air purifying device 1 according to this embodiment is a device that humidifies and purifies the air in a space in which the air purifying device 1 is installed. Here, in this embodiment, a space connected to the space in which the air purifying device 1 is installed by a door, window, or the like is considered to be a space separate from the space in which the air purifying device 1 is installed.

The air purifier 1 includes a main body case 22. The main body case 22 is a roughly box-shaped box body and includes an air intake 2, an air outlet 3, and a notification unit 4.

The air intake 2 is provided on the front surface of the main body case 22 and is an opening that allows outside air to enter the main body case 22.

The air outlet 3 is provided on the top surface of the main body case 22 and is an openable/closable opening for blowing air taken into the main body case 22 through the air intake 2 out of the main body case 22. In Figure 1, the air outlet 3 is in a closed state.

The notification unit 4 is provided on the front of the main body case 22 and provides notification regarding the humidification efficiency of the air purifier 1 based on instructions from the control unit 11. Here, humidification efficiency will be explained. In this embodiment, poor humidification efficiency means that the space in which the air purifier 1 is installed is not being humidified efficiently. Specifically, when the air purifier 1 humidifies for a certain period of time, the increase in absolute humidity in the space in which the air purifier 1 is installed does not reach the increase value based on the humidification performance of the air purifier 1. In other words, because a door or window in the space in which the air purifier 1 is installed is open, humidified air flows out of the space in which the air purifier 1 is installed, and the increase in absolute humidity does not reach the increase value based on the humidification performance of the air purifier 1.

Conversely, good humidification efficiency means that the space in which air purifying device 1 is installed is being humidified efficiently. Specifically, when air purifying device 1 humidifies for a certain period of time, the increase in absolute humidity in the space in which air purifying device 1 is installed reaches a value based on the humidification performance of air purifying device 1. In other words, because the doors and windows of the space in which air purifying device 1 is installed are closed, the humidified air does not flow out of the space in which air purifying device 1 is installed, and the increase in absolute humidity reaches a value based on the humidification performance of air purifying device 1.

The notification unit 4 includes an LED. In this embodiment, as an example, the notification unit 4 notifies that the humidification efficiency is not poor by lighting the LED, and notifies that the humidification efficiency is poor by flashing the LED. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the notification unit 4 is configured to be provided within the air purifying device 1, but the notification unit 4 may also be provided in another location within the space in which the air purifying device 1 is installed. In this case, for example, the air purifying device 1 and the notification unit 4 may be connected via wireless communication, thereby eliminating the need for complex wiring work. However, the air purifying device 1 and the notification unit 4 do not necessarily have to be connected via wireless communication, and may also be able to communicate via wired communication.

The notification unit 4 may also be provided in a device that can be linked to the air purifying device 1. An example of a device that can be linked to the air purifying device 1 is a smartphone. In this case, the user can configure an app installed on the smartphone to enable linking with the air purifying device 1, and the smartphone will then send a notification based on the humidification efficiency.

In addition, the notification unit 4 may notify using an LED, but may also notify using a sound such as a voice or buzzer.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the air purifier 1 in Figure 1 taken along plane A. As shown in Figure 2, the air purifier 1 includes a temperature detection unit 6, a humidity detection unit 7, an air duct 8, a blower fan 9, a purifying unit 20, a humidifying unit 10, a control unit 11, and a water storage unit 21.

The temperature detection unit 6 is a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the space in which the air purifier 1 is installed. The temperature detection unit 6 may be, for example, a thermistor, linear resistor, or platinum resistor, the resistance of which changes with temperature.

The humidity detection unit 7 is a humidity sensor that detects the relative humidity of the space in which the air purifying device 1 is installed. The humidity detection unit 7 may, for example, be a humidity-sensitive membrane whose resistance or capacitance changes in response to the relative humidity.

In addition, in this embodiment, the air purifying device 1 is configured to include the temperature detection unit 6 and humidity detection unit 7, but the temperature detection unit 6 and humidity detection unit 7 may be provided in separate locations within the space in which the air purifying device 1 is installed. In this case, the air purifying device 1 and the temperature detection unit 6 and humidity detection unit 7 are connected via wireless communication, eliminating the need for complex wiring work. However, the air purifying device 1 and the temperature detection unit 6 and humidity detection unit 7 do not necessarily have to be connected via wireless communication, and they may also be able to communicate via wired communication.

The temperature detection unit 6 and humidity detection unit 7 may also be connected to a device capable of uploading data to a server via wireless or wired communication. In this case, the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 6 and the relative humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 7 are transmitted to the server via the device capable of uploading data to the server. By being able to connect the air purifying device 1 to a device capable of uploading data to the server via wireless or wired communication, the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 6 and the relative humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 7 can be obtained from the server.

The ventilation passage 8 is an air passage that connects the intake port 2 and the outlet port 3.

The blower fan 9 is positioned on the ventilation duct 8 and generates an airflow to guide air from the intake port 2 to the outlet port 3. The higher the number of rotations per unit time of the blower fan 9, the greater the air volume. In this embodiment, the air purifier 1 can be set to three air volume levels: weak, medium, and strong.

The purifying unit 20 is a so-called filter, made of, for example, a fiber or sponge-like material with a certain thickness, and has numerous holes inside that allow air to pass through. The purifying unit 20 filters the air drawn in through the air intake vent 2 by passing the air through the numerous holes.

The humidifying unit 10 is placed on the ventilation duct 8 and is, for example, a filter made of a sponge-like material with a certain thickness. The humidifying unit 10 humidifies the air by sucking up water from the water storage unit 21 and passing the air through the humidifying unit 10 to moisten it. Here, the greater the air volume generated by the blower fan 9, the greater the amount of air passing through the humidifying unit 10 per unit time. In other words, the greater the air volume generated by the blower fan 9, the greater the amount of humidification by the humidifying unit 10 per unit time.

The control unit 11 controls the air purifier 1, and the details of this control will be described later.

The water storage unit 21 stores water and supplies it to the filter, which is the humidification unit 10.

Next, the functions of the control unit 11 will be explained using Figure 3. Figure 3 is a schematic functional block diagram of the control unit 11 and its peripheral components. The control unit 11 includes a calculation unit 12, a memory unit 13, a determination unit 14, and a rotation speed control unit 16.

The calculation unit 12 calculates absolute humidity (unit: grams per cubic meter) using the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 6 and the relative humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 7. The calculation formula is known and therefore not described here.

The memory unit 13 stores an air volume table that associates multiple air volumes that can be set in the air purifying device 1 with the threshold values corresponding to each air volume. Here, the threshold values are determined based on the humidifying performance of the air purifying device 1. The humidifying performance of the air purifying device 1 is the expected increase in absolute humidity when the air purifying device 1 is operated at the set air volume for a first hour (e.g., 30 minutes). This will be explained in more detail below.

When the air purifier 1 is operated at the set air volume for the first hour, the space in which the air purifier 1 is installed is humidified based on the set air volume, and the absolute humidity in the space in which the air purifier 1 is installed increases. Here, the greater the set air volume, the greater the amount of humidification. In other words, the greater the set air volume, the greater the increase in absolute humidity in the space in which the air purifier 1 is installed. The expected increase in absolute humidity after the first hour corresponding to each set air volume becomes the threshold value. The expected increase in absolute humidity after the first hour corresponding to each set air volume is a value determined in advance through experiments, etc.

In addition, the expected increase in absolute humidity after the first hour corresponding to each set airflow rate varies depending on the relative humidity before the first hour of operation. In other words, the threshold value varies depending on the relative humidity before the first hour of operation. Therefore, an airflow rate table is provided for each relative humidity before the first hour of operation. In other words, the memory unit 13 stores multiple airflow rate tables.

A portion of the airflow table will now be described using Figure 4. Figure 4 shows an example of an airflow table when the relative humidity before the first hour of operation is 30%. In this embodiment, the airflow can be set to three levels: weak, medium, and strong. For example, if the relative humidity before the first hour of operation is 30% and the unit has been operated at a weak airflow for the first hour, the threshold value B1 is the expected increase in absolute humidity. Similarly, if the relative humidity before the first hour of operation is 30% and the unit has been operated at a medium airflow for the first hour, the threshold value B2 is the expected increase in absolute humidity. Similarly, if the relative humidity before the first hour of operation is 30% and the unit has been operated at a strong airflow for the first hour, the threshold value B3 is the expected increase in absolute humidity. The higher the set airflow, the greater the increase in absolute humidity after the first hour has elapsed, so the threshold values are B3, B2, and B1 in descending order.

Similarly, the memory unit 13 stores an air volume table in which the threshold values when the relative humidity before the first hour of operation is 40% are C1, C2, and C3. The memory unit 13 stores multiple air volume tables for each relative humidity before the first hour of operation.

In addition, in this embodiment, air volume is used as an example in the air volume table, but another value correlated with the amount of humidification achieved by the air purifier 1 may also be used. For example, the rotation speed of the blower fan 9.

The determination unit 14 determines the degree of humidification efficiency of the space in which the air purifying device 1 is installed based on the change over time in absolute humidity calculated by the calculation unit 12. Specifically, the determination unit 14 obtains the absolute humidity calculated by the calculation unit 12 before the first hour of operation. The absolute humidity obtained before the first hour of operation is designated as the first absolute humidity.

Furthermore, the determination unit 14 acquires the absolute humidity using the calculation unit 12 after the first time has elapsed. The absolute humidity acquired after the first time has elapsed is designated as the second absolute humidity.

Then, the determination unit 14 compares the difference between the second absolute humidity and the first absolute humidity with the threshold value stored in the memory unit 13. In this embodiment, the determination unit 14 obtains from the air volume table a threshold value corresponding to the relative humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 7 before the first hour of operation and the air volume when the first hour of humidification operation is performed. For example, if the relative humidity before the first hour of operation is 30% and the air volume when the first hour of humidification operation is performed is medium, B2 is obtained from the air volume table as the threshold value.

The determination unit 14 compares the difference between the second absolute humidity and the first absolute humidity with a threshold value, and determines that the humidification efficiency is poor if the difference between the second absolute humidity and the first absolute humidity is less than the threshold value. Here, the reason why the humidification efficiency is determined to be poor when the difference between the second absolute humidity and the first absolute humidity is less than the threshold value will be explained. The difference between the second absolute humidity and the first absolute humidity being less than the threshold value means that the increase in absolute humidity after the first hour has elapsed has not reached the increase in absolute humidity expected after the first hour has elapsed. One possible cause of this is that a door or window in the space where the air purifying device 1 is installed is open, causing humidified air to flow out into a space other than the space where the air purifying device 1 is installed. Because of this, the increase in absolute humidity after the first hour has elapsed has not reached the increase in absolute humidity expected after the first hour has elapsed, and the determination unit 14 determines that the humidification efficiency is poor. This concludes the explanation of the reasons.

If the determination unit 14 determines that the humidification efficiency is poor, it instructs the notification unit 4 to notify the user that the humidification efficiency is poor. This allows the user to understand that the humidification efficiency is poor.

Furthermore, if the difference between the second absolute humidity and the first absolute humidity is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the determination unit 14 does not determine that the humidification efficiency is poor because the increase in absolute humidity after the first hour has elapsed has reached the increase in absolute humidity expected after the first hour has elapsed. If the determination unit 14 determines that the humidification efficiency is not poor, it instructs the notification unit 4 to notify the user that the humidification efficiency is not poor. This allows the user to know that the humidification efficiency is not poor.

The rotation speed control unit 16 controls the rotation speed of the blower fan 9. Specifically, if the determination unit 14 determines that the humidification efficiency is poor, the rotation speed control unit 16 reduces the rotation speed of the blower fan 9 from that at the start of the humidification operation, and if the determination unit 14 does not determine that the humidification efficiency is poor, the rotation speed control unit 16 does not reduce the rotation speed of the blower fan 9 from that at the start of the humidification operation. Not reducing the rotation speed of the blower fan 9 from that at the start of the humidification operation means, for example, maintaining the rotation speed of the blower fan 9 at the start of the humidification operation.

Here, we will explain why the rotation speed control unit 16 reduces the rotation speed of the blower fan 9 compared to when the humidification operation started when it was determined that the humidification efficiency was poor. When the humidification efficiency is poor, the humidity does not increase as expected, so it is generally thought that the rotation speed of the blower fan 9 would be increased compared to when the humidification operation started in order to increase the humidity.

Here, the reason for the poor humidification efficiency is thought to be that, as mentioned above, doors or windows in the space where the air purifier 1 is installed are open, causing humidified air to flow out into a space other than the space where the air purifier 1 is installed. In other words, even if the rotation speed of the blower fan 9 is increased compared to when the humidification operation started while doors or windows are open, it is highly likely that the target humidity will not be achieved.

Increasing the rotation speed of the blower fan 9 from the start of humidification operation means that the power consumption of the air purifier 1 increases. In other words, power consumption is increased even though there is a high possibility that the target humidity will not be reached. In other words, power is being wasted.

Furthermore, increasing the rotation speed of the blower fan 9 compared to when the humidification operation started also means that more water is consumed in the water storage section 21. In other words, a lot of water is consumed, even though there is a high possibility that the target humidity will not be reached. When the water in the water storage section 21 runs out, the user will need to refill the water storage section 21. In other words, even though there is a high possibility that the target humidity will not be reached, the timing at which water needs to be refilled comes earlier. In other words, the user will have to perform the time-consuming task of refilling water sooner.

Therefore, if it is determined that the humidification efficiency is poor, the rotation speed control unit 16 reduces the rotation speed of the blower fan 9 from that at the start of humidification operation, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption. Furthermore, by having the rotation speed control unit 16 reduce the rotation speed of the blower fan 9 from that at the start of humidification operation, it is possible to prevent the user from having to perform the time-consuming task of refilling water too early. This concludes the explanation of the reasons.

Here, the control unit 11 includes a computer. The functions described in this disclosure are realized by the computer executing a program. The computer's main hardware configuration is a processor that operates according to the program. The processor may be of any type, as long as it can realize the functions by executing the program. The processor is composed of one or more electronic circuits, including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or an LSI (Large Scale Integration). The multiple electronic circuits may be integrated into a single chip, or may be provided on multiple chips. The multiple chips may be integrated into a single device, or may be provided on multiple devices. The program is recorded on a non-transitory recording medium, such as a computer-readable ROM. The program may be pre-stored on the recording medium, or may be supplied to the recording medium via a wide area communication network, including the Internet.

Next, the control executed by the control unit 11 will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 5. In the flowchart, numbers are assigned starting with the initial letter S. For example, S1 indicates a processing step. However, the magnitude of the numerical value indicating the processing step has no bearing on the processing order.

When the air purifying device 1 starts humidification operation, the control unit 11 starts the determination process. As part of the determination process, the calculation unit 12 first calculates the absolute humidity. The control unit 11 sets the absolute humidity calculated by the calculation unit 12 as the first absolute humidity (S1).

The determination unit 14 obtains a threshold value corresponding to the relative humidity at the start of humidification operation and the air volume at which humidification operation is being performed from the air volume table (S2).

Then, the control unit 11 determines whether a first time has elapsed since the start of humidification operation (S3). If the first time has not elapsed since the start of humidification operation, the control unit 11 repeatedly determines whether the first time has elapsed until the first time has elapsed since the start of humidification operation (S3 No → S3).

If the first hour has elapsed since the start of humidification operation, the calculation unit 12 calculates the absolute humidity after the first hour has elapsed. The control unit 11 sets the absolute humidity after the first hour calculated by the calculation unit 12 as the second absolute humidity (S3 Yes → S4).

Next, the determination unit 14 compares the difference between the second absolute humidity and the first absolute humidity with the threshold value (S5).

If the difference between the second absolute humidity and the first absolute humidity is equal to or greater than the threshold, the determination unit 14 does not determine that the humidification efficiency is poor. In other words, the increase in absolute humidity after the first hour has elapsed has reached the increase in absolute humidity expected after the first hour has elapsed, so the determination unit 14 does not determine that the humidification efficiency is poor. The rotation speed control unit 16 then maintains the rotation speed of the blower fan 9 without reducing it since the start of the humidification operation. The control unit 11 then ends the determination process (S5 No → S9). If the determination unit 14 determines that the humidification efficiency is not poor, the determination unit 14 instructs the notification unit 4 to notify the user that the humidification efficiency is not poor. The notification unit 4 notifies the user that the humidification efficiency is not poor (S10). In this embodiment, the notification unit 4 notifies the user that the humidification efficiency is not poor by turning on an LED. This allows the user to know that doors, windows, etc. in the space where the air purifier 1 is installed are closed and that the humidification efficiency is not poor.

If the difference between the second absolute humidity and the first absolute humidity is smaller than the threshold value, the determination unit 14 determines that the humidification efficiency is poor. In other words, the increase in absolute humidity after the first hour has elapsed has not reached the increase in absolute humidity expected after the first hour has elapsed, and therefore the humidification efficiency is determined to be poor. The rotation speed control unit 16 then reduces the rotation speed of the blower fan 9 from the start of the humidification operation. The control unit 11 then terminates the determination process (S5 Yes → S6). This makes it possible to reduce unnecessary power consumption. It also makes it possible to reduce unnecessary consumption of water in the water storage unit 21. It also makes it possible to prevent the user from having to refill the water storage unit 21 with water earlier, which is a time-consuming task.

Next, if the determination unit 14 determines that the humidification efficiency is poor, it instructs the notification unit 4 to notify that the humidification efficiency is poor. The notification unit 4 notifies that the humidification efficiency is poor (S7). In this embodiment, the notification unit 4 notifies that the humidification efficiency is poor by flashing the LED. This allows the user to know that a door or window in the space where the air purifying device 1 is installed is open and that the humidification efficiency is poor. In other words, the user can take measures to address the cause of the poor humidification efficiency. In other words, the user can know that a door or window in the space where the air purifying device 1 is installed needs to be closed.

When the determination process is completed, the control unit 11 starts a repeat process (S8).
After a predetermined second time (e.g., 30 minutes) has elapsed since the rotation speed of the blower fan 9 was reduced, the rotation speed control unit 16 returns the rotation speed of the blower fan 9 to the rotation speed at the start of the humidification operation. The control unit 11 then performs the determination process again. As the determination process, the control unit 11 updates the first absolute humidity and the second absolute humidity to newly calculated values and determines the humidification efficiency (S1 to S5). The control unit 11 repeats the process until it no longer determines that the humidification efficiency is poor.

This makes it possible to detect the timing when the user closes a door or window in the space where the air purifying device 1 is installed, changing the humidifying efficiency from poor to more efficient. In other words, by detecting the timing when the humidifying efficiency changes to more efficient, the rotation speed control unit 16 does not reduce the airflow rate of the blower fan 9 from the start of humidification operation, allowing the space where the air purifying device 1 is installed to be efficiently humidified.

Here, we will explain the second time. The longer the second time, the shorter the time spent wasting power, but the longer the time until the humidification efficiency is judged again. Therefore, the second time should be set to a longer time if you want to shorten the time spent wasting power, and a shorter time if you want to judge the humidification efficiency more frequently. The second time may be set arbitrarily by the user.

(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, as a repeating process, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the rotation speed control unit 16 reduced the rotation speed of the blower fan 9, the rotation speed of the blower fan 9 is returned to the rotation speed at the start of the humidification operation, and the control unit 11 performs the determination process again. In other words, the control unit 11 returns to step S1 after step S8.

However, in embodiment 2, the control unit 11 returns to step S3 after step S8. In other words, the control unit 11 updates the second absolute humidity, but does not update the first absolute humidity from the initially calculated value. This allows the air purifying device 1 to be controlled more simply.

(Embodiment 3)
The description of embodiment 3 will focus on the differences from embodiment 1. The internal configuration of the air purifying device in embodiment 3 is the same as that of air purifying device 1 in embodiment 1. However, the control content of the air purifying device in embodiment 3 is partially different from that in embodiment 1. The calculation unit 12, storage unit 13, and determination unit 14 in embodiment 3 will be described.

The calculation unit 12 calculates the absolute humidity using the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 6 and the relative humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 7.

Furthermore, the calculation unit 12 calculates absolute humidity at past times from the time series data of temperature and humidity stored in the memory unit 13.

In addition to the functions of embodiment 1, the memory unit 13 stores time-series data that chronologically stores the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 6 and the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 7.

The determination unit 14 determines the degree of humidification efficiency of the space in which the air purifying device 1 is installed based on the change over time in absolute humidity calculated by the calculation unit 12.

Specifically, the determination unit 14 acquires the absolute humidity calculated by the calculation unit 12 before the first hour of operation. The absolute humidity acquired before the first hour of operation is set to the first absolute humidity. Furthermore, the determination unit 14 acquires the absolute humidity calculated by the calculation unit 12 for a predetermined time before the start of the first hour of operation. The absolute humidity before the predetermined time is set to the pre-humidification absolute humidity. The predetermined time can be set arbitrarily.

Furthermore, the determination unit 14 calculates the predicted absolute humidity if a first hour elapses without humidification when humidification is started, based on the first absolute humidity and the pre-humidification absolute humidity. Specifically, the determination unit 14 calculates the absolute humidity increase per unit time if humidification is not performed, based on the first absolute humidity and the pre-humidification absolute humidity. The determination unit 14 calculates the absolute humidity if a first hour elapses without humidification, based on the absolute humidity increase per unit time if humidification is not performed.

Furthermore, the determination unit 14 acquires the absolute humidity calculated by the calculation unit 12 after the first time has elapsed. The absolute humidity acquired after the first time has elapsed is set as the second absolute humidity.

The determination unit 14 then compares the difference between the second absolute humidity and the predicted absolute humidity with the threshold value stored in the memory unit 13. The threshold value is obtained from the air volume table. Alternatively, the threshold value may be a value arbitrarily set by the user. The air volume table is created to suit a typical indoor environment, but a wide variety of indoor environments exist in real environments. Therefore, the user may arbitrarily set or change the threshold value depending on the indoor environment.

If the determination unit 14 determines that the humidification efficiency is poor, it instructs the notification unit 4 to notify the user that the humidification efficiency is poor. This allows the user to understand that the humidification efficiency is poor.

The determination unit 14 compares the difference between the second absolute humidity and the predicted absolute humidity with a threshold value, and determines that the humidification efficiency is poor if the difference between the second absolute humidity and the predicted absolute humidity is less than the threshold value. Here, we explain why the humidification efficiency is determined to be poor if the difference between the second absolute humidity and the predicted absolute humidity is less than the threshold value. The fact that the difference between the second absolute humidity and the predicted absolute humidity is less than the threshold value means that the increase in absolute humidity after the first hour has elapsed has not reached the increase in absolute humidity expected after the first hour has elapsed. One possible cause of this is that a door or window in the space where the air purifying device 1 is installed is open, causing humidified air to flow out into a space other than the space where the air purifying device 1 is installed. Because of this, the increase in absolute humidity after the first hour has elapsed has not reached the increase in absolute humidity expected after the first hour has elapsed, and the determination unit 14 determines that the humidification efficiency is poor. This concludes the explanation of the reasons.

Furthermore, if the difference between the second absolute humidity and the predicted absolute humidity is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the determination unit 14 does not determine that the humidification efficiency is poor because the increase in absolute humidity after the first hour has elapsed has reached the increase in absolute humidity expected after the first hour has elapsed. If the determination unit 14 determines that the humidification efficiency is not poor, it instructs the notification unit 4 to notify the user that the humidification efficiency is not poor. This allows the user to know that the humidification efficiency is not poor.

Next, the control executed by the control unit 11 will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 6.

When the air purifying device 1 starts humidification operation, the control unit 11 starts the determination process. As part of the determination process, the calculation unit 12 first calculates the absolute humidity. The calculation unit 12 calculates the pre-humidification absolute humidity, which is the absolute humidity a predetermined time before the humidification operation starts, and the first absolute humidity, which is the absolute humidity at the time the humidification operation starts. The determination unit 14 calculates the predicted absolute humidity based on the pre-humidification absolute humidity and the first absolute humidity (S11).

The determination unit 14 obtains a threshold value corresponding to the relative humidity at the start of humidification operation and the air volume at which humidification operation is being performed from the air volume table (S12).

Then, the control unit 11 determines whether a first time has elapsed since the start of humidification operation (S13). If the first time has not elapsed since the start of humidification operation, the control unit 11 repeatedly determines whether the first time has elapsed until the first time has elapsed since the start of humidification operation (S13 No → S13).

If the first hour has elapsed since the start of humidification operation, the calculation unit 12 calculates the absolute humidity after the first hour has elapsed. The control unit 11 sets the absolute humidity after the first hour calculated by the calculation unit 12 as the second absolute humidity (S13 Yes → S14).

Next, the determination unit 14 compares the difference between the second absolute humidity and the predicted absolute humidity with a threshold value (S15).

If the difference between the second absolute humidity and the predicted absolute humidity is equal to or greater than the threshold, the determination unit 14 does not determine that the humidification efficiency is poor. In other words, the increase in absolute humidity after the first hour has elapsed has reached the increase in absolute humidity expected after the first hour has elapsed, so the determination unit 14 does not determine that the humidification efficiency is poor. The rotation speed control unit 16 then maintains the rotation speed of the blower fan 9 without reducing it since the start of the humidification operation. The control unit 11 then ends the determination process (S15 No → S19). If the determination unit 14 determines that the humidification efficiency is not poor, the determination unit 14 instructs the notification unit 4 to notify the user that the humidification efficiency is not poor. The notification unit 4 notifies the user that the humidification efficiency is not poor (S20). In this embodiment, the notification unit 4 notifies the user that the humidification efficiency is not poor by turning on an LED. This allows the user to know that doors, windows, etc. in the space where the air purifier 1 is installed are closed and that the humidification efficiency is not poor.

If the difference between the second absolute humidity and the predicted absolute humidity is smaller than the threshold value, the determination unit 14 determines that the humidification efficiency is poor. In other words, the increase in absolute humidity after the first hour has elapsed has not reached the increase in absolute humidity expected after the first hour has elapsed, and therefore the humidification efficiency is determined to be poor. The rotation speed control unit 16 then reduces the rotation speed of the blower fan 9 from the start of the humidification operation. The control unit 11 then terminates the determination process (S15 Yes → S16). This makes it possible to reduce unnecessary power consumption. It also makes it possible to reduce unnecessary consumption of water in the water storage unit 21. It also makes it possible to prevent the user from having to refill the water storage unit 21 with water earlier, which is a time-consuming task.

Next, if the determination unit 14 determines that the humidification efficiency is poor, it instructs the notification unit 4 to notify that the humidification efficiency is poor. The notification unit 4 notifies that the humidification efficiency is poor (S17). In this embodiment, the notification unit 4 notifies that the humidification efficiency is poor by flashing the LED. This allows the user to know that a door or window in the space where the air purifying device 1 is installed is open and that the humidification efficiency is poor. In other words, the user can take measures to address the cause of the poor humidification efficiency. In other words, the user can know that a door or window in the space where the air purifying device 1 is installed needs to be closed.

When the determination process is completed, the control unit 11 starts a repeat process (S18).
After a predetermined second time has elapsed since the rotation speed of the blower fan 9 was reduced, the rotation speed control unit 16 returns the rotation speed of the blower fan 9 to the rotation speed at the start of the humidification operation. The control unit 11 then performs the determination process again. As the determination process, the control unit 11 updates the first absolute humidity and the second absolute humidity to newly calculated values and determines the humidification efficiency (S11 to S15). The control unit 11 repeats the process until it no longer determines that the humidification efficiency is poor.

This makes it possible to detect the timing when the user closes a door or window in the space where the air purifying device 1 is installed, changing the humidifying efficiency from poor to more efficient. In other words, by detecting the timing when the humidifying efficiency changes to more efficient, the rotation speed control unit 16 does not reduce the airflow rate of the blower fan 9 from the start of humidification operation, allowing the space where the air purifying device 1 is installed to be efficiently humidified.

(Fourth embodiment)
The description of embodiment 4 will focus on the differences from embodiment 1. The internal configuration of the air purifying device in embodiment 4 is the same as that of air purifying device 1 in embodiment 1. However, the control content of the air purifying device in embodiment 4 is partially different from that in embodiment 1. The calculation unit 12, storage unit 13, and determination unit 14 in embodiment 4 will be described.

The calculation unit 12 calculates the absolute humidity using the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 6 and the relative humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 7.

Furthermore, the calculation unit 12 calculates the absolute humidity at a specified time from the time series data of temperature and humidity stored in the memory unit 13.

In addition to the functions of embodiment 1, the memory unit 13 stores time-series data that chronologically stores the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 6 and the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 7.

The determination unit 14 determines the degree of humidification efficiency of the space in which the air purifying device 1 is installed based on the change over time in absolute humidity calculated by the calculation unit 12. Specifically, the determination unit 14 obtains the absolute humidity at a predetermined timing during humidification calculated by the calculation unit 12. The absolute humidity at the predetermined timing during humidification is designated as the first absolute humidity.

Furthermore, the determination unit 14 obtains the absolute humidity a predetermined time before the predetermined timing during humidification, calculated by the calculation unit 12. The absolute humidity a predetermined time before the predetermined timing during humidification is defined as the absolute humidity a predetermined time before. The predetermined time can be set arbitrarily.

Furthermore, the determination unit 14 calculates the predicted absolute humidity after a first hour has elapsed from a predetermined timing during humidification, based on the first absolute humidity and the absolute humidity a predetermined time ago. Specifically, the determination unit 14 calculates the absolute humidity increase value per unit time from the first absolute humidity and the absolute humidity a predetermined time ago. The determination unit 14 calculates the predicted absolute humidity after a first hour has elapsed, based on the absolute humidity increase value per unit time.

Furthermore, the determination unit 14 acquires the absolute humidity calculated by the calculation unit 12 after the first time has elapsed. The absolute humidity acquired after the first time has elapsed is set as the second absolute humidity.

The determination unit 14 then compares the difference between the second absolute humidity and the predicted absolute humidity with the threshold value stored in the memory unit 13. The threshold value is obtained from the air volume table. Alternatively, the threshold value may be a value arbitrarily set by the user. The air volume table is created to suit a typical indoor environment, but a wide variety of indoor environments exist in real environments. Therefore, the user may arbitrarily set or change the threshold value depending on the indoor environment.

If the determination unit 14 determines that the humidification efficiency is poor, it instructs the notification unit 4 to notify the user that the humidification efficiency is poor. This allows the user to understand that the humidification efficiency is poor.

The determination unit 14 compares the difference between the second absolute humidity and the predicted absolute humidity with a threshold value. If the difference between the second absolute humidity and the predicted absolute humidity is smaller than the threshold value, the determination unit 14 determines that the humidification efficiency is poor. Here, the reason for determining that the humidification efficiency is poor when the difference between the second absolute humidity and the predicted absolute humidity is smaller than the threshold value is explained. If the difference between the second absolute humidity and the predicted absolute humidity is smaller than the threshold value, this means that the increase in absolute humidity after the first hour has elapsed has not reached the increase in absolute humidity expected after the first hour has elapsed. Possible causes of this include the opening of a door or window in the space where the air purifier 1 is installed, causing humidified air to flow into a space other than the space where the air purifier 1 is installed. Another possible cause of humidity reduction is an increase in the ventilation rate in the space where the air purifier 1 is installed. Another possible cause is that the humidity in the space where the air purifier 1 is installed is approaching the target humidity, and the amount of humidification and the amount of moisture released outside the space through ventilation, etc., are close to each other. Because of this reason, the increase in absolute humidity after the first hour has elapsed does not reach the increase in absolute humidity expected after the first hour has elapsed, and the judgment unit 14 judges that the humidification efficiency is poor. This concludes the explanation of the reasons.

Furthermore, if the difference between the second absolute humidity and the predicted absolute humidity is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the determination unit 14 does not determine that the humidification efficiency is poor because the increase in absolute humidity after the first hour has elapsed has reached the increase in absolute humidity expected after the first hour has elapsed. If the determination unit 14 determines that the humidification efficiency is not poor, it instructs the notification unit 4 to notify the user that the humidification efficiency is not poor. This allows the user to know that the humidification efficiency is not poor.

Next, the control executed by the control unit 11 will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 7.

At a predetermined timing during humidification operation by the air purifier 1, the control unit 11 starts a determination process. As part of the determination process, the calculation unit 12 first calculates the absolute humidity. The calculation unit 12 calculates the absolute humidity a predetermined time before the predetermined timing, which is the absolute humidity a predetermined time before the predetermined timing, and a first absolute humidity, which is the absolute humidity at the predetermined timing. The determination unit 14 calculates a predicted absolute humidity based on the absolute humidity a predetermined time before the predetermined timing and the first absolute humidity (S21).

The determination unit 14 obtains a threshold value corresponding to the relative humidity at a predetermined timing and the air volume at which humidification operation is being performed from the air volume table (S22).

Then, the control unit 11 determines whether a first time has elapsed since the predetermined timing (S23). If the first time has not elapsed since the predetermined timing, the control unit 11 repeats the determination of whether the first time has elapsed until the first time has elapsed since the predetermined timing (S23 No → S23).

If a first time has elapsed since the specified timing, the calculation unit 12 calculates the absolute humidity after the first time has elapsed. The control unit 11 sets the absolute humidity after the first time calculated by the calculation unit 12 as the second absolute humidity (S23 Yes → S24).

Next, the determination unit 14 compares the difference between the second absolute humidity and the predicted absolute humidity with a threshold value (S25).

If the difference between the second absolute humidity and the predicted absolute humidity is equal to or greater than the threshold, the determination unit 14 does not determine that the humidification efficiency is poor. In other words, the increase in absolute humidity after the first hour has elapsed has reached the increase in absolute humidity expected after the first hour has elapsed, so the determination unit 14 does not determine that the humidification efficiency is poor. The rotation speed control unit 16 then maintains the rotation speed of the blower fan 9 without reducing it since the start of the humidification operation. The control unit 11 then terminates the determination process (S25 No → S29). If the determination unit 14 determines that the humidification efficiency is not poor, the determination unit 14 instructs the notification unit 4 to notify the user that the humidification efficiency is not poor. The notification unit 4 notifies the user that the humidification efficiency is not poor (S30). In this embodiment, the notification unit 4 notifies the user that the humidification efficiency is not poor by turning on an LED. This allows the user to know that doors, windows, etc. in the space where the air purifier 1 is installed are closed and that the humidification efficiency is not poor.

If the difference between the second absolute humidity and the predicted absolute humidity is smaller than the threshold value, the determination unit 14 determines that the humidification efficiency is poor. In other words, the increase in absolute humidity after the first hour has elapsed has not reached the increase in absolute humidity expected after the first hour has elapsed, and therefore the humidification efficiency is determined to be poor. The rotation speed control unit 16 then reduces the rotation speed of the blower fan 9 from the start of the humidification operation. The control unit 11 then terminates the determination process (S25 Yes → S26). This makes it possible to reduce unnecessary power consumption. It also makes it possible to reduce unnecessary consumption of water in the water storage unit 21. It also makes it possible to prevent the user from having to refill the water storage unit 21 with water earlier, which is a time-consuming task.

Next, if the determination unit 14 determines that the humidification efficiency is poor, it instructs the notification unit 4 to notify that the humidification efficiency is poor. The notification unit 4 notifies that the humidification efficiency is poor (S27). In this embodiment, the notification unit 4 notifies that the humidification efficiency is poor by flashing the LED. This allows the user to know that a door or window in the space where the air purifying device 1 is installed is open and that the humidification efficiency is poor. In other words, the user can take measures to address the cause of the poor humidification efficiency. In other words, the user can know that a door or window in the space where the air purifying device 1 is installed needs to be closed.

When the determination process is completed, the control unit 11 starts a repeat process (S28).
The rotation speed control unit 16 returns the rotation speed of the blower fan 9 to the rotation speed at the predetermined timing after a predetermined second time has elapsed since the rotation speed of the blower fan 9 was reduced. The control unit 11 then performs the determination process again. As the determination process, the control unit 11 updates the first absolute humidity and the second absolute humidity to newly calculated values and determines the humidification efficiency (S21 to S25). The control unit 11 repeats the process until it no longer determines that the humidification efficiency is poor.

This makes it possible to detect the timing when the user closes a door or window in the space where the air purifying device 1 is installed, changing the humidifying efficiency from poor to more efficient. In other words, by detecting the timing when the humidifying efficiency changes to more efficient, the rotation speed control unit 16 does not reduce the airflow rate of the blower fan 9 from the start of humidification operation, allowing the space where the air purifying device 1 is installed to be efficiently humidified.

The above describes the air purifier 1 and control unit 11 according to the present invention.

The present invention has been described based on the embodiments, but the present invention is in no way limited to the above embodiments, and it is readily apparent that various improvements and modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

For example, in this embodiment, the humidification method used by the humidifier 10 is an evaporation method in which water is drawn up into a filter and then absorbed into the air. However, instead of an evaporation method, the humidification method used by the humidifier 10 may be an ultrasonic method in which water is atomized using ultrasonic vibrations and then absorbed into the air, or a heating method in which water is heated using a heater and then evaporated by heating and then absorbed into the air.

(Summary of the Invention)
The humidifying device of the present invention comprises a main body case having an air intake and an air outlet, a blower fan that draws air into the main body case through the air intake and blows it out of the main body case through the air outlet, a humidifier that humidifies the intake air, a control unit that controls the blower fan, a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the space to be humidified by the humidifier unit, and a humidity detection unit that detects the humidity of the space, and the control unit comprises a calculation unit that calculates the absolute humidity from the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit and the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit, and a judgment unit that judges the degree of humidification efficiency of the space based on the change over time in the absolute humidity calculated by the calculation unit.

This allows the degree of humidification efficiency of the space in which the humidifier is installed to be determined, allowing humidification operation to be performed according to the degree of humidification efficiency.

When humidification by the humidifier unit begins, the control unit calculates a first absolute humidity as a judgment process. After a first hour has elapsed since the start of humidification, the control unit calculates a second absolute humidity, and if the difference between the second absolute humidity and the first absolute humidity is smaller than a threshold value, it is judged that humidification efficiency is poor, and the rotation speed of the blower fan is reduced from the value at the start of humidification. If the difference between the second absolute humidity and the first absolute humidity is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is not judged that humidification efficiency is poor, and the rotation speed of the blower fan does not need to be reduced from the value at the start of humidification.

In other words, when humidification efficiency is poor, the rotation speed of the blower fan can be reduced compared to when humidification started. This reduces unnecessary power consumption when humidification efficiency is poor. It also reduces unnecessary consumption of water in the water storage section 21. It also prevents the user from having to refill the water storage section 21 with water, a time-consuming task, earlier than normal.

The threshold value may also be determined based on the humidification performance of the humidifier.

This allows the humidification efficiency to be determined based on the humidification performance of the humidifier.

The control unit may also reduce the rotation speed of the blower fan, and, as a repeating process, after a predetermined time has elapsed since reducing the rotation speed of the blower fan, return the rotation speed of the blower fan to the rotation speed at the start of humidification, and perform a determination process. This process may be repeated until it is no longer determined that the humidification efficiency is poor.

This makes it possible to detect the timing when the humidification efficiency changes from poor to more efficient. In other words, by detecting the timing when the humidification efficiency changes to more efficient and not reducing the airflow rate of the blower fan from the start of humidification, the space in which the humidifier is installed can be efficiently humidified.

The control unit may also reduce the rotation speed of the blower fan, and as a repeating process, after a predetermined time has elapsed since reducing the rotation speed of the blower fan, return the rotation speed of the blower fan to the rotation speed at the start of humidification, calculate the absolute humidity after a first time has elapsed, set the absolute humidity calculated after the first time has elapsed as a new second absolute humidity, determine that humidification efficiency is poor if the difference between the second absolute humidity and the first absolute humidity is smaller than a threshold value, reduce the rotation speed of the blower fan from that at the start of humidification, and if the difference between the second absolute humidity and the first absolute humidity is equal to or greater than the threshold value, do not determine that humidification efficiency is poor and do not reduce the rotation speed of the blower fan from that at the start of humidification, and repeat the process until it no longer determines that humidification efficiency is poor.

This makes it possible to detect the timing when the humidification efficiency changes from poor to more efficient. In other words, by detecting the timing when the humidification efficiency changes to more efficient and not reducing the airflow rate of the blower fan from the start of humidification, the space in which the humidifier is installed can be efficiently humidified.

The device also includes a main body case having an air intake and an air outlet, and a memory unit that stores the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit and the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit in chronological order. The blower fan draws air into the main body case through the air intake and blows it out of the main body case through the air outlet. When humidification starts, the control unit, as a determination process, calculates the pre-humidification absolute humidity a predetermined time before the start of humidification based on the temperature and humidity stored in the memory unit a predetermined time before the start of humidification, and calculates the first absolute humidity at the start of humidification. The absolute humidity is calculated, and based on the absolute humidity before humidification and the first absolute humidity, a predicted absolute humidity is calculated if a first hour has passed without humidification when humidification starts. After the first hour has passed since humidification started, a second absolute humidity is calculated. If the difference between the second absolute humidity and the predicted absolute humidity is smaller than a threshold value, the rotation speed of the blower fan is reduced compared to when humidification started, and if the difference between the second absolute humidity and the first absolute humidity is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the rotation speed of the blower fan is not reduced from when humidification started.

In other words, when humidification efficiency is poor, the rotation speed of the blower fan can be reduced compared to when humidification started. This reduces unnecessary power consumption when humidification efficiency is poor. It also reduces unnecessary consumption of water in the water storage section 21. It also prevents the user from having to refill the water storage section 21 with water, a time-consuming task, earlier than normal.

The device also includes a main body case having an air intake and an air outlet, and a memory unit that stores the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit and the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit in chronological order. The blower fan draws air into the main body case through the air intake and blows air out of the main body case through the air outlet. At a predetermined timing during humidification, the control unit, as a determination process, calculates the absolute humidity a predetermined time before the predetermined timing during humidification based on the temperature a predetermined time before the predetermined timing during humidification and the humidity a predetermined time before the predetermined timing during humidification, which are stored in the memory unit. The first absolute humidity is calculated as the absolute humidity at the specified time, and a predicted absolute humidity when a first hour has elapsed since a specified timing during humidification is calculated based on the absolute humidity before the specified time and the first absolute humidity. After the first hour has elapsed since the specified timing during humidification, a second absolute humidity is calculated as the absolute humidity after the first hour has elapsed. If the difference between the second absolute humidity and the predicted absolute humidity is smaller than a threshold value, the rotation speed of the blower fan is reduced compared to the specified timing, and if the difference between the second absolute humidity and the predicted absolute humidity is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the rotation speed of the blower fan is not reduced from the specified timing.

In other words, when humidification efficiency is poor, the rotation speed of the blower fan can be reduced compared to when humidification started. This reduces unnecessary power consumption when humidification efficiency is poor. It also reduces unnecessary consumption of water in the water storage section 21. It also prevents the user from having to refill the water storage section 21 with water, a time-consuming task, earlier than normal.

The threshold value may also be changeable by the user. This allows the humidification efficiency to be determined based on the threshold value desired by the user.

The device may also be equipped with a notification unit that notifies the user that the humidification efficiency is poor if the reading is less than the threshold value. This allows the user to understand that the humidification efficiency of the space in which the humidifier is installed is poor. The user can also take measures to address the cause of the poor humidification efficiency.

The humidification method used by the humidifier unit can be any of the following: an ultrasonic method, which uses ultrasonic vibrations to atomize water and then incorporates the atomized water into the air; a heating method, which uses a heater to heat water and then evaporate the heated water, and then incorporates the evaporated water into the air; and an evaporation method, which draws water into a filter and then incorporates the water from the filter into the air. This allows the present invention to be implemented using a variety of humidification methods.

The present invention is useful as a humidifier, etc.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Air purifier 2 Intake port 3 Outlet port 4 Notification unit 6 Temperature detection unit 7 Humidity detection unit 8 Ventilation duct 9 Blower fan 10 Humidifier unit 11 Control unit 12 Calculation unit 13 Storage unit 14 Determination unit 16 Rotation speed control unit 20 Purifier unit 21 Water storage unit 22 Main body case

Claims (8)

a main body case having an air intake and an air outlet;
a humidifying unit that humidifies the air;
a blower fan that blows the air humidified by the humidifier;
a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the space to be humidified by the humidifier;
a humidity detection unit that detects the humidity of the space;
a control unit that performs humidification control,
The control unit
a calculation unit that calculates absolute humidity from the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit and the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit;
a determination unit that performs a determination process to determine a degree of humidification efficiency of the space based on the time change of the absolute humidity calculated by the calculation unit ,
The blower fan is
Air is drawn into the main body case through the intake port and blown out of the main body case through the outlet port,
When starting humidification, the control unit performs the determination process as follows:
Calculating a first absolute humidity, which is the absolute humidity;
After a first hour has elapsed since the start of the humidification, a second absolute humidity is calculated after the first hour has elapsed;
If the difference between the second absolute humidity and the first absolute humidity is smaller than a threshold value,
The rotation speed of the blower fan is reduced to a value lower than that at the start of humidification,
When the difference between the second absolute humidity and the first absolute humidity is equal to or greater than the threshold value,
The rotation speed of the blower fan is not reduced from the start of humidification.
Processing is performed,
The control unit
When the rotation speed of the blower fan is reduced,
As a repetitive process,
After a predetermined time has elapsed since the rotation speed of the blower fan was reduced, the rotation speed of the blower fan is returned to the rotation speed at the start of the humidification;
The determination process is performed.
Processing is performed,
The humidifier repeats the repetitive process until the concentration becomes equal to or greater than the threshold . The humidifier according to claim 1 , wherein the threshold value is determined based on the humidifying performance of the humidifier. a main body case having an air intake and an air outlet;
a humidifying unit that humidifies the air;
a blower fan that blows the air humidified by the humidifier;
a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the space to be humidified by the humidifier;
a humidity detection unit that detects the humidity of the space;
a control unit that performs humidification control,
The control unit
a calculation unit that calculates absolute humidity from the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit and the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit;
a determination unit that performs a determination process to determine a degree of humidification efficiency of the space based on the time change of the absolute humidity calculated by the calculation unit,
The blower fan is
Air is drawn into the main body case through the intake port and blown out of the main body case through the outlet port,
When starting humidification, the control unit performs the determination process as follows:
Calculating a first absolute humidity, which is the absolute humidity;
After a first hour has elapsed since the start of the humidification, a second absolute humidity is calculated after the first hour has elapsed;
If the difference between the second absolute humidity and the first absolute humidity is smaller than a threshold value,
The rotation speed of the blower fan is reduced to a value lower than that at the start of humidification,
When the difference between the second absolute humidity and the first absolute humidity is equal to or greater than the threshold value,
The rotation speed of the blower fan is not reduced from the start of humidification.
Processing is performed,
The control unit
When the rotation speed of the blower fan is reduced,
As a repetitive process,
After a predetermined time has elapsed since the rotation speed of the blower fan was reduced, the rotation speed of the blower fan is returned to the rotation speed at the start of the humidification;
Calculating the absolute humidity after the first time period has elapsed;
The absolute humidity calculated after the first time has elapsed is set as a new second absolute humidity.
If the difference between the new second absolute humidity and the new first absolute humidity is less than the threshold value,
The rotation speed of the blower fan is reduced to a value lower than that at the start of humidification,
If the difference between the new second absolute humidity and the new first absolute humidity is equal to or greater than the threshold value,
The rotation speed of the blower fan is not reduced from the start of humidification.
Processing is performed,
The humidifier repeats the repeating process until the temperature becomes equal to or greater than the threshold. The humidifier according to claim 3 , wherein the threshold value is determined based on the humidifying performance of the humidifier. a main body case having an air intake port and an air outlet;
a humidifying unit that humidifies the air;
a blower fan that blows the air humidified by the humidifier;
a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the space to be humidified by the humidifier;
a humidity detection unit that detects the humidity of the space;
a control unit that performs humidification control,
The control unit
Absolute humidity is calculated from the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit and the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit.
A calculation unit;
a determination unit that performs a determination process to determine a degree of humidification efficiency of the space based on the time change of the absolute humidity calculated by the calculation unit;
a storage unit that stores the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit and the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit in chronological order,
The blower fan is
When humidification is started by drawing air into the main body case through the air intake port and blowing air out of the main body case through the air outlet, the control unit performs the determination process as follows:
calculating a pre-humidification absolute humidity before the predetermined time from the start of humidification based on the temperature before the predetermined time from the start of humidification and the humidity before the predetermined time from the start of humidification, which are stored in the memory unit;
Calculating a first absolute humidity, which is the absolute humidity at the start of the humidification;
calculating a predicted absolute humidity that would be obtained if a first hour had elapsed without humidification at the start of humidification based on the pre-humidification absolute humidity and the first absolute humidity;
After a first hour has elapsed since the start of the humidification, a second absolute humidity is calculated after the first hour has elapsed;
If the difference between the second absolute humidity and the predicted absolute humidity is less than a threshold value,
The rotation speed of the blower fan is reduced to a value lower than that at the start of humidification,
When the difference between the second absolute humidity and the first absolute humidity is equal to or greater than the threshold value,
The rotation speed of the blower fan is not reduced from the start of humidification.
A humidifying device that processes the material. The humidifier according to claim 5 , wherein the threshold value is changeable by a user. The humidifier according to claim 1 , further comprising a notification unit that notifies the user that humidification efficiency is poor when the measured value is less than the threshold value. The humidification method by the humidifying unit is as follows:
A humidifier according to any one of claims 1, 3 and 5, which is any one of an ultrasonic method in which water is atomized by ultrasonic vibration and the atomized water is incorporated into the air, a heating method in which water is heated by a heater and the evaporated water is incorporated into the air, and an evaporation method in which water is sucked into a filter and the sucked water from the filter is incorporated into the air.