JP2010096478A - Humidification apparatus and air cleaner with humidification function - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a humidification apparatus and an air cleaner with a humidification function stably spilling water on a disk layer part at a predetermined position of the disk layer part. <P>SOLUTION: The disk layer part 34 composed by laminating a plurality of humidification disks 32 carries out humidification by exposing a portion wet by water to air following rotation. A water supply part 90 pumps up water by a water supply bucket 85 following the rotation of the disk layer part 34, and when the water is at an upper position, the water is spilled on the disk layer part 34 from a drain hole 36. An electrolytic water unit 70 is disposed in an inner space 57 of the disk layer part 34. The water supply bucket 85 includes a front boss 33 formed with the drain hole 36 near the electrolytic water unit 70 in a position facing the electrolytic water unit 70 in a laminated direction of the humidification disks 32, and a rear boss 44 distanced from the electrolytic water unit 70 in comparison with the front boss 33, and a packing 79 is in a joint between the front boss 33 and the rear boss 44. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a humidifier and an air cleaner with a humidifying function.

  There is known a humidifier that takes in air, humidifies the air, and discharges the air outside the apparatus (see Patent Document 1). In the humidifying device described in Patent Document 1, an air flow path that connects the suction port and the air outlet is formed in a main body (corresponding to a housing) having an air inlet and an air outlet. A blower and a heater are provided. And in the lower part of the main body, a water tank (corresponding to a water storage tank) is provided, and in the water tank, a humidifying filter (corresponding to a disk layer part) is immersed in the water of the water tank, It is provided rotatably.

When the humidifier described in Patent Document 1 is in an operating state, air outside the apparatus is sucked from the suction port into the air flow path by the blower and then sent to the heater, and is heated by the heater to become warm air. Then, the warm air comes into contact with the rotating humidifying filter while being immersed in the water in the water tank, is humidified by the water adhering to the humidifying filter, and is discharged from the blower outlet to the outside of the apparatus.
JP 2006-200762 A

  In the humidifier described in Patent Document 1, water that has not been used for humidification is present in the humidification filter. Water that has not been used for this humidification is spilled and collected. However, the water should be spilled at the specified position by removing the chlorine component and scale deposited from the moisture adhering to the humidifying filter and adhering to the humidifying filter. There is a risk of spilling.

Further, even if the humidifying filter is not contaminated, the water that should spill at the predetermined position may come off the predetermined position with the rotation of the humidifying filter and spill at the position where it cannot be recovered.
Furthermore, depending on the state of the mounting surface on which the humidifier is placed, the humidifier may be placed in an inclined state. In this case, too, water that should be spilled at a predetermined position is removed from the predetermined position. There is a risk of spilling at a position that cannot be recovered.

  The present invention has been made based on such background, and an object thereof is to provide a humidifier and an air cleaner with a humidifying function capable of stably spilling water at a predetermined position of the disk layer portion in the disk layer portion. And

  The invention according to claim 1 is a housing in which an inlet for taking in air, an air flow path through which air taken in from the inlet flows, and an outlet for discharging the air flowing through the air flow path are formed. And a blower means that is provided in the casing, takes air from the inlet into the air flow path and sends the air to the outlet, a water storage tank that is disposed in the casing and stores water, and the air flow path, A humidifying unit that is arranged to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in a substantially horizontal direction, and humidifies the air in the air flow path with water of the water storage tank, and the humidifying unit has an outer peripheral edge and an inner peripheral edge. A plurality of annular disks having a plurality of annular disks are stacked in a substantially horizontal direction with a predetermined interval between each other, and are defined by outer peripheral surfaces defined by outer peripheral edges of the respective annular disks and inner peripheral edges of the respective annular disks. The A disk layer part having a space, a lower part immersed in the water of the water tank, and exposing a portion wetted with water of the water tank to the air in the air flow path with rotation; and the disk layer part Each of which is disposed along the outer circumferential surface in the circumferential direction of the outer circumferential surface of the outer circumferential surface of the outer circumferential surface of the annular disk and includes a plurality of water pumping containers each extending in the overlapping direction of the annular disk. A water supply unit that pumps up the water in the water storage tank with the water pumping container, and spills the water pumped up with the water pumping container into the disk layer part from the drain hole when it comes to an upper position, An electrolyzed water unit that is disposed in an inner space, receives water falling from the inner peripheral edge of the annular disk, electrolyzes the water to generate electrolyzed water, and places the electrolyzed water on the air flowing through the air flow path. And in the water supply section, The pumping container has a first portion in which the water drainage hole is formed near the electrolyzed water unit at a position facing the electrolyzed water unit in the overlapping direction of the annular disk, and the first portion compared to the first portion. And a second portion separated from the electrolyzed water unit, and a packing is interposed at a joint between the first portion and the second portion.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the packing is provided with a guide portion that projects toward the electrolyzed water unit and guides water spilled from the drain hole toward the electrolyzed water unit. The humidifying device according to claim 1.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the inner space of the disk layer portion, a plurality of ribs extending in the overlapping direction of the annular disk are arranged at intervals along the inner peripheral edge of the annular disk. The humidifying device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that

The invention according to claim 4 is the humidifying device according to claim 3, characterized in that the interval between the adjacent ribs is smaller than water droplets of a predetermined size on the inner peripheral edge of the annular disk.
The invention according to claim 5 is the humidifying device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the rib is disposed within a range that coincides with the electrolyzed water unit in the overlapping direction of the annular disks. .

A sixth aspect of the present invention is the humidifier according to any one of the third to fifth aspects, wherein the rib is arranged at a position coinciding with the water supply unit in the circumferential direction.
The invention according to claim 7 is the humidifier according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the rib is not in contact with an inner peripheral edge of the annular disk.
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the humidifying unit has a holding member that holds a plurality of the annular disks in a stacked state, and the water supply portion and the rib are provided on the holding member. It is a humidification device in any one of Claims 3-7 characterized by the above-mentioned.

  Invention of Claim 9 cleans the air taken in from the said inlet, and the air purification means to flow to the said air flow path downstream, The humidification apparatus in any one of Claims 1-8, It is an air cleaner with a humidification function characterized by including.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in this humidifier, air is taken into the air flow path from the inlet by the blowing means, and is discharged from the outlet after flowing through the air flow path.
A humidification unit is disposed in the air flow path so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in a substantially horizontal direction. The humidification unit is formed by the water in the water tank disposed in the housing of the humidification device. Humidify the air.

  Specifically, the humidification unit is a disk layer portion in which a plurality of annular disks having an outer peripheral edge and an inner peripheral edge are stacked in a substantially horizontal direction with a predetermined interval therebetween, and a lower part is immersed in water of a water storage tank Is included. The disk layer portion has an outer peripheral surface defined by the outer peripheral edge of each annular disk and an inner space defined by the inner peripheral edge of each annular disk. This disk layer portion is humidified by exposing a portion of the water tank wet with water to the air flow path air as it rotates.

  And the humidification unit also contains the water supply part. The water supply unit includes a plurality of water pumping containers disposed along the outer peripheral surface in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the disk layer unit. Each water pumping container extends in the overlapping direction (that is, substantially horizontal direction) of the annular disk, and each water pumping container is formed with a water drain hole. As the disk layer rotates, the water supply unit pumps the water in the water storage tank with the water pumping container, and when it reaches the upper position, spills the water pumped up with the water pumping container from the drain hole into the disk layer unit. Specifically, each water pumping container in the water supply section rotates with the disk layer section to pump the water in the storage tank at the lower position, and when it reaches the upper position, the pumped water is drawn from the drain hole through the disk layer section. Spill.

  Spilled water falls from the outer peripheral surface of the disk layer portion (the outer peripheral edge of the annular disk) through the inside of the disk layer part (the gap between adjacent annular disks), and the inner space of the disk layer part (the inner peripheral edge of the annular disk) Wet each annular disc on the way to). As a result, since each annular disk can be kept wet for a long time, the disk layer part can expose the wet part of the water to the air in the air flow path for a relatively long time, improving the air humidification efficiency. Can be achieved.

Thus, of the water that spills from the water supply part and passes through the disk layer part, the water that has not contributed to humidification (not used) falls from the inner periphery of the annular disk to the inner space of the disk layer part.
Here, an electrolyzed water unit is disposed in the inner space of the disk layer portion. Therefore, each water pumping container of the disk layer part and the water supply part rotates around the electrolyzed water unit. The electrolyzed water unit receives water falling from the inner peripheral edge of the annular disk, electrolyzes the water to generate electrolyzed water, and places the electrolyzed water on the air flowing through the air flow path. Thereby, the mist of electrolyzed water can be dissipated outside the apparatus (for example, indoors) from an exit, and indoor air can be sterilized or deodorized with electrolyzed water.

  In such a configuration, each of the water pumping containers of the water supply section has a drain hole formed near the electrolyzed water unit at a position facing the electrolyzed water unit in the overlapping direction (substantially horizontal direction) of the annular disk. 1 part and the 2nd part separated from the electrolyzed water unit compared with the 1st part are included. As a result, the drain hole of each water pumping container is always arranged at a position coinciding with the electrolyzed water unit in the overlapping direction of the annular discs. Be sure to pass over. When the drain hole passes right above the electrolyzed water unit, the water in the water pumping vessel flows from the second part side to the first part side and reaches the drain hole, and then from the drain hole to the disc In the layer part, it spills on the part located directly above the electrolyzed water unit. Therefore, in the disk layer portion, water that has reached the inner peripheral edge of the annular disk without contributing to humidification among the spilled water can be spilled right above the electrolyzed water unit and reliably dropped to the electrolyzed water unit. .

  Further, as described above, each water pumping container includes a first portion and a second portion at a position facing the electrolyzed water unit in the overlapping direction (substantially horizontal direction) of the annular disk. As a result, the seam between the first part and the second part in each water pumping container is always arranged at a position that coincides with the electrolyzed water unit in the overlapping direction of the annular disk, like the drain hole. As the disk layer rotates, it always passes directly above the electrolyzed water unit. A packing is interposed at the joint. Therefore, in each water pumping container, when the water drainage hole passes directly above the electrolyzed water unit, water spilled from the water draining hole may be caused by dirt on the water pumping container or the inclination of the air purifier (humidifier). Even if it tries to move along the outer surface of the first part toward the second part in the overlapping direction of the annular disk, this water is dammed by the packing, and from the packing, the disk layer portion directly above the electrolyzed water unit. Spilled into the part located at. Therefore, in the disc layer portion, water that has reached the inner peripheral edge of the annular disc without contributing to humidification among the spilled water can be spilled right above the electrolyzed water unit and reliably dropped to the electrolyzed water unit. .

That is, in this humidifier, the water spilled from the drain hole of each water pumping container is configured to spill to the part located directly above the electrolyzed water unit in the disk layer part. Water can be spilled stably at a predetermined position of the disk layer portion (directly above the electrolyzed water unit).
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the packing is provided with a guide portion, the guide portion projects toward the electrolyzed water unit, and guides water spilled from the drain hole toward the electrolyzed water unit. To do. Therefore, the water spilled from the drain hole and blocked by the packing is surely spilled into the portion of the disk layer portion located directly above the electrolyzed water unit by being guided by the guide portion of the packing. Therefore, in the disc layer portion, water that has reached the inner peripheral edge of the annular disc without contributing to humidification among the spilled water can be spilled right above the electrolyzed water unit and reliably dropped to the electrolyzed water unit. .

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of ribs extending in the overlapping direction of the annular disk are arranged in the inner space of the disk layer portion at intervals along the inner peripheral edge of the annular disk. Therefore, water that reaches the inner peripheral edge of the annular disk without contributing to humidification in the disk layer portion is captured by the ribs even if it tries to flow down along the inner peripheral edge of the annular disk without falling to the electrolyzed water unit. Then, when a certain amount of water is captured by the rib and this rib comes directly above the electrolyzed water unit as the disk layer rotates, the water captured by the rib is directly above the electrolyzed water unit. In this case, it can be spilled from the rib and dropped into the electrolyzed water unit.

According to the invention described in claim 4, since the interval between the adjacent ribs is smaller than a predetermined size of water droplets on the inner peripheral edge of the annular disk, the ribs capture water that is about to flow down along the inner peripheral edge of the annular disk. It is possible to prevent failure.
According to invention of Claim 5, the rib is arrange | positioned in the range which corresponds with an electrolyzed water unit in the overlap direction of an annular disc. Therefore, when the rib that captures the water that is about to flow down along the inner peripheral edge of the annular disk comes directly above the electrolyzed water unit as the disk layer rotates, any part of this rib is the electrolyzed water unit. Therefore, water spilled from the rib can be dropped into the electrolyzed water unit without leakage.

According to invention of Claim 6, since the rib is arrange | positioned in the position which corresponds with the water supply part in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of a disk layer part, it becomes close to the water pumping container of a water supply part, and it is from a water pumping container. Of the spilled water, the water that is about to flow down along the inner periphery of the annular disk can be reliably captured.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the rib is not in contact with the inner peripheral edge of the annular disk, it is possible to prevent the water from dropping from the inner peripheral edge of the annular disk to the electrolyzed water unit.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the humidifying unit has a holding member that holds a plurality of annular disks in a stacked state, and the water supply portion and the rib are provided on the holding member. There is no need to separately provide parts for supporting each of the ribs, and the number of parts can be reduced.
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an air cleaner with a humidifying function having a high added value by having the humidifying device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects.

Below, with reference to drawings, air cleaner 1 as one embodiment of this invention is explained concretely. Since this air cleaner 1 has a humidification function as will be described later, it also functions as a humidifier.
<Overall configuration of the air purifier>
FIG. 1A is a plan view of the air cleaner 1, and FIG. 1B is a front view of the air cleaner 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the main body case 2 as a housing of the air cleaner 1 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is vertically long and thin in the front-rear direction. The main body case 2 has an outer case formed by a front case 3 forming a substantially front half and a rear case 4 forming a substantially rear half (see FIG. 1A). The front side and the front side are synonymous, the rear side and the back side are synonymous, and the front-rear direction and the substantially horizontal direction are synonymous.

An operation panel 5 is provided on the top surface of the front case 3 (see FIG. 1A). The operation of the air cleaner 1 can be controlled by operating an operation key 6 provided on the operation panel 5, and the operating condition and state of the air cleaner 1 are displayed on a display unit 7 provided on the operation panel 5. Is displayed.
Entrances 8 are formed at positions slightly above the front end of the front case 3 in the width direction (see FIG. 1B). The inlet 8 communicates with the inside of the front case 3. Outlets 9 are formed on each of the top, left, and right sides of the rear case 4 (see FIG. 1A). These outlets 9 communicate with the interior of the rear case 4. Each outlet 9 is provided with a lattice 10. The air cleaner 1 takes in air from the inlet 8 and cleans it, and discharges the cleaned air from the outlet 9 (see the two-dot chain line arrow in FIG. 1A).

In addition, a detachable front cover 23 is provided below the inlet 8 on the front surface of the main body case 2 (front case 3) (see FIG. 1B). The main body case 2 can be accessed by removing the front cover 23 from the front side.
FIG. 2 is a right side view of the air purifier 1 and shows a part thereof in cross section.
As shown in FIG. 2, a partition wall 13 extending in the vertical direction is provided between the front case 3 and the rear case 4, and the interior of the front case 3 and the interior of the rear case 4 are partitioned by the partition wall 13. Yes. A communication hole 14 is formed below the partition wall 13, and the interior of the front case 3 and the interior of the rear case 4 communicate with each other via the communication hole 14. Specifically, the interior of the front case 3 is partitioned by the partition wall 25 into an upper first space 65 that communicates with the inlet 8 and a lower second space 66 that does not communicate with the inlet 8. The partition wall 25 is connected to the front wall of the front case 3 and extends diagonally forward and upward (inclined leftward in FIG. 2) continuously to a portion of the partition wall 13 that borders the lower end of the communication hole 14. The space between 65 and the second space 66 is blocked. The communication hole 14 communicates the first space 65 and the inside of the rear case 4 (the third space 74), but does not communicate the second space 66 and the third space 74.

Inside the main body case 2, a flow path 15 (see a thick solid line arrow in FIG. 2) is formed as an air flow path for communicating the inlet 8 and the outlet 9. The communication hole 14 described above is located in the middle of the flow path 15.
In the main body case 2, a filter 11 as an air cleaning means is provided at a position facing the inlet 8 from the rear side (right side in FIG. 2) in the first space 65 inside the front case 3, specifically in the middle of the flow path 15. In addition, a fan 12 as a blowing unit is provided on the rear side of the filter 11 in the first space 65.

The filter 11 has a rectangular shape that is long in the vertical direction and thin in the front-rear direction (left-right direction in FIG. 2), and is formed by stacking a plurality of types of filter films. Only relatively large dust contained in the air is formed. In addition, the filter can capture even very fine dust, such as pollen and tobacco smoke particles.
The fan 12 is a sirocco fan, for example, and generates a suction force by being rotationally driven by a motor (not shown), sucks air on the front side from the inside and discharges it to the outside (here, the outside downward).

  In the air cleaner 1, when the fan 12 is driven, the air outside the air cleaner 1 is taken into the first space 65 of the front case 3 from the inlet 8 by the suction force generated by the fan 12. Air flow. The air (air flow) flows through the flow path 15 as shown by a thick solid arrow in FIG. 2 and passes through the filter 11 in the middle of the air, so that dust and odor components are removed and cleaned. In other words, the filter 11 cleans the air taken in from the inlet 8 and flows it downstream of the flow path 15. Cleaned air (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as “air”) is discharged downward by the fan 12 and continues to flow through the flow path 15 from the communication hole 14 of the partition wall 13 to the inside of the rear case 4 (third space). 74).

Thus, the air that has flowed through the flow path 15 is discharged from the outlets 9 to the outside of the air purifier 1. The air exhausted (purified) outside the apparatus reaches every corner of the outside of the air cleaner 1 (for example, indoors) and purifies the entire room uniformly.
The air purifier 1 includes a humidifying unit 20 in the third space 74 of the rear case 4 in order to humidify the air flowing through the flow path 15. That is, this air cleaner 1 is an air cleaner with a humidifying function.
<Overall configuration of humidification unit>
The humidification unit 20 humidifies the air that has passed through the filter 11 and has been purified. As a result, air containing moisture is discharged from the outlet 9 into the room, and the humidity in the room is compensated.

In relation to the humidification unit 20, a water supply tank 21, a recovery tank 26, and a tray 22 as a water storage tank are provided in the main body case 2.
The water supply tank 21 is a hollow body elongated in the width direction in which water can be stored, and is disposed in the second space 66 in the front case 3.
A drain hole (not shown) that is opened and closed by a valve body (not shown) is formed at the bottom of the water supply tank 21. The water supply tank 21 is fixed to the front cover 23 with screws or the like. Therefore, the water supply tank 21 and the front cover 23 are integrally attached to and detached from the front case 3 (main body case 2) from the front side.

  The collection tank 26 has a hollow box shape that is flat in the vertical direction. The recovery tank 26 is disposed below the right side portion (the front side portion in FIG. 2) of the water supply tank 21 in the second space 66. Therefore, at the time of maintenance, it is possible to remove the collection tank 26 after removing the water supply tank 21 first. An inlet 28 that is opened and closed by a valve body 27 is formed at the bottom of the recovery tank 26.

  The tray 22 is accommodated in the bottom of the main body case 2 and has a size (depth) that can accommodate the lower portion of the humidifying unit 20, the lower portion of the water supply tank 21, and the lower portion of the recovery tank 26. Specifically, a partition plate 67 is erected on the bottom of the tray 22, and the partition plate 67 bisects the inside of the tray 22 in the front-rear direction. Inside the tray 22, the lower part of the water supply tank 21 and the lower part of the recovery tank 26 are arranged in a region (front region 22 </ b> A) on the front side (left side in FIG. 2) from the partition plate 67. Then, the lower part of the humidification unit 20 is arrange | positioned in the area | region (rear side area | region 22B) of the right side. That is, in the tray 22, the front area 22 </ b> A that accommodates the lower part of the water supply tank 21 and the lower part of the recovery tank 26 is disposed in the second space 66 of the front case 3, and the rear area 22 </ b> B that accommodates the lower part of the humidification unit 20 is The rear case 4 is disposed in the third space 74.

  Here, in the partition wall 13, a through hole 80 is formed below the communication hole 14 so as to be just plugged by the partition plate 67. The through hole 80 allows the second space 66 of the front case 3 and the third space 74 of the rear case 4 to communicate with each other. In a normal state, the through hole 80 coincides with the partition plate 67 in the front-rear direction, and is closed from the back side by the partition plate 67 without any gap.

Two through holes, an inflow hole 68 and an outflow hole 69, are formed in the lower end portion of the partition plate 67, and the front region 22A and the rear region 22B communicate with each other through the inflow hole 68 and the outflow hole 69. ing. The inflow hole 68 and the outflow hole 69 appear to overlap in FIG. 2, but are actually separated from each other in the width direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2).
When the water supply tank 21 is accommodated in the front region 22A of the tray 22, the valve body (not shown) at the bottom of the water supply tank 21 is pushed up by a protrusion (not shown) protruding upward from the bottom of the tray 22. Then, a water drain hole (not shown) of the water supply tank 21 is opened. Thereby, the water in the water supply tank 21 is discharged, flows into the rear region 22B of the tray 22 from the inflow hole 68, and accumulates in the rear region 22B.

  When the collection tank 26 is accommodated in the front region 22A of the tray 22, the valve body 27 at the bottom of the collection tank 26 is pushed up by a projection 29 that protrudes upward from the bottom of the tray 22, and the inlet 28 of the collection tank 26. open. Here, out of the water accumulated in the rear region 22B, the water that has become old due to accumulation in the rear region 22B for a long time is pushed out from the outflow hole 69 to the front region 22A, and then from the inlet 28 to the recovery tank 26. It is collected in.

  When water accumulates to the specified water level in the rear region 22B, the water flows back and forth between the front region 22A and the rear region 22B via the inflow hole 68 and the outflow hole 69 in the middle, thereby causing the front region 22A. As a result, the water level of the rear region 22B is connected at the same water level (see the illustrated water surface S). At this time, the inflow hole 68 and the outflow hole 69 are located below the water surface S and are completely immersed in water. Further, as described above, the through hole 80 of the partition wall 13 is closed by the partition plate 67 of the tray 22. Therefore, air does not go back and forth between the front region 22A and the rear region 22B via the inflow hole 68 and the outflow hole 69. Accordingly, air in the first space 65 of the front case 3 and the inside of the rear case 4 (third space 74) does not leak into the second space 66, so that air flowing through the flow path 15 leaks into the second space 66. Nor.

The humidifying unit 20 is disposed in the middle of an air flow path 15 (see a thick solid arrow) that passes through the filter 11 and the fan 12 toward the outlets 9. Therefore, the air flow (air flow) purified by the filter 11 always passes through the humidification unit 20.
The humidification unit 20 has a substantially disk shape having a central axis extending in the front-rear direction. The humidifying unit 20 sandwiches (holds) a plurality of (in this case, 17) humidifying disks 32 (annular disks) stacked in the front-rear direction and the humidified disks 32 in such a stacked state from the front and rear. A front plate 30 (holding member) and a rear plate 31 (holding member) are included. The humidifying disk 32, the front plate 30, and the rear plate 31 have a disk shape having substantially the same outer diameter, and each central axis extends along the front-rear direction. The humidifying disk 32 and the front plate 30 have an annular shape having an outer peripheral edge and an inner peripheral edge.

  Here, the 17 humidified disks 32 in the stacked state are collectively referred to as a disk layer portion 34. In the disk layer portion 34, the adjacent humidifying disks 32 are stacked with a predetermined interval (a gap X described later) therebetween. Therefore, the disk layer portion 34 has a thick annular shape in the front-rear direction, and has an outer peripheral surface defined by the outer peripheral edge of each humidifying disk 32 and an inner space 57 defined by the inner peripheral edge of each humidifying disk 32. is doing.

  The humidifying unit 20 extends forward from a part of the rear wall of the rear case 4 (referred to as a rear cover 120) in a substantially horizontal direction, so that the humidifying disc 32 (disc layer portion 34), the front plate 30 and the rear plate 31 The shaft 51 (rotary shaft) passing through the center of the circle is held rotatably about the shaft 51. In this state, the lower portion of the disk layer portion 34 is immersed in water (see the water surface S) accumulated in the rear region 22B of the tray 22 up to a predetermined water level.

  As described above, when the air cleaned by the filter 11 continues to flow through the flow path 15 and passes through the humidification unit 20, the humidification unit 20 rotates. As the humidifying unit 20 rotates, the disk layer portion 34 rotates together with the front plate 30 and the rear plate 31, and with the rotation, the disk layer portion 34 is immersed in the water in the rear region 22B, and the state where the disk layer portion 34 is raised from this water. Move between. Then, the disk layer 34 is exposed to a cleaned air flow (see the thick solid arrow in FIG. 2) when it is raised from the water. Specifically, a portion of the disc layer 34 that is wetted by the water in the rear region 22B is exposed to the cleaned air flow in the flow path 15 until the humidification unit 20 completes one rotation. As a result, the moisture adhering to each humidifying disk 32 of the disk layer portion 34 humidifies the purified air, and is released together with the air from the outlet 9 in a predetermined direction, contributing to humidification in the room. .

Note that the humidifying unit 20 is integrated with the shaft 51, the rear cover 120, and the tray 22 that rotatably hold the humidifying unit 20 for maintenance such as cleaning and replacement of the humidifying disk 32 of the disk layer 34, and the main body case 2 Can be detached from the back side.
<Assembly of humidification unit>
FIG. 3A is an exploded perspective view of the humidifying unit 20 as viewed from the back. FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of the main part of FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the humidifying unit 20 as viewed from the back, and shows a state in which the rear plate 31 is removed. Fig.5 (a) is the perspective view which looked at the substantially left half of the humidification unit 20 from the front right side, Comprising: One part is shown with the cross section. FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. FIG. 6 is a right side view of the vicinity of the humidifying unit 20, and a part thereof is shown in cross section.

  Next, assembly of the humidification unit 20 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3A, the front side of the paper is the rear side, and the back side of the paper is the front side (the same applies to FIG. 4). In FIG. 3A, the front plate 30, the 17 humidifying disks 32, and the rear plate 31 are shown separated from each other in this order from the front. Of the 17 humidifying discs 32, the 15 humidifying discs 32 on the front side are shown in a state in which three discs are overlapped in order from the front, and the remaining two humidifying discs 32 are The most rear side is shown in an overlapping state.

First, the front plate 30 will be described.
A plurality of cuts 58 are formed on the inner peripheral edge of the front plate 30 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the front plate 30. Each notch 58 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a rear view, and the inner peripheral edge of the front plate 30 is notched.
An annular first rib 37 concentric with the front plate 30 is integrally provided on the front surface of the front plate 30. The first rib 37 protrudes from the front plate 30 to the front side, and the peripheral edge of the rear end of the first rib 37 is connected to the inner peripheral edge of the front plate 30 over the entire periphery (FIG. 2). See also). Gear teeth 52 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first rib 37 so as to be arranged over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction (see FIGS. 2 and 5).

  A plurality of (here, eight) bosses are integrally provided on the rear surface of the front plate 30. These bosses are referred to as front bosses 33 (first portion). The eight front bosses 33 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the front plate 30 along the outer peripheral edge of the front plate 30. The front boss 33 is a hollow body and protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the front plate 30. The front-back dimension of the front boss 33 is about one-third of the front-rear dimension of the entire 17 humidified disks 32 (disk layer portion 34) (see FIG. 2). The front boss 33 bulges in an arc shape toward the inside in the radial direction of the front plate 30 when viewed from the back.

  The rear end surface of the front boss 33 is flat along the vertical direction, and an insertion hole 35 is formed in the rear end surface. The insertion hole 35 has a semicircular shape that bulges inward in the radial direction of the front plate 30 when viewed from the back. The insertion hole 35 penetrates the front boss 33 and the front plate 30 in the front-rear direction. The insertion hole 35 has a circular shape on the front surface of the front plate 30 (see FIG. 5A). Further, an insertion rib 59 is formed on the rear end surface of the front boss 33 so as to slightly protrude rearward while bordering the insertion hole 35. The insertion rib 59 has a substantially C shape with a downstream side cut away in the clockwise direction when viewed from the back.

  In the front boss 33, a water drain hole 36 is formed on the downstream side surface in the clockwise direction when viewed from the back (see the front boss 33 on the lower side of the front plate 30 in FIG. 3A). The cross-sectional shape of the front boss 33 when cut in a vertical plane at a position coinciding with the drain hole 36 in the front-rear direction is a counterclockwise direction when viewed from the front (a clockwise direction when viewed from the back). Is substantially C-shaped with the downstream side cut away (see FIG. 7A described later).

The inside of the front boss 33 is exposed by the insertion hole 35 and the drain hole 36.
On the rear surface of the front plate 30, the first ridge 62 and the second ridge 63 that extend linearly along the radial direction of the front plate 30 while projecting rearward are provided at positions where the front bosses 33 are connected. The front plate 30 is formed side by side in the circumferential direction. When the front plate 30 is viewed from the back, the first protrusion 62 is in a clockwise direction with respect to the corresponding second protrusion 63 at a position where each front boss 33 is connected to the rear surface of the front plate 30. Located downstream. When the front plate 30 is viewed from the back, the first protrusion 62 connects the inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge of the front plate 30 on the downstream side in the clockwise direction with respect to the corresponding front boss 33. The second protrusion 63 connects the inner peripheral edge of the front plate 30 and a portion of the corresponding front boss 33 that bulges inward in the radial direction.

  An annular second rib 38 concentric with the front plate 30 is integrally provided on the rear surface of the front plate 30. Specifically, the second rib 38 protrudes rearward from the front plate 30, and the peripheral edge of the front end of the second rib 38 is connected to the inner peripheral edge of the front plate 30 over the entire periphery. . Gear teeth 55 are formed on the inner peripheral edge of the rear end of the second rib 38 so as to be arranged over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction (see also FIG. 2).

  A plurality of passage holes 56 are formed along the circumferential direction of the second rib 38, and these passage holes 56 communicate the inner side and the outer side of the second rib 38 in the radial direction. The eight front bosses 33 described above coincide with one of the passage holes 56 in the circumferential direction of the front plate 30, and the first ridge 62 and the second ridge 63 corresponding to each front boss 33 are: The front plate 30 faces the corresponding passage hole 56 from the outside in the radial direction.

  At the inner peripheral edge of the front plate 30, the front plate 30 protrudes rearward in a portion that coincides with each front boss 33 (specifically, each water supply bucket 85 constituting a water supply unit 90 described later in FIG. 5) in the circumferential direction of the front plate 30. A water reservoir 75 is integrally provided. Therefore, the eight water storage parts 75 are provided like the front boss 33. Each water storage part 75 is arrange | positioned in the corresponding passage hole 56 in the circumferential direction. Each water reservoir 75 integrally includes a plurality of (here, three) protrusions 76 (ribs) and a connecting member 77 arranged in the circumferential direction of the front plate 30 (see FIG. 3A). (Refer to the rightmost water storage section 75 in the drawing).

  Each projection 76 has a rod shape that is thin in the radial direction of the front plate 30 and elongated in the front-rear direction. In the three protrusions 76 of each water storage portion 75, the front end portion is connected to the inner peripheral edge of the front plate 30, and the rear end portion is connected by a rod-like connecting member 77 extending in the circumferential direction of the front plate 30. . Therefore, the entire water storage portion 75 has a substantially E shape with the front side opened as viewed from the radial direction of the front plate 30. Moreover, when each water storage part 75 is seen from the radial direction of the front plate 30, the connection part of each protrusion 76 and the connection member 77 is rounded so that there may be no sharp part.

Here, each water reservoir 75 coincides with the first ridge 62 and the second ridge 63 provided around the corresponding front boss 33 in the circumferential direction of the front plate 30. Specifically, in the circumferential direction of the front plate 30, the corresponding first ridge 62 and second ridge 63 are positioned inside the range surrounded by the two protrusions 76 positioned on both outer sides of each water storage portion 75. Yes.
Further, on the circumferential surface of the second rib 38 (portion excluding the passage hole 56), a rail-shaped positioning rib 107 that protrudes radially outward of the second rib 38 and extends in the front-rear direction is integrally provided. ing. A plurality of (here, two) positioning ribs 107 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the second rib 38. The positioning rib 107 is thinner toward the outer side in the radial direction of the second rib 38.

Next, the rear plate 31 will be described.
At the center of the circle of the rear plate 31, a through-hole 39 that is partitioned into a cylindrical shape extending forward is formed.
A plurality of (here, eight) bosses are integrally provided on the front surface of the rear plate 31. These bosses are referred to as rear bosses 44 (second portion). The eight rear bosses 44 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the rear plate 31 along the outer peripheral edge of the rear plate 31. The rear boss 44 is a hollow body and projects forward from the front surface of the rear plate 31. The longitudinal dimension of the rear boss 44 is approximately two-thirds of the longitudinal dimension of the entire 17 humidified disks 32 (disk layer portion 34) (see FIG. 2). The rear boss 44 bulges in an arc shape toward the inner side in the radial direction of the rear plate 31 when viewed from the front.

  The front end surface of the rear boss 44 is flat along the vertical direction (not shown), and an insertion hole 40 is formed in the front end surface. The insertion hole 40 passes through the rear boss 44 and the rear plate 31 in the front-rear direction. The shape of the insertion hole 40 in the front end surface of the rear boss 44 is substantially the same as the shape of the insertion hole 35 in the rear end surface of the front boss 33 of the front plate 30 (not shown). The insertion hole 40 has a circular shape on the rear surface of the rear plate 31.

On the rear surface of the rear plate 31, an annular rib 41 that slightly protrudes to the rear side so as to surround the insertion hole 40 is formed around each insertion hole 40. A recess 42 that is continuous with the insertion hole 40 is formed.
Next, the humidifying disk 32 will be described. Here, in the humidification unit 20, the 17 humidification disks 32 are used as described above, but all the humidification disks 32 are formed of the same mold and have the same shape. In FIG. 3A, the rearmost humidifying disk 32 is shown as a whole, but a part of the humidifying disk 32 in front of the humidifying disk 32 is not shown. Therefore, the humidifying disc 32 will be described with reference to the rearmost humidifying disc 32.

The humidifying disk 32 has an annular shape as described above, and the inner diameter (the diameter of the inner peripheral edge) is larger than the outer diameter of the annular second rib 38 of the front plate 30.
On the outer peripheral edge of the humidifying disk 32, the number of notches 45 corresponding to the front boss 33 and the rear boss 44 described above (eight) is formed (in FIG. 3A, the reference numeral 45A or 45B is given. See section). These notches 45 are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the humidifying disk 32. Each notch 45 penetrates the humidifying disk 32 in the thickness direction (front-rear direction) while being cut out from the outer peripheral edge of the humidifying disk 32 to a predetermined depth inward in the radial direction of the humidifying disk 32. is doing.

  Specifically, in the eight notches 45, the shapes of the adjacent ones in the circumferential direction of the humidifying disk 32 are different. That is, the eight cutouts 45 are configured by four cutouts 45A and a cutout 45B (outer cutout) having a shape different from that of the cutout 45A. The cutout 45A and the cutout 45B are humidified. The disks 32 are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction. The notch 45 </ b> A has a substantially semicircular shape that bulges inward in the radial direction of the humidifying disk 32. The notch 45B has a substantially isosceles trapezoidal shape that becomes narrower inward in the radial direction of the humidifying disk 32, and is deeper than the notch 45A.

  A plurality of cuts 46 are formed on the inner peripheral edge of the humidifying disk 32 at intervals in the circumferential direction of the humidifying disk 32. Each cut 46 penetrates the humidifying disk 32 in the thickness direction (front-rear direction) while being cut out from the inner peripheral edge of the humidifying disk 32 to a predetermined depth toward the outside in the radial direction of the humidifying disk 32. ing. These cuts 46 include a cut 46 </ b> A formed in a substantially triangular shape that narrows outward in the radial direction of the humidifying disk 32, and a substantially rectangular cut 46 </ b> B (inner cutout). The notch 46B is formed at a position that coincides with the notch 45A in the circumferential direction of the humidifying disk 32, and is notched until the deepest portion of the corresponding notch 45A.

Guide ribs 47 projecting outward in the front-rear direction are provided in the vicinity of the notches 45 (notches 45A and 45B) on the front and rear surfaces of the humidifying disk 32, respectively.
The guide rib 47 on the rear surface of the humidifying disk 32 connects the outer peripheral edge and the inner peripheral edge of the humidifying disk 32 at a position adjacent to the corresponding notch 45 on the downstream side in the clockwise direction when viewed from the back. It extends like a straight line. The guide rib 47 on the front surface of the humidifying disk 32 (shown by a dotted line in the rearmost humidifying disk 32) is adjacent to the corresponding notch 45 on the downstream side in the clockwise direction when viewed from the front. In the position, it extends linearly so as to connect the outer peripheral edge and the inner peripheral edge of the humidifying disk 32.

  Further, when viewed from the back, the guide rib 47 on the rear surface of the humidifying disk 32 adjacent to the notch 45A on the downstream side in the clockwise direction is at the same position as the notch 45A in the circumferential direction of the humidifying disk 32. It is located downstream of the cut 46B in the clockwise direction. Similarly, when viewed from the front, the guide rib 47 on the front surface of the humidifying disk 32 adjacent to the notch 45A in the clockwise direction in the clockwise direction (see the dotted line portion of the rearmost humidifying disk 32) is the humidifying disk. In the circumferential direction of 32, it is located on the downstream side in the clockwise direction with respect to the notch 46B located at the same position as the notch 45A.

When the humidifying disk 32 is viewed from the front or the back, the guide rib 47 on the rear surface of the humidifying disk 32 corresponding to each notch 45 and the guide rib 47 on the front surface of the humidifying disk 32 (see the dotted line portion of the most humidifying disk 32) Is gradually narrowed toward the radially inner side of the humidifying disk 32.
Further, when viewed from the back, the notch 46A adjacent on the downstream side in the clockwise direction with respect to each guide rib 47 on the rear surface of the humidifying disk 32, and with respect to each guide rib 47 on the front surface of the humidifying disk 32 when viewed from the front. The cut 46A adjacent on the downstream side in the clockwise direction is larger than the other cut 46A (see the cut 46A at the uppermost position of the rearmost humidifying disk 32).

On each of the front surface and the rear surface of the humidifying disk 32, a protrusion 49 protruding outward in the front-rear direction is formed between the notches 45 adjacent in the circumferential direction of the humidifying disk 32.
In order to assemble the humidifying unit 20 with the front plate 30, the rear plate 31, and the humidifying disc 32 described above, first, the front plate 30, the 17 humidifying discs 32, and the rear plate 31 are arranged in this order from the front side. Line up concentrically. Thereby, since the radial direction of the front plate 30, the rear plate 31, and each humidifying disk 32 becomes the same, each radial direction will be simply referred to as “radial direction” hereinafter. Similarly, since the circumferential directions of the front plate 30, the rear plate 31, and the humidifying disks 32 are the same, the circumferential directions are simply referred to as “circumferential directions” below.

  Of the 17 humidifying disks 32 that are just arranged in this way, the 15 humidifying disks 32 on the front side are stacked one by one in order from the front, and the remaining two disks The humidifying disks 32 are stacked as a pair on the rearmost side. That is, in this state, the 17 humidifying discs 32 are in order from the front to the A group, the B group, the C group, the D group, the E group, and the F group in which the two sheets are stacked. Grouped. In FIG. 3A, the alphabet of the set to which each humidifying disk 32 belongs is shown in parentheses after the reference numeral 32 indicating each humidifying disk 32.

  In each set, guide ribs 47 and convex portions 49 provided on the front and rear surfaces of each humidifying disk 32 are interposed between adjacent humidifying disks 32. Of the adjacent humidifying disks 32, the guide rib 47 and the protrusion 49 of one humidifying disk 32 abut on the front surface or the rear surface of the other humidifying disk 32, so that the distance between the adjacent humidifying disks 32 is a predetermined distance (for example, 1.4 mm). Specifically, a gap X corresponding to the predetermined interval is formed between adjacent humidifying disks 32 (see FIGS. 5B and 6).

In each set of adjacent humidifying disks 32, the notches 45A, the notches 45B, the notches 46A, and the notches 46B coincide with each other in the circumferential direction. That is, in each set, the shape of each humidifying disk 32 is the same when viewed from either the front or the back.
However, in adjacent groups (see, for example, Group A and Group B), one set (for example, Group A) of humidifying disks 32 and the other group (for example, Group B) of humidifying disks 32 are circumferentially arranged in the circumferential direction. The notches 45A of one set and the notches 45B of the other set coincide with each other in the circumferential direction. In other words, in the A group, the C group, and the E group, the notches 45A, the notches 45B, the cuts 46A, and the cuts 46B coincide in the circumferential direction, and in the B group, the D group, and the F group, The notches 45A, the notches 45B, the notches 46A, and the notches 46B coincide with each other in the circumferential direction.

  Therefore, in the following, among the 17 humidifying discs 32, the humidifying discs 32 belonging to the A set, the C set, and the E set are referred to as first humidifying discs 32, and the humidifying discs 32 belonging to the B set, the D set, and the F set are referred to as the humidifying discs 32. Assume that there are two types of humidifying disks 32 as the second humidifying disks 32. However, since each of the 17 humidifying disks 32 is originally the same, if one of the first humidifying disk 32 and the second humidifying disk 32 is shifted by 45 ° in the circumferential direction, the shape matches the other. To do. In each corresponding group, at least two first humidifying disks 32 are adjacent to each other (see group A, C, and E), and at least two second humidifying disks 32 are adjacent to each other. (See Group B, Group D, and Group F).

  And in this state (a state where the adjacent sets of humidifying disks 32 are shifted by 45 ° in the circumferential direction), when the A to F sets are stacked back and forth, as shown in FIG. The deepest portion (radially outer end portion) of the notch 45A in the radial direction of the notch 45A of each set of the humidifying disks 32 and the corresponding notch 45B of each humidifying disk 32 of the other set (see the broken line portion) The deepest part (radially inner end) is continuous in the front-rear direction.

  Here, in each group, a plurality of notches 45B (three in the A to E groups and two in the F group) that are continuous in the front and back in the circumferential direction are collectively formed as the outer holes 88, A plurality of cuts 46B (three in the A to E groups and two in the F group) that are aligned in the circumferential direction and are continuous in the front and rear are collectively defined as the inner hole 89 (see FIG. 3A). . When the disk layers 34 are completed by stacking the A to F groups back and forth (see FIG. 4), in the adjacent groups, the outer holes 88 of one group and the corresponding inner holes 89 of the other group are mutually connected. Communicating through the deepest part (referred to as continuous part 64). In the disk layer portion 34 (see FIG. 4), the gap X (see FIGS. 5B and 6) is formed between the adjacent humidifying disks 32 regardless of the above-described sets. .

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the state in which the disk layer portion 34 is completed, the dimension in the front-rear direction of each outer hole 88 is the humidification of the total number of sheets in each group (see FIG. 3A) (three sheets in the group B). The thicknesses of the disks 32 in the front-rear direction, the gaps X in these humidifying disks 32 (two gaps X in the group B), and the other humidifying disks 32 adjacent to these humidifying disks 32 from both front and rear sides. It substantially corresponds to the sum of the gaps X (for example, the gap X between the adjacent humidifying disks 32 of the A set and the B set and the gap X between the adjacent humidifying disks 32 of the B set and the C set). Specifically, the front-rear direction dimension of each outer hole 88 is set to 6 to 8 mm, for example. The longitudinal dimension of each inner hole 89 is the same as the longitudinal dimension of the outer hole 88.

  As a result, in the entire 17 humidified disks 32 (disk layer portion 34), the outer holes 88 and the inner holes 89 are alternately arranged in the front and rear at each of eight positions that are equally spaced in the circumferential direction. A three-dimensional hole (referred to as a water guide hole Y) that connects the outer peripheral edge and the inner peripheral edge of the humidifying disk 32 by an outer hole 88 and an inner hole 89 that are formed to communicate with each other in the front-rear direction. Is formed.

  The water guide hole Y extends radially inward from the outer peripheral edge of the humidifying disk 32 at the outer hole 88, and then extends in the front-rear direction at the above-described continuous portion 64 (see FIG. 3B). On the other hand, the inner hole 89 adjacent to the front and rear extends further radially inward to the inner peripheral edge of the humidifying disk 32 and communicates with the inner space 57 of the disk layer portion 34. The front-rear dimension in each part of the water guide hole Y is the same as the front-rear dimension of the outer hole 88 and the inner hole 89 constituting the water guide hole Y, and is set to 6 to 8 mm.

  In this manner, the first humidifying disk 32 belonging to the A group, the C group, and the E group and the second humidifying disk 32 belonging to the B group, the D group, and the F group are overlapped in a predetermined manner (FIG. 3). (See (a)), in the disk layer portion 34, an outer hole 88 is formed by a continuous notch 45B of each set, an inner hole 89 is formed by a continuous cut 46B of each set, and A water guide hole Y is formed in communication with the inner hole 89.

  And the disc layer part 34 in which the water guide hole Y was formed is assembled | attached with respect to the front plate 30 from the back side, as shown in FIG. At this time, the disk layer portion 34 is externally fitted to the second rib 38 of the front plate 30 and corresponds to the notches 45 (notches 45A and B) of the humidifying disks 32 in the disk layer portion 34 in the front plate 30. The front boss 33 is fitted from the front side. Here, as described above, the front boss 33 has a front-rear direction dimension that is approximately one third of the front-rear direction dimension of the disk layer portion 34. Is inserted into the notch 45 of the humidifying disk 32 constituting the first.

  At this time, the second rib 38 and each water storage part 75 are accommodated in the inner space 57 of the disk layer part 34. In each water storage part 75, each protrusion 76 is arrange | positioned at intervals in the circumferential direction along the inner periphery of the humidification disk 32, extending in the front-back direction (the overlapping direction of the humidification disk 32). Further, the two positioning ribs 107 of the second rib 38 are fitted from the radially inner side to the nearest cut 46A in all the humidifying disks 32. Accordingly, all the humidifying disks 32 (disk layer portions 34) are held by the front plate 30 in a state where they are positioned in the circumferential direction and the radial direction so as to be non-contact with all the front bosses 33. . In the second rib 38, portions other than the positioning rib 107 are not in contact with the disk layer portion 34. Each of the water storage portions 75 is slightly (for example, about 1 mm) on the inner side in the circumferential direction with respect to the inner peripheral edge of all the humidifying disks 32 of the disk layer portion 34, and is not in contact with the inner peripheral edge of the humidifying disk 32.

  In this state, the drain holes 36 (see FIG. 3A) of the front bosses 33 are formed in the gaps X of the humidifying disk 32 that constitute approximately one third of the front side of the disk layer 34, and the disk. It communicates with each water guide hole Y formed in the front side approximately one third of the layer portion 34 (see FIG. 5B). Further, in each of the eight locations spaced at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, the front boss 33, the front third portion of the disk layer portion 34, and the water storage portion 75 are arranged in this order inward in the radial direction. It is out. Therefore, it can be seen that eight water storage parts 75 are arranged at intervals along the inner peripheral edge of the humidifying disk 32 constituting approximately one third of the front side of the disk layer part 34. Further, in the disk layer portion 34 (at least about one-third of the front side), water guide holes Y are formed at positions corresponding to the front bosses 33 and the water storage portions 75 in the circumferential direction.

  In addition, between the frontmost humidifying disk 32 and the rear surface of the front plate 30 in the A group (see FIG. 3A), the guide rib 47 and the convex portion 49 on the front surface of the humidifying disk 32 are located on the rear surface of the front plate 30. The first protrusion 62 and the second protrusion 63 of the front plate 30 are in contact with the front surface of the humidifying disk 32, thereby forming the gap X described above (see also FIG. 3A). .

  Next, the rear plate 31 is assembled from the rear side with respect to the front plate 30 in a state where the disk layer portion 34 is assembled. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, in the disk layer portion 34, the rear boss 44 corresponding to the rear plate 31 is arranged on the rear side (right side in FIG. 5) in the notch 45 (notches 45 </ b> A, B) of each humidifying disk 32. ). Here, as described above, the back-and-forth direction dimension of the rear boss 44 is about two-thirds of the front-and-rear direction dimension of the disk layer portion 34, so the rear boss 44 is approximately 3 on the rear side of the disk layer portion 34. It fits in the notch 45 of the humidification disk 32 which comprises 2 minutes. The front end surface of each rear boss 44 is opposed to the rear end surface of the corresponding front boss 33 from the rear side, and the insertion rib 59 on the rear end surface of each front boss 33 is inserted into the insertion hole 40 of the corresponding rear boss 44. Are arranged from the front side along the inner peripheral surface of the rear boss 44.

In this state, the space between the rear end surface of the front boss 33 and the front end surface of the rear boss 44 facing each other in the front-rear direction (in other words, the joint between the front boss 33 and the rear boss 44) is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, packing 79 (see the portion filled with dots) is interposed.
The packing 79 is a substantially D-shaped ring having substantially the same shape as the contours of the rear end surface of the front boss 33 and the front end surface of the rear boss 44 (see FIG. 3A), and is thin in the front-rear direction. The inner peripheral edge 79A of the packing 79 protrudes to the front side over the entire circumference. Correspondingly, an annular groove 83 is formed on the rear end face of the front boss 33 so as to surround the insertion rib 59. The inner peripheral edge 79A of the packing 79 is formed in the groove 83 from the rear side. It is inserted. Accordingly, the packing 79 is positioned in a state of being fitted on the insertion rib 59 and closes a gap in the front-rear direction between the rear end surface of the front boss 33 and the front end surface of the rear boss 44. In this state, of the outer peripheral edge of the packing 79, the inner portions in the radial direction of the front plate 30 and the rear plate 31 protrude radially inward from the outer surface of the front boss 33, and serve as a guide portion 79B.

In addition, a substantially triangular air vent hole 84 that communicates the inside and outside of the rear boss 44 is formed at a position adjacent to the front end surface of the rear boss 44 on the peripheral surface of the rear boss 44 (a surface other than the front end surface and the rear end surface). Has been.
As described above, the rear end surface of the front boss 33 and the front end surface of the rear boss 44 face each other in the front-rear direction, whereby the inner space (insertion hole 35) of the front boss 33 and the inner space of the rear boss 44 (insertion hole 40). ) And communicate with each other in the front-rear direction. Here, the front boss 33 and the rear boss 44 in a state where the insertion hole 35 and the insertion hole 40 communicate with each other are collectively referred to as a water supply bucket 85 (water drawing container).

  As described above, each of the front boss 33 and the rear boss 44 is provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and is fitted into the corresponding notch 45 on the outer peripheral edge of each humidifying disk 32. Eight 85 are arranged along the outer circumferential surface so as to be equally spaced in the circumferential direction of the outer circumferential surface of the disk layer portion 34 constituted by the humidifying disk 32. Further, since the front boss 33 projects rearward and the rear boss 44 projects forward, each water supply bucket 85 extends in the front-rear direction (the direction in which the humidifying disks 32 overlap). The internal space of the water supply bucket 85 (that is, the insertion hole 35 and the insertion hole 40 in a communicating state) is referred to as a water supply chamber 86. The water supply chamber 86 communicates with the water drain hole 36 of the front boss 33 and the air vent hole 84 of the rear boss 44. The eight water supply buckets 85 are collectively referred to as a water supply unit 90. The water supply unit 90 is included in the humidification unit 20.

  After the rear plate 31 is assembled to the front plate 30 in this way, as shown in FIG. 2, the screw-shaped pins 50 are inserted into the water supply bucket 85 from the rear surface side of the rear plate 31 through the corresponding insertion holes 40. Insert into the water supply chamber 86. When the pin 50 is twisted after insertion, the tip 50A (front end) of the pin 50 is caught by the front plate 30, so that the disk layer portion 34 is sandwiched between the front plate 30 and the rear plate 31 and held by these plates. In the state, the front plate 30 and the rear plate 31 are integrated. Further, the water supply bucket 85 is maintained in a completed state. At this time, the head 50 </ b> B of the pin 50 is accommodated in the corresponding recess 42 (see FIG. 4) in the rear plate 31 and does not protrude from the rear plate 31.

  Further, in the water supply chamber 86 of the water supply bucket 85, the insertion hole 35 exposed from the front surface of the front plate 30 is blocked by the tip 50 </ b> A of the pin 50, and the insertion hole 40 exposed from the rear surface of the rear plate 31 is pinned. It is blocked by 50 heads 50B. Thus, the water supply chamber 86 is closed at both ends in the front-rear direction, and communicates with the outside only through the water drain hole 36 of the front boss 33 and the air vent hole 84 of the rear boss 44 (see FIG. 5B).

  Thus, the assembly of the humidifying unit 20 is completed. Here, in the humidification unit 20, the water supply unit 90 (eight water supply buckets 85) and the water storage unit 75 are provided on the front plate 30 (strictly speaking, the water supply unit 90 is provided on the front plate 30 and the rear plate 31. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide components for supporting each of the water supply unit 90 and the water storage unit 75, and the number of components can be reduced (see FIG. 5A).

  Finally, the shaft 51 described above is inserted into the through hole 39 of the rear plate 31 from the rear side. The front end portion of the shaft 51 inserted through the through hole 39 is exposed to the front side from the through hole 39. Then, the cylindrical collar 53 is fitted from the front to the exposed front end portion of the shaft 51 and integrated with the shaft 51, so that the shaft 51 does not come out of the through hole 39. 31 is attached. Thus, the humidification unit 20 is rotatably held by the shaft 51. The front side of the shaft 51 is supported by the partition wall 13.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the motor 60 is attached to the partition wall 13 described above, and the gear 61 attached to the output shaft of the motor 60 is connected to the outer periphery of the first rib 37 in the front plate 30 of the humidifying unit 20. It meshes with the gear teeth 52 on the surface. Therefore, when the motor 60 is driven, the gear 61 rotates in a predetermined direction, and accordingly, the entire humidification unit 20 rotates in a predetermined direction, specifically, a counterclockwise direction when viewed from the front. .

Fig.7 (a) is an AA arrow line view of FIG. FIG. 7B is an enlarged view of the main part of FIG. Fig.8 (a) is the perspective view which looked at the humidification unit 20 from the front lower right side, FIG.8 (b) is principal part sectional drawing of Fig.8 (a).
When the humidifying unit 20 rotates in this way (see the thick broken arrow in FIG. 7A), the eight water supply buckets 85 also rotate together with the humidifying unit 20 (disk layer portion 34). Below, with reference to Fig.7 (a), the mode of the one water supply bucket 85 until the humidification unit 20 carries out 1 rotation is demonstrated.

  First, when the water supply bucket 85 is immersed in the water in the tray 22 (specifically, the rear region 22B described above), the inside of the water supply bucket 85 (water supply chamber 86) is filled with water through the drain hole 36. Accumulated (see water supply bucket 85A). At this time, the portion around the water supply bucket 85 </ b> A in each humidifying disk 32 of the disk layer portion 34 is also immersed in the water of the tray 22 and gets wet. This time is assumed to be when the humidifying unit 20 starts to rotate. When water is stored in the water supply chamber 86, the air in the water supply chamber 86 escapes from the air vent hole 84 (see FIG. 5B).

  Then, as the humidifying unit 20 rotates, the water supply bucket 85 immersed in the receiving tray 22 rises away from the water surface S of the receiving tray 22, and thereby the water in the receiving tray 22 is pumped up by the water supply bucket 85 (water supply bucket 85 B, (See water supply bucket 85C and water supply bucket 85D). Then, the portion of the humidifying disc 32 that has been soaked in the water of the tray 22 moves upward in the humidifying unit 20 until the humidifying unit 20 makes one half rotation, and the air flowing through the flow path 15 (FIG. 2). Exposed to thick solid arrows). As a result, the water adhering to the humidifying disk 32 becomes fine particles and rides on the purified air (in other words, this air is humidified), and is discharged from each outlet 9 (see FIG. 2) to the outside. Released. As a result, the room is humidified as described above.

Along with this, until the humidifying unit 20 makes a half rotation, the moisture from the humidifying disk 32 almost disappears. However, when the humidifying unit 20 makes a half rotation, Water W (water drawn from the tray 22) in the water supply chamber 86 is spilled from the drain hole 36 and supplied to the humidifying disc 32 (see the water supply bucket 85E).
Specifically, as shown in the water supply bucket 85D, the water W remains in the water supply chamber 86 of the water supply bucket 85 before the humidification unit 20 makes a half turn. Here, referring to the water supply bucket 85C and the water supply bucket 85D, the water drain hole 36 in the water supply bucket 85D is facing upward, whereas the water drain hole 36 in the water supply bucket 85D is in the vertical direction. It faces the inclined direction. Therefore, when the water supply bucket 85 moves from the water supply bucket 85C to the state of the water supply bucket 85D as the humidifying unit 20 rotates, the water W remaining in the water supply chamber 86 drains out from the water drain hole 36. Move to hole 36. Here, of the water surface of the water W, the portion V in the vicinity of the drain hole 36 slightly bulges upward due to surface tension, and dams the water W moving to the drain hole 36 (see the water supply bucket 85D). . However, when the water supply bucket 85 moves from the state of the water supply bucket 85D to the state of the water supply bucket 85E by the half rotation of the humidifying unit 20, the water surface of the water W in the vicinity of the water drainage hole 36 becomes the water drainage hole 36. The water W moving to can no longer be blocked, and the water W in the water supply chamber 86 spills out from the drain hole 36. The spilled water W penetrates into the gaps X (see FIG. 6) in the adjacent humidifying disks 32 in the disk layer portion 34 by the capillary phenomenon and is supplied to the humidifying disks 32, so that the humidifying disks 32 are wetted again.

  The portion wetted by the water W of the water supply chamber 86 of the water supply bucket 85 in the humidifying disk 32 until the humidification unit 20 finishes one rotation (see the water supply buckets 85E to 85H) is purified air. (See the thick solid arrow in FIG. 2). As a result, the water adhering to the humidifying disk 32 is released into the room together with the purified air in the same manner as the humidifying unit 20 makes a half rotation, and contributes to humidification in the room.

  Thus, the eight water supply buckets 85 (water supply unit 90) rotate together with the disk layer unit 34 as the humidifying unit 20 (disk layer unit 34) rotates, and at the lower position, that is, the lower water supply bucket 85. When the water in the tray 22 is pumped up (see the water supply bucket 85A) and reaches the upper position (see the water supply bucket 85E), the pumped water is spilled into the disk layer portion 34 from the drain hole 36. The spilled water falls from the outer peripheral surface (outer peripheral edge of the humidifying disk 32) side of the disk layer part 34 through the disk layer part 34 (the gap X between the adjacent humidifying disks 32). On the way to the space 57 (inner peripheral edge of the humidifying disk 32), each humidifying disk 32 is wetted.

  Therefore, when the disk layer portion 34 makes one rotation, even if each wetted disk 32 of the disk layer portion 34 is dried at an early stage by humidifying the air, the water supply bucket 85 removes this portion. Since it is wetted again, humidification can continue in this part. That is, since each humidified disk 32 can be kept wet for a long time, the disk layer portion 34 can expose a portion wetted with water to the air in the flow path 15 (see FIG. 2) for a relatively long time. The humidification efficiency of air can be improved. Further, by disposing the water supply bucket 85 on the outer peripheral side of the humidifying disk 32 and spilling the water of the water supply bucket 85 to the inner peripheral edge of the humidifying disk 32, the humidifying disk 32 can be efficiently wetted in the radial direction. However, the humidification efficiency is improved.

  Here, as described above, all the humidifying disks 32 (disk layer portions 34) are positioned so as to be in non-contact with all the front bosses 44 (specifically, the water supply buckets 85). If somewhere is in contact, the water tension (V) due to the surface tension indicated by the water supply bucket 85D in FIG. 7 (a) does not work, and it will spill out at an early stage. It is possible to prevent the water W in the water supply chamber 86 of the water supply bucket 85 from being unnecessarily spilled down through the wet humidifying disk 32 at an early stage until the humidification unit 20 makes a half rotation.

  Further, as described above, the disc layer portion 34 has a three-dimensional structure that connects the outer and inner peripheral edges of the humidifying disc 32 and communicates with the inner space 57 of the disc layer portion 34 as shown in FIG. A water guiding hole Y is formed (see also FIG. 4 and FIG. 5B). As described above, water spilled from the drain hole 36 of the water supply bucket 85 permeates the gaps X (see FIGS. 5B, 4 and 6) in the adjacent humidifying disks 32 in the disk layer portion 34. By passing through the water guide hole Y, it can also fall into the inner space 57 of the disk layer 34 through the disk layer 34 (see the thick broken line arrow in FIG. 5A).

  As the air cleaner 1 continues to be used, water spilled from the water supply bucket 85 stays in the disk layer 34 and adheres to the humidifying disk 32. There is a possibility of adhering to 32. If the gap X between the adjacent humidifying disks 32 in the disk layer portion 34 is closed by this dirt, the water that spills from the water supply bucket 85 and passes through the disk layer portion 34 after that does not contribute to humidification. Cannot stay in the inner space 57 of the disk layer 34 and stay in the disk layer 34. Then, the precipitation of the chalk component and scale from the water makes it more difficult for the water to fall, and the contamination of the humidifying disk 32 becomes worse as maintenance of the humidifying unit 20 becomes necessary.

  However, since the water guide hole Y formed in the disk layer portion 34 forcibly drops the water spilled from the water supply bucket 85 into the inner space 57 through the disk layer portion 34 (see FIG. 5A). It is possible to suppress the water that has not contributed to humidification from continuing to stay in the disk layer portion 34. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the dirt generated from the water remaining in the disk layer portion 34 from adhering to the humidified disk 32. Even if the gap X between the adjacent humidifying disks 32 in the disk layer 34 is blocked by the dirt, the water that has not contributed to the humidification out of the water passing through the disk layer 34 will be Since the water surely falls into the inner space 57 through Y, the water hardly stays in the disk layer 34, and the contamination of the humidifying disk 32 is deteriorated to the extent that the humidifying unit 20 needs to be maintained. Can be suppressed.

As a result, the timing of maintenance of the humidifying unit 20 (removal of dirt on the humidifying disk 32) can be delayed, so that frequent maintenance of the humidifying unit 20 can be avoided, and usability can be improved.
Further, during maintenance of the humidifying unit 20 (when assembling the disk layer portion 34), the first humidifying disc 32 belonging to the A set, the C set, and the E set and the second humidifying disc belonging to the B set, the D set, and the F set. The water guiding hole Y can be easily formed in the disk layer 34 (see FIG. 4) by a simple operation of simply overlapping the humidifying disk 32 in a predetermined manner (see FIG. 3A). Thereby, the further improvement of usability can be aimed at. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3A, unlike forming the water guide hole Y by overlapping the humidifying disks 32 in a predetermined manner, each humidifying disk 32 has a notch 45A that coincides with the circumferential direction. It is practically possible to form the water guide hole Y by continuing the cut 46B. However, in this case, the humidifying disks 32 are separated in the circumferential direction.

In each set constituting the disk layer portion 34, at least two first humidifying disks 32 are adjacent to each other (A set, C set, E set), and at least two second humidifying disks 32 are included. Adjacent (Group B, Group D, Group F).
Thereby, in the A group, the C group, and the E group, the outer holes 88 can be widened in the front-rear direction (the overlapping direction of the humidifying disks 32) by the notches 45B of the adjacent first humidifying disks 32 being continuous. Similarly, in the B group, the D group, and the F group, the notches 46B of the adjacent second humidifying disks 32 are continuous, so that the inner hole 89 can be widened in the front-rear direction. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each portion of the water guide hole Y formed by the outer hole 88 and the inner hole 89 communicating with each other is widened in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the water guide hole Y can reliably and smoothly drop the water spilled from the water supply bucket 85 of the water supply unit 90 into the inner space 57 through the disk layer 34 (the thick broken line in FIG. 5A). See arrow).

In addition, as shown to Fig.3 (a), the 1st humidification disk 32 which belongs to A group, C group, and E group, and the 2nd humidification disk 32 which belongs to B group, D group, and F group are shapes. It is the same. Therefore, when assembling the disk layer portion 34 during maintenance of the humidifying unit 20, it is not necessary to care about the type of the humidifying disk 32, and usability can be improved. In the above, for convenience of explanation, the humidifying disk 32 belonging to the A group, the C group, and the E group is the first humidifying disk 32, and the humidifying disk 32 belonging to the B group, the D group, and the F group is the second humidifying disk 32. However, the definition may be reversed.
<Electrolytic water unit>
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the air cleaner 1 includes an inner space 57 (strictly surrounded by the second rib 38 of the front plate 30 and each water storage portion 75) in the humidifying unit 20. The electrolyzed water unit 70 is provided in the space). The electrolyzed water unit 70 is for placing electrolyzed water on the air flowing through the flow path 15 (see FIG. 2) after being purified by passing through the filter 11. Therefore, this air purifier 1 not only cleans the outside air taken in as described above with the filter 11, but also dissipates the electrolyzed water in the electrolyzed water unit 70 to sterilize and deodorize the outside air with this electrolyzed water. can do.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the electrolyzed water unit 70 includes a water receiving container 71 having an open upper surface, a diffusion plate 72, a gear 73, and an electrode unit 98.
The interior of the water receiving container 71 is partitioned into an overflow chamber 111 and a storage chamber 121 by a partition wall 110 (see FIG. 7A).
The diffusion plate 72 has a disk shape in which a large number of through holes are formed. In the storage chamber 121, the diffusion plate 72 is held by the water receiving container 71 in a state of being inclined diagonally forward downward (inclined leftward in FIG. 6).

  The gear 73 has a disk shape having a central axis extending in the vertical direction, and gear teeth 92 are formed on the outer peripheral portion thereof. Further, an upper end portion of a gear shaft 93 extending vertically is connected to a circular center position on the bottom surface of the gear 73. The lower end portion of the gear shaft 93 is connected from above to the center of the circle of the diffuser plate 72 that is inclined as described above, whereby the diffuser plate 72 and the gear 73 are integrated. In this state, the diffusion plate 72 and the gear 73 are rotatable together with the gear shaft 93. Note that the diffusion plate 72 always maintains a state in which it is inclined obliquely forward and downward, even during rotation.

  The electrode unit 98 is accommodated in the storage chamber 121 of the water receiving container 71 and includes a pair of electrodes 100. The pair of electrodes 100 extends downward toward the bottom of the storage chamber 121. Lead wires (not shown) of the pair of electrodes 100 are connected to a main body power supply (not shown) outside the electrolyzed water unit 70. As will be described later, in the electrolyzed water unit 70, electrolyzed water is generated by electrolyzing the water stored in the storage chamber 121 by the action of the electrode unit 98.

  The electrolyzed water unit 70 is supported by the partition wall 13 of the main body case 2. In this state, the electrolyzed water unit 70 is surrounded by the second rib 38 of the front plate 30 in the humidifying unit 20 and disposed in a space above the shaft 51. Here, in the electrolyzed water unit 70, the gear teeth 92 of the gear 73 mesh with the gear teeth 55 at the upper end portion of the second rib 38, but the other portions are not in contact with the humidifying unit 20.

  And about the relative position of the electrolyzed water unit 70 and the humidification unit 20, about 1/3 of the water receiving container 71 (strictly the storage chamber 121) of the electrolyzed water unit 70 and the front side of the disk layer part 34 of the humidification unit 20 The portion (in other words, the front boss 33 of each water supply bucket 85) coincides in the front-rear direction (left-right direction in FIG. 6). In other words, each water supply bucket 85 has a front boss close to the electrolyzed water unit 70 at a position facing the electrolyzed water unit 70 (the storage chamber 121 of the water receiving container 71) in the front-rear direction (the overlapping direction of the humidifying disks 32). 33 and a rear boss 44 that is separated from the electrolyzed water unit 70 to the rear side as compared with the front boss 33. The above-described guide portion 79B (see FIG. 5B) of the packing 79 interposed at the joint between the front boss 33 and the rear boss 44 protrudes radially inward toward the electrolyzed water unit 70. Moreover, each water storage part 75 (refer FIG. 5) of the humidification unit 20 is arrange | positioned in the range which corresponds with the electrolyzed water unit 70 (the storage chamber 121 of the water receiving container 71) in the front-back direction.

Due to the relative position of the electrolyzed water unit 70 and the humidifying unit 20, the disk layer 34, the water supply buckets 85 of the water supply unit 90, and the water storage units 75 are moved by the rotation of the humidifying unit 20. Rotate around.
Here, as described above, in the humidification unit 20, the water storage portion 75, which is approximately one third of the front side of the disk layer portion 34, is directed radially inward with respect to the front boss 33 of each water supply bucket 85. These are arranged in this order (see FIG. 5). The drain hole 36 of the front boss 33 communicates with each gap X of the humidifying disk 32 constituting approximately one third of the front side of the disk layer 34 (see FIG. 5B).

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7A, when the humidifying unit 20 makes a half rotation, the water in the water supply chamber 86 of the uppermost water supply bucket 85 (water supply bucket 85E) is drained from the water supply bucket 85E. From the hole 36, it falls to the humidifying disk 32 constituting approximately one third of the front side of the disk layer portion 34. Then, the water penetrates into the gaps X (see FIG. 5B) in the humidifying disk 32 constituting approximately one third of the front side of the disk layer part 34 and moves toward the inner side in the radial direction, while the disk layer part 34. Wet the humidifying disk 32 constituting approximately one third of the front side. Specifically, this water passes through a portion (see FIG. 3A) sandwiched between the front guide rib 47 and the rear guide rib 47 of the humidifying disc 32 in each gap X, and approximately 3 minutes on the front side of the disc layer portion 34. Descends to the inner peripheral edge of the humidifying disk 32 constituting No.1. In the gap X (see FIG. 5) between the frontmost humidifying disk 32 and the rear surface of the front plate 30, water is provided on the front boss 33 of the corresponding water supply bucket 85 on the rear surface of the front plate 30. It moves down to the inner peripheral edge of the humidifying disk 32 through a portion sandwiched between 62 and the second protrusion 63 (see FIG. 3A).

  Moreover, as shown in FIG.5 (b), the water which spilled from the drain hole 36 does not fall, but propagates along the lower outer surface of the front boss 33 in the water supply bucket 85 (water supply bucket 85E) to the rear side. Even if it tries to move, this water is blocked by the guide portion 79B of the packing 79 and becomes a large water droplet at the guide portion 79B (see the thick broken arrow in FIG. 5B). Then, this water eventually penetrates into each gap X in the humidifying disk 32 constituting approximately one third of the front side of the disk layer portion 34. As described above, the electrolyzed water unit 70 (the storage chamber 121 of the water receiving container 71) and the front one-third portion of the disk layer portion 34 coincide with each other in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 6). It can be said that the guide portion 79B of the packing 79 guides the water spilled from the drain hole 36 toward the electrolyzed water unit 70.

  Here, as described above, each of the water supply buckets 85 of the water supply unit 90 is close to the electrolyzed water unit 70 at a position facing the electrolyzed water unit 70 in the overlapping direction (front-rear direction) of the humidifying disk 32, and a drain hole. 36, and a rear boss 44 that is separated from the electrolyzed water unit 70 as compared with the front boss 33 (see FIG. 6). Thereby, the drain hole 36 of each water supply bucket 85 will always be arrange | positioned in the position which corresponds with the electrolyzed water unit 70 in the front-back direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7A, the water drain hole 36 of each water supply bucket 85 always passes directly above the electrolyzed water unit 70 as the disk layer portion 34 rotates (see the water supply bucket 85E). ).

  Referring to FIG. 5 (a), when the drain hole 36 passes right above the electrolyzed water unit 70, the water in the water supply bucket 85 flows from the rear boss 44 side to the front boss 33 side and drains the hole. Reach 36. Then, this water spills from the drain hole 36 into a portion (see FIG. 6) located immediately above the electrolyzed water unit 70 in a substantially one-third portion of the front side of the disk layer portion 34 (see FIG. 5A). (See the thick dashed arrow). Therefore, in the disk layer portion 34 (specifically, approximately one third of the front side), the water that has reached the inner peripheral edge of the humidifying disk 32 without contributing to humidification is spilled out of the spilled water. It can be spilled and dropped into the electrolyzed water unit 70 with certainty.

  As described above, each water supply bucket 85 includes the front boss 33 and the rear boss 44 at a position facing the electrolyzed water unit 70 in the front-rear direction. As a result, the joint between the front boss 33 and the rear boss 44 in each water supply bucket 85 is also always placed at a position that coincides with the electrolyzed water unit 70 in the front-rear direction, like the drain hole 36. With the rotation of the layer portion 34, the layer portion 34 always passes directly above the electrolyzed water unit 70 (see FIG. 6).

  And as shown in FIG.5 (b), the packing 79 is interposed in this seam. Therefore, in each water supply bucket 85, when the water drain hole 36 passes directly above the electrolyzed water unit 70, water spilled from the water drain hole 36 is contaminated on the lower outer surface of the front boss 33 (the above-described chalk component). Even when trying to move backward toward the rear boss 44 through the water or the like, the water is blocked by the packing 79 (specifically, the guide portion 79B) (see the thick broken line arrow in FIG. 5B). Then, the dammed water spills from the packing 79 into a portion located just above the electrolyzed water unit 70 in the front third portion of the disk layer portion 34 (a thick broken line arrow in FIG. 5B). reference). Since the air purifier 1 (see FIG. 2) is arranged to be inclined rearward, the same result is obtained when water spilled from the drain hole 36 tries to move backward toward the rear boss 44. be able to.

  Therefore, in the disk layer portion 34 (specifically, approximately one third of the front side), the water that has reached the inner peripheral edge of the humidifying disk 32 without contributing to humidification is spilled out of the spilled water. It can be spilled and dropped into the electrolyzed water unit 70 with certainty. In particular, the guide portion 79B provided in the packing 79 protrudes toward the electrolyzed water unit 70 (see FIG. 6) and guides water spilled from the drain hole 36 toward the electrolyzed water unit 70 as described above. . Therefore, the water spilled from the drain hole 36 and blocked by the packing 79 is guided to the guide portion 79B of the packing 79, so that it can be surely placed in the portion located directly above the electrolyzed water unit 70 in the disk layer portion 34. Spilled.

  As described above, in this air purifier 1, the water spilled from the drain hole 36 of each water supply bucket 85 is substantially the same as the front side of the disk layer 34 (the electrolyzed water unit 70 matches in the front-rear direction). In the portion that is located directly above the electrolyzed water unit 70. As a result, water that has not contributed to humidification in the disk layer portion 34 can be spilled stably at a predetermined position of the disk layer portion 34 (directly above the electrolyzed water unit 70).

  Then, the water that has penetrated into the gaps X of the humidifying disk 32 in the portion located directly above the electrolyzed water unit 70 in the disk layer 34 and has reached the inner peripheral edge of the humidifying disk 32 from the inner peripheral edge of the humidifying disk 32, It falls via the passage hole 56 (see FIG. 5) of the second rib 38. As shown in FIG. 7A, the water W is received by the storage chamber 121 of the water receiving container 71 of the electrolyzed water unit 70 located directly below the front boss 33 of the water supply bucket 85 (water supply bucket 85E). It collects in the storage chamber 121.

  Further, as described above, in the disk layer portion 34 (at least about one third of the front side), as shown in FIG. 5, at each position that coincides with each front boss 33 (water supply bucket 85) in the circumferential direction, A water guide hole Y is formed. Even if the gap X (see FIG. 5B) between the adjacent humidifying disks 32 in the disk layer 34 is blocked by the dirt, the water that has not contributed to the humidification among the water passing through the disk layer 34 Is surely dropped into the inner space 57 through the water guide hole Y, so that this water can be spilled right above the electrolyzed water unit.

  Here, the water that has reached the inner peripheral edge of the humidifying disk 32 without contributing to humidification in the disk layer portion 34 does not fall from the inner peripheral edge of the humidifying disk 32 to the electrolyzed water unit 70 (see FIG. 6). The inner peripheral edge of each of the humidifying discs 32 is caused to flow down in the circumferential direction, or the inner peripheral edge of the stacked humidifying discs 32 is moved to the rear (rear plate 31 side). In particular, if the above-described dirt (calky component or scale) adheres to the humidifying disk 32 (especially the inner peripheral edge), the water is brazed so as to propagate the dirt. And tend to flow in an unintended direction (circumferential direction or rearward) as described above. Further, even when the air cleaner 1 (see FIG. 1) is inclined in the left-right direction or the front-rear direction depending on the state of the mounting surface on which the air cleaner 1 is placed, the water on the inner peripheral edge of the humidifying disk 32 is However, it can flow in an unintended direction.

  However, most of this water (water at the inner peripheral edge of the humidifying disc 32 without contributing to humidification) coincides with the water supply bucket 85 (water supply bucket 85E) in the circumferential direction as shown in FIG. It is captured by the protrusion 76 of the water storage section 75 (see the thick solid arrow in FIG. 7B). The captured water W becomes a water film and accumulates between the adjacent protrusions 76 due to the surface tension (see the blacked out portion). Then, when a certain amount of water W is captured by the protrusions 76 and the water film of the water W grows to such an extent that it cannot be supported by the surface tension, it becomes water droplets, spills from between the adjacent protrusions 76, and directly below. It collects in the storage chamber 121 of the water receiving container 71 of the electrolyzed water unit 70 located (refer Fig.7 (a)).

  In addition, when the air cleaner 1 (see FIG. 2) is inclined to the back side (rear side), the water captured by the projection 76 is projected as shown by the thick broken arrow in FIG. Flows backward through 76. Thereafter, the water spills from the rear end of the protrusion 76 and accumulates in the storage chamber 121 (see FIG. 7A) of the electrolyzed water unit 70 located immediately below (see the thick broken arrow in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8). b) see water W).

  That is, by providing the water reservoir 75 (at least the protrusion 76), the position where water spills in the circumferential direction and the front-rear direction can be maintained directly above the electrolyzed water unit 70, and this water can be dropped onto the electrolyzed water unit 70 without leakage. Can do. As a result, in the electrolyzed water unit 70 shown in FIG. 7A, since water is stably supplied, the efficiency of generating electrolyzed water can be improved. Although the water reservoir 75 is disposed in the passage hole 56 of the second rib 38 of the front plate 30 as described above, the protrusion 76 of the water reservoir 75 is not in contact with the second rib 38. It is possible to prevent the captured water from being transferred to the second rib 38 and flowing from the second rib 38 in an unintended direction (see FIGS. 7A and 8A).

Here, in each water storage part 75, the space | interval of the protrusion 76 adjacent in the circumferential direction is set smaller than the water drop of the predetermined | prescribed magnitude | size (minimum) which can be assumed as the water drop which exists in the inner periphery of the humidification disk 32. . Therefore, it is possible to prevent the projection 76 of the water storage section 75 from capturing the water that is about to flow down along the inner peripheral edge of the humidifying disk 32.
Further, as described above, the water reservoir 75 is disposed in a range that coincides with the electrolyzed water unit 70 in the front-rear direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 7A) (see also FIG. 6). Therefore, when the protrusion 76 of the water storage section 75 that has captured the water that is about to flow down along the inner peripheral edge of the humidifying disk 32 is directly above the electrolyzed water unit 70, any part of the protrusion 76 in the water storage section 75 is front and rear. Since it is located directly above the electrolyzed water unit 70 in the direction, the water spilled from the protrusion 76 can be dropped onto the electrolyzed water unit 70 without leakage. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the water captured by the protrusions 76 from flowing to the rear rear plate 31 (a position not directly above the electrolyzed water unit 70), for example (see FIG. 8).

Further, as described above, each water storage section 75 is disposed at a position that coincides with the water supply bucket 85 of the water supply section 90 in the circumferential direction of the disk layer section 34, so that it is close to the corresponding water supply bucket 85. Of the water spilled from the bucket 85, the water that is about to flow down along the inner peripheral edge of the humidifying disk 32 can be reliably captured.
Referring to FIG. 5, the configuration described above (the seam between front boss 33 and rear boss 44 and drain hole 36 in each water supply bucket 85 is aligned with electrolyzed water unit 70 in the front-rear direction. In addition to the configuration in which the packing 79 is interposed at the joint with the rear boss 44), the water storage part 75 is provided, so that the water that has not contributed to humidification in the disk layer part 34 is more stable directly above the electrolyzed water unit 70. Can spill.

  Therefore, even if the above-described dirt (calky component or scale) adheres to each component of the humidifying unit 20 due to continuous use of the air cleaner 1, the water supply bucket 85 and the disk layer part 34 transmit water to the dirt. Without flowing in an unintended direction (for example, the rear rear plate 31), it can be spilled at a position (just above the electrolyzed water unit 70) that is biased toward the electrolyzed water unit 70 (see FIG. 6). Thereby, in the electrolyzed water unit 70, this water can be reliably stored in the storage chamber 121 (refer FIG. 7A), and electrolyzed water can be produced | generated efficiently. And even if the humidification unit 20 becomes somewhat dirty, the air cleaner 1 can be used continuously, so that the humidification unit 20 does not need to be frequently maintained.

  In particular, in this air cleaner 1, a relatively small amount of water is pumped up by the water supply bucket 85 and spilled into the humidifying disk 32, so that only a small amount of spilled water remains without contributing to humidification. How efficiently this small amount of water can be recovered by the electrolyzed water unit 70 to generate electrolyzed water affects the performance of the electrolyzed water unit 70. Therefore, by controlling the surface tension well, the slight amount of water is prevented from flowing in an unintended direction through the dirt adhering to the humidifying unit 20, or a water droplet of a predetermined size (see FIG. 8). (See (b)), the electrolysis water unit 70 is surely dropped from directly above. Thereby, water will be stably supplied to the storage chamber 121 (see FIG. 6) of the electrolyzed water unit 70, and the electrolyzed water unit 70 can exhibit its performance stably.

In addition, since the water storage part 75 is not in contact with the inner peripheral edge of the humidifying disk 32 as described above, it is possible to prevent water from being trapped from the inner peripheral edge of the humidifying disk 32 to the electrolyzed water unit 70. .
In addition, referring to FIG. 7 (a), a part of the water that has flowed along the inner peripheral edge of the humidifying disk 32 without falling from the inner peripheral edge of the humidifying disk 32 to the electrolyzed water unit 70 is partially humidified. It may flow in the circumferential direction along the inner periphery of the disk 32. However, since this water is blocked by the nearest notch 46 formed on the inner peripheral edge of the humidifying disk 32, it does not continue to flow along the inner peripheral edge, and becomes a water droplet of a predetermined size at the notch 46. The water is stored in the storage chamber 121 of the water receiving container 71 of the electrolyzed water unit 70 located immediately below. Similarly, the water that has tried to flow along the inner peripheral edge of the front plate 30 is blocked by the nearest notch 58 on the inner peripheral edge of the front plate 30, and therefore does not continue to flow along the inner peripheral edge. Is also accumulated in the storage chamber 121 (see FIG. 8).

  Further, before the humidifying unit 20 makes a half turn, as shown in the water supply bucket 85D, a part of the water W in the water supply chamber 86 spills from the water drain hole 36, and the front boss 33 ( Instead of being transferred to the water storage portion 75 that coincides with the water supply bucket 85D) in the circumferential direction, it may flow downward as it penetrates into the gaps X of the humidifying disc 32 (see thick solid arrows in FIG. 7A). ). Further, since water is always supplied to the humidifying disk 32 from the water supply bucket 85, some water may permeate the gaps X of the humidifying disk 32 and flow down as it is (FIG. 7A). ) Thick solid line arrow).

  In that case, another water storage part 75 (a water storage part 75 that coincides with the water supply bucket 85C in the circumferential direction) is located ahead of the spilled water, and this water is delivered to another water storage part 75. (Strictly speaking, it collects between this water storage part 75 and the inner peripheral edge of the nearest humidifying disk 32). And when the humidification unit 20 makes 1/2 rotation, when the water supply bucket 85 moves from the water supply bucket 85C to the state of the water supply bucket 85E and finally reaches just above the electrolyzed water unit 70, this another water storage part The water delivered to 75 is combined with the water in the water supply bucket 85 to form water droplets (a lump of water) of a predetermined size and spills down. This lump of water collects in the storage chamber 121 of the water receiving container 71 of the electrolyzed water unit 70 located directly below.

  Further, for some reason, water remains in the water supply bucket 85 while the water supply bucket 85 moves from the water supply bucket 85E to the state of the water supply bucket 85F, and may spill from the drain hole 36 after passing the top. In this case, the water in one of the water storage portions 75 (the water storage portion 75 corresponding to the water supply bucket 85E) is combined to form a water mass, and falls while the water storage portion 75 is positioned directly above the electrolyzed water unit 70. And accumulates in the storage chamber 121.

There may be a small amount of water that does not reach the electrolyzed water unit 70 among the water that is supplied to the disk layer 34 and does not contribute to humidification. However, this water is received by the tray 22 and is again supplied to the water supply bucket. Pumped by 85.
When the water level stored in the storage chamber 121 of the water receiving container 71 rises to a predetermined water level (predetermined water level T), the pair of electrodes 100 of the electrode unit 98 are stored in the storage chamber 121. Soak in water. When water is received in the storage chamber 121 until the water level in the storage chamber 121 exceeds the predetermined water level T, the water exceeding the predetermined water level T passes over the partition wall 110 and flows into the overflow chamber 111.

  In the electrode unit 98, when a voltage is applied to the pair of electrodes 100 via lead wires (not shown), the water in the storage chamber 121 is electrolyzed to become electrolyzed water. Since tap water is usually used as the water and chlorine is contained in the tap water, the electrolyzed water unit 70 is hypochlorous acid having a bactericidal action and a deodorizing action by electrolysis in the electrode unit 98. Electrolyzed water containing (HClO) and active oxygen can be generated.

  Here, when water has accumulated in the storage chamber 121 up to the predetermined water level T described above, the diffusion plate 72 is inclined obliquely forward and downward with respect to the water surface of the storage chamber 121, as shown in FIG. The front part (substantially the front half) of the diffusion plate 72 is immersed in water (electrolyzed water) stored in the storage chamber 121. As described above, in the electrolyzed water unit 70, the gear teeth 92 of the gear 73 mesh with the gear teeth 55 of the second rib 38 of the humidifying unit 20, so that when the humidifying unit 20 rotates, the gear 73 is Rotates in response to the rotational force of the humidifying unit 20.

With the rotation of the gear 73, the diffusion plate 72 integrated with the gear 73 via the gear shaft 93 is inclined obliquely forward and downward by the gear shaft 93 as described above, and the front portion is the storage chamber 121. It rotates so as to synchronize with the rotation of the humidifying unit 20 while being maintained in a state immersed in the water.
In the front side portion of the diffusion plate 72 immersed in the water (electrolyzed water) stored in the storage chamber 121, a film of electrolytic water is formed in the above-described through hole (not shown) of the diffusion plate 72 by surface tension. When the diffusion plate 72 rotates in a state, a through hole (not shown) in which the electrolytic water film is stretched moves to the rear side of the diffusion plate 72 and the electrolytic water in the water receiving container 71 (reservoir chamber 121). Is taken out continuously. Then, a through hole (not shown) covered with a membrane of electrolyzed water is sequentially exposed to the air flowing through the flow path 15 (see the thick solid line arrow in FIG. 2) in the rear portion of the diffusion plate 72. The film of electrolyzed water is broken into a mist and peeled from a through hole (not shown) of the diffuser plate 72, so that the electrolyzed water is continuously diffused. Thereafter, the mist-like electrolyzed water (electrolyzed water mist) rises on the air, passes through the gap X between the stacked humidifying disks 32, and is then discharged into the room together with the purified air (FIG. 2). (See thick solid arrows and two-dot chain arrows). Thus, the diffusion plate 72 puts the generated electrolyzed water on the air flowing through the flow path 15. As a result, the electrolyzed water is dissipated from the outlet 9 (see FIG. 2) to the outside of the apparatus (for example, indoors) to sterilize or deodorize the indoor air.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 7A, in the storage chamber 121 of the water receiving container 71 of the electrolyzed water unit 70, when the electrolyzed water is generated more than necessary or when the amount of water exceeding the predetermined water level T is received. If it is, an unnecessary amount of water (water exceeding the predetermined water level T) flows into the overflow chamber 111 as described above. Then, the water that has flowed into the overflow chamber 111 is overflowed by the overflow pipe 112 connected to the bottom surface of the overflow chamber 111. A drain valve 114 is attached to the overflow port 113 at the lower end of the overflow pipe 112 so as to be freely opened and closed. When the drain valve 114 opens the overflow port 113, the water overflowed by the overflow tube 112 flows down the overflow tube 112 and falls downward from the opened overflow port 113 toward the tray 22 (rear region 22B). .

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.
Moreover, according to this invention, the air cleaner 1 with a humidification function with high added value can be provided by the above.

FIG. 1A is a plan view of the air cleaner 1, and FIG. 1B is a front view of the air cleaner 1. It is a right view of the air cleaner 1, and has shown one part in the cross section. FIG. 3A is an exploded perspective view of the humidifying unit 20 as viewed from the back. FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of the main part of FIG. It is the perspective view of the humidification unit 20 seen from the back surface, Comprising: The state which the rear plate 31 was removed is shown. Fig.5 (a) is the perspective view which looked at the substantially left half of the humidification unit 20 from the front right side, Comprising: One part is shown with the cross section. FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. It is a right view of the surroundings of the humidification unit 20, Comprising: A part is shown with the cross section. Fig.7 (a) is an AA arrow line view of FIG. FIG. 7B is an enlarged view of the main part of FIG. Fig.8 (a) is the perspective view which looked at the humidification unit 20 from the front lower right side, FIG.8 (b) is principal part sectional drawing of Fig.8 (a).

Explanation of symbols

1 Air purifier (humidifier)
2 Body case
8 Inlet 9 Outlet 11 Filter (Air cleaning means)
12 Fan (Blowing means)
15 channel (air channel)
20 Humidification unit 22 Saucepan (water tank)
30 Front plate (holding member)
31 Rear plate (holding member)
32 Humidifying disc (annular disc)
33 Front boss (first part)
34 Disc layer part 36 Drain hole 44 Rear boss (second part)
51 axis (rotary axis)
57 Internal space 70 Electrolyzed water unit 76 Projection (rib)
79 Packing 79B Guide section 85 Water supply bucket (water pumping container)
90 Water supply section X Clearance (predetermined interval)

Claims (9)

A housing formed with an inlet for taking in air, an air flow path through which air taken in from the inlet flows, and an outlet for discharging the air that has flowed through the air flow path;
Blower means provided in the housing, for sending air from the inlet to the air flow path and sending it to the outlet;
A water storage tank disposed in the housing for storing water;
In the air flow path, a humidification unit that is arranged to be rotatable around a rotation axis extending in a substantially horizontal direction, and humidifies the air in the air flow path with water of the water storage tank;
Have
The humidifying unit is
A plurality of annular disks having an outer peripheral edge and an inner peripheral edge are overlapped in a substantially horizontal direction with a predetermined interval therebetween, and an outer peripheral surface defined by the outer peripheral edge of each annular disk, and each annular disk A disk having an inner space partitioned by an inner peripheral edge of the water tank, the lower part being immersed in the water of the water storage tank, and exposing a portion wetted by the water of the water storage tank to the air of the air flow path with rotation Layer part,
A plurality of water pumping containers disposed along the outer circumferential surface in the circumferential direction of the outer circumferential surface of the disk layer portion, each having a water drainage hole and extending in the overlapping direction of the annular disk; Along with the rotation, the water in the water storage tank is pumped up by the water pumping container, and when it comes to the upper position, the water supply section that spills the water pumped up in the water pumping container from the drain hole into the disk layer part,
Including
An electrolyzed water unit that is disposed in the inner space, receives water falling from the inner peripheral edge of the annular disk, electrolyzes the water to generate electrolyzed water, and places the electrolyzed water on the air flowing through the air flow path Have
In the water supply section, each of the water pumping containers has a first portion in which the water drainage hole is formed near the electrolyzed water unit at a position facing the electrolyzed water unit in the overlapping direction of the annular disk, A second portion that is farther from the electrolyzed water unit than the first portion,
A humidifier, wherein a packing is interposed at a joint between the first part and the second part.   The said packing is provided with the guide part which protrudes toward the said electrolyzed water unit, and guides the water which spilled from the said drain hole toward the said electrolyzed water unit, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. Humidifier.   The plurality of ribs extending in the overlapping direction of the annular disk are arranged in the inner space of the disk layer portion at intervals along the inner peripheral edge of the annular disk. 2. A humidifier according to 2.   The humidifying device according to claim 3, wherein the interval between the adjacent ribs is smaller than a predetermined size of water droplets on the inner peripheral edge of the annular disk.   The humidifying device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the rib is disposed in a range that coincides with the electrolyzed water unit in the overlapping direction of the annular disks.   The humidifying device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the rib is arranged at a position coinciding with the water supply unit in the circumferential direction.   The humidifying device according to claim 3, wherein the rib is not in contact with an inner peripheral edge of the annular disk. The humidifying unit has a holding member that holds a plurality of the annular disks in a stacked state,
The humidifier according to claim 3, wherein the water supply unit and the rib are provided on the holding member. An air cleaning means for cleaning the air taken in from the inlet and flowing it to the downstream side of the air flow path;
The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
An air cleaner with a humidifying function, comprising:

Images