JP2014070859A - Blower - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a blower capable of reducing pressure loss in a machine in an operation mode in which humidification is not performed.
For example, when operating in an air cleaning operation mode (S21: YES), a control unit drives a fan motor (S22). Next, when it is determined that the water level in the water tank is lower than the predetermined water level (S23: YES), the control unit controls the drive motor control unit to rotate the humidification filter unit and refer to the detection signal of the position detector. Then, by controlling the rotation amount of the humidification filter unit, the rotation of the holding frame is stopped in the arrangement in which the ventilation path provided in the humidification filter unit is on the upper side of the storage chamber (step S24).
[Selection] Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to a blower that can reduce pressure loss in the machine in an operation mode in which humidification is not performed.

  Indoor air contains various substances that are uncomfortable or harmful to the human body, such as dust, pollen, tobacco smoke, and exhaled air. Particularly in recent years, since the houses are airtight, such harmful substances are likely to stay in the room. For this reason, natural ventilation has been provided by opening windows in rooms as appropriate.

  However, it is the actual situation that natural ventilation cannot be performed as desired in areas where air pollution is severe, or in homes and workplaces where people suffer from hay fever. Under such circumstances, blowers having an air purification function for purifying indoor air have been widely spread.

  For example, an air cleaner including a blowing function has a purification filter attached to the suction port, and a ventilation path provided with a blower is formed inside. The ventilation path extends from the inlet opening to the upper outlet. In such an air purifier, the air in the room, which is external air, is sucked into the ventilation path through the purification filter according to the rotation of the blower, and the sucked air is blown out from the air outlet to the room, which is outside. At that time, harmful substances contained in the air are removed by being collected, adsorbed and decomposed by the purification filter, thereby purifying the air.

  Some air purifiers also have a humidifying function for the purpose of adjusting indoor air to a more comfortable state. In an air purifier with a humidifying function, a humidifying filter containing moisture is arranged to block a part of the cross-sectional area of the ventilation path, and a part of the air purified by the purifying filter passes through the humidifying filter. It is configured to take in moisture when it is done and to be humidified thereby (see, for example, Patent Document 1). There is also known a humidifying device that rotates a disk-shaped humidifying filter arranged in a vertical posture in order to efficiently absorb water in the entire humidifying filter (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  The humidifying device as in Patent Document 2 includes a water tank for storing water, and the humidifying filter is arranged in a vertical posture so that a part of the circumferential direction is submerged in the water tank, and is placed at the central position of the humidifying filter. It is configured to be able to rotate in the circumferential direction around a rotation shaft in a lateral posture orthogonal to the side surface. By rotating in the circumferential direction, the humidifying filter is continuously submerged in the circumferential direction, and water is sucked up from the submerged part to the non-submerged part, so that the entire humidifying filter spreads. As a result, the humidifying filter efficiently absorbs water throughout the entire humidifying filter.

  Furthermore, by blowing air to one side of the humidified filter that has absorbed water, the air that has passed through the humidified filter absorbs moisture, and the absorbed air is blown to the outside of the humidifier.

JP 2006-46729 A Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 54-172568

  By the way, in the air purifier with the humidifying function as described above, since the humidifying filter is provided in the middle of the ventilation path in the machine, the pressure loss in the ventilation path even when operating in the operation mode without humidification. Cannot be lowered. There was a problem that power consumption was high compared with an air cleaner that did not have a humidifying function.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a situation, and it aims at providing the air blower which can reduce the pressure loss in a machine in the operation mode which does not humidify.

  A blower according to the present invention is supported rotatably around a horizontal rotation shaft, and holds and holds a humidifying filter, rotation driving means for rotating the holding frame around the rotation shaft, and the holding frame In a blower comprising a water tank in which the lower part of the holding unit is immersed, and a blower that generates an air flow that passes through the inside of the holding frame, a storage chamber for storing the humidifying filter inside the holding frame, and the holding frame A ventilation path communicating with the upstream and downstream spaces is provided in a direction that intersects with the rotation axis, and a detection means for detecting a water level in the water tank and an air flow by the blower means. If the water level detected by the detection means is less than a predetermined water level, the rotation of the holding frame is stopped at a rotational position where the ventilation path is disposed above the storage chamber. Control means and Characterized in that it comprises.

  A blower according to the present invention is supported rotatably around a horizontal rotation shaft, and holds and holds a humidifying filter, rotation driving means for rotating the holding frame around the rotation shaft, and the holding frame A blower comprising a water tank in which a lower portion of the water tank is immersed, a blowing means for generating an air flow passing through the inside of the holding frame, and a water supply tank for supplying water to the water tank. A storage chamber for storing the filter and a ventilation path communicating with the upstream and downstream spaces of the holding frame are provided apart from each other in a direction intersecting the rotation axis, and detects the water level in the water tank. When the air flow is generated by the detecting means and the air blowing means, and the water level detected by the detecting means is less than a predetermined water level, the holding frame is rotated and the water supply tank has water. From the water level Serial air passage, characterized in that it comprises a control means for stopping at a rotation position where the upper side.

  The blower according to the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives whether or not humidification is necessary, and when the water level detected by the detecting unit is not less than a predetermined water level when the receiving unit receives humidification as unnecessary, The means is characterized in that the rotation of the holding frame is stopped at a rotational position where the ventilation path is disposed below the storage chamber.

  The blower according to the present invention includes adjusting means for adjusting an air volume by the blowing means, and the adjusting means is a case where an air flow is generated by the blowing means, and the water level detected by the detecting means is predetermined. When the water level is lower than the water level, the air volume by the air blowing means is reduced.

  In the blower according to the present invention, when the humidifying filter is formed by folding a sheet material having water absorption and breathability into a bellows shape, and the rotation of the holding frame is stopped at the rotation position, the sheet The humidifying filter is housed in the housing chamber so that the direction of the fold line of the material is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane.

  In the present invention, when the water level in the water tank is lower than the predetermined water level during the operation without humidification, the rotation of the holding frame is stopped at the arrangement position where the ventilation path is above the storage chamber of the humidification filter. Take control. Thereby, a part of the path in which the air flow is inhibited by the presence of the humidifying filter is opened, and the pressure loss in the housing is reduced.

  In addition, when the water level in the water tank is equal to or higher than the predetermined water level during the humidifying operation and other functions, the rotation of the holding frame is stopped at the position where the ventilation path is below the storage chamber of the humidifying filter. Since the control is performed, the humidification filter after the rotation is stopped is not continuously immersed in the stored water in the water tank, and the generation of scale in the humidification filter is suppressed.

  According to the present invention, during operation without humidification, when the water level in the water tank is less than a predetermined water level, the rotation of the holding frame is stopped at the arrangement position where the ventilation path is above the storage chamber of the humidification filter. Thus, it is possible to open a part of the path in which the air flow is inhibited by the presence of the humidifying filter, and to reduce the pressure loss in the housing.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the water level in the water tank is equal to or higher than the predetermined water level during the humidification operation and other functions, the ventilation path is held at the arrangement position below the storage chamber of the humidification filter. By stopping the rotation of the frame, the humidification filter after the rotation is stopped is not continuously immersed in the stored water in the water tank, and the generation of scale in the humidification filter can be suppressed.

It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the air cleaner which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a sectional side view which shows schematic structure of an air cleaner. It is a perspective view which shows the support structure of a humidification filter unit. 3 is a front view showing a support structure for a humidifying filter unit 3. FIG. It is a front view of a humidification filter unit. It is a front perspective view of a humidification filter unit. It is a back perspective view of a humidification filter unit. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of an air cleaner. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an operation procedure of the air cleaner according to the first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the drive state of the humidification filter unit at the time of humidification driving | operation. It is a schematic diagram which shows the stop state at the time of humidification driving | operation. It is a schematic diagram which shows a stop state when the water level of a water tank is less than a predetermined water level in an air cleaning operation. It is a schematic diagram which shows the stop state in case the water level of a water tank is less than a predetermined water level in the air cleaning operation which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the stop state in case the water level of a water tank is less than a predetermined water level in the air cleaning operation which concerns on Embodiment 3. FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the stop state at the time of humidification driving | operation. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an operation procedure of the air cleaner according to the fourth embodiment.

The form which applied the air blower concerning this invention to the air cleaner is demonstrated concretely using drawing.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of an air cleaner according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the air cleaner. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the air purifier as viewed from the back side (right side in FIG. 2). In the following description, the front side is the front and the back side is the back.

  The air purifier according to the present embodiment includes a blower fan 2, a humidifying filter unit 3, and a water tank 4 inside a rectangular box-shaped housing 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the interior of the housing 1 is divided by a partition wall 11 into a rear suction chamber 12 and a front discharge chamber 13. The suction chamber 12 communicates with the outside through a large number of air inlets 15, 15, 15,... Provided on the rear panel 14 of the housing 1, and the discharge chamber 13 is provided on the top plate of the housing 1. It communicates with the outside through the mouth 16. The suction chamber 12 and the discharge chamber 13 communicate with each other through an opening 11 a provided in the lower part of the partition wall 11.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the rear panel 14 is detachable, and a deodorizing filter 17 and a dust collecting filter 18 are stacked on the front side of the rear panel 14. The deodorizing filter 17 is formed by, for example, dispersing and holding activated carbon in a nonwoven fabric, and acts to adsorb and remove odorous components in the air. The dust collection filter 18 is, for example, a known HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, and functions to collect and remove fine dust contained in the ventilation. The deodorizing filter 17 and the dust collecting filter 18 are each integrated into a rectangular frame 17a, 18a made of synthetic resin and fitted into a filter chamber provided on the front side of the rear panel 14.

  The blower fan 2 as a blower means includes an impeller 20 and a fan motor 21 that drives the impeller 20. The fan motor 21 is fixed outside the discharge chamber 13. The impeller 20 is fixed to the output end of the fan motor 21 projecting into the discharge chamber 13, and is disposed so as to face the opening 11 a below the partition wall 11. The impeller 20 of the blower fan 2 is rotated by driving a fan motor 21. When the impeller 20 rotates, outside air is introduced into the suction chamber 12 through the intake ports 15, 15, 15,... Provided in the rear panel 14 as indicated by white arrows in FIG. The outside air introduced into the suction chamber 12 flows forward in the suction chamber 12, is sucked into the impeller 20 through the opening 11 a at the lower part of the partition wall 11, is changed in the upward direction, and is led out into the discharge chamber 13. The Then, it is sent out through the air supply port 16 at the end of the discharge chamber 13.

  As described above, the suction chamber 12 and the discharge chamber 13 inside the housing 1 constitute the above-described ventilation path in which the air flow occurs according to the operation of the blower fan 2. The deodorizing filter 17 and the dust collecting filter 18 are located on the upstream side of the ventilation path, and the outside air introduced into the suction chamber 12 through the intake ports 15, 15, 15,. The air is removed and becomes clean air from which dust is removed by passing through the dust collection filter 18, and is sent out through the air supply port 16 at the end of the discharge chamber 13.

  Note that an ion generator 25 that generates positive and negative ions simultaneously or individually is disposed between the blower fan 2 and the air supply port 16. When the ion generator 25 is driven, ions are released from the blower fan 2 toward the air supply port 16, and air containing ions is sent out from the air supply port 16 into the room.

  The air cleaner according to the present embodiment has a humidifying function, and the humidifying filter unit 3 and the water tank are provided between the dust collection filter 18 and the blower fan 2 in order to humidify the air flowing through the air passage inside the housing 1. 4 is provided.

  The water tank 4 is a dish-shaped container having an open top, and is disposed inside the suction chamber 12 on the front side of the dust collection filter 18 by being fitted into a guide portion 19 provided on the bottom plate of the housing 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the water tank 4 can be pulled out from one side surface of the housing 1 by sliding along the guide portion 19 together with the humidifying filter unit 3 supported on the water tank 4. A wide tank receiver 40 is connected to the end of the water tank 4 on the drawer side, and a water supply tank 41 is attached to and detached from the tank receiver 40.

  The water supply tank 41 is a rectangular parallelepiped tank having a water tap 42 at one end, and is mounted on the tank receiver 40 in an inverted posture with the water tap 42 side facing downward. The water tap 42 incorporates a known constant water level valve. When the water supply tank 41 is mounted on the tank receiver 40, the constant water level valve is pushed up by a push-up protrusion 43 (see FIG. 3) standing at a corresponding position of the tank receiver 40 to be opened, and is stored in the water supply tank 41. Water is sent out to the water tank 4 and acts to store water at a constant water level inside the water tank 4.

  The humidifying filter unit 3 is configured by accommodating and holding a humidifying filter 31 inside an annular holding frame 30. The humidifying filter 31 is a sheet made of a material having a high water content and allowing ventilation, such as a non-woven fabric, and is folded in a bellows shape so as to increase the contact area with the ventilation flowing from the rear side toward the front side. It is accommodated inside the holding frame 30 with its width direction along the direction of ventilation (see FIG. 5).

  3 is a perspective view showing a support structure of the humidifying filter unit 3, and FIG. 4 is a front view thereof. In FIG. 3, only the holding frame 30 is illustrated, and the illustration of the humidifying filter 31 to be accommodated in the holding frame 30 is omitted. 3 and 4, only the tank receiver 40 on one side of the water tank 4 is shown, and the water supply tank 41 attached to the tank receiver 40 is not shown.

  The humidifying filter unit 3 is supported in a posture (vertical posture) that stands vertically on the water tank 4 by placing the holding frame 30 on support rollers 6 and 6 provided inside the water tank 4. The support rollers 6 and 6 are rollers that rotate around the axis in the front-rear direction, are distributed on both sides in the longitudinal direction on the bottom surface of the water tank 4, and are in rolling contact with the outer peripheral surface of the holding frame 30 at each position. The humidifying filter unit 3 supported in this way can rotate around the central axis by the rolling of the support rollers 6 and 6.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the humidified filter unit 3 supported in this manner is configured to be easily removed by pulling it out together with the water tank 4 from one side of the housing 1 and lifting it upward. Further, the humidifying filter unit 3 is inserted into the water tank 4 and placed on the two support rollers 6 and 6 so that it can be easily supported in the above-described posture. By pushing into the inside, it can be set at a predetermined position inside the housing 1. Such attachment / detachment of the humidifying filter unit 3 is performed at the time of maintenance and replacement of the humidifying filter 31 accommodated in the holding frame 30 and cleaning of the inside of the water tank 4.

  On the outer peripheral surface of the holding frame 30, as shown in FIG. 3, a ring gear portion 32 having an appropriate width in which teeth are formed over the entire circumference in the central portion in the width direction is integrally provided. The ring gear portion 32 is meshed with the transmission gear 51 of the drive unit 5 disposed above the holding frame 30.

  The drive unit 5 includes a transmission gear 51 and a drive gear 52 attached to one surface of the base 50, and a drive motor 53 attached to the other surface of the base 50. The drive motor 53 is a pulse motor, and its rotation is controlled by a drive motor control unit 56 (see FIG. 8) described later. The drive unit 5 is fixed to an appropriate position of the partition wall 11 inside the housing 1 by a plurality of fixing screws 54, 54... Penetrating the base 50. The drive gear 52 is fitted on the output shaft of the drive motor 53, and the rotation of the drive motor 53 is transmitted to the transmission gear 51 via the drive gear 52, and the transmission gear 51 is rotated. .

  When the humidifying filter unit 3 is set at the predetermined position described above, the humidifying filter unit 3 and the driving unit 5 are positioned so that the transmission gear 51 of the driving unit 5 and the ring gear portion 32 of the holding frame 30 are engaged with each other. Yes. By the meshing of the transmission gear 51 of the drive unit 5 and the ring gear portion 32 of the holding frame 30, the humidifying filter unit 3 is surrounded by the two support rollers 6 and 6 inside the water tank 4 and the transmission gear 51 of the drive unit 5. Three points are supported at different positions.

  The humidifying filter unit 3 supported in this manner is positioned so as to face the front side of the dust collection filter 18 and the rear side of the blower fan 2 inside the suction chamber 12, as shown in FIG. When driven, the rotation of the drive gear 52 is transmitted to the holding frame 30 via the transmission gear 51 and the ring gear portion 32, and the humidifying filter unit 3 rotates around the central axis while maintaining the support position shown in FIG.

  The air cleaner includes a position detector 7 for detecting the rotational position of the humidifying filter unit 3. As the position detector 7, a combination of a magnet 71 and a reed switch 72 can be used. In the present embodiment, a magnet 71 is provided near the outer periphery of the holding frame 30 in the humidifying filter unit 3, and a reed switch 72 that outputs a detection signal when the magnet 71 is at the lowest position on the rotation circumference of the holding frame 30. Is provided on the outer wall of the water tank 4 to detect that the humidifying filter unit 3 is at a predetermined rotational position.

  5 is a front view of the humidifying filter unit 3, FIG. 6 is a front perspective view, and FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view. Inside the holding frame 30, a storage chamber 33 for storing the humidifying filter 31 and a ventilation path 34 through which an air flow passes in the housing 1 are separated in a radial direction of the holding frame 30 by a partition wall 35. Provided.

  Further, on the front surface of the holding frame 30 (the surface facing the blower fan 2), a plurality of support rings 36, 36 concentrically arranged at the center part and a plurality of support rings 36, 36 communicating with the outer peripheral part (in the figure). Are provided with six support ribs 37, 37,. Similarly, the rear surface of the holding frame (the surface facing the dust collection filter 18) is provided with a circular support ring 36 at the center and a plurality of support ribs 37, 37 that connect the support ring 36 to the outer periphery. Yes.

  The ventilation path 34 has an arcuate cross-sectional shape, and communicates with the upstream space (the space on the suction chamber 12 side) and the downstream space (the space on the discharge chamber 13 side) in the housing 1. It is formed to do.

  The storage chamber 33 has a cross-sectional shape excluding the bow-shaped ventilation path 34, that is, a cross-sectional shape in which a circular part is cut out in a bow shape, and the humidifying filter 31 stored in the storage chamber 33 includes a support ring 36. And it is accommodated and held in a state of being supported from both the front and rear sides by the support ribs 37.

  The entire rear surface of the holding frame 30 (and the front surface) except for the support ring 36, the support rib 37, and the partition wall 35 is open, and the humidifying filter 31 in the holding frame 30 is exposed to the outside through the respective openings. It is in. As described above, the humidifying filter 31 is configured by folding a sheet material into a bellows shape. In FIG. 5, the humidifying filter 31 exposed from each opening shows a mountain-shaped fold line by a bold line and a valley-shaped fold line by a thin line in a front view. The humidification filter 31 is accommodated in the storage chamber 33 in a posture in which the direction of the fold line (mountain shape and valley shape) is substantially parallel to the partition wall 35.

Hereinafter, the operation of the air cleaner according to the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the air cleaner. The air purifier according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 100, a position detector 7, a water level detector 8, a fan motor control unit 22, a drive motor control unit 56, a display unit 110, and an operation unit 120 as the configuration of the control system. Is provided.

  The control unit 100 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. Based on the detection results of the position detector 7 and the water level detector 8 and the operation instruction from the user received through the operation unit 120, the fan motor control unit 22, the drive motor control The operations of the unit 56 and the display unit 110 are controlled.

  As described above, the position detector 7 includes the magnet 71 provided on the holding frame 30 of the humidifying filter unit 3 and the reed switch 72 provided on the outer wall of the water tank 4. The position detector 7 sends a detection signal to the control unit 100 when the magnet 71 is at the lowest position on the rotation circumference of the holding frame 30. Based on the detection signal from the position detector 7, the control unit 100 determines that the humidifying filter unit 3 is at a predetermined rotational position (that is, the rotational position where the storage chamber 33 of the humidifying filter 31 is disposed directly above the ventilation path 34). Detect that there is. Further, the control unit 100 calculates a relative rotational position from the predetermined rotational position based on a control amount (number of pulses) of the drive motor 53, and detects an arbitrary rotational position of the humidifying filter unit 3. It is configured.

  The water level detector 8 is a sensor for detecting the water level in the water tank 4 and is provided at an appropriate location inside the water tank 4 (or the tank receiver 40 connected to the water tank 4). For example, a float sensor can be used as the water level detector 8. The water level detector 8 is configured to output a detection signal when the water level in the water tank 4 is higher than the lowest position on the outer peripheral surface of the humidifying filter unit 3. That is, when the control unit 100 acquires a detection signal from the water level detector 8, the control unit 100 can determine that the lower part of the humidifying filter unit 3 is in a state immersed in the stored water in the water tank 4. In this state, the water stored in the water tank 4 enters the holding frame 30 through the front and rear openings and is absorbed by the humidifying filter 31 housed and held in the housing chamber 33. Conversely, when the detection signal from the water level detector 8 is not acquired, the control unit 100 can determine that the humidifying filter unit 3 is not in a state of being immersed in the stored water in the water tank 4.

  The fan motor control unit 22 is a drive circuit for driving the fan motor 21 of the blower fan 2. The fan motor control unit 22 is configured to drive the fan motor 21 at a rotational speed in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 100.

  The drive motor control unit 56 is a drive circuit that drives a drive motor 53 that rotates the holding frame 30 of the humidifying filter unit 3. The drive motor control unit 56 is configured to control the drive of the drive motor 53 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 100.

  The display unit 110 is display means for notifying the user of the operating state of the air cleaner. As the display unit 110, an LED lamp that is turned on / off according to an instruction from the control unit 100 can be used. Further, the display unit 110 may include an LCD display.

  The operation unit 120 is a reception unit that receives a user's operation instruction, and includes various buttons, switches, and the like. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 120 includes a humidifying operation mode button 121, an air cleaning operation mode button 122, and a stop button 123.

  Here, the humidifying operation mode button 121 is a button for instructing a humidifying operation for performing air cleaning while humidifying. When the humidifying operation mode button 121 is pressed by the user, the control unit 100 controls each of the fan motor control unit 22 and the drive motor control unit 56 to drive both the fan motor 21 and the drive motor 53. Send a signal.

  The air cleaning operation mode button 122 is a button for instructing an air cleaning operation (non-humidifying operation) in which air cleaning is performed without performing humidification. When the air cleaning operation mode button 122 is pressed down by the user, the control unit 100 drives the fan motor 21 and stops driving the drive motor 53 to each of the fan motor control unit 22 and the drive motor control unit 56. In response, a control signal is sent. In the present embodiment, when driving of the drive motor 53 is stopped, drive control is performed so that the rotation stop position of the humidification filter unit 3 becomes a predetermined rotation position according to the detection result of the water level detector 8. Is one of the features.

  The stop button 123 is a button for instructing to stop the humidification operation and the air purification operation. When the stop button 123 is pressed by the user, the control unit 100 sends a control signal to each of the fan motor control unit 22 and the drive motor control unit 56 to stop driving the fan motor 21 and the drive motor 53. Send it out.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation procedure of the air cleaner according to the first embodiment. The control unit 100 determines whether or not the current operation mode is the humidification operation mode (step S11). When it is determined that the current operation mode is the humidification operation mode (S11: YES), the control unit 100 determines whether or not the water level in the water tank 4 is equal to or higher than a predetermined water level based on the detection signal of the water level detector 8. Judgment is made (step S12).

  When it is determined that the water level in the water tank 4 is lower than the predetermined water level (S12: NO), the humidifying filter unit 3 is not immersed in the water stored in the water tank 4 and cannot be humidified. Is notified of water supply (step S13). The notification of water supply is performed by turning on a water supply lamp provided on the display unit 110.

  When it is determined that the water level in the water tank 4 is equal to or higher than the predetermined water level (S12: YES), the humidifying filter unit 3 is immersed in the stored water in the water tank 4 and can be humidified. Sends a control signal to each of the fan motor control unit 22 and the drive motor control unit 56 to drive the motors of the fan motor 21 and the drive motor 53 (step S14).

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the driving state of the humidifying filter unit 3 during the humidifying operation. When the blower fan 2 is driven by the fan motor 21, the air flow described above is generated in the suction chamber 12 and the discharge chamber 13 in the housing 1, and this air flows inside the holding frame 30 of the humidifying filter unit 3. The air is introduced through the opening, ventilated through the humidifying filter 31, and sent out through the opening on the rear surface. When the drive unit 5 is driven by the drive motor 53, as shown in FIGS. 10A to 10D, the humidification filter unit 3 rotates, and the water stored in the water tank 4 is humidified in the holding frame 30. Water is absorbed by the filter 31 and lifted by the rotation of the holding frame 30 to reach the entire humidifying filter 31. Accordingly, the air flowing as described above comes into contact with the humidifying filter 31 containing water, becomes humid air containing vaporized water, is sent out through the air supply port 16 at the end of the discharge chamber 13, and passes through the room where the humidifier is installed. Humidify.

  Next, the control unit 100 determines whether or not to stop the humidification operation by determining whether or not the stop button 123 has been pressed (step S15). When the humidification operation is not stopped (S15: NO), the control unit 100 returns the process to step S12.

When it is determined that the humidification operation is to be stopped (S15: YES), the control unit 100 refers to the detection signal of the position detector 7 and stops the drive motor 53 at the timing when the detection signal is input, thereby the humidification filter. The rotation of the holding frame 30 is stopped in such an arrangement that the ventilation path 34 provided in the unit 3 is located below the accommodation chamber 33 (step S16). FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a stopped state during the humidifying operation. The humidification filter unit 3 stops at the rotational position shown in FIG. This rotation position is a position where the magnet 71 provided in the holding frame 30 is the lowest position on the rotation circumference of the holding frame 30, and the ventilation path 34 is arranged below the storage chamber 33. At this rotational position, the upper end (the bow-shaped string portion) of the ventilation path 34 is higher than the water level in the water tank 4, so the humidifying filter 31 after the rotation is stopped is not immersed in the stored water in the water tank 4. For this reason, since the humidification filter 31 does not continuously suck up water, it is dried over time, and the generation of scale is suppressed.
Next, the control unit 100 stops the humidification operation by stopping the driving of the fan motor 21 (step S17).

  When it is determined in step S11 that the current operation mode is not the humidification operation mode (S11: NO), the control unit 100 determines whether or not the current operation mode is the air cleaning operation mode (step S21). When the current operation mode is not the air cleaning operation mode (S21: NO), the control unit 100 returns the process to step S11.

  When it is determined that the current operation mode is the air cleaning operation mode (S21: YES), the control unit 100 sends a control signal to the fan motor control unit 22 to drive the fan motor 21 (step S22). .

  Next, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the water level in the water tank 4 is less than a predetermined water level based on the detection signal of the water level detector 8 (step S23). When it is determined that the water level in the water tank 4 is lower than the predetermined water level (S23: YES), the control unit 100 controls the drive motor control unit 56 to rotate the humidification filter unit 3 and detect the position detector 7. By controlling the rotation amount of the humidifying filter unit 3 with reference to the signal, the rotation of the holding frame 30 is stopped in the arrangement in which the ventilation path 34 provided in the humidifying filter unit 3 is located above the accommodation chamber 33 (step S24). ).

  FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a stopped state when the water level of the water tank is lower than a predetermined water level in the air cleaning operation. The humidification filter unit 3 stops at the rotational position shown in FIG. This rotation position is a position where the magnet 71 provided on the holding frame 30 is at the highest position on the rotation circumference of the holding frame 30, and the ventilation path 34 is arranged above the housing chamber 33. In this rotational position, a ventilation path 34 is formed in a part of the path through which the air flow in the housing 1 passes, and the air flow passes through the inside of the ventilation path 34 without being hindered. The pressure loss inside is reduced. At this rotational position, the water level in the water tank 4 is lower than the lower end of the humidifying filter unit 3, so the humidifying filter 31 is not immersed in the stored water in the water tank 4. For this reason, since the humidification filter 31 does not continuously suck up water, it is dried over time, and the generation of scale is suppressed.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S23 that the water level in the water tank 4 is equal to or higher than the predetermined water level (S23: NO), the control unit 100 refers to the detection signal of the position detector 7 and inputs the detection signal. By stopping the drive motor 53 in this manner, the rotation of the holding frame 30 is stopped in an arrangement in which the ventilation path 34 provided in the humidifying filter unit 3 is located below the storage chamber 33 (step S25). The state after the stop is the same as that shown in FIG. 11, the magnet 71 provided in the holding frame 30 stops at the lowest position on the rotation circumference of the holding frame 30, and the ventilation path 34 is in the accommodation chamber 33. The lower arrangement. For this reason, since the humidification filter 31 after rotation stop is not immersed in the stored water in the water tank 4 similarly to the stop state in the humidification operation mode, the humidification filter 31 does not continuously suck up water, and as time passes. It dries out and the generation of scale is suppressed.

Next, the control unit 100 determines whether or not to stop the air cleaning operation by determining whether or not the stop button 123 has been pressed (step S27). When the air cleaning operation is not stopped (S27: NO), the control unit 100 stands by until the stop button 123 is pressed.
When the stop button 123 is pressed, it is determined to stop the air cleaning operation (S27: YES), and the control unit 100 stops the air cleaning operation by stopping the driving of the fan motor 21 (step S28). ).

As described above, in the first embodiment, during the air cleaning operation, when the water level in the water tank 4 is lower than the predetermined water level, the ventilation path 34 is held at an arrangement position above the housing chamber 33 of the humidifying filter 31. Since the control for stopping the rotation of the frame 30 is performed, a part of the path in which the air flow is inhibited by the presence of the humidifying filter 31 can be opened, and the pressure loss in the housing 1 can be reduced.
Further, when the water level in the water tank 4 is equal to or higher than a predetermined water level during the humidifying operation and the air cleaning operation, the holding frame 30 is rotated at the arrangement position where the ventilation path 34 is below the storage chamber 33 of the humidifying filter 31. Therefore, the humidifying filter 31 after the rotation is stopped is not continuously immersed in the stored water in the water tank 4, and the generation of scale in the humidifying filter 31 can be suppressed.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the first embodiment, when the water level in the water tank 4 is less than a predetermined water level during the air cleaning operation, the magnet 71 provided in the holding frame 30 rotates at a position where it becomes the highest position on the rotation circumference of the holding frame 30. By stopping, as shown in FIG. 12, the holding frame 30 is stopped at a position where the ventilation path 34 is directly above the storage chamber 33 of the humidifying filter 31.
However, the positional relationship between the ventilation path 34 and the storage chamber 33 in the rotation stopped state is not limited to that shown in FIG. In the second embodiment, another stop state will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a stop state when the water level of the water tank 4 is lower than a predetermined water level in the air cleaning operation according to the second embodiment. In the air cleaning operation, when the water level of the water tank 4 is lower than the predetermined water level, the control unit 100 stops the humidification filter unit 3 at a rotational position as shown in FIG. This rotation position is a position where the magnet 71 provided in the holding frame 30 is slightly lower than the highest position on the rotation circumference of the holding frame 30, and the ventilation path 34 is positioned obliquely above the accommodation chamber 33.

  However, the arrangement relationship in which the ventilation path 34 is located above the accommodation chamber 33 is exactly the same as in the first embodiment. For this reason, also in the second embodiment, the ventilation path 34 is formed on a part of the path through which the air flow in the housing 1 passes, and the air flow passes through the ventilation path 34 without being obstructed. Therefore, the pressure loss in the housing 1 can be reduced.

  At this rotational position, the water level in the water tank 4 is lower than the lower end of the humidifying filter unit 3, and the humidifying filter 31 is not immersed in the stored water in the water tank 4. Furthermore, when the humidification filter unit 3 stops, the fold line of the humidification filter 31 will be in the state inclined with respect to the horizontal surface. For this reason, the humidification filter 31 after the rotation is stopped is not substantially immersed in the stored water in the water tank 4 and does not continuously suck up water, and moisture remains in the humidification filter 31 when the rotation is stopped. However, due to the action of gravity, it flows down along the inclination of the fold line, gathers at one end of the fold line, and drains into the water tank 4 from the end. Therefore, the humidifying filter 31 is in a dry state within a short time after the rotation of the humidifying filter unit 3 is stopped, so that generation of scale can be effectively suppressed and clogging of the humidifying filter 31 can be prevented.

  In the first and second embodiments, when the water level of the water tank is lower than the predetermined water level in the air cleaning operation, the holding frame 30 is rotated at the arrangement position where the ventilation path 34 of the humidifying filter unit 3 is located above the storage chamber 33. However, when the water supply tank 41 is filled with water (for example, the water level in the full state, the water level in the steady state), the holding frame 30 is rotated at the rotational position where the ventilation path 34 is above the water level. It is good also as a structure which stops rotation. In this case, as in the first embodiment, the control unit 100 controls the drive motor control unit 56 to rotate the humidification filter unit 3 and refers to the detection signal of the position detector 7 to control the humidification filter unit 3. By controlling the amount of rotation, it is possible to stop the rotation of the holding frame 30 at a rotation position where the ventilation path 34 is above the water level when water is in the water supply tank 41.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
In the second embodiment, the rotation stop position of the holding frame 30 is controlled so that the direction of the folding line of the humidifying filter 31 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane in the stopped state, but the humidifying filter 31 is accommodated. When accommodated in the chamber 33, the folding line may be accommodated in advance so that the direction of the fold line is an oblique direction.

  FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a stop state when the water level of the water tank is lower than a predetermined water level in the air cleaning operation according to the third embodiment. In the air cleaning operation, when the water level of the water tank is lower than the predetermined water level, the control unit 100 stops the humidification filter unit 3 at a rotational position as shown in FIG. This rotational position is the position at which the magnet 71 provided on the holding frame 30 is at the highest position on the rotational circumference of the holding frame 30, and the ventilation path 34 is positioned directly above the storage chamber 33 as in the first embodiment. To do. Therefore, also in the third embodiment, the ventilation path 34 is formed in a part on the path through which the air flow in the housing 1 passes, and the air flow passes through the ventilation path 34 without being obstructed. Therefore, the pressure loss in the housing 1 can be reduced.

  FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a stopped state during the humidifying operation. When the humidifying filter unit 3 is stopped in the humidifying operation, the control unit 100 stops the humidifying filter unit 3 at a rotational position as shown in FIG. This rotation position is a position where the magnet 71 provided in the holding frame 30 is the lowest position on the rotation circumference of the holding frame 30, and the ventilation path 34 is arranged below the storage chamber 33. At this rotational position, the upper end (the bow-shaped string portion) of the ventilation path 34 is higher than the water level in the water tank 4, so the humidifying filter 31 after the rotation is stopped is not immersed in the stored water in the water tank 4. Furthermore, in Embodiment 3, since the humidification filter 31 is accommodated in the accommodation chamber 33 so that the direction of the folding line is an oblique direction, moisture remaining in the humidification filter 31 is folded by the action of gravity. It flows down along the inclination of the line, gathers at one end of the folding line, and drains into the water tank 4 from the end.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
Embodiment 4 demonstrates the structure which reduces an air volume, when the water level in the water tank 4 is less than a predetermined water level at the time of an air cleaning driving | operation.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the operation procedure of the air cleaner according to the fourth embodiment. The control unit 100 determines whether or not the current operation mode is the humidification operation mode (step S11). When it is determined that the current operation mode is the humidification operation mode (S11: YES), the control unit 100 controls to drive each motor (S14), and instructs to stop the humidification operation, exactly as in the first embodiment. If accepted, control is performed to stop each motor (S16, S17).

  When it is determined that the current operation mode is the air cleaning operation mode (S21: YES), the control unit 100 sends a control signal to the fan motor control unit 22 to drive the fan motor 21 (step S22). .

  Next, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the water level in the water tank 4 is less than a predetermined water level based on the detection signal of the water level detector 8 (step S23). When it is determined that the water level in the water tank 4 is lower than the predetermined water level (S23: YES), the control unit 100 controls the drive motor control unit 56 to rotate the humidification filter unit 3 and detect the position detector 7. By controlling the rotation amount of the humidifying filter unit 3 with reference to the signal, the rotation of the holding frame 30 is stopped in the arrangement in which the ventilation path 34 provided in the humidifying filter unit 3 is located above the accommodation chamber 33 (step S24). ).

  Next, the control unit 100 sends a control signal for reducing the rotational speed of the fan motor 21 to the fan motor control unit 22 to reduce the air volume of air sucked from the outside by the fan motor 21 (step S26). As described in the first embodiment, in the stopped state in step S24, the ventilation path 34 is formed in a part on the path through which the air flow in the housing 1 passes, and the flow is inhibited inside the ventilation path 34. Since the air flow passes without being reduced, the pressure loss in the housing 1 is reduced. Therefore, even if the rotational speed of the blower fan 2 is reduced, the air volume of the air sent out from the air supply port 16 can be kept constant, and the power consumption can be reduced.

  When it is determined in step S23 that the water level in the water tank 4 is equal to or higher than the predetermined water level (S23: NO), the control unit 100 refers to the detection signal of the position detector 7 and drives at the timing when the detection signal is input. By stopping the motor 53, the rotation of the holding frame 30 is stopped in an arrangement in which the ventilation path 34 provided in the humidifying filter unit 3 is below the storage chamber 33 (step S25). In the state after the stop, the ventilation path 34 is arranged below the storage chamber 33. For this reason, since the humidification filter 31 after rotation stop is not immersed in the stored water in the water tank 4 similarly to the stop state in the humidification operation mode, the humidification filter 31 does not continuously suck up water, and as time passes. It dries out and the generation of scale is suppressed.

Next, the control unit 100 determines whether or not to stop the air cleaning operation by determining whether or not the stop button 123 has been pressed (step S27). When the air cleaning operation is not stopped (S27: NO), the control unit 100 stands by until the stop button 123 is pressed.
When the stop button 123 is pressed, it is determined to stop the air cleaning operation (S27: YES), and the control unit 100 stops the air cleaning operation by stopping the driving of the fan motor 21 (step S28). ).

  In Embodiment 1 to Embodiment 4 described above, an air cleaner having a humidifying function and an air cleaning function has been described as an embodiment of the blower according to the present invention. However, for functions other than the humidifying function, an air cleaning function is provided. It is not limited to. For example, what is necessary is just an apparatus equipped with the function which requires ventilation after stopping a humidification function like an ion ventilation function, an aromatic ventilation function, etc.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Humidification filter unit 30 Holding frame 31 Humidification filter 32 Ring gear part 33 Accommodating chamber 34 Ventilation path 36 Support ring 37 Support rib

Claims (5)

A holding frame that is rotatably supported around a horizontal rotation shaft and accommodates and holds the humidifying filter; a rotation driving means that rotates the holding frame around the rotation shaft; and a water tank in which a lower portion of the holding frame is immersed. In the blower provided with a blowing means for generating an air flow passing through the inside of the holding frame,
Inside the holding frame, a storage chamber for storing the humidifying filter and a ventilation path communicating with the space on the upstream side and the downstream side of the holding frame are provided apart from each other in a direction intersecting the rotation axis. ,
Detecting means for detecting a water level in the water tank;
When the air flow is generated by the blowing means, and the water level detected by the detection means is less than a predetermined water level, the holding frame is rotated and the ventilation path is disposed above the storage chamber. And a control means for stopping at the rotational position. A holding frame that is rotatably supported around a horizontal rotation shaft and accommodates and holds the humidifying filter; a rotation driving means that rotates the holding frame around the rotation shaft; and a water tank in which a lower portion of the holding frame is immersed. In a blower comprising a blowing means for generating an air flow passing through the inside of the holding frame, and a water supply tank for supplying water to the water tank,
Inside the holding frame, a storage chamber for storing the humidifying filter and a ventilation path communicating with the space on the upstream side and the downstream side of the holding frame are provided apart from each other in a direction intersecting the rotation axis. ,
Detecting means for detecting a water level in the water tank;
When the air flow is generated by the air blowing means, and the water level detected by the detecting means is less than a predetermined water level, the rotation of the holding frame is more than the water level when water is in the water supply tank. And a control means for stopping at a rotational position where the ventilation path is on the upper side. It has a reception means for accepting the necessity of humidification,
When the receiving means accepts that humidification is unnecessary, and when the water level detected by the detecting means is equal to or higher than a predetermined water level, the control means rotates the ventilation path disposed below the storage chamber. The blower according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotation of the holding frame is stopped at a position. Adjusting means for adjusting the air volume by the blowing means;
In the case where the air flow is generated by the air blowing means and the water level detected by the detecting means is less than a predetermined water level, the adjusting means reduces the air volume by the air blowing means. The blower according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the blower is characterized. The humidifying filter is formed by folding a sheet material having water absorption and breathability into a bellows shape,
When the rotation of the holding frame is stopped at the rotation position, the humidification filter is accommodated in the accommodation chamber so that the direction of the fold line of the sheet material is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane. The blower according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein:

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