JPS58120034A - Humidifier - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain the humidifier which is cheap and which is easy of manufacture by a method wherein water is made to be absorbed in a humidifying element having an air flow passage formed by flat and corrugated plates made of water adsorbing and absorbing activated carbon fiber paper and laid one above another in an alternative fashion and air is circulated through the element. CONSTITUTION:A blower 32 is provided in an air duct 36 having an air sucking port 37 and an air blowout port 38 and the flat plates 31a and the corrugated plates 31b which are made of the water absorbing paper are laid one above another in an alternative fashion to thereby form the humidifying element 31. Next, water is supplied through the humidifying element 31 by means of a water tank 33, water pipes 34a-34c and a pump 35. Further, the above mentioned paper material of which the flat and corrugated plates are made consists of a mixture of activated carbon fibers and bonding fibers (c.f., cellulose fibers) with the content of the carbon fibers being 10-70% by weight. As a result, the surface area of water evaporation of the humidifying element becomes large so that the humidifier can be miniaturized and since the humidifier is made of the activated carbon fiber paper, almost no mold or the like generates thereon.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a humidifier for use in private cars, cars, homes, etc.

Until now, many inventions and ideas have been made regarding JII i devices, and multi-pole products have been commercialized. 11 Typical examples include a device that generates water vapor by heating water in an aquarium using an electric heater or burner (hereinafter referred to as an ``aquarium Peter humidifier''), or a device that generates water vapor by heating water in an aquarium using an electric heater or burner, or a device that generates water vapor by heating water in an aquarium using an electric heater or burner, or a device that generates water vapor by heating water in an aquarium with an electric heater or burner (hereinafter referred to as an ``aquarium Peter humidifier''), or a device that generates steam by heating water in an aquarium using an electric heater or burner, or a device that generates water vapor by heating water in an aquarium using an electric heater or burner (hereinafter referred to as an "aquarium Peter humidifier"), or a device that generates water vapor by heating water in an aquarium using an electric heater or burner, or a device that generates water vapor by heating water in an aquarium using an electric heater or burner (hereinafter referred to as an "aquarium Peter humidifier") (hereinafter referred to as a "steam type humidifier"), or a device that generates small water particles by the vibration of an ultrasonic transducer (hereinafter referred to as an "ultrasonic atomization type humidifier") Furthermore, a device (hereinafter referred to as "
Humidifiers using many types have been commercialized, such as ``filter vaporization type humidifier''.

However, among these devices, when considering installation in a car, for example, the water tank heater type 7JI device cannot be expected to operate stably because it is subject to vibrations during driving.

Furthermore, since a steam-type humidifier requires a separate coating and a steam generating device such as a boiler, it is difficult to install it in a car, for example. Furthermore, since the above two methods require a large heat source, they are not energy efficient and are not suitable for automobiles or home use.

Furthermore, since the ultrasonic atomizing humidifier generates atomized water particles, there is a risk that the interior of the vehicle and the passengers may get wet, and there is also a risk that the driver's field of view may be obscured by visitors. It also requires expensive oscillation circuits and resonators.

On the other hand, the filter vaporization type humidifier does not require a heat source and does not cause water particles to scatter, so the above-mentioned problems are relatively rare.

However, in this method, the evaporation surface area of the filter (foamed urethane, felt-like glass fiber, etc.) must be widened, which increases the overall size of the device, and the ventilation resistance is also large, so the power required for the proa increases. The problem is that it does not yield any results.

Furthermore, since the filter is always wet with water both during humidification operation and non-operation, mold and the like tend to grow on the filter, resulting in the problem of mold odor.

As described above, various conventionally known humidifiers have many problems that remain to be solved.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a humidifier that is easy to manufacture and inexpensive, and also solves the problems of various conventionally known humidifiers. An example will be explained with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a vehicle showing a state in which a humidifier 3 of the present invention is installed in the vehicle. Reference numeral 1 denotes a conventionally known air conditioner for automobiles, which includes an evaporator 11, a Peter 12, a blower 13, and a duct 14.
, and further comprises a compressor, a condenser, and an air path switch 4, as shown in the figure. The humidifier 3 of the present invention is located in the trunk 23 and is located in the rear boat 2.
2 is provided with a duct 36 having an inlet 37 and an outlet 3B. Further, inside the duct 36, a blower 32 driven by an electric W no @, a humidifying element 31, and a pipe-shaped nozzle 346 are arranged. Figure 2 shows the structure of the humidifying element. element 31
is a structure in which flat plates 31& and corrugated plates 31b are alternately laminated, and is constructed using flat plates 31& and corrugated plates 3). 31o is an air passage composed of a flat plate 31a and a corrugated plate 31b.

The nozzle 34 (L has a plurality of small holes 341d in its axial direction).

Explain the operation. The suction port 37 is opened by the operation of the proa 32.
The airflow 41 sucked in from the humidifier passes through the duct 36 and reaches the humidifier 31. On the other hand, water pumped up by the pump 35 from the water storage tank 33 via the water pipe 34a passes through the water pipe 34b, reaches the nozzle 34 (l), and is sprayed or dripped from the small hole 341d. The water is captured by the humidifying element 31, and makes the flat plate 31& and the corrugated plate 31b made of activated carbon fiber paper absorb water.At this time, the dropped water is quickly absorbed by the capillary action of the activated carbon fiber paper. The water is distributed to every corner of the humidifying element 31.

Therefore, when the airflow 41 passes through the passage 31c, the flat plate 31
Since the contact area between the corrugated plate 311D and the airflow is very wide ψ, the absorbed water is vaporized and the airflow is humidified, forming a humidification flow 42 into the vehicle interior 21 from the air outlet 38. It is blown out.

Incidentally, surplus water droplets among the dropped water are returned to the water storage tank 33 via the drain water pipe 34o.

One feature of this device is the humidifying element 31 as described above.
This means that the contact area (evaporation surface III) is increased by using a honeycomb structure.

The humidifying element 31 can be made much smaller than when using conventionally known foamed urethane or felt-like materials. As a result of experiments conducted by the inventors, it was possible to reduce the size to about 1/1 degree. Furthermore, in the present invention, activated carbon fiber paper is used as the material for humidifying Niremen (31), which has better heat conduction and heat transfer than ordinary Japanese paper, etc., so the evaporation rate of water per unit evaporation surface is is large, and therefore can be made more compact. According to the results of experiments conducted by the inventors, it weighs about 20g6 compared to Japanese paper.
could be made smaller. In addition, since the humidifying element 31 of the present invention has a honeycomb structure and is of a type that allows airflow to pass through the passage 310, there is very little ventilation resistance.
The required power for 2 is also small. For example, compared to foamed urethane, the ventilation resistance can be increased by 2 to 3 times, and the evaporation area can be increased by 2 to 3 times.

On the other hand, Humidifying Niremen) 31 is made of activated carbon fiber paper, so mold and the like hardly grow, and even if it does occur, the mold odor will be removed by the adsorption effect of the activated carbon fiber. It is well known that microorganisms such as mold and other microorganisms require appropriate temperature, moisture, and nutrients to grow. The nutrients dissolved here are usually organic substances, but activated carbon fiber adsorbs and removes most of the organic substances in the water, which removes the nutrients necessary for the growth of microorganisms and prevents the growth of mold and the like.

Next, another feature of the present invention is the mixing ratio of activated carbon fiber paper constituting the humidifying element 31 (weight ratio of activated carbon fibers).
was selected in the range of 10% to 704. 109
With 6 powder drops, the evaporation rate of water, which is a characteristic of activated carbon fiber paper, is high, and the effect of preventing mold growth is hardly exhibited.

FIG. 3 shows the results of experiments conducted by the inventors regarding the effect of removing organic matter, and it can be seen that most of the organic matter, which is a nutrient for microorganisms, can be removed when the mixing ratio is 1096 or more. On the other hand, as the mixing ratio increases, the strength of the activated carbon fiber paper decreases, as shown in the experimental results in FIG. 4 (strength ratio when the strength of Japanese paper is 1). In particular, when it exceeds 70%, the strength decreases rapidly.

The preferred structure of activated carbon fiber paper is shown in FIG. Activated carbon fiber paper 30Fi has a double structure, and the mixed paper Hs Oh and the paper making section 30b are joined at the mating surface 30c. Since the bonding is done with adhesive, there is no need to connect the mixed paper making section 30& and the paper making section 30b. The mixed paper @ 30 m, which can be easily joined by kneading, is a part of the same quality as the activated carbon fiber paper described in the above example. Paper making section SOB Aki This is a section made only of adhesive fibers such as cellulose fibers, similar to regular Japanese paper.

By using the laminated paper having the above structure as a material for the humidifying element 31, the following excellent performance can be added.

First of all, the strength of the paper-like material is improved. When activated carbon fibers are mixed with cellulose fibers, the strength becomes weaker, but since it is a laminated paper and there is a folding paper part 3ob, the paper as a whole is almost the same as regular Japanese paper.

Secondly, due to the capillary action of the mating surface 30c, the dripped water spreads evenly to every corner of the humidifying element 31 more quickly than the dripped water. This is because, although the large number of capillary tubes existing inside the paper mixing section 30a and the paper making section 30b are not well connected to each other, there are many connected capillary tubes on the mating surface 30o.

As described above, by using the laminated paper having the paper mixing section 30'a and the paper making section 30b, the excellent performance shown in the above embodiment can be achieved while maintaining the following 1. Further superior properties can also be added.

In addition, the paper mixing section 30. The thickness t8) is the total thickness t
! The thickness of the paper-mixing section 30a is preferably between 50% and 8o96 of If the activated carbon fiber is too thin, the organic matter removal effect of the activated carbon fiber will not be sufficient (Fig. 6).
The figure shows the results of paper mixing using activated carbon fiber paper with a paper mixing ratio of 4096 in the paper mixing section. Even when using laminated paper, the proportion of activated carbon fiber in the whole is 1
096-70% is desirable. However, when the ratio of the thickness of the paper-mixing section 30m is large, it is desirable to reduce the proportion of activated carbon fiber in the paper-mixing section.

FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the humidifier. 32 is 7 with blower
It consists of an antenna 32& and a motor 32b.

31 is a humidifying element, and 33 is a water storage tank. The humidifying membrane 31 is the same as the above embodiment shown in FIG. 2, and has a honeycomb structure consisting of a flat plate 31a and a corrugated plate 3.1b of paper-like material, and has a large number of air passages 31 DEG. The humidifying element 31 is supported on a stand 52 by a support frame 51. A water passage 52a is formed in the stand 52 at a position opposite to the lower opening 51m of the support frame 51, and water is supplied to the water passage 52& through a cap (not shown) provided on the tank 33. ing. The humidifier configured as described above is installed within the air duct.

Dry air 41 sucked from the room by the operation of the proar 32 reaches the humidifying element 31 and is guided to the air passage 310. On the other hand, the ice supplied from the tank 33 is
It is guided to the lower part of the humidifying element 31 by the humidifying element 2a, contacts the lower part of the paper-like materials 31a and 31b through the opening 511L, and is quickly sucked up by capillary action. Air passage 31o
The dry air flowing through becomes humidified air 42 and is discharged from the device.

As mentioned above, by constructing the humidifying element with activated carbon fiber paper, it is possible to prevent the growth of mold, but in order to ensure completeness, the residual chlorine concentration of the humidifying water must be 0.3% pp.
It is desirable to use one with a diameter of m or more.

It is known that microorganisms, bacteria, etc. in water can be sterilized by chlorine, and that a chlorine concentration of 1 degree O2 ppm can sterilize the vast majority of microorganisms. By the way, it is known that in water, chlorine becomes hydrogen chloride Hot and hypochlorite #HOOj due to the reaction equilibrium of Ql, +HHO2; GoHOI + HOOj, and it is hypochlorous acid that exerts the bactericidal effect. Experiments conducted by the inventors revealed that the reaction equilibrium is that in normal water, about 1/3 of the total chlorine is on the right side, and the remaining 2/3 remains as chlorine. Therefore α2pp
If residual chlorine of m is sufficient for sterilizing power, then 0.007 ppm of hypochlorous acid actually exhibits sterilizing power.

By the way, if the initial residual chlorine concentration of the humidifying water in the tank is, for example, 03 ppm, then as time passes, the chlorine is removed from the water, so the chlorine concentration decreases as shown by line A in FIG. On the other hand, hypochlorous acid, which exhibits sterilizing power, is about 1/3 as mentioned above, so it decreases as shown by iB in FIG. 9. Therefore, the effective concentration of hypochlorous acid can be maintained at 0.07 ppm or more for about 8 hours. In other words, even if the initial residual chlorine concentration is relatively high at 0.3 ppm, its sterilizing power is maintained for only about 8 hours. Therefore, when 8 hours or more have passed, there is a high possibility that microorganisms will grow in the humidifying water. Furthermore, there is a possibility that microorganisms will grow on the element that is humidified using the humidifying water. However, in the present invention, since the humidifying element is made of activated carbon fiber paper, it exhibits the following excellent performance.

It is known that the reaction equilibrium between chlorine in water and hypochlorous acid described above shifts to the right side due to the catalytic action of activated carbon. This was also supported by the results of experiments conducted by the inventors, and it was found that almost all of the chlorine in the water turned into hypochlorous acid, and the entire amount of line A in FIG. 9 turned into hypochlorous acid. As a result, the time period during which an effective concentration of 0.7 ppm or higher can be maintained is approximately 4 days, which is extremely long, as shown in FIG.

In other words, when the initial residual chlorine was 03p, pm,
Since the bactericidal power is maintained even after 4 days, even if microorganisms grow in the humidifying water or on the humidifying element, strong bactericidal power can be expected within 4 days. That's why.

FIG. 10 shows the relationship between the initial chlorine concentration and the period of sterilization effectiveness. As mentioned above, if the initial chlorine concentration is O3 ppm, it will be maintained for 96 hours (4 days). α3pp
It can be seen that at an initial chlorine concentration of O3 ppm or less, the effective period becomes rapidly shortened, but at O3 ppm or more, the effectiveness can be maintained for a sufficiently long time. Also, even if it is more than 0.05 ppm,
The validity period will not be extended to that extent. Therefore, the initial chlorine concentration is 1
It is most efficient to have a long shelf life when the concentration is O3ppm to O5ppm.

Furthermore, while chlorine gas gives off a bad odor even in very small amounts, hydrogen chloride and hypochlorous acid do not smell bad even at relatively high concentrations, so the humidifier of the present invention
It also exhibits excellent performance in that it does not generate any bad odor such as chlorine odor.

FIG. 11 shows the ratio of hypochlorous acid in the reaction equilibrium between chlorine and hypochlorous acid when the mixing ratio was changed. Mixed paper ratio 0% with no activated carbon fibers
In the case of , about 1/3 is hypochlorous acid, but when the mixing ratio is 10
% or more, most of the amount was effectively converted to hypochlorous acid, and when it was 20% or more, the entire amount was effectively converted to hypochlorous acid. Therefore, the paper mixing ratio is preferably 10% or more. As mentioned above, as the paper mixing ratio increases, the strength of the paper decreases, especially when the paper mixing ratio is 70% or more, the sagging is significant, so the mixing ratio is preferably 70% or less.

Although the operation and effects of the humidifier of the present invention have been explained above according to the embodiments, it goes without saying that the fundamental idea of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

For example, in the embodiment with three humidifiers, the humidifiers are installed in the trunk room 23, but they may be installed anywhere. It may be attached integrally with the air conditioner 1.

Furthermore, for example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the shape of the humidifying element is approximately cubic, but it may be rectangular as shown in FIG. 1 or any other shape. At this time, if care is taken to minimize the pressure loss of the circulating air, the power required for the blower 32 can also be reduced, which is preferable.

Further, the water storage tank 33 may be installed above the nozzle 34d, and water may be supplied by gravity falling pressure. In this case, the pump 35 can be omitted. In addition, excess water droplets are drained from the water storage tank 3 through the drain water pipe 34c.
It may be discharged without returning to 3.

Furthermore, for example, a humidity sensor that detects the humidity of the air inside the vehicle is installed, and the pump 35 or the blower 3 is
It is more preferable to control the operation of step 2 because the humidity in the interior of the vehicle can be maintained more reliably and comfortably.

Furthermore, for example, activated carbon fiber paper was obtained by mixing activated carbon fiber i and cellulose fiber in the example.
It is possible to use fibrous pvA (polyvinyl alcohol) instead of cellulose fiber. Since cellulose fibers only act as adhesive fibers, any adhesive fiber may be used. However, since the activated carbon fiber paper must have water absorption properties, the fibers must be hydrophilic. It is also possible to use Japanese paper made of cellulose m-fiber mixed with powdered activated carbon.

In the above explanation, the humidifier of the present invention has been explained using an example in which it is applied to an automobile, but it goes without saying that it can also be applied to household uses and other places.

As explained above, the humidifier of the present invention is made by alternately laminating flat plates and corrugated plates made of activated carbon fiber paper that has water absorption and adsorption properties, and allows water to be absorbed by the humidification element forming an air flow path. By circulating air, it is simple and inexpensive, does not require a heat source, and the equipment can be made smaller.The ventilation resistance is also small, so the power required for the blower is small.
What's more, mold rarely grows, and even if mold does develop, it won't emit any bad odors, making it extremely effective.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a vehicle schematically showing a state in which the humidifier of the present invention is installed in the vehicle, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the main parts of the humidifier of the first embodiment, and FIG. Figure 4 shows the experimental results regarding the organic matter removal action of the humidifying element, Figure 4 shows the experimental results regarding the organic matter removal action and strength of the humidifying element, and Figure 8 shows the main parts of the humidifier of the second embodiment. A perspective view, Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between the residual chlorine concentration in humidifying water and the passage of time, Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the chlorine concentration in humidifying water and the period of sterilization retention, and Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the humidifying element. It is a figure which shows the change of the hypochlorous acid of the water absorbed by the mixed paper valley of activated carbon fiber and an element in . 3... Humidifier 30... Activated carbon fiber 31... Humidifying element 31a...
...Flat plate 31b...Corrugated plate 33...
・Water storage tank 34 (L...nozzle 30a・
...Activated carbon fiber layer 30b... Adhesive fiber layer incorrect Figure 5 Figure 8 Figure 6 Figure 7

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) An air duct having an inlet and an outlet, a blower provided in the air duct, a humidifying element constituted by alternately laminating flat plates and corrugated plates made of water-absorbing paper-like material, and A humidifier with a humidifying elm content of 10% by weight from 96 to 70%. (2) The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein either or both of cellulose fibers and polyvinyl alcohol fibers are used as the adhesive fibers. (3) @An air duct having an inlet and an air outlet, a blower installed in the air duct, a humidifying element constituted by alternating layers of flat plates and corrugated plates made of water-absorbing paper-like material, and The proportion of humidifying element fibers is 10% by weight, 96 to 70%.
% by weight of the first paper-like material, and the second paper-like material made of adhesive fibers.
It has a two-layer structure in which the first paper-like material layer is integrated by combining the paper-like material of
Humidifier that is 80%. (4) The humidifier according to claim 3, wherein either or both of cellulose fibers and polyvinyl alcohol fibers are used as the adhesive fibers. (5) Residual chlorine concentration in the addition element is α3ppm
The humidifier according to claim 1, which supplies water of ~α51)Pm.