WO2017043807A1 - Humidifier and method for controlling same - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided are a humidifier and a method for controlling the same, wherein the humidifier is structured such that a humidifying element is arranged in proximity to the bottom of a water tank and rotated, making it possible to evaporate all water with none remaining in the water tank and to accordingly provide humidification in a sanitary manner, and the humidifier is structured such that, after the humidifying operation is finished, the humidifying element can be lifted above the water surface in the water tank, making it possible to provide humidification in a sanitary manner without contaminating the humidifying element.

Description

Humidifier and its control method

The present invention relates to a vaporized humidifier and a method of controlling the vaporized humidifier to perform the humidification by naturally vaporizing water without using ultrasonic waves and heaters.

The vaporized humidifier is provided with a humidifying element that absorbs water and a blower fan forcing the flow of indoor air to perform humidification by allowing dry air in the room to pass through the humidifying element that absorbed water and then to be discharged back into the room. It is a home appliance.

In general, the humidifying element is rotatably provided inside the vaporized humidifier main body, and is supplied with water stored in the tank while rotating. Conventionally, the way in which the humidifying element is supplied with water can be largely divided into two types.

First, the lower part of the humidifying element is submerged in the water of the tank so that the humidifying element directly absorbs the water of the tank, and second, the humidifying element is provided so as not to be submerged and the water pocket provided at the outside of the humidifying element is The water is pumped up and supplied to the top of the humidifying element.

In the former method, since the lower part of the humidifying element is immersed in water even when the humidification function is stopped, mold or bacteria may grow. On the other hand, the latter method is a cleaner method than the former method, but whether the former method or the latter method, water remains in the tank after the humidification function is stopped, and mold or bacteria grow in the water remaining in the tank. There is a possibility that the water tank may be contaminated by the remaining water.

An aspect of the present invention provides a humidifier having a structure in which the water tank is not contaminated by water remaining in the water tank after the humidification operation of the humidifier, and a control method thereof.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a humidifier having a structure in which the humidifying element is not contaminated by water remaining in the water tank after the end of the humidifying operation, and a method of controlling the same.

Humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention, the humidifier element provided in the interior of the main body to store water, and rotatably provided in the interior of the main body, absorbs the water of the tank to perform the humidification And the humidifying element may be arranged such that an outer circumference of the humidifying element is close to the bottom of the water tank so as to absorb water at the bottom of the water tank.

Preferably, the humidifying element may be arranged such that its outer circumference is in contact with the bottom of the bath.

The humidifier may further include a bucket for supplying water to the tank and a blocking device for blocking the outlet of the bucket so that water is not supplied to the tank.

Here, the blocking device may be disposed in the bucket or the water tank.

The water tank may further include: a partition portion configured to partition a water supply space through which water is supplied from the water tank and a water storage space for supplying water to the humidification element, and an opening provided so that water flows from the water supply space into the water storage space; It may include a blocking device configured to close the opening of the partition.

The humidifier may further comprise a lifting device configured to raise the humidifying element.

In addition, the humidifier includes a first cover and a second cover, respectively provided in front and rear of the humidifying element to support the humidifying element, the first cover and the second cover is a radius smaller than the radius of the humidifying element It may be formed in a disk shape having a.

Here, the first cover includes an elastic hook protruding toward the second cover side for engagement with the second cover, the second cover includes an insertion portion to which the elastic hook is coupled, and the humidifying element It may include an elastic hook and a through hole through which the insertion portion may pass.

Humidifier according to another embodiment of the present invention is a main body, a water tank provided in the interior of the body to store water, rotatably provided in the interior of the body, the humidifying element to absorb the water of the water tank to perform the humidification, and The humidifying element may comprise a residual water removal mode for evaporating so that no water remains in the bath.

Here, the residual water removal mode may be terminated after the humidification element is rotated for a predetermined time and the residual water removal is completed, or may be terminated by a user's residual water removal stop command.

Further, in the residual water removal mode, the humidifying element may rotate near the bottom of the water tank so that the outer circumference of the humidifying element may absorb water remaining at the bottom of the water tank.

In addition, the humidifier further includes a blocking device for blocking the water supply to the water tank, the blocking device may operate in the residual water removal mode.

The humidifier may further include a lifting device provided to raise the humidification element, and the lifting device may operate when the residual water removing mode ends.

Humidifier according to another embodiment of the present invention, the body is provided in the interior of the body to store water, the humidifying element to absorb the water of the tank to perform the humidification, the blocking device for blocking the supply of water to the tank It may include a motor for rotating the humidifying element, and a control unit for controlling the blocking device and the motor to perform the residual water removal mode.

In the residual water removal mode, the humidifying element may rotate close to the bottom of the bath to absorb water from the bottom of the bath.

In addition, the humidifier further comprises a bucket for supplying water to the water tank, the blocking device is installed in the water tank or the water tank so as to block the outlet of the water tank, in the residual water removal mode, the control unit is the blocking device Blocking the outlet of the bucket can be controlled so that water is not supplied to the tank from the bucket.

The water tank may further include a partition configured to partition a water supply space through which water is supplied from the water reservoir and a storage space for supplying water to the humidifying element, wherein the partition includes an opening provided to allow water to flow from the water supply space into the water storage space. And the blocking device is installed in the water tank so as to block the opening of the compartment, and in the residual water removing mode, the control unit is configured to block the opening of the compartment by the blocking device so that the water is stored from the water supply space. It can be controlled to prevent water from entering the space.

In addition, in the residual water removal mode, the controller may operate the blocking device so that water is no longer supplied to the tank, and operate the motor to rotate the humidification element.

In addition, the control unit is a humidifier for stopping the operation of the motor after a predetermined time elapses of all the water remaining in the tank evaporates.

The humidifier may further include a residual water detection sensor that may detect whether water remains in the tank, and the controller may control the residual water when the remaining water is not detected by the residual water detection sensor. The motor can be stopped.

The humidifier may further include a lifting device configured to lift the humidification element, and when the residual water removal is completed in the residual water removal mode or when the residual water removal is stopped by a user's command, the controller may control the lifting device. Can be operated to raise the humidifying element.

Humidifier control method according to an embodiment of the present invention to perform the humidification mode by rotating the humidification element disposed to absorb the water stored in the tank, when the residual water removal mode starts the blocking device so that the water is not supplied to the tank Activating and rotating the humidifying element while the supply of water to the bath is interrupted.

In the residual water removal mode, the humidifying element can be rotated close to the bottom of the bath to absorb water from the bottom of the bath.

In addition, the residual water removal mode may be automatically performed when the humidification mode ends.

The method may further include stopping the rotation of the humidifying element when a predetermined time elapses after the evaporation time after the remaining water removal mode is started to evaporate all the water remaining in the tank.

On the other hand, the humidifier further comprises a residual water detection sensor for detecting whether water remains in the tank, and if the remaining water is not detected in the residual water detection sensor is evaporated all the water remaining in the tank, the humidifying element It may include stopping the rotation of.

In addition, the remaining water removal mode may be terminated by completing the remaining water removal of the tank, or may be terminated by the user removing the remaining water removal command.

In addition, the lifting device may be operated to raise the humidifying element when the residual water removing mode is terminated.

In addition, when the humidification mode ends, it may be set in advance whether to perform the residual water removal mode. When the humidification mode ends, the residual water removal mode may be performed by determining whether the residual water removal mode is set.

On the other hand, when the humidification mode is finished, it may be determined whether to perform the residual water removal mode to perform the residual water removal mode.

According to the spirit of the present invention, since the humidifying element of the humidifier is disposed close to the bottom of the water tank and rotates, all of the water can be evaporated so that no water remains in the water bath, thereby providing hygienic humidification.

In addition, the humidifier according to the spirit of the present invention has a structure capable of raising the humidifying element above the water surface of the water tank after the end of the humidifying operation, it is possible to provide a hygienic humidification without contaminating the humidifying element.

1 is a front perspective view of the humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the humidifier of Figure 1;

3 is a front exploded perspective view of the humidifier of FIG.

4 is an exploded perspective view of the humidifying element assembly of the humidifier of FIG. 1.

5 is a cross-sectional view of the bath and humidifying element assembly of the humidifier of FIG.

6 is a cross-sectional view of the humidifying element assembly of FIG. 5 in an elevated state.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the water tank and the bucket for showing the operation of the blocking device of the humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the water tank and the bucket for showing the operation of the blocking device of the humidifier according to another embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a control block diagram of a humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

10 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of performing the residual water removal mode in the humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a control method further comprising a step of inputting a user's remaining water removal stop command in the control method of FIG. 10.

12 is a flowchart illustrating a control method further comprising checking whether to perform a residual water removing mode in the control method of FIG. 10.

13 is a flow chart illustrating a control method further comprising the step of raising the humidifying element in the control method of FIG.

14 is a flow chart illustrating a control method further comprising the step of raising the humidifying element in the control method of FIG. 12.

Configurations shown in the embodiments and drawings described herein is a preferred embodiment of the disclosed invention, there can be various modifications that can replace the embodiments and drawings of the present specification at the time of the filing of the present application.

In addition, the same reference numerals or signs given in each drawing of the present specification represent parts or components that perform substantially the same function.

Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting and / or limiting the disclosed invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the terms "comprise", "comprise" or "have" are intended to designate that the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification exist. Or any other feature or number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof, is not excluded in advance.

In addition, terms including ordinal numbers such as "first", "second", and the like used in the present specification may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. It is used only to distinguish one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be referred to as the second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as the first component. The term “and / or” includes any combination of a plurality of related items or any item of a plurality of related items.

Hereinafter, a humidifier and a control method thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a front perspective view of the humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the humidifier of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a front exploded perspective view of the humidifier of FIG. 1.

1 to 3, the humidifier 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main body 10 forming an appearance, a blowing fan 40 provided in the main body 10 to force air flow, and The humidifier element assembly is provided in the main body 10 to store water, and a humidification element assembly rotatably provided in the main body 10 to perform humidification by receiving water from the water tank 200 and vaporizing it. 100.

The main body 10 includes a main housing 11, a front cover 13 coupled to a front opening of the main housing 11, a side cover 14 coupled to a side opening of the main housing 11, and a main housing. And an upper cover 12 coupled to the upper portion of the 11.

On the rear of the main housing 11 is provided an inlet 11a through which the indoor dry air flows into the body 10, and the upper surface of the main housing 11 is humidified and moistened air inside the body 10. The outlet 11b which flows out to the room again is provided. The upper cover 12 is provided with a grill portion 12a corresponding to the outlet 11b.

Therefore, the indoor dry air flows into the inside of the main body 10 through the rear inlet 11a of the main body 10, and after being humidified in the main body 10, upwards through the outlet 11b of the main body 10. Is discharged.

This forced flow of air may be formed by the blowing fan 40. Specifically, the blower fan 40 may be a centrifugal fan, and the blower fan 40 may be rotated by the first motor 50 to generate airflow so that the air behind the main body 10 moves above the main body 10. Can be.

The front cover 13 may be provided with a display 20 for displaying various types of information of the vaporized humidifier 1 and an input unit 30 for operating various functions of the vaporized humidifier 1.

The humidifying element assembly 100 may be rotatably supported by the support frame 90. The humidifying element assembly 100 may rotate by receiving a rotational force from the second motor 60.

The support frame 90 is coupled to the tank 200. The humidifying element assembly 100 may be detached from the support frame 90. Therefore, after removing the side cover 14, the water tank 200 and the humidifying element assembly 100 may be mounted or separated in the left and right directions inside the main body 10. The specific configuration of the humidifying element assembly 100 will be described later.

Meanwhile, the humidifier 1 may further include a filter unit 80 for purifying air introduced into the body 10 and a bucket 70 for supplying water to the water tank 200.

The bucket 70 stores water necessary for humidification and serves to supply an appropriate amount of water to the tank 200, and the bucket 70 may be mounted to the tank 200 in a cassette manner. The specific structure of the water tank 70 and the water tank 200 is mentioned later.

The filter unit 80 may include a dust collecting filter, a deodorizing filter, and the like. That is, the humidifier 1 may perform an air cleaning function together. The filter unit 80 and the water tank 70 may be mounted or separated in the up and down direction inside the main body 10 after removing the upper cover 12.

Hereinafter, configurations of the humidifying element assembly 100, the water tank 200, and the water tank 70 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8.

4 is an exploded perspective view of the humidifying element assembly of the humidifier of FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the water bath and humidifying element assembly of the humidifier of FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the humidifying element assembly of FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the water tank and the bucket for showing the operation of the blocking device of the humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 8 is a water tank for showing the operation of the blocking device of the humidifier according to another embodiment of the present invention. And cross section of the bucket.

Referring to FIG. 4, the humidifying element 100 may include a humidifying element 110 that absorbs and vaporizes water, and a first cover provided at the front and rear of the humidifying element 110 to support the humidifying element 110. 120 and a second cover 130.

The humidifying element 110 may be formed of a material having high absorbency such as fiber or paper, and may have a substantially disk shape. The humidifying element 110 is provided to be immersed in the water contained in the water tank 200, so that the humidifying element 110 directly absorbs the water in the water tank, holds the absorbed water, and then humidifies the air passing through the humidifying element 110. Do this.

At this time, impurities such as dust included in the air may be filtered by the humidifying element 110 and only pure air may pass through the humidifying filter 120. Thus, the humidifying element 120 may perform the function of filtration along with the humidification.

On the other hand, the first cover 120 and the second cover 130 may each have a disk shape having a radius of approximately smaller than the radius of the humidifying element (110). Each of the first cover 120 and the second cover 130 may be integrally injection molded of a resin material.

Rotating shafts 123 and 133 may be provided in the first cover 120 and the second cover 130, respectively, and a first through hole 111 through which the rotating shafts 123 and 133 may pass may be provided in the humidifying element 110. . The rotating shafts 123 and 133 may be rotatably supported by the support frame 90.

Meanwhile, the first cover 120 may have an elastic hook 124 protruding toward the second cover 130 for coupling with the second cover 130, and the second cover 130 may have an elastic hook 124. It may have an insertion portion 134 is inserted, the elastic hook 124 is inserted into the insertion portion 134 may be coupled to the first cover 120 and the second cover 130.

The elastic hook 124 and the inserting portion 134 may be formed at the outer portions 122 and 132 of the first cover 120 and the second cover 130, respectively. The humidifying element 110 may be provided with a second through hole 112 through which the elastic hook 124 and the insertion part 134 pass.

When the first cover 120 and the second cover 130 are to be separated to wash and replace the humidifying element 110, the elastic hook 124 is pressed to the first cover 120 and the second cover 130. Can be separated.

However, of course, other coupling structures may be used in addition to the locking coupling structure, and a coupling structure capable of separating the first cover 120 and the second cover 130 may be sufficient.

Although not shown in the drawing, the first cover 120 and the second cover 130 may form water pockets on the outer portions 122 and 132 by coupling to supply water from the upper portion of the humidifying element 110.

The water pocket receives water from the water tank 200 when the water pocket is located at the bottom, carries water received while the water pocket moves upwards, and when the water pocket reaches the top, humidifies by dropping the received water by its own weight. Water may be supplied to the top of the element 110.

A tooth portion 125 is provided outside the first cover 120 to receive a rotational force from the second motor 60. However, the teeth 125 may be provided in the second cover 130.

The first cover 120 and the second cover 130 may support the humidifying element 110. For this purpose, the first cover 120 may include a first support rib 121 supporting the humidifying element 110. Can have

The first support rib 121 may be formed at a radial center of the first cover 120, and may have an approximately spoke shape to allow air to pass through the first cover 120.

Similarly, the second cover 130 may have a second support rib 131 for supporting the humidifying element 110. The second support rib 131 may be formed at a radial center of the second cover 130, and may have a spoke shape to allow air to pass through the second cover 130.

5 to 8, the water tank 200 may be provided under the humidifying element assembly 100 to receive and store water from the bucket 70. As such, the water stored in the water tank 200 is supplied to the humidifying element 110.

The water tank 200 may include a water supply space 202 receiving water from the water tank 70 and a water storage space 201 storing water to be supplied to the humidifying element 110.

The water supply space 202 and the storage space 201 may be partitioned by the partition 210, and the partition 210 has an opening for supplying water supplied from the water supply space 202 to the storage space 201. 211 may be provided.

The cap 73 may be provided below the bucket 70. The cap 73 blocks the water outlet 71 when the water tank 70 is separated from the humidifier 1, and the water outlet valve 72 which opens the water outlet 71 when the water tank 70 is mounted to the humidifier 1. It may be provided.

The water supply space 202 of the water tank 200 may have a water supply protrusion 220 for opening the water outlet valve 72 of the water tank 70 when the water tank 70 is mounted to the humidifier 1.

The humidifying element assembly 100 is such that the outer periphery of the humidifying element 110 is close to the bottom 203 of the bath 200 so that the humidifying element 110 can absorb water from the bottom 203 of the bath 200. Can be arranged. Preferably, the outer circumference of the humidifying element 110 may be arranged to contact the bottom 203 of the water tank 200.

Since the humidifying element assembly 100 may have a radius of the humidifying element 110 larger than that of the first cover 120 and the second cover 130, the outer circumference of the humidifying element 110 may be formed at the bottom of the tank. 200).

Referring to FIG. 6, the support frame 90 may be provided with a lifting device 91 capable of raising the humidifying element assembly 100. The lifting device 91 may raise the humidifying element 110 above the water surface of the water stored in the water tank 200 so that the humidifying element 110 is not submerged in the water stored in the water tank 200.

While using the humidifier 1, the lifting device 91 is lowered so that the humidifying element 110 can absorb the water in the water tank 200, and the water in the water tank 200 while the humidifier 1 is not used. If this is standing, the lifting device 91 can be raised so that the humidifying element 110 is not submerged.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a water supply protrusion 220 for opening the water outlet valve 72 of the water tank 70 may be used as the shutoff device 230 for blocking the water outlet valve 72.

7A illustrates a state in which the water supply protrusion 220 is raised to push up the water outlet valve 72 of the water tank 70 to open the water outlet 71, and FIG. 7B is a water supply protrusion. The lower portion 220 lowers the outlet valve 72 of the bucket 70 to block the outlet 71.

Although not shown in the drawing, the water supply protrusion 220 is not provided in the water tank 200, and the water outlet valve 72 of the water tank 70 is connected to the water tank 70 when the water tank 70 is mounted to the humidifier 1. It may be formed in a form that is opened by the blocking device 230 provided.

In this case, the outlet valve 72 of the bucket 70 may be a valve operated by electricity, and when the bucket 70 is mounted to the humidifier 1, the bucket 70 and the humidifier 1 may transmit an electrical signal. It is possible to send and receive, the bucket 70 may be formed in a structure that is connected to the terminal to receive power.

When the blocking device 230 disposed in the water tank 200 or the water tank 70 blocks the water outlet 71 of the water tank 70, the supply of water from the water tank 70 to the water tank 200 is blocked, so that the humidifying element 110 is provided. The water supply to) may be interrupted.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the water outlet valve 72 of the water tank 70 is opened by the water supply protrusion 220 provided in the water supply space 202 of the water tank 200, and the water storage space from the water supply space 202. The opening 211 of the partition 210 provided to allow water to flow into the 201 may be blocked by the blocking device 230.

FIG. 8A illustrates a state in which the blocking device 230 is raised to open the opening 211 of the partition 210, and FIG. 8B illustrates that the blocking device 230 is lowered and partitioned. The state which closed the opening 211 of the part 210 is shown.

When the blocking device 230 closes the opening 211 of the partition 210, the water supplied from the water tank 70 to the water supply space 202 does not flow into the water storage space 201, and thus, the humidifying element 210 is supplied to the humidification element 210. The water supply may be interrupted.

9 is a control block diagram of a humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 9, the humidifier 1 may include an input unit 30, a display unit 20, a controller 300, and a driving circuit 310.

The input unit 30 may receive a control command from the user. As shown in FIG. 1, the input unit 30 may be provided in the form of a button on the front cover 12, but is not limited thereto. The input unit 30 may include a dial, a switch, and a touch pad. It is to be understood that the invention includes all devices for generating an electrical signal corresponding to an input generated by a user's manipulation, such as pressing, contact, pressure, and rotation.

The display unit 20 may display information related to the humidifier 1 according to the display control signal of the controller 400. The display unit 20 recognizes the information input through the input unit 30 to display an operation state of the user, and displays the humidification mode state or the residual water removal mode state of the humidifier 1 to indicate an operating state of the humidifier 1. Can be configured to check.

The display unit 20 may be provided in the front cover 12 as shown in FIG. 1, but is not limited thereto. The display unit 20 may include a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED), The present invention may be implemented as an expression means such as OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diodes), AMOLED (Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diodes), flexible display, 3D display, and the like.

The driving circuit 310 is the first motor 50, the second motor 60, the blocking device 230, the lifting device 91, etc. related to the operation of the humidifier 1 in accordance with the drive control signal of the control unit 300. Can be driven.

The first motor 50 rotates the blower fan 40, and the second motor 60 rotates the humidifying element assembly 100. The blocking device 230 blocks water from being supplied to the water tank 200 from the water tank 70 or blocks water from entering the water storage space 201 of the water tank 200 into the water storage space 201. The lifting device 91 raises the humidifying element 110 above the water surface of the water remaining in the water tank 200 or the reservoir space 201 of the water tank 200.

The humidifier 1 may further include a residual water sensor 320 and / or a memory 330. Residual water detection sensor 320 detects whether water remains in the water tank 200 and transmits the information to the control unit 300, the memory 330 whether to perform the residual water removal function when the use of the humidifier (1) Setting information such as

Hereinafter, an operation process and an effect of a humidifier including a residual water removal mode and a control method thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

10 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of performing the residual water removal mode in the humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The conventional vaporized humidifier has residual water in the tank even when the humidification operation is completed. Humidifier 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a residual water removal mode in which the humidifying element 110 evaporates the residual water of the water tank 200 so that no water remains in the water tank 200 after the humidification operation is completed. .

The residual water removal mode prevents the humidification element 110 from being contaminated by mold or bacteria while the humidifier 1 is not in use, and clean water is newly supplied to the water tank 200 when the humidification operation is restarted. Hygienic humidification operation is possible.

The remaining water removing mode may be started by a start command of the remaining water removing mode of the user through the input unit 30. In addition, the residual water removing mode may be automatically started by the user's end command of the humidification mode. The humidification mode refers to an operation state in which humidification is performed by rotating the humidification element 110 while continuously supplying water to the humidification element 110.

Referring to FIG. 10, when the residual water removal mode of the humidifier 1 starts, the controller 300 operates the blocking device 230 to block the supply of water to the water tank (401).

Here, the step 401 of blocking the supply of water to the water tank is that the blocking device 230 blocks the outlet 71 of the water tank 70 and the blocking device 230 is provided in the partition 210 of the water tank 200. Blocking the opening 211 to prevent water from flowing into the reservoir space 201. That is, the step 401 of blocking supply of water to the water tank is aimed at blocking supply of additional water to the water tank 200 or the storage space 201 of the water tank.

When the residual water removing mode is started during the operation of the humidification mode, the controller 300 operates the second motor 60 to continuously rotate the humidifying element 110 to remove the residual water. Meanwhile, when the residual water removing mode is started while the humidifying element 110 is not rotating, the controller 300 operates the second motor 60 to rotate the humidifying element 110 (402).

In the residual water removal mode, the humidifying element 110 has the outer circumference of the humidifying element 110 close to the bottom 203 of the water tank 200 so as to absorb and evaporate all remaining water at the bottom of the water tank 200. Can rotate Preferably, the outer circumference of the humidifying element 110 may be arranged so as to be in fine contact with the bottom 203 of the water tank 200. More preferably, the humidification element 110 is a humidification element (110) by the surface tension of the water so that there is no noise caused by the friction between the humidification element 110 and the bottom 203 of the water tank 200 ( It may be disposed so as to be spaced apart from the bottom 203 of the water tank 200 by an interval that can be absorbed by the 110.

When the humidification element 110 rotates to remove the residual water, the controller 300 determines whether the residual water removal is completed (403). When the humidification element 110 rotates to absorb and evaporate all the residual water in the water tank 200, the residual water removal is completed. Completion of the residual water removal may not mean termination of the residual water removal mode.

Humidifier 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is stored in the memory 330 the time that all the residual water of the tank 200 can be evaporated by the rotation of the humidifying element 110, the control unit 300 When the elapsed time after the remaining water removal mode starts is counted and a predetermined time stored in the memory elapses, it may be determined that the water remaining water removal is completed.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the controller 300 may determine whether the residual water removal is completed by the residual water detection sensor 320 provided in the tank 200 to confirm whether water remains in the tank 200. Can be. If all of the water in the water tank 200 is evaporated and the residual water is not detected by the residual water detection sensor 320, the controller 300 determines that the residual water is removed.

If it is determined that the residual water removal is not completed, the humidification element 110 is continuously rotated to remove the residual water, and it is again determined whether the residual water removal is completed (403).

When it is determined that the residual water removal is completed, the controller 300 may stop the operation of the second motor 70 to stop the rotation of the humidifying element (404), and the residual water removal mode of the humidifier 1 may end.

While the residual water removal mode of the humidifier 1 is performed, the user may instruct the user to stop the residual water removal through the input unit 20. FIG. 11 illustrates a step of entering the residual water removal command of the user in the control method of FIG. 10. It is a flow chart illustrating a control method further comprising.

Referring to FIG. 11, the water removal mode is started to block water supply to the water tank 401, and a command for stopping the water removal of the user is input to the input unit 20 while the humidification element rotates 402 to remove the water. 405, the controller 300 may immediately stop the operation of the second motor 60 to stop the rotation of the humidifying element 404 and end the residual water removal mode.

If the user does not input the remaining water removal command 405, the humidifying element 110 continues to rotate, the control unit 300 counts the rotation time of the humidifying element for removing the residual water, or the residual water detection sensor 320 In operation 403, the remaining water removal signal may be determined according to the remaining water detection signal. When the remaining water removal is completed, the rotation of the humidifying element 110 may be stopped (404) and the remaining water removal mode may be terminated.

12 is a flowchart illustrating a control method further including checking whether to perform a residual water removing mode in the control method of FIG. 10.

As described above, the residual water removal mode may be started by the start command of the residual water removal mode of the user through the input unit 30, but the residual water removal mode is automatically set when the humidifying mode end command of the user is input, When the humidification mode end command is input, the user may confirm whether to perform the residual water removal mode or perform the residual water removal mode.

In the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, the end of the humidification mode means the start of the flowchart. When the humidification mode ends, the controller 300 determines whether to perform the residual water removal mode (407). The method of determining whether to perform the residual water removing mode may be a method of determining whether the memory 330 is set in advance, or a method of determining by allowing the user to select through the input unit 20.

According to the former method, if the memory 330 of the humidifier 1 can be set in advance whether or not to perform the residual water removal mode with the end of the humidification mode, when the humidification mode ends, the control unit 300 maintains the residual water in the memory 330. It is determined whether the removal mode is set (407).

After the humidifying mode end command is input, the humidifying element 110 may be set to continue to rotate until step 407 of confirming whether to perform the residual water removal mode, when it is determined that the residual water removal mode is not performed (407). The rotation of the humidifying element is stopped (404) and terminated.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the residual water removal mode is performed (407), the humidifying element is continuously rotated to remove the residual water (402) and the water supply to the water tank is blocked (401).

In the case of determining whether to perform the residual water removal mode according to the latter method, when the humidification mode ends, the control unit 300 displays a question on the display unit 30 to perform the residual water removal mode. In operation 407, when the user inputs the residual water removing mode to the input unit 20, the residual water removing mode is performed according to the input.

Although not shown in the drawing, in the latter method, the rotation of the humidifying element 110 may be set to stop immediately when the end command of the humidification mode is input. In this case, in step 407 of confirming whether or not to perform the residual water removal mode, it is input that the residual water removal mode is not performed, or when there is no input about whether to perform the residual water removal mode. 300 blocks the water supply to the tank (401) and rotates the humidification element 110 again to remove the residual water (402).

The humidifier 1 may comprise a lifting device 91 capable of raising the humidifying element 110 or the humidifying element assembly 100, with FIGS. 13 and 14 showing the humidifying element in the control method of FIGS. 11 and 12. Is a flow chart showing a control method further comprising the step of rising.

Referring to FIG. 13, when the residual water removal is completed or when the residual water removal is stopped by a user's command, the control unit 300 stops the rotation of the humidifying element 110 (404), and the humidifying element 110 receives the water tank 200. The humidifying element 110 can be raised by operating the lifting device 91 so as not to be immersed in the residual water of the backplane.

Referring to FIG. 14, if it is input not to perform the residual water removal mode (407), the lifting device 91 may be operated to raise the humidifying element 110 so that the humidifying element 110 is not immersed in the residual water of the water tank 200. Can be.

In addition, although not shown in the figures, the lifting device 91 may be set to operate to raise the humidifying element 110 when the residual water removal mode ends.

The above description is merely illustrative of the technical idea of the present invention, and various modifications, changes, and substitutions may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. will be. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention and the accompanying drawings are not intended to limit the technical spirit of the present invention but to describe the present invention, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by the embodiments and the accompanying drawings. . The protection scope of the present invention should be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical ideas within the equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims (15)

main body; A water tank provided inside the main body to store water; And And a humidifying element rotatably provided in the main body, the humidifying element absorbing water in the tank to perform humidification. And the humidifying element is arranged such that an outer circumference of the humidifying element is close to the bottom of the water tank so as to absorb water at the bottom of the water tank. The method of claim 1, And the humidifying element is arranged such that its outer circumference is in contact with the bottom of the bath. The method of claim 1, A bucket for supplying water to the tank; And Humidifier further comprises a blocking device for blocking the outlet of the bucket so that water is not supplied to the tank. The method of claim 3, The blocking device is a humidifier disposed in the bucket or the water tank. The method of claim 1, The tank, A partition portion that divides a water supply space into which water is supplied from a water tank and a water storage space to supply water to the humidifying element, and an opening is provided to allow water to flow into the water storage space; And And a shutoff device configured to close the opening of the compartment. The method of claim 1, And a lifting device configured to raise the humidification element. The method of claim 1, A first cover and a second cover provided respectively at the front and the rear of the humidifying element to support the humidifying element, And the first cover and the second cover are formed in a disk shape having a radius smaller than the radius of the humidification element. The method of claim 7, wherein The first cover includes an elastic hook protruding to the second cover side for engagement with the second cover, The second cover includes an insert portion to which the elastic hook is coupled, And the humidifying element comprises a through hole through which the elastic hook and the insert can pass. main body; A water tank provided inside the main body to store water; A humidifying element for absorbing water in the tank to perform humidification; Blocking device for blocking the supply of water to the tank; A motor for rotating the humidifying element; And And a controller configured to control the shutoff device and the motor to perform a residual water removal mode. The method of claim 9, Further comprising a bucket for supplying water to the tank, The blocking device is installed in the tank or the bucket to block the outlet of the bucket, In the residual water removal mode, the control unit is a humidifier to block the water outlet of the bucket so that water is not supplied to the tank from the bucket. The method of claim 9, The water tank includes a partition that divides a water supply space into which water is supplied from a bucket and a water storage space to supply water to the humidifying element, The partition includes an opening provided to allow water to flow into the water storage space from the water supply space, The blocking device is installed in the tank so as to block the opening of the partition, In the residual water removal mode, the control unit is a humidifier to block the opening of the compartment to control the water from entering the water storage space from the water supply space. The method of claim 9, In the residual water removal mode, the control unit operates the shut-off device so that water is no longer supplied to the water tank, and the humidifier to operate the motor to rotate the humidification element. The method of claim 12, The control unit is a humidifier for stopping the operation of the motor after a predetermined time elapsed all the water remaining in the tank. The method of claim 12, Further comprising a residual water detection sensor for detecting whether water remains in the tank, The control unit is a humidifier for stopping the operation of the motor when all the remaining water in the tank is evaporated, the residual water sensor is not detected. The method of claim 12, Further comprising a lifting device configured to raise the humidification element, The humidifier to raise the humidification element by operating the lifting device when the residual water removal is completed in the residual water removal mode, or the residual water removal is stopped by a user's command.

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