WO2012091369A2

WO2012091369A2 - Humidification apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2012091369A2
Application number: PCT/KR2011/010049
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kyu-Wan SONG; Jin-Min Kim; Kyung-Don Choi; Chan-Jung Park; Jun-Hyung BAE; Bong-Suk Kim
Original assignee: Woongjin Coway Co., Ltd
Priority date: 2010-12-29
Filing date: 2011-12-23
Publication date: 2012-07-05
Also published as: WO2012091369A3

Abstract

A humidification apparatus is provided. In the humidification apparatus, a housing has an inlet port in a lower portion thereof and an outlet port in an upper portion thereof. A filter unit is installed in the vicinity of the inlet port in a lower portion of the housing. The filter unit includes an air cleaning filter configured to filter air. A fan unit is disposed on the filter unit to draw in air. A humidifying unit is installed to form an air flow passage between the filter unit and the fan unit within the housing. The humidifying unit includes a humidifying filter configured to humidify air having passed through the filter unit.

Description

HUMIDIFICATION APPARATUS

The present invention relates to a humidification apparatus, and more particularly, to a humidification apparatus, in which a humidifying filter is disposed above an air cleaning filter, improving the humidification performance thereof and improving the aesthetic appeal thereof.

In general, humidifiers are designed to generate and expel artificial mist to increase indoor humidity. Humidifiers may be classified into heating humidifiers, ultrasonic humidifiers, and hybrid humidifiers. A heating humidifier is configured to generate water vapor by heating water stored in a water tank to a predetermined temperature, and then naturally expel the water vapor into a room. An ultrasonic humidifier is configured to generate fine water particles by ultrasonically vibrating water stored in a water tank, and expel the fine water particles into the room. A hybrid humidifier has both heating and ultrasonic humidifying functions.

Meanwhile, a natural (impeller type) humidifier has recently been introduced. In the natural humidifier, a humidifying filter is immersed in a water tank, and water, moved above the humidifying filter, is evaporated by an air current. As another example, a plurality of discs are partially immersed in a water tank and rotated, such that water attached to the surfaces thereof may be evaporated by an air current.

In general, in the case of the natural humidifier, a blower fan draws in outside air, and this indrawn air is humidified while passing through the humidifying filter. This humidified air is discharged through a humidifier outlet port to the exterior and humidifies a dry room.

In a conventional humidification apparatus, a space between a blower fan and a humidifying filter is opened. Air drawn into the humidification apparatus having the above-described configuration flows through the space between the blower fan and the humidifying filter, and is humidified while passing through the humidifying filter. Thereafter, the blower fan discharges the humidified air to the exterior.

However, in the conventional humidification apparatus, as the air flows through the space between the blower fan and the humidifying filter, the flow area of air passing through the humidifying filter is narrowed. Hence, an amount of humidified air discharged out of the humidification apparatus is also decreased.

An aspect of the present invention provides a humidification apparatus, in which an air cleaning filter, a humidifying filter, and a blower fan are sequentially disposed within a housing in an upward direction, such that air passing through the air cleaning filter flows upwardly and passes through the humidifying filter, which may improve the humidification performance thereof.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a humidification apparatus, including: a housing having an inlet port in a lower portion thereof and an outlet port in an upper portion thereof; a filter unit installed in the vicinity of the inlet port in a lower portion of the housing, the filter unit including an air cleaning filter configured to filter air; a fan unit disposed on the filter unit to draw in air; and a humidifying unit installed to form an air flow passage between the filter unit and the fan unit within the housing, the humidifying unit including a humidifying filter configured to humidify air having passed through the filter unit.

The humidifying unit may include: a humidifying filter frame installed on the filter unit, the humidifying filter frame including a frame opening to form an air flow passage within the housing; a water container connected to the humidifying filter frame to supply water to the humidifying filter frame; and the humidifying filter mounted on the humidifying filter frame.

The humidifying filter frame may have a doughnut-shaped cross-section with an open upper portion.

The humidifying filter may be flexibly bent in a circumferential direction of the humidifying filter frame and is mounted on the humidifying filter frame.

The humidification apparatus may further include a flow passage opening/closing unit installed between the filter unit and the fan unit and configured to allow an air flow to the humidifying filter in a humidifying mode and block an air flow to the humidifying filter in a filtering mode.

The flow passage opening/closing unit may include: an opening/closing unit including a first opening/closing unit configured to open or close a first air flow passage, in which air passes through the humidifying filter, and a second opening/closing unit configured to open or close a second air flow passage, in which air does not pass through the humidifying filter; and an opening/closing driving member connected to the opening/closing unit and, configured to open the first air flow passage and close the second air flow passage in the humidifying mode, and to close the first air flow passage and open the second air flow passage in the filtering mode.

The opening/closing unit may be installed inside the housing, such that the first opening/closing unit is disposed at a frame opening of the humidifying filter frame, and the second opening/closing unit is disposed between an outer peripheral surface of the humidifying filter frame and an inner surface of the housing.

The first opening/closing unit may include: a first outer body having an external diameter smaller than an internal diameter of the frame opening, the first outer body including a plurality of first outer openings; and a first inner body including a plurality of first inner openings corresponding to the plurality of first outer openings in a lateral surface thereof, the first inner body being rotatably installed inside the first outer body and configured to open or close the first outer body during an operation of the opening/closing driving member.

The second opening/closing unit may include: a second upper plate extending outwardly from a lower edge of the first outer body, the second upper plate including a plurality of second upper openings in a circumferential direction of the first outer body; and a second lower plate extending outwardly from a lower edge of the first inner body and disposed under the second upper plate, the second lower plate being configured to open or close the second upper openings during the operation of the opening/closing driving member.

In the filtering mode, air drawn into the housing by an operation of the fan unit may sequentially pass through the filter unit and the fan unit, flow through the housing upwardly, and be discharged through the outlet port of the housing to the exterior in a filtered state.

In the humidifying mode, air drawn into the housing by an operation of the fan unit may pass through the filter unit, the humidifying unit, and the fan unit, flow through the housing upwardly, and be discharged in a filtered state through the outlet port of the housing to the exterior.

The filter unit may include: a filter frame fixed to a lower portion of the housing and having a ring shape; and the air cleaning filter fixed to the filter frame and configured to filter air introduced through the inlet port of the housing.

The outlet port may be formed in an upper portion of the housing along an upper edge of the housing.

The fan unit may include: a blower fan guide including a guide opening through which air flows, the blower fan guide being embedded in the housing; a fan motor installed in the blower fan guide; and a blower fan connected to a rotational shaft of the fan motor and configured to draw in air.

The outer surface of the housing may be curved in a streamlined oval shape.

The humidification apparatus may further include: a water container installed in the housing and having a water supply valve; and a water tank installed in the housing and connected to the water container to receive water, wherein the water tank includes: a receiving part configured to receive water; and a blocking part including a contact protrusion coming into contact with the water supply valve, the blocking part being mounted on the receiving part to form a blocking space and configured to block air from being introduced into the water supply valve when the water container and the water tank are tilted, such that water leakage is prevented.

In a humidification apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an air cleaning filter, a humidifying filter, and a blower fan are sequentially disposed within a housing in an upward direction. Therefore, air passing through the air cleaning filter flows upwardly and passes through the humidifying filter, which may improve the humidification performance of the humidification apparatus.

Moreover, the housing provided in a streamlined shape may appeal to a user’s aesthetic sense.

The above and other aspects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a humidification apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of an opening/closing unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an air flow during a humidifying operation of the humidification apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an air flow during an air filtering operation of the humidification apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a humidification apparatus capable of preventing water leakage, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a humidifying unit in the humidification apparatus capable of preventing water leakage, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 7A is an assembled perspective view of a water tank in the humidification apparatus capable of preventing water leakage, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7B is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8A is a state diagram illustrating a water level (W) in a normal state in which a water tank is not tilted, when a water container is assembled with the water tank having no blocking part, and FIG. 8B is a state diagram illustrating a water level (W1) when the water tank is tilted; and

FIG. 9A is a state diagram illustrating a water level (W) of a blocking space and a water level (W’) of a receiving part in a normal state in which a water tank is not tilted, when a water container is assembled with a water tank having a blocking part installed in the humidification apparatus capable of preventing water leakage, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9B is a state diagram illustrating a water level (W2) of the blocking space and a water level (W2’) of the receiving part when the water tank is tilted.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements, and thus their description will be omitted.

Hereinafter, a humidification apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, a humidification apparatus 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the humidification apparatus 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a housing 110, a filter unit 120, a humidifying unit 130, a fan unit 140, and a flow passage opening/closing unit 160. The housing 110 is provided for protecting components installed therein.

The housing 110 having an inlet port 112 in a lower portion and an outlet port 116 in an upper portion will be exemplarily described. However, there is no specific limit to positions and/or kinds of components included in the housing 110, as long as the housing 110 is separable in a vertical direction. The following description will be given focusing on the humidification apparatus 100 of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 110 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention has an outer surface curved in a streamlined shape and has a circular cross-section. In the exemplary embodiment, the housing 110 is separable in a vertical direction.

For convenience sake, a lower portion of the housing 110 will be referred to as a lower housing 111, and an upper portion of the housing 110 will be referred to as an upper housing 115. The housing 110 will be described below in detail.

In an exemplary embodiment, the inlet port 112, through which outside air is introduced during an operation of the fan unit 140, may be formed on the bottom surface of the lower housing 111. The inlet port 112 may be provided with a plurality of air vent holes formed on the bottom surface of the lower housing 111.

A supporter 113 is provided on the bottom surface of the lower housing 111. The supporter 113 forms a space between the bottom surface of the lower housing 111 and a floor, so that outside air may be easily introduced through the plurality of air vent holes. A filter unit mounting groove 114, on which the filter unit 120 is to be mounted, may be formed on a lower inner peripheral surface of the lower housing 111.

Meanwhile, in an exemplary embodiment, the upper housing 115 may be disposed on the lower housing 111. The outlet port 116 may be formed on the top surface of the upper housing 115 in a circumferential direction thereof. The outlet port 116 is a space through which air filtered and/or humidified through the filter unit 120 and/or the humidifying unit 130 is discharged out of the humidification apparatus 100.

A mood lamp 117 or the like may be installed in the upper housing 115 to provide the humidification apparatus 100 with aesthetic appeal. The mood lamp 117 may be connected to a control unit 150. The control unit 150 may control the operation of the mood lamp 117. In an exemplary embodiment, an upper deck 118 for protecting the mood lamp 117 may be connected on the upper housing 115. Meanwhile, in an exemplary embodiment, the fan unit 140 and the control unit 150 for controlling the fan unit 140 may be provided in the upper housing 115.

In an exemplary embodiment, the filter unit 120 may be installed in the lower housing 111. The filter unit 120 may be installed in the vicinity of the inlet port 112 to filter outside air introduced into the housing 110 by the fan unit 140.

The filter unit 120 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a filter frame 121, an air cleaning filter 123, and a filter unit fixing member 125. The filter unit fixing member 125 is configured to connect the filter frame 121 to the lower housing 111.

The filter frame 121 may have a ring shape, such that the air cleaning filter 123 is fixed to the inside thereof. The air cleaning filter 123 may have a circular shape, such that the air cleaning filter 123 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the filter frame 121. In this case, the air cleaning filter 123 may be disposed in the lower housing 111, such that one surface thereof faces the inlet port 112 and the other surface thereof faces the fan unit 140.

The air cleaning filter 123 is a multi-layer member for filtering out pollutants contained in outside air drawn in by the fan unit 140 stepwise according to characteristics and particle sizes thereof.

Examples of the air cleaning filter 123 may include a prefilter, a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, and so on. There is no specific limit to additional functions, an installation number, and a type of filter, as long as it serves as a filter member to filter outside air.

The filter unit fixing member 125 is disposed above the filter frame 121 in which the air cleaning filter 123 is installed. The filter unit fixing member 125 is fit into the filter unit mounting groove 114, while surrounding the outer peripheral surface of the filter frame 121, and is fixed to the lower housing 111. Meanwhile, the humidifying unit 130 is installed on the filter unit fixing member 125.

In an exemplary embodiment, the humidifying member 130 is configured to humidify air filtered by the filter unit 120. The humidifying unit 130 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a humidifying filter frame 131 having a water container 132, and a humidifying filter 133 fixed to the humidifying filter frame 131. In this case, the water container 132 may be detachably connected to the humidifying filter frame 131.

The humidifying filter frame 131 is disposed on the filter unit fixing member 125 to form an air flow passage within the lower housing 111 and is connected to the filter unit fixing member 125.

In an exemplary embodiment, the humidifying filter frame 131 may have a tubular shape with an open upper portion. In this case, the humidifying filter frame 131 may have an external diameter substantially equal to a diameter of the filter frame 121, or may have an external diameter smaller than an internal diameter of the lower housing 111.

Meanwhile, for convenience sake, an air flow passage, through which filtered air is introduced into the inner side of the humidifying filter 133 via a frame opening formed in the central part of the humidifying filter frame 131 along the inner peripheral surface of the humidifying filter frame 131, will be referred to as a first air flow passage, and an air flow passage, through which filtered air is introduced into the outer side of the humidifying filter 133 via a space formed between the outer peripheral surface of the humidifying filter frame 131 and the inner peripheral surface of the lower housing 111, will be referred to as a second air flow passage. A flow passage opening/closing unit 160, which is to be subsequently described, may be installed on the first air flow passage and the second air flow passage.

In an exemplary embodiment, the humidifying filter 133 may be installed in the humidifying filter frame 131, such that the humidifying filter 133 is supplied with water contained in the water container 132. The humidifying filter 133 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be mounted on the humidifying filter frame 131 while forming an arc shape in the circumferential direction of the humidifying filter frame 131. The humidifying filter 133 is disposed under the fan unit 140.

When air filtered by the air cleaning filter 123 passes through the humidifying filter 133, the humidifying filter 133 supplies moisture to the filtered air. Accordingly, the humidifying filter 133 may be made of a material that easily absorbs water and has high air permeability.

The humidifying filter 133 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may have a flexibly bendable structure and shape, such that the humidifying filter 133 is mounted on the humidifying filter frame 131 while forming an arc shape. Accordingly, the humidifying filter 133 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may have a pleated shape.

Furthermore, in order to improve a water absorption rate and air permeability, the humidifying filter 133 may be provided with a plurality of small openings in a line in a height direction thereof. The plurality of small openings may be formed across the entire humidifying filter 133.

Meanwhile, according to an exemplary embodiment, the fan unit 140 may be disposed above the humidifying unit 130. The fan unit 140 is connected to the upper housing 115, as opposed to the filter unit 120 and the humidifying unit 130.

The fan unit 140 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a blower fan guide 141 installed on the humidifying unit 130, a fan motor 143 fixed to the blower fan guide 141, and a blower fan 144 installed in the blower fan guide 141 and connected to the fan motor 143.

The blower fan guide 141 may have a cylindrical shape with an open upper portion. The blower fan guide 141 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may have a guide opening 142 on the bottom surface thereof. During the operation of the blower fan 144, air introduced into the housing 100 flows through the guide opening 142. Air flowing upwardly through the guide opening 142 is drawn in by the blower fan 144.

The fan motor 143 is installed in the central part of the blower fan guide 141. The blower fan 144 is connected to a rotational shaft of the fan motor 143 and is installed in the blower fan guide 141. The blower fan 144 is configured to draw in outside air while rotating during the operation of the fan motor 143.

Meanwhile, the control unit 150 for controlling the fan unit 140 is installed on the fan unit 140. The control unit 150 may include a control frame 151 having a cylindrical shape with a closed lower portion, and a circuit board 152 fixed on the control frame 151, so that the control unit 150 is not affected by air introduced into the housing 110 by the fan unit 140. Since the circuit board 152 of the humidification apparatus 100 uses a known structure, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In an exemplary embodiment, the control frame 151 may be installed in the upper housing 115 to form a space between the inner peripheral surface of the upper housing 115 and the outer peripheral surface of the control frame 151. Accordingly, air discharged by the fan unit 140 may flow upwardly through an air flow passage formed between the upper housing 115 and the control frame 151.

In an exemplary embodiment, the flow passage opening/closing unit 160 may be installed between the filter unit 120 and the fan unit 140. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the flow passage opening/closing unit 160 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be operated in a humidifying mode of the humidification apparatus 100, such that air filtered by the air cleaning filter 123 flows into the humidifying filter 133 along the first air flow passage F1. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the flow passage opening/closing unit 160 may be operated in a filtering mode of the humidification apparatus 100, such that air filtered by the air cleaning filter 123 flows along the second air flow passage F2.

The first air flow passage F1 is an air flow passage through which the filtered air flows into the inner side of the humidifying filter 133 via the frame opening of the humidifying filter frame 131, and the second air flow passage F2 is an air flow passage through which the filtered air flows into the outer side of the humidifying filter 133 via the space formed between the outer peripheral surface of the humidifying filter frame 131 and the inner peripheral surface of the lower housing 111.

The flow passage opening/closing unit 160 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include an opening/closing unit 161 for blocking or allowing an air flow to the first or second air flow passage F1 or F2, and an opening/closing driving member 169 for driving the opening/closing unit 161.

The opening/closing unit 161 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a first opening/closing unit 162 for blocking or allowing a flow of the filtered air to the first air flow passage F1, and a second opening/closing unit 165 for blocking or allowing a flow of the filtered air to the second air flow passage F2.

In an exemplary embodiment, the opening/closing unit 161 may be installed inside the housing 110, such that the first opening/closing unit 162 is disposed at the frame opening of the humidifying filter frame 131, and the second opening/closing unit 165 is disposed between the outer peripheral surface of the humidifying filter frame 131 and the inner surface of the housing 110.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first opening/closing unit 162 and the second opening/closing unit 165 of the opening/closing unit 161 may be integrally formed, or may be separately provided. For convenience sake, a case in which the first opening/closing unit 162 and the second opening/closing unit 165 are integrally formed will be described below.

The first opening/closing unit 162 may have an external diameter smaller than an internal diameter of the frame opening of the humidifying filter frame 131, such that the first opening/closing unit 162 is inserted into the frame opening. Also, the first opening/closing unit 162 may have a cylindrical shape with a closed upper portion and an open lower portion. In an exemplary embodiment, the first opening/closing unit 162 may include a first outer body 163 and a first inner body 164.

The first outer body 163 may be provided with a plurality of first outer openings 163a, such that air filtered by the air cleaning filter 123 flows into the inner side of the humidifying filter 133 through the frame opening.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the opening/closing driving member 169 is connected on the first outer body 163. The first outer body 163 may be connected to the opening/closing member 169 to rotate around a rotational shaft 169a during the operation of the opening/closing driving member 169.

The first inner body 164 is connected to the inside of the first outer body 163 and operates to open or close the first outer openings 163a. In an exemplary embodiment, the first inner body 164 may have an external diameter smaller than an internal diameter of the first outer body 163 and may be inserted into the first outer body 163.

The opening/closing driving member 169 rotates the first outer body 163 and a second upper plate 166 integrally formed with the first outer body 163. In the humidifying mode of the humidification apparatus 100, the opening/closing driving member 169 operates to open the first air flow passage F1 and close the second air flow passage F2. In the filtering mode of the humidification apparatus 100, the opening/closing driving member 169 operates to close the first air flow passage F1 and open the second air flow passage F2.

To this end, in an exemplary embodiment, the first inner body 164 inserted into the first outer body 163 may be provided with a plurality of first inner openings 164a having a shape corresponding to the first outer openings 163a of the first outer body 163a.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, in the humidifying mode of the humidification apparatus 100, the first outer body 163 is rotated by the opening/closing driving member 169, such that the first inner openings 164a communicate with the first outer openings 163a.

On the other hand, in the filtering mode of the humidification apparatus 100, the first outer body 163 is rotated by the opening/closing driving member 169, such that the first inner openings 164a do not communicate with the first outer openings 163a.

The humidification apparatus 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may control a communication area of the first outer openings 163a and the first inner openings 164a by adjusting a rotational angle of the first inner body 164 through the opening/closing driving member 169. Therefore, the humidification apparatus 100 may adjust an amount of filtered air flowing into the humidifying filter 133. Consequently, the humidification apparatus 100 may adjust an amount of discharged air humidified by the humidifying filter 133.

Meanwhile, as described above, the second opening/closing unit 165 is disposed between the outer peripheral surface of the humidifying filter frame 131 and the inner surface of the housing 110, and blocks or allows a flow of air passing through the outer side of the humidifying filter 133 via the space formed between the outer peripheral surface of the humidifying filter frame 131 and the inner surface of the housing 110.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second opening/closing unit 165 may include a second upper plate 166 extending outwardly from a lower edge of the first outer body 163, and a second lower plate 167 extending outwardly from a lower edge of the first inner body 164.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second upper plate 166 may be rotatably installed in a plate mounting groove 111a formed in the lower housing 111. The second upper plate 166 may be provided with a plurality of second upper openings 166a.

The plurality of second upper openings 166a communicate with the plurality of second lower openings 167a provided in the second lower plate 167, which is to be subsequently described, and forms the second air flow passage F2, through which air filtered by the air cleaning filter 123 flows upwardly to the fan unit 140 via the space formed between the outer peripheral surface of the humidifying filter frame 131 and the inner surface of the housing 110.

Meanwhile, in an exemplary embodiment, the second lower plate 167 may extend from the first inner body 164 and may be disposed between the bottom surface of the second upper plate 166 and the top surface of the filter unit fixing unit 125.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second lower plate 167 may be connected to the opening/closing driving member 169. Therefore, when the opening/closing driving member 169 is rotated, the second lower plate 167 is also rotated with the first inner body 164 and opens or closes the second upper openings 166a provided therein.

To this end, in an exemplary embodiment, the second lower plate 167 may be provided with a plurality of second lower openings 167a having a shape corresponding to the second lower openings 167a of the second upper plate 166.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, in the humidifying mode of the humidification apparatus 100, the second upper plate 166 is rotated by the opening/closing driving member 169, such that the second lower openings 167a communicate with the second upper openings 166a.

On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 4, in the filtering mode of the humidification apparatus 100, the second upper plate 166 is rotated by the opening/closing driving member 169, such that the second lower openings 167a do not communicate with the second upper openings 166a.

The humidification apparatus 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may control a communication area of the second upper openings 166a and the second lower openings 167a by adjusting a rotational angle of the second lower plate 167 through the opening/closing driving member 169. Therefore, the humidification apparatus 100 may adjust an amount of the filtered air discharged to the exterior.

Hereinafter, an air flow in the humidifying mode of the humidification apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. 3, and an air flow in the filtering mode of the humidification apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 3, in a case in which the humidification apparatus 100 is operated in a humidifying mode, the opening/closing unit 161 is operated by the opening/closing driving member 169, such that the first outer openings 163a and the first inner openings 164a of the first opening/closing unit 162 communicate with each other. Simultaneously, the opening/closing unit 161 is rotated by the opening/closing driving member 169, such that the second upper openings 166a and the second lower openings 167a of the second opening/closing unit 165 do not communicate with each other.

Through the above-described operation of the opening/closing unit 161, air filtered by the filter unit 120 passes through the first inner openings 164a and the first outer openings 163a along the first air flow passage F1. Then, the air passes through the inner side of the humidifying filter 133, is drawn in by the fan unit 140, and flows upwardly. Through the above-described processes, the humidified air discharged through the outlet port 116 may clean and humidify an indoor space.

On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 4, in a case in which the humidification apparatus 100 is operated in a filtering mode, air introduced into the lower housing 111 through the inlet port 112 provided in the lower portion of the lower housing 111 is filtered while passing through the air cleaning filter 123 of the filter unit 120 by the operation of the fan unit 140.

However, when the humidification apparatus 100 is operated in the filtering mode, the opening/closing unit 161 is rotated by the operation of the opening/closing driving member 169, such that the first outer openings 163a and the first inner openings 164a of the first opening/closing unit 162 do not communicate with each other, and the second upper openings 166a and the second lower openings 167a of the second opening/closing unit 165 communicate with each other.

Accordingly, the filtered air from the filter unit 120 is blocked from flowing to the humidifying filter 133 by the first opening/closing unit 162 of the opening/closing unit 161, and is allowed to flow upwardly to the fan unit 140 by the second opening/closing unit 165 of the opening/closing unit 161. Thus, the filtered air flows upwardly to the fan unit 140 and is discharged to the exterior through the outlet port 116.

Hereinafter, a humidification apparatus 100 capable of preventing water leakage, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 through 9.

Referring to FIG. 5, the humidification apparatus 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 110, a filter unit 120, a humidifying unit 130, and a fan unit 140. The housing 110 is provided for protecting components installed thereinside.

The housing 110 having an inlet port 112 in a lower portion and an outlet port 116 in an upper part will be exemplarily described. However, there is no specific limit to positions and/or kinds of components included in the housing 110, as long as the housing 110 is separable in a vertical direction. The following description will be given focusing on the humidification apparatus 100 of FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 5, the housing 110 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may have an outer surface curved in a streamlined shape and have a circular cross-section. In the exemplary embodiment, the housing 110 is separable in a vertical direction.

A mood lamp 117 or the like may be installed in the upper housing 115 so as to provide the humidification apparatus 100 with aesthetic appeal. The mood lamp 117 may be connected to a control unit 150. The control unit 150 may control the operation of the mood lamp 117. In an exemplary embodiment, an upper deck 118 for protecting the mood lamp 117 may be connected on the upper housing 115. Meanwhile, in an exemplary embodiment, the fan unit 140 and the control unit 150 for controlling the fan unit 140 may be provided in the upper housing 115.

The filter unit 120 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a filter frame 121, an air cleaning filter 123, and a filter unit fixing member 125. The filter unit fixing member is configured to connect the filter frame 121 to the lower housing 111. The filter frame 121 may have a ring shape, such that the air cleaning filter 123 is fixed to the inside thereof.

The air cleaning filter 123 may have a circular shape, such that the air cleaning filter 123 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the filter frame 121. In this case, the air cleaning filter 123 may be disposed in the lower housing 111, such that one surface thereof faces the inlet port 112 and the other surface thereof faces the fan unit 140.

In an exemplary embodiment, the humidifying member 130 may be installed in the lower housing 111 between the filter unit 120 and the fan unit 140, and humidifies air filtered by the filter unit 120. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the humidifying unit 130 includes a water tank 240, a water container 250, and a humidifying filter 133. The water tank 240 is provided with a receiving part 241, a water container connecting part 243, and a blocking part 246.

The receiving part 241 has a space for receiving water supplied from the water container 250. In an exemplary embodiment, the receiving part 241 may have a circular cross-section corresponding to a shape of the lower housing 111. That is, the receiving part 241 may have a cylindrical shape with an open upper portion. In an exemplary embodiment, a blocking part supporting protrusion 242 may be provided in the receiving part 241 to prevent the blocking part 246 from being released during the mounting of the blocking part 246.

In an exemplary embodiment, the water container connecting part 243 may be installed to cover the receiving part 241, except for a portion on which the humidifying filter 133 and the water container 250 are mounted.

In an exemplary embodiment, the water container connecting part 243 may include a humidifying filter mounting opening 245, on which the humidifying filter 133 is mounted along the inner peripheral surface of the water tank 240, and a water inlet opening 244, into which a water supply part 252 of the water container 250 is inserted.

The water inlet opening 244 is formed corresponding to the water supply part 252 of the water container 250. The water container 250 is mounted on the water container connecting part 243. The water supply part 252 is inserted into the water inlet port 244 and is mounted on a water supply part mounting groove 248 of the blocking part 246.

The humidifying filter mounting opening 245 is a space for supporting the humidifying filter 13 when the humidifying filter 133 is installed to be immersed into the water tank 240. The humidifying filter mounting opening 245 may have a fan shape in a circumferential direction of the water container connecting part 243, such that the humidifying filter 133 is installed to form a semicircular shape.

Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the blocking part 246 is installed in the receiving part 241. In an exemplary embodiment, the blocking part 246 may include a blocking body 247, a water supply part mounting groove 248, a contact protrusion 249, and a plurality of inlet holes 248a.

The blocking body 247 is installed in the receiving part 241, such that the blocking body 247 is fixed by the blocking part supporting protrusion 242 formed in the receiving part 241 and occupies a partial space of the receiving part 241. In an exemplary embodiment, the blocking body 247 may form a blocking space 246a by closing a partial space between the receiving part 241 and the water container connecting part 243, to limit a supply area of water supplied to the receiving part 241.

The blocking body 247 may have a closed upper portion and an open lower portion. The blocking body 247 may be mounted on the receiving part 241. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, the blocking space 246a may be formed between the top surface of the blocking body 247 and the bottom surface of the receiving part 241.

A plurality of body openings 247a may be provided on the outer surface of the blocking body 247. When water is received in the blocking space 246a, the received water is discharged through the body openings 247a to the outside of the blocking space 246a.

The body openings 247a may be formed in various portions of the blocking body 247. For example, the body openings 247a may be formed on the bottom surface of the blocking body 247.

In addition, in an exemplary embodiment, the water supply part mounting groove 248 may be provided on the blocking body 247. The water supply part mounting groove 248 may protrude downwardly from the top surface of the blocking body 247, and the water supply part 252 of the water container 250 may be mounted on the water supply part mounting groove 248.

Accordingly, the water supply part mounting groove 248 may have a shape corresponding to the water inlet opening 244. The water supply part mounting groove 248 may be formed in the blocking body 247, such that the water supply part mounting groove 248 communicates with the water inlet opening 244 when the water container connecting part 243 is installed in the water tank 240.

In an exemplary embodiment, the water supply part mounting groove 248 may be provided with the contact protrusion 249 for connection with a water supply valve 253 of the water supply part 252. The contact protrusion 249 may protrude from the central part of the water supply part mounting groove 248. When the water container 250 is installed in the water tank 240, the contact protrusion 249 is connected to the water supply valve 253 provided in the water container 250, and opens the water supply valve 253.

Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the water supply part mounting groove 248 may be provided with a plurality of inlet holes 248a. The plurality of inlet holes 248a may be radially formed around the contact protrusion 249 provided in the central part of the water supply part mounting groove 248, to distribute the water received in the blocking space 246a uniformly to the receiving part 241.

Meanwhile, the water container 250 may include a water container body 251 and a water supply part 252 connected to the water container body 251. The water supply part 252 serves as a lid of the water container body 251 and is provided with a water supply valve 253 to supply the water received in the water container 250 to the water tank 240.

The water supply valve 253 of the water supply part 252 is connected to the contact protrusion provided in the blocking part 246. The water supply part 252 passes through the water inlet opening 244 and is mounted on the water supply part mounting groove 248, such that the water supply valve 253 is connected to the contact protrusion 249. When the water supply valve 253 is in an open state, the water received in the water container body 251 is supplied to the receiving part 241.

In an exemplary embodiment, the humidifying filter 133 is installed to be inserted into the humidifying filter mounting opening 245 and immersed in the water tank 240. When air filtered by the air cleaning filter 123 passes through the humidifying filter 133, the humidifying filter 133 supplies moisture to the filtered air. Accordingly, the humidifying filter 133 may be made of a material that easily absorbs water and has high air permeability.

In an exemplary embodiment, the humidifying filter 133 may have a pleated shape to increase a surface area for water absorption. In order to improve a water absorption rate and air permeability, the humidifying filter 133 may be provided with a plurality of small openings. The plurality of small openings may be formed across the entire humidifying filter.

In a case in which the blocking part 246 is not installed in the water tank 240 and in a case in which the blocking part 246 is installed in the water tank 240, water levels when the water tank 240 is tilted in such a state that the water container 250 is assembled with the water tank 240 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 8A is a state diagram illustrating a water level (W) when a water tank is not tilted, in such a state that a water container is assembled with the water tank having no blocking part, and FIG. 8B is a state diagram illustrating a water level (W1) when the water tank is tilted. FIG. 9A is a state diagram illustrating a water level (W) of a blocking space in a normal state in which the water tank is not tilted, in such a state that the water container is assembled with the water tank having the blocking part, and FIG. 9B is a state diagram illustrating a water level (W2) of the blocking space when the water tank is tilted.

As illustrated in FIG. 8A, in the case in which the blocking part 246 is not installed in the receiving part 241, water is received in an entire volume of the receiving part 241. Accordingly, if the receiving part 241 is tilted when the blocking part 246 is not installed in the receiving part 241, as illustrated in FIG. 8B, the receiving part 241 has a higher water level (W1) than an actual water level (W), leading to overflowing of water.

On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 9A, in the case in which the blocking part 246 is installed in the receiving part 241, water supplied from the water container 250 to the receiving part 241 is not entirely received in the receiving part 241. Instead, the supplied water is preferentially received in a space between the receiving part 241 and the water container connecting part 243 by the blocking part 246, and water discharged from the blocking space 246a through the body opening 247a is then received in the receiving part 241. In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 9A, the water level of the blocking space 246a is W, and the water level of the receiving part 241 is W’ lower than W.

Water flowing from the blocking part 246 to the receiving part 241 is supplied through the body opening 247a to the receiving part 241. Therefore, in the case in which the blocking part 246 is installed in the receiving part 241, the water level W2’ of the water received in the receiving part 241 is lower than the water level W2 of the water received in the blocking space 246a.

As illustrated in FIG. 9B, in the case in which the blocking part 246 is installed in the receiving part 241, if the water tank 240 is tilted, the water level W2 in the blocking space 246a is higher than the actual water level W in the normal state of FIG. 9A. The water level W2’ in the receiving part 241 is higher than the water level W’ of the receiving part 241 in the normal state.

However, in the case in which the blocking part 246 is installed in the receiving part 241, an amount of water supplied from the water container body 251 to the receiving part 241 through the water supply part 252 is small, as compared to the case in which the blocking part 246 is not installed (see FIG. 8). Therefore, the humidification apparatus 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may prevent water in the water tank 240 from leaking, unless the humidification apparatus 100 is tilted for an extended period of time.

Furthermore, the blocking part 246 used in the humidification apparatus 100 capable of preventing water leakage, according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, is configured such that water is supplied to the receiving part 241 from the blocking part 246, except for the water supply part mounting groove 248 having a circular cross-section and the body opening 247a. Therefore, the humidification apparatus 100 according to the exemplary embodiment is capable of preventing water from leaking, regardless of a tilt direction, unless the humidification apparatus 100 is tilted for an extended period of time.

Moreover, the humidification apparatus 100 capable of preventing water leakage, according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, may include the contact protrusion 249 provided in the blocking part 246 to open the water supply valve 253 of the water supply unit 252. Therefore, when the blocking part 246 is not installed in the water tank 240, the water supply valve 253 cannot be opened. Hence, it may be possible to prevent water received in the water container 250 from being supplied to the water tank 240.

While the present invention has been shown and described in connection with the exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

A humidification apparatus, comprising:

a housing having an inlet port in a lower portion thereof and an outlet port in an upper portion thereof;

a filter unit installed in the vicinity of the inlet port in a lower portion of the housing, the filter unit comprising an air cleaning filter configured to filter air;

a fan unit disposed on the filter unit to draw in air; and

a humidifying unit installed to form an air flow passage between the filter unit and the fan unit within the housing, the humidifying unit comprising a humidifying filter configured to humidify air having passed through the filter unit.
The humidification apparatus of claim 1, wherein the humidifying unit comprises:

a humidifying filter frame installed on the filter unit, the humidifying filter frame comprising a frame opening to form an air flow passage within the housing;

a water container connected to the humidifying filter frame to supply water to the humidifying filter frame; and

the humidifying filter mounted on the humidifying filter frame.
The humidification apparatus of claim 2, wherein the humidifying filter frame has a doughnut-shaped cross-section with an open upper portion.
The humidification apparatus of claim 3, wherein the humidifying filter is flexibly bent in a circumferential direction of the humidifying filter frame and is mounted on the humidifying filter frame.
The humidification apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a flow passage opening/closing unit installed between the filter unit and the fan unit and configured to allow an air flow to the humidifying filter in a humidifying mode and block an air flow to the humidifying filter in a filtering mode.
The humidification apparatus of claim 5, wherein the flow passage opening/closing unit comprises:

an opening/closing unit comprising a first opening/closing unit configured to open or close a first air flow passage, in which air passes through the humidifying filter, and a second opening/closing unit configured to open or close a second air flow passage, in which air does not pass through the humidifying filter; and

an opening/closing driving member connected to the opening/closing unit and, configured to open the first air flow passage and close the second air flow passage in the humidifying mode, and to close the first air flow passage and open the second air flow passage in the filtering mode.
The humidification apparatus of claim 6, wherein the opening/closing unit is installed inside the housing, such that the first opening/closing unit is disposed at a frame opening of the humidifying filter frame, and the second opening/closing unit is disposed between an outer peripheral surface of the humidifying filter frame and an inner surface of the housing.
The humidification apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first opening/closing unit comprises:

a first outer body having an external diameter smaller than an internal diameter of the frame opening, the first outer body comprising a plurality of first outer openings; and

a first inner body comprising a plurality of first inner openings corresponding to the plurality of first outer openings in a lateral surface thereof, the first inner body being rotatably installed inside the first outer body and configured to open or close the first outer body during an operation of the opening/closing driving member.
The humidification apparatus of claim 8, wherein the second opening/closing unit comprises:

a second upper plate extending outwardly from a lower edge of the first outer body, the second upper plate comprising a plurality of second upper openings in a circumferential direction of the first outer body; and

a second lower plate extending outwardly from a lower edge of the first inner body and disposed under the second upper plate, the second lower plate being configured to open or close the second upper openings during the operation of the opening/closing driving member.
The humidification apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, in the filtering mode, air drawn into the housing by an operation of the fan unit sequentially passes through the filter unit and the fan unit, flows through the housing upwardly, and is discharged through the outlet port of the housing to the exterior in a filtered state.
The humidifying apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein, in a humidifying mode, air drawn into the housing by an operation of the fan unit passes through the filter unit, the humidifying unit, and the fan unit, flows through the housing upwardly, and is discharged through the outlet port of the housing to the exterior in a filtered state.
The humidification apparatus of claim 1, wherein the filter unit comprises:

a filter frame fixed to a lower portion of the housing and having a ring shape; and

the air cleaning filter fixed to the filter frame and configured to filter air introduced through the inlet port of the housing.
The humidification apparatus of claim 1, wherein the outlet port is formed in an upper portion of the housing along an upper edge of the housing.
The humidification apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fan unit comprises:

a blower fan guide comprising a guide opening through which air flows, the blower fan guide being embedded in the housing;

a fan motor installed in the blower fan guide; and

a blower fan connected to a rotational shaft of the fan motor and configured to draw in air.
The humidification apparatus of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the housing is curved in a streamlined oval shape.
The humidification apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a water container installed in the housing and having a water supply valve; and

a water tank installed in the housing and connected to the water container to receive water,

wherein the water tank comprises:

a receiving part configured to receive water; and

a blocking part comprising a contact protrusion coming into contact with the water supply valve, the blocking part being mounted on the receiving part to form a blocking space and configured to block air from being introduced into the water supply valve when the water container and the water tank are tilted, such that water leakage is prevented.