Humidifier

A humidifier including a misting mechanism for misting water by a ultrasonic vibrator etc. and a water feeder formed by a water storage tank and a water passage and an ion exchange resin layer disposed in the water passage to the misting mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a ultrasonic type or spraying type 
humidifier which forms mist by a mechanical method. 
2. Description of the Prior Arts 
In general, city water or well water as natural water contains impurities 
such as calcium, magnesium and sodium components. 
When such water containing impurities is used in the conventional 
ultrasonic type or spraying type humidifier, water containing the 
impurities such as calcium, magnesium and sodium components is misted 
whereby the water is evaporated after forming the mist to retain 
impurities as dust which may be allowed to float in the room in which the 
humidification is carried out and may be deposited on wall or equipments 
in the room. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the present invention to provide a humidifier which 
prevents formation of dust remaining by evaporating water from mist which 
is mechanically formed by a misting mechanism. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a humidifier which 
prevents formation of an acidic or basic mist. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a humidifier 
which prevents formation of dust or an acidic or basic mist by using an 
ion exchange resin layer whose life is detected to secure the effect. 
The foregoing and other objects of the present invention will be apparent 
from the detailed description referring to the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS: 
FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a humidifier of the present invention. 
In FIG. 1, a misting mechanism (1) comprises a ultrasonic vibrator (2), a 
misting container (3) and a mist conduit (4). A water feeder (5) for 
supplying water to the misting mechanism (1) comprises a detachable tank 
(6) and a vessel (7). The detachable tank (6) has an opening at the bottom 
and a plug (8) having a valve is screwed at the opening. In the plug (8) 
having a valve, the valve (10) is pushed down to be opened by a projection 
(9) formed at the position putting the vessel (7) when the detachable tank 
(6) is disposed at the predetermined position. A partition (11) is formed 
in the detachable tank (6) to separate the water storage chamber (12) from 
a thin ion exchange chamber (13) along the bottom. The water storage 
chamber (12) is communicated to the ion exchange chamber (13) through a 
hole (14) formed on the partition (11) and a bag type ion exchange resin 
layer (15) packed in a water permeable bag is disposed in the ion exchange 
chamber (13). An air discharge hole (16) is formed on the partition (11). 
An opening for exchanging the ion exchange resin layer (15) is formed at 
the side wall of the ion exchange chamber (13) and a cap (17) is screwed 
at the opening. The vessel (7) is communicated to the misting container 
(3) through a hole (19) formed on the partition (18). 
In the embodiment, when the plug (8) having the valve is taken out and 
water is poured into the detachable tank (6) and then, the plug (8) is 
screwed to arrange the tank (6) as shown in FIG. 1, the valve (10) is 
pushed open to pass water from the water storage chamber (12) through the 
hole (14) into the ion exchange chamber (13) and water is passed through 
the ion exchange resin layer (15) and the plug (8) into the vessel (7). 
Thus, water is passed through the hole (19) into the misting container (3) 
and is misted by the ultrasonic vibrator (2) to discharge the mist through 
the mist conduit (4). In this operation, water fed into the misting 
container (3) is passed through the ion exchange resin layer (15) whereby 
most of impurities such as calcium, magnesium and sodium components 
contained in city water or well water are substantially removed to prevent 
a pollution with the impurities in a room for humidifying. 
FIG. 2 shows the relation of electric conductivity (.mu..OMEGA. /cm) and 
boiled residue (g/liter) to volume of refined water (liter) obtained by 
passing city water through 200 cc of an ion exchange resin layer at a flow 
rate of 100 cc/min. 
The flow rate of water in the humidifier is usually far smaller than 100 
cc/min. and the volume of water refined by the ion exchange resin is only 
several liters even though the humidifier is used for a long time. As 
shown in FIG. 2, the electric conductivity and the boiled residue are 
usually quite lower than those of city water (conductivity of 260 
.mu..OMEGA. /cm; boiled residue of 0.158 g/liter). This is remarkable 
improvement. 
As described above, in accordance with the embodiment, natural or city 
water is refined by the ion exchange resin layer (15) to obtain a 
deionized water or a pure water and the mist is formed with it to prevent 
formation of dust. 
The bag type ion exchange resin layer (15) can be exchanged by taking the 
cap (17) of the detachable tank (6) and maintenance is easily attained. 
FIG. 3 shows the second embodiment wherein the misting mechanism (1A) 
comprises the ultrasonic vibrator (2), the misting container (3A) and the 
mist conduit (4). The water feeder (5A) for supplying water to the misting 
mechanism (1A) comprises a water storage tank (20) and a column (21) for 
connecting the tank (20) to the misting container (3A). The bag type ion 
exchange resin layer (15) packed in a water permeable bag is disposed in 
the column (21). A screw is formed at the end of the column (21) so as to 
screw the opening of the misting container (3A) with the opening of the 
water storage tank (20). 
In accordance with the second embodiment, water is passed from the water 
storage tank (20) through the ion exchange resin layer (15) into the 
misting container (3A) whereby the same effect of the first embodiment is 
attained. The ion exchange resin layer (15) can be exchageable by 
disassembling the column (21). 
FIGS. 4 and 5 show the third embodiment of the humidifier of the present 
invention. 
In FIGS. 4 and 5, the first cylindrical partition (31) is formed in the 
container (30) and the second cylindrical partition (32) is formed at the 
outer side. The misting mechanism (1B) comprises the ultrasonic vibrator 
(2), the misting container (3B) formed by the bottom having the vibrator 
(2) and the first partition (31) and the mist conduit (4). The water feed 
part (5B) for supply water to the misting mechanism (1B) comprises a water 
storage tank (33) formed by the side wall of the container (30) and the 
second partition (32) and the water feed passage (34) formed by the first 
and second partitions (31), 32. The third partition (35) is formed in the 
water feed passage (34) and the bag type ion exchange resin layer (15) is 
disposed in the water feed pass (34) and holes (36), (37) are respectively 
formed on the first and second partitions (31), (32). 
In accordance with the third embodiment, water in the water storage tank 
(33) is fed through the hole (37) into the annular water feed passage 
(34), the ion exchange resin layer (15) and the hole (36) into the misting 
container (3B) whereby water used for misting in the misting mechanism 
(1B) is treated to become deionized water or pure water and the same 
effect of the first embodiment is attained. The ion exchange resin layer 
(15) can be easily carried out because the upper part of the water feed 
passage (34) is opened. 
The place of the ion exchange resin layer can be the other parts, beside 
those of the embodiments, and is a water passage to the misting mechanism. 
As the misting mechanism, an ultrasonic vibrator type one has been used, 
however, this can be applied to a spraying mechanism. 
As described above, in accordance with the present invention, the ion 
exchange resin layer is disposed in a water feed passage and water is 
passed through it to obtain deionized water or pure water and the 
deionized water or the pure water is misted to prevent formation of dust. 
A large volume such as more than 20 liter of water is treated by the ion 
exchange resin layer and the electric conductivity and the boiled residue 
are suddenly increased to loose the effect of the ion exchange resin. When 
the life of the cation exchange resin is different from the life of the 
anion exchange resin, only one cation or anion is exchanged to cause an 
acidic or a basic condition of water. Accordingly, it is preferable to 
exchange to ion exchange resin layer before losing life from the viewpoint 
of prevention of dust and prevention of an acidic or basic mist. 
In order to find the limit of the life, it is preferable to provide a 
monitor window (41) as shown in FIG. 6 wherein the monitor windown (41) is 
provided at the front cover so as to watch the ion exchange resin layer 
(15). The deterioration of the ion exchange resin layer (15) is caused 
from the upper stream side at the inlet to the down stream side to cause 
useless and accordingly, the position of the monitor window (41) should be 
able to watch at least the ion exchange resin layer at the down stream 
side. As shown in FIG. 7, the monitor window (42) is formed at the 
position corresponding to the monitor window (41), on the side wall of the 
outer casing covering the misting mechanism (1), the detachable tank (6) 
and the water feed part (5). 
The ion exchange resin layer (15) can be exchanged by taking out the cap 
(17) screwed on the side wall of the detachable tank (6). 
The deterioration of the ion exchange resin layer (15) in the detachable 
tank (6) is watched through the monitor window (41), (42). When the normal 
color is imparted, it shows the normal operation. 
The ion exchange resin layer (15) can be used for several tens to hundreds 
times of water feeding into the detachable tank (6). The activity of the 
ion exchange resin layer (15) is suddenly reduced near the limit. This 
fact is found by changing the color of the resin. The ion exchange resin 
layer (15) is exchanged at the limit. 
When the monitor windows (42), (41) are respectively formed on the outer 
casing (18) and the detachable tank (6), the ion exchange resin layer (15) 
in the detachable tank (6) can be watched to find the limit of the life. 
The formation of dust or acidic mist or basic mist caused by the 
humidification under the deterioration of the ion exchange resin layer 
(15) can be prevented. 
In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the monitor window (41) can be formed on the 
column (21) so as to watch the ion exchange resin layer (15). 
It is also possible to use a transparent or translucent container for 
disposing the ion exchange resin layer (15). 
In the present invention, it is preferable to use a bag type ion exchange 
resin layer (15) which is formed by filling the ion exchange resin (15) in 
a bag (15') having water permeability, flexibility and water resistance 
made of glass wool etc. and the opening of the bag (15') is bound with a 
string (15"). When the bag type ion exchange resin layer (15) is used, the 
exchange and regeneration of the ion exchange resin are simplified. When 
the bag (15') is flexible, it can be held in a desired container in a 
desired shape. 
FIG. 9 shows a bag type ion exchange resin layer (15) which contains 
difference ion exchange resins (15A), (15B), (15C) as separated layers and 
the opening of the bag (15') is bound with a string (15"). Water 
containing various impurities can be treated to obtain the deionized water 
or the pure water by combining two or more kinds of the ion exchange 
resins. 
The opening of the bag (15') can be closed by bonding with a bonding agent 
or sewing with thread. 
FIG. 10 shows the fourth embodiment of the present invention wherein 
deterioration of the ion exchange resin layer (15) is detected by a 
detector so as to find the time for exchanging the ion exchange resin 
layer. 
In FIG. 10, the misting mechanism (1) comprises the ultrasonic vibrator (2) 
the misting container (3) and the mist conduit (4). The water feeder (5) 
for supplying water to the misting mechanism (1) comprises the detachable 
tank (6) and the vessel (7). The detachable tank (6) has the opening at 
the bottom and the plug (8) having the valve is screwed at the opening. In 
the plug (8) having the valve, the valve (10) is pushed down to be opened 
by projection (9) formed at the position within the vessel (7) when the 
detachable tank (6) is disposed at the predetermined position. The 
partition (11) is formed in the detachable tank (6) to separate the water 
storage chamber (12) from the thin ion exchange chamber (13) along the 
bottom. The water storage chamber (12) is communicated to the ion exchange 
chamber (13) through the hole (14) formed on the partition (11) and the 
bag type ion exchange resin layer (15) packed in the water permeable bag 
is disposed in the ion exchange chamber (13). 
The bag type ion exchange resin layer (15) can be exchanged by taking out 
the cap (17) screwed on the side wall of the ion exchange chamber (13). 
The vessel (7) is communicated through the hole (19) formed on the 
partition (18) to the misting container (3). 
On the other hand, a pair of electrodes (97), (98) for detecting the 
electric conductivity of water in the vessel are provided and are 
connected to an AC bridge (90) as a detection circuit so as to form one 
side of the AC bridge (90). The other three sides of the AC bridge (90) 
are formed by a parallel circuit of a varistor (91), a varicon (92); a 
varistor (93) and a varistor (94). A galvanometer (95) is connected 
between the electrode (97) and the joint of the varistors (93), (94) and 
AC power source (96) such as commercial power source AC 100 V is connected 
between the electrode (98) and the joint of the parallel circuit and the 
varistor (93). 
In the fourth embodiment, when the plug (8) having the valve is taken out 
and water is poured into the detachable tank (6) and then, the plug (8) is 
screwed to arrange the tank as shown in FIG. 10, the valve (10) is opened 
by pushing to pass water from the water storage chamber (12) through the 
hole (14) into the ion exchange chamber (13) and water is passed through 
the ion exchange resin layer (15) and the plug (8) into the vessel (7). 
Thus, water is passed through the hole (19) into the misting container (3) 
and is misted by the ultrasonic vibrator (2) to discharge the mist through 
mist conduit (4). In this operation, water fed into the misting container 
(3) is passed through the ion exchange resin layer (15) whereby most of 
impurities such as calcium, magnesium and sodium components contained in 
city water or well water are substantially removed and accordingly, the 
electric conductivity detected between the electrodes (97), (98) in the 
vessel (7) is remarkably reduced. The electric conductivity is detected by 
the AC bridge (90). It is possible to consider no pollution of impurities 
in a room by humidifying under such condition. 
When the activity of the ion exchange resin layer (15) is suddenly reduced, 
the electric conductivity of water in the vessel (7) is suddenly elevated. 
This fact is detected by the AC bridge (90) and the ion exchange resin 
layer (15) is exchanged depending upon the detection. 
As described above, in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present 
invention, the electric conductivity of water in the vessel (7) can be 
detected by the AC bridge having electrodes (97), (98) as one side, 
whereby the life of the ion exchange resin layer (15) can be found without 
failure. The requirement of exchange of the ion exchange resin layer (15) 
is informed to prevent the formation of dust or acidic or basic mist 
caused by humidifying in the deterioration of the ion exchange resin layer 
(15). The bag type ion exchange resin layer (15) can be easily exchanged 
by taking out the cap of the detachable tank (6) so as to be suitable for 
maintenance. FIG. 11 shows the fifth embodiment wherein the misting 
mechanism (1A) comprises the ultrasonic vibrator (2), the misting 
container (3A) and the mist conduit (4). The water feeder (5A) for 
supplying water to the misting mechanism (1A) comprises the water storage 
tank (20) and the column (21) for connecting the tank (20) to the misting 
container (3A). The bag type ion exchange resin layer (15) packed in a 
water permeable bag is disposed in the column (21). The screw is formed at 
the end of the column (21) so as to screw the opening the misting 
container (3A) with the opening of the water storage tank (20). 
On the other hand, a pair of electrodes (97), (98) for detecting the 
electric conductivity of water fed by passing through the ion exchange 
resin layer (15) are provided on the side wall of the misting container 
(3A) of the conduit (21). The electrodes (97), (98) are connected to an 
electric conductivity meter (50) as a detection circuit wherein 
oscillation output of an oscillation circuit (51) is applied through a 
buffer amplifier (52) to the electrode (97) and an AC voltage at the 
electrode (98) given by the electric conductivity of water is amplified by 
amplifiers (53), (54) and an indicator (55) is driven. The electric 
conductivity is indicated by the indicator (55). 
In the fifth embodiment, the same effect of the fourth embodiment can be 
attained. 
FIG. 12 shows the sixth embodiment of the present invention wherein the 
structures of the misting mechanism (1) and the water feeder (5) are the 
same with those of FIG. 10. The detection electrodes (97), (98) on the 
vessel (7) are connected in the indicator circuit (60) as the detection 
circuit. The indicator circuit (60) is formed by a serial circuit 
comprising a resistor (61), an AC power source (62) and an AC current 
(63). In this embodiment, the current corresponding to the electric 
conductivity of water in the vessel (7) obtained by passing through the 
ion exchange resin layer (15) is passed through the AC current meter (63) 
whereby the electric conductivity can be found by the indicated value. 
In accordance with the sixth embodiment, the same effect of the fourth and 
fifth embodiments can be attained. 
FIG. 13 shows the seventh embodiment wherein the structures of the misting 
mechanism (1) and the water feeder (5) are the same as those of FIG. 11. 
The detection electrodes (97), (98) on the conduit (21) are connected to a 
relay circuit as a control circuit. The relay circuit (70) is formed by a 
serial circuit comprising a resistor (71), an AC power source (72) and a 
relay (73). 
A contact (73A) of the relay (73) is connected to a vibrator driving 
circuit (80) to close it by exciting the relay (73) to stop operation of 
the vibrator driving circuit (80) of the misting mechanism (1A). 
FIG. 14 shows one embodiment of the vibrator driving circuit (80) as a 
modified Colpitts oscillation circuit. A collector of a transistor (81) is 
connected through a parallel resonance circuit (82) to a positive side of 
a DC power source (83) and an emitter is connected through a coil (84) to 
the negative side of the DC power source (83). A base of the tansistor 
(81) is connected through a resistor (85) for base-biasing to the positive 
side of the DC power source and is connected through a capacitor (86) to 
the negative side of the DC power source. The ultrasonic vibrator (2) is 
connected between the collector-base of the transistor (81). A series 
circuit of a resistor (87) having low resistance and the contact (73A) of 
the relay is connected in parallel to the capacitor (86). 
In the seventh embodiment, when the ion exchange resin layer (15) is active 
in the normal state, the electric conductivity of water obtained by 
passing through the ion exchange resin layer (15) is low whereby the relay 
(73) is inactivated to open the contact (73A). Operation of the vibrator 
driving circuit (80) is not prevented and the normal humidifying operation 
is carried out. When the life of the ion exchange resin layer (15) is 
substantially finished, the electric conductivity of water between the 
electrodes (97), (98) is suddenly elevated, whereby the relay (73) is 
excited to close the contact (73A). The base circuit of the transistor 
(81) in the vibrator driving circuit (80) is short-circuited by the 
resistor (87) having low resistance to stop the operation of the vibrator 
driving circuit. 
In accordance with the seventh embodiment, the operation of the vibrator 
driving circuit (80) that is the operation of the misting mechanism (1A) 
is stopped to stop the humidification when the ion exchange resin layer 
(15) is deteriorated whereby the formation of dust or an acidic mist or 
basic mist is advantageously prevented without failure. 
The position of the ion exchange resin layer can be the other position and 
is in the passage of water fed to the misting mechanism. As the example, 
the ultrasonic misting mechanism is shown. Thus, it is possible to apply 
these embodiment for the spraying mechanism. 
In the seventh embodiment, the mechanism for stopping the operation of the 
vibrator driving circuit (80) by elevating the electric conductivity is 
shown. If necessary, the mechanism can be released as desired, by 
connecting a switch. The semiconductor switch can be used instead of the 
contact of the relay to stop operation of the vibrator driving circuit 
(80). 
In accordance with the embodiments, the ion exchange resin layer is 
disposed in the humidifier and the detection circuit for indicating the 
time for the exchange of the ion exchange resin layer or the control 
circuit is connected thereby providing the humidifier wherein time for the 
exchange of the ion exchange resin losing the life is indicated and the 
formation of dust or an acidic mist or basic mist is prevented.