Patent Publication Number: US-2022218937-A1

Title: Humidifier

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/JP2020/033978 filed on Sep. 8, 2020, which claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-190178 filed on Oct. 17, 2019. The contents of these applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a humidifier. 
     A gas supply device described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a blower and a humidifier. In this gas supply device, air force-fed from the blower enters the humidifier, and is humidified in the humidifier, and then the humidified air is sent to a user. The humidifier is provided with a humidifier body, a water storage tank mounted to the humidifier body, and a heater for vaporizing water stored in the tank. Then, air is sent by the blower, via a tank hole that causes the inside and the outside of the tank to communicate with each other.
     Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-045730   

     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     In a humidifier as described in Patent Document 1, a tank may be inclined when a humidifier is used. When the tank is inclined, there is a possibility that water stored in the tank leaks outside the tank via a tank hole. 
     In order to solve the problem described above, an aspect of the present disclosure is a humidifier including a water storage tank, a humidifier body to which the tank is detachably mounted, and a humidification promoting mechanism for vaporizing water stored in the tank, in which a gas humidified by the humidification promoting mechanism is discharged from the tank, wherein the tank includes a tank body having a space therein, and a partition wall rising from an inner surface of the tank body, a tank hole causing an inside and an outside of the tank body to communicate with each other is provided in the tank body, the partition wall partitions a space inside the tank body into a water storage space for storing water, and a trap space, the trap space communicates with an outside of the tank via the tank hole, and the water storage space communicates with the trap space. 
     According to the above configuration, the water storage space communicates with the tank hole via the trap space. Thus, in order to reach the tank hole, water stored in the water storage space is to pass through the trap space. Since water can be stored in this trap space, even when the water stored in the water storage space flows out from the water storage space, it is possible to suppress direct leakage from the tank hole. 
     In a humidifier, it is possible to suppress leakage of water stored in a tank outside the tank. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a main body unit and a base unit of a CPAP device. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating the main body unit and the base unit of the CPAP device in a first use state. 
         FIG. 3  is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the CPAP device in the first use state. 
         FIG. 4  is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the CPAP device in a second use state. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view in which the base unit is viewed from an angle different from that of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is an end view of the base unit (end view taken along a line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 7 ). 
         FIG. 7  is an end view of the base unit taken along a line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic view illustrating the first use state of the CPAP device. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic view illustrating the second use state of the CPAP device. 
         FIG. 10  is an end view of a base unit in a second embodiment (end view taken along a line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 11 ). 
         FIG. 11  is an end view of the base unit taken along a line  11 - 11  in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is an end view of a base unit in a modification. 
         FIG. 13  is an end view of a base unit in a modification. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a humidifier is applied to a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device will be described with reference to the figures. 
     First Embodiment 
     First, a configuration of a CPAP device that sends air introduced into the device to a user&#39;s respiratory tract will be described. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a CPAP device  10  is provided with a main body unit  20  and a base unit  40 . Additionally, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the main body unit  20  is provided with a blower  31  as a main constituent element. The base unit  40  is provided with a second silencer  51  and a humidifier  70  as main constituent elements. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the main body unit  20  can be attached to and detached from the base unit  40 . In the present embodiment, the CPAP device  10  is configured to be usable in a first use state and a second use state. The first use state is a state in which the main body unit  20  is loaded into the base unit  40  and used, and the second use state is a state in which the main body unit  20  is used without being loaded into the base unit  40 . In other words, in the first use state, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the main body unit  20  and the base unit  40  are used. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , in the second use state, only the main body unit  20  is used, and the base unit  40  is not used. 
     Next, a configuration of the main body unit  20  will be described. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the main body unit  20  is provided with a first housing  21  in a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the blower  31  and the like are built inside the first housing  21 . Note that, in the following description, when directions related to the first housing  21  are denoted, as illustrated in FIG.  1 , a thickness direction of the first housing  21  is defined as a height direction Td. In addition, a long side direction of the first housing  21  is defined as a length direction Ld, and a short side direction is defined as a width direction Wd. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , an operation unit  22  for operating the main body unit  20  is provided on an upper side surface  21 U of the first housing  21 . In this embodiment, the operation unit  22  is configured with a switch  22 A in a circular shape, and a switch  22 B in an annular shape arranged so as to surround the switch  22 A. Both the switches  22 A and  22 B are push button switches, and operating these switches makes it possible to turn on or off a power supply of the main body unit  20 , change settings, and the like. 
     In a first end surface  21 A which is an end surface on a first end side in the length direction Ld of the first housing  21 , a first introduction port  23  for introducing air from the outside to the inside of the first housing  21  opens. A filter  24  that filters dust and the like contained in the air introduced into the first housing  21  is mounted to the first introduction port  23 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a main flow path  32  through which air flows is defined inside the first housing  21  of the main body unit  20 . In the main body unit  20 , an upstream end of the main flow path  32  is connected to the first introduction port  23 . The blower  31  that sends out air from the first introduction port  23  to a downstream side is mounted in midstream of the main flow path  32 . The blower  31  is, for example, a centrifugal fan. In the main flow path  32 , a first silencer  33  is mounted between the first introduction port  23  and the blower  31 . The first silencer  33  attenuates a flow sound of air that flows through the main flow path  32  along with driving of the blower  31 . 
     A pressure sensor  34  that detects pressure of air downstream of the blower  31  in the main flow path  32  is mounted inside the first housing  21 . Additionally, a flow rate sensor  35  that detects a flow rate of air downstream of the blower  31  in the main flow path  32  is mounted inside the first housing  21 . Further, a temperature sensor  36  that detects a temperature of air flowing through the main flow path  32  is mounted inside the first housing  21 . A first lead-out portion  25  for leading out air from the inside to the outside of the first housing  21  is connected to a downstream end of the main flow path  32 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the first lead-out portion  25  protrudes from the first end surface  21 A of the first housing  21 . The first lead-out portion  25  is arranged so as to be aligned with the first introduction port  23  in the width direction Wd of the first housing  21 . The first lead-out portion  25  has a cylindrical shape as a whole, and protrudes from the first end surface  21 A along the length direction Ld. Then, an internal space of the first lead-out portion  25  communicates with the main flow path  32  inside the first housing  21 . 
     In the first end surface  21 A, a first connector  27  for electrically connecting the main body unit  20  to the base unit  40  is recessed. The first connector  27  is a so-called female connector, and a plurality of terminals is provided therein. The first connector  27  is arranged on a lower side of the first lead-out portion  25 . 
     Next, an electrical configuration of the main body unit  20  of the CPAP device  10  will be described. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the main body unit  20  is provided with a first control unit  37  for controlling operation of the blower  31 . Note that, the first control unit  37  is electrically connected to the first connector  27  by wiring (not illustrated). 
     The first control unit  37  may be configured as circuitry including 1) one or more processors that execute various processes in accordance with a computer program (software), 2) one or more dedicated hardware circuits, such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), that execute at least some processes of the various processes, or 3) a combination thereof. The processor includes a CPU and memories, such as a RAM and a ROM, and the memory stores program codes or directives configured to cause the CPU to execute the processes. The memory or a computer-readable medium includes any available medium that can be accessed from a general purpose or dedicated computer. 
     In the first housing  21  of the main body unit  20 , a battery  38  is provided for supplying power to the blower  31 , the pressure sensor  34 , the flow rate sensor  35 , the temperature sensor  36 , and the first control unit  37 . The battery  38  is a secondary battery that can be repeatedly charged, and is charged by connecting a charging cable (not illustrated) to the main body unit  20 . Further, the battery  38  is also electrically connected to the first connector  27 . 
     The first control unit  37  is inputted with a signal indicating an operation from the operation unit  22 . The first control unit  37  is inputted with a pressure value detected by the pressure sensor  34 . The first control unit  37  is inputted with a flow rate value detected by the flow rate sensor  35 . The first control unit  37  is inputted with a temperature value detected by the temperature sensor  36 . The first control unit  37  is configured to, based on these values inputted, increase or decrease the number of rotations of the blower  31  by control such as feedback control or feed-forward control, thereby controlling an amount of air feeding and the like. For example, the first control unit  37  determines an exhalation state of a user based on values detected by the pressure sensor  34  and the flow rate sensor  35 , and controls a pressure value of air to be fed to the user so as to be synchronized with the exhalation state. Further, the first control unit  37  controls power supply from the battery  38  to the first connector  27 . 
     Next, structure of the base unit  40  will be described. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the base unit  40  is provided with a second housing  41  in an L-shape in side view. The second housing  41  is roughly divided into a base housing  42  in a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a protruding housing  43  in a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape positioned on an upper side of the base housing  42 . 
     A dimension in a longitudinal direction of the base housing  42  is larger than a dimension in the length direction Ld of the first housing  21 . A dimension in a short direction of the base housing  42  is the same as a dimension in the width direction Wd of the first housing  21 . Note that, in the following description, the longitudinal direction of the base housing  42  of the second housing  41  is along the length direction Ld of the first housing  21 , and the short direction of the base housing  42  is along the width direction Wd of the first housing  21 . 
     The protruding housing  43  protrudes from an upper surface on a first end side in the length direction Ld of the base housing  42 . An end on a first end side in the length direction Ld of the protruding housing  43  coincides with the end on the first end side in the length direction Ld of the base housing  42 . A dimension in the height direction Td of the protruding housing  43  is substantially the same as a dimension in the height direction Td of the first housing  21 . A dimension in the width direction Wd of the protruding housing  43  is substantially the same as a dimension in the width direction Wd of the first housing  21 . A dimension in the length direction Ld of the protruding housing  43  is a value obtained by subtracting the dimension in the length direction Ld of the first housing  21  from the dimension in the longitudinal direction of the base housing  42 . 
     The base housing  42  and the protruding housing  43  both have a box shape having a cavity therein. Further, an internal space of the base housing  42  and an internal space of the protruding housing  43  are continuous with each other. A wall portion of the protruding housing  43  on a side opposite to the base housing  42 , that is, a wall portion on an upper side is configured as a lid  44  that can be opened and closed. The lid  44  is removable, and with the lid  44  of the protruding housing  43  removed, the internal space of the protruding housing  43  and a part of the internal space of the base housing  42  are exposed. Note that, in  FIG. 5 , the base unit  40  is illustrated with the lid  44  removed. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , an upper side surface  42 U of the base housing  42  is provided with a protrusion  45  protruding toward an upper side in the height direction Td of the base housing  42 . In this embodiment, two protrusions  45  are provided for each row along the length direction Ld of the base housing  42 . Then, two rows of the protrusions  45  are provided in the width direction Wd of the base housing  42 . That is, in total, four protrusions  45  are provided. 
     In the upper side surface  42 U of the base housing  42 , a second introduction port  46  for introducing air from the outside to the inside of the base housing  42  opens. In the present embodiment, the second introduction ports  46  is plurally provided. The second introduction ports  46  are arranged so as to be aligned over substantially an entire region in the width direction Wd of the base housing  42 . Further, each of the second introduction ports  46  is arranged in a vicinity of an edge on a second end side in the length direction Ld of the upper side surface  42 U of the base housing  42 . Note that, the upper side surface  42 U of the base housing  42  functions as a surface for placing the main body unit  20 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , an upstream side flow path  53  through which air pulled into the blower  31  of the main body unit  20  flows is defined inside the second housing  41  of the base unit  40 . In the base unit  40 , an upstream end of the upstream side flow path  53  is connected to the second introduction port  46 . 
     The second silencer  51  is mounted in midstream of the upstream side flow path  53 . The second silencer  51  attenuates a flow sound of air flowing through the upstream side flow path  53 . Note that, a size of volume of the second silencer  51  is larger than volume of the first silencer  33  of the main body unit  20 , and a sound attenuation effect is higher than that of the first silencer  33  of the main body unit  20 . 
     A downstream end of the upstream side flow path  53  is connected to a second lead-out port  47  for leading out air from the inside to the outside of the second housing  41 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the second lead-out port  47  opens in a surface connected to the upper side surface  42 U of the base housing  42  of respective end surfaces on both sides in the length direction Ld of the protruding housing  43 , that is, in a second end surface  43 B which is a side surface on a second end side in the length direction Ld in the protruding housing  43 . An opening shape of the second lead-out port  47  is the same as an opening shape of the first introduction port  23  of the main body unit  20 . 
     Additionally, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a downstream side flow path  54  through which air fed from the blower  31  of the main body unit  20  flows is defined inside the second housing  41  of the base unit  40 . A tank  72  of the humidifier  70  is mounted in midstream of the downstream side flow path  54 . The humidifier  70  is provided with the tank  72  described above, a heater  71 , and a heater temperature sensor  71 A. The tank  72  is configured to be capable of being attached to and detached from the second housing  41 , and is capable of storing water therein. Air introduced inside the humidifier  70  is led out from the humidifier  70  through the tank  72 , thereby humidifying the air. The heater  71  heats water in the tank  72 . The heater temperature sensor  71 A detects a temperature of the heater  71 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a third introduction hole  48  for introducing air from the outside to the inside of the protruding housing  43  opens in the second end surface  43 B of the protruding housing  43  in the base unit  40 . The third introduction hole  48  is arranged so as to be aligned with the second lead-out port  47  in the width direction Wd in the protruding housing  43 . The third introduction hole  48  has a circular shape in plan view, and an outer diameter of the third introduction hole  48  is larger than an outer diameter of the first lead-out portion  25  in the first housing  21 . 
     In the second end surface  43 B, a second connector  49  for electrically connecting the main body unit  20  to the base unit  40  protrudes. The second connector  49  is a so-called male connector corresponding to a shape of the first connector  27  described above, and is provided with a plurality of terminals therein. The second connector  49  is arranged on a lower side of the third introduction hole  48 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a cylindrical third lead-out portion  50  for leading out air from the inside to the outside of the second housing  41  protrudes from the lid  44  of the second housing  41 . A central axis line of the third lead-out portion  50  is inclined with respect to the height direction Td in the protruding housing  43 . An internal space of the third lead-out portion  50  communicates with the downstream side flow path  54 . 
     Next, an electrical configuration of the CPAP device  10  in the base unit  40  will be described. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the base unit  40  is provided with a second control unit  56  that controls operation of the heater  71 . The second control unit  56  may be configured as circuitry including 1) one or more processors that execute various processes in accordance with a computer program (software), 2) one or more dedicated hardware circuits, such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), that execute at least some processes of the various processes, or 3) a combination thereof. The processor includes a CPU and memories, such as a RAM and a ROM, and the memory stores program codes or directives configured to cause the CPU to execute the processes. The memory or a computer-readable medium includes any available medium that can be accessed from a general purpose or dedicated computer. 
     Electric power is supplied to the second control unit  56  from the battery  38  of the main body unit  20  with the first connector  27  of the main body unit  20 , and the second connector  49  interposed therebetween. Additionally, a signal indicating a temperature value of air detected by the temperature sensor  36  is inputted from the first control unit  37  to the second control unit  56  with the first connector  27  of the main body unit  20 , and the second connector  49  interposed therebetween. 
     The second control unit  56  sets a target heater temperature for heating water in the tank  72 , based on the inputted air temperature value. For example, the second control unit  56  sets the target heater temperature with a predetermined calculation formula. Then, the second control unit  56  is configured to drive the heater  71 , based on a heater temperature detected by the heater temperature sensor  71 A so as to set the heater temperature to the target heater temperature by control such as feedback control or feed-forward control. The second control unit  56  adjusts a water temperature in the tank  72  by the heater  71 . Then, when the heater temperature reaches the target heater temperature, the second control unit  56  controls the heater  71  so as to maintain the heater temperature at the target heater temperature. 
     Next, internal structure of the base unit  40 , particularly the humidifier  70 , will be described in detail. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , a housing space S in a rectangular parallelepiped shape is defined by the internal space of the base housing  42  and the internal space of the protruding housing  43 . With the lid  44  of the base unit  40  removed, an upper side of the protruding housing  43  opens as an attachment/detachment port  43 K. The heater  71  in a plate shape is arranged on a part of the base unit  40  on a side opposite to the attachment/detachment port  43 K, that is, on a bottom of the base housing  42 , which is on a lower side in the height direction Td. In this embodiment, the heater  71  is mounted on a bottom surface of the base housing  42 . 
     In the housing space S, the water storage tank  72  can be housed on an upper side in the height direction Td of the heater  71 . The tank  72  has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box shape. Water stored in the tank  72  is heated by the heater  71 , and vaporization is promoted. In the present embodiment, the second housing  41  functions as a humidifier body, and the heater  71  functions as a humidification promoting mechanism. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the tank  72  is configured with a tank body  73  having a space therein, and a partition wall  74  rising from an inner surface of the tank body  73 . In the tank body  73 , a bottom wall  73 A has a flat plate shape, and has a rectangular shape when viewed in plan (viewed in a direction perpendicular to a main surface of the lid  44 ). When the humidifier  70  is viewed from above (viewed in a direction perpendicular to a main surface of the lid  44 ), a central portion of the bottom wall  73 A is a heater contact portion  73 D facing the heater  71 . Further, a material for the heater contact portion  73 D is metal. As described above, since most of the bottom wall  73 A is made of metal, thermal conductivity of the bottom wall  73 A is relatively high. In addition, in the bottom wall  73 A, a groove-shaped recessed portion  75  is recessed so as to surround the heater contact portion  73 D. 
     In the tank body  73 , a side wall  73 B extends upward in the height direction Td from an edge of the bottom wall  73 A. The side wall  73 B extends from entire four sides of the bottom wall  73 A, and has a cylindrical shape as a whole. A material for the side wall  73 B is resin. Thus, thermal conductivity of the side wall  73 B is lower than that of the bottom wall  73 A, which is mostly made of metal. 
     An upper wall  73 C in a rectangular shape in plan view is mounted to an upper side in the height direction Td of the side wall  73 B. The upper wall  73 C covers a space surrounded by the side wall  73 B from above. A material for the upper wall  73 C is resin. In this manner, the tank body  73  is configured with the bottom wall  73 A, the side wall  73 B, and the upper wall  73 C, and has a rectangular parallelepiped box shape as a whole. 
     The partition wall  74  in a rectangular cylindrical shape extends downward in the height direction Td from an inner surface, which is a surface of the upper wall  73 C on an internal space side of the tank body  73 . A lower end of the partition wall  74  is fitted into the recessed portion  75 . Note that, a contact portion between the partition wall  74  and the recessed portion  75  is sealed by an elastically deformable seal (not illustrated). A material for the partition wall  74  is resin. That is, the material for the partition wall  74  is a material having lower heat conductivity than that of the bottom wall  73 A including the heater contact portion  73 D. 
     The partition wall  74  is an integrally molded product with the upper wall  73 C. Further, the upper wall  73 C and the partition wall  74  can be attached to and detached from the bottom wall  73 A and the side wall  73 B. To be specific, the upper wall  73 C and the partition wall  74  can be attached to and detached from the bottom wall  73 A and the side wall  73 B, by inserting and pulling the lower end of the partition wall  74  into and from the recessed portion  75 . Further, an elastically deformable seal member  73 E is mounted to a connection portion between the upper wall  73 C and the side wall  73 B. The seal member  73 E seals between the upper wall  73 C and the side wall  73 B. The seal member  73 E has an annular shape, and is mounted to an entire upper end of the side wall  73 B. 
     The partition wall  74  partitions the internal space of the tank body  73  into a water storage space WS for storing water, and a trap space TS. When viewed from above, a space inside the partition wall  74  is the water storage space WS. Further, a space outside the partition wall  74  and inside the side wall  73 B is the trap space TS. The trap space TS is sealed by the tank body  73  and the partition wall  74 . Note that, when the humidifier  70  is used, water is stored in the water storage space WS. 
     A sponge  76  is housed in the trap space TS as a water absorbing member for absorbing water. The sponge  76  is arranged over an entirety of the trap space TS when viewed from above. Further, an upper end in the height direction Td of the sponge  76  is positioned substantially at a center in the height direction Td of the trap space TS, and a lower end in the height direction Td of the sponge  76  is positioned slightly above in the height direction Td than the bottom wall  73 A. 
     A first tank hole  77  in a circular shape in plan view opens at a portion facing the third introduction hole  48  in a wall portion on a second end side in the length direction Ld of the side wall  73 B of the tank body  73 . The first tank hole  77  causes the trap space TS in the internal space of the tank body  73  and a space between the tank body  73  and the second housing  41  to communicate with each other. The first tank hole  77  opens toward the second end side in the length direction Ld when viewed from the inside of the tank body  73 . That is, a central axis line of the first tank hole  77  is parallel to the length direction Ld. In the present embodiment, the first tank hole  77  functions as a tank hole. 
     Additionally, a first O-ring  78  in an annular shape is arranged between an outer surface on the second end side in the length direction Ld of the side wall  73 B of the tank body  73 , and a surface on a side of the housing space S of the second housing  41 . A flow path of the downstream side flow path  54  that leads to an internal space of the tank  72  through the third introduction hole  48  via the first tank hole  77 , and the housing space S are separated from each other by the first O-ring  78 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , a partition wall hole  79  in a circular shape in plan view opens in a wall portion on a first end side in the length direction Ld of the partition wall  74 . The partition wall hole  79  causes the water storage space WS and the trap space TS to communicate with each other. The partition wall hole  79  is positioned closer to the first end side than a center of the tank body  73  in the width direction Wd, and is positioned at the same position as that of the first tank hole  77  in the height direction Td. Thus, when viewed from the inside of the tank body  73 , the partition wall hole  79  opens toward the first end side in the length direction Ld on an opposite side to the first tank hole  77 . That is, the central axis line of the partition wall hole  79  is parallel to the length direction Ld. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a second tank hole  80  in a circular shape in plan view opens in the upper wall  73 C of the tank  72 . The second tank hole  80  causes the inside and the outside of the tank  72  to communicate with each other. The second tank hole  80  is, with the lid  44  closed, arranged at a position facing a lid hole  50 A which is an opening on a lid side of the third lead-out portion  50  of the lid  44  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a second O-ring  81  in an annular shape is arranged on an upper side in the height direction Td of the tank  72  so as to surround an opening edge of the second tank hole  80 . With the lid  44  mounted, the second O-ring  81  is sandwiched between the upper wall  73 C and the lid  44 . Accordingly, a flow path of the downstream side flow path  54  that leads to the inside of the tank  72  through the lid hole  50 A and the second tank hole  80 , and the housing space S are separated from each other by the second O-ring  81 . 
     Next, an action of the CPAP device  10  in the first use state will be described. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , in the first use state, the main body unit  20  is in a state of being loaded into the base unit  40 . To be specific, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the main body unit  20  is placed on the base unit  40  such that a lower side surface  21 D in the first housing  21  faces the upper side surface  42 U of the base housing  42  in the second housing  41 . Further, the first end surface  21 A in the first housing  21  and the second end surface  43 B of the protruding housing  43  in the second housing  41  face and are in contact with each other. Thus, in the first use state, the CPAP device  10  has an elongated thin rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole. Note that, in the present embodiment, in the first use state in which the base unit  40  is used to use the CPAP device  10 , the protruding housing  43  is used in a direction in which the protruding housing  43  is positioned on an upper side in the vertical direction of the base housing  42 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in the first use state, the first introduction port  23  of the first housing  21  is connected to the second lead-out port  47  of the second housing  41 , and the upstream end of the main flow path  32  of the main body unit  20  is connected to the downstream end of the upstream side flow path  53  of the base unit  40  with these first introduction port  23  and second lead-out port  47  interposed therebetween. In addition, the first lead-out portion  25  of the first housing  21  is inserted into the third introduction hole  48  of the second housing  41 , and the downstream end of the main flow path  32  of the main body unit  20  is connected to an upstream end of the downstream side flow path  54  of the base unit  40  with these first lead-out portion  25  and third introduction hole  48  interposed therebetween. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , in the first use state, a first end portion of an air tube  91  is connected to the third lead-out portion  50  of the base unit  40 , and a second end portion of the air tube  91  is connected to a mask  92 . The mask  92  is worn, for example, so as to cover a nose or mouth of a user  93 . 
     In the first use state of the CPAP device  10 , when the operation unit  22  of the main body unit  20  is operated and the power supply of the main body unit  20  is turned on, the blower  31  is driven. Here, due to the protrusion  45  provided on the upper side surface  42 U of the base housing  42  of the base unit  40 , a gap is generated between the lower side surface  21 D of the first housing  21  and the second introduction port  46 . Thus, air is pulled inside the CPAP device  10  from this gap through the second introduction port  46 . The air pulled inside the CPAP device  10  flows into the humidifier  70  housed in the second housing  41 , through the upstream side flow path  53  of the second housing  41 , the main flow path  32  of the first housing  21 , and the downstream side flow path  54  of the second housing  41 . Further, water in the tank  72  is vaporized by being heated by the heater  71 . Thus, air flowing into the tank  72  is discharged outside from the third lead-out portion  50  of the second housing  41  together with a water vapor in the tank  72 . Thereby, humidified air is fed through the air tube  91  and the mask  92  into a respiratory tract of the user  93 . 
     Next, the CPAP device in the second use state will be described. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , in the second use state, the main body unit  20  is not loaded into the base unit  40 , that is, the CPAP device  10  is used only with the main unit  20 . In this case, the first end portion of the air tube  91  is connected to the first lead-out portion  25  of the main body unit  20 , and the second end portion of the air tube  91  is connected to the mask  92 . The mask  92  is worn, for example, so as to cover the nose or mouth of the user  93 . In the present embodiment, the humidifier  70  does not function in the second use state. 
     Next, effects of the humidifier  70  in the above first embodiment will be described. 
     (1) When the CPAP device  10  is used in the first use state, and the user  93  turns over, or the like, for example, the CPAP device  10  is pulled via the air tube  91 , and the CPAP device  10  is inclined. Then, the tank  72  in the CPAP device  10  is also inclined, and a water surface of water stored in the water storage space WS of the tank  72  is also inclined with respect to the tank  72 . 
     Here, it is assumed that the partition wall  74  is not provided, and water is stored in an entirety of the internal space of the tank  72 . When the water surface in the tank  72  reaches the first tank hole  77  due to the inclination of the CPAP device  10  as a whole, the water leaks to the third introduction hole  48  via the first O-ring  78 . Then, there is a possibility that the leaked water flows into the main flow path  32  of the main body unit  20  and reaches the blower  31 . 
     Further, when the tank  72  is in a state of being inclined and housed, and the water surface in the tank  72  reaches the first tank hole  77 , the water leaks to a space between the tank  72  and the second housing  41 . Then, there is a possibility that the leaked water reaches the heater  71  and exerts an adverse effect on the heater  71 . 
     In this regard, according to the first embodiment, the internal space of the tank  72  is partitioned into the water storage space WS and the trap space TS by the partition wall  74 . Thus, in order to reach the first tank hole  77 , water stored in the water storage space WS is to pass through the trap space TS. Since water can be stored in this trap space TS, even when water stored in the water storage space WS flows out from the water storage space WS, it is possible to suppress direct leakage from the first tank hole  77 . 
     (2) According to the first embodiment, the sponge  76  functioning as a water absorbing member is housed in the trap space TS. As described above, when water stored in the water storage space WS flows into the trap space TS via the partition wall hole  79 , the sponge  76  absorbs the water. Thus, the water trapped is easily held in the trap space TS, and leakage from the tank  72  via the trap space TS and the first tank hole  77  can be suppressed. 
     (3) According to the above first embodiment, the first tank hole  77  opens toward the second end side in the length direction Ld. Further, the partition wall hole  79  opens toward the first end side in the length direction Ld. That is, the first tank hole  77  and the partition wall hole  79  open in opposite directions, when viewed from the inside of the tank  72 . Then, as described above, water stored in the water storage space WS needs to pass through the trap space TS in order to leak out from the first tank hole  77 . Thus, the water stored in the water storage space WS does not leak from the first tank hole  77 , unless the second housing  41  housing the tank  72  is inclined such that the first end side in the length direction Ld goes to a lower side, and subsequently the second housing  41  is inclined such that the second end side in the length direction Ld goes to the lower side. As described above, unless a rare situation in which the second housing  41  is inclined in different directions occurs, water does not leak from the first tank hole  77  of the tank  72 . 
     (4) According to the first embodiment, the partition wall  74  and the upper wall  73 C can be attached to and detached from the bottom wall  73 A and the side wall  73 B. Thus, it is possible to replace the partition wall  74  and the upper wall  73 C, or to remove and clean the partition wall  74  and the upper wall  73 C. Further, by removing the partition wall  74  and the upper wall  73 C, the sponge  76  can be easily removed. 
     (5) According to the first embodiment, the partition wall  74  is the integrally molded product with the upper wall  73 C. With this configuration, the tank  72  can be assembled, by simply mounting the partition wall  74  and the upper wall  73 C, which form one component, to the bottom wall  73 A and the side wall  73 B. 
     (6) Since the upper wall  73 C and the partition wall  74  are made as the integrally molded product, and are configured to able to be attached to and detached from the bottom wall  73 A and the side wall  73 B, a configuration in which air does not leak from between the upper wall  73 C and the side wall  73 B is required. According to the above first embodiment, the seal member  73 E that seals between the upper wall  73 C and the side wall  73 B is mounted between the upper wall  73 C and the side wall  73 B. Thus, a configuration in which air does not leak from the trap space TS is realized with a relatively simple configuration. 
     (7) According to the above first embodiment, in the first use state, the air tube  91  is mounted to the third lead-out portion  50  of the lid  44 . By opening and closing the lid  44 , the tank  72  can be taken out from the attachment/detachment port  43 K. At this time, the air tube  91  can be kept mounted to the lid  44 . Thus, without removing the air tube  91 , the tank  72  can be attached and detached, and water can be supplied into the tank  72 . 
     (8) According to the first embodiment, the heater  71  is arranged below the water storage space WS. Water stored in the water storage space WS is positioned on a lower side in the vertical direction in accordance with gravity. Thus, when the heater  71  is arranged below the water storage space, the heater  71  is close to the water, thus the water stored in the water storage space WS is easily heated. Further, since the material for the heater contact portion  73 D of the bottom wall  73 A of the tank  72  facing the heater  71  is metal, heat of the heater  71  can be efficiently transferred to the water stored in the water storage space WS. 
     (9) According to the above first embodiment, the material for the partition wall  74  is resin, and the material for the heater contact portion  73 D is metal. That is, the material for the partition wall  74  is a material having lower heat conductivity than that of the material for the bottom wall  73 A including the heater contact portion  73 D. Thus, heat of water stored in the water storage space WS is less likely to be absorbed by the partition wall  74 . As a result, heating efficiency of the humidifier  70  as a whole is improved. 
     (10) According to the above first embodiment, the trap space TS surrounds an entire periphery of the water storage space from an outside, when viewed from above. When water stored in the water storage space WS is heated, heat of the water storage space WS is released to a circumference, however, since the trap space TS, which is a space as an air layer, increases heat insulating properties, it is easy to confine the heat in the water storage space WS. As a result, heating efficiency of the humidifier  70  as a whole is improved. Further, since the sponge  76  housed in the trap space TS has a relatively large space, it is difficult to inhibit the high heat insulating properties of the trap space TS. 
     Second Embodiment 
     Next, a second embodiment in which a humidifier is applied to a CPAP device will be described. Note that, in the following description of the second embodiment, a configuration similar to that of the first embodiment is assigned the same reference numeral, and a specific description thereof will be omitted or simplified. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , in a humidifier  170 , a partition wall  174  in a rectangular shape in plan view rises from the bottom wall  73 A toward the upper wall  73 C. The partition wall  174  is positioned closer to a first end side in the length direction Ld than the heater contact portion  73 D in the length direction Ld. A dimension in the width direction Wd of the partition wall  174  is a distance between a surface on a first end side and a surface on a second end side of the side wall  73 B in the width direction Wd. Then, a dimension in the height direction Td of the partition wall  174  is a distance in the height direction Td from the bottom wall  73 A to the upper wall  73 C. As a result, an internal space of the tank  72  is partitioned by the partition wall  174  into the trap space TS on the first end side, and the water storage space WS on the second end side in the length direction Ld. Note that, the partition wall  174  is an integrally molded product with the bottom wall  73 A and the side wall  73 B. Further, the upper wall  73 C can be attached to and detached from the side wall  73 B and the partition wall  174 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , in addition to the partition wall hole  79 , a through-hole  186  in a circular shape in plan view serving as a communication hole opens in the partition wall  174 . Additionally, a pipe  185  in a cylindrical shape extends from the through-hole  186  to the first tank hole  77 . 
     Next, an action of the humidifier  170  in the second embodiment will be described. 
     In a first use state of the CPAP device  10 , air flowing from the third introduction hole  48  passes through the pipe  185  via the first tank hole  77 , and flows from the through-hole  186  into the trap space TS. Then, the air passes through the partition wall hole  79  from the trap space TS, is humidified in the water storage space WS, and is led out from the third lead-out portion  50 . 
     Next, effects of the humidifier  170  in the above second embodiment will be described. According to the above second embodiment, in addition to the effects (1), (3), (7) to (9) of the above first embodiment, the following effects are exhibited. 
     (11) According to the above second embodiment, in order to leak from the first tank hole  77 , water stored in the water storage space WS needs to pass through the trap space TS arranged between the water storage space WS and the first tank hole  77 , and an internal space of the pipe  185 . In the above second embodiment, the pipe  185  allows the trap space TS to be arranged on the first end side in the length direction Ld of the water storage space WS. Thus, even when the trap space TS does not cause the water storage space WS and an external space of the first tank hole  77  to directly communicate with each other, it is possible to realize a configuration in which the first tank hole  77  and the partition wall hole  79  open in opposite directions. 
     Each of the above embodiments can be modified and implemented as follows. Each embodiment, and modifications described below can be combined and implemented within a range where technical inconsistency does not occur. 
     In each of the above embodiments, the humidifier is not limited to be applied to the CPAP device  10 . For example, the humidifier may be applied to a respirator, or the humidifier may be used alone. 
     In each of the above embodiments, the configuration of the base unit  40  is not limited to the example of each of the above embodiments. For example, the second silencer  51  need not be provided. 
     In each of the above embodiments, the CPAP device  10  need not be used in the second use state. That is, the CPAP device  10  may be used only in the first use state, and used with the blower  31  constantly fixed to the base unit  40 . 
     In each of the above embodiments, the position of the blower  31  is not limited to the example of each of the above embodiments. For example, a suction unit provided with a blower that sends air to the user  93  may be mounted to the third lead-out portion  50 , and the air tube  91  may be mounted to the suction unit. In this case, the blower provided in the suction unit pulls air in the humidifier and sends humidified air to the air tube  91 . 
     In each of the above embodiments, the shape of each of the first housing  21  and the second housing  41  is not limited to the example of each of the embodiments described above. For example, the second housing  41  functioning as a humidifier body may have any shape as long as the tank  72  is attachable to and detachable from the second housing  41 , and for example, the tank  72  may be configured to be attachable to and detachable from the second housing  41 , by providing a protrusion on an outer surface of the second housing  41 , and inserting the protrusion into the tank  72 . In this case, the housing space S need not be defined in the second housing  41 , and the lid  44  may be omitted. 
     In each of the above embodiments, the shape of the tank  72  is not limited to the example of each of the above embodiments as long as water can be stored with the shape. For example, the shape may be a cylindrical box shape or a polygonal box shape. 
     In each of the above embodiments, the shape of the upper wall is not limited to the example of each of the above embodiments. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , an upper wall  273 C opens an entire upper side in the height direction Td of the water storage space WS, and seals the trap space TS. Specifically, when viewed from the height direction Td, an annular shape is provided that opens at a position of the water storage space WS, and covers a position of the trap space TS. That is, the shape of the upper wall may be changed as appropriate as long as the trap space TS is sealed. 
     In the above first embodiment, the configuration of the connection portion between the upper wall  73 C and the side wall  73 B is not limited to the example of each of the embodiments described above. As long as the trap space TS is sealed, the configuration of the seal member  73 E may be omitted. 
     In each of the above embodiments, the portion where the partition wall is mounted is not limited to the example of each of the embodiments described above. For example, in the first embodiment, the lower end of the partition wall  74  may be inclined with respect to the height direction Td from the side wall  73 B, and rise upward as a whole. 
     In each of the above embodiments, the manner in which the heater  71  is mounted to the bottom is not limited to the example of each of the above embodiments. For example, the heater  71  may be mounted to the inside of the bottom wall  73 A, or may be mounted to a lower side in the height direction Td of the bottom wall  73 A. 
     In each of the above embodiments, the humidification promoting mechanism is not limited to the heater  71  that heats the tank  72 . For example, an ultrasonic generator may be provided as the humidification promoting mechanism. In this case, the ultrasonic generator does not necessarily have to be in contact with the tank  72 , and when the ultrasonic generator is installed such that a distance from the ultrasonic generator to water in the tank  72  becomes a desired value, the water in the tank  72  can be efficiently atomized by ultrasonic waves, and vaporization can be promoted. 
     In each of the above embodiments, the position of the humidification promoting mechanism is not limited to the example of each of the above embodiments. The heater  71  may be arranged away from the bottom wall  73 A of the tank  72 , or may be arranged on the side wall  73 B. 
     In each of the above embodiments, the sponge  76  functions as the water absorbing member, but the configuration of the water absorbing member is not limited to the example in each of the above embodiments. For example, a water-absorbing polymer as the water absorbing member may be housed in the trap space TS, or the water absorbing member may be housed only in a part of the trap space TS. 
     In each of the above embodiments, the opening direction of the first tank hole  77  and the partition wall hole  79  when viewed from the inside of the tank body  73  is not limited to the example of each of the above embodiments. For example, in the first embodiment, the partition wall hole  79  may be arranged in a portion of the side wall  73 B that is perpendicular to the width direction Wd, and the partition wall hole  79  may open to the first end side in the width direction Wd when viewed from the inside of the tank body  73 . Even in this case, the first tank hole  77  and the partition wall hole  79  open in different directions, when viewed from the inside of the tank body  73 . Further, when viewed from the inside of the tank body  73 , the respective opening directions of the first tank hole  77  and the partition wall hole  79  may be the same. 
     In each of the above embodiments, the partition wall hole for causing the water storage space WS and the trap space TS to communicate with each other can be omitted. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 13 , a partition wall  374  may rise from the bottom wall  73 A toward the upper wall  73 C, and an upper end of the partition wall  374  may be positioned below the upper wall  73 C. In this case, the water storage space WS communicates with the trap space TS through an opening  379  between the upper end of the partition wall  374  and the upper wall  73 C. 
     In each of the above embodiments, the material for the tank body  73  is not limited to the example of each of the above embodiments. For example, in the first embodiment, the bottom wall  73 A and the side wall  73 B may be configured as an integrally molded product made of metal, and the upper wall  73 C and the partition wall  74  may be configured as an integrally molded product made of resin. In this case, the bottom wall  73 A and the side wall  73 B can be easily manufactured. Further, an entirety of the tank body  73  may be made of the same material. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
         
           
               10  CPAP DEVICE 
               20  MAIN BODY UNIT 
               21  FIRST HOUSING 
               21 A FIRST END SURFACE 
               21 B DENT PORTION 
               21 C DENT SURFACE 
               21 D LOWER SIDE SURFACE 
               21 U UPPER SIDE SURFACE 
               22  OPERATION UNIT 
               22 A SWITCH 
               22 B SWITCH 
               23  FIRST INTRODUCTION PORT 
               24  FILTER 
               25  FIRST LEAD-OUT PORTION 
               27  FIRST CONNECTOR 
               31  BLOWER 
               32  MAIN FLOW PATH 
               33  FIRST SILENCER 
               34  PRESSURE SENSOR 
               35  FLOW RATE SENSOR 
               36  TEMPERATURE SENSOR 
               37  FIRST CONTROL UNIT 
               38  BATTERY 
               40  BASE UNIT 
               41  SECOND HOUSING 
               42  BASE HOUSING 
               42 U UPPER SIDE SURFACE 
               43  PROTRUDING HOUSING 
               43 B SECOND END SURFACE 
               43 H FIRST FITTING PORTION 
               43 K ATTACHMENT/DETACHMENT PORT 
               44  LID 
               45  PROTRUSION 
               46  SECOND INTRODUCTION PORT 
               47  SECOND LEAD-OUT PORT 
               48  THIRD INTRODUCTION HOLE 
               49  SECOND CONNECTOR 
               50  THIRD LEAD-OUT PORTION 
               50 A LID HOLE 
               51  SECOND SILENCER 
               53  UPSTREAM SIDE FLOW PATH 
               54  DOWNSTREAM SIDE FLOW PATH 
               56  SECOND CONTROL UNIT 
               60  SEALING MEMBER 
               61  FIXING PORTION 
               62  PROTRUDING PORTION 
               70  HUMIDIFIER 
               71  HEATER 
               72  TANK 
               73  TANK BODY 
               73 A BOTTOM WALL 
               73 B SIDE WALL 
               73 C UPPER WALL 
               73 D HEATER CONTACT PORTION 
               73 E SEAL MEMBER 
               74  PARTITION WALL 
               75  RECESSED PORTION 
               76  SPONGE 
               77  FIRST TANK HOLE 
               78  FIRST O-RING 
               79  PARTITION WALL HOLE 
               80  SECOND TANK HOLE 
               81  SECOND O-RING 
               97  AIR TUBE 
               92  MASK 
               93  USER 
               185  PIPE 
               186  THROUGH-HOLE 
               379  OPENING 
             S HOUSING SPACE 
             TS TRAP SPACE 
             WS WATER STORAGE SPACE