Patent Description:
An air purifier is a device that forcibly inhales and purifies contaminated external air, and then discharges purified filtered air to the outside. Recently, in order to increase the utilization of air purifiers, air purifiers, to which additional other functions are added in addition to the air purifying function, have been introduced. An example of this is a humidified air purifier to which a humidifying function is added.

The humidified air purifier needs management such as washing the water tank and the like to perform the humidifying function. For this purpose, the water tank is generally provided in a detachable form.

If the humidified air purifier provides a structure in which the water tank can be detached, there is a possibility that in the process of removing and remounting a water tank during use, the user may place it slightly out of position from the normal installation position in the housing. If the water tank is positioned incorrectly, the fastening between the water tank and the water container may not be properly performed, and the performance of the humidifying function may become impossible. Although the inability of the humidifying function can be easily resolved by correcting the position of the water tank, if the user recognizes it as a malfunction, it may lead to unnecessary repair requests and unfair image degradation of the product, and thus, improvement is required.

Meanwhile, conventional humidified air purifiers generally have a structure in which a water tank, a water container, and the like are detached in the lateral direction of the air purifier. For example, "the humidified air purifier" of <CIT>has a structure in which the water tank <NUM> is detached through the side surface of the main body <NUM> of the air purifier. In addition, "the humidified air purifier" of <CIT> discloses a structure in which the water tank <NUM> is detachable in the direction of one side surface of the frame <NUM>. When the air purifier is placed and used indoors, it is often difficult to secure a space for detaching a water tank from the side surface thereof due to other furniture, interiors, walls, and the like. Therefore, according to these structures, in some cases, there is inconvenience in that the air purifier must be moved from the installation position in order to detach the water tank <NUM>.

<CIT> discloses a humidifier that minimizes the contamination of a humidification filter and the growth of bacteria by rapidly vaporizing water remaining in the humidification filter. The humidifier comprises a humidification filter, a water supply unit, a ventilation fan, and a controller. The humidification filter is installed to be not dipped in the water. The controller controls the operation of the water supply unit and the ventilation fan.

<CIT> discloses a dehumidifier providing a chassis, a mainframe, a water receiving tank and a water tank. The dehumidifier further includes a water receiving container and a sliding bracket, wherein the water receiving container is arranged on the sliding bracket, the sliding bracket is in slide connection with the mainframe, and an elastic element is arranged between the sliding bracket and the mainframe. When the water tank is taken off from the dehumidifier, the sliding bracket is driven by the elastic element, in order to drive the water receiving container to move to a position below the drainage nozzle.

<CIT> discloses a humidification device to improve the amount of humidification by using a humidification filter mounting and sensing part as a safety device. The humidification device comprises a water tank, a water supply part, and a humidification filter mounting and sensing part. The water tank is installed inside a housing. The water supply part is placed in the water tank and supplies water to the inside the water tank. The humidification filter mounting and sensing part is installed in the water tank to touch a humidification filter and the water supply unit.

In order to solve the above problems, the air purifier according to the present invention, which is capable of detaching a water tank, aims to prevent incorrect mounting of a water tank, by moving the water tank to the correction position by a guide unit which is pressed by a water container in the process of mounting the water container on the water tank, even when the water tank is displaced and positioned away from the installation position.

Even when a water tank is displaced and positioned away from the installation position, the air purifier according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention aims to prevent incorrect mounting of a water tank more effectively, because a guide unit that is pressed by a water container in the process of mounting the water container on the water tank to allow the water tank to move to the correct position is doubly configured.

The air purifier according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention aims to improve user convenience through a structure in which a water tank can be detached from the front and a water container can be detached from the top.

In order to solve the above problems, the air purifier according to the present invention includes a housing; an air blowing unit for providing an air blowing force such that external air is introduced into the housing; a filter unit disposed inside the housing to filter the external air introduced into the housing to make filtered air; and a humidifying unit disposed inside the housing to humidify the filtered air passing through the filter unit, wherein the humidifying unit includes a water tank in which a mounting portion is formed, a humidifying member mounted on one side of the mounting portion to receive water from the water tank and supply moisture to the filtered air, and a water container mounted on the other side of the mounting portion to supply water to the water tank, wherein the water tank is formed detachably from an installation position inside the housing to the outside of the housing, and further includes a guide unit protruding upwardly around the other side of the mounting portion on which the water container is mounted, wherein the guide unit is pressed by the water container when the water container enters around the mounting portion while the water tank is deviated from the installation position by a predetermined range and is disposed inside the housing, and wherein the water tank is moved in the direction of the installation position by a pressing force provided by the guide unit, when the guide unit is pressed by the water container.

In the air purifier according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the water tank is formed detachably from the installation position to the front of the housing, wherein the guide unit is pressed by the water container when the water container enters around the mounting portion while the water tank is deviated from the installation position to the front of the housing by a predetermined range and is disposed inside the housing, and wherein the water tank is moved to the rear by the pressing force.

In the air purifier according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the housing is provided with a water container insertion port on the upper surface, and the water container enters the mounting portion in a downward direction through the water container insertion port.

In the air purifier according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the guide unit includes a first guide member formed of a wall extending forward from the rear sidewall of the water tank.

In the air purifier according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first guide member is provided with an inclined portion inclined upward from the front end to the rear side on the upper surface.

In the air purifier according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the guide unit includes a second guide member provided around the mounting portion, wherein the second guide member includes at an upper end a head portion pressed by the water container when the water container enters around the mounting portion while the water tank is deviated from the installation position by a predetermined range and is disposed inside the housing, and wherein the second guide member opens a flow path between the water container and the water tank in a pressed state to supply water in the water container to the water tank, and is formed by a flow path switch that closes the flow path between the water container and the water tank in an unpressed state.

In the air purifier according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the water tank is formed detachably from the installation position to the front of the housing, wherein the head portion of the second guide member is pressed by the water container when the water container enters around the mounting portion while the water tank is deviated from the installation position to the front of the housing by a predetermined range and is disposed inside the housing, and wherein the water tank is moved to the rear by the pressing force.

In the air purifier according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the head portion of the second guide member is provided with an inclined portion formed to be inclined downwardly from the inside outwardly toward the mounting portion.

In the air purifier according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the head portion of the second guide member is disposed at the rear of the mounting portion on which the water tank is mounted.

In the air purifier according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a groove or protrusion is formed at a predetermined position on inner surfaces of one sidewall and the other sidewall of the housing forming the installation position, and wherein a protrusion inserted into the groove or a groove inserted into the protrusion at the installation position is formed on the outer surfaces of one sidewall and the other sidewall of the water tank.

According to the above configurations, the air purifier according to the present invention, which is capable of detaching a water tank, provides an effect of preventing incorrect mounting of a water tank, by moving the water tank to the correction position by a guide unit which is pressed by a water container in the process of mounting the water container on the water tank, even when the water tank is displaced and positioned away from the installation position.

Even when a water tank is displaced and positioned away from the installation position, the air purifier according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides an effect of preventing incorrect mounting of a water tank more effectively, because a guide unit that is pressed by a water container in the process of mounting the water container on the water tank to allow the water tank to move to the correct position is doubly configured.

The air purifier according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides an effect of improving user convenience through a structure in which a water tank can be detached from the front and a water container can be detached from the top.

Words and terms used in the present specification and claims are not limited and interpreted to the conventional or dictionary meanings, and in accordance with the principle that the inventors may define terms and concepts in order to describe their invention in the best way, these should be interpreted as meanings and concepts consistent with the technical teaching of the present invention.

Since the exemplary embodiment described in the present specification and the configuration illustrated in the drawings correspond to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention but do not limit the present invention to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the corresponding configuration may have various equivalents and modifications to replace the same at the time of filing of the present invention.

In the present specification, terms such as "include" or "have" are intended to describe the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or a combination thereof described in the specification, but it is to be understood that it does not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or a combination thereof.

That a component is at the "front", "rear", "above", or "below" of another component not only includes cases where, unless otherwise specified, it is in direct contact with another component and is disposed at the "front", "rear", "above", or "below", but also cases where other components are placed in the middle. In addition, that a component is "connected" with another component includes cases where, unless otherwise specified, it is in direct contact with each other, but also cases where it is indirectly connected to each other.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an air purifier according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of an air purifier according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In addition, <FIG> is an illustration of an air purifier according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which the lower portion is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the central portion, and the upper portion is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' of <FIG> while the body portion of the water container is removed.

In the air purifier <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a humidifying unit <NUM> is disposed above the filter unit <NUM>. Accordingly, the air purifier <NUM> may perform a function as a humidifier in addition to purifying air. More specifically, the external air A1 is introduced into an intake port <NUM> formed in the lower front portion of a housing <NUM> of the air purifier <NUM> and is filtered by a filter unit <NUM>. Then, it is discharged as filtered air A2 through a first discharge port <NUM> formed on the upper portion of the housing <NUM> without passing through a humidifying unit <NUM> according to the flow path setting within the air purifier <NUM>, or it is discharged as filtered humidified air A3 through the humidifying unit <NUM> after filtration and through a second discharge port <NUM> formed in the upper front portion of the housing.

Referring to <FIG>, the air purifier <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is configured to include a housing <NUM>, an air blowing unit <NUM>, a filter unit <NUM>, a humidifying unit <NUM>, a guide unit <NUM>, and a flow path setting unit <NUM>.

Hereinafter, each configuration of the air purifier <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

The housing <NUM> forms the outer shape of the air purifier <NUM>. The housing <NUM> provides a space in which the air blowing unit <NUM>, the filter unit <NUM>, the humidifying unit <NUM>, the guide unit <NUM>, and the flow path setting unit <NUM> may be disposed. In addition, on the outer surface of the housing <NUM>, an intake port <NUM> through which external air A1 is introduced, a first discharge port <NUM> through which filtered air A2 is discharged, a second discharge port <NUM> through which filtered humidified air A3 is discharged, a water container insertion port <NUM> for insertion of a water container <NUM>, which will be described later, and the like are formed.

The housing <NUM> may include a housing main body <NUM> and a front cover <NUM>. The housing main body <NUM> may be formed in an open front surface to provide a space in which the air blowing unit <NUM>, the filter unit <NUM>, the humidifying unit <NUM>, the guide unit <NUM>, and the flow path setting unit <NUM> are arranged. In addition, the front cover <NUM> is disposed to cover the front surface of the housing main body <NUM>.

The first discharge port <NUM> and the water container insertion port <NUM> are formed on the upper surface of the housing main body <NUM>. In this way, when the water container insertion port <NUM> is provided on the upper surface of the housing <NUM>, the water container <NUM> of the humidifying unit <NUM> may enter in a downward direction through the water container insertion port <NUM> and be mounted in the water tank <NUM> of the humidifying unit <NUM>. On the contrary, it may be withdrawn in an upward direction of the air purifier <NUM> when it is separated from the water tank <NUM>.

In addition, an intake port <NUM> for inflow of external air A1 is formed in the lower portion of the front cover <NUM>, and a second discharge port <NUM> is formed in the upper portion of the front cover <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first discharge port <NUM> is formed in a grill shape, and the intake port <NUM> and the second discharge port <NUM> are formed by a plurality of through holes formed by penetrating through the front cover <NUM>.

Meanwhile, both sides of the front cover <NUM> are formed to extend in the rear (on the side of the housing main body <NUM> in the drawing), and include a recessed portion <NUM> which is formed to be recessed forwardly in the upper portion thereof. The recessed portion <NUM> prevents noise from being generated by receiving excessive flow path resistance from the filtered humidified air A3 that is discharged from the second discharge port <NUM>, and by providing a passage through which some filtered humidified air A3 may be discharged, it may reduce noise in the process of using the air purifier <NUM>.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the housing <NUM> forms a square cylindrical shape in a state in which the housing main body <NUM> and the front cover <NUM> are coupled. Certainly, the shape of the housing <NUM> is not limited thereto, and may have other shapes. In addition, the positions and shapes of the intake port <NUM>, the first discharge port <NUM>, and the second discharge port <NUM> may also be changed as necessary. For example, the intake port <NUM> may be formed on a plurality of surfaces of the front, rear, left, and right sides of the housing <NUM> so as to inhale air in various directions, and the locations, shapes, and the like of the first discharge port <NUM> and the second discharge port <NUM> may also be changed as needed.

The air blowing unit <NUM> provides an air blowing force such that external air A1 is introduced into the housing <NUM>. In addition, the air blowing unit <NUM> provides a flow force such that the air filtered inside the housing <NUM> may be discharged to the outside. More specifically, the air blowing unit <NUM> provides an air blowing force such that after the external air A1 introduced into the intake port <NUM> passes through a filter member <NUM> of the filter unit <NUM> and becomes filtered air A2, it flows toward the first discharge port or the second discharge port. Specifically, the air blowing unit <NUM> may be configured to include a motor, an impeller, and the like.

The air blowing unit <NUM> is disposed behind the filter unit <NUM> at the lower side inside the housing <NUM>. Certainly, the location and shape of the air blowing unit <NUM> are not limited thereto, and may be changed depending on design needs.

The filter unit <NUM> is disposed on the lower side inside the housing <NUM>, and filters external air A1 to make filtered air A2. The filter unit <NUM> includes a filter member <NUM> through which the external air A1 passes through and is filtered. In addition, a pre-filter <NUM> may be disposed between the front of the filter member <NUM> and the rear of the front cover <NUM> with a plurality of inlet holes 32a through which the external air A1 passes through.

The filter member <NUM> may be made of a dust collecting filter such as an ultra-low penetration air (ULPA) filter, a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, and a medium filter that collects and filters fine particulate matters of <NUM> to <NUM> or particulate matters of <NUM> or more contained in the air, or a functional filter that filters bacteria or microorganisms contained in the inhaled air.

Meanwhile, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the pre-filter <NUM> is formed in a square lattice shape. However, this is an example, and the pre-filter <NUM> is not limited thereto and may be formed in various shapes depending on dust collection efficiency.

The humidifying unit <NUM> humidifies the filtered air A2 that has passed through the filter unit <NUM>. In the air purifier <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the humidifying unit <NUM> is disposed on the upper side of the filter unit <NUM>. When a flow path is formed to perform humidification after filtration, the filtered air A2 filtered through the filter member <NUM> of the filter unit <NUM> flows to the humidifying unit <NUM>, and the humidifying unit <NUM> forms filtered humidified air A3 by supplying moisture to the filtered air A2.

Referring to <FIG>, the humidifying unit <NUM> of the air purifier <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is configured to include a water tank <NUM>, a humidifying member <NUM>, and a water container <NUM>.

The water tank <NUM> includes mounting portions <NUM> and <NUM> formed in a container shape with an open top. The mounting portions <NUM> and <NUM> may include a first mounting portion <NUM> on which a humidifying member <NUM> is mounted, and a second mounting portion <NUM> on which a water container <NUM> for supplying water, which is to be supplied to the humidifying member <NUM>, to the water tank <NUM> is mounted. The first mounting portion <NUM> and the second mounting portion <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to each other. Specifically, the first mounting portion <NUM> may be formed on one side of the water tank <NUM>, and the second mounting portion <NUM> may be formed on the other side of the water tank <NUM> adjacent to the first mounting portion <NUM>.

In addition, the water tank <NUM> is formed detachably from the installation position inside the housing <NUM> to the outside of the housing <NUM>. More specifically, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the water tank <NUM> is formed detachably to the front of the housing <NUM>. Accordingly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, even if the space is narrow due to the presence of other items on the side surface of the air purifier <NUM>, the user may easily perform detachment of the water tank <NUM>, because only the front cover <NUM> may be removed from the usage position of the air purifier <NUM> to detach the water tank <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the water tank <NUM> is provided with a water receiving portion <NUM> for storing water overflowed from the water tank <NUM>. The water receiving portion <NUM> prevents water inside the water tank <NUM> from overflowing when an external force is applied when the water tank <NUM> is detached or in the process of using the air purifier <NUM>. The water receiving portion <NUM> may be provided in the front of the water tank <NUM>. Specifically, the water receiving portion <NUM> may be provided to be connected to the front of the water tank <NUM> such that the front sidewalls 41a of the mounting portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the water tank <NUM> become the rear sidewall of the water receiving portion <NUM>.

The height of the front sidewall 413a of the water receiving portion <NUM> is formed to be equal to the height of the front sidewalls 41a of the mounting portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the water tank <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the height of the front sidewalls 41a of the mounting portions <NUM> and <NUM> is formed to be lower than both sides of the central portion, and accordingly, the height of the front sidewall 413a of the water receiving portion <NUM> is formed such that the central portion is lower than both sides. This structure makes it possible to maximize the capacity of the water receiving portion while minimizing flow resistance applied to the filtered humidified air A3 that has passed through the humidifying member <NUM>.

Meanwhile, as best shown in <FIG>, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a groove <NUM> may be formed at a predetermined position on the inner surfaces of one sidewall and the other sidewall of the housing <NUM> forming an installation position, and a protrusion <NUM>, which is formed to be inserted into the groove <NUM> at the installation position, may be formed on the outer surfaces of one sidewall and the other sidewall of the water tank <NUM>.

Through such a groove <NUM> and protrusion <NUM>, the user may easily determine whether the water tank <NUM> is properly positioned at the established installation position when the water tank <NUM> is inserted. Certainly, the groove <NUM> and the protrusion <NUM> may be formed opposite to each other. In other words, it is possible that a protrusion may be formed at a predetermined position on the inner surfaces of one sidewall and the other sidewall of the housing <NUM>, and a groove may be formed on the outer surfaces of one sidewall and the other sidewall of the water tank <NUM>.

The humidifying member <NUM> is mounted on the first mounting portion <NUM> to receive water from the water tank <NUM> and supply moisture to the filtered air A2. The humidifying member <NUM> uses water supplied to the first mounting portion <NUM> of the water tank <NUM> to perform humidification by evaporation (air-blowing type). In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the humidifying member <NUM> is installed in parallel with the front surface of the housing <NUM> at the rear of the second discharge port <NUM>.

The humidifying member <NUM> is disposed at the rear end of the air blowing unit <NUM> in the air flow path. When the humidifying member <NUM> is located at the front end of the air blowing unit <NUM> in the air flow path, the air having increased humidity passing through the humidifying member <NUM> passes through the air blowing unit <NUM>, and thus, there may be a problem that causes a breakdown in the air blowing unit <NUM>. When the flow path is formed in the humidification mode by the flow path setting unit <NUM> to be described below, the external air A1 introduced by the operation of the air blowing unit <NUM> becomes filtered air A2 through the filter member <NUM> of the filter unit <NUM>. Then, through the humidifying member <NUM>, it is discharged as filtered humidified air A3 through the second discharge port <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the filter unit <NUM> is disposed at the front end of the air blowing unit <NUM> on the air flow path, and the humidifying member <NUM> is disposed at the rear end of the air blowing unit <NUM>. Thus, when only the air purifying function is performed according to the flow path setting of the flow path setting unit <NUM>, the air filtered by the filter unit <NUM> is restricted from flowing to the humidifying member <NUM> such that air purifying efficiency may be increased. Accordingly, even if the impeller provided in the air blowing unit <NUM> is operated at a relatively low RPM and low power, a sufficient discharge amount may be secured, and noise may be reduced.

The humidifying member <NUM> may be configured to have a material or shape having excellent hygroscopicity so as to sufficiently absorb water accommodated in the water tank <NUM>. For example, the humidifying member <NUM> may have a structure that is immersed in water accommodated in the water tank <NUM>. However, the humidifying member <NUM> is not limited to the above-described structure, and if vaporization humidification is possible, various forms of known vaporization humidification structures such as a rotationally operated disk form and the like may be used.

The water container <NUM> is mounted on the second mounting portion <NUM> to supply water to the water tank <NUM>. The water supplied by the water container <NUM> is supplied to the first mounting portion <NUM> of the water tank <NUM> to immerse the humidifying member <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the water container <NUM> is configured to include a water container main body <NUM> for accommodating water for humidification, and a valve member <NUM> that is opened and closed to allow the discharge of water accommodated in the water container main body <NUM>.

The water container <NUM> has a structure that may be separated from the air purifier <NUM> such that water may be easily filled inside the water container main body <NUM>. In addition, the valve member <NUM> may be installed in a cap structure that is screwed to the inlet (inlet port) of the water container main body <NUM>.

The valve member <NUM> may be provided with an opening/closing portion 432a that is elastically supported by an elastic means (e.g., a spring), and may have a mechanical valve structure that maintains a closed state when the opening/closing portion 432a is not pressed and maintains an open state when the opening/closing portion 432a is pressed. Detailed contents related to the opening through the pressurization of the opening/closing portion 432a and the closing according to the release of the pressed state will be described below.

The guide unit <NUM> is formed to protrude upward around the second mounting portion <NUM> of the water tank <NUM> on which the water container <NUM> is mounted. The guide unit <NUM> is pressed by the water container <NUM> when the water container <NUM> enters around the second mounting portion <NUM> while the water tank <NUM> is deviated from the installation position in a predetermined range and is disposed inside the housing <NUM>. When the guide unit <NUM> is pressed by the water container <NUM>, the water tank <NUM> is moved in the direction of the installation position by the pressing force provided to the guide unit <NUM>.

When the front and rear directions of the air purifier <NUM> into which the water tank <NUM> is inserted are established as standard, the guide unit <NUM> may be formed at the rear of the second mounting portion <NUM>. Accordingly, when the water tank <NUM> is deviated from the normal installation position in a predetermined range forward and is incorrectly disposed inside the housing <NUM>, the water tank <NUM> is pressed by the water container <NUM> in contact with the guide unit <NUM> and may be moved to the correct position at the rear, when the water container <NUM> enters around the second mounting part <NUM>.

The guide unit <NUM> may include any one or more of a first guide member <NUM> and a second guide member <NUM>.

The first guide member <NUM> may be formed as a wall extending forward from the rear sidewalls 41b of the mounting portions <NUM> and <NUM>. Specifically, the first guide member <NUM> may be formed as a wall extending forward from the rear sidewall 41b of the second mounting portion <NUM> of the water tank <NUM>.

The first guide member <NUM> may include an inclined portion 51a inclined upward from the front end to the rear side on the upper surface. In this way, when the first guide member <NUM> includes an inclined portion 51a that is inclined upward from the front end to the rear side, a part of the valve member <NUM> of the water container <NUM> may descend along an inclined portion 51a and provide mobility effectively to the rear side of the water tank <NUM> in the process where the water container <NUM> enters the second mounting portion <NUM> of the water tank <NUM>.

The second guide member <NUM> may be provided around the second mounting portion <NUM> and open the flow path between the water container <NUM> and the water tank <NUM> in a pressed state to supply water in the water container <NUM> to the water tank <NUM>, and it may be formed as a flow path switch that closes the flow path between the water container <NUM> and the water tank <NUM> in an unpressed state. The second guide member <NUM> is provided with a head portion <NUM> at the upper end that is pressed by the water container, when the water container <NUM> enters around the second mounting part <NUM>, while the water tank <NUM> is deviated from the installation position by a predetermined range and is disposed inside the housing <NUM>. In this case, the head portion <NUM> of the second guide member <NUM> may be disposed at the rear of the second mounting portion <NUM> on which the water container <NUM> is mounted.

The head portion <NUM> of the second guide member <NUM> is pressed by the water container <NUM> when the water container <NUM> enters around the second mounting portion <NUM>, while the water tank <NUM> is deviated from the installation position in the front of the housing <NUM> by a predetermined range and is disposed inside the housing <NUM>, and the water tank <NUM> is moved to the rear by the pressing force.

The head portion <NUM> of the second guide member <NUM> may be provided with an inclined portion 521a which is formed to be inclined downward from the inside toward the second mounting portion <NUM>. In this way, when the head portion <NUM> of the second guide member <NUM> is provided with an inclined portion 521a which is inclined downward from the inside to the outside, a part of the valve member <NUM> of the water container <NUM> may descend along the inclined portion 521a and provide mobility effectively to the rear side of the water tank <NUM> in the process where the water container <NUM> enters the second mounting portion <NUM> of the water tank <NUM>.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the head portions <NUM> of the first guide member <NUM> and the second guide member <NUM> are disposed at the rear of the second mounting portion <NUM>, respectively, and may be disposed in parallel with each other. In this way, when the guide unit <NUM> is provided with both of the first guide member <NUM> and the second guide member <NUM>, the transfer of the pressing force by the water bottle <NUM> may be transferred to the water tank <NUM> more reliably and stably when the water tank <NUM> enters while the water tank <NUM> is incorrectly mounted, and as a result, the movement of the water tank <NUM> to the installation position may be secured more reliably.

<FIG> is a view showing a state in which a water tank is displaced and positioned away from an installation position in an air purifier according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> is a view showing a state in which a water tank is moved to an installation position by pressing a first guide member and a second guide member while a water container is mounted on the water tank in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, when the water tank <NUM> is inserted from the front of the air purifier <NUM>, it is incorrectly positioned because it is not sufficiently pushed to the correct position, and the first mounting portion <NUM> and the second mounting portion <NUM> are spaced apart at a predetermined interval forward from the rear normal position reference line P1 of the first mounting part <NUM> and the normal position reference line P2 of the second mounting part <NUM>.

In this state, if the water container <NUM> is mounted while the water tank <NUM> is not moved to the originally established installation position, the water container <NUM> may not be mounted in the correct position such that the humidification function may not be performed normally.

As shown in <FIG>, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the water container <NUM> enters in the lower direction through a water container insertion hole <NUM> formed on the upper surface of the housing <NUM>, the guide unit <NUM>, that is, the first guide member <NUM> and the second guide member <NUM> come into contact with the valve member <NUM> of the water container <NUM>. The first guide member <NUM> and the second guide member <NUM> of the guide unit <NUM> are pressed by the load of the water container <NUM> or the force by the pressing of the user, and accordingly, mobility (F) is transferred to the rear side of the water tank <NUM>. As a result, the water tank <NUM> moves to the rear and is placed in the correct position, and the water container <NUM> may be normally fastened to the second mounting portion <NUM>. Therefore, even if the water tank <NUM> is incorrectly fastened due to the user's carelessness, the proper position of the water tank <NUM> and the normal coupling of the water container <NUM> may be made when the water container <NUM> is mounted, and accordingly, the humidification function may be performed normally.

As described above, the second guide member <NUM> is provided around the second mounting portion <NUM>, and is formed as a flow path switch that opens the flow path between the water container <NUM> and the water tank <NUM> in a pressed state to supply water in the water container <NUM> to the water tank <NUM>, and closes the flow path between the water container <NUM> and the water tank <NUM> in an unpressed state. The configuration and function of the second guide member <NUM> as a flow path switch will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the second guide member <NUM> is exposed around the second mounting portion <NUM>, and a head portion <NUM>, which is formed to be pressed by the flow path setting unit <NUM>, which will be described below, in the humidification mode, is provided on one side, and a pressing portion <NUM>, which is disposed to press the opening/closing portion 432a of the valve member <NUM> when the head portion <NUM> is pressed, is provided on the other side. In addition, the guide unit <NUM> is provided with a body portion <NUM> which is disposed to connect between the head portion <NUM> and the pressing portion <NUM>, and is also provided with a rotation shaft portion <NUM> which is formed between the body portion <NUM> and the head portion <NUM> to rotate the second guide member <NUM> such that the pressing portion <NUM> presses the opening/closing portion 432a when the head portion <NUM> is pressed.

That is, in order to perform the function as a flow path switch, the second guide member <NUM> is configured such that when the head portion <NUM> is pressed, a seesaw movement is performed around the rotation shaft portion <NUM> to raise the pressing portion <NUM> to press the opening/closing portion 432a to open, and when the pressing of the head portion <NUM> is released, the pressing portion <NUM> is lowered by the self-weight of the second guide member <NUM> or the elastic force of an elastic member (not illustrated) to close the opening/closing portion 432a.

The flow path setting unit <NUM> is rotatably disposed in the air flow path inside the housing <NUM> to control the air flow to discharge ports <NUM> and <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the flow path setting unit <NUM> is configured to set a flow path such that the air filtered by passing through the filter unit <NUM> may be discharged through at least one of the first discharge port <NUM> and the second discharge port <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the flow path setting unit <NUM> is provided with a body portion <NUM> formed to cross the air flow path to open or close at least a portion of the air flow path, a rotation shaft portion <NUM> forming a rotational center of the body portion <NUM>, and a pressing portion <NUM> for pressing the head portion <NUM> of the guide unit <NUM> as the body portion <NUM> rotates around the rotation shaft portion <NUM>.

In addition, the flow path setting unit <NUM> may be configured to be rotated by a driving unit M made of a motor and the like. Accordingly, by controlling the driving unit M through the control unit C, the flow path setting unit <NUM> may be rotated.

Referring to <FIG>, the housing <NUM> is provided with an inner wall <NUM> defining an air flow path therein, and the second guide member <NUM> is located outside the inner wall <NUM>. In this case, the body portion <NUM> of the flow path setting part <NUM> is located on the air flow path inside the inner wall <NUM>, and the pressing portion <NUM> of the flow path setting unit <NUM> penetrates the inner wall <NUM> and is disposed outside the air flow path so as to press the head portion <NUM> of the second guide member <NUM>.

Hereinafter, operations of the air purifier <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a clean mode, a humidification mode, and a drying mode will be described with reference to <FIG>.

First, in the clean mode as illustrated in <FIG>, the flow path setting unit <NUM> is positioned in the vertical direction so as to flow filtered air A2 in the direction of the first discharge port <NUM> formed on the upper portion of the housing <NUM>. In this way, when the body portion <NUM> of the flow path setting part <NUM> is positioned in the vertical direction, the filtered air A2 blown from the air blowing unit <NUM> is induced to be discharged through the first discharge port <NUM> formed on the upper portion of the housing <NUM> due to the flow path resistance of the humidifying member <NUM>.

In this case, since the pressing portion <NUM> of the flow path setting unit <NUM> is spaced apart from the head portion <NUM> of the second guide member <NUM>, the pressing portion <NUM> of the second guide member <NUM> does not press the opening/closing portion 432a of the valve member <NUM>. Accordingly, the opening/closing portion 432a maintains a closed state, and water is not supplied from the water container <NUM> to the water tank <NUM>.

Next, in the humidification mode as illustrated in <FIG>, the flow path setting unit <NUM> is disposed to be inclined such that filtered air A2 rising from the lower portion of the housing <NUM> is guided toward the humidifying unit <NUM> to block air flow toward the first discharge port <NUM>.

In this case, the upper end of the body portion <NUM> of the flow path setting unit <NUM> is adjacent to the inner partition wall W partitioning the air flow path of the housing <NUM>, and the lower end is adjacent to the opposite side of the partition wall (W). Thus, the rise of air is blocked, and the flowing air is introduced into the humidifying unit <NUM> through a penetration hole WH formed in the partition wall W. Accordingly, the air blown by the air blowing unit <NUM> becomes filtered humidified air (A3) that is humidified through the humidifying member <NUM> of the humidifying unit <NUM> and discharged to the outside of the housing <NUM> through the second discharge port <NUM>.

In this case, since the pressing portion <NUM> of the flow path setting unit <NUM> contacts the head portion <NUM> of the second guide member <NUM> such that it becomes a state where the head portion <NUM> is pressed, the head portion <NUM> of the second guide member <NUM> moves in a downward direction based on the rotation shaft portion <NUM>, and the pressing portion <NUM> moves in an upward direction based on the rotation shaft portion <NUM>. Accordingly, the pressing portion <NUM> of the second guide member <NUM> presses the opening/closing portion 432a of the valve member <NUM> upward such that the opening/closing portion 432a moves upward. Accordingly, the opening/closing portion 432a is in an open state such that water is supplied from the water container <NUM> to the water tank <NUM>.

Meanwhile, as illustrated in <FIG>, the flow path setting unit <NUM> may have a third position (drying mode position) located between the clean mode position and the humidification mode position. In this case, drying of the humidifying member <NUM> and/or the water tank <NUM> may be performed.

Specifically, the upper end of the flow path setting unit <NUM> is slightly spaced from the partition wall (W) partitioning the air flow path, and the lower end is slightly spaced from the opposite side of the partition wall (W) such that some air flows upward, and some air is introduced into the humidifying unit <NUM> through the penetration hole WH formed in the partition wall W. Accordingly, the air passing through the humidifying member <NUM> may perform drying of the humidifying member <NUM>. In addition, the humidifying member <NUM> may have a structure capable of absorbing water accommodated in the water tank <NUM>, and in this case, the water accommodated in the water tank <NUM> may be dried according to the drying of the humidifying member <NUM>.

In addition, when the flow path setting unit <NUM> rotates from the humidification mode position to the drying mode, the contact between the pressing portion <NUM> of the flow path setting unit <NUM> and the head portion <NUM> of the second guide member <NUM> is released, and thus, the opening/closing portion 432a provided in the valve member <NUM> is in a closed state, and water supply from the water container <NUM> to the water tank <NUM> is blocked.

In this case, in order to increase drying efficiency, the position of the flow path setting unit <NUM> in the drying mode may be set to sufficiently secure the amount of air blown to the humidifying unit <NUM>. For example, the position of the flow path setting unit <NUM> in the drying mode may be configured to a slightly rotated degree from a humidification mode position so as to release the contact between the pressing portion <NUM> and the head portion <NUM> of the second guide member <NUM> such that the opening/closing portion 432a may be closed.

Claim 1:
An air purifier, comprising:
a housing (<NUM>);
an air blowing unit (<NUM>) for providing an air blowing force such that external air is introduced into the housing (<NUM>);
a filter unit (<NUM>) disposed inside the housing (<NUM>) to filter the external air introduced into the housing (<NUM>) to make filtered air; and
a humidifying unit (<NUM>) disposed inside the housing (<NUM>) to humidify the filtered air passing through the filter unit (<NUM>),
wherein the humidifying unit (<NUM>) comprises a water tank (<NUM>) in which a mounting portion is formed, a humidifying member (<NUM>) mounted on one side of the mounting portion to receive water from the water tank (<NUM>) and supply moisture to the filtered air, and a water container (<NUM>) mounted on the other side of the mounting portion to supply water to the water tank (<NUM>),
wherein the water tank (<NUM>) is formed detachably from an installation position inside the housing (<NUM>) to the outside of the housing (<NUM>), and further comprises a guide unit (<NUM>) protruding upwardly around the other side of the mounting portion on which the water container (<NUM>) is mounted,
characterized in that the guide unit (<NUM>) is pressed by the water container (<NUM>) when the water container (<NUM>) enters around the mounting portion while the water tank (<NUM>) is deviated from the installation position by a predetermined range and is disposed inside the housing (<NUM>), and
the water tank (<NUM>) is moved in the direction of the installation position by a pressing force provided by the guide unit (<NUM>), when the guide unit (<NUM>) is pressed by the water container (<NUM>).