Humidifying apparatus

Abstract

Humidifying apparatus includes a base housing an impeller and a motor for driving the impeller to generate a first air flow. A nozzle includes an interior passage for receiving the first air flow and an air outlet for emitting the first air flow. The nozzle defines an opening through which air from outside the apparatus is drawn by air emitted from the air outlet. The apparatus is configured to humidify a second air flow, which is emitted from a plurality of second air outlets. The second air flow is humidified with water supplied from a water tank mounted on the base. The water tank has an upwardly curved upper surface. The nozzle is mounted on the apparatus so that the upper surface of the water tank at least partially covers a lower section of an external surface of the nozzle.

Claims

1. A humidifying apparatus comprising: a base comprising an air flow generating device for generating a first air flow and an upper cylindrical section for conveying the first air flow to a nozzle; the nozzle comprising a first nozzle base comprising at least one first air inlet for receiving the first air flow, at least one first air outlet for emitting the first air flow, a second nozzle base comprising at least one second air inlet for receiving a second air flow, and at least one second air outlet for emitting the second air flow, the nozzle defining an opening through which air from outside the humidifying apparatus is drawn by air emitted from said at least one first air outlet, wherein the at least one first air outlet and the at least one second air outlet extend at least partially about the opening; a water tank comprising an outlet duct for conveying the second air flow to the at least one second air inlet; and a humidifying system for humidifying the second air flow, wherein the water tank is mounted on the base to form a body and the nozzle is mounted on the body such that the first nozzle base is inserted into the upper cylindrical section of the base and the second nozzle base is inserted into the outlet duct of the water tank.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the nozzle is removably mounted on the base.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the water tank comprises a lower surface locatable on the base, and wherein the lower surface comprises a water inlet of the water tank.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the water tank comprises at least one support for supporting the water tank on a work surface.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein a periphery of the upper surface of the water tank comprises said at least one support.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said at least one support comprises parallel supports located on opposite sides of the water tank.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising an air passageway for conveying the first air flow to the nozzle, and wherein the water tank comprises an inner wall which extends about the air passageway.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the base comprises a duct for conveying the first air flow to the nozzle, and wherein the inner wall of the water tank extends about the duct.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the humidifying system comprises a water reservoir for receiving water from the water tank and an atomizing device for atomizing water in the reservoir to humidify the second air flow, and wherein the base comprises the water reservoir and the atomizing device.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the nozzle comprises a first interior passage for conveying the first air flow to the at least one first air outlet and a second interior passage for conveying the second air flow air to the at least one second air outlet.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first interior passage is isolated from the second interior passage.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first interior passage surrounds the bore of the nozzle.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second interior passage surrounds the bore of the nozzle.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one first air outlet is arranged to emit the first air flow through at least a front part of the bore of the nozzle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(1) An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a front view of a humidifying apparatus;

(3) FIG. 2 is a side view of the humidifying apparatus;

(4) FIG. 3 is a rear view of the humidifying apparatus;

(5) FIG. 4(a) is a side sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 1, with the nozzle of the humidifying apparatus retained on the body, and FIG. 4(b) is a similar view to FIG. 4(a) but with the nozzle released from the body;

(6) FIG. 5(a) is a top sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5(b) is a close-up of area P indicated in FIG. 5(a);

(7) FIG. 6(a) is a perspective view, from above, of the base of the humidifying apparatus with an outer wall of the base partially removed, and FIG. 6(b) is a similar view to FIG. 6(a) following a partial rotation of the base;

(8) FIG. 7(a) is a perspective rear view, from above, of the water tank mounted on the base, with the handle in a deployed position, and FIG. 7(b) is a close-up of area R indicated in FIG. 7(a);

(9) FIG. 8 is a top sectional view taken along line D-D in FIG. 4(a);

(10) FIG. 9 is a sectional view take along line F-F in FIG. 8;

(11) FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view, from below, of the nozzle;

(12) FIG. 11 is a top sectional view taken along line E-E in FIG. 4(a);

(13) FIG. 12(a) is a front sectional view taken along line C-C in FIG. 2, with the nozzle of the humidifying apparatus retained on the body, and FIG. 12(b) is a similar view to FIG. 12(a) but with the nozzle released from the body;

(14) FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of a control system of the humidifying apparatus; and

(15) FIG. 14 is a flow diagram illustrating steps in the operation of the humidifying apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(16) FIGS. 1 to 3 are external views of a fan assembly. In this example, the fan assembly is in the form of a humidifying apparatus 10. In overview, the humidifying apparatus 10 comprises a body 12 comprising an air inlet through which air enters the humidifying apparatus 10, and a nozzle 14 in the form of an annular casing mounted on the body 12, and which comprises a plurality of air outlets for emitting air from the humidifying apparatus 10.

(17) The nozzle 14 is arranged to emit two different air flows. The nozzle 14 comprises a rear section 16 and a front section 18 connected to the rear section 16. Each section 16, 18 is annular in shape, and extends about a bore 20 of the nozzle 14. The bore 20 extends centrally through the nozzle 14 so that the centre of each section 16, 18 is located on the axis X of the bore 20.

(18) In this example, each section 16, 18 has a “racetrack” shape, in that each section 16, 18 comprises two, generally straight sections located on opposite sides of the bore 20, a curved upper section joining the upper ends of the straight sections and a curved lower section joining the lower ends of the straight sections. However, the sections 16, 18 may have any desired shape; for example the sections 16, 18 may be circular or oval. In this embodiment, the height of the nozzle 14 is greater than the width of the nozzle, but the nozzle 14 may be configured so that the width of the nozzle 14 is greater than the height of the nozzle 14.

(19) Each section 16, 18 of the nozzle 14 defines a flow path along which a respective one of the air flows passes. In this embodiment, the rear section 16 of the nozzle 14 defines a first air flow path along which a first air flow passes through the nozzle 14, and the front section 18 of the nozzle 14 defines a second air flow path along which a second air flow passes through the nozzle 14.

(20) With reference also to FIG. 4(a), the rear section 16 of the nozzle 14 comprises an annular first outer casing section 22 connected to and extending about an annular inner casing section 24. Each casing section 22, 24 extends about the bore axis X. Each casing section may be formed from a plurality of connected parts, but in this embodiment each casing section 22, 24 is formed from a respective, single moulded part. As illustrated in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), a rear portion 26 of the first outer casing section 22 is curved inwardly towards the bore axis X to define a rear end of the nozzle 14 and a rear part of the bore 20. During assembly the end of the rear portion 26 of the first outer casing section 22 is connected to the rear end of the inner casing section 24, for example using an adhesive. The first outer casing section 22 comprises a tubular base 28 which defines a first air inlet 30 of the nozzle 14.

(21) The front section 18 of the nozzle 14 also comprises an annular second outer casing section 32 connected to and extending about an annular front casing section 34. Again, each casing section 32, 34 extends about the bore axis X, and may be formed from a plurality of connected parts, but in this embodiment each casing section 32, 34 is formed from a respective, single moulded part. In this example, the front casing section 34 comprises a rear portion 36 which is connected to the front end of the outer casing section 22, and a front portion 38 which is generally frusto-conical in shape and flared outwardly from the rear portion 36 away from the bore axis X. The front casing section 34 may be integral with the inner casing section 24. The second outer casing section 32 is generally cylindrical in shape, and extends between the first outer casing section 22 and the front end of the front casing section 34. The second outer casing section 32 comprises a tubular base 40 which defines a second air inlet 42 of the nozzle 14.

(22) The casing sections 24, 34 together define a first air outlet 44 of the nozzle 14. The first air outlet 44 is defined by overlapping, or facing, surfaces of the inner casing section 24 and the rear portion 36 of the front casing section 34 so that the first air outlet 44 is arranged to emit air from a front end of the nozzle 14. The first air outlet 44 is in the form of an annular slot, which has a relatively constant width in the range from 0.5 to 5 mm about the bore axis X. In this example the first air outlet 44 has a width of around 1 mm. Where the inner casing sections 24, 34 are formed from respective components, spacers 46 may be spaced along the first air outlet 44 for urging apart the overlapping portions of the casing sections 24, 34 to control the width of the first air outlet 44. These spacers may be integral with either of the casing sections 24, 34. Where the casing sections 24, 34 are formed from a single component, the spacers 46 are replaced by fins which are spaced along the first air outlet 44 for connecting together the inner casing section 24 and the front casing section 34.

(23) The nozzle 14 defines an annular first interior passage 48 for conveying the first air flow from the first air inlet 30 to the first air outlet 44. The first interior passage 48 is defined by the internal surface of the first outer casing section 22 and the internal surface of the inner casing section 24. A tapering, annular mouth 50 guides the first air flow to the first air outlet 44. The tapering shape of the mouth 50 provides for a smooth, controlled acceleration of air as it passes from the first interior passage 48 to the first air outlet 44. A first air flow path through the nozzle 14 may therefore be considered to be formed from the first air inlet 30, the first interior passage 48, the mouth 50 and the first air outlet 40.

(24) The front casing section 34 defines a plurality of second air outlets 52 of the nozzle 14. The second air outlets 52 are also formed in the front end of the nozzle 14, each on a respective side of the bore 20, for example by moulding or machining. Each of the second air outlets 52 is located downstream from the first air outlet 44. In this example, each second air outlet 52 is in the form of a slot having a relatively constant width in the range from 0.5 to 5 mm. In this example each second air outlet 52 has a width of around 1 mm. Alternatively, each second air outlet 52 may be in the form of a row of circular apertures or slots formed in the front casing section 34 of the nozzle 14.

(25) The nozzle 14 defines an annular second interior passage 54 for conveying the second air flow from the second air inlet 42 to the second air outlets 52. The second interior passage 54 is defined by the internal surfaces of the casing sections 32, 34, and by the front part of the external surface of the first outer casing section 22. The second interior passage 54 is isolated within the nozzle 14 from the first interior passage 48. A second air flow path through the nozzle 14 may therefore be considered to be formed by the second air inlet 42, the second interior passage 54 and the second air outlets 52.

(26) Returning to FIG. 4(a) the body 12 is generally cylindrical in shape. The body 12 comprises a base 56. The base 56 has an external outer wall 58 which is cylindrical in shape, and which comprises an air inlet 60. In this example, the air inlet 60 comprises a plurality of apertures formed in the outer wall 58 of the base 56. A front portion of the base 56 may comprise a user interface of the humidifying apparatus 10. The user interface is illustrated schematically in FIG. 13, and described in more detail below. A mains power cable (not shown) for supplying electrical power to the humidifying apparatus 10 extends through an aperture formed in the base 56.

(27) The base 56 comprises a first air passageway 62 for conveying a first air flow to the first air flow path through the nozzle 14, and a second air passageway 64 for conveying a second air flow to the second air flow path through the nozzle 14.

(28) The first air passageway 62 passes through the base 56 from the air inlet 60 to the first air inlet 30 of the nozzle 14. With reference also to FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), the base 56 comprises a bottom wall 66 connected to the lower end of the outer wall 58, and a generally cylindrical inner wall 68 connected to the outer wall 58 by a recessed annular wall 70. The inner wall 68 extends upwardly away from the annular wall 70. In this example, the outer wall 58, inner wall 68 and annular wall 70 are formed as a single component of the base 56, but alternatively two or more of these walls may be formed as a respective component of the base 56. An upper wall is connected to the upper end of the inner wall 68. The upper wall has a lower frusto-conical section 72 and an upper cylindrical section 74 into which the base 28 of the nozzle 14 is inserted.

(29) The inner wall 68 extends about an impeller 76 for generating a first air flow through the first air passageway 62. In this example the impeller 76 is in the form of a mixed flow impeller. The impeller 76 is connected to a rotary shaft extending outwardly from a motor 78 for driving the impeller 76. In this embodiment, the motor 78 is a DC brushless motor having a speed which is variable by a drive circuit 80 in response to a speed selection by a user. The maximum speed of the motor 78 is preferably in the range from 5,000 to 10,000 rpm. The motor 78 is housed within a motor bucket comprising an upper portion 82 connected to a lower portion 84. The upper portion 82 of the motor bucket comprises a diffuser 86 in the form of a stationary disc having curved blades. The diffuser 86 is located beneath the first air inlet 30 of the nozzle 14.

(30) The motor bucket is located within, and mounted on, a generally frusto-conical impeller housing 88. The impeller housing 88 is, in turn, mounted on an annular support 90 extending inwardly from the inner wall 68. An annular inlet member 92 is connected to the bottom of the impeller housing 88 for guiding the air flow into the impeller housing 88. An annular sealing member 94 is located between the impeller housing 88 and the annular support 90 to prevent air from passing around the outer surface of the impeller housing 88 to the inlet member 92. The annular support 90 preferably comprises a guide portion 96 for guiding an electrical cable from the drive circuit 80 to the motor 78. The base 56 also includes a guide wall 98 for guiding air flow the air inlet 60 to an air inlet port of the inlet member 92.

(31) The first air passageway 62 extends from the air inlet 60 to the air inlet port of the inlet member 92. The first air passageway 62 extends, in turn, through the impeller housing 88, the upper end of the inner wall 68 and the sections 72, 74 of the upper wall.

(32) An annular cavity 99 is located between the guide wall 98 and the annular wall 70. The cavity 99 has an opening which is located between the inlet member 92 and the guide wall 98 so that the cavity 99 is open to the first air passageway 62. The cavity 99 contains a static pocket of air which serves to reduce the transmission of vibrations generated during use of the humidifying apparatus 10 to the outer surface of the body 12.

(33) The second air passageway 64 is arranged to receive air from the first air passageway 62. The second air passageway 64 is located adjacent to the first air passageway 62. The second air passageway 64 comprises an inlet duct 100. With reference to FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), the inlet duct 100 is defined by the inner wall 68 of the base 56. The inlet duct 100 is located adjacent to, and in this example radially external of, part of the first air passageway 62. The inlet duct 100 extends generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base 56, which is co-linear with the rotational axis of the impeller 76. The inlet duct 100 has an inlet port 102 located downstream from, and radially outward from, the diffuser 86 so as to receive part of the air flow emitted from the diffuser 86, and which forms the second air flow. The inlet duct 100 has an outlet port 104 located at the lower end thereof.

(34) The second air passageway 64 further comprises an outlet duct 106 which is arranged to convey the second air flow to the second air inlet 42 of the nozzle 14. The second air flow is conveyed through the inlet duct 100 and the outlet duct 106 in generally opposite directions. The outlet duct 106 comprises an inlet port 108 located at the lower end thereof, and an outlet port located at the upper end thereof. The base 40 of the second outer casing section 32 of the nozzle 14 is inserted into the outlet port of the outlet duct 106 to receive the second air flow from the outlet duct 106.

(35) The humidifying apparatus 10 is configured to increase the humidity of the second air flow before it enters the nozzle 14. With reference now to FIGS. 1 to 4(a) and FIG. 7, the humidifying apparatus 10 comprises a water tank 120 removably mountable on the base 56. The base 56 and the water tank 120 together form the body 12 of humidifying apparatus 10. The water tank 120 has a cylindrical outer wall 122 which has the same radius as the outer wall 58 of the base 56 of the body 12 so that the body 12 has a cylindrical appearance when the water tank 120 is mounted on the base 56. The water tank 120 has a tubular inner wall 124 which surrounds the walls 68, 72, 74 of the base 56 when the water tank 120 is mounted on the base 56. The outer wall 122 and the inner wall 124 define, with an annular upper wall 126 and an annular lower wall 128 of the water tank 120, an annular volume for storing water. The water tank 120 thus surrounds the impeller 76 and the motor 78, and so at least part of the first air passageway 62, when the water tank 120 is mounted on the base 56. The lower wall 128 of the water tank 120 engages the outer wall 58 of the base 56, and non-recessed parts of the annular wall 70, when the water tank 120 is mounted on the base 56.

(36) The water tank 120 preferably has a capacity in the range from 2 to 4 liters. A window 130 is provided on the outer wall 122 of the water tank 120 to allow a user to see the level of water within the water tank 120 when it is disposed on the base 56.

(37) With reference to FIG. 9, a spout 132 is removably connected to the lower wall 128 of the water tank 120, for example through co-operating threaded connections. In this example the water tank 120 is filled by removing the water tank 120 from the base 56 and inverting the water tank 120 so that the spout 132 is projecting upwardly. The spout 132 is then unscrewed from the water tank 120 and water is introduced into the water tank 120 through an aperture exposed when the spout 132 is disconnected from the water tank 120. Once the water tank 120 has been filled, the user reconnects the spout 132 to the water tank 120, returns the water tank 120 to its non-inverted orientation and replaces the water tank 120 on the base 56. A spring-loaded valve 134 is located within the spout 132 for preventing leakage of water through a water outlet 136 of the spout 132 when the water tank 120 is re-inverted. The valve 134 is biased towards a position in which a skirt of the valve 134 engages the upper surface of the spout 132 to prevent water entering the spout 132 from the water tank 120.

(38) The upper wall 126 of the water tank 120 comprises one or more supports 138 for supporting the inverted water tank 120 on a work surface, counter top or other support surface. In this example, two parallel supports 138 are formed in the periphery of the upper wall 126 for supporting the inverted water tank 120.

(39) With reference also to FIGS. 6(a), 6(b) and 8, the outer wall 58, inner wall 68 and the recessed portion of the annular wall 70 of the base 56 define a water reservoir 140 for receiving water from the water tank 120. The base 56 comprises a water treatment chamber 142 for treating water from the water tank 120 before it enters the water reservoir 140. The water treatment chamber 142 is located to one side of the water reservoir 140, within the recessed portion of the annular wall 70. A cover 144 connected to the annular wall 70 comprises a water inlet 146 and a water outlet 148 of the water treatment chamber 142. In this embodiment, each of the water inlet 146 and the water outlet 148 comprises a plurality of apertures. Water outlet 148 is located on an inclined surface of the cover 144 so that the water outlet 148 is located beneath the water inlet 146. The cover 144 is supported by a supporting pin 150 which extends upwardly from the annular wall 70 to engage the lower surface of the cover 144.

(40) An upwardly extending pin 152 of the cover 144 is located between apertures of the water inlet 146. When the water tank 120 is mounted on the base 56, the pin 152 protrudes into the spout 132 to push the valve 134 upwardly to open the spout 132, thereby allowing water to pass under gravity through the water inlet 146 and into the water treatment chamber 142. As the water treatment chamber 142 fills with water, water flows through the water outlet 148 and into the water reservoir 140. The water treatment chamber 142 houses a threshold inhibitor, such one or more beads or pellets 154 of a polyphosphate material, which becomes added to the water as it passes through the water treatment chamber 142. Providing the threshold inhibitor in a solid form means that the threshold inhibitor slowly dissolves with prolonged contact with water in the water treatment chamber 142. In view of this, the water treatment chamber 142 comprises a barrier which prevents relatively large pieces of the threshold inhibitor from entering the water reservoir 140. In this example, the barrier is in the form of a wall 156 located between the annular wall 70 and the water outlet 148.

(41) Within the water reservoir 140, the annular wall 70 comprises a pair of circular apertures each for exposing a respective piezoelectric transducer 160. The drive circuit 80 is configured to actuate vibration of the transducers 160 in an atomization mode to atomise water located in the water reservoir 140. In the atomization mode, the transducers 160 may vibrate ultrasonically at a frequency which may be in the range from 1 to 2 MHz. A metallic heat sink 162 is located between the annular wall 70 and the transducers 160 for conveying heat away from the transducers 160. Apertures 164 are formed in the bottom wall 64 of the base 56 to dissipate heat radiated from the heat sink 162. Annular sealing members form water-tight seals between the transducers 160 and the heat sink 162. As illustrated in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), the peripheral portions 166 of the apertures in the annular wall 70 are raised to present a barrier for preventing any particles of the threshold inhibitor which have entered the water reservoir 140 from the water treatment chamber 142 from becoming lodged on the exposed surfaces of the transducers 160.

(42) The water reservoir 140 also includes an ultraviolet radiation (UV) generator for irradiating water stored in the water reservoir 140. In this example, the UV generator is in the form of a UV lamp 170 located within a UV transparent tube 172 located in the water reservoir 140 so that, as the water reservoir 140 fills with water, water surrounds the tube 172. The tube 172 is located on the opposite side of the water reservoir 140 to the transducers 160. One or more reflective surfaces 173 may be provided adjacent to, and preferably about, the tube 172 for reflecting ultraviolet radiation emitted from the UV lamp 170 into the water reservoir 140. The water reservoir 140 comprises baffle plates 174 which guide water entering the water reservoir 140 from the water treatment chamber 142 along the tube 172 so that, during use, the water entering the water reservoir 140 from the water treatment chamber 142 is irradiated with ultraviolet radiation before it is atomized by one of the transducers 160.

(43) A magnetic level sensor 176 is located within the water reservoir 140 for detecting the level of water within the water reservoir 140. Depending on the volume of water within the water tank 120, the water reservoir 140 and the water treatment chamber 142 can be filled with water to a maximum level which is substantially co-planar with the upper surface of the pin 152. The outlet port 104 of the inlet duct 100 is located above the maximum level of water within the water reservoir 140 so that the second air flow enters the water reservoir 140 over the surface of the water located in the water reservoir 140.

(44) The inlet port 108 of the outlet duct 106 is positioned above the transducers 160 to receive a humidified air flow from the water reservoir 140. The outlet duct 106 is defined by the water tank 120. The outlet duct 106 is formed by the inner wall 124 of the water tank 120 and a curved wall 180 about which the inner wall 124 extends.

(45) The base 56 includes a proximity sensor 182 for detecting that the water tank 120 has been mounted on the base 56. The proximity sensor 182 is illustrated schematically in FIG. 13. The proximity sensor 182 may be in the form of a reed switch which interacts with a magnet (not shown) located on the lower wall 128 of the water tank 120 to detect the presence, or absence, of the water tank 120 on the base 56. As illustrated in FIGS. 7(a), 7(b) and 11, when the water tank 120 is mounted on the base 56 the inner wall 124 and the curved wall 180 surround the upper wall of the base 56 to expose the open upper end of the upper cylindrical section 74 of the upper wall. The water tank 120 includes a handle 184 to facilitate removal of the water tank 120 from the base 56. The handle 184 is pivotably connected to the water tank 120 so as to be moveable relative to the water tank 120 between a stowed position, in which the handle 184 is housed within a recessed section 186 of the upper wall 126 of the water tank 120, and a deployed position, in which the handle 184 is raised above the upper wall 126 of the water tank 120. With reference also to FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b), one or more resilient elements 188, such as torsion springs, may be provided for biasing the handle 184 towards its deployed position, as illustrated in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b).

(46) When the nozzle 14 is mounted on the body 12, the base 28 of the first outer casing section 22 of the nozzle 14 is located over the open end of the upper cylindrical section 74 of the upper wall of the base 56, and the base 40 of the second outer casing section 32 of the nozzle 14 is located over the open upper end of the outlet duct 106 of the water tank 120. The user then pushes the nozzle 14 towards the body 12. As illustrated in FIG. 10, a pin 190 is formed on the lower surface of the first outer casing section 22 of the nozzle 14, immediately behind the base 28 of the first outer casing section 22. As the nozzle 14 moves towards the body 12, the pin 190 pushes the handle 184 towards its stowed position, against the biasing force of the resilient elements 188. When the bases 28, 40 of the nozzle 14 are fully inserted in the body 12, annular sealing members 192 form air-tight seals between the ends of the bases 28, 40 and annular ledges 194 formed in the upper cylindrical section 74 of the upper wall of the base 56, and in the outlet duct 106. The upper wall 126 of the water tank 120 has a concave shape so that, when the nozzle 14 is mounted on the body 12, the water tank 120 surrounds a lower part of the nozzle 14. This not only can this allow the capacity of the water tank 120 to be increased, but can also provide the humidifying apparatus 10 with a compact appearance.

(47) The body 12 comprises a mechanism for releasably retaining the nozzle 14 on the body 12. FIGS. 4(a), 11 and 12(a) illustrate a first configuration of the mechanism when the nozzle 14 is retained on the body 12, whereas FIGS. 4(b) and 12(b) illustrate a second configuration of the mechanism when the nozzle 14 is released from the body 12. The mechanism for releasably retaining the nozzle 14 on the body 12 comprises a pair of detents 200 which are located on diametrically opposed sides of an annular housing 202. Each detent 200 has a generally L-shaped cross-section. Each detent 200 is pivotably moveable between a deployed position for retaining the nozzle 14 on the body 12, and a stowed position. Resilient elements 204, such as torsion springs, are located within the housing 202 for biasing the detents 200 towards their deployed positions.

(48) In this example, the water tank 120 comprises the mechanism for releasably retaining the nozzle 14 on the body 12. The housing 202 comprises a pair of diametrically opposed apertures 206 which align with similarly shaped apertures 208 formed on the upper cylindrical section 74 of the upper wall of the base 56 when the water tank 120 is mounted on the base 56. The outer surface of the base 28 of the nozzle 14 comprises a pair of diametrically opposed recesses 210 which align with the apertures 206, 208 when the nozzle 14 is mounted on the body 12. When the detents 200 are in their deployed position, the ends of the detents 200 are urged through the apertures 206, 208 by the resilient elements 204 to enter the recesses 210 in the nozzle 14. The ends of the detents 200 engage the recessed outer surface of the base 28 of the nozzle 14 to prevent the nozzle 14 from becoming withdrawn from the body 12, for example if the humidifying apparatus 10 is lifted by a user gripping the nozzle 14.

(49) The body 12 comprises a depressible catch 220 which is operable to move the mechanism from the first configuration to the second configuration, by moving the detents 200 away from the recesses 210 to release the nozzle 14 from the body 12. The catch 220 is mounted within the housing 202 for pivoting movement about an axis which is orthogonal to the axes about which the detents 200 pivot between their stowed and deployed positions. The catch 220 is moveable from a stowed position, as illustrated in FIGS. 4(a), 11 and 12(a), to a deployed position, as illustrated in FIGS. 4(b), 7(a), 7(b) and 12(b), in response to a user depressing a button 222 located on the body 12. In this example, the button 222 is located on the upper wall 126 of the water tank 120 and above a front section of the catch 220. A compression spring or other resilient element may be provided beneath the front section of the catch 220 for urging the catch 220 towards is stowed position. The rotational axis of the catch 220 is located proximate to the front section of the catch so that, as the catch 220 moves towards its deployed position, the catch 220 urges the detents 200 to pivot away from the recesses 210 against the biasing force of the resilient elements 204.

(50) The body 12 is configured to retain the catch 220 in its deployed position when the user releases the button 220. In this example, the housing 202 of the water tank 120 comprises a wedge 224 over which a hook 226 located on the rear section of the catch 220 slides as the catch 220 moves towards its deployed position. In the deployed position, the end of the hook 226 snaps over the tapered side surface of the wedge 224 to engage the upper surface of the wedge 224, resulting in the catch 220 being retained in its deployed position. As the hook 226 moves over the upper surface of the wedge 224, the hook 226 engages the bottom of the handle 184 and urges the handle 184 upwardly away from the recessed section 186 of the water tank 120. This in turn causes the handle 184 to push the nozzle 14 slightly away from the body 12, providing a visual indication to the user that the nozzle 14 has been released from the body 12. As an alternative to having features on the water tank 120 and the catch 220 which co-operate to retain the catch 220 in its deployed position, one or more magnets may be used to retain the catch 220 in its deployed position.

(51) In its deployed position, the catch 220 holds the detents 200 in their stowed positions, as illustrated in FIGS. 4(b) and 12(b), to allow the user to remove the nozzle 14 from the body 12. As the nozzle 14 is lifted from the body 12, the resilient elements 188 urge the handle 184 to its deployed position. The user can then use the handle 184 to lift the water tank 120 from the base 56 to allow the water tank 120 to be filled or cleaned as required.

(52) Once the water tank 120 has been filled or cleaned, the user replaces the water tank 120 on the base 56, and then replaces the nozzle 14 on the body 12. As the bases 28, 40 of the nozzle 14 are pushed into the body 12 the pin 190 on the nozzle 14 engages the handle 184 and pushes the handle 184 back to its stowed position within the recessed section 186 of the water tank 120. As the handle 184 moves to its stowed position, it engages the hook 226 on the catch 220 and pushes the hook 226 away from the upper surface of the wedge 224 to release the catch 220 from its deployed position. As the hook 226 moves away from the wedge 224, the resilient elements 204 urge the detents 200 towards their deployed positions to retain the nozzle 14 on the body 12. As the detents 200 move towards their deployed position, the detents 200 move the catch 220 back to its stowed position.

(53) A user interface for controlling the operation of the humidifying apparatus is located on the outer wall 58 of the base 56 of the body 12. FIG. 13 illustrates schematically a control system for the humidifying apparatus 10, which includes this user interface and other electrical components of the humidifying apparatus 10. In this example, the user interface comprises a plurality of user-operable buttons 240a, 240b and 240c, and a display 242. The first button 240a is used to activate and deactivate the motor 78, and the second button 240b is used to set the speed of the motor 78, and thus the rotational speed of the impeller 76. The third button 240c is used to set a desired level for the relative humidity of the environment in which the humidifying apparatus 10 is located, such as a room, office or other domestic environment. For example, the desired relative humidity level may be selected within a range from 30 to 80% at 20° C. through repeated actuation of the third button 240c. The display 242 provides an indication of the currently selected relative humidity level.

(54) The user interface further comprises a user interface circuit 244 which outputs control signals to the drive circuit 80 upon actuation of one of the buttons, and which receives control signals output by the drive circuit 80. The user interface may also comprise one or more LEDs for providing a visual alert depending on a status of the humidifying apparatus. For example, a first LED 246a may be illuminated by the drive circuit 80 indicating that the water tank 120 has become depleted, as indicated by a signal received by the drive circuit 80 from the level sensor 176.

(55) A humidity sensor 248 is also provided for detecting the relative humidity of air in the external environment, and for supplying a signal indicative of the detected relative humidity to the drive circuit 80. In this example the humidity sensor 248 may be located immediately behind the air inlet 60 to detect the relative humidity of the air flow drawn into the humidifying apparatus 10. The user interface may comprise a second LED 246b which is illuminated by the drive circuit 80 when an output from the humidity sensor 248 indicates that the relative humidity of the air flow entering the humidifying apparatus 10, H.sub.D, is at or above the desired relative humidity level, H.sub.S, set by the user.

(56) With reference also to FIG. 14, to operate the humidifying apparatus 10, the user actuates the first button 240a. The operation of the button 240a is communicated to the drive circuit 80, in response to which the drive circuit 80 actuates the UV lamp 170 to irradiate water stored in the water reservoir 140. In this example, the drive circuit 80 simultaneously activates the motor 78 to rotate the impeller 76. The rotation of the impeller 76 causes air to be drawn into the body 12 through the air inlet 60. An air flow passes through the impeller housing 88 and the diffuser 86. Downstream from the diffuser 86, a portion of the air emitted from the diffuser 86 enters the inlet duct 100 through the inlet port 102, whereas the remainder of the air emitted from the diffuser 86 is conveyed along the first air passageway 62 to the first air inlet 30 of the nozzle 14. The impeller 76 and the motor 78 may thus be considered to generate a first air flow which is conveyed to the nozzle 14 by the first air passageway 62 and which enters the nozzle 14 through the first air inlet 30.

(57) The first air flow enters the first interior passage 48 at the base of the rear section 16 of the nozzle 14. At the base of the first interior passage 48, the air flow is divided into two air streams which pass in opposite directions around the bore 20 of the nozzle 14. As the air streams pass through the first interior passage 48, air enters the mouth 50 of the nozzle 14. The air flow into the mouth 50 is preferably substantially even about the bore 20 of the nozzle 14. The mouth 50 guides the air flow towards the first air outlet 44 of the nozzle 14, from where it is emitted from the humidifying apparatus 10.

(58) The air flow emitted from the first air outlet 40 causes a secondary air flow to be generated by the entrainment of air from the external environment, specifically from the region around the first air outlet 44 and from around the rear of the nozzle 14. Some of this secondary air flow passes through the bore 20 of the nozzle 14, whereas the remainder of the secondary air flow becomes entrained within the air flow emitted from the first air outlet in front of the nozzle 14.

(59) As mentioned above, with rotation of the impeller 76 air enters the second air passageway 64 through the inlet port 102 of the inlet duct 100 to form a second air flow. The second air flow passes through the inlet duct 100 and is emitted through the outlet port 104 over the water stored in the water reservoir 140. The emission of the second air flow from the outlet port 104 agitates the water stored in the water reservoir 140 to generate movement of water along and around the UV lamp 170, increasing the volume of water which is irradiated by the UV lamp 170. The presence of the threshold inhibitor within the stored water causes a thin layer of the threshold inhibitor to be formed on the surfaces of the tube 172 and the transducers 160 which are exposed to the stored water, inhibiting the precipitation of limescale on those surfaces. This can both prolong the working life of the transducers 160 and inhibit any degradation in the illumination of the stored water by the UV lamp 170.

(60) In addition to the agitation of the water stored in the water reservoir 140 by the second air flow, the agitation may also be performed by the vibration of the transducers 160 in an agitation mode which is insufficient to cause atomization of the stored water. Depending, for example on the size and the number of transducers 160 of the base 56, the agitation of the stored water may be performed solely by vibration of the transducers 160 at a reduced second frequency f.sub.2, and/or at a reduced amplitude, or with a different duty cycle. In this case, the drive circuit 80 may be configured to actuate the vibration of the transducers 160 in this agitation mode simultaneously with the irradiation of the stored water by the UV lamp 170.

(61) The agitation and irradiation of the stored water continues for a period of time sufficient to reduce the level of bacteria within the water reservoir 140 by a desired amount. In this example, the water reservoir 140 has a maximum capacity of 200 ml, and the agitation and irradiation of the stored water continues for a period of 60 seconds before atomization of the stored water commences. The duration of this period of time may be lengthened or shortened depending on, for example, the degree of agitation of the stored water, the capacity of the water reservoir 140, and the intensity of the irradiation of the stored water, and so depending on these variables the duration of this period of time may take any value in the range of 10 to 300 seconds to achieve the desired reduction in the number of bacteria within the stored water.

(62) At the end of this period of time, the drive circuit 80 actuates the vibration of the transducers 160 in the atomization mode to atomize water stored in the water reservoir 140. This creates airborne water droplets above the water located within the water reservoir 140. In the event that the stored water was agitated previously by vibration of the transducers 160 alone, the motor 78 is also activated at this end of this period of time.

(63) As water within the water reservoir 140 is atomized, the water reservoir 140 is constantly replenished with water received from the water tank 120 via the water treatment chamber 142, so that the level of water within the water reservoir 140 remains substantially constant while the level of water within the water tank 120 gradually falls. As water enters the water reservoir 140 from the water treatment chamber 142, in which the threshold inhibitor is added to the water, it is guided by the walls 174 to flow along the tube 172 so that it is irradiated with ultraviolet radiation before it is atomized.

(64) With rotation of the impeller 76, airborne water droplets become entrained within the second air flow emitted from the outlet port 104 of the inlet duct 100. The—now moist—second air flow passes upwardly through the outlet duct 106 of the second air passageway 64 to the second air inlet 42 of the nozzle 14, and enters the second interior passage 54 within the front section 18 of the nozzle 14.

(65) At the base of the second interior passage 54, the second air flow is divided into two air streams which pass in opposite directions around the bore 20 of the nozzle 14. As the air streams pass through the second interior passage 54, each air stream is emitted from a respective one of the second air outlets 52 located in the front end of the nozzle 14 in front of the first air outlet 44. The emitted second air flow is conveyed away from the humidifying apparatus 10 within the air flow generated through the emission of the first air flow from the nozzle 14, thereby enabling a humid air current to be experienced rapidly at a distance of several meters from the humidifying apparatus 10.

(66) The moist air flow is emitted from the nozzle 14 until the relative humidity H.sub.D of the air flow entering the humidifying apparatus 10, as detected by the humidity sensor 248, is 1% at 20° C. higher than the relative humidity level H.sub.S, selected by the user using the third button 240c. The emission of the moistened air flow from the nozzle 14 may then be terminated by the drive circuit 80, preferably by changing the mode of vibration of the transducers 160. For example, the frequency of the vibration of the transducers 160 may be reduced to a frequency f.sub.3, where f.sub.1>f.sub.3≧0, below which atomization of the stored water is not performed. Alternatively the amplitude of the vibrations of the transducers 160 may be reduced. Optionally, the motor 78 may also be stopped so that no air flow is emitted from the nozzle 14. However, when the humidity sensor 248 is located in close proximity to the motor 78 it is preferred that the motor 78 is operated continually to avoid undesirable temperature fluctuation in the local environment of the humidity sensor 248. Also, it is preferred to continue to operate the motor 78 to continue agitating the water stored in the water reservoir 140. Operation of the UV lamp 170 is also continued.

(67) As a result of the termination of the emission of a moist air flow from the humidifying apparatus 10, the relative humidity H.sub.D detected by the humidity sensor 248 will begin to fall. Once the relative humidity of the air of the environment local to the humidity sensor 248 has fallen to 1% at 20° C. below the relative humidity level H.sub.S selected by the user, the drive circuit 80 re-activates the vibration of the transducers 160 in the atomization mode. If the motor 78 has been stopped, the drive circuit 80 simultaneously re-activates the motor 78. As before, the moist air flow is emitted from the nozzle 14 until the relative humidity H.sub.D detected by the humidity sensor 248 is 1% at 20° C. higher than the relative humidity level H.sub.S selected by the user.

(68) This actuation sequence of the transducers 160 (and optionally the motor 78) for maintaining the detected humidity level around the level selected by the user continues until button 240a is actuated again, or until a signal is received from the level sensor 176 indicating that the level of water within the water reservoir 140 has fallen below the minimum level. If the button 240a is actuated, or upon receipt of this signal from the level sensor 176, the drive circuit 80 deactivates the motor 78, the transducers 160 and the UV lamp 170 to switch off the humidifying apparatus 10. The drive circuit 80 also deactivates these components of the humidifying apparatus 10 in response to signal received from the proximity sensor 182 indicating that the water tank 120 has been removed from the base 56.