An electrode humidifier foam detection control method, a humidifier, an air conditioner and a medium

Abstract

This invention provides a foam detection and control method for an electrode humidifier, a humidifier, an air conditioner, and a medium, which can improve the accuracy of judgment and reduce false judgments. The method includes: obtaining the actual humidification current IA; determining whether the actual humidification current IA is less than c*IE, where c is the foam influence coefficient and IE is the actual high water level current value; if the actual humidification current IA is less than c*IE when the high water level alarm is triggered, then it is determined that foam exists; if the actual humidification current IA is not less than c*IE when the high water level alarm is triggered, then it is determined that no foam exists. This invention judges whether there is actually foam in the humidifier tank based on the relationship between the actual high water level current value IE and the actual humidification current value IA, improving upon existing current-based foam judgment technology. Existing humidifier foam detection methods are not rigorous enough and are prone to false judgments. By detecting and judging whether there is actually foam inside the humidifier based on the actual water level current value, the accuracy of judgment is improved and false judgments are reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for detecting and controlling foam in an electrode humidifier, a humidifier, an air conditioner and a medium, belonging to the technical field of air conditioner humidifiers. Background Art

[0002] The electrode humidifier detects the current of the humidifying electrode rod to obtain the actual humidifying amount. The higher the water level in the humidifying bucket, the greater the humidifying amount. If the humidifying amount does not reach the target value, water will continuously enter the humidifying bucket, and the water level in the humidifying bucket will rise accordingly.

[0003] To prevent water overflow or spraying caused by too high water level in the humidifying bucket, a high water level probe is configured at the top of the humidifying bucket to detect the high water level and trigger a high water level alarm. After the high water level alarm is triggered, the general operation is to stop water inlet and perform a drainage action to lower the water level in the humidifying bucket. The presence of foam can cause the high water level alarm of the humidifying bucket to be triggered prematurely.

[0004] The current problem is that there is no electrode humidifier that can accurately detect and judge foam. The existing foam detection methods are not rigorous enough and there are false judgment situations, resulting in frequent foam alarms of the unit and the humidifier being unable to work properly.

[0005] The currently disclosed method for detecting foam in a humidifier is described in the patent "CN201811353649.6 A Humidifier and Its Method for Removing Foam, Air Conditioner, Storage Medium". There are two methods for judging foam in the humidifier. The first judgment method is to judge whether there is foam in the cylinder according to the relationship between the first water inlet time difference and the second water inlet time difference. The embodiment is that when t1 < t0, it is determined that there is foam in cylinder 1; when t1 ≥ t0, it is determined that there is no foam in cylinder 1. Here, t1 is the water inlet time and t0 is the preset water inlet time.

[0006] The second judgment method is to judge whether there is foam in the cylinder according to the relationship between the current magnitude and the preset current magnitude. The embodiment is that when I1 < I0, it is determined that there is foam in cylinder 1; when I1 ≥ I0, it is determined that there is no foam in cylinder 1. Here, I1 is the current magnitude and I0 is the preset current magnitude. It is judged by presetting the current.

[0007] The method for detecting foam in the humidifier of this patent is not rigorous enough. There are three aspects that are not fully considered, which will lead to false judgment of foam detection and affect the normal operation of the humidifier. They are the influence of different water inlet water pressures on the water inlet rate, the influence of different conductivities of the inlet water quality on the detected current, and the influence of different damages of the electrode rods in the humidifying bucket on the humidifying efficiency and the humidifying current. For example:

[0008] 1. When the inlet water conductivity is lower than the lower limit of the humidifier barrel and the inlet water pressure is relatively high, the low inlet water conductivity will cause the humidifier to trigger the high water level switch before reaching the rated humidification capacity. At the same time, because the inlet water pressure is relatively high, the water inlet time will be relatively short, resulting in the water inlet time being lower than the preset time, thus causing a false judgment in foam detection.

[0009] 2. When the efficiency of the electrode rod in the humidifier tank decreases and the inlet water pressure is relatively high, the low efficiency of the electrode rod will cause the humidifier to trigger the high water level switch before reaching the rated humidification capacity. At the same time, due to the relatively high inlet water pressure, the water inlet time will be relatively short, resulting in a water inlet time that is lower than the preset time, thus causing a false judgment in foam detection.

[0010] Existing methods for detecting foam in humidifiers are not rigorous enough and can easily lead to misjudgments, thus affecting the normal use of humidifiers. There is a need to find a more accurate and effective method for controlling the high water level in humidifiers to ensure that the humidifier can work normally when there is no foam and can accurately detect the presence of foam without causing misjudgments. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a method for detecting and controlling foam in an electrode humidifier, a humidifier, an air conditioner, and a medium, which can improve the accuracy of judgment and reduce misjudgment.

[0012] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention is implemented using the following technical solution:

[0013] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for detecting and controlling foam in an electrode humidifier, the method comprising:

[0014] Obtain the actual humidification current IA;

[0015] Determine whether the actual humidification current IA is less than c*IE, where c is the foam influence coefficient and IE is the actual high water level current value;

[0016] If the actual humidification current IA is less than c*IE when the high water level alarm is triggered, it is determined that foam is present.

[0017] If the actual humidification current IA is not less than c*IE when the high water level alarm is triggered, then it is determined that there is no foam.

[0018] Furthermore, the method also includes:

[0019] When foam is detected, the humidifier's inlet valve is closed, the drain valve / pump is closed, the humidifier electrode is energized and works normally, a foam fault signal is generated and a message is output reminding the user to check the water quality and clean the humidifier tank.

[0020] When it is determined that there is no foam, the humidifier inlet valve is closed, the drain valve / pump is opened, and the humidifier electrode is energized and operates normally.

[0021] Furthermore, methods for outputting reminders to check water quality and clean the humidifier tank include: controlling the alarm light to flash.

[0022] Furthermore, the method for determining the foam influence coefficient c includes:

[0023] Based on the humidification capacity model and conductivity of the humidification tank, find the corresponding foam influence coefficient c in the table below;

[0024] Humidification capacity / conductivity Low conductivity barrel Medium conductivity barrel High conductivity barrel 3 kg / h 0.9 0.6 0.9 5 kg / h 0.8 0.6 0.7 9 kg / h 0.7 0.5 0.7

[0025] Furthermore, the calculation method for the true high water level current value IE includes the following formula:

[0026] IE=a*b*G

[0027] Wherein, G is the water conductivity in the humidification tank, which is obtained by actual measurement using a high water level sensor; a is a constant, determined by the structure of the humidification tank; and b is the attenuation coefficient of the humidification electrode rod, determined by the attenuation coefficient curve of the electrode rod, which is related to the usage time of the humidification electrode rod.

[0028] Secondly, the present invention provides an electrode humidifier, including a humidifier barrel, a controller, a humidifier inlet valve connected to the controller and disposed on the inlet pipe of the humidifier barrel, a drain valve / pump disposed on the outlet pipe of the humidifier barrel, a high water level sensor disposed on the top of the humidifier barrel, a current transformer disposed on the electrode circuit, and an alarm light.

[0029] The humidifier inlet valve is used to control the water intake of the humidifier tank;

[0030] The drain valve / pump is used to control the water output from the humidification tank;

[0031] The controller is used to: obtain the actual humidification current IA through a current transformer, and obtain whether a high water level alarm is triggered through a high water level sensor, for executing the control method as described in the first aspect.

[0032] Thirdly, the present invention provides an air conditioner, the air conditioner including the humidifier as described in the second aspect.

[0033] Fourthly, the present invention provides a computer storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the electrode humidifier foam detection and control method, humidifier, air conditioner, and medium as described in the first aspect.

[0034] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects achieved by the present invention are as follows:

[0035] 1. This patent improves upon existing foam detection technology by determining whether foam actually exists inside the humidifier based on the difference between the actual high water level current value (IE) and the actual humidification current value (IA). Existing foam detection methods for humidifiers are not rigorous enough and are prone to misjudgment. This patent uses the actual water level current value to detect and determine whether there is actual foam inside the humidifier, thus improving the accuracy of judgment and reducing misjudgment.

[0036] 2. This invention determines whether the high water level alarm is caused by foam. When there is no foam, the humidifier can drain normally and stop. When there is foam, the humidifier will not stop, thus ensuring the humidification effect and avoiding frequent foam alarms, ensuring the normal operation of the humidifier.

[0037] 3. This patent obtains the true water level current value by detecting the water conductivity and the attenuation coefficient of the humidifier electrode rod. Using this value for control will prevent misjudgment due to the water conductivity reaching the rated humidification capacity prematurely.

[0038] 4. This method does not require any hardware modification to the electrode humidifier and is compatible with most electrode humidifiers of this structure on the market, making it widely adaptable. Attached Figure Description

[0039] Figure 1 This is a graph showing the humidification attenuation coefficient of the electrode rod;

[0040] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the working principle of an electrode humidifier. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, and should not be used to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0042] Example 1:

[0043] When the humidifier is operating normally and there is no foam, when the water level in the humidification tank reaches the level that triggers the high water level switch alarm, the humidifier will have a true high water level current value IE. This current value is related to the water conductivity G in the humidification tank and the attenuation coefficient b of the humidification electrode rod. IE = a * b * G, where G is the water conductivity in the humidification tank, detected by the high water level sensor; a is a constant, related to the capacity and structure of the humidification tank; and b is the attenuation coefficient of the humidification electrode rod, related to the usage time of the humidification electrode rod.

[0044] Based on this principle, this embodiment proposes a foam detection and control method for an electrode humidifier, a humidifier, an air conditioner, and a medium. When foam is present in the humidifier tank and triggers a high water level alarm switch, the actual humidification current IA will be much smaller than the true high water level current IE because the actual water level in the humidifier tank is not high at this time. This invention determines the presence of foam based on the deviation between the two values, using the method IA < c * IE, where c is the foam influence coefficient, which is related to the structure of the humidifier tank and its value is between 0.5 and 0.9. When the foam alarm is triggered, the humidifier inlet valve closes, the drain valve / pump closes, and the humidifier electrode is energized and operates normally; a foam fault signal is fed back and the alarm light flashes to remind users to check the water quality and clean the humidifier tank.

[0045] This method specifically includes:

[0046] Obtain the actual humidification current IA;

[0047] Determine whether the actual humidification current IA is less than c*IE, where c is the foam influence coefficient and IE is the actual high water level current value;

[0048] If the actual humidification current IA is less than c*IE when the high water level alarm is triggered, it is determined that foam is present.

[0049] When foam is detected, the humidifier's inlet valve is closed, the drain valve / pump is closed, the humidifier electrode is energized and works normally, a foam fault signal is generated and a message is output reminding the user to check the water quality and clean the humidifier tank.

[0050] If the actual humidification current IA is not less than c*IE when the high water level alarm is triggered, then it is determined that there is no foam.

[0051] When it is determined that there is no foam, the humidifier inlet valve is closed, the drain valve / pump is opened, and the humidifier electrode is energized and operates normally.

[0052] Specifically, methods for outputting reminders to check water quality and clean the humidifier tank include: controlling the alarm light to flash.

[0053] Specifically, the method for determining the foam influence coefficient c includes:

[0054] Depending on the structure of the humidifier bucket (i.e., the humidification capacity model and conductivity of the humidifier bucket), there are different foam influence coefficients c, which range from 0.5 to 0.9. Specific data are shown in Table 1 below.

[0055] Table 1. Foam Influence Coefficient c

[0056] Humidification capacity / conductivity 125-350 uS / cm (low conductivity barrel) 350-750 uS / cm (medium conductivity barrel) 750-1250 uS / cm (high conductivity barrel) 3 kg / h 0.9 0.6 0.9 5 kg / h 0.8 0.6 0.7 9 kg / h 0.7 0.5 0.7

[0057] Table 1 lists the structures of most humidifier barrels. If other structures are encountered, the foam influence coefficient c of the closest humidifier barrel structure can be used to determine the structure.

[0058] Specifically, the calculation method for the actual high water level current value IE includes the following formula:

[0059] IE=a*b*G

[0060] Wherein, G is the water conductivity inside the humidification tank, obtained through actual measurement using a high water level sensor; a is a constant, determined by the structure of the humidification tank (i.e., the humidification capacity model and conductivity of the humidification tank), as shown in Table 2 below; b is the attenuation coefficient of the humidification electrode rod, determined by the electrode rod attenuation coefficient curve, as shown in the figure below. Figure 1 As shown, it is related to the usage time of the humidifying electrode rod.

[0061] Table 2 Constant a

[0062] Humidification capacity / conductivity 125-350 uS / cm (low conductivity barrel) 350-750 uS / cm (medium conductivity barrel) 750-1250 uS / cm (high conductivity barrel) 3 kg / h 1.3 1 0.6 5 kg / h 1.2 1 0.7 9 kg / h 1.1 1 0.8

[0063] Table 2 lists the structures of most humidifier barrels. If other structures are encountered, the constant 'a' should be determined according to the closest humidifier barrel structure.

[0064] It should be noted that this method is based on an electrode humidifier, the working principle of which is as follows: Figure 2 As shown, the electrode humidifier includes a humidification tank 1, a water inlet pipe 2, a water inlet solenoid valve 3, a drain valve / pump 4, an electrode contactor 5, a current transformer 6, a conductivity probe 7, a high water level sensor 8, a controller 9, and electrodes.

[0065] The electrodes are connected to a three-phase power supply. This structure is the existing electrode humidifier structure. This method does not require hardware modification of the electrode humidifier and can be adapted to most electrode humidifiers of this structure on the market, with wide compatibility.

[0066] Example 2:

[0067] This embodiment provides an electrode humidifier, such as Figure 2 As shown, it includes a humidifying tank, a controller, a humidifier inlet valve connected to the controller and installed on the inlet pipe of the humidifying tank, a drain valve / pump installed on the outlet pipe of the humidifying tank, a high water level sensor installed on the top of the humidifying tank, a current transformer installed on the electrode line, and an alarm light.

[0068] The humidifier inlet valve is used to control the water intake of the humidifier tank;

[0069] The drain valve / pump is used to control the water output from the humidification tank;

[0070] The controller is used to: obtain the actual humidification current IA through a current transformer, and obtain whether a foam alarm is triggered through a high water level sensor. If a high water level alarm is triggered, the controller executes the electrode humidifier foam detection control method as described in Example 1.

[0071] Example 3:

[0072] This embodiment provides an air conditioner, which includes a humidifier as described in Embodiment 2.

[0073] Example 4:

[0074] The present invention provides a computer storage medium storing a computer program thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the electrode humidifier foam detection and control method as described in Embodiment 1.

[0075] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this application can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this application can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0076] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of this application. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, generate instructions for implementing the flowchart... Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0077] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means, which are implemented in a process Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The function specified in one or more boxes.

[0078] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing equipment to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable equipment to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable equipment for implementing the process. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps of the function specified in one or more boxes.

[0079] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the technical principles of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for detecting and controlling foam in an electrode humidifier, characterized in that, The method includes: Obtain the actual humidification current IA of the electrode humidifier; Determine whether the actual humidification current IA is less than c*IE, where c is the foam influence coefficient and IE is the actual high water level current value; If the actual humidification current IA is less than c*IE when the high water level alarm is triggered, it is determined that foam is present. If the actual humidification current IA is not less than c*IE when the high water level alarm is triggered, it is determined that there is no foam. The method for determining the foam influence coefficient c includes: Based on the humidification capacity model and conductivity of the humidification tank, find the corresponding foam influence coefficient c in the table below; If other structures are encountered, the foam influence coefficient c is determined according to the closest humidifier barrel structure; The calculation method for the actual high water level current value IE includes the following formulas: IE=a*b*G Wherein, G is the water conductivity in the humidification tank, which is obtained by actual measurement using a high water level sensor; a is a constant, determined by the capacity and structure of the humidification tank; b is the attenuation coefficient of the humidification electrode rod, which is related to the usage time of the humidification electrode rod. Based on the humidification capacity model and conductivity of the humidifier tank, find the corresponding foam influence coefficient 'a' in the table below: If other structures are encountered, the constant 'a' is determined according to the closest humidifier barrel structure.

2. The method for detecting and controlling foam in an electrode humidifier according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: When foam is detected, the humidifier's inlet valve is closed, the drain valve / pump is closed, the humidifier electrode is energized and works normally, a foam fault signal is generated and a message is output reminding the user to check the water quality and clean the humidifier tank. When it is determined that there is no foam, the humidifier inlet valve is closed, the drain valve / pump is opened, and the humidifier electrode is energized and operates normally.

3. The method for detecting and controlling foam in an electrode humidifier according to claim 2, characterized in that, Methods for outputting reminders to check water quality and clean the humidifier tank include: controlling the alarm light to flash.

4. An electrode humidifier, comprising a humidification tank, a controller, a humidifier inlet valve connected to the controller and disposed on the inlet pipe of the humidification tank, a drain valve / pump disposed on the outlet pipe of the humidification tank, a high water level sensor disposed on the top of the humidification tank, a current transformer disposed on the electrode circuit, and an alarm light. The humidifier inlet valve is used to control the water intake of the humidifier tank; The drain valve / pump is used to control the water output from the humidification tank; The controller is used to: obtain the actual humidification current IA through a current transformer, and obtain whether a high water level alarm is triggered through a high water level sensor, for executing the electrode humidifier foam detection control method as described in any one of claims 1-3.

5. An air conditioner, characterized in that, The air conditioner includes the humidifier as described in claim 4.

6. A computer storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the electrode humidifier foam detection and control method as described in any one of claims 1-3.

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