A control method, electronic device and storage medium for a humidifier
By combining current and capacitance detection methods for water level, the problems of inaccurate humidification control and high cost of electrode humidifiers in different water quality areas have been solved. This has enabled precise humidifier control under different water quality conditions, reduced costs, and ensured humidity accuracy.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCE INC OF ZHUHAI
- Filing Date
- 2022-12-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-30
AI Technical Summary
Existing electrode humidifiers suffer from significant differences in water conductivity across different regions, resulting in insufficient precision in humidification control and high costs associated with frequent water solution replacements.
A control method combining current-based and capacitance-based water level detection is adopted. By detecting the internal conductivity and capacitance of the humidifier, the valve of the humidifier can be precisely controlled under different water quality conditions. The capacitance detection method is not affected by the conductivity of the solution, while the current detection method saves costs when there are small differences.
It achieves precise water level control of the humidifier under different water quality conditions, reduces costs, avoids deviations in humidification caused by differences in water quality, and ensures that the ambient humidity meets the requirements.
Smart Images
Figure CN116045406B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of humidifier control, and more particularly to a humidifier control method, electronic device, and storage medium. Background Technology
[0002] With the convergence and development of technologies such as cloud computing, mobile internet, and the Internet of Things, the enthusiasm for data center construction in the domestic market is unprecedented. Judging from market applications in recent years, data centers are springing up everywhere. They are widely used in industries such as finance, telecommunications, IT, and rail transportation, leading to increasingly stringent requirements for temperature and humidity environments within data centers, and a continuous increase in the demand for precise indoor humidity control.
[0003] The current control principle of electrode humidifiers is as follows: a preset humidification level is used, and the opening and closing of the inlet and outlet valves is determined by detecting the humidifier's current value. Since electrode humidifiers use water in the humidification tank as the conductive medium, the water's conductivity directly affects the conductivity and thus the humidification performance. However, given my country's vast territory and varying water conductivity across regions, controlling the humidification level and the expected humidity level by detecting the current deviates significantly from the actual results in different areas.
[0004] Patent CN110608503A discloses a control method for a humidifier. It involves installing conductivity meters in the water inlet pipe and inside the humidifier tank, setting a preset conductivity threshold, and increasing the conductivity inside the humidifier tank by adding water with high conductivity. This method uses multiple meters, which requires frequent changes of the water solution in areas with significant deviations in water quality and testing conditions, resulting in high costs. Summary of the Invention
[0005] This invention aims to at least partially solve one of the problems in related technologies. Therefore, the object of this invention is to provide a humidifier control method, electronic device, and storage medium that can use a capacitive water level detection method for valve control of the humidifier under conditions of significant water quality deviation, enabling precise control under different water quality conditions.
[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solution: a control method for a humidifier, comprising:
[0007] The valve control of the humidifier is initiated by the current detection water level method, and the conductivity K1 of the solution inside the humidifier is obtained at the same time; wherein, the current detection water level method determines the water level Q1 of the humidifier based on the current value I1 inside the humidifier;
[0008] The absolute difference X between conductivity K1 and standard conductivity K is determined. If the absolute difference X is less than or equal to the preset conductivity value, the humidifier valve control is maintained using the current detection water level method. If the absolute difference X is greater than the preset conductivity value, the humidifier valve control is activated using the capacitance detection water level method. The capacitance detection water level method determines the humidifier water level Q2 based on the capacitance value, and the capacitance value of the capacitor corresponds to the internal water level Q2 of the humidifier.
[0009] Furthermore, when using the capacitor detection water level method to control the valve of the humidifier, the method also includes: compensating the current value I1 based on the absolute difference X to obtain the compensated current value I1'; and obtaining the compensated water level Q1' based on the compensated current value I1'.
[0010] Compare the absolute difference Y between the compensation water level Q1' and the water level Q2. If the absolute difference Y is greater than the preset water level value, the compensation water level Q1' is used as the water level judgment. If the absolute difference Y is less than or equal to the preset water level value, the humidifier valve control is maintained by the capacitor detection water level method.
[0011] Furthermore, the compensation for the current value I1 based on the absolute difference X includes: if K1-K is greater than zero, then I1' = I1-MX; if K1-K is less than zero, then I1' = I1+MX, where M is the fixed coefficient of the humidifier.
[0012] Furthermore, when the absolute difference Y is greater than the preset water level value, a fault signal for tilted installation is output.
[0013] Furthermore, a communicating vessel is provided on the side of the humidifier, and a ring-shaped capacitor with the central axis of the communicating vessel as the center is installed inside the communicating vessel.
[0014] Furthermore, the humidifier is internally fitted with a ring-shaped capacitor centered on the central axis of the humidification barrel.
[0015] Furthermore, the valve includes an inlet valve and a drain valve. The current detection water level method controls the opening and closing of the inlet valve and the drain valve according to the water level Q1 of the humidifier; the capacitance detection water level method controls the opening and closing of the inlet valve and the drain valve according to the water level Q2 of the humidifier.
[0016] Furthermore, the humidifier is an electrode-type humidifier.
[0017] An electronic device, comprising:
[0018] Processor; and
[0019] A memory that stores executable code, which, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to perform the method described above.
[0020] A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium having executable code stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor of an electronic device, causes the processor to perform the method described above.
[0021] Compared with the prior art, the above-mentioned technical solution provided in this application has the following advantages: In this application, when the absolute difference X between the conductivity K1 of the solution inside the humidifier and the standard conductivity K is less than or equal to the preset conductivity value, the valve control of the humidifier is performed by the current detection water level method. The current detection water level method has low cost and can complete the detection of the current value during the humidification process of the humidifier without other power consumption. When the absolute difference X between the conductivity K1 of the solution inside the humidifier and the standard conductivity K is greater than the preset conductivity value, it indicates that the conductivity deviation of the solution inside the humidifier is large. The current detection water level method is set for the standard conductivity. At this time, the detected water level Q1 has a large deviation, and the capacitor detection water level method needs to be activated to control the valve of the humidifier. The capacitance value changes due to the change of the medium. The capacitance value only corresponds to the water level Q2 inside the humidifier and is not affected by the conductivity of the solution. It can accurately judge the water level Q2 of the humidifier when the conductivity deviation of the solution is large, and can ensure the accurate control of the water level of the humidifier. Attached Figure Description
[0022] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
[0023] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0024] In the attached image:
[0025] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the humidifier control method in Embodiment 2 of this application. Detailed Implementation
[0026] To provide a clearer understanding of the technical features, objectives, and effects of this invention, specific embodiments are now described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, it should be understood that the orientations or positional relationships indicated by terms such as "front," "rear," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "longitudinal," "horizontal," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "head," and "tail" are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are constructed and operated in a specific orientation. They are only for the convenience of describing this technical solution and do not indicate that the referred mechanism or element must have a specific orientation; therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.
[0027] It should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, terms such as "installation," "connection," "linking," "fixing," and "setting" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. When an component is referred to as being "on" or "below" another component, the component can be located "directly" or "indirectly" on the other component, or there may be one or more intermediary components. The terms "first," "second," "third," etc., are only for the convenience of describing this technical solution and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, features defined with "first," "second," "third," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention can be understood according to the specific circumstances.
[0028] In the following description, specific details such as particular system structures and techniques are set forth for illustrative purposes and not for limitation, in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the invention. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the invention can be implemented in other embodiments without these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known systems, mechanisms, circuits, and methods are omitted so as not to obscure the description of the invention with unnecessary detail.
[0029] Example 1
[0030] This application provides a control method for a humidifier, characterized in that it includes:
[0031] The valve control of the humidifier is initiated by the current detection water level method, and the conductivity K1 of the solution inside the humidifier is obtained at the same time; wherein, the current detection water level method determines the water level Q1 of the humidifier based on the current value I1 inside the humidifier;
[0032] The absolute difference X between conductivity K1 and standard conductivity K is determined. If the absolute difference X is less than or equal to the preset conductivity value, the humidifier valve control is maintained using the current detection water level method. If the absolute difference X is greater than the preset conductivity value, the humidifier valve control is activated using the capacitance detection water level method. The capacitance detection water level method determines the humidifier water level Q2 based on the capacitance value, and the capacitance value corresponds to the internal water level Q2 of the humidifier.
[0033] In this application, when the absolute difference X between the conductivity K1 of the solution inside the humidifier and the standard conductivity K is less than or equal to the preset conductivity value, the valve control of the humidifier is performed using the current detection water level method. The current detection water level method has a low cost, and the current value can be detected during the humidification process without additional power consumption. When the absolute difference X between the conductivity K1 of the solution inside the humidifier and the standard conductivity K is greater than the preset conductivity value, it indicates that the conductivity deviation of the solution inside the humidifier is large. Since the current detection water level method is set for the standard conductivity, the detected water level Q1 has a large deviation. At this time, the capacitance detection water level method needs to be activated to control the valve of the humidifier. The capacitance value changes due to the change of the medium. The capacitance value corresponds only to the water level Q2 inside the humidifier and is not affected by the conductivity of the solution. It can accurately determine the water level Q2 of the humidifier when the conductivity deviation of the solution is large, which can ensure the accurate control of the water level of the humidifier.
[0034] Example 2
[0035] This humidifier uses an electrode-type design. Inside the humidifier is a water-filled humidification tank containing electrodes. A controller supplies power to the electrodes, and when the electrodes contact the water to form a circuit, a current is generated (which evaporates the water, achieving the humidification effect). The controller determines the water level Q1 by detecting the magnitude of this current (the higher the water level, the greater the current). Simultaneously, a conductivity meter is installed at the bottom of the humidification tank to detect the conductivity of the internal solution.
[0036] The humidifier in this application also includes a capacitor, which can be configured in one of two ways: First, a communicating vessel is installed on the side of the humidifier, inside which is a ring-shaped capacitor centered on the central axis of the communicating vessel. The communicating vessel is connected to the humidification tank and maintains the same water level as the tank. When the water level in the humidification tank changes, the water level in the communicating vessel also changes, the boundary between the solution and air in the ring-shaped capacitor changes, and the capacitance value changes due to the change in the medium. Based on the change in capacitance value and the fixed parameters of the humidifier, the water level Q2 in the humidification tank can be calculated. Second, a ring-shaped capacitor centered on the central axis of the humidification tank is installed inside the humidifier, i.e., the capacitor is directly fixed inside the humidification tank.
[0037] Please see Figure 1 The present application provides a humidifier control method, which includes the following steps:
[0038] S1: The humidifier's control unit has a preset standard water conductivity K. This K value is the conductivity of the aqueous solution used in the humidifier's production and testing. The program sets this K value as the standard water conductivity.
[0039] S2: After the humidifier is turned on, the inlet valve opens, the humidifier starts operating, and the humidifier outputs current. The main board then determines the water level Q1 based on the internal current value I1 and controls the opening and closing of the inlet and outlet valves accordingly. Simultaneously, a conductivity meter installed at the bottom of the humidifier tank detects the current water conductivity K1.
[0040] S3: The motherboard program determines the absolute difference X between conductivity K1 and standard conductivity K;
[0041] S4: If the absolute difference X is less than or equal to the preset conductivity value, it means that the difference between the current aqueous solution conductivity and the set standard water quality conductivity is not large, and the influence on the humidification amount is within the standard error range. The humidification function is operating normally, and the valve control of the humidifier is maintained by the current detection water level method.
[0042] S5: If the absolute difference X is greater than the preset conductivity value, it means that the current conductivity of the aqueous solution and the set standard water conductivity are significantly different, and the deviation in the amount of humidification is too large. Prepare to start the capacitor detection water level method to control the valve of the humidifier.
[0043] S6: Add a communicating vessel to the humidifier, and fit a ring capacitor onto the cylindrical communicating vessel, with the center of the ring capacitor aligned with the central axis of the communicating vessel. When there is no solution in the humidifier, the medium in the capacitor is air. As the water level rises, the capacitance value changes due to the different medium. The water level Q2 can be calculated based on the different capacitance values. After completing the installation of the communicating vessel and capacitor, activate the capacitor-based water level detection method to control the humidifier's valves.
[0044] S7: Add a circuit to the controller to detect the capacitance value. The physical quantity to be tested, water level, is converted into a capacitance value. Then, the detection circuit converts it into a weak signal and outputs it to the chip. The motherboard can then determine the water level Q2 of the solution in the humidifier in real time. Based on the capacitance value, the motherboard determines the water level Q2 of the humidifier and controls the opening and closing of the inlet and outlet valves according to the water level Q2 of the humidifier. This allows the actual humidification to more accurately reach the set humidification amount in areas with large water quality deviations.
[0045] S8: When using a capacitor to detect the water level Q2, the process further includes: compensating the current value I1 detected by the motherboard based on the absolute difference X to obtain a compensated current value I1'; and obtaining the compensated water level Q1' based on the compensated current value I1'. The current value detected by the motherboard is proportional to the conductivity, and this application converts the current value to the water level under the condition of the current value corresponding to the standard conductivity. When the conductivity deviates, the current value also deviates accordingly, and the water level also deviates. The compensation in this step is to compensate for the deviation of the conductivity, thereby obtaining the compensated water level Q1', which is a more accurate water level value in the humidifier tank.
[0046] The specific correction process is as follows:
[0047] Given the following formulas: K=1 / ρ, G=F / (ρL), G=1 / R, G=I / U, where K is conductivity in S / cm; ρ is resistivity; L is the distance between two electrodes in an electrode humidifier; F is the electrode area; G is conductivity; R is resistance; U is voltage; and I is current.
[0048] According to the above formula, K = IL / UF; that is, the conductivity is directly proportional to the current value, K1 = I1L / UF; the above steps have yielded the absolute difference X between the conductivity K1 and the standard conductivity K; if K1-K is greater than zero, then K1 = K+X, that is, the current value corresponding to the conductivity K1 is I1, then the current value corresponding to the conductivity K is I1' = I1-MX, where M = UF / L, which is the fixed coefficient of the humidifier.
[0049] If K1-K is less than zero, then K1=KX, that is, the current value corresponding to the conductivity of K1 is I1, and the current value corresponding to the conductivity of K is I1'= I1+MX, where M=UF / L, which is the fixed coefficient of the humidifier.
[0050] It is worth noting that during the compensation process, the absolute difference X in step S3 can be used directly for compensation, or the current conductivity K1 value can be detected during the compensation process. Since the solution in the humidifier does not change, the conductivity K1 remains basically unchanged throughout the humidification process.
[0051] S9: The motherboard program compares the absolute difference Y between the compensation water level Q1' and the water level Q2, with the preset λ being the preset water level value;
[0052] S10: If the absolute difference Y is less than or equal to the preset water level value, the humidifier valve is controlled by the capacitive water level detection method, which is less affected by the environment.
[0053] If the absolute difference Y is greater than the preset water level value, it is determined that the humidifier barrel is not installed evenly. If the capacitive water level detection method is used in this case, it will cause the deviation from the preset value to be too large. Therefore, the compensation water level Q1' is temporarily used as the water level judgment, and a fault signal T is output to the display board, where T means "humidifier barrel is installed tilted", to remind personnel to repair.
[0054] This invention adds a conductivity detector to the humidifier. When a deviation from the standard conductivity is detected to be too large, a second control method is activated. A communicating vessel is added next to the humidifier, and a ring capacitor is fitted inside the vessel. When the water level in the communicating vessel changes, the capacitance value changes due to the change in the medium. A circuit is added to the controller to detect the capacitance value. The water level is determined by the change in capacitance value, thereby controlling the humidification output. The capacitance detection is unaffected by water quality, and its use in different regions will not affect the humidification output. The capacitance value is generally independent of the electrode material, and it has good temperature stability.
[0055] However, the capacitive water level detection method is greatly affected by the tilt of the humidifier tank. When the product is installed in special locations such as mountainous areas, the humidifier tank may tilt due to the installation location. If only the capacitor structure is used for detection, the probability of being affected is too high. This invention continuously monitors the water conductivity while using the capacitive water level detection device, outputting a deviation value to the main board. The program uses this deviation value in calculations to correct the current detection value. Comparing this corrected water level detection value with the water level detected by the capacitive method, if the deviation is too large, it indicates that the humidifier tank is tilted, avoiding the common problem of most water level detection methods. The humidifier control method of this invention can accurately maintain the preset humidification level even when the unit is used in different areas with large water quality variations. It prevents the ambient humidity from falling below the required value due to the influence of water quality on the humidifier's current value, and it also prevents inaccurate water level detection caused by tilting of the entire unit in different locations.
[0056] Corresponding to the aforementioned application function implementation method embodiments, this application also provides an electronic device and corresponding embodiments for a humidifier control method.
[0057] Regarding the apparatus in the above embodiments, the specific manner in which each module performs its operation has been described in detail in the embodiments related to the method, and will not be elaborated further here.
[0058] Electronic devices include memory and processors.
[0059] The processor can be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.
[0060] Memory can include various types of storage units, such as system memory, read-only memory (ROM), and permanent storage devices. ROM can store static data or instructions required by the processor or other modules of the computer. Permanent storage devices can be read-write storage devices. Permanent storage devices can be non-volatile storage devices that retain stored instructions and data even when the computer is powered off. In some embodiments, permanent storage devices use mass storage devices (e.g., magnetic or optical disks, flash memory) as permanent storage devices. In other embodiments, permanent storage devices can be removable storage devices (e.g., floppy disks, optical drives). System memory can be a read-write storage device or a volatile read-write storage device, such as dynamic random access memory. System memory can store some or all of the instructions and data required by the processor during operation. Furthermore, memory can include any combination of computer-readable storage media, including various types of semiconductor memory chips (DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, flash memory, programmable read-only memory), and disks and / or optical disks can also be used. In some implementations, the memory may include removable storage devices that are readable and / or writable, such as laser discs (CDs), read-only digital multifunction optical discs (e.g., DVD-ROMs, dual-layer DVD-ROMs), read-only Blu-ray discs, ultra-high density optical discs, flash memory cards (e.g., SD cards, mini SD cards, Micro-SD cards, etc.), magnetic floppy disks, etc. Computer-readable storage media do not contain carrier waves or transient electronic signals transmitted wirelessly or via wired connections.
[0061] The memory stores executable code, which, when processed by the processor, can cause the processor to execute some or all of the methods described above.
[0062] It is understood that the above embodiments only illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can freely combine the above technical features without departing from the concept of the present invention, and can also make several modifications and improvements, all of which fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent transformations and modifications made with respect to the scope of the claims of the present invention should fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention.
Claims
1. A control method for a humidifier, characterized in that, include: The valve control of the humidifier is initiated by the current detection water level method, and the conductivity K1 of the solution inside the humidifier is obtained at the same time; wherein, the current detection water level method determines the water level Q1 of the humidifier based on the current value I1 inside the humidifier; The absolute difference X between conductivity K1 and standard conductivity K is determined. If the absolute difference X is less than or equal to the preset conductivity value, the humidifier valve control is maintained using the current detection water level method. If the absolute difference X is greater than the preset conductivity value, the humidifier valve control is activated using the capacitance detection water level method. The capacitance detection water level method determines the humidifier water level Q2 based on the capacitance value, and the capacitance value of the capacitor corresponds to the internal water level Q2 of the humidifier. The current value I1 is compensated based on the absolute difference X to obtain the compensated current value I1'; the compensated water level Q1' is obtained based on the compensated current value I1'; the absolute difference Y between the compensated water level Q1' and the water level Q2 is compared. If the absolute difference Y is greater than the preset water level value, the compensated water level Q1' is used as the water level judgment; if the absolute difference Y is less than or equal to the preset water level value, the valve control of the humidifier is maintained using the capacitor detection water level method.
2. The control method for a humidifier according to claim 1, characterized in that, The compensation for the current value I1 based on the absolute difference X includes: if K1-K is greater than zero, then I1' = I1-MX; if K1-K is less than zero, then I1' = I1+MX, where M is the fixed coefficient of the humidifier.
3. The control method for a humidifier according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the absolute difference Y is greater than the preset water level value, a fault signal for tilted installation is output.
4. The control method for a humidifier according to claim 1, characterized in that, The humidifier has a communicating vessel on its side, and a ring capacitor with the central axis of the communicating vessel as the center is installed inside the communicating vessel.
5. The control method for a humidifier according to claim 1, characterized in that, The humidifier is internally fitted with a ring-shaped capacitor centered on the central axis of the humidification barrel.
6. The control method for a humidifier according to claim 1, characterized in that, The valves include an inlet valve and a drain valve. The current detection water level method controls the opening and closing of the inlet valve and the drain valve based on the water level Q1 of the humidifier; the capacitance detection water level method controls the opening and closing of the inlet valve and the drain valve based on the water level Q2 of the humidifier.
7. The control method for a humidifier according to claim 1, characterized in that, The humidifier is an electrode-type humidifier.
8. An electronic device, characterized in that, include: processor; as well as A memory having executable code stored thereon, which, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-7.
9. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium having executable code stored thereon, characterized in that, When the executable code is executed by the processor of the electronic device, the processor performs the method as described in any one of claims 1-7.