Drawer type water tank, upper water adding humidifier and zero-stale-water control method

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of humidification, in particular to a drawer type water tank, an upper water adding humidifier provided with the drawer type water tank and a zero-stale-water control method for controlling the humidifier. Compared with the prior art, the drawer type water tank can be inserted into the humidifier or pulled out of the humidifier, and due to the structure that the top face is open, water body replacement and water tank cleaning are very convenient and fast; the air inlet and the air outlet are provided with net structures, so that air and water are permeable, and foreign matters and mosquitoes can be prevented from entering the humidifier to pollute water; the humidifier does not need to be shut down in the upper water adding operation, and upper water adding can be conducted through the air outlet in the humidifying process; the fan guides the air flow to carry, dilute and output water vapor generated by the humidifying device, so that the problems of floor wetting and condensate water noise caused by air flow humidity supersaturation are solved; the zero stale water control method ensures that fresh water is used in the humidification operation. The air humidifier is suitable for three mainstream air humidification technologies of a cold evaporation type, a heat evaporation type and an ultrasonic wave type at the same time, reuse of the structural design of the humidifier can be achieved, intergenerational innovation and standardization of the humidifier industry are promoted, and sale, popularization and application of the humidifier are promoted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of humidification technology, and more particularly to a drawer-type water tank, a top-fill humidifier, and a method for controlling stagnant water. Background Technology

[0002] Air humidification, as a primary means of indoor environmental regulation, is of great significance for residents in seasonally dry areas, the elderly, pregnant women, children, patients and other vulnerable groups, people with allergies, data center protection, storage of special items, cultivation of special crops, and breeding of special animals. More and more families are making humidifiers an essential appliance. However, currently mainstream evaporative and ultrasonic humidifiers have the following drawbacks:

[0003] (1) Pollution problem. The water used for humidification in humidifiers can become contaminated due to prolonged stagnation, the presence of foreign objects and insects, the mixing of pipe impurities, and the proliferation of bacteria or mold, resulting in unpleasant odors inside the humidifier and in the humidified air. The humidifier, purchased to improve air quality, has instead become a new source of air pollution, which is the primary reason why users cannot accept this.

[0004] (2) Efficiency Issues. The existing humidifier tank design makes adding, changing, and cleaning water inconvenient. A typical operation involves: stopping humidification, disconnecting the power, opening the casing, removing other parts obstructing the tank, adding, changing, or cleaning the tank, reinstalling the obstructing parts, reinstalling the casing, reconnecting the power, and restarting humidification. Each operation is time-consuming and laborious; frequent operations are even more inconvenient for users. Some humidifiers use a lift-up water tank, which is easy to disassemble, but because the tank is fully enclosed, it requires flipping it over and unscrewing the cap to change the water. At this point, the opening is only the size of the cap, limiting the flow rate for pouring and adding water, and making it difficult to accommodate cleaning tools and hands, thus hindering cleaning.

[0005] (3) Humidity oversaturation problem. Currently mainstream thermal evaporation humidifiers and ultrasonic humidifiers rely solely on the air pressure difference between the vicinity of the humidifier and the air outlet to output water vapor after the humidification device generates water vapor. The output efficiency is low. The humidity inside the humidifier and the air outlet is oversaturated, resulting in a large amount of condensation. Small condensation particles will wet the floor, and large condensation particles will fall back and cause dripping noise. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In order to solve the three problems mentioned above in existing related products and technologies at the same time, the present invention discloses a drawer-type water tank, a top-fill humidifier with the drawer-type water tank, and a zero-stagnant water control method for controlling the humidifier.

[0007] This invention discloses a drawer-type water tank with a structure that is closed on the sides and bottom and open on the top. It can be inserted into or removed from a humidifier. When inserted, it is used for water collection, water storage and water supply for humidification operation. When removed, it is used for water replacement and water tank cleaning.

[0008] The present invention discloses a top-filled water humidifier, comprising: the above-mentioned drawer-type water tank, outer shell, humidification device, fan, fan water deflector, air inlet water deflector, and water timer;

[0009] An air outlet is provided on the top surface of the outer casing, which also serves as a water inlet for adding water.

[0010] An air inlet and a drawer opening are provided on the side of the outer casing;

[0011] Both the air inlet and the air outlet are equipped with a mesh structure, which allows for air and water permeability while preventing foreign objects and insects from entering the humidifier and contaminating the water.

[0012] The fan is located inside the housing and between the air inlet and the air outlet. Its function is to guide the airflow from the air inlet into the humidifier, dilute and carry the water vapor generated by the humidifier out of the humidifier from the air outlet.

[0013] The fan baffle is located between the fan and the air outlet, and its function is to ensure that water will not splash into the fan motor during the water filling process;

[0014] The water inlet baffle is located inside the outer casing and above the air inlet. Its function is to prevent water from flowing out of the outer casing along the air inlet.

[0015] The humidification device is located inside the outer casing, and its function is to obtain water from the drawer-type water tank and humidify the passing airflow.

[0016] The drawer-type water tank is inserted into and removed from the humidifier through the drawer opening. When the humidifier is inserted, the drawer-type water tank is located below the air outlet. It can collect not only the water added to the humidifier from the air outlet, but also the water droplets that condense or overflow from the various components above it. The top water filling operation does not require the humidifier to be stopped. Water can be added through the air outlet during the humidification process.

[0017] The water timer can monitor whether the drawer-type water tank is inside the humidifier and can record the duration of the drawer-type water tank inside the humidifier.

[0018] This invention discloses a zero-stagnant-water control method for controlling the aforementioned top-fill humidifier, the control method comprising:

[0019] Determine if a humidifier is inserted into the drawer-type water tank;

[0020] When the drawer-type water tank is inserted into the humidifier, the water timer returns to its initial state and starts timing;

[0021] Determine if the water body timer has reached the threshold;

[0022] When the water timer reaches the threshold, the humidifier reminds the user to pull out the drawer-type water tank for cleaning and water replacement via human-computer interaction.

[0023] Preferably, the above-mentioned top-fill humidifier may also be equipped with an alarm device.

[0024] Preferably, the above-mentioned top-fill humidifier can further implement joint control of the humidification device and the water timer.

[0025] Preferably, the above-mentioned top-fill humidifier can also have multiple power levels for its fan and humidification device and implement joint control.

[0026] Preferably, the above-mentioned top-fill humidifier may also be equipped with a level gauge; furthermore, an alarm device may be installed to implement joint control with the level gauge.

[0027] Preferably, the above-mentioned top-fill humidifier can also be equipped with a waterproof control panel as a fan deflector, combining the human-computer interaction function and the fan deflector function into one.

[0028] This invention is applicable to the three mainstream air humidification technologies: cold evaporation, hot evaporation, and ultrasonic.

[0029] Compared to existing technologies, the drawer-type water tank can be inserted into or removed from the humidifier, and its open top structure makes water replacement and tank cleaning very convenient. The air inlet and outlet are equipped with a mesh structure, which allows for air and water permeability while preventing foreign objects and insects from entering the humidifier and contaminating the water. Top-filling operation does not require the humidifier to be stopped; water can be added through the air outlet during humidification. The fan guides the airflow to carry, dilute, and output the water vapor generated by the humidifier, eliminating the problems of floor wetting and condensation noise caused by oversaturated airflow. The zero-stagnant-water control method ensures that only fresh water is used during humidification.

[0030] The above content should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, combinations, decompositions, deletions, improvements, etc., made by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention and based on the ideas and methods of the present invention in terms of specific implementation methods and application scope should be covered within the protection scope of the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0031] To make the technical solutions, objectives, features, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, easier to understand, and more obvious, accompanying drawings are provided below to illustrate the embodiments of the present invention and the prior art. The accompanying drawings provided herein are intended to provide a further understanding of the present invention, constitute a part of the present invention, and do not constitute an undue limitation of the present invention. Obviously, the accompanying drawings describe only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. All other drawings obtained by those skilled in the art based on the accompanying drawings without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the top-filled humidifier structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of the zero-stagnant water control method provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Detailed Implementation

[0034] To make the technical solutions, objectives, features, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, easier to understand, and more obvious, the specific implementation methods of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The descriptions provided herein are intended to provide a further understanding of the present invention and constitute a part of the present invention, but do not constitute an improper limitation of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0035] It should be noted that if directional indications are involved in the embodiments of the present invention, these indications are only used to explain the relative positional relationships and movement of the components in a specific orientation, and are merely for the purpose of facilitating understanding of the present invention and simplifying the description. They do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must be set in a specific orientation, a specific relative position, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific relative position. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. If the specific orientation changes, the directional indications will also change accordingly.

[0036] If any description of shape is included in the embodiments of this invention, the shape is merely for the purpose of facilitating understanding of the invention and simplifying the description, and does not imply that the device or component must have a specific shape. Therefore, it should not be construed as a limitation of the invention. Any person skilled in the art, within the scope of the technology disclosed in this invention, may replace the shape with other shapes in specific embodiments based on the ideas and methods of this invention, and such substitutions should still be covered within the protection scope of this invention.

[0037] See Figure 1The present invention discloses a drawer-type water tank 33, which has a structure with closed sides and bottom and an open top. For example, it can be intuitively understood as a rectangular drawer shape or a circular water basin shape with handles on the sides. It can be inserted into or removed from a humidifier. When inserted, it is used for water collection, water storage and water supply for humidification operation. When removed, it is used for water replacement and water tank cleaning.

[0038] See Figure 1 The present invention also discloses a top-filled water humidifier 100, including: a drawer-type water tank 33, a shell 10, a humidification device 32, a water timer 34, a fan 31, a fan water deflector 21, and an air inlet water deflector 22.

[0039] An air outlet 12 is provided on the top surface of the outer casing 10, and the air outlet 12 is also a water inlet for adding water.

[0040] An air inlet 11 and a drawer opening 13 are provided on the side of the outer casing 10;

[0041] Both the air inlet 11 and the air outlet 12 are equipped with a mesh structure, which allows for air and water permeability while preventing foreign objects and insects from entering the humidifier and contaminating the water.

[0042] The fan 31 is located inside the housing 10 and between the air inlet 11 and the air outlet 12. Its function is to guide the airflow from the air inlet 11 into the humidifier, dilute and carry the water vapor generated by the humidification device 32 out of the humidifier from the air outlet 12.

[0043] The fan baffle 21 is located between the fan 31 and the air outlet 12. Its function is to ensure that water will not splash into the motor of the fan 31 during the process of adding water.

[0044] The water inlet baffle 22 is located inside the outer casing 10 and above the air inlet 11. Its function is to prevent water from overflowing from the outer casing 10 along the air inlet 11.

[0045] The humidification device 32 is located inside the outer casing 10, and its function is to obtain water from the drawer-type water tank 33 and humidify the passing airflow.

[0046] The drawer-type water tank 33 is inserted into and removed from the humidifier through the drawer opening 13. When the humidifier is inserted, the drawer-type water tank 33 is located below the air outlet 12. It can collect not only the water added to the humidifier from the air outlet 12, but also the water droplets that condense or overflow from the various components above it. The top water filling operation does not require the humidifier to be stopped. Water can be added through the air outlet 12 during the humidification process.

[0047] The water timer 34 can monitor whether the drawer-type water tank 33 is inside the humidifier and can record the duration of the drawer-type water tank inside the humidifier.

[0048] In a preferred design embodiment of the present invention, a joint may be maintained between the drawer-type water tank 33 and the humidifier body. A conductive metal sheet may be provided on one side of the drawer-type water tank at this joint, and two elastic electrode contacts may be provided on the other side of the humidifier body at this joint. The elastic electrode contacts are connected to the water timer 34 by an electrical circuit. When the drawer-type water tank 33 is engaged with the humidifier body, the engagement causes the two electrode contacts to short-circuit under the action of the conductive metal sheet, thus allowing the water timer 34 to detect the insertion of the drawer-type water tank 33.

[0049] Note: The monitoring in this embodiment of the invention is achieved by short-circuiting the switching quantity of the electrode contacts. This is only one way to monitor water bodies. The water body timer 34 can be implemented in any way and should still be covered within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0050] See Figure 2 This invention also discloses a zero-stagnant-water control method for controlling the above-mentioned top-fill humidifier, the control method comprising:

[0051] S201, determine whether the drawer-type water tank 33 is inserted into the humidifier. If the drawer-type water tank 33 is inserted, proceed to step S202; otherwise, proceed to step S201.

[0052] S202, Water timer 34 returns to its initial state and starts timing, proceed to step S203;

[0053] S203, determine whether the water body timer 34 has reached the threshold. If the water body timer 34 reaches the threshold, proceed to step S204; otherwise, proceed to step S203.

[0054] S204, the humidifier reminds the user to remove the drawer-type water tank 33 for water tank cleaning and water replacement through human-computer interaction, and then proceeds to step S201;

[0055] As a preferred design of this invention, the above-mentioned top-fill humidifier may also be equipped with an alarm device that will alert the user when the water timer 34 determines that the water is no longer fresh.

[0056] As a preferred design of this invention, the above-mentioned top-fill humidifier can further implement joint control of the humidification device 32 and the water timer 34. When the water timer reaches the threshold, the humidification device 32 is locked until fresh water is replaced, at which point the lock can be released and the humidification operation can be resumed.

[0057] As a preferred design of the present invention, the above-mentioned top-fill humidifier can also have multiple power levels for its fan 31 and humidification device 32 and implement joint control, setting both the fan and humidification device to the fast level for rapid humidification, and setting both the fan and humidification device to the low level for quiet humidification.

[0058] As a preferred design of this invention, the above-mentioned top-fill humidifier may also be equipped with a level gauge, allowing the user to observe the water level in the drawer-type water tank and decide whether to add water or stop adding water. Furthermore, the alarm device and the level gauge can be jointly controlled to alarm the user when the drawer-type water tank is low on water or full.

[0059] As a preferred design of this invention, the fan baffle 21 described above may have a convex shape on its upper surface to facilitate airflow and reduce or even avoid water splashing.

[0060] As a preferred design of this invention, the upper surface of the air inlet water baffle 22 can be concave to facilitate airflow and reduce or even avoid water splashing.

[0061] As a preferred design of this invention, the above-mentioned top-fill humidifier can be further equipped with a waterproof touch-sensitive interactive LCD control panel, which combines the user interaction function and the fan water blocking function into one.

[0062] This invention is applicable to the three mainstream air humidification technologies: cold evaporation, hot evaporation, and ultrasonic.

[0063] As a preferred design of this invention, when the humidifier uses ultrasonic humidification technology, it is not necessary to air dry the humidifier. When the drawer-type water tank is removed, the humidification operation needs to be stopped to prevent the ultrasonic oscillation component from working without load.

[0064] As a preferred design of this invention, when the humidifier uses thermal evaporation humidification technology, it is not necessary to air dry the humidifier. When the drawer-type water tank is removed, the humidification operation needs to be stopped to prevent the heating component from running dry due to lack of water.

[0065] As a preferred design of this invention, when the humidification device uses cold evaporation humidification technology, the evaporation core can be dried when humidification stops to prevent bacterial growth; the humidification operation does not need to be stopped when the drawer-type water tank is removed.

[0066] Compared to existing technologies, the drawer-type water tank can be inserted into or removed from the humidifier, and its open top structure makes water replacement and tank cleaning very convenient. The air inlet and outlet are equipped with a mesh structure, which allows for air and water permeability while preventing foreign objects and insects from entering the humidifier and contaminating the water. Top-filling operation does not require the humidifier to be stopped; water can be added through the air outlet during humidification. The fan guides the airflow to carry, dilute, and output the water vapor generated by the humidifier, eliminating the problems of floor wetting and condensation noise caused by oversaturated airflow. The zero-stagnant-water control method ensures that only fresh water is used during humidification.

[0067] This invention is applicable to the three mainstream air humidification technologies: cold evaporation, hot evaporation, and ultrasonic. It enables the reuse of humidifier structural designs, promotes standardization in the humidifier industry, and facilitates the sales, promotion, and application of humidifiers.

[0068] The above content should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, combinations, decompositions, deletions, improvements, etc., made by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention and based on the ideas and methods of the present invention in terms of specific implementation methods and application scope should be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A drawer-type sink, characterized in that, It has a structure with closed sides and bottom and an open top, and can be inserted into or removed from the humidifier. When inserted, it is used for water collection, water storage and water supply for humidification operation. When removed, it is used for water replacement and water tank cleaning.

2. A top-fill humidifier, comprising: As described in claim 1, the drawer-type water tank, outer shell, humidifier, fan, fan water deflector, air inlet water deflector, and water timer; An air outlet is provided on the top surface of the outer casing, which also serves as a water inlet for adding water. An air inlet and a drawer opening are provided on the side of the outer casing; Both the air inlet and the air outlet are equipped with a mesh structure, which allows for air and water permeability while preventing foreign objects and insects from entering the humidifier and contaminating the water. The fan is located inside the housing and between the air inlet and the air outlet. Its function is to guide the airflow from the air inlet into the humidifier, dilute and carry the water vapor generated by the humidifier out of the humidifier from the air outlet. The fan baffle is located between the fan and the air outlet, and its function is to ensure that water will not splash into the fan motor during the water filling process; The water inlet baffle is located inside the outer casing and above the air inlet. Its function is to prevent water from flowing out of the outer casing along the air inlet. The humidification device is located inside the outer casing, and its function is to obtain water from the drawer-type water tank and humidify the passing airflow. The drawer-type water tank is inserted into and removed from the humidifier through the drawer opening. When the humidifier is inserted, the drawer-type water tank is located below the air outlet. It can collect not only the water added to the humidifier from the air outlet, but also the water droplets that condense or overflow from the various components above it. The top water filling operation does not require the humidifier to be stopped. Water can be added through the air outlet during the humidification process. The water timer can monitor whether the drawer-type water tank is inside the humidifier and can record the duration of the drawer-type water tank inside the humidifier.

3. A zero-stagnant-water control method for controlling the top-fill humidifier as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The control method includes: determining whether a humidifier is inserted into the drawer-type water tank; When the drawer-type water tank is inserted into the humidifier, the water timer returns to its initial state and starts timing; Determine if the water body timer has reached the threshold; When the water timer reaches the threshold, the humidifier reminds the user to pull out the drawer-type water tank for cleaning and water replacement via human-computer interaction.

4. The above claims should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, combinations, decompositions, deletions, improvements, etc., made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the claims, based on the ideas and methods of the present invention, in terms of specific implementation methods and application scope, should be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

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