Ultrasonic self-descaling water pump, control method of ultrasonic self-descaling water pump and household appliance adopting ultrasonic self-descaling water pump

Abstract

The invention discloses an ultrasonic self-descaling water pump and a household appliance. The ultrasonic self-descaling water pump aims at solving the problems that an existing water pump is prone to scaling in a hard water environment, so that the performance is reduced, and the service life is shortened. The ultrasonic self-descaling water pump comprises a shell of a water path, a water stirring face is formed at the lower end of a blade when an impeller rotates, a first shell face is arranged close to the water stirring face, and a through hole is formed in the first shell face. The impeller is connected with a driving shaft, and the driving shaft penetrates through the through hole; an ultrasonic assembly tightly attached to the first shell face is arranged on the side, away from the water stirring face, of the first shell face and within the range corresponding to the water stirring face. Through combination of active ultrasonic descaling and passive ceramic anti-scaling, online and automatic cleaning is achieved, the reliability and efficiency of the water pump in the hard water environment are remarkably improved, and the service life of the water pump in the hard water environment is remarkably prolonged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fluid machinery technology, specifically to an ultrasonic self-descaling water pump with anti-scaling and descaling functions, its control method, and household appliances using the same. Background Technology

[0002] In many water-related household appliances, the dissolved salts in the water gradually become more concentrated with continuous use. For example, when using a humidifier, whether using wet film humidification, electric heating humidification, or even ultrasonic humidification, a relatively lower concentration of water is diffused into the air, resulting in a gradually increasing concentration of the remaining water. This residual water, with its increasing salt concentration, will form scale in areas prone to scaling. For instance, when a water pump needs to transport water, the higher salt content of the liquid will more easily crystallize at various contact surfaces, clogging the pump shaft or impeller. Traditional descaling methods require shutdown and disassembly for chemical or physical cleaning, which is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and disrupts continuous equipment operation. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a compact, highly efficient, and integrated active scale prevention and removal solution within the water pump. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies. Firstly, it provides an ultrasonic self-descaling water pump that is compact in structure, has good descaling effect, and can operate stably for a long period. To achieve the above objective, this invention adopts the following technical solution: An ultrasonic self-descaling water pump includes a housing with a water passage and an impeller disposed in the water passage. The impeller, when rotating, forms a water-stirring surface under its blades. A first housing surface is disposed near the water-stirring surface, and a through hole is provided on the first housing surface. The impeller is connected to a drive shaft, which passes through the through hole. An ultrasonic component is disposed on the side of the first housing surface away from the water-stirring surface, and within a range corresponding to the water-stirring surface, closely adhering to the first housing surface, forming a thin water layer between the two. The ultrasonic component emits ultrasonic waves, which pass through the first housing surface and enter the water passage. Furthermore, the water-stirring surface is provided as the lower surface formed by the rotation of the impeller, and the average value of the distances between each point on the lower surface and the inner wall of the first housing surface constitutes the average distance between the water-stirring surface and the first housing surface, and the average distance ranges from 0.5 to 3.5 mm; or the water-stirring surface has a point at which the distance from the first housing surface is the smallest, and the distance from the smallest point to the first housing surface ranges from 0.3 to 2.5 mm.

[0004] The ultrasonic component emits ultrasonic waves with a frequency in the range of 0.9MHz to 1.5MHz. After passing through the first housing surface, the ultrasonic waves enter the water channel and then pass through a thin water layer between the inner wall of the first housing surface and the water-stirring surface. The wavelength of the ultrasonic waves and the thickness of the thin water layer are on the same order of magnitude. The ultrasonic waves generate dense multiple ultrasonic waves that meet in the water channel and produce interference, forming dense standing wave regions and inter-standing wave regions. The impeller rotates in the water channel, causing the impeller, drive shaft, and the connection between the impeller and drive shaft to repeatedly pass through the standing wave regions at high speed.

[0005] The minimum distance from the side of the first housing near the water-stirring surface to the water-stirring surface is L, and the actual size of L is in the range of 0.3-2.5 mm. The wavelength of the ultrasonic wave is set to 0.35 to 3 times the minimum distance L. The wavelength of the ultrasonic wave is on the same order of magnitude as the thickness of the thin water layer. The ultrasonic wave will cause multiple dense ultrasonic waves to meet in the water channel and produce interference, forming a dense standing wave region and an inter-standing wave region. The impeller rotates in the water channel, causing the impeller, drive shaft and the connection between the impeller and drive shaft to repeatedly pass through the standing wave region at high speed.

[0006] The ultrasonic self-descaling water pump includes an impeller with a ceramic surface and a drive shaft. The coefficient of friction of the ceramic surface is in the range of 0.02 to 0.5, the hydrophobic water film contact angle is greater than 90 degrees, and the surface roughness Ra < 0.1 μm. The wear-resistant ring that cooperates with the drive shaft is made of ceramic material on its facing side to form a synergistic anti-scaling effect.

[0007] The first housing surface is made of metal or plastic. When ultrasonic waves pass through the first housing surface made of metal / plastic material and enter the water channel, they will be refracted inward. The ultrasonic waves will tend to propagate in the direction of the drive shaft and the connection between the drive shaft and the blade. When the ultrasonic component continuously emits ultrasonic waves, ultrasonic waves from various angles converge towards the center. As the impeller and drive shaft continue to rotate, the ultrasonic waves are repeatedly refracted at multiple angles, creating a superimposed enhancement area on the surface of the drive shaft and at the connection between the drive shaft and the blade, thereby reducing the formation of a thin layer of scale on the surface of this enhancement area.

[0008] This application also discloses a household appliance, characterized in that: the household appliance includes a water circuit, and the salt concentration in the water circuit is elevated, and an ultrasonic self-descaling water pump is included. The household appliance is any one of a humidifier, coffee maker, dishwasher, garment steamer, and electric water heater.

[0009] This application also discloses a control method for an ultrasonic self-descaling water pump, including the ultrasonic self-descaling water pump and a conductivity device for detecting water quality. The conductivity device has a detection head disposed on the water inlet side of the ultrasonic self-descaling water pump. The specific steps include: when the detected conductivity value is less than 150 μS / cm, adjusting the current ultrasonic component output frequency to 1.05 MHz; when the detected conductivity value is greater than or equal to 150 μS / cm but less than 300 μS / cm, adjusting the current ultrasonic component output frequency to 1.1 MHz; and when the detected conductivity value is greater than or equal to 300 μS / cm, adjusting the current ultrasonic component output frequency to 1.2 MHz.

[0010] The ultrasonic component includes at least two ultrasonic components arranged in a ring, including a high-frequency ultrasonic component with a frequency range from 1.05 MHz to 1.2 MHz, and a low-frequency ultrasonic component arranged opposite it with an operating frequency of 300 kHz to 800 kHz. Specific control steps include: when the detected conductivity value is less than 150 μS / cm, the output frequency range of the low-frequency ultrasonic component is 300 kHz to 450 kHz; when the detected conductivity value is greater than or equal to 150 μS / cm but less than 300 μS / cm, the output frequency range of the low-frequency ultrasonic component is 450 kHz to 600 kHz; and when the detected conductivity value is greater than or equal to 300 μS / cm, the output frequency range of the low-frequency ultrasonic component is 600 kHz to 800 kHz.

[0011] Compared with the prior art, the ultrasonic self-descaling water pump provided by the present invention has the following beneficial effects: 1. High-efficiency active scale prevention: The ultrasonic scale prevention component is directly integrated into the water pump. The energy is directly applied to the key surfaces that are prone to scale formation. It is highly efficient and consumes little power, achieving online and uninterrupted scale prevention and removal.

[0012] 2. Long life and high reliability: The dual anti-scaling mechanism effectively avoids performance degradation and mechanical failure caused by scale accumulation, greatly extending the service life of the water pump under harsh water quality conditions and reducing maintenance costs. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the ultrasonic self-descaling water pump in Example 1; Figure 2 for Figure 1 Cross-sectional three-dimensional structural diagram along the AA direction; Figure 3 This is a 3D structural diagram of the evaporative cooling pad assembly; Figure 4 A perspective view of the overall three-dimensional structure of the humidifier; Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the three-dimensional structure of the base; Figure 6 A perspective view of the three-dimensional structure of the water tank cover assembly connected to the water pump; Figure 7 This is a top view of the drive shaft; Figure 8 A perspective view of the three-dimensional structure of a water tank cover assembly with a circuit board box and a coupler mounting bracket connected together; Figure 9 This is a 3D structural diagram of the circuit board box; Figure 10 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the water pump box; Figure 11 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the coupler mounting bracket assembly; In the diagram: 1. Base; 101. Spherical positioning protrusion; 102. Observation window; 2. Water tank cover assembly; 201. First step surface; 202. Second step surface; 203. Third step surface; 204. Connecting arm; 205. Circuit board box; 206. Water level detection circuit board; 207. Water pump box; 4. Water pump; 209. Water inlet pipe; 210. Detection chamber; 211. Float; 212. Coupler fixing bracket assembly; 2121. Socket fixing bracket; 2122. Coupler socket; 3. Evaporative cooling pad assembly; 301. Evaporative cooling pad bracket; 302. Filter cover a; 303. Filter cover b; 304. Humidifying filter; 4. Water pump; 401. Circuit board; 402. Housing; 403. Seal; 404. Ultrasonic assembly; 405. Sleeve; 406. Wire frame; 407. Silicon steel core sheet; 408. Impeller cover; 409. Impeller; 410. Bracket; 411. Wear ring; 412. Drive shaft; 413. Permanent magnet; 414. Drive shaft sleeve; 415. Drive bearing; 416. Inlet; 417. Outlet; 418. Impeller cavity; 419. Rotor cavity; 420. Stator cavity. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0015] It should be noted that all directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in the embodiments of this application are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of each component in a certain specific posture (as shown in the figure). If the specific posture changes, the directional indicator will also change accordingly.

[0016] It should also be noted that when a component is described as "fixed to" or "set on" another component, it can be directly on the other component or there may be an intervening component present. When a component is described as "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there may be an intervening component present.

[0017] Furthermore, the use of terms such as "first" and "second" in this application is for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. Additionally, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but only on the basis of being achievable by those skilled in the art. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, such a combination of technical solutions should be considered non-existent and not within the scope of protection claimed in this application.

[0018] The technical solution of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0019] In existing household appliances, the dissolved salt concentration in the water gradually increases. For example, when using a humidifier, whether using wet film humidification, electric heating humidification, or even ultrasonic humidification, a relatively lower concentration of water is diffused into the air, resulting in a gradual increase in the concentration of the remaining water. This residual water, with its gradually increasing salt concentration, will form scale in areas prone to scaling. For instance, when a water pump needs to transport water, the liquid with higher salt content is more likely to crystallize at various contact surfaces, thus clogging the pump shaft or impellers. This gradual increase in salt concentration in the water during household operation is defined as salt concentration elevation. Localized salt concentration elevation is common in household appliances, such as humidifiers, garment steamers, and electric water heaters. In situations of elevated salt concentration, the increased salt concentration, the localized low pressure generated by the pump's operation, and sometimes temperature changes, often make the pump shaft and impellers prone to scaling and clogging.

[0020] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the present invention provides an ultrasonic self-descaling water pump, including a housing 402, a motor, an ultrasonic component, an impeller 409 disposed within the housing 402 for promoting water flow, an impeller cover 408 connected and fixed to the front end of the housing 402, and a circuit board 401 disposed on one side of the motor for driving the motor and the ultrasonic component. The impeller cover 408 has a water inlet channel facing the bottom of the pump body. This water inlet channel communicates with the impeller cavity 418 through a water inlet 416 disposed in the middle of the impeller cover 408, and the water inlet of the water inlet channel is lower than the water inlet 416 in the middle of the impeller cover 408. This structure can effectively avoid the influence of liquid backflow on the pumping effect, thereby improving the stability of the water pump operation.

[0021] The housing 402 contains an impeller cavity 418, a rotor cavity 419, and a stator cavity 420. An impeller 409 is housed in the impeller cavity 418, a rotor assembly in the rotor cavity 419, and a stator assembly in the stator cavity 420. A first housing surface connects the impeller cavity 418 and the rotor cavity 419, and they are connected by a through hole on the first housing surface. In some embodiments, both the impeller cavity 418 and the rotor cavity 419 are cylindrical cavities. One end of the cylindrical cavity of the impeller cavity 418 is open, and the other end is connected to the rotor cavity 419 through a through hole on the first housing surface. One end of the cylindrical cavity of the rotor cavity 419 is closed, and the other end is connected to the impeller cavity 418 through a through hole on the first housing surface. Furthermore, the central axis of the cylindrical cavities of the impeller cavity 418 and the rotor cavity 419 coincides with the center of the through hole. The stator cavity 420 surrounds and separates the cylindrical outer periphery of the impeller cavity 418 and the rotor cavity 419. In some embodiments, the middle section of the cylindrical sidewall of the impeller cavity 418, facing the upper part of the pump body, forms an outlet 417 tangentially to the cylindrical sidewall of the impeller cavity 418. The impeller cover 408 can be fitted into the opening of the impeller cavity 418 to form a water passage. This water passage connects the inlet 416 and the outlet 417. An impeller 409 is provided in this water passage, wherein the impeller 409 has multiple blades, generally 3-15 blades, more commonly 3-7 blades.

[0022] In the ultrasonic self-descaling water pump of Embodiment 1, a cavity forming a water channel is constructed from the housing, i.e., the housing contains a water channel. An impeller 409 is installed in the water channel and connected to a drive shaft. When the impeller 409 rotates under the drive shaft, a water-stirring surface is formed at the lower end of the blades. A first housing surface is provided near the water-stirring surface, and a through hole is provided on the first housing surface through which the water pump drive shaft passes. The distance between the side of the first housing surface near the water-stirring surface and the water-stirring surface is 0.2 to 3.5 mm. An ultrasonic component is provided close to the first housing surface and within the range corresponding to the water-stirring surface, forming a thin water layer between the two. The ultrasonic component emits ultrasonic waves, which pass through the first housing surface and enter the water channel. They quickly pass through the thin water layer between the water-stirring surface and the first housing surface, allowing the ultrasonic waves to propagate into the impeller cavity more efficiently. The ultrasonic energy is more concentrated to descale the impeller drive shaft of the water pump.

[0023] In some embodiments, the distance between the side of the first housing near the agitation surface and the agitation surface is 0.5 to 3.5 mm. This distance refers to the agitation surface being the lower surface formed by the impeller rotation, which is often a curved surface. The average distance between this curved surface and the inner wall of the first housing surface needs to be considered to form the aforementioned distance. Possible values ​​include 0.5 mm, 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2.5 mm, etc., all of which have achieved good results. In some embodiments, when the average distance between the side of the first housing near the agitation surface and the agitation surface is 0.5 to 3.5 mm, in a… In these experiments, the dimensions were 0.5 mm, 0.8 mm, 1 mm, 1.2 mm, 2.5 mm, and 3.2 mm. For ultra-high frequency ultrasound, taking 1.1 MHz as an example, the wavelength of ultrasound in water is approximately 1.36 mm. This size is close to the actual distance from the inner surface of the first casing to the agitated surface, belonging to the same order of magnitude. High-frequency sound waves can effectively propagate, reflect, and superimpose within the volute cavity of this water pump, forming a standing wave field with extremely high energy density. This precisely concentrates energy on the surfaces of the impeller, drive shaft, and the connection between the impeller and drive shaft. Simultaneously, for ultra-high frequency ultrasound between 0.9 MHz and 1.5 MHz, the energy is concentrated on the surface, forming a high-energy-density standing wave field within the micro-cavity, generating a massive number of micron-sized cavitation bubbles. The microscopic impact force generated by the collapse of these bubbles can efficiently shatter and peel off thin layers of scale without damaging the substrate. Especially when the impeller rotates at high speed, the effect of micro-crystal removal is significantly improved by passing through the spaced standing wave region and the inter-standing wave region.

[0024] In some embodiments, the distance between the side of the first housing surface closest to the agitation surface and the point closest to the agitation surface is 0.3 to 2.5 mm. This closest point to the agitation surface is the position where the agitation surface is closest to the first housing surface. The distance from the interior of the first housing surface can be 0.4 mm, 0.9 mm, 1.3 mm, etc., all achieving good results. In some embodiments, when the minimum distance between the side of the first housing surface closest to the agitation surface and the agitation surface is 0.3 to 2.5 mm (in some experiments, it is 0.5 mm, 0.8 mm, 1 mm, 1.2 mm), within the above range, for ultra-high frequency ultrasound, taking 1.1 MHz as an example, the wavelength of ultrasound in water is approximately 1.36 mm. This size is close to the actual distance from the inner side of the first housing surface to the agitation surface, belonging to the same order of magnitude. High-frequency sound waves can effectively propagate, reflect, and superimpose within the volute cavity of this water pump, forming a standing wave field with extremely high energy density, precisely concentrating energy on the surfaces of the impeller, drive shaft, and the connection between the impeller and drive shaft. Meanwhile, for ultra-high frequency ultrasound in the range of 0.9MHz to 1.5MHz, the energy is concentrated on the surface, which can form a high-energy-density standing wave field within the micro-cavity, generating a massive number of micron-sized cavitation bubbles. The microscopic impact force generated by the collapse of these bubbles can efficiently shatter and peel off thin layers of scale without damaging the substrate. In particular, when the impeller rotates at high speed, the effect of removing micro-crystals is significantly improved by passing through the spaced standing wave region and the inter-standing wave region.

[0025] To further improve the adhesion of thin layers or microcrystals, especially hard scale forming on the surfaces of the impeller, drive shaft, and impeller-drive shaft connection, in some embodiments, the ultrasonic frequency can be selected at ultra-high frequencies between 0.9 MHz and 1.5 MHz. We know that ultrasonic frequencies between 15 kHz and 60 kHz are commonly used for ultrasonic descaling (characterized by easy propagation around obstacles, large cavitation bubbles, strong energy, and violent collapse). While ultra-high frequency ultrasound has good directionality, it also has a shorter propagation distance and faster attenuation with increasing frequency. Furthermore, as the salt content in the solution increases, the viscosity of the liquid also increases, leading to more significant attenuation. Therefore, higher frequencies are not preferred by those skilled in the art. In this embodiment, the inventors, through groundbreaking testing, verified that when ultra-high frequency ultrasonic waves propagate from the side of the first housing near the agitation surface into the water channel, and the distance between the side of the first housing near the agitation surface and the agitation surface is very small, especially in the range of 0.3 mm to 2.5 mm (in some experiments, 0.5 mm, 0.8 mm, 1 mm, and 1.2 mm), and considering that the wavelength of 1.1 MHz ultrasonic waves in water is approximately 1.36 mm, this size is on the same order of magnitude as the 1 mm gap between the side of the first housing near the agitation surface and the agitation surface. Thus, high-frequency sound waves can effectively propagate, reflect, and superimpose within this micro-cavity, forming a standing wave field with extremely high energy density, precisely concentrating energy on the blade and shaft surfaces. When these waves meet in the water, they create a denser array of ultrasonic waves, resulting in interference and the formation of more concentrated standing waves. This creates standing wave regions and inter-standing wave regions. As the impeller rotates in the water, the impeller, drive shaft, and the connection between the impeller and drive shaft repeatedly pass through this region at high speed, generating strong ultrasonic waves that act on the surfaces of the impeller, drive shaft, and the connection between the impeller and drive shaft.

[0026] In some embodiments, further experiments were conducted to verify this frequency. It was found that when the minimum distance from the side of the first housing near the water-stirring surface to the water-stirring surface is L, and the actual size of L is within the range of 0.3-2.5 mm, when the wavelength of the ultrasonic wave is between 0.35 and 3 times the minimum distance L, the effect can be guaranteed to meet the propagation effect of ultrasonic waves on a thin water surface. In this way, high-frequency sound waves can effectively propagate, reflect, and superimpose within this micro-cavity, forming a standing wave field with extremely high energy density, precisely concentrating energy on the blade and shaft surfaces. This will generate more densely packed multiple ultrasonic waves that meet in the water channel and produce interference phenomena, forming a denser standing wave, and simultaneously forming a standing wave region and an inter-standing wave region. At this time, the impeller rotates in the water channel, causing the impeller, drive shaft, and impeller-drive shaft connection to repeatedly pass through this region at high speed, thereby generating strong ultrasonic waves acting on the impeller, drive shaft, and impeller-drive shaft connection surfaces.

[0027] In conventional selection of drive shafts, metal shafts are often used. However, after long-term use, stainless steel or copper alloy metal shafts are prone to seizing due to scale buildup on the inner wall of the shaft hole, leading to pump failure. To further limit scale formation, some experiments have shown that using impellers, drive shafts, and the connection between the impeller and drive shaft with different surface materials results in different scale removal effects, as detailed in the table below: As shown in the table above, after comparing the surface roughness, chemical stability, and actual scaling rate of ceramic and metal materials, some embodiments employ impellers and drive shafts with ceramic surfaces. The smooth surface of ceramics reduces heterogeneous nucleation sites for scale such as CaCO3, slowing down scale growth; its chemical inertness prevents secondary reactions that generate more insoluble composite scale, thus effectively reducing scaling. When using ceramic surfaces, the longest period without scaling is extended by 35%, and especially with ultra-high frequency ultrasound (between 1.05MHz and 1.2MHz), the longest period without scaling is extended by 48%, showing a significant improvement. Correspondingly, the wear-resistant ring 411 and the drive bearing 415, which cooperate with the drive shaft, are also made of ceramic material, forming a synergistic anti-scaling system. In the operating environment, once scale forms at a certain location, the probability of scale formation at that location is much higher than on a ceramic surface. When the water concentration increases, the scale point will rapidly expand, leading to blockage. Therefore, it is essential to avoid scale adhesion at any location on the impeller, drive shaft, and wear-resistant ring. That is, the impeller and drive shaft use ceramic surface materials, with a coefficient of friction between 0.02 and 0.5, a hydrophobic water film contact angle greater than 90 degrees, and a surface roughness Ra < 0.1 μm. The wear-resistant ring that cooperates with the drive shaft uses ceramic material on its facing side, forming a synergistic anti-scaling system.

[0028] In particular, the impeller rotation of the water pump creates a complex standing wave field. Due to the different blade shapes, the ultrasonic wave reflections vary, and the spacing between them is very narrow. Refraction occurs quickly after reflection, resulting in the superposition of ultrasonic wave transmission and secondary propagation at different angles. This creates intermittent superimposed enhancement regions and coupling weakening regions. During blade rotation, various positions of the blades repeatedly sweep across these regions. The power density in the superimposed enhancement region is far higher than the required threshold, making it easier to peel off the existing thin scale layer. Under this effect, the inner wall of the casing near the impeller, the inner wall of the first casing surface, and even multiple blades of the impeller, all experience reduced scaling efficiency and increased service life due to the impact of the water flow.

[0029] In particular, after passing through the distance between the first housing surface and the agitation surface, the ultrasonic wave directly irradiates the deflection surface of the impeller, forming an outwardly refracted ultrasonic wave propagation. This propagated ultrasonic wave encounters the original upward-propagating ultrasonic wave and is refracted at a certain incident angle to the inner wall of the entire water channel. It is then further reflected to the inner wall of the pump housing and the deflection surface of the impeller, resulting in a complex propagation and standing wave situation, forming a changing superimposed enhancement region and a coupling weakening region. During the rotation of the blade, each position of the blade will repeatedly sweep across the superimposed enhancement region and the coupling weakening region, making it easier to peel off the thin scale layer that has formed on the inner wall of the housing (including the first housing surface) and the front and back surfaces of the blade.

[0030] Meanwhile, for ultra-high frequency ultrasound in the range of 1.05MHz to 1.2MHz, the energy is concentrated on the surface, which can form a high-energy-density standing wave field within a micro-cavity, generating a massive number of micron-sized cavitation bubbles. The microscopic impact force generated by the collapse of these bubbles can efficiently shatter and peel off thin layers of scale without damaging the substrate. In particular, when the impeller rotates at high speed, the effect of micro-crystal removal is significantly improved by passing through the spaced standing wave region and the inter-standing wave region.

[0031] In some embodiments, the motor includes a stator assembly and a rotor assembly. The rotor assembly is disposed within a rotor cavity 419, and the stator assembly is housed within a stator cavity 420. The stator assembly includes a U-shaped silicon steel sheet core 407, a wire frame 406 respectively sleeved on two core arms of the U-shaped silicon steel sheet core 407, and a coil wound on the wire frame 406.

[0032] In some embodiments, the rotor assembly includes a permanent magnet 413 and a drive shaft 412, the drive shaft being the drive shaft 412. The drive shaft 412 is an integrally formed stepped shaft structure, divided into four sections according to functional requirements to optimize the force distribution of the shaft and ensure the precise installation and fit of key components. The first section of the drive shaft 412 is its top free end, forming the impeller 409 mounting section and the clearance control section. This section is designed with a specific mounting structure for precisely installing the impeller 409, and through the precise design of its axial length and shoulder position, controls the distance between the water-stirring surface formed at the lower end of the blades and the first housing surface when the impeller 409 rotates after installation.

[0033] The second section of the rotor assembly is located below the first section, and the fourth section is located at the bottom of the drive shaft 412. The second section passes through and mates with a wear ring 411, bearing the radial force and part of the axial force from the impeller 409 end; the fourth section mates with a drive bearing 415, forming another core support point, together ensuring the stable rotation of the drive shaft 412. Therefore, the second and fourth sections, as the main support points of the rotor, act like a support frame.

[0034] In some embodiments, a bracket 410 is tightly fitted onto the outside of the wear ring 411. The bracket 410 is made of a high-strength and easily processed polymer material, such as plastic, and serves as a supporting skeleton to provide strong support and protection for the wear ring 411, and precisely fixes it in the corresponding mounting hole of the pump housing 402 or the sleeve 405 described below. A drive shaft sleeve 414 is tightly fitted onto the outer ring of the drive bearing 415, providing precise installation positioning for the drive bearing 415 and ensuring that the drive shaft 412 is located on the design centerline.

[0035] The third section of the drive shaft 412 is located in its lower part and is the electromagnetic drive core area of ​​the rotor. The outer circular surface of this section is used to mount the permanent magnet 413. Its diameter is designed to ensure that there is enough space to mount the permanent magnet 413 that can provide the required magnetic flux, while ensuring a stable connection between the permanent magnet 413 and the drive shaft 412, thereby effectively transmitting the electromagnetic torque of the motor to the entire rotor assembly.

[0036] During operation, the impeller blades, the connection between the impeller and the drive shaft, and the drive shaft itself are the areas most prone to scale buildup. Because the impeller rotates at high speed after the pump starts, although conventionally it's understood that there should be a significant speed difference between the impeller and the water, in reality, a relatively still water surface remains on the impeller. However, during high-speed operation, this water surface is very thin, making it still prone to scale formation. Furthermore, the formed scale layer accelerates the formation of an even thicker scale layer.

[0037] In some embodiments, the first housing surface is made of metal or plastic. When it comes into contact with water, a situation of metal / plastic contact with water is formed. When the ultrasonic wave passes through the metal / plastic and enters the water, it will be refracted inward. The ultrasonic wave will tend to propagate in the direction of the water pump drive shaft and the connection between the water pump drive shaft and the blade. When the ultrasonic component continuously emits ultrasonic waves, the ultrasonic waves from various angles converge towards the center. As the impeller and drive shaft continue to rotate, the ultrasonic waves are repeatedly refracted at multiple angles, creating a superimposed enhancement area on the surface of the drive shaft and at the connection between the drive shaft and the blade, thereby reducing the formation of a thin layer of scale on the surface of this area.

[0038] In some embodiments, to further overcome the scaling problem, the outer surface of the drive shaft and / or blades is made of a harder material, such as metal, and the smoothness of the surface is further improved. In some embodiments, to further overcome the scaling problem, the outer surface of the drive shaft and / or blades is made of ceramic material with high hydrophobicity. The contact angle of water droplets on the ceramic surface is greater than 90 degrees, which can effectively reduce the possibility of crystal nuclei adhering and increase the scaling-free period. Specifically, the ceramic material has a smoother surface and more stable chemical properties compared to metal, and is hydrophobic. The actual scaling rate is 40%~60% lower than that of metal shafts. Extremely low (Ra<0.1μm after polishing), not easy to adhere to crystal nuclei, contact angle >90° after hydrophobic modification, reducing water film adhesion, and slower (laboratory data: 40%~60% lower than metal shafts).

[0039] In some embodiments, particularly for the root region where the drive shaft passes through the sidewall, this is a particularly difficult area to clean and prone to dirt buildup. In this embodiment, when ultrasonic waves are injected into the water from the first housing surface, refraction does occur. This is because sound waves travel at different speeds in different media (higher speed in solids, lower speed in water). According to Snell's law, this changes the direction of wave propagation. Generally, 2-4 ultrasonic components are evenly distributed and arranged in a ring around the drive shaft. The ultrasonic frequencies emitted by the multiple ultrasonic components can be the same, stepped, or interspersed with high and ultra-high frequencies. For example, in one embodiment, two 500KHz to 650KHz ultrasonic sources and two 1.0MHz to 1.2MHz ultrasonic sources are arranged in a cross pattern, which has a good descaling effect. The ultrasonic waves emitted by the multiple ultrasonic emission sources in a ring tend to propagate towards the drive shaft and the connection between the drive shaft and the blades. When multiple ultrasonic components continuously emit ultrasonic waves, the ultrasonic waves from various angles converge towards the center. As the impeller and drive shaft continue to rotate, the ultrasonic waves are repeatedly refracted at multiple angles, creating a superimposed enhancement area on the surface of the drive shaft and at the connection between the drive shaft and the blades, thereby reducing the formation of a thin layer of scale on the surface of this area.

[0040] In another embodiment, with three ultrasonic components evenly arranged, this refraction can actually be advantageous: it naturally focuses energy onto the axial region, precisely covering the blade roots that need cleaning, something difficult to achieve with a single generator. When the ultrasonic waves pass through metal / plastic and enter the water, they undergo inward refraction, meaning the waves tend to propagate towards the pump's drive shaft and the connection between the drive shaft and the blades. After repeated refraction, this creates a superimposed enhancement area on the drive shaft surface (in the water) and at the shaft-blade connection, thereby reducing the formation of a thin layer of scale in that area.

[0041] In the conventional selection of drive shaft 412, metal shafts are often used. However, after long-term use, stainless steel or copper alloy metal shafts are prone to seizing due to scale buildup on the inner wall of the shaft hole, leading to pump failure. To further limit scale formation, some experiments have shown that using impellers, drive shafts, and the connection between the impeller and drive shaft with different surface materials results in different scale removal effects, such as... Figure 3 As shown, after comparing the surface roughness, chemical stability, and actual scaling rate of ceramic and metal materials, some embodiments employ impellers and drive shafts with ceramic surfaces. The smooth surface of ceramics reduces heterogeneous nucleation sites for scale such as CaCO3, delaying scale growth; its chemical inertness prevents secondary reactions that generate more insoluble composite scale, thus effectively reducing scaling. When using ceramic surfaces, the longest period without scaling is extended by 35%, and especially with ultra-high frequency ultrasound (between 1.05MHz and 1.2MHz), the longest period without scaling is extended by 48%, showing a significant improvement. Correspondingly, the wear-resistant ring 411 and the drive bearing 415, which cooperate with the drive shaft 412, are also made of ceramic, forming a synergistic anti-scaling system.

[0042] In some embodiments, the ultrasonic assembly includes a sleeve 405, an ultrasonic component 404, and a seal 403. The seal is preferably a silicone sealing sleeve. The sleeve 405 is a cylindrical structure with a radially outwardly extending flange-like skirt at its open end, which encloses the rotor assembly and fills the rotor cavity 419, wherein the open end is located in the impeller cavity 418, and the closed end is located in the rotor cavity 419. The end face of the flange-like skirt of the sleeve 405 facing the impeller cavity 418 is a first end face, and the end face facing the rotor cavity 419 is a second end face. The first end face is in close contact with the first housing surface.

[0043] In some embodiments, the seal 403 completely encloses and seals the flange-shaped skirt of the sleeve 405 and the ultrasonic component 404, preventing water from entering the rotor cavity 419 and fixing them at the connection between the impeller cavity 418 and the rotor cavity 419. When the ultrasonic component is running, part of the high-frequency vibration it generates is transmitted to the entire rotor assembly through the sleeve 405, and another part is transmitted to the first housing surface through the first end face and then enters the water channel. This makes the water-contacting surface less prone to scale buildup and promotes the rupture and removal of existing scale layers.

[0044] In some embodiments, the first housing surface is made of plastic, which is more conducive to the transmission of ultrasonic waves. However, the propagation speed of ultrasonic waves in plastic is lower than that in air. Although the thickness of the first housing surface is not high, typically 0.1 to 5 mm, the ultrasonic waves emitted by the ultrasonic component 404 are refracted upon entering the first housing surface. The refracted ultrasonic waves enter the water channel at an angle of less than 90 degrees. A smooth plane is used on the side of the first housing surface near the agitation surface, allowing the ultrasonic waves to enter the water channel at a smaller angle of change, thus maintaining a relatively high intensity. In some embodiments, a single ultrasonic component is used. However, because the ultrasonic waves enter the pump body, the impeller continuously passes through the area where the ultrasonic waves are transmitted at a high rotational speed. Therefore, each blade of the impeller is also affected by the ultrasonic waves transmitted in the water, resulting in the entire agitation surface and the impeller being cleaned by ultrasonic waves. Simultaneously, because the ultrasonic wave propagation speed in water is lower than that in the first housing surface, the ultrasonic waves in the water are further refracted, focusing a stronger ultrasonic wave onto the blades of the rotating impeller, the connection between the impeller and the drive shaft, and the drive shaft itself. Because the distance from the side of the first shell surface near the water-stirring surface to the water-stirring surface is very small during the actual ultrasonic wave propagation process, in some embodiments this distance is in the range of 0.3 mm to 1.5 mm, and in some experiments it is 0.5 mm, 0.8 mm, 1 mm, 1.2 mm. When the continuous ultrasonic wave propagates from the inside of the first shell surface into the water, multiple ultrasonic waves will interfere when they meet in the water path, forming standing waves or complex sound field distribution, that is, there are regularly distributed local standing wave regions and inter-standing wave regions. At this time, the impeller rotates in the water path, causing the blades, shaft and its connecting surface to pass through this region repeatedly at high speed, thereby generating strong ultrasonic waves that act on the impeller, drive shaft and the connecting surface between the impeller and drive shaft. Meanwhile, due to the sufficiently small spacing, most of the propagated energy is confined to a relatively small range, resulting in very little energy loss. Furthermore, the ultrasonic waves may generate a circulating acoustic flow inside the water pump, helping to remove detached dirt. When tiny crystals appear, they are quickly stripped away by the high-energy ultrasonic standing wave region and carried away by the circulating acoustic flow. Moreover, due to the high-speed rotation of the blades, they detach from the impeller, drive shaft, and the surface where the impeller and drive shaft connect, significantly reducing secondary adhesion.

[0045] In some embodiments, the ultrasonic component 404 can be disposed within the impeller cover 408 and arranged around the inlet 416. This has the advantage of not damaging the main structure, but the sound waves may be attenuated by the impeller cover material. In other embodiments, it can also be disposed within the impeller shaft. This has the advantage of directly acting on the core scaling area, but requires custom installation and must consider the impact on the impeller's dynamic balance.

[0046] In some embodiments, such as in highly corrosive industrial environments, the sleeve 405 may be made of a high-strength polymer material (such as plastic) with good acoustic impedance matching with water, ensuring that most of the ultrasonic energy is transmitted into the water for descaling. Alternatively, in high-temperature, high-pressure industrial environments, a metal sleeve 405 may be used, in which case the energy loss caused by acoustic impedance mismatch can be compensated by increasing the drive power.

[0047] The first section of the drive shaft 412 is designed to precisely control the distance between the water-stirring surface formed at the lower end of the blades and the first shell surface when the impeller 409 rotates. In some embodiments, this distance is in the range of 0.3 mm to 1.5 mm, and in some experiments it is 0.5 mm, 0.8 mm, 1 mm, and 1.2 mm. When continuous ultrasonic waves propagate from the inside of the first shell surface into the water, multiple ultrasonic waves will interfere when they meet in the water path, forming standing waves or complex sound field distributions, that is, there are regularly distributed local standing wave regions and inter-standing wave regions. At this time, the impeller rotates in the water path, causing the blades, shaft and their connecting surfaces to pass through this region repeatedly at high speed, thereby generating strong ultrasonic waves that act on the impeller, drive shaft and the connecting surface between the impeller and drive shaft. Meanwhile, due to the sufficiently small spacing, most of the propagated energy is confined to a relatively small range, resulting in very little energy loss. Furthermore, the ultrasonic waves may generate a circulating acoustic flow inside the water pump, helping to remove detached dirt. When tiny crystals appear, they are quickly stripped away by the high-energy ultrasonic standing wave region and carried away by the circulating acoustic flow. Moreover, due to the high-speed rotation of the blades, they detach from the impeller, drive shaft, and the surface where the impeller and drive shaft connect, significantly reducing secondary adhesion.

[0048] Given the small size and intricate structure of micro water pumps, some embodiments preferably employ high-frequency, low-power ultrasonic components 404. The frequency can be selected between 20kHz and 100kHz. High-frequency ultrasound can generate dense microcavitation bubbles, which is beneficial for uniform and meticulous cleaning of micro-channels and complex surfaces. The power is controlled below 10W to avoid interference with circuit components or causing excessive temperature rise in the pump body.

[0049] In other embodiments, for hard, thin scale, the frequency can be selected between 1.05 MHz and 1.2 MHz. The ultra-high frequency ultrasonic energy is concentrated on the surface, which can form a high-energy-density standing wave field in the micro-cavity, generating a large number of micron-sized cavitation bubbles. The microscopic impact force generated by the collapse of these bubbles can efficiently shatter and peel off the thin layer of scale without damaging the substrate.

[0050] Considering that the hardness of water in the pump may increase due to evaporation and concentration, a fixed ultrasonic frequency can easily form stable standing waves, leading to uneven cleaning. Therefore, some embodiments employ programmable ultrasonic components, allowing their operating frequency to continuously or randomly sweep around a central value, thereby dynamically adapting to the current water quality and finding the resonance point with the strongest cavitation effect, thus improving descaling efficiency. Other embodiments employ a pulsed operating mode, allowing the ultrasonic waves to operate in an intermittent manner, generating a stronger cavitation effect through higher instantaneous peak power, achieving better descaling results.

[0051] In some embodiments, the ultrasonic self-descaling water pump has two operating modes: normal pumping mode and ultrasonic descaling mode. In normal pumping mode, its operating principle is the same as that of a conventional water pump. Circuit board 401 drives a motor, causing the rotor assembly to rotate the impeller 409, thereby completing the pumping and drainage process. When the system reaches the preset descaling conditions (e.g., based on cumulative operating time or detected performance degradation), the water pump can automatically or receive a command to switch to ultrasonic descaling mode. In this mode, the ultrasonic control circuit in circuit board 401 is activated, driving the ultrasonic component 404 to work. The ultrasonic component 404 converts electrical energy into high-frequency mechanical vibration (the frequency of which can be selected according to the design in the range of 20kHz to several MHz). This high-frequency vibration is efficiently transmitted to the pump chamber and water path through the sleeve 405, which is in close contact with it. The vibration mainly produces two effects in the liquid medium: 1. Cavitation effect: When ultrasonic waves propagate in a liquid, they generate periodic high-pressure and low-pressure zones. In low-pressure areas, tiny cavitation bubbles form inside the liquid. These bubbles collapse instantaneously in high-pressure areas, generating localized high temperatures, high pressures, and intense shock waves. 2. Acoustic flow effect: Ultrasonic waves can induce strong microflows, or acoustic flows, in liquids, microscopically scouring the surface of components. The synergistic effect of the above factors can generate continuous impact and shear forces on the scale layer already attached to the surfaces of key components such as the drive shaft 412, wear ring 411, drive bearing 415, impeller 409, and inner wall of sleeve 405, causing fatigue and loosening of the scale layer's crystal structure, and its peeling off from the substrate surface. For scale-forming ions that have not yet crystallized, the disturbance generated by ultrasonic cavitation can effectively hinder their migration and deposition to the component surface.

[0052] This application also discloses a control method for an ultrasonic self-descaling water pump. According to the ultrasonic self-descaling water pump disclosed in the previous embodiments, it further includes a conductivity device for detecting water quality, with its detection head disposed on the water inlet side of the ultrasonic self-descaling water pump. Some specific embodiments include: the adjustment method mainly adjusts the frequency of the ultrasonic component. Based on the detection head of the conductivity device, the conductivity value on the water inlet side is automatically measured in real time. Different ultrasonic component output frequencies are set according to the conductivity value. When the detected conductivity value is less than 150 μS / cm, the current ultrasonic component output frequency is adjusted to 1.05 MHz, and operation continues during the initial water change when the pump is running. When the detected conductivity value is greater than or equal to 150 μS / cm but less than 300 μS / cm, the current ultrasonic component output frequency is adjusted to 1.1 MHz, and operation continues during water pump operation. When the detected conductivity value is greater than or equal to 300 μS / cm, the current ultrasonic component output frequency is adjusted to 1.2 MHz, and operation continues during water pump operation.

[0053] Some specific embodiments are as follows: The adjustment method mainly adjusts the frequency of the ultrasonic component. Based on the conductivity sensor, the conductivity value on the water inlet side is automatically measured in real time. Different ultrasonic component output frequencies are set according to the conductivity value. When the detected conductivity value is less than 150 μS / cm, the current ultrasonic component output frequency is adjusted to 1.05 MHz, mainly for cleaning large, visible scale, used for daily cleaning. When the detected conductivity value is greater than or equal to 150 μS / cm but less than 300 μS / cm, the current ultrasonic component output frequency is adjusted to 1.1 MHz, mainly for cleaning stubborn scale remaining from the first step. It can be used once every 10-15 days at the second setting (the second setting is defaulted in the program design). The system offers three cleaning levels, from weakest to strongest: one cycle at the lowest setting, followed by 10 minutes at 1.1MHz. When the conductivity reading is greater than or equal to 300 μS / cm, the ultrasonic component output frequency is adjusted to 1.2MHz for deep cleaning of fine scale in hard-to-reach areas, such as between the wear ring and shaft. This is recommended once a month. (The program will automatically run the second setting once, followed by 10 minutes at 1.2MHz.) This descaling process is completed automatically during brief pump downtime, achieving online, proactive cleaning. The entire process requires no pump disassembly or chemical cleaning agents, and no manual intervention, significantly improving maintenance convenience and long-term operational reliability in hard water environments.

[0054] In other embodiments, the ultrasonic self-descaling water pump also includes a conductivity device for detecting water quality, with the detection head disposed on the water inlet side of the ultrasonic self-descaling water pump. The ultrasonic components include at least two ultrasonic components arranged in a ring, including a high-frequency ultrasonic component with a frequency range from 1.05 MHz to 1.2 MHz, and another low-frequency ultrasonic component arranged opposite it with an operating frequency of 300 kHz to 800 kHz, and which operates in a fluctuating manner; that is, there is no fixed frequency, and its emission frequency gradually changes within a certain fluctuation range. The specific control scheme is as follows: when the conductivity detection value is less than 150 μS / cm, adjust the current high-frequency ultrasonic component output frequency to 1.05 MHz, and the low-frequency ultrasonic component output frequency range is 300 kHz to 450 kHz, always on during water pump operation; when the conductivity detection value is greater than or equal to 150 μS / cm but less than 300 μS / cm, adjust the current ultrasonic component output frequency to 1.1 MHz, and the low-frequency ultrasonic component output frequency range is 450 kHz to 600 kHz, always on during water pump operation; when the conductivity detection value is greater than or equal to 300 μS / cm, adjust the current ultrasonic component output frequency to 1.2 MHz, and the low-frequency ultrasonic component output frequency range is 600 kHz to 800 kHz, always on during water pump operation. The dual-frequency ultrasonic component can adapt to various salt concentrations and ratios when the dissolved salt composition in the water changes. Especially when tiny salt crystals have already formed, the high-frequency ultrasonic waves are used for stripping and noise reduction, while the high energy and low directionality of the low-frequency ultrasonic waves work together on the scale layer, thereby greatly delaying the coagulation and development of the scale layer.

[0055] The present invention also provides a split-type humidifier with a uniform water distribution structure that utilizes the ultrasonic self-descaling water pump of Embodiment 1.

[0056] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the humidifier provided by the present invention includes, in the vertical direction, a wet curtain assembly, a water tank cover assembly 2, and a base 1. The base 1 is a cylindrical container with an opening facing the water tank cover assembly 2 and the wet curtain assembly. Support feet are provided at the bottom to provide stable support for the entire humidifier and to store the water required for the humidifier. An observation window 102 is also provided near the bottom of the cylindrical surface of the base 1 for observing the water level.

[0057] The water tank cover assembly 2 is one of the key components of this invention, integrating multiple functions such as installation, positioning, water distribution and guidance, and circuit support. For example... Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the water tank cover assembly 2 adopts a multi-layer stepped structure, which includes a first stepped surface 201, a second stepped surface 202, and a third stepped surface 203 from top to bottom. Figure 6and Figure 7 As shown, the first stepped surface 201 is located at the top, with its sidewalls sloping and gradually tapering downwards. This sloping design allows it to fit tightly against the inner wall of the opening of the base 1, thus stably suspending the entire water tank cover assembly 2 on the opening of the base 1. At the minimum position of the first stepped surface 201, a second stepped surface 202 is formed by sinking a certain distance downwards. The second stepped surface 202 has a large semi-circular central hole with a small semi-circle missing in the middle. The main function of this stepped surface is to support the wet curtain assembly above. At the same time, excess water flowing down from the wet curtain assembly can drip onto the second stepped surface 202 and then fall back into the base 1, preventing water accumulation. From the central hole of the second stepped surface 202, a third stepped surface 203 is formed by recessing downwards. The third stepped surface 203 also has a large semi-circular central hole with a small semi-circle missing in the middle, and its outer ring shape is similar to the central hole of the second stepped surface 202, but smaller in size. Together, they form a funnel-shaped conical surface that gradually expands from bottom to top. The sum of the recessed depth of the third step surface 203 and the distance from the lowest point of the first step surface 201 down to the second step surface 202 is similar to but slightly smaller than the cylindrical height of the base 1. This precise dimensional design ensures a tight fit between the components. Four trapezoidal through holes are evenly spaced on the funnel-shaped conical sidewall formed between the second step surface 202 and the third step surface 203 to facilitate water flow. An arc-shaped connecting arm 204 is formed along the sidewalls of the first step surface 201 and the second step surface 202. The arc shape of this connecting arm 204 conforms to the opening of the base 1 and the circular shape of the first step surface 201. The circuit board box 205 described below is fixedly connected to the center of the water tank cover assembly 2 via this connecting arm 204.

[0058] like Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, a circuit board box 205 is also connected to the water tank cover assembly 2. This circuit board box 205 is an approximately rectangular structure with a certain degree of curvature. This curvature matches the arc shape of the connecting arm 204. The circuit board box 205 is fixedly connected to the central water tank cover assembly 2 via the connecting arm 204, forming an integrated component. This greatly optimizes the internal space layout and simplifies the assembly process. The circuit board box 205 contains control components such as a main control circuit board and a water level detection circuit board 206.

[0059] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, a spherical positioning protrusion 101 is provided at the center of the bottom of the base 1, and a portion of the spherical protrusion is cut off by a vertical plane. The projected plane of this protrusion matches the large semi-circular hole with a missing small semi-circle at the center of the third step surface 203 of the water tank cover assembly 2, forming a precise radial positioning mechanism to ensure the accuracy and stability of the assembly.

[0060] like Figure 6 , Figure 8and Figure 10 As shown, behind the connecting arm 204 and the circuit board box 205, between the tapered sidewalls that gradually expand from bottom to top, formed by the second stepped surface 202 and the third stepped surface 203, the water tank cover assembly 2 is also connected to a water pump box 207. The bottom of the water pump box 207 has a water inlet hole. A water pump 4 is installed inside the water pump box 207; this water pump 4 is the ultrasonic self-descaling water pump in Embodiment 1. The water inlet of the water pump 4 extends to the bottom of the base 1 through the water inlet hole at the bottom of the water pump box 207, and the water outlet is connected to the water pipe 209. This layout cleverly conceals and fixes the water pump 4 to one side of the water tank cover assembly 2, resulting in a compact structure and the shortest possible piping.

[0061] like Figure 10 As shown, a water level detection device is also integrated within the water pump box 207. A separate vertical detection chamber 210 is located on one side of the water pump box 207, isolated from the working area where the water pump 4 is installed. Another water inlet is located at the bottom of this chamber. The water level detection device includes a float 211 placed within the vertical detection chamber 210, a water level detection circuit board 206, and a Hall sensor. The water level detection circuit board 206 is housed within a circuit board box 205, and the Hall sensor can be located on the circuit board 206 or inside the float 211. When the humidifier is assembled and the water pump box 207 is placed in the base 1 along with the water tank cover assembly 2, the water inlet at the bottom of the vertical detection chamber 210 communicates with the water tank of the base 1. Water from the base 1 can enter the detection chamber 210 through this inlet. When the water level in the base 1 changes, the water level in the detection chamber 210 changes synchronously, driving the float 211 to rise or fall accordingly. The displacement of float 211 is detected by Hall sensor and converted into an electrical signal, thereby realizing real-time and accurate detection and control of water level, such as automatic shutdown protection in case of water shortage.

[0062] like Figure 8 and Figure 11As shown, above the connecting arm 204, the water tank cover assembly 2 is also fixedly connected to a coupler fixing bracket assembly 212. This assembly consists of a socket fixing bracket 2121 and a coupler socket 2122. The socket fixing bracket 2121 is a vertical mounting plate and a U-shaped clamping arm extending from its bottom, which is used to precisely clamp and fix the coupler socket 2122. The coupler socket 2122 is fixed inside the U-shaped clamping arm of the socket fixing bracket 2121. Its core function is to provide an interface with a guide groove for guiding the external power cord to be accurately inserted and to achieve electrical connection. The coupler socket 2122 has a guide groove formed on its body. When the external power cord is inserted, the guide groove can cooperate with the corresponding structure of its plug part to guide and prevent errors, ensuring accurate insertion. The socket fixing bracket 2121 is fixedly connected to the connecting arm 204 area of ​​the water tank cover assembly 2 via its vertical mounting plate. This integrated design not only ensures the stability and reliability of the power connection, but also safely isolates the high-voltage electrical components from other parts.

[0063] like Figure 4 and Figure 7 The evaporative cooling pad assembly is the core functional module for humidification, mainly composed of an evaporative cooling pad support, a humidifying filter, filter cover a, and filter cover b. The evaporative cooling pad support serves as the supporting framework of the assembly, used to support and fix the humidifying filter. Filter cover a and filter cover b are paired and joined together by snap-fit ​​or ultrasonic welding to form a ring-shaped, sealed water distribution chamber. This water distribution chamber is a key structure for water flow distribution. During operation, the water pump 4 first injects water into the water distribution chamber formed by filter cover a and filter cover b. This chamber acts as a primary distributor, temporarily storing and evenly distributing the concentrated incoming water throughout the ring-shaped area, laying the foundation for subsequent uniform water distribution. Subsequently, under pressure, the water flows through the densely distributed pores on the surface of filter cover b, forming fine and uniform water droplets, achieving comprehensive and uniform wetting of the humidifying filter below from top to bottom. In addition, the filter cover a works in conjunction with the wet curtain support to press and fix the upper edge of the humidifying filter, preventing it from shifting under the impact of airflow and ensuring the stability of operation.

[0064] The evaporative cooling pad assembly, as a single module, can be completely separated from the water tank cover assembly 2. This design greatly facilitates users in cleaning and replacing the humidifying filter or maintaining the evaporative cooling pad assembly itself. When the humidifier is in operation, the evaporative cooling pad assembly is placed on the second stepped surface 202 of the water tank cover assembly 2. To ensure precise assembly, an upward-protruding guide protrusion is provided around the central hole on the second stepped surface 202. Correspondingly, the bottom of the evaporative cooling pad assembly has a matching structure, such as a groove or clearance groove. This guide protrusion structure guides the evaporative cooling pad assembly to fall quickly and accurately into the working position and restricts its horizontal movement, ensuring its coaxiality with the water tank cover assembly 2. The center of the evaporative cooling pad assembly has a large semi-circular hole, similar in shape to the central hole of the third stepped surface 203 of the water tank cover assembly 2, but missing a small semi-circle. When the evaporative cooling pad assembly is in place, its central hole is vertically aligned with the central hole of the water tank cover assembly 2, providing space for the airflow channel of the impeller and the positioning protrusion of the base 1, ensuring the continuity of the air path and structural positioning.

[0065] The complete humidification process is as follows: When the humidifier is working, the water pump 4 draws water from the water tank in the base 1 and delivers the water upwards to the wet curtain assembly through the water inlet pipe 209. The water first enters the filter cover b, and then, through the evenly distributed holes on its surface, it is evenly sprinkled onto the humidifying filter below, fully wetting the filter. Finally, the fan (not shown in the figure, but common knowledge in the art) draws in dry air, forcing it through the moistened humidifying filter, absorbing moisture, and then blowing it out as humidified air, thus achieving the humidification effect.

[0066] When the relatively lower concentration of water diffuses into the air during humidification, and the concentration of the remaining water gradually increases, or when the cumulative running time reaches a threshold, or when performance degradation is detected, that is, when the system reaches the preset descaling conditions, the ultrasonic self-descaling water pump will automatically or switch to ultrasonic descaling mode by receiving a command.

[0067] As mentioned above, in addition to humidification using wet film (wet curtain) evaporation, electric heating humidification can also be used. Specifically, an electric heater is installed in the water circuit. When the water in the water circuit is heated by electricity, when the boiling temperature corresponding to the air pressure at the target location is reached, the water will boil. As a result, water vapor will enter the air and humidify the air. Obviously, the evaporation point of salt in water is much higher than the boiling point of water, so it will remain in the water, resulting in the salt concentration increase mentioned above. If the water is driven by a water pump at this time, it is easy to form the water pump drive shaft mentioned above, and the blades are prone to scaling and blockage. The same applies to ultrasonic humidification. In an ultrasonic humidifier, when the ultrasonic components operate, water droplets form at the current temperature and float to the surface. Because water evaporates more easily, and salty water, or salt in water, is more likely to return to the water during evaporation, the salt content in the water increases after a period of humidification, resulting in an increased salt concentration. In other words, when using a humidifier, whether using wet film humidification, electric heating humidification, or even ultrasonic humidification, a relatively lower concentration of water is diffused into the air, causing the concentration of the remaining water to gradually increase. This increased salt concentration in the remaining water leads to scaling in areas prone to fouling. For example, when a water pump needs to transport water, the higher salt content makes it easier for the liquid to crystallize at various contact surfaces, potentially clogging the pump shaft or impellers. In household use, this gradual increase in the salt concentration of the water is defined as increased salt concentration.

[0068] Similarly, the problem of increased salt concentration also exists in other water-related household appliances. Specifically, this invention also provides a fully automatic coffee machine that utilizes the ultrasonic self-descaling water pump of Embodiment 1, which includes a water tank, an instant heater, a brewing head, and a water supply pipeline. The water supply pipeline is equipped with the ultrasonic self-descaling water pump as described in Embodiment 1, used to pump water from the water tank into the instant heater to generate high-temperature hot water.

[0069] The circuit board of the ultrasonic self-descaling water pump is connected to the main controller of the coffee machine. The main controller is configured to determine whether descaling conditions are met based on the cumulative running time of the ultrasonic self-descaling water pump or the flow signal fed back by the flow sensor installed in the water supply pipeline. When preset conditions are met, such as after accumulating 100 cups of coffee or detecting a decrease in water flow rate of more than 10%, the main controller sends a descaling command to the ultrasonic self-descaling water pump.

[0070] During the standby period between the completion of one coffee-making cycle and the start of the next cycle, the ultrasonic self-descaling water pump automatically switches to ultrasonic descaling mode in response to the descaling command. In this mode, the pump motor stops running, and the ultrasonic component 404 is activated. Its operating frequency is preferably in the range of 20kHz to 40kHz, and it can use continuous wave or pulse wave mode. The generated ultrasonic vibrations pass through the sleeve 405 and the water medium in the pump chamber, cleaning not only the internal components of the pump such as the drive shaft 412 and impeller 409, but also transmitting the vibration energy through the water inlet pipe to the inner wall of the instantaneous heater, performing online cleaning of the entire hot water flow channel. This descaling process lasts for about 1 to 2 minutes and effectively prevents scale from accumulating on the surface of key components.

[0071] This embodiment seamlessly integrates ultrasonic descaling into the coffee machine's workflow, achieving active descaling without the need for chemical cleaning agents or manual intervention. This significantly improves the coffee machine's applicability in hard water areas, the stability of brewing water temperature, and the long-term reliability of the product.

[0072] The present invention also provides a dishwasher that utilizes the ultrasonic self-descaling water pump of Embodiment 1, comprising an inner tank, a spray arm, a drain pipe, and a water circulation system. The water circulation system is equipped with the ultrasonic self-descaling water pump as described in Embodiment 1, which serves as a circulation pump and / or a drain pump.

[0073] The circuit board of the ultrasonic self-descaling water pump is communicatively connected to the main control unit of the dishwasher. The main control unit is configured to automatically trigger an ultrasonic descaling mode after each standard washing program (including washing, rinsing, and draining stages) is completed.

[0074] In descaling mode, the motor of the ultrasonic self-descaling water pump is not operating, and a small amount of clean water after rinsing remains in the pump chamber. The ultrasonic component 404 is activated, with its operating frequency preferably set at around 28kHz to generate a strong acoustic flow effect. The cavitation effect and the acoustic flow effect work together to microscopically scrub the complex surfaces inside the pump, such as the impeller 409 blades and the inner wall of the pump chamber, effectively removing residual grease, food residue, and initially deposited scale particles from the washing process. Simultaneously, the ultrasonic energy also has a cleaning effect on the drain pipe inlet connected to the pump.

[0075] This embodiment effectively prevents the accumulation and growth of dirt and bacteria in the pump body by automatically performing a brief ultrasonic self-cleaning after each wash, fundamentally solving the odor and hygiene hazards caused by dirt in the dishwasher pump body, and improving the overall cleaning efficiency and hygiene level of the machine.

[0076] The present invention also provides a steam garment steamer that utilizes the ultrasonic self-descaling water pump of Embodiment 1, comprising a water tank, a steam generator, steam nozzles, and a water supply system. The water supply system is equipped with the ultrasonic self-descaling water pump as described in Embodiment 1, used to pump a metered amount of water from the water tank to the steam generator.

[0077] The circuit board of the ultrasonic self-descaling water pump has a built-in timing module and control logic. It is configured to automatically start the ultrasonic descaling mode when the continuous running time of the water pump reaches a preset value (e.g., 15 minutes), or during the cooling phase after the equipment shutdown command is issued and before the main power is cut off.

[0078] In descaling mode, the ultrasonic component 404 operates, and for the hard, thin scale that easily forms inside the steam generator, its operating frequency preferably adopts a high-frequency pulse mode of 1.1MHz. The high-frequency ultrasound can generate dense micron-sized cavitation bubbles in the tiny water cavities of the steam generator, and the microscopic impact force generated by their collapse can efficiently shatter and peel off the newly formed thin scale layer, thereby keeping the water passage of the steam generator unobstructed.

[0079] This embodiment integrates an intelligent descaling pump into a steam generation system with a high risk of scaling, effectively alleviating problems such as steam volume reduction and outlet blockage caused by scale, significantly extending the life of core components, and ensuring continuous and stable steam output.

[0080] The present invention also provides an instantaneous electric water heater utilizing the ultrasonic self-descaling water pump of Embodiment 1, which includes an inlet pipe, a rapid heating element, a temperature sensor, and a pressurized circulation system. The pressurized circulation system is equipped with the ultrasonic self-descaling water pump as described in Embodiment 1 to ensure stable water pressure and flow rate flowing into the heating element.

[0081] The circuit board of the ultrasonic self-descaling water pump is deeply integrated with the central processing system of the water heater. The central processing system can comprehensively analyze the inlet water temperature, heating element operating temperature, cumulative operating time, and water flow data to intelligently determine the risk of scaling. The system is configured to automatically initiate a maintenance ultrasonic descaling cycle during off-peak water usage periods (e.g., at night).

[0082] During the descaling cycle, the ultrasonic self-descaling water pump operates in a low-flow mode, while the ultrasonic component 404 is activated, preferably employing a frequency sweeping mode, for example, continuously or intermittently sweeping within a range of ±3kHz with a center frequency of 33kHz. This dynamic frequency adjustment helps adapt to scale layers of varying thicknesses and find the optimal cavitation effect point. The ultrasonic energy propagates along the water flow direction, synergistically descaling the pump itself and the internal flow channels of the downstream rapid heating element, effectively breaking down scale such as calcium carbonate.

[0083] This embodiment effectively inhibits scale buildup inside the instantaneous heating element through an intelligent descaling strategy, maintains high heat conversion efficiency, ensures instantaneous stability and precise control of the outlet water temperature, and achieves energy saving and consumption reduction.

[0084] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the forms disclosed herein and should not be construed as excluding other embodiments. It can be used in various other combinations, modifications, and environments, and can be altered within the scope of the concept described herein through the above teachings or related technologies or knowledge. Modifications and variations made by those skilled in the art that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention should be within the protection scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic self-descaling water pump, comprising a housing, wherein the housing has a water passage, and an impeller is disposed in the water passage, characterized in that, When the impeller rotates, it forms a water-stirring surface under the blades. A first housing surface is provided near the water-stirring surface, and a through hole is provided on the first housing surface. The impeller is connected to a drive shaft, which passes through the through hole. An ultrasonic component is provided on the side of the first housing surface away from the water-stirring surface and within the range corresponding to the water-stirring surface, forming a thin water layer between the two. The ultrasonic component emits ultrasonic waves, which pass through the first housing surface and enter the water channel.

2. The ultrasonic self-descaling water pump according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water-stirring surface is the lower surface formed by the rotation of the impeller. The average distance between the water-stirring surface and the inner wall of the first housing surface is the sum of the distances between each point on the lower surface and the first housing surface. The average distance ranges from 0.5 to 3.5 mm. Alternatively, the water-stirring surface has a point at which the distance from the first housing surface is the smallest. The distance from the smallest point to the first housing surface ranges from 0.3 to 2.5 mm.

3. The ultrasonic self-descaling water pump according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ultrasonic component emits ultrasonic waves with a frequency in the range of 0.9MHz to 1.5MHz. After passing through the first housing surface, the ultrasonic waves enter the water channel and then pass through a thin water layer between the inner wall of the first housing surface and the water-stirring surface. The wavelength of the ultrasonic waves and the thickness of the thin water layer are on the same order of magnitude. The ultrasonic waves generate dense multiple ultrasonic waves that meet in the water channel and produce interference, forming dense standing wave regions and inter-standing wave regions. The impeller rotates in the water channel, causing the impeller, drive shaft, and the connection between the impeller and drive shaft to repeatedly pass through the standing wave regions at high speed.

4. The ultrasonic self-descaling water pump according to claim 1, characterized in that, The minimum distance from the side of the first housing near the water-stirring surface to the water-stirring surface is L, and the actual size of L is in the range of 0.3-2.5 mm. The wavelength of the ultrasonic wave is set to 0.35 to 3 times the minimum distance L. The wavelength of the ultrasonic wave is on the same order of magnitude as the thickness of the thin water layer. The ultrasonic wave will cause multiple dense ultrasonic waves to meet in the water channel and produce interference, forming a dense standing wave region and an inter-standing wave region. The impeller rotates in the water channel, causing the impeller, drive shaft and the connection between the impeller and drive shaft to repeatedly pass through the standing wave region at high speed.

5. The ultrasonic self-descaling water pump according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ultrasonic self-descaling water pump includes an impeller with a ceramic surface and a drive shaft. The coefficient of friction of the ceramic surface is in the range of 0.02 to 0.5, the hydrophobic water film contact angle is greater than 90 degrees, and the surface roughness Ra < 0.1 μm. The wear-resistant ring that cooperates with the drive shaft is made of ceramic material on its facing side to form a synergistic anti-scaling effect.

6. The ultrasonic self-descaling water pump according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first housing surface is made of metal or plastic. When ultrasonic waves pass through the first housing surface made of metal / plastic material and enter the water channel, they will be refracted inward. The ultrasonic waves will tend to propagate in the direction of the drive shaft and the connection between the drive shaft and the blade. When the ultrasonic component continuously emits ultrasonic waves, ultrasonic waves from various angles converge towards the center. As the impeller and drive shaft continue to rotate, the ultrasonic waves are repeatedly refracted at multiple angles, creating a superimposed enhancement area on the surface of the drive shaft and at the connection between the drive shaft and the blade, thereby reducing the formation of a thin layer of scale on the surface of this enhancement area.

7. A household appliance, characterized in that: The household appliance includes a water circuit, and the water circuit has an increased salt concentration, and also includes an ultrasonic self-descaling water pump as described in any one of claims 1-6.

8. The household appliance according to claim 7, characterized in that: The household appliance is any one of the following: humidifier, coffee machine, dishwasher, garment steamer, and electric water heater.

9. A control method for an ultrasonic self-descaling water pump, according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a conductivity device for detecting water quality, the conductivity device having a detection head disposed on the water inlet side of the ultrasonic self-descaling water pump, the specific steps including: When the detected conductivity value is less than 150 μS / cm, adjust the current ultrasonic component output frequency to 1.05 MHz; when the detected conductivity value is greater than or equal to 150 μS / cm but less than 300 μS / cm, adjust the current ultrasonic component output frequency to 1.1 MHz; when the detected conductivity value is greater than or equal to 300 μS / cm, adjust the current ultrasonic component output frequency to 1.2 MHz.

10. The control method for the ultrasonic self-descaling water pump according to claim 9, characterized in that, The ultrasonic component includes at least two ultrasonic components arranged in a ring, including a high-frequency ultrasonic component with a frequency range from 1.05 MHz to 1.2 MHz, and a low-frequency ultrasonic component arranged opposite it with an operating frequency of 300 kHz to 800 kHz. Specific control steps include: when the detected conductivity value is less than 150 μS / cm, the output frequency range of the low-frequency ultrasonic component is 300 kHz to 450 kHz; when the detected conductivity value is greater than or equal to 150 μS / cm but less than 300 μS / cm, the output frequency range of the low-frequency ultrasonic component is 450 kHz to 600 kHz; and when the detected conductivity value is greater than or equal to 300 μS / cm, the output frequency range of the low-frequency ultrasonic component is 600 kHz to 800 kHz.

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