Dehumidifier and method for controlling the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dehumidifiers face challenges in accurately measuring the water level of their water tanks, which limits the provision of various user functions due to the high cost and complexity of using expensive sensors.
Innovation Solution
A dehumidifier system that includes environmental sensors to measure temperature and humidity, a water tank for storing condensed water, a water level sensor to detect predetermined water levels, and a processor to calculate the cumulative amount of dehumidification and update correction data based on sensor data and water level detections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If expensive sensors are used to accurately detect water level, then measurement precision is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive water level sensors with a combination of inexpensive environmental sensors (temperature and humidity sensors) and a processor that calculates water level based on cumulative dehumidification data. This substitution uses low-cost components to achieve the measurement function, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/sensor-based water level detection system with a computational system. Instead of using physical sensors to detect water level directly, the system uses environmental sensors to measure temperature and humidity, then employs a processor to calculate cumulative dehumidification and estimate water level. This substitution of mechanical detection with computational calculation reduces device cost while maintaining measurement capability.
2Ease of manufacture
If simple sensors are used to reduce cost, then device cost decreases, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces correction data as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between simple sensor measurements and accurate water level estimation. The correction data, stored in memory, compensates for environmental variations and improves the accuracy of water level calculations derived from inexpensive temperature and humidity sensors, thus resolving the contradiction between using simple sensors and achieving precise measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through correction data that is updated based on actual water level sensor measurements. When a water level sensor detects the actual water level, this information is used to update the correction data in memory, which then improves future water level estimations. This feedback mechanism allows inexpensive sensors to achieve accurate measurements over time, resolving the contradiction between device cost and measurement precision.
3Device complexity
If cumulative dehumidification calculation is used to estimate water level, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses correction data as an intermediary to improve the accuracy of water level estimation based on cumulative dehumidification calculation. The correction data compensates for environmental factors and system variations, allowing the simpler cumulative calculation method to achieve precision comparable to direct sensor measurement, thus resolving the contradiction between device complexity and measurement precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate estimation of the water level in the dehumidifier's water tank, allowing for various user functions without the need for expensive sensors, thereby improving functionality and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
an environmental sensor configured to measure a temperature and humidity of air and produce corresponding sensor data
Implementation Method 2
an environmental sensor configured to measure a temperature and humidity of air and produce corresponding sensor data
Implementation Method 3
a water level sensor configured to detect that a water level in the water tank reaches a predetermined water level
Implementation Method 4
at least one processor configured to calculate a cumulative amount of dehumidification based on sensor data collected from the environmental sensor and correction data
Data Source
AI summary
A dehumidifier including an environmental sensor configured to measure temperature and humidity of air and produce corresponding sensor data; a water tank configured to store water generated by a dehumidifying operation of the dehumidifier; a water level sensor configured to detect that a water level in the water tank reaches a predetermined water level; and at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to calculate a cumulative amount of dehumidification based on sensor data collected from the environmental sensor and correction data, and, based on the water level sensor detecting that the water level in the water tank reaches the predetermined water level, update the correction data based on a difference between the cumulative amount of dehumidification and a predetermined amount of water corresponding to the predetermined water level.