Dehumidifier with controlling assembly for water pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dehumidifiers have a tank located at the bottom, making it difficult to separate and lift when full, potentially causing injury and inefficiency due to unnecessary energy consumption and noise from prolonged operation of the water pump.
Innovation Solution
A dehumidifier design with a laterally mounted tank that can be easily lifted vertically and a controlling assembly that activates the water pump only when the secondary tank reaches a certain water level, reducing energy consumption and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the tank is arranged at the bottom part of the dehumidifier, then the water collection structure is stable, but the tank becomes heavy and difficult to separate and lift when full
Solution Approach 1:
The water collection system is divided into two separate tanks: a first water collection tank and a second water collection tank. This segmentation allows the second tank to be positioned laterally where it can be easily removed without affecting the overall stability provided by the first tank at the bottom.
Solution Approach 2:
The second water collection tank is arranged in a lateral direction rather than at the bottom, changing the spatial dimension of tank placement. This allows the tank to be easily accessible and removable from the side while the first tank remains at the bottom for structural stability.
2Reliability
If the water pump operates continuously, then all collected water is pumped out, but energy consumption and noise increase unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor is installed in the second water collection tank to detect water levels. The sensor provides feedback to the control unit, which activates the water pump only when the sensor detects that water has accumulated to a level requiring pumping, and deactivates it when the tank is empty, eliminating unnecessary operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous operation, the water pump operates periodically based on water accumulation in the second tank. The pump is activated only when needed (when water reaches a certain level) and remains inactive when the tank is empty, reducing energy consumption and noise from unnecessary operation.
3Ease of operation
If the tank is separated laterally from the main body, then the tank can be removed, but the separation structure becomes complex and difficult to assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The water collection system is segmented into two independent tanks with separate mounting structures. The second tank has its own independent mounting structure that allows easy lateral attachment and detachment without complex mechanisms, while the first tank remains integrated at the bottom.
Solution Approach 2:
The second tank is mounted laterally on the main body rather than at the bottom, allowing simple side-attachment with basic mounting structures. This lateral positioning enables easy removal without requiring complex separation mechanisms while maintaining structural integrity.
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
Facilitates safe and easy tank removal, reduces energy usage by operating the water pump only when necessary, and minimizes noise from prolonged operation.
Implementation Method 1
The float is located in the secondary tank space of the secondary tank and is capable of moving upward or downward along with a water level inside the secondary tank space
Implementation Method 2
The water pump has a drawing opening and a draining opening. The drawing opening communicates with the secondary tank space of the secondary tank
Implementation Method 3
air passes through a heat exchanger, and thereby moisture in the air is condensed and forms water drops
Implementation Method 4
air passes through a heat exchanger, and thereby moisture in the air is condensed
Data Source
AI summary
A dehumidifier has a main body and a main tank. The main body has a secondary tank, a water pump, and a controlling assembly electrically connected to the water pump and having a starting position, a stopping position, and a float. The float is located in the secondary tank and is capable of moving with a water level inside the secondary tank. The controlling assembly controls the water pump to start or to stop according to the relative position between the float and the starting position or the stopping position. The main tank is detachably mounted on the main body, is located in a lateral side of the main body, and communicates with the water pump. With the controlling assembly, the water pump can be controlled to start only when necessary, thereby saving energy and reducing noises caused by prolonged running.