Floating Humidifier Tank Cover to Prevent Spill and Contamination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Floating type humidifiers are prone to water tank collapse due to external shocks or user carelessness, leading to abrupt water discharge and contamination from foreign materials, particularly in environments like children's hospitals and areas with frequent earthquakes.

Innovation Solution

A floating type humidifier design featuring a water tank with an open top, a floating body with a water inflow hole, a detachable humidifier case, and a cover with a through-hole that allows the humidifier case to be exposed, providing a secure coupling mechanism to prevent water discharge and foreign material entry, using a cover with elastic material and a handle for easy operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the water tank top is opened for easy access and cleaning, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates because the tank can fall down and water flushes abruptly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to water tankVSAvoidprevention of water discharge

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is divided into a plate portion for covering the tank opening and a protrusion portion for coupling to the tank. The protrusion can be inserted through the tank top, creating separate functional zones that allow both access and security

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The humidifier case is inserted through the through-hole of the cover plate, creating a nested structure where the case is protected within the cover assembly, which itself is coupled to the tank

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the floating type humidifier is used in environments with children or during earthquakes, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to external shocks causing the tank to fall

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuitability for various environmentsVSAvoidstability against external forces

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusion structure is designed to be inserted through the tank top beforehand, creating a pre-established secure connection that prevents the tank from falling when subjected to external shocks during earthquakes or child activity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusion has an asymmetric structure with specific coupling features on its inner circumference that engage with corresponding features on the tank outer surface, creating a secure fit that resists external forces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Ease of operation

If the cover is detachably coupled to the water tank for easy removal and cleaning, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates because the coupling may not prevent water discharge during falls

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremovability of coverVSAvoidprevention of water discharge during falls

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is segmented into a plate portion and a protrusion portion that can be detachably coupled to the tank, allowing easy removal for cleaning while maintaining security when assembled

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusion inner circumference has specific coupling features at localized positions that engage with the tank outer surface, providing secure attachment at critical points while maintaining overall detachability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

The design effectively prevents abrupt water discharge from the water tank even during external forces like earthquakes and user carelessness, facilitating easy cleaning and maintaining a sterile environment, especially in settings with children or high foot traffic.

Implementation Method 1

the water in the water tank is changed to the minute water particles by the vibration of the ultrasonic vibrator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 2

a floating body which has a water inflow hole through which water stored in the water tank flows and a space part formed therein and floats in the water stored in the water tank

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS10060640B2Floating type humidifier

Publication Date: 2018.08.28 MIRO CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a floating type humidifier, and particularly, a floating type humidifier which can prevent, when a floating type humidifier discharging water particles or vapor while floating on water in a water tank loses a balance thereof and falls, the water stored in the water tank from flushing abruptly and even though a water tank falls due to external force such as an earthquake or carelessness of a user, water stored in the water tank is prevented from being abruptly discharged to minimize a cleaning operation which occurs as much water is discharged, the floating type humidifier can prevent foreign materials from being input in the water stored in the water tank, and the floating type humidifier can be stably used even at places including a hospital, a kindergarten, and a home where a lot of children move.