Humidifier Floating Valve Design for Stable Water Level Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing humidifiers face challenges such as frequent maintenance of humidifying media, potential for unpleasant air due to unsterilized water, vulnerability of ultrasonic vibrators to high temperatures, safety risks from direct discharge of hot air, incomplete sterilization and humidification, and difficulty in controlling water levels in separate heating and humidification spaces.
Innovation Solution
A humidifier design featuring a floating valve within the heating water tank that moves up and down to control water levels, with a central hole and communication hole to minimize the impact of water vapor and air bubbles, and separation ribs to prevent vibration, along with a water supply tank and air flow pipe to manage water and air flow effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a floating valve is disposed inside a heating water tank to control water level, then water level control is improved, but the floating valve may vibrate due to water flow and air bubbles generated by heating, causing control errors
Solution Approach 1:
An inner wall is introduced as an intermediary structure between the heating water tank and the floating valve. The inner wall creates a separate space that isolates the floating valve from direct exposure to heated water and air bubbles, allowing the valve to function reliably without vibration while still controlling water level through controlled communication holes in the inner wall.
2Reliability
If water heating temperature is maintained below a set temperature to protect ultrasonic vibrator, then ultrasonic vibrator safety is improved, but water cannot be completely sterilized
Solution Approach 1:
The water treatment process is segmented into two separate functional zones: a heating water tank dedicated to sterilization at high temperatures, and a humidifying water tank containing the ultrasonic vibrator for atomization at lower temperatures. This spatial segmentation allows each component to operate in its optimal temperature range without interfering with the other, achieving both complete sterilization and vibrator safety.
3Device complexity
If a separate water level control device is not provided in heating and humidification spaces, then device complexity is reduced, but direct water level control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The floating valve is designed with multi-functionality to control water levels in both the heating water tank and the humidifying water tank. Through the inner wall structure with communication holes, a single floating valve can sense and control water levels in both spaces, eliminating the need for separate control devices while maintaining simple structure and easy operation.
4Productivity
If pipe supplies water from water tank to heating water tank located below, then gravity-assisted water flow is improved, but residual water occurs inside the pipe before and after use
Solution Approach 1:
The inner wall is positioned with its center spaced apart from the center of the outer wall, creating a dimensional offset. This spatial arrangement allows the inner wall and communication holes to be positioned strategically, enabling complete drainage of the heating water tank while preventing residual water accumulation in the supply pipe, thus resolving the contradiction between gravity-assisted flow and residual water prevention.
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 provides comfortable, sterilized humidified air, reduces the risk of ultrasonic vibrator malfunction, and simplifies the structure by allowing for effective water level control and efficient water heating, while minimizing vibrations and ensuring safe air discharge.
Implementation Method 1
a heater which is disposed in a lower side of the outer wall, and heats water stored inside the outer wall
Implementation Method 2
a floating valve which is movable in an up-down direction within the inner wall
Implementation Method 3
even if water vapor generated by the heater flows into the inner wall, it can flow through the communication hole and the central hole
Data Source
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AI summary
A humidifier includes: an outer wall which forms a space where water is stored; a heater which is disposed in a lower side of the outer wall, and heats water stored inside the outer wall; an inner wall which is disposed inside the outer wall, and receives water from a water tank and sends to an inner space of the outer wall; and a floating valve which is movable in an up-down direction within the inner wall.