Ultrasonic Humidifier Hinge Structure for Easy Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic humidifiers face challenges in cleaning and sterilizing due to complex shapes and integrated electric circuits, leading to bacterial and mold growth, and limited water capacity when the ultrasonic vibrator is positioned on the humidifier body.
Innovation Solution
A humidifier design featuring a main body with a detachable upper body and rotatable vibration unit, allowing easy access for cleaning and sterilization, with a water reservoir that can hold a larger amount of water and a vibration unit that can float on the water surface for effective atomization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ultrasonic vibrator is coupled to the humidifier body including electric circuit, then the atomization function is achieved, but cleaning and sterilization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: the vibration unit with ultrasonic vibrator is separated from the main body housing containing electric circuits. This segmentation allows the vibration unit to be detached for easy cleaning and sterilization while maintaining the atomization function when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasonic vibrator and its associated water-contacting components are extracted as a separate removable vibration unit. This extraction enables independent cleaning and sterilization of the vibration unit without disassembling the entire humidifier body or exposing electric circuits to water.
2Volume of moving object
If the water reservoir is designed with complex shape for accommodation, then the humidifier body can accommodate the reservoir, but manual cleaning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The water reservoir is designed as a separate detachable component from the humidifier body, allowing it to be removed for easy manual cleaning. The segmentation enables simple geometric shapes that are easy to clean while maintaining adequate water capacity through optimized dimensions.
3Ease of operation
If the ultrasonic vibrator is placed on the bottom surface of the reservoir, then cleaning becomes easier, but water capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic vibrator is extracted and placed in a separate vibration unit that attaches to the exterior of the water reservoir rather than being embedded in the bottom surface. This extraction allows the reservoir to maintain its full water capacity while the vibration unit remains accessible for cleaning and replacement.
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 easy cleaning and sterilization of all water-contacting parts, maintains a comfortable humidity level, and reduces manufacturing costs while ensuring efficient water atomization.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic vibrator... when the water stored inside the reservoir is supplied on the ultrasonic vibrator, the ultrasonic vibrator atomizes the water to form a mist
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a humidifier. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a humidifier comprising: a main body including a water reservoir for storing water; an upper body disposed above the water reservoir for covering the water reservoir; and a vibration unit including a vibrator for atomizing the water in the water reservoir, wherein the upper body includes a first hinge part for hinge-coupling with the main body and a second hinge part for hinge-coupling with the vibration unit, the upper body is capable of being lifted from the main body using the first hinge part as a shaft, the vibration unit is capable of rotatably moving in the water using the second hinge part as a shaft, and the vibration unit further includes a vibrator receiving unit for the vibrator.