humidifier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional humidifiers face limitations in adjusting the direction and effectiveness of mist output, with ultrasonic humidifiers producing excessive mist that may not effectively flow into indoor spaces and potential safety issues from unsterilized water and high-temperature vulnerabilities, while other methods have limited control over discharge port adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A humidifier design incorporating multiple ultrasonic vibrators controlled by varying driving signals to adjust mist direction and shape, with a humidifying assembly that includes a heating device and a processor to manage ultrasonic vibrator operation and diagnose failures, ensuring efficient mist distribution and extended product life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If ultrasonic vibration is used to atomize water for humidification, then a relatively large amount of mist is output, but the mist may not effectively flow into the indoor space and the ultrasonic vibrator may be vulnerable to damage from high-temperature heat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single ultrasonic vibrator into multiple ultrasonic vibrators (first ultrasonic vibrator and second ultrasonic vibrator). This segmentation allows the system to alternate operation between vibrators, reducing the burden on each individual vibrator and minimizing exposure to high-temperature environments, thereby improving reliability while maintaining mist output quantity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit alternates operation between the first and second ultrasonic vibrators in periodic cycles. This periodic action allows each vibrator to rest and cool down while the other operates, preventing overheating and extending the operational life of the vibrators without reducing the overall mist output.
2Temperature
If heating vaporization is used to vaporize water, then humidified air is produced, but relatively hot humidified air is directly discharged into the indoor space potentially causing safety accidents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces ambient air as an intermediary substance that mixes with the hot humidified air generated by heating vaporization. This mixing process cools the hot air before discharge, eliminating the safety hazard of directly releasing high-temperature air into the indoor space while maintaining effective humidification.
3Productivity
If evaporative humidification uses a humidifying medium to draw water over a larger surface area, then faster evaporation is achieved, but the user needs to frequently clean or replace the humidifying medium to maintain performance and cleanliness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the evaporative humidification method with ultrasonic vibration-based atomization. This substitution eliminates the need for a physical humidifying medium that requires cleaning and replacement, as ultrasonic vibrators generate mist through vibration-induced atomization of water, significantly reducing maintenance requirements while maintaining high evaporation rates.
4Device complexity
If unsterilized water is used for humidification, then the humidifier operates without additional processing, but air carrying the unsterilized water may flow into the indoor space and the ultrasonic vibrator may be vulnerable to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary heating to sterilize the water before it reaches the ultrasonic vibrators. This preliminary action eliminates harmful microorganisms and prevents scaling that could damage the vibrators, protecting the ultrasonic components without adding complex post-processing systems.
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 solution allows for precise control of mist direction and shape, improving indoor humidity distribution and extending the product's lifespan by alternating ultrasonic vibrator usage and detecting failures to maintain reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
The ultrasonic humidifier may include a vibrator to generate ultrasonic waves, and humidified air may be formed by water that is atomized by the ultrasonic waves.
Implementation Method 2
heating vaporization may cause relatively hot humidified air to be directly discharged into the indoor space
Data Source
AI summary
A humidifier according to an embodiment includes: a case; and a humidifying assembly disposed in the case and configured to generate mist, wherein the humidifying assembly includes a humidifying chamber defining a space in which water is contained, and first and second ultrasonic vibrators disposed under the humidifying chamber, wherein the humidifying assembly is configured to drive one of the first and second ultrasonic vibrators, or to drive the first and second ultrasonic vibrators with different driving signals, thereby adjusting the direction and shape of mist and providing various mist modes.