Method and device for determining an amount of water required by a humidifier

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of humidifiers often face challenges in determining the appropriate amount of water needed for humidification, leading to either insufficient water causing rapid depletion or excessive water resulting in scale formation, which can damage the device.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that calculate the required water amount based on target humidification parameters such as humidity or time, using formulas like V=(t1-t0)*s*w1 for area-based calculations and V=t*v*w2 for time-based calculations, and provide a notifying message to users through a terminal, which can also automatically detect and control the water level.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If users add water to the humidifier tank without accurate guidance, then the humidifier can operate, but the water amount may be insufficient causing rapid depletion or excessive causing scale formation and device damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice longevityVSAvoiduser convenience in determining water amount
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The humidifier system performs self-measurement of the space volume and self-calculation of the required water amount using embedded sensors and processing units. The system automatically determines the water quantity needed based on the measured space parameters and current humidity levels, eliminating the need for manual user calculation and guidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the current humidity level in the space and compares it with the target humidity. Based on this feedback loop, the processing unit dynamically calculates and notifies the user of the precise water amount required, adjusting the recommendation as conditions change.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the humidifier uses fixed water amount recommendations, then the operation is simple, but it cannot adapt to different space sizes and humidity conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptation to different space areas and humidity conditionsVSAvoidmeasurement and calculation system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the water amount recommendation based on changing parameters including space volume, current humidity level, target humidity, and temperature. The processing unit recalculates the required water amount as these parameters change, enabling adaptation to different operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement methods with electronic sensors and digital processing. The system uses electronic sensors to measure space dimensions and humidity levels, then uses a processing unit to calculate the required water amount, substituting physical measurement tools with electronic detection and computation systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If the humidifier provides detailed water amount calculations, then the precision is high, but the notification system becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater amount determination accuracyVSAvoidnotification system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses an intermediary notification device (such as a mobile phone app or display panel) to communicate the calculated water amount to the user. The processing unit calculates the precise water requirement and transmits this information through the intermediary device, which presents the information in a user-friendly format without requiring complex notification hardware in the humidifier itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3296655B1Method and device for determining an amount of water required by a humidifier
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP3296655B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3296655B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3296655B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a method and a device for determining an amount of water required by a humidifier. The method includes: obtaining (S101) a target humidification parameter for a space to be humidified; determining (S102) the water amount required for the humidifier to reach the target humidification parameter; and outputting (S103) a notifying message, the notifying message carrying the water amount. With such technical solution, when a humidifier is used for humidification, a notifying message carrying the water amount is output to notify a user of the water amount required for the tank of the humidifier for the humidifier to reach the humidification target, which facilitates the user to add water into the tank of the humidifier and reduces the damage to the humidifier caused by an inappropriate amount of water in the humidifier.