Humidifying Assembly Control for Water-Level UV Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioners with humidifying-sterilizing units face inefficiencies in sterilization due to the arrangement of UV LEDs and water levels, leading to ineffective sterilization and increased costs, and require complex configurations to circulate purified water effectively.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner with a control unit that adjusts the sterilizing duration based on the remaining water amount in the tank, optimizing the irradiation distance between the UV LED and water, and automatically managing the operation of the humidifying-sterilizing unit to extend its lifespan and ensure efficient water sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UV LED is positioned above the purified water, then the sterilizing performance can be adjusted based on water level, but the sterilization effectiveness becomes insufficient without considering the device arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the sterilizing unit movable rather than fixed, allowing it to adjust its position according to the water level. The control unit automatically controls the sterilizing unit to move to a position corresponding to the water level, ensuring effective sterilization while simplifying the arrangement considerations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a water level sensor to detect the water level and provides feedback to the control unit. The control unit then adjusts the sterilizing unit's position based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures effective sterilization without requiring complex manual arrangement.
2Reliability
If the UV LED operation time is extended to improve sterilization, then the sterilizing performance increases, but the lifespan of the UV LED decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the sterilizing duration based on the detected water level. The control unit determines the sterilizing duration according to the water level, ensuring adequate sterilization while avoiding excessive operation time that would reduce UV LED lifespan.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sterilizing duration parameter based on water level conditions. By adjusting this parameter dynamically rather than using a fixed duration, the system achieves effective sterilization while extending UV LED service life through optimized operation time.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If purified water is circulated to extend UV LED lifespan, then the operational costs reduce, but the device configuration becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the water circulation function from the system, eliminating the need for complex circulation pumps and piping. Instead, the system relies on natural water level changes and adjusts the sterilizing unit position accordingly, simplifying the overall device configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the natural water level in the tank rather than requiring active circulation. The water level sensor detects the level and the sterilizing unit automatically positions itself, allowing the system to serve itself without complex auxiliary components.
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 air conditioner efficiently sterilizes water by adjusting the sterilizing duration according to water levels, reducing operational costs and extending the lifespan of the humidifying-sterilizing unit while providing effective air conditioning and management modes for various user demands.
Implementation Method 1
the humidifying-sterilizing unit is configured to irradiate light to water received in the water tank
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner includes a humidifying assembly and a control unit to control the humidifying assembly. The humidifying assembly includes a humidifying-receiving unit including a water tank configured to receive water and a humidifying-sterilizing unit configured to irradiate light to sterilize water received in the water tank. The control unit is configured to control a driving time of the humidifying-sterilizing unit based on an amount of water received in the water tank.