Water treatment device and humidification device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Water treatment devices with discharge or electrolysis systems face operational failures due to varying water levels, which can expose electrodes or cause short circuits, leading to inefficient treatment and potential leakage, and existing solutions like float switches are costly and prone to failure under high voltage.
Innovation Solution
A water treatment device that uses a pair of electrodes to detect water levels based on current values, preventing power supply activation when levels are abnormal and inhibiting water supply during power-on operations to avoid short circuits, thereby reducing the need for additional detectors and ensuring reliable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a float switch or water level detector is provided to detect water level, then water level detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrodes serve dual functions: they act as both discharge electrodes for water treatment and as water level detection sensors. By detecting current flow between electrodes, the system determines water level without requiring separate detection components, thereby reducing parts count while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The electrodes inherently possess the ability to detect water level through their own electrical properties (current flow characteristics). The system uses the electrodes' natural response to water presence (conductive path formation) for detection purposes, eliminating the need for external detection mechanisms
2Measurement precision
If a float switch or water level detector is provided to detect water level, then water level detection accuracy is improved, but reliability decreases due to high voltage breakdown
Solution Approach 1:
The electrodes serve dual functions: they act as both discharge electrodes for water treatment and as water level detection sensors. By detecting current flow between electrodes, the system determines water level without requiring separate detection components, thereby reducing parts count while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The electrodes inherently possess the ability to detect water level through their own electrical properties (current flow characteristics). The system uses the electrodes' natural response to water presence (conductive path formation) for detection purposes, eliminating the need for external detection mechanisms
3Device complexity
If water level is not monitored, then device complexity is reduced, but operational reliability deteriorates due to electrode exposure or short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors current flow between electrodes and uses this feedback to detect water level changes. When water level becomes abnormal (electrode exposure or overflow), the current characteristics change, triggering automatic power supply shutdown to prevent operational failures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical water level detection (float switches) with an electrical detection method using current flow measurement between electrodes. This substitution eliminates mechanical components while providing continuous, reliable water level monitoring through electrical parameters
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
This solution effectively prevents operational failures by detecting abnormal water levels and managing power supply and water supply to maintain optimal conditions, reducing parts count and ensuring safe, reliable water treatment without the need for additional detectors.
Implementation Method 1
a detector (73) which detects a level of water in each of the treatment vessels (37, 38) based on an index corresponding to a current value between the pair of electrodes (61, 62)
Implementation Method 2
discharge occurs from one of the interfaces of water to the other. The discharge thus occurred produces highly reactive materials (active species), such as hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen peroxide
Implementation Method 3
Water treatment devices which treat water by discharge or electrolysis are known in the art
Implementation Method 4
current density at the fine hole increases as shown in FIG. 5 of Patent Document 1, and water in the fine hole is vaporized by Joule heat
Data Source
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AI summary
A water treatment device includes: an insulating divider (32) which divides a space inside a water tank (31) into two treatment vessels (37, 38) adjacent to each other in a horizontal direction, and includes a current carrier (35, 81) which is able to energize water in the two treatment vessels (37, 38); a treatment unit (60, 80) including a pair of electrodes (61, 62), a power supply (71), and a power supply controller (72); a water supplier (40) which supplies water to each of the treatment vessels (37, 38); and a draining member (50) which drains water from each of the treatment vessels (37, 38). The treatment unit (60, 80) includes a detector (73) which detects a level of water in each of the treatment vessels (37, 38) based on an index corresponding to a current value between the pair of electrodes (61, 62).