Humidifier with water flow control between an upper tank and a lower reservoir

Abstract

The humidifier has an upper tank and a lower reservoir. A liquid level switch in the lower reservoir works in conjunction with a valve in a water passage between the upper tank and the lower reservoir in order to provide an automated flow of water to the lower reservoir during operation of the humidifier. The upper tank is unsealed, such that air in the upper tank may equalize with an ambient air pressure. The humidifier can be top-filled allowing that the upper tank to be permanently affixed to the base of the humidifier.

Claims

1. A humidifier, comprising: a passage fluidly connecting an upper tank to a lower reservoir; a switch in the lower reservoir, wherein the switch is a conductive post comprising at least two electrical contacts and configured to measure a liquid level in the lower reservoir, wherein one of the at least two electrical contacts of the conductive post is positioned near a top portion of the conductive post; and a valve in the passage, wherein the switch is configured to electrically connect the valve with a power source via the at least two electrical contacts such that the valve is configured to open the passage via power supplied by the power source in response to detecting that water in the lower reservoir closes an electrical circuit between the at least two electrical contacts and the power source thereby indicating a low liquid level in the lower reservoir, and the valve being configured to close the passage in response to detecting that the at least two electrical contacts open the electrical circuit thereby indicating a high liquid level in the lower reservoir, wherein a height the conductive post corresponds to the high liquid level of the lower reservoir.

2. The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the upper tank is unsealed such that air in the upper tank is allowed to equalize with an ambient air pressure.

3. The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the upper tank is permanently affixed to a base of the humidifier.

4. The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the humidifier is top-filled such that the upper tank is configured to accept water from a top connection on the upper tank.

5. The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the electrical circuit is positioned between the valve and the switch; and the humidifier further comprises a power source configured to energize the electrical circuit to open the valve in response to detecting the low liquid level in the lower reservoir.

6. The humidifier of claim 5, wherein the switch is a float switch capable of floating within the lower reservoir, the float switch being configured to change the energy state of the electrical circuit in order to open the valve if the float switch floats to a position that is the low liquid level in the lower reservoir.

7. The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the at least one two electrical contacts are configured to change the energy state of the electrical circuit if a water level in the lower reservoir is at the low liquid level.

8. The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the valve is a solenoid valve.

9. The humidifier of claim 8, wherein the solenoid valve is one of a plunger solenoid valve and a pivoting-armature solenoid valve.

10. The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the upper tank is detachable from the remainder of the humidifier.

11. The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the switch is configured to measure a spectrum of liquid levels in the lower reservoir, the valve is further configured to open to one of a spectrum of positions between fully-opened and fully-closed based on the measurement of the spectrum of liquid levels from the switch.

12. The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the conductive post comprises a central post surrounded by a casing, and the at least two electrical contacts are positioned on the central post and the casing, respectively.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The above and other features and advantages of example embodiments will become more apparent by describing in detail, example embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. The accompanying drawings are intended to depict example embodiments and should not be interpreted to limit the intended scope of the claims. The accompanying drawings are not to be considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted.

(2) FIG. 1 is a conventional humidifier;

(3) FIG. 2 is a diagram of a humidifier, in accordance with an example embodiment;

(4) FIG. 3 is a wiring diagram of the electrical circuit of the humidifier of FIG. 2, in accordance with an example embodiment;

(5) FIG. 4 is a humidifier, in accordance with an example embodiment;

(6) FIG. 5 is a cut-away view of a base of a humidifier, in accordance with an example embodiment;

(7) FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams of a conductive post, as shown in FIG. 5, in accordance with an example embodiment;

(8) FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams of an alternative conductive post, as shown in FIG. 5, in accordance with an example embodiment;

(9) FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method of making a humidifier, in accordance with an example embodiment; and

(10) FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a method of using a humidifier, in accordance with an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(11) Detailed example embodiments are disclosed herein. However, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing example embodiments. Example embodiments may, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein.

(12) Accordingly, while example embodiments are capable of various modifications and alternative forms, embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit example embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but to the contrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of example embodiments. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description of the figures.

(13) It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments. As used herein, the term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

(14) It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being connected or coupled to another element, it may be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being directly connected or directly coupled to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., between versus directly between, adjacent versus directly adjacent, etc.).

(15) The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms a, an and the are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms comprises, comprising,, includes and/or including, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

(16) It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.

(17) FIG. 2 is a diagram of a humidifier 50, in accordance with an example embodiment. The humidifier may have an upper water tank 54 that is attached to a base 52. The tank may be permanently affixed to the top of the base 52 with an opening 54a that allows the tank 54 to be filled with water 82. The opening 54a may be wide enough to allow a pitcher, a distilled water bottle/jug, or a large bucket to fill the tank 54a (i.e., the opening 54a may be relatively large to facilitate easy filling). The tank 54 may also optionally be detachable from the base 52 to allow the tank 54 to be cleaned or filled and carried back to the base 52.

(18) The tank 54 may also be open to ambient air. Therefore, air 84 above the liquid level 83 may have an air pressure that is equalized with ambient (atmospheric) air. This may be accomplished by allowing opening 54a to remain open at all times. Alternatively, vents or slits 54b may be provided on the tank 54.

(19) The humidifier 50 may function by allowing a flow of water 82a from the tank 54 to pass into a channel 56 that directs the water flow 82a to a valve 58. The valve may be an automatic open/close valve that is activated by the opening and closing of an electrical circuit (described herein in more detail). For instance, the valve 58 may be a solenoid valve. In the event a solenoid valve is used, the solenoid may be either a plunger-type or a pivoting-armature type solenoid valve.

(20) A lower reservoir 62 of the humidifier 50 may hold water 82c that is vaporized by a nebulizer 66 (such as an ultrasonic nebulizer) that discharges water vapor 86. As a liquid level 64 of reservoir 62 drops (following a period of use by nebulizer 66), a sensor switch 68 with a floater 70 (made from a floating material, such as extruded polystyrene foam) may drop in concert with the liquid level 64. As the float switch 68 drops (as the reservoir 62 is at a low liquid level 64), the switch 68 may close a first electrical circuit 76 (where the first electrical circuit 76 may electrically connect valve 58 to a power source 72 such as a DC power source, as shown in more detail in FIG. 3). In closing the first electrical circuit 76, an overall electrical circuit 74/76 may become energized (see a second electrical circuit 74 electrically connecting valve 58 to the power source 72), causing valve 58 to in turn become actuated to an open (energized) position. In the open position, valve 58 allows a flow of water 82b to be released from channel 56 through tube 60 and into reservoir 62 in order to fill the reservoir 62. As reservoir 62 fills with water 82c, the elevation of switch 68 rises (via float 70), and the electrical circuit 76 is opened (when the reservoir 62 is at a high liquid level). By opening circuit 76, valve 58 becomes de-energized, causing valve 58 to close.

(21) Based on the description above, it should also be understood that valve 58 may optionally be configured to open in a de-energized state (through the use of a fail-open valve, for instance), such that switch 68 could be configured to open circuit 76 (and therefore open valve 58) when the liquid level 64 of reservoir 62 is at a low level (see FIG. 3 for a more detailed description).

(22) FIG. 3 is a wiring diagram of the electrical circuit of the humidifier of FIG. 2, in accordance with an example embodiment. The circuit may include a power source 72 (such as a DC source) connecting the first electrical circuit 76 to the second electrical circuit 74 to energize or de-energize valve 58. In particular, as described above, a low liquid level 64 of reservoir 62 (see FIG. 2) may cause switch 68 to move to a closed position 68b in order to energize the overall circuit 74/76 (and in turn energize valve 58 to an open position). A high liquid level 64 of reservoir 62 may cause switch 68 to move to an open position 68a in order to de-energize the overall circuit 74/76 (and in turn de-energize valve 58 to a closed position).

(23) As stated above, it should be understood that valve 58 may alternatively be configured to open in a de-energized state (through the use of a fail-open valve, for instance), such that switch 68 could be configured to be moved to an open position 68a (and therefore open valve 58) when the liquid level 64 of reservoir 62 is at a low level, and switch 68 could be configured to be moved to a closed position 68b (which closes valve 58) when liquid level 64 of reservoir 62 is at a high level.

(24) In an alternative embodiment, it should be understood that the actuation of valve 58 may be accomplished to allow for a spectrum of valve positions between fully opened and fully closed, based on the measured liquid level 64 in reservoir 64. That is to say, switch 68 may be configured to identify a number of liquid level positions, and based on this information the actuation of valve 58 may be adjusted using a spectrum of positions (e.g., fully-open, three-quarters open, half-open, etc.) that match the need to replenish water in reservoir 62.

(25) FIG. 4 is a humidifier 50a, in accordance with an example embodiment. The humidifier 50a includes many of the same elements as shown in FIG. 2, and only those elements that differ from FIG. 2 are described herein.

(26) The humidifier 50a may include an upper water tank 4a that may be either permanently affixed or detachable from base 52. The tank 4a may include a lid 90 allowing easy access to the tank 4a for convenient filling. A floater 70a may float on post 69 in order to open and close an electrical contact in order to activate a plunger-type solenoid valve 58a. Specifically, solenoid valve 58a may be used to force valve stem 8a and valve disk 10a upwards, such that disk 10a separates from valve seat 12a, in order to cause water from tank 4a to flow through channel 56 through tube 60 and into lower water reservoir 62a. When lower water reservoir 62a is full of water (as indicated by floater 70a), spring 14a may work in conjunction with solenoid valve 58a to force valve disk 10a back down onto valve seat 12a to cease the flow of water through channel 56 and tube 60.

(27) FIG. 5 is a cut-away view of a base 52b of a humidifier, in accordance with an example embodiment. The base 52b may include an upper water channel 56a that may fill with water due to the activation of a solenoid valve 58a (shown in FIG. 4, but not explicitly shown in FIG. 5). Water flows from channel 56a through water passage 60a into lower reservoir 62 and into nebulizer 66.

(28) In this embodiment, a conductive post 94 may be used to determine water level in lower reservoir 62. The conductive post 94 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 6A and 6B. An LED light 92 may be located at the bottom of lower reservoir 62, and may be activated to turn on and illuminate during the presence of water in reservoir 62.

(29) FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams of conductive posts 94a/b, as shown in FIG. 5, in accordance with an example embodiment. Each conductive post 94a/b may include a central post 95 surrounded by a casing 93. A first electrical contact 95a may be on the central post 95, and a second electrical contact 93a may be on the casing 93. The electrical contacts 93a/95a may be made from copper, or another suitable metal that is electrically conductive. The electrical contacts 93a/95a may be plated to prevent corrosion. These electrical contacts 93a/95a may be electrically energized. As water fills lower reservoir 62 of the humidifier (see FIG. 5), the water may close an electrical circuit between the electrical contacts 95a and 93a in order to complete an electrical circuit (in the same fashion as electrical circuit shown in FIG. 3) in order to cause solenoid 58a to cause valve disk 10a to lower onto the valve seat 12a to stop a flow of water from entering lower reservoir 62. A height of post 95 (or, more specifically, a height of contact 95a on post 95) may correspond to a desired liquid level of liquid within reservoir 62.

(30) FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams of an alternative conductive post 95, as shown in FIG. 5, in accordance with an example embodiment. The post 95 may include a top-portion that is made from copper, or another suitable metal that is electrically conductive. The electrically conductive top-portion of the post 95 may be plated to prevent corrosion. The top-portion of post 95 may be electrically connected to a printed circuit board (PCB) 99 that may be configured to identify when lower water reservoir 62 is filled with water. Specifically, PCB 99 may also be electrically connected to an ultrasonic disc 97. By electrically energizing the top-portion of post 95, the existence of water within lower reservoir 62 may close an electrical circuit between the ultrasonic disc 97 and the top-portion of the conductive post 95 in order for PCB 99 to identify the presence of water within reservoir 62. A height of post 95 (or, more specifically, a height of the electrically conductive top-portion of post 95) may correspond to a desired liquid level of liquid within reservoir 62.

(31) FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method of making a humidifier 50, in accordance with an example embodiment. The method may include a step S100 of inserting a valve 58 into a channel 56 between an upper water tank 54 and a lower reservoir 62 (see FIG. 2). In step S102, a floating switch 68 may be inserted into the lower reservoir 62. In step S104, an electrical circuit 74/76 may be configured between the valve 56 and switch 68 so that valve 58 opens when the switch 68 indicates a low liquid level 64 in reservoir 62, and closes when switch 68 indicates a high liquid level 64 in reservoir 62.

(32) FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a method of using a humidifier 50, in accordance with an example embodiment. The method may include a step S200 of identifying a liquid level 64 in a lower reservoir 62 using a float switch 68 (where the switch 68 may indicate a low liquid level and a high liquid level, for instance). In step S202, a valve 58 located between the lower reservoir 62 and an upper water tank 54 may be actuated to an open position when a liquid level 64 is low, and may be actuated to a closed position when a liquid level 64 is high.

(33) Example embodiments having thus been described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the intended spirit and scope of example embodiments, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.