EP3556446A1

EP3556446A1 - Fog machine with continuous water supply

Info

Publication number: EP3556446A1
Application number: EP19167866.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hui Xu
Original assignee: Guangzhou Djpower Electronic Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Guangzhou Djpower Electronic Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-04-20
Filing date: 2019-04-08
Publication date: 2019-10-23
Anticipated expiration: 2039-04-08
Also published as: US20190321744A1; CN208679595U; CN108855747A; EP3556446B1

Abstract

A fog machine with continuous water supply is disclosed, comprising: a main body provided with a fog outlet, a circuit board inside the main body, a water tank at a bottom of the main body, a fog generator in the water tank and electrically connected with the circuit board, a water reservoir above the water tank, a water filling port at a bottom of the water reservoir, and a water filling switch at the water filling port and controlled by a water level of the water tank, wherein the space above the water tank is in communication with the fog outlet. The water filling switch controls the water in the water reservoir flowing into the water tank, wherein the opening and closing of the switch depends on the water level of the water tank. If the level becomes high, the switch is automatically closed and water supply is stopped, and if the level becomes low, the switch is automatically opened and water supply is started. The water tank where fog is generated is separated from the water reservoir, such that the fog will not flow into the water reservoir and thus will not influence adding water into the water reservoir during the fog generating process. Therefore, adding water does not require stopping the machine and does not influence the fog generating process, and therefore the fog generating process can be conducted continuously.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a fog machine, and particularly to a fog machine with continuous water supply.

BACKGROUND

In conventional fog machines, the fog generating chamber is formed by the entirety of the inner chamber of its main body. In this configuration, high water level will adversely affect fog generating effect, while low water level means a pool water storage capacity, which requires frequent water re-supply. Since the water tank and the fog generating chamber is in the same chamber, a large amount of fog as generated will flow out when the water re-supply window is opened, making it difficult to find out the water supply point to successfully supply water. In this case, the fog spraying has to be stopped to allow for water re-supply, and then re-started after the water re-supply is completed. Therefore, a continuous fog spray cannot be achieved. Frequent water re-supply requires frequent stop of fog spray, such that a stage effect with continuous fog spray can hardly be obtained.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To overcome one of the deficiencies in the prior art, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a fog machine with continuous water supply and continuous fog spray.
To solve the above technical problem, the present invention provides a fog machine with continuous water supply, comprising: a main body provided with a fog outlet, a circuit board provided inside the main body, a water tank provided at the bottom of the main body, a fog generator provided in the water tank and electrically connected with the circuit board, a water reservoir provided above the water tank, a water filling port provided at the bottom of the water reservoir, and a water filling switch provided at the water filling port and controlled by the water level of the water tank, wherein the space above the water tank is in communication with the fog outlet.
In a preferable embodiment of the present invention, the water filling switch comprises a floating element provided in the water tank and capable of moving up and down along with the water level in the water tank, and a blocking element fixedly connected with the top of the floating element and capable of extending into and blocking the water filling port.
In a preferable embodiment of the present invention, the floating element is a floating platform or a floating ball provided in the water tank, or a floating cap provided upside-down in the water tank.
In a preferable embodiment of the present invention, the main body is provided with a connecting pipe for connecting with a water pipe, an electromagnetic valve, and a water inlet pipe communicated with the connecting pipe through the electromagnetic valve, wherein an inlet of the water inlet pipe is provided above the water tank or in the water reservoir, and a water level sensor is provided in the water tank and is connected with the electromagnetic valve through electrical signal transmission.
In a preferable embodiment of the present invention, a recess is provided at the top of the main body and a fog fluid reservoir is provided in the recess, the main body is provided with a heater connected with the fog fluid reservoir through a pipe and a fog fluid pump provided at the pipe between the fog fluid reservoir and the heater, and wherein the heater is provided with a fog exit communicated with the fog outlet.
In a preferable embodiment of the present invention, a connector is provided at a side of the main body at a place corresponding to the fog outlet, the connector is provided with two inclined surfaces, each provided with one connecting port for connecting with a fog spraying pipe.
In a preferable embodiment of the present invention, an air inlet is provided at the top of the main body, an air intake fan for supplying air to the water tank is provided at the main body at a place corresponding to the air inlet, and a detachable rain cover for the fan is provided at the upper side of the main body.
In a preferable embodiment of the present invention, a touch screen control panel is provided at the main body, the touch screen control panel is electrically connected with the circuit board, a rainproof sheet for covering the touch screen control panel is provided at the front end of the rain cover, and the rear end of the rainproof sheet is mounted on the rain cover or the main body through mutual attraction between magnetic elements.
In a preferable embodiment of the present invention, a water filling port is provided at the top cover of the water reservoir; a water outlet is provided at the bottom of the water tank or at a lower end of a side wall of the water tank, a plug is provided at the water outlet; a DMX XLR socket, a power socket and a power switch are provided at the main body for electrically connecting with the circuit board respectively; and a wheel is provided at the bottom of the main body.
In a preferable embodiment of the present invention, a cooling fan is provided at a side of the water tank, and a cooling window is provided at the main body at a place corresponding to the cooling fan and the heater.
The present invention provides the following beneficial effects. The water reservoir is provided above the water tank and the water filling switch controls the water in the water reservoir flowing into the water tank, wherein the opening and closing of the water filling switch depends on the water level of the water tank. If the water level becomes high, the switch is automatically closed and thereby the water supply is stopped, and if the water level becomes low, the switch is automatically opened and thereby the water supply is started. The water tank which functions as a fog generating area is separated from the water reservoir, such that the fog will not flow into the water reservoir and thus will not influence adding water into the water reservoir during the fog generating process. When the water level in the water reservoir becomes low, the coverplate of the water reservoir can be directly opened to allow for adding water, without causing any influence on the fog generating process in the water tank. Therefore, the fog generating process does not need to be stopped during the process of adding water, and thus the fog generating process can be conducted continuously.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a structural schematic presentation of a fog machine of the present invention, in an exploded state.
Figure 2 is a structural schematic presentation of the fog machine of figure 1, in a partly sectional state.
Figure 3 is a structural schematic presentation of the fog machine of figure 1, in a combined state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the invention will be further described in combination with the drawings.
As shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the present invention provides a fog machine with continuous water supply, comprising: a main body 11 provided with a fog outlet 12, a circuit board 13 provided inside the main body, a water tank 15 provided at the bottom of the main body, a fog generator 16 provided in the water tank 15 and electrically connected with the circuit board 13, a water reservoir 21 provided above the water tank, a water filling port 22 provided at the bottom of the water reservoir 21, and a water filling switch 23 provided at the water filling port and controlled by the water level of the water tank, wherein the space above the water tank is in communication with the fog outlet 12. The water reservoir 21 is provided above the water tank 15 and the water filling switch 23 controls the water in the water reservoir 21 flowing into the water tank 15, wherein the opening and closing of the water filling switch 23 depends on the water level of the water tank 15. If the water lever becomes low, the switch is automatically opened and thereby the water supply is started, allowing the water in the water reservoir 21 flow into the water tank 15 through the water filling port 22, such that it can be assured that the water level in the water tank 15 is sufficient to immerse the fog generator 16 and thereby fog generating can be continuously conducted. When a certain water level is reached, the switch is automatically closed and thereby the water supply is stopped, such that a sufficient amount of water can be stored in the fog machine to be continuously supplied to the water tank 15. The water tank 15 which functions as a fog generating area is separated from the water reservoir 21, such that the fog will not flow into the water reservoir 21 and thus will not influence adding water from outside into the water reservoir 21 during the fog generating process. When the water level in the water reservoir 21 becomes low, the coverplate 28 of the water reservoir 21 can be directly opened to allow for adding water, without causing any influence on the fog generating process in the water tank 15. Therefore, the fog generating process does not need to be stopped during the process of adding water, and thus the fog generating process can be conducted continuously. The fog generation does not influence the water addition, and the water addition does not influence the fog generation.
Preferably, the water filling switch 23 comprises a floating element provided in the water tank 15 and capable of moving up and down along with the water level in the water tank, and a blocking element 25 fixedly connected with the top of the floating element and capable of extending into and blocking the water filling port 22. In this embodiment, the floating element moves up and down along with the water level in the water tank. When it moves down, it draws the blocking element away from the water filling port 22 so as to open the switch, and when it moves up, it forces the blocking element 25 to block the water filling port 22 so as to stop the water supply.
Further, the floating element can be a floating platform or a floating ball provided in the water tank 15. The floating platform or floating ball is supported by the buoyancy of water, such that the floating platform or floating ball moves up and down along with the water level. Alternatively, the floating element can also be a floating cap 26 provided upside-down in the water tank 15, which can also move up and down along with the water level. The floating cap 26 can be a semi-closed floating platform.
Additionally, in the situation where tap water is available, in order to catch tap water, the main body 11 is provided with a connecting pipe 32 for connecting with a tap water pipe, an electromagnetic valve 33, and a water inlet pipe (not shown) communicated with the connecting pipe 32 through the electromagnetic valve 33. The inlet of the water inlet pipe is provided above the water tank 15 or in the water reservoir 21, and a water level sensor 31 is provided in the water tank 15 and is connected with the electromagnetic valve 33 through electrical signal transmission. The connecting pipe 32 can be connected to receive tap water, and the water level in the water tank 15 can be detected by the water level sensor 31 to be transferred to the electromagnetic valve 33, depending on which the electromagnetic valve 33 connects or disconnects the water inlet pipe with the connecting pipe 32, such that water supply can be automatically started when the water level in the water tank 15 becomes low, and then be stopped when a suitable water level is reached. Therefore, a suitable water level can be maintained to facilitate better generation of fog, and auto-supply of water can be provided to allow for continuous fog generation.
Preferably, a recess 18 is provided at the top of the main body 11 and a fog fluid reservoir 38 is provided in the recess 18. The recess 18 can be provided with a cover 39 to cover the recess 18 to provide a better appearance, and the cover 39 can be opened to allow for changing the fog fluid reservoir 38, which is convenient and also safe. The main body 11 is provided with a heater 58 connected with the fog fluid reservoir 38 through a pipe, and a fog fluid pump 29 provided at the pipe between the fog fluid reservoir 38 and the heater 58. The fog fluid in the fog fluid reservoir 38 can be transferred by the fog fluid pump 29 to the heater 58 to allow for fog generation. The heater 58 is provided with a fog exit (not shown) communicated with the fog outlet 12, so as to transfer the fog generated in the heater 58 to the fog outlet 12 to make a mixing, thereby increasing the specific gravity of the fog such that the fog can be lowered and spread and diffused along the ground, avoiding being higher than a man body and thereby influencing the stage performance.
Preferably, a connector 51 is provided at a side of the main body 11 at a place corresponding to the fog outlet 12, the connector 51 is provided with two inclined surfaces, each provided with one connecting port 52 for connecting with a fog spraying pipe. Therefore, two fog spraying pipes can be connected to spray respectively towards two different directions (including parallel directions at different positions), so as to enlarge the area that the fog can spread. The vertical projection of the connector 51 can be in a triangular shape, with two sides being flat to facilitate installation of the connecting ports 52, so as to facilitate connecting pipes towards two inclined side surfaces to spray fog.
In order to generate a positive pressure inside the main body to force the fog machine to spray out a flow of fog, an air inlet 53 is provided at the top of the main body 11, and an air intake fan 55 for supplying air to the water tank 15 is provided at the main body 11 at a place corresponding to the air inlet 53. A detachable rain cover 56 for the fan is provided at an upper side of the main body 11, so as to protect the fan from the rain during outdoor use. It can additionally change the air incoming direction of the fan, allowing air income from its rear instead of from its top.
To facilitate manipulation, a touch screen control panel 17 is provided at the main body 11, and the touch screen control panel 17 is electrically connected with the circuit board 13. A rainproof sheet 57 for covering the touch screen control panel 17 is provided at the front end of the rain cover 56, so as to protect the touch screen from the rain, and further maintaining the air incoming direction of the air intake fan 55. The rear end of the rainproof sheet 57 is mounted on the rain cover 56 or the main body 11 through mutual attraction between magnetic elements, such that the rainproof sheet 57 can be removed or attached inside the rain cover 56 when it is not necessary to cover it from the rain. Specifically, the rainproof sheet 57 is provided with a first magnetic element (not shown), and a second magnetic element (not shown) is provided at the rain cover 56 corresponding to the first magnetic element of the rainproof sheet 57. The rainproof sheet 57 is fixedly mounted through mutual attraction between the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element so as to cover the touch screen control panel 17.
Preferably, a water filling port is provided at a top cover of the water reservoir 21, facilitating adding water at any time to ensure a continuous fog spray. A water outlet (not shown) is provided at the bottom of the water tank 15 or at a lower end of a side wall of the water tank, facilitating discharging water remaining inside the tank after use and then moving the machine. A plug 61 is provided at the water outlet to ensure watertight during use. A DMX XLR socket 62, a power socket 63 and a power switch 65 are provided at the main body 11 for electrically connecting with the circuit board respectively, so as to provide a safe electric power. Wheels 66 are provided at the bottom of the main body 11. The wheel 66 can be a universal wheel or other type of wheel that can facilitate its moving, so as to ensure easy moving of the entire fog machine.
Preferably, a cooling fan 68 is provided at a side of the water tank 15, and a cooling window 69 is provided at the main body 11 at a place corresponding to the cooling fan 68 and the heater, so as to facilitate cooling of the heater and provide overheating protection for the heater.
The above disclosure is only preferred embodiments of the present invention, and of course the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Therefore, equivalent changes made according to the scope of the present invention remain within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

A fog machine with continuous water supply, comprising
a main body provided with a fog outlet,
a circuit board provided inside the main body,
a water tank provided at a bottom of the main body,
a fog generator provided in the water tank and electrically connected with the circuit board,
a water reservoir provided above the water tank,
a water filling port provided at a bottom of the water reservoir, and
a water filling switch provided at the water filling port and controlled by a water level of the water tank,
wherein space above the water tank is in communication with the fog outlet.
The fog machine of claim 1, wherein the water filling switch comprises
a floating element provided in the water tank and capable of moving up and down along with the water level in the water tank, and
a blocking element fixedly connected with a top of the floating element and capable of extending into and blocking the water filling port.
The fog machine of claim 2, wherein the floating element is a floating platform or a floating ball provided in the water tank, or a floating cap provided upside-down in the water tank.
The fog machine of claim 1, wherein the main body is provided with
a connecting pipe for connecting with a tap water pipe,
an electromagnetic valve, and
a water inlet pipe communicated with the connecting pipe through the electromagnetic valve,
wherein an inlet of the water inlet pipe is provided above the water tank or in the water reservoir, and a water level sensor is provided in the water tank and is connected with the electromagnetic valve through electrical signal transmission.
The fog machine of claim 1, wherein a recess is provided at a top of the main body and a fog fluid reservoir is provided in the recess, the main body is provided with a heater connected with the fog fluid reservoir through a pipe and a fog fluid pump provided at the pipe between the fog fluid reservoir and the heater, and wherein the heater is provided with a fog exit communicated with the fog outlet.
The fog machine of claim 1, wherein a connector is provided at a side of the main body at a place corresponding to the fog outlet, the connector is provided with two inclined surfaces, each provided with one connecting port for connecting with a fog spraying pipe.
The fog machine of claim 1, wherein an air inlet is provided at a top of the main body, an air intake fan for supplying air to the water tank is provided at the main body at a place corresponding to the air inlet, and a detachable rain cover for the fan is provided at an upper side of the main body.
The fog machine of claim 1, wherein a touch screen control panel is provided at the main body, the touch screen control panel is electrically connected with the circuit board, a rainproof sheet for covering the touch screen control panel is provided at a front end of the rain cover, and a rear end of the rainproof sheet is mounted on the rain cover or the main body through mutual attraction between magnetic elements.
The fog machine of claim 1, wherein
a water filling port is provided at a top cover of the water reservoir,
a water outlet is provided at a bottom of the water tank or at a lower end of a side wall of the water tank, a plug is provided at the water outlet,
a DMX XLR socket, a power socket and a power switch are provided at the main body for electrically connecting with the circuit board respectively, and
a wheel is provided at a bottom of the main body.
The fog machine of claim 5, wherein a cooling fan is provided at a side of the water tank, and a cooling window is provided at the main body at a place corresponding to the cooling fan and the heater.