KR100803037B1 - Humidifier having function top water supply, and method controlling thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A humidifier having a top water supply function and a method for controlling top water supply are provided to inject water into a water bucket conveniently in a state of securing the water bucket at a main body, and prevent leakage of water due to motion of an actuator. A water bucket(110) has an opening(111) at an upper part to inject water. A cap(120) opens and closes the opening. A needle valve(130) is supported on a drain passage elastically through an elastic member to open and close the drain passage formed at a lower part of the water bucket. An actuator(160) moves the needle valve up and down. A vaporizing tank(190) includes a vibrator(191) vaporizing water supplied from the water bucket, and a water level sensor(170) sensing a pressure of water contained inside to measure a water level. A control unit moves the actuator down to close the needle valve to interrupt water supplied to the vaporizing tank in a state that power is turned off. If power is turned on, the control unit elevates the actuator as to open the needle valve to supply water to the vaporizing tank.

Description

Humidifier having function top water supply, and method controlling thereof

1 is an exploded perspective view of a humidifier according to the prior art,

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a bucket structure of the humidifier having a water supply function according to the present invention,

3 is a plan view showing a bucket of the humidifier having an upper water supply function according to the present invention,

4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 3, showing a state when the cap of the bucket is closed,

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 3, showing a state when the cap of the water bottle is opened,

6 is a perspective view showing another bucket structure of the humidifier having an upper water supply function according to the present invention,

7 is a bottom perspective view showing another bucket structure of the humidifier having an upper water supply function according to the present invention,

8 is a block diagram showing the electrical connection of the humidifier having a water supply function according to the present invention,

9 is a block diagram showing a control method of the upper water supply of the humidifier having an upper water supply function according to the present invention,

10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling the upper water supply of the humidifier having the upper water supply function according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawing

100,100 ': Humidifier 110,110': Bucket

111: opening 112: lower opening

120: cap 121: sealing member

130: needle valve 131: coil spring

150: lower cap 151: support

152: drainage flow path 160: actuator

161: actuator rod 170: water level sensor

180: control unit 190: atomization tank

191: vibrator 200: main body

210: injection pipe 220: power source

230: seating groove 240: button portion

The present invention relates to a humidifier, and more particularly to a humidifier having an upper water supply function and a control method for the upper water supply thereof.

In general, the humidifier is a home appliance for humidifying the indoor air of high temperature and dry air, especially in winter, to maintain a comfortable indoor environment, depending on the method of humidification, heating, ultrasonic, fan and each of them Combined formulas that combine the advantages of are known.

Among them, the heated humidifier generates water by heating water with a heater or electrode, and the ultrasonic humidifier ultrasonically vibrates a vibrator located in the water by an electric signal of a specific frequency generated through an electric circuit to atomize the water. Each humidifier supplies water to the air in a specific manner, such as by granulating water by wind generated by rotating a fan installed on the surface at high speed.

Among the various humidifiers that humidify the air in various ways as described above, the ultrasonic humidifiers that are most widely used in each home are as follows.

This ultrasonic humidifier, as shown in Fig. 1, a main body 11 in which a spray device (not shown) is built; A bucket 12 seated on one side of the upper surface of the main body 11; An injection pipe 13 through which atomized water is injected; It consists of a cover and the like covering the entire upper surface of the main body 11 in the state in which the bucket 12 and the injection pipe 13 are seated.

In this case, the injection pipe 13 may be formed integrally with the bucket 12, and may serve as a cover while the outer peripheral surface of the bucket 12 is exposed as it is without a cover.

In addition, the bucket 12 is provided with an inlet I for filling water on the bottom thereof, and the inlet I is detachably coupled to the lid C, and a central portion of the lid C is provided with a spring. The needle valve (V) is operated by the structure, the water supply and atomization process is as follows.

When the bucket 12 is placed in the bucket seating groove G on one side of the upper surface of the main body 11, the protrusion E of the center of the seating groove G is provided with a needle valve provided at the center of the lid C of the bucket 12. By pushing V into the bucket 12, the needle valve V is opened, and the water in the bucket 12 flows into the seating groove G, and this water flows into the flow path F of the upper surface of the main body 11. After flowing into the atomization tank (G ') provided with the vibrator (11A) from the seating groove (G) through the atomization, the atomized water is atomized by the vibrator (11A), the air outside the humidifier through the injection pipe (13) Dispersed in the middle.

The symbol 'S', which is not described, is a water level sensor, which detects when there is no water in the atomizer G and cuts off the power input to the vibrator 11A.

The conventional ultrasonic humidifier as described above is a bottom water supply type, in which the inlet I is provided on the bottom surface of the bucket 12, and when the water falls into the bucket 12, the bucket 12 is necessarily seated in the groove G. After separating from the water bottle (12) upside down in the state to open the inlet (I) is inconvenient to fill the water in the water bottle (12).

That is, when lifting the water tank 12, the needle valve (V) is closed by a spring, in the state in which the needle valve (V) is closed to turn the water tank 12 to remove the lid (C) to the inlet (I) The water can be filled, there was a problem that can not replenish the water in the state in which the bucket 12 is seated on the main body (11).

In order to solve the problems described above, the water can be conveniently injected into the water tank even when the water tank is seated on the main body, and the water tank is separated even if the cap for the water injection opening is not completely closed. Humidifier with upper water supply function that can inject water into the lower opening by sealing structure on the cap in the state, and effectively prevent the leakage of the main body during the upper water supply due to the operation of the actuator according to the water pressure of the water contained in the atomization tank. The first purpose is to provide.

In addition, a second object of the present invention is to provide a control method capable of efficiently controlling the leakage of the main body during the upper water supply of the humidifier having the upper water supply function.

According to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, a bucket having an opening for water injection on the top; A cap for opening and closing the opening; A needle valve elastically supported by the elastic means on the drain passage to open and close the drain passage provided at the bottom of the bucket; An actuator for operating the needle valve up and down; And a atomization tank having a level sensor of a pressure sensor type for measuring a water level by sensing a water pressure of water contained therein with a vibrator for atomizing water supplied from the water bottle, and lowering the actuator when the power is turned off. By controlling the needle valve to close to shut off the water supplied to the atomization tank from the bucket, and in the power-on state by raising the actuator to control the needle valve to open the water from the bucket to the atomization tank It provides a humidifier having an upper water supply function further comprising a control unit for supplying.

The controller may be configured to receive water level information detected by the water level sensor when the water is supplied through the opening by opening the cap while the power is turned on, and the detected water level information is compared with the predetermined water level information. If the amount is greater than the set water level information, the actuator is lowered to control the needle valve to be closed to block the water supplied to the atomization tank from the water tank, and the water level information detected by the water level sensor is provided to preset water level information. When the detected water level information is smaller than the predetermined water level information, the actuator is raised to control the needle valve to open, characterized in that for supplying water from the water tank to the atomization tank.

The end of the water level sensor is preferably arranged in parallel with the inner peripheral surface of the atomization tank to facilitate the cleaning of the atomization tank.

Preferably, the elastic means is a coil spring.

The bucket has a lower opening for injecting water in the lower portion, and further comprises a lower cap for opening and closing the lower opening, the drain flow path, the needle valve is provided on the lower cap, when separating the bucket Water can be injected through the lower opening by opening the lower cap.

The cap is further provided with a sealing member for watertight.

According to another aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, the drain passage to open and close the water tank having an opening for water injection in the upper portion, the cap for opening and closing the opening, and the drain flow path provided in the lower portion of the water tank Pressure sensor type for measuring the water level by sensing the water pressure of the water contained therein with a needle valve elastically supported by the elastic means on the top, an actuator for operating the needle valve up and down, and a vibrator for atomizing the water supplied from the bucket A control method of supplying water to a humidifier having an upper water supply function including an atomization tank having a water level sensor, the first step of controlling the needle valve to maintain the closing by lowering an actuator in a power-off state; A second step of raising the actuator to control the needle valve to open when the power is turned on by a button unit; A third step of opening the cap to supply water through the opening; A fourth step of detecting the water level by the water level sensor; And a fifth step of receiving the water level information sensed by the water level sensor and comparing the water level information with the preset water level information to control the rising and falling of the actuator.

In the fifth step, if the detected water level information is greater than the predetermined water level information by receiving the water level information detected by the water level sensor and the predetermined water level information, the needle valve is lowered by lowering the actuator. The needle valve is opened by raising the actuator when the detected water level information is smaller than the predetermined water level information by controlling to be closed or by receiving the water level information detected by the water level sensor and comparing it with the predetermined water level information. It is preferable to control as much as possible.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the humidifier having an upper water supply function according to the present invention and a control method for the upper water supply is as follows.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a bucket structure of the humidifier having an upper water supply function according to the present invention, Figure 3 is a plan view showing a bucket of the humidifier having an upper water supply function according to the invention, Figure 4 is AA of Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken along a line showing a state when the cap of the water bottle is closed, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line AA of FIG. 3, showing a state when the cap of the water bottle is opened. .

First, although the humidifier according to the present invention is not shown separately in the drawings as an ultrasonic humidifier, a main body having a built-in spray device, a bucket seated on one side of the upper surface of the main body, a spray pipe for spraying atomized water, a bucket and a spray pipe It has a cover etc. which cover the whole main body upper surface in this seated state.

In the following description, the structure and operation of the entire humidifier have not been described, and the present invention will be mainly focused on a configuration that is closely related to the upper water supply function.

2 to 5, the humidifier 100 having the upper water supply function according to the present invention, the bucket 110, the cap 120, the needle valve 130, the actuator 160, the atomization tank ( 190, and a controller 180.

First, the bucket 110 has an opening 111 for water injection in the upper portion.

In an embodiment, the bucket 110 has one opening 111 for water injection thereon.

However, in addition to the opening 111 formed in the upper portion, the lower opening 112 may be further provided for water injection.

The cap 120 opens and closes the opening 111.

In the embodiment, the cap 120 is made of a screwing method and the opening 111, the outer peripheral surface of the cap 120 is further provided with a sealing member 121 for watertight.

The sealing member 121 prevents water inside the bucket 110 from leaking to the outside even when the bucket 110 is detached and turned over.

Although the cap 120 of the opening 111 for injecting water by the sealing member 121 is not completely closed, the water can be injected into the lower opening 112 described below.

The needle valve 130 is provided up and down in the drain passage 152 to open and close the drain passage 152 provided at the bottom of the bucket 110, it is elastically supported on the drain passage 152.

In an embodiment, the needle valve 130 is preferably provided in the lower cap 150 for opening and closing the lower opening 112.

The elastic means for elastically supporting the needle valve 130 is preferably a coil spring 131.

Here, the lower cap 150 has a support 151 for supporting the needle valve 130 therein, the drain passage 152 is formed on the support 151. The lower cap 150 is fixed to the lower opening 112 by screwing.

In the present invention, since the lower cap 150 is provided separately as well as the cap 120 provided on the upper part, the water is injected through the lower opening 112 by opening the lower cap 150 when separating the bucket 110. This has a possible advantage.

The actuator 160 is to operate the needle valve 130 up and down.

In an embodiment, the actuator 160 has an actuator rod 161 provided in the main body 200 and operating up and down in correspondence with the needle valve 130.

The atomization tank 190 is provided in the main body 200 and has a vibrator 191 for atomizing the water supplied from the bucket 110, the water level sensor of the pressure sensor type to measure the water level by sensing the water pressure of the water contained therein ( 170 is provided.

In an embodiment, the atomization tank 190 atomizes the water introduced through the flow path (not shown) on the upper surface of the main body 200 by the vibrator 191, and the water atomized by the vibrator 191 is injected into the injection tube ( The air is dispersed in the air outside the humidifier 100 through 210.

Here, the water level sensor 170 is a pressure sensor type for measuring the water level by sensing the water pressure of the water contained in the atomization tank 190, the end of the water level sensor 170 is easy to clean the atomization tank 190 It is preferable that the inner circumferential surface of the atomization tank 190, that is, arranged side by side with the lower bottom surface.

That is, in the case of the conventional humidifier in Fig. 1, since the water level sensor was a float type water level sensor protruding into the inside of the atomization tank, it was very inconvenient to clean the atomization tank, but the present invention provides a pressure sensor type water level sensor 170. Since it is possible to solve the conventional problems easily.

Meanwhile, the controller 180 controls the needle valve 130 to be closed by lowering the actuator 160 in the state in which the power supply 220 is turned off to block the water supplied from the water tank 110 to the atomization tank 190. In the state where the power supply 220 is turned on by operating the button unit 240, the actuator 160 is raised to control the needle valve 130 to be opened to supply water from the water tank 110 to the atomization tank 190. do.

In FIG. 8, the controller 180 is electrically connected to the power source 220, the water level sensor 170, the button unit 240, the vibrator 191, and the actuator 160.

4, 5, and 8, the controller 180 opens the cap 120 in a state where the power supply 220 is turned on, and supplies water through the opening 111, in the water level sensor 170. When the detected water level information is greater than the predetermined water level information by receiving the detected water level information and the amount is greater than the predetermined water level information, the actuator 160 is lowered to control the needle valve 130 to be closed. At this time, the water supplied from the bucket 110 to the atomization tank 190 is blocked.

On the other hand, the controller 180 opens the cap 120 in the state where the power supply 220 is turned on to supply water through the opening 111, and is provided with the water level information detected by the water level sensor 170 to preset the water level. When the detected water level information is smaller than the predetermined water level information in comparison with the information, the actuator 160 is raised to control the needle valve 130 to be opened. At this time, water is supplied from the bucket 110 to the atomization tank 190.

The present invention is sufficiently applicable to not only the embodiment of the humidifier 100 shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 but also to the humidifier 100 'and the water tank 110' having other shapes as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

Operation of the humidifier having the upper water supply function according to the present invention is shown in Figures 2 to 5, 8, first, Figure 4 is a state in which the power supply 220 is off, the actuator 160 is lowered to the needle valve ( 130) is closed. At this time, the water supplied to the atomization tank 190 from the bucket 110 is blocked.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5, in the state where the power supply 220 is turned on, the actuator 160 is raised to open the needle valve 130. In this case, water is supplied from the bucket 110 to the atomization tank 190.

In this state, the water stored in the bucket 110 flows out through the drainage passage 152 by opening the needle valve 130, and the water flowing out of the drainage passage 152 is a flow path (not shown) on the upper surface of the main body 200. It is introduced into the atomization tank 190 through). Water introduced into the atomization tank 190 is atomized by the vibrator 191, and the water atomized by the vibrator 191 is dispersed into the air outside the humidifier 100 through the injection pipe 210.

When water is supplied through the opening 111 by opening the cap 120 while the power supply 220 is turned on as described above, the water level information detected by the water level sensor 170 has a high water level, that is, overflow. The ramen actuator 160 is lowered and the needle valve 130 is closed in conjunction with the ramen actuator 160. On the other hand, if the water level information detected by the water level sensor 170 is a low level, the actuator 160 is raised and in conjunction with this, the needle valve 130 is opened.

9 is a block diagram illustrating a control method of the upper water supply of the humidifier having an upper water supply function according to the present invention.

As shown in Figure 9, the upper water supply control method of the humidifier having the upper water supply function according to the present invention, includes the first to fifth steps (S1 ~ S5).

First, the first step (S1) is to control the needle valve to maintain the closing by lowering the actuator in the power off state.

In the second step S2, when the power is turned on by the operation of the button unit 240, the actuator is raised to control the needle valve to be opened.

The third step (S3) is to open the cap to supply water through the opening.

The fourth step S4 is that the water level sensor detects the water level.

The fifth step (S5) is to receive the water level information detected by the water level sensor to control the rise and fall of the actuator by comparing with the predetermined water level information. Specifically, the fifth step (S5) is provided with the water level information detected by the water level sensor and compared with the preset level information, if the detected water level information is larger than the predetermined water level information, the needle valve is lowered by closing the actuator If the detected water level information is smaller than the predetermined water level information by comparing the water level information detected by the water level sensor with the predetermined water level information, the actuator is raised to control the needle valve to open.

10 is a flowchart showing a specific embodiment of the control method when the upper water supply of the humidifier having the upper water supply function according to the present invention, first check whether the power is on (S10).

If the power is not on, the actuator is lowered (S21), the needle valve is closed (S22), and the water supply is cut off (S23).

However, if the power is on, the actuator is raised (S31), the needle valve is opened (S32) and the water supply proceeds (S33). In this state, it enters the normal operation mode (S34).

The normal operation mode is to maintain the parallel of the head between the atomization tank and the seating groove 230, and to proceed with the water supply when the water level decrease of the atomization tank according to the atomization.

In the normal operation mode as described above, it is confirmed whether the cap is opened (S35).

In this case, if the cap is not opened, normal humidification is performed, that is, the normal operation mode is maintained (S34). If the cap is opened, the water level sensor detects the water level (S36) and checks whether it is an overflower (S37).

If it is the overloader, the actuator is lowered (S41), the needle valve is closed (S42), the water supply is blocked (S43), and the normal operation mode in which normal humidification is maintained (S60).

If not, however, the actuator is raised (S51), the needle valve is opened (S52), the water is supplied (53), and the normal operation mode is maintained (S60).

Humidifier having an upper water supply function according to the present invention, the water tank having an opening for water injection in the upper portion, a cap for opening and closing the opening, and elastic means on the drain flow passage to open and close the drain flow passage provided in the lower portion of the bucket Atomizer having a needle valve supported, an actuator for operating the needle valve up and down, and a vibrator for atomizing the water supplied from the bucket, and a pressure sensor type water level sensor for measuring the water level by sensing the water pressure of the water contained therein Since it is possible to conveniently inject water into the water tank even when the water tank is seated on the main body, even if the humidifier opened the upper cap during operation by raising or lowering the actuator according to the water level information detected by the water level sensor Control the opening or closing of the needle valve to supply or block the water from the bucket to the atomization tank A door, a superior effect is fear of a leak from the body generated by the upper water supply when the water head pressure no.

In addition, since the cap is further provided with a sealing member for watertight, even if the cap of the opening for injecting water is not completely closed, there is an advantage that the water can be injected into the lower opening while the water tank is separated.

In addition, the control method according to the present invention has an excellent effect to enable efficient control during the upper water supply of the humidifier having the upper water supply function.

Claims (8)

A bucket having an opening for water injection thereon; A cap for opening and closing the opening; A needle valve elastically supported by the elastic means on the drain passage to open and close the drain passage provided at the bottom of the bucket; An actuator for operating the needle valve up and down; And It includes a atomizer having a vibrator for atomizing the water supplied from the bucket, and a water level sensor of the pressure sensor type for measuring the water level by sensing the water pressure of the water contained therein, When the power is off, the actuator is lowered to control the needle valve to close to cut off the water supplied to the atomization tank from the bucket, and when the power is turned on, the actuator is raised to control the needle valve to open. Humidifier having a top water supply function further comprising a control unit for supplying water from the bucket to the atomization tank. The method of claim 1, The control unit, When water is supplied to the water through the opening by opening the cap while the power is turned on, the water level information detected by the water level sensor is received and the detected water level information is compared with the predetermined water level information. If the amount is larger than that, the actuator is lowered to control the needle valve to be closed to block water supplied from the water tank to the atomization tank, and the water level information detected by the water level sensor is provided to compare with the predetermined water level information. Humidifier having an upper water supply function characterized in that if the amount of the detected water level information is smaller than the predetermined water level information by raising the actuator to control the needle valve to open to supply water from the water tank to the atomization tank . The method according to claim 1 or 2, Humidifier having an upper water supply function characterized in that the end of the water level sensor is arranged in parallel with the inner peripheral surface of the atomization tank to facilitate the cleaning of the atomization tank. The method according to claim 1 or 2, Humidifier having an upper water supply function, characterized in that the elastic means is a coil spring. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The bucket has a lower opening for injecting water in the lower portion, and further comprises a lower cap for opening and closing the lower opening, the drain flow path, the needle valve is provided on the lower cap, when separating the bucket Humidifier having an upper water supply function further comprising the opening of the lower cap to enable the injection of water through the lower opening. The method according to claim 1 or 2, Humidifier having an upper water supply function, characterized in that the cap is further provided with a sealing member for watertight. A water tank having an opening for water injection in the upper portion, a cap for opening and closing the opening, a needle valve elastically supported on the drain flow path by an elastic means to open and close the drain flow path provided at the bottom of the water tank, and the needle valve. The upper water supply function including an actuator for operating the up and down, and a atomization tank having a water level sensor of a pressure sensor type for detecting the water pressure of the water contained therein with a vibrator for atomizing the water supplied from the bucket. Branch is a control method at the time of water supply of the humidifier A first step of controlling the needle valve to close by lowering an actuator in a state where power is off; A second step of raising the actuator to control the needle valve to open when the power is turned on by a button unit; A third step of opening the cap to supply water through the opening; A fourth step of detecting the water level by the water level sensor; And And a fifth step of controlling the rising and falling of the actuator by receiving the water level information sensed by the water level sensor and comparing it with preset water level information. The method of claim 7, wherein The fifth step, If the detected water level information is greater than the predetermined water level information by receiving the water level information detected by the water level sensor and the amount is greater than the predetermined water level information, the actuator is lowered to control the needle valve to be closed, or Receiving the level information detected by the level sensor and comparing the preset level information with the detected level information smaller than the preset level information, the actuator is raised to control the needle valve to open. Control method at the time of upper water supply of the humidifier having an upper water supply function.

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