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.

Description:
PRIORITY STATEMENT 
       [0001]    This application is a non-provisional application that claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/084,094, filed on Nov. 25, 2014, the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    Example embodiments relate generally to a humidifier, and more specifically to a humidifier utilizing a switch in a lower reservoir in communication with a valve in a water passage between an upper tank and the lower reservoir in order to provide water flow control to the lower reservoir. 
         [0004]    2. Related Art 
         [0005]    A humidifier is a device that may be used to increase moisture (humidity) in a controlled area or environment such as a room of a building or a house. However, conventional humidifiers are known to suffer from problems that may include water spillage and general inconvenience associated with removing the tank and carrying it from one location to another location to fill the humidifier with water which the humidifier converts to vapor or steam. 
         [0006]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a conventional humidifier  1  often includes a base  2  with a detachable upper water tank  4 . The upper water tank  4  may be filled with water by pulling the detachable upper water tank  4  off of the base  2  and carrying the tank  4  to a water source such as a spigot. In particular, the tank  4  may be turned upside down, and a tank cap  6  may be unscrewed from the tank  4 , allowing the tank  4  to be filled with water until the tank  4  is generally full. The tank cap  6  may then be re-sealed by screwing cap  6  back onto tank  4  and returning tank  4  to an upright position as tank  4  is re-mounted onto base  2 . 
         [0007]    Once tank  4  is remounted onto base  2 , valve components within cap  6  may engage base  2  to allow water  34  to fill a lower reservoir  18  of humidifier  1 . Specifically, a post  16  mounted to base  2  may contact a distal end of a valve stem  8 , causing stem  8  to be thrust upward as the weight of tank  4  rests onto base  2 . The upward movement of valve stem  8  causes spring  14  to become compressed (whereas decompression of spring  14  causes the valve to be forced into a closed position when tank  4  is removed from base  2 , as described herein). Upward movement of stem  8  also causes valve disk  10  to disengage from valve seat  12 , allowing an opening (between disk  10  and seat  12 ) for a flow of water  34   a  to move from tank  4  to the lower reservoir  18 . Optionally, a filter  20  may clean this flow of water  34   a  as it passes into lower reservoir  18 . Gravity may then allow a flow of water  22  from reservoir  18  to ultrasonic nebulizer  24 , where the nebulizer  24  then energizes and vaporizes the water into a stream of vapor or steam  26  that may exit humidifier via connection  28  in order to produce a vapor stream  30  into a room. 
         [0008]    Based on the understanding above, it is important to note that during the operation of the humidifier  1 , the water  34  in tank  4  is actually held in the tank by a vacuum force that is created in the trapped air space  36  that exists above a liquid level  32  of tank  4 . That is to say, as nebulizer  24  vibrates water  22  into vapor  26  and the flow of water  34   a  continues to replenish a water supply within reservoir  18 , the only appreciable force that counteracts the water  34  in tank  4  from flooding reservoir and overflowing the entire base  2  is the vacuum pressure that exists in this trapped air space  36  above liquid level  32 . Therefore, if the integrity of tank  4  were somehow compromised and upper air space  36  of tank  4  were allowed to freely exchange air with the ambient air around humidifier  1 , the water  34  in tank  4  would immediately drop into reservoir  18  and flood base  2  causing water to escape at the seam between the bottom end  4   a  of tank  4  and the top end  2   a  of base  2 , causing significant water spillage. 
         [0009]    Furthermore, the nature of the detachable tank  4  and valve components of the tank cap  6  may cause inconvenience, water spillage, and undue wear that may cause humidifier  1  to be less durable and enjoy a shorter useable life span. For instance, the tank  4  must necessarily be rather large in order to allow the humidifier to operate for a length period such as overnight. A large tank  4  is often inherently difficult to fill at a normal spigot due to a lack of clearance space under the spigot, especially when a normal-sized bathroom sink is used to fill the tank  4 . This, in and of itself, is inconvenient, as a person filling tank  4  may be forced to lean over a bathroom tub and use a bathroom tub spigot to fill the tank  4 , or trek for long distances through the person&#39;s home to use a kitchen sink with less clearance constraints. Additionally, the weight associated with carrying a large tank  4  may be overly burdensome, especially for elderly or very young users of the humidifier. Further, the detachable nature of tank  4  necessitates valve components within cap  6  in order to seal and re-open a water passage to allow water flow into lower reservoir  18 , and these valve components are particularly susceptible to wear. For instance, if tank  4  is dropped or allowed to fall with any appreciable amount of force onto post  16  of base  2 , valve piston  8  and/or valve disk  10  may become bent and/or permanently damaged, and spring  14  may be permanently deformed. If any of this damage were to occur, spring  14  and/or piston  8  may become unable to return disk  10  to a closed position against seat  12 , which would cause significant water spillage as tank  4  is filled in an upside down configuration and then flipped over to be oriented in a right-side up position as tank  4  is placed back onto base  2  (i.e., the spillage would occur when tank  4  is in the right-side up position). Furthermore, damage to valve piston  8 , valve disk  10 , and/or valve seat  10  may cause valve disk  10  to become unable to separate from valve seat  12 , causing humidifier  1  to no longer function at all, as water flow  34   a  would be unable to reach reservoir  18 . 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0010]    At least one embodiment relates to a humidifier. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, the humidifier includes a passage fluidly connecting an upper tank to a lower reservoir; a switch in the lower reservoir, the switch configured to measure a liquid level in the lower reservoir; and a valve in the passage, the valve being configured to open if the switch indicates a low liquid level in the lower reservoir and close if the switch indicates a high liquid level in the lower reservoir. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment, the upper tank is unsealed such that air in the upper tank is allowed to equalize with an ambient air pressure. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment, the upper tank is permanently affixed to a base of the humidifier. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment, the humidifier is top-filled such that the upper tank is configured to accept water from a top connection on the upper tank. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment, the humidifier includes an electrical circuit between the valve and the switch; and a power source capable of energizing the electrical circuit, the switch being configured to change an energy state of the electrical circuit in order to open the valve if the switch indicates the low liquid level in the lower reservoir. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment, 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. 
         [0017]    In one embodiment, the switch is a conductive post with at least one electrical contact, the at least one electrical contact being configured to change the energy state of the electrical circuit in order to open the valve if a water level in the lower reservoir is at the low liquid level. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, a first electrical contact, of the at least one electrical contact of the conductive post, is positioned near a top portion of the conductive post, a height of the top portion of the conductive post corresponding to the high liquid level of the lower reservoir. 
         [0019]    In one embodiment, the valve is a solenoid valve. 
         [0020]    In one embodiment, the solenoid valve is one of a plunger solenoid valve and a pivoting-armature solenoid valve. 
         [0021]    In one embodiment, the upper tank is detachable from the remainder of the humidifier. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment, the switch is configured to measure a spectrum of liquid levels in the lower reservoir, wherein 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. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    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. 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  is a conventional humidifier; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a diagram of a humidifier, in accordance with an example embodiment; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a wiring diagram of the electrical circuit of the humidifier of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with an example embodiment; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a humidifier, in accordance with an example embodiment; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is a cut-away view of a base of a humidifier, in accordance with an example embodiment; 
           [0029]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are diagrams of a conductive post, as shown in  FIG. 5 , in accordance with an example embodiment; 
           [0030]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are diagrams of an alternative conductive post, as shown in  FIG. 5 , in accordance with an example embodiment; 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart of a method of making a humidifier, in accordance with an example embodiment; and 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart of a method of using a humidifier, in accordance with an example embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0033]    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. 
         [0034]    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. 
         [0035]    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. 
         [0036]    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.). 
         [0037]    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. 
         [0038]    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. 
         [0039]      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  54   a  that allows the tank  54  to be filled with water  82 . The opening  54   a  may be wide enough to allow a pitcher, a distilled water bottle/jug, or a large bucket to fill the tank  54   a  (i.e., the opening  54   a  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 . 
         [0040]    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  54   a  to remain open at all times. Alternatively, vents or slits  54   b  may be provided on the tank  54 . 
         [0041]    The humidifier  50  may function by allowing a flow of water  82   a  from the tank  54  to pass into a channel  56  that directs the water flow  82   a  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. 
         [0042]    A lower reservoir  62  of the humidifier  50  may hold water  82   c  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  82   b  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  82   c,  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. 
         [0043]    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). 
         [0044]      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  68   b  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  68   a  in order to de-energize the overall circuit  74 / 76  (and in turn de-energize valve  58  to a closed position). 
         [0045]    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  68   a  (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  68   b  (which closes valve  58 ) when liquid level  64  of reservoir  62  is at a high level. 
         [0046]    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 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 4  is a humidifier  50   a,  in accordance with an example embodiment. The humidifier  50   a  includes many of the same elements as shown in  FIG. 2 , and only those elements that differ from  FIG. 2  are described herein. 
         [0048]    The humidifier  50   a  may include an upper water tank  4   a  that may be either permanently affixed or detachable from base  52 . The tank  4   a  may include a lid  90  allowing easy access to the tank  4   a  for convenient filling. A floater  70   a  may float on post  69  in order to open and close an electrical contact in order to activate a plunger-type solenoid valve  58   a.  Specifically, solenoid valve  58   a  may be used to force valve stem  8   a  and valve disk  10   a  upwards, such that disk  10   a  separates from valve seat  12   a,  in order to cause water from tank  4   a  to flow through channel  56  through tube  60  and into lower water reservoir  62   a.  When lower water reservoir  62   a  is full of water (as indicated by floater  70   a ), spring  14   a  may work in conjunction with solenoid valve  58   a  to force valve disk  10   a  back down onto valve seat  12   a  to cease the flow of water through channel  56  and tube  60 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 5  is a cut-away view of a base  52   b  of a humidifier, in accordance with an example embodiment. The base  52   b  may include an upper water channel  56   a  that may fill with water due to the activation of a solenoid valve  58   a  (shown in  FIG. 4 , but not explicitly shown in  FIG. 5 ). Water flows from channel  56   a  through water passage  60   a  into lower reservoir  62  and into nebulizer  66 . 
         [0050]    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 . 
         [0051]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are diagrams of conductive posts  94   a/b,  as shown in  FIG. 5 , in accordance with an example embodiment. Each conductive post  94   a/b  may include a central post  95  surrounded by a casing  93 . A first electrical contact  95   a  may be on the central post  95 , and a second electrical contact  93   a  may be on the casing  93 . The electrical contacts  93   a / 95   a  may be made from copper, or another suitable metal that is electrically conductive. The electrical contacts  93   a / 95   a  may be plated to prevent corrosion. These electrical contacts  93   a / 95   a  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  95   a  and  93   a  in order to complete an electrical circuit (in the same fashion as electrical circuit shown in  FIG. 3 ) in order to cause solenoid  58   a  to cause valve disk  10   a  to lower onto the valve seat  12   a  to stop a flow of water from entering lower reservoir  62 . A height of post  95  (or, more specifically, a height of contact  95   a  on post  95 ) may correspond to a desired liquid level of liquid within reservoir  62 . 
         [0052]      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 . 
         [0053]      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 S 100  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 S 102 , a floating switch  68  may be inserted into the lower reservoir  62 . In step S 104 , 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 . 
         [0054]      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 S 200  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 S 202 , 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. 
         [0055]    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.