Air humidifier

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001]The present disclosure relates to the field of household appliances, in particular to an air humidifier.

BACKGROUND

[0002]In a dry environment, air humidifiers serve for indoor air humidification in a bid to improve environmental comfort and prevent some respiratory diseases, thereby boosting people's happiness and health. Humidifiers are used more frequently is winter due to air environment tends to be drier. Most commercially available air humidifiers, however, are typically limited in their functionality and can only deliver common ambient air, i.e., air is released after being atomized or vaporized. In case of cold weather, the temperature around the air outlet or the humidifier is lower than room temperature, making people feel uncomfortable.

SUMMARY

[0003]The present disclosure therefore provides an improved air humidifier, which is free from single function for common ambient air that cause the temperature around the air outlet or the humidifier lower than room temperature when used in cold weather, thus making people feel uncomfortable.

[0004]The air humidifier according to the present disclosure includes a housing, a filter screen assembly disposed within the housing and having a hollow structure, a fan wheel assembly disposed in correspondence to the hollow structure, an air outlet grille disposed in correspondence to the fan wheel assembly and arranged on the housing, a water tank assembly disposed within the housing and configured to supply water to the filter screen assembly, and a heating assembly disposed on an air outlet path behind the filter screen assembly and configured to heat humidified air.

[0005]The air humidifier according to the present disclosure can heat the humidified air in cold weather, allowing the humidified air to be warmed and then blown out, which can not only improve the humidification efficiency, but also deliver warmer and more humid air during use in cold weather, preventing the temperature around the air outlet or the air humidifier from being lower than room temperature, thereby improving the user comfort. In addition, as compared with the humidification approach where air is firstly heated by a heating assembly and then mixed with humid air, the present disclosure directly heats the humidified air by enabling vapor to pass through the heating assembly, which not only achieves better heating effect, but also avoids uneven temperature distribution of the vapor and condensation and pooling of the humid air after evaporation. In particular, in the present disclosure, a heating assembly is additionally arranged on an air outlet path behind the filter screen assembly. When the air humidifier is used, the water tank assembly supplies water to the filter screen assembly, to moisten the filter screen assembly. With the fan wheel assembly, the flow velocity of air on the surface of the filter screen assembly is increased, water molecules are evaporated into the air for air humidification, and the humidified air, which is driven by a negative pressure from the fan wheel assembly, is heated by the heating assembly and then blown out, thereby raising the temperature of the humidified air.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air humidifier according to the present disclosure;

[0007]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an internal structure of an air humidifier according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0008]FIG. 3 is another schematic diagram of the internal structure of the air humidifier in FIG. 2, with the structure being partially removed;

[0009]FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a heating assembly of the air humidifier in FIG. 2;

[0010]FIG. 5 is another schematic structural diagram of the heating assembly in FIG. 4;

[0011]FIG. 6 is a schematic exploded view of the heating assembly in FIG. 4;

[0012]FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an internal structure of an air humidifier according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, with the structure being partially removed;

[0013]FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the air humidifier in FIG. 7;

[0014]FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of the heating assembly of the air humidifier in FIG. 7;

[0015]FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an internal structure of an air humidifier according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, with the structure being partially removed;

[0016]FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the air humidifier in FIG. 10;

[0017]FIG. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of the heating assembly of the air humidifier in FIG. 10;

[0018]FIG. 13 is a partially schematic diagram of the structure of the air humidifier of FIG. 10, which illustrates an air duct structure of a fan wheel assembly and a heating assembly in the air humidifier;

[0019]FIG. 14 is a schematic exploded view of a filter screen assembly of an air humidifier according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020]FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of partial assembly of an air humidifier according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021]FIG. 16 is a schematic structural diagram of a water storage tank of an air humidifier according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0022]FIG. 17 is a schematic structural diagram of another air humidifier according to the present disclosure.

[0023]Reference Numbers: 10 Housing; 11 Water Filling Port; 12 Air Inlet; 13 Top Cover; 14 Elastic Limiting Member; 20 Filter Screen Assembly; 21 Filter Screen Bracket; 211 Water Collection Chamber; 212 Distribution Hole; 22 Filter Screen Body; 30 Fan Wheel Assembly; 31 Air Duct Structure; 311 Water Collection Groove; 312 Water Inlet Pipe Interface; 313 Reinforcing Ribs; 32 Fan Wheel Body; 321 Impeller; 322 Motor; 40 Air Outlet Grille; 50 Water Tank Assembly; 51 Water Storage Tank; 52 Water Pump; 53 First Water Pipe; 54: Second Water Pipe; 55 Filter Assembly; 56 Universal Wheels; 60 Heating Assembly; 61 Heating Bracket; 611 Upper Bracket; 612 Lower Bracket; 613 Converging Structure; 62 Heating Module; 621 Heater; 622 Heat Sink Fins; 63 Air Vents; 70 Purification Filter Screen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0024]The drawings of the present disclosure are merely for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure. In order to better illustrate the following embodiments, some components in the drawings may be omitted, magnified or shrunk, which does not represent the size of the actual product. For those skilled in the art, it will be appreciated that certain well-known structures in the drawings and the description thereof may be omitted.

[0025]Throughout the drawings, identical or similar components are labelled with identical reference numbers.

[0026]FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an air humidifier according to the present disclosure. The air humidifier has a housing 10. The housing 10 is provided with an air inlet 10 for air suction and an air outlet grille 40 for air release, a top cover 13 is disposed on the top of the housing 10, and the air outlet grille 40 is preferably disposed on the top of the housing 10. FIGS. 2, 7 and 11 illustrate internal structures of air humidifiers according to different embodiments, respectively. The air humidifier according to the present disclosure has a filter screen assembly 20 disposed within the housing 10 and having a hollow structure, a fan wheel assembly 30 disposed in correspondence to the hollow structure and an air outlet grille 40, a water tank assembly 50 disposed within the housing 10 and configured to supply water to the filter screen assembly 20, and a heating assembly 60 disposed on an air outlet path subsequent to the filter screen assembly 20 and configured to heat humidified air.

[0027]The air humidifier in such configuration can heat the humidified air in cold weather, allowing the humidified air to be warmed and then blown out, which can not only improve the humidification efficiency, but also deliver warmer and more humid air during use in cold weather, preventing the temperature around the air outlet or air humidifier from being lower than room temperature, thereby improving the user comfort. In addition, as compared with the humidification approach where air is firstly heated by a heating assembly and then mixed with humid air, this configuration directly heats the humid air by enabling water to pass through the heating assembly, which not only achieves better heating efficiency, but also avoids uneven temperature distribution of the vapor and condensation and pooling of the humid air after vaporization. Particularly, a heating assembly 60 is additionally arranged on an air outlet path subsequent to the filter screen assembly 20. In such way, when in use, the water tank assembly 20 supplies water to the filter screen assembly 20 to moisten the filter screen assembly 20. With the fan wheel assembly 30, the flow velocity of air on the surface of the filter screen assembly 20 is increased, water molecules are evaporated into the air for air humidification, and the humidified air, which is driven by a negative pressure from the fan wheel assembly 30, is heated by the heating assembly 60 and then blown out, thereby raising the temperature of the humidified air.

[0028]The filter screen assembly 20 having the hollow structure offers more negative pressure space and airflow space, enabling the air to be smoothly evaporated and blown out, thereby enhancing the humidification efficiency of the air humidifier.

[0029]FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a specific structure of an air humidifier according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the heating assembly 60 is disposed between the fan wheel assembly 30 and the filter screen assembly 20. According to this embodiment, humid air generated by the filter screen assembly 20 can be fully heated by the heating assembly 60 before being released through the high-speed rotation of the fan wheel assembly 30, thereby reducing heat loss. Furthermore, the humid air can be rapidly heated by the heating assembly 60 after evaporation, which reduces condensation and backflow and thus improves evaporation efficiency of water. This design achieves a structure which optimizes both heating and humidification efficiencies.

[0030]In other embodiments, the heating assembly 60 may also be disposed between the fan wheel assembly 30 and the air outlet grille 40, or disposed at the air outlet of the air outlet grille 40, or disposed on other air outlet path that run behind the filter screen assembly 20.

[0031]FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 illustrate the heating assembly of the air humidifier according to this embodiment.

[0032]With reference to FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, the heating assembly 60 includes a heating bracket 61 for fitting with the filter screen assembly 20 and the fan wheel assembly 30, and a heating module 62 disposed on the heating bracket 61. The heating bracket 61 is provided for positioning the heating module 62 and meanwhile fits with the filter screen assembly 20 and the fan wheel assembly 30, which can ensure the airtightness of a negative pressure space where air flows, and enhance the air outlet efficiency.

[0033]The heating module 62 may be made of various types of heating materials, including but not limited to resistive heating elements and ceramic heating elements, and each type may also be divided into many classes. The heating module 62 may be in a square or annular shape, and is generally composed of a plurality of groups of heating strips, with each heating strip being fixed as a whole by a metal skeleton. A metal sheet is strung on each heating strip to function as a radiating fin. An annular heater may be made in a multi-annular shape. The advantage of adding the radiating fins is that excellent heat exchange between the heater and the air can be ensured, thereby improving the heat conversion efficiency while delivering more uniform and comfortable warm air.

[0034]In this embodiment, the heating module 62 includes a heater 621 and heat sink fins 622 connected with the heater 621. With the heat sink fins 622, the contact area with the air is increased, thereby enhancing the air heating effect.

[0035]In this embodiment, the heating bracket 61 includes an upper bracket 611 fitting with the fan wheel assembly 30 and a lower bracket 612 fitting with the filter screen assembly 20, the heating module 62 is disposed between the upper bracket 611 and the lower bracket 612, and the upper bracket 611 and the lower bracket 612 are both provided with a converging structure 613 for airflow convergence. The converging structure 613 of the lower bracket 612 gathers the air prior to heating, facilitating centralized heating for enhancing the heating efficiency. The converging structure 613 of the upper bracket 611 releases the heated air in a centralized manner, thereby improving the air outlet efficiency.

[0036]In this embodiment, the converging structure 613 is arranged in an annular shape to form an annular converging groove, which not only achieves airflow convergence, but also reduces wind resistance.

[0037]In other embodiments, the converging structure 613 is arranged in a flared shaped, or the converging structure 613 has a step-shaped cross section.

[0038]FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate another specific structure of an air humidifier according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the heating assembly 60 is disposed within the hollow structure of the filter screen assembly 20. According to this embodiment, humid air that generated by the filter screen assembly 20 can be fully heated by the heating assembly 60 before being released through the high-speed rotation of the fan wheel assembly 30, thereby reducing heat loss. Furthermore, since the heating assembly 60 is disposed within the hollow structure, the air can be rapidly heated by the heating assembly 60 after evaporation, which reduces condensation and backflow and improves the evaporation efficiency. This design achieves a structure which optimizes both heating and humidification efficiencies.

[0039]Preferably, the heating assembly 60 is disposed in the hollow structure on a side close to the fan wheel assembly 30. The air within the entire hollow structure can be quickly concentrated on a side close to the fan wheel assembly 30 under the negative pressure of the fan wheel assembly 30, so disposing the heating element 60 on the side close to the fan wheel assembly 30 can maximize contact between the air within the hollow structure and the heating assembly 60, which improves the heat exchange efficiency of the heating assembly 60.

[0040]As the hollow structure of the filter screen assembly 20 is substantially cylindrical in most cases, the heating assembly 60 in this embodiment is arranged in either a hollow cylindrical shape or a multi-annular shape to ensure better fitting with the filter screen assembly. With the hollow cylindrical or multi-annular shape, a larger contact area between the heating assembly and the air can be guaranteed, thereby achieving better heat exchange between the heating assembly 60 and the air, improving the heat conversion efficiency, while delivering more uniform and conformation warm air.

[0041]The heating materials for the heating assembly 60 according to this embodiment include, but not limited to, resistive heating elements and ceramic heating elements.

[0042]As shown in FIG. 9, the heating assembly 60 in this embodiment is in a hollow cylindrical shape. However, in other embodiments, the heating assembly 60 may also be in a form where a plurality of annular structures are arranged along a length direction of the hollow structure.

[0043]To ensure efficient evaporation, heating and discharging of the humidified air from the filter screen assembly 20, and improve the airflow dynamics for enhanced humidification and heating efficiencies, the heating assembly 60 according to this embodiment is provided with air vents 63 for facilitating ventilation. In this embodiment, the air vents 63 are evenly spaced along a circumferential direction of the heating assembly 60, making heating and air release more uniform, thereby delivering more uniform and comfortable warm air.

[0044]FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 illustrate another specific structure of an air humidifier according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the heating assembly 60 is disposed between the fan wheel assembly 30 and the air outlet grille 40. According to this embodiment, humid air generated by the filter screen assembly 20 can be fully heated by the heating assembly 60 before being released via the air outlet grille 40, thereby reducing heat loss. Furthermore, the heating assembly 60 is disposed next to the air outlet grille 40, so the humid air heated by the heating assembly 60 can be immediately released from the air outlet grille 40, which reduces condensation and backflow and improves the evaporation and heating efficiencies. This design achieves a structure which optimizes both heating and humidification efficiencies.

[0045]As shown in FIG. 12, the heating assembly 60 in this embodiment is arranged in an annular shape. A hollow annular position of the heating assembly 60 makes room for other components inside the housing 10 to achieve more reasonable space utilization. Meanwhile, such an annular shape arrangement can also be matched with the airflow passage of the fan wheel assembly 30 and the air outlet grille 40, thereby improving the heating efficiency.

[0046]The heating materials for the heating assembly 60 in this embodiment include, but not limited to, resistive heating elements and ceramic heating elements.

[0047]To ensure efficient heating and smooth release of the air from the fan wheel assembly 30, and improve the airflow dynamics for enhanced humidification and heating efficiencies, the heating assembly 60 according to this embodiment is provided with air vents 63 for facilitating ventilation. In this embodiment, the air vents 63 are evenly spaced apart along a circumferential direction of the heating assembly 60, making heating and air release more uniform, thereby delivering more uniform and comfortable warm air.

[0048]Referring now to FIG. 14, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the filter screen assembly 20 of the air humidifier includes a filter screen bracket 21 in a hollow cylindrical shape and a filter screen body 22 attached to the filter screen bracket 21, and the filter screen bracket 21 is provided with a water collection chamber 211 and a plurality of distribution holes 212 which are spaced apart each other and communicated with the water collection chamber 211. Water supplied by the water tank assembly 50 is collected by the water collection chamber 211 and distributed, via the distribution holes 212, to various regions in the filter screen bracket 21, so that the filter screen body 22 attached to the filter screen bracket 21 can be fully and evenly infiltrated with water, thereby improving humidification efficiency.

[0049]In the air humidifier shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the heating assembly 60 in this embodiment has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the filter screen bracket 21, such that the heating assembly 60 can be successfully mounted into the hollow structure of the filter screen assembly 20.

[0050]To facilitate fixation of the heating assembly 60 within the hollow structure of the filter screen assembly 20 and to avoid any influence on the heating assembly 60 during replacement of the filter screen body 22, the filter screen bracket 21 in this embodiment is provided with a fixing member for fixing the heating assembly 60. In such easy way, the filter screen body 22 can be replaced only with removing the filter screen body 22 from the filter screen bracket 21, the heating assembly 60 is not required to be disassembled.

[0051]With reference to FIGS. 3, 8 and 11, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the water tank assembly 50 includes a water storage tank 51, and a first water pipe 53 communicated with the water storage tank 51 and extending to the filter screen assembly 20 for water supply to the filter screen assembly 20. To transport the water in the water storage tank 51 to the filter screen assembly 20 through the first water pipe 53, the water tank assembly 50 may further include a water pump 52.

[0052]According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the fan wheel assembly 30 includes an air duct structure 31 at least fitting with the filter screen assembly 20 and the air outlet grille 40, and a fan wheel body 32 disposed within the air duct structure 31. The air duct structure 31 is used to increase the negative pressure space while improving the airtightness of the negative pressure space where air flows. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the air duct structure 31 may be provided with reinforcing ribs 313 for facilitating the mounting and positioning of the fan wheel body 32, and the reinforcing ribs 313 also play a role in reinforcing the air duct structure 31.

[0053]Particularly, the fan wheel body 32 may include an impeller 321 and a motor 322 connected with the impeller 321 and configured to drive the impeller 321 to rotate. The motor 322 may be fixed within the air duct structure 31 via the reinforcing ribs 313. Particularly, the air duct structure 31 has an annular section. Each of the reinforcing ribs 313 is disposed within the air duct structure along a radial direction, and a plurality of reinforcing ribs 313 are spaced apart along an annular and circumferential direction. A fixing member for fixing the motor 322 is disposed at the central axis of the air duct structure 31, and the reinforcing ribs 313 are connected with the fixing member for positioning the fixing member to indirectly fixing the motor 322.

[0054]According to the air humidifier shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the air duct structure 31 fits with the heating assembly 60, preferably the converging structure 613 of the upper bracket 611 of the heating assembly 60, and the air outlet grille 40. According to the air humidifier shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the air duct structure 31 fits with the filter screen assembly 20 and the air outlet grille 40. According to the air humidifier shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the air duct structure 31 fits with the filter screen assembly 20, the air outlet grille 40 and the heating assembly 60, and the heating assembly 60 is located between the impeller 321 and the air outlet grille 40. As shown in FIG. 13, the air duct structure 31 in this embodiment also provides a positioning support for the heating assembly 60, i.e., the reinforcing ribs 313 in this embodiment are also used to support the heating assembly 60. That is, the reinforcing ribs 313 in this embodiment not only plays a role in reinforcing the air duct structure 31, but also has the function of fixing or supporting the fan wheel body 32 and the heating assembly 60.

[0055]With references to FIGS. 2 to 3, 7 to 8 and 10 to 11, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the housing 10 is provided with a water filling port 11, and the water tank assembly 50 may further include a second water pipe 54 communicated with the water storage tank 51 and the water filling port 11. With the water filling port 11 being disposed on the housing 10, the water storage tank 51 can be filled with water without opening the housing 10. After filling water through the water filling port 11, water flows through the second water pipe 54 into the water storage tank 51.

[0056]The water filling port 11 is preferably disposed at the top cover 13. As shown in FIGS. 3, 7 and 10, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the air duct structure 13 may include a water collection groove 311 communicated with the water filling port 11 and a water inlet pipe interface 312 communicated with the water collection groove 311, and the water inlet pipe interface 312 is connected with the second water pipe 54.

[0057]When in use, the first water pipe 53 pumps the water out of the water storage tank 51 into the water collection chamber 211 through the water pump 52 for soaking the filter screen assembly 20. When the water in the water storage tank 51 is insufficient, water can be added through the water filling port 11. The water flows into the water collection groove 311, then to the second water pipe 54 through the water inlet pipe interface 312, and ultimately into the water storage tank 51 for water filling.

[0058]In at least one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 11, the water storage tank 51 may also be provided with a filter assembly 55 configured to filter and purify the water flowing into the water storage tank 51, and preferably to filter and purify the water flowing back into the water storage tank 51 after flowing through the filter screen assembly 20. After water is transported, through the water pump 52 and the first water pipe 53, to the filter screen assembly 20 for soaking the filter screen assembly 20, the unnecessary water flowing through the filter screen assembly 20 is filtered and purified by the filter assembly 55 and then flows back into the water storage tank 51 for recycling. The additional filter assembly 55 enables water for humidification and evaporation purer, thereby improving the air freshness, and further avoiding respiratory diseases.

[0059]In at least one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, the housing 10 may also be provided therein with a purification filter screen 70 for air purification, and the purification filter screen 70 is disposed at least corresponding to an air inlet 12 of the housing 10. The purification filter screen 70 is disposed at least in correspondence to the air inlet 12 such that air can undergo at least one filtration process before entering the housing 10 for humidification and heating, thereby reducing dusts, oil smoke and other impurities in the air, effectively improving the air quality, and efficiently prolonging the service life of the filter assembly 20.

[0060]According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the water tank assembly 50 of the air humidifier is preferably disposed at the bottom of the housing 10, enabling the water in the second water pipe 54 to successfully flow into the water storage tank 51 under gravity.

[0061]With reference to FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, the water tank assembly 50 may also include universal wheels 56 disposed at the bottom of the water storage tank 51 and fitting with the bottom of the housing 10. When the water tank assembly 50 needs to be filled with water or cleaned, the universal wheels 56 may help push the water tank assembly 50 out of the housing 10.

[0062]In order to avoid any movement of the water storage tank 51 with the universal wheels 56 after being pushed into the housing 10, an elastic limiting member 14 for limiting the water storage tank 51 is disposed at the bottom of the housing 10, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. When the water storage tank 51 needs to be pushed out, the elastic limiting member 14 is pressed to such an extent that the elastic limiting member 14 and the bottom of the housing 10 are consistent in height, which is convenient for the water storage tank 51 to be pushed out. In case of no external force, the elastic limiting member 14 bulges to limit the water storage tank 51. In addition, the elastic limiting member 14 in this embodiment can also play a role in assisting in mounting the water storage tank 51 in place. A water pump socket may be disposed on an outer wall of the water storage tank 51, and a socket slot that matches the water pump socket is disposed on the housing 10. When the water storage tank 51 is mounted in place, the elastic limiting member 14 loses the external force and rises, positioning the water storage tank 51 to such an extent that the water pump socket matches the socket slot, and only in this way can the water pump 52 be powered on.

[0063]FIG. 17 illustrates a schematic structural diagram of another air humidifier according to the present disclosure. In the air humidifier according to this embodiment, the filter screen assembly 20, the fan wheel assembly 30 and the air outlet grille 40 are transversely disposed, i.e., the air outlet grille 40 is disposed on a lateral side of the air humidifier. The heating assembly 60 for heating humidified air is disposed on the air outlet path behind the filter screen assembly 20. As shown in FIG. 17, the heating assembly 60 in this embodiment is disposed between the fan wheel assembly 30 and the air outlet grille 40. Similarly, as with the air humidifier where the internal structure is vertically arranged, for the air humidifier where the internal structure is transversely arranged, the heating assembly 60 specifically may be disposed between the fan wheel assembly 30 and the filter screen assembly 20, or disposed within the hollow structure of the filter screen assembly 20, or disposed on other air outlet paths that run behind the filter screen assembly 20.

[0064]Obviously, the above-mentioned embodiments of the present disclosure are merely examples for clearly illustrating the technical solution of the present disclosure, rather than limitations to the specific embodiments of the present disclosure. Any modification, equivalent substitution and improvement made within the spirit and principle of the claims of the present disclosure shall be all encompassed within the scope of protection of the claims of the present disclosure.