US20200263885A1

US20200263885A1 - Evaporative humidifier

Info

Publication number: US20200263885A1
Application number: US16/790,465
Authority: US
Inventors: Brent Marc Baillie; Rishi Ramdass; Wong Yue Fung; Abdul Haleem Ahamed KOYA
Original assignee: Canadian Tire Corp Ltd
Current assignee: Canadian Tire Corp Ltd
Priority date: 2019-02-14
Filing date: 2020-02-13
Publication date: 2020-08-20
Also published as: CA3072433A1

Abstract

Evaporative humidifiers comprising: in vertical relationship and fluid communication with each other, a water inlet and a water reservoir downstream therefrom, positioned to receive water along a first fluid path; air inlet(s) and air outlet(s) in vertical relationship with the water inlet and/or reservoir, and a wick, downstream the water inlet, partially disposed in the reservoir to draw water therefrom to a wick portion in fluid communication with the air inlet(s) and the air outlet(s); and a motor-fan assembly downstream and in vertical relationship with the water inlet, upstream the reservoir. The reservoir and one or more of the air inlet(s) and the air outlet(s) generate an air current for drawing air, via the air inlet(s), from an external environment through the wick portion and move moistened air to the external environment via the air outlet(s) along a second fluid path at least partially separate from the first fluid path.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/805,414, as filed Feb. 14, 2019; the entire contents of which as are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Related Field

The present application relates generally to humidifiers, and specifically to evaporative humidifiers.

Related Art

Humidifiers are devices that emit moisture into an environment external the device (e.g., a bedroom) to increase the humidity of that external environment. The most common humidifiers are evaporative humidifiers, which draw air from the external environment and into contact with a water moistened wick or other moistened body to evaporate the water as water vapour and then emit the water vapour into the external environment.
Many conventional evaporative humidifiers require a user to disassemble at least a portion of the humidifier to refill the water tank. This can be a laborious task, especially after the tank is full and heavy with water. There have been some attempts to address this problem. For example, FIG. 1A depicts a conventional top-fill humidifier 10 having a water inlet 12 and a moistened air-outlet 14. A user is able to pour water into the water inlet 12 without having to disassemble the humidifier 10. However, in order to provide this functionality, the humidifier 10 provides the fan (not shown, beneath the water outlet 14) and the water inlet 12 in a side-by-side configuration. The side-by-side configuration usually results in a larger footprint than other conventional evaporative humidifiers, which can make such humidifiers difficult, if not unsuitable, for placement on shelves or other places that may be limited in space (such as counter tops). In contrast, other conventional evaporative humidifiers that provide top-fill capability using a smaller footprint sacrifice being able to do so without disassembling at least a portion of the humidifier (see, for example, the vertical top-fill humidifier 16 depicted in FIG. 1B which must be at least partially disassembled to add water to the water tank).

SUMMARY

According to some embodiments of the application, there is provided an evaporative humidifier comprising: in vertical relationship and in fluid communication with each other, a water inlet and a water reservoir downstream the water inlet, the water reservoir positioned to receive water from the water inlet along a first fluid path; at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet, wherein one or more of the at least one air inlet and the at least one air outlet is in vertical relationship with one or more of the water inlet and the water reservoir, and a wick, downstream the water inlet, partially disposed in the water reservoir and configured to draw water up from the reservoir to a portion of the wick in fluid communication with the at least one air inlet and the at least one air outlet; and a motor-fan assembly downstream the water inlet and upstream the water reservoir and in vertical relationship with the water inlet, the water reservoir and one or more of the at least one air inlet and the at least one air outlet, wherein the motor-fan assembly is configured to generate an air current for drawing air, via the at least one air inlet, from an environment external the evaporative humidifier through at least the portion of the wick and to move moistened air to the external environment via the at least one air outlet and along a second fluid path that is at least partially separate from the first fluid path; wherein the motor-fan assembly comprises, a motor, a fan-blade assembly operatively connected to an output shaft of the motor, and a controller operatively connected to the motor.
According to some embodiments, the evaporative humidifier further comprises: a diverter downstream the water inlet, the diverter configured to, receive water from the water inlet, and direct the received water to the water reservoir along the first fluid path. According to some embodiments, the diverter comprises a fluid diverting surface of the fan-blade assembly. According to some embodiments, the diverter comprises at least one water conduit configured to direct the received water to the reservoir via the first fluid path. According to some embodiments, the at least one water conduit comprises at least one channel. According to some embodiments, the diverter comprises a funnel in vertical relationship and in fluid communication with the water inlet.
According to some embodiments, the motor is an electric motor, optionally a variable speed motor. According to some embodiments, the electric motor is a direct current (DC) motor or an alternating current (AC) motor.
According to some embodiments, the evaporative humidifier further comprises a motor-fan assembly housing, the motor-fan assembly housing having a fan grill downstream the motor-fan assembly.
According to some embodiments, the water inlet comprises a grill.
According to some embodiments, the at least one air inlet is downstream and in vertical relationship with the at least one air outlet. According to some embodiments, the at least one air outlet is provided in a first housing of the evaporative humidifier and the at least one air inlet is provided in a second housing of the evaporative humidifier downstream the first housing, the second housing comprising the water reservoir.
According to some embodiments, the evaporative humidifier further comprises a control panel operatively connected to the controller, the control panel configured to receive input to actuate the motor.
According to some embodiments, the motor is a printed circuit board (PCB) motor.
According to some embodiments, the water inlet, the water reservoir, the wick and the motor-fan assembly are at least generally arranged in axial relationship with respect to each other.
According to some embodiments, the evaporative humidifier further comprises a relative humidity sensor, wherein the motor is operatively connected to the relative humidity sensor and configured to provide the moistened air to the external environment based on a sensed relative humidity in accordance with at least one desired relative humidity setting. According to some embodiments, the at least one desired relative humidity setting is a plurality of humidity settings, optionally 40%, 50% and 60% relative humidity.
According to some embodiments, the portion is disposed above a pre-determined water-level.
According to some embodiments, the fan-blade assembly comprises a plurality of fluid-moving fan blades each having a conical shaped profile beginning at the root of the respective fan blade.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the various implementations described herein and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A depicts a prior art evaporative humidifier;

FIG. 1B depicts another prior art evaporative humidifier;

FIG. 2 depicts an evaporative humidifier, according to non-limiting embodiments;

FIG. 3 depicts a cross-section view of the evaporative humidifier of FIG. 2, according to non-limiting embodiments;

FIG. 4 depicts an exploded view of the evaporative humidifier of FIG. 2, according to non-limiting embodiments;

FIG. 5 depicts another cross-section view of the evaporative humidifier of FIG. 2, according to non-limiting embodiments;

FIG. 6 depicts an enlarged view of a motor-fan assembly, water inlet, fluid diverter and associated housing of the evaporative humidifier, according to non-limiting embodiments;

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustrating a water fluid path of the evaporative humidifier of FIG. 2, according to non-limiting embodiments;

FIG. 8 depicts an enlarged view of a portion of housing of the evaporative humidifier of FIG. 2, according to non-limiting embodiments;

FIG. 9 depicts a bottom view of the evaporative humidifier of FIG. 2, according to non-limiting embodiments;

FIG. 10 depicts a cross-section view of an evaporative humidifier, according to another set of non-limiting embodiments;

FIGS. 11A and 11B depicts an exploded view of the evaporative humidifier of FIG. 10, according to non-limiting embodiments;

FIG. 12 depicts an enlarged view of a portion of housing of the evaporative humidifier of FIG. 10, according to non-limiting embodiments;

FIG. 13 is a schematic illustrating a water fluid path of the evaporative humidifier of FIG. 10, according to non-limiting embodiments;

FIG. 14 depicts an enlarged view of a portion of housing of the evaporative humidifier of FIG. 10, according to non-limiting embodiments;

FIG. 15 depicts a bottom view of the evaporative humidifier of FIG. 10, according to non-limiting embodiments;

FIGS. 16A to 19B depict various example arrangements of air inlet(s) and air outlet(s) of an evaporative humidifier, according to non-limiting embodiments; and

FIGS. 20A to 20C depict front perspective, side elevation and bottom perspective views of the fan assembly of the evaporative humidifier of FIG. 2, according to non-limiting embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

Herein described are exemplary evaporative humidifiers which, according to at least some embodiments, allow for water to be provided to the reservoir (also referred to herein as the water tank) without disassembly of the evaporative humidifier. For example, re-filling the reservoir may be performed without separating the reservoir (without or without the associated housing) from the rest of the evaporative humidifier. As discussed below, the described evaporative humidifiers provide at least some separation between the fluid path utilized to provide water to the reservoir and the fluid path utilized to move moistened air out to the external environment. By separating the air flow from the water flow, the evaporative humidifier may be assembled in at least a generally vertical orientation. As a result, the foot print and/or overall size of the described evaporative humidifiers may be less than conventional top-fill humidifiers and may be easier to fill.
It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the exemplary aspects of the present application described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the exemplary aspects described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the exemplary aspects described herein. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the exemplary aspects described herein. Any systems, method steps, method blocks, components, parts of components, and the like described herein in the singular are to be interpreted as also including a description of such systems, method steps or tasks, components, parts of components, and the like in the plural, and vice versa.
Attention is direct to FIGS. 2 and 3, which depicts example evaporative humidifier 100, according to a non-limiting embodiment. Evaporative humidifier 100 comprises an external housing 102, which may comprise one or more sections. For example, as shown, evaporative humidifier housing 102 comprises a first housing 104 and a second housing 106. According to some embodiments, the external housing 102 may comprise feet 164 (FIGS. 3 and 9) to support the evaporative humidifier 100 above a surface upon which the evaporative humidifier 100 rests. The evaporative humidifier 100 comprises a water inlet 108, a water reservoir 110, at least one air inlet 112 (also referred to herein as air inlet(s) 112), at least one air outlet 114 (also referred to herein as air outlet(s) 114), a wick 116 and a motor-fan assembly 118. As shown in FIG. 3, the water inlet 108, the water reservoir 110 and the motor-fan assembly 118 are in vertical relationship with each other. One or more of the at least one air inlet 112 and the at least one air outlet 114 are also in vertical relationship with one or more of the water inlet 108 and the water reservoir 110. Each of the water inlet 108, the water reservoir 110, the at least one air inlet 112 and the at least one air outlet 114 are in fluid communication with each other.
The water inlet 108 comprises any suitable opening or plurality of openings through which water can be provided to the reservoir 110. For example, according to some embodiments, the water inlet 108 comprises a grill or screen (FIG. 3), which may be concave towards the water reservoir 110. According to some embodiments, the evaporative humidifier 108 comprises a plurality of water inlets. The water reservoir 110 is downstream the water inlet 108 in that the water reservoir is 108 is downstream the flow of water into the evaporative humidifier 100 via the water inlet 108. The water reservoir 110 is also positioned to receive water from the water inlet 108 along a first fluid path, such as fluid path 120 depicted in FIG. 3 (see also example fluid path 120 a depicted in FIG. 7). Any suitable size and shape of the water reservoir 110 is contemplated. For example, according to some embodiments, the water reservoir 110 has a capacity of about 4 litres (L). According to some embodiments, the evaporative humidifier 100 further comprises a water level indicator, such as a window 128 in the housing 102 that provides a visual indicator to the user of the amount of water in the water reservoir 110.
As discussed above, one or more of the air inlet(s) and air outlet(s), such as air inlet(s) 114 and air outlet(s) 112 are in vertical relationship with one or more of the water inlet 108 and the water reservoir 110. According to some embodiments, one or more of the air inlet(s) 114 and the air outlet(s) 112 are generally arranged in axial relationship with the water inlet 108 and/or the water reservoir 110. For example, according to some embodiments, the air inlet(s) 114 and/or the air outlet(s) 112 and the water inlet 108 and/or the water reservoir 110 may be generally arranged about axis A-A (FIG. 3). Similarly, according to some embodiments, the water inlet 108, the water reservoir 110, the wick 116 and the motor-fan assembly 118 are generally arranged in axial relationship with each other (e.g., generally about axis A-A). According to some embodiments, the air inlet(s) 112 is downstream and in vertical relationship with the air outlet(s) 114. According to some embodiments, the air inlet(s) 112 is provided in the first housing 104 and the air outlet(s) are provided in the second housing 106. For example, according to some embodiments, second housing 106 may comprise a first sub-housing 106a and a second sub-housing 106b spaced apart from each other (such as by pillars 162), thereby forming air outlet(s) 114 (FIG. 8).
A variety of air inlet and air outlet arrangements are contemplated. Attention is directed to FIGS. 16A to 19B, which depict schematics of various example arrangements of the air inlet(s) and air outlet(s). In the example arrangement of FIGS. 16A and 16B, the air inlet(s) and the air outlet(s) are in vertical relationship with each other such that the air inlet(s) is downstream the air outlet(s) (or vice-versa). The example air inlet(s) and air outlet(s) depicted in FIGS. 16A and 16B are configured to provide at least substantially 360-degree air intake and air exit from the evaporative humidifier into the environment external the evaporative humidifier. For example, the air inlet(s) and air outlet(s) may comprise air vents that are situated substantially about the perimeter of the evaporative humidifier's housing. The air-in vents and/or the air-out vents may each comprise one or more air vents that occupy substantially the entire perimeter of the evaporative humidifier's housing. In the example arrangement of FIGS. 17A and 17B, the air inlet(s) comprise at least one air-in vent that occupies only a portion of the perimeter of the evaporative humidifier's housing (for example, less than 50% of the perimeter). In the example arrangement of FIGS. 18A and 18B, the air inlet(s) comprise a plurality of air-in vents. According to some embodiments, the air outlet(s) and the air inlet(s) are at least generally aligned. According to some embodiments, the humidifier housing 102 comprises a vent cover that hides the air-inlet(s) and air-outlet(s) from external view, such as vent cover 180 of the example arrangement depicted in FIGS. 19A and 19B. However, any suitable arrangement of the air inlet(s) and air outlet(s) is contemplated.
The wick 116 is partially disposed in the water reservoir 110 and configured to draw water up from the water reservoir 110 by capillary action to a portion 122 of the wick 116 disposed away from a top surface level of water that will be provided to the evaporative humidifier 100 (such as a predetermined maximum water level 124). The portion 122 is in fluid communication with the air inlet(s)112 and the air outlet(s) 114. According to some embodiments, the portion 122 is disposed entirely out of the water reservoir 110. According to some embodiments, the portion 122 is partially disposed out of the water reservoir 110. According to some embodiments, the portion 122 is at least partially disposed in the water reservoir 110. The water wick 116 comprises any suitable materials and may possess any suitable shape and/or dimensions (e.g., thickness, height, etc.). For example, as depicted in the example evaporative humidifier 100, the water wick 116 is generally cylindrical, similarly to the housing 102. According to some embodiments, the water wick 116 is at least partially supported by a wick frame 126.
The motor-fan assembly 118, downstream the water inlet 108 and upstream the water reservoir 110, is in vertical relationship with the water inlet 108, the water reservoir 110 and one or more of the air inlet(s) 112 and the air outlet(s) 114. In particular, the motor-fan assembly 118 is configured to generate an air current 130 for drawing air 132, via the air inlet(s) 112, from an environment external the evaporative humidifier 100 through at least the portion of the wick 122, and for moving moistened air 134 to the external environment via the air outlet(s) 114 (FIG. 5). The moistened air 134 is moved by the motor-fan assembly 118 along a second fluid path 136 that is at least partially separate from the first fluid path 120 (FIG. 3). For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the air outlet(s) 114 and the water inlet 108 are arranged in the housing 102 such that at least a portion of the first fluid path 120 (water path) does not cross the second fluid path 136 (air path).
The motor-fan assembly 118 comprises at motor 138, a fan-blade assembly 140 operatively connected to an output shaft 142 of the motor 138 and a controller 144 (FIG. 4) operatively connected to the motor 138. The fan-blade assembly 140 comprises a plurality of fluid-moving blades 141. According to some embodiments, the fluid-moving fan blades 141 have a conical shaped root 182, blade profile and orientation to move air as described above (see, for example, FIGS. 4, 5 and 20A to 20C). However, any suitable arrangement, orientation and/or profile of the fluid moving blades is contemplated.
According to some embodiments, the evaporative humidifier 100 comprises a control panel 160 operatively connected to the controller 144 and configured to receive input to actuate the motor 138. For example, according to some embodiments, the control panel 160 comprises a plurality of touch-responsive buttons and/or surfaces (e.g., buttons 184 of control panel 160 depicted in FIG. 2). According to some embodiments, the control panel 160 comprises a Light Emitting Diode (LED) panel. According to some embodiments, the control panel 160 comprises a Graphical User Interface (GUI). However, any suitable controller and control panel is contemplated.
The motor-fan assembly 118 may be housed in a motor-fan-housing 152. According to some embodiments, the motor-fan assembly housing 152 comprises a fan grill 158. According to some embodiments, the fan-grill 158 is concave in shape towards the water-reservoir, which may help allow the portion 122 of the wick 116 to reside in air-fluid communication with the air inlet(s) 112. According to some embodiments, the evaporative humidifier 100 comprises one or more to align and/or position various components in respect of each other, such as registration keys 161 coupled to the fan grill 158.
Any suitable motor is contemplated. According to some embodiments, the motor 138 is an electric motor, such as a direct-current (DC) motor or an alternating-current (AC) motor. According to some embodiments, the motor 138 is a printed circuit board (PCB) motor. According to some embodiments, the motor 138 is a variable speed motor.
Any suitable power source for the motor 138 is contemplated. For example, according to some embodiments, the power source for the motor 138 comprises at least one battery (battery-operated). According to some embodiments, the evaporative humidifier 100 comprises a power cable 166 (FIG. 6) to plug into an electrical outlet and to operatively connect the motor 138 to a power source.
According to some embodiments, the evaporative humidifier is configured to adjust the amount of moistened air provided to the external environment based on a sensed relative humidity of the air in that external environment. It is understood that “relative humidity”, as referred to herein, is the actual amount of water vapour present in the air in the external environment in relation to the water vapour capacity of the air at a particular temperature (e.g., at 25 degrees Celsius or any other suitable temperature). According to some embodiments, the evaporative humidifier, such as the evaporative humidifier 100, comprises a relative humidity sensor, such as relative humidity sensor 143 (see, for example, FIG. 7). According to some embodiments, the humidity sensor is generally hidden from external view by the housing 102 (such as second housing 106). The relative humidity sensor may be in fluid communication with the external environment via air vent 145 (FIGS. 8, 14 and 15). Any suitable relative humidity sensor is contemplated. For example, according to some embodiments, the relative humidity sensor comprises a capacitive humidity sensor, a resistive humidity sensor or a thermal humidity sensor.
According to some embodiments, the motor 138 is operatively connected to the relative humidity sensor and comprises at least two modes, such as ON and OFF, and is configured to switch between the at least two modes to provide moistened air to the external environment in accordance with at least one desired relative humidity setting based on the sensed relative humidity. According to some embodiments, the at least one desired relative humidity setting may be selected using the control panel 160 or any other suitable input mechanism. For example, according to some embodiments, the motor is configured to turn ON until the sensed relative humidity reaches the desired relative humidity. As another example, according to some embodiments, the at least one desired relative humidity setting comprises a plurality of desired relative humidity settings, such as 40%, 50% and/or 60% relative humidity.
As depicted in FIGS. 3 and 7, the first fluid path 120, 120 a and the second fluid path 136 circumvent at least a portion of the motor-fan assembly 118. According to some embodiments, the evaporative humidifier 100 comprises a diverter, such as diverter 146 depicted in FIG. 4, downstream the water inlet 108. The diverter is configured to receive water from the water inlet 108 and to direct the received water to the water reservoir 110 along the first fluid path (such as first fluid path 120). According to some embodiments, the diverter comprises a funnel 148 in vertical relationship and in fluid communication with the water inlet 108. Water received via the water inlet 108 is directed along at least one funnel surface 150 (FIG. 3) for receipt by the water reservoir 110. The diverter may comprise portions of housing 102, including housing for certain components. For example, according to some embodiments, the diverter comprises at least a portion of motor-fan assembly housing 152, which may be in addition to the funnel 148. The motor housing 152 may comprise at least one opening 154 through which water may travel towards the water reservoir 110 along the second fluid path 136. According to some embodiments, the diverter may comprise at least a portion of the fan-blade assembly 140, such as a fluid-diverting surface 156. The fluid-diverting surface 156 may be configured to divert both water and air. For example, the fluid-diverting surface 156 may allow for water to be received through the water inlet 108, without substantially interfering with the flow of air, and to be directed towards the funnel 148.
Alternative configurations of the evaporative humidifier are contemplated. Attention is directed FIGS. 10 to 15, which depict another example evaporative humidifier 200, according to a non-limiting embodiment. Although the evaporative humidifier 200 shares many features with the evaporative humidifier 100, there are some differences. In the motor-fan assembly 218, the motor 138 is downstream the fan-blade assembly, depicted as fan-blade assembly 238. Such an arrangement spaces the fan-blade assembly 238 further away from the water reservoir 110 and the fan grill 258. As depicted in FIGS. 10, 11A and 11B, according to some embodiments, the fan grill 158 is configured to partially house and/or support the motor 138. For example, the fan grill 158 may comprise a motor seat 268; however, any suitable manner of housing and/or supporting the motor 138 is contemplated. The motor-fan assembly 218 also comprises controller 244, operatively connected to the motor 138 via the fan-blade assembly 240. According to some embodiments, the controller 244 is also configured to provide a manner of mounting the motor 138 to the associated housing (housing of the motor-fan assembly), alone or in conjunction with other mounting components.
The evaporative humidifier 200 also comprises a diverter downstream the water inlet 108, such as diverter 246. Similarly to the diverter 146, the diverter 246 is configured to direct the received water to the water reservoir 110 along a first fluid path (water path). However, the first fluid path utilized by the diverter 246, such as first fluid path 220 (depicted in FIGS. 10 and 13), is at least substantially separate from the second fluid path (air path), such as second fluid path 236 (depicted in FIG. 13). According to some embodiments, the diverter 246 comprises at least one water conduit 270 configured to direct the received water to the water reservoir 110 along the first fluid path 220 and to at least substantially separate the first fluid path 220 from the second fluid path 236. According to some embodiments, the water conduit(s) 270 comprises at least one channel. However, any fluid conduit(s) of any suitable shape, number and/or size is contemplated.
Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there are yet more alternative implementations and modifications possible, and that the above examples are only illustrations of one or more implementations. The scope, therefore, is only to be limited by the claims appended hereto.
It will also be understood that for the purposes of this application, “at least one of X, Y, and Z” or “one or more of X, Y, and Z” language can be construed as X only, Y only, Z only, or any combination of two or more items X, Y, and Z (e.g., XYZ, XYY, YZ, ZZ).
In the present application, components may be described as being “configured to” or “enabled to” perform one or more functions. Generally, it is understood that a component that is configured to or enabled to perform a function is configured to or enabled to perform the function, or is suitable for performing the function, or is adapted to perform the function, or is operable to perform the function, or is otherwise capable of performing the function.
Additionally, components in the present application may be described as being “operatively connected to”, “operatively coupled to”, and the like, to other components. It is understood that such components are connected or coupled to each other in a manner to perform a certain function. It is also understood that “connections”, “coupling” and the like, as recited in the present application include direct and indirect connections between components.
References in the application to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an implementation”, “a variant”, etc., indicate that the embodiment, implementation or variant described may include a particular aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment, implementation or variant necessarily includes that aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment referred to in other portions of the specification. Further, when a particular aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect or connect such module, aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described. In other words, any module, element or feature may be combined with any other element or feature in different embodiments, unless there is an obvious or inherent incompatibility, or it is specifically excluded.
It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for the use of exclusive terminology, such as “solely”, “only”, and the like, in connection with the recitation of claim elements or use of a “negative” limitation. The terms “preferably”, “preferred”, “prefer”, “optionally”, “may”, and similar terms are used to indicate that an item, condition or step being referred to is an optional (not required) feature of the invention.
The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “and/or” means any one of the items, any combination of the items, or all of the items with which this term is associated. The phrase “one or more” is readily understood by one of skill in the art, particularly when read in context of its usage.
The term “about” can refer to a variation of ±5%, ±10%, ±20%, or ±25% of the value specified. For example, “about 50” percent can in some embodiments carry a variation from 45 to 55 percent. For integer ranges, the term “about” can include one or two integers greater than and/or less than a recited integer at each end of the range. Unless indicated otherwise herein, the term “about” is intended to include values and ranges proximate to the recited range that are equivalent in terms of the functionality of the composition, or the embodiment.
As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, particularly in terms of providing a written description, all ranges recited herein also encompass any and all possible sub-ranges and combinations of sub-ranges thereof, as well as the individual values making up the range, particularly integer values. A recited range includes each specific value, integer, decimal, or identity within the range. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, or tenths. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc.
As will also be understood by one skilled in the art, all language such as “up to”, “at least”, “greater than”, “less than”, “more than”, “or more”, and the like, include the number recited and such terms refer to ranges that can be subsequently broken down into sub-ranges as discussed above. In the same manner, all ratios recited herein also include all sub-ratios falling within the broader ratio.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An evaporative humidifier comprising:

in vertical relationship and in fluid communication with each other:

a water inlet; and

a water reservoir downstream the water inlet, the water reservoir positioned to receive water from the water inlet along a first fluid path;

at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet, wherein one or more of the at least one air inlet and the at least one air outlet is in vertical relationship with one or more of the water inlet and the water reservoir, and

a wick, downstream the water inlet, partially disposed in the water reservoir and configured to draw water up from the reservoir to a portion of the wick in fluid communication with the at least one air inlet and the at least one air outlet; and

a motor-fan assembly downstream the water inlet and upstream the water reservoir and in vertical relationship with the water inlet, the water reservoir and one or more of the at least one air inlet and the at least one air outlet, wherein the motor-fan assembly is configured to generate an air current for drawing air, via the at least one air inlet, from an environment external the evaporative humidifier through at least the portion of the wick and to move moistened air to the external environment via the at least one air outlet and along a second fluid path that is at least partially separate from the first fluid path;

wherein the motor-fan assembly comprises,

a motor,

a fan-blade assembly operatively connected to an output shaft of the motor, and

a controller operatively connected to the motor.

2. The evaporative humidifier of claim 1 further comprising:

a diverter downstream the water inlet, the diverter configured to:

receive water from the water inlet, and

direct the received water to the water reservoir along the first fluid path.

3. The evaporative humidifier of claim 2, wherein the diverter comprises a fluid diverting surface of the fan-blade assembly.

4. The evaporative humidifier of claim 2, wherein the diverter comprises at least one water conduit configured to direct the received water to the reservoir via the first fluid path.

5. The evaporative humidifier of claim 4, wherein at least one water conduit comprises at least one channel.

6. The evaporative humidifier of claim 2, wherein the diverter comprises a funnel in vertical relationship and in fluid communication with the water inlet.

7. The evaporative humidifier of claim 1, wherein the motor is an electric motor, optionally a variable speed motor.

8. The evaporative humidifier of claim 7, wherein the electric motor is a direct current (DC) motor or an alternating current (AC) motor.

9. The evaporative humidifier of claim 1 further comprising a motor-fan assembly housing, the motor-fan assembly housing having a fan grill downstream the motor-fan assembly.

10. The evaporative humidifier of claim 1, wherein the water inlet comprises a grill.

11. The evaporative humidifier of claim 1, wherein the at least one air inlet is downstream and in vertical relationship with the at least one air outlet.

12. The evaporative humidifier of claim 11, wherein the at least one air outlet is provided in a first housing of the evaporative humidifier and the at least one air inlet is provided in a second housing of the evaporative humidifier downstream the first housing, the second housing comprising the water reservoir.

13. The evaporative humidifier of claim 1 further comprising a control panel operatively connected to the controller, the control panel being configured to receive input to actuate the motor.

14. The evaporative humidifier of claim 1, wherein the motor is a printed circuit board (PCB) motor.

15. The evaporative humidifier of claim 1, wherein the water inlet, the water reservoir, the wick and the motor-fan assembly are at least generally arranged in axial relationship with respect to each other.

16. The evaporative humidifier of claim 1 further comprising a relative humidity sensor, wherein the motor is operatively connected to the relative humidity sensor and configured to provide the moistened air to the external environment based on a sensed relative humidity in accordance with at least one desired relative humidity setting.

17. The evaporative humidifier of claim 16, wherein the at least one desired relative humidity setting is a plurality of humidity settings.

18. The evaporative humidifier of claim 17, wherein the plurality of humidity settings include at least a 40%, a 50% and a 60% relative humidity.

19. The evaporative humidifier of claim 1, wherein the portion is disposed above a pre-determined water-level.

20. The evaporative humidifier of claim 1, wherein the fan-blade assembly comprises a plurality of fluid-moving fan blades each having a conical shaped profile beginning at the root of the respective fan blade.