초록 ▼

A mist-generating device that can be connected to a vehicle's Low Direct Current Voltage (LDCV) power supply is disclosed. The device can be used to treat mold, bacteria and clean or remove odors on exposed and hard-to-reach surfaces of the interior of a car. The device can include a unique filling

A mist-generating device that can be connected to a vehicle's Low Direct Current Voltage (LDCV) power supply is disclosed. The device can be used to treat mold, bacteria and clean or remove odors on exposed and hard-to-reach surfaces of the interior of a car. The device can include a unique filling system that can be used to prevent foreign materials from entering into the unit, including fluids or substances that would deteriorate the performance of the unit or the components of the device itself. The inside of the device can include an internal anti-foam and anti-splash structure designed to keep electronic components dry and reduce the foaming and turbulence of the fluid being misted. Further, the inside of the device in one embodiment is split into three adjacent areas, which govern efficient flow of air and atomized chemicals through the device.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A mist generating device comprising: a housing defining a misting chamber;at least one ultrasonic transducer electrically connected to a power supply such that the at least one ultrasonic transducer generates mist when power is supplied to the ultrasonic transducer, wherein the at least one ultra

1. A mist generating device comprising: a housing defining a misting chamber;at least one ultrasonic transducer electrically connected to a power supply such that the at least one ultrasonic transducer generates mist when power is supplied to the ultrasonic transducer, wherein the at least one ultrasonic transducer is configured to atomize a programmed amount of a solution per minute;an inlet to the misting chamber;an outlet from the misting chamber in fluid connection with the inlet;a plurality of adjacent spaces positioned between the inlet and the outlet, the plurality of adjacent spaces including: a first space having a first volume fluidly connected to the inlet;a second space having a second volume fluidly connected directly to the first space, the second volume being smaller than the first volume; anda third space having a third volume fluidly connected directly to the second space and the outlet, the third volume being larger than the second volume, the order of the spaces sequentially from the first space through the second space to the third space driving in part an acceleration of the mist through the mist-generating device; andan anti-foam guard including at least two parallel ribs each having an S-shape connected to a base of the housing configured to reduce foaming and splashing of the solution covering the at least one ultrasonic transducer,wherein the at least one ultrasonic transducer is located within the first space. 2. The mist-generating device of claim 1, further including a refill container in fluid connection with the device, such that fluid from the refill container can pass into the misting chamber. 3. The mist-generating device of claim 2, wherein the refill container is adapted with a locking mechanism for locking into a second inlet of the mist generating device. 4. The mist-generating device of claim 2, wherein the refill container is adapted with a neck with an external locking mechanism for locking into a second inlet of the mist generating device. 5. The mist-generating device of claim 2, wherein the refill container is adapted with an externally threaded locking mechanism locked into an internally threaded second inlet of the mist generating device. 6. The mist-generating device of claim 2, wherein the refill container is adapted with a neck having an internal locking mechanism for locking into a container inlet of the mist generating device. 7. The mist-generating device of claim 2, wherein the refill container is adapted with an internally threaded locking mechanism locked into an externally threaded container inlet of the mist generating device. 8. The mist-generating device of claim 2, wherein the refill container is a container selected from the group consisting of: a bottle or a can. 9. The mist-generating device of claim 2, wherein the refill container is configured to at least one of: (a) prevent drips when held upside down, (b) prevent refilling; (c) clear a checkvalve; (d) open with head space; (e) enable virtually 100% of contents to be dispensed; (f) enable a user to view the contents of the container; (g) enable a user to view the level of contents in the container; (h) collapse; and (i) enable an air-tight fluid connection. 10. The mist-generating device of claim 1, wherein the at least one ultrasonic transducer is configured to atomize between 2 and 20 milliliters of a solution per minute. 11. A mist-generating device comprising: a housing defining a misting chamber;at least one ultrasonic transducer electrically connected to a power supply;a component configured to operate with the power supply to monitor at least one of a voltage and a current to the at least one ultrasonic transducer;a curved ribbed guard including at least two parallel ribs each having an S-shape connected to a base of the housing configured to be in contact with a designated fluid and configured to reduce foaming and splashing of the designated fluid over the at least one ultrasonic transducer;an inlet to the misting chamber; andan outlet from the misting chamber in fluid connection with the inlet. 12. The mist-generating device of claim 11, further comprising: a trap mechanism including a volume receptacle located at a base of the trap mechanism configured to cause the trap mechanism to pivot to the open position when an undesirable solution accumulates in the volume receptacle; andan auto-shut-off circuit triggered by treatment time,wherein the trap mechanism includes an opening at a bottom of the volume receptacle that is configured to drain the undesirable solution accumulating within the volume receptacle. 13. A mist-generating device comprising: a housing defining a misting chamber;at least one ultrasonic transducer configured to atomize a designated fluid, and electrically connected to a power supply;a memory device storing a plurality instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to operate with the power supply to monitor or self-adjust at least one of a voltage and a current to the at least one ultrasonic transducer;an inlet to the misting chamber;an outlet from the misting chamber in fluid connection with the at least one ultrasonic transducer; andan anti-foam guard including at least two parallel ribs each having an S-shape connected to a base of the housing configured to be in contact with the designated fluid and configured to reduce foaming and splashing of the designated fluid covering the at least one ultrasonic transducer,wherein the at least one ultrasonic transducer is configured to operate with the processor, the inlet, and the outlet to atomize a programmed amount of the designated fluid per minute. 14. The mist-generating device of claim 13, wherein the voltage is direct current voltage with a voltage of 12 volts and wherein the power supply supplies 2 to 6 amps of current. 15. The mist-generating device of claim 13, wherein the voltage is direct current within a voltage range of between 10 and 26 volts. 16. The mist generating device of claim 13, further comprising a filling port configured to only allow the designated fluid to enter the mist-generating device. 17. The mist-generating device of claim 13, further comprising a filling port connected to a refill container, wherein the filling port includes a cutter for cutting open a sealed end of the refill container as the refill container is locked into place on the mist-generating device. 18. The mist-generating device of claim 13, further comprising a trap mechanism including: a protrusion that extends from the trap that enables the trap to pivot between an open and a closed position, anda volume receptacle located at a base of the trap configured to cause the trap to pivot to the open position when an undesirable solution accumulates in the volume receptacle,wherein the trap mechanism includes an opening at a bottom of the volume receptacle that is configured to drain the undesirable solution accumulating within the volume receptacle. 19. The mist-generating device of claim 13, further comprising a helix shaped baffle mounted within a nozzle included in the outlet. 20. The mist-generating device of claim 13, further comprising a visual fluid level indicator mounted on the mist-generating device. 21. The mist-generating device of claim 13, further comprising a positioning level indicator mounted on the mist-generating device. 22. The mist-generating device of claim 13, further comprising at least one baffle mounted in the misting chamber. 23. The mist-generating device of claim 13, further comprising an auto-shut-off system that is triggered by treatment time. 24. The mist generating device of claim 13, further comprising a low fluid level sensor. 25. The mist generating device of claim 13, further comprising a tilt-level sensor. 26. The mist-generating device of claim 13, further comprising a visual display to indicate a stage of treatment. 27. The mist-generating device of claim 13, further comprising a remote visual code display to indicate a stage of treatment. 28. The mist-generating device of claim 13, further comprising a readable visual code on a display that indicates a stage of treatment. 29. The mist-generating device of claim 13, further comprising a remote display that notifies an operator of a status of treatment. 30. The mist-generating device of claim 29, wherein the remote display is part of a wireless device. 31. The mist-generating device of claim 13, wherein the misting chamber defines a fluid inlet which is connected to a fluid reservoir, a check valve being mounted between the inlet and the fluid reservoir. 32. The mist-generating device of claim 13, further comprising a plurality of adjacent spaces each having a different volume and positioned between the inlet and the outlet, a sequence of the spaces driving in part an acceleration of a fluid through the mist generating device, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is located within a first space. 33. The mist-generating device of claim 32, wherein the different volumes of the plurality of adjacent spaces create a venturi effect. 34. The mist-generating device of claim 32, wherein the outlet is operatively attached to one of the plurality of adjacent spaces. 35. The mist-generating device of claim 32, wherein a fan adjacent to the inlet drives air into the space housing the at least one ultrasonic transducer. 36. The mist-generating device of claim 32, wherein the voltage is direct current voltage with a voltage of 12 volts and wherein the power supply supplies 2 to 6 amps of current. 37. The mist-generating device of claim 32, wherein the voltage is direct current within a voltage range of between 10 and 26 volts. 38. The mist-generating device of claim 32, further comprising a filling port that is configured to only allow a designated fluid to enter the mist-generating device. 39. The mist-generating device of claim 32, further comprising a filling port connected to a refill container, wherein the filling port includes a cutter for cutting open a sealed end of the refill container as the refill container is locked into place on the mist-generating device. 40. The mist-generating device of claim 32, further comprising a trap mechanism that blocks the entry of an undesirable solution or foreign materials through the outlet. 41. The mist-generating device of claim 32, further comprising a helix shaped baffle mounted within a nozzle included in the outlet. 42. The mist-generating device of claim 32, further comprising a visual fluid level indicator mounted on the mist-generating device. 43. The mist-generating device of claim 32, further comprising a positioning level indicator mounted on the mist-generating device. 44. The mist-generating device of claim 32, further comprising at least one baffle mounted in the misting chamber. 45. The mist-generating device of claim 32, further comprising an auto-shut-off system that is triggered by treatment time. 46. The mist generating device of claim 32, further comprising a low fluid level sensor. 47. The mist generating device of claim 32, further comprising a tilt-level sensor. 48. The mist-generating device of claim 32, further comprising a visual display to indicate a stage of treatment. 49. The mist-generating device of claim 32, further comprising a remote visual code display to indicate a stage of treatment. 50. The mist-generating device of claim 32, further comprising a readable visual code on a display that indicates a stage of treatment. 51. The mist-generating device of claim 32, further comprising a remote display that notifies an operator of a status of treatment. 52. The mist-generating device of claim 51, wherein the remote display is part of a wireless device. 53. The mist-generating device of claim 32, wherein the misting chamber defines a fluid inlet which is connected to a fluid reservoir, a check valve being mounted between the inlet and the fluid reservoir. 54. The mist-generating device of claim 13, further comprising a diagnostic port configured to be attached to a computer. 55. The mist-generating device of claim 13, further comprising a second memory device storing data associated with at least one of the following: (a) a number of cycles; (b) error codes; (c) a number of short cycles; (d) services; (e) time; (f) input voltage; (g) piezo current; (h) piezo voltage; (i) ambient temperature; (j) heat sink temperature; (k) machine code; and (l) operating status. 56. The mist-generating device of claim 13, wherein the at least one ultrasonic transducer is configured to operate with the processor, the inlet and the outlet to atomize between 2 and 20 milliliters of the designated fluid per minute. 57. A mist-generating device comprising: a housing defining a misting chamber;at least one ultrasonic transducer configured to atomize a designated fluid, and electrically connected to a power supply;a memory device storing a plurality instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to operate with the power supply to monitor at least one of a voltage and a current to the at least one ultrasonic transducer;an inlet to the misting chamber;an outlet from the misting chamber in fluid connection with the at least one ultrasonic transducer;a first anti-foam guard connected to a base of the housing configured to be in contact with the designated fluid and configured to reduce foaming and splashing of the designated fluid covering the at least one ultrasonic transducer; anda second anti-foam guard connected to top of the housing,wherein the at least one ultrasonic transducer is configured to operate with the processor, the inlet, and the outlet to atomize a programmed amount of the designated fluid per minute, andwherein an edge of the second anti-foam is aligned with and contacts an edge of the first anti-foam guard. 58. The mist-generating device of claim 57, further comprising: a trap mechanism including a volume receptacle located at a base of the trap mechanism configured to cause the trap mechanism to pivot to the open position when an undesirable solution accumulates in the volume receptacle,wherein the trap mechanism includes an opening at a bottom of the volume receptacle that is configured to drain the undesirable solution accumulating within the volume receptacle.