UV sterilization chamber for a humidifier

摘要

A UV sterilization chamber is provided to a humidifier having a water reservoir, a humidifying element and a pathway for directing water provided by the water reservoir to the humidifying element of the humidifier. The pathway is provided in a humidifier base, over which a humidifier enclosure is removably placed. The UV sterilization chamber includes a serpentine portion of the pathway and a UV radiation source positioned for illuminating the portion of the pathway with UV light. Upwardly-directed projections in the base border a perimeter of the pathway; and a downwardly-directed projection of the UV radiation source extends between the upwardly-directed projections when the enclosure is mated with the base, thereby locating the UV radiation source over the portion of the pathway. A switch disables the UV radiation source when the enclosure is removed from the base.