Air Purifier Humidifier Flow Paths for Independent Humidity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air purifiers and humidifiers cannot operate air purification and humidification independently, leading to continuous humidification regardless of outdoor humidity and reduced efficiency due to limited air intake through a single path.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with dual flow paths and a flow path control unit that allows selective operation of air purification and humidification paths, enabling separate supply of purified and humidified air, and controlled humidification, using a circulation fan, filter unit, and humidification unit with a flow path control unit that can be moved between positions to block or allow air flow through different paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single flow path is used for both air purification and humidification, then the device structure is simple, but the air purification and humidification cannot be independently controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The single flow path is segmented into multiple independent flow paths (first flow path for purification only, second flow path for purification and humidification, third flow path for humidification only). This allows the device to independently control air purification and humidification functions by directing air through different paths, resolving the contradiction between operational independence and structural simplicity.
2Productivity
If air is introduced only through the front side of the circulation fan, then the device structure is simple, but the air treatment efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The air intake is extended from a single dimension (front side only) to multiple dimensions by adding a rear side air intake. This dual-flow-path structure allows air to be introduced from both front and rear sides of the circulation fan, significantly increasing air treatment efficiency while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the humidification filter is always in use, then the humidification function is continuously provided, but the humidified air is continuously supplied regardless of the humidity of the outside air
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path control unit dynamically adjusts the air flow distribution between different paths based on outdoor humidity conditions. When outdoor humidity is sufficient, the system can select the first flow path to bypass the humidification filter, preventing continuous humidification. This dynamic adaptability allows the device to respond to changing environmental conditions while maintaining ease of operation through automated control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables independent control of purified and humidified air supply, improving air treatment efficiency by allowing separate management of air purification and humidification, and optimizing air transfer through dual flow paths before and after the circulation fan.
Implementation Method 1
a circulation fan for causing the introduced air to flow to the discharge port
Implementation Method 2
a filter unit disposed in the case to filter the introduced air
Implementation Method 3
a humidification unit disposed at a low position in the case to supply the air passed through the filter unit with moisture
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for purifying and humidifying air which enables separate supply of purified air and humidified air and controls the amount of humidified air discharged and which includes dual flow paths to increase the efficiency of air transfer. The apparatus includes a case (100) having a suction port (110) through which external air is introduced thereinto and a discharge port (120) through which the introduced air is discharged, a circulation fan (125) for causing the introduced air to flow toward the discharge port, a filter unit (130) disposed in the case to filter the introduced air, a humidification unit (140) disposed at a low position in the case to supply the air passed through the filter unit with moisture, and a flow path control unit disposed between the suction port and the humidification unit to control flow of the air passed through the filter unit.