Convertible Dual-Tank Humidifier for Tabletop and Floor Use

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional humidifiers are limited in their ability to be used at multiple locations, as floor and elevated surface models are not easily convertible to provide humidity at a desired level.

Innovation Solution

A convertible humidifier design featuring a detachable extending portion that allows the device to be converted from a tabletop or desktop humidifier to a floor-standing humidifier, with a base portion that produces mist, a control panel for mist control, a reservoir for water, and a nozzle to direct the mist, enabling adjustable height and location usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a humidifier is designed for elevated surfaces like tables or desks, then it can provide humidity at a suitable level for that location, but it cannot be readily converted for floor use to provide humidity at a different desired level

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusage location flexibilityVSAvoidstructure convertibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The humidifier is divided into separate modular components: a base unit, a reservoir, an extending portion, and a nozzle. This segmentation allows the components to be reconfigured between tabletop and floor modes by attaching or detaching the extending portion, enabling usage location flexibility without requiring a completely different device design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The humidifier incorporates an adjustable extending portion that can be detached or attached to modify the overall height of the device. This dynamic structural change allows the same humidifier to adapt between elevated surface usage (tabletop mode) and floor usage, providing humidity at different desired levels without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a humidifier is designed for floor use, then it can provide humidity from the ground to the desired level, but it cannot be readily converted for elevated surface use to provide humidity at a different desired level

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusage location flexibilityVSAvoidstructure convertibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The humidifier is divided into separate modular components: a base unit, a reservoir, an extending portion, and a nozzle. This segmentation allows the components to be reconfigured between floor and tabletop modes by attaching or detaching the extending portion, enabling usage location flexibility without requiring a completely different device design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The humidifier is designed as a universal device that can function in multiple modes (floor and tabletop) through the optional attachment of an extending portion. This multi-functionality allows a single device design to serve both floor usage and elevated surface usage needs, eliminating the requirement for separate humidifiers for different locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the humidifier uses a fixed height design, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot accommodate various usage locations and provide effective humidity distribution throughout a room

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusage location accommodationVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The humidifier is divided into separate modular components: a base unit, a reservoir, an extending portion, and a nozzle. This segmentation allows the components to be reconfigured between tabletop and floor modes by attaching or detaching the extending portion, enabling usage location flexibility without requiring a completely different device design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The humidifier incorporates an adjustable extending portion that can be detached or attached to modify the overall height of the device. This dynamic structural change allows the same humidifier to adapt between elevated surface usage (tabletop mode) and floor usage, providing humidity at different desired levels without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 the humidifier to provide moisture at increased heights, accommodating various usage locations while maintaining effective humidity distribution throughout a room.

Implementation Method 1

a base portion that produces mist

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS9863654B2Convertible dual tank humidifier

Publication Date: 2018.01.09 GREAT INNOVATIONS

AI summary

A convertible humidifier that includes a base portion that produces mist, a control panel that controls the production of the mist by the base portion, at least one reservoir detachably connectable to the base portion for holding water used to produce mist, and a nozzle configured to direct the mist. At least one reservoir includes a pass-through connection that provides a flow path for mist from the base portion to exit the humidifier through an opening on the reservoir. The nozzle is detachably connectable directly to the opening in a first operation mode, and the nozzle is connected to an extending portion which is detachably connected to the opening in a second operation mode.