dehumidifier
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing dehumidifying systems with rotating desiccant rotors face issues due to frictional wear on sliding surfaces, leading to reduced durability, increased maintenance, and decreased dehumidification capacity due to air leakage and high energy input.
Innovation Solution
A dehumidifying system that employs moisture adsorption/desorption devices without sliding surfaces, utilizing a configuration with multiple adsorbent units and a switching mechanism to alternate air paths, ensuring continuous operation and improved durability by eliminating sliding friction and air leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a rotating desiccant rotor is used in a dehumidifying system, then continuous dehumidification operation is achieved, but frictional wear on the sliding surface of the rotating shaft reduces durability and increases maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotating shaft system with a valve-based air path switching system. Instead of continuously rotating the desiccant rotor, the system uses switching valves to alternately connect the rotor to humid air intake paths and dry air discharge paths, eliminating mechanical friction and wear while maintaining continuous dehumidification operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static desiccant rotor into a dynamic system by periodically switching air paths through valves. The rotor remains stationary while the air flow direction dynamically changes between adsorption and desorption modes, achieving continuous operation without mechanical rotation wear
2Reliability
If sealing characteristics of the sliding surface are compromised, then air leakage occurs between air passages, but maintaining sealing increases operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for sliding surface seals by replacing the rotating shaft mechanism with a valve-based air path switching system. The valves provide reliable sealing through their inherent valve seat design, avoiding the complex sliding seal requirements of rotating mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the air handling system into separate humid air intake paths and dry air discharge paths that are selectively connected through switching valves. This segmentation allows each path to be sealed independently at valve locations rather than requiring continuous sealing along a rotating interface
3Use of energy by moving object
If frictional resistance occurs on the sliding surface, then input power for driving the desiccant rotor increases, but eliminating friction requires alternative drive mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotation drive system with an air pressure-driven valve switching system. The desiccant rotor is driven by pressure differential created by switching valves rather than mechanical motors, eliminating frictional losses while using simple pneumatic actuation for path switching
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the pressure differential naturally created during the dehumidification cycle to drive the air flow through the desiccant rotor. The switching valves leverage this same pressure differential to automatically control air path switching without requiring additional driving power
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
The system achieves continuous dehumidification with reduced maintenance and energy consumption, maintaining high dehumidification efficiency and extending the lifespan of components by eliminating sliding surfaces and optimizing air flow.
Implementation Method 1
a heating device disposed in the air passage, the heating device heating the air sucked from the inlet port
Implementation Method 2
a first moisture adsorption/desorption device disposed on a downstream side of the heating device, the first moisture adsorption/desorption device releasing moisture into air that has a relatively low humidity and absorbing moisture from air that has a relatively high humidity
Implementation Method 3
a cooling device disposed between the first moisture adsorption/desorption device and the second moisture adsorption/desorption device, the cooling device cooling air that has been humidified by release of moisture from the first moisture adsorption/desorption device or the second moisture adsorption/desorption device
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
A dehumidifying system that uses a desiccant employs moisture adsorption/desorption devices that have no sliding surface. Accordingly, durability of the system is improved and a dehumidifying system that is capable of continuous dehumidifying operation is provided. An air passage 2 that connects an inlet port 3 that sucks air from a dehumidification target space and an outlet port 4 that supplies air to the dehumidification target space; a heating device 50 that heats the air; a first moisture adsorption/desorption device 10a releasing moisture into air that has a relatively low humidity and absorbing moisture from air that has a relatively high humidity; a second moisture adsorption/desorption device 10b disposed so as to be spaced apart from the first moisture adsorption/desorption device 10a, a cooling device 20 cooling air that has been humidified; and switching devices 40a and 40b switching between an air path passing air through the first moisture adsorption/desorption device 10a, the cooling device 20, and the second moisture adsorption/desorption device 10b in this order, and an air path in which the air passes through the second moisture adsorption/desorption device 10b, the cooling device 20, and the first moisture adsorption/desorption device 10a in this order.