Dual-Flow Air Purifier Humidifier for Selective Air Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air purifiers are inefficient due to their configuration, which only allows air to be introduced through the front side, limiting the effectiveness of air treatment and not effectively incorporating humidification in the purification process.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with dual flow paths before and after a circulation fan, featuring a flow path control unit that can selectively direct air through an air purification path or an air purification and humidification path, using a humidification unit with a water tank to add moisture to the air, and a filter unit to purify the air, enhancing air transfer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If air is introduced only through the front side of the blower fan, then the structure is simple, but the air treatment efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The air intake system is segmented into multiple independent pathways: a front air inlet and a rear air inlet. This segmentation allows air to be drawn from different directions simultaneously, increasing the total volume of air processed without significantly complicating the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The air intake configuration transitions from a single-dimensional (front-only) approach to a multi-dimensional approach by adding rear air intake. This creates dual flow paths that operate in parallel, enabling air to enter the system from multiple spatial dimensions and improving air treatment throughput.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a humidification filter is added to humidify air, then the air purification function is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The humidification function is merged with the existing filtration system by positioning the humidification filter within the blower fan housing, integrating multiple functions (filtration and humidification) into a single integrated assembly rather than adding separate independent components.
Solution Approach 2:
The blower fan housing is designed to serve multiple functions: it accommodates the blower fan, houses the humidification filter, and manages both air intake and discharge pathways. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components for each function.
3Productivity
If dual flow paths are implemented before and after the circulation fan, then air transfer efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A flow path control unit with movable parts (such as a rotatable valve or sliding mechanism) is introduced to dynamically adjust and control the dual flow paths. This allows flexible routing of air through different pathways depending on operational requirements, optimizing air transfer efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized control mechanisms.
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 apparatus improves air transfer efficiency by allowing selective control over air purification and humidification paths, enabling the production of either purified or humidified air, or a mixture, thus enhancing user convenience and air treatment effectiveness.
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
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 having a suction port through which external air is introduced thereinto and a discharge port through which the introduced air is discharged, a circulation fan for causing the introduced air to flow toward the discharge port, a filter unit disposed in the case to filter the introduced air, a humidification unit 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.