Dual-Path Desiccant Wheel Dehumidifier for Compact Restoration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dehumidifiers are inefficient in reducing humidity in structures, particularly in fire and flood restoration applications, where a more compact and effective solution is needed to quickly remove water and dry damaged areas.
Innovation Solution
A portable desiccant dehumidifier with a wheel-shaped desiccant that rotates, utilizing two airflows - a process airflow for dehumidification and a reactivation airflow for desiccant drying, with a compact design featuring a plenum above the desiccant and an adjacent reactivation airflow outlet, allowing for a shorter overall height and enhanced portability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If current dehumidifiers are used, then dehumidification function is provided, but they are inefficient and not compact enough for restoration applications
Solution Approach 1:
The dehumidifier is segmented into two distinct airflow paths: a process airflow path for dehumidification and a reactivation airflow path for desiccant drying. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function, improving overall dehumidification efficiency while maintaining a compact form factor suitable for restoration applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical plenum chamber above the desiccant wheel that utilizes the vertical dimension for reactivation airflow. This dimensional approach allows the reactivation outlet to be positioned adjacently rather than requiring additional horizontal space, achieving a more compact device volume while maintaining high productivity.
2Volume of moving object
If a compact design with plenum and adjacent outlet is used, then device height is reduced and portability is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reactivation outlet is merged with the process airflow outlet, positioning both outlets adjacently on the same face of the device. This merging eliminates the need for separate outlet locations, reducing device height and simplifying the overall structure despite the complex internal airflow paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The plenum chamber utilizes the vertical dimension above the desiccant wheel to accommodate reactivation airflow, allowing the reactivation outlet to be positioned at the same height as the process outlet. This dimensional approach reduces device height while managing the complexity of dual airflow paths.
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 solution provides a more compact, efficient, and effective dehumidification system capable of continuous operation, suitable for sensitive areas like wood floors, with improved dehumidification efficiency and reduced height, making it suitable for various applications, including restoration markets.
Implementation Method 1
The wheel-shaped desiccant is configured to rotate about an axis in a clockwise direction when viewed from a top side of the cabinet. The first fan is configured to generate a process airflow that flows through a first portion of the wheel-shaped desiccant in order to provide dehumidification.
Implementation Method 2
The heater is configured to heat the reactivation airflow before it enters the wheel-shaped desiccant. The second fan is configured to generate a reactivation airflow that flows through a second portion of the wheel-shaped desiccant in order to dry the wheel-shaped desiccant.
Implementation Method 3
The first fan is configured to generate a process airflow that flows through a first portion of the wheel-shaped desiccant. The second fan is configured to generate a reactivation airflow that flows through a second portion of the wheel-shaped desiccant.
Data Source
AI summary
A dehumidifier includes a wheel-shaped desiccant, a first fan, and a second fan. The wheel-shaped desiccant is configured to rotate in a clockwise direction when viewed from above. The first fan is configured to generate a process airflow that flows through a first portion of the wheel-shaped desiccant in order to provide dehumidification. The process airflow enters a first side of the wheel-shaped desiccant and exits a second side of the wheel-shaped desiccant, the first being opposite from the second side. The second fan is configured to generate a reactivation airflow that flows through a second portion of the wheel-shaped desiccant in order to dry the wheel-shaped desiccant. The reactivation airflow enters the second side of the wheel-shaped desiccant and exits the first side of the wheel-shaped desiccant.