Electrospray Humidity Control for Fast, Wide-Area Moisture Diffusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing humidity control systems face challenges in quickly evaporating water and uniformly distributing moisture across large areas, with high power consumption and limited diffusion due to large water droplet sizes, especially in ultrasonic wave systems and heat-based systems.
Innovation Solution
A humidity control apparatus utilizing a water holding tank, a fine nozzle, and electrodes with a superhydrophobic insulator to create and emit micron- or nanometer-sized water droplets through electrospinning or electrospray, allowing for efficient diffusion and evaporation across a large area with reduced power consumption and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a heat generating device is used to control humidity, then the system can generate moisture through heating water, but water evaporation is slow and power consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of water from liquid to vapor through electrostatic atomization rather than thermal heating. The electrostatic force breaks water into fine droplets that rapidly evaporate at ambient temperature, achieving fast humidifying without high power consumption heat generation devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal field (heat generating device) with an electrostatic field (electrodes). By applying high voltage to the electrode, water is atomized into fine droplets through electrostatic force, substituting the mechanical/thermal evaporation process with an electrostatic atomization process that is more energy-efficient
2Productivity
If ultrasonic waves are used to humidify, then humidifying is quick, but moisture cannot be diffused to a large area due to large water droplet size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a gradient in droplet size distribution by controlling the electrostatic field parameters. The fine droplets (1-10 μm) generated at the electrode tip provide rapid evaporation and wide diffusion, while the superhydrophobic insulator prevents droplet coalescence, maintaining local fine droplet quality throughout the diffusion area
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of water droplets by controlling the electrostatic voltage and electrode geometry. This produces droplets in the 1-10 μm range, which is significantly finer than ultrasonic droplets, enabling both rapid humidifying and wide area diffusion simultaneously
3Productivity
If water droplets are emitted directly without insulation, then the process is simple, but water droplets adhere to the electrode and reduce efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The superhydrophobic insulator coating on the electrode provides self-cleaning functionality. Water droplets that contact the coated surface are automatically repelled due to the superhydrophobic property, preventing adhesion and maintaining continuous efficient droplet emission without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines an insulating material with a superhydrophobic coating to create a composite electrode surface. This composite structure provides both electrical insulation to prevent short circuits and superhydrophobicity to repel water droplets, solving both functional requirements simultaneously
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 achieves improved humidifying performance by emitting fine water droplets that evaporate quickly and uniformly cover large areas, reducing power consumption and noise, while maintaining effective humidity control without the need for ultrasonic waves or high fan usage.
Implementation Method 1
The first insulator may have a superhydrophobic property. If the voltage is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode, water droplets may be emitted from the nozzle, and the water droplets may be repelled at the first insulator into the air.
Implementation Method 2
a first electrode connected to the nozzle, a second electrode positioned opposite to the first electrode, a first electrical power control unit for applying a voltage to the first electrode and the second electrode
Implementation Method 3
A humidity control apparatus utilizing a water holding tank, a fine nozzle, and electrodes with a superhydrophobic insulator to create and emit micron- or nanometer-sized water droplets through electrospinning or electrospray
Implementation Method 4
A humidity control apparatus utilizing a water holding tank, a fine nozzle, and electrodes with a superhydrophobic insulator to create and emit micron- or nanometer-sized water droplets through electrospinning or electrospray
Implementation Method 5
The apparatus achieves improved humidifying performance by emitting fine water droplets that evaporate quickly and uniformly cover large areas
Implementation Method 6
allowing for efficient diffusion and evaporation across a large area
Data Source
AI summary
Humidity control method and apparatus are disclosed. The humidity control apparatus may include a water holding tank for holding water therein, a nozzle positioned adjacent to the water holding tank for escape of the water therethrough, a first electrode connected to the nozzle, and a second electrode positioned opposite to the first electrode. The humidity control apparatus may include a first electrical power control unit for applying a voltage to the first electrode and the second electrode, and a first insulator formed on the second electrode.