Evaporative Air Cooler With Reusable Sponge Filters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional evaporative personal air coolers are less effective due to the need for frequent water replenishment, slow cooling initiation, and the inability to reuse or easily clean the paper-like filters, which limits their cooling efficiency and requires constant water addition.
Innovation Solution
An evaporative air cooler design featuring a housing with a water tank, a misting structure, and a filter structure with sponge-like filters that can be soaked and reused, along with a v-shaped shroud to distribute mist effectively, allowing for instant and prolonged cooling without constant water replenishment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional paper-like filters are used in evaporative air coolers, then the cooling function is provided, but the filters cannot be reused or easily cleaned and must be replaced often
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the filter from conventional paper-like material to sponge material. This material parameter change enables the filter to be reusable and easily cleanable while maintaining its cooling function, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
2Reliability
If water is constantly added to replace evaporated water in conventional evaporative air coolers, then the cooling function is maintained, but water consumption increases and requires constant user intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service water management system where the sponge filter automatically absorbs and retains water, then releases it through evaporation to maintain cooling function. This eliminates the need for constant user intervention to add water, reducing both water consumption and maintenance effort while ensuring continuous cooling operation.
3Reliability
If conventional evaporative air coolers operate with a water-soaked filter device, then cooling is produced, but it takes time for the filter to soak up water before cooling begins
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-saturating the sponge filter with water before operation. The sponge material's high capillary action allows it to quickly absorb and distribute water throughout its structure in advance, eliminating the delay typically experienced when conventional filters need to soak up water during operation. This ensures immediate cooling production when the device is activated.
4Reliability
If the reservoir fully depletes of water but the filter device is soaked with water, then the evaporative air cooler can still produce cooler air, but it becomes less effective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the sponge filter's water content is continuously monitored and regulated. The sponge material's uniform water distribution capability ensures that water is evenly supplied to the evaporation surface, preventing the condition where the reservoir is depleted but the filter remains over-saturated. This feedback control maintains optimal cooling effectiveness throughout operation.
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 design enhances cooling efficiency by allowing instant cooling and prolonged operation with reduced water consumption, as the sponge filters can be reused and easily maintained, improving the overall performance and usability of the air cooler.
Implementation Method 1
The air releases heat to evaporate water trapped in the water-soaked filter device. The evaporated water cools the air as it leaves the water-soaked filter device and exits the evaporative air cooler.
Implementation Method 2
The evaporative air cooler is configured to cool the ambient air with the mist before exiting the evaporative air cooler
Implementation Method 3
The filter device includes filters typically made of a paper-like material that have to be replaced often. The plurality of filters are made of a sponge-like material
Data Source
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AI summary
An evaporative air cooler is described. The evaporative air cooler includes a water tank, a misting structure, a filter structure, and a fan. The water tank includes a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, wherein liquid enters the water tank through the liquid inlet and exits the water tank through the liquid outlet. The misting structure can be in liquid communication with the water tank and configured to produce a mist as the liquid flows through the liquid outlet. The filter structure has a plurality of filters positioned substantially parallel to each other and defining air gaps between the plurality of filters. The fan can be configured to draw ambient air into the evaporative air cooler and direct the ambient air through the filter structure and out of the evaporative air cooler, wherein the ambient air can be cooled before exiting the evaporative air cooler.