Evaporative Air Cooler Sponge Filtration for Instant Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional evaporative air coolers are inefficient due to the need for constant water replenishment, slow cooling initiation, and uneven air distribution, as they rely on paper-like filters that are not reusable and require time to soak up water before cooling can begin.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a housing with a water tank, a fan, and a filter structure with sponge material filters that can be presoaked and reused, featuring a misting system to enhance cooling efficiency and a directional airflow mechanism for improved distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional evaporative air coolers use paper-like filters that soak up water, then the filters can be water-soaked for evaporative cooling, 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 paper-like material to sponge material. This parameter change enables the filter to be reusable and easily cleanable, resolving the contradiction between filter reusability and maintenance complexity. The sponge material can be repeatedly soaked with water and cleaned without degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses sponge material which is a composite structure with interconnected pores. This composite material structure allows water to be retained within the pores while maintaining mechanical integrity, enabling reuse and easy cleaning compared to paper-like materials.
2Productivity
If conventional evaporative air coolers rely on filter devices soaking up water, then the cooling process can begin, but it takes a considerable period of time for the filter device to soak up water before cooling can begin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-soaking the sponge filter with water before the cooling process begins. The pump system is designed to efficiently saturate the sponge material quickly, so that when cooling is needed, the filter is already ready to immediately evaporate water and cool the air, eliminating the soaking wait time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a pump system (hydraulic component) to rapidly deliver water to the sponge filter, ensuring quick saturation. The water distribution mechanism uses fluid dynamics to efficiently permeate water through the sponge material, reducing the time required for the filter to become water-soaked and ready for cooling.
3Ease of operation
If conventional evaporative air coolers are stationary and blow cooled air in only one direction, then the structure is simple, but the distribution of cooled air is uneven in a room
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the air outlet directional rather than fixed. The housing can be oriented in different directions, and the air outlet can be positioned to blow cooled air toward different areas of the room. This dynamic positioning capability improves air distribution uniformity without requiring complex internal airflow 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
This configuration provides instant and prolonged cooling, reduces water consumption, and ensures even air distribution, with the ability to reuse filters for extended periods, addressing the inefficiencies of conventional evaporative air coolers.
Implementation Method 1
The filters can be presoaked with water and reused... As warm air passes through the water-soaked filters, heat from the ambient air evaporates water trapped in the water-soaked filter device
Implementation Method 2
heat from the ambient air evaporates water trapped in the water-soaked filter device. The evaporated water cools the air as it leaves the water-soaked filter device
Implementation Method 3
The fan draws outside air into the evaporative air cooler, pushes it through the filter device to produce cooler air, and then pushes the cooler air out of the evaporative air cooler
Data Source
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AI summary
An evaporative air cooling tower includes a housing, a fan at least partially disposed within the housing, and a drawer at least partially disposed within the housing. The drawer includes a liquid tank configured for storing liquid and receiving an ice pack and a pump therein. The evaporative air cooling tower further includes a hose connector positioned adjacent to a top portion of the housing and a first hose disposed within the housing. The first hose includes a first end connected to the pump and a second end connected to the hose connector, such that the pump is configured to pump the liquid stored in the liquid tank to the hose connector through the first hose.