Evaporative personal air cooler
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional evaporative air coolers are less effective due to the need for constant water replenishment, slow cooling initiation, and the inefficiency of paper-like filters that cannot be reused or easily cleaned, leading to reduced performance and increased maintenance.
Innovation Solution
An evaporative air cooler design featuring a water tank, misting structure, and filter structure with sponge material filters that can be soaked, reused, and easily cleaned, along with a fan that directs ambient air through the misting structure for instant and prolonged cooling, allowing for variable fan speeds and water flow control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional paper-like filters are used in evaporative air coolers, then the initial cooling function is provided, but the filters cannot be reused or easily cleaned requiring frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the filter from conventional paper-like material to sponge material. This parameter change enables the filter to be reusable and easily cleaned, eliminating the need for frequent replacements while maintaining effective air filtration and cooling functionality throughout the device's operation.
2Reliability
If water is constantly added to replace evaporated water in conventional evaporative air coolers, then continuous cooling operation is maintained, but user burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service water management system where a pump automatically draws water from a reservoir and distributes it through a distribution system to the filter when water levels are low. This automated mechanism eliminates the need for manual water replenishment by the user while ensuring continuous cooling operation is maintained.
3Reliability
If conventional evaporative air coolers are used, then cooling function is provided, but there is a delay before cooling begins as filters must soak up water first
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-soaking the sponge filter with water before the device is activated. This preliminary saturation of the filter ensures that cooling begins immediately when the device is turned on, eliminating the delay that occurs in conventional devices where the filter must first absorb water from the reservoir.
4Reliability
If conventional evaporative air coolers operate, then air cooling is produced, but effectiveness decreases when filters are not fully soaked or water is depleted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms including water level sensors that detect when water levels are low and automatically trigger the pump to replenish water, and a timer that monitors operation duration to prompt filter replacement. These feedback systems ensure cooling effectiveness is maintained by automatically adjusting water distribution and reminding users of maintenance needs.
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 for instant air cooling, reduced maintenance through reusable filters, and prolonged operation without frequent water refills, while maintaining effective performance even when the water tank is depleted.
Implementation Method 1
The misting structure is configured to evaporate a liquid to form a mist within the portable evaporative air cooler
Implementation Method 2
evaporate a liquid to form a mist
Implementation Method 3
The filter structure includes with a plurality of filters configured to absorb the mist
Implementation Method 4
The plurality of filters can be formed of a sponge material
Implementation Method 5
the fan directs the ambient air thorough the filter structure and out of the portable evaporative air cooler
Data Source
AI summary
An evaporative air cooler for cooling ambient air includes a housing, a tank, a misting structure, a filter structure, and a fan. The housing includes a top panel, a bottom panel, and side panels defining an interior of the evaporative air cooler. The tank is positioned adjacent to the top panel and at least one of the side panels. The tank receives, stores, and releases liquid. The misting structure comprises a mister and a misting structure coupling and creates a mist within the evaporative air cooler. The filter structure has a plurality of filters for absorbing the mist. The fan draws the ambient air into the evaporative air cooler and directs the ambient air through the filter structure and out of the evaporative air cooler. The evaporative air cooler cools the ambient air by at least one of the mist and the filter structure before exiting the evaporative air cooler.