Water Filter Cartridge Airflow Blocking for Open-Tank Humidifiers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Humidifiers using tap water often produce 'white dust' due to mineral evaporation, which conventional demineralization cartridges partially address, but existing solutions are limited in applicability to specific tank types and operational principles.
Innovation Solution
A water filter cartridge with blocking means for the air flow path, allowing its use in both gravimetrically driven and vacuum-operated systems, and open water tanks, ensuring reliable filtration and complete tank emptying without the need for tank rotation, using valves or membranes for air flow control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If demineralization cartridges are used to reduce mineral content, then white dust formation is reduced, but the applicability is limited to specific tank types and operational principles
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow path with shut-off device enables the filter cartridge to function in multiple tank configurations (closed birdbath tanks and open tanks) by controlling air flow. The shut-off device allows the same cartridge design to adapt to different operational principles (gravimetrically driven and vacuum-operated systems), achieving universal applicability while maintaining filtration effectiveness across various humidifier types.
2Reliability
If filter cartridge is designed for closed tanks, then filtration is effective, but it cannot be used with open water tanks
Solution Approach 1:
The shut-off device provides dynamic control over air flow, allowing the filter cartridge to adapt its operation mode based on the tank type. For closed tanks, the shut-off device remains closed to maintain pressure differential for effective filtration. For open tanks, the shut-off device can be opened to allow air flow, enabling the same cartridge design to function effectively with both closed and open tank configurations.
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 significantly reduces 'white dust' formation across various humidifier systems, including those with open water tanks, by ensuring all water passes through the filter, enabling larger tank volumes and easier handling with extended operating times.
Implementation Method 1
a filter to reduce the mineral content of the tap water used in the humidifier, thus preventing 'white dust'
Implementation Method 2
air flows from below through the flow path into an otherwise closed water tank, and a corresponding volume of water to be treated by the water filter cartridge flows from the tank until the water level in a dispensing container, also called a drinking trough, has risen sufficiently to prevent air from entering the system below the bottom edge of a partition (implementing the principle of a birdbath), thus achieving pressure equalization within the system
Implementation Method 3
The hydraulic conditions force the water stored in the tank, which is to be treated by the water filter cartridge, through the inlet openings provided in the housing, over the filter section, and towards the filter cartridge outlet
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a water filter cartridge with a housing and a flow path for air for aerating a water tank that is stored and to be treated by the water filter cartridge. This is characterized in that blocking means are provided for the flow path for air, preferably in the form of a valve or a membrane.