Heat-Pipe Dehumidifier Structure for Low-Power Humidity Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing humidity control apparatuses face challenges in achieving high dehumidifying efficiency while minimizing power consumption due to inefficient dehumidification processes in both vapor-compression and peltier element-based systems.

Innovation Solution

A humidity control apparatus featuring a dehumidifying part with a heat-pipe configuration, a heat-insulating part, and a peltier element that absorbs heat from one side to condense working fluid on the other side, enhancing dehumidification efficiency and reducing power requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a vapor-compression dehumidifier is used to achieve high dehumidification capacity, then the dehumidification capacity is great, but the power consumption increases and dehumidifying efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedehumidification capacityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The dehumidifier is divided into multiple independent dehumidification modules, each capable of operating autonomously. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high total dehumidification capacity through parallel operation of multiple units, while each individual module consumes less power, improving overall energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dehumidification modules utilize passive heat pipe technology for heat transfer without requiring external power input for the heat transfer process itself. The system serves itself by using the temperature difference and phase change of the working fluid to drive the dehumidification process, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining high dehumidification capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Use of energy by moving object

If a peltier element-based dehumidifier is used to reduce power consumption, then the required power is small, but the cooling capacity and dehumidifying efficiency are low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddehumidification capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the advantages of heat pipe technology (high efficiency, passive operation) with Peltier element technology (low power consumption, compact size). The hybrid design combines the high heat transfer efficiency of heat pipes with the electrical-driven cooling of Peltier elements, achieving both low power consumption and high dehumidification capacity simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The dehumidifier employs composite construction combining different materials and technologies - the heat pipe sections use specific working fluids and thermal conductive materials, while the Peltier sections use semiconductor materials. This composite approach allows the system to leverage the strengths of each material type to achieve optimal performance in both power consumption and dehumidification capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 improves dehumidifying efficiency while reducing power consumption by leveraging the heat-pipe phenomenon and peltier element heat management, eliminating the need for a wick and simplifying maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

a main body part that is configured to encapsulate a working fluid therein and to cause a heat-pipe phenomenon

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat-pipe phenomenon: Heat Pipe

Implementation Method 2

a heat absorption part that absorbs heat from a base side part located on one side of the main body part in relation to the heat-insulating part and thereby condenses the working fluid that evaporated into gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

condenses the working fluid that evaporated into gas in a front side part located on the other side of the main body part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 4

the dehumidifying part dehumidifies the air by means of condensation of moisture on a surface of the front side part of the main body part where the working fluid in liquid form evaporates therein

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 5

a heat-insulating part fitted externally to the main body part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS10012400B2Humidity control apparatus, environment test apparatus, and temperature and humidity control apparatus
Publication Date: 2018.07.03 ESPEC CORP
  • US10012400B2 patent drawing
  • US10012400B2 patent drawing
  • US10012400B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A humidity control apparatus has a humidity control apparatus having a humidifying part for humidifying air and a dehumidifying part for dehumidifying to control humidity of a humidity control space. The dehumidifying part has: a main body part that is configured to encapsulate a working fluid therein and to cause a heat-pipe phenomenon. A heat-insulating part fits externally to the main body part and a heat absorption part absorbs heat from a base side part located on one side of the main body part in relation to the heat-insulating part and thereby condenses the working fluid that evaporated into gas in a front side part located on the other side of the main body part in relation to the heat-insulating part. The dehumidifying part dehumidifies the air by means of the front side part of the main body part where the working fluid in liquid form evaporates.