Humidification module for an air treatment apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air treatment apparatuses often compromise on either air purifying or humidifying features, and there is a need for a humidification module that can enhance air cleaning capabilities and be easily integrated with stand-alone air purifying devices, allowing for control over the degree of humidification.
Innovation Solution
An air treatment apparatus with a humidification attachment module that provides two flow paths, one for humidified air and one for dry air, using a fluid dispensing unit and flow dividing unit to control the ratio of humidified to dry air, allowing for adjustable humidification levels without requiring a separate ventilating unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a combined air purifying and humidifying apparatus is used, then both purifying and humidifying features are provided, but the apparatus structure becomes complex and manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the air treatment apparatus into separate functional modules: an air purification module and a humidification attachment module. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall structure by enabling optional configuration - users can have purification alone or purification plus humidification, avoiding the complexity of a permanently integrated combined design.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet grille is designed with dual functionality: it can serve as a simple outlet cover for the air purification module, or it can be configured with the humidification attachment module to become a multi-functional component that handles both purified air outlet and humidified air distribution. This universal design reduces the need for additional specialized components.
2Ease of operation
If a humidification module with adjustable humidification levels is provided, then controllability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow dividing unit is designed to be adjustable, allowing dynamic control over the ratio of humidified air to dry air in the outlet flow. This dynamic adjustability enables users to control the degree of humidification according to their needs. The adjustability is achieved through simple mechanical means (such as adjustable baffles or dampers) rather than complex electronic control systems, thereby maintaining ease of operation while avoiding excessive complexity.
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 enhances the air cleaning capability of air purifying apparatuses by allowing for adjustable humidification levels, improving operational performance and controllability, and can be easily integrated with existing air purifying devices without adding redundant components.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid dispensing unit for a humidification fluid that is supplied by a fluid reservoir
Implementation Method 2
a flow dividing unit, wherein the first flow path bypasses the fluid dispensing unit, wherein the second flow path passes through the fluid dispensing unit, and wherein the flow dividing unit is operable to divide an overall flow through the humidification module into a first flow path component and a second flow path component
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an humidification attachment module (66) arranged to be coupled with an air treatment apparatus (10), the module comprising a fluid dispensing unit (88) for a humidification fluid that is supplied by a fluid reservoir (86), a flow inlet (74) for an inlet air flow (120), a first flow path defined between the flow inlet (74) and a first flow outlet (76), a second flow path defined between the flow inlet (74) and a second flow outlet (78), and a flow dividing unit (100), wherein the first flow path bypasses the fluid dispensing unit (88), wherein the second flow path passes through the fluid dispensing unit (88), and wherein the flow dividing unit (100) is operable to divide an overall flow through the humidification module into a first flow path component (122) and a second flow path component (124). The present disclosure further relates to air treatment apparatus (10) and to a method of augmenting an air treatment apparatus (10).