Humidification Medium Layout for Quiet Air Cleaning Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing humidifiers and air cleaners lack the ability to operate separately for humidification and air cleaning functions, and typical humidifiers have weak air cleaning capabilities and noise issues due to water droplet noise.
Innovation Solution
A humidification and air cleaning apparatus that allows separate operation of humidification and air cleaning functions, features a water tank with a humidification medium that does not soak in water, and includes a structure to minimize noise by optimizing the water tank's design and using a dropping water preventing flow passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a typical humidifier uses a humidification filter that allows water to naturally evaporate, then humidification function is achieved, but the air cleaning function becomes weak and cannot operate separately
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into separate functional modules: an air cleaning module with filter assembly and a humidification module with water tank and humidification medium. This segmentation allows each module to operate independently - the air cleaner can run without water in the tank, and the humidifier can run without air cleaning, resolving the contradiction between separate operation capability and structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus integrates multiple functions into a single device that can perform air cleaning, humidification, or both simultaneously. The control unit enables the user to select different operating modes (air clean only, humidify only, or both), providing versatility while maintaining the ability to operate functions separately
2Productivity
If the humidification medium is placed inside the water tank to soak in water, then humidification efficiency is improved, but the medium cannot be quickly dried and may generate noise from dropping water
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the humidification medium horizontally inside the water tank where it would soak, the medium is positioned vertically above the water tank. Water is supplied upward to the medium through a water supply passage, allowing the medium to be wetted from below without being submerged. This dimensional change enables quick drying when not in use while maintaining high humidification efficiency during operation
Solution Approach 2:
A water supply passage acts as an intermediary between the water tank and the humidification medium. Water flows through this passage to wet the medium from the bottom, ensuring efficient humidification without direct contact between the medium and the water tank. This intermediary structure prevents the medium from soaking in water while still achieving effective moisture transfer
3Productivity
If water is sprayed onto the humidification medium to maintain moisture, then humidification performance is improved, but noise from dropping water increases
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful effect of dropping water noise is extracted and addressed by providing a separate water supply passage that delivers water directly to the humidification medium without water needing to drop from above. This eliminates the noise source while maintaining the necessary moisture supply for high humidification performance
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
Enables intuitive monitoring of humidification state, maintains the humidification medium in a dry state, quickly dries the water tank, and minimizes noise from water droplets, while preventing water leakage and facilitating easy cleaning and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a water tank humidification medium (51) disposed inside the water tank (300), spaced from water stored in the water tank, and covering the air wash inlet (31), formed of a material absorbing water, and humidifying air passing the air wash inlet (31)
Implementation Method 2
a watering housing (800) disposed inside the water tank (300), suctioning water of the water tank (300) thereinto, pumping the suctioned water to an upper side when rotating, and spraying the pumped water
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a humidification and air cleaning apparatus. The humidification and cleaning apparatus includes: a water tank storing water; an air wash inlet disposed in the water tank and communicating the inside of the water tank with the outside thereof; a water tank humidification medium covering the air wash inlet, formed of a material absorbing water, and humidifying air passing the air wash inlet; a watering housing disposed inside the water tank, suctioning water of the water tank thereinto, pumping the suctioned water to an upper side when rotating, and spraying the pumped water; and a watering motor providing a torque to the watering housing. Here, the water tank humidification medium is spaced from water stored in the water tank and is wetted by water sprayed from the watering unit.