humidifier

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing humidifiers face issues such as frequent maintenance of humidifying media in natural evaporation, inefficient sterilization and humidification in ultrasonic vibration methods, and safety concerns with direct discharge of hot humidified air in heating evaporation, particularly due to the interconnected water heating and humidifying spaces which hinder complete sterilization and reliable operation of ultrasonic vibrators.

Innovation Solution

A humidifier design featuring a dual-chamber structure with a first chamber for heating water and a second chamber for generating humidified air using heated water, where air flow is managed to cool the water before it reaches the second chamber, incorporating a fan to form air flows and guide air to the lower portion of the second chamber, and a temperature sensor to prevent high-temperature operation of the ultrasonic vibrator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If water heating temperature is maintained below a set temperature to protect the ultrasonic vibrator, then the vibrator reliability is improved, but the water sterilization effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibrator reliabilityVSAvoidwater sterilization effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The water tank is divided into two separate chambers: a first water tank for heating water to high temperatures for sterilization, and a second water tank for housing the ultrasonic vibrator at lower temperatures. This segmentation allows each chamber to operate at its optimal temperature without compromising the other, thus achieving both effective sterilization and vibrator protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ultrasonic vibrator is extracted from the high-temperature heating environment and placed in a separate low-temperature chamber. This extraction removes the vibrator from the harmful high-temperature zone, allowing the heating chamber to reach temperatures sufficient for complete water sterilization while the vibrator operates in a safe temperature range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If water is heated to sterilize and sent to the ultrasonic vibrator, then the water sterilization is improved, but the ultrasonic vibrator may malfunction due to high temperature

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater sterilizationVSAvoidultrasonic vibrator operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into a heating chamber for sterilization and a humidification chamber for vibrator operation. Water is heated in the first chamber, then transferred to the second chamber where the vibrator operates. This spatial segmentation ensures that the vibrator never directly contacts high-temperature water, preventing malfunction while maintaining sterilization effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A temperature control mechanism acts as an intermediary between the heating process and the vibrator. The system heats water to sterilization temperatures, then allows it to cool to a safe temperature before introducing it to the ultrasonic vibrator chamber. This intermediary cooling step ensures both sterilization and vibrator protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If hot humidified air is discharged directly from the heating chamber, then the humidification efficiency is improved, but safety accidents may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehumidification efficiencyVSAvoidsafety hazards from hot air
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge system is segmented into separate outlets: one for hot sterilized air from the heating chamber and another for cool humidified air from the vibrator chamber. This segmentation allows the system to discharge both air streams independently, enabling efficient humidification while providing a safe cool outlet that prevents burn hazards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cool humidified air is extracted from the heating chamber and discharged separately through a dedicated outlet. This extraction of cool air from the hot environment allows the system to maintain high humidification efficiency while providing a safe discharge that does not pose burn risks to users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Device complexity

If a single chamber is used for both heating and humidifying, then the device complexity is reduced, but the water cannot be completely sterilized while protecting the vibrator

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechamber structureVSAvoidsterilization and vibrator operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The single chamber is divided into two separate chambers: a first chamber for heating water to sterilization temperatures and a second chamber for housing the ultrasonic vibrator. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing each chamber to perform its specific function at the appropriate temperature, achieving complete sterilization and vibrator protection while maintaining relatively simple overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This design ensures reliable operation of the ultrasonic vibrator by minimizing high-temperature exposure, effectively sterilizing and humidifying water, and improving the cooling of heated water before it is used, thereby enhancing the generation and distribution of humidified air while ensuring safety and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a first chamber for heating water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a fan which is disposed below the second humidifying water tank, and forms an air flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection cooling: Convection

Implementation Method 3

a second chamber for generating humidified air by using water supplied from the first humidifying water tank through a vibrator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP4455572A1humidifier
Publication Date: 2024.10.30 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4455572A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4455572A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4455572A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a humidifier. The humidifier of the present invention includes a first humidifying water tank in which a first chamber for heating water is formed; a second humidifying water tank which is connected to the first humidifying water tank, and has a second chamber for generating humidified air by using water supplied from the first humidifying water tank through a vibrator; a fan which is disposed below the second humidifying water tank, and forms an air flow; and a connection pipe which sends water stored in the first humidifying water tank to the second humidifying water tank, wherein, an exhaust hole for discharging humidified air generated in the second chamber to the outside, and an air supply hole for supplying air flowing by the fan to the second chamber are formed in the second humidifying water tank, wherein, a lower extension wall, which is disposed between the exhaust hole and the air supply hole, and guides air flowing into the second chamber through the air supply hole to a lower portion of the second chamber, is disposed in the second humidifying water tank.