Evaporative Humidifier Annular Air Outlet for Low-Noise Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional evaporative humidifiers suffer from inefficient air flow and noise due to large-area grilles that redirect air, limiting user interface space and reducing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An evaporative humidifier design featuring a fan unit within a fan housing with an annular air outlet at the top cover, allowing for a larger user interface and improved airflow, combined with an aerodynamic design and a float system for water level control, enabling intuitive airflow strength feedback and efficient humidification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If large-area grilles are used to redirect humidified air, then air flow redirection is achieved, but user interface space is reduced and efficiency is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The top cover is segmented into distinct functional zones: an annular air outlet region for efficient air discharge and a central region for the user interface. This segmentation allows the air outlet to be positioned at the periphery while preserving the central area for controls and display, resolving the conflict between air flow requirements and user interface space.
Solution Approach 2:
The air outlet is transitioned from a traditional large central grille to an annular (ring-shaped) outlet at the periphery of the top cover. This dimensional repositioning allows the main body of the top cover to remain available for user interface elements, while still providing adequate air discharge area through the annular configuration.
2Productivity
If large-area grilles are used to redirect air, then air flow is redirected, but pressure drop increases and fan efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The internal surface of the top cover incorporates an aerodynamic design with streamlined contours and convex shapes in the air flow path. This local optimization of surface geometry reduces turbulence and pressure drop in the critical air discharge region, improving fan efficiency without requiring large-area grilles.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If large-area grilles are used to redirect air, then air flow redirection is achieved, but noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the air outlet into an annular configuration at the periphery, the design eliminates the need for large central grilles that create noise through turbulent air redirection. The segmented annular outlets provide smoother air flow with reduced noise while preserving central user interface space.
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
Enhances airflow efficiency, reduces noise, and provides a convenient user interface for controlling humidification, while ensuring accurate humidity sensing and easy maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
The wick unit is configured to absorb water from the water reservoir
Implementation Method 2
The fan unit is arranged within a fan housing and configured to force an air flow to flow through the wick unit
Implementation Method 3
a bottom wall of the top cover unit has an overall shape of an aerodynamic design for directing air in the fan housing to flow toward the annular air outlet
Implementation Method 4
the float is guided by the wick holder and buoyed by the water in the water reservoir so that the operation of the evaporative humidifier is controlled based on, at least in part, the water level in the water reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an evaporative humidifier including a water reservoir, a wick unit and a fan unit. The wick unit is configured to absorb water from the water reservoir. The fan unit is arranged within a fan housing and configured to force an air flow to flow through the wick unit. The fan housing comprises a top cover unit defining at least one annular air outlet at an outer part adjacent a circumference of the top cover unit. One of the main advantages of this invention is that the evaporative humidifier has an optimal air flow path and can operate in a low noise. The invention also relates to an indoor climate controlling system using such an evaporative humidifier.