Humidifier-Air Cleaner Bridge Structure for Separate Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Typical humidifiers and air cleaners are limited in that they cannot separately operate their humidification or air cleaning functions, and they often have weak air cleaning capabilities when used for humidification, requiring separate purchases and lacking intuitive humidity state monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A humidification and air cleaning apparatus with a bridge structure that guides water from an upper tank to a lower tank, allowing separate operation of humidification and air cleaning functions, and featuring a waterdrop prevention flow passage to prevent direct water droplet impact on the water surface, along with a visual indication of the humidification state through a transparent material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a typical humidifier is used for both humidification and air cleaning, then the device can perform multiple functions, but the air cleaning function becomes weak and cannot operate separately
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into distinct 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 perform its designated function effectively while enabling independent operation of either function.
2Device complexity
If water flows directly from upper tank to lower tank, then the structure is simple, but water drops impact the water surface causing noise and potential overflow
Solution Approach 1:
A bridge structure with a waterdrop prevention flow passage is introduced as an intermediary element between the upper and lower water tanks. This bridge guides water flow and prevents direct impact on the water surface, eliminating noise and overflow issues while maintaining structural efficiency.
3Device complexity
If the humidification process is not visible, then the device design is simple, but the user cannot intuitively know the humidification state
Solution Approach 1:
The upper water tank is formed with a transparent material that allows users to visually observe water drops forming on the humidification medium and flowing down the inner side surface. This transparency provides intuitive feedback on the humidification state without adding complex monitoring systems.
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 effective and intuitive operation of both humidification and air cleaning functions, providing a comprehensive solution for humidity control and air purification without the need for separate devices, while visually indicating the humidification process.
Implementation Method 1
a water tank humidification medium formed of a material capable of absorbing water and covering the air wash inlet and providing humidification on air passing through the air wash inlet
Implementation Method 2
a watering unit disposed inside the lower water tank and spraying water stored in the lower water tank to an inner side surface of the upper water tank; and a reservoir temporarily storing water flowing down along the inner side surface of the upper water tank
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a humidification and air cleaning apparatus. The humidification and air cleaning apparatus includes a lower water tank storing water, an upper water tank located at an upper part of the lower water tank, an air wash inlet disposed between the upper water tank and the lower water tank, through which air flows from the outside into the inside, and a bridge disposed across the air wash inlet and connecting the lower water tank and the upper water tank.