Humidifier and air-conditioning apparatus including humidifier

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional humidifiers with wave-shaped diffusing members made of resin fibers face issues with uneven water distribution when the diffusing member is inclined, leading to decreased humidification performance.

Innovation Solution

A humidifier design featuring a plate-shaped diffusing member positioned below the water supply, with a humidifying member that evaporates water and a presser member applying pressure to ensure even water distribution, allowing for effective humidification even when the diffusing member is not horizontal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a wave-shaped diffusing member made of resin fibers is used, then water can easily drop from wave troughs and infiltrate the humidifying member, but the diffusing member cannot maintain a horizontal state when inclined, causing uneven water distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of water infiltrationVSAvoiduniformity of water distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the diffusing member by providing both inclined surfaces and horizontal surfaces. The horizontal surfaces ensure that water can evenly infiltrate into the humidifying member regardless of the overall inclination of the diffusing member, while the inclined surfaces facilitate water flow toward the horizontal portions. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between ease of infiltration and uniformity of distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the diffusing member is inclined, then installation flexibility is improved, but water concentrates at certain wave troughs and does not evenly supply the entire humidifying member

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoiduniformity of water distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The diffusing member is segmented into multiple surface types: inclined surfaces that facilitate water flow and horizontal surfaces that ensure even distribution. This segmentation allows different portions of the diffusing member to perform different functions, maintaining uniform water distribution even when the overall structure is inclined during installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the diffusing member are given different local qualities: inclined surfaces for water flow guidance and horizontal surfaces for even water infiltration. This local differentiation ensures that regardless of the global inclination, the local horizontal surfaces maintain uniform water distribution to the humidifying member.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If a conventional vaporizing humidification method is used, then the structure is simple, but the humidification performance decreases when the diffusing member is not horizontal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidhumidification performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the diffusing member by incorporating horizontal surfaces alongside inclined surfaces. This parameter change maintains the simplicity of the vaporizing humidification structure while significantly improving reliability by ensuring uniform water distribution to the humidifying member regardless of installation inclination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 configuration ensures even water supply to the entire humidifying member, enhancing humidification performance and maintaining effectiveness regardless of the diffusing member's orientation.

Implementation Method 1

a diffusing member having a plate-shape, being provided below the water supply portion, and being configured to diffuse the water supplied from the water supply portion in a plane direction and in a thickness direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

a humidifying member fixed, with a top surface in contact with the diffusing member, the humidifying member being configured to evaporate the water supplied from the diffusing member via the top surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS10451299B2Humidifier and air-conditioning apparatus including humidifier

Publication Date: 2019.10.22 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

A humidifier includes: a water supply portion (supply pipe, supply part, and nozzle) to supply water; a flat-shaped diffusing member that is provided below the water supply portion, and diffuses the water supplied from the water supply portion in a plane direction and in a thickness direction; a humidifying member that is fixed and has a top surface in contact with and the diffusing member, and evaporates the water supplied from the diffusing member via the top surface; and fixing parts that apply pressure to at least a part of a portion of contact between the diffusing member and the humidifying member.