Humidifier Filter Wick Dechlorination via Ascorbic Acid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Evaporative humidifiers often release undesirable chlorine species, such as hypochlorous acid and chloramine, into the air when using treated water, which is inconvenient and expensive to mitigate using distilled water.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating dechlorination agents like ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, sulfur compounds, or activated carbon into the filter wick material of humidifiers to neutralize or adsorb chlorine species, ensuring clean water vapor is released into the air.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If treated water with chlorine is used in the humidifier reservoir, then the humidifier can operate conveniently and economically, but chlorine species are evaporated into the air causing harmful effects
Solution Approach 1:
The filter wick acts as an intermediary substance between the chlorine-containing water and the air. It selectively removes chlorine species through adsorption and chemical reaction while allowing water vapor to pass through, thus mediating the interaction between the harmful chlorine and the air without blocking the humidification function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful chlorine species into beneficial or harmless substances through chemical reactions in the filter wick. The dechlorination agents transform the harmful chlorine into chloride ions and other benign compounds, effectively turning the harmful factor into a benefit by eliminating the harmful effect while maintaining the useful humidification
2Object-generated harmful factors
If distilled water is used to eliminate chlorine species, then the air quality is improved, but the cost and inconvenience increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter wick is a disposable component that is relatively inexpensive compared to the cost of distilled water. It provides a temporary solution by removing chlorine species during its service life, then is replaced. This approach is economically advantageous and operationally simple, avoiding the need for expensive distilled water while maintaining air quality
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring distilled water as an intermediary, the patent uses a filter wick as an intermediary that actively removes chlorine species. This intermediary approach is more economical and convenient than using distilled water, as it allows the use of ordinary treated water while still achieving the desired air quality improvement
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
Effectively reduces the amount of chlorine species in the air, making it safe for household use without the need for distilled water, while maintaining the humidification benefits of evaporative humidifiers.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating dechlorination agents like ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, sulfur compounds, or activated carbon into the filter wick material of humidifiers to neutralize or adsorb chlorine species
Implementation Method 2
dechlorination agents are incorporated with the materials of the filter wick... neutralizes or otherwise removes unwanted chlorine species
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of stacked layers of a water retaining material capable of absorbing water and evaporating water
Implementation Method 4
water for absorption by the filter wick is held in a reservoir... water wicked through the filter wick
Data Source
AI summary
An evaporative element for use in a humidifier. In order to reduce the amount of chloride species evaporated into the air with the water, the evaporate element includes a dechlorination agent, such as sulfur compounds, ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, or combinations thereof. The dechlorination agent can be applied to the water retaining elements of the evaporate element or to the rigid members used to support the water retaining elements.