Humidifier Water Circulation and Filtration Against Scale Buildup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Humidifying apparatuses face issues with contamination due to minerals and organic matter in water, leading to discoloration, odor, and noise, requiring frequent cleaning, which is inconvenient for users.
Innovation Solution
A humidifying apparatus with a filter assembly to remove minerals and organic matter from water, incorporating a pump and flow passages to recover residual water and circulate filtered water, reducing contamination and the need for frequent cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If water is used directly from ground water or tap water, then the humidifying operation can be performed, but minerals and organic matter precipitate into scale and residue causing discoloration, odor, and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by installing a filter assembly before the humidifying unit to remove minerals and organic matter from water in advance. The filter assembly includes a filter cartridge with filtering elements that pre-treat the water, preventing scale and residue formation before the water reaches the humidifying unit, thereby avoiding discoloration, odor, and noise issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a filter assembly as a mediating component between the water source and the humidifying unit. The filter assembly acts as an intermediary that processes the water, removing harmful minerals and organic matter while allowing clean water to pass through to the humidifying unit, thus preventing contamination without stopping the humidifying operation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the humidifying unit is cleaned periodically to prevent discoloration and odor, then hygiene is maintained, but user convenience is reduced due to frequent maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by implementing an automatic water circulation system with a pump and flow passages that continuously circulate water through the humidifying unit and back to the water tank. This self-circulating system prevents scale and residue accumulation through continuous movement and filtration, eliminating the need for manual cleaning by the user while maintaining hygiene.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuity of useful action through a water circulation system that operates continuously during humidifying operation. The pump continuously moves water through the humidifying unit and filter assembly, ensuring constant filtration and preventing sedimentation of minerals and organic matter, thereby maintaining cleanliness without requiring periodic manual intervention.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a filter assembly is installed to remove minerals and organic matter, then contamination is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the filter assembly with the existing water tank and humidifying unit structure. The filter cartridge is positioned within the water tank, and the flow passages are incorporated into the existing apparatus design, combining multiple functions (filtration, water storage, and humidification) into a unified system that prevents contamination without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing the filter assembly and water circulation system to serve multiple purposes: filtering minerals and organic matter, enabling continuous water circulation, preventing scale formation, and maintaining hygiene. This multi-functional design achieves contamination prevention while minimizing additional complexity by combining several benefits into a single integrated system.
4Loss of substance
If residual water is recovered and circulated back to the water tank, then water is conserved and filtration is continuous, but the flow passage structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nested doll by positioning the flow passages and pump within the existing water tank structure. The circulation system is nested within the available space of the water tank, with flow passages routed through the tank walls and internal structures, allowing water recovery and circulation without requiring separate external components or significantly increasing overall device complexity.
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
The solution effectively prevents contamination of the humidifying unit, reducing maintenance needs and user inconvenience by continuously filtering and recycling water, thus maintaining the apparatus's performance and hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
a filter assembly configured to filter the water stored in the water tank
Implementation Method 2
a humidifying assembly configured to perform humidification by absorbing and vaporizing the water filtered by the filter assembly
Implementation Method 3
a pump connected to the flow passage, wherein the residual water remaining after being absorbed in the humidifying assembly is pumped by the pump and recovered in the water tank
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are a humidifying apparatus which may be prevented from being contaminated. A humidifying apparatus comprises a water tank configured to store water, a filter assembly configured to filter the water stored in the water tank and a humidifying assembly configured to perform humidification by absorbing and vaporizing the water filtered by the filter assembly, a drain flow passage provided at a lower surface of the humidifying assembly, wherein residual water remaining after being absorbed in the humidifying assembly is recovered in the water tank via the drain flow passage, and a guide rib configured to guide the water recovered in the water tank is provided in the water tank.