Humidifier Flow Path Segmentation for Clean Heated Air Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional humidifiers face issues with cleanliness due to stagnant water, contamination from fine dust, and inefficient air heating, leading to unsatisfactory humidified air quality and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A humidifier design that separates and combines humidification and cleaning flow paths, incorporates a heating device to optimize air heating and humidification, and guides air flow to minimize resistance and improve efficiency, using a fan and heating chamber to mix heated air with humidified air for improved cleanliness and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a monolithic flow path is used for humidified air, then the device structure is simple, but the cleanliness of humidified air deteriorates due to contamination from fine dust and stagnant water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the flow path into separate cleaning flow path and humidification flow path. The cleaning flow path includes a cleaning chamber with water circulation for removing fine dust, while the humidification flow path includes a humidification chamber for adding moisture. This segmentation allows each path to perform its specific function optimally, preventing cross-contamination and improving air cleanliness.
2Device complexity
If water remains in the water reservoir, then the device structure is simple, but the cleanliness deteriorates due to stagnant water contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a water circulation system with a pump that continuously circulates water through the cleaning chamber. The water flows from the water reservoir through the cleaning chamber where it captures fine dust, then returns to the reservoir. This continuous circulation prevents water stagnation, maintains water cleanliness, and sustains the dust removal function without requiring frequent manual water changes.
3Device complexity
If heated air and humidified air are supplied separately, then the flow path structure is simple, but the energy consumption increases due to continuous heater operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heating function into the humidification flow path by positioning the heater within the humidification chamber. The heater heats the humidified air as it passes through the humidification chamber, combining two functions (humidification and heating) into a single integrated process. This allows the heater to operate only when humidification is needed and at lower power levels, reducing overall energy consumption compared to separate heating and humidification systems.
4Device complexity
If the heater operates continuously with small heating load, then the temperature control is simple, but the energy consumption increases and air temperature becomes unnecessarily high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic heater control that adjusts the heater operation based on the actual heating load requirements. The controller monitors the heating demand and activates the heater only when necessary and at the appropriate power level. This dynamic control prevents continuous operation at full power during small heating loads, optimizing energy consumption while maintaining effective temperature control through coordinated operation with the humidification process.
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 provides clean, efficiently heated, and humidified air while reducing energy consumption and flow resistance, enhancing the overall performance of the humidifier.
Implementation Method 1
a heating device including a heating chamber internally having a heating space and a heater attached to the heating chamber
Implementation Method 2
a humidification device including a humidification chamber internally having a humidification space and a vibrating device attached to the humidification chamber
Implementation Method 3
a fan disposed inside the case
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a humidifier. A humidifier according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a case with an intake opening; a fan disposed inside the case; and a humidification assembly that sprays supplied water, wherein the humidification assembly includes: a heating device including a heating chamber internally a heating space and a heater attached to the heating chamber; a humidification device including a humidification chamber internally having a humidification space and a vibrating device attached to the humidification chamber; an inlet disposed downstream of the fan and connected to the humidification space; and a connector through which air in the heating space flows, and that connects the heating space and the humidification space. Thus, warm humidified air can be supplied by combining humidified air and heated air.