humidifier
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional humidifiers face issues with non-uniform mist distribution and poor hygiene due to irregular mist release and water accumulation along the discharge opening, which extends along the circumference of the case.
Innovation Solution
A humidifier design featuring a guide with a sloping upward guide wall and a ring-shaped discharge opening, where the guide rim protrudes more towards the humidification flow path as it approaches the outlet, ensuring uniform mist distribution and facilitating water collection and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the discharge opening extends along the circumference of the case to increase mist release amount, then the surface area for water supply is widened, but the mist distribution becomes non-uniform and water accumulates along the discharge opening
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge opening is segmented into multiple discrete openings arranged circumferentially rather than a continuous opening. This segmentation allows each opening to be precisely controlled for uniform mist distribution while collectively providing sufficient mist release quantity. The guide structure is also segmented with multiple guide walls corresponding to different regions of the humidification flow path.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the discharge opening and guide structure are designed with locally optimized characteristics. The guide walls have varying distances from the humidification flow path, and the discharge openings are strategically positioned to ensure uniform mist distribution across different circumferential locations. This local optimization resolves the contradiction between overall mist quantity and local uniformity.
2Quantity of substance
If the discharge opening extends along the circumference of the case, then more mist can be released, but water drops form and accumulate making hygiene control difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure is designed to extract and remove water drops from the humidification flow path before they can accumulate at the discharge opening. The guide walls direct water drops toward collection points where they can be efficiently removed, preventing hygiene issues while maintaining the circumferential discharge opening for sufficient mist release.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure acts as an intermediary between the humidification flow path and the discharge opening. It mediates the flow of both mist and water, directing mist toward uniform distribution through discharge openings while channeling water drops to collection points for removal, thus preventing accumulation and hygiene problems.
3Manufacturing precision
If a guide structure is added to distribute mist uniformly, then mist distribution improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure is merged with the existing case and humidification assembly components rather than being a separate additive element. The guide walls are integrated into the housing structure, and the discharge openings are incorporated into the existing case design. This merging approach achieves uniform mist distribution without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it distributes mist uniformly through its wall geometry, facilitates water drop collection and removal, and maintains structural integration with the case. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving improved mist distribution.
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 design achieves uniform mist distribution along the circumference and simplifies the structure, improving hygiene by allowing easy removal of residual water and minimizing flow resistance.
Implementation Method 1
a guide disposed between the outlet and the humidification flow path and including a guide wall that slopes upward toward the humidification flow path from the outlet
Implementation Method 2
mist can be guided to the humidification flow path by the guide
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 discharge opening that opens toward the outside of the case; a fan disposed inside the case; a humidification assembly including a humidification chamber where mist is produced and an outlet through which the mist produced in the humidification chamber flows; a humidification flow path to which mist released through the outlet is admitted, and which extends from the top of the outlet and connects to the discharge opening; and guide disposed between the outlet and the humidification flow path and including a guide wall that slopes upward toward the humidification flow path from the outlet. Thus, the mist discharged from the outlet can be guided upward.