humidifier
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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 structure with a sloping guide wall and guide rim that directs mist uniformly across the discharge opening, minimizing flow resistance and facilitating water removal, ensuring even distribution and improved hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a 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 accumulation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge opening is segmented into multiple sections along the circumferential direction, with each section having an independent mist supply path from the humidification chamber. This segmentation ensures that mist is supplied uniformly to each section rather than allowing accumulation in certain areas, thereby maintaining uniform mist distribution while preserving the increased total mist release amount provided by the extended discharge opening.
Solution Approach 2:
A guide structure is introduced as an intermediary component between the humidification chamber and the discharge opening. This guide includes a guide wall that slopes upward from the outlet toward the humidification chamber, directing mist flow along the sloping surface. The guide structure mediates the mist flow to ensure uniform distribution across all sections of the extended discharge opening, preventing water accumulation and maintaining hygiene.
2Productivity
If a discharge opening extends along the circumference of the case, then more mist can be released, but water drops formed on internal parts become hard to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The guide wall is designed with a specific slope angle that creates optimal water flow conditions. By setting the slope angle within a predetermined range, the guide wall ensures that water drops formed on internal parts can flow down easily under gravity toward the collection area, making water removal simple and effective while preserving the extended discharge opening configuration for increased mist release.
3Loss of time
If mist flows directly from the outlet to the discharge opening, then the flow path is short, but mist distribution along the circumference is non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure serves as an intermediary that the mist flow must pass through, extending the flow path from the outlet to the discharge opening. The guide wall with its specific slope angle directs mist to flow along its surface, ensuring uniform distribution across all sections of the discharge opening. This intermediary path, while longer than a direct path, guarantees uniform mist distribution and prevents water accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide wall is designed with different slope angles in different sections to optimize local mist flow characteristics. By adjusting the slope angle in each section, the design ensures that mist is distributed uniformly across the entire circumferential discharge opening, with each section receiving appropriate mist flow based on its specific position and requirements.
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 of the discharge opening and simplifies water removal, enhancing the hygiene and operational efficiency of the humidifier.
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
Figure 1
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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.