Humidifier Light Source Isolation to Prevent Moisture Short Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional humidifiers face issues with lamp submersion and short circuits due to exposure to humidified air, posing risks to user safety and device durability.
Innovation Solution
The humidifier design includes a light source isolated from the discharge flow path by an inner shell, with a middle tray and light diffuser assembly that prevents moisture from reaching the light source, and a gasket to reduce moisture penetration, enhancing durability and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the light source is disposed inside the water tank where water is stored, then the lamp can illuminate the water, but the lamp is submerged and short circuit occurs posing risk to user safety
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional zones: the water storage tank and the light source housing are physically separated by the inner shell. The light source is positioned in a dedicated space outside the water tank, eliminating direct contact between electrical components and water, thus preventing short circuits while maintaining illumination functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner shell acts as an intermediary barrier between the light source and the water/humidified air. This intermediate structure provides physical isolation and protection, allowing the light source to illuminate the water indirectly through the transparent tank wall without being exposed to moisture or electrical contact risks.
2Illumination intensity
If the light source is exposed to the space where humidified air flows, then the light can illuminate the discharged air, but submersion occurs accordingly
Solution Approach 1:
The internal space is segmented into distinct functional zones using the inner shell. The light source is positioned in a protected zone separated from the humidified air discharge flow path, allowing illumination to occur without direct exposure to moisture-laden air that would cause submersion and degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner shell serves as an intermediary protective barrier between the light source and the humidified air environment. This intermediate structure prevents moisture penetration to the light source while still allowing the light to illuminate the humidified air discharge, maintaining both functionality and durability.
3Reliability
If the light source is isolated from the discharge flow path by an inner shell, then the risk of submersion and short circuits is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inner shell performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the device, creates the water storage tank boundary, and acts as a protective barrier isolating the light source from humidified air. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate protective components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective housing structure and the light source mounting structure are merged into a single integrated unit. The inner shell simultaneously serves as the protective barrier and the structural framework for positioning the light source, combining multiple structural functions into one component to minimize 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
This design effectively reduces the risk of submersion and short circuits, ensuring the light source remains dry and the device operates safely and durably.
Implementation Method 1
a light source which is disposed outside the inner shell, and emits light
Implementation Method 2
an annular light diffuser which forms an inner circumference, is made of a light-transmissive material, and covers an inner surface of the plurality of light sources
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to humidifier. The humidifier of the present invention includes a case; a humidifying device which is disposed inside the case, and generates humidified air; and a light source which is disposed inside the case, and emits light, wherein the case includes an inner shell which is disposed on an upper side of the humidifying device, and in which a first discharge flow path through which the humidified air flows is formed, wherein the light source is disposed outside the inner shell.