Humidifier Mist Outlet Structure for Easy Refilling and Cleaning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional humidifiers face issues such as inconvenient water filling due to the placement of the water container, condensate water contamination, frequent refilling, and difficulty in cleaning, which affect user convenience, safety, and indoor space cleanliness.

Innovation Solution

A humidifier design featuring a tank holder that covers the outer periphery of the tank, allowing easy insertion and removal, with a discharge flow path and sub guide for uniform mist distribution, and a loop-shaped outlet for efficient mist discharge, along with a tank handle for easy handling and a feed guide for coupling the feeder and intake unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the water container is disposed on a lower side of the main body, then the humidifier structure is stable, but the user has to remove the main body and discharge member to fill the water container, causing inconvenience and time loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehumidifier structure stabilityVSAvoidwater filling convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The humidifier is divided into separate modules: a removable water container, a main body, and a discharge member. The water container can be independently removed from the main body without dismantling other components, enabling easy refilling while maintaining structural stability during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The water container is designed with dynamic accessibility - it can be easily inserted and removed from the main body. The container includes a handle for easy gripping and a opening mechanism that allows quick access without requiring removal of the entire main body assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the user removes parts to fill the water container, then water filling is accessible, but condensate water may drip from removed parts onto the floor, causing contamination and slipping hazards

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater filling accessibilityVSAvoidindoor space contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A receiving tray is introduced as an intermediary component between the water container and the floor. The tray is positioned to catch any condensate water that may drip during container removal or filling operations, preventing water from reaching the floor and eliminating the contamination and slipping hazards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If the water container has a narrow opening for water pouring, then the container structure is compact, but it becomes difficult for the user to clean the inside of the container

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer compactnessVSAvoidcontainer cleaning difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The water container is segmented into a removable lid and a body portion. The lid can be completely detached from the body, providing wide access to the interior space for easy cleaning. This segmentation allows the container to maintain a compact overall form while enabling straightforward maintenance and hygiene care.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Volume of moving object

If the water container has small capacity, then the container size is compact, but the user has to fill the container frequently, increasing time and effort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer sizeVSAvoidrefilling frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The water container adopts a tall and narrow cylindrical design rather than a wide shallow form. This vertical orientation maximizes water storage capacity within a compact footprint, allowing the container to hold sufficient water for extended periods while maintaining a space-saving profile that fits easily on desks or shelves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Enhances user convenience by simplifying water filling and cleaning, reduces condensate water retention, and ensures uniform humidification, maintaining indoor space cleanliness and reducing noise and vibration.

Implementation Method 1

The humidifier is able to create humidified air by vaporizing water by natural evaporation, evaporation by heating, ultrasonic vibration, etc.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP4390255A1humidifier
Publication Date: 2024.06.26 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4390255A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4390255A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4390255A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a humidifier. A humidifier of the present disclosure includes: a humidification unit for generating mist; a flow path body disposed above the humidification unit, that has a discharge flow path having an annular cross-section through which mist released from the humidification unit flows; and a plurality of guide vanes disposed on the discharge flow path, slanted from the vertical, wherein the plurality of guide vanes may be spaced apart from each other along the periphery of the discharge flow path.