Humidifier Reflector Design for Uniform UV Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional humidifiers face issues with cleanliness due to stagnant water, leading to contaminated air and uneven ultraviolet sterilization, which affects hygiene and sterilization efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A humidifier design that includes a sterilizer with a reflector to ensure uniform diffusion of ultraviolet light within the humidification chamber, improving hygiene and sterilization efficiency by irradiating the internal space with UV light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sterilizer is installed inside the humidification device, then sterilization function is improved, but uniform diffusion of ultraviolet light throughout the device is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
A reflector is introduced as an intermediary component between the sterilizer and the humidification chamber walls. The reflector receives ultraviolet light from the sterilizer and redirects it to areas that would otherwise receive insufficient illumination, ensuring uniform diffusion of UV light throughout the entire humidification device including corners and remote areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflector is positioned at specific angles and orientations to redirect ultraviolet light in multiple directions. By changing the spatial dimension of light propagation through strategic placement of reflective surfaces, the system achieves comprehensive coverage of the humidification chamber that a single-point sterilizer cannot provide alone.
2Ease of manufacture
If stagnant water is present in the humidification device, then water storage is simplified, but cleanliness and air quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilizer is activated to perform preliminary sterilization of the stagnant water and internal surfaces of the humidification device. By applying UV light treatment in advance, the system eliminates bacteria and contaminants from the water reservoir before the water is used for humidification, preventing air contamination while allowing stagnant water to remain for extended periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflector, originally designed to improve light distribution, inadvertently enhances sterilization effectiveness by directing UV light onto water surfaces and internal surfaces. This converts the potential harm of stagnant water into a benefit where the same water storage design can be maintained while achieving thorough sterilization through improved light 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 solution enhances the cleanliness and sterilization efficiency of the humidifier by ensuring thorough UV light distribution, reducing bacterial concentration over time, and maintaining better hygiene control.
Implementation Method 1
a sterilizer that irradiates the inside of the humidification chamber with light
Implementation Method 2
a reflector disposed along a peripheral wall of the humidification chamber... to diffuse ultraviolet light uniformly through the inside of a humidification device
Implementation Method 3
Ultrasonic humidifiers are equipped with a vibrator to create vibrations from ultrasonic waves, and convert water into fine particles using the vibrations from the vibrator and spray them
Data Source
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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; and a humidification assembly disposed inside the case, that produces mist, wherein the humidification assembly includes: a humidification chamber with a space for holding water; a sterilizer that irradiates the inside of the humidification chamber with light; and a reflector disposed along a peripheral wall of the humidification chamber. Thus, the hygiene of the humidification assembly can be maintained easily.