humidifier

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional humidifiers face issues with cleanliness due to stagnant water, contamination from fine dust, and inefficient air heating, leading to unsatisfactory clean humidified air delivery.

Innovation Solution

A humidifier design that separates and combines humidification and cleaning flow paths, incorporates a heating device to optimize air heating and humidification, and guides air flow to minimize resistance and improve efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single water reservoir is used for both heating and humidification, then device structure is simplified, but water stagnation and contamination occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow path structureVSAvoidwater stagnation and contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the water reservoir into two separate chambers: a first water reservoir for heating and a second water reservoir for humidification. This segmentation prevents water stagnation in the heating chamber while maintaining clean water for humidification, resolving the contamination issue without requiring complex external filtration systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the heating function from the humidification water supply by providing a separate heating chamber. The heating chamber receives water from the first water reservoir, processes it, and the cleaned water then supplies the second water reservoir for humidification. This extraction eliminates the harmful effect of stagnation while maintaining structural integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Temperature

If a heater operates continuously to maintain temperature, then air heating is ensured, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair heating temperatureVSAvoidheater energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic heating action where the heater operates intermittently rather than continuously. The control unit monitors temperature and activates the heater only when heating is required, reducing energy consumption while maintaining adequate air heating temperature through the heating chamber.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If separate flow paths are provided for heating and humidification, then cleanliness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair contaminationVSAvoidflow path structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the heating and humidification flow paths into a single integrated water reservoir structure with internal separation. The first and second water reservoirs are positioned within the same housing and share common structural support, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining separate functional paths for heating and humidification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Device complexity

If fine dust is allowed to enter the water reservoir, then device simplicity is maintained, but humidified air cleanliness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration systemVSAvoidfine dust contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by providing a filter at the inlet of the water reservoir that removes fine dust before water enters the storage chambers. This preliminary filtration prevents contamination without requiring complex post-processing systems, maintaining device simplicity while ensuring humidified air cleanliness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 ensures the delivery of clean, efficiently heated, and humidified air by addressing contamination and inefficiencies in existing humidifiers, enhancing air quality and energy usage.

Implementation Method 1

a heating device including a heating chamber internally having a heating space and a heater attached to the heating chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a humidification device including a humidification chamber internally having a humidification space and a vibrating device attached to the humidification chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP4390253A1humidifier
Publication Date: 2024.06.26 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4390253A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4390253A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4390253A1 patent drawingFigure 3

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 fan disposed inside the case; and a humidification assembly that sprays supplied water, wherein the humidification assembly includes: a heating device including a heating chamber internally a heating space and a heater attached to the heating chamber; a humidification device including a humidification chamber internally having a humidification space and a vibrating device attached to the humidification chamber; an inlet disposed downstream of the fan and connected to the humidification space; and a connector through which air in the heating space flows, and that connects the heating space and the humidification space. Thus, warm humidified air can be supplied by combining humidified air and heated air.