humidifier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing humidifiers face issues with incomplete sterilization of water, malfunction of ultrasonic oscillators, and inadequate handling of residual water due to integrated heating and humidifying spaces, leading to potential safety hazards and inefficient operation.
Innovation Solution
A humidifier design that separates the heating and humidifying modules with a sterilization system using a water softener and a pump to manage water quality and circulation, ensuring sterilized water is used for humidification and residual water is efficiently handled.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water is heated to high temperature for complete sterilization, then sterilization is improved, but safety accidents may be generated when hot humidified air is directly discharged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the heating function and humidification function into different chambers. The heating chamber sterilizes water at high temperature, while the humidifying chamber performs atomization at lower temperature, preventing direct discharge of high-temperature steam.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful high-temperature steam into beneficial sterilized water by directing it through a cooling and atomization process. The high temperature achieves sterilization, while the subsequent cooling prevents safety hazards.
2Device complexity
If a single space is used for both heating and humidifying water, then device complexity is reduced, but water cannot be completely sterilized and residual water management is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the water treatment system into distinct heating and humidifying spaces, each optimized for its specific function. This segmentation enables complete sterilization in the heating chamber while providing separate management for residual water in the humidifying chamber.
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 ensures clean and sterilized humidified air production, prevents malfunctions, and maintains the integrity of the humidifying device by continuously sterilizing and draining residual water, enhancing user safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a heating module that heats the water to a predetermined temperature
Implementation Method 2
a humidifying module that produces humidified air by atomizing the water through ultrasonic vibration
Implementation Method 3
when the temperature for heating water is maintained under a set temperature in consideration of an ultrasonic oscillator
Data Source
AI summary
A humidifier may include a water tank that stores water, a heating device configured to be supplied with water from the water tank and heat the water, a humidifying device that is connected with the heating device and produces humidified air using water supplied from the heating device, a first connection tube that connects the heating device and the humidifying device, a second connection tube that connects the heating device and the humidifying device at a position different from the first connection tube, and a pump disposed at a side of the second connection tube that pumps water stored in the humidifying device to the heating device.