Humidifier arrangements and control systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing humidification systems for respiratory gases face issues with water spillage, which can lead to corrosion of electrical connections and electrical shorts, compromising the safety and efficacy of the system.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of conductive sensing elements and water sensors to detect water presence and automatically disconnect power to electrical connections, preventing corrosion and shorts by channeling water away from electrical terminals and using capacitive or amperometric sensing mechanisms to control power delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If water is placed into a tub by a user and the tub is removed before filling, then ease of operation is improved, but water spillage risk increases leading to corrosion of electrical connections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of water presence using conductive sensing elements before electrical connections are exposed or before operation begins. This allows the system to prepare protective measures in advance, such as preventing electrical connections from being exposed to water or activating protective coatings, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Conductive sensing elements act as intermediaries between the water and the electrical connections. These sensing elements detect water presence and trigger protective actions, serving as a mediator that prevents direct contact between water and electrical connections, thus maintaining reliability while allowing ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the humidification system is moved when water is in the tub, then adaptability is improved, but water spillage onto electrical connections increases causing corrosion and electrical shorts

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidwater spillage damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system detects water presence in advance using conductive sensing elements before movement occurs or before electrical connections are vulnerable. This preliminary detection allows the system to activate protective measures such as elevating electrical connections above water level or preventing connection exposure, enabling the system to be moved adaptively while protecting against water damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by detecting water presence and immediately counteracting the potential harmful effect of water spillage during movement. The conductive sensing elements trigger protective responses that prevent water from reaching electrical connections, thus neutralizing the harmful factor before it can cause corrosion or electrical shorts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Ease of manufacture

If electrical contacts are exposed to provide power to heater plate, then ease of manufacture is improved, but water exposure causes electrical shorts and corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of water presence using conductive sensing elements before electrical contacts are exposed or before the heater plate operates. This allows the system to prepare protective measures in advance, such as preventing electrical contact exposure or activating protective coatings, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while ensuring reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Conductive sensing elements serve as intermediaries that detect water presence and trigger protective actions to prevent water from reaching exposed electrical contacts. This intermediary system allows electrical contacts to remain exposed for ease of manufacture while protecting against water-induced corrosion and electrical shorts through automated detection and response

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 effectively protects electrical components from water damage, ensuring the reliability and safety of the humidification system by preventing corrosion and electrical failures due to water spillage.

Implementation Method 1

using capacitive or amperometric sensing mechanisms to control power delivery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive sensing: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

using capacitive or amperometric sensing mechanisms to control power delivery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAmperometric sensing: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

the heater encourages the evaporation of the water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 4

the heater encourages the evaporation of the water, which in turn imbues the stream of air with moisture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS11732910B2Humidifier arrangements and control systems

Publication Date: 2023.08.22 FISHER & PAYKEL HEALTHCARE LTD

AI summary

The electrical connections of a chamber or enclosure for a water tub can be protected through the use of spill element sensors. The spill element sensors can help to disable the delivery of power to the heater of a water tub in the event that the electrical connections become wet.