humidifier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing humidifiers face issues such as contamination from residual water, lack of sterilization, and instability in temperature and water level control, leading to the discharge of contaminated air and inefficient humidification.
Innovation Solution
A humidifier design that includes a first and second humidification reservoir with a heater and blower fan to sterilize water before use, controlling temperature and water level through sensors and valves to ensure clean, heated humidified air production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If water is accumulated or moisture remains in the humidifier after previous operation, then the humidifier can be ready for next use, but cleanliness state is reduced and contaminated humidified air is discharged
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary sterilization action by heating water to high temperature before the humidification operation starts. The control unit detects residual water and automatically heats it to sterilize, preventing contamination before it occurs during normal operation.
2Quantity of substance
If ultrasonic vibration is used to atomize water, then spray amount is increased, but unpleasant humidified air moves into indoor space when unsterilized water is used
Solution Approach 1:
The system heats water to high temperature before ultrasonic atomization to sterilize it. This preliminary sterilization action ensures that when water is atomized into spray, it is already clean and will not produce unpleasant humidified air in the indoor space.
3Quantity of substance
If heat vaporization is used to generate humidified air, then moisture content is increased, but safety accident may occur when hot humidified air is directly discharged
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces cool air as an intermediary substance that mixes with hot humidified air before discharge. This mixing process reduces the temperature of the discharged air, preventing safety accidents while maintaining high moisture content.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple operation modes are provided, then versatility is improved, but temperature and water level control stability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes operating parameters (heater power, blower fan speed, valve opening degree) according to different operation modes while using feedback control to maintain stability. The control unit adjusts these parameters dynamically to achieve both versatility and stable temperature/water level control.
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 sterile, clean, and stable humidified air production by sterilizing the reservoir before operation, maintaining appropriate temperature and water levels, and preventing contamination.
Implementation Method 1
water in the first humidification reservoir may be heated by driving the blower fan and the heater
Implementation Method 2
driving the blower fan and the heater, and the heated water may be supplied
Implementation Method 3
a vibrator that generates vibration using ultrasonic waves, and sprays water that has been changed into a particulate form by the vibration of the vibrator
Implementation Method 4
The humidifier vaporizes water by natural vaporization, heat vaporization, and ultrasonic vibration
Data Source
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AI summary
A humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a water tank forming a space in which water is held; a first humidification reservoir connected to the water tank through a supply tube, in which a heater is placed; a first valve opening and closing the supply tube; a second humidification reservoir connected to the first humidification reservoir through a first connection pipe, in which a vibrator is placed; a second valve opening and closing the first connection pipe; and a blower fan placed below the first humidification reservoir and the second humidification reservoir, and when a humidification operation is turned on, a sterilization mode of sterilizing the second humidification reservoir is performed, and in the sterilization mode, water in the first humidification reservoir is heated by driving the blower fan and the heater, and the heated water is supplied to the second humidification reservoir by open-closing the second valve, and an open control state of the second valve is maintained.