Humidifier with automatic drain interval determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
End-users of steam humidifiers often fail to adjust the drain interval appropriately, leading to excessive water consumption, scale accumulation, and corrosion risks due to unawareness or neglect of mineral concentration changes in the water supply.
Innovation Solution
An atmospheric steam generating humidifier with an electronic controller that automatically selects a drain interval based on water quality parameters, such as total dissolved solids or electrical conductivity, using a look-up table to optimize water management and minimize scaling and corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the drain interval is set to a default value without user adjustment, then the device is easier to operate, but water consumption increases and scale accumulation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The humidifier automatically monitors water quality parameters (TDS, conductivity) and self-adjusts the drain interval based on detected mineral concentration, eliminating the need for user intervention while optimizing water usage and preventing scale accumulation
2Loss of substance
If the drain interval is increased to reduce water consumption, then water efficiency improves, but scale accumulation and corrosion risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors water quality parameters (TDS or electrical conductivity) and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the drain interval, ensuring minerals are removed at the optimal rate to prevent scale while minimizing water waste
Solution Approach 2:
The drain interval is dynamically adjusted based on detected water quality parameters - higher mineral concentration triggers more frequent draining, while lower concentration allows extended intervals, optimizing both water efficiency and scale prevention
3Loss of substance
If manual adjustment of drain interval is required, then water management can be optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The humidifier autonomously monitors water quality and adjusts drain timing without user intervention, achieving optimized water management while keeping the interface simple and the operation automatic
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 automatic adjustment of the drain interval reduces water consumption, minimizes scale accumulation, and mitigates corrosion risks by ensuring optimal water management without requiring user input, improving the performance and longevity of the humidifier.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element for converting water stored within the tank to steam at atmospheric pressure
Implementation Method 2
a sensor for sensing a water quality parameter associated with water stored within the water storage tank
Data Source
AI summary
With respect to atmospheric steam generating humidifiers, the present disclosure resolves the problem of end-users not adjusting the drain interval of the humidifier by using an electronic controller to automatically choose an appropriate drain interval without requiring any user input. The electronic controller accomplishes this by receiving input data from a sensor that measures a water quality parameter, automatically determining a drain interval based on the received data, and sending an output control signal to a drain water control valve to execute a drain event in accordance with the drain interval. In some examples, the electronic controller utilizes a look-up table correlating the water quality parameter to a total dissolved solids or cycles of concentration value.