Humidifying air cleaner

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional humidifying air cleaners have limited humidifying capability due to a small air flux through the humidifying filter, which also restricts the amount of air that can be filtered effectively.

Innovation Solution

The design includes a housing with a barrier member featuring a rib that increases air flow into the humidifying unit, a funnel-shaped first air inlet, and a second air inlet, along with a two-way suction fan, to enhance air intake and filtration efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If air flux through the humidifying filter is increased to improve humidifying capability, then the amount of humidified air increases, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of humidified airVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier member is segmented into multiple functional regions: a first air inlet for introducing air to the humidifying filter, a second air inlet for introducing additional air, and a rib structure dividing these inlets. This segmentation allows independent optimization of air flow paths to maximize humidifying efficiency without requiring complete structural redesign

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a vertical dimension to air intake by providing both a first air inlet (lower portion) and a second air inlet (upper portion) of the barrier member. This multi-dimensional air intake approach increases the total volume of air reaching the humidifying filter without expanding the horizontal footprint of the device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If the amount of air filtered by the humidifying filter is increased, then humidification performance improves, but the flux distribution becomes more difficult to control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of air filteredVSAvoidflux distribution control
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the barrier member are assigned different functions: the first air inlet region is optimized for main air flow to the humidifying filter, while the second air inlet region provides supplementary air flow. The rib structure creates localized flow control zones, allowing each region to contribute optimally to the overall air flux without requiring uniform control across the entire structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The rib structure acts as an intermediary element between the first and second air inlets, mediating the distribution of air flow. It guides and balances the air flux from both inlets toward the humidifying filter, ensuring proper flow distribution without requiring complex control mechanisms

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

This configuration significantly increases the amount of humidified air by raising the air flux through the humidifying filter, thereby enhancing both humidification and filtration capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

humidifying air cleaners may use the principle of converting the air, purified by various types of filters, into humid air while passing through saturated humidifying filters

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

the barrier member comprises a rib increasing the amount of air flowing in the first air inlet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS10190786B2Humidifying air cleaner
Publication Date: 2019.01.29 COWAY CO LTD
  • US10190786B2 patent drawingFigure N/A

AI summary

Disclosed is a humidifying air cleaner comprising: a housing having an inner space and having a barrier member for delimiting the inner space; and a humidification unit installed on the housing to be arranged on the lower portion of the barrier member, wherein the barrier member has a first air inlet, behind which the humidification unit is arranged, and which is formed such that air flows into the humidification unit, and a second air inlet formed to be arranged above the first air inlet, and the barrier member is provided with a rib for increasing the amount of air flowing through the first air inlet.