Humidifying Rotor UV Sterilization to Reduce Microbial Contamination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional humidifiers face challenges in effectively sterilizing the humidifying rotor to prevent microbial growth and contamination, particularly due to uneven ultraviolet irradiation and inefficiencies in microbial inactivation.
Innovation Solution
A humidifier design incorporating a rotatable humidifying rotor and an irradiator that emits ultraviolet light, ensuring the rotor is sterilized during operation while minimizing water tank irradiation to prevent contamination, with control mechanisms for adjusting rotation speed and ultraviolet exposure based on operational and environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultraviolet light is used to sterilize the humidifying rotor, then microbial growth is reduced, but the water tank may be irradiated causing water contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The humidifying rotor is divided into a water tank irradiation portion and a non-water tank irradiation portion. The irradiator is positioned to selectively irradiate only the non-water tank irradiation portion, separating the sterilization function from the water storage area to prevent contamination while maintaining effective microbial inactivation.
2Reliability
If the irradiator irradiates the entire humidifying rotor, then complete sterilization is achieved, but energy is wasted irradiating the water tank which cannot be sterilized
Solution Approach 1:
The humidifying rotor has different functional zones: a water tank irradiation portion that should not be irradiated (as water cannot be effectively sterilized by UV) and a non-water tank irradiation portion that requires sterilization. The irradiator is positioned to provide localized ultraviolet irradiation only to the non-water tank portion, optimizing energy efficiency while ensuring complete sterilization of the required areas.
3Reliability
If the humidifying rotor rotates slowly, then ultraviolet irradiation time is increased for better sterilization, but humidification efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The humidifying rotor rotates at controlled speeds to periodically bring the non-water tank irradiation portion into the irradiation path. This periodic exposure ensures adequate sterilization time while maintaining sufficient rotation speed to prevent excessive moisture accumulation and maintain humidification efficiency. The system balances irradiation duration with rotational speed to achieve both sterilization and productivity goals.
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 effectively reduces microbial growth on the humidifying rotor, minimizing slime generation, odor, and microorganism resuspension, while optimizing ultraviolet light usage for efficient sterilization during both active and inactive humidifying operations.
Implementation Method 1
an irradiator that irradiates part of the humidifying rotor with ultraviolet light
Implementation Method 2
a humidifying rotor that rotates so that a portion of the humidifying rotor having absorbed moisture from the water storage tank moves to the air passage
Data Source
AI summary
A humidifier includes a housing, a humidifying rotor, and an irradiator. The housing is formed with an air passage through which air passes and a water storage tank configured to store water. The humidifying rotor extends over the air passage and the water storage tank. The humidifying rotor rotates so that a portion of the humidifying rotor having absorbed moisture from the water storage tank moves to the air passage and releases the moisture. The irradiator irradiates part of the humidifying rotor with ultraviolet light.