Humidity control unit and humidity control system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing humidity control systems face challenges in efficiently managing humidity levels and ventilation in indoor spaces, particularly in effectively dehumidifying and humidifying while minimizing the discharge of low or high humidity air, and in coordinating multiple humidity control units for continuous operation.
Innovation Solution
A humidity control system comprising multiple humidity control units with a reversible air transport mechanism and heat source configuration, allowing air to flow bidirectionally through an air passage connecting indoor and outdoor spaces, and a controller that alternates between dehumidifying and humidifying actions to maintain optimal humidity levels and ventilation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a humidity control system uses parallel adsorption heat exchangers for dehumidification and regeneration, then dehumidification efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines dehumidification and regeneration functions into a single adsorption heat exchanger by switching air flow directions. The same adsorbent bed performs both dehumidification (when cooled) and regeneration (when heated) alternately, eliminating the need for parallel exchangers and reducing system complexity while maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between dehumidification and regeneration modes by reversing air flow direction through the adsorption heat exchanger. The controller alternates the thermal state of the adsorbent between adsorption and desorption phases, enabling a single component to perform multiple functions at different time intervals
2Ease of operation
If air flows continuously in one direction through the humidity control unit, then ventilation is simplified, but humidity control efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic reversal of air flow direction through the adsorption heat exchanger. During dehumidification mode, outdoor air flows through the cooled adsorbent; during regeneration mode, indoor air flows through the heated adsorbent. This periodic action enables efficient humidity control while maintaining manageable ventilation operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional unidirectional air flow by implementing bidirectional flow through the same heat exchanger. The air transport mechanism reverses flow direction to switch between dehumidification and regeneration functions, improving humidity control efficiency without significantly complicating ventilation operations
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 system ensures continuous dehumidification and humidification of indoor spaces by alternating actions between humidity control units, reducing the discharge of low or high humidity air and maintaining effective ventilation, thus enhancing humidity control and reducing operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a moisture absorber (30, 32) arranged in the air passage (12) and configured to absorb moisture from air and desorb the moisture to the air
Implementation Method 2
a heat source (21, 22, 32) arranged in the air passage (12) and configured to at least cool or heat the moisture absorber (30, 32)
Data Source
AI summary
The humidity control unit includes: an air passage through which a first space which is a target space and a second space communicate with each other; a moisture absorber arranged in the air passage and configured to absorb moisture from air and desorb the moisture to the air; a heat source arranged in the air passage and configured to at least cool or heat the moisture absorber; an air transport mechanism configured to allow the air in the air passage to flow in reverse directions; and a controller configured to control the heat source and the air transport mechanism.