Humidifier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional essential oil diffusers and humidifiers operate independently, lacking the dual function of aroma diffusion and humidification.
Innovation Solution
A humidifier design integrating a water atomization module with an essential oil delivery module, utilizing an ultrasonic atomizer and peristaltic pump to atomize water and essential oil together, along with a control unit for independent control of the essential oil delivery, allowing for simultaneous humidification and aroma diffusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If essential oil diffusers and humidifiers are designed as independent products, then each device can be simple in structure and easy to manufacture, but they cannot provide dual functionality of aroma diffusion and humidification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the essential oil diffuser and humidifier into a single integrated device. The housing contains both the essential oil storage chamber and water reservoir, with separate but coordinated delivery systems. The atomization system processes both essential oil and water independently, allowing dual functionality while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed with universal components that serve multiple functions. The atomization system can process both essential oil and water, the housing accommodates both oil and water reservoirs, and the control system manages both diffusion and humidification operations, enabling a single device to perform multiple functions efficiently.
2Extent of automation
If the essential oil delivery module uses a peristaltic pump with rotating parts, then the essential oil can be precisely controlled and delivered, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical pumping systems with an ultrasonic atomization-based delivery mechanism. The ultrasonic vibrations directly atomize the essential oil without requiring traditional mechanical pumps, valves, or rotating parts, thereby achieving automated controlled delivery while significantly reducing mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The essential oil delivery system is designed to be self-regulating through the ultrasonic atomization process. The system automatically controls the delivery rate based on the ultrasonic vibration frequency and amplitude, eliminating the need for external mechanical pumping components and simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining precise control.
3Productivity
If the atomization process atomizes both water and essential oil together, then efficient dispersion and humidification are achieved, but the essential oil concentration control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the atomization process into separate zones: one for essential oil atomization and another for water atomization. This segmentation allows independent control of each atomization stream, enabling precise control of essential oil concentration in the final mist while maintaining high atomization efficiency for both substances.
Solution Approach 2:
The device implements local quality control by providing separate atomization chambers or zones for essential oil and water. Each zone is optimized for its specific substance, with local control mechanisms that allow precise adjustment of essential oil concentration independent of water flow rate, thereby maintaining both high productivity and precise concentration 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 integrated humidifier effectively disperses essential oil in water mist, providing a dual-function device with simple operation and low cost, while maintaining controlled essential oil concentration and efficient atomization.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic atomizer; the water flows out of the first container, enters the water passage into the ultrasonic atomizer, and is atomized to produce mist
Implementation Method 2
the peristaltic pump is configured to expel the air out of the essential oil tube so that the essential oil moves in the essential oil tube
Data Source
AI summary
A humidifier includes a first housing, a second housing, a water atomization module, an essential oil delivery module, and an essential oil container. The first housing includes an outer wall including a recess. The second housing is fixedly embedded in an upper part of the recess. The water atomization module is disposed in the first housing. The water atomization module includes a first container, a water passage, and an ultrasonic atomizer. The water flows out of the first container, enters the water passage into the ultrasonic atomizer, and is atomized to produce mist. The essential oil delivery module is disposed in the second housing. The essential oil container is connected to the essential oil delivery module. The essential oil delivery module is configured to transfer essential oil from the essential oil container to the water passage so that the essential oil and the water are atomized together.