Portable steam humidifier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vaporizer/steam humidifiers are inefficient, prone to maintenance issues, noisy, and not suitable for quiet operation, as they consume excessive energy and leave mineral deposits, making them inconvenient for various settings.
Innovation Solution
A portable steam humidifier design featuring a spiral mixing chamber, steam chamber, inlet and outlet ducts, and a water heating assembly with a boiler pod and bonnet, which minimizes energy consumption, reduces noise, and prevents mineral deposits through a spiral outlet duct and outlet grill, along with a removable and easy-to-clean silicon trough reservoir.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If water is heated to boiling point in traditional vaporizers, then steam is generated for humidification, but excessive energy is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the heating parameters by using ultrasonic vibration frequency (20-100 kHz) to generate cavitation bubbles that collapse and produce localized high temperature and pressure, enabling water vaporization without conventional boiling. This resolves the contradiction by achieving steam generation with dramatically reduced energy input compared to traditional heating methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional thermal heating system with an ultrasonic mechanical vibration system. The ultrasonic transducer converts electrical energy to mechanical vibrations that create cavitation in water, which then produces steam through adiabatic compression of cavitation bubbles. This substitution eliminates the need for continuous high-temperature heating, reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliable steam generation.
2Reliability
If water is boiled in traditional vaporizers, then steam is produced, but mineral deposits are left behind causing maintenance issues
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing thermal boiling with ultrasonic cavitation, the patent prevents mineral deposits from forming on heating elements. The ultrasonic field vaporizes water molecules directly through cavitation bubble collapse without requiring sustained high temperatures that would cause minerals to precipitate and accumulate. This eliminates the primary source of maintenance issues while maintaining effective steam production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of ultrasonic cavitation (which can damage conventional heating elements through pitting and erosion) into a beneficial cleaning mechanism. The cavitation bubbles collapse near mineral deposits, creating micro-jets and shock waves that prevent accumulation and even clean existing deposits, transforming a potential harm into a self-cleaning benefit that reduces maintenance needs.
3Use of energy by moving object
If conventional heating elements are used, then water is heated efficiently, but loud noises are generated during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the noisy thermal convection and bubbling process of conventional heating with silent ultrasonic vibration. The ultrasonic transducer generates high-frequency mechanical vibrations that are inaudible to humans, and the resulting cavitation and steam generation occur without the loud boiling noises characteristic of traditional vaporizers. This achieves efficient water heating while operating quietly enough for bedroom use.
4Reliability
If traditional vaporizer designs are used, then steam humidification is achieved, but the device is obtrusive and inconvenient for various settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vaporizer into modular components: a removable water reservoir, a compact ultrasonic transducer unit, and a base. This segmentation allows the device to be easily transported, repositioned, and adapted to different settings such as bedrooms, offices, or travel. The modular design maintains reliable humidification function while significantly improving portability and versatility compared to traditional integrated vaporizer designs.
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 design provides a clean, efficient, safe, and quiet operation, reducing maintenance needs and energy consumption while preventing mineral deposits, making it suitable for diverse settings.
Implementation Method 1
the ultrasonic transducer vibrates at ultrasonic frequency and generates cavitation bubbles in the water
Implementation Method 2
The cavitation bubbles implode, generating localized high temperature and pressure that vaporizes water molecules
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an improved portable steam humidifier. According to a preferred embodiment, the improved humidifier of the present invention preferably includes a spiral mixing chamber connected to a steam chamber, a spiral outlet duct, an inlet duct and an outlet grill. According to a preferred embodiment, the inlet duct preferably receives air from an inlet fan and directs the air into the spiral mixing chamber where the air is mixed with water vapor from the steam chamber. According to a further preferred embodiment, the air is further directed from the spiral mixing chamber through the spiral outlet duct out through the outlet grill.