Removable Evaporator Assembly for Hygienic Humidifier Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional evaporative humidifiers face challenges with hygiene and maintenance due to wick saturation with mineral deposits and potential mold growth, requiring regular cleaning or replacement.
Innovation Solution
An air treatment apparatus with a separable water tank assembly and a tubular evaporator assembly that allows for automated cleaning cycles, featuring a UV disinfection system and a design that facilitates easy removal and cleaning of the evaporator assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a wick is used in an evaporative humidifier, then water can be absorbed and evaporated to humidify air, but the wick becomes saturated with mineral deposits and mold over time requiring regular cleaning or replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the evaporator element from the water tank, allowing it to be removed and cleaned separately. The evaporator is designed as a detachable component that can be taken out of the water tank for easy cleaning, addressing the maintenance issue while preserving the humidification function.
Solution Approach 2:
The humidifier is divided into separate components: a water tank assembly and an evaporator assembly. The evaporator assembly can be detached from the water tank, allowing independent cleaning and maintenance of each component, thereby reducing overall maintenance complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the wick is allowed to dry out completely, then mold growth is prevented, but the evaporator becomes less efficient at absorbing water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated cleaning cycles that periodically clean the evaporator element before mold can grow. The microprocessor-controlled system initiates cleaning operations at appropriate intervals, preventing mold accumulation while maintaining evaporator efficiency through regular maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The microprocessor monitors the operation status and controls the cleaning cycle based on usage patterns. The system receives feedback about evaporator condition and water levels, automatically initiating cleaning when necessary to prevent mold while optimizing water absorption efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If the evaporator assembly is made removable for cleaning, then maintenance is easier, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator assembly is segmented as a separate removable component from the water tank. This segmentation allows the evaporator to be easily detached for cleaning while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through standardized connection interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaporator assembly is designed to nest within the water tank when not in use. The evaporator fits inside the water tank assembly, allowing compact storage while enabling easy removal for cleaning without requiring complex external mechanisms.
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
Enhances hygiene and maintenance efficiency by preventing mineral deposit buildup and mold growth, ensuring continuous operation with reduced maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
UV disinfection system
Implementation Method 2
The evaporator assembly may comprise one or more evaporative elements. Each of the one or more evaporative elements may comprise porous material. The porous material may then absorb water supplied to it by the water supply system.
Implementation Method 3
A fan is used to force a flow of air through the pores of wick thereby introducing water vapour into the air flow.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an air treatment apparatus comprising a body, an air flow generator housed within the body that is arranged to generate an air flow, an evaporator assembly removably disposed within the body and that is arranged to introduce water vapour into the air flow, and a water supply system that is arranged to provide water to the evaporator assembly. The water supply system comprises a water tank assembly that is separable from the body, the water tank assembly comprising a water tank having a tank opening. The tank opening is configured to allow the evaporator assembly to fit through the tank opening and the evaporator assembly is configured to fit within an interior volume of the water tank.