Replaceable Membrane Humidifier With Passive Bypass Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing membrane humidifiers face challenges in being easily removable and replaceable, require complex installation due to multiple active seals, and suffer from increased pressure loss and lower mass transfer efficiency due to hermetic sealing of airflows.
Innovation Solution
The design features airflows arranged perpendicular to each other, with only the first airflow actively sealed by a rubber-elastic seal, and the second airflow passively sealed by a flow-permeable bypass, utilizing labyrinth profiles for precise guidance and positioning of the membrane unit, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly without damaging seals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the membrane unit is bonded to the housing by a one-piece hardened adhesive compound, then a material-bonded and inseparable connection is created, but the membrane unit cannot be removed or replaced without damage
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into two detachably connected housing parts that together define the installation space. This segmentation allows the membrane unit to be accessible and replaceable by separating the housing parts, while maintaining a reliable sealed connection when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane unit is extracted from the bonded connection and placed into a detachable housing structure. This allows the membrane unit to be easily removed and replaced by simply separating the housing parts, eliminating the need for adhesive removal.
2Reliability
If all four sides of the membrane unit are sealed against the housing by active sealing elements, then hermetic sealing is achieved, but the installation becomes complex and the sealing elements are prone to damage during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function for the second airflow is extracted from the active seal system and replaced by a passive seal structure. The bypass channel is formed by the housing structure itself, eliminating the need for additional sealing elements and simplifying installation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of actively sealing all sides of the membrane unit, the design inverts the approach by creating a controlled bypass channel that passively defines the sealing boundary. The housing structure itself creates the seal through its geometry rather than using separate sealing components.
3Reliability
If the housing and membrane unit are hermetically sealed, then tightness is maximized, but pressure loss increases and mass transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into flow paths that include a bypass channel, allowing controlled flow distribution. This segmentation enables the system to maintain sealing tightness while providing alternative flow paths that reduce pressure loss and improve mass transfer efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass channel acts as an intermediary flow path between the first and second airflows. It provides a controlled route that balances the sealing requirements with the need for efficient mass transfer, reducing pressure loss while maintaining system tightness.
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 design simplifies manufacturing, reduces pressure loss, enhances mass transfer efficiency, and enables compact dimensions by minimizing the need for additional sealing components, facilitating easy replacement and recycling of the membrane unit.
Implementation Method 1
the water vapor-permeable membrane unit allows for the transfer of moisture from airflow L2 to airflow L1
Data Source
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AI summary
Membrane humidifier comprising a housing (1) with an installation space (2) accessible through an insertion opening (3) and a substantially box-shaped membrane unit (4) which is replaceably arranged in the installation space (2), wherein the housing (1) comprises at least two housing parts (1.1, 1.2) which together define the installation space (2) and are detachably connected to each other without damage, wherein the housing (1) and the membrane unit (4) are permeable to two first and second air streams (L1, L2) and wherein the housing (1) has a flow inlet (5, 6) and a flow outlet (7, 8) for each of the air streams (L1, L2).The airflows (L1, L2) are arranged essentially perpendicular to each other, wherein the membrane unit (4) has a mounting direction (9) in the installation space (2) which extends parallel to the first airflow (L1), wherein only the first airflow (L1) is actively sealed in the housing (1) by at least one seal (10) made of a rubber-elastic sealing material and wherein the second airflow (L2) is passively sealed by a flow-permeable bypass (11) between the housing (1) and the membrane unit (4).