Sanitizing Chamber Fan Inversion for Uniform Steam Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for sanitizing and drying materials suffer from non-uniform steam treatment and drying effects due to suboptimal air flow distribution and design complexities.
Innovation Solution
A device with a cylindrical tub and a centrally located air shaft, where the fan is positioned under the tub to create a central ascending air flow, equipped with a check valve to prevent liquid ingress and an electrically heated fan for controlled drying air, allowing for efficient steam disinfection and drying with manual or automatic state switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the fan is arranged beside the tub with side air flow, then the device construction is simple, but the steam treatment and drying effect in the chamber is not uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The fan is inverted and positioned underneath the tub instead of beside it, reversing the conventional arrangement. This inversion allows the air flow to enter from below and move upward through the chamber, creating a more uniform distribution pattern that resolves the non-uniformity issue while keeping the construction simple
2Ease of manufacture
If the air shaft is positioned at the side of the tub, then the construction is straightforward, but liquid can overflow into the air shaft and liquid splashes can ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The air shaft is repositioned from a side location to a central position underneath the tub, inverted relative to conventional designs. This central under-positioning, combined with the fan placement, creates a configuration where liquid overflow and splash ingress are prevented while maintaining construction simplicity
3Ease of operation
If the drying air flow is not heated, then the device operation is simple, but the drying efficiency and hygiene are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is merged with the fan assembly, combining air movement and heating capabilities in a single integrated component. This allows the drying air to be heated to hygienic temperatures while maintaining operational simplicity, as the heating element is built into the fan structure rather than being a separate system
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
Ensures uniform steam treatment and drying, enhances operational safety, and simplifies construction and handling by providing a compact, easy-to-maintain design with improved air flow and temperature control for effective hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
a tub located in the bottom area of the chamber, which can be filled with liquid and electrically heated to evaporate the liquid
Implementation Method 2
The fan is electrically heated in order to heat the drying air stream
Implementation Method 3
The check valve opens by air flow and closes by spring or gravity
Implementation Method 4
The check valve opens by air flow and closes by spring or gravity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The device has a chamber that accommodates the goods to be treated and that communicates with the outside air. In the bottom area of the chamber there is a trough that is filled with a liquid and that is electrically heated to evaporate the liquid. An electrically operated blower (28) is used to generate a drying air current through the chamber. The blower (28) is arranged under the trough. The trough has a central ventilation shaft via which the drying air current is conducted through the trough towards the chamber.