Dehumidification structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dehumidification systems require significant energy for operation, either to warm air or compress and cool it, and often need electric power for blower fans, making continuous dehumidification without electricity challenging.
Innovation Solution
A dehumidification structure utilizing a temperature-sensitive moisture absorbent that becomes hydrophobic at higher temperatures to release water and hydrophilic at lower temperatures, powered by solar heat, combined with a water draining mechanism that uses gravity to drain accumulated water without electricity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a temperature swing method is used with a moisture absorbent, then dehumidification can be performed by exposing the absorbent to warm air, but a lot of energy is required to warm the air more than necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition properties of the moisture absorbent material, which changes from hydrophilic (water-absorbing) at low temperatures to hydrophobic (water-repelling) at high temperatures. This temperature-induced phase transition allows the absorbent to automatically release absorbed moisture when heated by sunlight, eliminating the need for additional energy input to warm air for dehumidification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of excess heat (sunlight) into a beneficial function for dehumidification. By positioning the moisture absorbent to receive solar heat, the naturally occurring temperature rise triggers the hydrophobic state, causing automatic moisture release without requiring energy-consuming heating equipment.
2Productivity
If a compressor is used to compress and cool air below dew point, then water vapor can be condensed, but it takes a lot of energy to cool the air more than necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical compression and cooling system with a passive thermal system. Instead of using a compressor to force air below dew point temperature, the system uses natural solar heating combined with the temperature-sensitive properties of the moisture absorbent to achieve moisture release, completely eliminating the need for energy-consuming mechanical compression.
Solution Approach 2:
The moisture absorbent material serves itself by automatically transitioning from water-absorbing to water-releasing state in response to temperature changes caused by sunlight exposure. This self-regulating mechanism eliminates the need for external energy input or mechanical intervention to achieve dehumidification.
3Productivity
If air is blown to a moisture absorbent, then the absorbent can absorb or release moisture, but driving energy is required for a blower fan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the energy-consuming blower fan component from the system. Instead of forcing air through the moisture absorbent using mechanical power, the system relies on natural air circulation and the inherent temperature-sensitive properties of the absorbent material to achieve moisture release when exposed to solar heat.
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
Enables continuous dehumidification and regeneration of the moisture absorbent without electric power, as the absorbent absorbs moisture at night and releases it as a liquid during the day, with the water draining mechanism ensuring efficient water removal without electricity.
Implementation Method 1
exhibiting hydrophilicity and absorbing water at a temperature lower than the predetermined temperature
Implementation Method 2
exhibiting hydrophobicity and releasing water at a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature
Implementation Method 3
The moisture absorbent is provided to allow reception of solar heat or heat from a heating body that is heated by sunlight
Implementation Method 4
the water draining mechanism is configured to drain the water using weight of the water
Data Source
AI summary
A dehumidification structure includes: a moisture absorbent which has temperature sensitivity for exhibiting hydrophobicity and releasing water at a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature and for exhibiting hydrophilicity and absorbing water at a temperature lower than the predetermined temperature; a moisture absorbent chamber in which the moisture absorbent is disposed; and a water draining mechanism configured to drain water released from the moisture absorbent and accumulated in the moisture absorbent chamber. The moisture absorbent is provided to allow reception of solar heat or heat from a heating body that is heated by sunlight. The water draining mechanism is configured to drain the water using weight of the water when an amount of water released by the moisture absorbent and accumulated in the moisture absorbent chamber reaches at least a predetermined amount.