Suspended Dehumidifier Tablet Structure for Higher Sorption Rate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dehumidifier tablets have a reduced sorption surface due to covering areas, which impairs their moisture absorption efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A tablet design with a hanging mechanism that allows almost the entire sorption surface to be exposed to room air, combined with a collecting container and ventilation system to enhance moisture absorption and prevent leakage, using hygroscopic agents like calcium chloride or magnesium chloride in a pressed tablet form.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a tablet is placed on a base or holding frame, then the tablet is securely positioned, but the covering areas of the tablet are impaired and sorption surface is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetablet positioning stabilityVSAvoidfree sorption surface area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The tablet is suspended in a hanging manner, transitioning from a horizontal placement on a base to a vertical hanging position. This dimensional change allows the tablet to be supported at its top surface while the bottom and lateral surfaces remain fully exposed to air, maximizing the sorption surface area without compromising positioning stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The tablet is extracted from the conventional base-supported configuration and repositioned to hang from the holding frame. This extraction removes the interference of the base covering the tablet surface, allowing the entire bottom and lateral surfaces to function as active sorption areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If a holding frame covers areas of the tablet, then the tablet is retained in position, but the sorption rate is reduced due to impaired surface availability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetablet retentionVSAvoidsorption rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The holding frame is designed to engage with the top surface of the tablet in a vertical orientation, allowing retention without horizontal coverage. The tablet hangs vertically, enabling the holding frame to secure the tablet while leaving all lateral and bottom surfaces exposed for moisture sorption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If the collecting container is open, then access is easy, but the solution can leak out and contamination occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer accessVSAvoidleak prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The collecting container is equipped with a flexible lid that can be opened for access and closed for containment. The lid acts as a removable barrier that prevents solution leakage and contamination when closed, while allowing easy access when opened, thus resolving the contradiction between accessibility and leak prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 increases the free sorption surface area, leading to a higher sorption rate compared to conventional devices and prevents leakage by using a leak-proof collecting container and ventilation system.

Implementation Method 1

a tablet (300) consisting of a hygroscopic air dehumidifier and having a substantially cylindrical tablet body (301) with a sorption surface (302) provided on two opposite end faces and a jacket side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSorption: Sorption

Implementation Method 2

a means for receiving the mandrel (111) is provided, which serves to suspend the tablet (300) in order to enable contact of almost the entire sorption surface (302) with the room air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 3

the collecting container (200) arranged below the holding device for receiving a solution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity-driven flow: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2594857B1Air dehumidifier
Publication Date: 2018.05.16 HENKEL KGAA
  • EP2594857B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2594857B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2594857B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The dehumidifier (1) has a holding device for holding a cylindrical tablet containing a hygroscopic air dehumidifying agent e.g. calcium chloride, and a collection vessel (200) arranged beneath the holding device for receiving a solution. The holding device has a suspension unit for suspending the tablet above the collection vessel. The suspension unit allows contact of virtually an entire sorption surface of a tablet body with the room air to enlarge the sorption surface area available for sorption of moisture from the room air. An independent claim is also included for a tablet containing a hygroscopic air dehumidifying agent for sorption of moisture from room air.