Transparent Water Tank Humidifier-Air Cleaner With Rotating Spray Lines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing humidifiers and air cleaners lack the ability to separately operate their humidification and air cleaning functions, and typical humidifiers have weak air cleaning capabilities, necessitating the purchase of multiple devices and limiting user convenience.

Innovation Solution

A humidification and air cleaning apparatus that includes a water tank, a visual body made of transparent material, a watering housing with nozzles, and a rotating watering blade to create a rain view and generate negative ions, allowing for intuitive monitoring of humidification and simultaneous operation of both functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a typical humidifier is used to provide humidification function, then humidification capability is improved, but air cleaning function is weak or non-existent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehumidification capabilityVSAvoidair cleaning function
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the humidification function and air cleaning function into a single integrated device. The water tank and nozzle system provides humidification while the fan and filter system simultaneously performs air cleaning, eliminating the need for separate devices and ensuring both functions work together effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device is designed to perform multiple functions universally - it can operate as a humidifier, an air cleaner, or both simultaneously. The control system allows users to select different operating modes, making the device adaptable to various needs without requiring multiple specialized appliances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a typical air cleaner is used to provide air cleaning function, then air cleaning capability is improved, but humidification function is non-existent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair cleaning functionVSAvoidhumidification capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the humidification subsystem (water tank, nozzle, pump) with the air cleaning subsystem (fan, filter) into a unified device. This merging allows the device to deliver reliable air cleaning performance while simultaneously providing humidification capability, eliminating the need for separate appliances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device achieves multi-functionality by incorporating both air cleaning components (filter, fan) and humidification components (water tank, nozzle, pump) that can operate independently or together, allowing users to switch between air cleaning mode and humidification mode as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If both humidification and air cleaning functions are integrated in one device, then device versatility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional versatilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into distinct functional modules: a water tank module for humidification, a nozzle module for water delivery, a fan module for air circulation, and a filter module for air cleaning. This segmentation allows each component to be designed and maintained independently, reducing overall complexity despite the device's multi-functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a nested structure where the nozzle is positioned within the water tank, and the fan and filter are arranged in a compact configuration. This nesting approach minimizes the overall device footprint and reduces structural complexity by efficiently utilizing internal space rather than requiring separate external components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Illumination intensity

If water is sprayed to create rain view effect, then visual appeal is improved, but water consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual appealVSAvoidwater consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle system is designed to spray only a portion of the water from the tank, creating the desired rain view effect and visual appeal without consuming all the water. This partial action approach maintains aesthetic functionality while being economical with water usage, as the sprayed water is sufficient for visual effect without depleting the tank.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 separate operation of humidification and air cleaning functions, provides an intuitive visual representation of the humidification process, and creates a rain view effect while generating negative ions, enhancing user experience and convenience.

Implementation Method 1

when the watering housing rotates, water sprayed from the nozzle forms at least one spray line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

a water repellent coating is formed on the inner side surface of the visual body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobic effect: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 3

can show a rain view by scattering a portion of water supplied for watering

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical scattering:

Implementation Method 4

can generate negative ions in a process of creating a rain view

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative ion generation: Ionisation

Data Source

PatentEP3179174B1Apparatus for both humidification and air cleaning
Publication Date: 2020.12.23 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3179174B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3179174B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3179174B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a humidification and air cleaning apparatus. The humidification and air cleaning apparatus includes a water tank (300) storing water; a visual body (210) forming at least a portion of the water tank (300) and formed of a transparent material; a watering housing (800) disposed in the water tank (300), drawing water stored in the water tank (300) to pump water to an upper side, and spraying the pumped water; a nozzle (412, 413) disposed in the watering housing (800) and spraying the pumped water; and a watering motor (42) rotating the watering housing (800). Here, when the watering housing (800) rotates, water sprayed from the nozzle (412, 413) forms at least one spray line (L1, L2, L3) on an inner side surface of the visual body (210).