Heating and humidifying device and heating and humidifying method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating and humidifying devices for ventilators face issues with inaccurate control of water vapor output, long response times, excessive condensation, and bulkiness, leading to dehydration and safety risks for patients.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a water tank atomization set, steam generator, heating breathing pipeline, and controller, which automates water replenishment, preheats gas, and monitors temperature and humidity in real-time to ensure precise control and prevent condensation, using a separated steam generator design and heating wires to maintain suitable steam conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If water vapor is generated by heating the water tank using a heating plate, then humidification function is provided, but control accuracy of water vapor output is poor and response time is long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses ultrasonic vibration to directly atomize liquid water into fine droplets, bypassing the traditional phase transition heating method. This direct atomization approach achieves rapid water vapor generation with precise control, eliminating the long thermal response time of heating plates while maintaining accurate humidification output control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal field-based heating plate system with a mechanical field-based ultrasonic atomization system. The ultrasonic vibration mechanism directly converts electrical energy to mechanical vibration, atomizing water into fine droplets that rapidly evaporate, achieving both fast response and precise control without the thermal inertia of traditional heating methods.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the gas temperature at the water tank outlet is increased to prevent condensation, then condensation is reduced, but heat loss increases and energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary heating of the breathing pipeline before steam delivery, and maintains continuous low-level heating during operation. This preliminary action prevents condensation from occurring in the first place, eliminating the need to overheat the steam at the source and thereby reducing energy waste while effectively preventing condensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates temperature and humidity sensors that provide real-time feedback to the control system. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts the heating power and ultrasonic atomization intensity, maintaining optimal steam parameters without excessive heating, thus preventing condensation while minimizing energy consumption through closed-loop control.
3Ease of operation
If a traditional heating and humidifying device is used, then humidification function is provided, but the equipment is too large and heavy for storage and transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heating and humidifying device into separate functional modules: a water tank, an ultrasonic atomization module, a heating module, and a control module. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and enables flexible configuration that reduces overall equipment size and weight while maintaining portability and ease of storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin-walled water tank design and compact housing structures that maintain structural integrity while minimizing material usage. The ultrasonic atomization module uses thin film transducers that are lightweight yet effective, contributing to overall equipment weight reduction while preserving functionality for portable applications.
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
Achieves precise control of humidity and temperature, preventing condensation and ensuring safe, efficient humidification for patients by maintaining steam conditions suitable for inhalation.
Implementation Method 1
a water tank atomization set (39), a steam generator (40)... The water tank atomization set atomizes the water automatically
Implementation Method 2
vaporizing the water droplets and outputting the vaporized water droplets along with the gas as steam
Implementation Method 3
a steam generator (40)... preheats the gas subsequently breathed by the patient and mixing the preheated gas with atomized water droplets, vaporizing the water droplets
Implementation Method 4
heating and humidifying method... communicating the steam to the patient through a pipeline which is capable of being heated... the temperature and humidity of the steam are monitored in real time
Data Source
AI summary
A heating and humidifying device and a heating and humidifying method. The heating and humidifying device comprises a housing (1), a water tank atomizing set, a steam generator, a heating breathing pipeline, and a controller. A tank body (11) of the water tank atomizing set is buckled with a plurality of elastic pieces (5) in the housing by means of buckling strips on the outer side wall of the water tank atomizing set; the steam generator is snap fit with grooves (8) on the two sides of the housing (1) by means of the buckling pieces (29) on the two sides; a mist outlet (13) on the tank body (11) of the water tank atomizing set is connected to a connector (38) of the steam generator; a gas outlet (28) on the steam generator is connected to the heating breathing pipeline. The heating and humidifying method comprises the steps of: (1) water injecting atomization; (2) water mist gasifying; and (3) heat insulating and gas exhausting.