Vaporization-type humidification unit, vaporization-type humidification unit control method, and sheet manufacture device

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Solution Overview

Problem

In vaporization type humidifiers, varying air flow rates to control humidification can lead to non-uniformity in sheet formation during air transport in dry type waste paper recycling machines, affecting material transport and accumulation distribution.

Innovation Solution

A vaporization type humidification unit controls the air flow rate of a first blower based on humidity measurements, adjusting the difference in air flow rates with a second blower by taking in or releasing outside air, maintaining a constant air flow rate from the second blower while varying the mixing ratio to control humidification amounts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the air flow rate is varied to control humidification amount, then humidification control is achieved, but air transport stability and sheet uniformity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehumidification controlVSAvoidsheet uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The air flow system is segmented into two independent blowers (first blower for humidification air, second blower for transport air), allowing separate control of humidification and transport functions. This enables humidification control without affecting transport air flow rate, resolving the contradiction between ease of humidification control and sheet uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges humidification air flow and transport air flow into a single discharge outlet, combining two functions that were previously separate. The mixed air flow from both blowers is discharged together, allowing independent control of each blower while achieving both humidification and transport functions through a unified discharge system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Quantity of substance

If the air flow rate of the first blower is increased for humidification, then humidification amount increases, but the difference in air flow rates between first and second blowers causes transport air instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehumidification amountVSAvoidtransport air stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically balances air flow rates from two separate blowers by introducing outside air through an opening. When the first blower's air flow rate increases for humidification, outside air is introduced to compensate, maintaining stable total air flow and transport conditions while achieving increased humidification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Outside air introduced through the opening acts as an intermediary element that balances the air flow difference between the two blowers. This mediator air flow compensates for variations in the first blower's output, maintaining transport air stability while allowing humidification control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If a single blower is used for both humidification and transport, then device complexity is reduced, but control flexibility and humidification precision deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblower system structureVSAvoidhumidification control flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The single blower function is segmented into two separate blowers: one dedicated to humidification air supply and another to transport air supply. This segmentation provides independent control capability for each function, enabling flexible humidification control without compromising transport performance, while the unified discharge structure keeps overall system complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This approach allows for easy control of humidification while maintaining a constant air flow rate from the second blower, preventing stagnation and adhesion of raw materials, and suppressing non-uniformity in sheet density without affecting transport air or sheet accumulation units.

Implementation Method 1

a vaporization unit (310) that evaporates moisture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

a first blower (320) that discharges air (humid air) to be sucked by the vaporization unit (310)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 3

a second blower (340) that discharges air that has been sucked by the first blower (320)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3543615B1Vaporization-type humidification unit, vaporization-type humidification unit control method, and sheet manufacture device
Publication Date: 2023.08.09 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • EP3543615B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3543615B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3543615B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vaporization type humidification unit that can vary a humidification amount by varying air flow rate is provided. The vaporization type humidification unit includes a vaporization unit that evaporates moisture, a first blower that sucks humidification air humidified by the vaporization unit, a transport tube that is connected to the first blower and through which the air discharged from the first blower is transported, a second blower connected to the transport tube and discharging the humidification air discharged from the first blower side toward outside, an opening provided in a middle of the transport tube, a humidity measurement unit installed on a discharging side of the second blower, and a control unit that controls an air flow rate discharged from the first blower and the second blower, in which the control unit controls the air flow rate discharged from the second blower to a desired value and controls the air flow rate discharged from the first blower based on a humidity measured by the humidity measurement unit.