Device for producing water droplets for air humidification and a humidification system with such devices

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air humidification devices are not cost-effective, energy-efficient, or hygienically safe for everyday use in decentralized installations, and they often pose risks due to residual water and overpressure issues.

Innovation Solution

A device with a through duct, a valve arrangement, and a perforated mesh droplet generator that controls water flow and droplet release, featuring a pressure equalization opening, a flushing mechanism, and sensors for optimal operation and hygiene, ensuring safe and controlled humidification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If a reservoir is used to store water for humidification, then the device can operate continuously, but residual water remains in the reservoir causing hygienic problems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operationVSAvoidhygienic contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary flushing of the reservoir before operation to remove residual water that would cause hygienic problems. The control unit activates the pump to circulate water through the reservoir and discharge it, ensuring the reservoir is clean before water is introduced for humidification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If a piezoceramic vibrator or ultrasonic transducer is used to generate droplets, then atomized water can be produced, but the devices are complex and not suitable for everyday use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveatomized water dropletsVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a mesh that is vibrated mechanically to generate water droplets. The pump circulates water through the mesh, and mechanical vibration of the mesh creates fine droplets without requiring complex piezoceramic or ultrasonic components, simplifying the overall device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

3Productivity

If water is stored in a reservoir under pressure, then droplet generation is efficient, but overpressure may harm the mesh and reduce its lifetime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedroplet generation efficiencyVSAvoidmesh lifetime

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit monitors the operation and controls the pump to maintain appropriate pressure levels in the reservoir. By providing feedback control, the system prevents overpressure conditions that would damage the mesh while maintaining sufficient pressure for efficient droplet generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Object-affected harmful factors

If a drier is used to remove residual water from the reservoir, then hygienic safety is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehygienic safetyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using energy-intensive drying, the system extracts residual water from the reservoir by circulating it through the pump and discharging it. This mechanical removal of water is more energy-efficient than thermal drying while achieving the same hygienic safety goal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

5Productivity

If the mesh is vibrated to release droplets, then humidification is effective, but water may leak from the reservoir

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehumidification effectivenessVSAvoidwater leakage prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit monitors the system and adjusts the pump operation to maintain proper water levels and pressure in the reservoir during mesh vibration. This feedback control prevents conditions that would cause water leakage while maintaining effective droplet generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 solution provides a cost-effective, energy-efficient, and hygienically safe method for humidifying compartments with very small water droplets, preventing water leakage and residual issues, while maintaining the longevity of the mesh and ensuring continuous safe operation.

Implementation Method 1

the mesh forming the water droplet outlet of the device releasing droplets from the other side of the mesh when the mesh of the droplet generator is vibrated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

the reservoir is provided with a pressure equalization opening at a point away from the mesh and above the fill-level of the reservoir

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure equalization: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS10508820B2Device for producing water droplets for air humidification and a humidification system with such devices

Publication Date: 2019.12.17 CONDAIR GRP

AI summary

A humidification device (1) is shown wherein water is nebulized by a vibrating mesh with very small holes. The mesh is part of a reservoir which is fed by a valve arrangement which allows to direct water from a conduit over several water lines within the device either back to the conduit or into the reservoir. The device and a system with such devices allow to humidify and/or cool compartments such as rooms with a very fine mist of water which is hardly visually detectable. The system and device is adapted to be part of a permanent installation with low maintenance.