Temperature-Responsive Water Collection Without Rotating Mechanisms

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water collecting apparatuses require complex structures with rotating mechanisms and interlocking systems to switch between moisture absorption and release, complicating their configuration.

Innovation Solution

A water collecting apparatus utilizing a moisture-absorbing material with temperature-responsive polymers and a heat-conducting member or light source to control hydrophilicity, allowing moisture absorption and release without mechanical movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rotating mechanism and interlocking mechanism are provided to control moisture absorption and release areas, then the water collecting apparatus can effectively collect moisture, but the structure becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture collection effectivenessVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical rotating mechanism and interlocking system with a temperature-responsive polymer material that automatically changes its moisture absorption properties in response to temperature changes. The polymer compound's hydrophilicity changes with temperature, eliminating the need for mechanical movement to switch between absorption and release modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the temperature parameter to control the hydrophilicity of the polymer compound. By changing the temperature of the moisture-absorbing material, the system automatically transitions between moisture absorption and release states without requiring mechanical actuation or complex control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If a heater is energized to release moisture from the polymeric moisture-absorbing material, then moisture can be released, but the structure requires an interlocking mechanism to control energization timing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture release capabilityVSAvoidinterlocking mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the interlocking mechanism by using a temperature-responsive polymer that automatically releases moisture when temperature increases. The polymer's inherent temperature-hydrophilicity relationship replaces the need for mechanical interlocking systems to control heater energization timing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The moisture-absorbing material serves itself by automatically responding to temperature changes. The polymer compound inherently changes its moisture absorption characteristics based on temperature, eliminating the need for external control mechanisms to timing moisture release.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 moisture collection with a simplified configuration by using temperature or light to change the hydrophilicity of the absorbing material, facilitating efficient moisture absorption and release without mechanical complexity.

Implementation Method 1

a heat-conducting member disposed facing a portion of an outer surface of the moisture-absorbing material and having thermal conductivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a photothermal conversion body configured to convert light into heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotothermal conversion:

Implementation Method 3

a polymer compound having a property in which a degree of hydrophilicity changes with temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature-responsive hydrophilicity change: Thermochromism

Implementation Method 4

a photoresponsive polymer compound having a property in which a degree of hydrophilicity changes with light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoresponsive hydrophilicity change: Photochromism

Data Source

PatentUS12521672B2Water collecting apparatus and water collecting method

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 SHARP KK

AI summary

A water collecting apparatus (100) includes a moisture-absorbing material (10) and a heat-conducting member (20). The moisture-absorbing material (10) includes a polymer compound having a property in which a degree of hydrophilicity changes with temperature. The heat-conducting member (20) is disposed facing a portion of an outer surface of the moisture-absorbing material (10) and has thermal conductivity. The heat-conducting member (20) is preferably disposed so that another portion of the outer surface of the moisture-absorbing material (10) is left exposed. The portion of the outer surface of the moisture-absorbing material (10) and the other portion of the outer surface of the moisture-absorbing material (10) are collinearly positioned.