Water-using apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water-using apparatuses, such as humidifiers, face issues with scale deposition due to ionic substances like calcium and magnesium ions, and require frequent replacement of ion-exchanger resin for continuous deionization, which is cumbersome and costly.

Innovation Solution

A water-using apparatus with a water-treating unit that employs electrical deionization using electrodes and a controller to manage deionization and refreshment processes, allowing continuous removal of ionic substances without replacing ion-exchanger resin by draining concentrated water through a drainpipe.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ion-exchanger resin is used to remove ionic substances from water, then ionic substances are removed from water, but the resin needs to be replaced when deionization capacity is reached

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous deionization capabilityVSAvoidresin replacement frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The water-treating unit is divided into multiple chambers with alternating deionization chambers and regeneration chambers. The deionization chambers contain ion-exchanger resin while regeneration chambers contain regeneration solution. This segmentation allows continuous operation by switching between chambers, eliminating the need to replace resin when capacity is reached.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of discarding exhausted ion-exchanger resin, the system recovers it by regenerating the resin in-situ using regeneration solution delivered through the regeneration chambers. This allows the resin to be reused continuously without replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Reliability

If ion-exchanger resin is used for deionization, then ionic substances are removed from water, but replacement of resin is costly and troublesome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeionization performanceVSAvoidmaintenance cost and complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-regeneration by automatically switching between deionization and regeneration modes using the controller. The regeneration solution is pumped through the regeneration chambers to restore the ion-exchanger resin in-situ, eliminating the need for external manual replacement and reducing maintenance costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The regeneration chambers are pre-filled with regeneration solution and positioned adjacent to the deionization chambers. This preliminary arrangement allows immediate regeneration when needed, preventing interruption of deionization service and avoiding costly emergency resin replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If conventional ion-exchanger resin is used, then water is deionized, but the system stops when resin capacity is exhausted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeionization outputVSAvoidresin service life

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains continuous deionization output by operating multiple chambers in parallel sequences. While one chamber undergoes regeneration, another continues deionization. The controller switches between chambers to ensure uninterrupted water treatment, extending the effective service life of the system without resin replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic switching between deionization and regeneration cycles for different chambers. This periodic action allows the resin to be regenerated at intervals rather than requiring continuous replacement, maintaining long-term productivity without interruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic 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 continuous removal of ionic substances over a long term without the need for resin replacement, maintaining apparatus performance and reducing maintenance costs.

Implementation Method 1

a water-treating unit (2) connected to the water-feeding unit (1) by the pipe (11) and having a function in which ionic substances contained in water fed from the water-feeding unit (1) are removed by an electrical deionization unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical deionization: Electrostatic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS12540085B2Water-using apparatus

Publication Date: 2026.02.03 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

A water-using apparatus includes a water-feeding unit configured to feed water, a water-treating unit connected to the water-feeding unit by a pipe and being configured to perform a function in which ionic substances contained in water fed from the water-feeding unit are removed by an electrical deionization unit, a water-using unit connected to the water-treating unit by a pipe and configured to use water having flowed through the water-treating unit, a drainpipe through which water with increased concentration of ionic substances removed by the water-treating unit is drained, and a controller configured to control a passage for water fed from the water-feeding unit and to cause water with increased concentration of ionic substances to be drained through the drainpipe.