Wine Cooler Humidity Control Using Porous Medium and Damper Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerating appliances, such as wine coolers, face challenges in maintaining optimal humidity levels for wine storage, which can lead to cork drying or mold growth, and existing solutions do not effectively control moisture levels to prevent these issues.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerating appliance with a humidity control system that includes a damper, heater, porous medium, and controller to regulate airflow and water supply, allowing for selective humidification or de-humidification based on humidity sensors' readings to maintain desired relative humidity levels between 50%-70%, using a desiccant wheel for efficient moisture management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional refrigerating appliances are used, then cooling function is provided, but humidity levels cannot be maintained within optimal range (50%-70%)
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerating appliance is divided into separate functional zones: a cooling system for temperature control and a humidification system for humidity control. The humidification system includes distinct components (humidifier, water reservoir, airflow path) that can operate independently from the cooling system, allowing precise humidity management without interfering with temperature regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigerating appliance integrates multiple functions into a single device: cooling (temperature control) and humidification (moisture control). The system can perform both cooling and humidification simultaneously or independently, providing a multi-functional solution that maintains both temperature and humidity within optimal ranges for wine storage.
2Quantity of substance
If humidification is performed without temperature control, then humidity levels increase, but temperature swings occur during humidification
Solution Approach 1:
The humidification system is thermally integrated with the cooling system. The humidifier is positioned within or near the cooling chamber, and the cooling system's thermal mass and airflow control help stabilize temperatures during humidification. This merging of systems allows water vapor addition while minimizing temperature fluctuations that would otherwise occur during humidification cycles.
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 system effectively maintains optimal humidity levels, preventing cork drying and mold growth, while reducing the frequency of defrost cycles by minimizing temperature swings during humidification, thus ensuring better wine preservation and appliance efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A porous medium (24) is disposed proximate to the heater (22). A water inlet (26) is configured to selectively supply water to the porous medium (24)
Implementation Method 2
A heater (22) is provided and configured to receive the airflow (16)
Implementation Method 3
a damper (14) configured to control airflow (16) between a cabinet (18) defining a cavity, or an interior (20), and the humidity control system (10)
Implementation Method 4
A controller (30) is configured to adjust a supply of water (28) to the water inlet (26)
Data Source
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AI summary
A humidity control system (10, 110, 300) for a wine cooler may include a damper (14, 114) configured to control airflow (16, 116) between a cabinet (18) defining an interior (20) and the humidity control system (10, 110, 300), a heater (22, 122) configured to receive the airflow (16, 116), a porous medium (24, 124) disposed proximate to the heater (22, 122), a water inlet (26, 126) configured to selectively supply water to the porous medium (24, 124) and a controller (30) configured to adjust a supply of water (28, 128) to the water inlet (26, 126). Upon a humidification signal the controller (30) may adjust the damper (14, 114) to allow the passage of airflow (16, 116) from the interior (20) of the cabinet (18) to the heater (22, 122) and the porous medium (24, 124). The airflow (16, 116) may be humidified via the porous medium (24, 124) and the humidified airflow (16, 116) may be returned to the interior (20) of the cabinet (18).