Humidity adjustment

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017321908-A1
Application number	US-201515531063-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 1, 2015
Priority date	Dec 3, 2014
Publication date	Nov 9, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to humidity adjustment. In some embodiments, a humidity adjustment device is provided. The humidity adjustment device comprises a container including a wall for defining an accommodating space. The wall includes a water separating element for separating a mixture of water vapor and liquid water, wherein the water separating element includes a sieve portion adapted to separate the mixture of water vapor and liquid water, characterized in that the sieve portion comprises holes whose sizes are in the range of 25-35 microns. Corresponding apparatus and method are disclosed as well.

First claim

1 . A humidity adjustment device, comprising:
a container including a wall for defining an accommodating space, the wall including a water separating element for separating a mixture of water vapor and liquid water, wherein the water separating element includes a sieve portion adapted to separate the mixture of water vapor and liquid water, wherein the sieve portion comprises holes whose sizes are in the range of 25-35 microns.

2 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the container includes a supporting structure adapted to support the sieve portion.

3 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the wall is entirely formed by the sieve portion.

4 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the sieve portion comprises a coating comprising superhydrophobic material.

5 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the container further includes a bottom adapted to drain away droplets formed in the container.

6 . The device according to claim 5 , wherein the bottom is perforated or grooved.

7 . An apparatus, comprising a humidity adjustment device according to any of claim 1 , further comprising a mist generator for generating the mixture of water vapor and liquid water.

8 . The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the mist generator is outside of the container.

9 . The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the mist generator is inside of the container.

10 . The apparatus according to claim 8 , further comprising at least one of:
a humidity sensor adapted to monitor humidity in the container or out of the container; and a temperature sensor adapted to monitor temperature in the container or out of the container.

11 . The apparatus according to claim 7 , further comprising:
a temperature adjustment device adapted to adjust temperature associated with the container.

12 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the sieve portion comprises holes whose size is around 30 microns.

13 . A method for adjusting humidity, comprising:
receiving mixture of water vapor and liquid water by a humidity adjustment device according to claim 1 ; and separating the mixture of water vapor and liquid water by the sieve portion of the water separating element.

14 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein separating the mixture of water vapor and liquid water comprises:
separating the mixture of water vapor and liquid water, such that the water vapor and water droplets whose sizes are smaller than the size of the holes of the sieve portion enter into the container and the liquid water droplets whose sizes are larger than the size of the holes of the sieve portion stay outside of the container.

15 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein separating the mixture of water vapor and liquid water comprises:
separating the mixture of water vapor and liquid water, such that the water vapor and water droplets whose sizes are smaller than the size of the holes of the sieve portion exit from the container and the liquid water droplets whose sizes are larger than the size of the holes of the sieve portion stay inside of the container.

Assignees

• Koninklijke Philips Nv

Inventors

• Hua Qiao
• Chen Shuang
• Yu Donghai

Classifications

• F24F6/12

  by forming water dispersions in the air · CPC title

• F24F3/14 Primary

  by humidification; by dehumidification · CPC title

• F24F2003/1435

  comprising semi-permeable membrane · CPC title

• A23B7/00 Primary

  Preservation of fruit or vegetables; Chemical ripening of fruit or vegetables · CPC title