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WO1993008429A1 - Miniaturized-humidifier - Google Patents

Miniaturized-humidifier Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1993008429A1
WO1993008429A1 PCT/CA1992/000455 CA9200455W WO9308429A1 WO 1993008429 A1 WO1993008429 A1 WO 1993008429A1 CA 9200455 W CA9200455 W CA 9200455W WO 9308429 A1 WO9308429 A1 WO 9308429A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
humidifier
container
humidity
sponge
chamber
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CA1992/000455
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
David J. Banton
Original Assignee
Banton David J
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Banton David J filed Critical Banton David J
Publication of WO1993008429A1 publication Critical patent/WO1993008429A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G10MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10GREPRESENTATION OF MUSIC; RECORDING MUSIC IN NOTATION FORM; ACCESSORIES FOR MUSIC OR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. SUPPORTS
    • G10G7/00Other auxiliary devices or accessories, e.g. conductors' batons or separate holders for resin or strings
    • G10G7/005Carrying cases for musical instruments
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24FAIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F6/00Air-humidification, e.g. cooling by humidification
    • F24F6/02Air-humidification, e.g. cooling by humidification by evaporation of water in the air
    • F24F6/04Air-humidification, e.g. cooling by humidification by evaporation of water in the air using stationary unheated wet elements

Definitions

  • This invention relates to humidifiers and more particularly to a more efficient humidifier for control of moisture in a container such as a musical instrument case or a container for art objects.
  • SUBSTITUTE SHEET are not important considerations in designing this hot air humidifier for use on a furnace.
  • An object of the invention is therefore the provision of a miniature humidifier to fit in a musical instrument case.
  • Another object of this invention is the provision of a water supply which cannot spill.
  • a further object of this invention is the provision of a humidifier which has a battery powered fan.
  • Another object of the present invention is the provision of a humidifier controlled by a miniaturized humidistat.
  • a still further object of this invention is the provision of a humidifier wherein the moisture supply is in the form of a water reservoir together with a water evaporator and is separated from the humidistat to provide more accurate sensing of actual humidity in the surrounding instrument case.
  • Figure 1 is a top plan view of the humidifier of this invention without a cover.
  • Figure 2 is a side elevation of the humidifier of Figure 1 with a cover in place.
  • Figure 3 is an end view of the humidifier of Figure 1.
  • Figure 4 is an end view of the humidifier of Figure 1.
  • FIG. 2 - Figure 5 is a schematic of the electrical circuits of the humidifier of Figure 1.
  • Figure 6 is an alternative construction to Figure 1.
  • the humidifier shown generally at 10 in Figure 1 is mounted in a case 12 of metal or suitable plastic material having a bottom wall 14, two side walls 16 and 18, a closed end wall 20 and an open end wall 22 defining an opening 24 adapted to be closed by a cover 26 which may be bingedly attached to the side wall 18 by a suitable hinge 28.
  • a humidistat 30 and an on/off switch 32 are mounted in the case 12 so that the controls extend through the wall 20 in a conventional manner.
  • the model H600A Honeywell humidistat was modified and miniaturized for this purpose.
  • a DC motor 38 mounted in the mid portion of the casing 12 is provided with a slip-on fan blade 40. It will be noted that a partition 42 is provided between the humidistat 30 and the motor 38 for reasons to be explained.
  • two AA size 1.5 volt batteries, 46 are connected in parallel with the motor 38 through the switch 32 and the humidistat 30.
  • a moisture retaining element 50 in this case an open cell sponge material, is received between the open end 22 of the casing 12 and the motor 38.
  • the sponge is tapered to increase the surface area exposed to air circulated by the fan 40.
  • An impermeable partition/wall lies between the humidistat 30 and the motor 38. This serves to divide the case into two chambers: a sensing chamber (in which humidistat 30 is located) and a humidification chamber, in which are located the batteries, motor 38, fan blade 40 and sponge 50.
  • the purpose of this wall is to minimize the possibility of the humidistat 30 sensing any humidity from the sponge 50 and thereby obtaming a false reading of humidity.
  • the motor 38 is powered by two AA-46 size 1.5 volt alkaline batteries connected in parallel and mounted below the motor. These batteries can provide power for up to 20 hours continuously. Power use can be reduced by opening the container as little as possible; if the container is opened too frequently, battery life will be reduced, as the motor will be operating more often to humidify the air within the container.
  • the on-off switch 32 is mounted in the housing 12 next to the humidistat 30, and its control toggle extends through the end wall 20. This switch may be used to turn off the humidification unit when the container is not in use or when the container is opened for more than a short period.
  • the sponge 50 For the humidifier 10 to operate, the sponge 50 must first be wetted. This can be done by opening the cover 26, sliding the sponge out of the housing 12, wetting the sponge (preferably saturating it) with warm water, compressing it by approximately 10%, and shaking it to remove excess water. The sponge 50 can then be placed back in the housing 12. The sponge is cut wider than the housing 12 (for a friction fit) and must be compressed slightly as it is placed. The sponge 50 should be inserted into the housing 12 so as to allow air discharged from the fan 40 to pass both above and below the sponge 50 to maximize the air-sponge contact area.
  • the sponge should preferably be wetted every 24 hours (or as required) for proper operation of the humidifier.
  • the wetter the sponge is, the higher will be the humidification rate and the lower will be the battery consumption.
  • care must be taken that the sponge 50 not be overly wet, and that it be inserted into the housing 12 carefully, to prevent excess water from escaping into the container and damaging the contents.
  • the container should be opened as infrequently as possible to maintain the humidity within the container and to minimize humidifier 10 operation.
  • FIG. 6 An alternative instruction is shown in Figure 6, in which the sidewall has been removed to show the interior arrangements.
  • this unit similarly has a case 12, batteries 46, motor 38, fan 40, compartment wall 42, and a switch 32. It also includes a humidity sensor 31 and an associated control panel unit 30 of conventional construction. The batteries 46 are supported above the control panel 30 on a suitable ledge 47.
  • a small tank, 60 is inserted into the end of the unit, up against a stop lip 61.
  • the tank is suitably a tight friction fit in the case 12.
  • the tank is provided with a filling aperture 62, closed with a plug 63. This plug can be threaded, or otherwise sealed to prevent water leaking out.
  • Adjacent the fan 40 a wick 63 is coiled onto the interior surface 65 of the tank 60.
  • One end of the wick, 64 extends inside the tank into the water contained therein.
  • the desired humidity level for the container is set by using the variable control of the humidistat 30 which extends through the housing wall 20.
  • the Honeywell H600A humidistat 30 has a relative humidity range of 20-80%).
  • the humidistat 30 senses that the humidity of the container air is below the desired setpoint level, it energizes the motor 38. This in turn rotates the fan blade 40.
  • the fan 40 draws air from the container through louvres above ft in the cover 26 and discharges it past the wetted sponge 50. As this air passes both above and below the sponge 50 it picks up moisture from the sponge which increases the humidity of that air.
  • the humidified air is then discharged back into the container through the end wall 22.
  • the motor 38 continues to run and power the fan blade 40, drawing air from the container and discharging humidified air back into the container, until the relative humidity of the container as measured by the humidistat 30 matches the

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Air Humidification (AREA)
  • Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)

Abstract

A portable humidifier for use in a container which houses objects requiring controlled humidity. The humidifier comprises a housing with a humidity sensing chamber and a humidification chamber open to the container. An impermeable wall is located between the chamber with the humidistat (30) and the chamber with the moisture bearing sponge (50). An air circulating device (38, 40) is provided in the humidification chamber. Air passing through the moisture bearing sponge (50) in the humidification chamber absorbs moisture.

Description

MINIATURIZED-HUMIDIFIER
This invention relates to humidifiers and more particularly to a more efficient humidifier for control of moisture in a container such as a musical instrument case or a container for art objects.
Musical instruments, particularly string instruments, are adversely affected by a lack of controlled humidity while in storage or in transit. It is desirable to have the instrument in an environment maintained at a selected humidity range prior to a concert performance or the like.
Existing devices used to increase humidity with musical instrument cases include water soaked sponges and perforated containers filled with chalk. Moisture provided in this manner keeps the instrument from drying out which can cause cracking or separation of glue. If care is taken by the musician no damage would occur due to excess moisture.
However, there is a need to not only prevent drying out of the instrument but provide the optimum moisture content prior to performances. For example, it has been found that a relative humidity of 70% is required to obtain the best quality of tone from a violin. Although a concert hall might not provide the optimum humidity for an instrument moisture content of the wood could be within an optimum range for a performance. Known humidifiers designed to control humidity in a large space such as a room or an entire building are not satisfactory due to size and lack of portability. Maintaining storage, transportation and concert areas at optimum humidity is usually not within the control of the musician. Thus a miniature humidistatically controlled instrument case is desirable.
Known air conditioners such as that shown in United States Patent 4,738,805 have water trays which are unsuitable for use in a case which is being transported. Furthermore, size, weight and self-contained power supply
- 1 -
SUBSTITUTE SHEET are not important considerations in designing this hot air humidifier for use on a furnace.
An object of the invention is therefore the provision of a miniature humidifier to fit in a musical instrument case.
Another object of this invention is the provision of a water supply which cannot spill.
A further object of this invention is the provision of a humidifier which has a battery powered fan.
Another object of the present invention is the provision of a humidifier controlled by a miniaturized humidistat.
A still further object of this invention is the provision of a humidifier wherein the moisture supply is in the form of a water reservoir together with a water evaporator and is separated from the humidistat to provide more accurate sensing of actual humidity in the surrounding instrument case.
Keferring now in detail to the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a top plan view of the humidifier of this invention without a cover.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the humidifier of Figure 1 with a cover in place.
Figure 3 is an end view of the humidifier of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is an end view of the humidifier of Figure 1.
2 - Figure 5 is a schematic of the electrical circuits of the humidifier of Figure 1.
Figure 6 is an alternative construction to Figure 1.
Referring now in detail to the drawings, the humidifier shown generally at 10 in Figure 1 is mounted in a case 12 of metal or suitable plastic material having a bottom wall 14, two side walls 16 and 18, a closed end wall 20 and an open end wall 22 defining an opening 24 adapted to be closed by a cover 26 which may be bingedly attached to the side wall 18 by a suitable hinge 28. A humidistat 30 and an on/off switch 32 are mounted in the case 12 so that the controls extend through the wall 20 in a conventional manner. The model H600A Honeywell humidistat was modified and miniaturized for this purpose.
A DC motor 38 mounted in the mid portion of the casing 12 is provided with a slip-on fan blade 40. It will be noted that a partition 42 is provided between the humidistat 30 and the motor 38 for reasons to be explained.
As shown in Figure 5, two AA size 1.5 volt batteries, 46, are connected in parallel with the motor 38 through the switch 32 and the humidistat 30.
A moisture retaining element 50, in this case an open cell sponge material, is received between the open end 22 of the casing 12 and the motor 38. The sponge is tapered to increase the surface area exposed to air circulated by the fan 40.
An impermeable partition/wall lies between the humidistat 30 and the motor 38. This serves to divide the case into two chambers: a sensing chamber (in which humidistat 30 is located) and a humidification chamber, in which are located the batteries, motor 38, fan blade 40 and sponge 50. The purpose of this wall is to minimize the possibility of the humidistat 30 sensing any humidity from the sponge 50 and thereby obtaming a false reading of humidity.
- 3 -
SUBSTITUTE SHEET The motor 38 is powered by two AA-46 size 1.5 volt alkaline batteries connected in parallel and mounted below the motor. These batteries can provide power for up to 20 hours continuously. Power use can be reduced by opening the container as little as possible; if the container is opened too frequently, battery life will be reduced, as the motor will be operating more often to humidify the air within the container.
The on-off switch 32 is mounted in the housing 12 next to the humidistat 30, and its control toggle extends through the end wall 20. This switch may be used to turn off the humidification unit when the container is not in use or when the container is opened for more than a short period.
For the humidifier 10 to operate, the sponge 50 must first be wetted. This can be done by opening the cover 26, sliding the sponge out of the housing 12, wetting the sponge (preferably saturating it) with warm water, compressing it by approximately 10%, and shaking it to remove excess water. The sponge 50 can then be placed back in the housing 12. The sponge is cut wider than the housing 12 (for a friction fit) and must be compressed slightly as it is placed. The sponge 50 should be inserted into the housing 12 so as to allow air discharged from the fan 40 to pass both above and below the sponge 50 to maximize the air-sponge contact area.
The sponge should preferably be wetted every 24 hours (or as required) for proper operation of the humidifier. The wetter the sponge is, the higher will be the humidification rate and the lower will be the battery consumption. It should be noted, though, that care must be taken that the sponge 50 not be overly wet, and that it be inserted into the housing 12 carefully, to prevent excess water from escaping into the container and damaging the contents. When first using the humidifier 10 in a dry environment, most of the moisture in the sponge will be used up in the first 24 hours, as the humidity of the air in the container is brought up to the desired level. When the air in the container and the contents are humidified, moisture in the sponge will be used
- 4 -
SUBSTITUTE SHEET up at a much lower rate. The container should be opened as infrequently as possible to maintain the humidity within the container and to minimize humidifier 10 operation.
An alternative instruction is shown in Figure 6, in which the sidewall has been removed to show the interior arrangements. In common with Figure 1, this unit similarly has a case 12, batteries 46, motor 38, fan 40, compartment wall 42, and a switch 32. It also includes a humidity sensor 31 and an associated control panel unit 30 of conventional construction. The batteries 46 are supported above the control panel 30 on a suitable ledge 47.
The main difference is in the water supply arrangements. A small tank, 60, is inserted into the end of the unit, up against a stop lip 61. The tank is suitably a tight friction fit in the case 12. The tank is provided with a filling aperture 62, closed with a plug 63. This plug can be threaded, or otherwise sealed to prevent water leaking out. Adjacent the fan 40 a wick 63 is coiled onto the interior surface 65 of the tank 60. One end of the wick, 64, extends inside the tank into the water contained therein.
The desired humidity level for the container is set by using the variable control of the humidistat 30 which extends through the housing wall 20. (The Honeywell H600A humidistat 30 has a relative humidity range of 20-80%). When the humidistat 30 senses that the humidity of the container air is below the desired setpoint level, it energizes the motor 38. This in turn rotates the fan blade 40. The fan 40 then draws air from the container through louvres above ft in the cover 26 and discharges it past the wetted sponge 50. As this air passes both above and below the sponge 50 it picks up moisture from the sponge which increases the humidity of that air. The humidified air is then discharged back into the container through the end wall 22. The motor 38 continues to run and power the fan blade 40, drawing air from the container and discharging humidified air back into the container, until the relative humidity of the container as measured by the humidistat 30 matches the
SUBSTITUTE SHEET relative humidity set by the user. The motor is then shut off by the humidistat.
-6-
SUBSTIT TE SHEET

Claims

What is claimed is:
1. A portable humidifier for use in a container which houses objects requiring controlled humidity, said humidifier comprising:
(a) a housing;
(b) a humidity sensing chamber open to said container;
(c) a humidification chamber open to said container;
(d) an impermeable wall between said chambers;
(e) humidity sensing and control means in said sensing chamber;
(f) air circulating means in said humidification chamber, having a drive means and a power supply, said drive means being controlled by the humidity sensing and control means whereby air passing through moisture bearing media in said humidification chamber absorbs moisture.
2. A humidifier according to claim 1 wherein the humidification chamber includes both a water reservoir means and a water evaporation surface.
3. A humidifier according to claim 2 wherein the water reservoir . and evaporation surface comprise a sponge means.
4. A humidifier according to claim 2 wherein the water reservoir comprises a refillable tank means, and the evaporation surface comprises a wick means on an outside surface of the tank in communication with the interior of the tank.
SUBSTITUTE SHEET
PCT/CA1992/000455 1991-10-15 1992-10-15 Miniaturized-humidifier WO1993008429A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2053371 CA2053371C (en) 1991-10-15 1991-10-15 Miniaturized humidifier
CA2,053,371 1991-10-15

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1993008429A1 true WO1993008429A1 (en) 1993-04-29

Family

ID=4148549

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/CA1992/000455 WO1993008429A1 (en) 1991-10-15 1992-10-15 Miniaturized-humidifier

Country Status (2)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2053371C (en)
WO (1) WO1993008429A1 (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7007861B2 (en) 2000-06-08 2006-03-07 S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Methods and personal protection devices for repelling insects
GB2467903A (en) * 2009-02-13 2010-08-18 Martin George Taylor Portable musical instrument case with climate control means
DE102010021989A1 (en) 2010-05-29 2011-12-01 IfM - Institut für Musikinstrumentenbau e.V. Arrangement for controlling air humidity in musical instrument containers, has layer, separator, water reservoir and particle barrier layer arranged such that pressure of water vapor in substance is used to control humidity in container
US10832641B2 (en) 2017-06-07 2020-11-10 Chisholm & Sons LLC Humidity controlled musical instrument reed cap
NL2026107B1 (en) * 2020-07-21 2022-03-21 Johan Van Der Sluis Martin Air humidification device and method for humidifying air
CN114803159A (en) * 2022-04-12 2022-07-29 天津航天机电设备研究所 Humidifying device used during spacecraft packaging storage and transportation

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3721152A (en) * 1972-04-27 1973-03-20 Meyer W Von Humidifier attachment for guitars and the like
DE3213666A1 (en) * 1982-04-14 1983-10-27 Luftbefeuchtung Gmbh, 6700 Ludwigshafen Air-humidifier according to the evaporation principle
US5030389A (en) * 1990-04-04 1991-07-09 Cecil Wesley E Portable cooler apparatus

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3721152A (en) * 1972-04-27 1973-03-20 Meyer W Von Humidifier attachment for guitars and the like
DE3213666A1 (en) * 1982-04-14 1983-10-27 Luftbefeuchtung Gmbh, 6700 Ludwigshafen Air-humidifier according to the evaporation principle
US5030389A (en) * 1990-04-04 1991-07-09 Cecil Wesley E Portable cooler apparatus

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7007861B2 (en) 2000-06-08 2006-03-07 S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Methods and personal protection devices for repelling insects
US7152809B2 (en) 2000-06-08 2006-12-26 S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Methods and personal protection devices for repelling insects
US7168630B1 (en) 2000-06-08 2007-01-30 S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Methods and personal protection devices for repelling insects
GB2467903A (en) * 2009-02-13 2010-08-18 Martin George Taylor Portable musical instrument case with climate control means
GB2467903B (en) * 2009-02-13 2015-06-03 Martin George Taylor Portable environmentally controlled musical instrument case
DE102010021989A1 (en) 2010-05-29 2011-12-01 IfM - Institut für Musikinstrumentenbau e.V. Arrangement for controlling air humidity in musical instrument containers, has layer, separator, water reservoir and particle barrier layer arranged such that pressure of water vapor in substance is used to control humidity in container
US10832641B2 (en) 2017-06-07 2020-11-10 Chisholm & Sons LLC Humidity controlled musical instrument reed cap
NL2026107B1 (en) * 2020-07-21 2022-03-21 Johan Van Der Sluis Martin Air humidification device and method for humidifying air
CN114803159A (en) * 2022-04-12 2022-07-29 天津航天机电设备研究所 Humidifying device used during spacecraft packaging storage and transportation

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2053371A1 (en) 1992-06-09
CA2053371C (en) 1995-10-31

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