NL2026107B1

NL2026107B1 - Air humidification device and method for humidifying air

Info

Publication number: NL2026107B1
Application number: NL2026107A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Johan Van Der Sluis Martin; Van Der Sluis Kenny
Original assignee: Johan Van Der Sluis Martin
Priority date: 2020-07-21
Filing date: 2020-07-21
Publication date: 2022-03-21

Abstract

The invention relates to a humidification device comprising a housing that extends parallel to a longitudinal axis over a housing length and that comprises a number of air inlet openings and a number of air outlet openings, at least one ﬂuid container that is provided at least partially in the housing, and an air displacement unit that is at least partially provided in the housing, wherein the air displacement unit comprises at least one fan that is rotatable around a rotation axis, wherein the longitudinal axis of the housing and the rotation axis of the fan during use of the humidification device extend substantially in a ﬁrst direction. The invention also relates to a method for humidifying air

Description

AIR HUMIDIFICATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR HUMIDIFYING AIR The invention relates to an air humidification device and a method for humidifying air. Air humidification devices, often also referred to as humidifiers, are known in practice to be used in buildings to increase humidity in the ambient air in the respective buildings. In general, such humidification devices comprise a housing having an inlet opening and an outlet opening and a water reservoir to humidify an air stream during use.

The humidification is performed using one of three known techniques, which are: ultrasound, steam (by vaporization of water) and cold water humidification.

A disadvantage of ultrasound is that the risk of bacteria growth in the device is high, leading to potentially unsafe circumstances. Therefore, this technique has high maintenance requirements, leading to high costs. In addition, this technique, due to the use of ultrasound, is less suitable for use with (sound- sensitive) animals.

A disadvantage of steam humidification devices is that a high amount of energy is required to evaporate the water in the reservoir. This leads to high (energy) costs and additionally is not very sustainable due to the high energy use.

Cold water humidification obviates the abovementioned disadvantages, since cold water humidification uses the principle of natural evaporation. To that end, a cold water humidification device comprises a housing having an inlet opening that is positioned near a lower end of the housing and an outlet opening that is positioned near an upper end of the housing. In order to guide the air into and through the housing, the device further contains a fan that is positioned near the inlet opening at a lower end of the housing. At least one water reservoir is positioned near the outlet and, seen in a vertical direction, above the fan. In use of the humidification device, ambient air is provided to the housing through the inlet opening and is subsequently forced upwardly (in a vertical direction) by means of the fan. The air flow is than guided over the water surface of the water reservoir taking up water vapor from the surface. Subsequently, the humidified air is forced out through the outlet opening to humidify the ambient room.

A disadvantage of the cold water humidification devices is that the devices are relatively high, which increases visibility or presence in the room in which they are placed.

The invention is therefore aimed at obviating the aforementioned disadvantage by providing a humidification device having a reduced height and, subsequently, a reduced visibility or ‘presence’ in a room.

To that end, the invention provides a humidification device comprising: — a housing that extends parallel to a longitudinal axis over a housing length;

— at least one fluid container that is at least partially provided in the housing; — an air displacement unit that is at least partially provided in the housing; — a number of air inlet openings; — a number of air outlet openings; wherein the air displacement unit comprises at least one fan that is rotatable around a rotation axis, wherein during use of the humidification device the longitudinal axis of the housing and the rotation axis of the fan substantially extend in a first direction.

An advantage of the device according to the invention is that, due to the positioning of both the fluid container and the air displacement unit along first direction that, in use of the device, is a longitudinally extending substantially horizontal axis, has a reduced height. This allows the humidification device according to the invention to be positioned at less visible places, such as underneath a heater unit or a cupboard, to reduce visibility of the device in the room in which the device is placed. Another advantage of the device according to the invention is that the positioning of the air displacement unit and the fluid containers along a longitudinal axis allows for a compact device with a relatively low weight. This allows the device to be easily displaceable and even allows the device to be connected to windows of ventilation openings to humidify air flowing into a house or building or to be placed on a window sill or a cupboard. In an embodiment according to the invention, the housing comprises a flow path for air that extends from the inlet openings via the at least one fluid container to the air outlet openings, wherein the air displacement unit is positioned in the flow path to, during use of the device, generate an air flow through the device. The positioning of the at least one air displacement unit is preferably such that the air flow along the flow path is substantially in a first direction over a fluid surface of fluid in the fluid containers to increase moisture uptake by the air flow during use of the device. In a preferred embodiment, the flow path is at least partially formed by air channels provided in the housing, wherein the air channels are preferably integrally formed in the housing. An advantage of air channels is that the direction and characteristics of the airflow can be adapted to enhance moisture uptake by the air flow in the fluid containers. This is mainly due to the fact that the air flow, by means of the air channels, may be provided with an increased speed, an increased density, a specific direction towards and/or over the fluid surface in the fluid container and/or combinations thereof. Yet another advantage of the device according to the invention is that it can, due to its relatively low height, advantageously be placed underneath a heating unit such as a radiator. By placing the device underneath a heating unit such as a radiator, wherein the outlet openings are preferably directed in a second direction (i.e. upwardly) towards the heating unit to achieve an improved heat transfer from the heating unit.

The humid air from the outlet openings is heated by the heating unit, thus reducing any ‘chill’ in the air tlow into the room. Moreover, providing the flow of humid air from the outlet openings along the heating surface of the heating unit increases the heat transter from the heating surface to the air flow compared to a normal operation of the radiator and therewith provides a significant improvement of the efficiency of the heating unit. As such, positioning the device according to the invention underneath the heating unit provides the surprising effect that the humidified air provides an increased heat transfer from the heating unit to the air, while simultaneously reducing the risk of introducing relatively cold humid air into the room.

In an embodiment of the humidification device according to the invention, the housing may comprise two fluid containers that, when viewed in a direction along the longitudinal axis, are positioned at opposite ends of the housing and an air displacement unit space that is positioned between the fluid containers and that is in fluid connection with the fluid containers, wherein the air displacement unit is positioned in the air displacement unit space, and wherein the air displacement unit comprises a single fan that is rotatable around a rotation axis that extends substantially over the entire length of the air displacement unit space.

An advantage of the abovementioned embodiment is that, by providing a centrally placed fan that extends in a first direction (i.e. a horizontal direction), a single fan is used to provide an air flow to two separate fluid containers, leading to an (energy) efficient device.

Another advantage is that the use of a single, centrally placed fan that extends in a first direction (i.e. a horizontal direction) is that a high flow density is achieved, while the height of the device simultaneously is kept relatively low. As a result, an effective device is achieved that nonetheless has a relatively low visibility in a room to be humidified.

In an embodiment of the humidification device according to the invention the device may comprise two fluid containers that, when viewed along the longitudinal axis, are positioned at opposite ends of the housing, and an air displacement unit that is positioned between the fluid containers and that is in fluid connection with the fluid containers, wherein the air displacement unit comprises two fans, wherein the fans, when viewed along the longitudinal axis, are positioned on opposite ends of the air displacement unit space.

An advantage of providing two separate fans, each of which is associated with a fluid container, provides an even more improved control over the air flow through the device according to the invention. The device according to the invention can, by virtue of the two fans, be operated in a low-flow mode in which only a single fan is used, and a high flow mode in which both fans are used to provide an increased air flow.

Another advantage is that the device according to the invention can be continuously operated, because during filling of one of the fluid containers, the other side of the device can be operated in low- flow mode.

In an embodiment of the humidification device according to the invention, wherein the housing may comprise two air displacement unit spaces that, when viewed along the longitudinal axis, are positioned on opposite ends of the housing, and a fluid container that is positioned between the air displacement unit spaces and is in fluid connection therewith, wherein the air displacement unit comprises two fans, and wherein each of the fans is placed between the fluid container and one of the air displacement unit spaces.

In this alternative embodiment, a central fluid container and two separate air displacement unit spaces are used. This allows for a more compact construction of the device, leading to an even lower visible impact in the room to be moisturized.

Another advantage is that the device according to this embodiment can, by virtue of the two fans, be operated in a low-flow mode in which only a single fan is used, and a high flow mode in which both fans are used to provide an increased air flow.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the at least one fluid container may be releasable connected to the (at least one) air displacement unit space, for example by means of a screw connection, click-connection or another suitable releasable connection.

A releasable connection improves accessibility of the fluid container and the air displacement unit and therewith allows the device to be more easily cleaned. As a result, an even more improved hygiene is achieved with the device according to the invention.

In an embodiment of the humidification device according to the invention, the fluid containers may be provided with anti-bacterial means and/or mould-reducing means and/or with a device that is contigured for reducing bacteria- and/or mould growth.

Due to the fact that (clean) non-heated drinking water is used in the device according to the invention, the risk of growth of bacteria and mould is relatively low. An advantage of using anti-bacterial means and/or mould-reducing means is that the risk of expelling contaminated humidified air is reduced even further. This improves and sustains a high level of hygiene even over longer periods of time.

In an embodiment of the humidification device according to the invention, the fluid containers may be water containers and the anti-bacterial means may comprise a quantity of silver, wherein the silver during use of the device is in direct contact with the water in the water container.

The use of silver allows an efficient and effective way of reducing both bacteria growth and mould production. It is noted in this respect that silver is highly effective as bacteria killer. In addition, silver can be easily introduced into the device by a user thereof, which increases the consumer- friendliness.

5 Another advantage is that the cost of silver additives to the water in the water containers is relatively low, therewith providing a low-cost solution for preventing mould and bacteria in the water containers (and thus the humidified air).

Yet another advantage is that the addition of silver does not require energy, thus allowing the device to have a low energy use.

In an embodiment of the humidification device according to the invention, the anti-bacterial means and/or mould-reducing means are an ESD (electric static discharge) unit or another unit for providing an electric potential to the fluid in order to clean the fluid in the fluid containers.

An advantage of all electric units, and especially an ESD-unit, is that the device may be provided with a variety of ditferent fluids without compromising the anti-bacterial and/or anti-mould characteristics of the unit. This allows other fluids, such as aroma-containing fluids, to be used in the device as well.

Another advantage of the abovementioned units is that it provides an effective way of cleaning the fluid and may also be used to clean to air flow into the fluid container before it is humidified.

In an embodiment of the humidification device according to the invention, the device may be provided with connecting means for connecting the device to an external object and/or provided with supporting means for supporting the device on a ground surface.

It is preferred that the device is provided with some form of connection means to connect the device to an object and/or to support it on a ground surface. The connection means may be integrally formed with the housing or may be externally connected to the housing, such as Velcro, belts or loops. It is preferred that the connections means are integrally formed with the housing or at least fixedly connected therewith in order to reduce the risk of missing parts. Similarly, the connection means may also encompass support means, such as supports, support legs, struts or similar, which can be used to support the weight of the device and place the device on a (floor) surface.

In an embodiment of the humidification device according to the invention the connecting means may be projections that extend outwardly from the housing in a second direction (i.e. upwardly), wherein the projections are connectable to an external object such as a heating unit or a window sill, wherein the projections at a distal end are preferably provided with one or more of hooks, magnets for connection to a metal object, clamps, screw holes for applying screws or bolts or Velcro/sticky tape.

In a preferred embodiment, the housing comprising projections which are fixedly attached to or integrally formed with the housing and which are provided with connectors. In a preferred embodiment,

the projections are provided with magnets that are connectable with metal objects, such as a heating unit. This allows the device to be connected underneath a heating unit. This allows the humid air from the outlet openings to be heated by the heating unit, thus reducing any ‘chill’ in the air flow into the room. Moreover, providing the flow of humid air from the outlet openings along the heating surface of the heating unit, such as a domestic radiator, increases the heat transfer from the heating surface and therewith provides a significant improvement of the efficiency of the radiator. As sach, coupling the device according to the invention underneath the heating unit, such as a radiator, provides the surprising effect that the humidified air provides an increased heat transfer from the radiator to the air, while simultaneously reducing the risk of introducing relatively cold humid air into the room. This effect can be achieved by providing projections with connectors that allow the device according to the invention to be connected underneath the heating unit, such as a radiator.

In an embodiment of the humidification device according to the invention the supporting means may be formed by one or more supports that are configured to support the humidification device on a ground surface.

An advantage of providing supports, which may be integrally formed supports such as strats, is that the device can easily be supported on a surface, such as a floor surface, a cupboard or a window sill. The supports, preferably in the form of struts, may be provided with a limited height in order to allow the device to be placeable underneath a heating unit, such as a radiator. This allows the humid air from the outlet openings to be heated by the heating unit, thus reducing any ‘chill’ in the air flow into the room.

Moreover, providing the flow of humid air from the outlet openings along the heating surface of the heating unit, such as a domestic radiator, increases the heat transfer from the heating surface and therewith provides a significant improvement of the efficiency of the heating unit. As such, it provides the surprising effect that the humidified air provides an increased heat transfer from the radiator to the air, while simultaneously reducing the risk of introducing relatively cold humid air into the room.

In an embodiment of the humidification device according to the invention, the device may further comprise a hygrostat.

An advantage of providing a hygrostat is that the device according to the invention is capable of determining the humidity of the in- and/or outflow of air to work towards a set-point, preferably a set- point provided by a user of the device. As such, it allows a substantially autonomous device.

In an elaboration, the hygrostat may be connected to the thermostat in order to provide a set-point for humidity that can depend on the set-point for temperature in a room.

An advantage thereof is that the air characteristics in the room can be modified in an integrated temperature-humidity profile to provide a more tailored environment in the room.

In an embodiment of the humidification device according to the invention, the device may further comprise a number of sensors, wherein at least a subset of the number of sensors is configured to, during use of the device, measure the humidity of an air flow that enters and/or exits the device and for generating humidity data, and a control unit that is configured to collect measuring data including humidity data from the subset of sensors. The control unit is preferably additionally configured to by means of a transmitting unit transmit the collected data to a data storage, and/or by means of a receiving unit receiving data from an external device, such as a thermostat, and/or storing the collected measuring data in a memory, wherein the control unit is further configured to, by use of the measuring data and preferably by use of received data, determine and execute an on/oft-protocol for the device in order to achieve a predetermined set-point for humidity.

An advantage of the embodiment according to the invention is that the device can be operated in a {semi-automatic mode in which the measured humidity is used to determine the on/off-switching of the device. In addition, the humidity data may also be used to provide input for controlling the air displacement unit, such as the rotational speed in case of a fan.

An additional advantage is that the data, if stored, can be used to determine a historical trendline regarding the humidity in the space, such as a room, which may later be used to correlate with other data, such as temperature data, or to establish whether the living environment with regard to humidity is acceptable. Based on the historical data, the device may be operated and/or programmed to operate.

In an embodiment of the humidification device according to the invention, wherein the housing comprises plastic, preferably recycled plastic or biodegradable plastic, metal and/or a combination of plastic and metal.

An advantage of providing the device according to the invention from plastic is that it is a light- weight, durable material. Another advantage of plastic is that it can easily be integrally formed, for example by (injection) moulding.

An advantage of metal, especially for example aluminium, is that it provides a light-weight, durable material.

Another advantage of metal, especially aluminium, is that it provides an expensive look and feel to the device, which increases the applicability in a residential location.

Another advantage of both plastic and metal is that both can be provided in (plastic) or provided with (plastic, metal) different colours, which increases attraction for (potential) customers.

In an embodiment of the humidification device according to the invention, the device is further provided with an aroma fluid reservoir for aroma fluid that is in fluid connection with the at least one fluid container.

An advantage of a separate aroma fluid reservoir is that aroma fluid may selectively be added to the air flow through the device, thus allowing consumers flexibility in whether or not to provide aroma to the air flow.

The invention further comprises a method for humidifying air a space or room, the method comprising the steps of: — providing a device according to any one of the preceding claims; — switching on the one or more air displacement units; — supplying air from an ambient space to the device via the air inlet openings; — guiding the supplied air over the fluid in the fluid containers towards the air outlet openings in order to increase humidity of the supplied air; and — expelling the humidified air to the ambient space.

The method according to the invention has similar effects and advantages as the device according to the invention and may be combined with the features of the device as mentioned above. It is noted that, with regard to the method, the space can be a building, a room in a building or another space in which the air needs to be humidified. This may be a residential building, an industrial building or a commercial building, yet may also be a tent, mobile home or any other type of living space.

In an embodiment of the method according to the invention, the method further comprises the step of placing the device underneath a heating unit, such as a radiator.

An advantage of this embodiment of the method is that the humidified air from the outlet openings is led along the heating surface or surfaces of the heating unit and is heated before circulating through the room.

Another advantage is that heat from the heating surface of the heating unit is, by means of the increased air flow and the increased humidity of the air flow, more efficiently transferred to the air flow. This results in a significant increase in the efficiency of the heating unit and subsequently reduced costs and energy requirements to heat the room.

In an embodiment of the method according to the invention, the method further comprises the steps of measuring the humidity of the supplied air using a number of sensors, controlling the air displacement unit by a control unit based on the measured humidity and a predetermined set-point, and optionally measuring the humidity of the air that is expelled to the ambient space.

An advantage of the method according to the invention is that the humidity in the room can be regulated to a predefined set-point based on the humidity data that is collected by the sensors.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the step of controlling the air displacement unit by a control unit based on the measured humidity and a predetermined set-point comprises one or more of switching on or switching off the air displacement unit, and controlling the supply volume of the air displacement unit, preferably by controlling the rpm of the air displacement unit.

An advantage of this embodiment of the method is that the energy requirements of the device are even further reduced by selectively switching the device on/off and/or actively controlling the air displacement unit.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention are elucidated on the basis of preferred embodiments thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an example of the device according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a partially exploded view of the device of figure 1; Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the device of figure 1; Figure 4 shows an example of several components of the device according to the invention; and In an example of the device 2 according to the invention (see figures 1 — 3), device 2 comprises housing 4 that extends parallel with longitudinal housing axis L in a first direction x. First direction x in this example is a horizontal direction when the device is positioned on or above a floor surface. Housing 4 extends from first housing end 44 to second housing end 46. In this example air outlet openings 10 are positioned near respectively first housing end 44 and second housing end 46, whereas air inlet opening 6 is positioned centrally in housing 4. Air inlet opening 6 is in this example covered with removable cover 6, such that the inner side of housing 4 can be reached into. Cover 6 may in other embodiments also be a removable cover 6 or may be a fixed cover 6.

In this example, device 2 can be connected in a hanging fashion to an (not shown) external object by means of connecting means 20 or can be supported on a ground surface by means of supporting means

22. It is noted that device 2 may also be provided with only connecting means 20 or supporting means 22. In this example, connecting means 20 are formed by bracket-shaped connectors that at least partially extend along and contiguous with housing outer wall 48 to support housing 4. Connecting means 20 may also be provided in another suitable fashion. It is preferred that connection means 20, as shown in the examples, is provided with projections 24 that extend outwardly from housing outer wall 48 in second direction z, which in this case is upwardly. Projections 24 are in this example (see figures 1 — 3) provided at a distal end with magnets 50, yet may also be provided with other connectors 50, such a Velcro. This allows device 2 to be advantageously be connected to for example a heating unit (not shown).

As shown in this example, device 2 is additionally provided with supporting means 22, which are formed as supports 22 on which housing 4 rests. Supports 22 allow device 2 to be placed at various locations, including underneath a heating unit {not shown), which is possible due to its relatively low height.

Device 2 in this example {see figures 2 — 3) is provided with air displacement unit 14, which includes fan 16 as main component.

Fan 16 extends along rotation axis R in first direction x, which is parallel and, in some cases incident with, longitudinal axis L to form a horizontally oriented fan.

Air displacement unit 14 is positioned in air displacement unit space 42, which in this example is accessible through removing air inlet cover 8. Housing 4 in this example further comprises air channels 42 that extend from air displacement unit space 42 towards fluid container 12, which in this example is a single fluid container 12 that extends partially around centrally placed air displacement unit space 42. In other words, in this example two air channels 42 extend towards a single fluid container 12. In this example, device 2 further comprises sensors 30, at least some of which are configured to measure humidity in the air flow through housing 4, and hygrostat 28 which is used to control device 2 to achieve a predetermined humidity set-point.

More specifically one sensor 30 is positioned in air flow channel 54. In this example device 2 also comprises control unit 32 and memory 36, which are all interconnected to provide device 2 with advanced control options to regulate humidity in an ambient space around humidification device 2. It is noted that in some examples, device 2 may have none or only a selection of the abovementioned features.

In this example (see figure 4), control unit 32 is configured to send and/or receive data from external unit 34 by means of communication module 52. Communication module 52 may be integrated with control unit 32 to provide a more compact control unit 32. The present invention is by no means limited to the above described preferred embodiments thereof.

The rights sought are defined by the following clauses within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged.

Legend first direction X second direction y third direction z longitudinal axis L rotation axis R device 2 housing 4 air inlet opening 6 air inlet cover 8 air outlet opening 10 fluid container 12 air displacement unit 14 fan 16 anti-bacterial/mould reducing means 18 connecting means 20 supporting means 22 projection 24 distal projection end 26 hygrostat 28 sensor 30 control unit 32 external device 34 memory 36 aroma fluid reservoir 38 fluid inlet opening 40 air displacement anit 42 first housing end 44 second housing end 46 connectors, magnets 50 communication module 52 air flow channels 54

CLAUSES

1. Humidification device comprising: — a housing that extends parallel to a longitudinal axis over a housing length and that comprises a number of air inlet openings and a number of air outlet openings — at least one fluid container that is provided at least partially in the housing; — an air displacement unit that is at least partially provided in the housing; wherein the air displacement unit comprises at least one fan that is rotatable around a rotation axis, wherein the longitudinal axis of the housing and the rotation axis of the fan during use of the humidification device extend substantially in a first direction.

2. Humidification device according to claim 1, the housing comprising: — two fluid containers that, when viewed in a direction along the longitudinal axis, are positioned at opposite ends of the housing; — an air displacement unit space that is positioned between the fluid containers and that is in fluid connection with the fluid containers, wherein the air displacement unit is positioned in the air displacement unit space; wherein the air displacement unit comprises a single fan that is rotatable around a rotation axis that extends substantially over the entire length of the air displacement unit space.

3. Humidification device according to claim 1, comprising: — two fluid containers that, when viewed along the longitudinal axis, are positioned at opposite ends of the housing; — an air displacement unit that is positioned between the fluid containers and that is in fluid connection with the fluid containers; wherein the air displacement unit comprises two tans, wherein the fans, when viewed along the longitudinal axis, are positioned on opposite ends of the air displacement unit space.

4. Humidification device according to claim 1, the housing comprising: — two air displacement unit spaces that, when viewed along the longitudinal axis, are positioned on opposite ends of the housing; — a fluid container that is positioned between the air displacement unit spaces and is in fluid connection therewith;

wherein the air displacement unit comprises two fans, and wherein each of the fans is placed between the fluid container and one of the air displacement unit spaces.

5. Humidification device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid containers are provided with anti-bacterial and/or mould-reducing means and/or with a device that is configured for reducing bacteria- and/or mould growth.

6. Humidification device according to claim 5, wherein the fluid containers are water containers and wherein the anti-bacterial means comprise a quantity of silver, wherein the silver, during use of the device, is in direct contact with the water in the water container.

7. Humidification device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device is provided with connecting means for connecting the device to an external object and/or provided with supporting means for supporting the device on a ground surface.

8. Humidification device according to claim 7, wherein the connecting means are projections that extend outwardly from the housing in a second direction, wherein the projections are connectable to an external object such as a heating unit or a window sill, wherein the projections at a distal end are preferably provided with one or more of: — hooks; — magnets for connection to a metal object; — clamps: — screw holes for applying screws or bolts; or — Velcro/sticky tape.

9. Humidification device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the supporting means are formed by one or more supports that are configured to support the humidification device on a ground surface.

10. Humidification device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a hygrostat.

11. Humidification device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising:

— a number of sensors, wherein at least a subset of the number of sensors is configured to, during use of the device, measure the humidity of an air flow that enters and/or exits the device and for generating humidity data; — a control unit that is configured to collect measuring data including humidity data from the subset of sensors and that preferably is additionally configured to: — by means of a transmitting unit transmit the collected data to a data storage; and/or — by means of a receiving unit receiving data from an external device, such as a thermostat, and/or — storing the collected measuring data in a memory; wherein the control unit is further configured to, by use of the measuring data and preferably by use of received data, determine and execute an on/off-protocol for the device in order to achieve a predetermined set-point for humidity.

12, Humidification device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing comprises plastic, preferably recycled plastic or biodegradable plastic, metal and/or a combination of plastic and metal.

13. Humidification device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device is further provided with an aroma fluid reservoir for aroma fluid that is in fluid connection with the at least one fluid container.

14. Method for humidification air in a space, the method comprising: — providing a device according to any one of the preceding claims; — switching on the one or more air displacement units; — supplying air from an ambient space to the device via the air inlet openings; — guiding the supplied air over the fluid in the fluid containers towards the air outlet openings in order to increase humidity of the supplied air; and — expelling the humidified air to the ambient space.

15. Method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of: — measuring the humidity of the supplied air using a number of sensors; — controlling the air displacement unit by a control unit based on the measured humidity and a predetermined set-point; and

— optionally measuring the humidity of the air that is expelled to the ambient space.

16. Method according to claim 15, wherein the step of controlling the air displacement unit by a control unit based on the measured humidity and a predetermined set-point comprises one or more of: — switching on or switching off the air displacement unit; and — controlling the supply volume of the air displacement unit, preferably by controlling the rpm of the air displacement unit.

Claims

CONCLUSIONS

An air humidifying device comprising: - a housing extending parallel to a longitudinal axis over a housing length and comprising a plurality of air inlet openings and a plurality of air outlet openings; — at least one fluid reservoir disposed at least partially in the housing; — an air-displacement device at least partially installed in the housing; wherein the air displacement device comprises at least one fan rotatable about an axis of rotation, wherein the longitudinal axis of the housing and the rotation axis of the fan extend in a substantially first direction in use of the device.

A humidifying device according to claim 1, the housing comprising: - two liquid reservoirs which, viewed in a direction along the longitudinal axis, are positioned near opposite ends of the housing; - an air displacement device space positioned between the fluid reservoirs and in fluid communication therewith, the air displacement device being positioned in the air displacement device space; wherein the air displacement device comprises one fan which is rotatable about an axis of rotation and extends over substantially an entire length of the air displacement device space.

A humidifying device according to claim 1, comprising: - two liquid reservoirs which, viewed in a direction along the longitudinal axis, are positioned near opposite ends of the housing; — a jet displacement device space positioned between the fluid reservoirs and in fluid communication therewith; the air displacement device comprising two fans, the fans being positioned as viewed along the longitudinal axis at opposite ends of the air displacement device space.

4. Humidifying device according to claim |, the housing comprising: - two air displacement device spaces which, viewed in longitudinal direction, are positioned at opposite ends of the housing; - a fluid reservoir positioned between the two air displacement device spaces and in fluid communication therewith;

wherein the air displacement device comprises two fans, and wherein each fan is placed between the liquid reservoir and one of the air displacement spaces.

An air humidifying device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid reservoirs are provided with antibacterial and/or fungal inhibitors and/or with a device for reducing bacterial and fungal growth.

A humidifying device according to claim 5, wherein the liquid reservoirs are water reservoirs and wherein the antibacterial agents comprise an amount of silver, the silver preferably being in direct contact with water in the water reservoir during use of the device.

A humidifying device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device is provided with coupling means for coupling to an external object and/or with supporting means for supporting the device on a substrate.

A humidifying device according to claim 7, wherein the coupling means are formed by projections extending outwardly from the housing in a second direction and wherein the projections are connectable to an external object such as a heater or a window sill, the projections at a distal end at preferably have one or more of: — hooks; — magnets for coupling to a metal object; — clamps; — screw holes for mounting screws or bolts; or — Velcro/adhesive tape.

Air humidifying device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the supporting means are formed by one or more supports which are adapted for supporting the dampening device on a substrate.

A humidifying device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a hygrostat.

A humidifying device according to any preceding claim, further comprising:

- a number of sensors, wherein at least a subset of the number of sensors is arranged for measuring the humidity of an ingoing and/or outgoing airflow during use and for generating humidity data; - a controller which is arranged for collecting measurement data from the sensors containing humidity data of the subset of sensors and preferably further adapted for: - forwarding the collected measurement data via a transmitting device to a data storage; and/or - receiving data from an external device, such as a thermostat, via a receiving device, and/or - storing the collected measurement data on a memory; wherein the control is further designed for determining and executing an on/off profile for the device using the measurement data, and preferably also using the received data, in order to achieve a determined set point for air humidity.

Air humidification device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing is manufactured from plastic, preferably recycled plastic or biodegradable plastic, metal and/or a combination of plastic and metal.

An air humidifying device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device further comprises an aroma liquid reservoir for aroma liquid which is in fluid communication with the at least one liquid reservoir.

14. Method for humidifying air in a space, the method comprising the following steps: - providing a device according to any one of the preceding claims; — switching on the one or more air displacement devices; - supplying air from an ambient space via the air supply openings; - directing the supplied air over liquid in the liquid reservoirs to the air discharge openings in order to increase the humidity of the supplied air; and — introducing the humidified air into the ambient space.

A method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of: - measuring the air humidity in the supplied bed with the aid of a number of sensors;

- controlling the air displacement device by a control on the basis of the measured air humidity and a preset set point; and — optionally measuring the humidity of the laughs discharged into the room.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the step of controlling the laughter displacement device on the basis of the measured air humidity and a preset setpoint comprises one or more of: - switching the air displacement device on and/or off; and - controlling the suction volume of the air displacement device, preferably by controlling the speed of the air displacement device.