3D Printed Portable Air Flow Meter with Multi-Nozzle Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current portable air flow meters face challenges with low measurement accuracy in low air flow ranges due to high internal flow resistance and unstable flow, high measurement errors in high air flow ranges, slow data processing, lack of self-diagnosis and control correction functions, and inability to account for environmental factors like temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure, making them inefficient for accurate air flow measurement in various air conditioning systems.
Innovation Solution
A portable air flow meter fabricated using a 3D printer, featuring a cylindrical housing with a nozzle cover, inflow cover, multi-nozzle panel, blower, and integrated pressure gauge adapter, which includes a static pressure tap and pressure measuring pipes, allowing for accurate measurement and easy mobility, while the band-free fastener and ejecting direction turning adapter enhance usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a portable air flow meter is fabricated using conventional methods, then measurement capability is achieved, but weight and volume are large making it difficult to move
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the manufacturing method from conventional fabrication to 3D printing, which enables weight reduction while maintaining structural integrity and measurement functionality. The 3D printed housing achieves both portability and measurement accuracy simultaneously
2Ease of manufacture
If a simple nozzle design is used in portable air flow meter, then fabrication is simplified, but measurement accuracy deteriorates in low and high air flow ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the nozzle into multiple nozzles with different cross-sectional areas, allowing accurate measurement across different air flow ranges. This segmentation approach maintains fabrication simplicity through 3D printing while achieving high measurement accuracy in both low and high flow conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-nozzle design enables a single device to accurately measure a wide range of air flow rates by selecting appropriate nozzles based on the measurement range, achieving universal measurement capability across different operating conditions
3Device complexity
If analog signal processing is used, then device complexity is reduced, but data processing speed becomes slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces analog signal processing with digital signal processing, substituting mechanical/electrical analog systems with digital electronic systems that offer faster processing speeds while maintaining acceptable device complexity
4Device complexity
If static pressure correction is not performed, then measurement process is simplified, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to outlet air quantity changes and environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements static pressure correction through feedback mechanisms that account for outlet air quantity changes and environmental factors, improving measurement accuracy while maintaining practical device complexity
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
The solution provides accurate air flow measurement, reduces fabrication costs and time, improves usability through lightweight design and easy portability, and enables precise measurement of air flow in various air conditioning systems by accounting for environmental factors.
Implementation Method 1
a blower disposed behind the second flow straightening plate, made up of a motor and an impeller rotatably connected coaxially with the motor, suctioning air passing through the second flow straightening plate, and ejecting the air to an ejector
Implementation Method 2
An air inductor disposed between the impeller and the second flow straightening plate to induce the air passing through the second flow straightening plate toward the blower
Implementation Method 3
a pressure gauge made up of a static pressure tap that includes a pressure measuring hole that is formed inside the adapter body in a circular shape to measure a pressure when the open air passes through the pressure measuring hole
Data Source
AI summary
A portable air flow meter fabricated using a 3D printer. A nozzle cover, a fixing cover, and a handle are formed integrally with a cylindrical housing in which a multi-nozzle for measuring an air flow is installed. The cylindrical housing is fabricated using a 3D printer. Fabrication costs are reduced, and a fabrication period is reduced. The portable air flow meter has superior portability due to light weight, and is effective in terms of usability.