Adjustable Fan Assembly With Modular Base For Airflow Direction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fan assemblies lack versatility in airflow direction and configuration, making them less adaptable for various applications and storage, as they are often fixed in position and not easily portable.
Innovation Solution
A battery-powered fan assembly with a modular design featuring a shroud, grilles, and a base that can be configured to support the fan in multiple orientations and positions, including collapsible and adjustable configurations, allowing for flexible airflow direction and easy storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the fan assembly is made fixed in position, then the structural stability is improved, but the adaptability and portability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The fan assembly incorporates a adjustable base with multiple support configurations that allow the housing to be positioned in various orientations (vertical, horizontal, angled). This dynamic positioning capability enables the fan to adapt to different mounting surfaces and applications while maintaining stable operation in each configured position, thus resolving the contradiction between structural stability and adaptability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the fan assembly is made fixed in position, then the structural stability is improved, but the ease of storage and transportation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable base allows the fan assembly to be collapsed into a compact configuration for storage and transportation, then expanded to stable operational positions when needed. This dynamic transformation capability enables easy storage while maintaining structural stability during use, resolving the contradiction between ease of storage and structural stability.
3Device complexity
If the fan assembly uses a fixed airflow direction, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability for various applications deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable base provides multiple support configurations that enable the fan housing to be oriented in different directions (vertical, horizontal, angled positions). This dynamic orientation capability allows a single fan assembly to serve multiple applications with different airflow direction requirements without increasing the complexity of the fan mechanism itself, thus resolving the contradiction between device complexity and adaptability.
4Ease of operation
If the fan assembly is made portable with removable battery, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of continuous operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fan assembly incorporates a removable battery pack that can be easily detached and replaced when depleted. This design allows users to maintain continuous operation by swapping batteries rather than waiting for recharge, thus preserving reliability while maintaining the ease of operation provided by portable battery power. The battery receptacle enables quick exchange of power sources without affecting the fan's operational reliability.
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 modular fan assembly provides adaptable airflow solutions, enabling use in various orientations and positions, facilitating easy storage and transportation, while maintaining efficient airflow through a rotatable fan mechanism powered by a removable battery pack.
Implementation Method 1
a motor supported by the first grille, the motor operable to drive rotation of the fan and thereby generate airflow through the airflow chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A fan assembly includes a fan housing including a shroud that at least partially defines an airflow chamber, a battery receptacle supported on the shroud, a first grille positioned adjacent a first end of the airflow chamber, a fan supported within the airflow chamber and rotatably coupled to one of the first grille or the shroud, and a motor supported on the other of the first grille or the shroud. The motor is operable to drive rotation of the fan and thereby generate airflow through the airflow chamber. The fan assembly further includes a base coupled to the fan housing. The base is operable to support the fan housing in multiple configurations to direct the airflow in multiple directions.