Air blowing device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air circulators used in air circulation-type mats and air conditioned outer wears are difficult to attach and detach from sheet members, affecting their air conditioning effectiveness and usability.

Innovation Solution

The air circulator features a cylinder unit with a flange and an attachment ring that can be easily engaged and disengaged, allowing for secure attachment and detachment by utilizing the flexibility of the attachment ring to fit around the cylinder unit, ensuring a snug fit without air leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the air circulator is firmly attached to the sheet member to prevent air leakage and coming off, then the air conditioning effect is improved, but the ease of detachment for washing and maintenance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment firmnessVSAvoidease of detachment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment structure is divided into two independent parts: a clamp unit with engaging protrusions on the air circulator, and corresponding engaging grooves on the sheet member. This segmentation allows the air circulator to be firmly attached during use while enabling easy detachment by simply separating the two components, resolving the contradiction between attachment firmness and ease of detachment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The clamp unit acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the air circulator and the sheet member. It provides both firm attachment through engaging protrusions and easy detachment through its removable design, allowing users to quickly attach and detach the air circulator without compromising attachment reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the air circulator is easily detachable for washing and maintenance, then the ease of operation is improved, but the attachment firmness and air leakage prevention deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of attachmentVSAvoidattachment firmness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the attachment system into separate clamp unit and sheet member components with matching engaging features, the design achieves both easy attachment (simply connect the segments) and reliable firmness (engaging protrusions lock into grooves), eliminating the trade-off between ease of operation and attachment reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If a complex attachment mechanism is used to ensure firm attachment and easy detachment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of attachment and detachmentVSAvoidattachment structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanism is segmented into simple, modular components (clamp unit with protrusions, sheet member with grooves) that are easy to manufacture and assemble. This segmentation reduces overall device complexity while maintaining ease of operation, as each component has a single, clear function and can be independently produced

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The engaging protrusions and grooves are designed to self-align and self-lock when brought together, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms or tools. This self-service feature simplifies the attachment process and reduces device complexity while ensuring firm attachment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3211246B1Air blowing device
Publication Date: 2021.10.13 SFT LABORATORY CO LTD
  • EP3211246B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP3211246B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP3211246B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

Provided is an air blowing device having a simple structure in which a sheet-like member can be easily attached and detached by a user. The air blowing device includes: a fan main body 10 having a flange portion 22 and a cylindrical portion 21; and an attachment ring 50. The cylindrical portion 21 has a recess 25 on the outer side thereof, and the attachment ring 50 has a protrusion on the inner surface thereof. The length of the inner periphery of the attachment ring 50 is greater than that of the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 21. An edge portion of a sheet-like member 200 is sandwiched between the rear surface of the flange portion 22 of the fan main body 10 and the upper end surface of the attachment ring 50 and the recess 25 and the protrusion are fitted together, whereby the attachment ring 50 and the fan main body 10 are fitted together and the air blowing device is attached to the sheet-like member 200. To detach the air blowing device from the sheet-like member 200, the fitting between the recess 25 and the protrusion is released by pressing and warping the attachment ring 50. One or more protruding portions are desirably provided on the outer side of the attachment ring 50 at a position where the protrusion is formed.