Air Cleaner Airflow Structure for 360-Degree Suction Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air cleaners have limited capacity and reliability, with reduced suction capacity due to structural resistance and limited air flow direction, resulting in incomplete air purification in indoor spaces, and require user movement to achieve desired air purification.

Innovation Solution

The air cleaner design incorporates multiple blowing devices and a flow adjusting device with a cylindrical shape and radial suction ports, allowing 360-degree air suction and directional air discharge, enhancing suction capacity and air flow control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the blowing amount of the fan is increased to improve air purification performance, then the purification capacity is improved, but noise generated by the fan increases and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair purification capacityVSAvoidproduct reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single fan system into multiple blowing fans (first blowing fan and second blowing fan). Each fan handles a portion of the air purification task, allowing the system to achieve high purification capacity without requiring any single fan to operate at excessively high speeds that would generate noise and reduce reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If a rectangular parallelepiped case is used for structural simplicity, then manufacturing is easier, but suction capacity is reduced due to structural resistance at corner portions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecase manufacturingVSAvoidair suction capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces curved guide surfaces and rounded air flow paths within the rectangular case structure. The guide ribs and curved surfaces at the corner portions redirect air flow smoothly, reducing turbulence and structural resistance caused by sharp corners, thereby improving suction capacity while maintaining the simple rectangular external form.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Device complexity

If air suction ports are limited to side and lower portions, then device complexity is reduced, but suction capacity is reduced due to limited suction directions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair inlet configurationVSAvoidair suction capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the case structure itself serve multiple functions: it provides structural enclosure and simultaneously acts as an air suction port through through-holes formed in the case. This allows air to be sucked from multiple directions (side, lower, and upper portions) without adding separate complex inlet structures, thereby increasing suction capacity while keeping the device simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Device complexity

If air discharge is limited to upward direction only, then device complexity is reduced, but air cleaning function is limited as purified air does not reach distant spaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair discharge configurationVSAvoidair purification coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds lateral air discharge capability to the existing upward discharge function. The second blowing fan discharges air in a lateral direction through a separate discharge port, creating a multi-directional discharge system. This expands the coverage area of purified air throughout the indoor space without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

5Device complexity

If a single blowing fan is used to simplify the device, then device complexity is reduced, but blowing capacity is limited and cannot purify entire indoor space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefan system configurationVSAvoidblowing capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the air blowing function into multiple independent fans (first blowing fan for upward discharge, second blowing fan for lateral discharge). Each fan is responsible for a specific discharge direction and zone, collectively achieving comprehensive indoor space purification with higher total blowing capacity while maintaining manageable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This design improves air suction and discharge capabilities, ensuring comprehensive air purification and increased reliability by allowing air to be purified and distributed effectively throughout indoor spaces without user intervention.

Implementation Method 1

The air cleaner may include a blower that introduces outside air into the air cleaner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFan: Fan

Implementation Method 2

a flow adjusting device with a cylindrical shape and radial suction ports, allowing 360-degree air suction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadial flow:

Data Source

PatentEP3282206B1Air cleaner
Publication Date: 2020.12.30 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3282206B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3282206B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3282206B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An air flow controller for an air cleaner and an air cleaner are provided. The air flow controller may include a fan, and a housing, the fan being provided in the housing and the housing being movable from an initial horizontal position in which the air flow controller directs air flow in a vertical direction to an inclined position in which the air flow controller directs air flow in a diagonal direction.