Air cleaner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air cleaners with stacked blowers face issues of increased height and size due to separate control modules, which can lead to moisture-related malfunctions and safety hazards, and inefficient air purification performance due to re-inflow of discharged clean air.
Innovation Solution
The air cleaner design shares a control module between two stacked air purification modules, incorporates a drain structure to manage water ingress, and directs air discharge downward and upward to prevent re-inflow, thereby reducing product height and size while enhancing purification performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate control modules are disposed for each air purification module, then each module can be independently controlled, but the product height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate control modules into a single shared control module that controls multiple air purification modules. The control module includes a housing with a control board, multiple power supply units, and communication interfaces that can manage multiple air purification modules through wireless or wired connections, thereby reducing product height while maintaining independent control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module is designed with universal functionality to control multiple types of air purification modules. It includes a control board with microprocessor, multiple power supply units that can supply power to different modules, and communication interfaces that can interact with various sensors and actuators across different air purification modules, enabling one control module to replace multiple separate control modules.
2Adaptability or versatility
If control module size increases to accommodate more circuit boards and sensors, then air cleaner functions improve, but product size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested arrangement where multiple circuit boards and components are vertically stacked within the control module housing. The control board, power supply units, and other components are arranged in layers, with smaller components nested within or between larger ones, maximizing space utilization and reducing the overall footprint of the control module.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a horizontal arrangement of components to a vertical three-dimensional arrangement. Circuit boards are stacked vertically, power supply units are arranged in layers, and wiring harnesses are routed through vertical channels, effectively utilizing the vertical dimension to accommodate more functionality within a smaller horizontal footprint.
3Productivity
If air purification modules are stacked vertically, then air filtration capacity increases, but product height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple air purification modules into a compact vertical stack where modules share common structural elements, wiring harnesses, and a single control module. The modules are arranged closely with minimized spacing, and the control module is positioned to efficiently serve all stacked modules, reducing the overall height compared to having separate control modules for each.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the air purification system into modular units that can be stacked, with each module containing essential filtration components. The segmentation allows for standardized module dimensions and interfaces, enabling efficient vertical stacking while maintaining a compact overall structure through shared control and power systems.
4Ease of operation
If discharge port is formed toward upper side, then filtered air can flow in all directions, but clean air may be re-inflowed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic air flow control through adjustable air outlets that can change discharge directions. The air outlets are equipped with adjustable vanes or movable flaps that can be controlled by the control board to direct cleaned air away from the air inlet, preventing re-inflow while maintaining flexible air distribution. The system dynamically adjusts outlet directions based on detected air quality and flow patterns.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an air cleaner includes a first air purification module, a second air purification module, and a control module disposed between the first air purification module and the second air purification module, in which the control module includes an upper cover, a lower cover, a substrate accommodated in an internal space formed by coupling the upper cover and the lower cover, and a plate supporting the substrate from below, in which a drain hole is formed in the lower cover, and the plate includes a drain guide that guides water flowing into the control module to the drain hole, thereby protecting the internal substrate and components even when water flows into the control module.