Air Cleaner Cover Structure for Radial Airflow and Debris Blocking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air cleaners face challenges in quickly and widely dispersing filtered air indoors while utilizing the space above them, and in preventing foreign substances from entering the air cleaning unit, which can compromise the operation of electronic components.

Innovation Solution

The air cleaner design includes a second body above the first body that guides air discharged from the outlet in a radial direction, featuring a lower cover, upper cover, and top cover with grooves and magnetic members to temporarily store foreign substances and prevent entry into the air cleaning unit, allowing the second body to function as a table and utilize the space above.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a device changing direction of air is disposed above the outlet which is opened in up-down direction, then the filtered air can be discharged all around to quickly increase the air clearness, but the space above the air cleaner cannot be utilized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair clearness increase speedVSAvoidspace utilization above air cleaner
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The air discharge device is designed to perform multiple functions: it directs air flow radially outward to improve air circulation, while simultaneously serving as a table or support surface to utilize the space above the air cleaner. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction by making the same structure serve both air discharge and space utilization purposes.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the air discharge function with the space utilization function by integrating the table surface directly onto the air discharge device. The combined structure allows filtered air to be discharged radially while the top surface provides usable space, eliminating the need for separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the second body is used as a table to utilize space above the air cleaner, then space utilization is improved, but foreign substances falling from the second body can enter the first body and compromise electronic components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilization above air cleanerVSAvoidelectronic component operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A cover structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the second body (table surface) and the first body (air cleaner). This cover prevents foreign substances falling from the table from entering the air cleaner's electronic components, while still allowing the table function to be utilized. The cover acts as a protective barrier that mediates between the two functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover structure is designed to prevent foreign substance entry before it can reach the electronic components. By placing the cover over the outlet and electronic component areas, the system proactively blocks potential contaminants from reaching sensitive areas, maintaining reliability while preserving space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Ease of operation

If the top cover and upper cover are separated to allow access, then ease of operation is improved, but foreign substances can enter through the gap between the covers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecover accessibilityVSAvoidforeign substance entry
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cover structure utilizes flexible sealing elements or thin film barriers at the interface between the top cover and upper cover. These flexible seals maintain coverage and prevent foreign substance entry even when the covers are slightly separated for access, allowing ease of operation while maintaining protection against contaminants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 effectively diffuses filtered air throughout the indoor space, utilizes the space above the air cleaner, and ensures the reliability of electronic units by preventing foreign substances from entering the air cleaning unit, thus maintaining stable operation.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of magnetic members that bring the top cover into close contact with the upper cover may be disposed at the top cover or at the upper cover

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP4306863A1Air cleaner
Publication Date: 2024.01.17 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4306863A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4306863A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4306863A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention is related to an air cleaner. The air cleaner of the present invention comprises a first body that an inlet is formed at a peripheral surface thereof and that an outlet is formed above the inlet; a second body disposed above the first body and guiding air discharged from the outlet in a radially outward direction, wherein the second body comprises: a lower cover disposed above the outlet and extending upwardly as it goes in a radially outward direction; a top cover disposed separably to the lower cover; an upper cover disposed between the lower cover and the top cover and comprising a plate and a protruding cover that protrudes upward from the plate, wherein a hole opened in up-down direction is formed at the top cover such that the protruding cover is disposed, wherein a groove is formed at the plate, the groove depressed downward at a periphery of the protruding cover.