Air Cleaner Guide Structure to Prevent Fan-Filter Vortex and Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air cleaners experience air vortex between the fan and the filter frame, leading to noise and reduced performance, and require a complex structure for guiding air flow.
Innovation Solution
The air cleaner incorporates a guide disposed between the filter frame and the fan's shroud, inclined in a radial direction, to curb vortex occurrence, and includes a filter frame with openings and guides to direct airflow effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the fan is spaced apart from the filter frame to avoid interference, then the filter frame can be easily installed and removed, but air vortex occurs between the fan and filter frame causing noise and performance deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
A guide structure is introduced as an intermediary component between the fan and filter frame. The guide includes a guide wall extending from the filter frame toward the fan, and a shroud extending from the fan toward the filter frame, creating a guided airflow path that prevents vortex formation while maintaining the spaced-apart configuration for easy filter frame removal.
2Ease of operation
If the fan is spaced apart from the filter frame, then the filter can be easily replaced, but the air volume and discharge performance are reduced due to vortex occurrence
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure acts as a mediator that directs airflow smoothly from the filter frame to the fan. The guide wall and shroud create a controlled flow path that eliminates turbulence and vortex, maximizing air volume and discharge performance while preserving the spaced configuration that enables easy filter replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure changes the airflow parameters by directing the flow in a controlled manner. The inclined guide wall and curved shroud modify the flow direction and velocity distribution, transforming the airflow from a vortex-prone state to a smooth, high-velocity flow that enhances discharge performance.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a complex structure is used to guide airflow between the fan and filter frame, then vortex can be prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure is merged with existing components: the guide wall is integrated into the filter frame, and the shroud is integrated into the fan assembly. This combining approach prevents vortex formation without adding separate, complex components, as the guide functionality is achieved through the configuration of existing parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide wall and shroud serve multiple functions: they guide airflow to prevent vortex, structurally connect the filter frame and fan, and maintain the spaced configuration for filter accessibility. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, simplifying the overall device.
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 increases air volume and reduces noise by preventing vortex formation, enhancing airflow directionality and simplifying the structure.
Implementation Method 1
air vortex occurs between the fan and the filter frame that are spaced apart from each other. The air vortex occurring inside the case causes noise and deteriorates the performance of the air cleaner
Data Source
AI summary
An air cleaner may include a case including an internal space and an intake port configured to intake air from an outside of the air cleaner, a filter frame disposed inside the case, a detachable filter attached to the filter frame and disposed to face the intake port, the detachable filter being configured to filter the air from the outside, a fan disposed above the detachable filter and including a shroud disposed at an outer side of the fan adjacent to the filter frame, and a guide disposed between the filter frame and the shroud, a portion of the guide being inclined to the outer side of the fan in a radial direction.