Air Cleaner Circulator Inlet Layout for Higher Clean Air Intake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air cleaners face issues where outside air not undergoing cleaning is suctioned into the circulator and discharged, reducing the ratio of clean air being suctioned and discharged, and causing a loss of air volume due to increased pressure in the intake path.
Innovation Solution
The air cleaner design includes a circulator with a housing that has a first inlet and a first outlet, where the first inlet is positioned above the second outlet of the blowing device and has a smaller diameter, increasing the intake ratio of clean air and minimizing the suction of outside air. The circulator is obliquely erected to create an air curtain region that acts as a resistance element to prevent outside air from entering the circulator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the circulator is installed obliquely to discharge clean air in a predetermined direction, then the direction control of discharged air is improved, but outside air that does not undergo cleaning is suctioned into the circulator and discharged together
Solution Approach 1:
The circulator inlet is divided into two separate inlets: a first inlet positioned above the blowing device outlet for suctioning clean air, and a second inlet for suctioning outside air. This segmentation allows the system to maintain directional control while preventing unmixed outside air from contaminating the clean air stream
Solution Approach 2:
A partition wall is introduced as an intermediary structure between the first and second inlets. This partition wall physically separates the airflow paths, ensuring that outside air entering through the second inlet does not mix with or replace the clean air being suctioned through the first inlet
2Reliability
If the intake path area of the circulator is reduced to minimize outside air suction, then the intake ratio of clean air is improved, but air volume loss increases due to increased pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The air intake system is segmented into two separate inlet paths with different area allocations. The first inlet has a smaller area optimized for clean air intake, while the second inlet provides an additional path for outside air. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high clean air intake ratio while compensating for air volume loss through the second inlet
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of inlet area distribution by creating two inlets with different areas rather than using a single large inlet. This parameter change allows optimization of clean air intake while managing overall air volume and pressure characteristics
3Reliability
If the first inlet diameter is reduced to increase clean air intake ratio, then the purity of suctioned air is improved, but the air volume flow capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The air intake function is segmented across two inlets: the first inlet with smaller diameter optimized for high-purity clean air suction, and the second inlet that compensates for air volume requirements. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between inlet diameter and air volume capacity while maintaining air purity
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 increases the ratio of clean air suctioned and discharged while reducing the ratio of outside air suctioned, minimizing air volume loss, and guiding clean air in a predetermined direction through the shape and arrangement of the outer walls.
Implementation Method 1
The circulator is obliquely erected to create an air curtain region that acts as a resistance element to prevent outside air from entering the circulator
Data Source
AI summary
A air cleaner includes a blowing device and a circulator movably disposed above the blowing device. The circulator includes a housing extending in a front-rear direction, a first inlet being formed in a rear portion of the housing and a first outlet being formed in a front portion of the housing, a circulation fan disposed in the housing to suction air through the first inlet and then discharge the air through the first outlet to a front of the housing, and a motor rotating the circulation fan. The first inlet is disposed above a second outlet of the blowing device inside an imaginary extension surface vertically extending an edge of the second outlet, and has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the second outlet, thus suctioning air discharged from the second outlet and increasing an intake ratio of clean air that undergoes a cleaning operation of the blowing device.