Air Cleaner Multi-Fan Segmentation for Noise and Coverage Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air cleaners have limited capacity and reliability due to restricted air suction and discharge, leading to incomplete air purification in indoor spaces, with increased noise and user inconvenience when trying to improve fan performance.

Innovation Solution

The air cleaner design incorporates dual blowing devices with cylindrical cases and radial suction ports, along with a flow adjusting device that allows air to be suctioned and discharged in multiple directions, enhancing suction capacity and air distribution while minimizing structural resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

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

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair purification capacityVSAvoidproduct reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The blowing device is divided into multiple fans (first blowing fan and second blowing fan) that operate independently. This segmentation allows the total air purification capacity to be distributed across multiple lower-power units, reducing noise and improving reliability while maintaining overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If single blowing fan is used to simplify device structure, then device complexity is reduced, but air purification coverage is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair purification coverageVSAvoidblowing device configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blowing function is segmented into multiple fans positioned at different locations within the case, with each fan responsible for a specific discharge direction. This enables broader air purification coverage while keeping each fan unit relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Air discharge is extended from a single upward direction to multiple dimensions by adding lateral discharge capability through the second blowing fan. This multi-directional approach increases coverage area without requiring a single complex high-capacity fan.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If rectangular parallelepiped case is used for compact structure, then ease of manufacture is improved, but suction capacity is reduced due to structural resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair suction capacityVSAvoidcase structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The case is designed with a cylindrical shape instead of a rectangular parallelepiped. This curved geometry eliminates corner portions that create structural resistance, thereby improving air suction capacity while remaining manufacturable using standard cylindrical forming processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Adaptability or versatility

If air discharge is limited to single upward direction to simplify structure, then device complexity is reduced, but air distribution coverage is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair discharge directionVSAvoidflow control mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air discharge system incorporates both upward discharge (first discharge port at top surface) and lateral discharge (second discharge port at side surface), enabling purified air to reach multiple spatial zones. This multi-dimensional discharge approach enhances adaptability without adding complex flow control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 distribution, allowing for more comprehensive indoor air purification with reduced noise and increased reliability, enabling effective air cleaning in larger spaces without user intervention.

Implementation Method 1

a blower that introduces outside air into the air cleaner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

a filter capable of filtering dust and bacteria

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS10436469B2Air cleaner

Publication Date: 2019.10.08 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

An air cleaner is provided that may include at least one blowing device including a main fan that generates air flow and a first discharge outlet through which air passing through the main fan is discharged; a flow controller movably provided at one side of the at least one blowing device, the flow controller including a sub-fan that generates air flow and a discharge grill through which air passing through the sub-fan is discharged; and a display provided in the discharge grill, the display device displaying operation information.