Air Cleaner Outlet Grille with Inclined Vanes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air cleaners with outlets at the top often suffer from reduced space utilization and performance due to their design, which limits the use of the top surface and can lead to re-introduction of discharged air into the inlet, causing inefficiencies and interference with discharged air flow.
Innovation Solution
The air cleaner design features a first body with an elongated cylindrical shape and an outlet grille with inclined vanes that direct airflow upward, combined with a second body providing a flat surface for improved space utilization and a guide wall to prevent airflow re-introduction, enhancing airflow control and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the outlet is provided at the top of the air cleaner body, then the filtered air can be discharged upward to quickly improve indoor air quality, but the top surface utilization is limited and structures placed on top may cover the outlet reducing performance
Solution Approach 1:
The air cleaner body is divided into two separate bodies: a first body containing the outlet and airflow generation components, and a second body providing a flat top surface. This segmentation allows the outlet to be positioned on the first body while the second body provides additional usable top surface area that does not interfere with air discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a single-body design to a two-body stacked configuration, utilizing the vertical dimension to separate the airflow function (first body) from the surface utilization function (second body). This dimensional approach allows both functions to coexist without interference.
2Productivity
If a fan is provided at the top to blow filtered air a long distance, then the air cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the device occupies more space and reduces space utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The fan integrated into the first body serves multiple functions: it generates airflow for discharge and can direct air horizontally along the second body's surface. This multi-functionality improves air cleaning effectiveness without requiring additional separate components that would increase device volume.
3Device complexity
If the outlet grille defines the top surface of the body, then the structure is simplified, but the flat surface area is narrow making it difficult to place items
Solution Approach 1:
The air cleaner is segmented into a first body (containing the outlet grille for airflow function) and a second body (providing the flat top surface). This segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating the airflow discharge function from the surface utilization function, allowing both to be optimized independently.
4Productivity
If discharged air flows outward in all directions from the top outlet, then air quality improves quickly, but the air may be re-introduced into the inlet causing inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The second body acts as an intermediary surface that guides the airflow. Discharged air from the first body's outlet flows horizontally along the second body's surface toward the inlet side, where it is directed away from the inlet opening, preventing re-introduction while maintaining efficient airflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The airflow is preliminarily directed horizontally along the second body surface before reaching the inlet area. This preliminary action prevents the discharged air from being drawn back into the inlet, avoiding energy loss and improving overall airflow efficiency.
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 configuration improves airflow efficiency by minimizing re-introduction of discharged air into the inlet and allows for better utilization of the top space, reducing flow interference and enhancing overall performance and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
an outlet grille provided with the outlet and defining a top or upper surface of the body
Implementation Method 2
a guide wall to prevent airflow re-introduction, enhancing airflow control and efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
An air cleaner includes: a first body having an inlet and an outlet that is open at top; a filter disposed inside the first body and facing the inlet; a blower fan disposed between the inlet and the outlet, inside the first body, to generate an air flow from the inlet to the outlet; a blower motor disposed inside the first body and configured to rotate the blower fan; and a second body spaced upward from the outlet and disposed over the first body, wherein the first body includes an outlet grille that is disposed on the outlet and has a plurality of vanes extending from an upper end of a circumferential wall of the first body toward a central portion of the first body, and the outlet grille is inclined upward toward the central portion of the first body from the circumferential wall of the first body.