Air cleaner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air cleaners face challenges in determining the optimal filter replacement time due to invisible accumulation of foreign substances, leading to reduced airflow and increased load on the blower fan, and existing solutions, such as differential pressure sensors, occupy space and disrupt airflow or have complex structures.
Innovation Solution
An air cleaner design featuring a pressure sensor system with a pair of tubes measuring static and dynamic pressure, integrated into a compact structure, positioned to minimize airflow disruption and maximize stability, allowing for accurate filter replacement timing determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a differential pressure sensor is used to indicate filter replacement timing, then filter replacement timing can be determined, but the sensor occupies larger space inside the air cleaner and may disrupt air flow
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensing function is divided into two separate pressure sensors instead of using one complex differential pressure sensor. Each sensor measures pressure at different locations (upstream and downstream of the filter), and the pressure difference is calculated by subtracting these measurements. This segmentation reduces the space required for each individual sensor while maintaining the ability to determine filter replacement timing accurately.
2Measurement precision
If a differential pressure sensor is used to indicate filter replacement timing, then filter replacement timing can be determined, but the sensor structure may disrupt air flow
Solution Approach 1:
Pressure sensing ports are introduced as intermediary elements that minimally interact with the main air flow. These ports provide a pathway for pressure measurement without significantly obstructing the primary air flow path through the air cleaner. The ports are designed to be small and strategically positioned to capture pressure information while maintaining efficient air flow.
3Measurement precision
If the pressure sensor is positioned to accurately measure pressure for filter replacement determination, then measurement accuracy improves, but flow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensing ports are designed with specific local characteristics - they are positioned at locations where pressure is representative of filter condition but where their presence minimally impacts overall air flow. The upstream port is positioned before the filter and the downstream port after the filter, creating local measurement zones that provide accurate pressure differential data while maintaining efficient air flow through the system.
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
The solution enables precise determination of filter replacement periods, improves sensing accuracy, reduces flow resistance, and maintains a compact design, ensuring efficient airflow and reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor being coupled to the first tube and the second tube and configured to measure air pressure in the first tube and the second tube, respectively
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an air cleaner. The air cleaner according to the present disclosure includes: cases having air inlets and air outlets formed therein and blower fans disposed therein; filters serving to filter out foreign substances contained in air suctioned through the air inlets; a first tube disposed on a downstream side of the filters and having a first hole being open toward the filters; a second tube disposed on the downstream side of the filters and having a second hole being open in a direction opposite the filters; and a pressure sensor being coupled to the first tube and the second tube and configured to measure air pressure in the first tube and the second tube, respectively. Accordingly, the air cleaner of the present disclosure has an effect of indicating a replacement period of the filters based on pressure values measured by the pressure sensor.