Air Cleaner Visual Filter Inspection to Reduce User Contamination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air cleaning devices complicate the process of checking filter contamination levels, risking user contamination and re-scattering of pollutants when removing the filter for inspection, and existing sensor-based solutions provide indirect and inaccurate assessments.

Innovation Solution

An air cleaning device with a main mirror and check hole system that allows users to visually inspect the filter's contamination level from outside without removing it, using a transparent member and illumination to enhance visibility, and optionally incorporating a camera module and display for remote image viewing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the filter is removed from the air cleaning device to check contamination, then the contamination level can be directly observed, but the user may be contaminated and pollutants may be re-scattered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination level detection accuracyVSAvoiduser contamination and pollutant re-scattering

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A transparent window is introduced as an intermediary between the user and the filter. The window allows optical transmission so users can visually inspect filter contamination without physical contact, while maintaining physical separation to prevent contamination and pollutant re-scattering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical action of removing the filter for inspection is replaced by an optical inspection system. Users view the filter through the transparent window rather than physically handling the filter, substituting mechanical interaction with optical observation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If various sensors are used to check filter replacement time, then the checking process can be simplified, but the contamination level cannot be accurately checked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter checking convenienceVSAvoidcontamination level detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using sensors that indirectly measure filter status, the transparent window provides a direct optical copy or visual replica of the filter's actual contamination state. Users can see the real condition of the filter without indirect measurement, maintaining high accuracy while improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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

Enables accurate and safe assessment of filter contamination without exposing users to pollutants, preventing re-contamination and simplifying the replacement process while ensuring precise timing for filter replacement.

Implementation Method 1

a main mirror configured to reflect a part of the filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

A transparent member may be installed in the check hole

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentUS9757674B2Air cleaning device

Publication Date: 2017.09.12 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An air cleaning device is provided. The air cleaning device includes: a main body; a filter configured to be disposed in the main body to purify air; and an image transmitter configured to show a state of the filter to an outside of the main body.