Air-processing apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air-processing apparatuses face limitations in maximizing outlet discharge area and providing clear operational state information, with reduced outlet area due to motor placement and limited visibility of operational lamps.

Innovation Solution

An air-processing apparatus with a rotatable louver and integrated optical output structure, featuring a lamp, printed circuit board, and transparent panel, allows light emission through the louver vanes to enhance visibility and information provision, while the louver-driving device is positioned to expand the outlet area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a driving motor for changing the orientation of the vanes is disposed on one side of the vane in the leftward-rightward direction, then the louver structure is simplified, but the outlet area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelouver structureVSAvoidoutlet area
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The louver is divided into multiple independent vanes (first vane, second vane, third vane, fourth vane) that can rotate independently around a central axis. This segmentation allows the driving motor to be positioned at the center rather than on one side, enabling the outlet to extend fully across the leftward-rightward direction and maximize outlet area while maintaining structural simplicity through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vanes are designed with asymmetric configurations relative to the central axis, with different numbers of vanes on each side (two vanes on one side, one vane on the other side). This asymmetric arrangement optimizes both the aerodynamic performance for air discharge and the spatial distribution of components, allowing the outlet to achieve maximum area while the driving mechanism remains centrally located

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Device complexity

If a lamp is disposed on the upper surface of the base panel, then the structure is simple, but the visibility of operational state indication is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelamp structureVSAvoidlamp visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The lamp is moved from a fixed position on the base panel to the louver structure, which rotates in the vertical direction. This dimensional change allows the lamp to dynamically adjust its orientation and position, providing visibility from multiple angles and directions depending on the louver's rotational position, thereby significantly improving operational state indication visibility without complicating the overall structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If a lamp provides only on/off or flashing information, then the device complexity is low, but the information provision capability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical output deviceVSAvoidoperational state information
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple lamps with different colors (first lamp, second lamp, third lamp) are integrated into the louver structure, each capable of emitting different colored light. This allows the system to convey diverse operational state information through color coding (e.g., green for normal operation, red for error, yellow for warning) while maintaining relatively simple device complexity, as each lamp independently provides distinct information channels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

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 improves the visibility of operational state indicators and maximizes air discharge area, enabling more efficient air processing by allowing greater air flow and intuitive user feedback.

Implementation Method 1

a transparent panel configured to allow light emitted from the lamp to pass therethrough

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentEP4095456B1Air-processing apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4095456B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4095456B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4095456B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An air-processing apparatus of the present disclosure includes a case having an outlet formed therein, a louver rotatably disposed in the case to adjust the direction of air flowing through the outlet, and an output device including a lamp, a printed circuit board on which the lamp is mounted, and a transparent panel configured to allow the light emitted from the lamp to pass therethrough. The louver includes a plurality of vanes spaced apart from each other in the radial direction about a louver rotation shaft. The transparent panel is disposed in at least one of the plurality of vanes.