Air purifier

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air purifiers lack a structure to evenly diffuse light in all directions and require a large number of light sources to achieve 360-degree light diffusion, which complicates assembly and can cause light interference with other components.

Innovation Solution

An air purifier design featuring a light guide that extends along the circumference of the second body, receiving light from a central light source and emitting it outward, minimizing the number of light sources needed and preventing interference with other parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If multiple light sources are used to achieve 360-degree light diffusion, then light coverage is improved, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight diffusion coverageVSAvoidnumber of light sources
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a light guide as an intermediary component between the light source and the external environment. The light guide extends along the circumferential direction and transmits light from a single central source to multiple directions, achieving 360-degree illumination without requiring multiple light sources. This mediator converts one light source into multi-directional illumination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The light guide is configured to extend in the circumferential direction (horizontal dimension) while receiving light from a central source. This dimensional transformation allows light to be distributed along the circumference, achieving radial light diffusion from a point source through spatial extension in another dimension.

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

2Illumination intensity

If multiple light sources are distributed around the air purifier, then light diffusion is improved, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight diffusion uniformityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple light transmission functions into a single integrated light guide structure. Instead of assembling multiple separate light sources and their individual transmission paths, one light guide component performs the function of multiple light channels, significantly simplifying the assembly process while maintaining uniform light diffusion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The light guide serves multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits light from the central source, distributes light along the circumferential direction, and provides structural support for the light transmission system. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed and simplifies manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Volume of moving object

If light sources are positioned close to internal components, then space utilization is improved, but light interference with other parts occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidlight interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the light transmission path from the internal component space and routes it through the light guide that extends toward the external environment. By separating the light transmission function from the internal component assembly, the light path is taken out of the crowded internal space, preventing interference with other components while maintaining efficient space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 air purifier effectively diffuses light in all directions with a reduced number of light sources, simplifying assembly and ensuring light is emitted externally without interfering with internal components.

Implementation Method 1

a light guide facing the light source and extending in a direction away from the central portion, so it is possible to diffuse light to an outside of the second body even with a small number of light sources

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentEP4306860A1Air purifier
Publication Date: 2024.01.17 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4306860A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4306860A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4306860A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an air purifier. An air purifier according to an aspect of the present disclosure may include: a first body having an inlet and an outlet; a fan; a second body coupled to the first body, having a central portion located above the first body, and extending from the central portion in a direction crossing the up-and-down direction; a substrate; a light source disposed at the central portion or at a position corresponding to the central portion in the up-and-down direction; and a light guide facing the light source, and extending in a direction away from the central portion, so it is possible to minimize the number of the light sources and deliver light to an outside of the air purifier.