Bladeless Fan Heater Airflow Split for Uniform Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fan heaters produce non-uniform air flows due to variations in blade surface and heating element distribution, leading to turbulent air currents, discomfort, and rapid diminishment of heating effect with distance. Additionally, they often accumulate dust, which burns and emits unpleasant smells when heated.

Innovation Solution

A fan assembly with multiple air outlets that allow for selective temperature control by diverting air flows, using a heating mechanism within an annular nozzle to generate a uniform air current, and directing cooler air over external surfaces to maintain them at a lower temperature, preventing dust burning and enhancing airflow uniformity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional fan heaters use blade-based air projection with heating elements, then heating function is provided, but air flow uniformity deteriorates and turbulence increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating functionVSAvoidair flow uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the problematic blade component from the air projection system. Instead of using blades to project air, the invention employs a bladeless design where air is drawn through a base and emitted through an annular nozzle, eliminating the source of flow turbulence and improving air flow uniformity while maintaining the heating function through separately positioned heating elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the air flow path into distinct zones: air is drawn through the base, heated by heating elements positioned within the base, and then projected through the annular nozzle. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function (air movement, heating, and projection) without the interference of combined blade-heating element structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If fan heaters use enclosed caged structures to protect blades and heating elements, then user safety is improved, but dust accumulation increases and cleaning difficulty worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser safetyVSAvoidcleaning ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the enclosing cage structure entirely by extracting the protective function and replacing it with a bladeless design. Without blades, there is no need for a protective cage, allowing the heating elements and air flow paths to be exposed in a manner that is safe for users while being easily accessible for cleaning and maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The bladeless design allows users to easily clean the device themselves without requiring disassembly of protective cages or special tools. The open structure enables direct access to all surfaces that require cleaning, including the heating elements and air flow channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Power

If heating elements operate at high power output, then heating efficiency is improved, but external surface temperature rises and dust burning occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating power outputVSAvoiddust burning and unpleasant smell
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by positioning heating elements specifically within the base structure where they directly heat the air stream without necessarily heating the external casing surfaces. The annular nozzle and base design create localized heating zones that are spatially separated from the external surfaces, allowing high power output while preventing dust burning on external surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces air as an intermediary medium between the heating elements and the external environment. The heating elements heat the air within the base, and this heated air is then projected through the annular nozzle. This intermediary air stream transfers the thermal energy to the surrounding environment without requiring the external surfaces to reach high temperatures, thereby preventing dust burning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Speed

If blade-based fans are used to project air current, then air flow generation is achieved, but flow uniformity deteriorates and turbulence increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair flow generationVSAvoidflow uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the blade component entirely from the air projection system. Instead of using rotating blades to generate air flow, the invention employs a stationary annular nozzle that directs the air stream produced by the base's impeller. This bladeless approach removes the primary source of flow turbulence and achieves smooth, uniform air flow projection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical blade rotation system with a stationary nozzle system. The air flow is generated by the impeller within the base and then directed by the annular nozzle without requiring mechanical blades. This substitution eliminates the mechanical complexities and flow disturbances associated with rotating blades while maintaining effective air projection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical 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 provides a fan assembly with improved airflow uniformity, reduced dust accumulation, and a more comfortable heating experience by maintaining external surfaces at a lower temperature, preventing unpleasant smells and enhancing airflow efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

means for heating a first portion of the air flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

at least one second air outlet is arranged to direct at least part of the second portion of the air flow over an external surface of the casing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection cooling: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2601452B1A fan assembly
Publication Date: 2015.02.11 DYSON TECH LTD
  • EP2601452B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2601452B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2601452B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A fan assembly includes a motor-driven impeller for creating an air flow, at least one heater for heating a first portion of the air flow, means for diverting a second portion of the air flow away from said at least one heater, and a casing comprising at least one first air outlet for emitting the first portion of the air flow and at least one second air outlet from emitting the second portion of the air flow. To cool an external surface of the casing, at least one second air outlet is arranged to direct at least part of the second portion of the air flow over the external surface.