Bladeless Fan Nozzle with Diffuser and Guide Portion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fans with rotating blades produce uneven air flow, leading to noise and reduced cooling effectiveness, and occupy valuable space, while also blocking light and being difficult to clean.

Innovation Solution

A bladeless fan assembly featuring a nozzle with a diffuser and guide portion that directs air flow uniformly, utilizing a Coanda surface to amplify airflow and reduce noise, allowing for focused cooling without the need for moving blades.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If rotating blades are used to generate air flow, then cooling effect is produced, but air flow becomes uneven and noisy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling effectVSAvoidnoise and uneven air flow
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the rotating blades entirely from the fan assembly, extracting the source of noise and uneven air flow. Instead of using blades to generate air flow, the invention uses a stationary nozzle system that directs air flow smoothly without the harmful effects of rotating components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical rotating blade system with a stationary nozzle system that uses fluid dynamics principles. The nozzle includes a diffuser portion and guide portion that shape and direct air flow without mechanical moving parts, eliminating noise while maintaining cooling effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Temperature

If fan base is made larger to provide stable air flow, then cooling effectiveness improves, but space occupancy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoidbase area
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the nozzle, specifically incorporating a diffuser portion with a gradual expansion angle and a guide portion with specific angulation. These parameter optimizations enable effective air flow direction and cooling performance within a compact base area, eliminating the need for large fan structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If nozzle structure is added to direct air flow, then cooling directionality improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling directionalityVSAvoidnozzle structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the nozzle into distinct functional portions: a diffuser portion for expanding and smoothing air flow, and a guide portion for directing the air flow at specific angles. This segmentation provides precise cooling directionality while keeping each portion structurally simple and easy to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 quiet, efficient, and compact cooling solution that directs air flow uniformly, enhancing the cooling effect at a distance and reducing space occupancy while maintaining a clean and unobstructed design.

Implementation Method 1

the surface comprising a diffuser portion tapering away from said axis and a guide portion downstream from the diffuser portion and angled thereto

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffuser:

Implementation Method 2

utilizing a Coanda surface to amplify airflow and reduce noise

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCoanda effect: Coanda Effect

Implementation Method 3

the guide portion directs the air flow towards a user's location whilst maintaining a smooth, even output without the user feeling a 'choppy' flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow guidance:

Data Source

PatentEP2342466B1A nozzle for a fan assembly and assembly with such a nozzle
Publication Date: 2018.06.27 DYSON TECH LTD
  • EP2342466B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2342466B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2342466B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A bladeless fan assembly (100) for creating an air current comprises a nozzle (1) mounted on a base (16) housing means for creating an air flow through the nozzle (1). The nozzle (1) comprises an interior passage (10) for receiving the air flow from the base (16) and a mouth (12) through which the air flow is emitted. The nozzle (1) extends about an axis to define an opening (2) through which air from outside the fan assembly (100) is drawn by the air flow emitted from the mouth (12). The nozzle (1) comprises a surface over which the mouth (12) is arranged to direct the air flow. The surface comprises a diffuser portion (46) tapering away from the axis, and a guide portion (48) downstream from the diffuser portion (46) and angled thereto.