Blower UV Sterilization System for Automated Fan and Filter Cleaning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional blowers face issues with air purification performance degradation due to bacterial accumulation in the fan, requiring inconvenient manual removal of bacteria, which affects indoor air quality and maintenance efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A blower design incorporating a light source that emits ultraviolet light to sterilize the fan and filter, with a controller to manage the light source's operation based on the filter and case's position, ensuring effective sterilization and preventing UV leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual cleaning method is used to remove bacteria from the fan, then the structure is simple, but the maintenance convenience deteriorates and air purification performance degrades over time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-maintenance by automatically detecting when the fan needs cleaning and executing the cleaning process without user intervention. The controller monitors operational parameters and triggers the cleaning mechanism, allowing the blower to maintain itself autonomously, thus improving maintenance convenience while ensuring consistent air purification performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs cleaning actions in advance before bacteria accumulation significantly degrades air purification performance. By monitoring operational time or contamination levels and initiating cleaning proactively, the system prevents performance degradation rather than reacting to it, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing maintenance burden.
2Reliability
If UV light source is added to sterilize the fan, then air purification performance is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UV light source is integrated into the existing blower system, serving multiple functions: sterilization of the fan, disinfection of circulating air, and potential integration with the existing control system. This multi-functionality approach allows the added component to justify its presence by providing multiple benefits, thereby managing device complexity while maintaining improved air purification performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The UV light source is merged with the existing blower housing and control system. The controller that manages fan operation is extended to also control the UV lighting cycle, and the power supply system is integrated to share electrical components. This merging approach minimizes the increase in device complexity by consolidating control and power management infrastructure.
3Reliability
If UV light source operates continuously to sterilize, then air purification performance is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UV light source operates periodically rather than continuously, with the controller activating it at scheduled intervals or based on operational parameters such as runtime accumulation or air quality sensors. This periodic operation maintains sterilization effectiveness while dramatically reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation, as the UV system only activates when needed for sterilization cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where sensors monitor air quality, bacterial presence, or operational conditions to dynamically control UV light operation. When contamination levels rise or specific conditions are detected, the UV system activates; when air quality is good, it remains off. This feedback-based control maintains air purification performance while optimizing energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary UV operation.
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 maintains air purification performance by sterilizing the fan and filter, simplifies maintenance by automating bacterial removal, and prevents UV light from escaping, enhancing user safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a light source disposed at the supporter and configured to provide light in an ultraviolet wavelength band to the fan
Data Source
AI summary
A blower includes: a fan configured to generate a flow of air; a filter positioned upstream of the fan; a case covering a side surface of the filter and having a suction hole; a housing which is positioned opposite to the fan with respect to the filter, and to which the case is detachably coupled; a supporter coupled to one surface of the housing facing the filter and configured to support the filter; a light source disposed at the supporter and configured to provide light in an ultraviolet wavelength band to the fan; and a controller configured to control an operation of the light source, wherein the controller stops the operation of the light source when the case is separated from the housing or when the filter is separated from the supporter.