Concealed Air Outlet Guide Wall for Directional Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air blowing devices struggle to keep the air outlet invisible while maintaining the functionality of adjusting airflow direction, often impairing the flow direction when attempting to conceal the outlet.
Innovation Solution
An air blowing device with a guide wall having a convex surface shape that covers the air outlet and an on-off valve capable of opening or closing a concave portion, utilizing the Coanda effect to adjust the airflow direction without visible obstruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a mask is arranged in the vicinity of the air outlet to block the line of sight, then the air outlet is kept invisible, but the flow direction of the blowing airflow is changed to an unintended direction
Solution Approach 1:
The guide wall is designed with a movable on-off valve that can dynamically adjust between open and closed positions. When closed, the valve maintains the aesthetic appearance by hiding the air outlet structure. When open, it restores proper airflow direction. This dynamic mechanism resolves the contradiction between maintaining visual appearance and ensuring functional performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The on-off valve acts as an intermediary element between the air outlet structure and the visible area. It can be positioned to block the view of the air outlet when in the closed state, while its opening restores the intended airflow path. This intermediary component allows the system to switch between aesthetic and functional states without permanent compromise to either.
2Shape
If the air outlet is narrowed to make it less likely to be recognized, then the appearance is enhanced, but the function to adjust the flow direction of the blowing airflow is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The guide wall incorporates a movable on-off valve that dynamically adjusts the effective opening size. Although the physical air outlet structure remains narrow for aesthetic purposes, the valve can open to create a functional opening that restores airflow direction adjustment capability. This resolves the contradiction between narrow appearance and functional performance.
3Shape
If the air outlet is arranged at a position less likely to be visually recognized, then the air outlet is kept invisible, but additional mechanisms are required to maintain airflow direction adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The guide wall serves multiple functions: it acts as a visual barrier to hide the air outlet structure, provides a mounting surface for the on-off valve, and functions as an airflow guide when the valve is open. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity despite the repositioned air outlet.
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 device effectively hides the air outlet from view while maintaining the ability to adjust airflow direction, allowing for a narrower outlet and enhanced interior appearance without additional airflow direction adjustment mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing the Coanda effect to adjust the airflow direction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Provided is an air blowing device capable of keeping an air outlet invisible to the extent possible without impairing a function as the air blowing device. An air blowing device (10) includes: a tubular body (21) defining an airflow passage (21a) and an air outlet (21 b); a guide wall (31) for guiding an airflow having passed through the air outlet in an intended direction; and an on-off valve (32) forming a part of the guide wall, which is capable of opening or closing a concave portion (34) formed in the guide wall. The guide wall has a convex surface shape protruding in a direction intersecting with a forward direction of the air outlet, and is arranged so that a projection image, which is obtained by projecting the guide wall onto an imaginary plane including the air outlet, covers the entire air outlet. The on-off valve is configured to open or close the concave portion in accordance with the intended direction.