Convex Flow Grid Structure for Quieter Air Purifier Intake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluid flow generating devices, such as fans in air purifiers, generate noise due to flow turbulence and blade pass frequency, and the placement of air filters close to the fan causes flow resistance and unfavorable acoustics, necessitating an improved solution to reduce noise and enhance airflow efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A flow grid with a polygonal cell arrangement and convex design is mounted at the fluid intake side of the device, featuring a frame and fluid flow area with a kaleidoscopic pattern, which smoothes and guides airflow, reducing resistance and noise while protecting the device and users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If air filters are installed close to the fan to minimize overall size, then device compactness is improved, but flow resistance and acoustic performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A flow grid is introduced as an intermediary component between the air filter and the fan. This flow grid acts as a mediator that conditions the airflow before it reaches the fan, reducing turbulence and flow resistance while allowing the filter to remain positioned close to the fan for compact device design.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow grid divides the airflow into multiple segments or streams using its geometric structure with radially arranged flow guidance elements. This segmentation of the airflow helps to reduce turbulence and distribute the flow more evenly across the fan inlet, thereby reducing flow resistance and improving acoustic performance.
2Volume of moving object
If air filters are installed close to the fan to minimize overall size, then device compactness is improved, but acoustic performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flow grid serves as an intermediary that conditions the airflow between the filter and fan, reducing turbulence-induced noise. By smoothing the airflow before it reaches the fan blades, the flow grid significantly reduces noise generation while allowing the compact filter-fan arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented flow guidance structure breaks up large turbulent eddies into smaller, less noisy flow patterns. This segmentation of the airflow reduces the intensity of turbulence and blade pass frequency noise, improving acoustic performance in the compact device design.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If flow rectifiers are used to smoothen flow and reduce noise, then acoustic performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow grid changes the geometric parameters of the flow guidance elements (such as the angle, length, and radial position of the flow guidance ribs) to optimize flow conditioning. By carefully selecting these parameters, effective noise reduction is achieved with a relatively simple grid structure, avoiding excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow grid employs curved or radially oriented flow guidance elements that follow the natural curvature of airflow patterns. This curved geometry is more effective at guiding flow smoothly compared to straight linear elements, achieving better noise reduction with a simpler overall structure.
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 flow grid lowers flow resistance and noise levels, improves airflow guidance, and allows for even dust loading on filters, enhancing the overall performance and acoustics of fluid flow generating devices like air purifiers.
Implementation Method 1
the disclosed polygonal cell arrangement and/or the convexity of the polygonal cell arrangement aid in streamlining or smoothening the fluid flow path
Implementation Method 2
Fluid flow generating devices, such as impellers or fans, are known to generate noise, causes of which are, for example, flow turbulence and blade pass frequency
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a flow grid arranged at a fluid intake side of a fluid flow generating device, the flow grid comprising: a frame configured to be mounted to a housing of the fluid flow generating device; and a fluid flow area connected to the frame, the fluid flow area having an outer perimeter, the outer perimeter having a diameter (douter), the outer perimeter being adjacent to the frame, wherein the fluid flow area comprises a polygonal cell arrangement having a kaleidoscopic pattern, wherein the polygonal cell arrangement comprises at least two types of cell geometries sharing a concentric axis, each type of cell geometry being arranged concentrically to the other(s), and wherein the polygonal cell arrangement is convex when viewed from the fluid intake side. There is also provided an ambient air purification device and use of the disclosed flow grid in the ambient air purification device.