Cylindrical Air Filter with Built-In Automated Cleaning Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air purifiers require filter removal or inefficient manual cleaning, leading to suboptimal filtration efficiency and maintenance challenges.
Innovation Solution
An air purifier with a built-in filter cleaner module featuring a motor, gear mechanism, and cleaning member that allows for automatic filter cleaning without removal, incorporating UV light for microbial elimination and a dust collection system with an indicator for easy maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the filter is removed for cleaning or replacement, then the filter can be cleaned manually, but the air purifier requires disassembly and reassembly, increasing maintenance time and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The filter cleaner enables the filter to clean itself automatically through a motor-driven cleaning member that contacts and cleans the filter surface while it rotates, eliminating the need for manual removal and cleaning by users
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary cleaning action by continuously or periodically cleaning the filter before it becomes heavily contaminated, maintaining filtration efficiency without requiring full removal and manual cleaning
2Productivity
If manual cleaning methods are used, then the filter can be cleaned, but the cleaning efficiency is low and particles are not effectively collected
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical cleaning action is replaced with an automated motor-driven cleaning member that systematically moves across the filter surface, providing more consistent and effective cleaning with proper particle collection
Solution Approach 2:
A dust collection box serves as an intermediary component to capture and contain particles removed from the filter during the cleaning process, preventing their redistribution and ensuring effective collection
3Extent of automation
If the filter cleaning mechanism is added to the air purifier, then automatic cleaning is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning mechanism components (motor, cleaning member, gear mechanism, dust collection box) are merged into a single integrated filter cleaner module that can be mounted within the existing air purifier structure, minimizing space requirements and simplifying installation
4Reliability
If the entire filter surface is cleaned, then filtration efficiency is maintained, but the cleaning mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system utilizes the dynamic rotation of the cylindrical filter itself, combined with a motor-driven cleaning member that moves along with the filter rotation, enabling complete surface coverage without requiring complex multi-axis positioning mechanisms
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
Enables efficient, automatic filter cleaning of the entire surface without filter removal, improving filtration efficiency and user convenience through automated particle collection and maintenance alerts.
Implementation Method 1
the filter cleaner further comprises at least one UV light source such as a UV lamp
Data Source
AI summary
An air purifier and a filter cleaner are provided. The filter cleaner is configured to be mounted in an air purifier. The filter cleaner comprises a motor, a cleaning member and a gear mechanism. The motor is configured to drive the gear mechanism to drive a radially outwards facing surface of a cylindrical air filter or a filter holding case past the cleaning member. The air purifier can comprise a polygonal casing and the cylindrical air filter can be located inside the polygonal casing so that a space is formed between the radially outwards facing surface of the cylindrical air filter and the inside corners of the polygonal casing. The filter cleaner can be located in the space between the corner and the filter.