Dual-Suction Fan Assembly for Soldering Fume Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fans are inadequate for varying manual soldering work conditions, as they either lack sufficient suction for smoke and fumes or generate excessive noise when increasing suction, and require complex mechanisms or electronic circuitry for adjustment, which increases costs and susceptibility to failure.
Innovation Solution
A fan assembly with a housing and air guide featuring multiple suction apertures of different sizes, allowing for adjustable operation by tilting to expose either a large or small suction area, enabling efficient smoke and fume removal without complex mechanisms or electronic circuitry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fan rotation speed is increased to create greater suction, then suction capability is improved, but noise level significantly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air guide is segmented into multiple independent suction apertures (first suction aperture and second suction aperture) with different sizes. This allows the system to selectively use different apertures for different suction requirements, avoiding the need to increase fan speed for all conditions and thus controlling noise levels while maintaining adequate suction capability.
2Productivity
If a fan has a small suction opening, then smoke and fumes can be concentrated and removed more efficiently, but the volume of air that can be moved is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The air guide is divided into multiple suction apertures of different sizes. The smaller aperture can be used when concentrated smoke and fumes need efficient removal, while the larger aperture can be used when moving greater volume of air is required, thus resolving the contradiction between removal efficiency and air volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The air guide is designed to be rotatable, allowing dynamic switching between different suction apertures based on the specific work conditions. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to adapt to varying requirements for concentrated vs. volumetric air movement without requiring multiple separate devices.
3Quantity of substance
If a fan has a large suction opening, then greater volume of air can be moved, but smoke and fumes cannot be concentrated and removed as efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The air guide is segmented into multiple suction apertures of different sizes. The larger aperture can be selected when moving greater volume of air is the priority, while the smaller aperture can be selected when concentrated smoke and fume removal is the priority, thus resolving the contradiction between air volume and removal efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable air guide allows dynamic selection of different suction apertures based on the specific task requirements. This enables the system to switch between volumetric air movement and concentrated smoke/fume removal modes as needed, optimizing performance for each condition.
4Adaptability or versatility
If complex mechanisms or electronic circuitry are used for fan adjustment, then adaptability to different work conditions is improved, but manufacturing cost and susceptibility to failure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air guide is designed to be rotatable between different positions, allowing simple mechanical adjustment between suction modes. This dynamic physical adjustment mechanism is much simpler than electronic control systems, reducing manufacturing costs and susceptibility to failure while maintaining adaptability to different work conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable air guide allows the user to manually adjust the suction mode based on work conditions without requiring complex electronic controls or automated systems. The simple mechanical design enables self-service adjustment, reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility.
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 fan assembly effectively adjusts suction based on orientation, providing efficient smoke and fume removal in various conditions without noise increase or complex components, thus addressing the limitations of conventional fans.
Implementation Method 1
a fan (44) inside the housing (12). The housing (12) includes an air inlet (14) and an air guide (18) configured to guide air to the air inlet (14)
Data Source
AI summary
A fan assembly is adjustable between two suction modes by alternating the position of the fan assembly on a flat surface, such as a table top. The fan assembly has two separate suction openings, one smaller than the other, which are selectively sealed by the flat surface. The suction openings are bounded by planar edges of an air guide that protrudes outward from a fan casing of the assembly. In one position, a first suction opening is unobstructed by the flat surface while the second suction opening is either partially obstructed or substantially sealed by the flat surface. In another position, the second suction opening is unobstructed by the flat surface while the first suction opening is substantially sealed by the flat surface.