Flow generating device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional flow generators, such as fans, expose the fan to the outside, leading to safety concerns and dust accumulation, and do not effectively provide air-conditioned or purified air, especially in contaminated environments, with limited usability across temperature variations.

Innovation Solution

A flow generator design featuring upper and lower modules with integrated air treatment systems, where air is suctioned and discharged through central portions, allowing for radial airflow distribution and adjustable vertical airflow direction, minimizing fan exposure and dust accumulation, and simulating natural wind patterns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the fan is exposed to the outside for simple airflow generation, then the device structure is simple, but the fan accumulates dust easily and safety concerns arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoiddust accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into an upper module with a first fan and lower module with a second fan, each handling different airflow paths. The upper module processes air from the upper suction part through its fan, while the lower module processes air from the lower suction part through its fan, separating the airflow paths to improve overall performance and reduce dust accumulation in each individual fan.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fan is nested within the main body of the device, specifically the first fan is disposed in the upper module and the second fan is disposed in the lower module. This nesting arrangement protects the fans from direct exposure to the outside environment, reducing dust accumulation while maintaining compact device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Device complexity

If a single fan generates airflow, then the device structure is simple, but the airflow capacity is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidairflow capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The airflow generation function is segmented into two independent modules: an upper module with a first fan and a lower module with a second fan. Each fan operates independently to generate airflow, and their combined output increases the total airflow capacity of the device while maintaining relatively simple individual module structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device merges two airflow generation systems (upper module with first fan and lower module with second fan) into a single integrated device. The airflow paths from both modules combine and are discharged through the discharge part, effectively increasing the total airflow capacity while maintaining a unified device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If air is discharged from upper and lower portions separately, then each airflow path is simple, but the discharged air is not well mixed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairflow pathVSAvoidair mixing
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The airflow paths from the upper module and lower module are merged into a common discharge path. The first airflow from the upper fan and the second airflow from the lower fan both flow through the discharge part, allowing the airflows to mix together before being discharged to the outside, improving air composition uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enhances airflow capacity, reduces dust accumulation, and provides a natural wind-like experience while improving user comfort and reducing power consumption by efficiently ventilating spaces and adjusting airflow direction.

Implementation Method 1

a fan generating an airflow and a housing supporting the fan and guiding the airflow generated by the fan

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFan: Fan

Implementation Method 2

an air guide guiding the airflow in a radial direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow guidance:

Data Source

PatentEP3677790B1Flow generating device
Publication Date: 2022.11.09 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3677790B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3677790B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3677790B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A flow generator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an upper fan configured to suction upper air and generate a first airflow, an upper fan housing configured to accommodate the upper fan from a lower side thereof and comprising a first discharge part through which the suctioned upper air is discharged, a lower fan configured to suction lower air and generate a second airflow, a lower fan housing configured to accommodate the lower fan from an upper side thereof and comprising a second discharge part through which the suctioned lower air is discharged, an air guide disposed between the upper fan and the lower fan to guide generation of a third airflow in which the first airflow and the second airflow are mixed with each other, and a control unit configured to control a rotational speed of the lower fan or the upper fan to adjust a discharge direction of the third airflow, wherein the first discharge part is disposed to face the second discharge part with respect to the flow guide part.