Flow generator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 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 with upper and lower modules that mix and discharge airflows, featuring a control unit to adjust airflow direction and speed, minimizing fan exposure and enhancing air distribution for a natural wind-like experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the fan is exposed to the outside for air discharge, then air flow generation is effective, but safety concerns arise and dust accumulation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into an upper module with first and second fans for air intake and a lower module with a third fan for air discharge. The discharge fan is positioned separately from the intake fans, allowing independent optimization of each function. The discharge module can rotate independently to control air discharge direction without affecting the intake function.
Solution Approach 2:
A discharge module is introduced as an intermediary component between the fans and the external environment. This module includes a discharge fan housed in a protective structure with a discharge hole, allowing air to be discharged through a controlled opening rather than direct fan exposure. The module can rotate to adjust discharge direction while maintaining fan protection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a safety cover surrounds the fan, then safety is improved, but dust accumulation increases and the device becomes dirty
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge module serves as an intermediary structure that provides safety protection while minimizing dust accumulation. It includes a discharge hole that allows controlled air passage and can be designed with smooth surfaces and appropriate geometry to reduce dust trapping. The rotatable design allows the discharge opening to be positioned optimally for dust reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge module employs a streamlined housing structure with smooth surfaces that minimize dust accumulation. The design incorporates curved transitions and avoids sharp corners where dust could collect, while still providing complete fan enclosure for safety.
3Productivity
If air is discharged directly from fans, then air flow is generated, but the user experiences artificial airflow rather than natural wind
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge module is designed to rotate, allowing dynamic adjustment of air discharge direction. This creates more natural wind patterns by distributing airflow across different directions and angles, mimicking natural wind behavior rather than a fixed direct stream. The rotation can be controlled or passive, providing dynamic airflow characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from single-direction axial airflow to multi-directional radial airflow by positioning the discharge fan to blow air radially outward through the discharge module. This adds spatial dimensionality to the airflow pattern, creating a more natural wind experience that reaches users from multiple angles rather than a single direct source.
4Loss of energy
If the device is stored in winter, then usability is reduced, but energy consumption is saved
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates both heating and cooling functions through the integration of fans for air circulation and a heater assembly. The same air handling system can operate in reverse or modified modes to provide heating in winter and cooling in summer, making the device universally applicable across temperature variations without requiring separate storage.
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 solution increases airflow capacity, reduces dust accumulation, and provides a natural wind-like experience while improving user comfort and reducing power consumption by simulating natural airflow patterns.
Implementation Method 1
a fan configured to suction air from a rear side of the housing toward the fan and to discharge the air to a front side of the housing
Implementation Method 2
a guide wall guiding the airflow to be discharged in the radial direction
Data Source
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.