Foldable Air Purifier Filter Frame for Compact, Clean Disposal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air purifier filters are difficult to dispose of due to their size and there is a risk of foreign substances being blown out, potentially contaminating the environment and harming users' health.
Innovation Solution
A filter unit with a folding groove and fixing mechanism that allows it to be easily folded and fixed in either an unfolded state for use or a folded state for disposal, minimizing the release of collected substances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the filter unit is made large to ensure sufficient filtering area and capacity, then the filtering performance is improved, but the ease of disposal deteriorates due to the bulky size
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is divided into multiple sections by forming folding grooves at predetermined positions, allowing the filter unit to be segmented into foldable sections that can be collapsed together for compact disposal while maintaining the full filtering area during use
Solution Approach 2:
The frame is designed with folding grooves that enable it to dynamically change between an unfolded state during filtering operation and a folded state for compact disposal, transforming the static structure into a dynamic one that adapts to different operational phases
2Ease of operation
If the filter unit is made foldable for easy disposal, then the ease of disposal is improved, but the stability during use deteriorates due to the flexible structure
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is segmented with folding grooves positioned strategically so that when unfolded, the sections work together to provide structural rigidity, while when folded, the same segments collapse into a compact configuration for easy disposal
Solution Approach 2:
The structural parameters of the frame change between two states: during use, the frame maintains an unfolded configuration with high structural stability, while during disposal, it transitions to a folded configuration with reduced volume, allowing the same structure to satisfy both stability and disposability requirements
3Volume of moving object
If the filter unit is folded to reduce size for disposal, then the volume is reduced, but foreign substances may be released to the outside
Solution Approach 1:
The folding mechanism is designed so that the folding grooves and frame structure guide the collapse in a way that contains foreign substances within the frame during folding, converting the potential harm of substance release into a controlled containment process where substances are trapped rather than dispersed
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure is preliminarily designed with folding grooves and geometric features that predetermined the folding path and containment behavior, ensuring that when folding occurs, foreign substances are automatically contained within the frame structure rather than being released to the environment
4Stability of the object's composition
If the frame is made rigid to maintain stability during use, then the stability is improved, but the ability to fold for disposal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The frame incorporates folding grooves that create dynamic folding capabilities while maintaining overall structural integrity, allowing the frame to transition between rigid unfolded state during use and flexible folded state for disposal without compromising stability during operation
Data Source
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AI summary
A filter unit includes: a frame having an outer shape surrounding an opening through which air flows and having a collection surface and an opposite surface opposite to the collection surface; and a filter member that is disposed in the opening and filters foreign substances included in the flowing air. A folding groove is formed on the opposite surface of the frame. The folding groove is formed at at least two points of the frame so that when an external force is applied from the opposite surface of the frame toward the collection surface, one of a part and another part of the frame divided based on the folding groove relatively rotates toward the other one, and the frame is folded in such a way that a portion of the collection surface approaches another portion of the collection surface.