Air curtain apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air curtain apparatuses are either too complex and difficult to install or move, and simple ones are ineffective in separating spaces and preventing the entry of foreign matters like droplets between subspaces.
Innovation Solution
A small and simple air curtain apparatus with vertically arrayed blowers that produce helical air currents, allowing for easy installation and efficient separation of spaces by using a system of blowers with adjustable positions and optional light emitting units for alignment, and potentially including antiseptic solutions or colored gases for enhanced effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large or complicated air curtain apparatus is used to efficiently separate spaces and prevent entry of foreign matters, then the separation effectiveness is improved, but the ease of installation and movement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air curtain apparatus is divided into multiple independent blower units arranged in parallel. Each blower unit can be independently installed and positioned, allowing for flexible assembly and easy relocation. The segmented structure enables the system to achieve effective space separation without requiring a single large complex apparatus, thus improving both separation effectiveness and ease of installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional horizontal air curtain configurations to a vertical arrangement of blowers that generate upward helical air currents. This dimensional change allows the air curtain to be formed by vertical stacking of compact blower units, reducing the horizontal footprint and simplifying installation while maintaining effective separation. The vertical configuration enables easier movement and repositioning compared to traditional large-scale horizontal systems.
2Ease of operation
If a simple air curtain apparatus is used for easy installation and movement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the separation effectiveness and foreign matter prevention deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Each blower unit is pre-configured with a specific airflow pattern capability to generate helical air currents. The blowers are designed with integrated impellers that inherently produce the required rotational airflow without additional complex mechanisms. This preliminary design of the blower units ensures that when assembled, the system immediately achieves effective space separation and foreign matter prevention, maintaining high reliability while keeping the overall structure simple and easy to install.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the airflow parameters by generating helical (rotational) air currents instead of conventional linear flows. This parameter change in airflow pattern increases the stability and effectiveness of the air curtain, creating a more robust barrier against droplets and foreign matters. The helical flow pattern is achieved through simple modifications to the blower impeller design, maintaining ease of installation while significantly improving separation effectiveness.
3Reliability
If columnar members with air blow ports and intake ports are positioned to form an air curtain, then the space separation is improved, but the installation complexity increases due to positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple independent blower units that can be installed separately and then assembled into the air curtain configuration. Each blower unit is a self-contained module with integrated airflow control, eliminating the need for complex positioning of separate columnar members with individual blow ports and intake ports. The segmented modular design simplifies installation while maintaining effective space separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines the functions of air blowing and air intake into integrated blower units, where each unit handles both the generation and directional control of airflow. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate columnar structures with distinct blow ports and intake ports that would require precise positioning relative to each other. The combined blower units simplify the overall structure and installation process while achieving the same space separation effect.
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 separation of spaces and prevention of foreign matter entry with ease of installation and movement, while allowing for effective communication and reduced need for physical barriers like glass or resin shields.
Implementation Method 1
the first blower blows out a helical air current from the first air outlet port included in the first blower toward the second air inlet port included in the second blower
Data Source
AI summary
[SUMMARY][Problems to be Solved]To provide an air curtain apparatus that is small and simple, capable of separating a space, and capable of preventing entry of foreign matters such as droplets from one subspace into the other subspace.[Solution]An air curtain apparatus 1 includes a plurality of blowers 11 arrayed in an up-down direction and a plurality of second blowers 21 arrayed in the up-down direction. An air inlet port 23 included in the blower 21 faces an air outlet port 14 included in the blower 11. In a pair of the blower 11 and the blower 21, the blower 11 blows out a helical air current SA1 from the air outlet port 14, and the blower 21 sucks in the helical air current SA1 from the air inlet port 23. The air curtain apparatus 1 forms an air curtain AC1 with a plurality of the helical air currents SA1, the plurality of the helical air currents SA1 being blown from the plurality of the air outlet ports 14 and sucked into the plurality of air inlet ports 23.