Mixed Flow Fan Module with Curved Housing for Vertical Air Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable air purifiers are inefficient in delivering purified air vertically, leading to decreased air cleaning efficiency and unsatisfactory user experience, especially in small spaces and vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A mixed flow fan module with a circular outer circumference, curved along the circumferential direction, is integrated into a portable air purifier, allowing air to be blown upward from downward, preventing backflow, and efficiently reaching the user by utilizing a fan housing, fan member, and fan base configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional fan module is used in portable air purifiers, then the device size can be reduced for portability, but the air delivery efficiency and blowing capacity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The fan housing outer surface is designed with a curved shape along the circumferential direction, matching the cylindrical housing interior. This curved geometry optimizes airflow patterns, reduces turbulence, and maximizes blowing capacity within the constrained portable device volume, resolving the contradiction between compact size and air delivery efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional horizontal air flow to vertical air flow by positioning the fan module to blow air upward along the housing. This dimensional change in airflow direction improves space utilization, enhances air delivery to users standing or sitting above the device, and maintains high efficiency in the vertical dimension while keeping the device compact
2Device complexity
If air flows horizontally in portable air purifiers, then the structure can be simplified, but the purified air cannot be properly delivered to the user
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of the conventional horizontal airflow direction, the patent inverts the airflow orientation to vertical upward flow. The fan module is configured to suction air from the lower side and discharge it upward through the housing, ensuring purified air reaches users positioned above the device, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining relatively simple structure
3Productivity
If additional fan modules are added to improve air cleaning efficiency, then air delivery performance improves, but device weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single fan module is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both the suction source and the blowing mechanism, creates vertical airflow for efficient air delivery, and integrates with the housing to form a compact cylindrical structure. This multi-functionality achieves high air cleaning efficiency without adding extra fan modules, thereby avoiding increased weight and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The fan module is merged with the housing structure, where the curved fan housing outer surface becomes part of the cylindrical housing interior. This integration eliminates the need for separate additional components and achieves optimized airflow and high air cleaning efficiency within a single unified structure, preventing weight and complexity increases
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 enhances air cleaning efficiency and user satisfaction by ensuring purified air is effectively delivered vertically, improving space utilization and mobility in portable air purifiers.
Implementation Method 1
a fan member rotatably disposed inside of the fan housing; and a fan base coupled to the fan housing and configured to guide air introduction in a direction toward the fan member
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are a mixed flow fan module and a portable air purifier including the mixed flow fan module. According to the present disclosure, the mixed flow fan module includes a fan housing having an outer surface that is curved along a circumferential direction and defining an operation space, a fan member rotatably disposed inside the fan housing, and a fan base coupled to the fan housing and configured to guide air introduction toward the fan member.