Air cleaner and home appliance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air cleaners struggle to effectively purify both narrow and large indoor spaces simultaneously, as single units either fail to meet capacity needs or occupy excessive space when multiple small units are used.

Innovation Solution

A modular air cleaner system comprising a first air cleaner with an output part and a second air cleaner that can be electrically connected, featuring a power adapter and switch configuration to prevent double power supply, allowing for flexible power distribution and space-efficient operation by coupling or decoupling the units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple small air cleaners are used in a large indoor space, then the purification capacity is improved, but the occupied area increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepurification capacityVSAvoidoccupied area
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple air cleaner units into a single integrated system where a first air cleaner and second air cleaner can be coupled together. The first air cleaner includes a housing with a first outlet, and the second air cleaner includes a housing with a second outlet, allowing them to operate as a unified purification system that increases capacity without proportionally increasing floor space occupation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes vertical stacking arrangement where the second air cleaner is positioned above or adjacent to the first air cleaner in the vertical dimension. This dimensional transition allows multiple purification units to be compacted into a smaller horizontal footprint, effectively increasing purification capacity while minimizing occupied floor area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If a large-capacity air cleaner is provided, then the purification capacity for large spaces is improved, but it cannot effectively purify narrow indoor spaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepurification capacityVSAvoidadaptability to different space sizes
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the air cleaner system into separable modular units - a first air cleaner and a second air cleaner that can be independently used or coupled together. This segmentation allows the system to be configured in different modes: the first air cleaner can operate alone for narrow spaces, while both units can be coupled for large spaces, providing adaptability across different indoor space sizes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic configuration system where the air cleaners can be coupled or decoupled based on spatial requirements. The coupling mechanism includes electrical connection components that enable or disable power supply to the second air cleaner based on its operational state, allowing the system to dynamically adapt between single-unit and dual-unit modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the second air cleaner is always powered when coupled to the first air cleaner, then the purification capacity is improved, but the risk of double power supply increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepurification capacityVSAvoidsafety
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control mechanism through a switch that monitors the coupling state between the first and second air cleaners. When the second air cleaner is properly coupled to the first air cleaner, the switch enables power supply to the second air cleaner. When uncoupled, the switch automatically disables power supply, preventing double power supply conditions and ensuring safe operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a switch as an intermediary component between the power source and the second air cleaner. This switch acts as a mediator that controls the power flow based on the coupling status, ensuring that the second air cleaner receives power only when properly connected to the first air cleaner, thereby preventing unsafe double power supply scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3707441B1Air cleaner and home appliance
Publication Date: 2023.02.15 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3707441B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3707441B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3707441B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An air cleaner includes a first air cleaner having an output part, a second air cleaner configured to be electrically connectable to the first air cleaner, a power adapter detachably provided to supply power to the second air cleaner, a first input terminal provided in the second air cleaner and configured to be electrically connected to the output part, a second input terminal provided in the second air cleaner and configured to be electrically connected to the power adapter; and a switch configured to electrically connect the first input terminal to the output part or to electrically connect the second input terminal to the power adapter.