Modular Air Cleaner with Vertical Coupling to Maintain Floor Area

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air cleaners face challenges in efficiently purifying air in both small and large indoor spaces, as single units with small or large capacities are inadequate, and using multiple small units in large spaces occupies excessive area, while large units may struggle to effectively clean small spaces.

Innovation Solution

An air cleaner system that allows multiple modules to be coupled and separated, with the ability to rotate and adjust capacity, enabling improved space utilization by maintaining a consistent floor area while increasing purification capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple small-capacity air cleaners are provided to purify air in large indoor space, then the purification capacity is improved, but the occupied floor area increases

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from horizontal placement of multiple air cleaners to vertical stacking configuration. Multiple air cleaning modules are arranged in the vertical dimension and connected through connection units, allowing the system to achieve increased purification capacity without proportionally increasing the occupied floor area. The vertical arrangement enables space-efficient deployment while maintaining or enhancing overall air purification capability.

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

2Productivity

If a large-capacity air cleaner is provided to purify air in large indoor space, then the purification capacity is improved, but it cannot effectively purify air in small indoor space

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

Solution Approach 1:

The air cleaner system is divided into multiple independent air cleaning modules that can be separated or combined. Each module can function independently in small spaces, while multiple modules can be coupled together for large spaces. The connection units enable flexible configuration, allowing the system to adapt to different indoor space sizes by adjusting the number and arrangement of modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system configuration is made dynamic and adjustable rather than fixed. Multiple air cleaning modules can be coupled or separated based on the specific requirements of the indoor space. The connection units allow for flexible assembly and disassembly, enabling the system to adapt its capacity and configuration to match different space sizes and purification needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If multiple air cleaners are coupled to increase capacity, then the purification capacity is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepurification capacityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection units are designed with universal functionality to handle both mechanical coupling and electrical connection in a single integrated component. The first connection unit and second connection unit establish both structural linkage and power supply connection between modules, reducing the need for separate connection mechanisms and simplifying the overall system architecture despite multiple modules being coupled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3701199B1Air cleaner
Publication Date: 2022.06.01 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3701199B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3701199B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3701199B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Disclosed herein is an air cleaner capable of being coupled or separated in a vertical direction to improve space utilization. An air cleaner may include a first air cleaning module provided with a first connection unit, and a second air cleaning module detachably coupled to the first air cleaning module and provided with a second connection unit, wherein the second connection unit is configured to be detachably coupled to the first connection unit, and configured to be rotatable with respect to the first connection unit when the second connection unit is coupled to the first connection unit.