Control unit for air purifier and air purifier

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current air purifiers using filter technology face difficulties in maintenance and filter exchange due to fixed components, limited air intake area, and the use of plastic parts that emit pollutants like formaldehyde.

Innovation Solution

The air purifier design features a modular control unit with a slanting upper cover and attachment structure that allows for separate handling, combined with a filter unit that has a large air intake area and uses natural, recyclable materials, enabling easy maintenance and efficient air filtration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If components are fixedly attached to each other, then structural stability is improved, but ease of repair and maintenance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidease of repair and maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The air purifier is divided into distinct modular components: a body, a filter unit, and a control unit. The control unit is further segmented into an upper cover, electronic equipment enclosure, and attachment structure. This segmentation allows individual components to be separated, accessed, and maintained independently while maintaining structural integrity when assembled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If filters are difficult to reach, then device compactness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidease of filter exchange
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The filter unit is designed as a separate, accessible module with a removable bottom cover. The filter element is positioned within the body but can be easily accessed by removing the bottom cover, allowing users to exchange filters without disassembling the entire device or reaching into difficult locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Volume of moving object

If total filter area is small, then device size is reduced, but productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidair purification efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter element is designed with a multi-dimensional configuration including lateral surfaces and end surfaces that contribute to filtration. The air intake area is expanded by utilizing the lateral surface of the filter element, effectively increasing the total filtration area without proportionally increasing the device's overall volume.

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

4Device complexity

If air intake area is limited, then device compactness is improved, but productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidair purification efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The air intake area is expanded by utilizing the lateral surface of the filter element as an additional intake surface. This three-dimensional approach to air intake allows the device to maintain a compact form factor while providing sufficient air intake area for effective purification.

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

5Ease of manufacture

If plastic parts are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but object-generated harmful factors worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidformaldehyde emissions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The material composition of key components is changed from plastic to natural materials. The upper cover is made of wood and the flat pane is made of glass, eliminating the source of formaldehyde emissions while maintaining aesthetic appeal and structural integrity. This material substitution addresses the harmful emissions issue while preserving manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3699509A1Control unit for air purifier and air purifier
Publication Date: 2020.08.26 SENSE VITAL AIR SRO
  • EP3699509A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3699509A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3699509A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an air purifier and to a control unit for an air purifier. The control unit (3) comprises - an upper cover comprising an upper cover frame (3.3) and a flat pane (3.2) inserted with the frame (3.3), - means (3.5) for enclosing and protecting the electronic equipment of the control unit, said means (3.5) being fixed to the upper cover, - an attachment and support structure (3.12) for the attachment of an electromotor (3.14) with blades, said attachment and support structure (3.12) being fixed to the upper cover and preferably equipped with spacing means (3.13) for spacing the attachment and support structure (3.12) from the upper part of a body of the air purifier; said attachment and support structure (3.12) is configured so that in use, its bottom surface is arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the body of the air purifier, - an electromotor (3.14) equipped with blades which is attached to the attachment and support structure (3.12). The air purifier comprises the control unit (3) and a body (2) comprising a filter unit.