Modular Air Purifier Docking System for Multi-Space Adaptability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air purifiers are difficult to customize for various indoor spaces and environments, as they typically require manual modification of filters and are limited to efficiently cleaning one specific room or area.

Innovation Solution

An air purifying system comprising multiple independently operating air purifiers and a docking station with sensors and displays that allow for easy movement and operation in different spaces, enabling customizable air cleaning capacity and user-friendly control without manual setting adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single air purifier is designed for a specific room size, then it can efficiently clean that particular space, but it cannot be easily adapted to other indoor spaces with different sizes or requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to various indoor spacesVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air purifying system is divided into multiple independent air purifier units that can be separated and deployed individually or combined. Each unit can operate independently in different spaces, and multiple units can be stacked vertically when docked together to form a integrated system, providing flexibility for various indoor space requirements without complex reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The air purifier units are designed with universal functionality to operate both as individual standalone devices and as part of a combined stacked system. The docking station provides a standardized interface that allows units to be easily connected and disconnected, enabling the same hardware to serve multiple purposes across different spatial configurations and application scenarios

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If the filter is manually modified to customize the air purifier, then it can be adapted to different environments, but the process is difficult and requires user expertise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoidease of customization
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects when air purifier units are docked or separated through sensors (such as hall sensors or magnets) and autonomously adjusts operating modes and display configurations accordingly. This eliminates the need for manual user intervention to reconfigure the system, as the devices self-adjust based on their physical arrangement and operational context

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple air purifiers are separated and mounted in different locations, then they can serve various spaces, but it becomes difficult to monitor and control their operation states

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistributed deployment capabilityVSAvoidease of monitoring and control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The docking station incorporates sensors that automatically detect the presence and status of air purifier units when docked or separated. Based on this feedback, the system autonomously changes display modes and operational parameters, providing real-time monitoring and automatic control adjustment without requiring manual user intervention to track the state of each distributed unit

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 system provides efficient air purification in various indoor spaces by allowing air purifiers to be easily moved and operated independently, addressing diverse air cleaning needs and enhancing user convenience through automatic mode changes and illumination control.

Implementation Method 1

The sensor may be one of a hall sensor or a magnet, and the second sensor may be the other one of a hall sensor or a magnet. It may be possible to accurately detect mounting or detachment by a simple signal or electromagnetic sensing operation.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic sensing: Hall Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3712522B1Air purifier and air purifying system
Publication Date: 2023.05.10 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3712522B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3712522B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3712522B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An air purifying system may include at least two air purifiers configured to operate independently and a docking station to support the at least two air purifiers. The docking station may include a backbone extending in a vertical direction and at least two supports corresponding to and supporting the at least two air purifiers. At least one air purifier may have a display configured to operate according to a plurality of modes. When the air purifier having the display is docked on the docking station, the display may indicate overall operating information of the entire air purifying system. When the air purifier having the display is separated from the docking station, the display may indicate individual operating information of the air purifier having the display.