Modular Air Purifier System for Adaptable Multi-Room Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air purifiers lack customization options to suit diverse indoor environments with varying shapes and air quality needs, making it difficult for consumers to choose the appropriate device for their specific spaces.

Innovation Solution

A modular air purifying system comprising a base air purifier and portable air purifiers that can be wirelessly charged and operated in different modes, allowing for flexible deployment and enhanced air cleaning efficiency across various indoor spaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single fixed air purifier is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to diverse indoor environments with varying shapes and air quality needs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to diverse indoor environmentsVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air purifying system is divided into a fixed air purifier and multiple portable air purifiers. The fixed unit provides base purification capability while portable units can be strategically placed in different rooms or areas. Each portable unit can be independently positioned to address specific air quality zones, enabling the system to adapt to diverse indoor environments without requiring a completely different device for each scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The portable air purifiers serve multiple functions: they can be placed on the fixed air purifier's upper surface for charging and coordinated operation, or removed and placed independently in different locations. This multi-functionality allows a single portable unit to serve various air quality needs across different spaces, enhancing system versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.

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

2Productivity

If multiple air purifiers are deployed to cover various spaces, then air cleaning efficiency improves, but device complexity and user management burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair cleaning efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple portable air purifiers can be simultaneously placed on the fixed air purifier's upper surface, merging their computational resources and control functions. The fixed air purifier's processor coordinates the operation of all portable units, enabling them to work together as a unified system. This merging approach allows the system to achieve high air cleaning efficiency across multiple spaces while avoiding the complexity of managing entirely independent devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fixed air purifier acts as an intermediary that manages and coordinates the portable units. It provides a centralized control interface for users, handles wireless charging coordination, and optimizes the operation of multiple portable purifiers. This intermediary role simplifies user interaction and system management, allowing high productivity without proportional increases in operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If portable air purifiers are placed on the fixed air purifier for charging, then convenience is improved, but the fixed air purifier's upper surface space is occupied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvenience of chargingVSAvoidupper surface available area
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless charging operation occurs periodically when portable air purifiers are placed on the fixed unit's upper surface. During charging periods, the surface is occupied, but during non-charging periods, the surface is fully available. This periodic usage pattern allows the system to provide convenient automatic charging functionality while minimizing the impact on available surface area, as the occupation is temporary and cyclic rather than continuous.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 continuous air purification with minimal noise and user intervention, maintaining indoor air quality and convenience through its modular design and adjustable operation modes.

Implementation Method 1

A first wireless charging module is provided on the upper seating surface and a second wireless charging module is provided in the portable air cleaner. The second wireless charging module may correspond to the first wireless charging module, and the portable air cleaner may be wirelessly charged.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWireless charging: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3712525B1Air purifying system
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3712525B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3712525B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3712525B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An air cleaning or purifying system includes a main air cleaner or purifier having an upper seating surface that is at least partially flat and at least one portable air purifier having a base configured to be seated on re lifted from the upper seating surface. The main air purifier and the portable air purifier may each have a filter and a fan. The air main and portable air purifiers may operate together. The portable air purifier may be moved to another room, or may be seated on the main air purifier such that various combinations of air purifying modes and air purifying capacities may be performed.