Modular Fan Housing for Focused Downward Air Columns
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fan housing units and ceiling fans are ineffective in directing air to a focused location, especially in commercial settings with high ceilings, leading to inefficient heating and cooling of areas between display units, as they disperse air over a wide area rather than concentrating it locally.
Innovation Solution
A modular fan housing unit with an elongated body and a flange perpendicular to the vertical axis, coupled with a fluid impelling device, creates a column of air that remains focused as it approaches the ground level, allowing for localized air distribution and enhanced airflow when multiple units are connected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional ceiling fans are used to disperse air over a wide area, then air distribution coverage is improved, but air focus and localization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The housing unit is divided into multiple functional segments: an elongated body for air passage, internal plates for flow direction control, and a flange for structural support. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function in directing and maintaining the air column's focused shape while covering a wide area when multiple units are deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a vertical dimension to air distribution by creating a downward-directed air column from ceiling-mounted housing units. The elongated body and internal plates work together to maintain the air column's vertical focus, adding a height dimension to the traditional horizontal air dispersion pattern.
2Area of stationary object
If fan housing units disperse air over a wide area, then coverage is improved, but temperature uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The housing unit is designed with non-uniform internal structures, including plates positioned at specific locations and angles within the elongated body. These local variations in the internal geometry create specific flow patterns that maintain a focused air column, delivering concentrated thermal energy to targeted local areas rather than uniformly dispersing it.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional fan housing is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but air column maintenance at distance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The housing unit is segmented into a simple elongated body and separate internal plates, which can be manufactured independently using standard fabrication processes. This modular segmentation maintains manufacturing simplicity while the coordinated arrangement of these simple components achieves the complex function of maintaining a focused air column over distance.
4Productivity
If modular fan housing units are coupled together, then air column enhancement is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The flange component serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the elongated body, acts as a mounting surface for coupling adjacent housing units together, and maintains the structural integrity of the modular assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, keeping the modular coupling system relatively simple despite its enhanced capabilities.
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 modular fan housing unit effectively directs a focused column of air to the ground level, even when mounted above, providing efficient heating and cooling by maintaining airflow concentration, which is essential for commercial settings with high ceilings and aisles.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid impelling device... The flange further defines an opening that permits the fluid impelling device to displace fluid towards the second end of the elongated body element
Implementation Method 2
At least one plate is disposed within the elongated body element and is substantially perpendicular to the flange, which creates a column of downwardly moving fluid below the second end of the elongated body element
Data Source
AI summary
A modular fan housing unit designed to create a focused column or columns of downwardly moving air such that there is little deflection when the column or columns of downwardly moving air arrives at the ground level. The modular fan housing includes an elongated body element having a fluid impelling device to create the downwardly moving air. At least one plate disposed within the elongated body element directs the downwardly moving air into columns. The modular fan housing unit may be coupled to another modular fan housing unit to provide additional columns of downwardly moving air. The modular fan housing units may be coupled in various configurations, depending on the type of application. Furthermore, the modular fan housing unit or multiple modular fan housing units may be coupled to an elevated structure.