Modular Tower Fan With Detachable Drive Module for Easy Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vertical tower fans are difficult to clean due to the accumulation of dust and dirt on the blower fan blades, and the internal electrical components are not designed to be exposed to cleaning fluids, while the wiring within the housing complicates assembly and disassembly.
Innovation Solution
A modular design with a detachable fan module and a separate drive module, allowing the fan module to be easily separated from the drive module for cleaning without tools, and eliminating the need for internal wiring between the modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the housing is designed as a single integrated unit with internal wiring, then the electrical components are protected and the structure is stable, but the device becomes difficult to disassemble for cleaning and assembly becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a first housing portion containing the electrical components and a second housing portion containing the fan blades, allowing the second portion to be easily detached for cleaning while the first portion remains protected. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling easy cleaning access without exposing electrical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The fan module (second housing portion with fan blades) is extracted as a separate removable component from the main housing (first housing portion). This allows the fan module to be easily removed for cleaning without affecting the protected electrical components in the main housing, while also simplifying the overall assembly structure.
2Ease of operation
If the control panel is positioned at the top of the housing with internal wiring, then the user interface is accessible, but the wiring complicates assembly and disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel is extracted from the fan module and positioned in the main housing (first housing portion), separating it from the removable fan module. This allows the control panel to remain accessible while eliminating the need for complex internal wiring in the removable portion, simplifying both assembly and disassembly operations.
3Reliability
If the fan module is permanently fixed to the drive module, then the structural stability is maintained, but the cleaning process requires tool-based disassembly and is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is segmented into a removable connection between the first and second housing portions, allowing the fan module to be easily detached without tools for cleaning, yet maintaining structural stability when assembled. This resolves the contradiction by providing both ease of disassembly and structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism transitions from a fixed permanent connection to a dynamic removable connection, allowing the fan module to be easily attached and detached. This dynamic design maintains structural stability during operation while enabling quick tool-free disassembly for cleaning, reducing cleaning time.
4Ease of operation
If water jet cleaning is used from outside the housing, then the cleaning process is simple, but the electrical components are exposed to water creating safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into a water-resistant first housing portion containing electrical components and a removable second housing portion containing fan blades. This segmentation allows water jet cleaning of the second portion without exposing the electrical components in the first portion, maintaining both cleaning simplicity and electrical safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The fan module (second housing portion) is extracted and separated from the main housing (first housing portion) before cleaning. This allows the fan module to be cleaned with water jets without exposing the electrical components in the main housing to water, eliminating the safety hazard while maintaining cleaning simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular tower fan comprising a fan module having a fan housing wherein the fan housing comprises a blower fan and bearings supporting the blower fan for rotation within the fan housing, and a fan gear provided at a bottom of the fan housing; and a drive module having a drive housing, wherein the drive module comprises a drive motor, control circuitry, wirings and other electrical components within the drive housing, and a drive gear at a top of the drive housing; wherein the fan housing of the fan module is removably/detachably attached to the drive housing of the drive module with the fan gear operational coupled to the drive gear for rotation, and wherein the fan module is detachable from the drive module for cleaning mode, shipping or storage with the fan gear decoupled from the drive gear.