Oblique Push Hood Airflow Layout for Local Clean Zones

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing local clean zone forming technologies face challenges in operability, space efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, particularly in manufacturing environments where enclosures hinder operations and require large-scale facilities, and existing air cleaning methods struggle with obstructions and confined spaces.

Innovation Solution

A local clean zone forming apparatus with a pair of push hoods that discharge uniform airflows obliquely, utilizing a honeycomb-shaped parallel porous body and air resistors to create a clean zone without enclosures, allowing flexible installation and operation in confined spaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a clean bench method with enclosure is used to form a clean zone, then cleanliness is improved, but operability deteriorates due to small work openings and enclosure hindrances

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecleanlinessVSAvoidoperability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the essential function of air cleaning from the enclosure structure. Instead of using walls and enclosures to contain clean air, the invention uses localized air blowing openings that actively generate clean air flows where needed, removing the hindering enclosure while maintaining cleanliness through active air management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies pneumatic principles by using air blowing openings to generate controlled air flows that create clean zones. The air flows from multiple openings work together to establish a clean environment through fluid dynamics rather than physical barriers, improving operability while maintaining cleanliness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a clean room method is used to clean the entire work room, then cleanliness is improved, but facility size and installation space increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecleanlinessVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by creating clean zones only in specific areas where work is performed, rather than cleaning the entire room. Multiple localized air blowing openings are strategically positioned to generate clean air exactly where needed, reducing the space required for clean environments while maintaining high cleanliness standards in operational areas

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention segments the clean zone creation into multiple independent air blowing openings distributed throughout the work area. Each opening contributes to the overall clean environment, allowing the system to cover necessary areas with smaller, more compact units rather than requiring a large-scale clean room infrastructure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If push hoods are arranged with blowing opening surfaces directly opposite each other, then clean zone formation is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to difficulty in installation with obstructions and in confined spaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclean zone formationVSAvoidinstallation flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies asymmetry by allowing air blowing openings to be positioned at various orientations and locations rather than requiring direct opposition. The openings can be arranged asymmetrically to accommodate obstructions and fit confined spaces, maintaining clean zone formation effectiveness while significantly improving installation flexibility and adaptability to different work environments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 apparatus effectively forms a clean zone with high cleanliness and operability, reducing installation space and maintenance costs by allowing airflow to collide obliquely, accommodating obstructions and narrow spaces, and enabling flexible placement and movement.

Implementation Method 1

a pair of push hoods having an alignment mechanism for forming uniform airflow installed inside an air blowing surface are disposed so that the uniform airflows discharged from the push hoods

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaminar Flow: Laminar Flow

Implementation Method 2

the uniform airflows discharged from the push hoods are opposite to and collide with each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid Collision:

Data Source

PatentEP2522921B1Local clean zone forming apparatus
Publication Date: 2019.03.06 KOKEN CO LTD
  • EP2522921B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2522921B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP2522921B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

Provided is a local clean zone forming apparatus which has an excellent operability and can provide an excellent clean air space without restricting the installation location or the purpose of an operation. In the local clean zone forming apparatus, a pair of push hoods having air blowing surfaces between which an airflow alignment mechanism is formed to form uniform airflows, are disposed so that the uniform airflows discharged from the push hoods are opposite to and collide with each other in a positional relationship wherein the air blowing surfaces are parallel to each other, and the centers of the air blowing surfaces are not directly opposite to each other; and the uniform airflows are obliquely discharged at an angle with respect to the air blowing surfaces.