Oscillating Portable Fan With Removable Grille And Telescoping Mast
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electric fans lack versatility and safety features, such as secure grille retention and adjustable oscillation, which limits user convenience and control over airflow direction.
Innovation Solution
The electric fan design incorporates a telescoping mast, a hinged grille with a latch mechanism for secure removal, and an oscillating mechanism powered by electronic circuitry and a rechargeable battery, allowing for adjustable height, secure grille operation, and controlled airflow direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the grille is made removable for cleaning and maintenance, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of inadvertent release
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is pre-configured to automatically engage with the grille when assembled, preventing inadvertent release. The button mechanism is pre-positioned to require deliberate user action for release, ensuring the grille remains securely retained during normal operation while allowing easy removal when needed for cleaning.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the fan is made portable with battery power, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional power management components
Solution Approach 1:
The base portion is designed to accommodate multiple power sources - it can accept either a rechargeable battery pack or an AC power adapter connected to the power input. This multi-functionality allows the fan to operate portably on batteries or remain stationary and powered by AC mains, providing versatility without requiring completely separate system designs for each power mode.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the mast is made telescoping for compact storage, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to telescoping mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The mast is divided into multiple telescoping segments that can slide within each other, allowing the mast to extend to various heights or collapse to a compact size for storage. Each segment is equipped with engagement features that allow simple telescopic movement without requiring complex locking mechanisms, achieving height adjustability and compact storage with minimal added complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A rechargeable electric fan with a fan portion, a base portion, and a telescoping mast hingedly attached to and connecting the fan portion and the base portion. The fan portion has removable front grille, engageable in a first position in which the grille is retained in the front opening of the housing of the fan portion. The grille is rotatable from the first position to a second position in which the grille is released from the front opening. Slots are disposed on a periphery of the grille, and are configured to engage with corresponding tabs disposed on a periphery of the front opening, to retain the grille in the first position, and to release the grille when it is rotated into the second position. To prevent inadvertent release of the grille, a latch mechanism is configured and disposed to lock the grille in the first position, the latch mechanism comprising a button and a latch configured and disposed to release the lock when the button is depressed. The base portion comprises an oscillating mechanism including of a motor-driven pinion which engages an annular gear in the floor of the base portion. The floor is rotatably retained to the remainder of the base portion, so that when the pinion is turned by the motor, the entire fan turns about the stationary floor.