Portable Air Cleaner Housing for Replaceable Filter Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable air cleaners lack a separate filter replacement structure, requiring the entire device to be replaced when the filter reaches the end of its life, and existing designs face challenges with air suction and flow resistance when used in vehicles due to the placement of components.
Innovation Solution
The air cleaner design features a housing with separable upper and lower portions, allowing for filter replacement without a dedicated door, and optimizes suction inlet and flow converter placement to improve air flow and reduce noise and vibration, while incorporating a sterilizer and dust sensor assembly for enhanced air purification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the air cleaner is designed as a portable device with integrated filter structure, then the device size and weight are reduced for easy portability, but the filter cannot be replaced separately and the entire device must be replaced when the filter reaches end of life
Solution Approach 1:
The air cleaner is divided into separable components: a housing portion and a filter assembly. The filter assembly can be detached from the housing portion independently, allowing users to replace only the filter when needed, while retaining the housing and other functional components. This segmentation enables separate replacement of consumable parts from durable structural parts.
2Device complexity
If the suction inlet is formed only at the lower portion of the air cleaner, then the device structure is simplified, but air suction performance deteriorates when used in vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The suction inlet configuration transitions from a single lower inlet to multiple inlets distributed across different surfaces (lower surface and side surfaces) of the housing. This spatial distribution in multiple dimensions improves air intake by capturing airflow from various directions, particularly enhancing performance in vehicle environments where airflow patterns vary.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the light source is located between the fan and the filter, then the device can provide additional sterilization function, but air flow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is positioned specifically within the filter assembly rather than in the main airflow path between the fan and filter. This localized placement allows the sterilization function to be integrated into the filter component itself, where it can treat air passing through the filter without creating additional resistance in the primary airflow path.
4Ease of repair
If a separate filter replacement portion with door is provided in the portable air cleaner, then filter replacement becomes possible, but the device size and portability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The filter replacement function is merged with the filter assembly itself. The filter assembly is designed as a self-contained unit that can be directly attached to and detached from the housing portion without requiring a separate door mechanism or replacement chamber. This integration eliminates the need for additional structural components that would increase device volume.
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
Enables easy filter replacement and improved air purification efficiency with reduced noise and vibration, specifically suited for portable use and vehicle applications by optimizing component placement and structure.
Implementation Method 1
a blower that forms an airflow
Implementation Method 2
a filter assembly that is detachable from the housing portion and that filters the air
Implementation Method 3
a sterilizer that sterilizes the air flowing inside of the housing portion
Data Source
AI summary
An air cleaner may include a housing including a first housing having a discharge outlet through which air is discharged outside of the air cleaner, and a second housing including a suction inlet through which air is suctioned from outside of the air cleaner, and a filter assembly accommodated inside of the housing and that filters air. The first housing and the second housing may be spaced apart from each other, and the filter assembly may be replaceable through a space between the first housing and the second housing.