Portable Air Purifier with Modular Support for Multi-Type Purification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable air purifiers face challenges such as high manufacturing costs and complexity due to the need for multiple molds and inconvenient filter replacement, and they may generate harmful byproducts like nitrogen oxides and ozone.

Innovation Solution

A modular design for a portable air purifier with a detachable support structure that allows for easy assembly and interchangeability of components, enabling production of various types with a minimal number of parts, including a photocatalytic module and filter options.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If filter-type purifiers are used, then air purification function is provided, but filters need periodic replacement and have high air flow resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair purification functionVSAvoidfilter replacement convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The purifier performs self-maintenance through photocatalytic decomposition of accumulated contaminants on the catalyst coating, eliminating the need for manual filter replacement. The system uses its own operation (light irradiation) to clean the purification unit, achieving self-service functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical filter system with a photocatalytic chemical system. Instead of physically blocking particles with a filter medium, the catalyst coating chemically decomposes contaminants through photocatalytic reactions, substituting mechanical filtration with chemical purification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If electrostatic precipitation-type purifiers are used, then air purification function is provided, but nitrogen oxides and ozone harmful to human bodies are generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair purification functionVSAvoidnitrogen oxides and ozone generation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the purification process by using photocatalytic reactions at lower voltages and temperatures, avoiding the high voltage discharge conditions that generate harmful byproducts. The catalyst coating enables effective purification under milder operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The photocatalyst generates highly reactive oxygen species (hydroxyl radicals, superoxide ions) that act as strong oxidants to decompose contaminants. These reactive species provide powerful oxidation capability without generating harmful byproducts like ozone, unlike conventional electrostatic precipitation methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #38Strong oxidants (Accelerated oxidation)

3Adaptability or versatility

If different fixing structures are manufactured for various air purification types, then various types of portable air purifiers can be manufactured, but a large number of molds are required making manufacturing and management processes difficult and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevarious air purification typesVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a universal support structure with standardized coupling mechanisms that can accommodate different purification units (catalyst type, filter type, or combined types). The same support structure serves multiple functions by simply changing the purification unit module, eliminating the need for different fixing structures for each purification type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the air purifier into modular components: a universal support structure and interchangeable purification units. This segmentation allows the fixing structure to be standardized while the purification units can be varied, enabling different air purification types using the same base structure and reducing mold requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This design simplifies manufacturing processes, reduces costs, and avoids harmful byproduct generation, while providing effective air purification across different types.

Implementation Method 1

a photocatalytic member spaced apart from and around the light source unit to cause a photocatalytic reaction by the light emitted from the light source portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotocatalytic reaction: Photo-oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS20250303363A1Portable air purifier

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 HANON SYST CO LTD

AI summary

A portable air purifier of the present invention includes a housing and a purification module accommodated inside the housing, the purification module including an upper case, a lower case, a support, a blower fan, and a purification unit. In the portable air purifier, the support is formed in a replaceable type to be attachable to and detachable from the upper case and the lower case, which makes it possible to manufacture various types of portable air purifiers to correspond to different air purification types by replacing a minimum number of parts, thereby making manufacturing processes easy and reducing manufacturing costs.