Portable Airflow Deflector for Dual Heating and Cooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable air blowing appliances lack the ability to efficiently provide both high airflow for cooling and low airflow for warming in a single device without requiring a speed controller, multiple-speed motor, or multiple motor coils, which increases cost and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A portable air blowing appliance with a motor-driven centrifugal blower and a movable deflector that steers airflow through a heating element only during warming mode, allowing for high airflow cooling and low airflow warming with identical blower operating characteristics, eliminating the need for speed controllers or multiple motor coils.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single blower is used for both cooling and warming modes, then device complexity is reduced, but airflow rate control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a movable deflector that dynamically redirects airflow between two paths: one through the heating element and one bypassing it. This dynamic redirection mechanism allows a single blower to provide both high airflow (cooling mode, deflector bypasses heater) and low airflow (warming mode, deflector directs through heater) without requiring multiple blowers or speed controllers, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining operational control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a heating element is added to provide warming function, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates a heating element within the existing blower housing structure, allowing the same appliance to perform both cooling (airflow bypasses heating element) and warming (airflow passes through heating element) functions. The heating element is positioned such that it can be selectively engaged or bypassed by the movable deflector, enabling dual functionality without requiring separate heating and cooling appliances, thus improving versatility while minimizing additional structural complexity.
3Temperature
If airflow is directed through heating element for warming, then warming effectiveness is improved, but airflow rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating two distinct airflow paths with different characteristics: one path directs airflow through the heating element for warming (lower airflow rate, higher temperature) and another path bypasses the heating element for cooling (higher airflow rate, ambient temperature). The movable deflector allows selective engagement of either path based on user needs, optimizing both temperature and airflow rate for the specific mode required without compromising either parameter in its intended application.
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 efficient selective airflow control between cooling and warming modes with reduced complexity and cost, providing high airflow for cooling and low airflow for warming using a single blower with a user-controlled deflector mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element retained by the housing and adapted when energized to impart heat to the airflow
Implementation Method 2
a motor-driven centrifugal blower rotatable about a blower axis to create the airflow, and a scroll surrounding the blower wheel and adapted to direct the airflow from the blower wheel forwardly from the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A portable air blowing appliance has a housing retaining a blower adapted when energized to create an airflow through and from the housing, and a heating element adapted when energized to impart heat to the airflow. A movable deflector selectively steers the airflow either though or not through the heating element. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the blower is, in combination, a motor-driven centrifugal blower rotatable about a blower axis to create the airflow, and a scroll surrounding the blower wheel and adapted to direct the airflow from the blower wheel forwardly from the housing. In this exemplary embodiment, the deflector is movable about a pivot axis perpendicular to the blower axis between a heating position wherein the airflow is steered through the heating element and a cooling position where the airflow is steered not through the heating element.