Portable Fan with Segmented Base and Brushless Motor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable fans either focus on large area air circulation or odor removal, lacking efficient and versatile options for personal cooling in small areas, such as during personal activities like golf or in offices/homes, and do not offer convenient battery power and recharging solutions.
Innovation Solution
A portable, battery-powered fan with a two-part base for easy assembly and disassembly, featuring a brushless DC motor, rechargeable battery, and adjustable speed, designed for quiet operation, with options for cup holder compatibility and aesthetic customization, including a ball-shaped fan head and detachable legs for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the fan is designed for large area air circulation, then the air movement coverage is improved, but the portability and personal cooling efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fan is segmented into a compact portable unit with separate base and head components, allowing it to be small enough for personal use while maintaining sufficient air movement capability. The two-blade impeller design concentrates airflow in a focused stream suitable for personal cooling rather than broad area circulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The fan head is designed to be adjustable and aimable in multiple directions, adding angular dimensionality to the airflow distribution. This allows a compact fan to effectively cover a larger personal space by directing cooled air along different trajectories rather than relying solely on increasing fan size.
2Ease of manufacture
If the fan uses fixed base design, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the adaptability to different surfaces and cup holders deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The base is divided into upper and lower portions that can be assembled or disassembled, allowing the same basic components to adapt to different surfaces and cup holder sizes without requiring completely different base designs for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The base design incorporates universal features including a standard threaded connection system, cup holder interface, and flat surface compatibility, allowing a single base design to serve multiple functions across different usage scenarios and surfaces.
3Quantity of substance
If the fan uses non-rechargeable batteries, then the initial cost is reduced, but the long-term usability and convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fan incorporates a rechargeable battery system with an integrated charging port that allows the user to recharge the battery using standard power sources. This self-service charging capability eliminates the need to replace batteries and provides continuous usability without requiring external battery replacement service.
4Productivity
If the fan operates at high speed, then the cooling effectiveness is improved, but the noise level and vibration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fan incorporates variable speed control allowing the motor to operate at different rotational speeds. Users can dynamically adjust the speed based on cooling needs, enabling quiet low-speed operation for mild conditions and high-speed operation when maximum cooling effectiveness is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The fan uses a brushless DC motor with ball bearing support instead of traditional mechanical brush motors. This substitution eliminates brush-related friction and vibration, reducing noise and mechanical wear while maintaining high-speed cooling capability when needed.
5Device complexity
If the fan uses a single large base, then the structural simplicity is improved, but the portability and storage convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The base is divided into upper and lower portions that can be separated for portability. The upper base portion contains the motor and impeller assembly while the lower base portion provides support and can be detached, allowing the fan to be broken down into smaller, more portable components for storage and transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper base portion is designed to nest within or attach to the lower base portion when not in use, creating a compact storage configuration. The detachable design allows components to be stored in an organized, space-efficient manner that maintains structural simplicity while improving portability.
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 fan provides effective, quiet, and versatile personal cooling with adjustable speed and recharging capabilities, suitable for various activities and environments, ensuring stable operation and easy use in different settings like golf carts or desktops.
Implementation Method 1
rechargeable battery connected to, for example, a brushless DC ball bearing motor
Implementation Method 2
brushless DC ball bearing motor capable of rotating a lightweight, balanced two-blade impeller
Implementation Method 3
brushless DC ball bearing motor
Data Source
AI summary
A battery-powered portable personal fan is described with reference to two embodiments, both of which comprise a two-part base, of which the upper part is provided with an elongate neck to which a ball-shaped motor housing is pivotally attached. The motor housing contains a motor having a drive shaft which drives a two-blade at least 5000 RPM on a high-speed setting. In one embodiment, a rechargeable lithium ion battery is permanently mounted in the upper base portion and the lower base portion, available in multiple configurations is hollow so as to be useful as a storage area. It is preferably arranged so as to fit in one of several available golf cart cup holders. In the alternative embodiment, the lower housing is canister-shaped to receive a replaceable battery cartridge and, where desired, a tripod arrangement of legs for additional stability. Ornamental elastomeric covers can be stretched over the ball-shaped motor housing to visually link the fan to a particular sport.