Portable Fume Extractor With Diffusion Plate for Low-Noise Welding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Welding processes generate unpleasant fumes that need to be extracted, but existing fume extractors are often large, loud, and difficult to use in small facilities, posing challenges for welders.
Innovation Solution
A portable fume extractor with a hose, diffusion plate, and fan configuration that allows for both point-of-use and zone extraction, featuring adjustable intake areas and supporting surfaces for versatile placement and reduced noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fume extractors are used for welding fume extraction, then effective fume extraction is achieved, but the device becomes large and loud, making it difficult to use in small facilities
Solution Approach 1:
The fume extractor is divided into separate functional components: a portable extraction unit with fan and filter, a flexible hose for positioning, and a diffusion plate for fume distribution. This segmentation allows the main extraction mechanism to be compact while maintaining effectiveness through the distributed intake areas created by the diffusion plate with multiple openings.
2Reliability
If traditional fume extractors are used for welding fume extraction, then effective fume extraction is achieved, but the device becomes loud, creating noise issues in work environments
Solution Approach 1:
The diffusion plate distributes fume extraction across multiple openings in a planar arrangement, transforming the extraction approach from a single-point intake to a distributed two-dimensional intake pattern. This dimensional change allows the fan to operate at lower speeds and noise levels while maintaining effective fume capture through the cumulative intake area of multiple openings.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a hose is added to enable point-of-use extraction, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hose channel is integrated into the extractor housing structure itself, merging the hose storage and routing function with the main housing. The channel extends about the periphery of the housing and is defined between the housing and diffusion plate, combining multiple functions (hose storage, hose routing, structural support) into a single integrated feature rather than adding separate components.
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 portable fume extractor provides effective fume extraction with low noise levels, accommodating various work environments and operations, enhancing user convenience and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a fan disposed in the extractor housing, where the fan configured to connect each of the first inlet and the second inlet to the outlet
Implementation Method 2
a diffusion plate coupled to the extractor housing, where the diffusion plate defines a plurality of openings that cumulatively define a second inlet of the fume extractor
Data Source
AI summary
A fume extractor has an extractor housing (110, 210) defining an outlet (106, 206). A hose (120, 220) is coupled to the extractor housing that defines a first inlet (102, 202). A diffusion plate (130, 230) is coupled to the extractor housing that defines a plurality of openings (132, 232) cumulatively defining a second inlet (104, 204). A fan (280, 530) is disposed in the extractor housing, where the fan configured to connect each of the first inlet and the second inlet to the outlet. A first supporting surface (160) is opposite the diffusion plate relative to the extractor housing and a second supporting surface (170) at least 80° to the diffusion plate, where the first supporting surface and the second supporting surface are configured to selectively rest on a planar surface. The fume extractor defines a hose channel (140) configured to selectively receive the hose.