Resonant Air Guide Structure for Quiet Air Cleaner Fans
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Air cleaners face challenges in reducing noise generated by fans without increasing the size of the housing or using thick sound insulation, while maintaining efficient airflow and minimizing energy loss.
Innovation Solution
The air cleaner incorporates a noise reduction apparatus with a meta-structure air guide featuring sound absorption holes and insulation spaces, which absorb sound waves by adjusting the resonant frequency and volume of these components, reducing noise without increasing the housing size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If thick sound insulation is used to absorb fan noise, then noise reduction is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the air guide structure by introducing sound absorption holes with specific volume ratios (0.5%-5% of total air guide volume) and adjusting the resonant frequency of the air guide to match the noise frequency, thereby achieving effective noise absorption without requiring thick insulation materials
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical sound insulation materials with a resonance-based acoustic system where the air guide structure itself acts as a resonator to absorb noise, eliminating the need for bulky insulating materials
2Object-affected harmful factors
If noise reduction apparatus is added to reduce fan noise, then noise is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air guide structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides airflow from the fan inlet to the outlet while incorporating sound absorption holes that enable noise reduction, making the same component perform both flow guidance and noise control functions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the noise reduction function into the existing air guide structure by integrating sound absorption holes within the air guide body, rather than adding separate noise control components
3Object-affected harmful factors
If sound absorption holes are made larger to improve noise absorption, then noise reduction is improved, but airflow efficiency decreases due to energy loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the volume ratio of sound absorption holes to the total air guide volume (0.5%-5%), finding the optimal balance point where sufficient noise absorption occurs while minimizing disruption to airflow paths and energy loss
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 solution effectively reduces noise levels in the air cleaner, particularly in the frequency range of 1000 Hz or less, while maintaining airflow efficiency and preventing resonance, thus enhancing user comfort without enlarging the device.
Implementation Method 1
an air guide adjacent to the fan, the air guide including a guide surface along which the air moving through the flow path flows while the fan operates, and a sound absorption hole extending from the guide surface so that a sound generated by the fan while the fan operates is absorbed through the sound absorption hole
Implementation Method 2
a noise reduction apparatus having a meta structure without using a thick sound insulation
Data Source
AI summary
An air cleaner including a housing including a flow path through which air is movable; a fan configured to operate to move air through the flow path; and an air guide adjacent to the fan, the air guide including a guide surface along which the air moving through the flow path flows while the fan operates, and a sound absorption hole extending from the guide surface so that a sound generated by the fan while the fan operates is absorbed through the sound absorption hole.