Rotatable Modular Fan Assembly for Targeted Cooling and Air Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable fans often fail to effectively address both air circulation and convective cooling needs, particularly due to air temperature stratification in rooms, and lack the ability to simultaneously control and direct airflow for specific targets.
Innovation Solution
A fan assembly with a yoke-like base unit, rotatable mounting frame, and multiple blower housings that allow for independent control and direction of airflow, enabling simultaneous or separate air circulation and cooling functions, with individual speed control for each fan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a portable fan is designed for directed airflow to cool a specific target, then convective cooling performance is improved, but air circulation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fan system is divided into multiple independent fan units, each capable of being individually directed. This segmentation allows different fans to perform different functions - some directed at specific targets for cooling, others positioned for general air circulation, thereby resolving the contradiction between targeted cooling and room air circulation
Solution Approach 2:
Each fan unit is designed with universal mounting capabilities that allow it to serve multiple functions. By adjusting the positioning and direction of individual fans within the modular system, the same fan can be used for either targeted cooling or general air circulation depending on the operational requirements
2Adaptability or versatility
If a portable fan is designed for general air circulation, then room air circulation is improved, but targeted cooling capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The modular fan system allows circulation fans to be separated from cooling fans. General air circulation can be provided by fans positioned and directed for maximum room coverage, while targeted cooling is handled by specific fans directed at heat-generating objects, resolving the contradiction between circulation and cooling functions
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fan blowers are used to provide both air circulation and cooling, then functional versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple independent fan units with individual controls rather than a single complex unit. This segmentation simplifies the control architecture - each fan can be independently adjusted and controlled, making the overall system easier to manage despite having multiple functions
Solution Approach 2:
The fans are mounted on rotatable and adjustable frameworks that allow dynamic repositioning. This dynamic mounting system enables the same physical fan to adapt to different functional requirements (cooling vs. circulation) by changing its orientation and position, reducing the need for multiple dedicated fans
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 assembly effectively directs airflow for targeted cooling and maximizes room air circulation, breaking temperature stratification while providing flexible and efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
a first blower housing having a first fan that generates a first airflow and a second blower housing having a second fan that generates a second airflow
Data Source
AI summary
A fan assembly that can be used as a cooling fan or an air circulator. The fan assembly can provide the cooling and air circulation functions simultaneously or separately. The intensity of the cooling and/or air circulation can be individually controlled and directed. The fan assembly includes a base unit, a mounting frame rotatably coupled to the base unit, and a plurality of blower housings, each enclosing a fan and coupled to the mounting frame. The mounting frame is rotatable about an axis parallel to the support plane of the base. At least one of the blower housings is rotatably mounted to the mounting frame. The position of the blower housings can be adjusted through the manipulation of a positioning handle that is coupled to the rotatable blower housing.