Self-Cleaning Air Conditioner Filter With Adjustable Suction Space

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Air conditioner filters require regular cleaning and replacement, which is inconvenient for users, and their suction power decreases when filled with impurities, affecting air purification efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An air conditioner with a suction nozzle, suction duct, and screening member that automatically cleans the filter by suctioning foreign materials and adjusting the suction space to maximize cleaning efficiency and prevent vibration-induced detachment of components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the filter operates continuously without cleaning, then air purification continues, but suction power decreases and cleaning efficiency drops

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair purification efficiencyVSAvoidsuction power
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The suction nozzle performs preliminary cleaning actions on the filter surface by suctioning foreign materials before they significantly accumulate and block air flow. The cleaning operation is initiated periodically or based on usage time, preventing suction power degradation rather than addressing it after occurrence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If the suction space volume is large, then more foreign materials can be collected, but suction power is diluted and cleaning efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforeign materials collectedVSAvoidcleaning efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The suction space is designed with specific localized dimensions that concentrate suction power on the filter surface area requiring cleaning. The space volume is optimized to match the filter size, ensuring that the suction force is applied precisely where foreign materials accumulate, rather than dispersing over a large volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the screening member is firmly fixed to prevent detachment, then reliability improves, but replacement difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent stabilityVSAvoidcomponent replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The screening member is designed as a separate, detachable component from the suction nozzle and suction duct. This segmentation allows the screening member to be firmly fixed during operation (preventing detachment from vibration) while enabling easy removal and replacement when damaged or clogged, without requiring replacement of the entire suction assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution enhances suction power by focusing it only on relevant areas, maximizing cleaning efficiency and allowing for easy replacement of damaged parts, thus maintaining air purification effectiveness without frequent filter maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

a suction nozzle suctioning foreign materials of the filter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP2181291B1Air conditioner
Publication Date: 2014.11.12 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2181291B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2181291B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2181291B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An air conditioner is provided. The air conditioner includes: a body defining an air suction port; a filter filtering air suctioned through the air suction port; a suction nozzle suctioning foreign materials of the filter and moving with respect to the filter; a suction duct into which the foreign materials suctioned through the suction nozzle flow; a screening member forming a suction space in relationship with the suction duct; and a space adjustor disposed on the suction space to adjust a volume of the suction space.