Tornado Fan Bubble Suspension for Contactless Visual Presentations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing presentation systems using bubbles do not effectively utilize the floatable and light mass characteristics of bubbles, as they are often in contact with containers or human fingers, limiting their visual and interactive potential.

Innovation Solution

A presentation system utilizing a tornado fan with multiple blowers to generate vortex air flows, a supply device for float bodies like bubbles, and control mechanisms to maintain their floating state, including suction ports, ceiling and floor fans, and sensors for feedback control, along with projection capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If bubbles are used in conventional presentation devices, then visual effects can be achieved, but the floatable and light mass characteristics of bubbles are not sufficiently utilized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveutilization of bubble characteristicsVSAvoidbubble floating state
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies anti-weight principle by using upward air flow from blowers to counteract the downward gravitational force on bubbles. The blowers generate sustained upward air currents that balance the weight of bubbles, enabling them to float and move freely in three-dimensional space rather than settling on surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes pneumatic principles by employing blowers to generate controlled air flows that interact with bubbles. The air flow serves as a fluid medium to manipulate bubble position, movement, and distribution, enabling dynamic three-dimensional presentation effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Illumination intensity

If bubbles are generated in conventional devices, then light diffusion effects are achieved, but the bubbles remain in contact with containers or human fingers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight diffusion effectVSAvoidbubble contact with surfaces
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By generating upward air flow that counteracts gravity, the patent enables bubbles to remain suspended in mid-air without contacting containers, surfaces, or human fingers. This eliminates the limitations of conventional bubble devices where bubbles must rest on surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The use of pneumatic air flow creates a contactless environment for bubble manipulation. The air current serves as an invisible medium to generate, transport, and position bubbles in three-dimensional space without physical contact with solid surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Stability of the object's composition

If multiple blowers are used to generate vortex air flow, then bubble floating is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebubble floating stabilityVSAvoidnumber of blowers
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the air flow generation system into multiple independent blowers, each responsible for specific directional air currents. This segmentation allows precise control over vortex formation and bubble positioning while maintaining modular system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple air flows from different blowers to create a unified vortex pattern. By merging individual air currents in a coordinated manner, the system achieves stable three-dimensional bubble suspension and movement effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 system effectively maintains bubbles in a floating state, allowing for innovative visual effects and interactive presentations by leveraging the floatable and light mass characteristics of bubbles, enhancing audience engagement.

Implementation Method 1

each of the plurality of blowers blows air such that a clockwise or counterclockwise vortex air flow is generated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVortex air flow: Vortex Ring

Implementation Method 2

a float body such as an aggregate of bubbles to float in midair

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentEP4140556B1Presentation system and presentation method
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 TEAM LAB
  • EP4140556B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4140556B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4140556B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Problem] To provide a presentation system that effectively uses the characteristic of a float body such as a bubble. [Solution] This presentation system 100 comprises: a tornado fan in which a plurality of blowers each perform blowing so that clockwise or counterclockwise air flow is generated in a presentation space surrounded by exhaust ports 114 of the plurality of blowers when viewed in a plan view; and a supply device 12 that supplies a float body such as a bubble into the presentation space. It is possible to cause an aggregate of bubbles to float in the vicinity of the center in the presentation space by means of a vortex air flow formed in the presentation space.