Wearable Air Purifier With Radially Offset Motor
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wearable air purification systems often compromise on comfort, style, and practicality due to bulky designs and noise generation from central motors, especially when trying to provide active air filtration for everyday use.
Innovation Solution
A wearable air purification system with a support assembly, air delivery mask, and motor, where the motor is radially offset within the earpiece to reduce noise and allow for a compact design, resembling consumer audio headphones with integrated air filtration and audio functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the motor is positioned at the centre of the air filter, then the structure is simpler and more balanced, but the noise generated by the motor increases and the design becomes less compact
Solution Approach 1:
The motor is deliberately positioned in an off-centre location within the earpiece, specifically radially offset from the centre of the air filter. This asymmetric positioning moves the noise-generating motor away from the central axis, reducing noise transmission to the user's ear while maintaining structural integrity and enabling a more compact overall design.
2Shape
If the air purification components are integrated into the earpieces, then the visor becomes less bulky and more suitable for everyday use, but the earpieces become relatively large compared with conventional audio headphones
Solution Approach 1:
The air purification components (air filter, motor, impeller) are nested within the earpiece structure, with the motor radially offset from the filter centre. This nested arrangement allows the filtration system to be compactly integrated into the earpiece volume, reducing the overall visor bulk while keeping the earpieces manageable in size for everyday wear.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a radially offset motor position is used, then the noise impact is reduced and the design becomes more compact, but the manufacturing and assembly precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The motor is positioned at a specific off-centre location within the earpiece structure, creating a localized arrangement that optimizes noise reduction. This precise local positioning, while requiring manufacturing accuracy, is achieved through structured mounting features that accommodate the radially offset configuration while maintaining assembly feasibility.
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 provides effective air purification with reduced noise interference and a more comfortable, stylish, and practical design suitable for daily wear, while maintaining the dual functionality of air purification and audio playback.
Implementation Method 1
The motor is arranged to drive an impeller to pump air through the air channel to the air delivery region
Implementation Method 2
The first earpiece comprises an air filter; an air channel configured to deliver a flow of air from the air filter
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable air purification system including: a support assembly, including: a first earpiece arranged to engage a first ear of a user, the first earpiece including an air filter; a second earpiece arranged to engage a second ear of the user; and a support member connecting the first earpiece to the second earpiece, the support member being arranged to be worn around the user's head; an air delivery mask connected to the support assembly, the air delivery mask being shaped to bound an air delivery region that contains the user's nose and/or mouth. In use, the air delivery mask includes an outlet in the air delivery region and an air channel configured to deliver a flow of air from the air filter to the outlet. Also, a motor is arranged to drive an impeller to pump air through the air channel to the air delivery region, the motor being housed in the first earpiece and being radially offset from a centre of the air filter.