Torus

Hubless floor fan
Concept design
Personal side project · Individual work
2016

Ceiling fans circulate indoor air to maintain a constant temperature, keep air pleasant, and increase energy efficiency. However, in Korean living conditions, where most living types are apartment, the ceiling fans are not appropriated to be installed due to the lower ceiling heights. For a tenant, it would be reluctant to invest them in others' homes.

Torus, the hubless floor fan, is a concept design to address these limitations by reinterpreting the heavy built-in furniture to the movable home appliance. It doesn't have to be installed on the ceiling with screws, drills, and chairs. It allows everyone to enjoy the benefit of ceiling fans.

Hubless design

The hubless design is the most distinctive feature with other conventional electric fans. There's no hub at the center of them, and it gives both aesthetic and aerodynamic.

Maglev technology

Technically, the lack of a central motor can be implemented by a 3-phase induction motor with reversing the position of stator and rotor. This idea comes with a simple thought experiment, "What if the magnetic levitation train goes looped?". The fan spins on electromagnetic rails. Electromagnets levitate and rotate fan without touching the track to reduce awful noise from friction.

This diagram shows the basic principle of levitation and propulsion with simplified magnetic poles.

Bidirectional spin

Direct wind from fans often dries our eyes and makes them tired. Torus, however, spins clockwise or counter-clockwise, which means it can blow wind backward or forward, so the wind can also blow indirectly.

Blends anywhere

The LEDs on the center double it up as a floor lamp. Its modern and simple design will blend any interior scenes. Torus will enlighten and freshen up our surroundings.