What it does
A bladeless ceiling fan that delivers efficient, quiet airflow using CFD-optimised design. It removes the safety risks and dust buildup of traditional fans, offering a safer, low-maintenance, and modern alternative for indoor cooling and air circulation.
Your inspiration
Indoor air circulation is vital and a key aspect to ensure thermal comfort for the occupants of a warm dense room. While conventional ceiling fans are effective, they pose safety hazards due to exposed blades, are noisy due to dust accumulation on the exposed blades and are visually unappealing in modern day homes. Though the bladeless fan technology is not novel, the implementation as a ceiling fan with features like a built-in light source, and being self-cleaning, is something that is uncommon in today’s market. This project explores the feasibility of a cost-effective bladeless ceiling fan concept adapted for household room applications.
How it works
The fan pulls in air through vents on its upper and lower sections. A centrifugal impeller spins rapidly, increasing air pressure and directing flow into six curved channels. These channels guide the air to a hollow ring with a narrow, aerofoil-shaped slit. As air exits the slit, it clings to the ring’s surface, forming a smooth stream. This creates a low-pressure zone that pulls in surrounding air, amplifying flow up to 15 times. The result is a quiet, even airflow of around 200 cubic metres per minute, reaching a comfortable velocity of 0.2 m/s at seated height. An energy-efficient LED light is integrated into the centre to save ceiling space. A self-cleaning system with motorised brushes removes dust from the exterior casing, reducing manual maintenance. The fan is safe, quiet, and consumes under 30 W while delivering effective cooling without exposed blades.
Design process
Key issue was identified in modern living spaces: traditional ceiling fans often occupy central ceiling space, making it difficult to install a ceiling light in the same location. This led to our concept of a bladeless ceiling fan with an integrated light compact, efficient, and safe for household use. The process began with brainstorming and sketching concepts inspired by Dyson’s Air Multiplier technology. We defined clear performance targets: 200 CMM airflow, <50 dB noise, <30 W power usage, and a user-friendly form factor. Initial CAD models were developed and refined through airflow simulations using ANSYS Fluent. Our first design featured four air channels, but CFD analysis revealed uneven airflow and performance gaps. We iterated the design to include six diffused air channels, which improved flow distribution and met the required velocity of 0.2 m/s at seated height. A self-cleaning mechanism using Arduino-controlled brushes was added to reduce maintenance. Once CFD results confirmed that the design met airflow and velocity requirements, we began physical prototyping, 3D printing most components such as the aerofoil ring and casing, while machining others like the aluminium upper cylinder. Assembly and testing followed to validate functionality and ease of use.
How it is different
Our design uniquely combines bladeless fan technology with an integrated ceiling light, solving the common issue of choosing between a fan or central light in compact rooms. Most existing bladeless ceiling fans are bulky, visually unappealing, and often priced above USD 100. Ours takes a more compact, minimalist approach delivering smooth airflow through six optimised air channels while maintaining a sleek, modern aesthetic that complements any interior. Safety is enhanced by eliminating exposed blades, making it ideal for low ceilings or family homes. Unlike other designs, ours includes a self-cleaning feature, motorised brushes controlled by an Arduino sweep dust from the exterior casing, reducing manual maintenance. Using cost-effective materials and simple manufacturing methods, we kept the price under MYR 250 without compromising performance, quiet operation, or visual appeal.
Future plans
We aim to enhance the fan’s cleaning system with a custom L-shaped brush suitable to reach both cylinders and outlet channels. User experience will improve with app-based speed control, LED indicators, and smart-home integration. We plan to redesign the internal structure for tool-free assembly and cleaning, using magnetic panels. Energy usage will be trackable via an integrated monitor, while air quality sensors will enable auto airflow adjustment. Future versions may also include dust filters and adjustable ring slits for directional control, making the fan smarter, cleaner, and more user-friendly.
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