One-Piece Air Diffuser With Venturi Mixing for Room Pressure Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current air diffusion systems in enclosures, such as hospital rooms, are complex, expensive, and difficult to install and maintain due to their multi-component nature and require significant installation time, making them impractical for widespread use.

Innovation Solution

A one-piece air diffusion system that integrates primary and secondary flow mixing within a compact assembly, allowing for easy installation and maintenance, with a venturi effect created by a progressive section change in the passage opening to facilitate airflow and reduce duct dimensions, and includes means for regulating airflow rates and pressure to manage enclosure conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a multi-component air diffusion system with separate venturi devices and terminal batteries is used, then air circulation and quality regulation are achieved, but device complexity and installation time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair circulation qualityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the venturi device, terminal battery, and air diffusion grille into a single integrated terminal unit. The venturi chamber is formed within the housing, the battery is mounted inside the same housing, and the grille serves as both the diffusion opening and secondary flow inlet. This merging eliminates the need for separate components and their interconnections, directly reducing device complexity while maintaining air circulation functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The air diffusion grille serves multiple functions: it acts as the diffusion opening for primary air flow, the inlet opening for secondary ambient air, and the protective cover for the internal components. The housing simultaneously provides structural support, houses the venturi device and battery, and serves as the mounting interface for the grille. This multi-functionality reduces the number of parts needed in the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate grilles are used for air diffusion and ambient air suction, then air quality regulation is improved, but the number of parts and installation requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair quality regulationVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a single air diffusion grille that serves dual purposes: diffusing treated air into the room and sucking in ambient air through its same opening. The grille is positioned such that the diffusion of tertiary air creates an induction effect that draws secondary air through the grille, eliminating the need for separate diffusion and suction grilles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single grille performs multiple functions: it is the diffusion opening for primary air, the inlet opening for secondary air, and the protective cover for internal components. This universal component replaces what would traditionally require at least two separate grilles, reducing the quantity of parts while maintaining air quality regulation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If integrated venturi devices and terminal batteries are installed in ducts, then air treatment functionality is achieved, but installation time and skill requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair treatment functionalityVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The venturi device, terminal battery, and mounting interface are combined into a single pre-assembled terminal unit that attaches directly to the duct. The housing includes integrated mounting means that allow the entire unit to be installed as one piece, eliminating the need to install venturi devices and batteries separately within the duct system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal unit is pre-assembled with the venturi device, battery, and mounting interface before installation in the duct. This preliminary assembly allows the unit to be installed as a complete module, reducing installation time and complexity compared to assembling components in-situ within the duct system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If a one-piece assembly is used for air diffusion, then installation time is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidassembly precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal battery, venturi device, and mounting interface are merged into a single one-piece housing assembly. This integration allows the entire unit to be manufactured as one component or pre-assembled with fixed internal geometry, ensuring precise alignment of the battery outlet with the venturi chamber and the venturi chamber with the diffusion grille, thereby meeting manufacturing precision requirements while enabling rapid installation.

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 reduces installation time, eliminates the need for specialized knowledge, and simplifies maintenance, while achieving efficient airflow management, pressure control, and temperature regulation, resulting in a cost-effective and practical solution for air diffusion in enclosures.

Implementation Method 1

The venturi device as well as the terminal batteries are directly integrated into the ducts of the ventilation or air distribution network in the enclosure. The SPILOTAIR system has a first air diffusion grille in the room and a second grille to suck in ambient air from the enclosure.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 2

means for mixing the primary and secondary flows providing a flow of air, called tertiary, diffused into the enclosure through an opening, called diffusion, of the tertiary zone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow mixing:

Data Source

PatentEP2195581B1System for the diffusion of air in a chamber
Publication Date: 2018.11.14 KATZ
  • EP2195581B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2195581B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7
  • EP2195581B1 patent drawingFigure 8~11

AI summary

The invention relates to a system for the diffusion of air in a chamber, said system comprising: a primary zone (11) having an inlet (12) for a primary air flow, a secondary zone (13) having an inlet (14) for a secondary air flow originating from the chamber, and a tertiary zone (15) into which the primary (11) and secondary (13) zones open. The system also includes means for mixing the primary and secondary flows, thereby providing a tertiary air flow which is diffused inside the chamber through a diffusion opening (16) in the tertiary zone (14), said system taking the form of a one-piece unit.