Device for adjusting an air volume flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air distribution valves in buildings are difficult to adjust, often protrude into rooms, leading to uneven air flow distribution, noise, and aesthetic issues, with supply air valves not distributing air evenly and exhaust air valves having a different shape that disrupts the room's appearance.
Innovation Solution
A device with a throttle system in the air duct featuring first and second blocking elements that can be adjusted to change the flow-through cross-section, ensuring even distribution by expanding the cross-section towards the central axis, minimizing noise, and maintaining a uniform appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional blocking elements (circular sector-shaped throttle vanes) are used, then the device structure is simple, but the air flow distribution is uneven and noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking elements are designed with curved surfaces instead of flat circular sector shapes. The curved geometry creates more uniform flow distribution across the air duct cross-section, reducing turbulence and noise while maintaining adjustable flow control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the blocking elements have different geometries optimized for their specific functions. The blocking elements feature varying thickness and curvature profiles along their length, with thicker sections providing structural support and thinner sections allowing controlled flow passage, achieving uniform distribution without excessive complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the flowable cross-section is extended towards the longitudinal center axis, then noise is reduced and air distribution is homogenized, but the blocking element geometry becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking elements incorporate curved surfaces that extend the flowable cross-section toward the center axis. This curvature design smooths airflow paths, eliminates dead zones, and prevents turbulence at the center region, thereby reducing noise while the geometric complexity is managed through systematic curve profiles.
Solution Approach 2:
The geometry of the blocking elements is optimized by varying key parameters such as curvature radius, thickness distribution, and angular orientation. These parameter adjustments enable the flowable cross-section to extend toward the center axis, improving noise performance while controlling manufacturing complexity through defined geometric parameters.
3Productivity
If throttles are used to limit the cross-section, then air volume flow is controlled, but the valves protrude into the room and affect appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The throttle mechanism is nested within the air duct structure, with blocking elements that rotate or move within the duct cross-section. This nesting allows the throttle to be adjusted for flow control while remaining concealed within the duct, preventing protrusion into the room and maintaining aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow control function is achieved by moving blocking elements in the radial dimension rather than requiring axial protrusion. The blocking elements can rotate or translate within the duct cross-section, enabling thorough flow control while keeping the valve body flush with or recessed in the wall surface.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for adjusting an air volume flow, particularly in an air distribution network, has a central air duct through which air can flow. The device includes a throttle (6) arranged in the central air duct, which has at least a first throttle section (60) with first locking elements (601) and a second throttle section (61) with second locking elements (611). The position of the second locking elements (611) is variable relative to the first locking elements (601) in order to change the size of the cross-sectional area through which air can flow. The first locking elements (601) and the second locking elements (611) are designed such that they form a portion of the cross-sectional area through which air can flow in almost every radial direction in nearly all positions between the first end position and the second end position.The cross-sectional area through which the flow passes is enlarged towards the longitudinal center axis (L) in at least some of the positions between the first and second end positions. The device according to the invention for adjusting a volume flow optimizes the outflow behavior.