Device for adjusting an air volume flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air distribution valves in buildings are difficult to adjust once installed, often protrude into the room, cause uneven airflow, and result in noise and aesthetic issues, with supply air valves distributing air unevenly and exhaust air vents having different shapes leading to an uneven appearance.
Innovation Solution
A device with a throttle mechanism and a flow element that allows for adjustable airflow cross-section, featuring a sheath that increases in circumference away from the throttle, enabling manual or motor-driven adjustment, and a flow element that ensures optimal airflow distribution while maintaining a uniform appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a throttle is used to adjust air volume flow, then the airflow can be controlled, but the valve becomes difficult or impossible to adjust once installed
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into separate components: a flow element with a sheath that can be removed from the housing, exposing the throttle adjustment mechanism. This allows the throttle to be adjusted after installation by simply removing the flow element, without disassembling the entire valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow element is extracted as a separate removable component from the housing. This extraction provides direct access to the throttle adjustment mechanism, enabling easy post-installation adjustment without complex disassembly procedures.
2Productivity
If the throttle setting is changed to adjust airflow, then the air volume flow is optimized, but individual components protrude into the room to varying degrees affecting appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The flow element with its sheath is nested within the housing, and the throttle adjustment mechanism is nested within the flow element. When the sheath is in place, it provides a uniform outer surface that conceals the throttle position, ensuring consistent appearance regardless of airflow settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheath provides a uniform local quality (appearance) at the valve outlet, while the internal throttle mechanism provides variable local quality (airflow control). The sheath acts as a visual barrier that maintains aesthetic consistency while allowing functional adjustment internally.
3Productivity
If supply air valves distribute air through a throttle, then airflow volume is controlled, but the outgoing air is not distributed evenly causing discomfort and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath is designed with a curved, bell-shaped surface that gradually expands in the direction of airflow. This curvature helps to diffuse and evenly distribute the airflow in multiple directions, reducing concentrated streams and improving comfort while maintaining controlled volume through the throttle.
4Ease of operation
If the flow element is removed to access the adjustment mechanism, then the throttle can be adjusted, but the device requires disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The flow element is segmented from the housing as a separate component. This segmentation allows the flow element to be easily removed and reattached, providing access to the throttle adjustment mechanism with minimal disassembly, simplifying maintenance and adjustment operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for adjusting an air volume flow, particularly in an air distribution network, comprises a central air duct and a throttle arranged in the central air duct. The size of the cross-sectional area of the air duct can be changed by means of the throttle (6), which includes an adjustment mechanism for changing the cross-sectional area. In addition to the throttle (6), the device has a central flow element (3) arranged in the air duct, which has a sheath (30) whose circumference increases in the direction away from the throttle (6). The adjustment mechanism (4, 612) can be actuated when the device is mounted in a wall opening (10). This allows for optimal fine adjustment of the device.