Air guiding element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air passage systems with radial passage openings suffer from non-uniform air flow distribution and noise due to varying passage opening widths, leading to inefficient air distribution and comfort issues in ventilated rooms.

Innovation Solution

The air passage system employs slats with varying angles of attack, where the angle decreases from the outer to the inner end of the passage opening, creating a vortex boundary surface effect that directs air flow along the ceiling, reducing noise and drafts while maintaining effective air distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the angle of attack of slats is kept uniform in rectangular openings, then the manufacturing is simple, but the flow velocity and deflection effect are non-uniform

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslat manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidair flow distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The slat is given different angles of attack at different locations along its length. Specifically, the angle of attack decreases from the inner end to the outer end of the rectangular opening, creating local variations in flow deflection that compensate for the constant opening width and achieve uniform flow distribution across all openings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If the angle of attack of slats is increased to increase passage cross-section, then the effective flow area increases, but the vortex boundary effect is lost and air flow breaks off

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffective passage cross-sectionVSAvoidflow break-off and loss of vortex boundary effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different sections of the slat have different angles of attack to balance two competing requirements. The inner portion has a larger angle to increase effective passage cross-section and reduce flow velocity, while the outer portion has a smaller angle to maintain the vortex boundary effect and prevent flow break-off. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between quantity of flow and flow quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The angle of attack parameter is varied continuously along the length of the slat rather than being uniform. This gradual parameter change allows the system to transition between different flow regimes, maintaining both adequate passage cross-section and the vortex boundary effect necessary for proper air distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Area of stationary object

If radial passage openings have varying widths, then the total cross-section is maximized, but non-uniform air flow distribution and noise occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetotal passage cross-sectionVSAvoidair flow distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

While maintaining rectangular openings with constant width for simplicity and total area efficiency, the slats introduce local quality variations through non-uniform angle of attack. This compensates for the geometric uniformity of the openings and achieves flow distribution uniformity without sacrificing the area advantages of rectangular geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

This configuration ensures uniform air flow distribution along the ceiling, reducing noise and drafts, and increases the effective passage cross-section for improved air exchange and comfort in ventilated spaces.

Implementation Method 1

creating a vortex boundary surface effect that directs air flow along the ceiling

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVortex boundary surface effect: Vortex Ring

Implementation Method 2

the air flow is sucked onto the wall or ceiling of the room in which the air outlet is located

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBoundary layer: Boundary Layer

Implementation Method 3

the slats deflect the air in a uniform direction of rotation in the circumferential direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow deflection:

Implementation Method 4

The air flow creates a suction in its surroundings due to its tendency to entrain air from adjacent areas of the room

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEntrainment: Entrainment

Data Source

PatentEP1795824B2Air guiding element
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 WILDEBOER WERNER
  • EP1795824B2 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP1795824B2 patent drawingFigure 4~7

AI summary

The component has a foot (14) at each end and is disposed along a rectangular passage opening such that a lamella (12) extends along the passage opening in a diagonal manner. The arrangement angle of the lamella is variable. Each foot includes a flexible front wall (18) provided on the outer surface with a catch cam (24) and at the edge with an outwardly protruding flange (20) for clamping an edge of the passage opening.