Fixture for air supply to a room with air temperature treatment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Low-energy houses with tight building envelopes and underfloor heating systems face challenges such as cold floors due to low heat demand, slow heat response, and inefficiencies in existing ventilation systems, particularly with conventional convectors that are expensive and power-intensive.

Innovation Solution

An air injection fixture with a built-in heat convector utilizing forced convection driven by the ventilation system, featuring an adjustable and modular air distribution plate made of thin metal or plastic with U-shaped cut-outs, which enhances air flow distribution and efficiency, allowing operation at low temperatures and flexible heat source usage for both heating and cooling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If underfloor heating is used in low-energy houses, then the system can operate at low temperatures suitable for earth heat systems, but the floors become cold and the heat response is slow due to concrete heat capacity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating temperatureVSAvoidheat response speed
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the heating function by introducing a separate air convector system that operates independently from the underfloor heating. The air convector provides rapid heat response through forced convection of heated air, while the underfloor heating maintains low operating temperatures for comfort and energy efficiency. This segmentation allows each system to fulfill its optimal function without the drawbacks of the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If conventional convectors with electrically driven fans are used, then forced convection can be achieved for efficient heating, but the manufacturing cost increases and power consumption rises

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the existing ventilation system's supply air flow to drive the convector, eliminating the need for separate electrically driven fans. The forced convection is achieved by directing the kinetic energy of the ventilation supply air through the heat exchanger, allowing the system to provide efficient heating while consuming minimal additional power beyond what the ventilation system already requires.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Quantity of substance

If underfloor heating is used in low-energy houses, then the system can provide heating, but the floors remain cold and uncomfortable due to low heat demand

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat supply quantityVSAvoidfloor comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the air injection fixture with a heat convector to create a combined system that addresses both ventilation and heating needs. The air convector provides supplemental heating that warms the immediate air and surface contact areas, enhancing floor comfort and overall thermal comfort without requiring increased heat supply quantity that would compromise the low-energy house's efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If air injection fixtures are placed at window sections, then cold air entrance and downfall can be counteracted, but the heating efficiency is reduced without proper air distribution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecold air draftVSAvoidheating efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an air distribution plate as an intermediary component between the supply air inlet and the heat convector. This plate ensures uniform distribution of the supply air across the heat exchanger surface, maximizing heat transfer efficiency. The properly distributed air flow enhances heating productivity while the heat convector effectively counteracts cold air drafts from window sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution provides a highly efficient heat source, approximately 3-4 times more effective than traditional radiators, with fast temperature regulation and adaptability to different heat sources, suitable for low-energy houses with limited heat storage, and can be used for both heating and cooling.

Implementation Method 1

convectors with forced convection exist, but they typically operate by means of integrated electrically driven fans

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

supply air reaches the heat convector through an air distribution plate for ensuring a uniform air distribution through the heat convector

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2847517B1Fixture for air supply to a room with air temperature treatment
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 ARKITEKTFAET BO CHRISTENSEN
  • EP2847517B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2847517B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2847517B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An air injection fixture (1) with a built-in heat convector (9) is disclosed, wherein supply air reaches the heat convector (9) through an air distribution plate (6) for ensuring a uniform air distribution through the heat convector before leaving the fixture to the surrounding room.