Air outlet
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air outlets for rail vehicle passenger compartments face challenges in achieving uniform temperature distribution while maintaining low airflow rates, minimizing energy loss, noise, and preventing condensation and dirt accumulation, while also being cost-effective and aesthetically appealing.
Innovation Solution
An extruded profile air outlet design featuring air guiding elements with alternating outflow directions and a transverse plate with recesses, utilizing a two-stage flow cross-section to create a negative pressure zone for airflow deflection and preventing condensation, and incorporating a one-piece construction without additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If air outlets are provided on the ceiling side to enable air flow along the ceiling and windows, then passenger comfort is improved and direct air exposure is avoided, but the mixing of air and homogeneous temperature distribution becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The air outlet is divided into multiple air outlet openings (at least two) that extend over the length of the profile, with different blow-out directions. This segmentation allows different air streams to mix progressively as they travel along the ceiling, achieving both comfort and temperature homogeneity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the air outlet profile have different outflow directions tailored to local requirements. The air outlet openings are oriented at different angles to create specific flow patterns in different zones, optimizing both mixing and comfort locally throughout the passenger compartment.
2Reliability
If air outlets are designed with complex components to optimize flow and reduce noise, then air flow performance is improved, but manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple air guiding elements and air outlet openings are integrated into a single extruded profile component. The air guiding elements are formed directly as part of the profile structure, eliminating the need for separate diffusers and reducing assembly steps while maintaining optimized flow characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The extruded profile serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, guides air flow, creates negative pressure zones, and forms multiple air outlet openings. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed while achieving complex flow control.
3Temperature
If air flow rate is increased to achieve good mixing and homogeneous temperature distribution, then temperature uniformity is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air guiding elements feature curved surfaces that generate Coanda effect, causing the air jet to adhere to and follow the curved profile. This curvature-induced flow attachment enhances mixing efficiency at lower flow rates by creating rotational motion and prolonged residence time in the passenger compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow cross-section of air outlet openings is varied along the length, with narrowing in a first section and widening in a second section. This parameter change creates negative pressure zones that enhance mixing while controlling the energy required for air distribution.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If air outlet surfaces are exposed to moist room air, then condensation can occur on the surface, but preventing condensation requires additional design features
Solution Approach 1:
The air outlet openings extend continuously over the entire length of the air outlet profile, ensuring continuous air flow along the ceiling and windows. This continuous flow prevents stagnant zones where condensation could form, while the streamlined design of air guiding elements maintains aesthetic appeal without additional anti-condensation components.
5Ease of manufacture
If air outlet profile is designed as extruded profile for cost-effective manufacturing, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but flow optimization and noise reduction become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Complex mechanical flow control components are replaced by precisely shaped air guiding elements formed during extrusion. The flow optimization is achieved through the geometric shape of the extruded profile itself rather than through separate mechanical adjustments or components, maintaining cost-effectiveness while achieving superior flow control.
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 design ensures efficient air mixing, reduces condensation and dirt accumulation, and maintains airflow along the ceiling, enhancing comfort and reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining aesthetic appeal.
Implementation Method 1
Due to the pressure drop occurring in this negative pressure zone, the flow is shifted in the direction of this negative pressure zone. In this way, the air flow can be deflected to a greater extent than corresponds to the purely geometric shape of the air guiding elements.
Implementation Method 2
Due to the pressure drop occurring in this negative pressure zone, the flow is shifted in the direction of this negative pressure zone.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an air outlet (1) designed as an extruded profiled element and having an air feed side (2) and an air outlet side (3), comprising a plurality of air-conducting elements (4, 5, 6), which are oriented in a profiled-element longitudinal direction and which form at least two air outlet openings (7), which are separated from each other and which extend over the length of the air outlet profiled element, wherein the air outlet openings (7) conduct the exiting air in at least two different blow-out directions, and a plate (8), which is arranged upstream of the air-conducting elements (4, 5, 6) in an air flow direction and which is arranged perpendicular to the air flow direction, wherein the plate (8) has openings (9), which allow air to flow through to the air outlet openings (7) in alternation, and wherein the air outlet openings (7) have a flow cross-section in the flow direction that narrows in a first segment (10) and expands in a second segment (11), wherein one of the air-conducting elements forming the flow is designed in the second segment (11) to form a vacuum zone (12).