Air Outlet with Adjustable Discs for High-Volume Cooling and Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air outlets are inadequate for introducing large volumes of air (over 10,000 m3/h) from great heights into large spaces such as halls or airport buildings, both for cooling and heating efficiently.

Innovation Solution

An air outlet design featuring an adjusting device with rotating disks that automatically controls air passage by vertical movement, distinguishing between cooling and heating modes, and utilizing a spindle drive and guide columns for precise vertical guidance, along with an outer ring to manage air flow through nozzles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If existing air outlets are used to introduce large volumes of air from great heights, then air delivery capability is improved, but the ability to efficiently switch between cooling and heating modes is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair volumeVSAvoidcooling and heating mode switching
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The air outlet employs dynamic adjustment mechanisms including rotatable adjustment discs with variable openings and movable guide elements that can change the airflow pattern in real-time. These dynamic components allow the same air outlet to efficiently deliver both cooling air (with high vertical throw) and heating air (with diffusion pattern), resolving the contradiction between high air volume delivery and adaptability to different thermal modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If fixed air flow patterns are used in air outlets, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the ability to influence air flow and induction is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair outlet structureVSAvoidair flow control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The air outlet is segmented into multiple functional components: adjustment discs with multiple opening patterns, separate guide elements for cooling and heating modes, and modular mounting structures. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently with standard processes while providing complex adjustable airflow control when assembled, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If simple adjustment mechanisms are used, then device complexity is reduced, but the precision of air flow control is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment deviceVSAvoidair flow direction control
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces intermediary elements such as adjustment discs with precisely positioned openings, guide vanes, and linkage mechanisms that translate simple rotational or linear movements into precise airflow direction changes. These intermediaries amplify small adjustment inputs into accurate airflow control, resolving the contradiction between simple device complexity and high manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4050279B1Air outlet
Publication Date: 2024.07.17 SCHAKO KG
  • EP4050279B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4050279B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4050279B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

In the case of an air outlet for releasing air with a nozzle (1) which is connected to an air guidance system and with a front plate (3) from which at least part of an airflow exits, an adjustment device (11) for changing the airflow is to be assigned to the front plate (3) inside the outlet, the distance of which to the front plate (3) is to be changed.