Ventilation Unit Airtight Coupling for Heat Exchange and Humidification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ventilation devices with separate fan and heat exchange units face challenges in maintaining airtightness and productivity due to the need for different fan unit specifications based on the presence or absence of a humidification function, complicating the structure and hindering efficient airflow.

Innovation Solution

A ventilation device design that integrates a total heat exchange unit with a constant humidity membrane-type humidification unit, using L-shaped metal fittings and a sealing member to ensure airtight coupling, allowing for common specifications across different configurations and improving airflow efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the ventilation device is divided into separate fan unit and heat exchange unit, then reduction in size and weight of respective units is achieved, but the structure for ensuring airtightness at connecting section becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesize of unitsVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation device is divided into separate fan unit and heat exchange unit, each with independent functions. The fan unit houses supply fan and exhaust fan, while the heat exchange unit houses heat exchange element and humidification element. This segmentation reduces the size and weight of individual units while maintaining overall functionality through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A connecting section with sealing structure acts as an intermediary between the fan unit and heat exchange unit. The sealing structure includes a sealing member that fits into a sealing groove at the connecting section, providing a simple yet effective solution for ensuring airtightness without complicating the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If different fan unit specifications are prepared for heat exchange units with and without humidifier, then the flow of supply air and exhaust air is optimized, but the productivity of the ventilation device is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairflow performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The fan unit is designed with universal specifications that can be connected to both heat exchange units with humidifiers and those without. The connecting section and sealing structure are standardized, allowing the same fan unit model to serve multiple configurations. This universality maintains airflow performance while significantly improving manufacturing productivity and reducing inventory complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the connecting section ensures airtightness for supply air and exhaust air flow, then the flow of air is maintained, but the structure becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairflow integrityVSAvoidconnecting section structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A connecting section with integrated sealing groove and sealing member provides a simple intermediary structure between units. The sealing member is positioned within the sealing groove to create an airtight connection, maintaining supply air and exhaust air flow integrity without requiring complex multi-component sealing systems.

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

This design enhances productivity by maintaining airflow integrity and allowing for common unit specifications, simplifying installation and operation while ensuring effective humidification and heat exchange without hindering airflow.

Implementation Method 1

a heat exchange unit provided with a heat exchange element that performs heat exchange between the supply air and the exhaust air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

heat exchange element that performs heat exchange between the supply air and the exhaust air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

heat exchange element that performs heat exchange between the supply air and the exhaust air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 4

a humidification unit provided with a humidification element that humidifies the supply air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHumidification: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP2813772B1Ventilation device
Publication Date: 2016.06.01 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP2813772B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2813772B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2813772B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A ventilation device performs ventilation by supplying outdoor air indoors as supply air and exhausting room air outdoors as exhaust air. The ventilation device includes a heat exchange unit provided with a heat exchange element that performs heat exchange between the supply air and the exhaust air and a humidification unit provided with a humidification element that humidifies the supply air. The heat exchange unit is provided with a supply air blower with which the outdoor air is suctioned and sent to the humidification unit and a supply air delivery port with which supply air sent from the supply air blower is delivered and guided to the humidification unit. The humidification unit is provided with a supply air introduction port that introduces supply air delivered from the heat exchange unit, and a supply air duct that regulates spreading of supply air introduced from the supply air introduction port.