An air vent baffle device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air vent devices with flaps are not suitable for allowing continuous airflow into buildings, leading to potential carbon monoxide formation due to incomplete combustion, and they often cause draughts and noise issues, especially in retro-fitted installations.
Innovation Solution
An air vent baffle device comprising a base part and a vent cover part with radially projecting walls that create a continuous air inlet/outlet passage, deflecting air with baffles to minimize draughts and noise, while allowing free airflow for oxygen supply to gas or solid fuel appliances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If fixed louvres are used to shield the opening from rain and wind, then ingress of water and direct air flow are reduced, but draught problems remain and the vent may be blocked by users
Solution Approach 1:
The vent cover is divided into multiple segments including a fixed outer ring and a rotatable inner ring with louvres. This segmentation allows the louvres to be rotated independently to adjust airflow direction while maintaining the protective shielding function, preventing complete blockage while still providing rain and wind protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The louvres are designed to be rotatable rather than fixed, transforming the static structure into a dynamic one. Users can rotate the inner ring to adjust the angle and direction of the louvres, allowing continuous adjustment of airflow patterns to eliminate unwanted draughts while maintaining protective coverage.
2Loss of energy
If flaps are used to close the vent when not in use, then draughts and cooling are prevented, but continuous airflow for oxygen supply is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of closing the vent to prevent energy loss, the design inverts the approach by using angled louvres that redirect airflow away from the building interior. The louvres are positioned at specific angles to allow continuous oxygen supply while deflecting the main airflow direction to minimize unwanted draughts and cooling effects inside the building.
3Reliability
If the vent allows continuous free flow of air, then oxygen supply is ensured, but draughts and noise from rain and wind increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the vent structure have different functions optimized for their specific roles. The outer fixed ring provides structural support and primary rain/wind shielding, while the inner rotatable louvres are specifically designed with precise angles to redirect airflow. This local optimization of qualities allows continuous airflow for oxygen supply while minimizing draughts and noise through strategic airflow direction 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
Ensures continuous airflow to prevent carbon monoxide formation, minimizes heat loss, and reduces noise and draughts, making it suitable for retro-fitting and maintaining a stable ventilation passage.
Implementation Method 1
each of the first wall and the second wall serving as a baffle to deflect air flowing through the device between the opening and the air inlet/outlet
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
To enable continuous free flow of air therethrough, a base part having a first wall projecting therefrom and an opening, the opening being radially inward of the first wall, is attached to a vent cover part, the vent cover part having a second wall projecting therefrom. Each of the base part and the vent cover part are configured such that, when attached to one another, the vent cover part defines an air inlet/outlet about at least a portion of the periphery of the vent cover part, the first wall projects toward the vent cover part and the second wall projects toward the base part with a space provided between the first and second walls, and the first wall is radially outward of the second wall and radially inward of the air inlet/outlet. Together, the base part and cover part provide a ventilation passage between the interior and exterior of the building that is available at all times.