Ceiling element with air outlet box

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ceiling temperature control systems, particularly floating ceilings, suffer from draughts, reduced aesthetic appeal due to perforations, and lower efficiency compared to smooth elements, as well as performance degradation in induction diffusers when fluid-carrying pipes are removed.

Innovation Solution

A ceiling element design featuring a pipe system directly on the ceiling panel with an air outlet box that allows air to exchange heat with pipes before being ejected along the ceiling panel, eliminating vertical air distribution and enhancing heat exchange efficiency without additional ducts, thereby reducing draughts and increasing performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If displacement diffusers with perforations are used to distribute air vertically into the room, then air distribution is achieved, but draughts occur and aesthetic appeal is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair distributionVSAvoiddraughts

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of blowing air vertically downward through perforations in the ceiling panel, the invention inverts the approach by using an air outlet box that directs air horizontally along the ceiling panel surface. The air outlets are arranged on the sides of the box rather than in the ceiling panel above, reversing the traditional vertical distribution pattern to eliminate draughts while maintaining effective air distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If displacement diffusers with perforations are used, then air distribution is achieved, but heating or cooling capacity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair distributionVSAvoidheating or cooling capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from vertical air distribution (one dimension) to horizontal air distribution along the ceiling panel surface (another dimension). By arranging air outlets on the sides of the air outlet box and directing air horizontally along the ceiling panel, the system utilizes the lateral dimension to extend the heat exchange path, thereby increasing heating or cooling capacity while maintaining air distribution effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If induction diffusers are used to eliminate draughts, then draughts are reduced, but performance decreases due to removal of fluid-carrying pipes

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedraughtsVSAvoidperformance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the functions of the air outlet box and the fluid-carrying pipes by integrating both components within the same structural element. The pipes extend through the air outlet box, allowing simultaneous heat exchange between the fluid in the pipes and the air passing through the box, thereby maintaining high performance while eliminating draughts through horizontal air flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If air is blown vertically through perforations in the ceiling panel, then air distribution is achieved, but the ceiling element requires minimum width and perforations reduce aesthetic appeal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair distributionVSAvoidaesthetic appeal

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the air outlets from the ceiling panel surface by placing them in a separate air outlet box positioned below the ceiling panel. This separation removes the need for perforations in the ceiling panel, preserving its aesthetic appearance as a smooth surface, while the air outlets on the side of the box continue to provide effective air distribution horizontally along the panel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 reduces draughts, enhances efficiency by allowing air to continue exchanging heat with pipes after ejection, and increases the heating or cooling capacity without the need for perforations, resulting in a more aesthetically pleasing and efficient ceiling element.

Implementation Method 1

The air in this space can then exchange heat energy with the heat-carrying fluid in the pipes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

the air that emerges from the air outlets and is therefore already emitted to the surroundings moves along the ceiling panel upper side before it is ejected towards the room

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS20240328645A1Ceiling element with air outlet box

Publication Date: 2024.10.03 ZEHNDER GROUP INTERNATIONAL AG

AI summary

A ceiling element for cooling and/or heating a ceiling includes a ceiling panel with a ceiling panel upper side and a pipe system arranged on the ceiling panel upper side with pipes extending in the longitudinal direction of the ceiling panel for transporting a heat-carrying fluid. An air outlet box arranged on the ceiling panel upper side with a supply air inlet and a plurality of air outlets open to the surroundings, wherein the pipes of the pipe system extend through the air outlet box and wherein the air outlets are arranged such that air exiting from the air outlets runs on the ceiling panel upper side.