Clean Air Ventilation Layout for Stable Laminar Workplace Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ventilating devices create turbulence and allow pollutant particles to be drawn into the clean air zone due to high air velocity and secondary flows, causing contamination and discomfort.

Innovation Solution

A ventilating device with air supply units arranged in a closed pattern and air stop and guide units to create a uniform, stable downward airflow, minimizing turbulence and preventing pollutant entry by guiding air flows to reduce velocity and prevent suction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If high initial air velocity is used to create downward airflow, then the clean air zone is established, but turbulence and secondary air flows are generated which draw pollutant particles into the workplace region

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair flow velocityVSAvoidturbulence and pollutant contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The air supply system is divided into multiple air supply units arranged in a closed pattern (e.g., circle), with air stop and guide units positioned between them. This segmentation allows control of airflow from individual units, preventing uncontrolled mixing and turbulence that would occur with a single high-velocity source.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the airflow are given different properties: air flows from adjacent units are guided differently - some portions are directed outwards from the centre while other portions are directed inwards towards the centre. This local differentiation of airflow direction prevents turbulence and eliminates the suction effect that draws pollutants into the clean zone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Area of stationary object

If air supply units are arranged in a closed pattern to provide widespread coverage, then a larger region is served, but negative pressure is created in the centre which draws pollutant particles into the clean air zone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclean air zone coverageVSAvoidsuction force drawing pollutants into clean zone

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Air stop and guide units are introduced as intermediary elements between the air supply units. These intermediaries control the airflow paths, stopping the inward suction effect and guiding air flows in a manner that maintains positive pressure in the centre while still providing widespread clean air coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Area of stationary object

If air flows from adjacent air supply units meet in an uncontrolled manner, then coverage area is maximized, but turbulence is generated which disturbs the laminar flow and increases contamination risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkplace region coverageVSAvoidlaminar flow stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The airflow from adjacent units is given different local directions through the air stop and guide units. By directing some air flows outwards and other air flows inwards, the meeting points of air flows are controlled to be almost free from turbulence, maintaining laminar flow stability while achieving wide coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

The solution achieves a stable and uniform airflow that effectively prevents pollutant particles from entering the clean air zone, reducing turbulence and draughts, ensuring a cleaner and more comfortable work environment.

Implementation Method 1

air supply units adapted to generating laminar air flows

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaminar flow: Laminar Flow

Implementation Method 2

downward flow thereafter is totally dependent on lower temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS8308536B2Ventilating device for providing a zone of clean air

Publication Date: 2012.11.13 AVIDICARE

AI summary

The present invention relates to a ventilating device for providing a zone (1) of clean air between the ventilating device and a workplace region (2), which ventilating device comprises air supply units (3) adapted to generating laminar air flows intended to constitute said clean air zone. The ventilating device comprises at least three air supply units (3) disposed in a closed pattern and air stop and guide units (4) which prevent or hinder air with bacteria-bearing and other pollutant particles which surrounds the clean air zone (1) from being drawn in between the air supply units and into the clean air zone. The air stop and guide units (4) are also configured to guide parts of the air flows from adjoining air supply units (3) outwards from the centre of the clean air zone instead of towards the air supply units, and other parts of the air flows from adjoining air supply units in towards the centre of the clean air zone instead of towards the air supply units, thereby minimizing the increased downward velocity which occurs when the air flows from mutually adjacent air supply units meet in an uncontrolled manner.