Clean Air Ventilation Layout for Low-Turbulence Work Zones

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ventilating devices create high air velocity and turbulence, leading to the suspension of bacteria-bearing and pollutant particles, increased contamination risk, and discomfort for personnel due to draughts and noise, while also drawing pollutants into the clean air zone through negative pressure.

Innovation Solution

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

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If high initial air velocity is used to provide downward air flow, then the air flow velocity at workplace region is sufficient, but turbulence and disturbing effects increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair flow velocityVSAvoidair flow stability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The air supply system is divided into multiple air supply units arranged in a closed pattern (e.g., circle), with each unit contributing to the overall downward air flow. This segmentation allows the system to achieve sufficient total air flow velocity while each individual unit operates at lower velocity, reducing turbulence and disturbing effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Air stop and guide units are strategically positioned between adjacent air supply units to create locally optimized flow patterns. These units ensure that air flows from adjoining supply units meet in a controlled manner, directing some flows outwards and others inwards toward the center, thereby minimizing turbulence at meeting points while maintaining overall downward flow stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Speed

If high initial air velocity is used, then downward air flow is achieved, but bacteria-bearing particles are kept suspended and contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair flow velocityVSAvoidcontamination risk
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 each unit contributing to the overall downward air flow. This segmentation allows the system to achieve sufficient total air flow velocity while each individual unit operates at lower velocity, reducing turbulence and disturbing effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Air stop and guide units are strategically positioned between adjacent air supply units to create locally optimized flow patterns. These units ensure that air flows from adjoining supply units meet in a controlled manner, directing some flows outwards and others inwards toward the center, thereby minimizing turbulence at meeting points while maintaining overall downward flow stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If air supply units are placed in a closed pattern, then uniform downward air flow is created, but negative pressure in the center draws pollutant particles into the clean air zone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair flow uniformityVSAvoidpollutant entry
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Air stop and guide units are introduced as intermediary elements between adjacent air supply units. These units serve dual functions: they prevent direct suction of surrounding air into the clean air zone through the negative pressure created by the closed pattern arrangement, and they guide air flows to meet in a controlled manner, directing some flows outwards from the center and others inwards, thereby eliminating turbulence while maintaining uniform downward flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Area of stationary object

If high air velocity is used, then air flow coverage is sufficient, but personnel experience draughts and high noise levels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair flow coverage areaVSAvoiddraughts and noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-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 each unit contributing to the overall downward air flow. This segmentation allows the system to achieve sufficient total air flow velocity while each individual unit operates at lower velocity, reducing turbulence and disturbing effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 turbulence-free, efficient air flow that effectively prevents pollutant entry and maintains a draught-free, quiet environment, reducing contamination risks and enhancing air quality in the workplace region.

Implementation Method 1

air supply units adapted to generating laminar air flows intended to constitute said clean air zone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaminar flow: Laminar Flow

Implementation Method 2

a slight negative pressure is created in the centre of the circle and exerts a suction force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 3

The air stop and guide units according to the invention are so configured that they guide parts of the air flows from adjoining air supply units outwards from the centre of the clean air zone instead of towards the air supply units

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentEP2146676B1Ventilating device for providing a zone of clean air
Publication Date: 2013.10.09 AVIDICARE
  • EP2146676B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2146676B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2146676B1 patent drawingFigure 3

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.