Conical Diffusion Terminal for Clean Air Delivery with Minimal Mixing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventilation systems fail to ensure uncontaminated air quality at inhalation areas due to high mixing with ambient air, leading to suboptimal air quality and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A diffusion terminal with a conical element design that separates clean air into two flows, one laminar and one central, minimizing mixing with ambient air and reducing the overall airflow volume required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional diffusers with large airflows and high mixing are used, then air exchange is achieved, but air quality at inhalation areas deteriorates due to contamination with ambient air
Solution Approach 1:
The air supply is segmented into two distinct flows: a central laminar flow that remains coherent and uncontaminated, and a peripheral turbulent flow that mixes with ambient air. This segmentation allows the clean central flow to reach the inhalation area without contamination while the peripheral flow handles air exchange functions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the diffuser outlet have different flow characteristics: the central region produces laminar flow for high-quality air delivery, while the peripheral region produces turbulent flow for mixing and air exchange. This local differentiation of flow quality resolves the contradiction between maintaining purity and achieving exchange.
2Reliability
If large volumes of clean air are introduced to ensure air quality, then air quality improves, but energy consumption for treating and pumping air increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of introducing large volumes of clean air throughout the entire space, the system applies clean air partially and directly to the inhalation area only. The peripheral turbulent flow provides sufficient air exchange without requiring excessive clean air volume, thereby reducing energy consumption for air treatment and pumping while maintaining air quality where it matters most.
3Productivity
If traditional ventilation systems are used, then air exchange is achieved, but the system complexity and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser combines multiple functions into a single device: it performs air exchange through the peripheral turbulent flow while simultaneously delivering high-quality clean air through the central laminar flow. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate systems, reducing overall system complexity and installation costs while maintaining effective air exchange.
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 high-quality uncontaminated air at inhalation areas with minimal mixing and reduced energy consumption, maintaining user freedom and space usability.
Implementation Method 1
one laminar and one central flow, minimizing mixing with ambient air
Data Source
AI summary
A diffusion terminal of clean air includes an outer body, which can be connected to a respective supply channel of clean air. The outer body has an outlet mouth for supplying clean air towards an inhalation area of a person. A first conical element is at least partially hollow arranged inside the outer body, so that an axis of the first conical element is substantially coincident with a main axis of the body. The first conical element has a base portion arranged close to a plane defined by the outlet mouth, so as to provide an outlet of an airflow along a crown defined between an inner surface of the outer body and an outer surface of the first conical element. The first conical element has at least one opening to enable passing of an airflow within the first conical element and through an outlet mouth thereof.