Decentralised ventilation system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Decentralized ventilation systems face challenges with noise emissions and limited technical expansion possibilities due to fixed wall penetrations, which restrict airflow direction and increase thermal bridges, making them less efficient and visually unappealing.

Innovation Solution

A decentralized ventilation system with fans arranged parallel to the building wall plane, integrated into the facade element, allowing for modular installation without core drilling, and featuring a replaceable cassette for maintenance, reducing noise and thermal bridges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If a fan with a larger diameter is used to reduce noise, then noise emissions are reduced, but the wall penetration becomes larger creating more thermal bridges and sound transmission issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefan noiseVSAvoidthermal bridge and sound transmission through wall penetration
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the airflow direction from perpendicular to the wall plane to parallel to the wall plane. This dimensional change allows the fan to be positioned within the wall thickness while maintaining a smaller diameter, thus reducing thermal bridges and sound transmission through the wall penetration while still achieving noise reduction through optimized fan positioning and housing design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The fan is nested within a housing that is integrated into the wall structure. The housing contains the fan and directs airflow parallel to the wall plane, allowing the fan assembly to be compact and fit within the limited wall thickness while maintaining acoustic and thermal performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Device complexity

If decentralized ventilation systems are installed in existing buildings, then installation complexity is reduced, but technical expansion possibilities are limited due to fixed wall penetrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation complexityVSAvoidtechnical expansion possibilities
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows for dynamic configuration of airflow paths by enabling air to be directed parallel to the wall plane rather than being fixed in a perpendicular direction. This provides flexibility for future modifications and expansions without requiring additional wall penetrations, as the system can be adapted to different spatial requirements while maintaining the same wall opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the fan is positioned directly in front of the interior wall surface to simplify installation, then installation ease is improved, but noise emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidnoise emissions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A housing structure serves as an intermediary between the fan and the interior wall surface. This housing absorbs and redirects sound waves, reducing noise emissions while allowing the fan to be positioned optimally within the wall assembly. The housing acts as a sound barrier and acoustic treatment, mediating between the fan's operational requirements and the need for quiet operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system achieves reduced noise emissions, improved thermal efficiency, and cost-effective installation by eliminating the need for wall penetrations, suitable for new and renovated buildings with enhanced aesthetic appeal.

Implementation Method 1

The system includes a heat recovery unit, which absorbs heat from the exhaust air. A portion of the heat from the exhaust air is stored in the heat recovery unit and then transferred back to the supply air.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat recovery: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

A portion of the heat from the exhaust air is stored in the heat recovery unit and then transferred back to the supply air.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal energy transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

A fan with an electric motor is inserted into the pipe penetration to regulate the ventilation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP4640986A1Decentralised ventilation system
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 LUFTUNION GMBH
  • EP4640986A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4640986A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4640986A1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

The invention relates to a decentralized ventilation system (10) for a building with a building wall (1) having at least one window (3) or a door, wherein the ventilation system (10) comprises at least one air duct (11) and a fan (15), preferably an axial fan, which can be inserted into the air duct (11) preferably by means of an interchangeable cassette (19), wherein the air duct (11) has at least one supply/exhaust air section (12) with a connection area to an external environment of the building, a section accommodating the fan (15), and a section (14) with a connection area to an interior of the building. It is provided that the fan (15) can be arranged in the building wall (1) such that the airflow direction (24) is substantially parallel to a plane of the building wall (1). Furthermore, the invention relates to a prefabricated facade element and a building arrangement with a decentralized ventilation system.