Dual-Access Airflow Adjustment Device for Ventilation Ducts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air flow adjustment devices for ventilation systems are cumbersome to operate, requiring frequent removal and repositioning, which leads to inefficiency and risk of damage due to friction and misalignment during insertion and adjustment, complicating the process of modifying airflow rates in ducts.

Innovation Solution

An adjustment device with a movable adjustment valve and control members positioned upstream and downstream of the adjustment axis, allowing for easy access and manipulation without removing the device from the duct, utilizing connecting means and drive elements to facilitate rotation and positioning adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the adjustment device is inserted into the air duct, then the airflow can be adjusted, but friction during insertion causes seal displacement and device degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice performanceVSAvoidfriction damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment device is divided into modular components including the tubular body, adjustment valve, seal, and control members that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the device to be inserted as complete modules, distributing friction forces across multiple contact points rather than concentrating them on single critical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A seal acts as an intermediary element between the adjustment device and the air duct, positioned on the outer wall of the tubular body. This seal mediates the contact during insertion, absorbing friction forces and protecting the critical adjustment components from direct friction damage while maintaining the necessary connection between device and duct.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the adjustment valve is accessed manually by removing the device, then the adjustment can be made, but the process requires frequent removal and repositioning which is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment accessibilityVSAvoidadjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control members are positioned in different spatial zones (upstream and downstream zones) along the air duct, allowing operators to access and adjust the airflow from multiple directions. This dimensional arrangement eliminates the need to remove the device for adjustment, as all control interfaces are externally accessible along the duct length.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment device incorporates multiple control members that can all perform the adjustment function independently. This multi-functionality allows any operator to access any control member from any direction along the duct, providing universal access to the adjustment capability without requiring device removal or specific orientation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the device is repositioned frequently, then the airflow adjustment can be modified, but the risk of misalignment and degradation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment flexibilityVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment valve is pre-configured with connecting means and control members positioned in predetermined upstream and downstream zones before insertion. This preliminary arrangement ensures that once the device is installed, all adjustment operations can be performed without movement or repositioning, eliminating the risk of misalignment while maintaining full adjustment flexibility through the distributed control members.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If the adjustment element is positioned between the device and air duct, then the adjustment can be made, but access requires device removal complicating the process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol accessVSAvoidmanipulation steps
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control members are distributed along the longitudinal dimension of the air duct in upstream and downstream zones, moving the adjustment interface from an internal position (requiring device removal) to external positions accessible along the duct length. This spatial redistribution allows direct access to control functions without increasing device internal complexity or requiring disassembly.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3599403B1Adjustment device adjustable from a first and a second end of the adjustment device
Publication Date: 2021.12.01 ALDES AERAULIQUE
  • EP3599403B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3599403B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3599403B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Control device (1, 1') designed to regulate a flow of fluid flowing in a conduit, comprising a body in which a control valve (2) is mounted, movable in rotation about a control axis, said body comprising an upstream zone (A) of the control axis and a downstream zone (B) opposite to the upstream zone (A) with respect to the control axis, characterized in that the control axis is equipped with linking means which cooperate with at least a first control member (35) positioned in the downstream zone (B) and a second control member (36) positioned in the upstream zone (A).