Fabric air outlet device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air conditioning elements made of woven or non-woven fabric face issues with air distribution, particularly at high air velocities near the inlet, where air flows in undesirable directions, leading to inefficient air dispersal and potential drafts from single-direction airflow.

Innovation Solution

The air conditioning element features through holes with centerlines inclined at specific angles (60° to 89°) relative to the wall, ensuring that air flows perpendicular to the surface or in multiple directions, maintaining the advantages of textile distribution systems while being machine-washable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If through holes are provided with perpendicular axes to the material plane for simple air distribution, then the design and manufacturing remain simple, but at high air velocities the air flow leaves in undesirable directions with vector components along the ducting element

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign and manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidair flow direction control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the through holes by inclining their axes at specific angles (30°-60°) relative to the perpendicular of the material plane. This parameter modification allows the air flow to be directed radially outward perpendicular to the ducting element surface, even at high velocities, while maintaining the simple textile structure and manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If air is distributed in a single direction from ceiling framework outlets, then the distribution system remains simple, but an undesirable draught develops

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistribution system simplicityVSAvoiddraught
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the air distribution by providing multiple arrays of through holes with different inclination angles on the same ducting element. Different arrays direct air in different radial directions, creating multi-directional air distribution that eliminates drafts while maintaining system simplicity. For example, one array may incline at 30° while another inclines at 60°, distributing air in complementary patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If very small orifices with inclined centre lines are provided to direct air flow perpendicular to the wall, then air distribution is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair flow directionVSAvoidorifice inclination angle precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies practical angle ranges (30°-60°) for the through hole inclination that balance performance and manufacturability. These angles are large enough to effectively direct air flow radially outward but small enough to be achievable with standard textile manufacturing techniques such as knitting or weaving, avoiding the need for ultra-precise manufacturing while still achieving the desired air distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This design effectively directs air flow perpendicular to the surface or in multiple directions, improving air distribution and preventing drafts, even at high air velocities, while maintaining the benefits of textile systems.

Implementation Method 1

the air being led away from the through holes is not flowing in a radial direction, i.e. perpendicularly to the respective ducting element, but in a different direction comprising a vector component that corresponds to the direction of the air flow inside the same ducting element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow separation: Flow Separation

Implementation Method 2

the air can be directed even in the case that the same is flowing through an air conditioning element having relatively thin walls

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3066396B1Fabric air outlet device
Publication Date: 2020.07.22 PRIHODA S R O
  • EP3066396B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1A
  • EP3066396B1 patent drawingFigure 2~2A
  • EP3066396B1 patent drawingFigure 3~3B

AI summary

Air conditioning element (1) of a woven or non-woven fabric comprises a wall provided with at least a first array of through holes (21) for distributing air, wherein the following relations apply to the through holes (21) constituting said first array: the twofold value of the square root of the quotient between the value of the inlet area (S) of a through hole (21) and the value π is less than or equal to the value of the wall thickness of the element (1) in the region adjacent to said through hole (21) and the centre line (01) of the through hole (21) intersects the inlet plane of said through hole (21) at an angle a = 60° through 89°, more preferably 80° through 88°, most preferably 83° through 87°.