Air vent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air vents mounted directly to exterior walls protrude, diminishing the aesthetic appearance and value of structures by being visible and unsightly.
Innovation Solution
An air vent design that integrates with the exterior wall siding, featuring a body with a damper and siding pieces matching the wall's aesthetic, allowing it to blend in and become nearly invisible, with a damper mechanism that controls airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If air vent is mounted directly to siding, then installation is simple, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to protrusion
Solution Approach 1:
The air vent body is nested within a recess in the exterior wall, with the front surface of the body substantially flush with the exterior surface of the wall. This nesting approach allows the air vent to be installed without significant protrusion, maintaining aesthetic appearance while providing functional ventilation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from surface mounting (protruding outward) to subsurface mounting (recessed into the wall). By changing the dimensional position from external to internal, the air vent achieves flush mounting that preserves the aesthetic appearance of the exterior wall while maintaining installation feasibility.
2Productivity
If air vent body protrudes from siding, then airflow function is maintained, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air vent body with its opening and damper mechanism is nested within a recess in the exterior wall. The front surface of the body is substantially flush with the exterior surface of the wall, eliminating protrusion while maintaining the damper's ability to control airflow through the opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The air vent components are repositioned from a protruding configuration to a recessed configuration within the wall structure. This dimensional change allows the air vent to maintain its airflow control functionality while achieving a flush appearance that preserves aesthetic appeal.
3Shape
If recess is formed in exterior wall, then aesthetic appearance improves by flush mounting, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The recess in the exterior wall is formed during the wall construction process rather than after completion. This preliminary action allows the recess to be created as part of the standard building process, minimizing additional manufacturing complexity while achieving the desired flush mounting appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The air vent system is segmented into modular components including the body, damper, and cover that can be manufactured separately and assembled in the pre-formed recess. This segmentation allows for standardized production of components while simplifying the overall installation process in the prepared recess.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an air vent for mounting directly to an exterior wall of a structure to allow air flow from an interior space of the structure to the ambient environment. The air vent comprises a body comprising an opening and a siding portion disposed below the opening. The air vent further comprises a first siding piece secured to the siding portion that is substantially similar to the siding of the exterior wall. The air vent further comprises a damper moveably engaged with the body between a closed position where the damper blocks air flow thru the opening and an open position where the damper allows air flow thru the opening. The air vent further comprises a second siding piece secured to the damper that is substantially similar to and overlaps the first siding piece in the closed position. Unlike conventional devices, the air vent of the present invention blends into the siding on the exterior wall increasing the aesthetic appearance of the siding.