Movable Foil Deflector for Smoke Vent Airflow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wall-mounted smoke and heat vents face inefficiencies in smoke and heat extraction due to frontal air flows entering through the upper opening when the flap is open, which hinders the extraction process and can lead to damage and maintenance issues with permanently projecting deflector barriers.
Innovation Solution
A foil-shaped deflector barrier that is integrated with the movable sash of the flap, using rotation or linear translation actuators to project from the upper edge only when the flap is open, diverting air flows upwards and preventing internal air infiltration, and retracting when closed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a permanently projecting deflector barrier is installed to prevent frontal air flow entry, then smoke and heat extraction is improved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector barrier is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. It projects from the flap only when the flap is open to deflect air flows, and retracts when the flap is closed to maintain aesthetic appearance and reduce maintenance needs. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between extraction efficiency and aesthetic/maintenance concerns.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector barrier automatically projects in advance when the flap opens, preparing to deflect air flows before they can enter through the upper opening. This preliminary action ensures optimal smoke and heat extraction from the start of the vent operation.
2Ease of operation
If the upper edge of the flap is positioned lower than the fixed frame to allow opening movement, then ease of operation is improved, but air flow infiltration worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector barrier acts as an intermediary element between the air flow and the upper opening. When the flap is open, the deflector barrier projects to intercept and redirect air flows upward, preventing them from entering through the upper opening created by the lower flap edge position.
3Productivity
If side walls are added to prevent lateral air flow entry, then smoke extraction is improved, but device complexity and aesthetic appearance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the air flow prevention function from the permanent side wall structure and relocates it to the movable deflector barrier on the flap. This allows the side walls to be omitted or made recessed, reducing structural complexity and improving aesthetic appearance while maintaining smoke extraction efficiency through the movable deflection mechanism.
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 optimal smoke and heat extraction by preventing frontal air flows from entering the vent, reducing maintenance needs, and maintaining an aesthetically acceptable appearance by only projecting when necessary.
Implementation Method 1
diverting air flows upwards and preventing internal air infiltration
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
The invention is a deflector barrier (1; 60; 70) for smoke and heat vents (2; 67; 77) comprising: a fixed frame (3) applied to the perimeter of an opening (A) made in a wall (P) of a building and communicating with the inside of one or more rooms; a flap (4; 66; 76) provided with a movable sash (5; 68; 78) associated with the fixed frame (3) via hinge means (6) that define a rotation axis (X) for opening and closing the flap (4; 66; 76); operating means (7) suited to rotate the flap (4; 66; 76) around the rotation axis (X); and means (8) for coupling and releasing the movable sash (5; 68; 78) with/from the fixed frame (3). The deflector barrier (1; 60; 70) comprises: a foil-shaped body (10; 64; 74) that can be associated with the movable sash (5; 68; 78) on the opposite side of the rotation axis (X); actuator means (11; 61; 71) that can be associated with the movable sash (5; 68; 78) and are suited to arrange the foil-shaped body (10; 64; 74) in a position projecting from the movable sash (5; 68; 78) when the flap (4; 66; 76) is open; and constraining means (12) that can be associated with the movable sash (5; 68; 78)and interact with the actuator means (11; 61; 71) when the flap (4; 66; 76) is closed in order to retain the foil-shaped body (10; 64; 74) in a backward position with respect to the movable sash (5; 68; 78).