Heat exchange-type ventilation device

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing heat-exchange type ventilation apparatuses face an increase in the number of components when a positioning member is added to position both the heat exchanger and the filter inside the main body, leading to complexity and potential inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus integrates a heat exchanger and filters within the main body while minimizing the number of components by using a positioning member that supports both the heat exchanger and filters, reducing the overall component count and enhancing ease of maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a positioning member is added to position both the heat exchanger and filter inside the main body, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the number of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning member is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it positions both the heat exchanger and the filter within the main body. By combining these positioning functions into a single component, the patent reduces the total number of components while maintaining accurate positioning for both elements, thus resolving the contradiction between positioning accuracy and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning member serves as a universal component that handles the positioning of multiple different elements (heat exchanger and filter) within the system. This multi-functional approach allows a single component to achieve what would traditionally require separate positioning mechanisms for each element, thereby reducing component count while preserving positioning precision.

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

2Reliability

If multiple separate positioning members are used for heat exchanger and filter, then the positioning reliability is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the positioning functions for the heat exchanger and filter into a single positioning member, the patent simplifies the manufacturing process. Instead of producing and assembling multiple separate positioning components, manufacturers can produce one integrated positioning member, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the reliability needed for proper positioning of both elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The universal positioning member design allows for standardized manufacturing processes that can accommodate multiple positioning requirements within a single component. This approach improves ease of manufacture by reducing the variety of unique parts that need to be produced, while still ensuring reliable positioning through the multi-functional capabilities of the single component.

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

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 configuration allows for effective heat exchange between supply and discharge airflow while maintaining a reduced component count, improving thermal efficiency and ease of maintenance, and reducing manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

a heat exchanger placed inside the main body and that allows heat exchange between a supply airflow passing through the supply air path and a discharge airflow passing through the discharge air path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

A heat-exchange type ventilation apparatus includes a filter that covers the supply air inlet surface or the discharge air inlet surface and catches insects and dust included in the airflow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3306212B1Heat exchange-type ventilation device
Publication Date: 2020.12.30 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3306212B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3306212B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3306212B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A heat-exchange type ventilation apparatus includes: a main body (1) in which a supply air path and a discharge air path are formed; an air supplying fan placed in the supply air path; and an air discharging fan placed in the discharge air path. The heat-exchange type ventilation apparatus includes: a heat exchanger (2) having a polygonal prismatic shape, having an inlet surface (62) in which a supply airflow flows and an outlet surface (63) from which a discharge airflow flows out formed on the side surface thereof, and allowing heat exchange between the supply airflow and the discharge airflow; and a filter (6) covering the inlet surface (62). The heat-exchange type ventilation apparatus includes a positioning member (90) fixed inside the main body (1). The positioning member (90) includes a fixed plate portion (91) fixed inside the main body (1) and a standing plate portion (92) provided to stand from the fixed plate portion (91). A corner portion of the heat exchanger (2) between the inlet surface (62) and the outlet surface (63) abuts on one surface (92a) side of the standing plate portion (92). The filter (6) abuts on the other surface (92b) side of the standing plate portion (92) to be positioned.