Hollow Core Door Airflow Structure for Pressure Equalization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hollow core doors contribute to 'Sick Building Syndrome' due to formaldehyde emissions and lack effective solutions for preventing air pressure buildup in closed rooms, which interferes with air circulation in forced air systems.

Innovation Solution

The development of hollow core doors with integrated absorbent materials that absorb and decompose formaldehyde gases and other noxious substances, combined with air pressure equalization features through strategically designed openings for airflow between rooms and return air spaces, ensuring non-linear air flow to prevent pressure buildup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If hollow core doors are made with cheaper materials like hardboard and MDF to reduce manufacturing cost, then manufacturing cost decreases, but harmful formaldehyde emissions increase contributing to Sick Building Syndrome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidformaldehyde emissions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates absorbent materials within the hollow core door structure that actively capture and neutralize formaldehyde emissions from the door's own materials. This converts the harmful emissions problem into a beneficial air purification function, where the door both uses and removes formaldehyde from the indoor environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes porous absorbent materials placed within the hollow core cavity to capture formaldehyde gases. These porous materials provide large surface area for adsorption while maintaining the hollow core's structural integrity and cost-effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Ease of operation

If hollow core doors are designed to prevent air pressure buildup in closed rooms by adding airflow openings, then air circulation improves, but privacy and soundproofing deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair circulationVSAvoidprivacy and soundproofing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent strategically positions airflow openings in specific locations within the hollow core structure, such as in the stiles or rails away from the door's center, to enable pressure equalization while minimizing impact on privacy and sound insulation at the door's main surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent moves the airflow function from the door's face (2D surface) to the hollow core cavity (3D internal space), allowing air to flow through the internal cavity rather than through the door's visible surface, thus maintaining privacy while enabling circulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If absorbent materials are added to hollow core doors to remove noxious gases, then indoor air quality improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindoor air qualityVSAvoiddoor structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the air purification function with the existing hollow core door structure by placing absorbent materials within the already-present hollow cavity. This combines multiple functions (structural support, air circulation, and pollutant removal) into a single integrated door assembly without adding external components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The absorbent materials are designed to passively capture formaldehyde and other noxious gases from the air flowing through the hollow core, requiring no external power source, control systems, or maintenance beyond normal door operation. The door purifies air automatically as air naturally circulates through its hollow interior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

The solution effectively reduces formaldehyde and VOC levels in indoor air, improving indoor air quality and preventing air pressure buildup, thus enhancing both air circulation and occupant comfort while maintaining privacy and soundproofing.

Implementation Method 1

The present invention includes absorbent material which absorbs and decomposes formaldehyde gases and other noxious materials and removes them from within the hollow core door and from air passing through the hollow core of a door

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a core having openings through which air passes between a room and a return air area for equalizing the pressure in the room and in the return air area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure equalization: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS9745793B1Hollow core door with internal air flow

Publication Date: 2017.08.29 CRITTENDEN JERRY G

AI summary

Hollow core door apparatus for preventing the build up of pressure in a room having a register through which air flows into the room and the door includes an inside door skin and an outer door skin, and the door skins includes openings through which air flows into and out of the room and which openings have substantially the same area to provide for a non-linear flow of air through the door to prevent the build up of pressure in the room. An embodiment combining a noxious gas absorbent material with the pressure build up prevention capability is also illustrated.