Ventilation device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ventilation devices require complex and costly mechanisms to control closure elements based on humidity, lacking simplicity and reliability in automatic ventilation.

Innovation Solution

A ventilation device with an automatic actuating unit comprising a spring element and a moisture-sensitive element, connected via an elastic band, allowing the closure element to open or close based on humidity changes, with a lever mechanism and optional locking element for optimized operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complex mechanism is used to control the closure element, then the ventilation device can achieve reliable automatic ventilation control, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliable automatic ventilation controlVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The moisture-sensitive element automatically detects humidity changes and triggers the spring element to actuate the closure element without external control systems, making the system self-regulating and eliminating complex control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex electronic or mechanical control systems with a direct mechanical coupling between the moisture-sensitive element and the spring element, using material property changes rather than complex mechanical linkages

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If a simple structure is used for the actuating unit, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of automatic ventilation control may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuating unit structureVSAvoidautomatic ventilation control
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating unit combines a moisture-sensitive element (changing physical properties with humidity) with a spring element (providing mechanical force), creating a composite system where material property changes directly drive mechanical actuation reliably

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The moisture-sensitive element changes its length in response to humidity parameter changes, which directly actuates the spring element and closure element, providing reliable automatic control through physical parameter changes rather than complex control logic

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Volume of moving object

If the moisture-sensitive element and spring element are arranged parallel to the pivot axis, then the space requirement is minimized, but the actuation force transmission may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace requirementVSAvoidactuation force transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic band introduces a third dimension for force transmission by routing forces through a non-linear path that connects the actuating unit to the closure element, allowing compact parallel arrangement while maintaining effective force transmission through spatial redistribution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 reliable and automatic ventilation control with a simple structure, minimizing space requirements and maximizing ventilation effect while maintaining closure or opening depending on humidity levels.

Implementation Method 1

a moisture-sensitive element 20 which is held stretched by the prestressed spring element 18 and which responds to the humidity in the room to be ventilated and whose length changes as a function of the humidity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMoisture sensitivity:

Implementation Method 2

a spring element 18...the corresponding activation of the closure element takes place extremely reliably and automatically

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

The elastic band is preferably designed and arranged in such a way that it can absorb and transmit both tensile and compressive forces in the longitudinal direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2924362B1Ventilation device
Publication Date: 2019.12.04 MACO TECHNOLOGIE GMBH
  • EP2924362B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2924362B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2924362B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A ventilation device defines a ventilation duct opening into a room to be ventilated and comprises a closure element which is arranged in the ventilation duct and which can be moved between an open position and a closed position depending on the humidity in the room to be ventilated. The closure element can be actuated via an automatic actuating unit, which comprises a spring element and a moisture-sensitive element, which is held stretched by the prestressed spring element. The closure element can be acted upon with increasing humidity by correspondingly increasing relaxation of the spring element due to the increasing length of the moisture-sensitive element in the opening direction and with decreasing humidity due to the moisture-sensitive element contracting again against the spring force in the closing direction.