Humidity-Responsive Extraction Vent Membrane for Airflow Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas extraction vents fail to efficiently regulate air flow rates based on both pressure difference and humidity levels, leading to energy wastage and sensitivity to fouling, particularly in variable occupancy scenarios like bathrooms.
Innovation Solution
A gas extraction vent with a membrane that combines adjustable curvature and elasticity, utilizing a bimetallic effect from layers of hydrophobic and moisture-sensitive materials, allowing flow rate adjustment according to humidity and pressure differences, while being robust and resistant to pollutants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple elastic membrane is used for flow regulation, then the device is simple to manufacture, but it cannot account for both pressure difference and humidity variations simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a hydrophobic support film with a hygroscopic sensitive film to create a membrane that responds to both pressure difference and humidity. The support film provides mechanical strength and pressure response, while the sensitive film absorbs moisture and expands in response to humidity, enabling dual-parameter regulation without complex mechanical structures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters of the membrane by using materials with different hygroscopic properties. The sensitive film's expansion coefficient changes with humidity absorption, causing the membrane to bend or change permeability in response to humidity levels while maintaining pressure-responsive regulation capability
2Adaptability or versatility
If a hair hygrometer-based device is used for humidity regulation, then humidity control is achieved, but the device is sensitive to fouling by fatty particles and has complex mechanical drive mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wire or braid of traditional hair hygrometers with a flexible thin film membrane that directly responds to humidity through moisture absorption. This film-based approach eliminates the mechanical components that are prone to fouling by fatty particles while maintaining humidity-responsive flow regulation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical drive mechanism of traditional hygrometers with a passive physicochemical response mechanism. Instead of using a mechanical wire that expands and drives shutters, the hygroscopic film directly modulates flow through its own expansion and bending in response to humidity, eliminating complex mechanical transmissions that are sensitive to fouling
3Adaptability or versatility
If a stretched wire limits membrane movement in extraction vents, then temperature and humidity regulation is possible, but the position of the membrane is exclusively dictated by vacuum until abutment occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the stretched wire limitation mechanism from the system. Instead of using a wire to physically limit membrane movement, the patent allows the membrane itself to naturally respond to both pressure difference and humidity variations without mechanical constraints, enabling continuous and proportional flow regulation across the full range of operating conditions
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 enables continuous and efficient regulation of air flow rates based on humidity and pressure, reducing energy consumption and minimizing fouling, thus providing effective ventilation while maintaining air quality and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a bimetallic effect from layers of hydrophobic and moisture-sensitive materials
Implementation Method 2
layers of hydrophobic and moisture-sensitive materials
Implementation Method 3
an elastic, flexible and self-supporting membrane... allowing the passage of a gas flow... the membrane bends and partially closes the openings so as to regulate the flow rate
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The mouth (1) has a flexible, self-supporting and elastic membrane (6) with a wing (7) fixed to a crosspiece of a case (2). The wing overhangingly extends relative to orifices (5) of the case in a rest position in absence of an extraction gas flow (F) to bend and partially seal the orifices. The membrane has curvature and/or elasticity variable based on moisture to oppose inflection of the membrane under effect of the flow so that flow rate of the flow traversing the mouth is simultaneously variable based on moisture of the flow and a difference in pressure on both sides of a partition (3). The membrane has a support film made of a hydrophobic material and assembled with a hygrosensible film that is made of hygrosensible material e.g. poly hexamethylene adipamide. The hydrophobic material is chosen from metal, PVC and polyethylene terephthalate. An independent claim is also included for a method for manufacturing a gas extraction mouth to be mounted in an opening of a partition.