HVAC Air Inlet Casing with Segmented Circuits for Low Counter-Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Air inlet boxes for heating ventilation and/or air conditioning systems face significant pressure drops due to filtration means and duct constraints, leading to increased energy consumption and larger motorized fan units.

Innovation Solution

The air inlet box design includes a first circuit for fresh and recycled air supply and a second circuit with an additional recycled air inlet that minimizes pressure drops by introducing recycled air into the system with lower counter-pressure, optimizing energy usage by reducing the energy required to drive the air flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If filtration means are installed in the air inlet box to treat air quality, then air purification is improved, but pressure drop increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair qualityVSAvoidpressure drop

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The air inlet box is divided into multiple independent circuits (first circuit for fresh air with filtration, second circuit for recycled air without filtration, third circuit for additional recycled air). This segmentation allows filtration to be applied only where necessary (fresh air path) while keeping other paths low-resistance, thereby maintaining air quality while minimizing overall pressure drop.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the air inlet box is designed with multiple circuits and selection flaps to operate in various configurations, then system adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperating configurationsVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple circuits are designed to serve multiple functions: the first circuit handles fresh air intake and filtration, the second circuit handles recycled air, and the third circuit provides additional recycled air supplementation. Selection flaps enable these circuits to be combined in various configurations (fresh air only, recycled air only, mixed mode) to adapt to different operating conditions such as defrosting, rapid heating, or temperature maintenance, thereby achieving multi-functionality without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If motor-fan units with double suction are used to drive air, then air circulation capability is improved, but energy consumption increases due to pressure drops

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair circulationVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The third circuit acts as an intermediary pathway that introduces additional recycled air into the first circuit downstream of the filtration means. This supplementation of air flow through a low-resistance path compensates for the pressure drop caused by filtration, maintaining adequate air circulation capability while reducing the energy burden on motor-fan units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Use of energy by moving object

If the air inlet box introduces additional recycled air flow into the first circuit, then energy consumption is reduced, but pressure drop management becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidpressure drop management

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The third circuit is strategically positioned to introduce additional recycled air into a specific location in the first circuit (downstream of filtration means). This localized air supplementation targets the region where pressure drop is most significant, providing energy efficiency benefits without requiring complex system-wide pressure management. The local intervention simplifies overall pressure drop management while achieving energy reduction goals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 design reduces energy consumption and minimizes the size of motorized fan units by minimizing pressure drops, allowing for more efficient operation across various system configurations.

Implementation Method 1

said first circuit being configured such that a pressure drop is created there upstream of the supply of the additional recycled air flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure drop: Pressure Drop

Data Source

PatentEP3077232B1Air inlet casing for a heating, ventilation and/or air-conditioning system with low counter-pressure

Publication Date: 2019.02.20 VALEO SYST THERMIQUES SAS

Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5

AI summary

The invention concerns an air inlet casing of which the output is intended for supplying a heating, ventilation and/or air-conditioning system, including a first circuit, intended for supplying fresh and/or recycled air to at least one air-driving device, and a second circuit intended for supplying recycled air to said system, said casing further comprising a means (16, 17) making it possible to supply a flow of recycled air in addition to that of the second circuit, communicating with the first circuit, said first circuit being configured such that a pressure drop is created therein upstream from the supply of the additional recycled air flow.