Interlocking Louvre Units for Faster Ventilator Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing louvre systems for ventilators face challenges such as complex and time-consuming assembly processes, high labor costs, and limited length dimensions due to unsupported intermediate sections, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

The louvre system is designed with each unit as a single profile, featuring a free end with connecting means and counter connecting means on the opposite side, allowing units to be interconnected and mounted directly to support members with click mechanisms and pretensioned connections for easy assembly and enhanced strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If louvre units are mounted separately to support members using multiple slots and holders, then the mounting can be achieved, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming and labor costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly processVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple separate louvre units are merged into a single integrated louvre assembly that can be mounted as one unit. The assembly includes multiple louvres connected to common supports, with mounting parts integrated at the ends, eliminating the need to separately mount individual louvres and holders.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The louvre units are pre-assembled into complete assemblies before installation. The mounting parts are pre-positioned at the ends of the assembly, and the relative positions of all components are predetermined, allowing for rapid installation without time-consuming on-site assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If louvres are supported only at opposite ends, then the structure is simple, but the length dimension is limited and intermediate sections are unsupported

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport structureVSAvoidlouvre length
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is segmented into multiple sections: end supports at the opposite ends and intermediate supports positioned along the length. This segmentation allows the louvres to span greater distances while maintaining structural integrity, with each support section independently configured.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate parts are used for louvre system assembly, then the system can be configured flexibly, but the number of components increases and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem configurationVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated louvre assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the louvres for ventilation control, the supports for structural integrity, and the mounting parts for installation. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components while maintaining configuration flexibility.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2063196B1Louvre system, and method for manufacturing a louvre unit for such system
Publication Date: 2016.07.27 DUCO PROJECTS
  • EP2063196B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2063196B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2063196B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A louvre system for a ventilator comprises a series of parallel louvre units each with at least one louvre and at least one support which is permanently fixed to, or integral with, a louvre. The louvres are at a distance from each other and enclose ventilation gaps; support members are provided by means of which the louvre units are supported. The louvre units each have at least one mounting part and the support members have support parts. Each mounting part of a louvre unit is mounted onto a support part of the support members. The invention is also related to a method for manufacturing a louvre unit for the louvre system.