Louvered Roof Vent Assembly for Insect and Moisture Blocking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional roof vents, such as turbine ventilators, are costly, complex, and prone to deterioration, with limited durability and inefficiency in ventilation, and they fail to adequately protect against insects and weather.
Innovation Solution
A roof vent composed of two moulded plastic components with cylindrical collars and louvered regions that fit existing exhaust stacks, creating a sinuous airflow path while inhibiting insects and moisture, and can be used as a replacement or cover for existing vents to enhance ventilation and weatherproofing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If turbine ventilators are used for roof ventilation, then ventilation function is provided, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The roof vent is divided into multiple components: a body portion with louvered regions, a top component with a top wall, and a bottom component with a bottom wall. These segmented parts are molded separately and then assembled together, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining functional complexity. The segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functions are merged into a single integrated structure. The body portion simultaneously provides structural support, weather protection through louvered regions, and insect screening. The top and bottom components are combined with the body portion to create a unified assembly that performs ventilation, protection, and structural functions without requiring separate turbine mechanisms.
2Reliability
If conventional turbine roof vents are installed, then ventilation is achieved, but durability and resistance to deterioration decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The material parameter is changed from traditional turbine materials (metal, plastic assemblies) to molded plastic for the entire structure. This material parameter change provides uniform resistance to corrosion, rot, and weathering. The molded plastic construction eliminates the deterioration issues associated with conventional turbine vents while maintaining ventilation effectiveness through the louvered region design.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If turbine vent devices are used, then air exhaust function is provided, but protection against insects and weather is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the vent structure have specialized qualities tailored to their functions. The louvered regions provide weather protection while allowing air flow, the top component with its top wall provides overhead protection, and the bottom component with its bottom wall provides base protection. Each local region is designed with specific geometric features (louver angles, wall configurations) optimized for its protective function without requiring complex overall structure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If complete replacement of turbine vent including exhaust shaft is performed, then functional upgrade is achieved, but installation cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust shaft is extracted from the replacement requirement. The roof vent is designed to interface with existing exhaust shafts of various diameters (12-inch and 14-inch) through the body portion's opening. This allows the vent assembly to be installed independently without removing or replacing the exhaust shaft, significantly reducing installation time and complexity while maintaining full functionality.
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 provides a cost-effective, efficient, and durable ventilation system that effectively prevents moisture and insect ingress, while offering a simple and aesthetically pleasing upgrade for existing installations without the need for complete replacement.
Implementation Method 1
a bottom cylindrical baffle sized and positioned relative to said top baffle to form a sinuous flow path for air passing through said vent
Implementation Method 2
The top and bottom components are secured to the exhaust stack and to one another by a friction fit
Data Source
AI summary
A roof vent is provide. The roof vent comprises a top component coupled to a bottom component. The top component has a top wall, a side wall, a first louvered region disposed between said top wall and said side wall, and a top cylindrical baffle located inwardly of said first louvered region. The bottom component has at least a first cylindrical collar sized and shaped for mounting to a cylindrical exhaust stack of a first diameter, a second louvered region, and a bottom cylindrical baffle located below and inwardly of the top cylindrical baffle. The first louvered and second louvered regions are for helping to prevent insects, and moisture, such as snow and rain, from entering the roof vent. The top component may also be used separately from the bottom component to cover over aging or aesthetically unpleasing passive pot vents.