Controlled mechanical ventilation installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional controlled mechanical ventilation systems experience excessive power consumption and noise due to continuous operation and the need for choke hatches or mouths to regulate air flow, which are inefficient and costly to install.

Innovation Solution

A controlled mechanical ventilation system with independently controllable suction elements, each sized for specific rooms, that adjust speed based on parameters like humidity and smoke presence, eliminating the need for choke hatches and allowing optimal power usage by activating only what is necessary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a single fan is used in conventional CMV units with choke hatches to regulate air flow, then the system can extract air from multiple rooms, but the fan must operate at excessively high pressure causing high power consumption and noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair flow regulationVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The single fan is divided into multiple independent suction elements (fans), each responsible for a specific room or duct. This segmentation allows each fan to operate at optimal pressure levels rather than one fan compensating for all choke restrictions, significantly reducing overall power consumption while maintaining regulation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic control where each suction element can be independently activated or deactivated based on real-time conditions (humidity, smoke, occupancy sensors). This dynamic operation eliminates the need for continuous high-pressure operation, reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective air flow regulation when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If choke hatches are installed in ducts to regulate air passage, then ventilation needs of different rooms can be controlled, but excessive pressure builds up causing noise and wasteful power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventilation controlVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the ventilation system into multiple independent suction elements, each fan handles a specific duct without requiring severe choking. The segmentation distributes the pressure load, eliminating the noise problem caused by forced air through restricted passages while maintaining individual room ventilation control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each suction element serves its corresponding duct independently, automatically adjusting its operation based on local conditions (sensor feedback). This self-service approach eliminates the need for aggressive choke regulation, reducing noise while maintaining adaptability to different ventilation requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the CMV unit runs continuously to maintain ventilation, then air renewal is ensured, but power consumption increases unnecessarily when no ventilation is needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair renewalVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static continuous operation to dynamic on-demand operation. Each suction element is equipped with sensors (humidity, smoke, occupancy) that trigger activation only when ventilation is actually needed, ensuring reliable air renewal while eliminating unnecessary power consumption during periods when air quality is acceptable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of continuous operation, the suction elements operate periodically based on sensor-triggered events. This periodic activation maintains air renewal reliability by responding to actual ventilation needs while dramatically reducing average power consumption compared to continuous running.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

4Use of energy by moving object

If multiple independent suction elements are installed, then power consumption is optimized by activating only when needed, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple suction elements are merged into a single integrated CMV unit housing with shared control electronics and sensor systems. This merging approach reduces overall system complexity compared to completely separate units while maintaining the energy optimization benefits of independent operation. The shared components (control board, power supply, housing) simplify installation and maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution reduces power consumption and installation costs while maintaining efficient air renewal, as suction elements operate only when needed, minimizing noise and improving system efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

there being arranged in relation to each of said air inlet nozzles (4) a respective suction element (6)... by means of which said suction elements (6) air of the rooms of application of the ventilation is suctioned to the CMV unit (1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP2811234B1Controlled mechanical ventilation installation
Publication Date: 2019.05.01 SOLER & PALAU RESEARCH SLU
  • EP2811234B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2811234B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2811234B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a controlled mechanical ventilation installation, comprising a CMV unit (1) for controlled mechanical ventilation, provided with an air outlet nozzle (2) and several air inlet nozzles (4) intended for being connected to ducts communicating with respective rooms to be ventilated, wherein in relation to each air inlet nozzle (4) there is arranged an individual suction element (6) for extracting air from the corresponding rooms to be ventilated.