Ventilation device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventilation devices with decentralized energy recovery are difficult to maintain and clean due to inaccessible components, as the ventilation units are often built directly into walls at poorly accessible locations.
Innovation Solution
A modular ventilation device design with separate air flow generator and regenerator modules that can be easily fitted and removed through an access opening, preventing air from being drawn in by one unit from another, and featuring an intermediate element to ensure proper assembly and prevent air mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If ventilation units are built directly into walls at inaccessible places, then the device achieves compact integration and proper air flow direction, but the components become difficult to access for maintenance and cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation device is divided into separate modular components: a housing unit and wall integration elements. This allows the main ventilation components to be accessed through removable wall panels while maintaining compact wall integration, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
Removable wall panels serve as intermediaries between the user and the ventilation components. These panels can be easily removed for maintenance access and then reinstalled to maintain the compact wall-integrated appearance, bridging the gap between accessibility requirements and integrated design.
2Volume of stationary object
If multiple ventilation units are arranged close together in the housing, then the device achieves compact size, but air blown out by one unit may be drawn in by another unit
Solution Approach 1:
The internal arrangement of ventilation units within the housing follows an asymmetric pattern that optimizes air flow paths. By strategically positioning units and designing asymmetric air channels, the system prevents short-circuiting of air flows while maintaining compact dimensions, resolving the contradiction between compact size and air flow control reliability.
3Ease of repair
If ventilation units are made modular and removable through access opening, then maintenance and cleaning become easier, but the structure requires additional access openings and assembly components
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation device is segmented into a housing and separately fittable ventilation units that can be independently removed through access openings. This modular segmentation enables easy maintenance and cleaning while the access openings are strategically positioned and minimized to reduce structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The access openings serve multiple functions: they provide access for maintenance and cleaning, and also serve as part of the overall housing structure. The fastening means are designed to be universal and easy to operate, reducing the need for complex specialized components and simplifying the overall structure.
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
Facilitates comfortable maintenance and cleaning by allowing modules to be easily brought in and out of the housing without needing to release fastening means at inaccessible places, ensuring proper air flow direction and maintaining balance between drawn-in and drawn-off air.
Implementation Method 1
In the one ventilation unit, when air is drawn off from the room, this warmer interior air which is drawn off heats the regenerator. In the other ventilation unit, the colder drawn-in exterior air extracts heat from the regenerator, so that this exterior air is heated before it finds its way into the room.
Implementation Method 2
at least one air flow generator, for generating a reversible air flow through the ventilation unit and its said regenerator
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
This invention relates to a ventilation device (1), comprising a housing (2) having at least one inlet (3) and at least one outlet (4) and at least two ventilation units (5), which latter each comprise at least one regenerator module (6), comprising a regenerator (6), and at least one air flow generator module (7), comprising an air flow generator (7), for generating a reversible air flow through the ventilation unit (5) and its said regenerator (6), wherein each ventilation unit (5) are fittable in the housing (2), joining a said inlet (3)and a said outlet (4), for the flow of air through this ventilation unit (5) and through the housing (2) via this inlet (3) and this outlet (4), and wherein, for this purpose, the air flow generator module (7) and the regenerator module (6) are fittable, via an access opening (8, 9) to the housing (2), separate from each other in this housing (2) and, in the mounted state, are arranged loose in the housing (2).