Modular Ventilator Housing with Segmented Flow Channel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ventilator housings have high production costs and are not modular, limiting their versatility and compatibility with other components.

Innovation Solution

The ventilator housing features a flow channel with a cylinder section and a truncated cone section, equipped with struts for mounting an electric motor and fastening means for connecting a wall ring, external diffuser, and protective grille, allowing for customizable configurations with different wall rings and diffusers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the housing, wall ring and external diffuser are formed as a single sheet metal part, then structural integration is achieved, but production costs increase and adaptability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidproduction costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into separate modular components: the basic housing unit, wall ring, and external diffuser can be produced independently and then assembled together. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using optimal processes for that specific part, reducing overall production costs while enabling different combinations for various applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The basic housing unit is designed as a universal base component with standardized connection interfaces that can accommodate different wall rings and external diffusers. This multi-functionality allows the same housing to serve multiple applications by simply changing the attached components, thereby reducing the need for multiple specialized parts and lowering production costs.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If the housing is designed as a single integrated part, then structural stability is improved, but the ability to combine with other components is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombining capabilityVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into a basic unit with standardized connection elements that maintain structural stability through proper joint design while enabling combination with other components. The connection elements are integrated into the basic housing in a way that preserves structural integrity when assembled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The basic housing combines the essential structural elements and flow channel in a single integrated unit, while providing standardized interfaces for attaching wall rings and external diffusers. This merging approach maintains the structural stability of the core housing while enabling flexibility in combining with additional components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If custom housing designs are created for each application, then application-specific optimization is achieved, but device complexity and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication versatilityVSAvoidhousing variants
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single universal basic housing design serves multiple applications by providing standardized connection interfaces for different wall rings and external diffusers. This eliminates the need for multiple custom housing variants, reducing device complexity while maintaining application versatility.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The universal housing incorporates localized connection elements and mounting sections at specific positions to accommodate different applications. By optimizing only the necessary local areas for connection while keeping the overall housing design standardized, the solution achieves application-specific adaptability without requiring complete redesigns for each use case.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2904274B1Housing for a ventilator or fan
Publication Date: 2020.10.07 EBM PAPST MULFINGEN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2904274B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2904274B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2904274B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a housing for a ventilator (1) or fan, in particular an axial ventilator, comprising an annular housing wall (2) which encloses a flow channel (3) having an inflow opening (4) and an outflow opening (6). The flow channel (3) has a circular cross-section in a plane which is perpendicular to a center longitudinal axis (X-X) and a motor mount (7) for an electrical motor (8) of the ventilator (1) within the flow channel (3). The flow channel (3) has a first cylinder section (9), connected to the inflow opening (4), and a second truncated cone section (11), connected thereto by the small truncated cone surface, which expands toward the outflow opening (6). The mount (7) consists of a plurality of stays (12), fastened by one end to the second truncated cone section (11), which extend from an inner circumferential surface of the truncated cone section (11) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (X-X) and have, on the other, internal ends, mount sections for the electrical motor (8). According to the invention, there are fastening means (24, 26) of the housing wall (2) in the region of the inflow opening (4) for connection to a connection part, in particular a wall ring (49a, b, c, d) and having fastening means (28) in the edge region of the outflow opening (6) thereof for a protective grate (23) and/or fastening means (29, 31) for fastening an outside diffusor (37) to the housing wall (2) in the region of the outflow opening (6).