Movable Filter Housing for Ceiling-Mounted HVAC Filter Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The replacement of air filters in ventilation systems, particularly those located in ceilings, is difficult due to the need for ladder access and the risk of injury from swinging grates and falling filters, with existing solutions failing to adequately address the interplay between the grate and filter, leading to mess and safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A movable filter housing system that can be raised and lowered using an extendable connector and control tool, allowing for safe and accessible filter replacement without ladder use, featuring a latch and brake mechanism to secure the housing in position and prevent accidental movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the air intake is located in the ceiling to save floor space and improve aesthetics, then the ventilation system efficiency is improved, but the ease of operation for filter replacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The filter housing is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be lowered to ground level for filter replacement and then raised back to the ceiling position for normal operation. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by enabling both efficient ceiling-mounted ventilation and easy ground-level maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
An extendable connector acts as an intermediary mechanism between the ceiling-mounted filter housing and the ground level. This connector enables the housing to be lowered and raised, serving as a mediator that allows filter replacement at ground level while maintaining the ceiling-mounted position during normal operation.
2Reliability
If a fixed grate is used to secure the filter housing, then the reliability of the housing position is improved, but the ease of operation for filter replacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The grate is transformed from a fixed structure to a movable one that can be pivoted between a closed position (securing the filter housing during operation) and an open position (allowing access for filter replacement). This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between position stability and maintenance accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The grate is divided into a movable portion and a fixed portion, allowing the movable portion to pivot open for access while the fixed portion remains stationary. This segmentation enables the grate to provide security during operation while allowing easy access during maintenance.
3Ease of operation
If the filter housing is lowered to ground level for filter replacement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of accidental movement and injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake mechanism applies a counteracting force to prevent the filter housing from moving accidentally during filter replacement operations. This preliminary anti-action counterbalances the weight of the housing, eliminating the safety risk while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake mechanism is designed to automatically engage when the filter housing is lowered, providing self-protection without requiring active user intervention. The brake self-activates to prevent accidental movement, making the system inherently safer while maintaining operational ease.
4Reliability
If a latch mechanism is used to secure the grate, then the reliability of the housing position is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism and brake mechanism are combined into an integrated system where the latch secures the grate position and the brake prevents housing movement. By merging these functions into a coordinated system, the patent achieves high reliability without excessive complexity, as the mechanisms work together rather than independently.
Data Source
AI summary
An air intake of an air handling or HVAC system, such as located in a ceiling of a structure, includes a movable filter housing. The filter housing comprises a grate configured to support one or more air filters at a top side thereof. The filter housing is mounted via one or more extendable connectors and includes a control tool mount. Connection of a control tool to the filter housing allows a user to pull the filter housing downwardly to a lowered position for replacing the air filter(s). The filter housing may be biased upwardly to its use position and may include a latch or lock to secure it in the use position.