Multi-Direction Air Outlet Ventilation to Reduce Cold Draught

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ventilation systems fail to effectively prevent cold draughts and maintain temperature gradients in spaces, as they only cool air without addressing the influx of warm air, leading to discomfort and inefficient air mixing.

Innovation Solution

A ventilation method and device that recirculates room air through heating and cooling circuits, allowing for temperature exchange and controlled output air distribution to minimize cold draughts and enhance ventilation efficiency, using parallel batteries for flexible temperature regulation and air flow management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If room air is cooled by a cooling wall element, then cooling effect is achieved, but cold draught occurs as cooled air moves downwards at high velocity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling effectVSAvoidcold draught
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the air outlet into multiple directions using directing means, distributing the cooled air flow across different zones rather than allowing it to concentrate and move rapidly in a single downward direction, thereby reducing the cold draught effect while maintaining cooling efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The directing means creates different local air flow qualities by directing air towards wall surfaces and distributing it in multiple directions, ensuring that cooled air is delivered gently to specific zones rather than creating high-velocity cold drafts in occupied areas

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If cooling is provided without warm air inflow, then cooling efficiency is improved, but temperature gradients increase and comfort deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidtemperature gradients
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The device merges the cooling function with air circulation and distribution functions in a single integrated system. The battery cools air while the directing means simultaneously distributes it throughout the space in multiple directions, ensuring both cooling efficiency and uniform temperature distribution without creating excessive temperature gradients

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional ventilation systems are used, then simple cooling is achieved, but ventilation effectiveness is insufficient and cold draughts occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidventilation effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs multiple functions within a single unit: the battery provides cooling, the induction effect draws in room air for circulation, and the directing means distributes air in multiple directions. This multi-functional design improves ventilation effectiveness without requiring separate complex systems, maintaining ease of manufacture while enhancing performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-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 effectively reduces cold draughts and improves ventilation by ensuring balanced temperature distribution, preventing the sensation of blowing and optimizing air mixing, while being cost-effective compared to traditional systems.

Implementation Method 1

temperature exchange with a heating circuit disposed in the battery

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature exchange through heating circuit: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

temperature exchange with a cooling circuit disposed in the battery

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature exchange through cooling circuit: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 3

Room air is drawn up through the battery and into the device by induction effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInduction effect: Induction Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2268977B1Method and device for ventilation of a space
Publication Date: 2023.11.15 LINDAB
  • EP2268977B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2268977B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP2268977B1 patent drawingFigure 2d~2e

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and a device (1) for ventilation of a space (A) containing room air, which device (1) is supplied with intake air (6) at lower temperature than the temperature of the room air, is supplied with recirculating room air (7) and causes output air (8) to flow out into the space (A) in at least one first output air direction (9a) and at least one second output air direction (9b). The output air (8) is a mixture of intake air (6) and recirculating room air (7). In the first output air direction (9a), output air (8) flows at a temperature which is higher than the temperature of the room air towards to a cooling surface (D), e.g. a window, in the space (A). In the second output air direction (9b), output air (8) flows at a temperature which is lower than or equal to the temperature of the room air towards at least one wall surface (E; F; G). In an upper zone (13), output air (8) accumulates and is cooled in order thereafter to follow the surface (D) towards the floor (C), whereby so- called cold draught in the space (A) is reduced while at the same time ventilation effect in the space (A) is optimised.