Non-Powered Ventilator with Vortex-Based Backdraft Prevention

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional non-powered ventilators face challenges in efficiently discharging polluted indoor air while preventing rainwater inflow and backdraft, especially when the uppermost layer lacks a cap-shaped structure to block rainwater and when installed horizontally.

Innovation Solution

The ventilator incorporates a backdraft prevention member with a hemispherical curved plate and adjustable gap formation between its components, creating a vortex formation area to block vertical inflow air and ensure smooth horizontal airflow discharge, using a multi-layer assembly of discharging and finishing cap parts with opened central passages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a cap-shaped structure is used to block rainwater inflow, then rainwater prevention is improved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverainwater inflow preventionVSAvoidventilator structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the rainwater blocking function from the traditional cap-shaped structure and implements it through the specific geometric arrangement of the conical surface and horizontal surface in the ventilator body. The conical surface with predetermined inclination angle and the horizontally extended surface work together to deflect rainwater away from the passage without requiring a separate cap structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The ventilator body is designed to perform multiple functions: the conical surface not only guides airflow but also blocks rainwater; the horizontal surface serves both as a structural element and a rainwater deflection surface. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cap structures while maintaining rainwater prevention capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a cap-shaped structure is used to block rainwater inflow, then rainwater prevention is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverainwater inflow preventionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the rainwater blocking function from the traditional cap-shaped structure and implements it through the specific geometric arrangement of the conical surface and horizontal surface in the ventilator body. The conical surface with predetermined inclination angle and the horizontally extended surface work together to deflect rainwater away from the passage without requiring a separate cap structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The ventilator body is designed to perform multiple functions: the conical surface not only guides airflow but also blocks rainwater; the horizontal surface serves both as a structural element and a rainwater deflection surface. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cap structures while maintaining rainwater prevention capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If the uppermost layer lacks a cap-shaped structure, then device complexity is reduced, but rainwater may enter the exhaust duct

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventilator structure complexityVSAvoidrainwater inflow

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the rainwater blocking function from the traditional cap-shaped structure and implements it through the specific geometric arrangement of the conical surface and horizontal surface in the ventilator body. The conical surface with predetermined inclination angle and the horizontally extended surface work together to deflect rainwater away from the passage without requiring a separate cap structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The conical surface is designed with a predetermined inclination angle that proactively deflects rainwater away from the passage before it can enter. The horizontal surface extended from the conical surface's lower end further prevents rainwater from following the airflow into the exhaust duct, creating preliminary protection against rainwater infiltration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

4Productivity

If vertical inflow airflow is allowed to enter, then outside air intake is improved, but backdraft occurs and pollutes indoor air

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair intake efficiencyVSAvoidbackdraft

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies different flow control characteristics to different regions of the ventilator. The conical surface with its specific inclination angle is designed to allow horizontal airflow to pass through while creating conditions that prevent vertical backdraft. The local geometric properties of the conical surface and horizontal surface work together to differentiate between desirable horizontal airflow and harmful vertical backflow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of trying to prevent all vertical airflow, the invention inverts the approach by designing the conical surface geometry to naturally guide horizontal airflow while making vertical backflow mechanically difficult. The inclination angle and horizontal extension create a flow path that favors horizontal movement and resists vertical reversal through geometric constraints rather than active prevention mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 design enhances the discharge efficiency of indoor air, prevents rainwater inflow, and reduces backdraft, while allowing for modular and cost-effective manufacturing, ensuring effective airflow management even under strong winds.

Implementation Method 1

a backdraft prevention member (20) provided with a hemispherical curved plate body (21) having a middle part thereof protruding in a circular shape

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVortex: Vortex Ring

Implementation Method 2

polluted indoor air (also referred to as indoor airflow) is drawn upward by a side-pass airflow according to Bernoulli's principle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBernoulli's principle: Bernoulli Effect

Implementation Method 3

polluted indoor air (also referred to as indoor airflow) is drawn upward by a side-pass airflow according to Bernoulli's principle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSide-pass airflow: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11473793B2Non-powered vent

Publication Date: 2022.10.18 PARK TAI UP

AI summary

A non-powered ventilator that prevents backdraft by forming a vortex forming area by internal and external airflows so as to smoothly exhaust indoor airflow to outside is proposed. The non-powered ventilator includes: a fixing member provided with a fixing flange part; a finishing cap part provided with a finishing cone part, an opening part, and a finishing flange part forming fastening holes; a discharging cap part respectively provided with a discharging cone part, a bent edge part, a discharging flange part, and fastening holes; a backdraft prevention member provided with a hemispherical curved plate body, at least three support legs, and opening parts, and a first bent part as well as a circular groove; and fastening members fastened and assembled by bolts and nuts through the fastening holes of the discharging cap part, the backdraft prevention member, and the fixing member.