Overhead Diffused Ambient Air Ventilation for Passenger Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional forced air ventilation devices in mass transit vehicles, such as aircraft, cause passenger discomfort due to narrow air jets that can dry the eyes and nose, and are aesthetically unappealing for modern executive cabins.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of personal overhead air ventilation devices with concavely curved diffuser portions that disperse air flow into two paths, creating a diffused ambient air zone for passengers, allowing electronic control of air flow intensity and coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional gasper devices are used to provide air ventilation, then air flow is delivered to passengers, but the narrow jet of air causes discomfort and dryness during prolonged use
Solution Approach 1:
The air outlet is divided into multiple segments including a central outlet and peripheral outlets arranged in a circular pattern. This segmentation distributes the air flow across multiple directions rather than concentrating it in a single narrow jet, thereby reducing the harmful dryness effect on the passenger's face while maintaining effective ventilation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the air outlet have different characteristics - the central outlet provides focused cooling while the peripheral outlets provide diffuse ambient air distribution. This local differentiation allows the system to simultaneously achieve targeted cooling and comfortable ambient air distribution, eliminating the discomfort caused by uniform narrow jets.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional gasper devices are used, then ventilation function is provided, but the devices are not aesthetically pleasing in modern executive transport cabins
Solution Approach 1:
The air outlet is designed with a circular arrangement of peripheral outlets around a central outlet, creating a symmetric and aesthetically pleasing appearance suitable for modern executive transport cabins. This circular geometry maintains the ventilation function while significantly improving the aesthetic appearance compared to conventional linear or asymmetric gasper designs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If electronically controlled outlets are implemented, then air flow intensity and coverage are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air outlet system incorporates electronically controlled adjustable outlets that can dynamically change their opening degree and air flow characteristics. This dynamic control allows the system to adapt to different passenger needs and environmental conditions, providing versatile air flow intensity and coverage control while using relatively simple electronic actuation mechanisms.
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
Provides a comfortable, personalized ambient air environment that reduces discomfort and enhances aesthetic appeal by diffusing air flow, suitable for long-term use.
Implementation Method 1
a concavely curved profiled edge frame that causes the air to lose velocity and gain dispersion in the flow area thereby creating a kind of 'mist' close to the passenger's face
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Overhead passenger comfort modules are provided with a module segment having a support frame member which includes a perimetrical trim frame member, and a ventilation system supported by the support frame member. The ventilation system includes a supply conduit adapted to being fluid-connected to a supply of ventilation air, and first and second branch conduits fluid-connected at one end to the supply conduit and terminating in elongate first and second ventilation openings at first and second edge regions of the support frame member. First and second concavely curved edge diffuser portions are provided which are adjacently positioned to and spaced from the first and second ventilation openings respectively. Ventilation air discharged from the first and second ventilation openings will therefore impinge on the concavely curved first and second edge diffuser portions so as create a diffused volume of air which envelops substantially a passenger seated therebelow and establish a personal ambient air zone for the passenger.