Air distributor unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air distributor units in ventilation systems lack flexibility during installation, are often heavy due to metal construction, and have complex, cumbersome manufacturing processes for polymeric materials, leading to installation challenges and reduced fluid tightness.

Innovation Solution

A polymeric tubular air distributor unit with larger end openings than the inner cross-sectional area, featuring a single-piece design, injection-molded construction, and modular connections via flanges and form-locking mechanisms for rapid assembly and increased fluid tightness, along with adjustable supporting legs and feet for improved installation flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If metal material is used for air distributor units, then stability is improved, but weight increases making installation difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidweight
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses polymeric material instead of metal to create a composite solution that maintains structural stability while significantly reducing weight. The polymeric base body provides sufficient mechanical strength for ventilation applications without the heaviness of metal construction, enabling easier installation while preserving functional stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the material parameter from metal to polymeric material, which fundamentally alters the weight-to-stability ratio. This parameter change allows the air distributor unit to achieve adequate stability for ventilation purposes while dramatically reducing weight for easier handling and installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If polymeric material is used for air distributor units, then weight is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to difficult geometries and fluid tightness requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the air distributor unit into modular segments with standardized connection elements. This segmentation allows complex geometries to be broken down into manageable injection-molded parts, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining the weight and ease of manufacture advantages of polymeric materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention incorporates pre-integrated connection elements and sealing features directly into the injection-molded polymeric parts. This preliminary integration of connecting and sealing functions eliminates the need for separate assembly steps, reducing manufacturing complexity despite the complex geometries required for fluid tightness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If fixed lengths and predetermined connectors are used in air distributor assemblies, then manufacturing is simplified, but installation flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidinstallation flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs modular air distributor units with standardized connection interfaces that can be segmented and reconfigured during installation. This segmentation maintains manufacturing simplicity through standardized parts while providing installation flexibility by allowing the system to be adapted to varying building requirements and spatial configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention designs connection elements with universal compatibility across different unit configurations. The standardized connectors can accommodate various lengths and arrangements, providing multi-functionality that enables both simplified manufacturing through standardization and flexible installation to meet diverse building requirements.

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

4Weight of stationary object

If conventional polymeric air distributor units are manufactured, then weight is reduced, but fluid tightness is compromised due to complex geometries and connection requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveweightVSAvoidfluid tightness
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the sealing function directly into the connection elements of the polymeric air distributor units. By integrating sealing features into the molded connection parts, the design maintains fluid tightness reliability while preserving the weight advantages of polymeric materials, avoiding the need for separate sealing components that would add complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention incorporates pre-formed sealing surfaces and gasket integration directly into the injection-molded polymeric parts during manufacturing. This preliminary incorporation of sealing features ensures fluid tightness is built into the structure itself, maintaining reliability while avoiding post-assembly sealing operations that would compromise the weight and ease of manufacture benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4092348B1Air distributor unit
Publication Date: 2024.11.20 ZEHNDER GROUP INTERNATIONAL AG
  • EP4092348B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4092348B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4092348B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Disclosed herein is an air distributor unit (1) comprising a tubular base body (2) having an outer side wall (21) encompassing an inner space (22), the tubular base body (2) being made from a polymeric material and extending in a longitudinal direction of the air distributor unit between a first end (23) and a second end (24), and comprising at the first end a first opening (25) and at the second end a second opening (26); wherein the cross-sectional open area of the first opening (25) and the cross-sectional open area of the second opening (26) are each larger than the inner cross-sectional area of the outer side wall (21) of the tubular base-body (2) between the first end (23) and the second end (24) of the tubular base body.