Ridge vent for use on a roof ridge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roof vents fail to effectively allow air exchange while preventing water and contaminants from entering buildings, often compromising structural integrity and ventilation properties.
Innovation Solution
A roof ridge vent made of a continuous, elongate mat with patterned three-dimensional structures of randomly convoluted polymeric filaments, featuring different densities in various portions and cover layers to facilitate air passage while inhibiting water entry, is designed to conform to roof ridges without compromising structural integrity or ventilation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a roof vent is designed to allow air exchange, then ventilation effectiveness is improved, but water and contaminants may enter the building
Solution Approach 1:
The vent employs a porous mat made of randomly convoluted polymeric filaments that allows air to pass through while blocking water and contaminants. The porous structure provides sufficient open area for ventilation while the interconnected network of filaments creates a barrier to liquid water and particulate matter.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent uses a composite structure combining the porous polymeric filament mat with thermoplastic cover layers. This composite design integrates the air-permeable, water-blocking properties of the porous mat with the protective, structural properties of the thermoplastic covers, achieving both ventilation and contamination prevention.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a roof vent is designed to prevent water entry, then water protection is improved, but air ventilation may be restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The porous mat structure provides a controlled pathway for air while maintaining a barrier against water. The random convolution of filaments creates tortuous paths that allow gas molecules to pass easily while blocking liquid water through surface tension and capillary pressure effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent design applies different densities of polymeric filaments in different portions of the mat, with higher density in areas requiring greater water protection and lower density in areas prioritizing air flow. This local variation in material properties optimizes both ventilation and water protection.
3Strength
If a roof vent conforms to the roof ridge, then structural integrity is improved, but ventilation properties may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The vent mat is designed with flexibility to conform to the curved or angled surface of the roof ridge. The randomly convoluted filament structure allows the mat to bend and adapt to various roof geometries while maintaining its porous structure and ventilation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The thin, flexible nature of the porous mat and thermoplastic cover layers allows the vent to be installed directly on the roof ridge surface, conforming to the underlying structure. This flexibility enables the vent to maintain structural integrity with the roof while preserving air passage through its porous construction.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the vent mat density is increased to prevent water entry, then water protection is improved, but air flow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mat incorporates zones of varying filament density, with higher density regions providing enhanced water protection and lower density regions offering reduced air flow resistance. This spatial variation in material properties allows simultaneous optimization of water blocking and air ventilation.
Solution Approach 2:
The porous structure of the polymeric filaments creates a material that inherently allows gas permeation while resisting liquid penetration. The interconnected voids in the porous network facilitate air flow even at higher material densities, while the same structure blocks water through capillary pressure and surface tension.
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 vent ensures effective air exchange, prevents water and contaminants from entering the building, and maintains structural integrity by using a mat with varying densities and cover layers to manage airflow and water ingress.
Implementation Method 1
a network of randomly convoluted polymeric filaments having a first density... a throat portion between the first portion and the second portion, the throat portion having a network of randomly convoluted polymeric filaments of a second density
Data Source
AI summary
A vent having a continuous, elongate mat having an upper face and a lower face, and having a first portion and a second portion. The mat includes a plurality of columns of patterned three-dimensional structures of a network of randomly convoluted polymeric filaments having a first density, at least one of the plurality of columns of patterned three-dimensional structures being provided in the first portion, and at least one other of the plurality of columns of patterned three-dimensional structures being provided in the second portion. The mat includes a throat portion between the first portion and the second portion, the throat portion having a network of randomly convoluted polymeric filaments of a second density different than the first density, a first cover layer covering an outer edge of the first portion, and a second cover layer covering an outer edge of the second portion.