Ring Duct Ventilation System for Retrofitting Old Buildings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ventilation systems for buildings are unsuitable for retrofitting in old structures due to high space requirements and installation costs, and are visually disturbing when laid out in living spaces.

Innovation Solution

The ventilation system employs ring ducts with parallel sub-channels, allowing for modular, space-saving design with plug-in connections, and uses T-shaped control distributor elements to divide air flow between rooms, minimizing structural effort and visual impact during installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional air distribution systems are installed in old buildings, then ventilation function is achieved, but installation effort and cost increase significantly due to wall and floor modifications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventilation functionVSAvoidinstallation effort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The air distribution system is segmented into modular components: ceiling panels with integrated air outlets, wall panels with air outlets, and floor panels with air inlets. Each panel is a self-contained module that can be independently installed and connected, eliminating the need for extensive wall and floor modifications while maintaining ventilation functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ceiling panels serve multiple functions: they act as both the structural ceiling surface and the air distribution interface. The same panel design can be applied to different locations (ceiling, wall, floor) by orienting the air outlets appropriately, providing a universal solution for various installation scenarios in old buildings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If conventional air distribution systems are used, then ventilation is provided, but the visible ductwork creates visual disturbance in living spaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventilation functionVSAvoidvisual disturbance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The air distribution function is extracted from traditional visible ductwork and integrated directly into the architectural panels themselves. The air outlets are built into the ceiling, wall, and floor panels, eliminating the need for separate visible ducts running through living spaces while maintaining full ventilation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The air distribution system merges with the architectural finish elements (ceiling panels, wall panels, floor panels). The ventilation components are combined with the decorative and structural panels, creating a unified aesthetic appearance where the ventilation system becomes part of the room's design rather than a separate visual element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If multi-layer wall or floor structures are used for concealed laying, then visual appearance is improved, but space requirements and installation complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual appearanceVSAvoidspace requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides dynamic installation flexibility by allowing panels to be installed in different orientations and configurations based on the specific building structure. Panels can be mounted on existing surfaces without requiring fixed multi-layer constructions, adapting to various ceiling heights, wall thicknesses, and floor constructions in old buildings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If conventional duct systems are installed, then air distribution is achieved, but the duct cross-section requires significant space in corners and edges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair distributionVSAvoidduct space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The air distribution system transitions from a three-dimensional duct volume running through spaces to a two-dimensional panel surface system. Air outlets are distributed across the surfaces of ceiling, wall, and floor panels, eliminating the need for large duct cross-sections in corners and edges while maintaining effective air distribution throughout the room.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 solution enables efficient fresh air distribution in old buildings with minimal space requirements and low installation costs, allowing for retrofitting and maintaining a visually unobtrusive appearance.

Implementation Method 1

Since the volume flow required for ventilation can be divided between the two parallel partial ducts of the ring duct, each of these partial ducts can be designed with a comparatively small cross section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow division:

Data Source

PatentEP2245377B1Building with a ventilation system and method for upgrading an existing building to such a building

Publication Date: 2019.05.29 PLUGGIT

Figure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a ventilation system comprising a plurality of ducts (9, 11, 13, 14,15, 16, 17) for supplying air to or extracting air from rooms (1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) of a building. At least one of the ducts here is designed as an annular duct comprising two subducts which are connected in parallel in terms of flow.