Roof window system with a ventilation assembly with improved flow path and method of operating the ventilation assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roof window systems face limitations in ventilation performance, particularly in larger windows, which often require more powerful ventilators, increasing costs, power demand, and noise, and struggle with temperature regulation due to heat exchangers shifting indoor temperatures to inconvenient times.

Innovation Solution

The roof window system improves ventilation by dividing the flow path at the transition to the ventilation device using a splitter to create paired flow channel sections, and includes a by-pass function for the heat exchanger that automatically adjusts based on indoor and outdoor temperature differences to maintain comfortable conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the ventilation assembly is scaled-up in larger windows, then ventilation performance is improved, but costs, power demand and noise increase due to requiring more powerful ventilators

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventilation performanceVSAvoidpower demand
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The flow path at the transition to the ventilation device is divided by a splitter into multiple transition flow channel sections. This segmentation allows the airflow to be distributed across multiple smaller channels, improving ventilation performance without requiring a single large, powerful ventilator, thus avoiding increased power demand and noise

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the flow path width is increased to improve ventilation performance, then more air can be moved, but the ventilator becomes more powerful and generates more noise and requires more power

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventilation performanceVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a single wide flow path that would require a large, noisy ventilator, the invention segments the flow path into multiple narrower transition flow channel sections using a splitter. This allows equivalent or improved ventilation performance while using smaller, quieter ventilators

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The splitter introduces a new dimensional element (the dividing structure) in the flow path, transforming a single wide channel into multiple narrower channels. This dimensional change enables better airflow distribution without increasing ventilator size or noise

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Temperature

If a heat exchange device in the form of a regenerator is used, then temperature regulation is improved, but indoor temperatures are shifted to inconvenient times

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature regulationVSAvoidtiming of temperature regulation
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the operation of the regenerator based on outdoor temperature conditions. When outdoor temperature is favorable, the regenerator operates to provide heat exchange. When outdoor temperature is unfavorable, the system bypasses the regenerator, allowing direct ventilation. This dynamic operation ensures temperature regulation occurs at convenient times rather than being shifted to inconvenient times

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 enhances ventilation performance and temperature control, allowing efficient airflow and temperature regulation in larger windows without increasing costs or noise, while maintaining comfortable indoor conditions through a cost-friendly and power-saving approach.

Implementation Method 1

The ventilation units comprise a ventilator and a heat exchange device in the form of a regenerator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

mechanical ventilation may be desirable

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical ventilation: Fan

Data Source

PatentEP3348736B1Roof window system with a ventilation assembly with improved flow path and method of operating the ventilation assembly
Publication Date: 2019.08.14 VKR HOLDING AS
  • EP3348736B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3348736B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3348736B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A roof window system has a roof window (1) having at least one frame (2, 3) defining a frame plane and including a pane (4), the roof window (1) further comprising a ventilation device (40) adapted for providing ventilation of a building in which the roof window is mounted, and a ventilation assembly (100) comprising a housing (150) accommodating at least one ventilation unit (110, 120) including at least one ventilator (131, 132; 133, 134) and at least one regenerator (171, 172), and a set of flow channel sections (1502, 1504, 1508; 1503, 1507). The ventilation assembly is connected to an aperture for air intake and exhaust, and to the ventilation device (40) of the roof window (1). In this way, a predefined flow path via the set of flow channel sections. Near the transition to the ventilation device of the roof window, the flow path in the housing (150) is divided by a splitter (1521; 1522) to form a pair of transition flow channel sections (1507, 1509; 1508, 1510) with a respective width dimension (d1, d2) and in connection with one respective adjacent flow channel section (1503; 1504) with a predefined width dimension (d0).