Rotatable Air Supply Device Internal Part for Flexible Duct Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air supply devices require knowledge of the duct system order before installation, limiting their adaptability to different building configurations.

Innovation Solution

The air supply device features a modular design with interchangeable internal parts and a rotating mechanism, allowing the exhaust and supply air channels to be connected without prior knowledge of the duct system order, along with a heat transfer unit and elastic material construction for improved flexibility and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the air supply device is designed with fixed duct connection order, then the device structure is simple, but the adaptability to different building configurations is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different duct systemsVSAvoiddevice structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The internal part is designed to be rotatable within the frame, allowing the exhaust air channel and supply air channel to change their spatial orientation dynamically. This enables the device to adapt to different duct configurations (exhaust above/below supply) without requiring multiple fixed designs, thus improving adaptability while maintaining a single unified structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The single internal part serves multiple functions by being rotatable: it can connect to both exhaust-above-supply and exhaust-below-supply duct configurations. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate devices for different building types, achieving universality without significantly increasing structural complexity.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If the internal part is made rotatable to change duct connection order, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection flexibility to duct systemsVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into distinct components: a fixed frame and a rotatable internal part. This segmentation allows the internal part to be independently rotated to match different duct configurations, providing connection flexibility while keeping the overall structure manageable and not overly complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rotatable internal part introduces dynamic adjustability to the otherwise static device. This single degree of freedom (rotation) provides the necessary adaptability for different building configurations without requiring complex multi-axis mechanisms or multiple interchangeable components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If elastic material is used for frame and internal part, then the flexibility and ease of assembly improve, but the structural strength may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidstructural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The frame and internal part are made from elastic foam material that provides sufficient flexibility for easy assembly and disassembly while maintaining adequate structural strength through the material's inherent properties and the overall structural design. The elasticity allows components to be compressed during assembly and then expand to their original shape, facilitating ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The use of elastic foam material combines structural support function with flexibility and ease of assembly. The material's composite nature provides both the necessary strength to maintain device integrity and the elasticity required for simple assembly operations, resolving the trade-off between strength and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

Enables flexible connection to various duct systems, enhances thermal energy transfer, and reduces installation complexity while maintaining lightweight and efficient air flow management.

Implementation Method 1

the air supply device comprises at least one heat exchanger arranged inside the exhaust air channel or the supply air channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

the frame and the internal part are made of the same elastic material as the body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3450873B1Air supply device
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 ENERVENT ZEHNDER OY
  • EP3450873B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3450873B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3450873B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An air supply device (1) for extracting exhaust air from a room and leading fresh supply air into the room comprising a casing (2) and a body, made of elastic material, arranged inside the casing (2). The body is divided in at least an upper part (3) and a lower part (4) which are arranged on top of each other. The upper part (3) comprises an internal part (9) and a frame (10), wherein the internal part (9) is arranged inside the frame (10). The internal part (9) is arranged to be installed inside the frame (10) in a first position or in a second position, wherein in the second position the internal part (9) has been rotated 180° in horizontal plane compared to the first position.