Smart Vent Cover With Nested Cylinders for Graduated Airflow Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air conditioning and ventilation systems lack graduated control over airflow, making it difficult to maintain a desired temperature in residential rooms, especially where duct/vent covers are inaccessible.

Innovation Solution

A smart vent/air duct cover system featuring a nested three-cylinder device or a flexible layer with rotating shafts and air supply holes, which can be manually or motor-driven to adjust airflow, allowing for precise control of airflow into the room.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If duct/vent covers are placed in overhead ceilings or on floors to save space, then space utilization is improved, but accessibility for manual adjustment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidaccessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical operation system with an automated motor-driven system. The motor can be controlled remotely via wireless communication or pre-programmed timers, eliminating the need for physical access to the duct/vent covers located in hard-to-reach areas such as overhead ceilings or floors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a motor as an intermediary device between the control system and the duct/vent covers. This motor acts as a mediator that can be controlled remotely through wireless signals or timing mechanisms, allowing operation of the covers without direct physical access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If fixed grill covers are used in duct openings, then installation simplicity is improved, but airflow control capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidairflow control capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static fixed grill cover into a dynamic adjustable structure. The nested cylinders can slide relative to each other to change the opening area, and the motor provides automated adjustment capability, allowing the system to adapt airflow according to different conditions while maintaining simple installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a nested cylinder structure where multiple cylinders are positioned concentrically within each other. This nested design allows for compact construction that maintains simplicity while enabling graduated airflow control through the sliding mechanism of the nested components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Measurement precision

If graduated airflow control is added to duct covers, then temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The nested cylinder structure provides graduated airflow control through multiple sliding levels, enabling precise temperature control. The concentric arrangement of cylinders allows for incremental adjustment of opening areas, achieving fine control without requiring an overly complex mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic sliding mechanism of the nested cylinders, driven by the motor, enables precise control of airflow levels. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to achieve accurate temperature control while maintaining relatively simple device architecture through automated operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12287115B1Smart vent/duct cover for controlling and cooling temperatures individual rooms
Publication Date: 2025.04.29 KING FAISAL UNIV
  • US12287115B1 patent drawing
  • US12287115B1 patent drawing
  • US12287115B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A smart air duct/vent cover plate for air conditioning and ventilation can be implemented either as a nested three-cylinder device which or as a cover frame with a flexible layer perforated with through holes. Either device provides selectivity in terms of the amount of airflow provided to an interior ambient air space. The functionality of both devices can be controlled by a wireless handheld remote control.