Solar-Heated Window Shutter Ventilation With Hollow Slats
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern, highly insulated buildings require improved ventilation systems to manage air exchange and heating, as they are tight and lack natural air leaks, necessitating efficient solutions for air circulation and heating without relying on separate ventilation systems or active cooling.
Innovation Solution
A window shutter unit for external mounting on buildings, featuring hollow slats with integrated air flow passages that draw in fresh air, heat it using sun energy, and optionally include recirculation and heat exchange mechanisms, solar cells for energy production, and adjustable slats for optimal heating and light control, allowing for independent operation without external power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional ventilation system is installed in highly insulated buildings, then ventilation function is provided, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ventilation function with the window shutter unit by integrating hollow slats that form air flow passages directly within the shutter structure. The shutter frame members are also hollow and form part of the common flow passage, merging ventilation functionality with the existing architectural element rather than adding a separate system.
Solution Approach 2:
The window shutter unit performs multiple functions: it provides traditional shutter functions (shade, privacy) while simultaneously serving as a ventilation system. The hollow slats and frame members create air passages that enable fresh air intake and circulation, allowing the same structure to fulfill both aesthetic/privacy roles and ventilation roles.
2Temperature
If separate heating systems are used to warm ventilation air, then heating function is provided, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts sunlight, which would otherwise be mere illumination, into a useful heating source for the ventilation air. The hollow slats and frame members are positioned to receive solar radiation, which heats the air passing through them, transforming ambient light energy into thermal energy for heating the fresh air without additional energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation system heats itself using solar energy captured by the hollow slats and frame members. The structure designed for aesthetic and privacy purposes simultaneously serves as a solar collector that passively heats the ventilation air, eliminating the need for separate active heating systems.
3Productivity
If hollow slats with integrated air flow passages are used, then ventilation efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation system is divided into multiple hollow slats, each with its own air flow passage, allowing independent manufacturing of individual slats that can then be assembled into the complete shutter unit. This segmentation enables standardized production of simple components rather than manufacturing one complex integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow slats serve dual purposes: they maintain the traditional aesthetic appearance of solid shutter slats while simultaneously functioning as air flow passages for ventilation. This multi-functionality is achieved through the hollow internal structure that mimics the external form, allowing the same component to fulfill both aesthetic and functional roles without requiring additional elements.
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 solution provides efficient ventilation and heating, reduces the need for separate ventilation systems, and minimizes energy consumption by utilizing solar energy and passive heating, while maintaining a traditional architectural appearance.
Implementation Method 1
the inlet air is heated by the sun energy. Within the slats the fresh air is close to the inner surface of the slat and heat is thus effectively transferred from the slat wall material to the air to heat the same
Implementation Method 2
heat is thus effectively transferred from the slat wall material to the air to heat the same
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4a~4d
AI summary
A window shutter unit (1) is for external mounting on a building. The window shutter unit comprises a plurality of hollow slats (2) mounted in a shutter frame. An air outlet opening (20) delivers ventilation air to a room in the building. A fresh air inlet system comprises air inlet openings (10) in the hollow slats (2), and a first air flow passage (8) from the individual slat to a common flow passage (9) leading to the air outlet opening (20). The shutter unit further comprises flow and temperature control devices, a heat exchange device and solar cell devices for producing electrical energy to drive electric fan motors in the window shutter.