Telescopic vent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exhaust vents in home and commercial construction often have irregularly sized holes in walls, leading to gaps that are difficult to seal effectively, which can result in air and water infiltration and damage during the construction process.
Innovation Solution
A telescopic vent system with a sleeve and a slidingly receivable tube that creates an adjustable length duct, allowing for precise fitting and sealing, along with a hood that restricts air movement, and a method of installation that involves anchoring the flange to the wall and adjusting the telescoping portion after veneer installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a non-adjustable vent with fixed duct and hood is used, then the installation process is simple, but the vent cannot adapt to irregularly sized holes and excessive clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The vent structure incorporates a telescoping mechanism that allows the duct length to be dynamically adjusted. The duct includes a first section and a second section that can slide relative to each other, enabling the vent to adapt to various hole sizes and clearances while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The duct is divided into multiple separable sections (first duct section and second duct section) that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows each section to be positioned to achieve the desired total length, providing adaptability to different installation conditions without requiring a completely complex redesign of the entire vent system.
2Reliability
If insulating foam is used to seal the gap between the vent and wall, then the gap can be filled, but the vent may be damaged or knocked out of position during veneer installation
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping duct is configured to provide excessive length that can be adjusted after the vent is initially installed and sealed with foam. This preliminary configuration allows the vent to be secured in place first, then fine-tuned later to achieve precise alignment and sealing, preventing damage during subsequent construction activities like veneer installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The duct length parameter can be changed after initial installation by sliding the second duct section relative to the first section. This allows the vent to be adjusted to the optimal position after the foam has set, ensuring both stability and proper sealing without requiring the vent to withstand construction disturbances during the adjustment process.
3Manufacturing precision
If the hole is made precisely, then the gap is reduced, but it still difficult to fully seal the resultant gap between the wall and duct
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping duct allows for dynamic adjustment of the duct length and position after installation. Even when the hole is precisely sized, the adjustable nature of the duct enables fine-tuning to achieve complete sealing by eliminating gaps between the duct and the wall opening, making the sealing process easier despite precise hole requirements.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a telescoping vent with adjustable duct length is used, then the vent can adapt to various hole sizes and provide precise fitting, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping mechanism is divided into two main duct sections that slide relative to each other, creating a relatively simple telescoping arrangement. This segmented design provides adjustability for different hole sizes while keeping the mechanical complexity manageable through the use of straightforward sliding interfaces between sections.
Data Source
AI summary
A vent includes a sleeve with a flange. The flange is nearer to one end of the sleeve than another. A tube is receivable in the first end of the sleeve and fits the tube fits the sleeve in a way that creates an effectively continuous duct. A vent hood is connected to the tube so the tube and sleeve create a vent with a telescopically adjustable length.