Temperature-control body assembly for controlling the temperature of a space

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional temperature control systems for rooms do not allow for the discreet heating or drying of towels or clothing, as the heating elements are typically visible and obstructive to the space's aesthetic and functionality.

Innovation Solution

A temperature control body arrangement featuring a movable elongated member or extension that can be positioned to stow an object invisibly when not in use, forming a convection channel for efficient heating and drying, while being easily accessible for retrieval.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a towel holder or bracket is attached to the temperature control body or adjacent structure, then towels or clothing can be heated or dried, but the heating or drying function becomes visible and obstructive to the room's aesthetic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetowel heating capabilityVSAvoidaesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving means incorporates a movable elongated member that can transition between a retracted position (where it is invisible when the temperature control body is mounted on the wall) and an extended position (where it protrudes to allow towel placement). This dynamic configuration enables the system to maintain aesthetic appearance when not in use while providing functional capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Shape

If the receiving means is designed to be invisible when stowed, then aesthetic appearance is maintained, but accessibility for towel placement may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidtowel placement accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The elongated member is designed to be movable between retracted and extended positions, allowing users to easily access and place towels when needed while maintaining a sleek, invisible appearance when the system is stowed. The mobility ensures that accessibility is not compromised by the aesthetic design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the elongated member extends horizontally in the intermediate space, then natural convection current formation is optimized for heating and drying, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating and drying efficiencyVSAvoidreceiving means structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving means is segmented into a base member (attached to the temperature control body) and a movable elongated member. This segmentation allows the elongated member to be positioned optimally for convection current formation while keeping the base member simple and easily attachable to the temperature control body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elongated member extends horizontally into the intermediate space between the temperature control body and the wall, utilizing the third dimension (depth) to optimize convection current formation. This spatial arrangement enhances heating and drying efficiency without significantly increasing overall structural complexity.

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

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 the discreet heating and drying of towels or clothing by utilizing natural convection, maintaining the room's aesthetic while ensuring easy access and efficient heat transfer.

Implementation Method 1

at least one temperature control body (10) through which an energy-transporting medium can flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a convection channel forms between the temperature control body and the boundary wall during heating operation, through which the air heated in the space can flow upwards past the object to be heated and/or dried

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNatural convection: Free Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3931496B1Temperature-control body assembly for controlling the temperature of a space
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 ZEHNDER GROUP INTERNATIONAL AG
  • EP3931496B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3931496B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3931496B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a temperature-control body assembly (1) for controlling the temperature of a space. The assembly (1) has: a temperature-control body (10), through which an energy-transporting medium can flow and which has a feed line and a discharge line for the energy-transporting medium; a fastening means for fastening the temperature-control body (10) to, for example, a wall or to an additional temperature-control body (20); a holding means (30) for holding and positioning a towel or an article of clothing on a first large surface (11) of the temperature-control body (10) in order to heat and/or dry said towel or article of clothing when the temperature-control body (10) is in heating operation; and an elongate element (32), which extends along the first large surface (11) and can be moved along the first large surface relative to the temperature-control body (10) between a retracted first position (P1) and an extended second position (P2).