Troffer Light Fixture with Perforated Vents for Ductless HVAC

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing HVAC systems with ducted return systems face challenges in maintaining clean air due to debris and moisture accumulation, which affects aesthetics and increases costs, while newer ductless systems lack suitable lighting solutions that integrate well with HVAC air return.

Innovation Solution

Design of troffer light fixtures with perforated vents that allow air to pass through, camouflaging the air passageways and integrating with LED lighting, providing a scalable and aesthetically pleasing solution for ductless HVAC systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If ceiling grates are used as air return pathways in ductless HVAC systems, then airflow is enabled, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow functionVSAvoidaesthetic appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the air return function with a troffer light fixture, merging two separate functions (lighting and air return) into a single integrated unit. The light fixture body serves as the air return pathway while simultaneously providing illumination, eliminating the need for separate ceiling grates and improving aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The troffer light fixture is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides lighting through LED modules and simultaneously serves as an air return pathway with integrated vents. This multi-functional design allows a single fixture to replace both traditional light fixtures and ceiling grates in ductless HVAC systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Illumination intensity

If traditional light fixtures are used in ductless HVAC systems, then lighting is provided, but air return function is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting functionVSAvoidair return function

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the air return function directly into the light fixture structure by incorporating vents within the light fixture body. This merging ensures that every light fixture installed automatically provides air return capability, eliminating the need for separate air return components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If separate air return grates and light fixtures are used, then air return and lighting functions are provided, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional completenessVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces system complexity by integrating the air return function into the light fixture, eliminating the need for separate ceiling grates and reducing the total number of components required in the HVAC system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-functional troffer light fixture serves as both a lighting device and an air return component, allowing a single component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate components, thereby simplifying the overall system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10890319B2Passive air handler troffer light

Publication Date: 2021.01.12 EPIC UNIVERSAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

In one aspect, a troffer light fixture includes a troffer body shaped to reflect or disperse light from a light source that includes LEDs attached to a first side of the troffer body. The troffer body includes two or more vents that are configured to pass air from the first side of the troffer body to open space on a second side of the troffer body for a duct-less HVAC air intake.