Variable-flow air vent with closing element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventilation systems face issues with pressure measurement orifices that can be lost or inadvertently left open, leading to parasitic airflow and noise, and the inability to ensure proper flow rate adjustment due to the cap being hidden and potentially misplaced.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation outlet with a fixedly attached plugging element that moves between rest and measuring positions, blocking the pressure measuring orifice in operation and ensuring the cap cannot be detached, combined with a foolproof mechanism to prevent accidental reattachment during operation, allowing for accurate flow rate determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the pressure measuring orifice is positioned behind a cover face that conceals the pressure measuring device, then the ventilation outlet appearance is improved and the device is protected, but the user cannot visually verify the operational state and the cap may be lost or left in wrong position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color changes to indicate the operational state of the ventilation outlet. The cover face includes a visual indicator that changes color or appearance based on whether the closure device is in open or closed position, allowing users to verify the operational state without seeing the mechanical components behind the cover.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary visual indicator system that mediates between the concealed mechanical components and the user. This indicator translates the internal operational state into visible information without requiring the user to see or access the actual closure device or pressure measuring orifice.
2Reliability
If the pressure measuring orifice is removably closed by a plug, then the orifice can be sealed to prevent parasitic airflow, but the plug may be lost or inadvertently left at the control module blocking the closure device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the plug function with the cover face by integrating the sealing mechanism into the cover itself. The cover face includes a sealing element that automatically seals the pressure measuring orifice when the cover is installed, eliminating the need for a separate removable plug and preventing loss or misplacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-sealing through the cover face integration. When the cover is installed on the ventilation outlet, the sealing element automatically engages and seals the pressure measuring orifice without requiring separate user action to install a plug, making the sealing function self-executing.
3Measurement precision
If the cap is positioned at the control module to block the closure device during pressure measurement, then the flow rate can be determined, but the ventilation outlet becomes blocked in closed position without visible indication to the user
Solution Approach 1:
The visual indicator on the cover face changes appearance based on the position of the closure device, providing visible feedback to users about whether the outlet is in open or closed position, even when the plug is positioned at the control module during measurement.
4Measurement precision
If the pressure measuring orifice is left open, then pressure can be measured, but parasitic airflow occurs causing increased ventilation flow rate and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element in the cover face acts as an intermediary that controls airflow through the pressure measuring orifice. It allows the system to transition between sealed and open states, preventing parasitic airflow when sealed while enabling pressure measurement when open.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A variable flow ventilation outlet (1) comprising a closure device (3) configured to modify a passage section (2) of an air flow, a cover face (5) configured to be fixed to the ventilation outlet (1), and a pressure measuring device (7) comprising a pressure measuring orifice (74) and a plugging element (71) movable between a rest position in which the plugging element (71) blocks the pressure measuring orifice (74) and a measuring position in which the plugging element (71) blocks the closure device (3) in a determined position, the plugging element (71) being fixed integrally to the ventilation outlet (1) and comprising a foolproof element (72) preventing the cover face (5) from being fixed to the ventilation outlet (1) when the plugging element (71) is in the measuring position.