Ventilated Door Frame With Thermoelectric Airflow and Noise Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing window and door frames fail to efficiently exchange air with the outside while maintaining thermal efficiency and sound insulation, often leading to humidity issues and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A frame assembly with thermoelectric devices and air pumps that create a gap between the frame and door for air exchange, using deflectors and filters to manage airflow and reduce noise, and a tortuous shape to limit sound waves, allowing for continuous air exchange without compromising thermal efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If air passage channels are provided in the frame for free air flow, then air exchange with outside is improved, but noise entry and thermal efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The air passage channel is divided into multiple segments: an outer channel for air flow and an inner tortuous channel for sound absorption. The frame is segmented into functional zones including heating/cooling zones, sound absorption zones, and filtration zones, allowing simultaneous achievement of air exchange, thermal efficiency, and noise reduction
Solution Approach 2:
The inner air passage channel is nested within the outer air passage channel, creating a multi-layered structure where the inner tortuous channel is positioned inside the outer straight channel. This nested configuration allows the outer channel to provide efficient air flow path while the inner channel provides sound absorption, resolving the contradiction between air exchange efficiency and noise reduction
2Loss of energy
If gaskets are used to block air leakage, then thermal efficiency is improved, but air exchange and humidity control deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the traditional gasket sealing system from the frame structure. Instead of using gaskets to create an hermetic seal, the frame is designed with integrated air passage channels that provide controlled air exchange paths, eliminating the need for gaskets and their associated humidity control problems
Solution Approach 2:
The air passage channel acts as an intermediary structure that mediates between the need for thermal efficiency and air exchange. Rather than using gaskets to completely block air flow, the channel provides a controlled pathway that allows air exchange while maintaining thermal performance through integrated heating/cooling and sound absorption zones
3Productivity
If forced air suction systems are added to eliminate humidity, then humidity control is improved, but energy consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure provides self-service humidity control through its integrated air passage channel that enables natural air exchange. The channel's design with heating/cooling zones, sound absorption zones, and filtration zones allows the system to regulate humidity passively without requiring external forced air suction systems
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functions are merged into the single air passage channel structure: air exchange, heating/cooling, sound absorption, and filtration. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate forced air suction systems, ducts, and other complex components, achieving humidity control while reducing system complexity and energy consumption
4Productivity
If openings are made in masonry for air passage, then air exchange is improved, but noise entry and thermal efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The air exchange function is localized to the frame structure rather than requiring openings in the masonry. The air passage channel is integrated into the frame at specific locations, allowing air exchange while the rest of the masonry structure maintains its noise insulation and thermal efficiency properties
Solution Approach 2:
The tortuous inner channel configuration converts the potential harm of direct sound transmission into a benefit by using the channel walls as sound absorbing elements. The same channel structure that provides air exchange also serves as a sound trap, converting the air passage function into a dual-purpose air exchange and noise reduction system
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 enables efficient air exchange while maintaining thermal efficiency and significantly reducing noise and humidity, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional frames by eliminating the need for gaskets and centralized ventilation systems.
Implementation Method 1
Said frame comprises one or more thermoelectric devices configured to heat/cool the air flowing in said gap between the frame and the door
Implementation Method 2
Said cavity has a tortuous shape to limit and dampen the sound waves coming from the external environment
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3B
Figure 4A~5
AI summary
Frame assembly (1) for supporting a movable door (2) comprising a frame (4) attachable to a wall (17) of an room (3), said frame (4) being provided with an opening (5) that is closed by said door (2) when said door (2) is in a closed position and that is open when said door (2) is in an open position; said frame (4) being shaped so as to overlap at least in part with said door (2) when said door (2) is in said closed position so to realize a gap (6) between the frame (4) and the door (2) enabling a flow of air from one front to another of the frame (4); wherein said frame (4) comprises one or more thermoelectric devices (7) configured to heat/cool the air flowing in said gap (6) between the frame (4) and the door (2). Fixture (20) comprising a frame assembly (1) according to present invention and a door (2).