Ventilation Damper with Pivot-Axis Transmitter for Easy Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ventilation devices for air conditioning systems face challenges in assembly and cleaning due to complex tubing arrangements and hygiene risks from hoses, with transmitters often being difficult to replace and mount directly on the damper blade.

Innovation Solution

The ventilation device design allows the transmitter to be attached to the end of the pivot axis in a rotationally fixed manner, with accessible housing openings for easy connection and disconnection, enabling quick assembly and cleaning, and incorporates a compact controller unit for improved functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the transmitter is mounted directly on the damper blade, then the structure is compact, but replacing the transmitter becomes almost impossible and cleaning work becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecompactnessVSAvoidreplaceability of transmitter
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The transmitter is separated from the damper blade and mounted on a separate adapter that attaches to the pivot axis. This segmentation allows the transmitter to be easily removed by detaching the adapter, while maintaining compact integration when assembled. The adapter acts as an intermediate component that enables both compact mounting and easy replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If tubing is used to connect the hollow chamber to the transmitter, then pressure measurement is enabled, but cleaning work becomes more complex and hoses pose hygiene risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure measurement capabilityVSAvoidhygiene risks from hoses
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure measurement function is extracted from a distributed tubing system and concentrated at the pivot axis location where the adapter is mounted. The adapter integrates the pressure line connections directly at the measurement point, eliminating the need for separate hoses running through the housing. This removes the hygiene hazard of free-laying hoses while maintaining pressure measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter combines multiple functions: it mounts the transmitter, provides pressure line connections from the hollow chamber, and integrates these elements into a single compact unit. By merging the transmitter mounting and pressure line routing into one component, the system eliminates separate tubing and reduces hygiene risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of moving object

If the transmitter is arranged at the end of the pivot axis, then compactness is achieved and pressure recording is simplified, but the transmitter needs to be easily separable for cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecompactnessVSAvoidease of separation for cleaning
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the adapter and pivot axis is designed to be dynamically changeable - easily attachable and detachable. The adapter can be quickly mounted to and removed from the pivot axis without tools or complex operations. This dynamic connection enables the transmitter to remain compact during operation while being easily separable for cleaning and maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

This design enhances the compactness and ease of maintenance by allowing tool-free attachment and detachment of the transmitter, ensuring easy pressure measurement and reducing hygiene risks while maintaining accurate control and pressure recording.

Implementation Method 1

The transmitter can, for example, have an integrated piezoresistive pressure sensor, such as a monosilicon layer as a measuring element. When pressure is applied, the monosilicone layer is deflected and generates a voltage signal.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoresistive pressure sensor effect: Piezoresistive Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3531037B1Ventilation device for use in an air conditioning system
Publication Date: 2021.11.24 TROX GMBH
  • EP3531037B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3531037B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3531037B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an air handling device for use in an air conditioning system with a housing (1) having a preferably round or square flow cross-section, with a flap blade (3) pivotably mounted about a pivot axis (2) and having two flap surfaces, and with a device with at least one measuring point (4, 5) for determining the pressure of a gaseous medium M flowing in the housing (1), wherein the flap blade (3) has at least one sampling point (8), preferably arranged on at least one flap surface, which is connected to a measuring point (4 or 5).To specify an air handling device that is designed to be simpler, for example for easier assembly and cleaning, either at least one end of the pivot axis (2) should be accessible from outside the housing (1) through a housing opening (10) located in the housing (1) and in line with the pivot axis (2), wherein at least one measuring point (4, 5), preferably each measuring point (4, 5), is connected to a transmitter (11) arranged at the end of the pivot axis (2) accessible from outside the housing (1), or at least one end of the pivot axis (2) should project outwards from the housing (1) through a housing opening (10) located in the housing (1), wherein at least one measuring point (4, 5), preferably each measuring point (4, 5), is connected to a transmitter (11) arranged at the end of the pivot axis (2) projecting outwards from the housing (1).