Damper of a ventilation duct

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ventilation duct dampers require additional manufacturing steps and material waste due to the need for an insulation allowance that is always made, regardless of actual insulation, leading to increased size and heat losses when not insulated, and inefficient manual adjustment in larger sizes.

Innovation Solution

A control handle with insulation allowance is installed on top of the turnable wheel, providing a snap joint and shape-locking mechanism, allowing for easy installation and adjustment, reducing material usage and enhancing thermal insulation by using plastic materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If an insulation allowance is always made in the damper structure, then thermal insulation is improved, but device complexity and material usage increase when insulation is not needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal insulationVSAvoiddamper structure

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The damper is divided into a basic structure and an optional insulation component. The insulation allowance is segmented as a separate attachable part rather than being integrated into the basic damper structure, allowing it to be added only when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The damper structure transitions from a static design with fixed insulation allowance to a dynamic configuration where the insulation component can be attached or removed based on thermal insulation requirements, optimizing the structure for different operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Temperature

If an insulation allowance is always made in the damper structure, then thermal insulation is improved, but material usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal insulationVSAvoidmaterial waste

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The insulation allowance is segmented as a separate optional component rather than being built into all dampers, allowing material to be used only when thermal insulation is actually required for specific installations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of providing insulation allowance uniformly in all dampers, the solution applies insulation locally only to dampers that require it, based on specific installation needs and thermal insulation requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Temperature

If an insulation allowance is always made in the damper structure, then thermal insulation is improved, but heat losses increase when not insulated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal insulationVSAvoidheat losses

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The damper structure allows dynamic configuration where the insulation component can be attached when thermal protection is needed and removed when not needed, preventing unnecessary heat losses in uninsulated installations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If a control handle is installed on top of the turnable wheel, then ease of operation is improved for large dampers, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual adjustmentVSAvoiddamper structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The turnable wheel serves multiple functions: it acts as the basic adjustment mechanism for small dampers and as the mounting base for the control handle in larger dampers, eliminating the need for different adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The control handle is mounted on top of the existing turnable wheel, nesting the handle mechanism within the space above the wheel rather than requiring a completely separate adjustment mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 solution allows for a single damper design with optional torque enhancement and insulation, minimizing manufacturing steps, material usage, and heat losses, while improving thermal efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the shape of the internal rim of the control handle that will be on top of the turnable wheel is essentially the same as the shape of the external rim of the turnable wheel, in which case there is tight shape-locking between the parts in the torsion direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape-locking: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 2

there is a snap joint between the control handle and the turnable wheel in the direction of the shaft of the damper plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSnap joint: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 3

when the control handle with insulation allowance is made of plastic, better thermal insulation is achieved compared to an earlier metallic solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP2246101B1Damper of a ventilation duct

Publication Date: 2017.05.03 FLKT WOODS AB

Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6

AI summary

Damper of a ventilation duct, which damper comprises a hollow duct part (1), e.g. a cylindrical pipe, a turnable plate (2) inside it for adjusting the airflow, a shaft (3) fixed to the plate, and also an adjusting means, such as a turnable wheel (5), fixed to one end of the shaft outside the duct part for turning the damper plate manually. The invention is implemented so that a control handle (7) provided with an insulation allowance can be installed on top of the turnable wheel (5).