Ventilation device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventilation systems in operating rooms often experience backflow of contaminated air due to heat sources, such as lamps, which disrupts the air flow and can spread contaminants over the floor and movement areas, compromising hygiene and air quality.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation device with an air supply system mounted near the floor and air suction system positioned above, creating a bottom-to-top air flow path that is not deflected by heat sources, combined with strategically placed air supply and suction devices to maintain a clean and stratified air flow, ensuring fresh air supply and efficient removal of contaminants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air is supplied from the ceiling and extracted near the floor (top-to-bottom flow), then air circulation is achieved, but heat sources cause backflow that distributes contaminated air over the floor and movement area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional air flow direction by supplying air near the floor and extracting it from the ceiling (bottom-to-top flow), instead of the traditional top-to-bottom flow. This inversion prevents heat sources from causing backflow that would distribute contaminated air, as the air flow direction is now aligned with the natural convection current direction created by heat sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the key parameter of air flow direction from vertical downward to vertical upward, and positions air supply and extraction devices at opposite vertical levels. This parameter change ensures that the main air flow path is not deflected by heat sources, preventing backflow and contamination of the floor area.
2Reliability
If air supply device is mounted near the floor, then fresh air enters the lowest area creating bottom-to-top flow, but may cause drafts in the movement area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the air supply position from ceiling to floor level, creating a bottom-to-top air flow path. This parameter change ensures that fresh air enters the lowest area first, maintaining hygiene by preventing contaminated air from settling on the floor, while the upward flow direction minimizes drafts in the movement area.
3Ease of operation
If multiple air supply devices are positioned in corners, then air flow spreads well within the chamber, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air supply function by positioning multiple air supply devices in different corners of the chamber, with each device serving a specific zone. This segmentation ensures comprehensive air flow distribution throughout the chamber while allowing each individual device to be relatively simple in design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning of air supply devices in corners rather than symmetric distribution, which optimizes air flow patterns to spread effectively throughout the chamber while minimizing the number of devices required.
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 configuration reduces backflow and contamination, maintains a clean environment by directing fresh air to the floor area and safely removing used air, while minimizing drafts and ensuring uniform air quality and temperature around the operating area.
Implementation Method 1
the air flow is not deflected against its original flow direction when it hits a heat source. In other words, the heat sources present, for example, in an operating room, such as strongly radiating operating lamps, do not adversely affect the air flow
Implementation Method 2
These heat sources generate thermals, which causes the air flow path to run upwards, i.e. in the height direction Z
Data Source
AI summary
A device (100) for ventilating a chamber (1) with a top wall (10), side walls (11) and a floor (12), the device having an air supply device (20) and an air suction device (30) and the air supply device (20) and the air suction device (30) interact during operation of the device to form an air flow path, which enables improved air flow guidance in order to reduce the difficulties mentioned above, it is proposed that the air supply device (20) be located in an area of the chamber close to the floor (1) and an inlet opening (21) in one of the side walls (11) or the bottom (12) of the chamber (1) comprising that the air extraction device (30) is placed above the air supply device (20) or at the same height as this and that it is provided in particular that the air supply device (20) is aligned towards a work station (50) located in the chamber.