Two-Stage Ventilation Flap for Constant Airflow at Low Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional self-regulating ventilation flaps fail to maintain a constant air flow rate across varying pressure differences, particularly at lower pressures, leading to energy wastage and draught issues, and require additional production steps increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring an independently operating flap that deforms at two distinct points within the air passage duct, adjusting the air passage opening based on pressure differences from 1 Pa to 25 Pa, ensuring a consistent air flow rate without the need for sensors or motors, utilizing flexible connecting parts and a protuberance to manage deformation and prevent vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible diaphragm is made sufficiently flexible to deform quickly at low pressure differences, then the air flow rate can be regulated at low pressures (1-2 Pa), but the diaphragm becomes prone to vibrations caused by wind effects and small pressure changes
Solution Approach 1:
The diaphragm is divided into multiple independent ribs (at least three ribs extending in the flow direction) instead of a uniform flexible membrane. Each rib can deform independently, providing both the flexibility needed for low-pressure operation and structural stability to resist vibrations. The ribs are connected through flexible connecting parts that allow controlled movement while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the diaphragm structure have different flexibility characteristics. The ribs themselves are relatively rigid to provide stability, while the flexible connecting parts between ribs provide the necessary compliance for low-pressure deformation. This local differentiation of mechanical properties allows the structure to achieve both quick response at low pressures and resistance to vibrations.
2Stability of the object's composition
If additional projections are added to the diaphragm to provide counterforce against vibrations, then vibration resistance improves, but production costs increase due to additional finishing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration-resistant ribs are integrated directly into the diaphragm structure itself, forming a single monolithic component. The ribs and flexible connecting parts are molded as one piece, eliminating the need for separate vibration-resistant elements or additional finishing steps. This merging of functions (structural support and vibration resistance) into the primary diaphragm component simplifies manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural parameters of the diaphragm are optimized during the molding process itself. By adjusting rib dimensions, spacing, and flexible connecting part geometry in the mold design, the desired mechanical properties (flexibility at low pressure, vibration resistance) are achieved without requiring post-production modifications or additional finishing steps.
3Reliability
If a self-regulating flap is designed to maintain constant air flow rate across a pressure range of 1-25 Pa, then regulatory requirements are met, but the device complexity increases compared to simple fixed flaps
Solution Approach 1:
The flap structure is completely passive and self-regulating. The ribs and flexible connecting parts automatically adjust the air passage opening in response to pressure differences without requiring external sensors, motors, or control systems. The structure uses the pressure difference itself as the actuating force, eliminating the need for additional active components and reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable air flow rate constancy.
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 maintains a virtually constant air flow rate across the specified pressure range, reducing energy wastage and draught, while meeting stringent regulatory requirements without increasing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
automatically adjusts the air passage opening as a function of the pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet of the air passage duct
Implementation Method 2
the flap being deformable at a first deformation point up to a maximum deformation position when the pressure difference increases
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for regulating the air flow rate in a ventilation device (1), comprising an independently operating valve (3) which is provided in an air passage duct (2) of the ventilation device (1) and which automatically adjusts the air passage opening as a function of the pressure difference between the inlet (4) and the outlet (5) of the air passage duct (2), the flap (3) is deformable at a first deformation point (7) up to a maximum deformation when the pressure difference increases, wherein, after deformation at the first deformation point (7), the flap (3) is further deformable up to a maximum deformation at a second deformation point (8).