Ventilation unit with sound trap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventilation units face challenges with noise pollution, increased network size and cost, installation complexity, maintenance difficulties, and performance degradation due to sound traps and heat exchanger configurations.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation unit design featuring a double-flow configuration with a heat exchanger downstream of both fans, utilizing blocks of sound-absorbing material strategically placed in housings to optimize noise reduction and airflow, while minimizing pressure drops and installation complexity through removable, self-supporting blocks and porous materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If sound traps are placed in the ventilation network between the ventilation unit and the room, then noise pollution is reduced, but the size of the ventilation network increases and installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sound trap function with the ventilation unit itself by integrating sound-absorbing material into the casing. This merging eliminates the need for separate sound trap components in the ventilation network, thereby reducing installation complexity while maintaining noise reduction effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation unit casing is designed to serve multiple functions: it houses the fan, provides structural support, and incorporates sound-absorbing material to reduce noise. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated sound trap components, simplifying the overall system.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sound traps are placed in the ventilation network, then noise pollution is reduced, but the size of the ventilation network increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sound trap function is merged into the ventilation unit casing itself, eliminating the need for separate sound trap components that would increase the ventilation network size. The sound-absorbing material is integrated within the existing casing volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The sound-absorbing material is nested within the ventilation unit casing, utilizing the existing internal space of the casing for sound absorption without requiring additional external space in the ventilation network.
3Temperature
If foam facing is made inside the ventilation unit, then thermal insulation is improved, but acoustic attenuation effects are not present and pressure drops occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by using sound-absorbing material with specific acoustic properties instead of conventional foam facing. This material is designed to provide both thermal insulation and acoustic attenuation, and the thickness is optimized to balance thermal performance with pressure drop minimization.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the fan is arranged upstream of the heat exchanger, then the heat exchanger can enable the sound trap function, but only one flow can be treated and heat exchange is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The sound trap function is merged into the ventilation unit casing downstream of the fan, separate from the heat exchanger. This allows the heat exchanger to treat both supply and extraction flows independently while the sound trap reduces noise from both fans, eliminating the conflict between noise reduction and heat exchange efficiency.
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
Effectively reduces noise pollution, maintains airflow performance, simplifies installation and maintenance, and optimizes sound absorption without increasing the ventilation unit's size or cost, while ensuring effective heat exchange and internal sealing.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing blocks of sound-absorbing material strategically placed in housings to optimize noise reduction
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger downstream of both fans, utilizing blocks of sound-absorbing material strategically placed in housings to optimize noise reduction and airflow, while minimizing pressure drops
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~10
AI summary
The invention relates to a ventilation unit (10) comprising a casing (12) with at least one outlet (16; 20) adapted for connection to a ventilation system, in particular to an air supply system in a room to be ventilated, at least one fan (22; 24) disposed within the casing, and at least one block of sound-absorbing material (40) disposed within the casing (12) between the fan (22; 24) and the outlet (16; 20), forming an air duct (42) connecting the fan outlet (22; 24) and the outlet (16; 20) with fluid. The cross-sectional area of the air duct (42) at the outlet (16; 20) is less than or substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of the outlet (16; 20).