Ventilation Valve with Non-Linear Profiled Edge for Air Throw Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ventilation valves for animal or plant spaces have insufficient air throw and controllability, especially at minimal flow rates, leading to inefficient air mixing and temperature regulation in intensive farming environments.

Innovation Solution

A ventilation valve with a profiled edge on the circumferential framework providing a non-linear relation between passage opening and panel movement, featuring aerodynamically shaped edges and partitions, ensuring a consistent exit angle of approximately 20° for improved air distribution, and a separate top-piece for enhanced control and directionality of air current.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If conventional linear opening valves are used, then the valve structure is simple, but the air throw is insufficient at minimal flow rates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair throwVSAvoidvalve structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by providing a profiled edge with a non-linear edge contour on the circumferential framework. This curved/non-linear geometry shapes the air current flow path, directing it at approximately 20 degrees to the wall and maintaining coherent structure, thereby achieving sufficient air throw even at minimal opening positions without complicating the overall valve structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of operation

If conventional ventilation valves are used, then the valve is easy to manufacture, but the controllability of air flow is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecontrollabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing a specifically shaped profiled edge with non-linear contour only at the critical opening region of the circumferential framework. This localized geometric feature enables precise control over air flow characteristics in the minimum opening range while keeping the rest of the valve structure simple and easy to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Use of energy by moving object

If minimal air intake is used, then energy consumption is reduced, but air mixing becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidair mixing
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The non-linear edge contour of the profiled edge creates a focused, directed air current with approximately 20 degree angle to the wall. This curved flow path maintains air current coherence and enhances mixing capability even at minimal air intake volumes, allowing energy reduction while preserving effective air composition stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 enhances air throw and distribution, allowing for reduced air intake while maintaining effective air mixing, enabling all valves to remain operational and improving climate control in animal or plant spaces, even at low refreshment demands.

Implementation Method 1

the exit angle of the air when the opening of the ventilation valve is smallest (about 1% or less) is defined by a tunnel or jet inlet to be 20° or thereabout. Until approximately 50% opening is reached, the exit angle of the air remains 20°.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAerodynamic flow shaping: Jet

Implementation Method 2

conventional valves for admitting ventilating air, such as outside air, have insufficient throw in the minimum range

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3142480B1Ventilation valve for ventilation of a space for animals or plants
Publication Date: 2019.09.25 FANCOM
  • EP3142480B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3142480B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3142480B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A ventilation valve (1; 101) for ventilation of a space for keeping animals or plants includes an opening-defining circumferential framework (3; 103) for mounting in a wall of that space, and a movable panel (5; 105). The panel (5; 105) is movably attached to the circumferential framework (3; 103) to allow it to be moved relative thereto between a fully closed position, in which substantially no ventilating air can pass between the circumferential framework and the panel, and a fully open position in which substantially the complete opening is available for passage of ventilating air. Provided on the circumferential framework (3; 103) is a profiled edge which in a range between the fully closed position and a predetermined partly opened position provides a non-linear relation between a passage opening for the ventilating air and an associated relative movement position, or opening position, of the panel (5; 105) relative to the circumferential framework (3; 103). Also provided is a ventilation system for ventilating a space for keeping animals or plants, having at least a single specimen of the ventilation valve and having means for carrying out the method steps of periodically determining parameters of inside air present in the space, and adjusting the opening position of the ventilation valve on the basis of the determined parameters of the inside air.