Ventilation Window Condensation Drainage System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ventilation windows face challenges in efficiently and effectively removing condensation water, which can lead to moisture and mould issues due to its accumulation on the window and building structures.

Innovation Solution

A ventilation window design featuring a heat exchanger integrated inside the frame with an outlet duct system that guides condensation water downwards through gravity and air flow, connected to an exterior outlet tube, and optionally a trace heating cable for maintaining operational functionality during winter, allowing for connection to existing water removal systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If condensation water is removed through the frame or sash structure, then the ventilation device can function, but moisture and mould problems occur on the building structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventilation device functionalityVSAvoidmoisture and mould on building structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the condensation water removal function from the building structure (frame/sash) and creates a separate, dedicated drainage system. The outlet duct is positioned to discharge condensation water directly to the exterior, separating the water removal path from the building envelope to prevent moisture and mould accumulation on structural surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary drainage system consisting of the outlet duct and drain connection that mediates between the heat exchanger condensation source and the exterior environment. This intermediary structure channels condensation water away from the building structure, preventing direct contact with frame and sash surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Duration of action of moving object

If the heat exchanger is placed on the outside of the frame, then heat exchange efficiency improves, but condensation water removal becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat exchange efficiencyVSAvoidcondensation water removal system
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the heat exchanger with the ventilation device housing, placing it inside the frame rather than outside. This integration allows the condensation water drainage system to be incorporated within the existing ventilation device structure, simplifying the overall system while maintaining heat exchange functionality through the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the outlet tube extends to the exterior, then condensation water is directed away from the building, but installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecondensation water on building surfaceVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the outlet duct to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the exhaust air pathway and the condensation water drainage channel. This multi-functionality allows a single structural element to handle both air flow and water removal, simplifying installation while effectively directing condensation water away from the building exterior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Simplifies condensation water removal, reduces the risk of freezing and breakages, minimizes moisture and mould issues, and achieves high temperature efficiency up to 90% when using a counter-flow heat exchanger, while directing water away from the building surface.

Implementation Method 1

a ventilation device (50) equipped with a heat exchanger (62), installed inside the frame (2) on the vertical side of the ventilation window (1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

When the heat exchanger is a counter flow heat exchanger, it is possible to achieve a temperature efficiency of as high as 90%

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCounter-flow heat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 3

condensation water travels all the time downwards by gravitation and with an air flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 4

When the arrangement of the ventilation window for keeping water melted comprises a trace heating cable, it is possible to keep the condensation water that is formed in the ventilation device melted and the ventilation machine operational also during winter time

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTrace heating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3191672B1Ventilation window and method for leading condensation water of ventilation device of a ventilation window to the exterior
Publication Date: 2018.10.10 SKAALA IFN OY
  • EP3191672B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3191672B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3191672B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The objective of the invention is to simplify the removal of the condensation water of a ventilation device integrated into a ventilation window. The ventilation window (1), which comprises a ventilation device (50) equipped with a heat exchanger (62) installed inside a frame (2) on the vertical side of the ventilation window (1) an outlet duct (77) which is located after the duct (62B) of the heat exchanger (62) in the ventilation device (50) and which is in the ventilation device (50) in a drain connection to the exterior (U), which outlet duct (77) comprises a guide (75) such as a trough, inclined guide surfaces and/or a funnel, arranged to guide condensation water from the mouth of the duct (62B) of the heat exchanger (62), an outlet tube (55) installed to the guide (75), and an arrangement (80, 85) for keeping water melted, where the outlet duct (77) runs over the entire distance between the heat exchanger (62) and the mouth (55B) of the outlet tube (55) inside the ventilation device (50) and furthermore so that condensation water travels all the time downwards by gravitation and with an air flow.