Ventilator unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ventilator units in the food industry and livestock breeding face limitations in increasing air throw due to minimal safety distances and efficiency constraints imposed by ecodesign directives, which restrict the use of special outlet guide wheels and result in reduced air distribution uniformity.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a second outlet guide apparatus arranged in the flow path of the air, comprising additional outlet guide vanes that can be integrated into the protective screen, allowing for adjustable throw configurations and easy retrofitting of existing units, while maintaining safety compliance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If outlet guide wheels are used to increase throw, then air stream direction is improved, but device complexity increases and adaptability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair throwVSAvoidcompatibility with different protective screens

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet guide function is segmented into two separate apparatus: a first outlet guide apparatus integrated into the ventilator housing and a second outlet guide apparatus integrated into the protective screen. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and enables the second apparatus to be adapted to different protective screen designs without affecting the ventilator unit itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second outlet guide apparatus is designed as a universal component that can be integrated into various protective screen designs. By placing the outlet guide vanes on the protective screen rather than requiring a specific outlet guide wheel in the ventilator, the solution becomes adaptable to different protective screen configurations and ventilator models.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If protection against contact is positioned close to ventilator, then safety distance is minimized, but throw is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against contactVSAvoidair throw

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The solution moves the outlet guide function from the ventilator housing interior to the protective screen, effectively utilizing the space between the ventilator and protective screen. This dimensional shift allows the air stream to travel further axially before being guided, increasing throw without compromising the safety distance required for protection against contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If special outlet guide wheels are used to meet ecodesign directive, then efficiency is improved, but throw cannot be significantly increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventilator efficiencyVSAvoidair throw

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet guide function is divided into two separate apparatus: a first outlet guide apparatus integrated into the ventilator housing and a second outlet guide apparatus integrated into the protective screen. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for both efficiency and throw characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

By placing the second outlet guide apparatus on the protective screen, the solution extends the axial distance over which the air stream can be guided. This additional space enables significantly increased throw while the first outlet guide apparatus maintains efficiency by properly directing the air stream from the ventilator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 solution significantly increases the air throw of ventilator units, enhances air distribution uniformity, and meets ecodesign directive requirements, providing flexible and cost-effective adaptations for various applications.

Implementation Method 1

By means of such an outlet guide wheel, the swirl can be reduced and the air stream can thus be directed axially

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSwirl reduction:

Implementation Method 2

the additional outlet guide vanes are positioned in flow direction so that the air stream becomes substantially directed axially. This contributes to a long throw

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAxial flow direction:

Data Source

PatentUS11067309B2Ventilator unit

Publication Date: 2021.07.20 ZIEHL ABEGG AG

AI summary

A ventilator unit has a ventilator housing and at least one ventilator accommodated in the ventilator housing. A first outlet guide apparatus is associated with the ventilator and is arranged in the ventilator housing, wherein the first outlet guide apparatus has first outlet guide vanes distributed circumferentially. A second outlet guide apparatus is correlated with the first outlet guide apparatus and arranged in a flow path of an air stream sucked in by the ventilator. The second outlet guide apparatus is connected to a protective screen. The second outlet guide apparatus has second outlet guide vanes. The second outlet guide apparatus increases the throw of the ventilator unit.