Wall Feedthrough Unit with Segmented Assembly for Airflow and Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wall feedthrough units for building technology devices, such as heat pumps and ventilation systems, face challenges in prefabricated houses due to unnecessary cross-sectional blockage during airflow, complex installation processes, and high water penetration risks, especially when adjusting for varying wall thicknesses and ensuring airtight seals.
Innovation Solution
A three-part wall bushing unit design featuring a cuboid EPS plastic foam wall duct element, a holding frame with integrated fastening points, and an external stainless steel or aluminum grille, allowing for adjustable assembly and enhanced sealing, including a small animal protection grille and additional sealing strips, to facilitate easy installation and prevent water ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional wall penetration unit is used to adapt to varying wall thicknesses, then the unit can be installed in different wall configurations, but a significant portion of the cross-section is blocked for airflow and installation time increases due to careful sealing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The wall penetration unit is divided into three separate components: a wall duct element inserted into the wall opening, a support frame attached to the wall duct element, and an exterior wall grille attached to the support frame. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the wall duct element provides adaptability to wall thickness variations, while the support frame and exterior grille maintain large open cross-sections for airflow without requiring careful sealing between components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional wall penetration unit with adjustable depth is used, then it can accommodate different wall thicknesses, but the cross-section for airflow is significantly blocked
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the depth-adjustment function (wall duct element) from the airflow channel (exterior wall grille), the design allows the wall duct element to be inserted to the required depth while the exterior grille maintains a large, unobstructed cross-section for airflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The support frame extends into the flow channel to provide attachment points for the exterior wall grille, utilizing the depth dimension to resolve the wall thickness adaptation issue without compromising the cross-sectional area available for airflow.
3Ease of manufacture
If a conventional wall penetration unit is installed in prefabricated houses, then it can be used in standardized wall constructions, but water penetration risk increases due to stringent sealing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented design with discrete attachment points on the support frame allows for simplified sealing - rather than requiring continuous sealing along the entire penetration path, only the connection points between the wall duct element and support frame, and between the support frame and exterior grille, need to be sealed, significantly reducing water penetration risk.
4Strength
If additional fasteners are attached to the exterior of the façade for the exterior wall grille, then the grille can be securely mounted, but protective layers already applied to the façade are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The support frame is designed with pre-positioned attachment points that extend into the flow channel, allowing the exterior wall grille to be mounted without requiring additional fasteners on the exterior façade surface. This preliminary design of the mounting system preserves the integrity of any protective layers already applied to the façade.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment points are positioned in the depth dimension (extending into the flow channel) rather than on the exterior surface, allowing secure mounting of the grille without compromising the exterior façade protective layers.
Data Source
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AI summary
A wall penetration unit (100) for connection to a building services device comprises: - a wall penetration element (100) with a flow channel (120) comprising an inner flow channel section (121) and an outer flow channel section (122), - an outer wall grille (210) with an inner frame having at least two parallel lateral inner frame sections, between which several louvers are arranged, and with a cover frame whose rear side forms a reflective surface for contact with a wall connection plane. The wall penetration element (100) and the outer wall grille (210) are connected to each other via a retaining frame (230). The retaining frame (230) can be attached to an outer end face (130) of the wall penetration element (100) located on the outside of the building. At least two retaining frame mounting tabs (232) extend into the flow channel (120).The side frame parts (221) of the outer wall grille (210) overlap at least partially with the retaining frame mounting tabs (232), wherein at least one fastening means for connecting the outer wall grille (210) to the retaining frame (230) is arranged in the overlap area.