Wind-Driven Roof Ventilation With Rainproof Exhaust Fan

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ventilation apparatuses either rely on electric power or rely on slow air expulsion due to the principle of hot-air rising, lacking efficient air discharge without electricity and rainproofing.

Innovation Solution

A ventilation apparatus comprising a channel unit, a wind turbine, and an exhaust fan, where outdoor wind rotates the wind turbine to drive the exhaust fan, expelling indoor air without electric power while preventing rainwater entry through a specific channel configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a spherical drainage fan is used to expel air without electric power, then the device operates without electricity, but the air expulsion speed is slow and cannot rapidly expel indoor hot air

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectric power consumptionVSAvoidair expulsion speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two different driving mechanisms: a wind turbine for rapid air expulsion when wind is available, and a spherical drainage fan for operation when wind is insufficient. This merging allows the system to achieve high air expulsion speed through the wind turbine while maintaining the ability to operate without electric power through the spherical drainage fan, thus resolving the contradiction between zero electric power consumption and rapid air expulsion capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the driving mechanism dynamic by allowing the system to switch between different power sources based on environmental conditions. The wind turbine activates when wind speed is sufficient for rapid air expulsion, while the spherical drainage fan takes over when wind is weak, creating a dynamic adaptation that maintains both zero electric power consumption and high air expulsion speed under appropriate conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If only the principle of hot-air rising is used to drive air expulsion, then the device operates without electric power, but the expellant speed is very slow when temperature difference is minor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectric power consumptionVSAvoidair expulsion efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the passive hot-air rising principle with the active wind turbine mechanism. When temperature difference is sufficient, hot air rises and drives the spherical drainage fan. When temperature difference is minor but wind is available, the wind turbine provides the necessary driving force. This combination maintains zero electric power consumption while significantly improving air expulsion efficiency under varying thermal conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the driving parameter from relying solely on temperature difference (hot-air rising) to also utilizing wind speed as a driving parameter. The wind turbine converts wind kinetic energy into rotational motion to drive air expulsion, allowing the system to maintain high productivity even when temperature difference is minor, thus resolving the contradiction between zero electric power consumption and air expulsion efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the channel unit is open to allow air flow, then ventilation is achieved, but rainwater can easily enter the channel unit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventilation efficiencyVSAvoidrainwater ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible rainproof film to cover the channel unit opening. The film is positioned such that it allows air to pass through while blocking rainwater. The flexibility of the film enables it to deform with wind and rain forces, maintaining its rainproof function while not obstructing ventilation airflow, thus resolving the contradiction between ventilation efficiency and rainwater protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

Achieves effective ventilation and rainproofing by utilizing wind energy to rotate the exhaust fan, enhancing air expulsion efficiency and preventing rainwater ingress.

Implementation Method 1

outdoor wind can blow the wind turbine to rotate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWind energy: Wind Power

Implementation Method 2

the wind turbine, and an exhaust fan. The channel unit comprises a first channel. The wind turbine is rotatably disposed on the channel unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbine: Turbine

Implementation Method 3

the spherical drainage fan is mainly used to expel rainwater by centrifugal force generated by the rotation thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentUS9618221B2Ventilation device

Publication Date: 2017.04.11 DELTA ELECTRONICS INC(CN)

AI summary

A ventilation device includes a passage unit (100), a wind turbine (200) and a fan (300). The wind turbine (200) is provided above the passage unit (100), and the fan (300) is provided within the wind turbine (200). The rotation of the wind turbine (200) drives the fan (300) to rotate, so that the air within the passage (100) is exhausted by the fan.