Window-Frame Ventilation Heat Exchanger for Compact Heat Recovery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventilation devices with heat exchangers for buildings are inefficient due to large dimensions, requiring significant openings for installation, which limits their use in window frames and increases energy consumption and noise, while also restricting natural ventilation.
Innovation Solution
A compact ventilation device with a counter-flow honeycomb heat exchanger, powered by solar-charged electric motors, and equipped with filters and overpressure dampers, which can be integrated into or mounted beside the window frame, utilizing fans to efficiently transfer heat and air while allowing for natural ventilation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a heat exchanger with supply and outflow air ducts is installed into the window frame, then heat recovery efficiency is improved, but the device dimensions become large requiring significantly bigger opening for installation
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation device is nested within the window frame structure itself. The housing (1) is equipped with openings (11, 12, 13, 14) that integrate with the window frame (91, 92), allowing the device to utilize the existing window opening without requiring additional space. The heat exchanger (2) with primary and secondary air ducts is compactly arranged within this nested configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a three-dimensional bulky structure to a two-dimensional planar configuration by utilizing the surface area of the window frame. The housing (1) with its openings (11, 12, 13, 14) is designed to mount flush against the window frame, effectively using the二维 surface of the window opening rather than requiring protruding three-dimensional space.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the device is installed into the wall next to the window, then installation flexibility is improved, but the device width and height become larger due to smaller depth available
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed to utilize the depth dimension of the window frame rather than expanding width or height. The housing (1) mounts within the plane of the window frame, using the available depth (distance from interior to exterior surface) to accommodate the heat exchanger (2) and air ducts, thereby keeping the device's width and height minimal.
3Ease of manufacture
If heat is transferred through profiles around the window perimeter, then installation simplicity is improved, but heat recovery efficiency becomes questionable due to single surface transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger (2) is extracted as a separate, dedicated component rather than relying on the window frame profiles for heat transfer. This specialized heat exchanger with primary air duct (21) and secondary air duct (22) provides a dedicated thermal exchange path, ensuring efficient heat recovery while the housing (1) integrates with the window frame for simple installation.
4Productivity
If strong fans are used to ensure air circulation through profiles, then ventilation effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical approach of forcing air through profiles with a dedicated heat exchanger design that facilitates natural air flow paths. The primary air duct (21) and secondary air duct (22) are configured to enable efficient thermal exchange with minimal resistance, reducing the mechanical work required by fans while maintaining ventilation effectiveness.
5Loss of energy
If window design forces air through profiles, then heat recovery is achieved, but natural ventilation during favorable climatic conditions becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts its operation mode based on climatic conditions. During favorable weather, the device allows natural ventilation by opening the window, utilizing the opening (11, 12, 13, or 14) directly. During periods requiring heat recovery, the system switches to forced ventilation through the heat exchanger (2), providing versatile adaptability to different operational requirements.
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 device minimizes heat loss, reduces energy consumption, and enables efficient air circulation with reduced noise, while allowing for natural ventilation by using solar power and advanced filtration systems.
Implementation Method 1
A compact ventilation device with a counter-flow honeycomb heat exchanger... efficiently transfer heat and air
Implementation Method 2
counter-flow honeycomb heat exchanger... efficiently transfer heat from the outflow air to the supply air flow
Implementation Method 3
powered by solar-charged electric motors
Implementation Method 4
equipped with filters and overpressure dampers... advanced filtration systems
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~7
Figure 6~11
AI summary
The invention is designed for the actual needs of the sufficiently efficient ventilation device, which will on the hand allow being minimised to the extent where during the first installation or the replacement of windows in the event of renovation of buildings, it can be installed either into the window frame (91) or optionally mounted into the building wall directly near this frame (91), and will on the other hand efficiently contribute to the substantial improvement of the energy balance of the respectively ventilated building. In general, this type of ventilation device comprises the housing (1) with the counter-flow heat exchanger, comprising the primary part, which is connected with the outer inlet (11) for the supply of air into the housing (1) and the inner inlet (13), which is intended for the supply of air from the device into the respectively ventilated room, and the secondary part, connected to the inner outlet (14) for the discharge of air from the room into the device and also to the outer outlet (12) for the discharge of air from the device into the surroundings of the respectively ventilated building.