Work table with ventilation device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing work tables with ventilation systems lack efficient and optimal air cleaning and conditioning, particularly for electrical and electronic devices, while also requiring minimal structural modifications to accommodate cooling needs for components like screens and keyboards.

Innovation Solution

A work table design featuring a frame with a ventilation device that includes a fan module, exhaust air duct, and receiving modules, where the fan module is coupled with a filter and air cooling device, allowing for efficient air intake, filtration, and conditioning, with sealed connections to the worktop and optional integration with the devices' connection lines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a ventilation system is added to cool electrical devices in the work table, then the cooling effect is achieved, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice coolingVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation device integrates multiple components (housing, fan module, filter, air cooling device, exhaust air duct) into a unified system mounted on the work table, combining cooling, filtration, and air circulation functions in one integrated structure rather than separate systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The ventilation device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it cools electrical devices through directed airflow, filters incoming air through the filter element, circulates air via the fan module, and exhausts heated air through the duct system, making a single multi-functional unit

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

2Object-affected harmful factors

If air filtration is implemented for cleaning room air, then air quality improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair qualityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter element acts as an intermediary component between the incoming room air and the electrical devices, capturing particles and contaminants in the air stream before the air reaches the devices, thereby improving air quality without requiring complex air handling systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The filtration function is merged into the ventilation device housing, with the filter element integrated into the air intake path of the fan module, combining cooling and filtration in a single unit rather than separate systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of moving object

If the ventilation device is integrated into the work table structure, then space is optimized, but the ease of manufacture decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidease of manufacture
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation device is designed as a modular assembly with distinct components (housing, fan module, filter, air cooling device, exhaust air duct) that can be manufactured separately and then assembled together on the work table, simplifying manufacturing while achieving integrated functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The exhaust air duct is designed with flexible positioning capabilities, allowing it to be adapted to different work table configurations and device arrangements, providing manufacturing flexibility while optimizing space utilization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 design enables efficient and optimal air cleaning and conditioning, effectively cooling electrical and electronic devices while minimizing structural changes, ensuring cleaned air is directed both to the devices and the environment, enhancing the work environment's comfort and device performance.

Implementation Method 1

The interior of the fan module has an output fan

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFan: Fan

Implementation Method 2

The interior of the fan module has an output fan, a filter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

The interior of the fan module has an output fan, a filter and, if necessary, an air cooling device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP3556248B1Work table with ventilation device
Publication Date: 2023.04.12 PRODUKTIVMOBEL GMBH
  • EP3556248B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3556248B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

Work table (7) with air handling unit comprising a frame (9) and at least one worktop (8) equipped with electrical and/or electronic devices, wherein at least one receiving module (1), a fan module (2) and an exhaust duct (4) are arranged on the underside of the worktop (8), wherein the fan module has a fan for drawing in ambient air and a filter for cleaning the drawn-in air.