Air-conditioning Adjusting Member for Uniform Cabin Airflow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air-conditioning units for vehicles face challenges in reducing temperature variation and noise of air blown from outlets, as the mixing of cool and warm air is inadequate due to a small mixing space, leading to significant temperature differences between outlets.

Innovation Solution

An air-conditioning unit with an adjusting member that includes a first region with low resistance and a second region with higher resistance, where the high resistance member interferes with airflow, allowing for better mixing of cool and warm air and regulating the mix ratio through the adjusting member covering specific openings, thereby reducing temperature variation and noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the mixing space is reduced to downsize the air-conditioning unit, then the device complexity and size are reduced, but the temperature variation between outlets increases due to inadequate mixing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing space volumeVSAvoidtemperature variation between outlets

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The adjusting member is divided into multiple regions (first region with low resistance and second region with high resistance) that create different airflow paths. This segmentation allows cool and warm air streams to be separated and then properly mixed at the outlets, reducing temperature variation even in a compact mixing space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the adjusting member are assigned different resistance characteristics - the first region has low resistance to allow sufficient airflow, while the second region has high resistance to create backpressure that enhances mixing. This local differentiation of properties enables effective mixing in a reduced volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Volume of moving object

If the mixing space is reduced to downsize the air-conditioning unit, then the device complexity and size are reduced, but the noise of air blown from outlets increases due to poor mixing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing space volumeVSAvoidnoise from air outlets

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The adjusting member segments the airflow into different resistance zones, creating a controlled mixing process that reduces turbulence and noise. The first region with low resistance maintains smooth airflow while the second region with high resistance creates backpressure that promotes gentle mixing rather than turbulent discharge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

By providing different resistance characteristics in different regions of the adjusting member, the system creates optimal local conditions for noise reduction - low resistance areas maintain laminar flow while high resistance areas create backpressure that prevents noisy turbulence at the outlets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If the adjusting member is produced separately from the air-conditioning case, then the ease of manufacture and assembly are improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing and assembly easeVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjusting member is designed as a separate, modular component that can be manufactured independently and then assembled into the air-conditioning unit. This segmentation allows for specialized manufacturing of the adjusting member with its complex multi-region structure while keeping the overall assembly process simple and flexible.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution effectively reduces temperature variation and noise by ensuring uniform airflow distribution and regulating the mix ratio of cool and warm air across multiple outlets, resulting in more consistent and quieter air delivery within the vehicle cabin.

Implementation Method 1

a cooler disposed in the air-conditioning case to cool air flowing to the opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

a heater disposed in the air-conditioning case to heat air flowing to the opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentUS11613155B2Air-conditioning unit

Publication Date: 2023.03.28 DENSO CORP

AI summary

An air-conditioning unit includes an air-conditioning case including an opening through which air flows, a cooler disposed in the air-conditioning case to cool air flowing to the opening, a heater disposed in the air-conditioning case to heat air flowing to the opening, and an adjusting member disposed to cover the opening and adjusting airflow passing through the opening. The adjusting member is produced separately from the air-conditioning case and includes a first region and a second region. The second region includes a high resistance member giving higher resistance to the airflow than the first region. The first region includes a low resistance member giving lower resistance to the airflow than the second region. The low resistance member is a partition dividing the first region into plural air passing parts through which air flows. The high resistance member is a plate member including a part to interfere the airflow.