Vehicle Air Conditioning Link Mechanism Size Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle air conditioning link mechanisms are not sufficiently reduced in size due to the arrangement of intermediate links and supporting portions, which hinder the rotation of the main link and result in a large surface area requirement.
Innovation Solution
The link mechanism is designed with both first and second surface side link supporting portions arranged within the movable range of the main link, allowing all intermediate links to be positioned on the center-of-rotation side, and the main link features cams on one or both surfaces that partly overlap radially, enabling a reduction in size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If intermediate links are arranged on both surfaces of the main link, then the link mechanism can control multiple doors, but the link supporting portions must be arranged outside the movable range of the main link, resulting in a large surface area requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes both surfaces of the main link (first surface facing air conditioning case, second surface facing bracket) to arrange intermediate links, effectively using the third dimension (depth/thickness of main link) to reduce the required surface area on the air conditioning case
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the arrangement of intermediate links on both surfaces of the main link with the stacking structure of base-main link-actuator, consolidating the link mechanism into a compact configuration that reduces overall surface area requirement
2Reliability
If link supporting portions are arranged outside the movable range of the main link to support intermediate links, then the intermediate links can be supported, but the link mechanism size cannot be sufficiently reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges link supporting portions on both the first surface and second surface of the main link, utilizing the depth dimension of the main link to position supporting portions within its movable range, thereby reducing the overall link mechanism size while maintaining reliable intermediate link support
3Volume of stationary object
If the main link and actuator are arranged at different positions with a stacked structure, then the link mechanism size is reduced, but the link supporting portions still cannot be put together on the center-of-rotation side
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the link supporting portions into two groups: those on the first surface of the main link and those on the second surface, allowing each group to be positioned optimally within the movable range without interfering with the rotation of the main link or other components
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A vehicle air conditioning apparatus 1 includes an air conditioning case 2, a plurality of doors 3,4,5, a motor 11, a bracket 16, a main link 12, and intermediate links 13, 14, 15. The main link 12 includes a first surface 26 and a second surface 27. The intermediate links 13,14,15 include first surface side intermediate links 13, 14 to be arranged between the first surface 26 and the air conditioning case 2, and a second surface side intermediate link 15 to be arranged between the second surface 27 and the bracket 16. The first surface side intermediate links 13,14 are rotatably supported by first surface side link supporting portions 33,34, and the second surface side intermediate link 15 is rotatably supported by the second surface side link supporting portion 35, and the first surface side link supporting portions 33,34 and the second surface side link supporting portion 35 are both arranged in a movable range A of the main link 12. Accordingly, the intermediate links 13,14,15 may be put together on a center-of-rotation side of the main link 12.