Actuator Assembly for Independent Air Vane Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Slim air outlet registers in vehicles and residential structures face challenges in achieving airflow aiming targets due to limited space, resulting in 'blow-by' conditions where air flows straight past the vanes, leading to inefficient and turbulent airflow.
Innovation Solution
An actuator assembly with an actuator arm and selector member that rotates air blocking elements, such as upper and lower vanes, to direct airflow effectively without moving both elements simultaneously, utilizing kidney-shaped control tracks and a primary vane to control the flow in various directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple vanes are used to turn air adequately in a slim outlet register, then airflow directionality is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air blocking function is segmented into two independent elements (first and second air blocking elements) positioned at different locations within the housing. Each element can be actuated independently to control airflow in different directions, allowing adequate air turning in slim registers without requiring multiple complex vanes throughout the entire outlet assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
An actuator arm serves as an intermediary mechanism that selectively connects to either the first or second air blocking element based on the desired airflow direction. This single actuator arm with selective connectivity replaces the need for multiple actuation mechanisms, reducing device complexity while maintaining airflow directionality.
2Device complexity
If a single actuator controls both air blocking elements simultaneously, then device complexity is reduced, but airflow control precision deteriorates due to blow-by conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static single-actuator configuration to a dynamic selective actuation system. The actuator arm can dynamically connect to different air blocking elements based on operational requirements, enabling precise airflow control in slim registers while maintaining actuator mechanism simplicity through conditional connectivity rather than simultaneous control of all elements.
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator assembly for actuating air blocking elements of an outlet assembly is provided. The actuator assembly includes an actuator arm and a selector member operatively connected to the actuator arm to rotate the actuator arm about an arm axis. The actuator arm is operatively connected to a first air blocking element to rotate the first air blocking element towards its air blocking position without moving a second air blocking element upon rotation of the actuator arm in a first direction from a neutral, non-blocking position of the actuator arm about the arm axis. The actuator arm is operatively connected to the second air blocking element to rotate the second air blocking element towards its air blocking position without moving the first air blocking element upon rotation of the actuator arm in a second direction opposite the first direction from the neutral, non-blocking position.