Vehicular Air Conditioning Nonlinear Link Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicular air conditioning devices require a large space for the link mechanism, leading to increased size and inefficient temperature adjustment due to rapid air flow and temperature changes when opening and closing air-mix doors.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular air conditioning device with a linked operation of first and second doors, utilizing a linear driving force transmission section connected by a nonlinear driving force transmission section, allowing for efficient transmission of a single driving source to both doors with nonlinear output characteristics, enabling improved temperature adjustment and downsizing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a link mechanism is employed to control two air-mix doors with a single actuator, then the doors can be operated in a linked manner, but the device requires a large space on the outer side of the air conditioning case, leading to an increase in size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the link mechanism into the air conditioning case structure by providing a recess in the case that accommodates the link mechanism components. The operating levers are integrated with the case wall, and the main link is positioned within the recess space, effectively combining the mechanism with the case structure to reduce overall device size while maintaining linked door operation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the recess dimension in the air conditioning case to house the link mechanism components. By arranging the operating levers and main link within the recess space rather than extending them outward, the solution transforms a three-dimensional space problem into a two-dimensional surface utilization, reducing the external footprint while maintaining internal functionality
2Productivity
If the two air-mix doors begin to open from a completely closed state, then air flows rapidly to the downstream side via the space between the doors, but this causes a rapid temperature change in the blown air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing seal members that abut on the case structure before the doors begin to open. These seal members pre-close the gap between the doors and case, preventing rapid air flow when the doors start moving. The sealing action occurs in advance of the door movement, controlling the air flow rate and preventing sudden temperature changes in the blown air
3Productivity
If the first and second air-mix doors begin to close from a completely opened state, then cool air flows rapidly to the downstream side via the space between the doors and the case, causing a rapid temperature change in the blown air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing seal members that abut on the case structure before the doors begin to close. These seal members pre-close the gap between the doors and case, preventing rapid cool air flow when the doors start moving toward the closed position. The sealing action occurs in advance of the door movement, controlling the air flow rate and preventing sudden temperature changes in the blown air
Data Source
AI summary
A driving force transmission mechanism configuring a vehicular air conditioning device includes: a driving lever coupled to a driving source; a following lever engaged with this driving lever and following this driving lever; and a rack rod engaged with the following lever and moving linearly. A first shaft and a link gear of the following lever are engaged with this rack rod. Moreover, by the driving lever and the following lever revolving under driving action of the driving source, a second shaft engaged with the link gear rotates, and the first shaft rotates via the rack rod. As a result, a first and a second air-mix door engaged with the first and the second shaft slide to undergo an opening/closing operation, and their opening extent characteristics are configured nonlinear under engaging action of a link pin and a link groove of the following lever.