Air-conditioning vent structure

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air-conditioning systems in vehicles face challenges in efficiently managing energy consumption and airflow direction, particularly in eco-friendly vehicles, due to the integration of multiple components and the need for separate heating and cooling functions for different vehicle occupants.

Innovation Solution

An air-conditioning vent structure that divides the outlet into a first and second outlet using a partition, employing a sliding door and Coandă effect to control airflow direction and intensity, allowing separate or simultaneous heating and cooling modes, and using a single driving portion to manage airflow for both driver and passenger seats.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate air-conditioning systems are provided for driver and passenger seats, then air-conditioning comfort for each occupant is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair-conditioning comfort for each occupantVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet is divided into a first outlet and a second outlet by a partition, allowing separate airflow control for driver and passenger sides. The sliding door is also segmented with holes positioned to control each outlet independently, enabling customized air-conditioning for each occupant while using a single integrated system rather than separate systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A single air-conditioning system performs multiple functions by providing differentiated airflow control for both driver and passenger seats through the partitioned outlet and selectively positioned sliding door, eliminating the need for separate air-conditioning systems while maintaining individualized comfort control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate air-conditioning systems are provided for driver and passenger seats, then individualized temperature control is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividualized temperature controlVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet is divided into a first outlet and a second outlet by a partition, allowing separate airflow control for driver and passenger sides. The sliding door is also segmented with holes positioned to control each outlet independently, enabling customized air-conditioning for each occupant while using a single integrated system rather than separate systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A single air-conditioning system performs multiple functions by providing differentiated airflow control for both driver and passenger seats through the partitioned outlet and selectively positioned sliding door, eliminating the need for separate air-conditioning systems while maintaining individualized comfort control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple components are integrated in the air-conditioning system, then functionality is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The partition and sliding door are integrated into a single component structure, where the partition divides the outlet and the sliding door with strategically positioned holes provides unified control for both driver and passenger airflow. This merging of functions into one manufacturable component reduces assembly steps and manufacturing complexity while maintaining advanced functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Manufacturing precision

If a sliding door with holes is used to control airflow, then airflow direction control precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow direction control precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding door features holes positioned at specific locations to control airflow to different outlets. This local quality approach allows precise airflow direction control through strategic hole placement rather than complex mechanical mechanisms, achieving high control precision while maintaining relatively simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 structure enhances energy efficiency by allowing selective airflow control, reduces component costs through shared components, and optimizes airflow direction for different vehicle occupants, thereby minimizing energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

employing a sliding door and Coandă effect to control airflow direction and intensity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoandă effect: Coanda Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12434537B2Air-conditioning vent structure

Publication Date: 2025.10.07 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

An air-conditioning vent structure includes a duct portion supported by a duct panel, the duct portion including first and second outlets formed at an upper portion thereof and separated by a partition, and a curvature portion including a curvature, a sliding door slidable along an upper portion of the curvature portion at a lower end portion of the partition, the sliding door including a hole to adjust opening widths of the first and second outlets in accordance with a degree of sliding, a driving portion connected to the sliding door at a lower end portion of the duct panel and configured to apply driving force to the sliding door so that the sliding door slides in opposite directions, and a controller electrically connected to the driving portion to perform a control operation to allow the sliding door to slide in opposite directions in accordance with a use mode.