Air Nozzle Slats with Coupling Element for Draft-Free Ventilation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air nozzles in motor vehicles fail to provide a pleasant and draft-free climate for passengers as they often direct air flows directly at occupants, causing discomfort, and previous solutions that allow deflection of air streams do not achieve a seamless transition between direct and diffuse ventilation.
Innovation Solution
An air nozzle design featuring a coupling element that allows slats to pivot and fan out, enabling a stepless transition between direct and indirect ventilation by incorporating various configurations such as a coupling rod, plate, or lifting plate, which can be actuated using control wheels, buttons, or levers to control the air flow direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If air nozzles direct air flow directly at occupants, then ventilation efficiency is improved, but passenger comfort deteriorates due to drafts and cold sensations
Solution Approach 1:
The air nozzle is divided into multiple independent slats that can be individually adjusted. This segmentation allows the air flow to be distributed across multiple directions rather than concentrated in a single direct stream, reducing draft effects while maintaining ventilation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The slats are designed to be dynamically adjustable by users, allowing real-time modification of air flow direction. This dynamic capability enables passengers to optimize both ventilation efficiency and comfort according to their preferences, eliminating fixed direct airflow patterns that cause drafts
2Adaptability or versatility
If flaps or lamellae are used to deflect air streams, then air flow direction can be changed, but seamless transition between direct and diffuse ventilation is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The slats are designed with continuous adjustability, allowing smooth transitions between different positions and angles. This dynamic design enables seamless transformation between direct ventilation mode (slats parallel to airflow) and diffuse ventilation mode (slats angled to scatter airflow), eliminating abrupt changes in air flow patterns
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling element is pre-configured to coordinate the movement of multiple slats simultaneously. This preliminary mechanical arrangement ensures that all slats move together in a synchronized manner, creating smooth transitions between different ventilation modes without requiring complex control systems
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple slats are used for air guidance, then ventilation control is improved, but device complexity increases due to coupling mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it connects adjacent slats, transmits adjustment forces uniformly across all slats, and maintains their relative positions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining sophisticated control capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling element merges the functions of connection, force transmission, and position maintenance into a single integrated component. By combining these functions that would otherwise require separate mechanisms, the design reduces overall device complexity while achieving coordinated multi-slat control
Data Source
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AI summary
The air outlet is designed as a housing (1) accommodated behind the dashboard with an opening (2) at the front and a connection (3) to the supply duct located at the back. Each of the fins (4) is provided with a lateral extension (41) to be inserted into a slot (52) at the front of a holding element (5). The holding element (5) itself is also fitted with extensions (51) for being inserted into curved slots (11, 12) at the housing (1). The holding element (5) can be controlled with a rotating handle (6).