Air Outlet Slat Adjustment Using Single Cylindrical Control Element

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air vent devices require a large number of components and complex control systems to adjust perpendicular slats, leading to increased installation space and operational complexity.

Innovation Solution

A device with a first rotatably mounted adjustment element having a cylindrical section with a guide for a displacement element, allowing both slats to be pivoted via a single adjustment element, reducing the number of components and simplifying the adjustment mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple servomotors and kinematic components are used to adjust perpendicular slats, then the adjustment functionality is achieved, but the device complexity and installation space increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslat adjustment functionalityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple adjustment functions into a single control element. The control element has a first control section for adjusting horizontally extending slats and a second control section for adjusting vertically extending slats, allowing both perpendicular slats to be adjusted through one integrated mechanism rather than separate mechanisms for each direction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single control element serves multiple functions by incorporating both a first control section and a second control section. This universal control mechanism can adjust both horizontally extending slats and vertically extending slats, replacing the need for multiple specialized control elements and servomotors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If multiple servomotors are used to adjust perpendicular slats, then the adjustment functionality is achieved, but the installation space increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslat adjustment functionalityVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple adjustment mechanisms into a single compact control element located at the front of the air vent. This integration significantly reduces the space required compared to having separate servomotors for horizontal and vertical slat adjustment distributed throughout the assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control element is positioned at the front of the air vent assembly, utilizing the frontal dimension rather than requiring rearward space for multiple motors. The first control section and second control section are arranged in different directions from the front face, optimizing space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If multiple control elements are used to adjust perpendicular slats, then the adjustment functionality is achieved, but the operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment mechanismVSAvoiduser operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functionality of multiple control elements into a single control element with distinct control sections. Users interact with one unified component rather than multiple separate controls, reducing operational complexity while maintaining the ability to adjust both horizontal and vertical slats independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

While the control element is unified, it is segmented into a first control section and a second control section. The first control section adjusts horizontally extending slats and the second control section adjusts vertically extending slats, providing clear functional separation that simplifies user interaction despite the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3131774B1Device for adjusting slats of an air outlet
Publication Date: 2019.07.17 DR SCHNEIDER KUNSTWERKE GMBH
  • EP3131774B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3131774B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3131774B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for adjusting slats (14, 16) of an air outlet (10), which can be pivoted and are arranged substantially perpendicularly to one another, said device comprising a first rotatably-mounted adjustment element (32) which has at least one cylindrical section. The first adjustment element (32) comprises, in said at least one cylindrical section, at least one guide (36) in which a first displacement element (40) is guided. At least one slat (14) extending in a first direction (X) is coupled to the first adjustment element (32) by means of said displacement element (40), and at least one slat extending in a second direction (Y), perpendicular to the first direction (X), is coupled to said first adjustment element (32).