Air Outlet Assembly Sliding Link Concealed Linkage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air outlet assemblies with linkage structures for adjusting airflow direction are aesthetically unappealing and obstruct airflow due to the visibility of the linkage, which affects the appearance and efficiency of air distribution.
Innovation Solution
An air outlet assembly featuring a sliding link mechanism integrated within the air housing, allowing vanes to rotate without obstructing airflow, with the sliding link and groove configuration concealed from view, enabling unobstructed airflow and improved appearance while maintaining vane orientation adjustment capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional linkage structure is used to adjust vane direction, then the vane orientation can be changed, but the linkage structure becomes visible through the gap of the vanes, affecting the appearance and obstructing the airflow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the linkage structure from the visible front area and relocates it to the rear side of the air outlet assembly. The sliding link is positioned at the rear, connected to vanes via coupling parts, allowing the linkage to remain hidden while still enabling vane orientation adjustment. This resolves the contradiction by separating the functional mechanism from the aesthetic visible area.
2Ease of operation
If a conventional linkage structure is used to adjust vane direction, then the vane orientation can be changed, but the linkage structure obstructs the airflow by being disposed at the gaps among the vanes
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage structure is extracted from the airflow path and repositioned to the rear side of the assembly. The sliding link moves parallel to the airflow direction at the rear, and coupling parts connect to vanes without blocking the gaps between them. This maintains full airflow throughput while preserving adjustment functionality.
3Shape
If the sliding link is disposed on the inner surface of the air housing, then the appearance is improved and airflow is unobstructed, but the linkage structure requires integration within the housing space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the linkage structure from a front-facing configuration to a rear-facing configuration, utilizing the depth dimension of the housing. The sliding link is positioned at the rear inner surface, moving parallel to the airflow direction, while coupling parts extend forward to connect with vanes. This spatial reorganization achieves aesthetic and functional goals while managing integration complexity through strategic use of available space.
Data Source
AI summary
An air outlet assembly comprises an air housing for air flowing through; a retainer connected to the air housing; a plurality of vanes disposed on the retainer, spaced apart each other and rotatably connected to the retainer; and a sliding link. The sliding link is disposed on an inner surface of the air housing, adjacent to the retainer, coupled with each of the vanes and configured to be slidable on the inner surface so as to orient each of the vanes relative to the air housing.