Vehicle Air Register Fin Linkage for Upward Airflow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air-conditioning registers in land vehicles have a limited range of directivity angles, making it difficult to blow air-conditioning air to the upper body of occupants, particularly the head, due to excessive Coanda effect at higher fin inclinations.
Innovation Solution
An air-conditioning register design with an interlocking mechanism between upper and lower fins, where the lower fin is inclined up to 30°, allowing the upper fin to also incline, reducing the Coanda effect and increasing the directivity angle range by guiding air along the inclined wall, ensuring air reaches the upper body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the fin swing angle is increased to expand the directivity angle range upward, then the air-conditioning air can reach higher regions, but the Coanda effect becomes excessive causing the directivity angle to increase abruptly and making it difficult to control the airflow to desired regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the fin structure into multiple segments (first fin, second fin, third fin) with different functions. The first fin controls the basic swing angle, while the second and third fins work together to manage the Coanda effect. This segmentation allows independent control of different airflow parameters, resolving the contradiction between expanding directivity range and maintaining control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an inclined wall as an intermediary element between the fins and the airflow path. This inclined wall serves as a mediator that guides the air-conditioning air in a specific direction, allowing the system to achieve higher directivity angles without relying solely on large fin swing angles that would cause excessive Coanda effect.
2Shape
If the air-conditioning register is positioned in the lower part of the instrument panel for aesthetic appeal, then the outlet port is less conspicuous, but the variable range of the directivity angle is narrow making it difficult to blow air to the upper body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamically adjustable fins that can change their swing angles to redirect airflow. Even though the register is positioned low for aesthetic reasons, the dynamic adjustment capability of the fins allows the system to project air-conditioning air upward to cover the occupant's upper body, thereby maintaining both aesthetic appearance and air distribution versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the inclined wall to introduce a dimensional element to the airflow path. By creating an inclined surface, the system adds a vertical component to the airflow direction, enabling air to reach higher regions despite the low position of the outlet port, thus expanding coverage without compromising aesthetics.
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
The design expands the range of directivity angles upward, allowing air-conditioning air to be effectively blown to the upper body, including the head, while maintaining efficient airflow by minimizing interference between fins.
Implementation Method 1
the air-conditioning register causes upward air-conditioning air blown out from the outlet port to flow further upward by using the Coanda effect
Data Source
AI summary
A rear wall of an instrument panel has an outlet port and an inclined wall. An angle defined by the inclined wall and a vertical plane is from 30° to 40°. An upper fin and a lower fin are both supported by fin pivots. The lower fin is configured to be inclinable downward by at most 30° with respect to a horizontal plane. When the lower fin is inclined downward by a maximum angle, an interlocking mechanism inclines the upper fin together with the lower fin in an interlocking manner such that an angle of the upper fin with respect to the lower fin is greater than that when in a horizontal state. A bottom wall of a retainer includes an inclined surface located under an upstream end of the lower fin. The inclined surfaced is inclined upward toward the downstream end.