Air vent
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air vents for vehicles face challenges in fitting compactly due to spatial constraints in dashboards, center consoles, and other interior elements, as they require accommodation of various components for guiding and regulating air flow.
Innovation Solution
The air vent design features a compact housing with a dual-channel system, a pivotable regulating flap, and independent shutoff elements that allow for flexible placement and efficient air flow regulation, enabling a compact and efficient air flow direction and rate control without a central shutoff element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional air vent designs with central shutoff elements are used, then air flow regulation is achieved, but the housing becomes too large to fit in limited vehicle interior spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the air vent housing into two separate air channels (first and second air channels) with independent shutoff elements (first and second shutoff elements) for each channel. This segmentation allows each shutoff element to control only its respective air channel, eliminating the need for a single large central shutoff mechanism and reducing overall housing volume to fit limited vehicle interior spaces.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components for guiding and regulating air flow are accommodated, then air flow control functionality is improved, but the air vent becomes too large to easily fit into available space
Solution Approach 1:
The air vent is segmented into two independent air channels, each with its own shutoff element and air guide structure. This allows multiple air flow control functions to be achieved within a compact housing, as each channel operates independently with dedicated components rather than requiring a single large integrated control mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes spatial arrangement by positioning air guides and shutoff elements in specific three-dimensional configurations within the housing. The first and second air channels are arranged to occupy different spatial zones, allowing efficient use of available volume and enabling compact housing dimensions while maintaining multiple air flow control functions.
3Device complexity
If a single shutoff element controls both air channels, then device complexity is reduced, but the housing size increases to accommodate the central shutoff mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single complex central shutoff element that would need to control both air channels, the patent segments the control system into two simpler, independent shutoff elements. Each shutoff element is dedicated to controlling only its respective air channel, reducing the complexity of individual components while maintaining overall system functionality and enabling a more compact housing design.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an air vent comprising a housing configured to guide an air flow from an air inlet to an air outlet, an air guide arranged at least partly within the housing such that the air guide and the housing define a first air channel and a second air channel, a regulating flap arranged between the air inlet and the air guide, configured to regulate a ratio between a first partial air flow through the first air channel and a second partial air flow through the second air channel, a first and second shutoff element arranged at least partly within the housing. The first shutoff element is configured to shut off the first partial air flow without shutting off the second partial air flow and the second shutoff element is configured to shut off the second partial air flow without shutting off the first partial airflow.