Air vent assembly with fixed vanes and narrow profile
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle instrument panels face a challenge in accommodating larger electronic screens while maintaining a streamlined appearance and providing efficient climate control, as traditional air vents with manual controls occupy valuable space.
Innovation Solution
An air vent assembly with angled or curved fixed vanes and a gate system that regulates air flow, including a flow volume regulating valve and directional valve, allowing for adjustable air distribution without manual controls, enabling a slim design that can be oriented horizontally or vertically to integrate seamlessly with electronic screens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If traditional air vents with manual controls are used, then climate control functionality is provided, but the instrument panel space is occupied and the appearance is not streamlined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical controls with an automated electronic control system. The air vent assembly includes actuators that automatically adjust the gate and flow volume regulating valve based on electronic signals, eliminating the need for manual knobs or switches on the instrument panel. This substitution reduces the physical space required while maintaining full climate control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual control mechanisms are extracted and removed from the air vent assembly, leaving only the automated control components. This extraction allows the air vent to have a slimmer profile and reduces the area occupied on the instrument panel, while the control functionality is handled separately through electronic interfaces.
2Productivity
If air vent surface area is increased to improve climate control, then air flow distribution is enhanced, but the streamlined appearance and space efficiency are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The air vent assembly is segmented into multiple functional components including a gate for directional control and a flow volume regulating valve for volume control. These segmented components are arranged in a compact configuration that allows efficient air flow distribution through multiple channels while maintaining a small overall surface area on the instrument panel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional space arrangement of the air channels and control components rather than expanding the two-dimensional surface area. The gate and flow volume regulating valve are positioned within the depth of the assembly, allowing complex air flow control functionality without increasing the visible footprint on the instrument panel.
3Area of stationary object
If automated control systems are added to eliminate manual controls, then space is saved and appearance is streamlined, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated control system uses universal actuators that can control multiple functions (gate position and flow volume) through a single integrated mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate control components needed, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving the space savings from eliminating manual controls.
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 air vent assembly provides efficient climate control with adjustable air flow distribution, optimizing space usage and maintaining a streamlined appearance by eliminating the need for manual controls, allowing for customizable air flow directions based on user preferences.
Implementation Method 1
A first set of fixed vanes is positioned in a first one of the channels. The fixed vanes of the first set are angled or curved in a first direction with respect to a flow vector of the air inlet. A second set of fixed vanes is positioned in a second one of the channels. The fixed vanes of the second set are angled or curved in a second direction with respect to a flow vector of the air inlet.
Implementation Method 2
A gate is positioned within grooves of each of the first and second sets of fixed vanes. The gate is configured to regulate a position at which air may enter the first and second channels from the air inlet.
Data Source
AI summary
An air vent assembly includes an air inlet, an air outlet, and a plurality of channels positioned between the air inlet and the air outlet. A first set of fixed vanes is positioned in a first one of the channels. The fixed vanes of the first set are angled or curved in a first direction with respect to a flow vector of the air inlet. A second set of fixed vanes is positioned in a second one of the channels. The fixed vanes of the second set are angled or curved in a second direction with respect to a flow vector of the air inlet. A gate is positioned within grooves of each of the first and second sets of fixed vanes. The gate is configured to regulate a position at which air may enter the first and second channels from the air inlet.