Vehicle Air Vent Cam Control for Airflow Direction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air vents for motor vehicle passenger compartments lack a simplified control mechanism to efficiently direct airflow based on air quantity, relying on complex mechanical controls and limited adjustability of air passage cross-sections.
Innovation Solution
An air vent design featuring two obliquely running air ducts with pivotable blocking elements and a cam-controlled disk system allows for individual adjustment of air passage cross-sections, enabling precise control of airflow direction through distinct control curves and movement of blocking elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If complex mechanical control mechanisms are used to direct airflow, then airflow direction control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical control mechanisms with a cam-based control system. The cam profile is designed to automatically guide the blocking flaps through predetermined motion paths, converting simple rotational input into complex blocking flap movements. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining precise airflow direction control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam acts as an intermediary element between the simple rotational input and the blocking flaps. Instead of directly controlling the blocking flaps with complex mechanisms, the cam translates the rotational input into the desired blocking flap motion, simplifying the overall control system while achieving precise airflow direction control.
2Ease of operation
If blocking elements are positioned at the branching point, then airflow direction control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions blocking elements at the branching point and uses a cam mechanism to control their movement. The cam profile is specifically designed to coordinate the blocking elements' positions to achieve optimal airflow direction control. This approach improves control effectiveness while the cam substitution keeps the overall mechanism relatively simple.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
An air outlet (1) for ventilating the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, comprising two air channels (5, 6) that slope obliquely towards each other towards air outlet openings (7, 8), so that obliquely flowing air streams merge. To control the air volume, the air outlet (1) has two locking elements (9, 10) which are pivoted by control discs (14, 15) that are arranged on both sides of the air outlet (1) on a shaft (18) and are rotationally fixed to each other. By changing the air volume through the two air channels (5, 6), the airflow from the air outlet (1) can be directed.