Air Vent Control Vane Nesting to Reduce Airflow Turbulence and Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle air vent systems experience turbulence and noise due to the design of the control member and vanes, which disrupt airflow directionality and generate undesirable noise, especially in quiet vehicles.
Innovation Solution
The air vent design incorporates a control support vane with the control member located partially or entirely within it, minimizing disruption and turbulence, and uses an extending linkage to connect vanes without compromising aerodynamics, reducing noise and rattling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the control member is arranged around the front vane (conventional arrangement), then the control mechanism is accessible and operable, but the airflow is disrupted causing turbulence and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The control member is nested within the control support vane structure, with the control member positioned inside a recess or cavity in the control support vane. This nesting arrangement allows the control member to be accessible for operation while being shielded from the main airflow path, thereby reducing turbulence and noise generation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the control support vane has a hole to allow pivoting, then the rear vane can pivot freely, but the protrusions can protrude into the hole causing turbulence and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful protrusions that cause turbulence are removed from the vane structure. Instead, the control member is positioned within a recess in the control support vane, eliminating the need for holes and protrusions that disrupt airflow. The pivoting freedom is maintained through the recess design that guides the control member without creating turbulent flow paths.
3Device complexity
If conventional control arrangements are used, then the structure is simple, but rattling occurs when subjected to disturbances from uneven road surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The control member is merged with the control support vane by positioning it within a recess in the control support vane. This integrated arrangement reduces the number of separate components and connection points that could rattle, while the recess provides structural support that dampens vibrations from uneven road surfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
Air vent (2) for an automotive HVAC system, having a control support vane (3) and a controlled vane (6), wherein the control support vane (3) and the controlled vane (6) are arranged in respective arrays in different orientations, the control support vane (3) supports a control member (4) connected to the controlled vane (6) which is arranged behind the control support vane (3), and at least part of the control member (4) is located at least partially within the control support vane (3).