Air Vent Damper Control Using Cam Gear and Rack-Pinion Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air vent apparatuses face challenges in packaging and design constraints due to the space occupied by the damper knob, which limits the installation of other components like audio, video, and navigation systems around the air vent.
Innovation Solution
A device using a cam gear interworking with a wing knob and a rack and pinion gear to open and close the damper, replacing the existing knob, reducing component count and space requirements, and allowing for easier adjustment of air flow direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a separate knob for damper is mounted at the outlet of the air duct, then the damper can be opened and closed, but it occupies space on the center fascia panel reducing area for mounting other components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the damper control function with the existing air vent knob by integrating a cam mechanism into the air vent assembly. The cam is rotatably coupled to the air duct and interacts with the damper, allowing the same knob that controls air flow direction to also control damper opening and closing, thereby eliminating the need for a separate damper knob and freeing up mounting space for other components.
2Ease of operation
If a separate knob for damper is mounted at the outlet of the air duct, then the damper can be opened and closed, but it increases the number of components and manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated assembly. The air vent knob simultaneously controls both the air flow direction (through the horizontal and vertical wings) and the damper opening/closing (through the cam mechanism). This functional integration reduces the total number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall device structure and reducing manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The air vent knob is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls the horizontal wing for left-right air direction, the vertical wing for up-down air direction, and the cam mechanism for damper opening/closing. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated separate controls, reducing component count while maintaining ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If a separate knob for damper is mounted at the outlet of the air duct, then the damper can be opened and closed, but it creates design constraints for surrounding vehicle components
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the damper control function into the air vent assembly itself, the patent removes the physical obstacle (separate damper knob) that constrained the design of surrounding components. The cam mechanism is incorporated within the air duct structure, allowing cluster, audio, video, and navigation apparatus to be mounted in previously unavailable spaces, thereby enhancing design flexibility and adaptability.
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
Enables easy opening and closing of the damper using the cam gear and rack and pinion mechanism, eliminating the need for a separate damper knob, reducing component and cost, and enhancing design flexibility for surrounding components.
Implementation Method 1
a cam gear coaxially and rotatably connected to a lower portion of the transfer gear body; a slider mounted to a bottom surface of the air duct such that the slider is movable in a forward or backward direction on the bottom surface of the air duct, wherein the slider moves forward or backward while contacting the cam gear at a time of rotation of the cam gear
Implementation Method 2
a first rack gear formed on a rear surface of the wing knob; a transfer gear body meshing with the first rack gear and rotatably mounted on upper and lower vertical wing support frames
Data Source
AI summary
A device for opening and closing a damper using a knob of an air vent in a vehicle includes: a wing knob coupled to a horizontal wing mounted in an outlet of an air duct such that the wing knob is slidably movable on the horizontal wing; a first rack gear formed on a rear surface of the wing knob; a transfer gear body meshing with the first rack gear and rotatably mounted on upper and lower vertical wing support frames; a cam gear coaxially and rotatably connected to a lower portion of the transfer gear body; a slider mounted to a bottom surface of the air duct such that the slider is movable in a forward or backward direction on the bottom surface of the air duct, wherein the slider moves forward or backward while contacting the cam gear at a time of rotation of the cam gear; second rack gears formed at both side surfaces of the slider; and damper gears meshing with the second rack gears and rotatably mounted on the bottom surface of the air duct. The damper is coaxially connected to the damper gears and disposed in the air duct.