Air Vent Diffuser with Ball Joint for Discomfort Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automobile air conditioning vents often direct conditioned air directly onto specific body parts, causing discomfort, and initial temperature fluctuations can lead to unpleasant sensations as the air takes time to reach the desired setting.
Innovation Solution
An air vent diffuser apparatus with a plate portion and adjustable stem, featuring a ball joint and legs, which disperses air blown from the vent, allowing for adjustable positioning to redirect and diffuse air throughout the vehicle compartment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the AC vent is positioned to blow air directly onto a specific body part, then the conditioned air can be delivered efficiently to the passenger compartment, but discomfort is caused due to direct airflow on specific body parts
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser plate segments the concentrated airflow from the AC vent into multiple dispersed streams. The plate's surface breaks up the single directional flow into numerous smaller flow paths, distributing the conditioned air across different directions to eliminate direct concentrated airflow on specific body parts while maintaining overall cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser plate redirects airflow from a primarily forward direction into multiple dimensions by creating upward, downward, and lateral flow components. This dimensional transformation of the airflow pattern disperses the air throughout the passenger compartment rather than concentrating it in a single direction, reducing direct exposure to specific body parts
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the hand is placed in front of the AC vent to diffuse air, then direct airflow on body parts is prevented, but the operation becomes bothersome and requires repeated manual adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser plate with adjustable stem provides a self-service solution that automatically maintains optimal airflow distribution without requiring continuous manual intervention. Once positioned, the device autonomously diffuses the airflow, eliminating the need for repeated hand placement and adjustment that characterizes manual airflow management
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser plate acts as an intermediary device between the AC vent and the passenger compartment air space. This intermediary structure performs the airflow diffusion function that would otherwise require manual intervention, translating the concentrated vent output into dispersed airflow patterns without direct human involvement
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the vent is closed to prevent direct airflow, then discomfort is eliminated, but the time required for the cabin to reach desired temperature increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser plate segments the airflow into multiple dispersed streams that cover a wider area of the passenger compartment. This segmentation allows the conditioned air to reach multiple zones simultaneously, maintaining efficient cabin temperature adjustment while eliminating concentrated direct airflow that causes discomfort
Solution Approach 2:
By redirecting airflow into multiple dimensions, the diffuser plate ensures comprehensive coverage of the passenger compartment space. The multi-directional airflow pattern accelerates heat distribution throughout the cabin while preventing direct concentrated streams, achieving both comfort and efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects presented herein provide a solution to the problem of conditioned air blown into the passenger compartment in a concentrated direction and the discomfort that users may experience from the concentrated conditioned air. The apparatus includes a plate portion having a central flat surface and angled side surfaces, and a ball joint extending from a rear surface of the plate portion. The apparatus includes a stem portion having a socket and a plurality of legs. The stem portion may be removably coupled to the plate portion at a rear surface of the central flat surface. The ball joint of the plate portion may be received within the socket such that the positioning of the plate portion may be adjustable.