Low-Profile Air Vent With Hidden Slats for Vertical Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air vents with low height and wide width, known as joint vents, face limitations in air deflection due to the placement of slats, which restricts effective air distribution, especially when the slats are short, and the deflection mechanism is often visible, affecting aesthetics and functionality.
Innovation Solution
The air vent design features a rotatably mounted air guide element centrally in the duct, with slats positioned behind the air guide element, allowing for improved air deflection without visible moving parts. The air guide element is designed to be round with no sharp edges, and the slats are pivotally connected via webs and a common axis, enabling greater control over air flow direction and distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If slats are positioned upstream in the air duct for air deflection, then air deflection is achieved, but the slats and deflection mechanism become visible above the air outlet opening, affecting aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by positioning the slats downstream behind the air guide element rather than upstream. This reversal allows the air deflection function to be maintained while the slats remain hidden from view above the air outlet opening, resolving the contradiction between functionality and aesthetics
Solution Approach 2:
The slats are nested within the air duct behind the air guide element, creating a layered configuration where the air guide element is positioned in front of the slats. This nesting arrangement allows the deflection mechanism to be concealed while still performing its function, addressing both aesthetic and functional requirements
2Shape
If joint vents are designed with low height and wide width, then the vent profile is sleek and modern, but air deflection capability is significantly limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional lateral air deflection to vertical air deflection by orienting the slats to deflect air in the vertical direction. This dimensional change allows effective air distribution to be achieved within the constrained low-height profile of joint vents, resolving the contradiction between sleek design and functional capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the deflection direction parameter from horizontal to vertical, enabling the air vent to achieve effective air distribution capability while maintaining the low-profile joint vent design. This parameter change allows the vent to overcome the limitations imposed by its compact dimensions
3Length of stationary object
If slats are made short to fit low-profile joint vents, then the vent height is reduced, but air deflection effectiveness is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional horizontal deflection approach and implements vertical deflection using the air guide element and vertically oriented slats. This inversion allows short slats to achieve effective air deflection in the vertical direction, resolving the contradiction between reduced height and maintained deflection effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the deflection orientation from horizontal to vertical, allowing short slats to provide effective air distribution within the low-profile joint vent. This parameter change enables the slats to overcome their length limitation by operating in a different directional plane
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
This configuration enhances air deflection capabilities, particularly upwards and downwards, while maintaining a sleek appearance by hiding the slats and deflection mechanism from view, improving both functionality and aesthetics compared to conventional designs.
Implementation Method 1
an air guide element (40) which is mounted so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis (D) in the air duct (14) and serves to deflect the air flow in a vertical direction
Implementation Method 2
two groups of opposing slats (30) which are pivotably mounted via bearing pins (32) in the housing walls (28) and the webs (24) and serve to deflect the air flow in a lateral direction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Air vent with a deflection device and an air-guiding element (40), the air-guiding element (40) being pivoted essentially centrally in an air duct (14) and the deflection device having at least two groups of opposing slats (30), a first group of slats (30 ) is pivotably mounted between the air guide element (40) and a housing wall (28) of the air vent opposite the air guide element (40), and a second group of lamellae (30) between the air guide element (40) and a housing wall (28 ) of the air vent is pivotably mounted, the air guide element (40) has a deflection element (50) projecting backwards into the air duct (14).