Vehicle Air Vent Knob-Linkage for Slim Outlet Airflow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle air vents have a complex operation mechanism and high manufacturing costs due to the large number of components required to maintain air volume and adjust wind direction, leading to increased time for disassembly and replacement.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle air vent design that simplifies the operation mechanism by reducing the number of components, using a duct housing, wing assemblies, a guide assembly, and a knob with a movable pin, where the guide assembly includes links that rotate in opposite directions to control air flow direction, and a support housing to reduce the complexity of the inner structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the outlet of the air vent is slimmed to meet the trend of slimming the cockpit module, then the aesthetic appearance and compact design are improved, but the number of components must increase to prevent loss of air volume, leading to increased manufacturing costs and device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the first wing assembly and guide case into a single integrated structure. The guide case is formed as an integral part of the first wing assembly, eliminating the need for separate guide case components while maintaining the slimmed outlet design. This integration reduces the total number of components and assembly steps without compromising air volume control.
Solution Approach 2:
The first wing assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as both the structural outlet component and the guide case for air flow direction control. The knuckle member integrated into the first wing assembly provides both structural support and rotational movement capability for wind direction adjustment, combining multiple functions into a single component.
2Reliability
If the number of components in the air vent is increased to maintain air volume in a slimmed design, then air flow control is improved, but manufacturing costs increase and the operation mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional elements into fewer components. The guide case is integrated with the first wing assembly, and the knuckle member is built into the first wing assembly structure. This reduces the number of separate parts that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining effective air flow control through the streamlined design.
3Ease of operation
If the number of components in the air vent is increased to adjust wind direction effectively, then wind direction control is improved, but the time required for disassembling and replacing components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the guide case with the first wing assembly as a single unit, reducing the number of components that need to be disassembled during maintenance. The knuckle member is built into the first wing assembly structure, eliminating separate connection components. This integration maintains full wind direction control capability while significantly reducing disassembly and replacement time during repairs.
4Quantity of substance
If many components are used in the air vent to prevent loss of air volume while the outlet is slimmed, then air volume maintenance is improved, but the operation mechanism becomes complex and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the guide case functionality into the first wing assembly structure, creating an integrated component that maintains air volume without requiring separate guide case parts. The streamlined outlet design incorporates built-in flow management features that eliminate the need for additional components to prevent air volume loss, thereby simplifying the overall operation mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a vehicle air vent improved to simplify an operation mechanism by reducing the number of components for adjusting a wind direction while an outlet is slimmed. The vehicle air vent includes a vehicle air vent including a duct housing, a first wing assembly disposed at a side of an outlet of the duct housing, a second wing assembly disposed in the duct housing, and a knob coupled to the first wing assembly, wherein the knob includes a knob pin movably disposed in the first wing assembly.