Vehicle Air Vent Orientation Using Occupant Position Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle ventilation systems require manual adjustment of vents, which is burdensome for drivers and often results in suboptimal airflow positioning due to limited reachability and rushed adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle ventilation system that automatically adjusts airflow direction and intensity using motors or actuators controlled by processing circuitry, which determines user position through cameras and computer vision algorithms, allowing for user preferences to be set and recalled without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of vents is used, then the driver can control airflow direction, but the driver must take hand off steering wheel and spend time adjusting, reducing safety and productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation system automatically adjusts the vents based on driver position and selected target without requiring manual intervention. The system uses sensors to detect driver location and autonomously positions the airflow direction, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring continuous driver input.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated control system that uses sensors, processors, and actuators. The mechanical act of manually moving vent components is substituted with an automated electromechanical system that detects driver position and automatically positions the airflow.
2Measurement precision
If manual adjustment is required, then the driver can position airflow, but the driver is limited to reachable areas and may rush the adjustment, resulting in suboptimal positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that detect driver position and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback loop allows the system to continuously monitor and adjust the airflow direction based on the driver's location, ensuring accurate positioning without requiring the driver to manually reach and adjust vents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent expands the control capability from simple manual reachability to three-dimensional spatial positioning. By using sensors and processors to detect driver position in multiple dimensions, the system can direct airflow to any location within the vehicle cabin, not just areas reachable by manual adjustment.
3Extent of automation
If automatic control is implemented, then airflow can be precisely directed without manual intervention, but the device complexity increases with motors, actuators, and processing circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The automated control system serves multiple functions: it detects driver position, determines optimal airflow direction, controls actuator movement, and adapts to different driving conditions. By consolidating these functions into a single integrated system, the patent reduces overall complexity compared to having separate manual controls for each function.
4Adaptability or versatility
If vents are placed in reachable locations for manual adjustment, then the driver can access them, but the location options are limited and airflow positioning may be suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the ventilation system from a static configuration with fixed vent locations to a dynamic system where the airflow direction can be continuously adjusted. The actuators enable the vents to change position and orientation in real-time, allowing optimal airflow direction regardless of the physical vent location on the vehicle dashboard.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided for an air vent system in, for example, a vehicle. The air vent system is configured to direct air flow to a point relative to a user's position in the vehicle. A camera may capture a view of the user and processing circuitry may analyze the captured information to determine a position of the user in the vehicle and control the direction of air flow based on the determined position of the user.