Vehicle Air Vent Assembly With Pressure Relief Bypass

Solution Overview

Problem

The use of slim profile vents in vehicle interiors increases airflow resistance, reducing the amount of airflow into the cabin and complicating quick conditioning.

Innovation Solution

A pressure relief valve is integrated into the HVAC system's primary duct to divert excess airflow through a secondary duct when pressure exceeds a threshold, using a biasing member or flexible membrane to open and direct airflow into the cabin via a discreet outlet.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If slim profile vents are used to maintain vehicle styling, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but airflow resistance increases and airflow quantity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevent profileVSAvoidairflow quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The air vent system is segmented into multiple independent airflow paths: a primary duct for main airflow and a secondary duct for relief airflow. The pressure relief valve creates a separate bypass channel that divides the airflow, allowing the primary vent to maintain its slim profile while the secondary duct provides additional airflow capacity through a hidden outlet.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure relief valve acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the slim profile vent design and the requirement for sufficient airflow. It automatically opens to divert excess pressure and maintain airflow quantity when the primary duct pressure exceeds the threshold, thus enabling the slim vent design to meet both aesthetic and functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Shape

If slim profile vents are used to maintain vehicle styling, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but airflow resistance increases and conditioning speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevent profileVSAvoidconditioning time

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The air vent system is segmented into multiple independent airflow paths: a primary duct for main airflow and a secondary duct for relief airflow. The pressure relief valve creates a separate bypass channel that divides the airflow, allowing the primary vent to maintain its slim profile while the secondary duct provides additional airflow capacity through a hidden outlet.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure relief valve acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the slim profile vent design and the requirement for sufficient airflow. It automatically opens to divert excess pressure and maintain airflow quantity when the primary duct pressure exceeds the threshold, thus enabling the slim vent design to meet both aesthetic and functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If a pressure relief valve is added to divert excess airflow, then airflow resistance is reduced and airflow quantity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow quantityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure relief valve is designed as a self-regulating component that automatically opens and closes based on the pressure differential between the primary and secondary ducts. The flexible membrane or valve door responds directly to pressure changes without requiring external control systems, sensors, or actuators, thereby adding minimal complexity while effectively managing airflow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure relief valve employs a flexible membrane or thin valve door that flexes or moves in response to pressure changes. This simple mechanical design uses material flexibility rather than complex mechanical linkages or electronic controls to achieve pressure-regulated airflow diversion, minimizing the increase in system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

Reduces airflow resistance, increases airflow into the cabin for faster conditioning, and maintains vehicle styling by using a hidden secondary outlet.

Implementation Method 1

The flexible membrane uncovers the valve opening when the pressure of the airflow in the primary duct exceeds the threshold

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a biasing member is connected to the valve door to bias the valve door in the closed position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic force: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS12502928B2Air vent assembly with pressure relief valve

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A vent assembly of a vehicle includes a vent having a vent opening through which an airflow is directed, and a primary duct operably connected to the vent to convey the airflow toward the vent opening. A pressure relief valve is located along the primary duct. The pressure relief valve is configured to open when a pressure of the airflow in the primary duct exceeds a threshold, to divert a portion of the airflow through the pressure relief valve.