Vehicle Air Vent Wing Assembly With Single-Actuator Airflow Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle air vents require multiple actuators to control the front and rear wings, leading to increased manufacturing costs and compromising vehicle aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle air vent design utilizing a single actuator to control both the front and rear wings through a mechanical force generated by a rotating member, with gear units to manage the rotation direction and angle of each wing assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple actuators are employed to control the front wing and rear wing independently, then the airflow direction control is improved and the front wing can remain unexposed to passengers, but the manufacturing cost increases and productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple actuator functions into a single actuator that controls both the front wing and rear wing through a unified mechanical linkage system. The rotating member connects to both wing assemblies, allowing one actuator to perform the work previously requiring multiple actuators, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The single actuator is designed with multi-functionality to control both the front wing assembly and rear wing assembly. The rotating member serves as a universal connection point that can drive both wings independently or simultaneously, making the actuator system more versatile and cost-effective
2Ease of operation
If multiple actuators are employed to control the front wing and rear wing independently, then the airflow direction control is improved and the front wing can remain unexposed to passengers, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple actuator configurations into a single actuator system with a rotating member that mechanically connects to both front and rear wing assemblies. This consolidation simplifies the overall device structure by eliminating redundant actuators and their associated mounting structures
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating member acts as an intermediary mechanical element that transfers motion from the single actuator to both wing assemblies. This intermediary component enables coordinated control of multiple wings without requiring multiple direct actuator connections, thereby reducing system complexity
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 manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for multiple actuators while maintaining control over airflow direction, enhancing vehicle aesthetics by hiding the wings from passenger view.
Implementation Method 1
the single actuator is configured to generate a mechanical force to rotate the first wing and the plurality of second wings
Implementation Method 2
a first gear unit for rotating the first wing upward while rotating in selective contact with the rotating member reciprocating along a predetermined section; and a second gear unit for rotating the first wing downward while rotating in selective contact with the rotating member reciprocating along a predetermined section
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle air vent for being installed in a vehicle to guide air in a passenger compartment of the vehicle is provided. The vehicle air vent includes: a first wing assembly including a first wing for guiding air toward at least one of a ceiling surface of the passenger compartment, a floor surface of the passenger compartment, or a combination thereof; a second wing assembly including a plurality of second wings for guiding air toward a side of the passenger compartment; and a single actuator disposed between the first wing assembly and the second wing assembly. The single actuator generates a mechanical force to rotate the first wing and the second wing.