Vehicle Air Vent Control for Direct-Indirect Wind Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wing-type air vents in vehicles require manual user control for wind direction, leading to inconvenience as direct wind can touch the user's body, and existing solutions for next-generation slim cockpit designs are not effective.
Innovation Solution
A system for controlling direct and indirect multifunctional air vents, which includes an air vent mounted inside a vehicle dashboard, a vehicle state detector, and a controller that automatically switches between direct and indirect wind modes based on vehicle state or user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual control of wind direction is implemented, then user control capability is improved, but user comfort deteriorates due to direct wind touching the body
Solution Approach 1:
The air vent system dynamically switches between direct wind mode and indirect wind mode based on vehicle state (moving or stationary). When the vehicle is moving, direct wind mode is activated for efficient cooling. When stationary, indirect wind mode is activated to prevent direct wind discomfort to users, thereby adapting the system behavior to different operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller automatically detects vehicle state through the vehicle state detector and autonomously switches between direct and indirect wind modes without requiring manual user input. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for users to manually adjust wind direction while still providing comfort by selecting the appropriate mode based on real-time vehicle conditions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If automatic mode switching is implemented, then user comfort is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves multiple functions: it detects vehicle state through the vehicle state detector, determines the appropriate wind mode (direct or indirect), and actuates the air vent components accordingly. By consolidating these control functions into a single controller, the system achieves automatic mode switching without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle state detector acts as an intermediary component that provides objective vehicle state information to the controller. This intermediary mechanism enables automatic decision-making for mode switching based on measurable vehicle parameters, reducing the need for complex user interfaces or manual judgment while maintaining system simplicity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multifunctional air vent design is implemented, then adaptability to different vehicle environments is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air vent system is segmented into distinct functional components: direct wind outlets and indirect wind outlets, each controlled by separate actuators. This segmentation allows the system to achieve multifunctionality through modular design, where each component can be manufactured independently and assembled into the complete multifunctional air vent system.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a system for controlling direct and indirect multifunctional air vents, which includes an air vent mounted inside a dashboard in an interior of a vehicle, and configured to guide air flowing from a vehicle air conditioner to the interior of the vehicle while switching to a direct wind mode or an indirect wind mode, a mode input module provided outside the vehicle such that a user selects one of the direct wind mode and the indirect wind mode, and a controller configured to control the air vent to switch the mode of the air vent in response to the mode selected by the user through the mode input module.