Airflow Direction Control with a Single Actuator Drive
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air vents in vehicles require separate actuators for up-down and right-left rotation, necessitating additional space for installation.
Innovation Solution
An electric airflow direction control device with a single driving source that includes a duct part, an up-and-down control unit, a right-and-left control unit, and a drive unit, utilizing a power supply part, power rotation part, and transmission parts to rotate both units independently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate actuators are installed for up-down and right-left rotation of the vane, then reliable airflow direction control is achieved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate actuators into a single integrated actuator that controls both the up-down and right-left rotation of the vane. The actuator housing contains both control units, and the drive shaft connects to both vanes through a unified mechanism, reducing the number of separate components while maintaining independent control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The single actuator is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls both the up-down vane and right-left vane rotation, replacing what would traditionally require two separate actuators. The drive mechanism universally serves both control functions through a shared power transmission system
2Ease of operation
If separate actuators are installed for up-down and right-left rotation, then independent control of each vane is achieved, but the space required for installation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The right-left control unit is nested within the actuator housing, and the up-down control unit is also integrated into the same housing. The drive shaft passes through the housing to connect both vanes, creating a compact nested arrangement that minimizes the space required for installation while maintaining independent control of each vane
3Area of stationary object
If a single driving source is used for both up-down and right-and-left control units, then space utilization is optimized, but the transmission mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission mechanism is segmented into distinct functional parts: the drive shaft provides rotational motion, the up-down transmission part controls the up-down vane, and the right-left transmission part controls the right-left vane. Each transmission part has dedicated engagement structures (teeth or grooves) that selectively engage with the corresponding vane, simplifying the control logic while using a single driving source
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
Enables control of airflow in both up-and-down and right-and-left directions using a single driving source, optimizing space utilization and reducing the need for multiple actuators.
Implementation Method 1
a motor part configured to be driven when power is applied
Implementation Method 2
an up-and-down gear part connected to the up-and-down shaft part and connected to the drive unit, the up-and-down gear part being configured to transmit a rotational force
Data Source
AI summary
An electric airflow direction control device including a duct part configured to guide air, an up-and-down control unit rotatably mounted to the duct part in an up-and-down direction and configured to control airflow in the up-and-down direction, a right-and-left control unit rotatably mounted to the duct part in a right-and-left direction and configured to control airflow in the right-and-left direction, and a drive unit connected to the up-and-down control unit and the right-and-left control unit and configured to selectively provide a rotational force to one of the up-and-down control unit and the right-and-left control unit.