Airflow direction adjustment device

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing airflow-direction adjustment devices for vehicles increase the number of components and cost, and restrict design flexibility due to the use of shut springs and bolts, leading to a less-than-ideal click feeling during full closure and potential unpleasant sounds from vibrations.

Innovation Solution

An airflow-direction adjustment device with a simplified structure featuring a plate with slits and a projection for elastic locking, which reduces the operation load and provides a click feeling without increasing weight, using a single fin or multiple fins and corresponding shaft holes for precise adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If shut springs and bolts are used to lock the louver in a fully closed position, then the louver can be securely locked and a shut feeling can be provided to the operator, but the number of components increases and the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the locking function and the spring support function into a single integrated spring member. The spring member has a body portion that supports the louver and a free end portion that engages with the lower-portion plate to provide locking, eliminating the need for separate shut springs and bolts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides elastic support for the louver, delivers the shut feeling to the operator through its spring force, and provides locking in the fully closed position through engagement with the lower-portion plate. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If shut springs and bolts are used to lock the louver, then the louver can be securely locked, but the number of operations increases and the attachment space is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of operations

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If a simple convex shape control device is used, then the structure is simplified, but the gap between the plate and louver increases and the click feeling deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol device structureVSAvoidclick feeling

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control device features a localized recess portion with a specific depth designed to receive the lower-portion plate. This localized structural feature provides the necessary click feeling through precise engagement geometry without requiring complex overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

The solution allows for accurate and lightweight integration of the airflow-direction adjustment device, providing a one-touch operation and minimizing projections, thus enhancing the click feeling and reducing noise from vibrations.

Implementation Method 1

a control device elastically locking the louver in a fully closed position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a spring force of the shut spring can provide the shutting feeling to an operator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3178684B1Airflow direction adjustment device

Publication Date: 2020.12.16 NIFCO INC

Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2(a)~2(c)
Figure 3

AI summary

An airflow-direction adjustment device for a vehicle includes a housing having a blowout port; and a louver turnably supported on an inner side of the housing, and the louver can open and close the blowout port, and varies a flow amount or a flow direction of air flowing through the blowout port by a degree of opening and closing. The airflow-direction adjustment device for the vehicle is formed to include a plate attached to an inner side of the housing and provided with a shaft hole fitting and pivotally supporting a support shaft of the louver, and a control device elastically locking the louver in a fully closed position.