Vehicle Cabin Ventilation Control with Dedicated Air Circuit Adjusters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle cabin ventilation control systems lack precision and user customization options, with limited adjustable air distribution settings and difficulty in accurately setting air sub-flow rates, especially while driving.

Innovation Solution

A dedicated control member for each air circuit allows users to intuitively and easily adjust air sub-flow rates, with one-way variations, and an electronic control unit that automatically adjusts other sub-flows to maintain a constant overall air flow rate, supported by a display showing current air distribution for precise adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional ventilation control systems provide limited predetermined air distribution settings, then the system structure remains simple, but the user cannot accurately adjust or personalize air sub-flow rates according to individual needs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair distribution customizationVSAvoidcontrol system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented by providing a dedicated control member for each air circuit (first, second, and third air circuits). Each control member independently controls the air sub-flow rate for its corresponding circuit, allowing users to customize air distribution without requiring a complex centralized control system. This segmentation enables precise individual adjustment while maintaining overall system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If specific means are provided to accurately set air sub-flow rates, then adjustment precision improves, but the system becomes complex and expensive, and adjustment becomes difficult for users while driving

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair sub-flow rate setting accuracyVSAvoiduser adjustment ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Each air circuit is equipped with a dedicated control member that directly controls its corresponding air sub-flow rate. The control members are designed to be intuitively operable with clear feedback, allowing users to easily adjust settings without requiring complex procedures or specialized knowledge. This self-service approach enables accurate adjustment while maintaining ease of use during driving.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the electronic control unit receives signals from control members and adjusts air sub-flow rates accordingly. The control members provide tactile or visual feedback to users, confirming the current setting and enabling precise adjustment through simple interactions, making the system both accurate and easy to operate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual control members are provided for each air circuit, then user customization capability improves, but the system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair distribution personalizationVSAvoidcontrol system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control members are designed with multi-functionality, serving as both the interface for user input and the control element for the electronic control unit. Each control member integrates multiple functions: user interaction interface, signal generation, and control signal transmission. This universal design enables full customization capability while avoiding the need for separate complex control components for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2849961B1Ventilation control system and method for a cabin of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2019.08.14 VOLVO TRUCK CORP
  • EP2849961B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2849961B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2849961B1 patent drawingFigure 4~8

AI summary

The system (4) comprises: - a unit (5) providing an air flow (F) to the cabin (1 ); a first, second and third air circuits (11, 12, 13), each directing an air sub flow (F1, F2, F3) forming at least part of the air flow (F) towards the cabin through openings (17, 18, 19) which are located in distinct distribution areas (21, 22, 23) in the cabin; - a distribution input device (32) for manually setting a user defined air distribution i.e. the respective rates (Q1, Q2, Q3) of the air sub flows- which comprises, for each air circuit, a dedicated control member (33, 34, 35) for setting the air sub flow rate in said air circuit; an electronic control unit (25) connected to the distribution input device and controlling the air sub flow rates according to the rate (Q1, Q2, Q3) of the air sub flow (F1, F2, F3) manually selected for one air circuit (11, 12, 13).