Cold Air Outlet Elastic Flap Mounting for Quiet Airflow Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional self-adjusting ventilation outlets with hinge-type connections generate noise due to the movement of adjustment flaps, which can be noisy and fragile, leading to discomfort and noise pollution.

Innovation Solution

A self-adjusting ventilation outlet with a regulating flap connected via soft elastic attachment means that deform and pivot, providing a restoring force to dampen untimely movements and reduce noise, featuring elastic tongues and damping zones to mitigate flap noise and fragility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If hinge-type connections with rigid axes are used for the adjustment flap, then the flap can pivot smoothly, but noise is generated due to beating and movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflap pivoting smoothnessVSAvoidnoise pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the rigid hinge connection with a soft elastic attachment means that allows the adjustment flap to pivot through bending deformation. This flexible connection eliminates the beating and impact noise generated by rigid hinges while maintaining smooth flap movement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The soft elastic attachment means acts as an intermediary between the adjustment flap and the ventilation outlet body. It mediates the pivoting motion by deforming elastically, thereby absorbing impact energies and preventing direct contact and collision that would generate noise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If thin deformable elements are used for flow regulation, then the device can be simple, but the elements are fragile and generate noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventilation device simplicityVSAvoidelement fragility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment flap is constructed as a composite structure combining a rigid main body for structural integrity with soft elastic attachment means for flexible connection. This composite design maintains simplicity while eliminating fragility and noise issues associated with thin deformable elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The soft elastic attachment means replaces fragile thin deformable elements by providing a flexible yet durable connection mechanism that can withstand repeated pivoting motions without breaking or generating noise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Strength

If the adjustment flap is made rigid for structural strength, then the flap is durable, but it generates beating noise during movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflap structural strengthVSAvoidbeating noise
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains the rigid structure of the adjustment flap for strength and durability, but eliminates beating noise by replacing the rigid hinge connection with a soft elastic attachment means that flexes during pivoting, absorbing impact energies and preventing collision noise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Ease of manufacture

If conventional hinge connections are used, then the flap can be easily installed, but the connection is fragile and noisy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflap installation easeVSAvoidnoise and fragility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The soft elastic attachment means is designed to be integrated with the adjustment flap, maintaining ease of installation while eliminating the noise and fragility problems of conventional hinge connections through its flexible, noise-absorbing properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 maintains a constant airflow rate while significantly reducing noise pollution by using elastic attachment means and damping zones to stabilize the flap, ensuring efficient and quiet operation across varying pressure conditions.

Implementation Method 1

the articulation of the regulation flap is effected by bending of the attachment means made of material soft elastic. Their elastic character means that the attachment means are capable of exerting on the regulating flap a restoring force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the articulation of the regulation flap is effected by bending of the attachment means made of material soft elastic

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

the adjustment flap has at least one damping zone on at least one face of said adjustment flap

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2028428B1Auto-adjustable cold air outlet with dampened feed valve
Publication Date: 2016.08.24 CONSEILS ETUD & RECH & GESTION DE LAIR (C E R G A)
  • EP2028428B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2028428B1 patent drawingFigure 4~7

AI summary

The outlet (1) has a conduit (2) provided with an air inlet (3) and an air outlet (4) separated by a central part, and an adjusting mechanism housed inside the central part. The mechanism has an adjusting flap (6) that includes a connecting edge and is reattached with a wall of the conduit via the connecting edge by an attaching unit. The attaching unit has deformable zones made of flexible elastic material for permitting rotation of the flap, where each zone is in the form of an elastic tab (12). The deformable zones are regularly arranged along the connecting edge of the flap.