Concealed Vehicle Air Vent Mechanism for Touch Wind Direction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle air vents require direct manipulation of knobs for controlling wind direction, which can detract from cockpit design aesthetics, and increasing the number of exposed components for indirect control complicates the system.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle air vent system with a rotation driving assembly and partition unit that includes a first and second driving unit, guide plates, and link arms to control wind direction without exposing these components, using a garnish to conceal the mechanism and allow touch-sensitive control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If direct manipulation of knobs is used to control wind direction, then ease of operation is improved, but cockpit design aesthetics deteriorate due to exposed components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the control mechanism (knob unit) from the visible cockpit area and relocates it to the interior of the air vent. The external air vent surface becomes a smooth, aesthetic panel while the functional knobs are hidden inside, accessible only when the vent is opened or through a concealed interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The control knobs are nested within the air vent structure itself. The knob unit is housed inside the air vent housing, allowing the aesthetic external surface to remain intact while containing the functional controls within the nested structure.
2Shape
If indirect manipulation is used to control wind direction without exposing components, then cockpit design aesthetics are improved, but device complexity increases due to additional unexposed components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control mechanism with the air vent structure itself. The knob unit is integrated into the air vent housing, and the link arm mechanism is combined with the wing structure, reducing the number of separate components while maintaining aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The air vent structure serves multiple functions: it acts as both the aesthetic external panel and the housing for the control mechanism. The link arm serves dual purposes by connecting both the wing structure and the knob unit, eliminating the need for separate mounting components.
3Shape
If the air vent structure is concealed to improve aesthetics, then cockpit design aesthetics are improved, but the number of components for controlling wind direction increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having the control mechanism outside and the aesthetic panel separate, the patent inverts the arrangement by placing the control mechanism inside the air vent structure. The aesthetic panel becomes the external surface, while the functional components are reversed to be housed within, achieving both aesthetics and functional integration.
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 system maintains wind volume and direction control while enhancing cockpit aesthetics by hiding the wind direction control components, ensuring reliable airflow and reducing leakage, and allowing for intuitive touch-based operation.
Implementation Method 1
a first driving unit including a motor which generates a driving force
Implementation Method 2
a hinge plate coupled to the gear unit and configured to be rotated together with the gear unit, a first guide plate coupled to the hinge plate of the first driving unit and configured to be rotated along with the hinge plate
Implementation Method 3
a link arm which connects the first guide plate and the second wing and, when the first guide plate rotates, is configured to be guided by the first guide plate to change a position
Implementation Method 4
a partition unit which is disposed behind the garnish in the air flow direction and is configured to guide a movement of the air passing through the first wing
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A vehicle air vent system (1) including a garnish mounted on a cockpit (C) and a vent module configured to discharge air transferred from an air conditioner together with the garnish and be covered by the garnish, wherein the vent module includes a duct housing into which the air transferred from the air conditioner is introduced, a nozzle configured to be disposed in the duct housing and rotate in the duct housing to guide the air introduced into the duct housing, a first wing configured to be disposed in front of the nozzle in an air flow direction and rotate in the duct housing in a different direction from a direction in which the nozzle rotates, a second wing configured to be disposed in front of the first wing in the air flow direction and disposed behind the garnish to guide air passing through the first wing, and a rotation driving assembly configured to connect the nozzle and the second wing and rotate the nozzle and the second wing in the same direction.