Vehicle Dashboard Air Outlet Actuator with Tactile Click Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air outlet devices for motor vehicle aeration systems face challenges in providing a clear indication of the position of transverse blades to the user due to their hidden nature, while also struggling with the complexity and cost of incorporating friction elements to manage actuator movement.
Innovation Solution
The air outlet device incorporates transversely extending projections on the first blade and a corresponding opposite projection on the actuator, allowing for a tactile click sensation when the actuator moves, which informs the user of blade positions without obstructing the longitudinal plane, thus enabling the inclusion of a friction element for controlled movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a spring leaf and recess are provided in the same plane as the tongue and blade to produce a click sensation, then the user can sense the position of the transverse blades, but the device complexity increases due to additional parts and the friction element cannot be installed
Solution Approach 1:
The projection and opposite projection are integrated into the existing blade and actuator structures respectively, merging the click-sensing function with the existing components rather than adding separate spring leaf and recess parts. This eliminates additional components while maintaining the tactile feedback function.
Solution Approach 2:
The click-sensing mechanism is moved from the longitudinal plane to the transverse dimension by extending projections transversely from the blade and actuator. This dimensional change allows the friction element to be installed in the longitudinal plane without interfering with the click-sensing projections.
2Ease of operation
If a friction element is installed between the actuator and blade to provide resistance to translation, then controlled movement is achieved, but the forces exerted are too significant for plastic clip fastening means
Solution Approach 1:
The friction element is repositioned to extend in the longitudinal direction rather than the transverse direction, changing its orientation dimension. This allows the friction element to be supported by the structurally stronger longitudinal fastening means (screws or rivets) rather than the weaker transverse plastic clips.
3Ease of operation
If the spring leaf and friction element are both provided in the same device, then both click sensation and controlled movement are achieved, but the manufacturing and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The click-sensing function is merged into the actuator and blade structures through integrated projections, eliminating the need for separate spring leaf and recess components. This reduces the total part count, simplifies manufacturing, and lowers production costs while maintaining the tactile feedback function.
Solution Approach 2:
The unnecessary spring leaf and recess components are extracted and removed from the design, keeping only the essential friction element and the integrated projection structures. This simplification reduces manufacturing complexity and production costs.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an air outlet device (1) that includes a first blade (4), extending longitudinally and being rotatable around a longitudinal axis (A), and at least one second blade (6), extending transversely and being rotatable around a transverse axis (B), the device comprising an actuator (8) connected to the first (4) and to the second blade (6) and being rotatably secured to the first blade (4) and being translatably mobile on said first blade (4). The first blade (4) includes at least one projection (38) extending transversely from a longitudinal surface (22) of the first blade (4), the actuator (8) comprising an opposite projection (40) that extends transversely opposite said longitudinal surface (22) such that the projection (38) pushes the opposite projection (40) when the actuator (8) is translatably moved.