Deployable Vent for Automotive Trim Concealment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automotive ventilation systems face challenges in maintaining aesthetic appearance and ergonomics due to the visible presence of vents on interior trim surfaces, as existing solutions for concealing unused vents either consume excessive space or require complex and costly components, and fail to fully hide the vents when not in use.
Innovation Solution
A deployable vent system featuring a stationary duct with a telescoping segment and a movable trim hood that slides between retracted and extended positions, providing a variable airflow cross-section and concealing the vent when not in use, with optional power actuation or manual control, ensuring a flush integration with the interior trim surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a movable door is used to conceal the vent, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the device complexity increases and excessive panel space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The vent duct is nested within the trim surface aperture, allowing it to be concealed when retracted and deployed when needed. The duct fits inside the aperture opening, similar to a nested doll structure, eliminating the need for separate movable doors while maintaining aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent transitions from a two-dimensional opening in the trim surface to a three-dimensional deployable structure. By extending the duct in the depth dimension (into the aperture), the vent can be hidden when not in use, effectively using the third dimension to resolve the aesthetic conflict.
2Shape
If a movable door is used to conceal the vent, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the panel space occupied increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vent duct is nested within the trim surface aperture, allowing it to be concealed when retracted and deployed when needed. The duct fits inside the aperture opening, similar to a nested doll structure, eliminating the need for separate movable doors while maintaining aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent transitions from a two-dimensional opening in the trim surface to a three-dimensional deployable structure. By extending the duct in the depth dimension (into the aperture), the vent can be hidden when not in use, effectively using the third dimension to resolve the aesthetic conflict.
3Productivity
If the vent is always visible on the trim surface, then the airflow functionality is maintained, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vent duct is made dynamically deployable, transitioning between retracted (concealed) and extended (functional) states. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt between aesthetic appearance and airflow functionality based on operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The duct is preliminarily positioned in a retracted state within the aperture, preventing visual disruption to the trim surface. When airflow is needed, it extends to perform its function, effectively applying preliminary anti-action to maintain aesthetics while preserving functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A ventilation system is provided for a transportation vehicle having a passenger cabin with an interior trim surface. A stationary duct segment receives an inlet air flow and has a stationary outlet hidden behind the interior trim surface. A telescoping duct segment has a sliding inlet sealingly coupled to the stationary outlet so that it slides on the stationary outlet between a retracted position and an extended position. The telescoping duct segment has a movable outlet arranged to provide a variable flow cross section to the passenger cabin that increases as the telescoping duct segment slides from the retracted position to the extended position. A trim hood provides a portion of the interior trim surface and is movable with the telescoping duct segment. The trim hood has a pivot axis at an end of the trim hood remote from the movable outlet.