Dual-axis Air Vent Vane Control via External Spherical Linkage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air vent systems in vehicles and HVAC systems lack efficient control mechanisms that allow for simultaneous directional adjustment of airflow without the need for multiple control knobs or sticks, restricting user convenience and airflow flexibility.
Innovation Solution
An air vent system featuring a housing with a first vane rotating about a horizontal axis and a second vane rotating about a vertical axis, both controlled by a single controller disposed outside the air path, utilizing a mechanical linkage with a spherical gear to allow dual-axis adjustment of airflow direction from outside the air path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple control knobs or sticks are used for directional adjustment, then airflow direction control precision is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control functions into a single controller that simultaneously adjusts both the first vane (for vertical airflow direction) and the second vane (for horizontal airflow direction). This merging of control mechanisms eliminates the need for separate knobs or sticks, reducing device complexity while maintaining full directional control capability through a unified control interface
Solution Approach 2:
The single controller is designed with multi-functionality to perform both vertical and horizontal airflow direction adjustments. By making the controller universal in its function, it can replace multiple specialized controls, thereby improving ease of operation without sacrificing directional control precision
2Device complexity
If control components are placed inside the air path, then control mechanism integration is improved, but airflow restriction occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is extracted from the air path and positioned externally, eliminating the harmful effect of airflow restriction. By removing the control components from the internal air flow path, the patent ensures unobstructed airflow while maintaining effective control over the vanes through external positioning of the control mechanism
3Ease of operation
If a single controller is used for dual-axis adjustment, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spherical linkage mechanism with intersecting axes that allows a single controller to effectively adjust both vanes. The spherical geometry enables motion in multiple directions from a single control point, facilitating dual-axis adjustment without requiring complex multi-component control systems, thus balancing ease of operation with manageable device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
An air vent includes a housing extending between an inlet opening and an outlet opening, such that the housing defines a substantially closed air path between the inlet opening and the outlet opening. A first vane is disposed within the air path and is configured to rotate about a first axis. A second vane is disposed within the air path and is configured to rotate about a second axis, which is substantially orthogonal to the first axis. A controller is configured to rotate the first vane about the first axis and to rotate the second vane about the second axis. The controller is disposed outside of the air path, such that both the first vane and the second vane are adjustable from outside of the air path.