Airflow direction adjustment device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional airflow-direction adjustment devices in cooling and heating equipment are complex, bulky, and heavy due to the need for multiple vanes and intricate gear mechanisms, leading to increased weight and assembly issues, which complicates airflow direction adjustment and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A simplified airflow-direction adjustment device featuring a cylindrical housing with a pair of vanes that can rotate via a gear mechanism, allowing for efficient airflow direction change with fewer parts, reduced weight, and improved assembly properties, including a spherical housing design and semi-disk shaped vanes with a common pivot line for enhanced flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple vanes (at least four or more) are used for effective airflow-direction adjustment, then the airflow control capability is improved, but the structure becomes complicated and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the airflow adjustment function into two independent vanes instead of using multiple vanes. Each vane is responsible for a specific directional component, and their combined action achieves comprehensive airflow control. This segmentation reduces the number of parts from four or more to just two, simplifying the structure while maintaining adjustment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the vane arrangement by positioning the two vanes at different heights (first vane at a first height, second vane at a second height). This spatial arrangement in three-dimensional space allows the vanes to work together to control airflow in multiple directions without requiring multiple vanes in a single plane, thereby reducing structural complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of fins is increased for better airflow control, then the airflow adjustment effectiveness is improved, but the gear mechanism synchronizing each fin becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the synchronization function into a single integrated gear mechanism that simultaneously controls both vanes. Instead of having separate gear mechanisms for each vane (which would be required if using four or more vanes), one gear mechanism is designed to drive both vanes in a coordinated manner, significantly reducing the overall gear mechanism complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single gear mechanism is designed with multi-functionality to control multiple vanes. The gear mechanism incorporates a rotating member that can simultaneously engage with both vanes, allowing one mechanism to perform the synchronization function that would otherwise require multiple separate mechanisms, thereby simplifying the overall drive system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If more vanes and intricate gear mechanisms are used, then the airflow-direction adjustment capability is improved, but the weight increases and assembly property deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary components from the conventional design. By using only two vanes instead of four or more, and a single gear mechanism instead of multiple synchronized mechanisms, the design removes redundant parts that contribute to weight. This extraction of essential functions only maintains airflow control capability while significantly reducing overall device weight.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding more vanes to improve airflow control (the conventional approach), the patent inverts the logic by using fewer vanes and relying on their strategic positioning and coordinated movement. This inverted approach achieves the same or better control effectiveness with fewer components, thereby reducing weight and improving assembly properties.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple vanes are used for airflow-direction adjustment, then the airflow control is improved, but the number of parts increases and assembly property deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the airflow control function between two vanes positioned at different heights, where each vane handles a specific directional component. This functional segmentation allows comprehensive airflow control with minimal parts, reducing the total number of components compared to using four or more vanes where each would require its own mounting, support, and control elements.
Solution Approach 2:
By utilizing the vertical dimension to position vanes at different heights rather than arranging multiple vanes in a single plane, the patent reduces the number of parts required. The spatial arrangement in three-dimensional space allows two vanes to achieve control coverage that would otherwise require more parts in a two-dimensional arrangement, thereby reducing part quantity and improving assembly properties.
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 reduces the number of components, weight, and cost while maintaining effective airflow direction adjustment, enabling the formation of a mild swirl flow and improving durability by allowing vanes to multilaterally vary and engage reliably, even under impact.
Implementation Method 1
a gear mechanism allowing an angle or a direction of each vane to be adjusted; the gear mechanism includes a gear portion provided on a pivot line of each vane; and a gear integrally rotated with the operating portion to engage the gear portion of each vane
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(d)
AI summary
An airflow-direction adjustment device includes a housing in which a front end side is set as an air outlet and a back end side is set as an air inlet; a fin turnably supported inside the housing; and a gear mechanism for adjusting a direction of the fin by a rotation of an operating portion. An essential part is formed such that the fin is formed by a pair of vanes disposed on right and left or top and bottom inside the housing, and each vane is turnably supported in a front-and-back direction of the housing respectively as a supporting point on a common pivot line set in a plate width direction.