Vehicular Duct Airflow Door with Co-rotating Plates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicular duct apparatuses are limited in maximizing airflow rates as one airflow passage can only be fully open while the other is fully closed, or one is half open while the other is half closed, restricting simultaneous optimal airflow to multiple seats in a vehicle cabin.

Innovation Solution

The vehicular duct apparatus features a turning shaft with first and second plates oriented in the same direction, allowing both airflow passages to be fully open simultaneously, with adjustable passage areas to regulate airflow rates independently, enabling maximum airflow when needed and optimizing airflow distribution based on occupancy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If one airflow passage is fully open while the other is fully closed, then airflow rate to a specific seat is maximized, but total airflow rate to the cabin is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairflow rate to specific seatVSAvoidtotal airflow rate to cabin
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The airflow regulating door is divided into multiple independent plates (first plate, second plate, third plate) that can control different airflow passages separately. This segmentation allows each passage to be independently regulated, enabling simultaneous full opening of multiple passages to maximize total airflow while still providing individual control to specific seats.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If airflow passages are configured for individual seat control, then airflow distribution to occupied seats is optimized, but the ability to maximize total airflow for rapid cabin cooling is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairflow distribution controlVSAvoidmaximum airflow rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The airflow regulating door employs multiple plates that can be dynamically adjusted to different positions and orientations. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt between different operating modes: individual seat control mode where specific passages are regulated, and maximum airflow mode where all passages are simultaneously fully open for rapid cabin cooling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-plate airflow regulating door serves multiple functions: it can control airflow to individual seats independently, it can maximize total airflow by opening all passages simultaneously, and it can provide intermediate positions for partial airflow regulation. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between adaptability and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3686040B1Vehicular duct apparatus
Publication Date: 2021.06.30 VALEO JAPAN CO LTD
  • EP3686040B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3686040B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3686040B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

An airflow rate regulating door (50) includes a first plate (52) and a second plate (53), wherein the first plate (52) extends from a turning shaft (51) and is configured to regulate a flow rate of air flowing through a first airflow passage and the second plate (53) extends from the turning shaft (51) and at a same extending angle as the first plate (52) and is configured to regulate a flow rate of air flowing through a second airflow passage.