External-Knob Air Vent for Slim Directional Airflow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air vents with knobs positioned on the air outlet face challenges in adjusting wind direction efficiently due to resistance from the knob to the discharged air and limitations in reducing the size of the air vent for slim designs.
Innovation Solution
The air vent design positions the knob outside the air outlet, utilizing a rotating shaft with gears and cams to interlock with wings that adjust the air direction up, down, left, or right, minimizing interference with the air flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the knob is disposed on the air outlet to adjust wind direction, then the wind direction can be adjusted, but the knob applies resistance to discharged air and interferes with the direction of discharged air
Solution Approach 1:
The knob is extracted from the air outlet and relocated to the side of the air vent body. This separation removes the interfering element (knob) from the air discharge path, eliminating resistance to discharged air while preserving the wind direction adjustment function through the wing mechanism
2Shape
If the knob size is reduced for slim-shaped air vent design, then the design excellence is improved, but there are limits to reducing the size of the knob
Solution Approach 1:
The knob is relocated from the air outlet area to the side of the air vent body, utilizing unused spatial dimensions. This dimensional relocation allows the air outlet area to be minimized for slim design while the knob can be positioned in a separate location where it does not interfere with air discharge and can maintain adequate size for operation
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the knob is disposed outside the air outlet, then resistance to discharged air is eliminated, but the mechanism becomes more complex with gears and cams
Solution Approach 1:
Gears and cams are introduced as intermediary elements that transmit and transform the rotational motion of the relocated knob into the appropriate wing movements. These intermediaries enable the knob to control wind direction from its new position outside the air outlet while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical transmission system
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
This configuration allows for easy adjustment of wind direction without applying resistance to the discharged air, enabling a more flexible and efficient air vent design that can accommodate slim profiles.
Implementation Method 1
a first cam that is disposed parallel to the air outlet at a rear side of the knob and has a through hole formed so that the end of the protrusion passes therethrough. When the first cam rotates, the protrusion moves up and down to allow the first wing to rotate
Implementation Method 2
a second cam that is disposed parallel to the air outlet at a rear side of the knob and has a through hole formed so that the end of the link portion passes therethrough. When the second cam rotates, the link portion hung on the second cam may move left and right to allow the second wing to rotate left and right
Implementation Method 3
a first gear and a second gear may be formed on the rotating shaft at a predetermined interval in a radial direction of the rotating shaft, and the first gear may interlock with the first wing and the second gear may interlock with the second wing so that when the knob is rotated, the first wing or the second wing is moved
Data Source
AI summary
An air vent may comprise an air outlet that is open on one side and discharges air, a first wing that is disposed on the open side of the air outlet and guides air upward or downward by rotating up and down, a second wing that is disposed at a rear side of the first wing and guides air to the left or right by rotating left or right, and a knob that is movable forward and backward and interlocks with the first wing or the second wing depending on disposition thereof, and the knob may be disposed outside the air outlet.