An air vent device for a ventilation system of a vehicle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air vent devices for vehicles often fail to maintain a high airflow rate while minimizing undesired airflow towards the driver or passenger, particularly in hot climates where the desired compartment temperature is hard to achieve without excessive airflow.

Innovation Solution

An air vent device with a diffuser portion made of flexible materials, such as fabric or rubber, that can expand to cover a significant portion of the air channel cross-section, redirecting airflow outwardly and allowing for adjustable airflow distribution by varying the size and position of the diffuser portion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the airflow rate is increased to reach the desired compartment temperature in hot climates, then the cooling effect is improved, but undesired airflow towards the driver or passenger increases causing discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompartment temperatureVSAvoidundesired airflow towards occupant
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The diffuser is divided into multiple independent blades arranged radially around the air channel. Each blade can be independently adjusted to control the airflow direction, allowing the system to segment and redirect different portions of the airflow to achieve both high airflow rate and comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The diffuser blades are made adjustable rather than fixed, allowing dynamic control of the airflow direction. The blades can be positioned at different angles to redirect airflow away from occupants while maintaining high airflow rates for effective cooling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a fixed diffuser structure is used to block airflow towards occupants, then comfort is improved, but the ability to adjust airflow distribution is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairflow towards occupantVSAvoidadjustable airflow distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The diffuser blades are designed to be adjustable rather than fixed, enabling dynamic control of airflow direction. This allows the system to adapt to different operational conditions and user preferences while effectively blocking undesired airflow towards occupants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustable diffuser structure serves multiple functions: it can block airflow towards occupants for comfort, redirect airflow to different areas for uniform distribution, and maintain high airflow rates for cooling. This multi-functionality provides versatility in airflow management.

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

3Stability of the object's composition

If the diffuser portion is made from rigid material, then structural stability is improved, but ease of manufacture and adjustment is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediffuser structure stabilityVSAvoiddiffuser portion manufacturing
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The diffuser blades are made from flexible material that can be easily manufactured and adjusted. The flexibility of the material allows for simple manufacturing processes while still providing sufficient structural stability to effectively redirect airflow when positioned correctly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 solution effectively blocks a major part of the airflow directed towards occupants, reducing discomfort while maintaining a high airflow rate to achieve the desired compartment temperature, with the diffuser's design allowing for easy operation and adjustment.

Implementation Method 1

a diffuser (11) for disturbing the airflow provided to the vehicle compartment (4). The diffuser (11) has a portion (12) made of a flexible material which diffuser portion (12) is arranged to cover a part of a cross-section area of the air channel (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow disturbance: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentEP3693198B1An air vent device for a ventilation system of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.05.19 NINGBO GEELY AUTOMOBILE RES & DEV CO LTD
  • EP3693198B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3693198B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3693198B1 patent drawingFigure 2c~2d

AI summary

Air vent device (1) for a ventilation system of a vehicle, having a pipe (2) forming an air channel (3) for providing air to a compartment (4) of the vehicle and a diffuser (11) for disturbing the airflow provided to the compartment (4) of the vehicle, wherein the diffuser (11) has a portion (12) made of a flexible material which diffuser portion (12) is arranged to cover a part of a cross-section area of the air channel (3) and the diffuser portion (12) is expandable for varying the size of the covered part of the air channel cross section area.