Flexible Surface-Element Ventilation Device for Curved Diffuse Airflow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ventilation devices for vehicles are expensive to produce and limited in design, as they often require complex and costly additive manufacturing processes, and lack the ability to form curved surfaces for diffuse ventilation.

Innovation Solution

A ventilation device with surface elements connected via flexible connecting elements, allowing them to abut for a closed surface and separate to form air outlet openings, utilizing injection molding for cost-effective mass production and adjustable design for various shapes and air flow control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If flexible surface elements linked together are used to form openings, then ventilation functionality is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases and production quantity is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventilation functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation device is divided into multiple individual surface elements (50) that can independently abut or separate. Each surface element is a discrete component that can be manufactured separately using conventional injection molding processes, then assembled into the final device. This segmentation enables mass production while maintaining the flexible ventilation functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple surface elements (50) are combined into a single integrated device structure where they work together to provide ventilation functionality. The surface elements are connected through flexible connecting elements (56) and secured to a support plate (30), merging individual components into a cohesive ventilation device that can be mass-produced.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If additive manufacturing processes are used to produce surface elements, then complex shapes and flexible designs are achieved, but production time increases and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexible designVSAvoidproduction quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces additive manufacturing processes with conventional injection molding technology. Injection molding is a well-established mechanical manufacturing process that can produce complex plastic parts in high volumes efficiently. The surface elements are designed with features suitable for injection molding, eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming additive manufacturing while maintaining design flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If conventional ventilation devices with lamellae or roller bodies are used, then air deflection is achieved, but the ability to provide diffuse ventilation is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair deflectionVSAvoiddiffuse ventilation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The surface elements are designed to be dynamically adjustable between two primary states: abutting to form a closed surface for air deflection, and separating to create gaps for diffuse ventilation. This dynamic capability allows the device to adapt its ventilation mode based on operational requirements, combining both air deflection and diffuse ventilation functionalities in a single device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Stability of the object's composition

If surface elements are connected via rigid structures, then structural stability is improved, but flexibility and ability to form curved surfaces are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible connecting elements (56) that link the surface elements together, allowing the structure to bend and form curved surfaces while maintaining structural integrity. These flexible connectors enable the ventilation device to adapt to various mounting surfaces and configurations, providing both stability and flexibility simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP3441245B1Ventilation device

Publication Date: 2020.03.18 DR SCHNEIDER KUNSTWERKE GMBH

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AI summary

Ventilation device (10) comprising surface elements (50) which, in a first position, abut each other to provide a closed surface, and in a second position are spaced apart from each other to form air outlet openings. The surface elements (50) are connected to each other via flexible connecting elements, with surface elements (50) located at the edge being connected to adjustment means. The adjustment means are movably designed and arranged such that the surface elements (50) can be moved into the second position by means of the adjustment means.