Hidden Vehicle Air Vent Control With Touch-Sensitive Decorative Trim
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning systems in motor vehicles lack a simple and reliable operation mechanism for adjusting air flow intensity and direction, particularly for hidden air vents, which also fail to meet aesthetic requirements and provide adequate comfort.
Innovation Solution
An air outlet device with a decorative element between two ventilation gaps, featuring touch-sensitive regulating elements and a control unit that allows independent adjustment of air flow intensity and direction using capacitive sensors and servomotors, integrated with a position element for easy operation and aesthetic integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional mechanical tabs are used for air flow control, then the structure is simple, but the aesthetic requirements are not met and operational reliability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical tabs with an electronic control system comprising a control unit, capacitive touch-sensitive regulating elements, and servomotors. This substitution eliminates the need for visible mechanical adjustment components while providing reliable electronic control of air flow intensity and orientation through touch-sensitive interfaces integrated into the decorative element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the decorative element with the operating unit by integrating touch-sensitive regulating elements directly into the decorative component. This combination allows the air outlet device to maintain aesthetic appearance while providing full control functionality, as the regulating elements are concealed within the decorative structure rather than being separate mechanical tabs.
2Ease of operation
If hidden air vents are used, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but operation becomes complex and status display is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control unit as an intermediary between the user and the air vent mechanism. The control unit receives signals from capacitive touch-sensitive regulating elements integrated into the decorative element and translates them into appropriate servomotor commands. This intermediary system simplifies user interaction while maintaining aesthetic appearance, as all control is achieved through touch-sensitive surfaces concealed within the decorative structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs light sources integrated into the decorative element to indicate the operational status of the air outlet device. By using visual signals (light emission or illumination changes) in response to touch input, the system provides clear status feedback without requiring visible mechanical indicators, thus maintaining aesthetic appearance while improving operability.
3Ease of operation
If capacitive touch-sensitive elements are integrated into decorative element, then ease of operation and aesthetics are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The decorative element serves multiple functions: it provides aesthetic appearance, houses the capacitive touch-sensitive regulating elements, and integrates light sources for status indication. By making the decorative element multi-functional, the patent reduces the number of separate components and assembly steps, thereby mitigating the manufacturing precision challenges that would arise from integrating multiple independent components.
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
Enables a user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing operation of air conditioning systems, allowing for convenient adjustment of air flow intensity and direction, enhancing comfort and usability, especially for hidden air vents like register vents.
Implementation Method 1
the first and second regulating elements each have a touch-sensitive surface element integrated into the decorative element. Furthermore, the air outlet device comprises a control unit that is signal-coupled to the first and second regulating elements, so that the control unit can determine the position of an object on one of the touch-sensitive surface elements
Implementation Method 2
A changed air flow setting is implemented by the control unit via servomotors on the air vent, which are coupled, for example, to a folding mechanism of air control flaps.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The invention relates to an air outlet device (10) for an interior of a motor vehicle, comprising a first ventilation gap (11) and a second ventilation gap (12), which are spaced apart from each other, a decorative element (13), which is coupled to a fitting covering (20) for the motor vehicle (1) and arranged between the first and the second ventilation gap (11, 12), and a control unit (15), which is coupled to the decorative element (13) and has a first regulating element (16) and a second regulating element (17), wherein an intensity of an air flow through at least one of the ventilation gaps (11, 12) and, by means of the second regulating element (17), an alignment of the air flow through at least one of the ventilation gaps (11, 12) can be adjusted independently of each other.