HVAC Airflow Door Assembly for Driver-Focused Cabin Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current HVAC systems in vehicles direct airflow to the passenger side even when no passenger is present, leading to inefficiencies and increased energy consumption, which can reduce gas mileage and waste battery energy.
Innovation Solution
The HVAC airflow distribution module features movable doors that independently control airflow through various outlets, allowing for focused airflow on the driver's seat and maintaining vehicle recirculation at a comfortable level when no passenger is present, optimizing airflow distribution by restricting airflow to unnecessary areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If airflow is directed to all outlets including passenger side, then passenger comfort is maintained, but energy consumption increases and fuel economy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The passenger face door sub assembly is divided into two independent doors: a passenger side face door (outer portion) and a passenger center face door (inner portion). Each door can be independently controlled to regulate airflow through its respective outlet, allowing the system to selectively direct airflow only to occupied seating positions rather than treating the entire passenger side as a single unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The HVAC system employs movable doors that can dynamically adjust their positions based on occupancy detection. The passenger side face door and passenger center face door can independently open or close to adapt airflow distribution in real-time, transitioning from a static all-or-nothing airflow approach to a dynamic, condition-based system that responds to actual passenger presence.
2Manufacturing precision
If airflow mode doors are made independently controllable, then airflow distribution precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple door control functions into integrated door assemblies. The passenger face door sub assembly merges the passenger side face door and passenger center face door into a single sub-assembly unit that can be controlled together or independently, reducing the number of separate control mechanisms needed while maintaining independent airflow control capability at each outlet.
3Productivity
If airflow is restricted to driver side only, then energy efficiency is improved, but passenger comfort may be compromised when passengers are present
Solution Approach 1:
The HVAC system incorporates occupancy sensors that detect the presence or absence of passengers and provide feedback to the control system. Based on this feedback, the control system automatically adjusts the position of the passenger side face door and passenger center face door to either restrict airflow (when no passenger is present) or enable airflow (when a passenger is detected), thereby maintaining both efficiency and comfort dynamically.
Data Source
AI summary
A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) airflow distribution module including a passenger side face outlet and a passenger center face outlet both defined by the module. A passenger face door sub assembly within the module includes a passenger side face door (outer portion) at the passenger side face outlet and movable to control airflow through the passenger side face outlet. A passenger center face door (inner portion) is at the passenger center face outlet and is movable to control airflow through the passenger center face outlet. The passenger side face door and the passenger center face door are movable independent of one another to independently control airflow through the passenger side face outlet and the passenger center face outlet.