Vehicle HVAC Air Distribution with Stratification Funnel Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heating and air-conditioning devices for motor vehicles struggle with the stratification of air flow from the mixing zone to the air outlets, leading to inefficient distribution of heated or cooled air.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of an air distribution system that includes an enclosure dividing the mixing zone into a main chamber and a stratification funnel, along with a rotatable drum flap to control the distribution of air flow between the inlets and outlets, allowing for improved air stratification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional mixing means are used to distribute air flow between branches, then the device structure remains simple, but the air flow stratification from mixing zone to outlets is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair flow stratificationVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mixing zone is segmented into multiple chambers (first mixing chamber, second mixing chamber, third mixing chamber) with separate inlets and outlets for each branch. This segmentation allows independent control and optimization of air flow stratification for each branch while maintaining overall system functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each mixing chamber is designed with specific local characteristics - the first mixing chamber handles the air transmission branch, the second handles the air heating branch, and the third handles the air conditioning branch. This local quality approach enables optimized air flow distribution and stratification for each specific branch requirement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If mixing means are made movable between extreme positions to control air flow, then air distribution control is improved, but the complexity of control mechanisms increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair distribution controlVSAvoidcontrol mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mixing means are designed as movable elements that can dynamically adjust between different positions to control air flow distribution. The first mixing means can move to allow air flow from the first inlet to the first outlet or block it, providing dynamic control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mixing means automatically adjust air flow distribution based on their position, eliminating the need for complex external control mechanisms. Each mixing means serves its own control function by simply moving to appropriate positions to enable or block air flow paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4566854A1Heating and/or air-conditioning device for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 DENSO THERMAL SYST SPA
  • EP4566854A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4566854A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4566854A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A heating and/or air-conditioning device for a motor vehicle, comprising a mixing section and an air distribution means interposed between the mixing section and a plurality of air outlets (38b) of the heating and/or air-conditioning device, wherein the air distribution means comprises an enclosure that divides a mixing zone of the heating and/or air-conditioning device into a main chamber and a stratification funnel (54c) enclosed by the enclosure, the enclosure divides an outlet (38b) of the heating and/or air-conditioning device into a main outlet (38b') fluidically connected with the main chamber and a secondary outlet (38b") fluidically connected with the stratification funnel (54c), and associated with the outlet (38b) is an outlet door (60), comprising a main door sector (60') and a secondary door sector (60"), operable to close or open the main outlet (38b') and the secondary outlet (38b"), respectively.