Infotainment Air-Vent Assembly for Split Airflow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air vent assemblies in vehicles lack intuitive control options and often rely on physical buttons or knobs, which can be unreliable, and do not provide sufficient flexibility in airflow direction to ensure driver and passenger comfort, especially with limited dashboard space.
Innovation Solution
An air vent assembly controlled by an infotainment system, featuring elongated vents with a single rotary actuator and actuating mechanism, allowing for leftward, rightward, onward, and split airflow configurations, controlled via a user interface or voice commands, enhancing airflow customization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If physical buttons and knobs are used to control air vent assembly, then the control mechanism is simple and reliable, but the operation becomes less intuitive and more complex for users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical buttons and knobs with a touchscreen interface that displays visual representations of the air vent assembly and its components. Users interact with graphical elements on the touchscreen to control air flow direction, temperature, and other parameters, eliminating the need for separate mechanical controls while providing more intuitive operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The touchscreen interface creates a visual copy or representation of the physical air vent assembly, allowing users to interact with a digital model that mirrors the actual system. This graphical interface provides intuitive control by showing users exactly which components they are controlling through visual feedback.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple air vents are provided for driver and passenger, then airflow coverage is improved, but dashboard space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal control interface that manages multiple air vents through a single touchscreen system. The same touchscreen controls all air vents in the vehicle, allowing comprehensive airflow coverage while consolidating control mechanisms and preserving dashboard space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the control functions of multiple air vents into a single integrated touchscreen interface. This consolidation provides comprehensive airflow control for all vents while occupying minimal dashboard space, as the touchscreen serves as a multi-functional control hub rather than requiring separate controls for each vent.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional air vent assemblies are used, then the design is simple, but flexibility in airflow direction is insufficient for driver and passenger comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamically adjustable air vent assemblies where the direction and characteristics of air flow can be changed in real-time through touchscreen controls. The system allows users to adjust vane positions, air flow direction, and temperature settings dynamically to optimize comfort for different seating positions and environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables multiple airflow parameters including direction, temperature, and flow rate to be independently adjusted through the touchscreen interface. Users can modify these parameters to create personalized comfort settings, with the system capable of storing and recalling different parameter configurations for different drivers or situations.
Data Source
AI summary
An air vent assembly includes a cover member having an inlet for allowing a flow of air to enter the cover member. The cover member also has a vent extending from the inlet for allowing a flow of air to exit the cover member. The vent includes a first vent portion, and a second vent portion located adjacent to the first vent portion. The first vent portion has a first set of flow guiding vanes disposed therein. The second vent portion has a second set of flow guiding vanes disposed therein. Each of the vanes is spaced apart from one another and pivotally coupled to a pair of opposing walls of the cover member. The first and second sets of flow guiding vanes are independently moveable with respect to each other using an actuating mechanism for providing a variety of flow-guiding positions one of which includes a split flow-guiding position.