Low-profile air-conditioning register
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low-profile air-conditioning registers in vehicles often blow air-conditioning air in a direction opposite to the intended direction when the operation knob is operated, leading to user discomfort and degraded usability.
Innovation Solution
A low-profile air-conditioning register design featuring a retainer, plate-shaped fins, and a transmission mechanism that ensures air flows along inclined surfaces to maintain the same direction as the operation knob's intended direction, using a transmission mechanism to swing the fins in the opposite trend of the knob's operation, thus aligning the airflow with the user's intent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the fins are swingably supported by the retainer with fin pivots extending in the extension direction of the long side portions, then the air passage can be formed with a compact structure suitable for low-profile installation, but the air-conditioning air may be blown out in a direction opposite to the operated direction of the operation knob assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The fin pivots extend in the extension direction of the long side portions (lateral direction) rather than the short side portions, inverting the conventional pivot orientation. This inversion changes the airflow deflection mechanism so that when the operation knob is pulled upward, the fins swing to direct airflow upward as well, achieving consistent operation direction while maintaining the compact low-profile structure
Solution Approach 2:
The fin pivots are oriented along the lateral dimension (extension direction of long side portions) rather than the vertical dimension, changing the dimensional orientation of the rotation axis. This dimensional change allows the fins to swing in a manner that aligns airflow direction with operation knob direction, resolving the contradiction between compact structure and operational intuitiveness
2Adaptability or versatility
If the fins are arranged to change airflow direction by striking inner wall surfaces, then the air-conditioning air can be directed obliquely from the outlet port, but the airflow direction may oppose the operation knob operation direction causing user discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the pivot orientation to extend along the long side portions, the fin swing direction is inverted relative to conventional designs. This causes the fins to deflect airflow in the same direction as the operation knob movement (e.g., upward knob operation produces upward airflow), eliminating the contradictory opposite-direction effect while preserving versatile airflow control capability
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
The design ensures air is blown out in the same direction as the operation knob's intended direction, enhancing user experience and usability by eliminating the feeling of strangeness caused by mismatched airflow and operation direction.
Implementation Method 1
after flowing along the fin and striking an inner wall surface of the retainer so that the flow direction is changed
Data Source
AI summary
A low-profile air-conditioning register includes a retainer, which has an air passage, a fin, an operation knob assembly, and a transmission mechanism. The air passage has an outlet port having a pair of short side portions and a pair of long side portions. The retainer includes a pair of inclined surfaces at a downstream end of the retainer. The fin is arranged upstream of the inclined surfaces and is swingably supported by the retainer with a fin pivot, which extends in an extension direction of the long side portions. The operation knob assembly is provided at a downstream section of the retainer. The transmission mechanism is configured to transmit a motion of the operation knob assembly to the fin such that the fin is swung in a direction of as opposite trend to an operated direction of the operation knob assembly.