Vehicular Air Conditioning Mode Door Pressure Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicular air conditioning systems face difficulties in switching air discharge modes due to excessive air pressure on mode doors, requiring large startup torque and complicating the operation of rotary knobs, especially when transitioning from floor mode to mixed or defogging modes.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a mode door air pressure reduction mechanism, such as a mode cam with improved slot trajectories, to temporarily divert air pressure away from mode doors, allowing for easier switching between air discharge modes without the need for high startup torque, even with cable traction-type door driving systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the defogging door is opened further when switching from floor mode to mixed mode, then the air discharge mode can be switched, but excessive air pressure acts on the defogging door making it difficult to operate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair discharge mode switchingVSAvoiddefogging door operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The vent door is opened in advance before the defogging door needs to open further, creating a preliminary air pressure relief path that reduces the excessive air pressure acting on the defogging door, making it easier to operate during mode switching

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If a large startup torque is applied to control mode doors from floor mode to mixed mode, then the mode switching can be achieved, but the operation feeling of the rotary knob deteriorates remarkably

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemode door controlVSAvoidrotary knob operation feeling

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The vent door is opened preliminarily to create an air pressure relief path before the mode door needs to move, reducing the startup torque required and improving the rotary knob operation feeling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the floor door is closed while rotating in direction opposite to air flow, then the mode can be switched to defogging mode, but excessive air pressure acts on the closed surface portion making it impossible to close completely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair discharge mode switchingVSAvoidfloor door closure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The vent door serves as an intermediary element that opens to provide an alternative air pressure relief path, mediating the excessive air pressure on the floor door and enabling complete closure during mode switching

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11247530B2Vehicular air conditioning system and control method thereof

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 HANON SYST CO LTD

AI summary

A vehicular air conditioning system and a control method thereof are provided. The vehicular air conditioning system includes: a plurality of mode doors configured to switch an air discharge mode in a passenger compartment, the mode doors including a defogging door, a vent door and a floor door; and a mode door air pressure reduction part configured to temporarily reduce an air pressure acting on at least one of the mode doors when the air discharge mode is switched.