Movable Distribution Flaps for Vehicle HVAC Airflow Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle air conditioning installations face challenges in distributing air flows at different temperatures while minimizing pressure drops and noise, particularly when hot air needs to pass through cold air inlet ducts, due to the use of fixed wall elements that cause significant pressure drops and noise.
Innovation Solution
A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning installation with movable distribution members that form intermediate duct sections, allowing air to flow between cold and hot air inlet ducts with minimal pressure drop, and featuring pivotable or movable sections to ensure efficient air distribution and reduce noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If fixed wall elements are associated with the distribution flap to guide hot air through the cold air inlet duct, then the air flow guidance is improved, but significant pressure drops occur which are incompatible with satisfactory air flow supply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing fixed wall elements with movable distribution members (flaps) that can dynamically adjust their position and orientation. These flaps are mounted on pivoting axes and can be positioned to optimally guide air flows while maintaining smooth flow paths that minimize pressure drops. The movable nature allows adaptation to different operating conditions without creating the rigid obstructions that cause pressure losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the distribution members by allowing them to pivot and assume different angles and positions. This parameter variability enables the system to optimize air flow guidance for different temperature zones and flow rates, maintaining efficient flow paths that reduce pressure drops compared to fixed configurations.
2Stability of the object's composition
If fixed wall elements are associated with the distribution flap to guide hot air through the cold air inlet duct, then the air flow guidance is improved, but noise from the air flow increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable flaps create adaptive flow guidance that can be optimized for different flow conditions, preventing turbulent flow patterns that generate noise. The dynamic positioning allows the system to maintain smooth, laminar flow paths that reduce aerodynamic noise compared to fixed wall elements that create rigid flow disruptions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If movable distribution members are used to distribute air flow between outlet orifices, then adaptability to different ventilation programs is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the distribution system into multiple independent flaps, each capable of being controlled separately to direct air to different outlet zones. This segmentation provides fine-grained control over air distribution for different ventilation programs while keeping each individual flap relatively simple in structure, balancing adaptability with complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution members are designed as universal components that can serve multiple functions: guiding hot air, guiding cold air, and directing flows to various outlet zones. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components for each function, thereby controlling overall device complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
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 solution enables satisfactory air distribution at different temperatures with minimized pressure drops and noise, ensuring effective ventilation and air conditioning while maintaining airflow quality.
Implementation Method 1
a pulser member (2) capable of causing a flow of air to circulate in the housing (1), between an inlet orifice (3) and outlet orifices (4, 5)
Implementation Method 2
an evaporator for cooling and dehumidifying the air passing through it
Implementation Method 3
a radiator for heating the air passing through it
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to the air conditioning installation in a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, including a housing (1) containing a blower member (2) capable of circulating a flow of air in the housing between an inlet opening (3) and outlet openings (4, 5), passing through a cold-air inlet duct (20) and/or a hot-air inlet duct (22) which are separated from one another, the installation further including movable distribution members (8, 9, 10) arranged to distribute the air flow between the outlet openings, and an intermediate distribution member (11) is arranged to form intermediate distribution duct portions (15) which pass through the cold-air inlet duct (20) and which lead into the hot-air inlet duct (22) and into an outlet duct portion (23), for at least one position of the intermediate distribution member (11).