Multi-Planar Air Diverter for Vehicle Climate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing climate control systems for vehicles face challenges in simultaneously controlling the pressure of air flow to windshield defrost vents and side window defrost vents, as they require different pressure levels across various operating modes, leading to increased complexity and cost due to the need for multiple flow-control mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A climate control system with a diverter mechanism that uses a single flow-control mechanism to provide a first variable flow to the windshield conduit and a second variable flow to the side window conduit, maintaining a relatively constant flow to the side window conduit while varying the flow to the windshield conduit, by utilizing a rotatable diverter with offset edges to seal different subconduits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single flow-control mechanism is used to control air flow to both windshield and side window defrost vents, then device complexity is reduced, but it becomes difficult to simultaneously control different pressure requirements for different vents
Solution Approach 1:
The defrost conduit is segmented into multiple subconduits (first subconduit for windshield defrost vents, second subconduit for side window defrost vents). The diverter member is segmented with multiple sealing surfaces (first sealing surface, second sealing surface, third sealing surface) that can independently seal against different subconduits. This segmentation allows a single diverter mechanism to control multiple flow paths with different pressure requirements by selectively engaging different sealing surfaces with different subconduits.
Solution Approach 2:
The single diverter mechanism is designed with multi-functionality to perform multiple flow-control tasks. By incorporating multiple sealing surfaces at different radial positions and orientations, the diverter can simultaneously or selectively control air flow to both windshield defrost vents and side window defrost vents, adapting to different operating modes (defrost mode, floor mode, mixed mode) with a single mechanism rather than requiring separate control mechanisms for each vent.
2Measurement precision
If multiple flow-control mechanisms are used to control pressure to different vents, then pressure control precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple flow-control functions are merged into a single diverter mechanism. The diverter member integrates multiple sealing surfaces (first, second, and third sealing surfaces) that can independently seal against different subconduits. This merging allows the system to achieve precise pressure control for multiple vents while using only one diverter mechanism, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining the precision needed for different operating modes.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sealing surfaces of the diverter member are positioned at different radial distances from the rotational axis and oriented at different angles, creating local variations in sealing capability. The first sealing surface is positioned at a first radial distance, the second sealing surface at a second radial distance, and the third sealing surface at a third radial distance. This local quality differentiation allows each sealing surface to independently control pressure in its respective subconduit, achieving precise pressure control for different vents through a single mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A climate control system for a vehicle comprises a housing and a diverter. The housing has a first conduit formed therein. The first conduit includes a first subconduit formed in an intermediate portion of the first conduit and a second subconduit disposed adjacent an end of the first subconduit. The diverter is rotatably disposed within the first conduit, and includes a first member having an outer edge and an offset edge. The outer edge is disposed on a first planar portion of the first member and configured to sealingly contact a wall of the first subconduit when the diverter is in a first position. The offset edge is disposed on a second planar portion of the first member and configured to sealingly contact a portion of the second subconduit when the diverter is in the first position.