Multiple Zone Air Vent With Adjustable And Fixed Outlet Zones

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle air vent systems are complex, leading to increased costs and maintenance efforts due to the need for multiple separate air vents, which complicates assembly and operation.

Innovation Solution

A single multiple zone air vent is designed with adjustable and fixed outlet zones, featuring air redirecting elements that allow vertical airflow direction adjustment, reducing the number of parts required while maintaining functionality by integrating multiple functions into a single unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate air vents are used to provide different airflow directions and functions, then the airflow control functionality is improved, but the device complexity and number of parts increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairflow control functionalityVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate air vents into a single integrated air vent unit that includes multiple outlet zones. Each outlet zone has its own airflow control characteristics (fixed directions or adjustable vanes), allowing the single unit to replace multiple separate vents while maintaining the same airflow control functionality. This merging reduces the number of parts and simplifies the overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single air vent unit is designed to perform multiple functions that were previously distributed across several separate vents. It provides fixed direction airflow outlets and adjustable airflow outlets simultaneously, enabling one universal component to replace multiple specialized components. This multi-functionality approach maintains versatile airflow control while reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Area of stationary object

If multiple separate air vents are installed in different locations, then the airflow distribution coverage is improved, but the assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairflow distribution coverageVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple outlet zones into a single air vent assembly that can be installed as one unit. The outlet zones are arranged to provide wide airflow distribution coverage across different directions (upward, downward, lateral, and adjustable directions). By combining what would have been multiple separate installations into one integrated unit, the assembly process is simplified while maintaining comprehensive airflow distribution coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate air vents are used, then the airflow direction control is improved, but the maintenance effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairflow direction controlVSAvoidmaintenance effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent consolidates multiple air vent functions into a single maintainable unit. The integrated design includes multiple outlet zones with different airflow control characteristics (fixed and adjustable) that can all be serviced through one maintenance operation. This reduces maintenance effort compared to servicing multiple separate vents, while preserving comprehensive airflow direction control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3819144B1Multiple zone air vent
Publication Date: 2023.04.19 VOLVO CAR CORP
  • EP3819144B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3819144B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3819144B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Multiple zone air vent (200) for providing an air flow to a vehicle interior, wherein the multiple zone air vent (200) is integrable in the vehicle instrument panel for facing into the vehicle interior and includes multiple outlet zones (102, 104, 106, 108, 110) wherein at least one outlet zone (104, 108) includes at least one air redirecting element (130) that is adjustable for vertically altering the direction of an air flow from said at least one outlet zone (104, 108) and at least one outlet zone (102, 106, 110) is adapted to direct an air flow in a fixed direction.