Vehicle Pillar Vent Shutter Layout for Selective Cooling Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air conditioning systems in autonomous vehicles lack the ability to provide customizable and efficient cooling environments, failing to adapt to different user preferences and driving modes, which can lead to discomfort for occupants.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning device with a vent unit that includes an outer and inner housing, first and second shutter parts, and a windless grille, allowing for selective blocking of discharge paths to create upward, downward, and windless modes through a rotary dial operation, enabling customizable cooling directions and modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional air conditioning system is used in autonomous vehicles, then the basic cooling function is provided, but the system cannot adapt to different user preferences and driving modes, resulting in reduced occupant comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptability by enabling the air conditioning system to automatically adjust its operation based on detected driving modes (autonomous vs. manual). The system dynamically changes parameters such as cooling intensity and air distribution without requiring manual intervention, thus improving adaptability while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment based on autonomous driving detection. When autonomous driving mode is detected, the air conditioning system automatically activates enhanced cooling modes and adjusts air distribution patterns without occupant input, allowing the system to serve itself in adapting to operational conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the air conditioning system provides multiple cooling modes with shutters and rotary dial operations, then adaptability to different preferences is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vent unit is segmented into multiple independent shutter components (first shutter, second shutter, third shutter) that can be individually controlled. Each shutter manages a specific air discharge path, allowing independent adjustment of cooling patterns. This segmentation enables multiple cooling modes through simple on/off combinations rather than complex integrated mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary dial mechanism serves multiple functions: it detects autonomous driving mode, controls shutter positions, and adjusts cooling intensity. This multi-functional design consolidates what could be separate complex systems into a single universal control interface, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If autonomous driving detection and automatic air conditioning adjustment are implemented, then adaptability is improved, but the system requires additional sensors and control mechanisms increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The existing autonomous driving detection system is leveraged for dual purposes: its primary function for vehicle control and its secondary function for air conditioning management. By reusing the same sensor input for both driving mode detection and climate control activation, the system avoids adding dedicated sensors, thus improving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that translates autonomous driving detection signals into air conditioning control commands. This intermediary layer enables automatic adjustment by bridging the detection system and climate control system, allowing them to work together without requiring direct physical connection or additional complex integration mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an air conditioning device for a vehicle. The air conditioning device includes an air conditioning unit disposed in at least one of front or rear of the vehicle. The air conditioning device further includes a duct unit blowing air of the air conditioning unit into an interior and extending inside of at least one of a front pillar or a rear pillar. The air conditioning device further includes a vent unit communicating with the duct unit through a connecting duct and selectively opening and closing a discharge path of at least one of a main path, a first path, or a second path so as to discharge the blown air to a side of a roof frame.