Pivoting Air Vent Guide for Dual-Channel Flow and Cleaner Outlets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air vent systems for enclosed spaces, such as vehicle passenger compartments, often prioritize aesthetics over functionality, leading to unsightly vanes that collect dust and dirt, and are not optimally designed for air flow directionality.

Innovation Solution

A ventilation system with a housing featuring a central element and two outer elements forming channels, an air flow guide element that can be moved between positions to direct air flow into either channel, and cross-carve vanes that can be pivoted to adjust air direction, allowing for customizable air flow distribution and minimizing resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If vanes are located at the outlets to direct air flow, then air flow directionality is improved, but dust and dirt accumulate on the vanes and they become unsightly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair flow directionalityVSAvoiddust accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by placing the flow directing vanes at the inlet end instead of the outlet end. The vanes are positioned in the inlet portion where they can direct air flow into different channels before the air enters the main flow path, thereby preventing dust accumulation while maintaining effective flow directionality control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Shape

If air vents are designed to meet aesthetic criteria, then appearance is improved, but functional optimality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveappearanceVSAvoidair flow directionality

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the flow directing function from the outlet area and places it in the inlet portion, separating the aesthetic outlet appearance from the functional flow control mechanism. This allows the outlet to maintain an appealing appearance while the inlet vanes provide optimal flow directionality control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If vanes are placed at outlets for flow control, then air distribution is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair distributionVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the inlet portion multi-functional by incorporating flow directing vanes that can redirect air into different channels (first channel, second channel, or both). This single component at the inlet performs the air distribution function that would otherwise require multiple components at the outlets, thereby reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 system provides improved air flow directionality and reduced dust accumulation by allowing adjustable air flow paths and minimizing air pressure resistance, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics.

Implementation Method 1

When the air flow guide element is in its first position, the air flow guide element directs a first major portion of the volume of air flowing into the inlet end into the first channel. When the air flow guide element is in its second position, the air flow guide element directs a second major portion of the volume of air flowing into the inlet end into the second channel.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow direction control:

Implementation Method 2

Because the tip is spaced apart from the inlet portion wall by the first minimum distance when the air flow guide element is in its first position, a first minor portion of the volume of air flowing into the inlet end is allowed to flow between the tip and the inlet portion wall, into the second channel.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGap flow:

Data Source

PatentUS11280517B1Air vent with rotating control elements and a central element defining channels and method of controlloing air flow via same

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 ULTRA MFG

AI summary

A ventilation system including a housing, with an inlet end into which air is directed, and an outlet end at which the air exits. The housing includes an inlet portion at the inlet end, and first and second channels downstream from the inlet portion. The ventilation system includes an air flow guide element pivotable between a first position, in which a first major portion of the air flowing into the inlet end is directed into the first channel and a first minor portion of the air flow is directed into the second channel, and a second position, in which a second major portion of the air flowing into the inlet end is directed into the second channel and a second minor portion of the air flow is directed into the first channel.