Vehicle Air-Conditioning Register Knob Airtight Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air-conditioning registers with illumination functions in vehicles face issues of corrosion and short circuits due to water vapor condensation and sulfidizing gas reactions with electronic components, affecting the light emitting property.
Innovation Solution
An air-conditioning register design with an operation knob featuring a light emitting portion and power receiving portion, housed in an accommodation space surrounded by a knob body, cap, and lens, where the cap is made of a softer material to enhance airtightness, preventing water vapor condensation and sulfidizing gas reactions, and using a direct current resonance method for wireless power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the operation knob is equipped with a light emitting portion and power receiving portion for illumination function, then the visibility and design of the air-conditioning register are improved, but water vapor condenses on the surface of the light emitting portion or power receiving portion causing corrosion and short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
A waterproof coating is applied as an intermediary protective layer between the electronic components (light emitting portion and power receiving portion) and the corrosive environment (water vapor and sulfidizing gas). This coating acts as a barrier that prevents direct contact between the harmful substances and the electronic components, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving the illumination function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a protected environment around the electronic components by using waterproof coating materials that are chemically inert to water vapor and sulfidizing gas. This effectively isolates the sensitive electronic components from the harmful atmospheric conditions in the vehicle interior, preventing corrosion and short circuits.
2Device complexity
If the operation knob has wireless power supply without feeder lines, then the aesthetic appearance is improved and wire breakage problems are eliminated, but the airtightness of the operation knob is reduced making it vulnerable to water vapor and gas infiltration
Solution Approach 1:
A waterproof coating is applied as a protective intermediary layer on the operation knob components, creating a barrier that prevents water vapor and sulfidizing gas from contacting the electronic components. This allows the wireless power supply design to maintain its aesthetic advantages while protecting against harmful environmental factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The operation knob assembly combines multiple materials with different properties - the cap made of softer material for airtight engagement, the lens for optical transmission, and waterproof coating materials for chemical resistance. This composite structure achieves both aesthetic appearance and protection against harmful factors.
3Reliability
If the cap is made of softer material to enhance airtightness through projection-recess engagement, then the protection against water vapor and gas is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the cap from hard to softer material, which allows the projection-recess engagement to achieve better airtightness through elastic deformation. The softer material can conform more precisely to the mating surface, creating a tighter seal that prevents infiltration of water vapor and sulfidizing gas, while being more tolerant of manufacturing variations.
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 enhanced airtightness reduces corrosion and short circuits, maintains the light emitting property, and provides efficient power supply with improved aesthetic appearance and flexibility in component arrangement.
Implementation Method 1
The retainer is provided with a power supplying portion, which wirelessly supplies power to the power receiving portion by the direct current resonance method
Implementation Method 2
water vapor contained in the air-conditioning air flowing in the airflow passage condenses on the surface of the light emitting portion or the power receiving portion
Data Source
AI summary
An air-conditioning register includes an operation knob. The operation knob includes a knob body and a cap with its downstream end portion closed by a lens. The cap is made of a material softer than those of the knob body and the lens. The inner circumferential portion of the upstream end portion of the cap is pressed against the outer circumferential portion of the knob body with at least a part engaged with the outer circumferential portion of the knob body by a projection-recess relationship. The inner circumferential portion of the downstream end portion of the cap is pressed against the outer circumferential portion of the lens with at least a part engaged with the outer circumferential portion of the lens by a projection-recess relationship.