Rotatable Drum Flap Air Distributor for Compact Vehicle HVAC
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air distribution units for rear seats in motor vehicles face challenges in compact installation while maintaining good acoustic and fluid-dynamic performance due to limited space constraints.
Innovation Solution
A compact air distributing device with a housing featuring an air intake chamber, central and side air outlets, and a rotatable drum flap with parallel side and circular arch-shaped portions to control air flow distribution, allowing for efficient fluid communication in various positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If air distribution units are installed in the central tunnel of the dashboard, then air can be distributed to rear seats, but the available installation space becomes very limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the air distribution unit from the traditional central dashboard tunnel to the lower section of the air conditioning unit housing, utilizing previously underutilized vertical space. This dimensional relocation allows the device to maintain rear seat air distribution functionality while significantly increasing available installation space and improving accessibility to air outlets.
2Volume of moving object
If the device is made compact with minimal components, then installation space is reduced, but maintaining suitable air passage sections for good acoustic and fluid-dynamic performance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a rotatable drum flap with multiple positions to dynamically control air flow distribution. The drum flap can rotate to different orientations to direct air flow to various outlets (central, side, foot level), allowing a single compact component to perform multiple functions and maintain optimal air passage characteristics for different operating conditions without requiring multiple separate parts.
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 device achieves minimal component and space usage while ensuring effective air distribution, maintaining acoustic and fluid-dynamic performance, and can be integrated or separate from the air conditioning unit.
Implementation Method 1
a drum flap rotatably mounted about an axis z orthogonal to a direction running from the air inlet to the central air outlet to control the distribution of the air flow
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is air distributing device for an air conditioning unit of a motor vehicle, the device including: a housing defining an air intake chamber, on the housing there being formed an air inlet, a central air outlet, and two side air outlets. The device also includes a drum flap mounted rotatably about an axis (z) orthogonal to a direction that goes from the air inlet to the central air outlet. The flap is movable between a first position, wherein the air inlet is closed by the flap; a second position, wherein the two side air outlets are closed by the flap and an air flow between the air inlet and the central air outlet is allowed; and a third position, wherein the central air outlet is closed by the flap and an air flow between the air inlet and the side air outlets is allowed.