Shape Memory Alloy Louver Control for Diffuse Air Vent Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air vents can only adjust the outlet direction of air flow and fail to control a diffuse air flow, which is increasingly required.
Innovation Solution
An air vent with a housing containing pivotable louvers and an adjustment device that includes a shape memory alloy actuation element, allowing the louvers to change their opening angles to generate a diffuse air flow by controlling the pivot movement and linear displacement of the support rail, enabling simultaneous adjustment of all louvers for a uniform air outlet direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional adjustment devices are used to adjust outlet direction by jointly arranging louvers, then the air flow direction can be changed, but a diffuse air flow cannot be generated
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment device is segmented into multiple independent slides, each controlling an individual louver. This allows each louver to be adjusted independently while maintaining the overall adjustment mechanism's functionality, enabling both directional control and diffuse flow generation without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Different opening angles are applied to different louvers based on their position. The first louver has a first opening angle, the second louver has a second opening angle, creating a gradient that generates diffuse air flow. This local differentiation allows the system to achieve versatile flow control patterns
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple slides are used to control individual louvers, then diffuse air flow can be generated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple slides are merged into a single support rail structure, allowing them to move together in a coordinated manner. The support rail provides a unified guidance system that simplifies the overall mechanism while still enabling independent louver adjustment through the individual slides
Solution Approach 2:
The support rail serves multiple functions: it guides the movement of all slides, provides structural support for the louver assembly, and enables both joint adjustment (for directional control) and independent adjustment (for diffuse flow) modes through the disengageable interlocking mechanism
3Ease of operation
If slides are fixed to the support rail, then joint adjustment is simple, but independent louver adjustment for diffuse flow is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between slides and support rail is made dynamic through a disengageable interlocking mechanism. The slides can be locked to the support rail for joint adjustment operations, then disengaged for independent positioning, allowing the system to adapt its degree of freedom based on the required operation mode
Solution Approach 2:
The disengageable interlocking mechanism acts as an intermediary between the slides and support rail. It provides a controlled connection that can be engaged or disengaged, mediating between the need for stable joint adjustment and the need for flexible independent positioning of individual louvers
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 solution effectively generates a diffuse air flow by varying the opening angles of the louvers, improving airflow control and space efficiency within the air vent housing, while allowing for manual or electrical actuation for precise adjustment.
Implementation Method 1
at least one adjustment element is provided that is made from a memory alloy which controls the louvers for adjusting a diffuse air flow
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an air vent including a housing; plural louvers extending horizontally or vertically, pivotably arranged in the housing and aligned relative to an air outlet opening arranged in the housing, wherein the plural louvers are controllable jointly with an identical orientation by a pivot movement from a starting position into a pivot position by an adjustment device for changing an air outflow direction from the air outlet opening, wherein the plural louvers are controllable by at least one actuation element made from a shape memory alloy to adjust a diffuse air flow independently from a control by the adjustment device.