Staggered Axis Flap Airflow Regulator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air volume regulation devices for motor vehicle air conditioning systems require significant space and are inefficient in optimizing air supply composition, especially when conditions change, as they often need to adjust both flaps simultaneously to maintain air composition.
Innovation Solution
A device with a housing and a flap arrangement featuring two flaps with staggered pivot axes, allowing independent adjustment of air ducts to optimize air supply from different sources, using wing flaps with pivot axes positioned strategically to minimize space and enable quick adjustments based on changing conditions, ensuring constant air intake despite varying external pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional flap arrangement with multiple flaps for different air ducts is used, then air supply optimization is achieved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
One flap is designed to control two different air ducts (fresh air duct and circulating air duct) simultaneously, allowing a single component to perform multiple functions. This reduces the total number of flaps needed while maintaining the ability to optimize air supply from different sources independently
Solution Approach 2:
The air duct system is segmented into multiple openings within a single duct, allowing one flap to control multiple separate air passages. This segmentation enables independent regulation of different air streams through a single flap mechanism
2Productivity
If traditional flap positions are used, then air flow regulation is achieved, but response time to changing conditions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flap that controls two air ducts is positioned and configured in advance to enable rapid switching between different air supply configurations. The staggered pivot axis arrangement pre-positions the flap for quick angular adjustments, allowing the system to respond faster to changing air quality or temperature requirements
3Volume of moving object
If staggered pivot axes are used, then space requirements are reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot axes of the flaps are deliberately arranged in a staggered, asymmetric configuration rather than aligned positions. This asymmetric arrangement reduces the overall volume required for the flap mechanism while the patent provides specific guidance on acceptable angular ranges (25° to 75°, particularly 35° to 65°, and preferably 45° +/- 5°) to balance manufacturing feasibility with space optimization
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The device is arranged in a housing (3) having air channels (3a, 3b, 3c) and two valves (5, 8) which can open and close with atmospheric composition of different air ducts (3a, 3b) regulated. Two of the valves (5, 8) are adjustable in the same afferent air channel (3b). One of the valves (5) is assigned to the two openings (4, 6) of different air channels (3a, 3b). : An independent claim is included for a method for the regulation of a device. USE : For regulating air flow such as for air conditioning system of vehicle. ADVANTAGE : Provides improved device for regulating amount of air DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS : The figure shows a schematic view of the device. 3 : Housing 3a, 3b, 3c : Channels 4, 6 : Openings 5, 8 : Valves.