Steering Wheel Vent Assembly Using Intersecting Air Jets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle ventilation systems struggle to effectively direct air towards the seated driver due to the obstruction caused by the steering wheel, leading to inadequate airflow and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation system with a first air outlet directing a jet of air through the gap between the hub and rim of the steering wheel, and a second air outlet directing a second jet of air to intersect and deflect the first jet, thereby improving airflow towards the driver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single air outlet directs air rearwardly towards the driver, then the steering wheel obstructs the airflow path, but adding a second air outlet with deflection capability increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation system is divided into two separate air outlets: a first air outlet that projects air through the hub-rim gap and a second air outlet that projects air to deflect the first jet. This segmentation allows each outlet to perform a specific function, resolving the contradiction by enabling effective driver ventilation without requiring a single complex outlet
Solution Approach 2:
The second jet of air acts as an intermediary that intersects and deflects the first jet of air. This intermediary mechanism enables the airflow to be redirected around the steering wheel obstruction, achieving the goal of delivering air to the driver while maintaining a relatively simple system architecture
2Reliability
If the second jet intersects the first jet upstream of the gap to maximize deflection efficiency, then the required flow rate of the second jet increases, but higher flow rate increases energy consumption and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial deflection rather than complete redirection of the airflow. The second jet intersects the first jet to provide sufficient deflection to direct air towards the driver, but does not over-deflect the flow. This partial action approach achieves the necessary ventilation effectiveness while keeping the second jet's flow rate, and thus energy consumption and noise, at acceptable levels
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 achieves a high rate of airflow through the hub-rim gap with minimal deflection of the first jet, while the second jet's deflection enhances airflow distribution, reducing buffeting and improving occupant comfort.
Implementation Method 1
a first air outlet for discharging a first jet of air into the passenger cabin directed along a trajectory that passes through a gap between the hub and the rim
Implementation Method 2
a second air outlet for discharging a second jet of air into the passenger cabin directed to intersect the first jet of air to deflect the first jet of air
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a passenger cabin; a steering wheel having a hub and a rim; and a ventilation system having a first air outlet for discharging a first jet of air, and a second air outlet for discharging a second jet of air. The first jet of air projects through a gap between the hub and the rim, and the second jet of air intersects and deflects the first jet of air.