Vaneless ventilation system for conformal outlets

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vane vent systems are bulky and difficult to package in tight spaces or complex curvatures, necessitating the development of a vaneless ventilation system that can control airflow direction.

Innovation Solution

A vaneless ventilation system with motorized, bendable duct walls that allow for airflow direction control through curvature manipulation, featuring a rigid duct, linkage assembly, actuation mechanism, and pneumatic actuation, enabling infinite position adjustment and airflow regulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional vane vent systems are used to control airflow direction, then airflow control functionality is achieved, but the system becomes bulky and difficult to package in tight spaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow direction controlVSAvoidsystem size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the traditional vane mechanism from the ventilation system, extracting only the essential function of airflow direction control. This is achieved by using a flexible duct that can be directly actuated to change airflow direction without the bulky vane assembly, thereby reducing system volume while maintaining functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical vane system with a flexible duct actuated by a bellows mechanism. This substitution eliminates complex vane linkages and reduces the overall mechanical complexity, allowing for a more compact integration into tight spaces while achieving the same airflow control objective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If conventional vane vent systems are used, then airflow direction control is achieved, but the system becomes difficult to install in areas with complex curvatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow direction controlVSAvoidinstallation flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible duct with bellows-like construction that can bend and conform to complex curvatures in installation spaces. This flexible structure allows the duct to adapt to various routing requirements and tight spaces while maintaining its airflow direction control capability through actuation of the bellows sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a dynamic, actuated flexible duct that can change its configuration from a straight run to bent sections as needed. The bellows mechanism allows the duct to dynamically adjust its shape and position during operation, enabling installation in areas with complex curvatures and providing adaptability to different spatial requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Volume of moving object

If a low profile ventilation system is used, then packaging efficiency is improved, but airflow direction control capability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem profileVSAvoidairflow direction control

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the bellows actuation mechanism within the flexible duct structure itself, nesting the actuation function inside the duct wall. This nested design allows the airflow direction control mechanism to be contained within a compact form factor, maintaining a low profile while preserving full airflow control capability through the integrated bellows sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 efficient airflow direction control with a low profile, allowing installation in complex spaces and providing proportional airflow, enhancing packaging efficiency and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

Each of the first half-portion and the second half-portion includes a hose connector to draw a vacuum or pump a gas between the rigid housing and the bendable duct, thereby facilitating deflection of the bendable duct

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

The elastic bladders (i.e., duct walls) provide proportional air flow control

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10989436B2Vaneless ventilation system for conformal outlets

Publication Date: 2021.04.27 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A vaneless ventilation system includes a rigid duct and a vent assembly in fluid communication with the duct. The vent assembly includes a rigid housing defining an outlet, a bendable duct disposed inside the rigid housing, a linkage assembly coupled to the bendable duct to allow deflection of the bendable duct upon movement of the linkage assembly, and an actuation mechanism coupled to the linkage assembly, wherein actuation of the actuation mechanism causes the linkage assembly to move, thereby deflecting the bendable duct.