Vehicle Air Conditioner Single Actuator Mode Temp Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle air conditioners have a complex configuration due to separate actuators for mode and temperature control, leading to increased weight and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle air conditioner design that uses a single actuator to simultaneously control both mode and temperature through a disc-shaped main lever with non-linear trajectories for the mode and temperature doors, and a ring-shaped display device with symbols indicating modes and temperatures for convenient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate actuators are used for mode and temperature control, then the control functions are independent and reliable, but the configuration becomes complex and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mode actuator and temperature actuator into a single integrated actuator unit. This actuator simultaneously controls both the mode door (which directs air flow to different vents) and the temperature door (which mixes hot and cold air), thereby reducing the number of components while maintaining independent control functions for both mode and temperature regulation
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated actuator is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls both the mode door position and the temperature door position through a single device. This multi-functional actuator reduces overall system complexity and weight while preserving the independence of mode and temperature control operations
2Device complexity
If a single actuator controls both mode and temperature doors, then the configuration is simplified and weight is reduced, but the operation control becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The single actuator is divided into two independent control units: a mode actuator unit for controlling the mode door and a temperature actuator unit for controlling the temperature door. Each unit operates independently with its own control signals, allowing separate and simultaneous control of mode and temperature functions through what appears to be a single integrated device
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an actuator lever as an intermediary component that transmits control signals from the integrated actuator to both the mode door and temperature door. This lever mechanism enables the single actuator to effectively control multiple doors by distributing control forces through the lever system
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner for a vehicle including a case body having a floor outlet, a roof outlet, an evaporator, and a heater core; a mode door adjusting an opening amount of each of the vents; and a temp door adjusting an opening amount of a cold-air passage and a hot-air passage, includes: an actuator lever connected to an actuator provided in the case body, and a main lever connected to the actuator lever to simultaneously control the mode door and the temp door.