Vehicle air-conditioning system outflow unit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle air conditioning outlet units are not compact, efficient, or cost-effective, and they generate noise due to turbulence in the air flow, which reduces ionization efficiency and occupant comfort.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle air conditioning outlet unit with an electrode designed to have angled sections that protrude into the duct at an angle, minimizing material usage and increasing rigidity, while a flat material electrode with specific edge geometries enhances ionization by reducing turbulence and noise, and is produced inexpensively through stamping or laser cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If needle-shaped electrodes extend linearly into the duct to generate ions, then ionization function is achieved, but the outlet unit becomes bulky and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is divided into three distinct sections: a holding section for mounting, a connecting section for structural support, and a tip section for ion generation. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently, reducing overall complexity while maintaining ionization effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The tip section is oriented at an angle (60-120 degrees) relative to the connecting section, creating a three-dimensional configuration rather than a simple linear extension. This angular arrangement reduces the projected area and simplifies the outlet unit structure while preserving the ion generation capability.
2Strength
If the electrode connecting section is made long to ensure structural support, then rigidity is improved, but material usage increases and compactness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The angle between the connecting section and tip section is optimized to be between 60-120 degrees (preferably 90 degrees). This angular configuration provides optimal structural rigidity with minimal material, as the angled arrangement creates a more efficient load-bearing structure compared to a linear extension.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting section features rounded transition areas between the holding section and tip section, eliminating sharp corners. This curvature design distributes stress more evenly, enhancing rigidity and reducing material requirements while improving manufacturing efficiency.
3Quantity of substance
If the electrode section protruding into the duct has sharp corners to enhance field emission, then electron detachment is improved, but flow vortices and turbulence increase causing noise
Solution Approach 1:
The tip section is designed with rounded edges and curved surfaces instead of sharp corners. The transition areas between different sections are also rounded. This curvature design maintains the necessary electric field concentration for electron detachment while eliminating flow separation and vortex formation, thereby reducing turbulence and noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The angle of the tip section is optimized to be between 60-120 degrees relative to the connecting section, with the tip pointing in the direction of air flow. This angular configuration, combined with rounded edges, creates a streamlined shape that minimizes flow disturbance while maintaining effective ion generation.
4Quantity of substance
If conventional electrode designs are used to ensure ionization, then ion content is achieved, but manufacturing cost and production complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is designed with standard angular configurations (60-120 degrees, preferably 90 degrees) and rounded transition radii that are easy to manufacture using conventional stamping or laser cutting processes. These standardized parameters simplify tooling requirements and production while maintaining effective ionization performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode is designed as a simple, single-piece component that can be manufactured cost-effectively using stamping or laser cutting from conductive material. The simplified geometry reduces material waste and manufacturing complexity, making the outlet unit more cost-effective compared to complex multi-component electrode assemblies.
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 provides a compact, quiet, and cost-effective outlet unit with improved ionization efficiency and reduced noise, enhancing occupant comfort by increasing the number of ions generated and minimizing ion loss, while maintaining low weight and space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
Due to the high voltage of one kilovolt and more, a strong electrical field with a high field strength is formed at the tip. With the result that charged particles are accelerated in the air flow and electrons are released from the tip by field emission
Implementation Method 2
The free electrons and the accelerated particles form additional ions through accumulation or impact ionization and thus lead to an ionization of the air flow
Implementation Method 3
This essentially laminar flow has the advantages that, on the one hand, a higher ion rate can be provided in the air flowing through the channel and, on the other hand, the noise associated with turbulence is reduced
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle air-conditioning system outflow unit (10) comprising at least one channel (14, 16) surrounded by a wall (22, 24, 26, 28, 30) and an electrode (20) connected to a voltage source. The electrode (20) comprises at least one angled section (68, 70) protruding into the channel (14, 16), for ionising the air flowing through the channel (14, 16). The angled section (68, 70) has a tip (90) that ends freely in the channel (14, 16) and an end section that ends with the tip (90). Furthermore, observed from the side and perpendicularly to the direction of flow (S), the section (108) of the angled section (68, 70), protruding into the channel (14, 16), extends linearly to the tip (90).