Vehicle Air Diffuser with C-Shaped Path for Compact Airflow Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air diffusers for vehicles face challenges in efficiently directing airflow to the cabin while minimizing space and aesthetic impact, with previous solutions either constraining airflow or requiring complex mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

An air diffuser with a single guiding means that displaces between upper and lower positions following a C-shaped path, allowing precise control of airflow direction with minimal components, and optionally includes additional slats for independent control, reducing the number of parts and enhancing visual integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple slats are arranged in the dashboard region to direct airflow in multiple directions, then airflow control functionality is improved, but the space occupied in the dashboard increases and aesthetic appearance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow control functionalityVSAvoidspace occupied in dashboard

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the air guiding functionality from the traditional multiple slats arrangement and concentrates it into a single guiding means located inside the cavity. This single guiding means can rotate to direct airflow in different directions, eliminating the need for multiple visible slats in the dashboard region while maintaining full airflow control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention moves the guiding mechanism from the external dashboard surface to the internal cavity space. By placing the single guiding means inside the cavity and allowing it to rotate, the system achieves multi-directional airflow control without occupying additional dashboard space, effectively utilizing the third dimension (depth) to resolve the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If air is constricted in the inlet region to achieve Coanda effect, then airflow attachment to walls is improved, but airflow expansion in the outlet region reduces directing efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow attachment to wallsVSAvoidairflow directing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a rotatable guiding means that can dynamically adjust its position to optimize airflow direction. The guiding means can rotate to different angles, allowing the system to adaptively control airflow direction while maintaining the Coanda effect, thus resolving the contradiction between wall attachment and directing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operational parameter of the guiding means from fixed to variable (rotatable). By allowing the guiding means to rotate and change its angular position, the system can optimize both the Coanda effect for wall attachment and the directing efficiency for different cabin regions, eliminating the trade-off present in fixed designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If a mechanism with multiple pivotable elements is used to guide airflow, then airflow direction control is improved, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow direction controlVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple air guiding functions into a single guiding means that can rotate to perform all direction control tasks. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple separate pivotable elements, reducing device complexity and assembly difficulty while maintaining comprehensive airflow direction control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single guiding means is designed to be multi-functional, capable of directing airflow to different cabin regions by rotating to various angles. This universal component replaces multiple specialized elements, achieving the same versatility with fewer parts and simpler assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enables efficient and precise airflow direction with reduced space usage and complexity, improving airflow control and aesthetic integration by maintaining a small number of parts and simplifying the structure.

Implementation Method 1

In order to achieve a good Coand effect, the air must conform to the arched surfaces of the inside of the cavity in the outlet region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoanda effect: Coanda Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4046836B1Air diffuser for a vehicle

Publication Date: 2023.09.13 SEAT SA

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AI summary

Air diffuser (1) for a vehicle, having a mechanism (50) for displacing an air guiding means (3) arranged inside a cavity (23) of a casing (2) of the air diffuser (1) between a first upper end position (A) and a second lower end position (C) following a C-shaped path, such that the air guiding means (3) is displaced between a plurality of intermediate positions with a high precision for adjusting the direction of the airflow.