Vehicle Air Vent Coanda Flow Control for Ultra-Slim Outlets
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air ventilation apparatuses for vehicles face challenges in achieving a slim design due to the difficulty in adjusting wind direction with narrow mechanisms and increased air pressure, especially when the vertical width of the discharge port is 15 mm or less.
Innovation Solution
An air ventilation apparatus utilizing the Coanda effect, featuring a duct housing, a cover member with a communication hole, and a hinge-coupled air guide member that forms a continuous curved surface to direct air flow, allowing for vertical flow adjustment without a conventional wind direction adjustment wing, and an actuator for rotating the air guide member to control airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a conventional wind direction adjustment wing method is used, then wind direction can be adjusted, but the vertical width of the discharge port cannot be reduced to 15 mm or less
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical wind direction adjustment wing system with a Coanda effect-based airflow control system. The air guide member uses aerodynamic principles rather than mechanical blocking to direct airflow vertically, enabling slim design while maintaining adjustment capability through the Coanda effect which allows air to follow curved surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameter from mechanical blockage to aerodynamic flow following. By utilizing the Coanda effect parameter change, the system achieves vertical airflow adjustment without requiring the physical space needed for conventional adjustment wings, thus reducing discharge port width to 15 mm or less.
2Length of moving object
If the vertical width of the discharge port is reduced to achieve a slim design, then the apparatus becomes thinner, but the air pressure increases making ultra-slim design difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a curved surface dimension through the air guide member that follows the airflow path. This dimensional approach allows the system to manage air pressure by extending the airflow path along a curve rather than forcing it through a narrow straight channel, thereby reducing pressure buildup while achieving slim design.
Solution Approach 2:
The air guide member acts as an intermediary between the airflow and the discharge port. It mediates the air pressure by providing a curved surface that gradually directs the flow, preventing sudden pressure increases that would occur with direct narrow channel discharge, thus enabling ultra-slim design.
3Ease of operation
If a conventional mechanical adjustment mechanism is used, then wind direction can be controlled, but the internal structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex mechanical adjustment mechanism from the system and replaces it with a simpler air guide member that utilizes the Coanda effect. This extraction eliminates unnecessary mechanical components while retaining wind direction control functionality, thereby reducing internal structure complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The air guide member utilizes the natural Coanda effect where airflow automatically follows the curved surface without requiring complex mechanical control systems. The airflow itself serves to direct the wind direction by adhering to the curved surface, eliminating the need for sophisticated mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
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
This solution enables a slim design by reducing the vertical length of the discharge port and adjusting the vertical air flow, simplifying the internal structure and reducing air pressure, thus implementing an ultra-slim air ventilation apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
an air ventilation apparatus for a vehicle using a Coanda effect that is mounted inside a board in a vehicle to discharge air into the vehicle through a discharge port formed in the board
Data Source
AI summary
An air ventilation apparatus for a vehicle using a Coanda effect according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a duct housing having a hollow shape in which an air inlet is formed in one end portion thereof and an air outlet is formed in the other end portion thereof, a cover member having one end portion coupled to surround the other end portion of the duct housing and having the other end portion which is coupled to the board and in which a communication hole is formed to communicate with the discharge port, and an air guide member which is disposed inside the cover member, is hinge-coupled to the duct housing so as to be vertically rotatable, and has a through-hole through which the air outlet communicates with the communication hole.