Two-Part Vehicle Vent Control Element for Airflow Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air flow adjustment devices for vehicles lack intuitive and simple mechanisms for varying airflow direction and volume, often leading to accidental adjustments and limited control over airflow.
Innovation Solution
A device with a two-part operating element, where the first part is non-rotatably coupled to a slat and the second part can be lifted to pivot an air flap, allowing for precise control over airflow direction and volume through a locking mechanism and potential electrical or mechanical coupling, preventing accidental adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single control element is used to control both louver orientation and air damper, then the device structure is simple, but the control precision and user feedback are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The control element is divided into two separate parts: a first control element for rotating the louver and a second control element for operating the air damper. This segmentation allows each control element to be optimized for its specific function, improving control precision while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If the control element is integrated to control both functions, then the operation is unified, but accidental adjustments occur more frequently
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the control functions into distinct control elements, the patent prevents accidental adjustments of one function when operating the other. Each control element can be independently operated without affecting the other control function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a coupling mechanism as an intermediary between the two control elements and the respective controlled components. This coupling mechanism ensures that each control element reliably transmits its control action to the intended component (louver or air damper) without interfering with the other function.
3Device complexity
If a single control element is used, then the device has fewer parts, but the versatility of control functions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control system into two specialized control elements, each optimized for its specific control function. This segmentation enables versatile control functions while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple by avoiding a single complex multi-functional control mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (20) for adjusting an air flow (2) which flows out of a vent (10), with at least one closing device (30) via which a strength of the air flow (2) can be varied, and at least one first slat (21, 21.1) which is mounted pivotably about a first pivot axis in order to vary the flow direction, wherein the orientation of the at least one first slat (21, 21.1) and the operation of the closing device (30) take place via an operator control element (40) which is arranged on at least one first slat (21, 21.1), and a ventilation device for a vehicle with such a device (20) for adjusting an air flow (2). According to the invention, the operator control element (40) is of two-part design, wherein a first operator control part (41) is coupled to the at least one first slat (21, 21.1) for rotation therewith, and a second operator control part (42) which is coupled to the first operator control part (41) can be coupled to at least one air flap (32) of the at least one closing device (30) and can be raised from the first operator control part (41), wherein the second operator control part (42) is mounted rotatably in a raised first position and is coupled to the at least one air flap (32) such that the at least one air flap (32) is pivoted by rotation of the second operator control part (42).