Vehicle Vent Outlet Device With Segmented Airflow Vanes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle air vent designs are complex and lack versatility in directing airflow, with multiple fins and movable surfaces, which increases assembly costs and reduces ease of cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A simplified outlet device for vehicle ventilation featuring a housing with a central body and vanes that divide airflow into two channels, allowing for adjustable airflow direction through a rudder mechanism, reducing the number of moving parts and maintaining a cleanable design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fins and movable surfaces are used to direct airflow, then airflow direction control is improved, but device complexity and assembly cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet device is segmented into a housing and a separate adjustable insert containing the airflow directing vanes. This allows the insert to be removed and cleaned independently, simplifying maintenance while maintaining multiple airflow directions through the vanes' adjustable positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert is designed to be rotatable within the housing, allowing dynamic adjustment of airflow direction. The vanes can be positioned at different angles to direct airflow to various locations, providing adaptability without requiring multiple fixed components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fins and movable surfaces are used to direct airflow, then airflow direction control is improved, but ease of cleaning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet device is divided into a stationary housing and a removable insert. The insert containing all movable vanes and airflow directing surfaces can be completely removed from the housing for easy cleaning, while the housing remains in place. This segmentation allows thorough cleaning of all surfaces without disassembling the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable insert with vanes is extracted as a separate removable component from the housing. This allows the insert to be taken out for cleaning or replacement, simplifying maintenance while maintaining the complex airflow directing capabilities within the insert.
3Device complexity
If a simplified design with fewer parts is used, then assembly cost and complexity are reduced, but airflow direction adjustability may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The single adjustable insert serves multiple functions: it contains vanes that can direct airflow in multiple directions, it can be rotated to different positions, and it can be removed for cleaning. This multi-functional design provides comprehensive airflow control with a single removable component rather than multiple separate parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert is designed to be rotatable within the housing, allowing dynamic adjustment of airflow direction to various locations. The vanes can be positioned at different angles while the insert rotates, providing continuous adaptability without requiring multiple fixed components for each direction.
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 device efficiently directs outside airflow based on the balance of air flow rates from each channel section, maintaining a consistent external appearance and allowing for easy cleaning, while reducing assembly costs and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the central body guiding device comprises a pivot bearing device of the central body which is mounted on the housing and being located within the channel, wherein the pivot bearing device provides a rotational axis extending through the housing from the air inlet orifice to the air outlet orifice
Implementation Method 2
the central body, the first vane and the second vane divide the outlet flow channel into two opposing channel sections directing towards a common intersection point which lies outside the housing
Implementation Method 3
an adjustment device coupled to the rudder for pivoting the rudder around the rudder adjustment axis
Data Source
AI summary
An outlet device for ventilation of a vehicle interior has a housing which extends between an air inlet orifice and an air outlet orifice and a pivot bearing device mounted on the housing, wherein the pivot bearing device provides a rotational axis. The outlet device further comprises a rotatable displacement body, a first vane which extends in a direction across the rotational axis, a second vane which extends in a direction across the rotational axis and contrary to the extension of the first vane, a rudder, and an adjustment device. The adjustment device permits pivoting of the rudder around an axis that is parallel to the direction of extension of the first and second vanes.