Vehicle Ventilation Airflow Guide and Cross-Car Vanes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air vent systems for enclosed spaces, such as vehicle passenger compartments, often compromise between aesthetics and functionality, with unsightly vanes that can collect dust and dirt, and may not direct air optimally.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation system with a movable air flow guide and pivotable cross-car vanes that direct air into multiple channels, allowing for adjustable airflow direction and reduced turbulence, while maintaining a clean and aesthetically pleasing design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If vanes are located at the outlets to direct air flow, then airflow direction control is improved, but aesthetics deteriorate and dust accumulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air vent system is divided into two functional segments: vanes located at the inlet for airflow direction control, and a clean outlet grille for aesthetic purposes. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its primary function without compromise - the vanes handle the utilitarian task of directing air while the outlet maintains visual appeal.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing vanes at the outlet as in conventional designs, the invention inverts the arrangement by positioning the vanes at the inlet. This reversal moves the functional element away from the visible outlet area, thereby improving aesthetics while maintaining airflow control capability through the inlet-positioned vanes.
2Ease of operation
If vanes are located at the outlets to direct air flow, then airflow direction control is improved, but dust and dirt accumulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the airflow control function from the outlet area, placing vanes at the inlet where dust accumulation is less visible and problematic. This separation ensures that the outlet remains clean while the inlet handles the airflow direction control that would otherwise cause dust buildup at the outlet.
Solution Approach 2:
The vanes are extracted from the outlet location and relocated to the inlet. This extraction removes the source of dust and dirt accumulation from the visible outlet area, eliminating the harmful effect of contamination while preserving the airflow direction control function at the inlet.
3Ease of operation
If air flow guide is positioned close to inlet portion wall to direct air into channels, then airflow directionality is improved, but turbulence increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow guide is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to be adjusted to optimal distances from the inlet portion wall. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to achieve good airflow directionality when needed while minimizing turbulence by maintaining appropriate spacing, adapting to different operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The distance parameter between the air flow guide and the inlet portion wall is optimized to balance directionality and turbulence. By carefully selecting this parameter - neither too close nor too far - the system achieves effective airflow direction into channels while minimizing turbulent effects that would result from overly close positioning.
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 system provides improved airflow directionality and reduced turbulence, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics by allowing adjustable airflow patterns and minimizing dust accumulation on vanes.
Implementation Method 1
The air flow guide is movable between a first position, in which the tip is located at a predetermined first minimum distance from an inlet portion wall, and a second position, in which the tip is located at a predetermined second distance from the inlet portion wall, to partially guide the air flowing into the housing into a first channel and a second channel respectively
Implementation Method 2
The ventilation system includes a number of cross-car vanes that are movable together to direct air flowing through the housing in a selected direction relative to the initial air flow direction
Data Source
AI summary
A ventilation system including a housing into which a volume of air is directed in an initial air flow direction. The ventilation system includes an air flow guide extending between a base portion and a tip thereof. The air flow guide is movable between a first position, in which the tip is located at a predetermined first minimum distance from an inlet portion wall, and a second position, in which the tip is located at a predetermined second minimum distance from the inlet portion wall, to partially guide the air flowing into the housing into a first channel and a second channel respectively. The ventilation system includes a number of cross-car vanes that are movable together to direct air flowing through the housing in a selected direction relative to the initial air flow direction.