Vehicle Ventilation Current Adjustment Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ventilation adjustment devices for vehicles face challenges in providing an optimal output current to air conditioning fan motors, requiring a balance between minimum and maximum current levels without exceeding manufacturer-specified limits, while being cost-effective and reliable.

Innovation Solution

A device with a correction power circuit using multiple parallel branches with resistors of different values, allowing for adjustable output current through simple soldering, ensures the minimum current required by the motor while preventing excessive current consumption, utilizing low-cost electronic components and enhancing automation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If top-quality electronic circuits and components are used to achieve lower output current tolerance, then the current precision is improved, but the device cost increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutput current toleranceVSAvoiddevice cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of output current tolerance from requiring high-precision components to achieving acceptable tolerance through manual adjustment of a potentiometer. The adjustment unit allows the output current tolerance to be tuned within a range (e.g., ±5% to ±10%) rather than requiring tight manufacturing specifications, thereby reducing component quality requirements and overall device cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates a manual adjustment mechanism that allows operators to self-adjust the output current tolerance according to specific application requirements. This self-service approach replaces the need for expensive pre-calibrated high-precision circuits, enabling the system to adapt to different current tolerance requirements without requiring top-quality electronic components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of manufacture

If the output current is set manually, then the device cost is reduced, but the speed and reliability of the automation process deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice costVSAvoidautomation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic adjustment mechanism where the output current can be modified in real-time during operation through the potentiometer. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to changing operational requirements without requiring manual intervention to replace entire control units, thereby maintaining automation speed while using cost-effective components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment unit is pre-configured with a potentiometer that can be quickly adjusted to the desired setting before operation begins. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for complex calibration procedures during automation processes, maintaining productivity while using lower-cost electronic components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the output current tolerance is reduced to meet minimum motor current requirements, then the motor performance is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor performanceVSAvoidadjustment device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the current tolerance adjustment function from the main control circuit and implements it as a separate, simple adjustment unit with a potentiometer. This extraction isolates the complexity to a single, easily manageable component while keeping the rest of the control system simple and reliable for ensuring minimum motor current requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2751921B1Device and method for controlling ventilation on board vehicles
Publication Date: 2020.10.28 META SYSTEM SPA
  • EP2751921B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The device (D) for adjusting ventilation on board vehicles or the like comprises a control unit (C) connectable to a command element (E) of a ventilation system on a vehicle and to a ventilation device (V) of the system, wherein the control unit (C) has generation means for generating an output current (Iout) for supplying the ventilation device (V) according to an input signal (Sin) coming from the command element (E). The device (D) comprises an adjustment unit (S) connected to the control unit (C) and suitable for adjusting the output current (Iout) according to the minimum current required to supply the ventilation device (V) and to the maximum current absorbable by the ventilation device (V).