Ventilation Duct Flap Tracks for Single-Control Airflow Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle ventilation systems require multiple control mechanisms for flap movements, which is inefficient and increases user actions and energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A ventilation duct system with synchronized flap movements controlled by a single mechanism, utilizing a rotary control system with sliding tracks and a peg pin to manage both flaps simultaneously, allowing for four distinct positions and intermediate airflow adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple control mechanisms are used for flap movements, then each flap can be controlled independently, but the number of control mechanisms increases and energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent flap controlVSAvoidnumber of control mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple control mechanisms into a single control system. A single control shaft with multiple control elements allows simultaneous control of multiple flaps, reducing the number of separate control mechanisms while maintaining independent flap control capability through the synchronized movement of control elements along their respective tracks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single control shaft serves multiple functions by incorporating multiple control elements that can independently control different flaps. Each control element can be positioned independently along its track, allowing the universal control shaft to perform multiple control functions that previously required separate mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple control mechanisms are used for flap movements, then each flap can be controlled independently, but user actions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent flap controlVSAvoiduser actions

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple control inputs into a single control shaft assembly. Users interact with one unified control mechanism rather than multiple separate controls, reducing the number of user actions required while maintaining the ability to control each flap independently through the individual control elements on the shaft

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple control mechanisms are used for flap movements, then each flap can be controlled independently, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent flap controlVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple control mechanisms into a single control shaft that can be operated manually or with a single motor. This consolidation reduces energy consumption by eliminating the need for multiple motors and control systems while preserving the capability to control each flap independently through the individual control elements positioned on the shared shaft

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4678429A1Motor vehicle comprising a duct with flaps equipped with track structures, and method of manufacturing such a motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2026.01.14 STELLANTIS AUTO SAS

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AI summary

Motor vehicle comprising a ventilation duct which includes right (12a) and left (12b) walls, right (8) and left (9) rotating flaps, flap guides (8a, 9a), a control system for said flaps (8, 9), comprising a control means (1), a pin (3) of a rotating pin (2), right (4a) and left (5a) track structures carrying corresponding sliding tracks (4, 5) connected to the pin (3), the track structures (4a, 5a) are connected to the corresponding flap (8, 9) preferably at the level of the flap guides (8a, 9a), and the pin (3) moving, moves the track structures (4a, 5a) relative to each other laterally, and thus, moves the flaps (8, 9).