Vehicle Ventilation Valve Tapered Wall Airflow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ventilation valves for vehicles suffer from air resistance issues due to fluttering valve flaps and the formation of 'dead water zones' that impede airflow efficiency, particularly at sharp edges and in the presence of water accumulation.

Innovation Solution

The ventilation valve features an inclined wall surrounding the through opening, which tapers in the main flow direction to reduce air resistance, and includes a water drainage channel and rounded edges and ribs to prevent vortex formation and water ingress, along with arrow-shaped mounting pins and centering pins for improved airflow and attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the valve flaps are made flexible to close the opening effectively, then sealing performance is improved, but fluttering occurs and noise is generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidfluttering and noise
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The valve flap edges are rounded instead of sharp, which reduces turbulence and fluttering when air flows through the opening. The rounded geometry allows smoother air passage while maintaining the sealing function of the flexible valve flap.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of manufacture

If the wall bounding the through opening is made with sharp edges for structural simplicity, then manufacturing is easier, but dead water zones form and air resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidairflow efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The wall bounding the through opening incorporates rounded edges and curved surfaces instead of sharp angles. This curvature eliminates dead water zones where air would otherwise stagnate, reducing air resistance and improving overall airflow efficiency while remaining manufacturable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Productivity

If the through opening is kept large for ventilation efficiency, then air flow is improved, but water infiltration risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventilation efficiencyVSAvoidwater infiltration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rounded wall geometry creates a tapered through opening that naturally directs water droplets away from the valve flap area. The curved surfaces prevent water accumulation and guide it toward drainage paths, allowing a larger opening for ventilation while reducing water infiltration risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 solution enhances airflow efficiency by reducing air resistance, suppressing fluttering, and preventing water entry into the vehicle interior, thereby ensuring more efficient air conduction and reliable water drainage.

Implementation Method 1

The valve flaps here are arranged in such a manner that they are held in the closed position by gravity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

By means of a positive pressure occurring in the vehicle interior, the valve flaps are deformed counter to gravity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

The opening cross section of the through opening is reduced in the main flow direction... the air resistance for the air flow emerging from the ventilation valve is reduced, which can be attributed in particular to an increase in the flow velocity of the air flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow velocity increase:

Implementation Method 4

The inclined wall prevents dead water zones in the air flow... the formation of vortex zones increasing the air resistance occur

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVortex suppression:

Data Source

PatentEP3489052B1Ventilation valve for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
  • EP3489052B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3489052B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3489052B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A ventilation valve (10) for a vehicle for letting air out of a vehicle interior, comprising a valve frame (12) with at least one through opening (14), and at least one valve flap (20) which is mounted on the valve frame (12) and is adjustable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the at least one valve flap (20) closes the at least one through opening (14) in the closed position and opens up the at least one through opening (14) in the open position, wherein air escaping through the at least one through opening (14) flows from an air inlet side (13.1) to an air outlet side (13.2) along a main flow direction (H), wherein a wall (16a) bounding the at least one through opening (14) is inclined into the air flow in such a manner that the at least one through opening (14) tapers in the main flow direction (H).