Waterfall HVAC Grille With Vanes for Uniform Airflow Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle HVAC systems suffer from uneven distribution of conditioned airflow across target locations, leading to suboptimal performance and occupant comfort.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a waterfall grille with vane arrangements and adjustable vane gaps and outlet cross-sectional areas to direct and equalize airflow distribution, utilizing a grille housing and grille plate with vanes that vary in height and angle to optimize airflow distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If large air outlets are used in HVAC ducts, then airflow volume is increased, but airflow distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single large air outlet into multiple smaller outlets arranged in an array across the grille plate. This segmentation allows the total airflow volume to be maintained while distributing it uniformly across multiple exit points, resolving the contradiction between airflow volume and distribution uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements vane arrangements at specific locations between adjacent outlets, with each vane arrangement having locally optimized vane heights and angles. This local quality variation ensures that each region of the grille plate provides appropriate airflow resistance and direction, achieving uniform distribution across the entire outlet array.
2Stability of the object's composition
If vane arrangements are added to equalize airflow, then airflow distribution uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the vane arrangements adjustable rather than fixed, allowing the vane heights and angles to be dynamically modified. This enables optimization of airflow distribution for different operating conditions while maintaining a relatively simple overall grille structure that can be adjusted rather than redesigned.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent varies the vane heights and angles as parameters to control airflow distribution. By changing these geometric parameters of the vanes, the system achieves uniform airflow distribution without requiring complex additional components, resolving the contradiction between distribution uniformity and structural simplicity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If vane heights vary to optimize airflow, then airflow distribution uniformity is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the vane arrangements to be adjustable in height and angle, allowing post-manufacturing optimization of airflow distribution. This reduces the need for extremely precise manufacturing of each vane dimension, as the final airflow characteristics can be tuned by adjusting the vane positions rather than relying solely on precise initial fabrication.
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 ensures even distribution of conditioned airflow, enhancing HVAC system performance and occupant comfort by equalizing airflow volume across outlets.
Implementation Method 1
Each vane arrangement is configured such that at each vane arrangement a first portion of a conditioned airflow flowing through the airflow grille is directed between the grille housing and the vane arrangement and a second portion of the conditioned airflow exits the airflow grille through a corresponding airflow outlet
Data Source
AI summary
An airflow grille of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a grille housing and a grille plate assembled to the grille housing. The grille housing and the grille plate define a grille plenum therebetween. An airflow inlet in defined in the grille housing and a plurality of airflow outlets are defined in the grille plate. A plurality of vane arrangements are arrayed on the grille plate. Each vane arrangement located between adjacent airflow outlets of the grille plate. Each vane arrangement is configured such that at each vane arrangement a first portion of a conditioned airflow flowing through the airflow grille is directed between the grille housing and the vane arrangement and a second portion of the conditioned airflow exits the airflow grille through a corresponding airflow outlet of the plurality of airflow outlets.