# US 9,516,890 B2 · Rib maze that prevents flow along a wall

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 9,516,890 B2
- Document ID: US9516890B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/826,715
- Filed: 2013-03-14
- Published: 2014-09-18
- Granted: 2016-12-13
- Earliest claimed: 2013-03-14
- Assignees: DENSO International America, Inc.; Denso Corporation
- Applicants: DENSO International America, Inc.; Denso Corporation
- Inventors: Melissa Buczek; Jie Zeng; Simon Hotte; Eric Barbier
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9516890B2

## CPC

- A23G 9/325: {containing inorganic compounds}
- B60H 1/00021: {Air flow details of HVAC devices}
- C12G 3/04: by mixing, e.g. for preparation of liqueurs
- A23V 2002/00: Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs
- B60H 2001/00092: {of air deflecting or air directing means inside the device}
- A23G: COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
- B60H: ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
- C12G: WINE; PREPARATION THEREOF; ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES (beer C12C); PREPARATION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES NOT PROVIDED FOR IN SUBCLASSES C12C OR C12H
- A23V: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND LACTIC OR PROPIONIC ACID BACTERIA USED IN FOODSTUFFS OR FOOD PREPARATION

## Abstract

An airflow deflector including a plurality of spaced apart ribs each extending in a longitudinal direction between a first end and a second end thereof that is generally perpendicular to an airflow stream to be deflected by the airflow deflector such that the plurality of spaced apart ribs induce recirculations of the airflow stream between neighboring ones of the plurality of spaced apart ribs to increase air pressure at an entrance to areas defined between neighboring ribs and restrict the airflow from flowing past the plurality of spaced apart ribs.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An airflow deflector comprising:
a plurality of spaced apart ribs each extending in a longitudinal direction between a first end and a second end thereof that is generally perpendicular to an airflow stream to be deflected by the airflow deflector such that the plurality of spaced apart ribs induce recirculations of the airflow stream between neighboring ones of the plurality of spaced apart ribs to increase air pressure at an entrance to areas defined between neighboring ribs and restrict the airflow from flowing past the plurality of spaced apart ribs;
wherein a first one of the plurality of spaced apart ribs includes a transverse portion extending transverse to the longitudinal direction; and
wherein the plurality of ribs are included with an HVAC system, the first one of the plurality of ribs is furthest from a base of the HVAC system.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The airflow deflector of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ribs are mounted to an HVAC housing.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The airflow deflector of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ribs are staggered with respect to each other.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The airflow deflector of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ribs are arranged generally along a curved line.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The airflow deflector of claim 1, wherein the first end of each one of the plurality of ribs is closest to a heater of the HVAC system and the second end of each one of the plurality of ribs is closest to an evaporator of the HVAC system.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The airflow deflector of claim 1, wherein neighboring ribs of the plurality of ribs have different lengths.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The airflow deflector of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ribs extend generally parallel to airflow exiting an evaporator when the HVAC system housing the plurality of ribs is in a maximum heat mode, thereby permitting airflow past the ribs and through a heater during maximum heat mode.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The airflow deflector of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ribs are arranged between an evaporator and a heater core.

### Claim 9

An HVAC system for a motor vehicle comprising:
an evaporator;
a heater; and
a plurality of spaced-apart deflector ribs between the evaporator and the heater, the deflector ribs configured to direct airflow away from the heater;
wherein a first deflector rib of the plurality of deflector ribs includes a first portion and a second portion that is transverse to the first portion;
wherein the first deflector rib is furthest from a base of the HVAC system; and
wherein the first deflector rib is closest to the heater.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The HVAC system of claim 9, wherein the deflector ribs are mounted to an HVAC housing.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The HVAC system of claim 9, wherein the deflector ribs are staggered with respect to one another and extend in a direction generally perpendicular to airflow to be deflected.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The HVAC system of claim 9, wherein each one of the deflector ribs is elongated and includes a first end proximate to the heater and a second end proximate to the evaporator, the first end is opposite to the second end.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The HVAC system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of deflector ribs includes the first deflector rib and a second deflector rib, of the plurality of deflector ribs the first deflector rib is closest to the heater and furthest from the evaporator, and the second deflector rib is closest to the evaporator and furthest from the heater.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The HVAC system of claim 9, wherein neighboring ones of the plurality of deflector ribs have different lengths.

### Claim 15

An HVAC system for a motor vehicle comprising:
an evaporator;
a heater; and
a plurality of spaced-apart deflector ribs between the evaporator and the heater that extend in a direction generally perpendicular to airflow to be deflected;
wherein a first one of the deflector ribs includes an elongated portion extending between the heater and the evaporator, and a transverse portion extending perpendicular to the elongated portion, the transverse portion is at an end of the elongated portion proximate to the evaporator;
wherein the first one of the plurality of ribs is furthest from a base of the HVAC system;
wherein the first one of the plurality of ribs is closest to the heater; and
wherein the first one of the plurality of ribs is furthest form the evaporator.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The HVAC system of claim 15, wherein each one of the deflector ribs includes a first end proximate to the heater and a second end proximate to the evaporator, the second end is opposite to the first end.