AIR VENT FOR A VEHICLE
20220009314 · 2022-01-13
Inventors
Cpc classification
International classification
Abstract
An air vent (1) for a vehicle, including a housing (2) whose housing wall delimits an air duct (3), at least one air-guiding slat (5) in the air duct (3) which is pivotable or rotatable relative to the housing wall about an axis of rotation (6), or a slat pack (4) in the air duct (3) having a multiplicity of air-guiding slats (5), each of them being pivotable or rotatable relative to the housing wall about one axis of rotation (6), such that the air duct (3) is subdivided into a multiplicity of sub-ducts (7), and at least one lateral blocking element (8) which is displaceable, pivotable or rotatable relative to the at least one air-guiding slat (5) or the air-guiding slats (5) of the slat pack (4) and to the housing wall for the purpose of blocking a sub-duct (7) formed between the at least one air-guiding slat (5) or an outer air-guiding slat (5) of the slat pack (4) and the housing wall.
Claims
1. An air vent (1) for a vehicle, wherein the air vent (1) has a housing (2) whose housing wall delimits, at least regionally, an air duct (3) for air flowing through the air vent (1) along a main flow direction, wherein, in the air duct (3), there is provided at least one air-guiding slat (5), which is pivotable or rotatable relative to the housing wall about an axis of rotation (6), or a slat pack (4) having a multiplicity of air-guiding slats (5), which are pivotable or rotatable relative to the housing wall about in each case one axis of rotation (6), such that, in the region of the at least one air-guiding slat (5) or in the region of the slat pack (4), the air duct (3) is subdivided into a multiplicity of sub-ducts (7), wherein there is additionally provided at least one lateral blocking element (8), which is displaceable, pivotable or rotatable relative to the air-guiding slat(s) (5) and to the housing wall for the purpose of blocking, as required, a sub-duct (7) formed between the at least one air-guiding slat (5) or an outer air-guiding slat (5) of the slat pack (4) and the housing wall in the region of the slat pack (4).
2. The air vent (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one air-guiding slat (5) or the air-guiding slats (5) of the slat pack (4) is/are adjustable between a straight-ahead position, in which the at least one air-guiding slat (5) or the air-guiding slats (5) of the slat pack (4) is/are each oriented parallel to the main flow direction, and at least one extreme position, in which the at least one air-guiding slat (5) or the air-guiding slats (5) of the slat pack (4) is/are deflected to a maximum extent relative to the main flow direction, and wherein the at least one lateral blocking element (8) is designed to block the sub-duct between the at least one air-guiding slat (5) or an outer air-guiding slat (5) of the slat pack (4) and the housing wall only in one of the at least one extreme position of the at least one air-guiding slat (5) or the air-guiding slats (5) of the slat pack (4).
3. The air vent (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one lateral blocking element (8) is adjustable between a straight-ahead position, in which the lateral blocking element (8) is oriented parallel to the main flow direction, and a blocking position, in which the lateral blocking element (8) is pivoted into the sub-duct between the at least one air-guiding slat (5) or the outer air-guiding slat (5) of the slat pack (4) and the housing wall, wherein the at least one lateral blocking element (8) is in the blocking position if the at least one air-guiding slat (5) or the air-guiding slats (5) of the slat pack (4) is/are in an extreme position, and wherein, when the transition into the blocking position is realized, the at least one blocking element (8) is rotated or pivoted relative to the housing wall in a direction which is opposite the direction in which the at least one air-guiding slat (5) or the air-guiding slats (5) of the slat pack (4) is/are rotated or pivoted when the transition into the extreme position is realized.
4. The air vent (1) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one lateral blocking element (8) is designed to assume its blocking position only if the outer air-guiding slat (5), facing the at least one lateral blocking element (8), of the slat pack (4) or the at least one air-guiding slat (5) assumes its extreme position which is pivoted in the direction of the lateral blocking element (8).
5. The air vent (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one lateral blocking element (8) is designed to extend, in the straight-ahead position of the at least one air-guiding slat (5) or of the air-guiding slats (5) of the slat pack (4), parallel to the at least one air-guiding slat (5) or the air-guiding slats (5) and, when the at least one air-guiding slat (5) or the air-guiding slats (5) are pivoted out of the straight-ahead position away from the lateral blocking element (8), to follow the pivoting movement of the at least one air-guiding slat (5) or of the air-guiding slats (5) and to serve as an air-guiding element.
6. The air vent (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one blocking element (8) is operatively coupled to the at least one air-guiding slat (5), or to the outer air-guiding slat (5) of the slat pack (4), via a slotted guide (9).
7. The air vent (1) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the slotted guide (9) has a slot-shaped, web-shaped or groove-shaped control curve (10), into which a peg-shaped sliding block (11) of the blocking element (8) engages and, when the at least one air-guiding slat (5) or the air-guiding slats (5) of the slat pack (4) are pivoted or rotated relative to the housing wall, is correspondingly positively guided, wherein the control curve (10) is connected fixedly to the at least one air-guiding slat (5) or to the slat pack (4).
8. The air vent (1) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the control curve (10) has a substantially L-shaped profile with a first limb region (12) and a second limb region (13), wherein the first and second limb regions (12, 13) of the control curve profile are of slightly curved form, and wherein the second limb region (13) of the control curve profile is formed to be longer than the first limb region (12) of the control curve profile.
9. The air vent (1) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the control curve (10) is designed such that, in a straight-ahead position, with respect to the main flow direction, of the at least one air-guiding slat (5) or of the air-guiding slats (5) of the slat pack (4), the sliding block (11) of the blocking element (8) is positioned in a region between the first and second limb regions (12, 13) of the control curve (10), and such that the sliding block (11) of the blocking element (8) is positioned in the first limb region (12) of the control curve (10) if the at least one air-guiding slat (5), facing the blocking element (8), or air-guiding slat (5), facing the blocking element (8), of the slat pack (8) is pivoted or rotated out of the straight-ahead position relative to the housing wall in the direction of the blocking element (8), and such that the sliding block (11) of the blocking element (8) is positioned in the second limb region (13) of the control curve (10) if the at least one air-guiding slat (5), facing the blocking element (8), or air-guiding slat (5), facing the blocking element (8), of the slat pack (4) is pivoted or rotated out of its straight-ahead position relative to the housing wall away from the blocking element (8).
10. The air vent (1) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the sliding block (11) of the blocking element (8) is, as seen in the main flow direction, arranged on the blocking element (8) downstream of an axis of rotation (6) of the blocking element (8), around which axis the blocking element (8) is pivotable or rotatable relative to the housing wall.
11. The air vent (1) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the slotted guide (9) has a further slot-shaped, web-shaped or groove-shaped control curve (15), into which a further peg-shaped sliding block (16) of the blocking element (8) engages and, when the at least one air-guiding slat (5) or the air-guiding slats (5) of the slat pack (4) are pivoted or rotated relative to the housing wall, is, at least regionally, correspondingly positively guided, wherein the further sliding block (16) of the blocking element (8) is, as seen in the main flow direction, arranged on the blocking element (8) upstream of the axis of rotation (6) of the blocking element (8), and wherein the further control curve (15) is connected fixedly to the at least one air-guiding slat (5) or to the slat pack (4).
12. The air vent (1) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the further control curve (15) has a profile which corresponds, at least substantially, to the profile of the control curve (10) in the second limb region (13), and wherein the further sliding block (16) of the blocking element (8) is positioned in the further control curve (15) only if the at least one air-guiding slat (5), facing the blocking element (8), or air-guiding slat (5), facing the blocking element (8), of the slat pack (4) is pivoted or rotated out of its straight-ahead position relative to the housing wall away from the blocking element (8).
13. The air vent (1) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the axis of rotation of the at least one air-guiding slat (5) or the respective axes of rotation of the air-guiding slats (5) extends/each extend through a central region of the corresponding air-guiding slat (5), and wherein the axis of rotation (6) of the blocking element (8) extends through a central region of the blocking element (8).
14. The air vent (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the axis of rotation of the at least one air-guiding slat (5) or the respective axes of rotation of the air-guiding slats (5) extends/each extend through an end region of the corresponding air-guiding slat (5), which end region is downstream as seen in the main flow direction, and wherein the axis of rotation (6) of the blocking element (8) extends through an end region of the blocking element (8), which end region is upstream as seen in the main flow direction.
15. The air vent (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a synchronization mechanism is assigned to the air-guiding slats (5) of the slat pack (4) for the purpose of synchronizing a pivoting or rotational movement of the air-guiding slats (5) relative to the housing wall, such that, in each position of the air-guiding slats (5) relative to the main flow direction, the air-guiding slats (5) of the slat pack (4) are oriented parallel to one another.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] Exemplary embodiments of the air vent according to the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings.
[0037] The drawings show:
[0038]
[0039]
[0040]
[0041]
[0042]
[0043]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0044] The invention, as described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings, concerns in particular an optimized slat kinematic for ventilation nozzles or air vents 1. In principle, ventilation nozzles or air vents 1 are known which usually have a straight housing 2 and a slat pack 4 arranged in the interior of the housing 2.
[0045] Alternatively, air vents 1 are also known in which the housing 2 widens in a region between the inner slat pack 4 and the outlet opening.
[0046] Because the housing 2 is internally smaller (narrower) than the outlet opening, furthermore a greater flow resistance is produced in all angular positions of slats.
[0047] In air vents 1 with a straight housing 2, part of the air stream laterally deflected by the inner slats is conducted onto the housing wall and deflected further thereby, in particular in the direction of the housing wall. As a result, part of the orientation effect of the slat pack 4 is lost.
[0048] In air vents 1 which have a widened housing 2 in the flow direction, the disadvantage arises that the widening of the housing 2 also causes an expansion of the air stream inside the air vent 1. Usually however, a bundled, concentrated air stream in the passenger compartment is desirable, because this can be oriented more precisely in a targeted fashion and because the flow speed in the region of the vehicle occupants is greater in the case of a bundled air stream.
[0049] The solution according to the invention, as described in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings, is distinguished in that in the interior of the housing 2 of the air vent 1, in addition to the air-guiding slats 5 of the slat pack 4, at least one lateral blocking element 8 is provided. This blocking element 8 is synchronized with the air-guiding slats 5 of the slat pack 4 such that—with the exception of a situation in which the air-guiding slats 5 of the slat pack 4 are in their extreme position pivoted in the direction of the lateral blocking element 8—the lateral blocking element 8 in principle stands parallel to the air-guiding slats 5 of the slat pack 4 in order to keep the flow resistance as low as possible.
[0050] Accordingly, the air vents 1 according to the invention are distinguished in that they achieve a maximum deflection angle of the emerging air but have minimum flow resistance, and expand the air stream as little as possible even in the case of long outlet vents.
[0051] A first exemplary embodiment of the air vent 1 according to the invention is shown partially and diagrammatically in a sectional view in
[0052] In detail, the air vent 1 has a housing 2, the housing wall of which at least in regions delimits an air duct 3 for air flowing through the air vent 1 in a main flow direction. In the air duct 3, a slat pack 4 is provided which has a multiplicity of air-guiding slats 5 which can be pivoted or rotated relative to the housing wall about a respective rotation axis 6, such that in the region of the slat pack 4, the air duct 3 is divided into a multiplicity of sub-ducts 7.
[0053] In the first exemplary embodiment of the air vent 1 according to the invention, the air-guiding slats 5 of the slat pack 4 can each be pivoted or rotated relative to the housing wall about a respective rotation axis 6 which is arranged approximately centrally with respect to the corresponding air-guiding slat 5. The respective upstream end regions of the individual air-guiding slats 5 are connected together via a corresponding synchronization element 17 in the form of a synchronization rod, such that the individual air-guiding slats 5 of the slat pack 4 are always oriented parallel to each other.
[0054]
[0055]
[0056] The exemplary embodiment of the air vent 1 according to the invention is in particular distinguished in that, in addition to the air-guiding slats 5 of the slat pack 4, at least one lateral blocking element 8 is provided in the region of slat pack 4.
[0057] Secondly, the air-guiding slats 5 of the slat pack 4 are arranged in the air stream or air duct 3 such that this is divided into a multiplicity of sub-ducts 7.
[0058] The at least one additional lateral blocking element 8, as depicted for example in
[0059] However, as
[0060] In detail,
[0061] In the second extreme position according to
[0062] To this end, the lateral blocking element 8 can be adjusted between a straight-ahead position, in which the lateral blocking element 8 is oriented parallel to the main flow direction, and a blocking position, in which the lateral blocking element 8 is pivoted into the sub-duct 7 between the outer air-guiding slat 5 of the slat pack 4 and the housing wall, wherein the lateral blocking element 8 is in the blocking position when the air-guiding slats 5 of the slat pack 4 are in the first extreme position, wherein on transition of the blocking element 8 into the blocking position, the blocking element 8 is rotated or pivoted relative to the housing wall in a direction which is opposite the direction in which the air-guiding slats 5 of the slat pack 4 are rotated or pivoted on transition to their extreme position. In detail,
[0063] In particular, it is provided that the lateral blocking element 8 always runs parallel or substantially parallel to the air-guiding slats 5 of the slat pack 4, as long as the air-guiding slats 5 of the slat pack 4 are not in their first extreme position or pivoted into their first extreme position.
[0064] In order to be able to synchronize the relative movement of the lateral blocking element 8 and the air-guiding slats 5 of the slat pack 4, in the first exemplary embodiment of the air vent 1 according to the invention, a slotted guide 9 is used via which the lateral blocking element 8 is operatively coupled to the outer air-guiding slat 5 of the slat pack 4 facing the blocking element 8.
[0065] As depicted, the slotted guide 9 has a corresponding control curve 10 which is preferably formed as a slot, web or groove. A sliding block 11 of the blocking element 8 engages in this control curve 10. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, this sliding block 11 of the blocking element 8 is in particular formed as a peg. When the air-guiding slats 5 of the slat pack 4 are pivoted or rotated relative to the housing wall of the air vent 1, the sliding block 11 and hence also the blocking element 8 are positively guided accordingly.
[0066] In this context, it is essential that the control curve 10 of the slotted guide 9 is connected fixedly and directly to the slat pack 4, and in particular fixedly and directly to the air-guiding slat 5 of the slat pack 4 facing the blocking element 8.
[0067] In the exemplary embodiment of the air vent 1 shown in the drawings, the control curve 10 of the slotted guide 9 has a substantially L-shaped course. This substantially L-shaped course has a first limb region 12 and, connected thereto, a second limb region 13, wherein the first and second limb regions 12, 13 of the control curve course are preferably slightly curved in order to achieve as continuous a movement of the blocking element 8 as possible.
[0068] In particular, it is provided that the second limb region 13 of the control curve course is longer than the first limb region 12 of the control curve course, which leads to a slower movement of the blocking element 8 when the sliding block 11 of the blocking element 8 runs in the second limb region 13 of the control curve course.
[0069] As
[0070] However, the sliding block 11 of the blocking element 8 is positioned in the first limb region 12 of the control curve 10 when the air-guiding slat 5 of the slat pack 4 facing the blocking element 8 is pivoted or rotated out of its straight-ahead position relative to the housing wall, in the direction of the blocking element 8, and when the blocking element 8 blocks the sub-duct or sub-ducts 7 between the housing wall and the outer air-guiding slat 5 of the slat pack 4 facing the blocking element 8 (see
[0071] As the depiction in
[0072] In detail, the sliding block 11 of the blocking element 8, viewed in the main flow direction, is arranged on the blocking element 8 downstream of a rotation axis 14 of the blocking element 8 about which the blocking element 8 can be pivoted or rotated relative to the housing wall.
[0073] The first exemplary embodiment of the air vent 1 according to the invention is distinguished in that, in addition to the control curve 10 described above, the slotted guide 9 has a further control curve 15, which preferably also takes the form of a slot, web or groove, and in which a further preferably peg-shaped sliding block 16 of the blocking element 8 engages, so that on pivoting or rotation of the air-guiding slats 5 of the slat pack 4 relative to the housing wall, it is positively guided accordingly at least in regions.
[0074] The further sliding block 16 of the blocking element 8, viewed in the main flow direction, is arranged on the blocking element 8 upstream of the rotation axis 14 of the blocking element 8. Also, the further control curve 15 of the slotted guide 9 is connected fixedly to the slat pack 4, and in particular fixedly and directly to the air-guiding slat 5 of the slat pack 4 facing the blocking element 8.
[0075] As the depictions of
[0076] In particular, it is provided that the further sliding block 16 of the blocking element 8 is positioned in the second control curve 15 only when the air-guiding slat 5 of the slat pack 4 facing the blocking element 8 is pivoted or rotated out of its straight-ahead position relative to the housing wall, away from the blocking element 8 (see
[0077] In the first exemplary embodiment according to
[0078]
[0079] Structurally and functionally, the second exemplary embodiment substantially corresponds to the first exemplary embodiment described above, wherein however in the second exemplary embodiment, the respective rotation axes 6 of the air-guiding slats 5 are each provided in a downstream end region of the corresponding air-guiding slat 5, viewed in the main flow direction.
[0080] Apart from this, in the second exemplary embodiment of the air vent 1 according to the invention, it is not provided that the lateral blocking element 8 has an air-guiding function. Rather, in this embodiment, the lateral blocking element 8 is arranged directly on the housing wall, wherein however it is also conceivable to integrate the air-guiding element in the housing wall. The rotation axis 14 of the lateral blocking element 8 is provided in an upstream end region of the lateral blocking element 8, viewed in the main flow direction.
[0081] For synchronizing and coordinating the lateral blocking element 8 and the air-guiding slats 5 of the slat pack 4, again a slotted guide 9 is used with a (single) control curve 10.
[0082]
[0083] The solution according to the invention achieves that the air vent 1 provides as great as possible a deflection angle of the outflowing air, and at the same time a low flow resistance. In detail, the lateral blocking element 8 is provided with a peg which runs in the manner of a sliding block 11 in a guide curve which is rotationally fixedly connected to one of the air-guiding slats 5 of the slat pack 4. The guide curve controls the movement such that there is no increased resistance in an angular region between the straight-ahead position and the first extreme position in which the air is deflected away from the corresponding housing wall.
[0084] In an angular region between the straight-ahead position and the second extreme position in which the air flow is directed towards the housing wall, the lateral blocking element 8 moves in the opposite rotational direction to that of the air-guiding slats 5. In this extreme position, the lateral blocking element 8 fully or partly shuts off the region between the housing wall and the air-guiding slat 8.
[0085] In this way, the housing 2 of the air vent 1 may be designed straight, so that the air stream is not expanded when emerging from the duct. Furthermore, a good deflection angle can be achieved. The otherwise disruptive influence of a straight housing wall is avoided in that the partial air stream concerned is blocked in the vicinity of the housing wall by the lateral blocking element 8.
[0086] In addition, a low flow resistance can be achieved in the slat positions in which the air is not conducted towards the housing wall.
[0087] Since the control curve 10 of the slotted guide 9 is fixedly connected to the outer air-guiding slat 5 of the slat pack 4, an excellent stability of the control curve 10 can be achieved and the slat is mounted in the housing 2 over its entire length. In particular, no additional component, such as for example a separate coupling rod, is required since the control curve 10 is integrated in the air-guiding slat 5.
[0088] The invention is not restricted to the embodiment shown in the drawings, but results from a combined consideration of all features disclosed herein. In particular, it is also conceivable to implement the lateral blocking element 8 as a slider which is driven by an electric motor or mechanically coupled to the slat pack 4 and, when the air-guiding slats 5 of the slat pack 4 are in the first extreme position, enters the outer sub-duct 7 between the outer air-guiding slat 5 and the housing wall in order to block or close this accordingly.
[0089] It is also conceivable to provide several lateral blocking elements 8 on a housing wall, which can be moved, pivoted or rotated accordingly relative to the air-guiding slats and housing wall in order to block, as required, a sub-duct 7 formed between an outer air-guiding slat 5 of the slat pack 4 the housing wall in the region of the slat pack 4.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
[0090] 1 Air vent [0091] 2 Housing [0092] 3 Air duct [0093] 4 Slat pack [0094] 5 Air-guiding slat [0095] 6 Rotation axis of air-guiding slat [0096] 7 Sub-duct [0097] 8 Lateral blocking element [0098] 9 Slotted guide [0099] 10 First control curve [0100] 11 First sliding block [0101] 12 First limb region of control curve [0102] 13 Second limb region of control curve [0103] 14 Rotation axis of blocking element [0104] 15 Further control curve [0105] 16 Further sliding block [0106] 117 Synchronization element