DEVICE FOR MANIPULATING AN ACTUATOR, DESIGNED IN PARTICULAR IN THE FORM OF A THROTTLE FLAP OR CLOSURE FLAP, OF AN AIR VENT

Abstract

A device for manipulating an actuator (1) of an air vent (2), wherein, for generating as required an adjustment movement acting on the actuator (1), the device has a preferably manually actuable actuating element (3) and a drive mechanism (6) with a motor drive (7). The drive mechanism (6) is assigned a resetting mechanism which is designed to make an adjustment movement, brought about previously by the drive (7), of the actuator (1) relative to the housing (10) of the air vent (2) reversible again, if required, such that the actuator (1) is then again in a position relative to the housing (10) of the air vent (2) that was set previously by actuation of the actuating element (3).

Claims

1. A device for manipulating an actuator (1), designed in the form of a throttle flap or closure flap, of an air vent (2), wherein the actuator (1) is designed as an air-guiding element or as part of a package of air-guiding elements, and wherein the device has the following: a manually actuable actuating element (3) which is coupled mechanically to the actuator (1) in such a manner that, by actuation of the actuating element (3), the actuator (1) is adjustable relative to a housing (10) of the air vent (2); and a drive mechanism (6) with a motor drive (7), which is coupled mechanically to the actuator (1) in such a manner that, by actuation of the drive (7), the actuator (1) is adjustable relative to the housing (10) of the air vent (2), wherein the drive mechanism (6) is assigned a resetting mechanism which is designed to make an adjustment movement, brought about previously by the drive (7), of the actuator (1) relative to the housing (10) of the air vent (2) reversible again, if required, such that the actuator (1) is then again in a position relative to the housing (10) of the air vent (2) that was set previously by actuation of the actuating element (3).

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator (1) is adjustable relative to the housing (10) of the air vent (2) between a first extreme position, in which, for example, an air duct of the air vent (2) is completely open, and a second extreme position, in which, for example, the air duct of the air vent (2) is completely blocked by the actuator (1), wherein the actuating element (5) is designed to set the actuator (1) as desired between the first and second extreme position.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the drive (7) is assigned a drive element which, by actuation of the drive (7), is movable between a first position defined by a first stop (19) and a second position, wherein, in a state when, by actuation of the drive (7), the drive element is in its second position, the actuator (1) is in its second extreme position, and wherein, in a state when the drive element is in its first position, the actuator (1) is present again in a position relative to the housing (10) of the air vent (2) that was set previously by the actuation of the actuating element (3).

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuating element (3) is assigned a lever arm (5) for generating as required an adjustment movement acting on the actuator (1), and wherein the drive (7) is assigned a drive element for generating as required an adjustment movement acting on the actuator (1); wherein the actuating element (3) has a first state in which it is fixed relative to the housing (10) of the air vent (2), and a second state in which it pivotable or rotatable, relative to the housing (10) of the air vent (2) for generating an adjustment movement; and wherein, in the first state of the actuating element (3), the lever arm (5) of the actuating element (3) is operatively decoupled from the drive element of the motor drive (7) in such a manner that no movement generated by the drive element of the motor drive (7) can be transmitted to the actuating element (3).

5. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the actuating element (3) has a first coupling element (8) and a second coupling element (9), which coupling elements are operatively connected in the first state of the actuating element (3), wherein, in the second state of the actuating element (3), an operative connection between the first and the second coupling element (8, 9) is released; wherein the first coupling element (8) is fixedly connected to the housing (10) of the air vent (2) and is designed as a bearing pin with a toothed region; and wherein, in the first state of the actuating element (3), the second coupling element (9) is fixed relative to the first coupling element (8) and, in the second state of the actuating element (3), the second coupling element (9) is pivotable or rotatable relative to the first coupling element (8) about the axis of rotation of the lever arm (5) of the actuating element (3), wherein the second coupling element (9) has a toothed region which, only in the first state of the actuating element (3), is in engagement with the toothed region of the first coupling element (8), which is designed as a bearing pin.

6. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the actuating element (3) has an elastic prestressing element, in the form of a spring (11), for prestressing the first coupling element (8) in such a manner that the latter is operatively connected to the second coupling element (9) when no actuating force or no sufficient actuating force acting in the opposite direction to the prestressing force generated by the prestressing element is transmitted to the second coupling element (9) via the actuating element (3).

7. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device has a coupling mechanism for forming as required an operative connection between a lever arm (5) of the actuating element (3) and a drive element of the drive (7) with the actuator (1), wherein the coupling mechanism is designed in such a manner that adjustment movements generated successively in time by the actuating element (3) and the drive element of the motor drive (7) are transmitted in an overlapping manner to the actuator (1).

8. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device has a coupling mechanism with at least one force transmission element in the form of at least one coupling rod (14) for transmitting as required an adjustment movement, which, in the first state of the actuating element (3), is optionally generated by the motor drive (7) or the correspondingly assigned drive element, to the actuator (1), which is to be manipulated where appropriate, of the air vent (2) and for transmitting as required an adjustment movement which, in the second state of the actuating element (3), is optionally generated by the actuating element (4) or the correspondingly assigned lever arm (5), to the actuator (1), which is to be manipulated where appropriate, of the air vent (2).

9. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the coupling mechanism has a first supporting lever (15) which is connected in an articulated manner to the lever arm (5) of the actuating element (3), and a second supporting lever (16) which is connected in an articulated manner to the actuator (1), which is to be manipulated, of the air vent (2) or to a correspondingly assigned lever arm of the actuator (1), wherein the first and second supporting levers (15, 16) are connected in an articulated manner to each other in a connecting region of the first and second supporting lever (15, 16).

10. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the coupling mechanism furthermore has a third supporting lever (17) which, firstly, is connected in an articulated manner in the connecting region of the first and second supporting lever (15, 16) to the first and second supporting lever (15, 16) and, secondly, is connected in an articulated manner to the drive element which is assigned to the motor drive (7) and is designed as a drive lever; or wherein the coupling mechanism furthermore has a third supporting lever (18) which, firstly, is connected in an articulated manner in the connecting region of the first and second supporting lever (15, 16) to the first and second supporting lever (15, 16) and, secondly, is connected to the drive element, which is assigned to the motor drive (7), in such a manner that, when the motor drive (7) is actuated in the first state of the actuating element (3), the third supporting lever (18) is movable relative to the housing (10) of the air vent (2) in a pure linear movement, wherein the third supporting lever (18) is designed at least in regions as a rack, and wherein the drive element assigned to the motor drive (7) has a toothed region or is designed as a gearwheel and is in engagement with the third supporting lever (18), which is designed at least in regions as a rack.

11. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in a first operating state of the device, a position of the actuator (1) is adjustable relative to the housing (10) of the air vent (2) manually via the actuating element (3), wherein, in the first operating state of the device, each position of the actuator (1) corresponds to a certain position of the actuating element (3), wherein, in a second operating state of the device, a position of the actuating element (3), which position is set in the first operating state of the device, is fixed, and a position of the actuator (1), which position corresponds to the fixed position of the actuating element (3) in the first operating state of the device, is adjustable relative to the housing (10) of the air vent (1) by motor via the drive mechanism (6), wherein the device is designed to make a position of the actuator, which position is adjusted by motor in the second operating state of the device, reversible again, if required, such that the actuator (1) is then again in the position which corresponds to the position of the actuating element (3) that is fixed in the first operating state of the device.

12. The device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the drive mechanism (6) has a first stop (19) assigned to the drive element of the motor drive (7) and a further, second stop (20), which is likewise assigned to the drive element of the motor drive (7), for limiting a movement of the drive element, which is assigned to the motor drive (7), in the first state of the actuating element (3), wherein, in the first operating state of the device, the drive element of the motor drive (7) lies against the first stop (19), and wherein the drive element of the motor drive (7) no longer lies against the first stop (19) if, in the second operating state of the device, the position of the actuator (1) is adjusted relative to the housing (10) of the air vent (2) by motor via the drive mechanism (6), wherein, for making a position of the actuator (1), which position is adjusted by motor in the second operating state of the device, reversible, the drive element of the motor drive (7) is manipulated in such a manner that it again lies against the first stop (19).

13. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the coupling mechanism has a coupling rod (14) which, firstly, is connected in an articulated manner to the lever arm (5) assigned to the actuating element (3) and, secondly, is connected in an articulated manner to a lever arm (22) assigned to the actuator (1), wherein the lever arm (5) assigned to the actuating element (3) is rotatable or pivotable about an axis of rotation relative to the housing (10) of the air vent (2), and wherein the lever arm (22) which is assigned to the actuator (1) is operatively connected to the actuator (1) and to the drive element, which is assigned to the motor drive (7), in such a manner that, during pivoting or rotating of the lever arm (5) of the actuating element (3) about the corresponding axis of rotation via the coupling rod (14) of the coupling mechanism, the lever arm (22) assigned to the actuator (1) and the actuator (1) itself are rotated at the same time while no movements or substantially no movements generated by the lever arm (5) assigned to the actuating element (3) are transmitted to the drive element of the motor drive (7), and that movements generated during actuation of the motor drive (7) by the drive element of the motor drive (7) are transmitted to the actuator (1) while no movements or substantially no movements generated by the drive element assigned to the motor drive (7) are transmitted to the lever arm (5) assigned to the actuating element (3).

14. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the coupling mechanism has a planetary gearing or differential gearing (21) via which the lever arm (22) assigned to the actuator (1) is operatively connected to the drive element of the motor drive (7) and/or to the actuator (1).

15. A ventilation system with at least one air vent which is assigned a device for manipulating an actuator (1), which is designed in the form of an air-guiding element, wherein the device for manipulating the actuator (1) is a device as claimed in claim 1.

16. A device for manipulating an actuator (1), in the form of a throttle flap or closure flap, of an air vent (2), wherein the actuator (1) is configured as an air-guiding element or as part of a package of air-guiding elements, and wherein the device has the following: a manually actuable actuating element (3) that is coupled mechanically to the actuator (1) such that, by actuation of the actuating element (3), the actuator (1) is adjustable relative to a housing (10) of the air vent (2); and a powered drive mechanism (6) with a drive (7) that is coupled mechanically to the actuator (1) such that, by actuation of the drive (7), the actuator (1) is adjustable relative to the housing (10) of the air vent (2), wherein the powered drive mechanism (6) includes a resetting mechanism that is configured to make an adjustment movement, brought about previously by the drive (7), of the actuator (1) relative to the housing (10) of the air vent (2) reversible again, such that the actuator (1) is then again placed in a position relative to the housing (10) of the air vent (2) that was set previously by actuation of the actuating element (3).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0064] In the following text, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the appended drawings.

[0065] In the drawings:

[0066] FIG. 1 shows, diagrammatically and in a partially sectioned view, a first exemplary embodiment of an air vent with a device for manipulating an actuator of the air vent in a state, in which the actuating mechanism of the device is being pressed by a finger of an operator for the purpose of actuation, and the actuator is in a completely open state,

[0067] FIG. 2 shows, diagrammatically and in a partially sectioned view, the first exemplary embodiment of the air vent, wherein the actuating mechanism is still being pressed by a finger of the operator for the purpose of actuation, and the actuator is in a completely closed state,

[0068] FIG. 3 shows, diagrammatically and in a partially sectioned view, the first exemplary embodiment of the air vent, wherein the actuating mechanism is non-actuated or untouched, and the electric drive has already moved the actuator from a completely open state into a completely closed state,

[0069] FIG. 4 shows, diagrammatically and in a partially sectioned view, a second exemplary embodiment of an air vent with a device for manipulating an actuator of the air vent in a state, in which the actuating mechanism of the device is being pressed by a finger of the operator for the purpose of actuation, and the actuator is in a completely open state,

[0070] FIG. 5 shows, diagrammatically and in a partially sectioned view, the second exemplary embodiment of the air vent, wherein the actuating mechanism is non-actuated or untouched, and the electric drive has already moved the actuator from a completely open state into a completely closed state,

[0071] FIG. 6 shows, diagrammatically and in a partially sectioned view, a third exemplary embodiment of an air vent with a device for manipulating an actuator of the air vent in a state, in which the actuating mechanism of the device is being pressed by a finger of the operator for the purpose of actuation, and the actuator is in a completely open state,

[0072] FIG. 7 shows, diagrammatically and in a partially sectioned view, the third exemplary embodiment of the air vent, wherein the actuating mechanism is still being pressed by a finger of the operator for the purpose of actuation, and the actuator is in a completely closed state, and

[0073] FIG. 8 shows, diagrammatically and in a partially sectioned view, the third exemplary embodiment of the air vent, wherein the actuating mechanism is non-actuated or untouched, and the electric drive has already moved the actuator from a completely open state into a completely closed state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0074] In the following text, a first exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention will first of all be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0075] The device according to the invention serves to manipulate an actuator 1 of an air vent 2. To this end, the device has a manually actuable actuating element 3, wherein said actuating element 3 is assigned a lever arm 5, in order to generate a corresponding movement manually and as required, for manipulating the actuator 1 of the air vent 2.

[0076] Moreover, the device according to the invention has a drive mechanism 6 with a motor drive 7, wherein said motor drive 7 is preferably an electric motor drive 7. The motor drive 7 is assigned a drive element, via which a corresponding movement which serves to manipulate the actuator 1 of the air vent 2 is generated as required.

[0077] The actuating mechanism with the preferably manually actuable actuating element 3 has substantially two operating states. In a first state, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, the lever arm 5 of the actuating element 3 is fixed relative to a housing 10 of the air vent 2. Secondly, in said first state of the actuating mechanism, the lever arm 5 is operatively decoupled from the drive element of the motor drive 7 in such a way that no or at least substantially no movements which are generated by the drive element of the motor drive 7 can be transmitted to the actuating element 3 (and vice versa).

[0078] In a second state of the actuating mechanism, as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, for example, the lever arm 5 of the actuating element 3 can be pivoted or rotated relative to the housing 10 of the air vent 2 about an axis of rotation, in order in this way to generate a corresponding movement which serves to manipulate the actuator 1 of the air vent 2.

[0079] Here, the motor drive 7 is activated, above all, in the first state of the actuating mechanism when, for example, the passenger exits or enters and is therefore so occupied that he/she does not or cannot actuate the actuating element 3 at the same time.

[0080] In the second state of the actuating mechanism (cf. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2), the drive element of the motor drive 7 is operatively decoupled from the lever arm 5 of the actuating element 3 in such a way that no or at least substantially no adjustment movements which are generated by the lever arm 5 of the actuating element 3 can be transmitted to the drive element of the motor drive 7 (and vice versa).

[0081] It is a common feature of all the embodiments shown in the figures of the device according to the invention for manipulating the actuator 1 of the air vent 2 that the actuating mechanism has a first coupling element 8 and a second coupling element 9, wherein said coupling elements 8, 9 are operatively connected in the first state of the actuating mechanism, wherein an operative connection between the first and the second coupling element 8, 9 is released in the second state of the actuating mechanism.

[0082] In detail, in the case of the exemplary embodiments which are shown in the drawings, this is achieved by virtue of the fact that the first coupling element 8 is connected fixedly to the housing 10 of the air vent 2 and is preferably configured as a bearing journal with a toothed region, wherein the second coupling element 9 is fixed relative to the first coupling element 8 in the first state of the actuating mechanism, and wherein, in the second state of the actuating mechanism, the second coupling element 9 can be pivoted or rotated relative to the first coupling element 8 about the axis of rotation of the lever arm 5 of the actuating element 3.

[0083] The second coupling element 9 preferably also has a toothed region which is in engagement with the toothed region of the first coupling element 8 which is preferably configured as a bearing journal only in the first state of the actuating mechanism.

[0084] In the case of the embodiments of the actuating mechanism which are shown in the drawings, furthermore, an elastic prestressing element in the form of a spring 11 is used, in order to prestress the first coupling element 8 in such a way that it is operatively connected to the second coupling element 9 when no or no sufficient actuating force which acts in the opposite direction to the prestressing force which is generated by way of the prestressing element is transmitted via the actuating element 3 to the second coupling element 9.

[0085] Moreover, it is a common feature of all the embodiments which are shown in the drawings that the lever arm 5 of the actuating element 3 is assigned a first stop 12 and, furthermore, a second stop 13, in order to limit a pivoting of rotational movement of the lever arm 5 in the second state of the actuating mechanism.

[0086] Furthermore, it is a common feature of the exemplary embodiments that, in a first operating state of the device, such as in a starting position of the device, for example, a position of the actuator 1 relative to the housing 10 of the air vent 2 can be adjusted manually via the actuating element 3, wherein, in said first operating state of the device, each position of the actuator 1 corresponds to a defined position of the actuating element 3.

[0087] In a second operating state of the device, a position of the actuating element 3 is fixed, which position is set, in particular, in the first operating state of the device, and a position of the actuator 1 relative to the housing 10 of the air vent 2 can be adjusted (only) in a motorized manner via the drive mechanism 6.

[0088] Here, the device is configured to reverse a position of the actuator 1 again as required, which position is adjusted by motor in the second operating state of the device, in such a way that the actuator 1 is then in the position again which corresponds to that position of the actuating element 3 which is fixed in the first operating state of the device.

[0089] For this purpose, the drive mechanism has the first stop 19 which is assigned to the drive element of the motor drive 7. Here, in the first operating state of the device, the drive element of the motor drive 7 lies against the first stop 19, wherein the drive element of the motor drive 7 no longer lies against the first stop 19 when, in the second operating state of the device, the position of the actuator 1 is adjusted by motor via the drive mechanism 6 relative to the housing 10 of the air vent 2. In order to reverse a position of the actuator 1, which position is adjusted by motor in the second operating state of the device, the drive element of the motor drive 7 is manipulated in such a way that it again lies against the first stop 19.

[0090] In order to transmit an adjustment movement which is generated by the actuating mechanism or the drive mechanism 6 to the actuator 1 to be manipulated of the air vent 2, a coupling mechanism with at least one force transmission element is used in the case of those embodiments of the device according to the invention which are shown diagrammatically in the drawings, wherein said at least one force transmission element is preferably designed in the form of a coupling rod.

[0091] In the case of the first and second embodiment of the device according to the invention according to FIGS. 1 to 5, it is provided in detail that the coupling mechanism has a toggle lever system, wherein said toggle lever system comprises a first supporting lever 15 and a second supporting lever 16. The first supporting lever 15 is connected in an articulated manner to the lever arm 5, whereas the second supporting lever 16 is connected in an articulated manner to the actuator 1 to be manipulated of the air vent 2 or to a correspondingly assigned lever arm 22 of the actuator 1. Furthermore, the first and second supporting lever 15, 16 are connected to one another in an articulated manner with the configuration of a toggle region.

[0092] Furthermore, the coupling mechanism according to the first exemplary embodiment, as shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 1 to 3, has a third supporting lever 17 which is connected firstly preferably in the toggle region in an articulated manner to the first and second supporting lever 15, 16, and secondly in an articulated manner to the drive element which is assigned to the motor drive 7. Here, the drive element which is assigned to the motor drive 7 is preferably configured as a drive lever.

[0093] In contrast to this, it is provided in the case of the second exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention according to FIGS. 4 and 5 that the coupling mechanism has a third supporting lever 18 which is connected firstly preferably in the toggle region in an articulated manner to the first and second supporting lever 15, 16, and secondly to the drive element which is assigned to the motor drive 7, in such a way that, in the case of actuation of the motor drive 7 in the first state of the actuating mechanism, the third supporting lever 18 can be moved in a preferably pure linear movement relative to the housing 10 of the air vent 2.

[0094] As indicated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the third supporting lever 18 can be configured at least in regions as a rack, wherein the drive element which is assigned to the motor drive 7 has a corresponding toothed region or is configured as a gearwheel and is in engagement with the third supporting lever 18 which is configured at least in regions as a rack.

[0095] It is provided in the case of the first and the second exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention that, in that state of the actuator 1 in which it is closed by motor, the first and second supporting lever 15, 16 of the toggle lever system are in an at least substantially extended or overextended position.

[0096] In this way, a relatively small torque which is to be applied by way of the motor drive 7 is already sufficient to lead to a sufficiently high actuating force, in particular closing force, which acts on the actuator 1. On account of the lever action of the toggle lever system, the motor drive 7 therefore has to apply a small torque, in order to apply a sufficiently high closing force which acts on the actuator 1. In this way, a motor drive 7, in particular an electric motor, with a low power output capability and therefore also with a small installation space requirement can be used.

[0097] In contrast to the first and the second exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention, in the case of the third exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention according to FIG. 6 to FIG. 8, the coupling mechanism has a coupling rod 14 which is connected firstly in an articulated manner to the lever arm 5 which is assigned to the actuating element 3, and secondly in an articulated manner to a lever arm 22 which is assigned to the actuator 1.

[0098] A lever arm 22 which is assigned to the actuator 1 can be rotated or pivoted relative to the housing 10 of the air vent 2 about an axis of rotation, and is operatively connected to the actuator 1 or the drive element which is assigned to the motor drive 7, in such a way that, in the case of pivoting or rotating of the lever arm 5 of the actuating element 3 about the corresponding axis of rotation, the lever arm 22 which is assigned to the actuator 1 and the actuator 1 itself are also rotated via the coupling rod 14 of the coupling mechanism, whereas no or substantially no movements which are generated by the lever arm 5 which is assigned to the actuating element 3 are transmitted to the drive element of the motor drive 7.

[0099] Secondly, the lever arm 22 which is assigned to the actuator 1 is operatively coupled to the actuator 1 and the drive element which is assigned to the motor drive 7 in such a way that, in the case of an actuation of the motor drive 7, adjustment movements which are generated by the drive element of the motor drive 7 are transmitted to the actuator 1, whereas no or substantially no adjustment movements which are generated by the drive element which is assigned to the motor drive 7 are transmitted to the lever arm 22 which is assigned to the actuator 1.

[0100] It is appropriate for this purpose, in particular, if the coupling mechanism has a planetary or differential gearing 21, via which the lever arm 22 which is assigned to the actuator 1 is operatively connected to the drive element of the motor drive 7 and to the actuator 1.

[0101] It is a common feature of all of the exemplary embodiments of the device according to the invention which are shown in the drawings that the drive mechanism 6 has a first stop 19 which is assigned to the drive element of the motor drive 7, and preferably a further second stop 20 which is assigned to the drive element of the motor drive 7, in order to limit a movement of the drive element which is assigned to the motor drive 7 in the motor-operated state.

[0102] It is provided here, in particular, that, in a state in which the drive element lies against the first stop 19, the actuator 1 of the air vent 2 is in a position which corresponds to the position of the actuating element 3, wherein, in a state in which the drive element lies against the second stop 20, the actuator 1 of the air vent 2 is in a second and preferably completely closed state.

[0103] Summarized briefly, the method of operation of the device according to the invention can therefore be described as follows:

[0104] In the case of a manual actuation, the operator presses with his/her finger onto the manually actuable actuating element 3 which, in the case of the exemplary embodiments which are shown in the drawings, is configured as a thumb wheel. As a result, the actuating element 3 moves counter to the force of the spring 11 which is configured, in particular, as a leaf spring to such an extent (to the left in the drawings) that a toothing engagement with respect to the housing 10 of the air vent 2 is released and the actuating element 3 no longer has a locking or retaining action.

[0105] In the case of a motorized movement of the actuator 1 with the aid of the electric motor drive 7, in contrast, the spring 11 again ensures an engagement of the toothing, with the result that the actuating element 3 (thumb wheel) does not move despite the reaction force in the coupling rod 14, via which the actuating element 3 is connected to the electric motor drive 7 or the actuator 1.

[0106] In the case of the first and second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the movement of the finger is transmitted from the actuating element 3 to the coupling rod 15. The latter rotates the other coupling rod 17 about the articulation point on a lever of the electric motor drive 7 (see first exemplary embodiment) or about the axis of the electric motor drive 7 with the gearwheel (as a replacement for the lever) in the case of the second exemplary embodiment. As a result, the movement is transmitted further to the other coupling rod 16 which manipulates (opens or closes) the actuator 1 of the air vent 2.

[0107] In the case of motorized closing, the electric motor drive 7 raises the coupling rod via a lever or gearwheel, with the result that the coupling rods 15 and 16 move into an extended position and, as a result, the actuator 1 is closed. In the case of a force rise by way of the actuator 1 lying against the housing 10, the electric motor drive 7 remains at a standstill.

[0108] If the original manually set position of the actuator 1 is to be re-established in a motorized manner, the electric motor drive 7 moves in the other direction until the lever of the electric motor drive 7 or the coupling rod 17 lies against the end stop 19. Since the manually actuable actuating element 3 (thumb wheel) does not change its position with respect to the housing 10 in the process thanks to the leaf spring 11 and the toothing, the original state is re-established.

[0109] In the case of the third exemplary embodiment, the lever 22 can be rotated on the axis of rotation of the actuator 1. A planetary gearing or a differential gearing is used between the actuator 1 and the lever 22, which planetary gearing or differential gearing superimposes an adjustment movement by the actuating element 3 (thumb wheel) and the electric motor drive 7 in an analogous manner with respect to the first and second exemplary embodiment.

[0110] In the case of a stationary electric motor drive 7, the actuating element 3 (thumb wheel) transmits the movement to the lever 22, and the latter transmits it via the planetary or differential gearing to the actuator 1 of the air vent 2.

[0111] In the case of a motorized actuation, the actuating element 3 (thumb wheel) and therefore the lever 22 are at a standstill. The electric motor drive 7 drives the planetary or differential gearing via the gearwheel, and said planetary or differential gearing rotates the actuator 1 of the air vent 2.

[0112] Here, during closing (in precisely the same way as in the case of the first and second exemplary embodiment), the electric motor drive 7 rotates the actuator 1, to be precise independently of the position of the actuating element 3 (thumb wheel), as far as the torque increase when the actuator 1 lies in a closed manner against the housing 10 of the air vent 2.

[0113] In the case of the re-establishing of the old position, that is to say that position of the actuator 1 which was previously set (manually) with the aid of the actuating element 3, the electric motor drive 7 moves backward until a lug lies against the end stop 19, and therefore the position/location of the actuator 1 relative to the housing 10 of the air vent 2 corresponds again to the position of the actuating element 3 (thumb wheel).

[0114] In summary, it remains to be noted that the solution according to the invention is distinguished, in particular, by the fact that a restoring mechanism is provided which makes a superimposition possible of a transmission of an adjustment movement which is generated by the actuating element 3 to the actuator 1 with an adjustment movement which is generated by the motor drive 7, wherein, in said state, a rotation of the actuating element 3 or, more generally, an adjustment of the actuating element 3 is prevented.

[0115] The invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments which are shown in the drawings, but rather results from a synopsis of all features which are disclosed herein.

[0116] It is thus conceivable, for example, that the actuating mechanism is configured as a spring coupling which has at least one first coupling element, a second coupling element and a spring, wherein said spring can be, for example, a leg spring.

[0117] It is also conceivable that a corresponding sensor system is provided for detecting the position of the actuator 1 which can be manipulated of the air vent 2, the lever arm 5 of the preferably manually actuable actuating element 3 and/or the drive element of the motor drive 7. Detecting of this type of the position can take place by way of generally known means, wherein recourse is made to tried and tested components.

[0118] As an alternative or in addition to this, it is conceivable that the actuator 1 to be manipulated of the air vent 2 is part of a fan louvre. Here, the individual flaps of the fan louvre can be connected in a structurally particularly simple manner by way of a coupling rod.

[0119] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the device according to the invention is assigned an indicator device, in particular in the form of a mechanical display, an indicator bar or a display, in order to accordingly indicate that position of the actuator 1 which is set manually via the actuating element 3 and/or the actually set position of the actuator 1. In this context, it is conceivable, for example, that optionally either that setting of the actuator 1 which is selected manually via the actuating element 3 or the actually set position of the actuator 1 is indicated. It is also conceivable if, at the same time (for example, via two different indicators), both that position of the actuator 1 which is selected manually via the actuating element 3 and the actually set position of the actuator 1 are indicated.

[0120] Here, the indicator device can be coupled mechanically, for example, to the lever arm 22 of the actuator 1, in order to correspondingly indicate an actually set position of the actuator 1 visually to the vehicle occupant. In addition or as an alternative to this, the indicator device can be coupled mechanically, for example, to the lever arm 5 of the actuating element 3, in order to correspondingly indicate a position of the actuator visually to the vehicle occupant, which position is selected manually via the actuating element 3.

[0121] As an alternative to this, however, it is also conceivable if an actually set position of the actuator 1 is detected with the aid of a position sensor and is indicated visually via the indicator device. The same also applies to that position of the actuator which is selected manually via the actuating element 3, which can likewise be detected with the aid of a suitable position sensor.

[0122] In summary, it remains to be noted that the device according to the invention makes a combined manual and, in particular, electric actuation of actuators, in particular closure flaps, in air vents possible. In particular, the device according to the invention serves to allow actuators, such as closure flaps, for example, which are to be closed temporarily in an electronic manner, to subsequently return again into the starting position, in order, for example, to minimize the quantity of air to be heated or to be cooled, and therefore to save energy and/or to increase the range, in particular in the case of electric vehicles.

LIST OF DESIGNATIONS

[0123] 1 Actuator [0124] 2 Air vent [0125] 3 Actuating element [0126] 5 Lever arm of the actuating element [0127] 6 Drive mechanism [0128] 7 Motor drive [0129] 8 First coupling element [0130] 9 Second coupling element [0131] 10 Housing [0132] 11 Spring [0133] 12 First stop [0134] 13 Second stop [0135] 14 Coupling rods/Force transmission elements [0136] 15 First supporting lever (toggle lever system) [0137] 16 Second supporting lever (toggle lever system) [0138] 17 Third supporting lever (toggle lever system) [0139] 18 Third supporting lever (toggle lever system)/rack [0140] 19 First stop [0141] 20 Second stop [0142] 21 Planetary/differential gearing [0143] 22 Lever arm of the actuator