Actuator Assembly for Actuating Air Blocking Elements of an Outlet Assembly

Abstract

An actuator assembly for actuating air blocking elements of an outlet assembly is provided. The actuator assembly includes an actuator arm and a selector member operatively connected to the actuator arm to rotate the actuator arm about an arm axis. The actuator arm is operatively connected to a first air blocking element to rotate the first air blocking element towards its air blocking position without moving a second air blocking element upon rotation of the actuator arm in a first direction from a neutral, non-blocking position of the actuator arm about the arm axis. The actuator arm is operatively connected to the second air blocking element to rotate the second air blocking element towards its air blocking position without moving the first air blocking element upon rotation of the actuator arm in a second direction opposite the first direction from the neutral, non-blocking position.

Claims

1. An actuator assembly for actuating air blocking elements of an outlet assembly, the actuator assembly comprising: an actuator arm; and a selector member operatively connected to the actuator arm to rotate the actuator arm about an arm axis, the actuator arm being operatively connected to a first air blocking element to rotate the first air blocking element towards its air blocking position without moving a second air blocking element upon rotation of the actuator arm in a first direction from a neutral, non-blocking position of the actuator arm about the arm axis, the actuator arm being operatively connected to the second air blocking element to rotate the second air blocking element towards its air blocking position without moving the first air blocking element upon rotation of the actuator arm in a second direction opposite the first direction from the neutral, non-blocking position.

2. The actuator assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator arm includes first and second control tracks to receive and retain corresponding pins of links to the first and second air blocking elements, respectively, which ride in the control tracks during rotation of the actuator arm.

3. The actuator assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the control tracks is kidney-shaped.

4. The actuator assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator arm includes a groove to receive and retain a pin of the selector member which rides in the groove during rotation of the actuator arm.

5. The actuator assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air blocking elements comprise upper and lower vanes.

6. The actuator assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the selector member comprises a primary vane.

7. The actuator assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outlet assembly is a vehicle outlet assembly.

8. The actuator assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outlet assembly is a residential outlet assembly.

9. A manual actuator assembly for actuating air blocking elements of an outlet assembly, the actuator assembly comprising: an actuator arm; and a manually operable selector member operatively connected to the actuator arm to rotate the actuator arm about an arm axis, the actuator arm being operatively connected to a first air blocking element to rotate the first air blocking element towards its air blocking position without moving a second air blocking element upon rotation of the actuator arm in a first direction from a neutral, non-blocking position of the actuator arm about the arm axis, the actuator arm being operatively connected to the second air blocking element to rotate the second air blocking element towards its blocking position without moving the first air blocking element upon rotation of the actuator arm in a second direction opposite the first direction from the neutral, non-blocking position.

10. The actuator assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the actuator arm includes first and second control tracks to receive and retain corresponding pins of links to the first and second air blocking elements, respectively, which ride in the control tracks during rotation of the actuator arm.

11. The actuator assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein each of the control tracks is kidney-shaped.

12. The actuator assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the actuator arm includes a groove to receive and retain a pin of the selector member which rides in the groove during rotation of the actuator arm.

13. The actuator assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the air blocking elements comprise upper and lower vanes.

14. The actuator assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the selector member comprises a primary vane.

15. The actuator assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the outlet assembly is a vehicle outlet assembly.

16. The actuator assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the outlet assembly is a residential outlet assembly.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] FIG. 1 is a schematic, perspective view of a prior art vehicle vent register;

[0036] FIG. 2 is a schematic, perspective view of another prior art vehicle air register for controlling an air plume expelled by the air register;

[0037] FIG. 3 is a top plan, schematic view, partially broken away, of the air register of FIG. 2, wherein a control tab operates and controls the positioning of first and second sets of vanes to direct the air plume along a Z or vertical axis (i.e. FIG. 2) and a Y or lateral axis, respectively, of a motor vehicle;

[0038] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional enlarged view of another prior art vent outlet assembly in which the inlet and outlet guides are positioned in intermediate positions thereof;

[0039] FIG. 5 is a cross-section of the vent outlet assembly of FIG. 4 in which the inlet and outlet guides are positioned in first inlet and outlet positions, respectively;

[0040] FIG. 6 is a cross-section of the vent outlet assembly of FIGS. 4 and 5 in which the inlet and outlet guides are positioned in second inlet and outlet positions, respectively;

[0041] FIG. 7 is a side schematic view of prior art “slim” outlet register which exhibits a “blow-by” condition;

[0042] FIG. 8 is a side, schematic view, partially broken away and in cross-section, of an outlet assembly constructed in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] FIG. 9 is a side, schematic, perspective view of a first embodiment of a mechanism or subassembly for guiding and blocking air prior to the air hitting one or more primary vanes to avoid the “blow-by” condition;

[0044] FIG. 10 is a side, schematic, perspective view of a second embodiment of the mechanism or subassembly to avoid the “blow-by” condition;

[0045] FIG. 11 is a back-side view of the mechanism or subassembly of FIG. 10;

[0046] FIG. 12 is a side view, partially broken away, of an actuator arm of an actuator assembly constructed in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention wherein the actuator arm is in a neutral, non-blocking position;

[0047] FIG. 13 is a sectional view, partially broken away, of the actuator assembly taken along lines 13-13 in FIG. 12;

[0048] FIG. 14 is a view similar to the view of FIG. 12, but with the upper and lower air blocking elements illustrated in phantom, the upper air blocking element in its air blocking position and the selector member is directing the flow of discharged air upward; and

[0049] FIG. 15 is a view similar to the view of FIG. 14 with the lower air blocking element in its air blocking position and the selector member is directing the flow of discharged air downward.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

[0051] Referring now to FIG. 8, there is illustrated an outlet assembly, generally indicated at 110, for improving air flow in an air distribution system. The assembly 110 includes a housing, generally indicated at 112, having an inlet end 114 to receive the air flow and an outlet end 116 to discharge the air flow into a passenger cabin of a vehicle or into an enclosed space within a residential structure. The housing 112 includes upper and lower walls 118 and 120, respectively, which at least partially define a cavity 122 therebetween.

[0052] At least one control element (preferably a plurality of control elements such as a primary vane 124 and vertical vanes 126) is provided adjacent the outlet end 116 within the cavity 122 to control the flow of air discharged from the outlet end 116 and into the passenger cabin or enclosed space.

[0053] Upper and lower blocking elements, generally indicated at 128 and 130, respectively, each includes a nose 132, a tail 134, and a main body 136 between the nose 132 and the tail 134. Each blocking element 128 or 130 is movable to a blocking position between the upper and lower walls 118 and 120, respectively, to prevent a layer of air from flowing immediately adjacent its respective wall 118 or 120, and to direct that layer of air to flow around its nose 132.

[0054] The assembly 110 includes an actuator subassembly (which includes the primary vane 124) to move the upper blocking element 128 to direct the discharged air in an upward direction as indicated by the position “2” of the primary vane 124 and the upper blocking element 128.

[0055] In like fashion, the actuator subassembly including the primary vane 124 moves the lower blocking element 130 to direct the discharged air in a downward position as indicated by the position “3” of the primary vane 124 and the lower blocking element 130.

[0056] In other words, the upper and lower blocking elements, 128 and 130, respectively, are actuated in conjunction or in coordination with the primary vane 124. Position “1” as illustrated in FIG. 8 is a nominal position. Position “2” is a maximum upward position. Position “3” is a maximum downward position. Also, variable positions in between the different positions can also be achieved.

[0057] Each of the blocking elements 128 and 130 preferably comprises a substantially flat vane pivotally connected to its respective wall 118 or 120 at its tail end 134 as best shown in FIGS. 9-11.

[0058] The assembly 110 also preferably includes a cellular air straightener 138 provided adjacent the inlet end 114 within the cavity 122 to straighten the received air flow. The air straightener 138 may have a honeycomb-like structure or any other shape to help straighten the inflow of air prior to encountering all of the vanes 124, 126, 128 and 130.

[0059] In summary, the outlet assembly 110 has a plurality of different operating modes for improving air flow in an air distribution system such as can be found in vehicles and residential structures. The assembly 110 includes the housing 112 having the inlet end 114 to receive the air flow and the outlet end 116 to discharge the air flow. The housing 112 includes first and second spaced apart walls 118 and 120, respectively, which at least partially define the cavity 122 therebetween.

[0060] The first blocking element 128 is supported by the first wall 118 for movement between blocking and unblocking positions within the cavity 122. The first blocking element 128 prevents a first layer of air from flowing immediately adjacent the first wall 118 in its blocking position.

[0061] The second blocking element 130 is supported by the second wall 120 for movement between blocking and unblocking positions within the cavity 122. The second blocking element 130 prevents a second layer of air from flowing immediately adjacent the second wall 120 in its blocking position.

[0062] The actuator subassembly includes the selector member 124 which is supported for movement relative to the housing 112 between a plurality of predefined positions which correspond to the different operating modes. The modes include first and second blocking modes and a nominal unblocking mode. The first blocking element 128 is actuated by the actuator subassembly to move to its blocking position in the first blocking mode. The second blocking element 130 is actuated by the actuator subassembly to move to its blocking position in the second blocking mode. The first and second blocking elements 128 and 130 are actuated by the actuator subassembly to move to their unblocking positions in the nominal unblocking mode.

[0063] The selector member preferably comprises the substantially flat primary vane 124 supported by the housing 112 for bi-lateral shifting movement to control the flow of air discharged from the outlet end 116.

[0064] The outlet assembly preferably has a relatively high aspect ratio wherein the housing 112 is substantially wider than it is tall.

[0065] The primary wave 124 and the first blocking element 128 are preferably configured to direct the discharged air in an upward direction in the first blocking mode.

[0066] The first blocking element 128 preferably comprises the substantially flat first vane 128 pivotally connected to the first wall 118 at one end of the first vane 128.

[0067] The primary vane 124 and the second blocking element 130 are configured to direct the discharged air in a downward direction in the second blocking mode.

[0068] The second blocking element 130 preferably comprises the substantially flat second vane 130 pivotally connected to the second wall 120 at one end of the second vane 130.

[0069] Each of the blocking elements 128 and 130 preferably comprises a substantially flat vane wherein the vanes 128, 124 and 130 are substantially parallel in the nominal unblocking mode.

[0070] In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the actuator subassembly includes a single control link, generally indicated at 140, coupled to the selector member 124 at a forked end 142 and to each of the blocking elements 128 and 130 at upper and lower control tracks 144 and 146, respectively, via links 147 and their corresponding pins 148, respectively, which ride in the tracks 144 and 146. End portions 129 and 131 of the blocking elements 128 and 130, respectively, are pivotally connected to the housing 112. The control link 140 is pivotable about a boss (not shown) on the housing 112 via a link pivot 149. Only one of the blocking elements 128 or 130 is actuated at a time by the primary vane 124 because of the above noted connections.

[0071] In the embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11, the actuator subassembly includes an idler link, generally indicated at 150, coupled to the selector member 124 at a forked end 152 and a cam, generally indicated at 160, coupled to each of the blocking elements 128 and 130 so that only one of the blocking elements 128 or 130 is actuated at a time. The cam 160 is pivotably connected to the link 150. The cam 160 includes upper and lower control tracks 164 and 166, respectively, in which end portions of the vanes 128 and 130 ride or travel. End portions 129 and 131 of the blocking elements 128 and 130, respectively, are pivotally connected to the housing 112. The cam 160 and the idler link 150 are actuated by the primary vane 124 and are pivotable about bosses (not shown) on the housing 112 via pivots 168 and 170, respectively.

[0072] FIG. 12 is a side view, partially broken away, of an actuator arm, generally indicated at 140′, of an actuator assembly constructed in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention wherein the actuator arm 140′ is in its neutral, non-blocking position. Parts shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 12-15 which are the same or similar in either structure or function to the parts of FIGS. 8 and 9 have the same reference number but a single prime designation.

[0073] The control link or actuator arm 140′ is operatively connected to a pin 125′ of a selector member 124′ via a groove 123′ at a forked end 142′ thereof. Vertical vanes 126′ are also illustrated in a cavity 122′ defined by upper and lower walls 118′ and 120′, respectively, of the housing 112′. The actuator arm 140′ is also operatively connected to each air blocking element 128′ or 130′ (i.e. vanes) at upper and lower control tracks 144′ or 146′, respectively, via links 147′ and their corresponding pins 148′ which ride in the kidney-shaped tracks 144′ and 146′. End portions 129′ and 131′ of the air blocking elements 128′ or 130′, respectively, are pivotally connected to a housing 112′. The actuator arm 140′ is also pivotally connected to a housing 112′ for rotation about an arm axis 141′ via a bushing 143′, a screw 145′ and an O-ring 149′ (i.e. FIG. 13). As in a first embodiment, only one of the air blocking elements 128′ or 130′ is actuated at a time by the primary vane or selector member 124′ because of the above-noted operative connections.

[0074] FIG. 13 is a sectional view, partially broken away, of the actuator assembly taken along lines 13-13 in FIG. 12. Vertical vanes 126′ are also illustrated in a cavity 122′ defined by upper and lower walls 118′ and 120′, respectively, of the housing 112′.

[0075] FIG. 14 is a view similar to the view of FIG. 12, with the upper and lower air blocking elements 128′ and 130′ again illustrated in phantom. The upper air blocking element 128′ is in its air blocking position and the selector member 124′ is directing the flow of discharged air upward.

[0076] FIG. 15 is a view similar to the view of FIG. 14 with the lower air blocking element 130′ in its air blocking position and the selector member 124′ directing the flow of discharged air downward.

[0077] In summary, an actuator assembly for actuating air blocking elements 128′ and 130′ of the outlet assembly 110′ is provided. The actuator assembly includes the actuator arm 140′ and the selector member 124′ operatively connected to the actuator arm 140′ to rotate the actuator arm 140′ about the arm axis 141′. The actuator arm 140′ is operatively connected to the first blocking element 128′ to rotate the first air blocking element 128′ towards its air blocking position (FIG. 14) without moving the second air blocking element 130′ upon rotation of the actuator arm 140′ in a first direction from a neutral, non-blocking position (FIG. 12) of the actuator arm 140′ about the arm axis 141′. The actuator arm 140′ is also operatively connected to the second blocking element 130′ to rotate the second blocking element 130′ towards its air blocking position (FIG. 15) without moving the first blocking element 128′ upon rotation of the actuator arm 140′ in a second direction opposite the first direction from the neutral, non-blocking position (FIG. 12).

[0078] The actuator arm 140′ typically includes first and second control tracks 144′ and 146,′ respectively to receive and retain corresponding pins 148′ of links 147′ to the first and second blocking elements, 128′ and 130′, respectively, which ride in the control tracks 144′ and 146′ during rotation of the actuator arm 140′.

[0079] Each of the control tracks 144′ and 146′ is typically kidney-shaped.

[0080] The actuator arm 140′ includes the groove 123′ to receive and retain the pin 125′ of the selector member 124′ which rides in the groove 123′ during rotation of the actuator arm 140′.

[0081] The air blocking elements 128′ and 130′ typically comprise upper and lower vanes.

[0082] The selector member 124′ typically comprises a primary vane.

[0083] The outlet assembly 110′ may be a vehicle outlet assembly or a residential outlet assembly.

[0084] While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.