MODULAR SYSTEM FOR AN AIR OUTLET ASSEMBLY

Abstract

Disclosed is a modular system for an air outlet assembly, having at least one first module and a second module, wherein the modules function for air guiding, air deflection, air flow control, air supply and/or discharge, air treatment and/or for presentation. The modules have respective first securing elements which permit a securing of the at least two modules, wherein the at least two modules can be connected to one another via the first securing elements in any order and number. In this way, air outlets can be adapted to different requirements without respective separate air outlets having to be designed and produced.

Claims

1. Modular A modular system for an air vent arrangement for vehicles, comprising at least one first module and second module, wherein the modules serve for air guidance, for air deflection, for air quantity regulation, for air feed and/or discharge, for air treatment and/or for presentation, and wherein the modules each have first fastening elements which are configured to enable fastening of the at least two modules, wherein the at least two modules are connectible together one behind the other in a desired sequence and number by way of the first fastening elements.

2. The modular system according to claim 1, wherein the modules comprise a housing at which the first fastening elements are arranged, wherein the housings of the modules are configured to be connectible together by way of the first fastening elements.

3. The modular system according to claim 2, wherein at least one housing consists of at least two housing parts, which are configured to be connectible together by way of second fastening elements.

4. The modular system according to claim 2, wherein at least one housing comprises two pairs of opposite side walls and the side walls are configured to be connectible together by way of second fastening elements.

5. The modular system according to claim 2, wherein the housings comprise third fastening elements by way of which controlling, regulating, lighting and/or coupling devices are attachable.

6. The modular system according to claim 5, wherein two housings are configured to be directly connectible together by way of the third fastening elements or by way of a connecting module having corresponding fourth fastening elements.

7. The modular system according to claim 1, wherein the modules are configured to be connectible by way of the first fastening elements with an air channel and/or a ventilating device, wherein the corresponding coupling points have corresponding first fastening elements.

8. The modular system according to claim 1, wherein the modules comprise at least one air guide module, lighting module, scenting module, cleaning module, screen module, throttle module and/or filter module.

9. The modular system according to claim 1, wherein the modules comprise at least one air guide element and/or at least one throttle flap.

10. The modular system according to claim 1, wherein the modules are selectable from at least two different modules and the different modules differ with respect to length, width, thickness, material, number of bearing openings for air guide elements, throttle flaps, number, construction and form of air guide and/or throttle elements, filter devices, lighting devices, scenting devices and/or external shape.

11. The modular system according to claim 3, wherein at least one housing comprises two pairs of opposite side walls and the side walls are configured to be configured to be connectible together by way of second fastening elements.

12. The modular system according to claim 3, wherein the housings comprise third fastening elements by way of which controlling, regulating, lighting and/or coupling devices are attachable.

13. The modular system according to claim 12, wherein two housings are configured to be directly connectible together by way of the third fastening elements or by way of a connecting module having corresponding fourth fastening elements.

14. The modular system according to claim 4, wherein the housings comprise third fastening elements by way of which controlling, regulating, lighting and/or coupling devices are attachable.

15. The modular system according to claim 14, wherein two housings are configured to be directly connectible together by way of the third fastening elements or by way of a connecting module having corresponding fourth fastening elements.

16. The modular system according to claim 2, wherein the modules are configured to be connectible by way of the first fastening elements with an air channel and/or a ventilating device, wherein the corresponding coupling points have corresponding first fastening elements.

17. The modular system according to claim 2, wherein the modules comprise at least one air guide module, lighting module, scenting module, cleaning module, screen module, throttle module and/or filter module.

18. The modular system according to claim 2, wherein the modules comprise at least one air guide element and/or at least one throttle flap.

19. The modular system according to claim 2, wherein the modules are selectable from at least two different modules and the different modules differ with respect to length, width, thickness, material, number of bearing openings for air guide elements, throttle flaps, number, construction and form of air guide and/or throttle elements, filter devices, lighting devices, scenting devices and/or external shape.

20. The modular system according to claim 3, wherein the modules are configured to be connectible by way of the first fastening elements with an air channel and/or a ventilating device, wherein the corresponding coupling points have corresponding first fastening elements.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] In the drawings:

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of an air vent arrangement;

[0032] FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a further air vent arrangement;

[0033] FIG. 3 shows a schematic exploded drawing of a housing consisting of four side walls;

[0034] FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of yet a further air vent arrangement;

[0035] FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of two modules with fastening elements; and

[0036] FIG. 6 shows yet a further schematic illustration of two modules with fastening elements.

[0037] In the drawings, elements provided with the same reference numerals substantially correspond with one another insofar as nothing to the contrary is indicated. Moreover, illustration and description of components which are not significant to understanding the technical teaching disclosed herein are dispensed with. Further, the reference numerals are not repeated for all already introduced and illustrated elements insofar as the elements themselves and the function thereof have been already described or are known to an expert.

Explanatory Description of Embodiments

[0038] FIGS. 1 to 6 show different embodiments of air vent arrangements 100 as well as components and forms of embodiment of the respective arrangements. Such an air vent arrangement 100 can be used in, for example, a vehicle and be connected with an air-conditioning unit or another ventilating device. The air vent arrangements can for that purpose be provided in a vehicle dashboard in the region of the A, B or C pillar as well as in the region of the rear seat row. The air-conditioning unit or the other ventilating device is connected with such air vent arrangements 100 by way of air channels. In that case the air channels can also be part of the air vent arrangements 100.

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of an air vent arrangement 100 consisting of three individual modules. The air vent arrangement 100 comprises a screen module 10, a first air guide module 12 and a second air guide module 16. The modules comprise housings 30, which have fastening elements 50, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The housings 30 consist of plastics material and are produced in an injection-moulding process, in which case production is simple. Slats 14 and 18 are received in the housings 30 of the first air guide module 12 and the second air guide module 16. These slats 14, 18 are mounted in the modules to be pivotable about their longitudinal axes. The slats 14 of the first air guide module 12 are mounted in the housing 30 about a pivot axis extending orthogonally to the slats 18 of the second air guide element 16. The screen module 10 in the illustrated form of embodiment does not have pivotably mounted air guide elements. However, the screen module 10 can have transversely extending webs, roller-shaped bodies, grilles or other devices, which are provided in the region of an air outlet opening. The flow direction of the throughflowing air is schematically indicated by way of the arrows.

[0040] An air guide module can have fastening elements at each housing side so that in the case of a substantially square cross-section a rotation of the module through 90 provides an H slat module instead of a V slat module, and conversely.

[0041] The air vent arrangement 100 of FIG. 1 provides an air vent which produces air deflection in different directions. A coupled air deflection can also be achieved by way of common pivotation of the slats 14 and 18. The housing 30 has coupling regions (contact regions) which in the connected state of the air vent arrangement 100 bear against an identically formed contact region of the other module. The modules are so connected together by way of the fastening elements 50 that no leakage air flow can escape or air enter by way of the encircling contact points.

[0042] In order to produce the air vent arrangement 100 the modules are selected from a number of individual modules and are arranged relative to one another in the required sequence, number and orientation. By virtue of the modular construction with the bearing and contact regions as well as the fastening elements 50 it is, for example, possible to arrange the first air guide module 12 to be upstream of the second air guide module 16 in air flow direction. In this case, for example, the second air guide module 16 can also be directly connected with the screen module 10. The modules are selected from a reserve of different modules, wherein in addition different first air guide modules 12 and second air guide modules 16 can be provided. The screen modules can also differ, so that an appropriate screen module 10 is selected with respect to the desired visual design. If a screen module 10 additionally has pivotably mounted air guide elements then it can be possible, for example, to dispense with a first air guide module 12 or a second air guide module 16 or both.

[0043] Since at least the air guide modules 12 and 16 can have first fastening elements 50 on both sides, then, for example in the embodiment of FIG. 1, a coupling module 24 (as shown in FIG. 2), which is connected with an air channel, can be coupled to the lefthand side of the second air guide module 16. The air channel itself can comprise individual modules having first fastening elements which are provided at a housing with an encircling connection. As a result, air channels can be formed by variously constructed air channel modules which can be connected together in any arrangement and sequence in correspondence with the module concept and the principle of modularity.

[0044] In addition, modules with larger cross-sections or smaller cross-sections can be provided. Such modules can be incorporated in air vent arrangements 100 by appropriate connecting modules, wherein the connecting modules have a contact section with a smaller diameter and a contact section with a larger diameter. Air vent arrangements 100 having larger or smaller cross-sections than other air vent arrangements 100 can also be formed, in which case all modules have the appropriate larger or smaller cross-section.

[0045] FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a further air vent arrangement 100. The air vent arrangement 100 comprises a screen module 10, a first air guide module 12 fastened thereto, a lighting module 20 fastened thereto, and a second air guide module 16 fastened thereto, wherein a throttle module 26, a filter module 22 and finally a coupling module 24 are mounted on the second air guide module 16. The throttle module 26 comprises a throttle flap which is provided for air quantity regulation. The filter module 22 filters the throughflowing air and for that purpose can comprise, for example, photocatalytic cleaning surfaces, which are activatable by way of an infrared diode. The lighting module 20 comprises lighting elements which introduce light into the air channel, which is formed by the individual modules, so that the air vent displays light over the screen module 10.

[0046] In the embodiments in FIGS. 1 and 2 the sequence of the individual modules can be varied. In addition, further modules can be added or removed without special precautions having to be undertaken in that regard. In addition, it is possible to rotate individual modules, for example, in their orientation through 180 degrees so that, for example, a lower lighting track can then also be arranged by way of that in the upper section, and conversely.

[0047] The cross-section of the individual modules can be rectangular, square, round, elliptical or otherwise. In particular, substantially rectangular or square cross-sections can have chamfers or radiusings in the corner regions.

[0048] FIG. 3 shows a schematic exploded drawing of a housing 30, which consists of four side walls 32, 34, of a module. Production of the module takes place by way of joining together two pairs of side walls 32 and 34, which for that purpose have second fastening elements.

[0049] The side walls 32 and 34 are connected together by way of the second fastening elements. The side walls 32 and 34 can be exchanged depending on the correspondingly desired shape and cross-section. Thus, for example, longer side walls 34 can be exchanged for shorter or longer side walls 34 so as to produce a corresponding housing 30. In addition, the side walls 32 can be replaced by correspondingly larger or shorter side walls 32. In addition, the depth of the side walls 32, 34 can be varied by appropriate selection of the side walls 32, 34. The side walls 32, 34 can have bearing openings for the slats 14, 18 or other devices. In addition, shaped portions and holding elements can be provided, which serve for filter devices, lighting devices or throttle flaps, etc. Provided at the outer side are third fastening elements which on the one hand serve the purpose of mounting different control units and, beyond that, connecting two housings 30 not only by way of the fastening elements 50 one behind the other, but adjacent to one another so that two air vent arrangements 100 extending adjacent to one another or at an angle thereto can be produced.

[0050] The production of housings 30 of different size can serve the purpose, for example, of providing an air guide module 16 having, for example, five slats 18. If further slats 18 are needed, then longer side walls 34 having an appropriate number of bearing openings have to be provided. The correspondingly desired shape can therefore be taken into account by selection of the side walls 34. If further modules, which are to be mounted in front of or behind that, have a smaller width than the thus-formed second air guide module 16 then use can be made of connecting modules which increase or decrease the cross-section and are connected by way of first connecting elements 50.

[0051] FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a further air vent arrangement 100. This comprises at least one first air guide module 12 and second air guide module 16 with slats 14 and 18. As schematically indicated, actuators 40 with electric motors or control wheels 42 can be mounted on the side walls. For that purpose corresponding third fastening elements are provided at the side walls 32 and 34. These fastening elements are present on either side of the housing 30 at the side walls 32 and 34 so that the actuators 40 and control wheels 42 can be arranged on the lefthand side, on the righthand side and above or below. It is also possible, for example, to provide one unit on the lower side and the other at the upper side or both units at one side.

[0052] FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of two modules with fastening elements 50. FIG. 5 shows two housings 30 of modules which have corresponding fastening elements 50. The fastening elements 50 comprise hooks 52 (see FIG. 6) which engage in corresponding receptacles of a corresponding fastening element 50. The depicted design of the fastening elements 50 is illustrative in nature and therefore does not restrict the different variants. Fastening elements can therefore also be constructed differently as long as an arrangement of the modules and fastening in desired sequence and desired orientation relative to one another is possible. In addition, further first fastening elements 50 can be provided laterally.

[0053] FIG. 6 shows yet a further schematic illustration of two modules with fastening elements 50, in which case it is shown how an arrangement in desired sequence can be achieved by appropriate design of the fastening elements. Further modules can, for example, be inserted between the two housings 30. In addition, the sequence of the housings 30 or modules can be changed without giving rise to difficulties at the time of mounting.

REFERENCE NUMERAL LIST

[0054] 10 screen module [0055] 12 first air guide module [0056] 14 slat [0057] 16 second air guide module [0058] 18 slat [0059] 20 lighting module [0060] 22 filter module [0061] 24 coupling module [0062] 26 throttle module [0063] 30 housing [0064] 32 side wall [0065] 34 side wall [0066] 40 actuator [0067] 42 control wheel [0068] 50 fastening element [0069] 52 hook [0070] 100 air vent arrangement