Air nozzles for air vents in the interior of motor vehicles

Abstract

The present invention relates to an air nozzle (10) for an air vent (12) in the interior of a motor vehicle, having an operating member movable about a rotation axis (14). By adjusting the operating member, at least one cover (18) can be moved within the air vent (12) about a cover axis (22) by means of an adjusting motion mechanism (20), the cover axis extending transversely to the airflow (24) within the air vent (12). The operating member is mounted on one end of an operating lever (26), which is displaceable from an operating position to a locked position in its extending direction. The rotation axis (14) of the operating member extends transversely to the cover axis (22) of the cover (18). The rotational movement of the operating lever (26) can be converted into the rotational movement of the cover (18) by means of a steering unit (28) of the adjusting motion mechanism (20). The steering unit (28) can be locked by applying a spring force by moving the operating lever (26) to the locked position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air nozzle for an air outlet in the interior of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1. Background Technology

[0002] To regulate the airflow of a ventilation system, the air nozzle at the end of an air vent located in the vehicle's interior has at least one cover. The swinging of this cover can typically close the air vent and redirect the outflowing airflow in a desired direction. According to existing technology, mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical systems are commonly used to adjust this cover. Mechanical systems are preferred over electrical or electromechanical systems, especially for reliability and cost reduction. Mechanical systems for adjusting the cover are categorized as push-type adjusters and rotary adjusters.

[0003] An air outlet for a vehicle is known from DE 10 2018 105 714 A1. The air outlet includes an air duct defined by a housing, having an inlet and an outlet. Airflow through the air duct can flow from the inlet to the outlet in a main flow direction. Additionally, the air outlet includes an operating member for controlling the outlet direction of the airflow, wherein the outlet direction changes along the axis of motion when the operating member translates along that axis. Furthermore, the outlet direction changes perpendicular to the axis of motion when the operating member tilts. The operating member is positioned outside the airflow. A disadvantage of the prior art is that the operating member protrudes from the surrounding structure, thus not integrating visually into the rest of the vehicle's interior. Furthermore, the operating member must have a considerable size to ensure good ergonomics, which can be problematic due to available structural space and aesthetic considerations. Finally, overall, only limited ergonomic operation of the operating member can be achieved.

[0004] DE 10 2016 115 365 A1 discloses a wind direction regulator that allows operation of a damper with a constant operating load and provides an excellent operating experience. The wind direction regulator includes a cylindrical housing and an axial support rotatably supported axially on the housing, such that it has an axis in a direction transverse to the axial direction of the housing. The wind direction regulator also includes a damper rotatably supported axially on the axial support, such that it has an axis in a direction transverse to the axis. Finally, a load adjusting unit of the wind direction regulator for adjusting the rotational load of the damper has a rotating unit provided by one of the housing and the damper, and a receiving unit provided by the other of the housing and the damper. The receiving unit is designed to slide and receive the rotating unit, and a pressing unit of the load adjusting unit is designed to press one of the rotating unit and the receiving unit against the other.

[0005] Furthermore, DE 10 2017 125 321 A1 discloses an air outlet for a vehicle, comprising an air duct defined by a housing, an actuator, and at least one airflow modulator adjustable by the actuator, wherein airflow through the air duct in the main flow direction can be affected by adjusting the at least one airflow modulator. A damping element acting on the actuator is pre-tensioned to a contact position with the actuator in this case.

[0006] Finally, DE 10 2012 017 189 A1 discloses a nozzle particularly suitable for use in personal ventilation systems of aircraft. It includes a housing within which an air duct is formed, comprising an air inlet and an air outlet. A closure is movable between a first operating position that prevents airflow through the air duct and another operating position that allows airflow through the air duct. An actuator is movably accommodated within the housing along its longitudinal axis and is engaged with the closure in such a way that the closure can be moved between its first and second operating positions by moving the actuator within the housing along its longitudinal axis. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to improve the type of nozzle described in the preamble in such a way that the nozzle is particularly advantageously embedded in the surrounding components and can be operated in a simple and ergonomic manner.

[0008] This task is accomplished by a nozzle having the features of claim 1. Advantageous designs with suitable inventive improvements are described in the dependent claims.

[0009] The air nozzle for an air vent in a motor vehicle interior according to the invention includes an operating member movable about a rotation axis. Movement of the operating member allows at least one cover to be displaced within the air vent about a cover axis via an adjusting motion mechanism. In this case, the cover axis extends transversely to the airflow within the air vent. The operating member is mounted on one end of an operating lever, which is movable from an operating position to a locked position in its extending direction.

[0010] To improve upon the type of nozzle described in the preamble of claim 1, i.e., to allow the nozzle to be particularly advantageously embedded around the component and to facilitate better operation, the invention specifies that the axis of rotation of the operating element extends transversely to the cap axis. The rotational movement of the operating lever can be converted into the rotational movement of the cap by means of a steering unit of an adjusting motion mechanism. The steering unit can be locked by applying a spring force by moving the operating lever to the locked position.

[0011] The arrangement of the operating lever or its axis of rotation transverse to the cover axis, and thus, for example, parallel to the airflow, allows for actuation of the operating element, which is particularly ergonomic, as it can be gripped, for example, entirely on the outer periphery. Furthermore, the operating element can be advantageously embedded around the component at one end of the operating lever.

[0012] The operating element may be, for example, a rotating end post / rotating cap and can be manually operated by the user. By grasping and rotating the operating element, the user can transmit force to it. The operating element is connected to an adjusting motion mechanism such that rotating the operating element can at least indirectly adjust the at least one cap. For this purpose, the operating element is connected to or designed as part of an operating lever, wherein the operating element and the operating lever are movable or rotated about a rotation axis. The operating lever is connected to a steering unit of the adjusting motion mechanism, and the steering unit is connected to at least one cap. The cap is arranged such that its axis is transverse to, and in particular perpendicular to, the rotation axis of the operating lever.

[0013] A compression spring is provided at the end of the operating lever opposite the operating element, for example, in such a way that the compression spring is fitted onto the operating lever. The operating lever has a protrusion against which the compression spring abuts. The protrusion is arranged between the compression spring and the operating element on the longitudinal extension of the actuation axis. Additionally, the compression spring abuts against the steering unit. By pressing the operating element in the axial direction along the rotation axis, the compression spring is pressed against the steering unit by means of the protrusion. In other words, the compression spring is compressed, causing the spring force to act on the steering unit. The steering unit is thus locked. A particularly constant indoor air conditioning can be advantageously provided by locking this cover.

[0014] In another advantageous design, the operating element, in the locked position, is at least substantially flush with the operating surface of the air nozzle. The operating surface of the air nozzle, for example, is at least partially formed by the vehicle's dashboard. To provide a particularly aesthetically pleasing operating surface, the operating element is advantageously designed to be pressed in sufficiently in the axial direction of the rotation axis that the operating element surface is flush with the operating surface. In other words, the operating element does not protrude relative to the surrounding operating surface in the locked position.

[0015] In another advantageous design, the lever is held in a locked position by means of a control slide mechanism. The lever is housed in the control slide mechanism such that it is connected to the control slide mechanism at least by force-locking. In other words, the control slide mechanism moves with the lever.

[0016] In another advantageous design, the control slide mechanism includes a guide slider housing an operating lever and a control slide for guiding a control pin protruding from the guide slider. The control slide can be, for example, a heart-shaped control element (Schaltherz). The control slide includes at least two engagement positions into which the control pin can engage and thus lock. By pressing the operating element in the axial direction of the axis of rotation, both the operating element and the guide slider move accordingly. The control pin protruding from the guide slider continues to move due to the axial pressing of the operating element until it engages in one of the at least two engagement positions and is locked. Preferably, at least one of the two engagement positions of the control pin corresponds to the locked position of the operating element. In other words, it is preferably specified that the operating element is arranged flush with the operating surface in the locked position. This advantageous design provides a particularly compact configuration for the control slide mechanism.

[0017] In another advantageous design, the steering unit has a steering rod located at the end of the operating lever opposite to the operating element and a connecting rod for connecting the steering rod to the cover operating lever. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Other advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and in conjunction with the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the specification, as well as those mentioned below in the description of the drawings and / or shown individually in the drawings, may be used not only in the correspondingly specified combinations, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention. The drawings show:

[0019] Figure 1 An exploded view of the nozzle of the present invention is shown;

[0020] Figure 2 A perspective view of the air nozzle is shown;

[0021] Figure 3 A detailed schematic diagram of the nozzle is shown;

[0022] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing the air nozzle and the cap in the closed position from a first perspective angle;

[0023] Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing the air nozzle and the cap in the closed position from a second perspective angle;

[0024] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing the air nozzle and the cap in the closed position from a first perspective angle;

[0025] Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing the air nozzle and the cap in the closed position from a second perspective angle. Detailed Implementation

[0026] A nozzle 10 of an air outlet 12 for a ventilation device in the interior of a motor vehicle Figure 1 The exploded perspective view is shown. The nozzle 10 includes an operating element 16, which may be, for example, a rotation adjuster. The operating element 16 can be operated by a user, such as a motor vehicle driver. The operation of the operating element 16 can be achieved, for example, by rotation about a rotation axis 14 or by pressing in the direction of the rotation axis 14.

[0027] Furthermore, the nozzle 10 includes an operating lever 26, which is operatively connected to the operating member 16 and movable about the rotation axis 14. In other words, operation of the operating member 16, such as rotation or pressing, causes the operating lever 26 to be rotated or pressed. In other words, the degree to which the operating lever 26 rotates or moves along the rotation axis 14 is exactly the same as the degree to which the operating member 16 rotates or presses.

[0028] Furthermore, the nozzle 10 includes a compression spring 44 arranged along the rotation axis 14. The compression spring 44 is fitted onto the operating lever 26 and is supported or can be supported by a protrusion 46 on the operating lever 26. At the end of the compression spring 46 opposite to the protrusion 46, the compression spring 46 is arranged to be supported or supported on the steering lever 38.

[0029] The nozzle 10 has a steering unit 28 for adjusting the motion mechanism 20, by means of which the rotational motion of the operating member 16 about the rotation axis 14 can be converted into the rotational motion of the cover 18 about the cover axis 22. The steering unit 28 includes a steering rod 38, a connecting rod 40, and a cover operating lever 42. The steering rod 38 is operably connected to the operating lever 26. The steering rod 38 can, for example, pass through the operating lever 26, such as... Figure 3 As shown.

[0030] Additionally, the nozzle 10 includes a link 40 operably connected to a steering rod 38. The steering rod 38 may, for example, have a ball head, thereby connecting or enabling the link 40 to the steering rod 38.

[0031] Additionally, the nozzle 10 includes a cover operating lever 42, which is connected to the cover 18. Furthermore, the cover operating lever 42 is connected to a connecting rod 40. For example, the cover operating lever can be fixed in the extension direction of the cover axis 22.

[0032] Furthermore, the nozzle 10 includes a control slide mechanism 30. The control slide mechanism 30 includes a guide slider 32 for receiving the operating lever 26. The guide slider 32 can, for example, be housed within a guide mechanism 48, such as... Figure 1As shown. In other words, the operating lever 26 is accommodated in the guide slider 32 such that the operating lever 26 and the guide slider 32 can move together in the guide mechanism 32 in direction 50. Additionally, the control slide mechanism 30 includes a control slide 34, which may be, for example, a heart-shaped control element. The control slide 34 has at least two engagement positions in which the control pin 36 can be accommodated and thereby locked. The control pin 36 is fixed to the control slide 34 such that the control pin 36 can engage with at least two engagement positions of the control slide 34.

[0033] The at least two engagement positions preferably characterize either a locked position or an operating position of the operating member 16. In the operating position, the operating member 16 is operable by the user, particularly by rotation and pressing. In other words, the operating member 16 is not pressed in in the operating position and therefore protrudes from the surrounding structure. The surrounding structure could be, for example, the dashboard of a cockpit.

[0034] In the locked position, the operating member 16 prevents the user from operating it by rotation, because the operating member 16 is pressed in in the locked position, preferably in such a way that the operating member 16 is flush with the periphery of the component. In other words, the operating member 16 does not protrude from the periphery of the component in the locked position and is therefore not operable by the user by rotation.

[0035] Switching between the locked and operating positions is achieved by pressing the operating element 16. By pressing the operating element 16, the operating element and the operating lever 26 are displaced along the rotation axis 14. In this case, the compression spring 44 is abutted by the protrusion 46 of the operating lever and pressed against the steering lever 38. In other words, the compression spring 44 is compressed. In other words, the compression spring 44 applies a spring force to the steering lever 38, causing it to lock. Furthermore, by pressing the operating element 16 from the operating position to the locked position, the operating lever 26, together with the guide slider 32, moves just enough in direction 50 to engage the control pin 36 with the control groove 34, specifically with the engagement position representing the locked position.

[0036] Cap 18 is especially suitable for, for example Figure 4 and 5 The closing position shown is the same as... Figure 6 and 7 The cover 18 is moved between the shown open positions. This causes the cover 18 to pivot about the cover axis 22. The cover axis 18 is preferably transverse to, and in particular perpendicular to, the rotation axis 14. By rotating the operating member 16 about the rotation axis 14, the cover 18 can be rotated about the cover axis. This is achieved by means of the adjusting motion mechanism 20.

[0037] In the open position, the cover 18 is positioned within the air outlet 12, meaning that the cover 18 can be surrounded by the airflow 24, as in... Figure 6 and 7 As illustrated in the example.

[0038] In the closed position, the cover 18 is positioned within the air outlet 12 such that the cover 18 cannot be surrounded by the airflow 24, as in Figure 4 and 5 As exemplarily shown in the diagram. In the closed position, the cover 18 is substantially perpendicular to the air outlet 12 in particular in terms of its planar extension dimensions.

Claims

1. A nozzle (10) for an air outlet (12) in a motor vehicle interior, having an operating element (16) which is movable about a rotation axis (14), by means of the movement of which at least one cover (18) can be displaced within the air outlet (12) about a cover axis (22) by means of an adjustment kinematics (20), the cover axis extending transversely to an air flow (24) in the air outlet (12), the operating element (16) being arranged on one end of an operating lever (26) which can be displaced in its extension direction from an operating position into a locking position, characterized in that the rotation axis (14) of the operating element (16) extends transversely to the cover axis (22) of the cover (18), the rotary movement of the operating lever (26) being able to be converted into a rotary movement of the cover (18) by means of a steering unit (28) of the adjustment kinematics (20), the steering unit (28) being able to be locked by exertion of a spring force by displacement of the operating lever (26) into the locking position, the operating element (16) being at least substantially flush with an operating surface of the nozzle (10) in the locking position.

2. A tuyere (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that The operating lever (26) is held in the locking position by means of a control chute mechanism (30).

3. A tuyere (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that The control chute mechanism (30) comprises a control chute (34) and a guide slide (32) in which the operating lever (26) is accommodated, a control pin (36) projecting from the guide slide (32) being guided in the control chute.

4. A tuyere (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The extension direction of the operating lever (26) is perpendicular to the cover axis (22).

5. A blow nozzle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The rotation axis (14) of the operating lever (26) is parallel to the air flow (24).

6. A blow nozzle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The steering unit (28) has a steering lever (38) arranged on one end of the operating lever (26) opposite the operating element (16) and a connecting rod (40) for connecting the steering lever (38) to a cover control lever (42).

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