Valve system for controlling HVAC air flow in a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve system for controlling HVAC air flow in a vehicle. Specifically, an air mixing damper system is provided. The system includes a first rotatable door that rotates about a first axis extending along the first axis and a second rotatable door that rotates about a second axis disposed along the second axis that is collinear with the first axis. The first door is rotatable about a first axis and the second door is rotatable about a second axis. A first actuator is operably engaged with the first shaft. A second actuator is operably engaged with the second shaft, wherein each of the first door and the second door is rotatable independently of the other of the first door and the second door. An air circulation assembly having the damper system is provided.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 528,325, filed on July 21, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to an HVAC unit disposed in a vehicle for controlling the air flow and temperature of air entering various portions of the vehicle's passenger compartment.The present specification improves upon various conventional HVAC components for vehicles. Summary of the invention

[0004] A first representative embodiment of the present disclosure is provided. The representative embodiment is an air hybrid damper system. The system includes:

[0005] a first rotatable door that rotates about a first shaft extending along a first axis;

[0006] a second rotatable door, the second rotatable door being rotatable about a second shaft, the second shaft being disposed along a second axis, the second axis being colinear with the first axis;

[0007] The first door is rotatable about the first axis, and the second door is rotatable about the second axis;

[0008] a first actuator operably engaged with the first shaft;

[0009] A second actuator is operably engaged with the second shaft, wherein each of the first door and the second door is rotatable independently of the other of the first door and the second door.

[0010] Further representative embodiments are provided and include embodiments of the air hybrid damper system of the following representative paragraphs.

[0011] Another representative embodiment of the present disclosure is provided. This embodiment includes an air circulation component. The component includes the air mixing damper system of the above paragraph or any representative paragraph below, wherein the first actuator and the second actuator and the first shaft and the second shaft are supported by a housing, wherein the housing is constructed to be connected to a relatively cold air source and a relatively hot air source, wherein the housing establishes a mixing space therein, and the housing is also constructed to be connected to selectively and independently allow air flow from the mixing space to multiple air outlets in the vehicle, and also includes a controller, wherein the controller causes the operation of the first actuator to cause the first door to be positioned relative to the relatively hot air source, thereby selectively allowing or preventing relatively hot air from the relatively hot air source to flow into the mixing space, and the controller causes the operation of the second actuator to cause the second door to be positioned relative to the relatively cold air source, thereby selectively allowing or preventing relatively cold air from the relatively cold air source to flow to the mixing space.

[0012] Additional representative embodiments of the present disclosure related to air circulation assemblies are provided and include embodiments of air circulation assemblies described in the following representative paragraphs.

[0013] The advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure which have been shown and described by way of illustration. As will be appreciated, the disclosed subject matter can have other and different embodiments, and its details can be modified in various respects. Therefore, the drawings and description should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive in nature. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an air mixing damper system in which a door is used to isolate hot air flow and cold air flow that are aligned in a planar manner with each other to allow hot air to pass therethrough but prevent the cold air flow from passing therethrough.

[0015] Figure 2 is an exploded view of an air circulation assembly for a vehicle having two air mixing damper systems, one air mixing damper system controlling air flow toward a driver side seat area of ​​the vehicle interior (left side of the figure) and a second air mixing damper system controlling air flow toward a passenger side seat area of ​​the vehicle interior (right side of the figure).

[0016] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of an air mixing damper system with doors aligned to allow both hot and cold air flows to pass therethrough.

[0017] Figure 4 Is such as Figure 3Another perspective view of the air mixing damper system of the door aligned in FIG.

[0018] Figure 5 Is such as Figure 3 Still another perspective view of an air mixing damper system with a door aligned in the middle.

[0019] Figure 6 Yes Figure 1 Detailed view of the exterior of the housing of the air circulation assembly of the air mixing damper system with the actuator removed.

[0020] Figure 7 It is an exploded view of the second axis and the first and second doors.

[0021] Figure 7a yes Figure 7 Detailed view of the details Z.

[0022] Figure 7b yes Figure 7 Detailed view of Y.

[0023] Figure 8 is a side view of a housing of an air circulation assembly, depicting a first door and a second door in a closed position preventing flows from respective hot air sources and cold air sources from flowing into a mixing space, and depicting doors controlling flows to a defrost system (1114, 1004), a demisting system (1115, 1005), ventilation panels (1114, 1004), a floor ventilation system (1117, 1007), controls for flows of cold air to an extended air flow system (e.g., air flows for a second or third row of vehicles (cold air - 1118, 1002b, 1008 and hot air 1113, 1003b, 1008), valves of associated systems for receiving air from the mixing space (and directly from a cold air source and a warm air source for sending to an extended air flow system) are depicted as being in any closed position, as they may also be in an open position opposite to a position allowing air flows to pass through).

[0024] Fig. 9 yes Figure 8 , wherein the first door and the second door are in an open position to allow flow from respective hot air sources and cold air sources to enter the mixing space.

[0025] Fig.10 yes Figure 8 , wherein the first door is in a closed position to prevent hot air from flowing into the mixing space, and the second door is in an open position to allow cool air to flow into the mixing space.

[0026] Fig.11 yes Figure 8, wherein the first door is in an open position to allow hot air to flow into the mixing space, and the second door is in a closed position to prevent cold air from flowing into the mixing space.

[0027] Fig.12 yes Fig.10 A perspective view of the housing in construction.

[0028] Fig.13 yes Figure 8 , in which the first door and the second door are each in a partially open and partially closed (throttled open) position to allow some flow from the corresponding hot air source and cold air source to flow into the mixing space, but not allow full flow as when the corresponding door is fully open.

[0029] Fig.14a is a view of the exterior of the housing depicting various actuators arranged to operate an air hybrid damper system that controls air flow to the driver's side seating area of ​​the vehicle interior.

[0030] Fig.14b is a view of the exterior of the housing depicting various actuators arranged to operate an air hybrid damper system that controls air flow to the passenger side seating area of ​​the vehicle interior. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Now go to Figures 1 to 14b , an air mixing damper system 10 and an assembly 2000 supporting one or more air mixing damper systems 10 are provided. The assembly 2000 is configured to be used in a vehicle to allow control of hot air from a hot air source (1003) and control of cold air (1002) from a cold air source. The cold air source 1002 may be an air flow from an evaporator of an air conditioning system or another cooling system that may be provided in the vehicle. The hot air source 1003 may be a heat pump heater of a heat pump system or a condenser of a refrigeration system. The hot air source may also include a heating coil, a PTC heater, or a resistive electric heater, which may replace the heat pump heater or be connected in series with the heat pump heater. In an embodiment where the vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, the engine itself, including all systems that generate heat in the engine or are used to remove the generated heat from the engine, may be used to provide heat to the hot air source via a coolant system.

[0032] As discussed in further detail below, assembly 2000 includes a mixing chamber 16 configured to receive air from one or both of a hot air source 1003 and a cold air source 1002 (via flows 1003a, 1002a) and to provide space for the received cold and hot air to mix and for air to flow from mixing chamber 16 to various systems within the vehicle, such as: a defrost system (1004, control valve 1114); a defog system (1005, 1115 control valves); one or more air flow registers located on the dashboard of the vehicle 1006, 1116; and a floor ventilation system (1007, 1117). Assembly 2000 includes a controller 2002 (schematically, Figure 8 ), controller 2002 controls the operation of various valves (e.g., 1114, 1115) to allow or prevent air flow to each system based on input provided by the vehicle occupants (i.e., desired use of air conditioning or heat in various spaces within the vehicle and desired temperatures within the spaces and desired air flow rates to various areas within the vehicle; desired use of the vehicle's front windshield defrost system), and controls the operation of the cold air system and the hot air system (controlling the fan speed of the hot air 1003a, controlling the fan speed of the cold air 1002a, and controlling the operation of the compressor of the heat pump system or the air conditioning system) as needed to produce the desired air flow.

[0033] An air mixing damper system 10 is provided to control flow rate and prevent or allow flow from both a hot air source and a cold air source to a mixing chamber. In some embodiments, the air mixing damper system 10 can be used to allow flow in a throttled manner such that some hot and / or cold air flow can flow into the mixing chamber 16, but prevent some flow from flowing into the mixing chamber (at Fig.13 2002z, 1003z). The controller 2002 can be programmed to appropriately move the first door 30 and the second door 50 to the throttle position as needed (either due to programmed door settings based on the HVAC settings in the vehicle at the current time, or determined in real time by the controller based on feedback control). The disclosure herein will specifically describe the air mixing damper system 10 with respect to the open position and the closed position, but a person of ordinary skill in the art will readily understand how the first door 30 and the second door 50 can be positioned to the intermediate throttle position by a thorough reading of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0034] The assembly 2000 including the air mixing damper 10 (and in some embodiments, using two air mixing damper systems 10 that direct air to two different mixing chambers 16, one air mixing damper system 10 for directing air toward the driver seat portion of the vehicle, and a separate air mixing damper system 10 for directing air toward the passenger seat portion of the vehicle) has been identified as allowing for several improvements over conventional air flow control systems, such as systems where a first door and a second door (e.g., the first door allows or prevents the flow of hot air similar to flow 1003, and the second door allows or prevents the flow of cold air similar to flow 1002) move together in unison and cannot move relative to each other. In these prior embodiments, the controller is typically required to throttle the hot or cold air flow (e.g., isolation valve 1116 to the instrument panel ventilation system, air flow 1006) with an isolation valve that leads directly from the mixing chamber 16 to the designated system, and the system requires complex geometry and narrowed flow paths to ensure proper air flow. The use of the air mixing damper system 10 has been experimentally determined to reduce the overall noise in the passenger compartment from the noise level of conventional systems in unexpected or unpredictable ways. Moreover, in some cases, the use of the air mixing damper system 10 allows for less air flow (i.e., lower fan speed) and shorter duty cycles of the air conditioning system to achieve the desired temperature and flow to the monitored space, which has resulted in a measured lower power requirement for the system using the air mixing damper system 10.

[0035] Now turn to Figures 1 to 7 , an air mixing damper system 10 is provided. The system 10 is rotatably fixed within a housing 18, and the housing 18 is arranged to establish an air flow path (e.g., cold air 1002, hot air 1003) and an outlet flow path (e.g., a path to a defrost section 1004), wherein the air mixing damper system 10 is positioned to control air entering the mixing chamber 16, as discussed herein. With the first door 30 and / or the second door 50 in a closed position, the door blocks the flow path and the edge of the door (e.g., 34, 54) is in contact with or in close proximity to a wall or feature of the housing 18 to prevent air flow. With the first door 30 and / or the second door 50 in an open position, the door is rotated away from contact with or in close proximity to a wall or feature of the housing 18 to allow air flow. Figures 8 to 12 The housing 18 is depicted, and in particular a portion of the housing 18 that interacts with the air flow path to the instrument panel vents and the floor ventilation system at the driver's position. In an embodiment, where a second air hybrid damper system 10 is provided to control air flow approaching the passenger seat area, the housing will interact with that air hybrid damper system 10 in a similar manner.

[0036] The air mixing damper system 10 includes a first door 30 for allowing, preventing or throttling air flow (flow 1003a) from the hot air system 1003 and a second door 50 for allowing, preventing or throttling air flow (flow 1002a) from the cold air system 1002.

[0037] The first door 30 is fixed to the first shaft 27 so that rotation of the first shaft 27 causes rotation of the first door 30 (relative to the housing 18). The first shaft 27 can be hollow and extend along a first axis 1300. The first door 30 is rotated by a first actuator 1104 fixed to the housing 18. The first actuator 1104 rotates in the input 22, which extends along an axis 1302 spaced apart from but parallel to the first axis 1300. The input 22 can be a shaft having one or more non-circular features to allow the first actuator 1104 to transfer torque to the input 22. In the depicted embodiment, the input 22 has a plurality of radially outward features that interact with corresponding features (not shown) in the actuator 1104, but in other embodiments, the input can have a D-shaped shaft or non-circular engagement features that interact along the axis 1302.

[0038] The input member 22 fixedly supports a first hub 23, which includes a radially extending gear profile 24. The gear profile 24 meshes with a corresponding gear profile 25 of a second hub 26, so that rotation of the input member causes rotation of the first hub 23 and the first gear profile 24, which causes meshing corresponding rotation of the second gear profile 25 and rotation of the second hub 26. A first shaft 27 is fixed to the second hub 26, so that the first shaft 27 rotates when the second hub 26 rotates.

[0039] As reference Figure 2 , Figure 6 , Figure 8 , Fig.14a and Fig.14b As best understood, the first actuator 1104, the first hub 23, and the second hub 26 (and their corresponding gear teeth) can be located on the outer surface of the housing 18. In some embodiments, the feature 82 can be disposed outside the first hub 23 and the gear teeth 24, and the feature is positioned, sized, and shaped to mechanically limit the range of travel of the first hub 23. In the depicted embodiment, the feature 82 is "C" shaped and concentric with the first hub 23, with two end faces 82a, 82b positioned to contact two opposite ends of the gear teeth 24 when the first hub 23 is in two potential rotational ranges. Figure 6 Gear teeth 24 (and specifically surface 24b) are depicted in contact with end 82a of feature, which results in the first door being Figure 8 and Fig.10, i.e., to prevent air from flowing through the first door (preventing hot air 1003 from flowing). As can be appreciated, when the first hub 23 is positioned so that the first door is fully open, the opposing surfaces 24a of the gear teeth 24 contact the opposing end surfaces 82b of the feature 82.

[0040] In some embodiments, a cover (not shown) is provided on the housing 16 to enclose the first and second actuators 1104 and 1106 , the first and second hubs 23 and 26 to prevent mechanical interference with these components.

[0041] The first shaft 27 extends through a hole (not shown) in the housing 18 to enter the enclosed space of the housing and connect to the first door 30 .

[0042] The second door 50 is fixed to the second shaft 47 such that rotation of the second shaft 47 causes rotation of the second door 50 (relative to the housing 18 ).

[0043] The second shaft 47 may be hollow and extend along a second axis 1301 colinear with the first axis 1300. The third shaft 42 extends through the second shaft 47 and the first shaft 27, and the third shaft 42 is fixed to the second shaft 47. The third shaft 42 and the second shaft 47 are freely rotatable relative to the first shaft 27.

[0044] In some embodiments, the first shaft 27 and the second shaft 47 are arranged similar to conventional door hinges, such that the first shaft 27 has two or more circular hollow parts spaced apart from each other, and the second shaft 47 has two or more circular hollow parts spaced apart from each other, wherein the first shaft 27 and the second shaft 47 are arranged such that the second shaft part 47 is located at the interior space of the first shaft in the space between the first shaft parts 27. In some embodiments, the first shaft 27 has three parts and two spaces 27a, and the second shaft 47 has two parts extending within the two spaces. In other embodiments, the first shaft and the second shaft may have the same number of parts and spaces (where each shaft has a "space" after the shaft terminates), such that the order is first, second, first, second (as needed, etc.).

[0045] The first door 30 spans across and bridges outside of the components of the second shaft 47 , and the second door 50 spans across and bridges outside of the components of the first shaft 27 .

[0046] One end of the first shaft 27z forms a bearing to support the end 42z of the third shaft 42. In an embodiment where the first shaft 27 and the second shaft 47 are arranged to be linearly opposed to the cylindrical portion of a conventional door hinge, the third shaft 42 extends coaxially in the apertures of the first shaft and the second shaft like a pin of a conventional door hinge.

[0047] The third shaft 42 is rotatably fixed to the second shaft 47 so that torque applied to the third shaft 42 (as discussed below) is transmitted to the second shaft 47. Figure 7 to Figure 7b As best understood, the third shaft 42 extends through the first shaft 27 (and the tip 42z is supported by the bearing 27z in the first shaft 27). In some embodiments, the portion of the third shaft 42 extending through the first shaft 27 and the second shaft 47 may have a flat portion to establish a "D" shaped shaft, wherein the aperture 47y in the second shaft 47 establishes a corresponding D shape. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the third shaft may have a portion 42x including one or more radially extending lobes 42w, wherein the aperture 47x in the second shaft has a plurality of voids 47w to closely receive the corresponding one or more radially extending lobes of the third shaft 42. The aperture through the first shaft 27 (and specifically, the portion of the first shaft 27 that leaves the bearing portion 27z) has a larger aperture to allow the third shaft 42 to rotate freely within the first shaft 27 without contacting the first shaft 27. In the depicted embodiment, the second portion 47b of the second shaft 47 (i.e., the second shaft portion farther from the second hub 26) can have a smaller diameter hole 47z and include a gap 47w to match the corresponding portion of the third shaft 42. The first portion 47a (i.e., the second shaft portion closer to the second hub 26) can have an aperture 47y that is large enough to allow the portion 42x of the third shaft 42 to pass through, but is sized to interact with the D-shaped portion 42y. Other arrangements that rotatably fix the third shaft 42 to the second shaft 47 but allow the third shaft 42 to rotate relative to the first shaft 27 can be provided.

[0048] The third shaft is configured to be fixed to the second actuator 1106. In the depicted embodiment, the third shaft 42 is aligned along the second axis 1302. Rotation of the second actuator 1106 causes rotation of the third shaft 42, which causes rotation of the second shaft 47 and the second door 50.

[0049] As with the first actuator 1104, the second actuator 1106 is located on an outer surface of the housing 18. The housing 18 may include one or two second features 84 positioned to limit the travel of the third shaft 42. For example, the third shaft 42 may be supported and secured to the third hub 43 with radial legs 44 extending from the third hub 43. The second features 84 are positioned to be contacted by the radial legs 44 when the third shaft 42 and therefore the second door 50 have reached the extent of the desired rotation range of the second door 50 to establish the open and closed positions (the second door 50 allows, prevents, or throttles the flow of cold air 1002a from the cold air system 1002). Figure 6 In the position depicted in FIG. 1 , the radial leg contacts a second feature 84 and the second door 50 is in the fully open position ( Fig. 9 , Fig.10). It will be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art upon a thorough reading of this specification and the accompanying drawings that the second feature can be configured and positioned to engage the radial leg 44 when the second door 50 (relative to the housing 18) is in a fully closed position. Figure 6 In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8 , the second feature 84 is a post contacted by radial legs, but in other embodiments, the second feature 84 may be a c-shaped feature similar to the first feature 82 . Figure 6 , the second feature 84 extends further from the flat surface of the housing 18 of the support assembly than the second feature 82 due to the relative positions of the first hub 23, the second hub 26, and the third hub 43 relative to the housing 18. As discussed above, a cover (not shown) can cover the second actuator 1106, the second hub 43, and the radial legs 44.

[0050] The first door 30 and the second door 50 can be rotated independently of each other by respective first and second actuators 1104, 1106. The first and second doors 30, 50 can each be moved between various throttled positions between their open and closed positions (relative to the features of the housing 18) and the fully open and closed positions. The first and second doors 30, 50 can be maintained in their current positions for a set period of time, or in some embodiments until a new control input is received, or until a set time for the position has expired (or until the controller 2002 recognizes that the position must be adjusted due to feedback control).

[0051] The rotation of the first door 30 and the second door 50 is controlled by the controller 2002 via signals sent to the corresponding first and second actuators. Either of the positions of the first door 30 and the second door 50 is controlled by a pre-programmed positioning station based on the desired air flow and air temperature parameters set by the user. In some embodiments, the position of the first door 30 and the second door 50 (including its throttling, and the specified throttling position of each door) can be positioned by the controller based on feedback control (based on the sensed temperature within the controlled space within the system 2000 or within the vehicle receiving the specified air flow). In addition, the controller 2002 controls the first valve position 30 and the second valve position 50, and the controller can also control the fan speed of the hot air flow and the cold air flow (1003a, 1002a) and the duty cycle of the heating system 1003 or the cooling system 1002.

[0052] In some embodiments and Figure 7As best depicted in FIG. 1 , one or both of the first door 27 and the second door 47 may have one or more elongated ribs (38, 38a, 38b; 58, 58a, 58b) extending outwardly from the planar surface of the respective door 30, 50. These ribs may be provided to provide additional strength to the door to prevent bending, particularly when the door is closed by a tight seal against the housing, as discussed below (to provide strength to the door to resist the pressure exerted by the air flow (1002a-second door 50; 1003a-first door 30) against the surface of the door). In some embodiments, the ribs may be parallel to a line 4002 that is perpendicular to the first axis 1300 (1301), or a line parallel to the first axis. In other embodiments, the ribs may be at an acute angle to the line 4002 (α-first door 30), (β-second door 50). In some embodiments, multiple lines (e.g., α1, α2, α3-first door 30 and β1, β2, β3-second door 50) may be provided at different acute angles. Other arrangements, orientations, and shapes of ribs may be provided to increase the strength of the door against bending and, in some embodiments, to interact with air flowing through the door to act as vanes to direct the air into the mixing chamber 16 or in certain directions. Alternatively or additionally, the size and shape of the ribs may be designed to induce localized turbulence of a portion of the air to aid mixing or for other purposes.

[0053] Doors 30, 50 may support structures extending outwardly from the doors, such as element 55 ( Figure 1 ). These may alter the air flow. Alternatively, the features may interact with portions of the housing to alter the air flow path (size of the orifice for air flow therethrough) when fully open or in certain throttled positions. One of ordinary skill in the art will be able to design a door with the desired ribs 38 / 58 or elements 55 (the ribs 38 / 58 or elements 55 affecting the air flow through the respective door, or altering the air flow opening during door movement or in throttled positions), and will be able to provide for evolving these features on the door upon a thorough review and understanding of this specification, and will be able to optimize these features through only routine experimentation.

[0054] In some embodiments, one or both of the first door 30 and the second door 50 may have an edge surface or edge portion as a coating or material placed thereon that is configured to allow a tight air seal with a corresponding portion of the housing 18 when the respective door 30, 50 is in a closed position. In some embodiments, the coating or material may be an elastomeric material that is somewhat or substantially flexible to locally deform when contacting the surface of the housing 18 to establish a tight fit to eliminate or minimize the ability of air to flow therethrough. The elastomeric coating may also benefit from damping any noise when the surface of the door impacts on the housing 18 to minimize noise or vibration that travels to the passenger compartment of the vehicle during operation.

[0055] like Figures 8 to 12 As shown in , the second flow path 1008 can be set from the assembly 10 to a remote space within the vehicle, which can be controlled independently of the space near the driver and passenger seat areas. The flow path 1008 receives the air flow from the cold system (flow 1002b) and the flow from the hot system (1003b), and can be independently controlled with a dedicated cold air valve 1118 and a hot air valve 1113. The flow through the second flow path 1008 does not flow through the air mixing damper system 10, but directly travels from the corresponding cold air system and hot air system to valves 1118 and 1113, so that the air flowing to the second flow path 1008 does not flow through the first door 30 and the second door 50, and is not blocked by the first door 30 and the second door 50.

[0056] The term "about" is specifically defined herein to include a range including a reference value and plus or minus 5% of the reference value. When the widths of the end surfaces of the holes are both within the above range, the term "substantially the same" is satisfied.

[0057] Although the disclosed preferred embodiments have been described, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited thereto and can be modified without departing from the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims, and it is intended that all devices that fall within the meaning of the claims literally or equivalently are included in the scope of the present disclosure.

[0058] This specification can be easily understood with reference to the following representative paragraphs:

[0059] Representative paragraph 1: An air hybrid damper system, comprising:

[0060] a first rotatable door that rotates about a first shaft extending along a first axis;

[0061] a second rotatable door, the second rotatable door being rotatable about a second shaft, the second shaft being disposed along a second axis, the second axis being colinear with the first axis;

[0062] The first door is rotatable about the first axis, and the second door is rotatable about the second axis;

[0063] a first actuator operably engaged with the first shaft;

[0064] A second actuator is operably engaged with the second shaft, wherein each of the first door and the second door is rotatable independently of the other of the first door and the second door.

[0065] Representative paragraph 2: An air hybrid damper system according to representative paragraph 1, wherein each of the first actuator and the second actuator is operated so that the corresponding first door and the second door can independently move between an open structure and a closed structure, and each of the corresponding first door and the second door can be independently maintained in the closed position and the open position.

[0066] Representative paragraph 3: The air hybrid damper system of representative paragraph 2, wherein the first actuator is operative to enable the first door to be positioned in a plurality of intermediate positions between the open configuration and the closed configuration.

[0067] Representative paragraph 4: An air hybrid damper system as described in any of representative paragraphs 2 or 3, wherein the second actuator is operated to enable the second door to be positioned in a plurality of intermediate positions between the open configuration and the closed configuration.

[0068] Representative paragraph 5: An air hybrid damper system according to any of representative paragraphs 1-4, wherein the first actuator provides torque along a third axis parallel to the first axis but offset from the first axis, and the second actuator provides torque along the second axis.

[0069] Representative paragraph 6: An air hybrid damper system according to representative paragraph 5, wherein it also includes an input gear and an output gear, the input gear is driven by the first actuator, wherein the input gear rotates around the third axis, and the output gear is meshed with the input gear and the output gear rotates around the first axis.

[0070] Representative paragraph 7: The air hybrid damper system according to any of the preceding representative paragraphs further includes an inner shaft extending coaxially within the first shaft and the second shaft, wherein the inner shaft receives torque from the second actuator and transmits torque to the second shaft.

[0071] Representative paragraph 8: An air hybrid damper system according to any of representative paragraphs 1-6, wherein the first shaft and the second shaft are arranged adjacent to each other, wherein the first door extends radially from the first shaft, and the second door extends radially from the second shaft.

[0072] Representative paragraph 9: An air mixing damper according to representative paragraph 8, wherein the first door is bridged outside the second shaft and spans the second shaft, and wherein the second door is bridged outside the first shaft and spans the first shaft.

[0073] Representative paragraph 10: An air mixing damper system according to representative paragraph 9, wherein the first shaft and the second shaft are arranged like opposing cylindrical parts of a conventional door hinge, and also includes an inner shaft extending coaxially within the first shaft and the second shaft, wherein the inner shaft is arranged like a pin of a conventional door hinge.

[0074] Representative paragraph 11: The air hybrid damper system of representative paragraph 10, wherein the inner shaft receives torque from the second actuator and transmits the torque to the second shaft.

[0075] Representative paragraph 12: An air hybrid damper system according to representative paragraph 11, wherein the inner shaft includes a plurality of radially extending lobes along a portion of the length of the inner shaft, and wherein the second shaft includes a plurality of cutouts, each of which receives one of the plurality of radially extending lobes to transfer torque from the inner shaft to the second shaft.

[0076] Representative paragraph 13: The air hybrid damper system of any of representative paragraphs 8-12, wherein the first door is fixed to the first shaft and the second door is fixed to the second shaft.

[0077] Representative paragraph 14: The air mixing damper system of any of representative paragraphs 1-13, wherein one or both of the first door and the second door have one or more longitudinal ribs extending from a planar face of the respective door.

[0078] Representative paragraph 15: The air hybrid damper system of representative paragraph 14, wherein the one or more longitudinal ribs are a plurality of ribs extending at an acute angle to a line extending perpendicular to the first axis.

[0079] Representative paragraph 16: According to the air mixing damper system of representative paragraph 15, each of the plurality of ribs within one of the first door or the second door extends at a different acute angle than each of the other ribs on the one of the first door or the second door.

[0080] Representative paragraph 17: An air mixing damper system according to any of representative paragraphs 1-16, wherein the outer peripheral edges of both the first door and the second door include an elastomeric material in a position where the outer peripheral edges of the doors form contact between the corresponding peripheral edges of the doors and a fixed surface within a shell, and the shell can rotatably receive the doors.

[0081] Representative paragraph 18: An air circulation assembly, comprising an air mixing damper system according to any representative paragraph of representative paragraphs 1-17,

[0082] wherein the first actuator and the second actuator and the first shaft and the second shaft are supported by a housing, wherein the housing is configured to be connected to a relatively cold air source and a relatively hot air source, wherein the housing establishes a mixing space therein, and the housing is further configured to be connected to selectively and independently allow air flow from the mixing space to a plurality of air outlets within the vehicle, and further comprises a controller, wherein the controller causes operation of the first actuator to cause the first door to be positioned relative to the relatively hot air source so as to selectively allow or prevent relatively hot air from flowing from the relatively hot air source into the mixing space, and the controller causes operation of the second actuator to cause the second door to be positioned relative to the relatively cold air source so as to selectively allow or prevent relatively cold air from flowing from the relatively cold air source to the mixing space.

[0083] Representative paragraph 19: An air circulation component according to representative paragraph 18, wherein the controller is constructed to operate the first actuator to cause the first door to be positioned in a throttling position relative to the relatively hot air source to allow an amount of relatively hot air to enter the mixing space that is less than the amount of relatively hot air that can flow into the mixing space when the first door is in a fully open structure, and the controller is constructed to operate the second actuator to cause the second door to be positioned in a throttling position relative to the relatively cold air source to allow an amount of relatively cold air to enter the mixing space that is less than the amount of relatively cold air that can flow into the mixing space when the second door is in a fully open structure.

[0084] Representative paragraph 20: An air circulation component according to representative paragraph 19, wherein the housing includes a plurality of auxiliary valves independently operated by the controller, wherein each auxiliary valve allows air flow from the mixing space to a designated air outlet within the vehicle associated with the auxiliary valve when in an open position, wherein each auxiliary valve is operated by the controller between an open position and a closed position.

[0085] Representative paragraph 21: An air circulation component according to representative paragraph 20, wherein each of the plurality of auxiliary valves is located in the open position or in a closed position, the closed position preventing air flow from the mixing space to the designated air outlet within the vehicle associated with the auxiliary valve.

[0086] Representative paragraph 22: An air circulation assembly according to representative paragraph 20, wherein the designated air outlets in the vehicle include a front windshield defrost system, a side window defrost system, a vent panel air flow system, and a front floor ventilation system.

[0087] Representative paragraph 23: An air circulation assembly according to any of representative paragraphs 18-22, wherein the housing includes a flow path that selectively allows or prevents air flow from the relatively hot air source and from the relatively cold air source from flowing to a distal environment within the vehicle, wherein air flowing into the flow path to the distal environment does not interact with the first door and the second door.

[0088] Representative paragraph 24: An air circulation assembly according to any one of representative paragraphs 18-23, wherein the housing includes a first air mixing damper system and a second air mixing damper system, each of the first air mixing damper system and the second air mixing damper system being located upstream of the corresponding first mixing space and the second mixing space, wherein the controller independently controls the first actuator and the second actuator associated with each of the first air mixing damper system and the second air mixing damper system, wherein a portion of the air flowing from the air mixing space associated with the first air mixing damper system is constructed to be directed to a ventilation panel air flow system and / or a front floor ventilation system near a driver's seat area of ​​the vehicle, and a portion of the air flowing from the air mixing space associated with the second air mixing damper system is constructed to be directed to a ventilation panel air flow system and / or a front floor ventilation system near a front passenger seat area of ​​the vehicle.

[0089] Representative paragraph 25: The air circulation assembly of any representative paragraph of representative paragraphs 18-23, wherein the housing further comprises a first mechanical stop disposed proximate to the first actuator, wherein the first mechanical stop is positioned to directly limit the range of rotation of a first component that directly receives torque from the first actuator; and

[0090] The housing also includes a second mechanical stop disposed proximate the second actuator, wherein the second mechanical stop is positioned to interact with a leg extending radially from a fourth shaft that directly receives torque from the second actuator and is rotationally fixed to the second shaft.

Claims

1. An air mixing damper system, comprising: a first rotatable door that rotates about a first shaft that extends along a first axis; a second rotatable door, the second rotatable door being rotatable about a second shaft, the second shaft being disposed along a second axis, the second axis being colinear with the first axis; The first door is rotatable about the first axis, and the second door is rotatable about the second axis; a first actuator operably engaged with the first shaft; A second actuator is operably engaged with the second shaft, wherein the first door and the second door are each rotatable independently of the other of the first door and the second door.

2. The air hybrid damper system according to claim 1, wherein: The first actuator and the second actuator are each operative to enable the respective first door and the second door to be independently movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, and the respective first door and the second door are each independently maintainable in a closed position and an open position.

3. The air hybrid damper system according to claim 2, wherein: The first actuator is operative to enable the first door to be positioned in a plurality of intermediate positions between the open and closed configurations.

4. The air hybrid damper system according to claim 2, wherein: The second actuator is operative to enable the second door to be positioned in a plurality of intermediate positions between the open configuration and the closed configuration.

5. The air hybrid damper system according to claim 1, wherein: The first actuator provides torque along a third axis that is parallel to but offset from the first axis, and the second actuator provides torque along the second axis.

6. The air hybrid damper system according to claim 5, wherein: Also included is an input gear and an output gear, the input gear being driven by the first actuator, wherein the input gear rotates about the third axis, and the output gear meshes with the input gear and rotates about the first axis.

7. The air hybrid damper system of claim 1 further comprising an inner shaft extending coaxially within the first shaft and the second shaft, wherein: The inner shaft receives torque from the second actuator and transmits the torque to the second shaft.

8. The air hybrid damper system according to claim 1, wherein: The first shaft and the second shaft are arranged adjacent to each other, wherein the first door extends radially from the first shaft and the second door extends radially from the second shaft.

9. The air mixing damper according to claim 8, wherein: The first door is bridged outside of and across the second shaft, and wherein the second door is bridged outside of and across the first shaft.

10. The air hybrid damper system according to claim 9, wherein: The first and second shafts are arranged like opposed cylindrical portions of a conventional door hinge, and further include an inner shaft extending coaxially within the first and second shafts, wherein the inner shaft is arranged like a pin of a conventional door hinge.

11. The air hybrid damper system according to claim 10, wherein: The inner shaft receives torque from the second actuator and transfers the torque to the second shaft.

12. The air hybrid damper system of claim 11, wherein: The inner shaft includes a plurality of radially extending lobes along a portion of the length of the inner shaft, wherein the second shaft includes a plurality of cutouts, each of which receives one of the plurality of radially extending lobes to transfer torque from the inner shaft to the second shaft.

13. The air hybrid damper system according to claim 8, wherein: The first door is fixed to the first shaft, and the second door is fixed to the second shaft.

14. The air hybrid damper system of claim 1, wherein: One or both of the first and second doors may have one or more longitudinal ribs extending from a planar face of the respective door.

15. The air hybrid damper system of claim 14, wherein: The one or more longitudinal ribs are a plurality of ribs extending at an acute angle to a line extending perpendicular to the first axis.

16. The air hybrid damper system of claim 15, each of the plurality of ribs within one of the first door or the second door extending at a different acute angle than each of the other ribs on the one of the first door or the second door.

17. The air hybrid damper system of claim 1, wherein: The outer peripheral edges of both the first door and the second door include an elastomeric material in locations where contact is made between the respective peripheral edges of the doors and a fixed surface within a housing that rotatably receives the doors.

18. An air circulation assembly comprising the air mixing damper system according to claim 1, in, The first and second actuators and the first and second shafts are supported by a housing, wherein the housing is constructed to be connected to a relatively cold air source and a relatively hot air source, wherein a mixing space is established in the housing, and the housing is also constructed to be connected to selectively and independently allow air to flow from the mixing space to multiple air outlets within the vehicle, and also includes a controller, wherein the controller causes operation of the first actuator to cause the first door to be positioned relative to the relatively hot air source so as to selectively allow or prevent relatively hot air from flowing from the relatively hot air source into the mixing space, and the controller causes operation of the second actuator to cause the second door to be positioned relative to the relatively cold air source so as to selectively allow or prevent relatively cold air from flowing from the relatively cold air source to the mixing space.

19. The air circulation assembly according to claim 18, wherein: The controller is configured to operate the first actuator to cause the first door to be positioned in a throttled position relative to the relatively hot air source to allow an amount of relatively hot air to enter the mixing space that is less than the amount of relatively hot air that can flow into the mixing space when the first door is in a fully open configuration, and the controller is configured to operate the second actuator to cause the second door to be positioned in a throttled position relative to the relatively cold air source to allow an amount of relatively cold air to enter the mixing space that is less than the amount of relatively cold air that can flow into the mixing space when the second door is in a fully open configuration.

20. The air circulation assembly of claim 19, wherein: The housing includes a plurality of auxiliary valves independently operated by the controller, wherein each auxiliary valve, when in an open position, allows air to flow from the mixing space to a designated air outlet within the vehicle associated with the auxiliary valve, wherein each auxiliary valve is operated by the controller between an open position and a closed position.

21. The air circulation assembly of claim 20, wherein: Each auxiliary valve of the plurality of auxiliary valves is located in the open position or in a closed position, the closed position preventing air from flowing from the mixing space to the designated air outlet within the vehicle associated with the auxiliary valve.

22. The air circulation assembly of claim 20, wherein: The designated air outlets within the vehicle include a front windshield defrost system, a side window defrost system, a vent panel air flow system, and a front floor ventilation system.

23. The air circulation assembly of claim 18, wherein: The housing includes a flow path that selectively allows or prevents air flow from the relatively hot air source and from the relatively cold air source from flowing to a distal environment within the vehicle, wherein air flowing into the flow path and to the distal environment does not interact with the first door and the second door.

24. The air circulation assembly of claim 18, wherein: The housing includes a first air mixing damper system and a second air mixing damper system, each of the first air mixing damper system and the second air mixing damper system being located upstream of the corresponding first mixing space and the second mixing space, wherein the controller independently controls the first actuator and the second actuator associated with each of the first air mixing damper system and the second air mixing damper system, wherein a portion of the air flowing out of the air mixing space associated with the first air mixing damper system is configured to be guided to a ventilation panel air flow system and / or a front floor ventilation system near a driver's seat area of ​​the vehicle, and a portion of the air flowing out of the air mixing space associated with the second air mixing damper system is configured to be guided to a ventilation panel air flow system and / or a front floor ventilation system near a front passenger seat area of ​​the vehicle.

25. The air circulation assembly of claim 18, wherein: The housing further includes a first mechanical stop disposed proximate the first actuator, wherein the first mechanical stop is positioned to directly limit a rotational range of a first component that directly receives torque from the first actuator; and The housing also includes a second mechanical stop disposed proximate the second actuator, wherein the second mechanical stop is positioned to interact with a leg extending radially from a fourth shaft that directly receives torque from the second actuator and is rotationally fixed to the second shaft.

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