Vehicle vent

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle vent (10) comprising: a ventilation duct (12) extending along a main axis (20) and defined by a first inner surface (22); an outlet portion (14) defined by a second inner surface (30) continuous with the first inner surface (22) of the duct; a central element (16) arranged in the duct along the main axis; and a plurality of longitudinal walls (17, 117, 217) arranged in the duct parallel to the main axis; each longitudinal wall extends radially between the central element (16) and a first inner surface (22) of the duct; the central element and the longitudinal wall are fixed relative to the duct. The second inner surface (30) has a transverse dimension (24, 34) that decreases from the first inner surface (22) of the duct.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a type of vent comprising: a ventilation duct extending along a main axis and defined by a first inner surface preferably axisymmetric; an outlet portion defined by a second inner surface arranged along the main axis and continuous with the first inner surface of the duct; a central element arranged in the duct along the main axis; and a plurality of longitudinal walls arranged in the duct parallel to the main axis; each longitudinal wall extending radially between the central element and the first inner surface of the duct; the central element and the longitudinal walls being preferably fixed relative to the duct. Background Technology

[0002] This invention is particularly applicable to vents intended for use in passenger compartments of vehicles (especially motor vehicles). Such vents are specifically described in document FR2948752.

[0003] It is known that the orientation of air leaving the vent is regulated by means of a louver-like moving element. However, such devices are fragile and generate unwanted noise during operation. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a vent with no visible moving element at the vent outlet.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention relates to a vent of the above type, wherein the second inner surface has a transverse dimension that decreases from the first inner surface of the pipe.

[0006] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the vent, alone or in any technically feasible combination, includes one or more of the following features:

[0007] - The second inner surface of the outlet portion forms a first angle between 30° and 60° with the main axis, the first angle preferably being close to 45°;

[0008] - The central element includes: a first outer surface and a second outer surface adjacent to the main axis; a joint between the first outer surface and the second outer surface, the joint having a maximum lateral dimension of the central element perpendicular to the main axis; each of the first outer surface and the second outer surface exhibits a lateral dimension that decreases from the joint.

[0009] - The first outer surface of the central element is oriented toward the outlet portion and has a truncated conical shape, and the first outer surface forms a second angle with the main axis between 30° and 60°;

[0010] - The first angle and the second angle are essentially equal;

[0011] - The second outer surface of the central element is oriented away from the exit portion and has a truncated conical shape, and the first outer surface forms a third angle with the main axis between 30° and 60°;

[0012] - The third angle is smaller than the second angle;

[0013] - The vent also includes a deflector arranged in the outlet section, the deflector including an annular wall arranged around the main axis, the annular wall having a truncated conical shape and forming a fourth angle with the main axis between 30° and 60°;

[0014] - The first angle and the fourth angle are essentially equal;

[0015] - Multiple longitudinal walls define multiple different channels;

[0016] - The outlet portion includes an open downstream end defining the outlet of the vent; the vent includes: a first free jet region defined as a protrusion comprising a first annular volume between the central element and the deflector; and / or a second free jet region defined as a protrusion comprising a second annular volume between the deflector and the downstream end of the outlet portion; and the vent is configured such that the sum of the first free jet region and the second free jet region is less than or equal to 5% of the area defined by the downstream end of the outlet region.

[0017] The present invention also relates to a ventilation assembly comprising, as described above, vents and at least one component for supplying air to various channels, the at least one supply component being arranged in the vents or in a duct that guides air into the vents.

[0018] The present invention also relates to a vehicle, particularly a motor vehicle, equipped with vents and / or ventilation components as described above. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The invention will become clearer when reading the following description, given only by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] [ Figure 1 ] Figure 1 This is a front view of a vent according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] [ Figure 2 ] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A longitudinal cross-sectional view of the vent; and

[0022] [ Figure 3 ] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 and Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the vent. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Figure 1 and Figure 3 A vent 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the vent 10 is installed in the passenger compartment of a vehicle (not shown), preferably in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.

[0024] The vent 10 specifically includes: a ventilation duct 12; an outlet portion 14; a central element 16; and a plurality of longitudinal walls 17, 117, 217. In the illustrated embodiment, the vent also includes a deflector 18.

[0025] The ventilation duct 12 extends along a main axis 20 and includes a first inner surface 22 arranged around the main axis 20. Preferably, the first inner surface 22 is axisymmetric; more preferably, the first inner surface 22 is substantially cylindrical. In the illustrated embodiment, the first inner surface 22 is a cylinder of revolution and has a first diameter 24.

[0026] In the illustrated embodiment, the conduit 12 includes a downstream section 26 and an upstream section 28 that are adjacent to each other along the main axis 20. The downstream section 26 and the upstream section 28 are described in more detail below.

[0027] The outlet portion 14 is integrally formed with the ventilation duct 12. The outlet portion 14 is defined by a second inner surface 30, which is arranged along the main axis and continuous with the first inner surface 22 of the duct 12. More specifically, the outlet portion 14 extends between the upstream end 31 adjacent to the duct 12 and the open downstream end 32.

[0028] The second inner surface 30 has a reduced lateral dimension between the upstream end 31 and the downstream end 32 of the outlet portion 14.

[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, the second inner surface 30 is a truncated cone shape. The second diameter 34 of the second inner surface 30 at the downstream end 32 is smaller than the first diameter 24.

[0030] The second inner surface 30 of the outlet portion 14 forms a first angle α with the main axis 20 between 30° and 60°. Preferably, the first angle α is close to 45°.

[0031] The central element 16 is arranged in the pipe 12 and extends along the main axis 20.

[0032] As described below, the central element 16 is configured to facilitate air circulation within the conduit 12. Preferably, the central element 16 includes a first outer surface and second outer surfaces 36, 38 adjacent to each other along the main axis 20. A junction 40 between the first and second outer surfaces represents the maximum lateral dimension of the central element perpendicular to the main axis 20. Each of the first and second outer surfaces 36, 38 has a lateral dimension decreasing from the junction 40.

[0033] The first outer surface or downstream surface 36 of the central element 16 faces the outlet portion 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the downstream end 42 of the downstream surface 36 opposite the junction 40 is substantially coplanar with the upstream end 31 of the outlet portion 14.

[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, the downstream surface 36 of the central element 16 has a truncated conical shape arranged around the main axis 20. The downstream surface 36 forms a second angle β with the main axis 20 between 30° and 60°. Preferably, the second angle β is substantially equal to the first angle α described above.

[0035] The second outer surface or upstream surface 38 of the central element 16 faces away from the outlet portion 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the upstream surface 38 of the central element 16 has a truncated conical shape arranged around the main axis 20. The upstream surface 38 forms a third angle γ with the main axis 20 between 30° and 60°. In the illustrated embodiment, the third angle γ is smaller than the aforementioned second angle β. For example, the third angle γ is approximately half the size of the second angle β.

[0036] Preferably, the upstream end 44 of the central element 16 has a dome shape.

[0037] Longitudinal walls 17, 117, and 217 are arranged parallel to the main axis 20 in the conduit. Each longitudinal wall 17, 117, and 217 extends radially between the central element 16 and the first inner surface 22 of the conduit. More specifically, each longitudinal wall 17, 117, and 217 is attached to both the central element and the first inner surface 22 of the conduit. Thus, the central element 16 and the longitudinal walls 17, 117, and 217 are fixed relative to the conduit 12.

[0038] Preferably, each longitudinal wall 17, 117, 217 is substantially flat and extends in a plane containing the main axis 20. More preferably, the longitudinal walls 17, 117, 217 are evenly angularly distributed around the main axis 20.

[0039] Longitudinal walls 17, 117, and 217 define multiple channels 46 and 146 in pipe 12.

[0040] The vent 10 preferably includes at least two longitudinal walls, more preferably at least three longitudinal walls 17, 117, 217. In the illustrated embodiment, the vent 10 includes eight longitudinal walls that define eight channels 46, 146 of equivalent size.

[0041] In the illustrated embodiment, each longitudinal wall 17, 117, 217 has a substantially straight upstream end 48, wherein the upstream end 48 of the longitudinal walls 17, 117, 217 lies in a plane perpendicular to the main axis 20. The upstream end 48 marks the boundary between the downstream portion 26 and the upstream portion 28 of the conduit 12, in which the longitudinal walls 17, 117, 217 and channels 46, 146 are arranged.

[0042] In an embodiment not shown, the upstream end 48 of the longitudinal walls 17, 117, 217 is arranged at the upstream end of the upstream portion 28.

[0043] In the illustrated embodiment, each longitudinal wall 17, 117, 217 also includes a downstream portion 50, 150 extending into the outlet portion 14 and contacting the second inner surface 30.

[0044] Preferably, each downstream portion 50, 150 has a substantially straight downstream end 52 extending between the downstream surface 36 and the second inner surface 30 of the central element 16. Each downstream end 52 forms a fourth angle δ with the main axis. Preferably, the fourth angle δ is substantially equal to the first angle α and / or the second angle β described above.

[0045] Deflector 18 is arranged in outlet portion 14 and is formed by an annular wall arranged around main axis 20 between downstream end 54 and upstream end 56. In the illustrated embodiment, upstream end 56 of deflector 18 is integral with downstream portions 50, 150 of longitudinal walls 17, 117, 217; and downstream end 54 protrudes from downstream end 52 of said downstream portions 50, 150.

[0046] Preferably, the deflector 18 has a frustoconical shape and forms a fifth angle θ with the main axis 20 between 30° and 60°. Therefore, the outlet portion 14 includes an inner channel 60 and an outer channel 62, which are respectively arranged between the deflector 18 and the downstream surface 36 of the central element 16 and between the deflector and the second inner surface 30 of the outlet portion 14.

[0047] In the illustrated embodiment, the first α, second β, and fifth θ angles are equal. Therefore, the inner channel 60 has a constant lateral dimension between the upstream end 56 of the deflector 18 and the downstream end 42 of the downstream surface 36 of the central element 16. Similarly, the outer channel 62 has a constant lateral dimension between the upstream end 56 and the downstream end 54 of the deflector 18.

[0048] In the illustrated embodiment, we consider a first free jet region 64, which is defined as a protrusion in a plane perpendicular to the main axis 20, extending along the main axis and including an annular volume between the central element 16 and the deflector 18.

[0049] A second free jet region (not shown) is also considered, which is defined as a similar protrusion in the annular volume between the deflector 18 and the downstream end 32 of the outlet region 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the second free jet region is absent.

[0050] Preferably, the vent 10 is configured with one or more free jet regions of reduced size. More specifically, the vent 10 is preferably configured such that the sum of the areas of the first free jet region 64 and the second free jet region is less than or equal to 5% of the area perpendicular to the main axis 20 and defined by the downstream end 32 of the outlet region 14. Such a configuration facilitates good airflow directionality at the outlet of the vent 10.

[0051] Alternatively, the vent 10 is configured to supply independent airflow to a plurality of channels 46, 146. For example, the vent 10 includes supply pipes 66, 166 (shown in dashed lines) extending into the upstream portion 28 of the ventilation duct 12, each supply pipe 66, 166 being connected to a separate channel 46, 146 defined by longitudinal walls 17, 117, 217.

[0052] Preferably, the vent 10 is integrated into the vehicle interior (not shown), such that the outlet portion 14 is flush with or protrudes into the interior, and the ventilation duct 12 is concealed by the interior wall. Therefore, the vent 10 does not include any moving parts visible from the interior of the passenger compartment.

[0053] The method for using the vent 10 will now be described.

[0054] Supply pipes 66 and 166 are supplied with airflows that are preferentially separated from each other. As will be explained below, this separation of airflow at the inlet of vent 10 allows the total airflow at the outlet to be oriented.

[0055] In a variant not shown, the vent includes means for selectively blocking channels 46, 146. Such sealing means are preferably located near the upstream end 48 of the longitudinal walls 17, 117, 217.

[0056] In one implementation, similar airflow is delivered to at least two of channels 46, 146. For example, in Figures 1 to 3 In the illustrated implementation, similar airflows are preferentially sent to two adjacent channels 46, 146.

[0057] The truncated conical shape of the outlet section 14, the central element 16, and the deflector 18 concentrates on guiding and orienting the airflow from channels 46 and 146.

[0058] The orientation of the total outlet flow at the downstream end 32 of the vent 10 depends on the supply of each channel 46, 146 according to its arrangement around the main axis 20.

[0059] In this way, airflow can be guided at the outlet of the vent 10 without the use of moving parts (such as blades). This reduces unwanted noise and improves the wear resistance of the device.

[0060] The similar angles between the outlet section 14, the central element 16, and the deflector 18 minimize turbulence at the vent outlet.

Claims

1. A vent (10), comprising: - Ventilation duct (12), which extends along the main axis (20) and is defined by a first axisymmetric inner surface (22); - The outlet portion (14) is defined by a second inner surface (30), which is arranged along the main axis and is continuous with the first inner surface (22) of the pipe; - A central element (16), said central element being arranged in the pipe along said main axis; and - A plurality of longitudinal walls (17, 117, 217) are arranged in the pipe parallel to the main axis; each longitudinal wall extends radially between the central element (16) and the first inner surface (22) of the pipe; The central element and the longitudinal wall are fixed relative to the pipe; The vent hole is characterized in that the second inner surface (30) has a lateral dimension (24, 34) that decreases from the first inner surface (22) of the pipe.

2. The vent according to claim 1, wherein the second inner surface (30) of the outlet portion forms a first angle (α) between 30° and 60° with the main axis (20), the first angle (α) preferably being close to 45°.

3. The vent according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the central element comprises a first outer surface (36) and a second outer surface (38) adjacent to the main axis; a joint (40) between the first outer surface and the second outer surface, the joint having a maximum lateral dimension (42) of the central element perpendicular to the main axis; each of the first outer surface and the second outer surface exhibiting a lateral dimension decreasing from the joint.

4. The vent according to claim 3, wherein the first outer surface of the central element is oriented toward the outlet portion and has a truncated conical shape, and the first outer surface forms a second angle (β) with the main axis between 30° and 60°.

5. The vent according to claim 4 in conjunction with claim 2, wherein the first angle (α) and the second angle (β) are substantially equal.

6. The vent according to any one of the preceding claims further includes a deflector disposed in the outlet portion, the deflector comprising an annular wall disposed around the main axis, the annular wall having a truncated conical shape and forming a fourth angle (θ) with the main axis between 30° and 60°.

7. The vent according to claim 6 in conjunction with claim 2, wherein the first (α) and the fourth (θ) angles are substantially equal.

8. The vent according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of longitudinal walls (17, 117, 217) define a plurality of different channels (46, 146).

9. The vent according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein: -The outlet portion (14) includes an open downstream end (32) that defines the outlet of the vent. - The vent includes: a first free-jet region (64), defined as a protrusion comprising a first annular volume between the central element (16) and the deflector (18); and / or a second free-jet region, defined as a protrusion comprising a second annular volume between the deflector (18) and the downstream end (32) of the outlet portion; and - The vent is configured such that the sum of the first free jet region (64) and the second free jet region is less than or equal to 5% of the area defined by the downstream end (32) of the outlet region (14).

10. A ventilation assembly, comprising: Ventilation hole (10) as described in claim 8 or 9; And at least one component (66, 166) for supplying air to each channel, the at least one supply component being arranged in the vent (10) or in a pipe that guides air into the vent.

Images