Vent assembly

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an easy-to-handle vent assembly (200) that includes a main blade (208) rotatably coupled to a housing (202). The main blade (208) includes an upper blade member (302) coupled to a lower blade member (304) by an intermediate blade member (306) forming a gap (308) between the upper blade member (302) and the lower blade member (304). The intermediate blade member (306) includes a slot (310) extending in a lateral direction. The assembly (200) includes a knob assembly (210) for actuating the main blade (208). The knob assembly (210) includes an operating member and an engagement member rearward from the operating member, and is coupled to the main blade (208) by passing the engagement member through the slot (310). The engagement member includes a protrusion engageable with a rear surface of an intermediate blade member (306).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of air vents for vehicles. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an air vent assembly which is highly durable and easy to operate and is configured to provide multi-directional air flow within the vehicle interior. BACKGROUND

[0002] The background description includes information that can be useful in understanding the present application. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or related to an application of the present application. It will further be understood that any such references used herein do not indicate admission that any of the information form part of the common general knowledge of those working in the field.

[0003] Generally, air vent assemblies for vehicles are air discharge devices of air conditioning systems such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems for maintaining the temperature of the vehicle interior appropriately. While using the air conditioning system, warm or cool air is discharged through the air vent assembly and since the air vent assembly is exposed inside the vehicle cabin, it becomes very important for the air vent assembly in terms of design, operability and convenience.

[0004] The air vent assemblies are also used to control the direction of flow of air within the vehicle interior. These types of air vent assemblies are well known in the industry and are generally found to be mounted around an axis fixed to the dashboard, roof, rear side of the front seats and other interior surfaces of the vehicle.

[0005] The existing air vents include a knob configured to be manually rotated or moved by the occupant to control the air flow within the vehicle interior. Such knobs are generally located in the vicinity of a fixed shutter member mounted at the center of the air vent. Fig. 1 illustrates a conventional air vent assembly 100 having a knob 102 attached to a vane 104. The knob 102 enables the vehicle occupant to control the air flow through the air conditioning system of the vehicle by appropriately changing the orientation of the vane 104. The air vent assembly 100 further includes a fixed shutter member 106 positioned in the vicinity of the vane 104. The fixed shutter member 106 is generally chrome plated and mounted at the front portion of the air vent assembly 100. The fixed shutter member 106 extends in the lateral direction, i.e. the vehicle width direction to support the front portion of the air vent assembly 100. Further, the fixed shutter member 106 present at the center of the air vent assembly 100 can make it difficult for the occupant to operate the knob 102 in a reliable manner. The knob 102 is also prone to fail to control the air flow when subjected to different load conditions exerted on it by the operator.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks and provide a simple, easy to operate and assemble, improved air vent assembly for vehicles for providing multi-directional air flow within the vehicle interior. Further, there is a need to improve the reliability and operability of the process of controlling the air flow within the vehicle interior.

[0007] Objects of the present disclosure

[0008] Some of the objects of the present disclosure met by at least one of the embodiments herein are listed below.

[0009] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved vent assembly for a vehicle to provide multi-directional airflow within the vehicle interior. Summary of the invention

[0010] The present disclosure relates to the field of vents for vehicles. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a vent assembly for a vehicle which is easy to assemble and operate and is configured to provide multi-directional airflow within the vehicle interior.

[0011] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a vent assembly comprising a housing in which a passageway having an air inlet and an air outlet is formed. The assembly comprises a main vane rotatably coupled to the housing, the main vane having an upper vane member coupled to a lower vane member by an intermediate vane member, a gap being formed between the upper and lower vane members. The intermediate vane member comprises a slot extending in a lateral direction of the intermediate vane member. The assembly further comprises a knob assembly for actuating the main vane. The knob assembly comprises an operating member and at least one engagement member rearward of the operating member. The knob assembly is coupled to the main vane by passing the at least one engagement member through the slot. The at least one engagement member comprises a protrusion engageable with a rear surface of the intermediate vane member.

[0012] In an embodiment, the assembly comprises a knob carrier assembly disposed in the housing. The knob assembly comprises one or more fixation members disposed substantially parallel to the at least one engagement member. The fixation members are coupled to the knob carrier assembly.

[0013] In an embodiment, the operating member has a curved profile extending away from the one or more fixation members.

[0014] In an embodiment, the intermediate vane member comprises a raised member on a rear surface thereof, the raised member being positioned in contact with an elastomeric pad attached to the knob carrier assembly.

[0015] In an embodiment, the protrusion engages with the rear surface of the intermediate vane member to prevent disengagement of the knob assembly from at least a portion of the main vane upon application of a load to the operating member.

[0016] In an embodiment, the intermediate vane member is disposed substantially perpendicular to the upper vane member.

[0017] In an embodiment, the main vane is connected to one or more horizontal vanes to control the direction of air flow from the vent assembly into the vehicle interior in a vertical direction when the operating member is actuated in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the main vane. The knob assembly is connected to one or more vertical vanes to control the direction of air flow from the vent assembly into the vehicle interior in a horizontal direction when the operating member is actuated in a longitudinal direction of the main vane.

[0018] In an embodiment, the at least one engagement member is configured to slide in the slot by sliding the operating member in the longitudinal direction of the main vane to control the air flow in a horizontal direction from the air outlet.

[0019] In an embodiment, the assembly includes a baffle disposed on the housing and positioned downstream of the distal end of the vane member in the direction of air flow, wherein the vane member and the baffle face each other.

[0020] In an embodiment, the upper vane member, the middle vane member, and the lower vane member are integral with each other to form the main vane. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. The drawings are only for illustrative purposes and are not a limitation on the present disclosure.

[0022] In the drawings, like components and / or features can have the same reference label. Also, various components of the same kind can be distinguished by following the convention: the first digit or the first combination of digits of a reference numeral denotes the structure of the embodiment, the second digit or second combination of digits denotes the component in the structure, and the third digit or combination of digits denotes a specific instance of the component. The components of the drawing figures can be illus¬trated not to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. The components and / or features of the present disclosure can be any suitable components and / or features known in the art, without limitation.

[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional vent assembly for a vehicle according to the prior art;

[0024] Figure 2A and 2B illustrates an exemplary view of the proposed vent assembly according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0025] Figures 3A-3C illustrates an exemplary view of the main vane of the vent assembly according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0026] Figure 4A and 4B illustrates an exemplary view of the knob carrier assembly of the vent assembly according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0027] Figure 5 FIG. 6 illustrates an example perspective view of a knob assembly coupled to a main vane and a knob carrier assembly, according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0028] Figures 6A-6D FIG. 6 illustrates an example perspective view of a knob assembly coupled to a main vane and a knob carrier assembly, according to an embodiment of the present utility model; DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the present disclosure depicted in the drawings. The embodiments are described in sufficient detail to convey the teachings of the present disclosure. The amount of detail provided is not intended to limit the intended scope of the embodiments; rather, it is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0030] The present disclosure relates to the field of vents for vehicles. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a vent assembly that is highly durable and easy to operate, and is configured to provide multi-directional air flow within a car interior. The vent assembly improves the reliability and operability of the process of controlling air flow within a car interior.

[0031] Figure 2A and 2B An example view of a vent assembly 200 is shown. The vent assembly 200 can be mounted about an axis fastened to an instrument panel, a roof, a rear side of a front seat, and other interior surfaces of a vehicle. Figure 2A A vent assembly 200 is shown mounted on an instrument panel of a vehicle. The vent assembly 200 includes a housing 202 in which a passageway having an air inlet and an air outlet is formed. The air inlet is connected to a duct or air outlet of an air conditioning system of the vehicle, such as a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, which is configured to provide warm or cool air to an interior of the vehicle to maintain a temperature within the vehicle interior. The vent assembly 200 can include one or more horizontal vanes 204 and one or more vertical vanes 206 mounted at the air outlet. Each horizontal vane 204 and vertical vane 206 can be pivotally connected to the housing 202 to adjust the vertical direction of air flow of the warm or cool air passing through the air outlet in both horizontal and vertical directions within the vehicle interior.

[0032] The vent assembly 200 further includes a main vane 208 coupled to the horizontal vane 204. The main vane 208 is connected to the horizontal vane 204 to control air flow in the vertical direction from the air outlet such that actuation of the main vane 208 changes the orientation of the horizontal vane 204 to regulate air flow in the vertical direction within the vehicle interior. The vent assembly 200 includes a knob assembly 210 adapted to control actuation of the main vane 208 and a knob carrier assembly 212 mounted in the housing 202. The knob assembly 210 is coupled to the knob carrier assembly 212 with the main vane 208 disposed therebetween. The vent assembly 200 can further include a baffle 214 positioned proximate the main vane 208. The baffle 214 can be disposed on the housing and positioned downstream of a distal end of the main vane 208 in the direction of air flow with the main vane 208 and the baffle 214 facing one another. The baffle 214 also distributes air flow from the air outlet into the first and second air flow channels. The baffle 214 can be mounted at a front portion of the vent assembly 200 and can be chrome plated to improve the aesthetics of the vent assembly 200. The baffle 214 can extend in a transverse / lateral direction, i.e., a vehicle width direction, to support the front portion of the vent assembly 100.

[0033] Figure 3A and 3B respectively show a front view and a perspective view of the main vane 208. Figure 3C A cross-sectional view of the main vane 208 is shown. The main vane 208 is pivotably coupled to the housing 202 to enable the main vane 208 to pivotally rotate relative to the housing 202. The main vane 208 includes an upper vane member 302 coupled to a lower vane member 304 by an intermediate vane member 306 forming a gap 308 between the upper vane member 302 and the lower vane member 304. The intermediate vane member 306 includes a slot 310 extending in a lateral direction of the intermediate vane member 306. The slot 310 can extend at least partially in the lateral direction and can be positioned in a recessed portion of the intermediate vane member 306. The upper vane member 302, the intermediate vane member 306, and the lower vane member 304 can be integral with one another to form the main vane 208.

[0034] The main vane 208 is rotatably coupled with the housing 202 by way of a pin 310 disposed at a lateral end thereof. The pin 310 is adapted to tightly fit with a corresponding hole disposed in the housing 202. In the lateral direction, the length of the upper vane member 302 is greater than the length of the lower vane member 304. In a direction perpendicular to the lateral direction, the length of the upper vane member 302 can be greater than the length of the lower vane member 304 such that the upper vane member 302 completely covers the lower vane member 304 when viewed from above. The intermediate vane member 306 can be substantially perpendicular to the lower vane member 304 to form an L-shaped arm of the main vane 208. The intermediate vane member 306 can include a raised member 312 positioned above (over) the slot 310 on a rear surface thereof.

[0035] Figure 4A and 4B respectively. Knob carrier assembly 212 can be positioned in housing 202 and can include a recessed portion 402 for receiving a raised member 312 of main vane 208. Main vane 208 can be mounted into recessed portion 402 such that raised member 312 is in contact with an elastomeric pad (clearly shown in Figure 6C ) disposed in recessed portion 402. Knob carrier assembly 212 can also include one or more slots 404 adapted to receive securing members (clearly shown in Figure 5 ) of knob assembly 210. Each slot 404 can include one or more flanges for easily fitting the securing members by a snap fit arrangement.

[0036] Reference is now made to Figure 5 , where a perspective view of knob assembly 210 is shown. Knob assembly 210 enables an occupant of a vehicle to manually actuate main vane 208 by sliding main vane 208 in a lateral direction or pivotally rotating main vane 208 in a vertical direction, thereby easily and reliably controlling the flow of warm or cool air through the air outlet of housing 202. Knob assembly 210 includes an operating member 502 and at least one engagement member 504 positioned rearward from operating member 502. Knob assembly 210 is coupled to main vane 208 by passing engagement member 504 through slot 310 formed in intermediate vane member 306. Main vane 208 can be connected to horizontal vane 204 to control the flow of air in a vertical direction from the air outlet when operating member 502 is actuated in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of main vane 208. Knob assembly 210 can also be connected to one or more vertical vanes 206 to control the flow of air in a horizontal direction from the air outlet when operating member 502 is actuated in the longitudinal direction of main vane 208.

[0037] Engagement member 504 is configured to slide in slot 310 by sliding operating member 502 in the longitudinal direction of main vane 208 to control the flow of air in a horizontal direction from the air outlet. Engagement member 504 includes a protrusion 506 that can engage a rear surface of intermediate vane member 306 when passing through slot 310. Protrusion 506 engages the rear surface of intermediate vane member 306 to prevent at least partial disengagement of knob assembly 210 from main vane 208 when a load is applied to operating member 502.

[0038] The knob assembly 210 further comprises one or more securing members 508 disposed substantially parallel to the engaging members 504. The operating member 502 has a curved profile that extends away from the one or more securing members 508. The curved profile of the operating member 502 can be crescent or semi-circular. The curved profile of the operating member 502 enables the occupant of the vehicle to easily and comfortably operate the knob assembly 502 to actuate the main vane 208 even in the presence of the shutter 214 at the front of the vent assembly 200.

[0039] The knob assembly 210 can be coupled to the knob bracket assembly 212 by passing the securing members 508 through the slots 404 of the knob bracket assembly 212. The one or more securing members 508 can comprise a snap member 506 adapted to engage with a flange present in the slots 404 of the knob bracket assembly 212. The snap member 506 can be in the form of a hook, a clasp or a protrusion adapted to fixedly couple the knob assembly 210 to the knob bracket assembly 212. The engaging members 504 and the region housing the securing members 508 can form a C-shaped structure.

[0040] Figure 6A and 6B respectively show a front view and a perspective view of the knob assembly 210 coupled to the main vane 208 and the knob bracket assembly 212 respectively. Figure 6C shows Figure 6B an exploded view of the configuration shown. Figure 6D shows Figure 6B Figure 6B a cross-sectional view of the configuration shown in FIG. 4. The vent assembly 200 is formed by placing the knob bracket assembly 212 underneath the main vane 208 and then clamping the securing members 508 of the knob assembly 210 through the slots 308 of the knob bracket assembly 212. As shown, the knob assembly 210 is coupled to the main vane 208 by passing at least one engaging member 504 through the gap 308 and the slot 310 of the main vane 208 such that the protrusion 506 is located at the rear surface of the intermediate vane member 306. This configuration improves the stability of the knob assembly 210. Thereafter, the elastomeric pad 602 and the knob bracket assembly 212 are mounted with the main vane 208 from the rear side of the main vane 208 such that the raised member 312 is in contact with the elastomeric pad 602. This further improves the stability of the knob assembly 210 during rotation. The knob assembly 210 enables the occupant of the vehicle to easily and conveniently actuate the main vane 208 even in the presence of the shutter 214 at the front of the vent assembly 200.

[0041] In an embodiment, the protrusion 506 engages with the rear surface of the intermediate vane member 306 when the knob assembly 210 is in a loaded state, i.e. when a load is applied to the operating member 502 by an occupant of the vehicle in a vertically downward direction, to prevent the knob assembly 210 from at least partially disengaging from the main vane 208 when a load is applied thereto, while allowing the knob assembly 210 and the main vane 208 to rotate in the vertical direction. Thus, in the loaded state, the knob assembly 210 can be easily operated to change the orientation of the horizontal vane 204 to control the airflow in the vertical direction within the interior of the vehicle. When the knob assembly 210 is not in the loaded state, the main vane 208 can be freely slid in the lateral direction to change the orientation of the vertical vane 206 to control the airflow in the horizontal direction within the interior of the vehicle. This ensures normal operation of the vent assembly 200 while improving its stability and durability.

[0042] While various embodiments of the present application have been described above, other and further embodiments can be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the present application is determined by the appended claims. The present application is not limited to the embodiments, versions or examples described herein, which are included merely for illustrative purposes. The application extends to other embodiments and uses, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and figures.

[0043] Advantages of the present application

[0044] The proposed application provides an improved vent assembly for a vehicle that is simple, easy to operate and assemble to provide multi-directional airflow within the interior of the vehicle.

[0045] The proposed application improves the reliability and operability of the process of controlling airflow within the interior of the vehicle.

[0046] The proposed application provides a highly durable and cost-effective vent assembly for a vehicle.

[0047] The proposed application provides a vent assembly that enables an operator to efficiently control the airflow within the interior of the vehicle even in the presence of a fixed baffle member immediately adjacent to its knob.

[0048] The proposed application provides an aesthetically pleasing vent assembly for a vehicle.

[0049] The proposed application provides a vent assembly that can be conveniently retrofitted into an existing vehicle.

Claims

1. A vent assembly (200), characterized by, Comprising: a housing (202) in which a passageway is formed having an air inlet and an air outlet; a main vane (208) rotatably coupled to the housing (202), the main vane (208) comprising an upper vane member (302) coupled to a lower vane member (304) by an intermediate vane member (306), a gap (308) being formed between the upper vane member (302) and the lower vane member (304), the intermediate vane member (306) comprising a slot (310) extending in a lateral direction of the intermediate vane member (306); and a knob assembly (210) for actuating the main vane (208), the knob assembly (210) comprising an operating member (502) and at least one engagement member (504) rearward of the operating member (502), wherein the knob assembly (210) is coupled to the main vane (208) by the at least one engagement member (504) passing through the slot (310), and the at least one engagement member (504) comprises a protrusion (506) engageable with a rear surface of the intermediate vane member (306).

2. The vent assembly (200) of claim 1, wherein, Further comprising a knob carrier assembly (212) disposed in the housing (202), wherein the knob assembly (210) comprises one or more fixation members (508) disposed substantially parallel to the at least one engagement member (504), the one or more fixation members (508) being coupled to the knob carrier assembly (212).

3. The vent assembly (200) of claim 2, wherein, The operating member (502) has a curved profile extending away from the one or more fixation members (508).

4. The vent assembly (200) of claim 2, wherein, The intermediate vane member (306) comprises a raised member (312) on a rear surface thereof, the raised member (312) being positioned in contact with an elastomeric pad (602) attached to the knob carrier assembly (212).

5. The vent assembly (200) of claim 1, wherein, The protrusion (506) engages with the rear surface of the intermediate vane member (306) to prevent disengagement of the knob assembly (210) from at least a portion of the main vane (208) upon application of a load to the operating member (502).

6. The vent assembly (200) of claim 1, wherein, The intermediate vane member (306) is disposed substantially perpendicular to the upper vane member (302).

7. The vent assembly (200) of claim 1, wherein, The main vane (208) is connected to one or more horizontal vanes (204) to control a direction of air flow from the vent assembly (200) into a vehicle interior in a vertical direction upon actuation of the operating member (502) in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the main vane (208), wherein the knob assembly (210) is connected to one or more vertical vanes (206) to control air flow from the vent assembly (200) into the vehicle interior in a horizontal direction upon actuation of the operating member (502) in a longitudinal direction of the main vane (208).

8. The vent assembly (200) of claim 7, wherein, The at least one engagement member (504) is configured to slide in the slot (310) by sliding the operation member (502) along the longitudinal direction of the main vane (208) to control the air flow in the horizontal direction from the air outlet.

9. The vent assembly (200) of claim 1, wherein, A baffle (214) is also included, which is disposed on the housing and positioned downstream of the distal end of the main vane (208) in the air flow direction, wherein the main vane (208) and the baffle (214) face each other.

10. The vent assembly (200) of claim 1, wherein, The upper vane member (302), the middle vane member (306), and the lower vane member (304) are integrated with each other to form the main vane (208).

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