Air vents for a vehicle

Abstract

Air outlet (10) for a vehicle, comprising a frame (20) and several lamellar, annular air guide elements (12) covering an opening (22) of the frame (20), which are movable between a closed end position and an open end position, wherein at least two guide brackets (31, 32) arranged parallel to each other, between which the air guide elements (12) are rotatably guided, are rotatably mounted, wherein the air guide elements (12) divide the opening (22) into partial openings (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) and an effective cross-section of the partial openings (22.1, 22.2, 22.3)3) is adjustable by pivoting the guide brackets (31, 32), wherein at least two parallel support brackets (35, 36), between which the air guide elements (12) are rotatably guided, are spaced apart from the guide brackets (31, 32) and define an orientation of the air guide elements (12) in the open end position, wherein the guide brackets (31, 32) define and maintain constant the orientation of the air guide elements (12) and thereby a flow direction of the outgoing airflow (40), while the effective cross-section of the partial openings (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) is continuously enlargeable, wherein the guide brackets (31, 32) have a minimum angle of inclination to the frame (20) in the closed end position and a maximum angle of inclination to the frame (20) in the open end position, and wherein the air guide elements (12) are nested within each other in the closed end position and in are fanned out in the open end position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an air outlet for a vehicle.

[0002] Vehicle air outlets are known in numerous variations and comprise a frame and several lamellar air guide elements that cover an opening in the frame. The air guide elements are movable between a closed and an open end position.

[0003] From CN 103 383 136 A, a manually adjustable exhaust outlet for a vehicle is known, comprising a drive rotary piece, a first driven rotary piece, a second driven rotary piece, a connecting rod, a clamping piece, a sleeve, and a base. The drive rotary piece is an oval component. The first driven rotary piece and the second driven rotary piece are arc-shaped components. The connecting rod is an elongated structural element with a slot in the middle. The clamping piece is a component with an arc-shaped outer section. An upper edge of the sleeve projects forward. An arc bayonet and a clamping connection structure are arranged in a corresponding position on a wall of the sleeve. The drive rotary piece, the first driven rotary piece, and the second driven rotary piece are movably connected via the connecting rod and are embedded on the sleeve via a positioning bead and finally fixed and positioned by the clamping piece.The sleeve is movably clamped to the base, allowing the sleeve to rotate on the base.

[0004] A multi-blade louver device, pivotally mounted on a housing, is known from GB 2 415 775 A. Each louver has a cylindrical shaft section and a polygonal head section located at one end of the cylindrical shaft section. Connecting elements with multiple polygonal holes for receiving each polygonal head section are also known. Each head section is arranged so that it passes through each hole only at predetermined positions and is held in place at positions other than those predetermined. Each head section can be triangular, square, pentagonal, or hexagonal, with each hole having a corresponding shape. The connecting elements move each louver simultaneously and can also be connected to a control wheel or flap to control airflow and airflow direction.

[0005] From DE 103 50 571 B3, a ventilation nozzle that can be closed with louvers is known. In this device, a louver curtain formed from louvers connected to one another by a coupling element and pivotable simultaneously and in the same direction is rotatably mounted and designed such that the louver curtain can be rotated and the louvers pivotable by means of an attached electric drive.

[0006] From DE 199 35 338 A1, an air outlet with pivotably arranged louvers is known, which comprise outer louvers and which are coupled to each other by means of a coupling device in such a way that the louvers can be pivoted simultaneously when the coupling device is actuated.

[0007] From US 2004 / 0 002 298 A1, an air outlet for a vehicle is known, comprising two guide brackets arranged parallel to each other, which are rotatably mounted and between which the air guide elements are rotatably guided, wherein the air guide elements divide the opening into partial openings and an effective cross-section can be adjusted by pivoting the guide brackets.

[0008] From DE 102 19 053 A1, a ventilation device, particularly for vehicle interiors, is known, comprising an air supply duct and an outlet area for ventilating the interior. In the outlet area, a first and a second component are provided, which can be moved into different displacement states relative to each other. To create airflows into the interior with different outlet angles, different closing surfaces of the first and second components are in contact with each other in the different displacement states.

[0009] From DE 197 28 305 C2 a lamellar system for regulating an airflow for ventilations in vehicles is known, which has several movement-coupled lamellars which are movably mounted by actuating a preferably manual actuating element to open and close the air duct.

[0010] The invention is based on the objective of providing an air outlet for a vehicle which blends harmoniously into its installation environment and allows for a variation of the effective opening cross-section.

[0011] According to the invention, the problem is solved by providing an air outlet for a vehicle with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0012] In order to provide an air outlet for a vehicle that blends harmoniously into its surroundings and allows for variation of the effective opening cross-section, at least two guide brackets arranged parallel to each other, between which air guide elements are rotatably guided, are rotatably mounted, the air guide elements dividing the opening into partial openings and the effective cross-section of the partial openings being adjustable by pivoting the guide brackets.

[0013] In this arrangement, at least two parallel support brackets, between which the air guide elements are rotatably guided, are spaced apart from the guide brackets and define the orientation of the air guide elements in the open end position. Advantageously, the support brackets can be positively guided by their connection to the air guide elements and indirectly driven via the drive mechanism of the guide brackets. The support brackets can advantageously brace the air guide elements and thereby improve their stability. Furthermore, the guide brackets define the orientation of the air guide elements and thus the direction of flow of the outgoing airflow, maintaining this direction constantly, while the effective cross-section of the partial openings can be continuously increased. Analogous to the guide brackets, the support brackets can, for example, be rotatably mounted on a wall of the air duct or on the frame.Furthermore, the guide brackets exhibit a minimal angle relative to the frame in the closed end position and a maximum angle relative to the frame in the open end position, with the air guide elements being nested within each other in the closed end position and fanned out in the open end position. Advantageously, an occupant can easily recognize the activated operating state of the outlet according to the invention by the angle of the guide brackets and the fanned-out air guide elements. The occupant can also recognize the deactivated operating state by the minimal angle of the guide elements and the nested guide elements. In the activated operating state, a temperature-controlled airflow can enter the vehicle interior through the partial openings. In the deactivated operating state, the nested air guide elements can cover the opening in the frame and prevent the airflow from escaping.

[0014] In the following, an air outlet is defined as a component assembly consisting of a frame and several lamellar, ring-shaped air guide elements covering the frame's opening. These lamellar air guide elements are movable between a closed and an open position. The air outlet can be mounted on the top of an instrument panel and, when open, directs a temperature-controlled airflow into the vehicle interior. The guide brackets can be rotatably mounted, for example, on a wall of the air duct or on the frame.

[0015] Advantageously, the entire effective cross-section of the opening covered by the air guide elements can be adjusted by setting the effective cross-sections of the partial openings. Furthermore, the position and orientation of the air guide elements can be easily changed by pivoting the guide brackets.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment of the air outlet according to the invention, rotary joints can movably guide the air guide elements on the guide brackets. The rotary joints can be implemented by means of receptacles in the guide brackets, into which a fastening element of the air guide element, designed as a pin, is inserted. The fastening elements can be connected to the air guide elements or integrally formed with them.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment of the exhaust vent according to the invention, the surfaces of the air guide elements facing the vehicle interior can form a flat surface in the closed end position.

[0018] The flat surface allows for a harmonious overall appearance of the instrument panel with the air outlet according to the invention.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment of the air outlet according to the invention, the guide brackets can each have a first end region and a second end region, wherein the second end region is rotatably mounted on the frame, and the air guide elements are arranged spaced apart from one another between the first end region and the second end region. Here, the air guide elements can have planar areas, each of which directs an airflow, the extent or dimensions of the individual air guide elements depending on the position of the respective air guide element on the guide brackets. Advantageously, the air guide elements can have smooth upper surfaces and / or smooth and flat lower surfaces as air guide surfaces, which can advantageously make it more difficult for turbulence to form in the airflow. The arrangement of the air guide elements and their different extent or dimensions further contribute to the efficient distribution of the airflow.Dimensions can facilitate the nesting of the air guide elements in the closed end position and the fanning out of the air guide elements in an open position.

[0020] In a further advantageous embodiment of the air outlet according to the invention, the smallest air guide element can have the greatest distance to the second end region, and the largest air guide element can have the smallest distance to the second end region. The air guide elements between the smallest and largest air guide elements can also have graduated extensions or dimensions adapted to each other. In the open end position, the guide brackets can form an angle between 80° and 100° with respect to the frame or the surface of the instrument panel, with the air guide elements fanning out to form a pyramidal or conical shape. The partial openings can be formed between the upper and lower surfaces of adjacent air guide elements. In the closed end position, the guide brackets can run almost parallel to the frame or the surface of the instrument panel.

[0021] In a further advantageous embodiment of the diffuser according to the invention, the smallest air guide element can be designed to cover a full surface. The shape of the smallest air guide element can be circular, rectangular, or rectangular with rounded edges.

[0022] In a further advantageous embodiment of the air outlet according to the invention, apart from the smallest air guide element, each of the air guide elements can have an opening which can be at least partially covered by an adjacent air guide element in the closed end position and at least partially uncovered in the open end position. The size of the openings can increase in line with the dimensions of the air guide elements. Advantageously, the airflow can flow upwards through the openings of the air guide elements and be directed towards the vehicle interior via the flat upper or lower surfaces of the air guide elements.

[0023] In a further advantageous embodiment of the air outlet according to the invention, the air guide elements can each have a receptacle on their underside in which the pivot joint of the air guide element arranged below is received in the closed end position. Advantageously, complete closure of the openings can be facilitated by arranging the pivot joints in a corresponding receptacle.

[0024] In a further advantageous embodiment of the diffuser according to the invention, a drive can move the guide brackets. The drive allows the guide brackets to be raised or lowered easily and automatically.

[0025] An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing and is explained in more detail in the following description. In the drawing, identical reference numerals denote components or elements that perform the same or analogous functions. Here, the following is shown: Fig. 1 A schematic perspective partial sectional view of an instrument panel with an embodiment of an air outlet according to the invention for a vehicle in an open end position, Fig. 2 a perspective view of the essential components of the inventive diffuser made of Fig. 1 in the open end position, and Fig. 3 a schematic perspective partial sectional view of the outflow according to the invention made of Fig. 1 in a closed end position.

[0026] As from Fig. As can be seen in Figures 1 to 3, an air outlet 10 for a vehicle has a frame 20 and several lamellar, ring-shaped air guide elements 12 covering an opening 22 of the frame 20. The air guide elements 12 are movable between a closed end position and an open end position.

[0027] In this arrangement, at least two guide brackets 31, 32 arranged parallel to each other, between which the air guide elements 12 are rotatably guided, are rotatably mounted, wherein the air guide elements 12 divide the opening 22 into partial openings 22.1, 22.2, 22.3 and an effective cross-section of the partial openings 22.1, 22.2, 22.3 can be adjusted by pivoting the guide brackets 31, 32.

[0028] As from Fig. 1 and Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 2, the outlet 10 according to the invention is arranged at an end region of an air duct 2 and the guide brackets 31, 32 are rotatably mounted on a wall of the air duct 2. In an alternative embodiment not shown, the guide brackets 31, 32 can be rotatably mounted on the frame 20.

[0029] As from Fig. 1 and Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 2, swivel joints 34 movably guide the air guide elements 12 on the guide brackets 31, 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the swivel joints 34 are implemented by receptacles in the guide brackets 31, 32 and by fastening elements designed as pins. In this embodiment, the fastening elements are integrally formed on the air guide elements 12, which are manufactured as injection-molded plastic parts, and are rotatably received by a corresponding receptacle. Alternatively, the fastening elements can be manufactured separately and connected to the air guide elements 12.

[0030] As from Fig. As can be seen in Figures 1 to 3, the guide brackets 31, 32 have a minimum angle of inclination relative to the frame 20 or the surface of the instrument panel in the closed end position and a maximum angle of inclination relative to the frame 20 or the surface of the instrument panel in the open end position. The air guide elements 12 are nested within each other in the closed end position and fanned out in the open end position. When the guide brackets 31, 32 are pivoted from the closed end position to the open end position, a first air guide element 12.1 detaches from a second air guide element 12.2, creating a first partial opening 22.1 between the two air guide elements 12.1, 12.2. If the angle of inclination is increased further, the second air guide element 12.2 detaches from a third air guide element 12.3, creating a second partial opening 22.2 between the two air guide elements 12.2, 12.3.As the opening angle is further increased, the third air guide element 12.3 detaches from the frame 20 or a corresponding frame surface 21, revealing a third partial opening 22.3. In the open end position, the guide brackets 31, 32 have an opening angle of between 80° and 100° relative to the frame 20 or the surface of the instrument panel.

[0031] As from Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 3, the surfaces 14.1, 14.2, 14.3 of the air guide elements 12 facing the vehicle interior form a flat surface 14 in the closed end position. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 20 is arranged flush with the surface of an instrument panel, so that in the closed end position a smooth, inconspicuous transition is created between the instrument panel, the frame 20 and the air guide elements 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.

[0032] As from Fig. 1 and Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 2, the guide brackets 31, 32 each have a first end section 31.1, 32.1 and a second end section 31.2, 32.2, which is rotatably mounted. In the open end position, the first end section 31.1, 32.1 of the respective erected guide bracket 31, 32 is located at the top, while the second end section 31.2, 32.2 of the respective erected guide bracket 31, 32 is located at the bottom. The air guide elements 12, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 are spaced apart from each other between the first end section 31.1, 32.1 and the second end section 31.2, 32.2. In the illustrated embodiment, a connecting element 38 is attached to the second end region 31.2, 32.2 of the guide bracket 31, 32, which connects a first guide bracket 31 with a second guide bracket 32 ​​and thereby improves the stability of the guide brackets 31, 32.

[0033] A drive (not shown in detail) powers the guide brackets 31 and 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the second guide bracket 32 ​​is driven in the area of ​​the rotatable bearing. The force of the drive is also transmitted to the first guide bracket 31 via the connecting element 38.

[0034] As from Fig. 1 and Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 2, two parallel support brackets 35, 36, between which the air guide elements 12 are rotatably guided, are arranged at a distance from the guide brackets 31, 32 and define an orientation of the air guide elements 12, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 in the open end position. Since the support brackets 35, 36 are connected to the air guide elements 12, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 and the air guide elements 12, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 are connected to the guide brackets 31, 32, the support brackets 35, 36 are positively guided and indirectly driven by the drive.

[0035] As from Fig. As can be seen in Figures 1 to 3, the air guide elements 12, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 have planar areas that guide an airflow 40, the extents or dimensions of the individual air guide elements 12, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 depending on the position of the respective air guide element 12, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 on the guide brackets 31, 32. The first air guide element 12.1 is the smallest air guide element 12.1, which has the greatest distance to the second end areas 31.2, 32.2 of the guide brackets 31, 32. The third air guide element 12.3 is designed as the largest air guide element 12, 12.3, which has the smallest distance to the second end regions 31.2, 32.2 of the guide brackets 31, 32. The second air guide element 12.2 has a medium size and is arranged between the first air guide element 12, 12.1 and the third air guide element 12.3.In an alternative embodiment of the air outlet 10 according to the invention (not shown), the air outlet 10 can have further air guide elements 12, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, which have a mutually adapted and graduated size. In the open end position, the first air guide element 12.1 arranged at the top, together with the second air guide element 12.2 arranged centrally and the air guide element 12.3 arranged at the bottom, form a cone or a pyramid, depending on the geometry of the air guide elements 12, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3. In the illustrated embodiment, the air guide elements 12, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 are rectangular with rounded corners. It is also possible to make the air guide elements 12, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 round or ellipsoidal, or rectangular without rounded corners.

[0036] As from Fig. As can be seen in Figures 1 to 3, the smallest air guide element 12, 12.1 is fully oriented. Apart from the smallest air guide element 12.1, the air guide elements 12.2, 12.3 each have an opening which, in the closed end position, can be at least partially covered by an adjacent air guide element 12.1, 12.2, and in the open end position, can be at least partially uncovered. The size of the openings increases from top to bottom, as does the size of the air guide elements 12, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3. The opening of the second air guide element 12.2 is covered by the first air guide element 12.1. The opening of the third air guide element 12.3 is covered by the first air guide element 12.1 and the second air guide element 12.2. The opening 22 of the frame 20 is covered by the first air guide element 12.1, the second air guide element 12.2 and the third air guide element 12.3.

[0037] As from Fig.As can be seen further in Figure 2, the air guide elements 12, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 each have at least one receptacle 12.4, 12.6 on their underside, in which pivot joints 34 of the air guide element 12, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 arranged below are received in the closed end position. A first receptacle 12.4 receives one of the pivot joints 34 that connects the air guide element 12, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 to the guide brackets 31, 32. A second receptacle 12.6 receives one of the pivot joints that connects the air guide element 12, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 to the support brackets 35, 36. The pivot joints 34 can be inserted into the receptacles while the guide brackets 31, 32 are lowered. REFERENCE MARK LIST 2 air duct 10 air vents 12 air guide elements 12.1 smallest air guide element 12.2 middle air guide element 12.3 largest air guide element 12.4 first recording 12.6 second recording 14 flat surface in the closed end position 14.1, 14.2, 14.3 Surface of an air guide element 20 frames 21 Surface of the frame 22 Opening 22.1, 22.2, 22.3 Partial openings 31, 32 Guide bar 31.1, 32.1 first end area 31.2, 32.2 second end area 34 Swivel joint 35, 36 Support brackets 38 Connecting element 40 airflow

Claims

[1] Air outlet (10) for a vehicle, comprising a frame (20) and several lamellar annular air guide elements (12) covering an opening (22) of the frame (20), which are movable between a closed end position and an open end position, wherein at least two guide brackets (31, 32) arranged parallel to each other, between which the air guide elements (12) are rotatably guided, are rotatably mounted, wherein the air guide elements (12) divide the opening (22) into partial openings (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) and an effective cross-section of the partial openings (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) is adjustable by pivoting the guide brackets (31, 32), wherein at least two parallel support brackets (35, 36), between which the air guide elements (12) are rotatably guided, are spaced apart from the guide brackets (31, 32) and define an orientation of the air guide elements (12) in the open end position, wherein the guide brackets (31, 32) define and maintain constant the orientation of the air guide elements (12) and thereby a flow direction of the outgoing airflow (40), while the effective cross-section of the partial openings (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) is continuously enlargeable, wherein the guide brackets (31, 32) have a minimum angle of inclination to the frame (20) in the closed end position and a maximum angle of inclination to the frame (20) in the open end position, and wherein the air guide elements (12) are nested within each other in the closed end position and in are fanned out in the open final position. [2] Outlet (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that swivel joints (34) movably guide the air guide elements (12) on the guide brackets (31, 32). [3] Outlet (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the surfaces (14.1, 14.2, 14.3) of the air guide elements (12) facing the vehicle interior form a flat surface (14) in the closed end position. [4] Outlet (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the guide brackets (31, 32) each have a first end region (31.1, 32.1) and a second end region (31.2, 32.2), wherein the second end region (31.2, 32.2) is rotatably mounted on the frame (20), and the air guide elements (12) are spaced apart from each other between the first end region (31.1, 32.1) and the second end region (31.2, 32.2). [5] Outlet (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by, that the air guide elements (12) have planar areas which each guide an airflow (40), wherein the dimensions of the individual air guide elements (12, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3) depend on the position of the respective air guide element (12, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3) on the guide brackets (31, 32). [6] Outlet (10) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by , that the smallest air guide element (12, 12.1) has the greatest distance to the second end region (31.2, 32.2) and the largest air guide element (12, 12.3) has the smallest distance to the second end region (31.2, 32.2). [7] Outlet (10) according to claim 6, characterized by , that the smallest air guide element (12, 12.1) is designed to cover the entire surface. [8] Outlet (10) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by, that, apart from the smallest air guide element (12, 12.1), the air guide elements (12, 12.2, 12.3) each have an opening which can be at least partially covered by an adjacent air guide element (12, 12.1, 12.2) in the closed end position and at least partially released in the open end position. [9] Outlet (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized by , that the air guide elements (12, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3) each have at least one receptacle (12.4, 12.6) on an underside in which the pivot joint (34) of the air guide element (12, 12.2, 12.3) arranged below is received in the closed end position. [10] Outlet (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by , that a drive moves the guide brackets (31, 32).

Images