Flexible outlet nozzle

Abstract

Outlet nozzle device (1) with an outlet nozzle (10) having two side walls (14, 16) converging towards each other in the flow direction (12), wherein the two side walls (14, 16) are preferably mounted at a forward end (18) in the direction of flow (12), the two side walls (14, 16) form an outlet opening (22) between them at a rear end (20) in the direction of flow (12), and the two side walls (14, 16) are designed to be elastically deformable, characterized by at least one actuator (5) arranged and designed to exert a force on one of the two side walls (14, 16) of the outlet nozzle (10), wherein a plurality of force-transmitting connecting webs (26) between inner sides (30, 32) of the two side walls (14, 16) is hinged to couple the two side walls (14, 16) according to the Fin-Ray principle.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an outlet nozzle device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] The so-called Fin Ray effect is known from the prior art. It is based on the principle of bony fish fins, which bend in the opposite direction to the expected compressive force. This natural functional principle has already been used and developed as a basis for technical designs for various products. The basic principle is that the two side walls are designed to be elastically deformable, and that at least one force-transmitting connecting rib is usually arranged between the two side walls to couple a force acting on one side wall to the other. This typically applies to compressive forces, but also to tensile forces. The resulting effect is that the two side walls can undergo at least partial deformation in the opposite direction to the applied force.

[0003] In this context, an adjustment device for motor vehicle seats is known from DE 10 2012 017 823 B4. The adjustment device comprises an adjustment element and an inflatable element arranged within the adjustment element. The inflatable element is arranged such that filling with a fluid, in particular air, and / or emptying it causes movement of the adjustment element. The adjustment element has a fin-jet structure with transverse webs running between the fin-jet sections and connecting them. The adjustment element further comprises a counter-bearing projection attached only to a first fin-jet section, with the inflatable element arranged between the counter-bearing projection and a transverse web.

[0004] Furthermore, from EP 2 422 034 B1 a door element is known which is movable between a closed position, in which the door element extends over a door opening so that it at least partially blocks the door opening, and an open position, wherein at least a part of the door element is moved into a non-blocking position with respect to the door opening.The door element comprises a first flexible side element for transmitting tensile forces, comprising a proximal end and a distal end; a second flexible side element for resisting compressive forces, comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the first and second side elements are coupled to each other at their distal ends; several connecting ribs flexibly coupled to the first and second side elements for transmitting tensile forces between the first and second side elements; and an actuator for applying a longitudinal tensile force to the proximal end of the first side element, wherein the resulting deformation of the second side element relative to the first side element is transmitted through the connecting ribs into a movement of the door element into the open position.

[0005] From DE 11 2011 100 345 T5, a conveying system for a fluid in a conveying direction is known, using one or more drive elements which can be driven in an oscillating manner transverse to the conveying direction by means of a drive system. Acceleration of the fluid is achieved by corresponding translational or partially pivoting movement of the drive elements, similar to the fin principle known from biology, e.g., aerodynamics and hydrodynamics.

[0006] EP 2 764 151 B1 relates to a washing drum with at least one laundry runner having a runner comb onto which two runner walls extending from the inner shell of the washing drum run. At least one force-transmitting connecting web is hinged to the opposing inner surfaces of the runner walls, and the elasticity of the runner walls is dimensioned such that, when pressure is applied to the outer surface of a runner wall during normal operation, the runner comb moves towards the side of the pressure application with elastic curvature of the laundry runner.

[0007] Furthermore, DE 10 2014 218 840 A1 relates to an air outlet, in particular an air outlet for a vehicle, with a flow channel formed by a casing wall, in which at least one elastically deformable air guide element is arranged, which extends at least substantially in the direction of flow through the flow channel. It is provided that the casing wall of the flow channel is elastically deformable at least in a section associated with the air guide element.

[0008] DE 10 2013 108 059 A1 relates to an air guide element made of a flexible material for an air outlet, and to an air outlet itself, wherein at least one air guide element is mounted in a first end section and at least one second end section opposite the first end section is supported such that, when at least one force component acts on a region of the air guide element between the first end section and the second end section, the air guide element deforms at least in that region and automatically returns to its initial position after the force component ceases to act. Finally, DE 10 2012 019 024 A1 relates to a geometrically deformable guide device for controlling and / or directing fluid flows, comprising at least one dielectric elastomer actuator and at least one element for exerting a mechanical actuating force on the dielectric elastomer actuator.When an electrical voltage is applied, the dielectric elastomer actuator changes its length in at least one direction; this deformation allows the fluid flows to be controlled in a targeted manner.

[0009] Based on the aforementioned prior art, the invention is therefore based on the objective of providing an outlet nozzle device of the type mentioned above, which is inexpensive to manufacture, enables a simple and reliable change of flow at the outlet opening and has a small design.

[0010] The problem is solved according to the invention by the features of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0011] The basic idea of ​​the present invention is therefore to use the so-called "Fin Ray effect," a principle known in the art, to adjust the discharge behavior of the outlet nozzle. This allows, in particular, the direction of the airflow through the outlet nozzle to be changed at the outlet opening; that is, the angle of the airflow can be variably controlled by the outlet nozzle. This is important, for example, in vehicle ventilation systems to provide vehicle occupants with a comfortably tempered passenger compartment and a desired airflow. This eliminates the need for the rigidly designed vanes at the nozzle outlet that are conventional in the prior art. An adjustment mechanism for the vanes, as known in the prior art, is also unnecessary. The elimination of the vanes and the adjustment mechanism leads to a reduction in cost and weight compared to known outlet nozzles.

[0012] The adjustment is achieved via the actuator, which exerts an external force on one of the two side walls. This force is applied in the direction of flow before reaching the outlet opening, allowing the actuator to be concealed, for example, beneath a mounting panel such as an instrument panel or trim piece. The fluid flow through the outlet opening is not affected. This enables the realization of various design concepts, such as surfaces without protruding elements. Unlike conventional designs, the outlet nozzle or nozzle assembly can also be implemented within tight packaging constraints, allowing for a compact vehicle interior and increasing the available space in the passenger compartment.

[0013] The flow direction corresponds to the direction in which the fluid flows through the outlet nozzle. The fluid, for example air, flows towards the outlet opening. The fluid flows between the tapered side walls.

[0014] The "Fin Ray Effect" is based on the principle of bony fish fins, which bend in the opposite direction to the expected pressure force. This natural operating principle was used as the basis for the outlet nozzle and further developed. The inventive design causes the two side walls to deform when force is applied by the actuator to one or the other side wall, thus changing the direction of the outgoing flow.

[0015] There are various possibilities for the design and arrangement of the force-transmitting connecting webs, as discussed in detail below.

[0016] The two side walls, converging in the direction of flow, form a taper of the outlet nozzle towards the outlet opening. The two side walls are designed to be elastic, allowing them to deform under external force according to the Fin-Ray principle. The side walls can be connected at their lateral edges, meaning the outlet nozzle tapers towards these sides, or the side walls can be laterally bounded by one or two end walls to form the outlet nozzle.

[0017] The side walls are preferably held at their end opposite the outlet opening, i.e. at the front end of the outlet nozzle.

[0018] The force-transmitting connecting webs are preferably designed for compressive and tensile loads and are further preferably dimensionally stable for both loads.

[0019] A symmetrical configuration can be formed with the force-transmitting connecting webs; that is, the outlet nozzle is, for example, mirror-symmetrical about a central axis between the side walls in its undeflection state. In principle, an asymmetrical configuration of the force-transmitting connecting webs between the two side walls is also possible. With a symmetrical design of the outlet nozzle, applying a force to either of the two side walls results in essentially the same type of deformation, only in a different direction than the direction from which the force originates. The walls bend in the same direction when they are opposite each other.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the force-transmitting connecting webs are hinged at positions on both side walls that are identical in the flow direction. This results in a symmetrical configuration of the outlet nozzle.

[0021] The force-transmitting connecting webs can, for example, be arranged at uniform intervals in the flow direction. Depending on the specific design of the outlet nozzle, the connecting webs can, for instance, be arranged at the same height on each of the two side walls. If the force-transmitting connecting webs are arranged on different planes in the flow direction, the tapering of the outlet nozzle results in the force-transmitting connecting webs having different lengths, becoming shorter towards the outlet opening. The multiple force-transmitting connecting webs allow for precise control of the deformation of the outlet nozzle under force, in order to achieve the desired deformation.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the force-transmitting connecting webs are designed and arranged such that they yield elastically when a force is applied to one of the two side walls. Such yielding can occur on the one hand through deformation of the connecting webs and on the other hand through deformation initiated from the connecting webs into the side walls.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the force-transmitting connecting webs are rotatably connected at their ends to the inner surfaces of the two side walls via film hinges. This enables a dimensionally stable and comparatively simple manufacturing process for the outlet nozzle.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the two side walls are provided with eyelets on their inner surfaces, and the force-transmitting connecting webs engage in these eyelets at their ends. The eyelets allow for a flexible design of the outlet nozzle. This requires only that the position or design of the force-transmitting connecting webs be modified accordingly. Identical side walls can be used to create outlet nozzles with different deformations when force is applied to one of the side walls by selecting and attaching appropriate force-transmitting connecting webs. The side walls are made, for example, of plastic, such as by injection molding. The force-transmitting connecting webs can also be made of plastic or, for example, metal.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the two side walls and the force-transmitting connecting webs are manufactured in one piece from plastic, in particular by injection molding. This enables simple production of the outlet nozzle. Injection molding of plastics is known in various forms and can be carried out cost-effectively. A plastic with the desired elasticity is used, in particular to ensure the desired elastic deformation of the side walls.

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuator is designed with a point-shaped, a line-shaped or a planar contact area for exerting the force on one of the two side walls of the outlet nozzle.

[0027] Furthermore, the outlet nozzle device may have multiple actuators that can act on the two side walls. For example, several actuators may be arranged at different positions along one side wall. Alternatively or additionally, several actuators may be arranged to exert a force, in particular a pressure force, on either one side wall or the other.

[0028] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the outlet nozzle device is designed as an air outlet for a vehicle.

[0029] The invention is explained below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, wherein the features shown below can represent an aspect of the invention both individually and in combination.

[0030] They show: Fig. 1: A schematic representation of an outlet nozzle device with outlet nozzle according to a first, preferred embodiment of the invention with a plurality of force-transmitting connecting webs without force application in a side sectional view, and Fig. 2: a schematic representation of the outlet nozzle device with outlet nozzle of the first embodiment of the invention according to Fig. 1 with a force applied to a first side wall of the outlet nozzle in a lateral sectional view.

[0031] The Fig. Figure 1 shows an outlet nozzle device 1 according to a first, preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0032] The outlet nozzle device 1 comprises an outlet nozzle 10 and an actuator 5, which is located in Fig. 2 is simplified by a force arrow.

[0033] The outlet nozzle 10 is designed to discharge a fluid that flows through it in a flow direction 12. The outlet nozzle 10 comprises a first and a second side wall 14, 16, which converge in the flow direction 12. The two side walls 14, 16 are made of elastic plastic and manufactured by injection molding. The two side walls 14, 16 are mounted at a front end 18 in the flow direction 12. At a rear end 20 in the flow direction 12, the two side walls 14, 16 form an outlet opening 22 between them. The two side walls 14, 16 taper from the front end 18 to the outlet opening 22, so that the outlet nozzle tapers overall.

[0034] In this embodiment, the two side walls 14, 16 are connected to each other at their lateral regions in a manner not shown, i.e., the outlet nozzle 10 tapers further towards these sides. In an alternative embodiment, the side walls 14, 16 are laterally bounded by one or two end walls to form the outlet nozzle 10.

[0035] Along the inside of the two side walls 14, 16, a plurality of eyelets 24 are arranged at the same height in the flow direction 12. A plurality of force-transmitting connecting webs 26 are held on the eyelets 24, the end regions of which engage in the eyelets 24, thereby connecting the force-transmitting connecting webs 26 between the inner surfaces 30, 32 of the two side walls 14, 16. This couples the two side walls 14, 16 according to the Fin-Ray principle. The force-transmitting connecting webs 26, 28 are dimensionally stable for compressive and tensile loads, for example, made of metal.

[0036] The force-transmitting connecting webs 26 are spaced apart between the front end 20 and the rear end 18 of the outlet nozzle 10. The force-transmitting connecting webs 28 are hinged on both sides at the same height to the inner surfaces 30, 32 of the side walls 14, 16 with respect to the flow direction 12.

[0037] This configuration of the two side walls 14, 16 with the force-transmitting connecting webs 26 results in a coupling, so that the outlet opening 22 moves against the force applied by the actuator 5 when a force is applied.

[0038] The outlet nozzle 10 is designed in a symmetrical configuration. Therefore, applying a force to one or the other side wall 14, 16 causes a similar deformation of the outlet nozzle 10, differing in direction.

[0039] The deformation of the outlet nozzle 10 is exemplified in Fig. 2 shown. Fig. Figure 2 shows the outlet nozzle 10 of the first embodiment with a force applied by the actuator 5 from a [unclear] in the Fig.2 right side, i.e. the force acts on the second side wall 16. This causes a deformation of the two side walls 14, 16, which deforms the outlet nozzle 10 as a whole and changes the outlet direction at the outlet opening 22.

Claims

[1] Outlet nozzle device (1) with an outlet nozzle (10) having two side walls (14, 16) converging towards each other in the direction of flow (12), wherein the two side walls (14, 16) are preferably mounted at a forward end (18) in the direction of flow (12), the two side walls (14, 16) form an outlet opening (22) between them at a rear end (20) in the direction of flow (12), and the two side walls (14, 16) are designed to be elastically deformable, characterized by at least one actuator (5) arranged and designed to exert a force on one of the two side walls (14, 16) of the outlet nozzle (10), wherein a plurality of force-transmitting connecting webs (26) between inner sides (30, 32) of the two side walls (14, 16) is hinged to couple the two side walls (14, 16) according to the Fin-Ray principle. [2] Outlet nozzle device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the force-transmitting connecting webs (26) are hinged at the same positions on the two side walls (14, 16) in the direction of flow (12). [3] Outlet nozzle device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the force-transmitting connecting webs (26) are designed and arranged in such a way that they give way elastically when a force is applied to one of the two side walls (14, 16). [4] Outlet nozzle device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the force-transmitting connecting webs (26) are rotatably connected at their ends to the inner surfaces (30, 32) of the two side walls (14, 16) via film hinges. [5] Outlet nozzle device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized by, that the two side walls (14, 16) are provided with eyelets (24) on the inside and the force-transmitting connecting webs (26) engage in the eyelets (24) at their end areas. [6] Outlet nozzle device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the two side walls (14, 16) and the force-transmitting connecting webs (26) are made in one piece from plastic, in particular by injection molding. [7] Outlet nozzle device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the actuator (5) is designed with a point-shaped, a line-shaped or a planar contact area for exerting the force on one of the two side walls (14, 16) of the outlet nozzle (10). [8] Outlet nozzle device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the outlet nozzle device (1) is designed as an air outlet for a vehicle.

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