Air vent

Abstract

The invention relates to a ventilation nozzle (1) comprising a first lamella (5), a second lamella (8), and a third lamella (13). The lamellae are connected to one another via a drive element (19). The drive element (19) moves the second lamella (8) along with the other lamellae during a first part of the movement. During a second part of the movement, the second lamella (8) remains stationary relative to the other lamellae, thus realizing a type of trailing lamella mechanism.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a ventilation nozzle having the features of the preamble of claim 1. Ventilation nozzles have been known in automotive interiors for a long time and are available in diverse variations. Classic ventilation nozzles usually comprise a combination of a register of horizontal slats (H-shaped slats) for directing an air flow upwards and downwards and a register of vertical slats (V-shaped slats) for directing the air flow sideways. The H-shaped and V-shaped slats are usually independently controllable and are traditionally adjusted directly by a user via a control element. Alternatively, one or more electric actuators can be provided to electrically adjust the slats. The slats are typically connected via a coupling link such that all V-shaped and all H-shaped slats move synchronously when a single V-shaped or H-shaped slat is moved.However, coupling elements are also known that are designed in such a way that one or more of the V- or H-shaped slats perform a movement that differs from the other slats. For example, as described in German Offenlegungsschrift DE102007036532A1, the coupling element can be designed such that the outer V-shaped slats can be pivoted asynchronously in register with the inner V-shaped slats.

[0002] The object of the invention is to propose a ventilation nozzle which has improved kinematics for the asynchronous control of slats compared to the prior art. This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are contained in the subclaims. The invention relates to a ventilation nozzle for controlling an air flow in an automobile interior, wherein the ventilation nozzle has at least one first slat rotatable about a first axis and a second slat rotatable about a second axis of rotation. The first axis of rotation is in particular assigned a first rotary shaft, which is in particular injection-molded as a single piece onto the first slat and about which the first slat can be rotated. The second axis of rotation is correspondingly assigned in particular a second rotary shaft, which is also in particular injection-molded as a single piece onto the second slat and about which the second slat can be rotated.The first and second rotating shafts are each designed in particular as a type of pin. In particular, the first and second slats are rotatably mounted via the respective rotating shaft in a front housing part of a housing of the ventilation nozzle. A rear housing part is connected to the front housing part. The air enters in particular into the rear housing part through an air inlet opening and flows out of the front housing part, guided by the slats, through an air outlet opening. The first and second slats are each in particular H-shaped slats which, when the ventilation nozzle is installed, ensure that an air flow can be deflected upwards, i.e. towards the roof lining, and downwards towards the footwell. However, the slats can also be arranged as V-shaped slats and accordingly deflect the air flow to the side.For a simplified explanation of the invention, only H-shaped louvers will be assumed in the following, without, however, limiting the scope of protection to these. Furthermore, air deflection toward the headliner is referred to as "upward," and air deflection toward the footwell is referred to as "downward." In particular, the first and second axes of the first and second louvers are oriented parallel to each other. The first and second louvers are permanently coupled in the ventilation nozzle according to the invention via a drive.

[0003] According to the invention, the drive is designed such that the first and second slats can be moved together, in particular synchronously, in a first pivoting direction into a first extreme position. The "first pivoting direction" is understood here, for example, to mean the downward pivoting direction. The first extreme position is in particular the position in which the slats deflect the air flow downwards to the maximum extent. Starting from the first extreme position, the inventive design of the drive then makes it possible to move the slats together, in particular synchronously, in a second pivoting direction which is opposite to the first pivoting direction, and thus to move them into a second extreme position.The “second pivoting direction” is thus directed upwards, corresponding to the first pivoting direction, and the second extreme position corresponds in particular to the position the slats assume when the air flow is deflected upwards as far as possible. On a first section of the pivoting movement from the first to the second extreme position, the slats initially pivot together. On a second section of the pivoting movement, following the first section, the second slat remains essentially stationary, which means that it essentially does not move any further with respect to a housing of the ventilation nozzle, and the distance between the first and second slats decreases. In other words, the first slat approaches the second slat on the second section of the pivoting movement, which in particular makes it possible to change the effective cross section for the air flow.The design of the drive according to the invention thus makes it possible to significantly change the flow behavior of the air flow in a simple manner when the slats are moved from the first to the second extreme position.

[0004] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the drive comprises a drive element that is fixedly connected to the first slat. In particular, the drive element is fixedly arranged at a control end of the first rotary shaft. The drive element, together with the first slat, can be pivoted about the first axis, with the first and second slats being drivable by the drive element. For this purpose, an electric actuator is provided, in particular, which directly or indirectly drives the drive element and rotates it about the first axis of rotation.

[0005] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a tow bar with a first and a second end is provided in the drive, wherein the tow bar is mounted on the drive element so as to be rotatable about a common bearing axis. The common bearing axis is preferably arranged between the first and the second end of the tow bar. A drive element pin, which is in particular molded integrally onto the drive element, preferably engages in a corresponding tow bar hole. The pin can also be arranged on the tow bar and the hole can be arranged accordingly on the drive element. Due to the rotatable mounting of the tow bar on the drive element, the tow bar and the drive element can be rotated relative to one another about the common bearing axis and the pivoting movement can be transmitted from the drive element to the tow bar and from the tow bar to the second lamella.

[0006] It has proven kinematically advantageous that the bearing axis, and thus the drive element pin and the tow bar hole, have a radial distance from the first axis of rotation that remains constant during the pivoting movement. In other words, during the pivoting movement of the slats, the bearing axis moves in a kind of circular path between the extreme positions relative to the first axis of rotation.

[0007] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second slat has a second control lever and a second control pin, wherein the control lever and the control pin are connected to the second slat in a rotationally fixed manner. The control lever is preferably arranged at a control end of the second rotary shaft, wherein the control end of the first and second rotary shafts are preferably arranged on the same side of the first and second slats. The control pin engages in a recess, in particular in an elongated hole, which is arranged at the first end of the tow bar. More precisely, the elongated hole extends in particular starting from the first end of the tow bar in the direction of the second end of the tow bar, or in the direction of the bearing axis. The second control lever preferably extends orthogonally with respect to the second rotary shaft, or the second axis of rotation.As the slats move between their extreme positions, the control pin can slide within the recess. The length of the slot limits the maximum travel of the control pin within the recess. The slot allows the first slat to move closer to the second slat during the second leg of the movement, from the first extreme position toward the second extreme position, thus reducing the distance between the first and second slats. The term "second control pin" was chosen for consistency, in the sense of a reference to the second slat. There is no "first control pin."

[0008] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the drive element has a first and a second sliding surface. During the pivoting movement of the first and second lamella, the control pin is always in contact with the first or the second sliding surface. Furthermore, the control pin is always engaged with the recess. The second sliding surface is in particular arc-shaped, or in the shape of a circular segment, with a constant radius with respect to the first axis. The first sliding surface adjoins the second sliding surface, wherein a chamfer or a radius can be arranged at the transition between the sliding surfaces. The first sliding surface is in particular also arc-shaped, wherein the radius of the first sliding surface is larger than the radius of the first sliding surface.

[0009] The function of the first and second sliding surfaces in combination with the control pin arranged in the recess is as follows: If the slats are in the first extreme position, the control pin is in contact with the first sliding surface. If the slats are moved towards the second extreme position, which happens in particular via the drive element that is firmly connected to the first slat, the control pin slides along the first sliding surface until it reaches the transition to the second sliding surface. The first sliding surface corresponds to the first part of the pivoting movement. Up to this point, the first and second slats are moved synchronously. In other words, the second slat is "dragged" or "pushed" along by the drive of the first slat. During this synchronous movement of the first and second slats, the control pin is preferably stationary at one end of the recess, in particular at one end of the elongated hole. "Stationary" here means that it essentially maintains its position in the elongated hole.As soon as the control pin reaches the second sliding surface and consequently leaves the first sliding surface, the second lamella remains essentially stationary during further movement and the first lamella approaches the second lamella, which means a reduction in the distance between the lamellas. The second sliding surface corresponds to the second part of the pivoting movement. This essentially means a reduction in the flow cross-section between the first and the second lamella. This is achieved in that from this point onwards, movement of the first lamella is no longer transmitted to the second lamella, since the control pin is moved towards the other end of the slot and also along the second sliding surface. Consequently, no movement, which is caused in particular by the drive element on the second lamella, is transmitted to the first lamella.In the second extreme position, the control pin is accordingly arranged in the other end of the elongated hole. Starting from the second extreme position towards the first extreme position, the situation is exactly the opposite. The second slat initially remains essentially stationary until the second control pin has reached the first sliding surface. From this position, the second slat is dragged, i.e. forced, in the second pivoting direction by the first slat, or more precisely by the drive element. The advantage of this inventive design is that a "drag slat control" can be realized that is relatively backlash-free and therefore quiet and can be implemented with just a few components, whereby only one drive is necessary to control both slats. In addition, the control pin is always guided stably through the elongated hole and the first or second sliding surface.

[0010] Preferably, as already mentioned, the first and second sliding surfaces are curved and arranged approximately orthogonally to each other. This enables precise control of the first and second lamellas between the two extreme positions.

[0011] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the drive element has a particularly arcuate toothed segment for engaging a corresponding gear of an actuator for pivoting the first lamella about the first pivot axis. The arcuate shape of the gear corresponds in particular to the arcuate shape, or rather the radius, of the second sliding surface. For reasons of space, the toothed segment is arranged directly adjacent to the second sliding surface, but slightly set back so that the control pin does not collide with the toothed segment.

[0012] It is further preferred that the ventilation nozzle comprises a third slat rotatable about a third axis, wherein the third slat is permanently coupled to the first and second slats via the drive, and wherein the third slat is connected to the drive in such a way that the second and third slats pivot synchronously during the pivoting movement. The third slat thus directly and immediately follows the movement of the first slat between the two extreme positions. The third slat enables improved air control. Additional slats are possible.

[0013] For optimized control of the third slat, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the third slat has a third control lever and a third control pin. The third control lever and the third control pin are connected to the third slat in a rotationally fixed manner, and the third control pin is rotatably mounted in a corresponding opening in the tow bar, such that the pivoting movement of the tow bar can be transmitted to the third slat. The opening of the tow bar is arranged, in particular, at the second end of the tow bar.

[0014] Preferably, the axes of rotation of the first, second, and third slats are arranged parallel to one another, which has proven kinematically advantageous. Preferably, at least one of the extreme positions can be limited by a stop element. The stop element is designed, in particular, as a web that is firmly attached, in particular molded, to a part of the housing of the ventilation nozzle.

[0015] For optimized air control, the second and third slats are essentially identical, while the first slat has a different shape than the second and third slats. In particular, the first slat has a larger air deflection surface than the second and third slats. In particular, the second and third slats extend the same distance toward the air inlet, whereas the first slat preferably extends twice as far toward the air inlet. Thus, the first slat preferably has twice the air deflection surface of the second or third slat. This favors the air deflection behavior of the ventilation nozzle.

[0016] The features and combinations of features, embodiments, and refinements of the invention mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or drawn in a figure, can be used not only in the respective specified or drawn combination, but also in any other combinations or individually. Embodiments of the invention are possible that do not have all the features of a dependent claim. Individual features of a claim can also be replaced by other disclosed features or combinations of features. Embodiments of the invention that do not have all the features of the exemplary embodiment are possible.

[0017] The invention is explained below using an embodiment.

[0018] They show in perspective: Fig. 1 the ventilation nozzle according to the invention in a first extreme position; Fig. 2 the ventilation nozzle according to the invention in an intermediate position; Fig. 3 the ventilation nozzle according to the invention in a second extreme position; Fig. 4 part of the ventilation nozzle of the Fig. 1 to 3 in a detailed view in the first extreme position; and Fig. 5 part of the ventilation nozzle of the Fig. 1 to 3 in a detailed view in the second extreme position.

[0019] In the Fig. 1 to 3 show the parts of the ventilation nozzle 1 that are essential to the invention, whereas the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show detailed views. The ventilation nozzle 1 has a housing 2 with a front housing part 4 and a rear housing part 3. An air flow for ventilating the vehicle interior enters the rear housing part 3 through an air inlet opening and flows out of the front housing part 4 through an air outlet opening. Both housing parts 3, 4 are directly connected to one another. In the exemplary embodiment for explaining the invention, two separate housings 2 are contained, each with a ventilation nozzle 1 according to the invention. However, the inventive concept is explained using only one of the ventilation nozzles 1.

[0020] A first slat 5 is pivotably arranged in the front housing part 4. The first slat 5 has a first axis 6 about which it is pivoted relative to the front housing part 4. The first slat 5 has a first rotary shaft 7 by means of which the first slat 5 is mounted in the front housing part 4. The first slat 5 can be pivoted about its first rotary shaft 7 about the first axis 6. A second slat 8 is arranged parallel to the first slat 5 and is also pivotably arranged in the front housing part 4. The second slat 8 has a second rotary shaft 10 which can be pivoted about a second axis 9. The first and second axes 6, 9 are oriented parallel to one another. The air deflection surface of the first slat 5 is approximately twice as large as the air deflection surface of the second slat 8. A second control lever 11 is arranged on the second slat 8 and extends substantially orthogonally away from the second rotary shaft 10.The second control lever 11 is connected at one end to the second rotary shaft 10 in a rotationally fixed manner and has a second control pin 12 at an opposite end, which is oriented substantially parallel to the second rotary shaft 10. The second control pin 12 allows the second slat 8 to pivot about the second axis 9.

[0021] The ventilation nozzle 1 according to the invention has a third slat 13, which is oriented parallel to the first and second slats 5, 8. The third slat 13 has a shape identical to the second slat 8. The third slat 13 has a third rotary shaft 15, by means of which the third slat 13 is pivotally mounted in the front housing part 4. The third rotary shaft 15 is pivotable about a third axis 14, wherein the third axis 14 is oriented parallel to the first and second axes 6, 9. Like the second slat 8, the third slat 13 has a third control lever 16, which extends orthogonally away from the third rotary shaft 15. The third control lever 16 is connected at one end in a rotationally fixed manner to the third rotary shaft 15 and has at its opposite end a third control pin 17, which extends parallel to the third rotary shaft 15.

[0022] A drive 18 is provided for moving the first slat 5, the second slat 8, and the third slat 13. The drive 18 comprises a type of circular segment-shaped drive element 19, which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the first rotary shaft 7 of the first slat 5. The drive element 19 comprises a first, shorter sliding surface 20 and a second, longer sliding surface 21. The two sliding surfaces 20, 21 are arcuate. The second sliding surface 21 has a constant radius with respect to the first axis 6. Adjacent to the second sliding surface 21 and essentially following the shape of the second sliding surface 21, a toothed segment 22 is formed, which serves to drive 18 the drive element 19 by an actuator. The actuator is not shown here. The actuator can pivot the drive element 19 about the second axis 9 and thus the second slat 8 itself about the second axis 9.

[0023] To transmit the movement of the drive element 19 to the second and third slats 8, 13, the drive 18 has a tow bar 23 which extends between a first end 25 and a second end 26. A tow bar hole 24 is arranged in the tow bar 23 between the first and second ends 25, 26 of the tow bar 23. A drive element pin 28 engages in the tow bar hole 24 and is rotatably mounted in the tow bar hole 24. The drive element pin 28 is injection-molded onto the drive element 19 and extends essentially along a bearing axis 27 which is oriented parallel to the first axis 6, the second axis 9 and the third axis 14. At the first end 25 of the tow bar 23, an elongated hole 29 is arranged which extends essentially in the direction of the second end of the tow bar 23. The second control pin 12 is arranged slidingly in the elongated hole 29.At the second end 26 of the tow bar 23, the third control pin 17 of the third slat 13 is rotatably mounted in the tow bar 23. Thus, the first slat 5, the second slat 8, and the third slat 13 are operatively connected by the drive element 19, and a movement of the drive element 19 is necessarily transmitted to the slats. The function of the drive 18 and the associated movement of the slats is explained below.

[0024] The starting position is the one in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 is selected. In this first extreme position E1, the slats are all oriented downwards, which in this specific example means in the direction of the footwell of the vehicle (not shown). In the first extreme position E1, a distance d between the first and second slats 5, 8, or more precisely, a distance d between the front ends of the first and second slats 5, 8, is maximum. The second control pin 12 is always arranged within the elongated hole 29 and in the first extreme position E1 is in contact with the first sliding surface 20. Starting from the first extreme position E1, the drive element 19 is actuated by an actuator (not shown) in the view of Fig. 1 is moved counterclockwise, causing the first slat 5 to directly follow the movement of the drive element 19. The second control pin 12 slides along the first sliding surface 20. As a result, the movement of the drive element 19 is transferred to the second control pin 12, the second control lever 11, and ultimately to the second slat 8. This movement transfer occurs as long as the second control pin 12 is located on the first sliding surface 20. As long as this occurs, the first and second slats 5, 8 are moved synchronously.

[0025] Upon further movement of the drive element 19, the second control pin 12 finally reaches the transition between the first sliding surface 20 and the second sliding surface 21, shown in Fig. 2. From this point, the second control pin 12 slides along the second sliding surface 21, which causes the second slat 8 to remain stationary with respect to the first and third slats 5, 13. The position of the second slat 8 is stabilized by the second control pin 12 being supported on the second sliding surface 21 and in the elongated hole 29. During this movement, the second control lever 11 is in contact with a stop element 30. Upon further movement of the drive element 19, the slats reach the second extreme position E2, shown in the Fig. 3 and Fig.5. In this position, the distance d between the first and second slats 5, 8 is minimal. If the drive element 19 is moved in the opposite direction, the slats move in reverse from the second extreme position E2 to the first extreme position E1. By connecting the third slat 13 to the tow bar 23 of the drive 18, the third slat 13 always directly follows the movement of the second slat 8, or the movement of the drive element 19. List of reference symbols 1 ventilation nozzle 2 housings 3 rear housing part 4 front housing part 5 first slat 6 first axis 7 first rotating shaft 8 second slat 9 second axis 10 second rotating shaft 11 second control lever 12 second control pin 13 third lamella 14 third axis 15 third rotating shaft 16 third control lever 17 third control pin 18 Drive 19 Drive element 20 first sliding surface 21 second sliding surface 22 tooth segment 23 Tow bar 24 tow bar hole 25 first end of the tow bar 26 second end of the tow bar 27 Bearing axis 28 drive element pins 29 slot 30 stop element E1 first extreme position E2 second extreme position d distance QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 102007036532A1

[0001]

Claims

[1] Ventilation nozzle (1) for controlling an air flow in a car interior, wherein the ventilation nozzle (1) comprises at least one first slat (5) rotatable about a first axis (6) and a second slat (8) rotatable about a second axis (9), wherein the first and the second slat (5, 8) are permanently coupled via a drive (18), characterized byin that the drive (18) is designed in such a way that the first and the second slat (5, 8) can be moved, in particular synchronously, together in a first pivoting direction into a first extreme position (E1) and that, starting from the first extreme position (E1), both slats (5), (8) can be moved together, in particular synchronously, in a second pivoting direction which is opposite to the first pivoting direction, into a second extreme position (E2), wherein the first and the second slat (5, 8) initially pivot together over a first part of the pivoting movement during the pivoting movement in the second pivoting direction and the second slat (8) remains essentially stationary over a second part of the pivoting movement and a distance (d) between the first and the second slat (5, 8) decreases. [2] Ventilation nozzle (1) according to claim 1, characterized byin that the drive (18) has a drive element (19) which is fixedly connected to the first slat (5) and which can be pivoted about the first axis (6) together with the first slat (5), wherein the first and the second slat (5, 8) can be driven by the drive element (19), in particular via an actuator. [3] Ventilation nozzle (1) according to claim 2, characterized by in that the drive (18) has a tow bar (23) with a first and a second end (25), (26), wherein the tow bar (23) is mounted on the drive element (19) so as to be rotatable about a common bearing axis (27), in particular by means of a drive element pin (28) which engages in a corresponding tow bar hole (24), wherein the pivoting movement can be transmitted from the drive element (19) to the tow bar (23) and from the tow bar (23) to the second slat (8) by means of the rotatable mounting of the tow bar (23) on the drive element (19). [4] Ventilation nozzle (1) according to claim 3, characterized by that the bearing axis (27) has a radial distance from the first axis (6) which remains constant during the pivoting movement. [5] Ventilation nozzle (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by in that the second slat (8) has a second control lever (11) and a second control pin (12), wherein the control lever (11) and the control pin (12) are connected to the second slat (8) in a rotationally fixed manner, and wherein the control pin (12) engages in a recess, in particular an elongated hole (29), which is arranged at the first end (25) of the tow bar (23). [6] Ventilation nozzle (1) according to claim 5, characterized by in that the drive element (19) has a first and a second sliding surface (20, 21), wherein during the pivoting movement of the first and the second lamella (5, 8) the control pin (12) is always in engagement with the recess and in contact with the first or the second sliding surface (20, 21). [7] Ventilation nozzle (1) according to claim 6, characterized by that the first and second sliding surfaces (20, 21) are arc-shaped and arranged approximately orthogonally to one another. [8] Ventilation nozzle (1) according to one or more of claims 2 to 7, characterized by that the drive element (19) has a particularly arcuate toothed segment (22) for engaging a corresponding gear of an actuator for pivoting the first slat (5) about the first axis (6). [9] Ventilation nozzle (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the ventilation nozzle (1) comprises a third slat (13) which is rotatable about a third axis (14), wherein the third slat (13) is permanently coupled to the first and second slats (5, 8) via the drive (18) and wherein the third slat (13) is connected to the drive (18) in such a way that the second and third slats (8, 13) pivot synchronously during the pivoting movement. [10] Ventilation nozzle (1) according to claim 9, characterized by in that the third slat (13) has a third control lever (16) and a third control pin (17), wherein the third control lever (16) and the third control pin (17) are connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the third slat (13) and wherein the third control pin (17) is rotatably mounted in a corresponding opening of the tow bar (23) in such a way that the pivoting movement of the tow bar (23) can be transferred to the third slat (13). [11] Ventilation nozzle (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by that the axes of the first, second and third lamellas (5, 8, 13) are arranged parallel to one another. [12] Ventilation nozzle (1) according to one or more of claims 9 to 11, characterized by that the second and the third lamella (8, 13) are substantially identical and the first lamella (5) has a shape that differs from the shape of the second and the third lamella (8, 13). [13] Ventilation nozzle (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by that the ventilation nozzle (1) has at least one stop element (30) for limiting one of the extreme positions (E1, E2).

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