ROOF VENTILATION DEVICE

Abstract

A roof ventilation device may include: a roof provided to cover an upper part of a vehicle, a duct housing (100) provided in the roof and extending in a longitudinal direction or width direction of the vehicle for introducing air into the duct housing (100), a guide member (200) provided inside the duct housing (100) in the extending direction of the duct housing (100) for dispersing the air introduced into the duct housing (100), and a rotary nozzle (300) having an outlet unit (310) provided on the duct housing (100) for discharging the air introduced into the duct housing (100) into a vehicle cabin and for changing the direction of the air outlet opening by rotating the outlet unit (310).

Description

BACKGROUNDFIELD OF DISCLOSUREThe present disclosure relates to a roof ventilation device provided in a roof of a vehicle.DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ARTAs autonomous driving technology for vehicles has been advanced gradually, the function of vehicles as a communication space and the transport function have been enhanced. The traditional design of vehicles as a means of transportation has a standardized structure, with the internal combustion engine being arranged in the front area. Since electric vehicles equipped with electric motors and batteries replacing internal combustion engines are attracting attention, various constructions are being sought which deviate from the standardized structures of the vehicles having internal combustion engines.With the increasing spread of an autonomous driving technique and electric vehicles, it is attempted to drastically change the interior layout of vehicles. Automobile manufacturers are requesting futuristic vehicles and present various interior designs and concepts.On the other hand, structural changes to the vehicles require structural changes to an air conditioning system, in particular to the ducts or ventilation openings, for heating and cooling the vehicle interior. There is a need to develop a roof ventilation structure that allows air to exit through the ventilation opening toward the passengers or away from the passengers toward the vehicle roof, such as a fan, regardless of the size of the vehicle interior. There is also a need to develop a roof ventilation structure that enables uniform distribution of the air throughout the vehicle cabin.The matter described above as background art is intended to help better understand the background of the present disclosure. The above is not to be taken as an acknowledgement that the present disclosure belongs to the prior art already known to the person skilled in the art.BRIEF EXPLANATIONThe object of the present disclosure is to provide a roof ventilation device that enables smooth air leakage from the vehicle roof toward the vehicle cabin, adjustment of the air leakage direction, and smooth air leakage into the vehicle cabin according to the preferences or situations of the occupants.According to the present disclosure, a roof ventilation device (e.g., optionally) includes a roof provided to cover an upper part of a vehicle, and a duct housing provided in the roof (e.g., separated from an occupant compartment by the roof) in the longitudinal direction or the width direction of the vehicle to draw air into the duct housing (e.g., suck in, introduce by ram pressure, etc.; hereinafter, introduce for short). The device also has a guide element (for example. Flow guide member; further, guide member) provided inside the duct housing in the extending direction of the duct housing to distribute the air introduced into the duct housing. The apparatus also includes a rotary nozzle (hereinafter, briefly, rotary nozzle) including an outlet unit configured to discharge the air introduced into the duct housing into the vehicle cabin and to change the direction of the air outlet by rotating the outlet unit.For example, a plurality of exhaust units may be provided, and a rotation actuator for rotating the exhaust units may be provided between the plurality of exhaust units.A first outlet for discharging the air introduced into the duct housing can be formed, i.e. arranged, positioned or provided, for example, in the outlet unit.The rotary nozzle may be (e.g. partially) arranged outside the duct housing. An outer panel may (e.g. partially) cover the rotary nozzle and may be coupled to the duct housing, but may also be located outside the duct housing.In the outer panel, for example, a second outlet for discharging the air let into the duct housing may be formed.The outlet unit (for example. For example, the exhaust unit) may exhaust air through the second outlet by rotating the rotary nozzle.For example, the air may flow first through the first outlet and then through the second outlet to be discharged.An inlet for admission (e.g. The air can be sucked in) for example on one side of the duct housing.A plurality of guide flow paths may extend, for example, in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle or in the longitudinal direction of the duct housing, which separate air let into the duct housing and are formed in the guide element.The inlet for admission (for example. The suction) of the air can be formed, for example, on the side of the duct housing. In the outlet unit, a plurality of first outlets for discharging the air introduced into the duct housing may be disposed. A cross-sectional area of the inlet may be smaller than a cross-sectional area of the plurality of first outlets formed in the outlet unit.The air outlet surface (for example. The cross-sectional area) can be twice the air inlet area (for example. The cross-sectional area may be) or more.According to the present disclosure, the roof ventilation device enables smooth air leakage from the vehicle roof toward the vehicle cabin, adjustment of the air leakage direction, and smooth air leakage.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFIG. 1 is an exploded view of a roof ventilation device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a view showing a guide member of the roof ventilation device of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a roof ventilation device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a view showing a cross section taken along line A-A' in FIG. 3 and air discharge directions according to rotation of a discharge unit. FIG. 5 is a view showing an outlet unit of the roof ventilation device of FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a roof ventilation device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a view showing test results of airflow through a roof ventilation device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONThe embodiments disclosed herein will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the same or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals regardless of the drawings, so that repetitive descriptions of these components are omitted.When it is determined that the specific description of the related and already known technology may obscure the essence of the embodiments disclosed herein, the specific description has been omitted. Further, it is to be understood that the accompanying drawings are only for facilitating understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein, and are not intended to limit the technical ideas disclosed herein. Therefore, the technical ideas are not limited to the accompanying drawings, and include all modifications, variations, or substitutions within the spirit and technical scope of the present disclosure.The terms having ordinal numbers such as "first...", "second..." and the like may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms may be used only to distinguish one component from another.Terms in the singular have the plurality unless the context expressly indicates otherwise. When a component, a device, an element, or the like of the present disclosure is described as being tracking a purpose or executing an operation, function, or the like, the component, the device, or the element should be considered herein as being "configured to" perform this purpose or execute these operations or function.In the present specification, terms such as "comprise", "include", or "have", and variations thereof, are intended to indicate the presence of features, numbers, steps, manipulations, components, parts, or combinations thereof that are implemented as described in the specification. Such terms are not intended to exclude the presence or additional possibilities of one or more other features, numbers, steps, manipulations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another component, the component may be directly connected or coupled to the other component, but other components may be interposed therebetween. On the other hand, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another component, no other component is interposed therebetween.FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a roof ventilation device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a view showing a guide member for a roof ventilation device. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a roof ventilation device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a view showing a cross section taken along line A-A' in FIG. 3 and air discharge directions according to rotation of a discharge unit. FIG. 5 is a view showing an exhaust unit. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a roof ventilation device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a view showing test results of airflow through a roof ventilation device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a roof ventilation device is provided in or includes a roof provided to cover an upper part of a vehicle. The apparatus also includes a duct case 100 provided in the roof in the longitudinal direction or in the width direction of the vehicle to let air therein. The device also includes a guide member 200 provided inside the duct housing 100 in the extending direction of the duct housing 100 to distribute the air introduced into the duct housing 100. The apparatus also includes a rotary nozzle 300 having an outlet unit 310 provided in the duct housing 100 to discharge the air introduced into the duct housing 100 into the vehicle cabin, and configured to change the direction of the air outlet by rotating the outlet unit 310.According to the present disclosure, the roof ventilation device receives conditioned air from a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system provided inside a vehicle, and outputs the conditioned air to a vehicle cabin. The HVAC system conditions the air according to the passenger's needs or set options. For example, the air may be cooled or heated for cooling, and the air may be cooled and heated to produce dry air when dehumidification is required.The HVAC system may cool, heat, and de-wet air using a refrigerant or the like. The conditioned air is supplied to the roof ventilation device of the present disclosure using a blower, a roof duct, a rear duct, and the like inside the vehicle. The supplied air is discharged into the vehicle compartment through the roof ventilator.The air supplied to the roof ventilation device flows into the duct housing 100. The duct case 100 is provided in the roof covering the upper part of the vehicle to ensure air leakage from the roof into the vehicle cabin. The duct case 100 may be provided at one end of the roof, may be provided in the width direction of the vehicle, may be provided in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, or may be provided in both the width and longitudinal directions of the vehicle.The duct housing 100 may be formed by coupling an upper duct 102 and a lower duct 101. Air may be introduced through one end of the duct housing 100, and the air introduced into the duct housing 100 flows in the longitudinal direction of the duct housing 100.The guide member 200 is configured to uniformly distribute the air introduced into the duct housing 100, and may be provided inside the duct housing 100. The guide member 200 extends in the longitudinal direction of the duct housing 100 and is provided to uniformly distribute the air flowing from one end of the duct housing 100 in the longitudinal direction.The guide member 200 may have a smooth (e.g., continuous) curvature in a spiral shape to generate a uniform air flow, and may have a flow path for the air flowing therethrough.The rotary nozzle 300 may include the discharge unit 310 and is provided with the duct housing 100. An outlet unit coupling 103 to which the outlet unit 310 is coupled is formed outside the duct housing 100, and the outlet unit 310 is arranged so as to be coupled thereto. A hole for communication between the upper duct 102 and the exhaust unit 310 may be formed, i.e., disposed, in the upper duct 102 in which the exhaust unit clutch 103 is formed to supply air to the exhaust unit 310.As described in detail below, the outlet unit 310 may change the direction or the directions of the air outlet in various ways depending on its rotation, i.e., its rotational position. The outlet unit 310 may be rotated manually by the passengers or controlled by the passengers via a control device.With this roof ventilation device, the air can be smoothly discharged from the vehicle roof toward the vehicle cabin, and the direction of the air outlet can be adjusted.On the other hand, a plurality of exhaust units 310 may be provided. A rotary actuator 330 configured to rotate the outlet units 310 and may be provided between the plurality of outlet units 310 may be coupled to the outlet units 310. A rotary actuator clutch 104 to which the rotary actuator 330 is coupled is formed outside the duct housing 100, and the rotary actuator 330 is seated so as to be coupled thereto / e.g., therein). A ball spring 400 may be provided between the rotary actuator 330 and the rotary actuator clutch 104. The ball spring 400 ensures that the rotary actuator rotates only when a certain external force acts. In other words, the passenger can rotate the rotary actuator 330 when the ball spring 400 is compressed while pressing the rotary actuator 330 to rotate the rotary knob 330. Once the rotation of the rotary actuator 330 is completed, the ball spring 400 may spring back and support (e.g., block) the rotary actuator 330, such that the rotary actuator 330 may no longer rotate. In this way, the position of the turntable 330 can be fixed so that the air is discharged only in the direction set by the passenger.As in an embodiment of the present disclosure, a pair of exhaust units 310 may be provided. The rotary actuator 330 may be provided between the pair of outlet units 310.When the passenger rotates the rotary actuator 330, the outlet units 310 also rotate to change the direction of the air outlet.A change in the direction of the air outlet by rotating the outlet units 310 will be described below.The first outlet 311 for discharging the air introduced into the duct housing 100 may be formed, i.e. arranged, in the outlet unit 310. A plurality of first outlets 311 may be formed, i.e., arranged, at a plurality of points in the outlet unit 310. The first outlets 311 are arranged in the extending direction of the outlet unit 310. The first outlets 311 may have uniform cross-sectional areas in the extending direction of the outlet unit 310, and the direction in which the air is guided may also change by rotating the outlet units 310, so that the air can be ejected in a certain direction.FIG. 5 shows that the first outlets 311 may be arranged opposite to each other at a plurality of locations in the outlet unit. Moreover, at a plurality of locations in the outlet unit 310, connection openings 313 for connection (for example, may be provided. In this case, the fluid communication) may be formed with the first outlets 311.In FIG. 4, it can be recognized that the direction of the air outlet changes by rotating the outlet unit 310. By rotating the outlet unit 310, the air can be discharged to the underside of the vehicle roof (bottom), directly to the passenger (normal), or toward the roof (top). These three modes are only examples, and the direction of the air outlet can be finely adjusted by fine tuning the rotation of the outlet unit 310, for example, to directions between the three directions mentioned above.On the other hand, the roof ventilation device according to the present disclosure may also implement a diffusion mode (hereinafter, referred to as a distribution mode) that enables smooth air discharge. In other words, cabin air conditioning in which the passenger can hardly perceive the air leakage can be performed by the air leakage through a considerable number of small outlets.The distribution mode may be realized by an outer panel 500 coupled to the outside of the channel housing 100. In particular, the outer panel 500 covers (e.g., partially) the rotary nozzle 300 outside the duct housing 100 and is coupled to the duct housing 100.In the outer panel 500, a plurality of finely divided second outlets 511 are formed. Through the second outlets 511, the conditioned air is discharged into the vehicle interior when the distribution mode is realized.In other words, FIG. 4 shows that the air introduced into the duct housing 100 is guided to the first outlet 311 through the communication opening 313, flows through the first outlet 311, and then is discharged into the vehicle cabin through the second outlet 511 when the distribution mode is activated. The second outlet 511 has a very small area, and the volume of air discharged thereby is small, so that the passengers can discharge the air discharged into the vehicle cabin (for example. Drafts) are hardly perceptible.As described above, the roof ventilation device enables uniform air to escape from the vehicle roof toward the vehicle cabin. The device also enables the adjustment of the air outlet direction. The device also allows smooth air escape, so that the device is suitable for an elevated strategy of lux vehicles.Further, an inlet 110 for introducing the air may be formed at one side of the duct case 100. The inlet 110 is connected to an HVAC system and introduces conditioned air from the HVAC system into the duct housing 100. While an open inlet 110 is formed on one side of the duct housing 100, the other end is closed. Therefore, all the air introduced into the duct housing 100 is discharged into the vehicle compartment through the duct housing 100.Specifically, the air introduced into the duct housing 100 through the inlet 110 is divided (e.g., opened) and guided by the guide member 200 provided inside the duct housing 100 and extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In other words, FIGS. 2, 6, and 7 show that a plurality of guide flow paths 210 divides the air introduced into the duct housing 100 and is formed, i.e., arranged, in the guide member 200. Thereby, the air can be uniformly distributed in the longitudinal direction of the duct case 100.The conditioned air can be uniformly distributed in all directions of the vehicle by the guide member 200.Further, it may be advantageous that a cross-sectional area of the single inlet 110 is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the plurality of first outlets 311. It may also be advantageous that the combined cross-sectional area of the plurality of first outlets 311 is at least twice the cross-sectional area of the inlet 110. When the cross-sectional area of the inlet 110 is close to the cross-sectional area of the outlet, the pressure of the inflowing air decreases, so that more air is obliquely discharged through the outlet unit disposed close to the inlet 110. Thus, in one example, the cross-sectional areas of the inlet 110 and the outlet may differ by a factor of two or more.Specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, but it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes are possible within the technical spirit of the present disclosure, and it is to be understood that such modifications and changes are included in the accompanying claims.LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS100 Channel housing 100 Lower channel 102 Upper channel 103 Outlet unit coupling 104 Rotary actuator coupling 200 Guide member 210 Guide flow path 300 Rotary nozzle 310 Outlet unit 311 First outlet 313 Communication opening 330 Rotary actuator 400 Ball spring 500 Outer panel 511 Second outlet

Claims

A roof ventilation device, comprising: a roof provided to cover an upper part of a vehicle; a duct housing (100; 101, 102) provided in the roof and extending in a longitudinal direction or a width direction of the vehicle to introduce air into the duct housing (100; 101, 102); a guide member (200) provided inside the duct housing (100; 101, 102) in the extending direction of the duct housing (100; 101, 102) to distribute the air introduced into the duct housing (100; 101, 102); and a rotary nozzle (300) having an outlet unit (310) configured to discharge the air introduced into the duct housing (100; 101, 102) into a vehicle interior and to change a direction of the air outlet by rotation of the outlet unit (310).The roof ventilation device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of exhaust units (310) are provided, and wherein a rotating actuator (330) for rotating the plurality of exhaust units (310) is provided between the plurality of exhaust units (310).The roof ventilation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the outlet unit (310), a first outlet (311) for discharging the air admitted into the duct housing (100; 101, 102) is arranged.The roof ventilation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotary nozzle (300) is provided outside the duct housing (100; 101, 102), and wherein an outer panel (500) covering the rotary nozzle (300) is coupled to the duct housing (100; 101, 102) and provided outside the duct housing (100; 101, 102).The roof ventilation device according to claim 4, wherein a second outlet (511) for discharging the air admitted into the duct housing (100; 101, 102) is arranged in the outer panel (500).The roof ventilation device according to claim 5, wherein the outlet unit (310) discharges the air through the second outlet (511) by rotation of the rotary nozzle (300).The roof ventilation device according to claim 6, wherein the air flows first through the first outlet (311) and then through the second outlet (511) to be discharged.The roof ventilation device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein an inlet (110) for admitting air into the duct housing (100; 101, 102) is arranged at a side of the duct housing (100; 101, 102).The roof ventilation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of guide flow paths (210) extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, which splits air taken into the duct housing (100; 101, 102) and is disposed in the guide member (200).The roof ventilation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an inlet (110) for introducing the air into the duct housing (100; 101, 102) is disposed at a side of the duct housing (100; 101, 102), wherein a plurality of first outlets (311) for discharging the air introduced into the duct housing (100; 101, 102) are disposed in the outlet unit (310), and wherein a cross-sectional area of the inlet (110) is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the plurality of first outlets (311) formed in the outlet unit (310).The roof ventilation device according to claim 10, wherein an air outlet area is twice an air inlet area or more.

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