VENTILATION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE INTERIOR

Abstract

A ventilation system for a motor vehicle includes a ventilation duct that defines a ventilation duct inlet. A ventilation outlet is separate from the ventilation duct inlet. A first ventilation duct contains a first ventilation duct inlet in fluid communication with the ventilation duct inlet and a first duct nozzle that defines a first fluid flow path along a first direction to the ventilation outlet. A second ventilation duct contains a second ventilation duct inlet in fluid communication with the ventilation duct inlet and a second duct nozzle that defines a second fluid flow path along a second direction, which converges with the first direction, to the ventilation outlet.

Description

INTRODUCTION

[0001] The information provided in this section is intended to provide a general context for the disclosure. The work of the presently named inventors, to the extent described in this section, as well as those aspects of the description that do not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor implicitly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to a ventilation system for a vehicle interior. Vehicle climate control systems typically include an air handling unit and a plurality of vents for directing air into a passenger compartment of the vehicle. Vents may be located within an instrument panel or in other areas of the passenger compartment, such as headboards, door panels, or vehicle consoles. Vents generally include one or more louvers and corresponding actuators accessible by the passenger to manage airflow direction. Such louvers and actuators are typically located within the passenger compartment to provide easy access and control for the passenger. SUMMARY

[0003] One aspect of the disclosure provides a ventilation system for a motor vehicle. The ventilation system includes a vent duct defining a vent duct inlet and a vent outlet separate from the vent duct inlet. The ventilation system further includes a first vent duct including a first vent duct inlet in fluid communication with the vent duct inlet, and a first duct nozzle defining a first fluid flow path to the vent outlet along a first direction. The ventilation system further includes a second vent duct including a second vent duct inlet in fluid communication with the vent duct inlet, and a second duct nozzle defining a second fluid flow path to the vent outlet along a second direction converging with the first direction.

[0004] Aspects of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some examples, the ventilation system further includes a primary damper disposed within the vent duct inlet and configured to selectively obstruct the first vent inlet or the second vent inlet. In some examples, the first vent duct and the second vent duct are each defined at least partially by a baffle plate disposed between the primary damper and the vent outlet.

[0005] In some configurations, the ventilation system further includes a first secondary louver disposed in the first ventilation duct and a second secondary louver disposed in the second ventilation duct, wherein the first secondary louver and the second secondary louver are each configured to selectively rotate to direct airflow in a transverse direction. In some examples, the first secondary louver and the second secondary louver are recessed into the ventilation outlet.

[0006] In some examples, the height of the first vent duct and / or the second vent duct tapers along the direction from the vent duct inlet to the vent outlet. In some implementations, the first vent duct runs along a first curved path and the second vent duct runs along a second curved path. In some configurations, the first duct nozzle includes a first nozzle outlet defining a first nozzle axis, and the second duct nozzle includes a second nozzle outlet defining a second nozzle axis that converges with the first nozzle axis. In some examples, the first nozzle outlet is disposed adjacent to the second nozzle outlet at the vent outlet. In some embodiments, the first nozzle outlet at the vent outlet is separate from the second nozzle outlet.

[0007] Another aspect of the disclosure provides an instrument panel for a motor vehicle. The instrument panel includes an upper instrument panel, a lower instrument panel spaced apart from the upper instrument panel, and a ventilation outlet disposed between the upper instrument panel and the lower instrument panel. The instrument panel further includes a ventilation system disposed within the instrument panel and in communication with the ventilation outlet.The ventilation system comprises a ventilation duct inlet and a ventilation duct including a first ventilation duct including a first ventilation duct inlet in fluid communication with the ventilation duct inlet and a first duct nozzle defining a first fluid flow path to the ventilation outlet along a first direction, and a second ventilation duct including a second ventilation duct inlet in fluid communication with the ventilation duct inlet and a second duct nozzle defining a second fluid flow path to the ventilation outlet along a second direction converging with the first direction.

[0008] Aspects of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some examples, the ventilation system includes a primary damper disposed within the vent duct inlet and configured to selectively obstruct the first vent inlet or the second vent inlet. In some implementations, the first vent duct and the second vent duct are each defined at least partially by a baffle plate disposed between the primary damper and the vent outlet.

[0009] In some implementations, the ventilation system includes a first secondary louver disposed in the first vent duct and a second secondary louver disposed in the second vent duct, the first secondary louver and the second secondary louver each configured to selectively rotate to direct airflow in a transverse direction. In some configurations, the first secondary louver and the second secondary louver are recessed into the vent outlet. In some examples, the height of the first vent duct and / or the second vent duct tapers along the direction from the vent duct inlet to the vent outlet. In some examples, the first vent duct runs along a first curved path and the second vent duct runs along a second curved path.

[0010] In some implementations, the first duct nozzle includes a first nozzle outlet defining a first outlet axis, and the second duct nozzle includes a second nozzle outlet defining a second outlet axis that converges with the first nozzle axis. In some configurations, the first nozzle outlet is disposed adjacent to the second nozzle outlet at the vent outlet. In some examples, the first nozzle outlet at the vent outlet is separate from the second nozzle outlet. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure; they show: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a ventilation system according to the principles of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 a front cross-sectional view of the ventilation system of the Fig. 1, which is in line 2-2 in Fig. 1 is shown; Fig. 3 a perspective cross-sectional view of the ventilation system of the Fig. 1, which is in line 2-2 in Fig. 1 is shown; Fig. 4A is a perspective partial cross-sectional view of the ventilation system of the Fig. 1, wherein the ventilation system is configured to direct an air flow in a first configuration; Fig. 4B is a perspective partial cross-sectional view of the ventilation system of the Fig. 1, wherein the ventilation system is configured to direct an air flow in a second configuration; Fig. 4C is a perspective partial cross-sectional view of the ventilation system of the Fig. 1, wherein the ventilation system is configured to direct airflow in a third configuration; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of another example of a ventilation system according to the principles of the present disclosure; Fig. 6 a cross-sectional view of the ventilation system of the Fig. 5, which is in line 6-6 in Fig. 5 is shown; Fig. 7 a perspective cross-sectional view of the ventilation system of the Fig. 5, which is in line 6-6 in Fig. 5 is shown; Fig. 8A is a perspective partial cross-sectional view of the ventilation system of the Fig. 5, wherein the ventilation system is configured to direct an air flow in a first configuration; Fig. 8B is a perspective partial cross-sectional view of the ventilation system of the Fig. 5, wherein the ventilation system is configured to direct airflow in a second configuration; Fig. 8C is a perspective partial cross-sectional view of the ventilation system of the Fig. 5, wherein the ventilation system is configured to direct airflow in a third configuration;

[0012] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding sections in all drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Example configurations will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Specific details, such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of configurations of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that specific details need not be employed, that example configurations may be embodied in many different forms, and that the specific details and example configurations should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure.

[0014] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing specific example configurations only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular articles "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "including," "containing," and "having" are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more additional features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.The method steps, processes, and operations described herein should not be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. Additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0015] When an element or layer is described as being "on," "engaging with," "connected to," "attached to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaging with, connected to, attached to, or coupled to the another element or layer, or there may be intervening elements or layers. Conversely, when an element is described as being "directly on," "directly engaging with," "directly connected to," "directly attached to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there need not be any intervening elements or layers. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a similar manner (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.).As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any combination of one or more of the associated listed elements.

[0016] The terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections. These elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections are not intended to be limited by these terms. These terms may be used merely to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context.Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below may be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the example configurations.

[0017] In the Fig. 1-5, a first example of a ventilation system 100 according to the present disclosure is shown. As shown, the ventilation system 100 is housed within an instrument panel 14 of a passenger compartment 12. In particular, the ventilation system 100 may be integrated into the instrument panel 14 between an upper instrument panel 16 and a lower instrument panel 18. Generally, the ventilation system 100 of the shown example is configured to minimize the visibility of the ventilation system 100 to a passenger seated in the passenger compartment 12. Therefore, the components of the ventilation system 100 are recessed into the instrument panel 14 relative to the passenger compartment 12. For example, in the shown example, the ventilation system 100 includes a vent outlet 102 integrated into the instrument panel 14 between a distal end 20 of the upper instrument panel 16 and a distal end 22 of the lower instrument panel 18.The ventilation outlet 102 is provided as an elongated duct that runs continuously along the instrument panel 14.

[0018] In the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the cross-sectional views of the instrument panel 14 show the interior components of the ventilation system 100, which are generally recessed into the ventilation outlet 102 such that the interior components of the ventilation system 100 are not visible to a passenger P seated in the passenger compartment 12. The ventilation system 100 includes a vent duct 104 configured to provide a fluid passage 106 from a climate control system (not shown) of the vehicle 10 to the ventilation outlet 102. As shown, the vent duct 104 includes an upper vent duct plate 108 and a lower vent duct plate 110 spaced from the upper vent duct plate 108 by a height H 106of the passage 106. Although not shown, the vent duct 104 further includes a pair of side guide plates extending from the upper vent duct plate 108 and the lower vent duct plate 110, respectively. The upper vent duct plate 108 includes an upper vent surface 112, and the lower vent duct plate 110 includes a lower vent surface 114 that is aligned with the upper vent surface 112 along a longitudinal axis A 104 facing the ventilation duct 104 and spaced therefrom by the height H 106 of the passage 106. A length of the ventilation duct 104 can be defined as along the longitudinal axis A 104 extending from a vent duct inlet 116 to the vent outlet 102. The vent duct inlet 116 is located at a first end of the vent duct 104 and is configured to communicate with the climate control system of the vehicle 10.

[0019] The ventilation duct 104 further includes an intermediate portion or vent cavity 117 disposed between the ventilation duct inlet 116 and the vent outlet 102. In the example shown, the vent cavity 117 is disposed adjacent to the vent outlet 102 and defines a pair of vent channels 118, 120 that provide parallel fluid flow paths from the ventilation duct inlet 116 to the vent outlet 102 along a direction of the longitudinal axis A. 104 The vent cavity 117 includes a vent cavity separator disposed between the upper vent duct plate 108 and the lower vent duct plate 110. A length of the vent cavity separator 122 extends from a first end 124 at the vent duct inlet 116 along the longitudinal axis A. 104to a second end 126 at the vent outlet 102. The vent cavity divider 122 includes an upper divider surface 128 extending from the first end 124 to the second end 126, and an opposing lower divider surface 130 formed on an opposite side from the upper divider surface 128. A distance from the upper divider surface 128 to the lower divider surface 130 defines a height of the vent cavity divider.

[0020] In Fig. 2, the vent cavity 117 and the vent cavity separator 122 cooperate to define an upper vent channel 118 and a lower vent channel 120. In particular, the upper separator surface 128 is located opposite (i.e., facing) the upper vent duct surface 112 defined by the upper vent duct plate 108 and is spaced therefrom to define the upper vent channel 118, which provides fluid communication from the vent duct inlet 116 to the vent outlet 102. Likewise, the lower separator surface 130 is opposite (i.e., facing) the lower vent duct surface 114 defined by the lower vent duct plate 110 and is spaced therefrom to define a lower vent channel 120 that provides fluid communication from the vent duct inlet 116 to the vent outlet 102.

[0021] In the example shown, the duct surfaces 112, 114, 128, and 130 provide the ventilation channels 118, 120 with curved profiles. For example, the upper duct surface 112 and the opposite lower duct surface 114 each have a concave curvature extending between the duct inlet 116 and the vent outlet 102, while the upper separator surface 128 and the lower separator surface 130 each have a convex curvature extending between the first end 124 of the vent cavity separator 122 and the second end 126 of the vent cavity separator 122. Therefore, the upper duct 118 follows a curved path having a concave curvature relative to the longitudinal axis A. 104 the ventilation duct 104, while the lower ventilation duct 120 follows a curved path having an opposite concave curvature relative to the longitudinal axis A 104wherein the upper ventilation duct 118 and the lower ventilation duct 120 initially diverge from each other and then converge towards each other at the ventilation outlet 102. In this particular example, the ventilation ducts 118 and 120 converge towards each other at the ventilation outlet 102. In other words, the second end 126 of the ventilation cavity separator 122 forms a point at the ventilation outlet 102 where the upper ventilation duct 118 and the lower ventilation duct 120 intersect.

[0022] In Fig. 2, the upper duct 118 and the lower duct 120 each include a duct inlet 132, 136 and a duct nozzle 134, 138. In particular, the upper duct 118 includes an upper duct inlet 132 extending from the duct inlet 116 and an upper duct nozzle 134 extending from the upper duct inlet 132 to the vent outlet 102. Likewise, the lower duct 120 includes a lower duct inlet 136 extending from the duct inlet 116 and a lower duct nozzle 138 extending from the lower duct inlet 136 to the vent outlet 102. The ventilation duct inlets 132, 136 correspond to the aforementioned sections of the ventilation ducts 118, 120 that diverge from each other, while the ventilation duct nozzles correspond to the sections of the ventilation ducts 118, 120 that converge towards each other.Thus, each of the ventilation duct nozzles 134, 138 defines the corresponding ventilation nozzle axes A. 134 , A 138 , which are along a direction of the longitudinal axis A 104 to the ventilation outlet 102.

[0023] How best in Fig. 2, the ventilation cavity separator 122 is arranged within the ventilation cavity 117 toward the ventilation outlet 102 along a direction of the longitudinal axis A 104 The offset configuration provides the upper ventilation duct 118 and the lower ventilation duct 120 with a tapered height H 118 and H 120 from the ventilation duct inlet 116 to the ventilation outlet 102. In particular, the heights H 118 and H 120 the ventilation ducts 118 and 120 along the upper ventilation duct nozzle 134 and the lower ventilation duct nozzle 138, which leads to an increased velocity of the air flow A at the ventilation outlet 102.

[0024] As continued in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the ventilation system 100 includes a primary louver or damper 140 disposed within the vent duct inlet 116 at the first end 124 of the vent cavity separator 122. The primary louver 140 is configured to selectively allow airflow A to enter the upper vent duct 118 and / or the lower vent duct 120. The primary louver 140 includes a first end 142 pivotally mounted to the vent duct 104 and adjacent the first end 124 of the vent cavity separator 122. A length of the primary louver 140 extends from the first end 142 to a distal second end 144 disposed within the vent duct inlet 116. The primary blade 140 is configured such that the second end 144 pivots or rotates about the first end 142 to move between an “up” position ( Fig. 4A) and a “down” position ( Fig. 4B). In the "Up" position, the distal end 144 is in contact with the upper duct surface 112 in the duct inlet 116 to block airflow A from entering the upper duct 118. Conversely, in the "Down" position, the distal end 144 is in contact with the lower duct surface 114 to block airflow A to the lower duct 120. As explained below, the primary blade 140 can also move to intermediate positions ( Fig. 4C) to proportionally control the air flow A into both the upper ventilation duct 118 and the lower ventilation duct 120.

[0025] In addition to the primary louver 140, the ventilation system 100 includes a pair of secondary louvers 148, which are arranged in the upper ventilation duct 118 and the lower ventilation duct 120, respectively. The secondary louvers 148 include a series of secondary louver dampers 152, each attached to a corresponding secondary louver pivot point 150, wherein the secondary louver dampers 152 are configured to selectively direct the airflow A in a transverse direction through the upper and lower ventilation ducts 118, 120. In other words, the secondary louver dampers 152 can be moved from a neutral position (i.e., the air flows straight and parallel to the longitudinal axis A 104 through the ventilation ducts 118, 120) into a rotated position to direct air to the left or right relative to the ventilation outlet 102.

[0026] The ventilation system 100 may include a ventilation control system 160 that includes a primary vane motor configured to rotate the primary vane 140, a secondary vane motor configured to rotate the secondary vanes, and a ventilation control system that includes a controller (i.e., data processing hardware) and memory hardware that creates instructions for the primary vane motor and the secondary vane motor. In other words, the primary vane 140 and the secondary vanes 148 are configured to be controlled using the motors, with no external actuators or controls within the vehicle interior. In some examples, the secondary vanes 148 may be controlled together by a single secondary vane motor. Alternatively, the secondary vanes 148 may be operated independently.

[0027] In the Fig. 4A-4C show exemplary sequences of the ventilation system 100 for controlling the direction of the air flow A. While the Fig. 4A-4C show three examples - "top", "bottom" and "centered" - it should be appreciated that the primary blade 140 can be actuated to any intermediate position to proportionally control the direction of air flow A. In Fig. 4A, the primary blade 140 is configured in the "up" position, with the distal end 144 of the primary blade 140 rotated about the first end 142 and in contact with the upper duct surface 112 to block the upper vent inlet 132, thereby directing all airflow A to the lower duct inlet 136. As shown by the directional arrows, the airflow A follows the curved path of the lower duct 120 and is directed toward the axis A138 ( Fig. 2) the lower ventilation duct nozzle 138 to the ventilation outlet 102. As in Fig. 4A, the air flow A exits the ventilation outlet 102 and flows upward in a direction associated with the head or face of the passenger P.

[0028] In Fig. 4B, the primary blade 140 is configured in the "down" position, with the distal end 144 of the primary blade 140 rotated about the first end 142 and in contact with the lower duct surface 114 to block the lower duct inlet 136, thereby directing all airflow A to the upper duct inlet 132. As shown by the directional arrows, the airflow A follows the curved path of the upper duct 118 and is directed along the direction of the axis A134 ( Fig. 2) the upper ventilation duct nozzle 134 to the ventilation outlet 102. As in Fig. 4B, the air flow A exits the ventilation outlet 102 and flows downward in a direction associated with the lower body of the passenger P.

[0029] In Fig. 4C, the primary blade 140 is configured in the "neutral" position, with the distal end 144 of the primary blade 140 rotated about the first end 142 and centered between the upper duct surface 112 and the lower duct surface 114, thereby equally dividing the total airflow A between the upper duct inlet 132 and the lower duct inlet 136. As shown by the directional arrows, the airflow A follows the curved paths of the upper duct 118 and the lower duct 120, respectively, and is directed along the direction of the axes A 134 , A 138 ( Fig. 2) the upper ventilation duct nozzle 134 and the lower ventilation duct nozzle 138, respectively, to the ventilation outlet 102. The upper and lower air flows A converge at the ventilation outlet 102, with the upward direction of the air flow A from the lower ventilation duct nozzle 138 combining with and counteracting the downward direction of the air flow A from the upper ventilation duct nozzle 134. As shown in Fig. 4C, the airflows A exit the vent outlet 102 in a horizontal direction associated with the upper body of the passenger P. In use, the vertical direction of the airflow A from the outlet can be adjusted by modulating the primary louver 140. For example, biasing the primary louver 140 toward the upper vent duct surface 112 proportionally increases the volumetric flow rate to the lower vent duct inlet 136. The increased airflow through the lower vent duct 120 will bias the outlet airflow A upward because the forces associated with the greater airflow A through the lower vent duct 120 exceed the forces associated with the lesser airflow through the upper vent duct 118.

[0030] How best in Fig. 2, the distal ends 20, 22 of the upper and lower instrument panels define truncated surfaces which are substantially planar and transverse to the nozzle axes A 134 , A 138 are aligned to prevent the air flow A from being influenced by the Coanda effect when the air flow A exits the ventilation outlet 102. In the example shown, the distal ends 20 and 22 are arranged substantially vertically. In other configurations, however, the distal ends 20, 22 may be arranged relative to the nozzle axes A 134 , A 138 be oriented at a larger angle. Therefore, the direction of airflow A from the vent outlet 102 is controlled entirely by modulating the airflow A through the vent ducts 118, 120 and not by the exterior surfaces of the instrument panel 14.

[0031] In the Fig. 5-8C, the ventilation system 100a is incorporated into the instrument panel 14 of the passenger compartment 12. In particular, the ventilation system 100 may be integrated into the instrument panel 14a between an upper instrument panel 16a and a lower instrument panel 18a. Generally, the ventilation system 100 of the illustrated example is configured to minimize the visibility of the ventilation system 100 to a passenger seated in the passenger compartment 12. Therefore, the components of the ventilation system 100a are recessed within the instrument panel 14a relative to the passenger compartment 12. For example, in the illustrated example, the ventilation system 100a includes a vent outlet 102a integrated into the instrument panel 14a between a distal end 20a of the upper instrument panel 16a and a distal end 22a of the lower instrument panel 18a. The ventilation outlet 102a is provided as an elongated duct that runs continuously along the instrument panel 14a.

[0032] In the Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, the cross-sectional views of the instrument panel 14a show the internal components of the ventilation system 100a, which are generally recessed into the ventilation outlet 102a such that the internal components of the ventilation system 100a are not visible to a passenger P seated in the passenger compartment 12a. The ventilation system 100 includes a vent duct 104a configured to provide a fluid passage 106a from a climate control system (not shown) of the vehicle 10 to the ventilation outlet 102a. As shown, the vent duct 104a includes an upper vent duct plate 108a and a lower vent duct plate 110a spaced from the upper vent duct plate 108a by a height H 106aof the passage 106a. Although not shown, the vent duct 104a further includes a pair of side guide plates extending from the upper vent duct plate 108a and the lower vent duct plate 110a, respectively. The upper vent duct plate 108a includes an upper vent surface 112a, and the lower vent duct plate 110a includes a lower vent surface 114a that corresponds to the upper vent surface 112a along a longitudinal axis A. 104a facing the ventilation duct 104a and spaced therefrom by the height H 106a of the passage 106a. A length of the ventilation duct 104a can be defined as extending along the longitudinal axis A 104a extending from a vent duct inlet 116a to the vent outlet 102a. The vent duct inlet 116a is located at a first end of the vent duct 104a and is configured to communicate with the climate control system of the vehicle 10.

[0033] The vent duct 104a further includes an intermediate portion or vent cavity 117a disposed between the vent duct inlet 116a and the vent outlet 102a. In the example shown, the vent cavity 117a is disposed adjacent to the vent outlet 102a and defines a pair of vent channels 118a and 120a that form parallel fluid flow paths from the vent duct inlet 116a to the vent outlet 102 along a direction of the longitudinal axis A. 104a The vent cavity 117a includes a vent cavity separator disposed between the upper vent duct plate 108a and the lower vent duct plate 110a. A length of the vent cavity separator 122a extends from a first end 124a at the vent duct inlet 116a along the longitudinal axis A. 104ato a second end 126a at the vent outlet 102a. The vent cavity divider 122a includes an upper divider surface 128a extending from the first end 124a to the second end 126a, and an opposing lower divider surface 130a formed on an opposite side to the upper divider surface 128a. A distance from the upper divider surface 128a to the lower divider surface 130a defines a height of the vent cavity divider.

[0034] In Fig. 6, the vent cavity 117a and the vent cavity separator 122a cooperate to define an upper vent channel 118a and a lower vent channel 120a. Specifically, the upper separator surface 128a is located opposite (i.e., facing) the upper vent duct surface 112a defined by the upper vent duct plate 108a and is spaced apart from it to define the upper vent channel 118a, which provides fluid communication from the vent duct inlet 116a to the vent outlet 102a. Likewise, the lower separator surface 130a is opposite (i.e., faces) the lower vent duct surface 114a defined by the lower vent duct plate 110a and is spaced therefrom to define a lower vent channel 120a that provides fluid communication from the vent duct inlet 116a to the vent outlet 102a.

[0035] In Fig. 6, the upper duct 118a and the lower duct 120a each include a duct inlet 132a, 136a and a duct nozzle 134a, 138a. In particular, the upper duct 118a includes an upper duct inlet 132a extending from the duct inlet 116a and an upper duct nozzle 134a extending from the upper duct inlet 132a to the vent outlet 102a. Likewise, the lower duct 120a includes a lower duct inlet 136a extending from the duct inlet 116a and a lower duct nozzle 138a extending from the lower duct inlet 136a to the vent outlet 102a.In this example, the upper duct nozzle 134a is separated or spaced from the lower duct nozzle 138a at the vent outlet 102a by a front divider plate 131a extending between the upper divider surface 128a and the lower divider surface 130a at the second end 126a of the vent cavity divider 122a. Optionally, the front divider plate 131a may include a graphical user interface or electronic display screen integrated into the front divider plate 131a to provide a visual display and / or interface between the upper duct nozzle 134a and the lower duct nozzle 138a.

[0036] Similar to the previously described example of the ventilation system 100, the ventilation duct inlets 132a, 136a diverge from each other, while the ventilation duct nozzles 134a, 138a converge toward each other. In this example, the ventilation ducts 118a, 120a have a split profile, with each of the ventilation duct inlets 132a, 136a consisting essentially of straight first sections of the ventilation ducts 118a, 120a that diverge from each other, and each of the ventilation duct nozzles 134a, 138a consisting essentially of straight second sections of the ventilation ducts 118a, 120a that converge toward each other along the direction of airflow A. In the example shown, the ventilation duct inlets 132a, 136a are connected to the respective ventilation duct nozzles 134a, 138a by curved transition sections 133a, 137a, each of which has a concave curvature relative to the longitudinal axis A 104a define, connected. How best to Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, the upper ventilation duct 118a and the lower ventilation duct 120a may each have a height H tapering from the ventilation duct inlet 116a to the ventilation outlet 102a 118a , H 120a In particular, the heights H 118a , H 120a the ventilation ducts 118a and 120a along the upper ventilation duct inlet 132a and the lower ventilation duct inlet 136a, resulting in an increased velocity of the air flow A at the ventilation outlet 102a.

[0037] As continued in the Fig. 6 and Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the ventilation system 100a includes a primary louver or damper 140 disposed within the vent duct inlet 116a at the first end 124a of the vent cavity separator 122a. The primary louver 140 is configured to selectively allow airflow A to enter the upper vent duct 118a and / or the lower vent duct 120a. The primary louver 140 includes the first end 142 pivotally mounted to the vent duct 104a and adjacent the first end 124a of the vent cavity separator 122a. A length of the primary louver 140 extends from the first end 142 to the distal second end 144 disposed within the vent duct inlet 116a. The primary blade 140 is configured such that the second end 144 pivots or rotates about the first end 142 to move between an “up” position ( Fig. 8A) and a “down” position ( Fig. 8B). In the "up" position, the distal end 144 contacts the upper duct surface 112a in the duct inlet 116a to block airflow A from entering the upper duct 118a. Conversely, in the "down" position, the distal end 144 contacts the lower duct surface 114a to block airflow A to the lower duct 120a. As explained below, the primary blade 140 can also move to intermediate positions to proportionally control airflow A into both the upper duct 118a and the lower duct 120a.

[0038] In addition to the primary louver 140, the ventilation system 100a includes a pair of secondary louvers 148a, each disposed in the upper vent duct 118a and the lower vent duct 120a, respectively. The secondary louvers 148a include a series of secondary louver dampers 152a, each attached to a corresponding secondary louver pivot point 150a, wherein the secondary louver dampers 152a are configured to selectively direct the airflow A in a transverse direction through the upper and lower vent ducts 118a and 120a. In other words, the secondary louver dampers 152a can be rotated from a neutral position (i.e., the air flows straight and parallel through the vent ducts 118a, 120a) to a rotated position to direct air to the left or right relative to the vent outlet 102a.In the example shown, the secondary vane pivot points 150a are connected to each other by a common drive shaft 154, which can be controlled by a secondary vane motor.

[0039] The ventilation system 100a may include the ventilation control system 160, which includes a primary vane motor configured to rotate the primary vane 140, a secondary vane motor 162 configured to rotate the secondary vanes, and a ventilation control system including a controller (i.e., data processing hardware) and memory hardware for generating instructions for the primary vane motor and the secondary vane motor. In other words, the primary vane 140 and the secondary vanes 148a are configured to be actuated using the motors, with no external actuators or controls present within the vehicle interior.

[0040] In the Fig. 8A-8C show exemplary sequences of the ventilation system 100a for controlling the direction of the air flow A. While the Fig. 8A-8C show three examples - "top", "bottom" and "centered" - it should be appreciated that the primary blade 140 can be actuated to any intermediate position to proportionally control the direction of air flow A. In Fig. 8A, the primary blade 140 is configured in the "up" position, with the distal end 144 of the primary blade 140 rotated about the first end 142 and in contact with the upper duct surface 112a to block the upper duct A, thereby directing all airflow A to the lower duct inlet 136a. As shown by the directional arrows, the airflow A follows the curved path of the lower duct 120a and is directed toward the axis A138a ( Fig. 6) of the lower ventilation duct nozzle 138a to the ventilation outlet 102a. As shown in Fig. 8A, the air flow A exits the ventilation outlet 102a and flows upward in a direction associated with the head or face of the passenger P.

[0041] In Fig. 8B, the primary blade 140 is configured in the "down" position, with the distal end 144 of the primary blade 140 rotated about the first end 142 and in contact with the lower duct surface 114a to block the lower duct inlet 136a, thereby directing all airflow A to the upper duct inlet 132a. As shown by the directional arrows, the airflow A follows the curved path of the upper duct 118a and is directed along the direction of the axis A134a ( Fig. 6) of the upper ventilation duct nozzle 134a to the ventilation outlet 102a. As in Fig. 8B, the air flow A exits the ventilation outlet 102a and flows downward in a direction associated with the lower body of the passenger P.

[0042] In Fig. 8C, the primary blade 140 is configured in the "neutral" position, with the distal end 144 of the primary blade 140 rotated about the first end 142 and centered between the upper duct surface 112a and the lower duct surface 114a, thereby equally dividing the total airflow A between the upper duct inlet 132a and the lower duct inlet 136a. As shown by the directional arrows, the airflow A follows the curved paths of the upper duct 118a and the lower duct 120a, respectively, and is directed along the direction of the axes A134a, A138a ( Fig. 6) the upper ventilation duct nozzle 134a and the lower ventilation duct nozzle 138a, respectively, to the ventilation outlet 102a. The upper and lower air streams A converge at the ventilation outlet 102a, with the upward direction of the air stream A from the lower ventilation duct nozzle 138a combining with and counteracting the downward direction of the air stream A from the upper ventilation duct nozzle 134a. As shown in Fig.8C, the airflow A therefore exits the vent outlet 102a and flows in a horizontal direction associated with the upper body of the passenger P. In use, the vertical direction of the airflow A can be adjusted by modulating the primary louver 140. For example, biasing the primary louver 140 toward the upper vent duct surface 112a proportionally increases the volumetric flow rate to the lower vent duct inlet 136a. The increased airflow through the lower vent duct 120a will bias the outlet airflow A upward because the forces associated with the greater airflow A through the lower vent duct 120a exceed the forces associated with the lesser airflow through the upper vent duct 118a.

[0043] Several implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it should be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, further implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

[0044] The foregoing description has been provided for illustrative and descriptive purposes. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular configuration are generally not limited to that particular configuration, but are, where applicable, interchangeable and may be used in a chosen configuration, even if not specifically shown or described. They may also be varied in many respects. Such variations are not to be considered a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

[1] Ventilation system for a motor vehicle, the ventilation system comprising: a ventilation duct defining a ventilation duct inlet; a ventilation outlet separate from the ventilation duct inlet; a first ventilation duct including a first ventilation duct inlet in fluid communication with the ventilation duct inlet and a first duct nozzle defining a first fluid flow path to the ventilation outlet along a first direction; and a second vent duct including a second vent duct inlet in fluid communication with the vent duct inlet and a second duct nozzle defining a second fluid flow path to the vent outlet along a second direction converging with the first direction. [2] The ventilation system of claim 1, further comprising a primary damper disposed in the duct inlet and configured to selectively obstruct one of the first duct inlet and the second duct inlet. [3] The ventilation system of claim 2, wherein the first ventilation duct and the second ventilation duct are each at least partially defined by a separator plate disposed between the primary damper and the ventilation outlet. [4] The ventilation system of claim 2, further comprising a first secondary louver disposed in the first ventilation duct and a second secondary louver disposed in the second ventilation duct, wherein the first secondary louver and the second secondary louver are each configured to selectively rotate to direct airflow in a transverse direction. [5] Ventilation system according to claim 4, wherein the first secondary louvre and the second secondary louvre are recessed into the ventilation outlet. [6] Ventilation system according to claim 1, wherein the height of the first ventilation duct and / or the second ventilation duct tapers along the direction from the ventilation duct inlet to the ventilation outlet. [7] The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein the first ventilation duct extends along a first curved path and the second ventilation duct extends along a second curved path. [8] The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein the first duct nozzle includes a first nozzle outlet defining a first nozzle axis and the second duct nozzle includes a second nozzle outlet defining a second nozzle axis converging with the first nozzle axis. [9] Ventilation system according to claim 8, wherein the first nozzle outlet is arranged adjacent to the second nozzle outlet at the ventilation outlet. [10] Dashboard for a motor vehicle, the dashboard comprising: an upper dashboard; a lower instrument panel spaced from the upper instrument panel; a ventilation outlet located between the upper instrument panel and the lower instrument panel; and a ventilation system disposed between the upper dashboard and the lower dashboard and in communication with the ventilation outlet, the ventilation system comprising: a ventilation duct inlet; a ventilation duct including: a first ventilation duct including a first ventilation duct inlet in fluid communication with the ventilation duct inlet and a first duct nozzle defining a first fluid flow path along a first direction to the ventilation outlet; and a second vent duct including a second vent duct inlet in fluid communication with the vent duct inlet and a second duct nozzle defining a second fluid flow path to the vent outlet along a second direction converging with the first direction.

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