MOVABLE CHANNEL FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

A movable channel comprises an inlet channel segment with an inlet channel wall extending from a first inlet channel end to an opposite second inlet channel end and comprising at least one first elongated guide extending between the first and second inlet channel ends. The movable channel further comprises a first telescopic channel segment with a first telescopic channel wall extending from a first telescopic channel end to an opposite second telescopic channel end and having at least one projection that slidably engages with the at least one elongated guide of the inlet channel segment.

Description

INTRODUCTION

[0001] The information contained in this section is intended to provide a general context for the disclosure. Work by the presently named inventors, to the extent described in this section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise be prior art at the time of filing, are not expressly or impliedly admitted as prior art to the present disclosure.

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to a movable duct for a vehicle.

[0003] Vehicles typically have numerous ducts configured to direct air from a vehicle heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to a destination within an interior passenger compartment of the vehicle. One location where targeted ducts are required is near a user device charging station. Since heat is often generated during user device charging, the duct is needed to provide cooling to the user device and the charging area. Some vehicles have user device charging stations located in the vehicle console.

[0004] Some vehicles may have a vehicle console that is movable between different positions. Current solutions for cooling the user device, regardless of the position of the vehicle console, involve continuously supplying air at maximum capacity to reach the user device charging station. However, operating the HVAC system at maximum capacity can result in air loss and customer dissatisfaction due to poor performance and noise. Therefore, there is still a need for an improved vehicle duct compatible with a movable vehicle console. SUMMARY

[0005] One aspect of the disclosure provides a movable duct for a motor vehicle. The movable duct includes an intake duct segment having an intake duct wall extending from a first intake duct end to an opposite second intake duct end and including at least one first elongated guide extending between the first intake duct end and the second intake duct end. The movable duct further includes a first telescopic duct segment having a first telescopic duct wall extending from a first telescopic duct end to an opposite second telescopic duct end and having at least one projection slidably engaging the at least one elongated guide of the intake duct segment.

[0006] Aspects of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some examples, the second inlet port end of the inlet port segment includes a forward portion defining a tapered width of the inlet port wall. In some configurations, the first telescopic port end includes a funnel- or bell-shaped flare defining a flared width of the inlet port wall, the forward portion configured to fit within the flare. In some embodiments, the forward portion includes one or more positioning features, each configured to receive and align the at least one protrusion of the first telescopic port segment with the first elongated guide of the inlet port segment.

[0007] In some examples, the first elongated guide defines a recessed channel formed in the inlet channel wall. In some embodiments, the first telescopic channel segment includes at least one second elongated guide extending between the first telescopic channel end and the second telescopic channel end, and the movable channel further includes a second telescopic channel segment having a second telescopic channel wall extending from a third telescopic channel end to an opposite fourth telescopic channel end and including at least one projection slidably engaging the at least one second elongated guide of the first telescopic channel segment.

[0008] Another aspect of the disclosure includes a vehicle having a vehicle heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system configured to bring air to a desired temperature. The vehicle further includes a passenger compartment configured to accommodate a vehicle occupant.The vehicle further includes a movable duct having a body defining an internal conduit configured to provide fluid communication from the vehicle's HVAC system to the vehicle's passenger compartment, the body having an inlet duct segment coupled to the vehicle's HVAC system and an outlet duct segment coupled to the vehicle's passenger compartment, the outlet duct segment movable between an extended configuration in which the outlet duct segment is located at a first location in the vehicle's passenger compartment and a retracted configuration in which the outlet duct segment is located at a second location in the vehicle's passenger compartment.

[0009] This aspect of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some examples, the movement of the movable channel between the extended configuration and the retracted configuration is a translational movement. In some embodiments, the movement of the movable channel between the extended configuration and the retracted configuration is a telescoping movement such that the inlet channel segment and the outlet channel segment are concentric. In some configurations, the body of the movable channel further includes one or more intermediate channel segments concentric with the inlet channel segment and the outlet channel segment. Optionally, the inlet channel segment includes an elongated guide defining a channel extending along an axial direction.

[0010] In some configurations, the exhaust duct segment includes a retaining projection configured to slidably engage the elongated guide to prevent rotational movement between the inlet duct segment and the exhaust duct segment. In some examples, the inlet duct segment further includes a forward ramp portion formed at one end of the inlet duct segment to assist in coupling the inlet duct segment to the exhaust duct segment. In some embodiments, the passenger compartment of the vehicle includes a movable vehicle console, and the exhaust duct segment is at least partially disposed within a movable vehicle console. Optionally, at least one of the inlet duct segment or the exhaust duct segment may be manufactured by a blow molding process.

[0011] Another aspect of the disclosure provides a movable duct for a vehicle having a vehicle heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The movable duct includes a body defining an interior conduit and having an inlet duct segment coupled to the HVAC system of the vehicle and an outlet duct segment coupled to the passenger compartment of the vehicle, wherein the outlet duct segment is linearly movable between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration, and the movement of the outlet duct segment between the extended configuration and the retracted configuration is a telescoping movement such that the inlet duct segment and the outlet duct segment are concentric.

[0012] This aspect of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some examples, the movable duct body further includes an intermediate duct segment concentric with the inlet duct segment and the outlet duct segment. In some embodiments, the movable duct body further includes a second intermediate duct segment concentric with the inlet duct segment, the intermediate duct segment, and the outlet duct segment. In some configurations, one of the inlet duct segment and the outlet duct segment includes a retaining protrusion configured to prevent rotational movement between the inlet duct segment and the outlet duct segment. In some examples, a diameter of the inlet duct segment is smaller than a diameter of the outlet duct segment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Fig. 1 is an exterior perspective view of a vehicle in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 is an interior perspective view of the passenger compartment of the vehicle, the passenger compartment including a movable vehicle console according to the principles of the present disclosure; Fig. 3 is a front perspective view of the vehicle console of Fig. 2, which shows the vehicle console coupled with an example of a movable channel according to the principles of the present disclosure; Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the movable channel according to the principles of the present disclosure; Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the movable channel in retracted configuration; and Fig. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the movable channel in extended configuration.

[0014] Corresponding reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Example configurations will now be described in more detail 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 of ordinary skill in the art. Specific details are set forth, such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. Those of ordinary skill 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.

[0016] 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 articles "a," "an," and "the" include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "including," 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 other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein should not be construed as necessarily being performed in the particular order explained or illustrated unless they are expressly identified as being in that order of performance.Additional or alternative steps may be applied.

[0017] Where an element or layer is described as being "on" or "engaging with" another element or layer, or as being "connected" or "coupled" or "attached" to it, it may be directly on or engaging with, connected, coupled, or attached to the other element or layer, or there may be intervening elements or layers. Conversely, where an element is described as being "directly on" or "directly engaging with" another element or layer, or as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" or "attached" to it, there must be no intervening elements or layers. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted similarly (e.g.(e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent" or "contiguous" versus "directly adjacent" or "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the term "and / or" includes all combinations of one or more of the related listed items.

[0018] The terms "first," "second," "third," etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, areas, layers, and / or sections. These elements, components, areas, layers, and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may only be used to distinguish one element, component, area, layer, or section from another area, layer, or section. Terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms do not imply a sequence or order unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the example configurations.

[0019] While several embodiments have been described, it should be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other embodiments are also within the scope of the following claims.

[0020] With reference to Fig. 1-6, a vehicle is disclosed at 10. The vehicle 10 includes a passenger compartment 12, a vehicle heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system 14, and a movable duct 16 configured to move in conjunction with a movable vehicle console 22. Referring now to Fig. 1, in some examples, the vehicle 10 is considered an electric vehicle (EV) and may have autonomous or semi-autonomous capabilities. Additionally or alternatively, the vehicle 10 may be a hybrid vehicle that includes both EV and internal combustion engine (ICE) components and capabilities. Furthermore, the vehicle 10 may be equipped with only an internal combustion engine or other power source, if desired. Furthermore, in some examples, the vehicle may additionally and / or alternatively be equipped for fuel cells.

[0021] With reference now to Fig. 2, the passenger compartment 12 of the vehicle is configured to seat a vehicle occupant. The passenger compartment 12 of the vehicle may include various features, including, but not limited to, an instrument panel 18 disposed in a forward position of the vehicle passenger compartment and a vehicle console 22 generally disposed between a vehicle driver's seat and a vehicle passenger seat. In some examples, the vehicle console 22 includes one or more storage compartments. In the illustrated example, the vehicle console 22 includes a user device charging station 20. The user device charging station 20 may include a generally flat surface sized to receive a user device and configured to allow the user to place the user device thereon.The user device may be any mobile device, including, but not limited to, a personal smartphone or tablet. In some examples, the user device charging station 20 includes a port to which a charging cable may be coupled to charge the user device. Additionally or alternatively, the generally flat surface is equipped for wireless charging such that the user merely places the user device on the generally flat surface to initiate charging of the device. Because charging the user device, either wirelessly or via a wired interface, generally generates undesirable heat that can degrade battery and charging performance, the vehicle 10 may also be configured to provide cooling to the user device charging station 20 to cool the user device during charging.In some examples, a cooling airflow is provided beneath the user device charging station 20. However, it is also conceivable that the user device charging station 20 includes one or more openings configured to directly or indirectly cool the user device located on the charging station. Various other configurations have also been contemplated.

[0022] In some examples, the vehicle console 22 is also movable such that the vehicle console 22 can move between a first and a second position. In some examples, the movement between the first position and the second position is a linear movement along a forward and backward direction (i.e., toward and away from the instrument panel 18). However, it is also contemplated that the movement between the first position and the second position can occur in any direction, including lateral (i.e., across the car), vertical (i.e., top to bottom), or diagonal, or that it can include a rotational movement. It is also contemplated that the vehicle console 22 can be mounted at any location between the first and second positions.

[0023] As shown schematically in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the vehicle 10 also includes the vehicle HVAC system 14. The vehicle HVAC system 14 is configured to control the climate conditions within the vehicle passenger compartment 12. For example, the HVAC system 14 may supply heated or cooled air to the vehicle passenger compartment 12 to control the temperature within the vehicle passenger compartment 12. In addition, the vehicle HVAC system 14 may also be configured to clean and circulate the air within the vehicle passenger compartment 12. The operation of the HVAC system 14 may be controlled either automatically or manually by the driver. In some vehicles 10, the various distribution zones are individually controlled, either automatically or manually by the driver.For example, the HVAC system 14 may be configured to automatically direct air through the movable duct 16 toward the user device charging station 20 after the user device is placed on the user device charging station 20 and the charger is activated either wired or wirelessly. However, it is also conceivable that the air is directed toward the user device only when the user manually selects it.

[0024] When the vehicle console 22 is moved between the first and second positions, the user device charging station 20 also moves. To ensure a continuous air flow to the user device charging station 20 regardless of the position of the vehicle console 22, the vehicle 10 also has a movable duct 16. As best shown in Fig. 3-6, the movable duct 16 includes a body 17 defining an internal conduit 19 configured to allow airflow from the vehicle's HVAC system 14 to the vehicle's passenger compartment 12. In the illustrated example, the movable duct 16 is configured to allow airflow from the vehicle's HVAC system 14 to the user device charging station 20. Thus, the body 17 includes an inlet duct segment 24 configured to be coupled to the vehicle's HVAC system 14 and an outlet duct segment 26 disposed within the vehicle's passenger compartment 12. In the illustrated example, the outlet duct segment 26 is coupled to the user device charging station 20, with the outlet duct segment 26 configured to translate with the user device charging station 20.

[0025] To allow sufficient airflow to the user device charging station 20 regardless of the position of the vehicle console 22, the outlet duct segment 26 is movable between an extended configuration in which the outlet duct segment 26 is located at a first location within the vehicle passenger compartment 12, and a retracted configuration in which the outlet duct segment 26 is located at a second location within the vehicle passenger compartment 12 that is different from the first location. In some examples, the movement between the extended configuration and the retracted configuration corresponds to the movement of the vehicle console 22 between the first position and the second position, such that the outlet duct segment 26 of the duct remains coupled to the user device charging station 20 during movement between the first position and the second position of the vehicle console 22.Additionally, in some examples, the movement of the duct 16 between the extended and retracted configurations is a linear movement, with the exhaust duct segment 26 translating along a linear axis relative to the inlet duct segment.

[0026] The movement of the channel between the extended configuration and the retracted configuration is a telescopic movement, such that the inlet channel segment 24 and the outlet channel segment 26 are arranged concentrically with each other. The telescopic movement allows one section of the movable channel 16 to be movable relative to the other section, such that the movement involves one section sliding out from the other, thereby extending the movable channel 16 from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration.

[0027] Optionally, the movable channel 16 may include one or more intermediate sections 28 disposed between and concentric with the inlet channel segment 24 and the outlet channel segment 26. For example, the movable channel 16 may include the inlet channel segment 24, the outlet channel segment 26, and the intermediate segment 28 disposed adjacent to and concentric with the inlet channel segment 24. In this example, in the retracted configuration, the outlet channel segment 26 is the outermost section and the inlet channel segment 24 is the innermost section, so that the inlet channel segment 24 in the retracted configuration ( Fig. 5) is housed or nested in the outlet channel segment 26 and the intermediate segment 28. In the extended configuration ( Fig. 6), however, the exhaust channel segment 26 has slid away from the inlet channel segment 24, so that the inlet channel segment 24 is only partially accommodated in the intermediate segment 28 and the exhaust channel segment 26 is arranged away from the inlet channel segment 24.

[0028] While the illustrated example shows an intermediate segment 28 for illustrative purposes, it should be understood that the exhaust duct segment 26 may be directly coupled to the inlet duct segment 24 in the same manner as the intermediate segment 28 shown in this disclosure. In other words, the illustrated relationship between the inlet duct segment 24 and the intermediate duct segment 28 is representative of the relationship between the inlet duct segment 24 and the exhaust duct segment 26 when the intermediate duct segment 28 is not included. Therefore, the exhaust duct segment 26 and the intermediate duct segment 28 may be collectively referred to as telescopic duct segments 26, 28.Furthermore, features depicted in the figures with common reference numerals are to be understood as generic for all segments, wherein the description of a particular feature with respect to one of the channel segments 24, 26, 28 applies to the corresponding feature of the other channel segments 24, 26, 28, unless otherwise stated. With reference to . Fig. 5 (as enumerated at the inlet channel segment 24), each of the channel segments 24, 26, 28 may be described as comprising a channel segment wall 23 extending along an axial direction from a first channel end 25a to a second channel end 25b. Thus, as used herein, features of the individual channel segments 24, 26, 28 may be defined in terms of the first ends 23a (i.e., the inlet ends) and the second ends (i.e., the outlet ends).

[0029] Furthermore, in some examples, each of the channel segments 24, 26, 28 of the movable channel 16 is made of polyethylene. However, it is also contemplated that the movable channel sections could be made of another material, including, but not limited to, steel, aluminum, silicone, or another plastic polymer. Furthermore, in some examples, the movable channel 16 is manufactured using a blow molding process. Furthermore, in some examples, the movable channel 16 is molded from a single piece that is then cut into sections for later assembly.

[0030] With further reference to the example in Fig. 3-6, the inlet diameter of the inlet duct segment 24 is smaller than the outlet diameter of the outlet duct segment 26 to facilitate airflow between the HVAC system 14 and the user device charging station 20. Furthermore, in some examples, the diameter of the movable duct 16 is smallest at the inlet duct segment 24 and largest at the outlet duct segment 26, thus promoting airflow from the HVAC system 14 to the user device charging station 20 and limiting air leaks.

[0031] Referring again to the example in Fig. 3-6, the inlet duct segment 24 includes a funnel- or bell-shaped flare 30 disposed about its first end and configured to be coupled to the HVAC system 14. In the example shown, the flare 30 is a flared portion disposed about the inlet of the inlet duct segment 24 and may be configured to reduce the air velocity at the point where air from the HVAC system 14 enters the movable duct 16 and to allow a gradual increase to the specified system air velocity as the airflow transitions from the flare 30 to a main body of the inlet duct segment 24. In addition, the flare 30 may also provide packaging, manufacturing, or other advantages, such as reducing noise and pressure drop.In some examples, the inlet duct segment 24 is attached to the vehicle 10, more specifically to the HVAC system 14, such that the inlet duct segment 24 does not move as the movable duct 16 extends and retracts. As best shown in FIG. Fig. 4-6, an end 25b opposite the widened portion 30 of the inlet channel segment 24 includes various coupling mechanisms configured to couple another portion of the movable channel 16 thereto. As described above, the opposite end of the inlet channel segment 24 can be coupled to the outlet channel segment 26 or an intermediate channel segment 28, depending on how many portions the movable channel 16 comprises.

[0032] To facilitate coupling the inlet channel segment 24 to a telescoping segment 26, 28, the inlet channel segment 24 includes one or more guides 32 defined therein. In some examples, the guides 32 are generally linear and extend the length of the inlet channel segment 24. It is contemplated that the guides 32 may be formed as linear features extending along the axial direction of the inlet channel segment 24. In the illustrated example, the guides 32 are formed as recessed channels in the channel body 17 of the inlet channel segment 24. In other words, the guides 32 are offset radially inward from an outer diameter of the portion of the channel body 17 forming the inlet channel segment 24. In the example shown, the inlet channel segment 24 includes a plurality of guides 32 disposed around the inlet channel segment 24, but various other configurations are contemplated.The plurality of guides 32 are configured to engage a corresponding protrusion 34 disposed on an adjacent segment 26, 28 and serve as sliding surfaces. In the example shown, the protrusion 34 is formed on an inner surface of the adjacent segment 26, 28, e.g., the intermediate segment 28 or the exhaust channel segment 26, and is shaped and sized to slide within the guide 32 to facilitate movement between the two sections. As best shown in FIG. Fig. 6, a radius on an inner surface of each projection may be greater than the radius of the ramp positioning feature 36 at the second channel end 25b, but less than the outer radius of the ramp positioning feature 36 adjacent the guide 32, whereby the ramp positioning feature 36 defines a boss or detent that snaps into the projection 34 and serves to retain the projection 34 within the guide 32 when the channel 16 is assembled.

[0033] The guide 32 includes a hard stop 40 at a distal end of the guide 32 (i.e., the end closest to the flare 30) to prevent the mating segments 26, 28 from being over-retracted into the inlet channel segment 24. Furthermore, the hard stop 40 can be configured to provide audible feedback (e.g., a click) during assembly when the hard stop 40 comes into contact with the boss 34, indicating proper assembly of the channel segments. In some examples, the shape of the boss 34 allows the boss 34 to make only point-like contact with the guide 32, so that minimal friction occurs between the components. Additionally, in some examples, the boss 34 is generally rectangular, but various other configurations are conceivable. Furthermore, in the example shown, an inner surface of the adjacent portion, such asthe intermediate channel segment 28 or the outlet channel segment 26, a plurality of projections 34 arranged around the adjacent portion and configured to engage each of the plurality of guides 32. The circumferential arrangement of the guides 32 and the corresponding projections 34 around each of the inlet channel segments 24 and the adjacent telescoping segment 26, 28, such as the intermediate channel segment 28 or the outlet channel segment 26, prevents undesirable rotational movement between the components when coupled together.

[0034] In some examples, the inlet channel segment 24 may also include a front ramp portion 36. The front ramp portion 36 is disposed about the opposite end of the flare 30 and configured to mate with the flare 30 of an adjacent telescopic channel segment 26, 28. In some examples, the front ramp portion 36 extends at an angle to the interior of the inlet segment 24 to facilitate coupling the inlet channel segment 24 to the adjacent telescopic channel segment 26, 28. In other words, the front ramp portion 36 has a tapered diameter forming a conical end of the inlet channel segment 24 and an end opposite the mouth of the flare 30. In some examples, the cone angle is between 15 degrees and 75 degrees relative to a central axis defined by the inlet channel segment 24. In the depicted example, the cone angle is 45 degrees.This configuration allows for easy assembly of the inlet port segment 24 and the adjacent segment 26, 28, such as the intermediate port segment 28 or the exhaust port segment 26. Furthermore, the front ramp portion 36 optimizes assembly space and is configured to accommodate cutting variations during manufacturing while maintaining a constant overall length. In other words, by forming the end of the inlet port segment 24 with the tapered front ramp portion 36, the inlet port segment 24 can be cut to a desired length during a post-molding processing step, with the tapered front ramp portion 36 accommodating some variation in the diameter of the front ramp portion 36 at the cut line. However, various other configurations have been considered.

[0035] How best in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the inlet channel segment 24 may also include a ramp positioning feature 38. The ramp positioning feature 38 is configured so that the protrusion 34 can be easily aligned with and enter the guide 32 during assembly of the channel. The ramp positioning feature 38 is disposed on the front ramp portion 36, aligned with the guide 32, and includes a wider end portion than the rest of the guide 32. In the example shown, the ramp positioning feature 38 is trapezoidal and corresponds to a rectangular-shaped protrusion 34. Therefore, the overall width W 38of the ramp positioning feature 38 is substantially larger than a corresponding width of the projection 34 at the end of the front ramp portion 36, but tapers in the direction from the end to the guide 32 to gradually align the projection with the guide 32 as the inlet channel segment 24 is inserted into the other channel segment 26, 28. Additionally, in the example shown, a plurality of ramp positioning features 38 are arranged around the inlet channel segment 24 and in line with each of the guides 32.

[0036] With further reference to the example in Fig. 3, the outlet duct segment 26 is fixedly coupled to the vehicle console 22 and configured to provide airflow to the user device charging station 20. The outlet duct segment 26 may include many of the features described above with respect to the inlet duct segment 24, including, but not limited to, the protrusion 34 and the flare 30. The outlet duct segment 26 may not include guides 32 and may have a smooth exterior because no other additional duct segments are coupled to the outlet duct segment 26. Additionally, in some examples, the protrusion 34 of the outlet duct segment 26 is configured to engage the guide 32 of the adjacent duct segment 24, 28.

[0037] In the example shown, the intermediate duct segment 28 is coupled between the inlet duct segment 24 and the outlet duct segment 26 and includes many of the features described above with respect to the inlet duct segment 24, including, but not limited to, the flare 30, the plurality of protrusions 34 configured to engage the guides 32 of the inlet duct segment 24, guides 32 configured to engage the protrusion 34 of the outlet duct segment 26, the ramp loading portion 36, and the ramp positioning features 38.While the illustrated example shows a single intermediate channel segment 28, other examples may include any number of intermediate channel segments 28 to achieve a desired extension length, with each intermediate channel segment 28 including the flare 30, the plurality of protrusions 34, the plurality of guides 32, the ramp loading portion 36, and the ramp positioning features 38. However, various other configurations have also been contemplated.

[0038] With further reference to the example in Fig.3-6, the movable duct 16 can be manufactured in operation as a single piece before being cut into various components such as the inlet duct segment 24, the outlet duct segment 26, and the intermediate duct segment 28 using a guillotine or other cutting device. The movable duct 16 is then assembled by attaching the inlet duct segment 24 and aligning the projections 34 on the intermediate duct segment 28 with the ramp attachment features 38 of the inlet duct segment 24. The intermediate duct segment 28 is then slid onto the inlet duct segment 24 until the projection 34 reaches the hard stop 40 of the guide 32, which produces a snapping or clicking sound indicating that the duct segments 24, 28 are correctly assembled. The projections 34 of the outlet duct segment 26 are then aligned with the ramp positioning features 38 of the intermediate duct segment 28.The outlet duct segment 26 is then slid onto the intermediate duct segment 28 until the projection 34 reaches the hard stop 40 of the guide 32, producing a snapping or clicking sound indicating that the sections are correctly assembled. The movable duct 16 can then be inserted into the vehicle 10, coupling the inlet duct segment 24 to the vehicle's HVAC system 14 and the outlet duct segment 26 to the user device charging station 20 in the vehicle console 22. When the vehicle console 22 is in the first position, the movable duct 16 remains in the retracted configuration.However, when the vehicle console 22 is moved to the second position, the outlet duct segment 26 of the movable duct 16 slides along the guide 32 of the intermediate duct segment 28 and away from the inlet duct segment 24 into the extended configuration, thereby increasing the length of the movable duct 16 and ensuring airflow to the user device charging station 20. When the vehicle console 22 is moved back to the first position, the second end of the movable duct 16 slides along the guide 32 of the intermediate duct segment 28 toward the inlet duct segment 24 into the retracted configuration, thereby reducing the length of the movable duct 16 and ensuring airflow to the user device charging station 20.

[0039] The vehicle 10 with the movable duct 16 described here can compensate for the variation in the position change of the movable console 22 and deliver a constant, direct airflow to the user device charging station 20, regardless of the position change. The movable duct 16 allows the airflow to be directed toward a specific target, thus reducing air loss toward the target. This concept minimizes air loss at the user device charging station 20 and prevents the airflow from always operating at maximum power to ensure that the air reaches the charger. This reduces the disruptive noise that the customer can hear at maximum power, resulting in a more pleasant driving experience.

[0040] The foregoing description has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular configuration are generally not limited to that particular configuration, but may be interchangeable and used in a selected configuration, even if not specifically shown or described. These may also be varied in many respects. Such variations are not to be considered a departure from the disclosure, and all such changes are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

[1] A movable duct for a motor vehicle, the movable duct comprising: an inlet duct segment having an inlet duct wall extending from a first inlet duct end to an opposite second inlet duct end and comprising at least one first elongated guide extending between the first inlet duct end and the second inlet duct end, and a first telescopic duct segment having a first telescopic duct wall extending from a first telescopic duct end to an opposite second telescopic duct end and having at least one projection slidably engaging the at least one elongated guide of the inlet duct segment. [2] The movable duct of claim 1, wherein the second inlet duct end of the inlet duct segment has a front portion defining a tapered width of the inlet duct wall. [3] The movable duct of claim 2, wherein the first telescopic duct end includes a flare defining an expanded width of the inlet duct wall, the front portion configured to fit the flare. [4] The movable duct of claim 2, wherein the front portion includes one or more positioning features each configured to receive and align the at least one projection of the first telescopic duct segment with the first elongated guide of the inlet duct segment. [5] The movable duct of claim 1, wherein the first elongated guide defines a recessed channel formed in the inlet duct wall. [6] The movable duct of claim 1, wherein the first telescopic duct segment includes at least one second elongated guide extending between the first telescopic duct end and the second telescopic duct end. [7] The movable duct of claim 6, further comprising a second telescopic duct segment including a second telescopic duct wall extending from a third telescopic duct end to an opposite fourth telescopic duct end and including at least one projection slidably engaging the at least one second elongated guide of the first telescopic duct segment. [8] A movable duct according to claim 7, wherein the inlet duct segment and / or the outlet duct segment is manufactured by a blow molding process. [9] A vehicle having a passenger compartment incorporating the movable duct according to claim 1. [10] The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the passenger compartment includes a movable vehicle console and the exhaust duct segment is at least partially disposed within a movable vehicle console.

Images