Air vents for a motor vehicle

Abstract

An air outlet (10) for a motor vehicle is provided with an air duct (12) opening into an interior of the motor vehicle via an outlet opening (36) and a flow divider (24) fixedly fixed in the air duct (12) for dividing the incoming air (22) into different air gap regions of a flowable air gap (26) formed between the flow divider (24) and the air duct (12), wherein an air adjuster (14) rotatably mounted in the air duct (12) and through which the incoming air can flow is provided for directing the air towards the flow divider (24), wherein a first airflow (30) directed into a first air gap region and a second airflow (32) directed into a second air gap region different from the first air gap region superimpose to form a resulting mass flow (34).The flow direction of the air onto the stationary flow divider (24) via the rotatable air adjuster (14) allows for a wide range of adjustment of the flow direction of an airflow originating from an air outlet (10).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an air outlet for a motor vehicle, with the aid of which air with a defined flow direction can be introduced into an interior of a motor vehicle.

[0002] From EP 3 231 647 A1, an air outlet for a motor vehicle is known in which a stationary spherical guide body in an outlet opening of an outlet channel of the air outlet leaves an annular outlet area free, wherein, by means of an air guide element sliding along the spherical guide body, air to be supplied into an interior of the motor vehicle is directed only to a partial angular area of ​​the annular outlet area.

[0003] There is a constant need to be able to adjust the direction of an airflow exiting an air outlet as comprehensively as possible.

[0004] The object of the invention is to demonstrate measures that enable a wide adjustability of the flow direction of an airflow originating from an air outlet.

[0005] The problem is solved according to the invention by an air outlet having the features of claim 1 and by a motor vehicle having the features of claim 10. Preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims and the following description, each of which can individually or in combination represent an aspect of the invention, wherein the scope of protection is determined by the claims.

[0006] One aspect of the invention relates to an air outlet for a motor vehicle, comprising an air duct opening into an interior of the motor vehicle via an outlet opening and a flow divider fixed in the air duct to divide the incoming air into different air gap regions formed between the flow divider and the air duct of a flowable air gap, wherein an air adjuster rotatably mounted in the air duct, in particular a gimbal-adjustable one, and through which the incoming air can flow, is provided for directing the airflow towards the flow divider, wherein a first airflow directed into a first air gap region and a second airflow directed into a second air gap region different from the first air gap region superimpose to form a resulting mass flow.

[0007] The mass flow entering the vehicle's interior through the air outlet can be influenced by dividing the incoming air flow between the first and second air gap sections. By superimposing the airflows that converge downstream of the flow divider, a resulting mass flow with a direction corresponding to the distribution between the first and second air gap sections can be achieved. Since the airflows point in different directions, a larger angular range for the resulting mass flow direction can be achieved compared to pivoting vanes in a cross-section of the air duct.

[0008] The air adjuster, which is rotatable around different axes and preferably gimbal-mounted, allows the air flowing through it to approach the flow divider at different relative angles. This makes it possible to divide the approaching air into virtually any air gap area distributed around the circumference of the flow divider within a plane of the flow cross-section. The flow direction of the resulting mass flow can thus be adjusted in the X, Y, and Z directions. By directing the airflow over the rotatable air adjuster towards the stationary flow divider, a wide range of flow direction adjustments for an airflow originating from an air outlet is possible.

[0009] The incoming air can originate from the vehicle's air conditioning system, to which the air duct is fluidically connected. The air conditioning system can supply the air outlet with conditioned air, the temperature and / or humidity of which is influenced by the system.

[0010] The flow divider can be positioned in the designated flow direction of the incoming air, with the flow direction of the incoming air being adjustable accordingly by the air adjuster. The flow divider is specifically shaped according to aerodynamic principles. In the various positions of the air adjuster, the flow divider can provide the lowest possible flow resistance. The incoming air can flow around the flow divider with minimal pressure loss. Part of the incoming air can be directed into the first air gap area and another part into the second air gap area, whereby, with a small mass flow rate, the air can also flow through the air gap areas between the first and second air gap areas.Typically, the flow of air around the air gap results in two mass flow maxima, defining the first and second air gap regions. However, it is also possible for the mass flow to decrease continuously around the circumference of the flow divider from the maximum mass flow defining the first air gap region and airflow to a minimum mass flow, and then increase again from this minimum to the maximum of the first airflow. In this case, the second air gap region and airflow are defined by the minimum mass flow around the circumference of the flow divider. Preferably, the first and second air gap regions are offset by approximately 180° around the circumference of the air gap.

[0011] The first airflow direction and the second airflow direction can, in particular, run at an angle to each other. This allows the first and second airflows to superimpose upstream or downstream of the outlet opening and form the resulting mass flow.

[0012] The air gap can be bounded radially on the inside by the flow divider and radially on the outside by an inner surface of the air duct, wherein the air gap has an extent in the flow direction that is essentially defined by the extent of the flow divider in the flow direction. The shape of the air gap, and in particular the shape of its cross-sectional area, can influence the flow velocity and direction of the airflow as it exits the air gap. Apart from a mechanical fastening of the flow divider within the air duct, the air gap is preferably continuous in the circumferential direction, so that the flow direction of the resulting mass flow can be adjusted almost continuously.

[0013] The outlet opening can be open, i.e., without louvers. However, it is also possible to conceal the outlet opening with a grille, a baffle, or similar device to achieve a better visual appearance without creating significant flow resistance for the outgoing mass flow. The outlet opening can preferably be round or annular, or alternatively rectangular, particularly square.

[0014] The interior of the motor vehicle can, in particular, form a passenger compartment in which people can be located. The air outlet can be designed, in particular, to direct airflow towards the driver and / or a front passenger from a side wall. However, it is also possible that the air outlet is designed to direct airflow towards people seated on a rear bench seat in the interior.

[0015] The X-direction refers to a coordinate direction along a longitudinal axis of a motor vehicle when the air outlet is installed in the vehicle. The X-direction is essentially horizontal when the vehicle is parked on a level, horizontal surface. The Y-direction refers to a coordinate direction along a transverse axis of a motor vehicle when the air outlet is installed in the vehicle. The Y-direction is essentially horizontal when the vehicle is parked on a level, horizontal surface. The Z-direction refers to a coordinate direction along a vertical axis of a motor vehicle when the air outlet is installed in the vehicle. The Z-direction is essentially vertical when the vehicle is parked on a level, horizontal surface.

[0016] The X, Y, and Z directions are orthogonal to each other. An XY plane is defined as a plane spanned by the X and Y directions and positioned at a specific height in the Z direction. An XZ plane is defined as a plane spanned by the X and Z directions and positioned at a specific width in the Y direction. A YZ plane is defined as a plane spanned by the Y and Z directions and positioned at a specific length in the X direction.

[0017] In particular, the air adjuster is adjustable via a motor-driven first gear ring and a motor-driven second gear ring, the latter being offset by approximately 90° from the axis of rotation of the first gear ring. These gear rings allow the air adjuster to be gimbal-mounted and, at the same time, rotated independently of each other, for example, by means of a separate actuator for each gear ring. The air adjuster can be easily rotated about two axes that are offset by 90° from each other. For example, one gear ring can rotate the air adjuster in an XY plane to change the direction of airflow in the X and / or Y direction, while the other gear ring can change the direction of airflow in the Z direction.

[0018] Preferably, the air adjuster's cross-section, through which the oncoming air flows, tapers in the direction of flow, particularly conically. The air adjuster can have a spherical shape on the outside, allowing it to run in adjustment rings or gear teeth and thus create an airtight seal. The oncoming air can be homogenized, directed, and accelerated by the conical opening. Without significant pressure loss, the oncoming air can be drawn in at the upstream end of the air adjuster and directed over a larger area at the downstream end onto the flow divider. Simultaneously, the flow velocity of the oncoming air within the air adjuster can be increased, allowing the flow divider to be exited with low turbulence.

[0019] The flow divider is preferably attached to the air duct by means of a mounting fin, wherein the mounting fin has a material thickness that tapers in the opposite direction to the flow of the oncoming air. The mounting fin allows the flow divider to be positioned within the air duct and at a distance from the inner side of the air duct. This makes it possible to adjust the cross-sectional area of ​​the air gap as little as possible by means of the mounting fin. The portion of the air gap cross-sectional area in which the mounting fin is located can be aerodynamically optimized by the shape of the mounting fin such that the air striking the mounting fin is directed past it but then recombined downstream.Any impairment of the resulting mass flow by the mounting fin can be minimized. For example, the mounting fin has a teardrop-shaped cross-section. It is also possible to provide several mounting fins, preferably evenly distributed around the circumference of the flow divider. This allows the majority of the mounting fins to act as a barrier against inflow.

[0020] In particular, the air gap has a curved profile in the direction of the incoming airflow. This allows the airflows within the air gap to be easily deflected, so that the first and second airflows can meet at an angle to form the resulting mass flow. It is also possible to incorporate differently curved profiles in different sections of the air gap.

[0021] Preferably, the air duct is concave in the region of the air gap and the flow divider is convex in the region of the air gap. By combining a radially outer concave boundary with a radially inner convex boundary of the air gap, a curved path of the air gap in the flow direction can be defined particularly easily via the circumferential direction of the air gap.

[0022] Preferably, the air gap within the air gap region has a tapered flow cross-section. This makes it possible to increase the flow velocity of the first and second air streams in the flow divider, so that the flow direction of the resulting mass flow can be adjusted more precisely.

[0023] In particular, the flow divider is positioned completely upstream of the outlet opening in the air duct, with the outlet opening preferably being closed by a fixed baffle having at least one through-opening. This prevents the flow divider from protruding from the outlet opening, allowing the air outlet or outlet opening to be integrated into the vehicle's interior trim in a visually appealing manner. The baffle can be used to visually conceal the flow divider, further improving the overall appearance. Furthermore, the baffle can deliberately cover specific air gap areas and block the associated flow, for example, to achieve an increased mass flow in an air gap area not covered by the baffle.Furthermore, it is in principle possible for the aperture to redirect part of the flow leaving the outlet, for example to prevent the remaining flow from adhering to the aperture due to a Coandé effect.

[0024] Preferably, the flow divider is designed as a closed hollow body. The material usage and manufacturing costs for the flow divider can be kept low even with a comparatively large volume. Since the hollow body of the flow divider is closed, it is also sufficiently dimensionally stable that it is not excited by the oncoming airflow to generate audible structure-borne noise.

[0025] The outlet opening preferably has at least one curvature and / or edge to influence the flow of the resulting mass flow, wherein the curvature and / or edge is particularly preferably formed on the inside of the air outlet before the resulting mass flow passes through the outlet opening to generate flow separation. The curvature or edge particularly prevents a Coandé effect in the region of the outlet opening, so that the flow direction of the resulting mass flow is not affected by a Coandé effect in the region of the outlet opening.

[0026] Another aspect concerns a motor vehicle with a passenger compartment and an air outlet, which can be designed and further developed as described above, wherein the resulting mass flow exiting the air outlet's discharge opening can be discharged between the driver and a side wall of the passenger compartment associated with the driver, with the discharge opening being specifically located in the side wall of the passenger compartment. In particular, the air outlet or discharge opening is not located in an area between the driver or the passenger, but rather in a lateral area. The flow direction of the airflow from the air outlet is made possible by the rotatable air adjuster, which directs the airflow over the stationary flow divider.

[0027] The invention is now explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, wherein the features shown below can represent an aspect of the invention, either individually or in combination, and the scope of protection is defined by the claims. The drawings show: Fig. 1: A schematic sectional view of an air outlet in an XY plane, Fig. 2: a schematic sectional view of the air outlet Fig. 1 in an XZ plane, Fig. 3: A schematic cutaway detail view of the air outlet from Fig. 1 and Fig. 4: a schematic top view of the air outlet made of Fig. 1 on the interior of a motor vehicle.

[0028] The in Fig. 1 and Fig. The air outlet 10 shown in Figure 2 can be used to supply air conditioned by an air conditioning system into the interior of a motor vehicle. The air outlet 10 has an air duct 12 in which an air adjuster 14 is provided. The air adjuster 14 has a flow cross-section that tapers conically in the direction of airflow. The air adjuster 14 is rotatably mounted in the air duct 12. A coupled first toothed ring 16 is provided for adjusting the air adjuster 14, which can be rotated by a first actuator 18. Additionally, a second toothed ring 20 is coupled and offset by 90° from the first toothed ring 16. This second toothed ring 20 can be rotated by a second actuator 21 to tilt the air adjuster 14. The air adjuster 14 can thus be rotated about two axes of rotation that are oriented at 90° to each other and, in particular, intersect.

[0029] Air 22 supplied to the air outlet 10 by an air conditioning system can be directed by the air adjuster 14 at different angles onto a flow divider 24 located downstream entirely within the air duct 12. The flow divider 24 is designed, in particular, as a closed hollow body, preferably based on a sphere as its starting point. The angle of the air adjuster 14 within the air duct 12 divides the incoming air 22 to varying degrees into different air gap areas of a substantially annular air gap 26 formed between the flow divider 24 and the air duct 12. Apart from a flow-optimized mounting fin 28, of which preferably only one is provided and which secures the flow divider 24 against movement within the air duct 12, the air gap 26 is open in the circumferential direction.The flow cross-section of the air gap 26 can preferably taper in the direction of flow.

[0030] The air gap 26 is bounded radially inwards by a convex profile of the flow divider 24 and radially outwards by a concave profile of the air channel 12, so that a curved flow path results for a first airflow 30 guided through a first air gap region and a second airflow 32 guided through a second air gap region offset by 180°, as shown in Fig. Figure 3 shows that the first airflow 30 and the second airflow 32 meet at an angle, resulting in a mass flow 34 which exits an outlet opening 36 of the air duct 12 with a flow direction that depends on the airflows 30, 32 set by means of the air adjuster 14.

[0031] As in Fig.As shown in Figure 4, the outlet opening 36 can be covered by a baffle 38. The baffle 38 can have through-openings 40 to allow only specific flow direction regions for the resulting mass flow 34, which can be particularly advantageous if the outlet opening 36 of the air outlet 10 is located in a lateral area towards the driver or front passenger, near or within a side panel of the vehicle's interior. The three-dimensional design of the baffle 38 also makes it possible to redirect part of the flow exiting the baffle 38, for example, to prevent a Coandé effect on a surface in the area of ​​the baffle 38. To prevent a Coandé effect within the air duct 12 in the area of ​​the outlet opening 36, a deliberately radially inwardly projecting edge 42 can be formed in the area of ​​the outlet opening 36, at which the resulting mass flow 34 can separate. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] EP 3 231 647 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Air outlet (10) for a motor vehicle, with an air duct (12) opening into an interior of the motor vehicle via an outlet opening (36) and a flow divider (24) fixed in the air duct (12) for dividing the incoming air (22) into different air gap areas of a flowable air gap (26) formed between the flow divider (24) and the air duct (12), characterized by , that an air adjuster (14) which is rotatably mounted in the air duct (12) and through which the incoming air can flow, is provided for directing the flow towards the flow divider (24), wherein a first airflow (30) directed into a first air gap region and a second air gap region (32) directed into a second air gap region different from the first air gap region superimpose to form a resultant mass flow (34). [2] Air outlet (10) according to claim 1, wherein the air adjuster (14) is adjustably attached to the air duct (12) via a motor-operated rotatable first toothed ring (16) and a motor-operated rotatable second toothed ring (18) about an axis of rotation offset substantially by 90° to an axis of rotation of the first toothed ring (16). [3] Air outlet (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a flow cross-section of the air adjuster (14) through which the incoming air (22) flows is tapered in the direction of flow, in particular conically. [4] Air outlet (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the flow divider (24) is attached to the air duct (12) via exactly one fastening fin (28), wherein the fastening fin (28) has a material thickness that tapers in the opposite direction to the flow direction of the incoming air (22). [5] Air outlet (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the air gap (26) has a curved profile in the direction of flow of the incoming air (22). [6] Air outlet (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the air channel (12) is concave in the area of ​​the air gap (26) and the flow divider (24) is convex in the area of ​​the air gap (26). [7] Air outlet (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the air gap (26) has a tapered flow cross-section within the air gap area. [8] Air outlet (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the flow divider (24) is arranged completely in front of the outlet opening (36) in the air duct (12) in the direction of flow, wherein the outlet opening (36) is closed with a fixed aperture (38) having at least one through-opening (40). [9] Air outlet (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the flow divider (24) is designed as a closed hollow body. [10] Motor vehicle with an interior for a driver and an air outlet (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the resulting mass flow (34) leaving the outlet opening (36) of the air outlet (10) can be discharged between the driver and a side wall of the interior assigned to the driver, wherein in particular the outlet opening (36) is formed in the side wall of the interior.

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