Ventilation system for a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a ventilation device (5) for a vehicle, comprising at least one air duct (7) which opens into the vehicle interior (3) at at least one outlet opening (9) formed in an interior trim panel (1) of the vehicle. According to the invention, the ventilation device (5) includes a soap bubble generator (19) with which soap bubbles (21) can be generated. The soap bubbles (21) can be guided into the vehicle interior (3) by means of an airflow (L) directed through the air duct (7).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a ventilation device for a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1 and according to the preamble of claim 8, as well as a vehicle according to claim 9.

[0002] The interior experience of a vehicle encompasses various aspects that together influence the driving experience and the comfort of the vehicle's occupants. Examples of features designed to enhance the well-being of the occupants include ambient lighting, an immersive sound experience, comfortable seats, and / or climate control with, for example, a fragrance module, all of which create a pleasant atmosphere within the vehicle.

[0003] A generic ventilation device for a vehicle is known from JP 2019-194046A. A device for generating soap bubbles is known from US 2020 / 0251016A1. A vehicle-mounted bubble-generating device is known from CN 202961901U. This device has a wind inlet at its front end and a wind outlet at its rear end. A bubble ring is positioned at the wind outlet. The wind inlet and the wind outlet are connected to each other via a ventilation duct.

[0004] A soap bubble generator for an event vehicle is known from WO 2005 115 579 A1. The soap bubble generator includes a fastening device, such as a magnet, by which the soap bubble generator can be attached to an event vehicle. A rotating shaft is installed horizontally inside the soap container. A rotating assembly is installed at one end of the rotating shaft, in which a multitude of soap bubble generators are mounted radially.

[0005] US patent 536 6402 A discloses a toy assembly consisting of a bubble machine that can be mounted on bicycles and tricycles. The bubble machine comprises a housing containing a pair of rings that can move in and out of a reservoir filled with bubble solution.

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide a ventilation device for a vehicle whose functionality is enhanced with regard to a pleasant vehicle interior experience compared to the prior art.

[0007] The problem is solved by the features of claim 1, 8, or 9. Preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0008] The invention relates to a ventilation device for a vehicle, comprising at least one air duct that opens into the vehicle interior via at least one outlet opening formed in an interior trim panel of the vehicle. To enhance the vehicle interior experience for the occupant, the following measures are taken according to the invention: The ventilation device includes a bubble generator with which soap bubbles can be produced. The soap bubbles are guided into the vehicle interior by means of an airflow directed through the air duct of the ventilation device. Particularly in combination with ambient lighting, this can create an aesthetic effect on the vehicle occupant, enhancing their visual and sensory experience of the vehicle interior.

[0009] In one technical implementation, the soap bubble generator comprises a container for soap solution and at least one bubble ring. This ring can be adjusted between an immersion position and an operating position by means of a servo motor. In the immersion position, the bubble ring is submerged in the soap solution in the container to become wetted. In its operating position, the bubble ring is located in the air duct. The bubble ring, wetted with soap solution, is therefore subjected to an airflow, thereby generating the soap bubbles. Preferably, with the exception of the bubble ring, all other components of the soap bubble generator are located outside the air duct to avoid unduly impeding the airflow within it.

[0010] The components of the bubble generator are preferably assembled into a single-piece unit to simplify handling during assembly / disassembly. Once the bubble generator's soap solution reservoir is empty, it must be refilled. Therefore, it is preferred that the ventilation system has a connection point where the bubble generator can be detachably connected to the air duct, for example, via a clip connection that can be detached from the passenger vehicle without tools.

[0011] In its assembled state, the soap solution container can be attached to the outside of the air duct (for example, to a duct wall), while only the blower ring can be inserted into or removed from the duct cross-section via a passage located in the duct wall.

[0012] With regard to easy assembly / disassembly of the soap bubble generator, it is preferred if the inner lining provides a separate assembly access point from the outlet opening, allowing ergonomically convenient access to the coupling point. To meet the requirements of the product, it is preferred if the assembly access point can be concealed by a cover element.

[0013] According to the invention, the interior trim panel is an instrument panel of the vehicle in which a storage compartment, in particular a glove compartment, is integrated. In this case, the storage compartment is used for a subsequent additional function: The coupling point is located inside the storage compartment. In this case, the storage compartment would form the mounting access to the coupling point. Alternatively and / or additionally, the interior trim panel can also be a center console of the vehicle.

[0014] To further enhance interior comfort, it is preferable to have an air outlet with air guide elements, such as louvers, located near the air duct's outlet opening. These allow the airflow cross-section of the outlet opening to be adjusted according to the vehicle occupant's preference. Alternatively and / or additionally, the adjustable air guide elements can also be used to individually adjust the airflow direction by the vehicle occupant.

[0015] In one specific embodiment, the air outlet can be adjusted between a working position and a non-working position. In the working position, the air outlet covers the air duct outlet opening, while in the non-working position, the air outlet, including its air guide elements, is positioned outside the outlet opening. For example, when the bubble mode is activated in the ventilation system, the air outlet can be in its non-working position. In this case, the air outlet and its air guide elements are outside the outlet opening. Accordingly, the bubbles generated by the bubble generator can be guided through the air duct into the vehicle interior without obstruction.

[0016] In another design variant, the outlet can be configured like an iris diaphragm with a variable aperture. Its diaphragm blades define a circular flow cross-section at the outlet opening. For example, when the soap bubble mode is activated, the iris diaphragm can be expanded to a maximum aperture to ensure the smooth, undistorted passage of the soap bubbles generated by the bubble generator.

[0017] In another embodiment, the air duct downstream of the bubble ring positioned within it can have a branching point where the air duct splits in the direction of flow into a soap bubble sub-duct and a ventilation sub-duct, each with separate outlet openings. The ventilation device can include a distribution element, such as a flap, which opens or closes the flow path either towards the soap bubble sub-duct or towards the ventilation sub-duct. When the soap bubble mode is activated, the flow path towards the soap bubble sub-duct is opened accordingly.

[0018] In common practice, the ventilation system includes a blower that generates the airflow through the air duct. The ventilation system may also include an electronic control unit. When the occupant-side soap bubble mode is activated, the electronic control unit generates signals that control the blower, the soap bubble generator, and, if applicable, the outlet and / or distribution element to ensure the proper introduction of soap bubbles into the vehicle interior. For example, when the soap bubble mode is activated, the airflow velocity in the air duct is significantly reduced compared to normal ventilation operation. This creates a laminar airflow without turbulence, allowing the soap bubbles to travel intact towards the vehicle's occupants.

[0019] In a further embodiment not according to the invention, the soap bubble generator can be positioned not inside the instrument panel or, alternatively, a center console or the like, but rather as an add-on component on the visible side of the interior trim panel. The add-on component can be detachably mounted to the outlet opening of the air duct, in particular to its air outlet, for example via a clip connection.

[0020] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying figures. These show: Fig. Figures 1 to 6 show different views, based on which the structure and function of the ventilation device according to the invention are described.

[0021] In the Fig. Figure 1 shows a roughly schematic side-section view of an instrument panel 1 of a vehicle, indicated to the extent necessary for understanding the invention. The instrument panel 1 defines a vehicle interior 3 in the longitudinal direction x towards the front of the vehicle, in which vehicle occupants are located. A ventilation device 5 with a number of air ducts is installed in the instrument panel 1, of which in the Fig. 1 only an air duct 7 is indicated. This opens into the vehicle interior 3 at an outlet opening 9 formed in the visible surface of the instrument panel. In the area of ​​the outlet opening 9, an outlet 11 with a support frame 13 is arranged in which louvers 15 are adjustable as air guide elements. By manually adjusting the louvers 15, the flow cross-section of the outlet opening 9 can be changed. Alternatively and / or additionally, the direction of the airflow L exiting from the air duct 7 via the outlet opening 9 can also be adjusted. Fig. 2) be adjusted. The ventilation device 5 has a blower 17 with which the airflow L flowing through the air duct 7 is generated.

[0022] A key aspect of the invention is that, to enhance the vehicle interior experience, the ventilation device 5 has a soap bubble generator 19 with which soap bubbles 21 can be generated, which, in an activated soap bubble mode ( Fig. 2) be led into the vehicle interior 3.

[0023] The soap bubble generator 19 exhibits in the Fig. 1 a soap solution container 23 and an electric motor 31 with a drive shaft 25, from which rotor webs 27 extend radially, the outer ends of which each terminate with a blow ring 29.

[0024] In the Fig. 1. The soap solution container 23 of the soap bubble generator 19 is held on a channel wall 33 of the air duct 7. The channel wall 33 has an opening 35 to provide clearance for the bubble rings 29, which move in a circular path, when the drive shaft 25 is rotating. When the drive shaft 25 is rotating, each of the two bubble rings 29 is therefore moved from an immersion position to an operating position. In the immersion position, the bubble ring 29 is immersed in the soap solution 37 to wet itself. In the operating position, however, the respective bubble ring 29 projects through the opening 35 into the air duct cross-section, whereby the bubble ring 29, wetted with soap solution 37, is subjected to the airflow L to produce soap bubbles 21 ( Fig. 2) to generate.

[0025] It should be emphasized that the design of the soap bubble generator 19 is not limited to the embodiment shown in the figures. Rather, in another embodiment, the bubble rings 29 do not need to be moved along a circular path between the immersion position and the operating position. Instead, the bubble rings 29 can be adjusted in any desired direction, for example, in a linear motion where each bubble ring 29 is moved between the immersion position and the operating position on a telescopically adjustable support arm.

[0026] According to the Fig. 1 is the outlet 11 via a lifting mechanism not shown, vertically between a service position ( Fig. 1) and a non-use position ( Fig. 2) Linearly adjustable stroke. In the operating position ( Fig. 1) The diffuser 11 covers the outlet opening 9, while in the non-use position ( Fig. 2) the outlet 11 together with the lamellae 15 is arranged outside the coverage of the outlet opening 9.

[0027] The (not shown) lifting mechanism for the outlet 11, the actuator of the bubble generator 19, and the actuator 47 of the blower 17 are connected to an electronic control unit 49. When the bubble mode is activated by the occupants, the actuator 47 of the blower 17 and the actuator 31 of the bubble generator 19 are controlled. In addition, the lifting mechanism of the outlet 11 is controlled to ensure proper introduction of bubbles into the vehicle interior 3. For this purpose, according to the Fig. The two outlets 9 are adjusted downwards to their non-use position so that the soap bubbles exit the outlet 9 without any obstructions. Furthermore, the drive shaft 25 is rotated to alternately adjust the bubble rings 29 between the active position and the immersion position. The blower 17 generates a laminar airflow L at low speed, by means of which the soap bubbles 21 can be moved intact into the vehicle interior 3.

[0028] In the Fig. 1 The electronic control unit 49 is also in signal connection with an interior lighting system 51, an audio system 53 and a fragrance module 55. The interaction of these devices achieves an aesthetic effect on the vehicle occupant, enhancing their visual and sensory experience of the vehicle interior.

[0029] As from the Fig. As further shown in Figures 1 to 3, a glove compartment 39 is integrated into the instrument panel 1 below the soap bubble generator 19, which is closed towards the vehicle interior 3 by a pivoting flap element 41. The soap bubble generator 19 is located in the Fig. 1 is detachably attached to a coupling point K on the top wall 45 of the glove compartment 39 by means of a clip connection 43. The soap bubble generator 19 is therefore installed and removed via the glove compartment 39, as shown in the Fig. 3 is indicated. The coupling point K is therefore arranged within the glove compartment 39, out of sight. The individual components of the soap bubble generator 19, namely the bubble rings 29, the drive shaft 25, the actuator 31 and the soap solution container 23, are designed as a compact, one-piece assembly unit, making assembly and disassembly of the soap bubble generator 19 ergonomically simple.

[0030] In the Fig. Figure 4 shows a ventilation device 5 according to a further embodiment. Its basic structure and function are essentially identical to those in the embodiment of the Fig. 1 to 3. Therefore, reference is made to the preliminary description. In contrast to the preceding embodiment, the air duct 7 has a branching point V downstream of the bubble ring 29 projecting into the air duct cross-section, at which the air duct 7 divides in the direction of flow into a soap bubble sub-duct 57 and a ventilation sub-duct 59. The two sub-ducts 57, 59 each have separate outlet openings 9, in each of which an outlet 11, 61 is arranged. The outlet 11 is identical in construction to the outlet 11 of the Fig. 1 to 3. The outlet 61 of the soap bubble sub-channel 57 is designed in the manner of an iris diaphragm with variable aperture width, as is the case in the Fig. As indicated in Figures 5a to 5c, the aperture blades 63 of the iris diaphragm can be adjusted via a servo motor (not shown) to vary the aperture width, i.e., the outflow cross-section. The aperture blades 63 define a circular cross-section of the outflow opening 9 radially on the inside.

[0031] The one in Fig. The ventilation device 5 shown in Figure 4 also has a distribution flap 65 with which the flow path from the air duct 7 towards the soap bubble sub-duct 57 or towards the ventilation sub-duct 59 can be opened or closed. When the soap bubble mode is activated, the ventilation sub-duct 59 can be closed while the soap bubble sub-duct 57 remains open, as shown in the Fig. 4 is shown.

[0032] In the Fig. Figure 6 shows a further embodiment of a ventilation device 5 not according to the invention, the construction and function of which are essentially identical to the construction and function of the preceding ventilation devices 5, so that reference is made to their preliminary description. In contrast to the two preceding embodiments, the soap bubble generator 19 is in the Fig. 6 is designed as an add-on component. The soap bubble generator 19 can be detachably mounted on the outlet 11 via an indicated clip connection 67. The circular path of movement of the two bubble rings 29 is designed such that they can be positioned approximately in line with the outlet opening 9 in the outflow direction, so that the airflow L from the outlet 11 can flow through the respective bubble ring 29. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1 Instrument panel 3 Vehicle interior 5 Ventilation system 7 Air duct 9. Outflow opening 11 air vents 13 support frames 15 slats 17 blowers 19 Bubble Generator 21 soap bubbles 23 soap solution containers 25 Rotor 27 Rotor Bridge 29 bladder ring 31 Actuator 33 Perimeter wall 35 passage 37 Soap solution 39 Storage compartment, glove compartment 41 Distributor element 43 Clip connection 45 Ceiling wall 47 Actuator 49 electronic control unit 51 Interior lighting 53 Audio system 55 Scenting module 57 Soap Bubble Sub-Channel 59 Ventilation sub-duct 61 air vents 63 aperture blades 65 Distributor element 67 Clip connection K coupling point L Airflow V branch

Claims

[1] Ventilation device (5) for a vehicle, comprising at least one air duct (7) which opens into the vehicle interior (3) at at least one outlet opening (9) formed in an interior trim part (1) of the vehicle, wherein the ventilation device (5) comprises a soap bubble generator (19) with which soap bubbles (21) can be generated, and wherein the soap bubbles (21) can be guided into the vehicle interior (3) by means of an airflow (L) directed through the air duct (7), characterized by, that the ventilation device (5) has a coupling point (K) at which the soap bubble generator (19) can be detachably coupled to the air duct (7), that the interior trim part (1) has a separate mounting access from the outlet opening (9) which allows mounting access to the coupling point (K), that the interior trim part (1) is an instrument panel of the vehicle in which a storage compartment (39) is integrated, and that the coupling point (K) is arranged inside the storage compartment (39) so that the storage compartment (39) additionally forms the mounting access to the coupling point (K). [2] Ventilation device (5) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the soap bubble generator (19) has a container (23) for a soap solution (37) and at least one bubble ring (29), and that the bubble ring (29) can be adjusted by means of an actuator (31) between an immersion position, in which the bubble ring (29) is immersed in the soap solution (37) to wet itself with the soap solution (37), and an operating position, in which the bubble ring (29) wetted with soap solution (37) can be permeated by the airflow (L) to generate the soap bubbles (21), and that in the operating position the bubble ring (29) is arranged in the air channel (7). [3] Ventilation device (5) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by , that the assembly access can be covered in a way that protects it from view by means of a cover element (41). [4] Ventilation device (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that in the area of ​​the outlet opening (9) of the air duct (7) an outlet (11) with air guide elements (15) is arranged, with the help of which the flow cross-section of the outlet opening (9) can be changed, and / or the outflow direction of the airflow (L) can be adjusted. [5] Ventilation device (5) according to claim 4, characterized by , that the outlet (11) is adjustable between a usage position in which the outlet (11) covers the outlet opening (9) and a non-usage position in which the outlet (11) together with air guide elements (15) is arranged out of overlap with the outlet opening (9), and that in an activated soap bubble mode the outlet (11) is adjusted to its non-usage position so that the soap bubbles (21) can be guided into the vehicle interior (3) without interference contours. [6] Ventilation device (5) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized by, that the air duct (7) downstream of the bubble ring (29) of the soap bubble generator (19) has a branching point (V) at which the air duct (7) splits in the direction of flow into a soap bubble sub-duct (57) and a ventilation sub-duct (59) each with separate outlet openings (9), and that the ventilation device (5) has a distributor element (65) with which the flow path towards soap bubble sub-duct (57) or ventilation sub-duct (59) can be opened or closed. [7] Ventilation device (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the ventilation device (5) has a blower (17) with which the airflow (L) flowing through the air duct (7) can be generated. [8] Ventilation device (5) for a vehicle, comprising at least one air duct (7) which opens into the vehicle interior (3) at at least one outlet opening (9) formed in an interior trim part (1) of the vehicle, wherein the ventilation device (5) comprises a soap bubble generator (19) with which soap bubbles (21) can be generated, and wherein the soap bubbles (21) can be guided into the vehicle interior (3) by means of an airflow (L) directed through the air duct (7), wherein the soap bubble generator (19) comprises a container (23) for a soap solution (37) and at least one bubble ring (29), characterized by, that the air duct (7) downstream of the bubble ring (29) of the soap bubble generator (19) has a branching point (V) at which the air duct (7) splits in the direction of flow into a soap bubble sub-duct (57) and a ventilation sub-duct (59) each with separate outlet openings (9), and that the ventilation device (5) has a distributor element (65) with which the flow path towards soap bubble sub-duct (57) or ventilation sub-duct (59) can be opened or closed. [9] Vehicle with a ventilation device (5) according to one of the preceding claims.

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