Air vents for a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an air outlet (1) for a vehicle, comprising an air duct (3) designed to guide an airflow (7), and a display device (10) comprising an evaluation and control unit (15), at least one support structure (12) arranged within the air duct (3), and several light sources (14) arranged on the support structure (12), which are visible from the outside through an outlet opening (6), wherein the evaluation and control unit (15) is designed to control the light sources (14) depending on an actual airflow (7) in such a way that the light sources (14) visually indicate at least one property of the actual airflow (7).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an air outlet for a vehicle.

[0002] Air vents for vehicles with an air guide element are known in numerous variations. To assess the characteristics of the current airflow with these known air vents, occupants either hold a hand in front of an outlet to feel the flow intensity or look at pictograms on an adjustment mechanism to see the current settings of the air vent. Therefore, an intuitive assessment of the airflow at a glance is not possible.

[0003] A light-emitting diode (LED) function indicator ring for an air outlet in the vehicle interior is known from CN 108674133 B. The LED function indicator ring comprises an LED function indicator ring body that is embedded in the automotive air outlet in a ring-like shape. The LED function indicator ring body includes a faceplate, a light-guiding layer, and a luminescent layer, arranged sequentially from the outside in. This structure allows the airflow volume and the temperature of the extracted air to be intuitively displayed at the air outlet by the LED function indicator ring body, enabling the driver and passengers to more conveniently monitor and control the airflow volume and temperature.

[0004] A lighting device for an automotive air vent is known from DE 10 2019 133 527 A1. The lighting device comprises a variable resistor, a light source, a light guide, and a diffuser plate. The variable resistor is connected to a button on the air vent and is configured to vary its resistance according to the degree to which the button is actuated. The light source is connected to the variable resistor and is configured to emit light such that the brightness or color of the light varies according to the variable resistance of the variable resistor. The light guide is configured to direct the light emitted by the light source. The diffuser plate is installed in a housing of the air vent and is configured to diffuse the light guided by the light guide.

[0005] From DE 21 2017 000 267 U1, a light-emitting device for vehicle air outlets is known. The device comprises a light-emitting diode (LED) powered by a battery and emitting light, a light guide that directs the light emitted by the LED, a diffusion plate that widely disperses the light guided by the light guide, and an air outlet housing in which a continuous illumination opening is formed for the outward emission of the widely dispersed light by the diffusion plate. At least one shielding projection, which has a receiving element, is formed on a rear part of the air outlet housing in which the continuous illumination opening is formed and a diffusion plate is inserted and attached.An extension part on one side of a light guide is formed in an expanding manner, in which an engagement projection for insertion into the receiving element formed on the shielding projection is formed projecting forward, and on a rear part an incidence area is formed projecting and curved, into which the light generated by the light-emitting diode shines.

[0006] The invention is based on the objective of providing an air outlet for a vehicle which enables intuitive detection of a currently set airflow from the air outlet.

[0007] This problem is solved by an air outlet for a vehicle with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0008] To provide an air outlet for a vehicle that allows for intuitive detection of the currently set airflow from the air outlet, the air outlet comprises an air duct designed to guide an airflow and a display device. This display device includes an evaluation and control unit, at least one support structure arranged within the air duct, and several light sources arranged on the support structure, which are visible from the outside through an outlet opening. The evaluation and control unit is designed to control the light sources depending on the current airflow such that the light sources visually indicate at least one characteristic of the current airflow.

[0009] Embodiments of the invention make it possible to intuitively recognize the direction, temperature and intensity of the current airflow at a glance at the air outlet.

[0010] In an advantageous embodiment of the air outlet, the at least one support structure can be designed as a circular grid structure with a radial pattern, as a rectangular mesh grid, or as an angular grid structure with a rectangular pattern. The light sources can be arranged at intersection points, between intersection points, or at corner points. Furthermore, several support structures can be arranged one behind the other within the air duct.

[0011] In a further advantageous embodiment of the air outlet, at least one characteristic of the current airflow can relate to flow direction and / or temperature and / or flow intensity. The evaluation and control unit can be further configured to specify the color and / or intensity of activated light sources from multiple light sources. For example, the color of the activated light sources can be specified depending on the current temperature of the airflow. Preferably, blue tones can indicate cold airflows or airflows with lower temperatures. Red tones can indicate warm airflows or airflows with higher temperatures. The current flow rate or intensity of the airflow can be displayed, for example, via the luminance or intensity of the activated light sources.

[0012] In a further advantageous embodiment of the air outlet, the evaluation and control unit can be further configured to activate a predetermined number of light sources simultaneously or sequentially, depending on their spatial arrangement on the at least one support structure, such that the activated light sources generate a spatial visual display. In particular, the arrangement of several support structures equipped with light sources allows a spatial image to be created in the air outlet, thus indicating the direction and intensity of the airflow. Additionally, the color of the LEDs can be determined by the temperature of the air.

[0013] In a further advantageous embodiment of the air outlet, the light sources can preferably be designed as light-emitting diodes.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment of the air outlet, a generator arrangement can be positioned and configured within the air duct to generate energy for powering the light sources based on the airflow in the air duct. For this purpose, the generator arrangement can include a rotating disc driven by the airflow in the air duct. The rotating disc can drive a generator via a rotating shaft, which in turn generates the energy to power the light sources. Thus, the generator is driven and the light sources are powered by the airflow without an additional energy source.

[0015] The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as those subsequently mentioned in the figure description and / or shown in the figures alone, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments that are not explicitly shown or explained in the figures, but which can be derived and generated from the explained embodiments by separate combinations of features, are also to be considered as encompassed and disclosed by the invention.

[0016] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description. In the drawings, identical reference numerals denote components or elements that perform the same or analogous functions. Here, the following are shown: Fig. 1 a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an end section of a first embodiment of an air outlet according to the invention for a vehicle, with a first embodiment of a support structure; Fig. 2 a schematic sectional view along the section line II - II in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a support structure for the air outlet made of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an end section of a second embodiment of an air outlet according to the invention for a vehicle, with a third embodiment of a support structure; and Fig. 5 a schematic section view along the section line V - V in Fig. 4.

[0017] As from Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4 to Fig. As can be seen in Figure 5, the illustrated embodiments of an air outlet 1 according to the invention for a vehicle each comprise an air duct 3, which is designed to guide an airflow 7, and a display device 10, which includes an evaluation and control unit 15, at least one support structure 12 arranged within the air duct 3, and several light sources 14 arranged on the support structure 12, which are visible from the outside through an outlet opening 6. The evaluation and control unit 15 is designed to control the light sources 14 depending on the current airflow 7 such that the light sources 14 visually indicate at least one characteristic of the current airflow 7.

[0018] In the illustrated embodiments of the air outlet 1, at least one property of the current airflow 7 relates to a flow direction, a temperature, and a flow intensity. For this purpose, the evaluation and control unit 15 is further designed to specify the color of the activated light sources 14A depending on the current temperature of the airflow 7. In the illustrated embodiments, blue tones indicate cold airflows or airflows with lower temperatures, and red tones indicate warm airflows or airflows with higher temperatures. The current flow rate or flow intensity of the airflow 7 is indicated by the luminous intensity of the activated light sources 14A.

[0019] As from Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4 to Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 5, the evaluation and control unit 15 is further designed to activate a predetermined number of light sources 14 simultaneously or sequentially, depending on their spatial arrangement on the at least one support structure 12, such that the activated light sources 14A generate a spatial visual display. This indicates the direction of the current airflow 7 in the air duct 3. The direction of the current airflow 7 can be determined by air guide elements 9 designed as louvers 9A. In the illustrated embodiments of the air outlet 1, the light sources 14 are designed as light-emitting diodes.

[0020] As from Fig. 1 and Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 4, in the illustrated embodiments of the air outlet 1, a generator arrangement 16 is arranged and configured within the air duct 3 to generate energy for supplying the light sources 14 based on the airflow 7 in the air duct 3. For this purpose, the generator arrangement 16 comprises a rotary disk 17 driven by the airflow 7 in the air duct 3. The rotary disk 17 drives a generator 19 via a rotating shaft 18, which generates the energy for supplying the light sources 14.

[0021] As from Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 3, the air outlet 1A in the illustrated embodiments has an air duct 3A and an outlet opening 6 with a rectangular cross-section.

[0022] As from Fig. 1 and Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 2, the illustrated first embodiment of the display device 10A comprises only a support structure 12 designed as a rectangular grid 12A, which is attached to the channel wall 5. The light sources, designed as light-emitting diodes, are arranged at the intersection points of the rectangular grid 12A.

[0023] As from Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 3, the illustrated second embodiment of the display device 10B comprises only a support structure 12 designed as an angular grid structure 12B with a rectangular grid, which is attached to the channel wall 5. The light sources 14, designed as light-emitting diodes, are arranged at the corner points and intersection points of the rectangular grid of the angular grid structure 12B.

[0024] As from Fig. 4 and Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 5, the air outlet 1B in the illustrated embodiment has an air channel 3B and an outlet opening 6 with a round cross-section.

[0025] As from Fig. 4 and Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 5, the illustrated third embodiment of the display device 10C comprises three support structures 12 designed as round grid structures 12C with a radial grid, each of which is attached to the duct wall 5. The light sources 14, designed as light-emitting diodes, are arranged at and between the intersection points of the round grid structure 12C with radial grid. Naturally, fewer or more than three support structures 12 can also be arranged one behind the other within the air duct 3.

[0026] In alternative embodiments of the display device 10 not shown, a support structure 12 designed as a mesh grid 12A or as a grid structure 12B with a rectangular grid is used for the air duct 3B and the outlet opening 6 with a round cross-section. Similarly, a support structure 12 designed as a round grid structure 12C with a radial grid can be used for the air duct 3A and the outlet opening 6 with a rectangular cross-section. Furthermore, other suitable embodiments not listed here can also be used as the support structure 12. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1, 1A, 1B Air vents 3, 3A, 3B Air duct 5 Channel wall 6. Outflow opening 7 Airflow 9 Air guide element 9A lamella Display arrangement 10, 10A, 10B, 10C 12 Support structure 12A rectangular grid 12B square grid structure with rectangular grid 12C round grid structure with radial grid 14 light bulbs 14A activated light source 15 Evaluation and control unit 16 Generator arrangement 17 turntable 18 Rotary shaft 19 Generator 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] CN 108674133 B

[0003] DE 10 2019 133 527 A1

[0004] DE 21 2017 000 267 U1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Air outlet (1) for a vehicle, comprising an air duct (3) designed to guide an airflow (7) and a display device (10) comprising an evaluation and control unit (15), at least one support structure (12) arranged within the air duct (3) and several light sources (14) arranged on the support structure (12), which are visible from the outside through an outlet opening (6), wherein the evaluation and control unit (15) is designed to control the light sources (14) depending on an actual airflow (7) such that the light sources (14) visually indicate at least one property of the actual airflow (7). [2] Air outlet (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the at least one support structure (12) is designed as a rectangular grid (12A) or as a square grid structure (12B) with a rectangular grid or as a round grid structure (12C) with a radial grid. [3] Air outlet (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that several support structures (12) are arranged one behind the other within the air duct (3). [4] Air outlet (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that at least one property of the current airflow (7) relates to a flow direction and / or a temperature and / or a flow intensity. [5] Air outlet (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the evaluation and control unit (15) is further designed to specify the color and / or intensity of activated light sources (14A) of the multiple light sources (14). [6] Air outlet (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by, that the evaluation and control unit (15) is further designed to activate a predetermined number of light sources (14) simultaneously or successively, depending on their spatial arrangement on the at least one support structure (12), such that the activated light sources (14A) produce a spatial visual display. [7] Air outlet (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that the light source (14) is designed as a light-emitting diode. [8] Air outlet (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that a generator arrangement (16) is arranged and designed within the air duct (3) to generate energy based on the airflow (7) in the air duct (3) to supply the light source (14). [9] Air outlet (1) according to claim 8, characterized by , that the generator arrangement (16) comprises a rotary disk (17) driven by the airflow (7) in the air duct (3). [10] Air outlet (1) according to claim 9, characterized by , that the turntable (17) drives a generator (19) via a rotating shaft (18), which generates the energy to supply the light sources (14).

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