Plug-in application for a ventilation system, in particular for an air conditioning system in a motor vehicle

Abstract

Plug-in application (1) for an air handling (AHU) system, in particular for an air conditioning system in a motor vehicle, with a cover plate (5), wherein a surface of the cover plate (5) is suitable for covering an outlet of an air handling / air conditioning system, wherein the cover plate (5) has a section-by-section circumferential seal (2), a receiving space (3) on a side of the cover plate (5) facing the air handling / air conditioning system for receiving at least one humidifying agent (11), and a fastening device (4) for attaching the plug application (1) to the outlet of the air conditioning system.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a plug-in application for an air-conditioning system (HVAC system). In particular, the invention relates to a plug-in application for an air-conditioning system in a motor vehicle. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Air conditioning systems have become indispensable in modern working and living environments, especially during the summer months. However, cold, dry indoor air can have negative health effects, particularly on the respiratory tract, mucous membranes, and muscles in the shoulder and neck area. The cold air generated by air conditioning systems can cool the body and subsequently cause colds, runny noses, and muscle tension, even at high outside temperatures. Such negative health effects are more frequently observed in the presence of drafts, especially cold or cool drafts. Drafts are disruptive air currents that lead to local cooling, particularly on unclothed areas of the body, and with prolonged exposure, even on clothed areas. Drafts can be caused by both natural ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC systems).

[0003] In addition to the temperature problem, air conditioning often causes low humidity (< 30% relative humidity), which can dry out mucous membranes and weaken the immune system. This promotes the occurrence of flu-like infections and increases susceptibility to respiratory diseases. This dry indoor air also applies to air conditioning systems in heating mode.

[0004] Although certain behavioral measures can help reduce risks, such as avoiding direct air conditioning blowing onto the body by adjusting the air vent slats or deliberately positioning the system away from air conditioning units, technical challenges remain. For example, at medium fan speed and with the air vent slats aligned "away from the body," a draft of approximately 1.4 m / s still hits vehicle occupants. This draft cannot be completely avoided, even by varying the orientation of the air vent slats.

[0005] These problems highlight the need for improved solutions that effectively minimize the adverse health effects of air conditioning systems while improving indoor air quality without sacrificing their comfort features.

[0006] Plug-in applications for HVAC systems, particularly air conditioning systems, for the purpose of deodorization or air freshening are known from the prior art. For example, US 2007 0075159 A1 discloses an air freshener that contains a solid aroma compound in a housing. An air flow from an air conditioning system is guided through a housing inlet around the solid aroma compound to the housing outlet, so that the air flow enriched with the aroma compounds runs approximately parallel to the original air flow of the air conditioning system.

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a plug-in application that addresses the harmful health effects of ventilation and air conditioning systems, in particular air conditioning systems. The invention is based on the finding that even when the slats of an air conditioning system's air nozzles are directed away from the user, a not insignificant airflow of dry air from the air conditioning system flows towards the user due to drafts. This harmful cold draft occurs particularly significantly when a vehicle interior heated by sunlight is cooled as quickly as possible to a comfortable indoor climate by the automatic operation of the air conditioning system during use. In this case, cold drafts hit exposed skin moistened by body sweat at a high air velocity, resulting in a particularly high susceptibility to germs or muscle tension.

[0008] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a plug-in application having the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous further developments of the plug-in application emerge from subclaims 2 to 9.

[0009] The plug-in application according to the invention has a cover plate, wherein a surface of the cover plate is suitable for covering an outlet of a ventilation and air conditioning system, in particular an air conditioning system, preferably an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle. The cover plate has a partially circumferential seal, which can in particular also be a brush seal, which serves, for example, to compensate for curves. The plug-in application has a receiving space on a side of the cover plate facing the ventilation and air conditioning system, in particular the air conditioning system. The receiving space is suitable for receiving at least one air humidifier. Furthermore, the plug-in application has a fastening means for fastening the plug-in application to the outlet of the ventilation and air conditioning system, in particular the air conditioning system.By covering the air conditioning outlet and sealing it around the entire length of the device, the airflow direction is defined. The humidifiers increase the humidity of the air leaving the plug-in application. This reduces the risk of weakening the immune system and damaging mucous membranes due to drying out.

[0010] Such a plug-in application offers the particular advantage that no structural changes or adjustments are necessary for use, since the plug-in application can be used immediately after plugging in and can be removed again at any time to restore the original condition of the interior.

[0011] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the plug-in application, the sectionally circumferential seal is arranged so that the air from the HVAC system can only escape upwards (in a controlled manner). By directing the cool, humidified air from the air conditioning system upwards, a nearly laminar airflow from top to bottom onto the air conditioning system users is achieved. This results in homogeneous, draft-free cooling of the interior.

[0012] In principle, the cover plate can take on any geometric shape. In a preferred design of the plug-in application, the cover plate is rectangular and the seal is attached to three sides of the cover plate in such a way that air can escape exclusively towards the fourth sides. A rectangular design of the cover plate offers a high degree of coverage with most common outlets of ventilation and air conditioning systems, in particular air conditioning systems such as those installed in motor vehicles. For example, the fourth side can be the upward-facing edge of the cover plate, thus resulting in the previously discussed advantages of the almost laminar air flow. In a preferred development of this plug-in application, the cover plate consists of two plate halves that can be pushed into one another to enlarge and / or reduce the surface area.This plug-in application is suitable for use with a particularly large number of outlets of ventilation and air conditioning systems, in particular air conditioning systems, since the plug-in application can be adapted exactly to the width of the respective outlet of the air conditioning / air handling system.

[0013] According to a preferred alternative design, the cover plate is round or oval. This allows for optimal coverage of oval or round air conditioning outlets, as found in many motor vehicles. The examples discussed for rectangular or round / oval cover plates are not intended to be an exhaustive list. All geometric shapes are conceivable for the cover plate, but these discussed shapes are characterized by a particularly broad range of applications.

[0014] With an advantageous design of the plug-in application, the receiving space can also accommodate a deodorizing agent. Alternatively or additionally, a liquid or solid aroma can also be used to create a climate preferred by the user.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of the plug-in application, the cover plate has a means for attaching a smartphone on the side facing away from the air conditioning / air conditioning system outlet. For example, the plug-in application is inserted into the slats of an air conditioning system outlet in a motor vehicle. The arrangement of a means for attaching a smartphone on the side facing away from the air conditioning system and thus toward the vehicle interior allows the user to run a navigation app on the smartphone, for example, to receive instructions on the current route. Thanks to the defined airflow direction, which, due to the seal and the cover plate, is oriented approximately orthogonally to the original airflow direction of the air conditioning system, the smartphone is also protected from the cold air conditioning system air.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the plug-in application, the surface of the cover plate completely covers an outlet of an air conditioning / heating system, with the seal surrounding the cover plate in sections allowing an air flow from the air conditioning / heating system to escape in a direction approximately orthogonal to an outlet flow direction of the air conditioning / heating system. In this embodiment, the humidifier is preferably a cotton filter wick soaked in a 1% saline solution. This humidifier design is equally possible in any of the previous embodiments of the plug-in applications. The 1% saline solution offers a simple method for disinfection, with the cotton filter wicks being characterized by good water absorption and storage capacity.For example, the cotton filter wicks can be easily removed from the insertion device and replaced with fresh ones. For example, a deodorizer and / or flavoring agent is added to the saline solution. This allows the user to soak the cotton filter wicks in the desired solution after the disinfectant / deodorizer / flavoring solution has been used up or evaporated, or to purchase fresh cotton filter wicks without having to repurchase the entire insertion device.

[0017] In a further design of the plug-in application, the fastening device features a 360° rotatable clip for engaging the slats of an HVAC / air conditioning system outlet. This design allows the plug-in application to be used particularly easily with many HVAC / air conditioning system outlets.

[0018] In an advantageous refinement of the plug-in application, the outlet area of ​​the plug-in application corresponds approximately to the area of ​​the outlet of the air handling unit / air conditioning system. In other words, an air nozzle of the air handling unit / air conditioning system experiences no change in its outlet cross-section when the plug-in application is installed. This means that the air outlet velocity is not increased by the cross-sectional constriction(s). The resistance of the escaping air is also not increased by the cross-sectional constriction(s), thus preventing an increase in fan power, which would negatively impact power consumption and the service life of the fan motor.

[0019] According to a further advantageous development, the circumferential seal is a brush seal with a flexible brush body, wherein the brush seal is replaceable and wherein the replaceable brush seal has different brush fiber heights for optimal sealing of different air nozzle shapes without damaging the surface of the air nozzle.

[0020] Further advantages, special features and expedient developments of the invention emerge from the subclaims and the following representation of preferred embodiments with reference to the figures.

[0021] From the illustrations shows: Fig. 1 a rear view of a first embodiment of the plug-in application according to the invention; Fig. 2 a driver-side view of the first embodiment of the plug-in application according to the invention; Fig. 3 a top view of the first embodiment of the plug-in application according to the invention; Fig. 4 an isometric view of the first embodiment of the plug-in application according to the invention; Fig. 5 a side view of the first embodiment of the plug-in application according to the invention; Fig. 6 a rear view of a second embodiment of the plug-in application according to the invention; Fig. 7 a driver-side view of the second embodiment of the plug-in application according to the invention; Fig. 8 a top view of the second embodiment of the plug-in application according to the invention; and Fig. 9 an isometric view of the second embodiment of the plug-in application according to the invention.

[0022] Fig. 1 to 5 show a first embodiment of a plug-in application 1 according to the invention from different views. In Fig. 1 is a rear view, i.e. a view from an outlet of an air-conditioning system, of a rectangular cover plate 5 of a plug-in application 1 for a ventilation and air-conditioning system, in particular for an air-conditioning system in a motor vehicle, with a sectionally circumferential seal 2 on three sides of the cover plate 5. Air from the air-conditioning system can here only be directed towards one / the fourth sides (upwards in Fig. 1) escape. The surface of the cover plate 5 is suitable for covering an outlet of the air conditioning system. A receiving space 3, defined by compartments, is suitable for receiving at least one humidifier 11. The humidifier 11 is formed by cotton filter wicks soaked in a 1% saline solution, with the cotton filter wicks being held in place by a crossbar. An outlet air flow would Fig. 1 "into the plane" oriented to meet the humidifier 11 and the plug-in application 1 is then due to the sectionally circumferential seal 2 mostly upwards ( Fig. 3). The plug-in application 1 further comprises a fastening means 4 for securing the plug-in application 1 to the outlet of the air conditioning system. The fastening means 4 comprises a 360° rotatable clip for engaging the slats of an outlet of an air conditioning system.

[0023] In Fig. 2 shows the side of the cover plate 5 facing the driver. A device 6 for attaching a smartphone is arranged on this side. The tips of the humidifiers 11 are visible on the top side of the plug-in application 1. An outflow surface ( Fig. 3) the plug-in application 1 corresponds approximately to the area of ​​the outlet of the air conditioning system.

[0024] In Fig. Figure 4 shows an isometric view of the plug-in application 1. The circumferential seal 2 is a brush seal with a flexible brush body. The brush seal is replaceable and features different brush fiber heights for optimal sealing of different air nozzle shapes without damaging the air nozzle surface. Due to requirements, the different brush fiber heights are not shown in this drawing.

[0025] In Fig. Figure 5 shows a side view of the plug-in application 1, from which an exemplary arrangement of the elements relative to one another can be derived.

[0026] In Fig. 6 to 9 show a second exemplary embodiment of the plug-in application 1, in which the cover plate 5 is round, for example, to cover a round outlet of an air conditioning system. The cover plate 5 has a partially circumferential seal 2. The seal 2 is designed as a brush seal, which runs in the shape of a ring segment and, for example, has a circular cutout of 70° on the top side to redirect the air flow upwards ( Fig. 8). The plug-in application 1 has a receiving space 3 on a side of the cover plate 5 facing the HVAC / air conditioning system for accommodating at least one humidifier 11. In this embodiment of the plug-in application 1, the humidifiers are also formed by impregnated cotton filter wicks. For example, the cotton filter wicks are additionally impregnated with a deodorizing agent. The plug-in application 1 further comprises a fastening means 4 for securing the plug-in application 1 to the outlet of the air conditioning system.

[0027] As from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 7, the round plug-in application 1 can also have a means 6 for attaching a smartphone.

[0028] As can be seen from the isometric view of the plug-in application 1 in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 9, the air humidifying means 11 are positioned by means of a cross strut which delimits the receiving space 3.

[0029] For example, in the previously described designs, the surfaces of the cover plates 5 completely cover an outlet of an air conditioning / heating system. The seal 2, which partially surrounds the cover plate 5, allows the air flow of the air conditioning / heating system to escape in a direction that is approximately orthogonal to the outlet flow direction of the air conditioning / heating system. The presented designs of the plug-in application 1 allow the air from the air conditioning / heating system to escape upwards, subsequently achieving an almost laminar air flow with a uniform downward flow of the air.

[0030] The embodiments shown here are merely examples of the present invention and should therefore not be considered limiting. Alternative embodiments contemplated by those skilled in the art are equally encompassed within the scope of the present invention. List of reference symbols: 1 plug-in application 2 Seal 3 Recording room 4 Fastening 5 Cover plate 6 Smartphone mount 11 Humidifiers QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] US 2007 0075159 A1

[0006]

Claims

[1] Plug-in application (1) for a ventilation and air conditioning system, in particular for an air conditioning system in a motor vehicle, with a cover plate (5), wherein a surface of the cover plate (5) is suitable for covering an outlet of an air-conditioning system, wherein the cover plate (5) has a partially circumferential seal (2), a receiving space (3) on a side of the cover plate (5) facing the air-conditioning system for receiving at least one air humidifying agent (11), and a fastening means (4) for fastening the plug-in application (1) to the outlet of the air conditioning system. [2] Plug-in application (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the sectionally circumferential seal (2) is arranged in such a way that air from the air conditioning system escapes upwards. [3] Plug-in application (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the cover plate (5) is rectangular and the sectionally circumferential seal (2) is attached to three sides of the cover plate (5) in such a way that the air of the air conditioning system can escape exclusively in the direction of one of the fourth sides. [4] Plug-in application (1) according to the previous claim, characterized by that the cover plate (5) consists of two plate halves that can be pushed into one another to enlarge and / or reduce the area. [5] Plug-in application (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the cover plate (5) is round or oval. [6] Plug-in application (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the receiving space (3) can further accommodate a deodorizing agent. [7] Plug-in application (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cover plate (5) has a means (6) for attaching a smartphone on a side facing away from the outlet of the air conditioning system. [8] Plug-in application (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the surface of the cover plate (5) completely covers an outlet of an air-conditioning system, wherein the seal (2) which partially surrounds the cover plate (5) allows an air flow of the air-conditioning system to escape in a direction which is approximately orthogonal to an outlet flow direction of the air-conditioning system and / or wherein the air humidifying means (11) is formed by a cotton filter wick soaked in a one percent saline solution. [9] Plug-in application (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the fastening means (4) has a 360° rotatable clip for engaging the slats of an outlet of an air conditioning system. [10] Plug-in application (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that an outflow area of ​​the plug-in application (1) corresponds approximately to an area of ​​the outlet of the air conditioning system. [11] Plug-in application (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the circumferential seal (2) is a brush seal with a flexible brush body, wherein the brush seal is replaceable and wherein the replaceable brush seal has different brush fiber heights for optimal sealing of different air nozzle shapes without damaging the surface of the air nozzle.

Images