Air vent for a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle

Description

[0001] Air vents are used to supply fresh or warm air to the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. They are generally located on the dashboard and can be manually controlled to obtain the desired airflow. The user can generally adjust the airflow, air temperature or airflow direction using buttons or sliders located on a central console, or a dashboard element or on the vent itself. However, this type of manually controlled vent has the disadvantage of requiring systematic action by an operator if the airflow, air temperature and / or airflow direction needs to be changed. However, in the case where the operator is the driver himself, this can lead to careless errors on his part which can be dangerous and lead, in some cases, to serious accidents.

[0002] For this purpose, some motor vehicles are sometimes equipped with motor-controlled air vents, in which the air flow at the outlet of the vent follows a pre-defined trajectory. This trajectory is generally optimized to provide greater driving comfort for the driver and passengers of the vehicle.

[0003] Generally, motor-driven aerators require two motors to achieve regulated control of the movement of two rows of air guide vanes pivoting respectively around vertical and horizontal pivot axes. The use of two motors, however, generates high manufacturing costs and requires sufficient electrical energy for their operation. Motor-driven aerators in accordance with the preamble of claim 1 are also described in DE 10 2014 105273 B3, JP H09 52519 A and EP 3 981 623 A1.

[0004] The invention therefore aims to propose an aerator for the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle which does not have the aforementioned drawbacks. In particular, the invention aims to propose an aerator for the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle with motorized control generating lower manufacturing costs and consuming less electrical energy during its operation.

[0005] To this end, the invention relates to an aerator for a motor vehicle passenger compartment according to independent claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in the appended dependent claims.

[0006] Thus configured, the ventilator for the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle according to the invention makes it possible to control the movement of two series of air guide elements pivoting respectively around vertical and horizontal pivot axes by means of a single motor, thus reducing the manufacturing cost and the energy consumption of such an ventilator.

[0007] According to other characteristics, the aerator according to the invention comprises one or more of the following optional characteristics considered alone or in combination: the first air guide elements consist of a plurality of first air guide vanes arranged substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other, each of said first air guide vanes being pivotally mounted on the housing so as to be able to pivot about a horizontal pivot axis, said first air guide vanes being secured to each other by means of a first vertically movable connecting element. the operating member is provided on a lower end face with a second guide groove intended to slidably receive a vertical rod secured to one of the second air guide elements, said second guide groove being configured to cause a displacement of the vertical rod in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction during rotation of the operating member.the second air guide elements consist of a plurality of second air guide vanes arranged substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other, each of said second air guide vanes being pivotally mounted on the housing so as to be able to pivot about a vertical pivot axis, said second air guide vanes being secured to each other by means of a second horizontally movable connecting element. an upper annular portion of the operating member is provided with teeth intended to cooperate with the corresponding teeth of a toothed wheel rotated directly or via a gear by an output shaft of the motor. the housing is provided with a detection element intended to cooperate with a complementary detection element secured to the operating member when the first and second air guide elements are oriented according to a reference orientation.in the reference orientation of the first and second air guide elements, the air flow is directed in a horizontal outlet direction, parallel to the longitudinal direction. the aerator further comprises a control unit capable of controlling the motor so as to induce a back-and-forth movement of the operating member from a starting position, in which the first and second air guide elements are oriented in the reference orientation, to an extreme position, in which the operating member has moved by a predefined angle relative to its starting position.

[0008] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising an aerator as defined above.

[0009] The invention will be better understood upon reading the non-limiting description which follows, given with reference to the attached figures. [ Fig. 1 ] is a perspective view of an aerator according to the invention. [ Fig. 2 ] is an exploded perspective view of the aerator of the figure 1 . [ Fig. 3 ] is a side view of the aerator of the figure 1 . [ Fig. 4a ] is a side view of the operating member and the first guide elements of the aerator of the figure 1 , in a first functional position of the aerator. [ Fig. 4b ] is a front view of the operating member and the first and second transmission levers of the aerator of the figure 1 , in the first functional position of the aerator. [ Fig. 5a ] is a view similar to the figure 4a , the aerator being in a second functional position. Fig. 5b ] is a view similar to the figure 4b , the aerator being in the second functional position. [ Fig. 6a ] is a view similar to the figure 4a , the aerator being in a third functional position. [ Fig. 6b ] is a view similar to the figure 4b , the aerator being in the third functional position. [ Fig. 7a ] is a top view of the operating member and the second air guide elements of the aerator of the figure 1 , the aerator being in the first functional position. [ Fig. 7b ] is a view similar to the figure 7a , the aerator being in the second functional position. [ Fig. 7c ] is a view similar to the figure 7a , the aerator being in the third functional position. [ Fig. 8 ] is a perspective and bottom view of an alternative embodiment of the operating member.

[0010] In the following paragraphs, the terms horizontal, vertical, top, bottom, front and rear, left and right refer to airflow directions for a vent installed facing the front driver's seat of a motor vehicle passenger compartment. Thus, an airflow coming out of such a vent will be directed forward and upward if the driver wishes to preferentially ventilate his head, and to the right if he wishes to preferentially ventilate the left part of his face. The terms front / rear, and left / right therefore refer in this case to directions opposite to those of the normal orientation of the vehicle.

[0011] In reference to the figures 1 à 3 , there is shown an aerator 10 according to the invention. This aerator 10 comprises a housing 1 connected on its rear face to a pipe (not shown) supplying air to the aerator. The housing 1 extends along a longitudinal direction aligned with the front / rear direction X of the vehicle. The housing 1 is provided on its front face with an outlet opening 2 through which the air flow circulating through the aerator can escape.

[0012] As illustrated in the figure 1 , the aerator 10 has, at the outlet opening 2, a first group of three air guide vanes 11. Each of the vanes 11 is substantially planar and has a substantially rectangular shape. The vanes 11 are pivotally mounted on the housing 1 such that they pivot about horizontal pivot axes, respectively Ya1, Ya2 and Ya3, which are aligned with a transverse direction Y of the vehicle. The vanes 11 are further pivotally connected to a connecting element 13 at an end edge 111 extending parallel to the direction X. The connecting element 13 has a substantially vertical orientation. Thus connected together, the vanes 11 are arranged substantially parallel to each other and are spaced from each other in the vertical direction.By means of movement members described in detail in the following paragraphs, it is possible to move the assembly formed by the fins 11 and by the connecting element 13 in such a way as to modify the orientation of the fins 11 relative to a horizontal plane. As a result, the air flow passing through the outlet opening 2 and circulating between the fins 11 can thus be directed in several ways depending on the orientation of the fins 11.

[0013] One of the possible ways is shown on the figure 4a In this configuration, the fins 11 are arranged horizontally: the air flow at the outlet of the aerator is therefore parallel to a direction D1 which is substantially horizontal.

[0014] Another possible way is shown on the figure 5a In this configuration, the fins 11 are oriented downwards from their respective pivot axis: the air flow at the outlet of the aerator is therefore parallel to a direction D2 which is oriented upwards.

[0015] Another possible way is shown on the figure 6a In this configuration, the fins 11 are oriented upwards from their respective pivot axis: the air flow at the outlet of the aerator is therefore parallel to a direction D3 which is oriented downwards.

[0016] As shown in the figures 1 , 2 And 7a, the aerator 10 further has, at the outlet opening 2 and upstream of the first group of fins 11, a second group of five air guide fins 12. Each of the fins 12 is substantially planar and has a substantially parallelepiped shape. The fins 12 are pivotally mounted on the housing 1 such that they pivot about vertical pivot axes, respectively Za1, Za2, Za3, Za4 and Za5, which are aligned with a vertical direction Z of the vehicle. The fins 12 are further pivotally connected to a connecting element 14 at a rear end edge 121. The connecting element 14 has a substantially horizontal orientation. Thus connected together, the fins 12 are arranged substantially parallel to each other and are spaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction.By means of movement members described in detail in the following paragraphs, it is possible to move the assembly formed by the fins 12 and by the connecting element 14 in such a way as to modify the orientation of the fins 12 relative to a vertical plane. As a result, the air flow passing through the outlet opening 2 and circulating between the fins 12 can thus be directed in several ways depending on the orientation of the fins 12.

[0017] One of the possible ways is shown on the figure 7a In this configuration, the fins 12 are aligned vertically with the direction X: the air flow at the outlet of the aerator is therefore parallel to a direction D4 which is vertical and aligned with the direction X.

[0018] Another possible way is shown on the figure 7b In this configuration, the fins 12 are oriented to the left from their respective rear end 121: the air flow at the outlet of the aerator is therefore parallel to a direction D5 which is oriented to the left relative to the direction X.

[0019] Another possible way is shown on the figure 7c . In this configuration, the fins 12 are oriented to the right from their respective rear end 121: the air flow at the outlet of the aerator is therefore parallel to a direction D6 which is oriented to the right relative to the direction X.

[0020] The orientation of the fins 11 and 12 is carried out by means of several displacement members actuated by a single motor 4. This motor 4 is configured to induce a rotational movement around a vertical axis Z1 to an operating member 3. As shown in the figure 2 , this operating member 3 has in particular an upper annular portion 31 which is provided with teeth intended to cooperate with the corresponding teeth of a toothed wheel 41 rotated directly or via a gear by an output shaft of the motor 4. As shown in the figure 2 , the motor 4 is configured to rotate the toothed wheel 41 around a vertical axis Z2.

[0021] The operating member 3 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is in particular provided, along its external cylindrical periphery, with a first guide groove 34 having a generally helical shape along the axis Z1. This guide groove 34 is configured to act on a first transmission lever 5, which cooperates with a second transmission lever 6, said second transmission lever 6 in turn acting on one of the air guide vanes 11. As shown in the figure 2 , the first transmission lever 5 comprising two arms, respectively a left arm 54 and a right arm 55, having a right prism shape with a triangular base, said arms 54, 55 being arranged on either side of a central pivot axis 52 which is aligned in the longitudinal direction X. The pivot axis 52 is pivotally connected to the housing 1 so that the first transmission lever 3 can pivot about a longitudinal axis X1. Each of the arms 54, 55 has a free end, respectively a left end 51 for the left arm 54 and a right end 53 for the right arm 55. The left end 51 is slidably received in the guide groove 34 of the operating member 3 so that, during rotation of the operating member 3, the guide groove 34 is configured to cause a vertical displacement of said left end 51.This vertical movement consequently generates a vertical movement in the opposite direction of the right end 53. Furthermore, the second transmission lever 6 is in the form of a substantially flat arm having a rear segment 62 and a front segment 62' forming an elbow. The rear segment 62 is pivotally connected to the housing 1 around a transverse axis Y1 at a rear end 61 and the front segment 62' is provided, at a front end 63, with an oblong opening 65. As shown in the . figure 3 , this oblong opening 65 is intended to slidably receive a horizontal rod 113 which is integral with one of the air guide fins 11. In particular, the horizontal rod 113 is an integral part of a square-shaped extension 114 projecting from a straight end edge 112 of the fin 11. The second transmission lever is furthermore provided, at the central portion located between the rear segment 62 and the front segment 62', with an oblong opening 64 aligned along the transverse direction Y. As shown in the figure 3 , this oblong opening 64 is intended to slidably receive the right end 53 of the first transmission lever 5. During vertical displacement of the right end 53, under the action of the operating member 3 as described previously, the second transmission lever 6 will therefore undergo an upward or downward thrust due to the support of said right end 53 on the internal peripheral walls surrounding the oblong opening 64. This upward or downward thrust will generate a pivoting of the second transmission lever 6 at its rear end 61 around the axis Y1. This pivoting will cause an upward or downward displacement of the front end 65 of the second transmission lever 6. The horizontal rod 113, which is engaged in the oblong opening 65, will therefore, consequently, undergo an upward or downward displacement during the pivoting of the second transmission lever 6.Since the horizontal rod 113 is integral with one of the air guide fins 11, it will induce, when it is moved upwards or downwards, a pivoting movement of said fin 11 around its pivot axis Ya1 either in the clockwise direction or in the counterclockwise direction. This pivoting movement of the fin 11 is transmitted simultaneously to the other fins 11 via the connecting element 13.

[0022] In reference to the figures 4a, 4b , 5a, 5b, 6a, et 6b , the aerator of the invention is shown according to several specific positions of the air guide vanes 11.

[0023] In the position shown on the figures 4a et 4b , the fins 11 are aligned in a horizontal plane, the air flow at the outlet of the aerator being directed in the direction D1. This position is reached when the left end 51 of the first transmission lever 5 is engaged in a middle zone of the guide groove 34 of the operating member 3. This middle zone could for example be located halfway between a high end 341, shown in the figure 5a , of the guide groove 34, and a lower end 342, shown in the figure 6a , of the guide groove 34. By convention, the position shown on the figures 4a, 4b will be referred to as the “starting position” in the following paragraphs.

[0024] In the position shown on the figures 5a et 5b , the fins 11 are oriented downwards from their respective pivot axis, the air flow at the outlet of the aerator being directed upwards in the direction D2. This position is reached when the left end 51 of the first transmission lever 5 is engaged in an area of the guide groove 34 of the operating member 3 which is close to the upper end 341. By convention, the position shown in the figures 5a, 5b will be referred to as the "upper limit position" in the following paragraphs. Arrows have been added to the figures 5a et 5b to indicate the movements made by the first and second transmission levers 5, 6 and by the connecting element 13 during the transfer from the starting position to the upper limit position.

[0025] In the position shown on the figures 6a et 6b , the fins 11 are oriented upwards from their respective pivot axis, the air flow at the outlet of the aerator being directed downwards in the direction D3. This position is reached when the left end 51 of the first transmission lever 5 is engaged in an area of the guide groove 34 of the operating member 3 which is close to the lower end 342. By convention, the position shown in the figures 6a, 6b will be referred to as the "low limit position" in the following paragraphs. Arrows have been added to the figures 6a et 6b to indicate the movements made by the first and second transmission levers 5, 6 and by the connecting element 13 during the transfer from the starting position to the lower limit position.

[0026] In practice, it will be advantageous for the aerator 10 to move successively and uninterruptedly from the starting position to the upper limit position, from the upper limit position to the lower limit position, and then from the lower limit position to the starting position. This movement cycle may be executed automatically by means of the motor 4 and a control unit (not shown) capable of controlling the motor 4 so as to induce a back-and-forth movement of the operating member 3 from the starting position to one of the upper or lower limit positions. This back-and-forth movement will correspond to a rotation of the operating member 3 by a predefined angle from the starting position. This predefined angle may in particular be between 135° and 180°, and preferably be equal to 150°. To this end, it will be possible to equip the housing 1 with a sensor capable of detecting when the operating member 3 is in the starting position.The control unit will then be able, depending on the speed of the motor and the time elapsed since receiving a signal from the sensor indicating the passage to the starting position, to determine when the operating member 3 has carried out a rotation of the predefined angle, corresponding to the passage to the upper or lower limit position. A reversal of the direction of rotation of the motor will then be commanded by the control unit so as to return to the starting position.

[0027] As shown in the figure 2 , the operating member 3 further comprises a lower end 33 in the form of a disc. This lower end 33 is shown in the figure 7a in top view and in transparency so that its lower face 35 is visible. This lower face 35 is in particular provided with a second guide groove 36 having a substantially spiral shape centered on the axis Z1. This lower face 35 is positioned directly above one of the air guide vanes 12, said vane 12 being provided with a vertical rod 123 which is received in the second guide groove 36. This guide groove 36 is configured to act on the vertical rod 123 so as to induce a horizontal movement to the left or to the right of said rod. This horizontal movement consequently generates a pivoting movement of the vane 12 comprising said rod 123 around its pivot axis Za2 either in the clockwise direction or in the counterclockwise direction. This pivoting movement of the fin 12 is transmitted simultaneously to the other fins 12 via the connecting element 14.

[0028] In reference to the figures 7a, 7b et 7c , the aerator of the invention is shown according to several specific positions of the air guide vanes 12.

[0029] In the position shown in the figure 7a , the fins 12 are aligned vertically in the direction X, the air flow at the outlet of the aerator being directed in the direction D4. This position is reached when the rod 123 is engaged in a middle zone of the guide groove 36 of the operating member 3. This middle zone could for example be located halfway between a distal end 361 of the guide groove 36, which is distant from the axis Z1, and a proximal end 362 of the guide groove 34, which is close to the axis Z1. The position shown in the figure 7a may advantageously correspond to the starting position mentioned in the preceding paragraphs.

[0030] In the position shown in the figure 7b , the fins 12 are inclined to the left with respect to the direction X, the air flow at the outlet of the aerator being directed to the left in the direction D5. In this position, the fins 12 form an angle α1 with the direction X. This position is reached when the rod 123 is positioned in the guide groove 36 of the operating member 3 at the distal end 361. By convention, the position shown on the figure 7b will be referred to as the "left limit position" in the following paragraphs. An arrow has been added to the figure 7b to indicate the movement made by the fins 12 during the transfer from the starting position to the left limit position.

[0031] In the position shown in the figure 7c , the fins 12 are inclined to the right with respect to the direction X, the air flow at the outlet of the aerator being directed to the right in the direction D6. In this position, the fins 12 form an angle α2 with the direction X. This position is reached when the rod 123 is positioned in the guide groove 36 of the operating member 3 at the proximal end 362. By convention, the position shown on the figure 7c will be referred to as the "right limit position" in the following paragraphs. An arrow has been added to the figure 7c to indicate the movement made by the fins 12 during the transfer from the starting position to the right limit position.

[0032] The operating member 3 may be configured so that the left and right limit positions correspond respectively to the high and low limit positions mentioned above, so that, during a complete cycle of movement of the operating member 3, the air flow at the outlet of the aerator is oriented successively horizontally and in the center, then upwards and to the left, then again horizontally and in the center, then downwards and to the right, and finally again horizontally and in the center.

[0033] In reference to the figure 8, an alternative embodiment of the operating member 3 is shown. In this alternative, the lower end 33 is provided with a radial protrusion 37, which is defined by two end edges 38 and 39. These end edges 38 and 39 are configured to come into abutment against at least one structural element (not shown) of the housing 1 when the left and / or right limit positions, and / or the starting position of the operating member 3 are reached. When one of said end edges 38, 39 comes into contact with said structural element, the electric motor 4 will generate an increase in the current (or power) demand which will be detected by the control unit.The control unit will thus deduce the angular position of the operating member 3 relative to its starting position and will then be able to precisely control the rotation of the operating member 3 by means of the motor 4 so as to modify the orientation of the guide fins 11 and 12 according to the user's request.

[0034] The invention is obviously not limited to the specific embodiment described above.

[0035] In particular, the successive orientations of the air flow at the outlet of the aerator may obviously vary depending on the profile of the first and second guide grooves 34 and 36 and adapt to the installation location in the dashboard and the seating position of the driver and passenger.

[0036] It is also clear that the number and shape of the air guide fins 11, 12 may also vary. It will also be possible to use other air guide means instead of the fins 11, 12.

[0037] Furthermore, the rotary movement of the operating member 3 may be transmitted by the motor 4 by any possible means, the use of a toothed annular part 31 being one of the possible means.

Claims

1. An air vent (10) for a motor vehicle passenger compartment comprising: - a case (1) extending along a longitudinal direction (X) and having at least one outlet opening (2) through which an air flow circulates, - air guide means (11, 12) capable of orienting the air flow in at least one outlet direction (D1-D6), the air guide means (11, 12) comprising a plurality of first air guide elements (11) movably mounted in rotation on the case (1) about horizontal pivotal axes (Ya) and capable of orienting the air flow in an outlet direction among at least three different outlet directions (D1-D3), namely a horizontal outlet direction (D1), an upwardly inclined outlet direction (D2), and a downwardly inclined outlet direction (D3), and a plurality of second air guide elements (12) movably mounted in rotation on the case (1) about vertical pivotal axes (Za) and capable of orienting the air flow in an outlet direction among at least three different outlet directions (D4-D6), namely an outlet direction (D4) oriented centrally, parallel to the longitudinal direction (X), an outlet direction (D5) inclined to the left with respect to the longitudinal direction (X), an outlet direction (D6) inclined to the right with respect to the longitudinal direction (X), and this, for each of the positions of the first air guide elements (11), - displacement means (3-6) capable of moving the air guide means (11, 12), wherein the displacement means (3-6) comprise a maneuvering member (3) rotatably movable about a vertical axis (Z1) under the action of a motor (4), said maneuvering member (3) being capable of acting simultaneously on the first air guide elements (11) via transmission means (5, 6) so as to induce a series of displacements of said first air guide elements (11) and on the second air guide elements (12) so as to induce a series of displacements of said second air guide elements (12), and said maneuvering member (3) has a cylindrical shape and is provided, along its external cylindrical periphery, with a first guide groove (34), characterized in that the transmission means (5, 6) comprise a first lever (5) pivotally connected to the case (1) about a central pivot axis (52) aligned in the longitudinal direction (X), said first lever (5) comprising two arms (54, 55) disposed on either side of the pivot axis (52), respectively a left arm (54) and a right arm (55), and a second lever (6) pivotally connected to the case (1) about a transverse axis (Y1) at a rear end (61), said second lever (6) being provided, at a front end (63), with a first oblong opening (65) intended to slidably receive a horizontal rod (113) secured to one of the first air guide elements (11) and, at a central portion, with a second oblong opening (64) intended to slidably receive a free end (53) of the right arm (55) of the first lever (5), and in that said first guide groove (34) is intended to slidably receive a free end (51) of the left arm (54) of the first lever (5), said first guide groove (34) being configured to cause a vertical displacement of said free end (51) of the left arm (54) during rotation of the maneuvering member (3).

2. The air vent (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first air guide elements consist of a plurality of first air guide fins (11) disposed substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other, each of said first air guide fins (11) being pivotally mounted on the case (1) so as to be able to pivot about a horizontal pivotal axis (Ya1, Ya2, Ya3), said first air guide fins (11) being secured to each other by means of a first vertically movable connecting element (13).

3. The air vent (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the maneuvering member (3) is provided on a lower end face (35) with a second guide groove (36) intended to slidably receive a vertical rod (123) secured to one of the second air guide elements (12), said second guide groove (36) being configured to cause a displacement of the vertical rod (123) in a transverse direction (Y) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X) during rotation of the maneuvering member (3).

4. The air vent (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the second air guide elements consist of a plurality of second air guide fins (12) disposed substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other, each of said second air guide fins (12) being pivotally mounted on the case (1) so as to be able to pivot about a vertical pivotal axis (Za1, Za2, Za3, Za4, Za5), said second air guide fins (12) being secured to each other by means of a second horizontally movable connecting element (14).

5. The air vent (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that an upper annular portion (31) of the maneuvering member (3) is provided with teeth intended to cooperate with the corresponding teeth of a gear wheel (41) rotated directly or via a gear by an output shaft of the motor (4).

6. The air vent (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the case (1) is provided with a detection element intended to cooperate with a complementary detection element secured to the maneuvering member (3) when the first and second air guide elements (11, 12) are oriented in a reference orientation.

7. The air vent (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that, in the reference orientation of the first and second air guide elements (11, 12), the air flow is directed in a horizontal outlet direction (D1, D4), parallel to the longitudinal direction (X).

8. The air vent (10) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that it further comprises a controller capable of controlling the motor (4) so as to induce a back- and-forth movement of the maneuvering member (3) from a starting position, in which the first and second air guide elements (11, 12) are oriented in the reference orientation, to an extreme position, in which the maneuvering member (3) has moved by a predefined angle relative to its starting position.

9. A motor vehicle comprising an air vent (10) according to any of the preceding claims.