Air vent assembly and air vent control system

Abstract

To provide an air vent assembly that facilitates removal of any trouble from a passage of cold air from a vent to a person while the vent is being adjusted.SOLUTION: An air vent control system comprises: a directional air flow component mounted on a first axis within a first housing; and a second housing defining an inner space in which the first housing is mounted. A first motor moves the directional air flow component to an angular position within the first housing, and a second motor pivots the first housing contained within the second housing. A front opening and a rear opening allow air flow in a direction from the rear opening to the front opening. A controller sets the angular position of the directional air flow component on the first axis, and the angular position of the first housing on the second axis. The respective positions of the directional air flow component relative to the first housing and the first housing relative to the second housing selectively regulate the direction of airflow discharged.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air vent assembly. The air vent assembly of the present invention is utilized to control the air flow passing therethrough, and such control can extend to not only the direction of such air flow discharged from the air vent assembly but also the amount of air passing through the air vent assembly. The air vent assembly of the present invention can be used to control and adjust the air flowing into such a space in a wide variety of spaces. These can include, for example, vehicles, as well as rooms or building spaces regardless of commercial or residential use. The present invention is not limited to these examples.

Background Art

[0002] With the development of automobiles over several decades, numerous elements have changed. One of the biggest changes came with the advent of air conditioning in the 1960s. Of course, the systems before that were well - organized, but many of them often had the nature of a swamp cooling system adapted to vehicles that flow air over ice within pipes.

[0003] When the "closed - system" air - conditioning system was introduced into vehicles, it had several components. One component that has undergone at least changes over all these decades is the in - vehicle vent that directs air to where the driver and passengers want it. A typical mechanism is a simple grill that can be moved left - right, up - down, by which cold air can be sent in a wide range of directions.

[0004] To adjust these vents inside the vehicle, typically a person has to raise their hand to the vent control lever, adjust the position of the vent, and then lower their hand from in front of the ventilation path to check if the adjustment has reached what was desired. Often, during the adjustment, a person's hand and arm often obstruct the air flow, so several consecutive adjustments are required. This is not only time - consuming but also can be a safety hazard factor because every time a person stretches their hand and turns their attention to the vent, they are not looking at the road.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The air vent assembly of the present invention facilitates removing any obstacles from the cold air path from the vent to the person during vent adjustment. This function takes into account fewer continuous adjustments and a more significantly safe, effective, and efficient process where the driver can maintain focus on the road to determine whatever adjustments are necessary for the cold air on their skin.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention as defined herein includes a remote control vent for a vehicle air conditioning system.

[0007] The air conditioning and heating vents available in vehicles today require numerous adjustments to obtain air directed precisely where the person desires. This is because the actions taken to adjust the vents often require the person to place their hands and arms in positions that obstruct the airflow to the person. For this reason, the person cannot know where the air is flowing until they move their hands and arms away from in front of the vents they have just adjusted. This is an action that may need to be repeated until the direction of the airflow is close enough to the desired arrangement.

[0008] One embodiment of the present invention only requires the user of the A / C or heater to place their hand on a knob or other type of position indicator such as, for example, a joystick or trackball. By moving the joystick in various directions, the vent can move up, down, left, and right and in any combination of these two intersecting directions, made possible by electronic devices and written computer coding that direct a number of motors to move in concert with each other, thereby enabling a wide range of air flow direction selection.

[0009] With this remote system, the driver can keep their eyes on the road while adjusting the joystick or other control device. While using the air that touches the skin to direct the vent to the desired position, the adjustment can be stopped when the air flows in the desired direction.

[0010] The present invention takes into account a main control panel having preset positions for each vent in the vehicle in addition to group presets, and also takes into account an auxiliary control panel for passengers to operate vents that can affect passengers.

[0011] The present invention can include vents of any shape and size, from square to rectangular to circular, and can utilize a digital format to execute the operation. In one embodiment, the direction controller is like a trackball that moves the vent as the user rolls a ball within its cradle to indicate.

[0012] There are numerous ways to configure the control panel, numerous operations that the control panel can provide, and numerous ways to design the indicating mechanism. The common point of the objectives is to remotely adjust the vehicle's air conditioning vents and adjust the air flow rate and exhaust direction.

[0013] While the design of each of the required components can be of various shapes and sizes, the functionality is consistent in that the vehicle air conditioning vents can be adjusted without actual contact with the vents themselves. The present invention can also be configured to accommodate multiple rows of seats in larger vehicles.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

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Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Reference is made to the various drawings attached hereto, which illustrate exemplary preferred embodiments of the present invention. The embodiments described show various views and perspectives of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these specific details and configurations.

[0016] FIG. 1 of the drawings shows a front view of an air vent assembly 1 in which a ball-shaped air-directing component vent 2 is held inside a front portion 3 and a rear portion 4 of a second housing. The front and rear portions of the second housing are held together by a plurality of bolts 6, and the rear portion 4 of the second housing has an intake projecting neck 5.

[0017] FIG. 2 shows a front view of the air vent assembly as detailed in FIG. 1, further illustrating a mounting plate 7 similar to a vehicle dashboard, a fixed face ring 8 for attaching air vent assembly components to the dashboard 7, and a plurality of face ring screws 9. These components, when combined, enable the air vent assembly to be attachable at various locations.

[0018] FIG. 3 of the drawings shows a front view of the ball-shaped air-directing component 2 with a plurality of air flow paths 10 integrated for allowing air passage, slightly offset from the center. An upper end hole 11 for housing a rotary pivot pin is shown.

[0019] FIG. 4 of the drawings illustrates a rear view slightly offset from the center, showing the ball-shaped air-directing component 2 with an upper rotary pivot pin 12 inserted, a plurality of air flow paths 10 inside the ball-shaped air-directing component 2, a rotary motor 13 with a wiring harness 15, a motor drive shaft 14 protruding from the bottom of the vent ball air-directing component 2, and a motor access mounting plate 36. The motor 13, when driven, rotates the movement of the air-directing component to adjust the direction of the air flow by the air-directing component 2.

[0020] Figure 5 of the drawings shows a motor drive shaft collar 16 having a shoulder 17 and a locking projection 18, which is attached to the motor drive shaft 14.

[0021] Figure 6 of the drawings shows a slightly angled bottom view of the ball-shaped air flow directing component 2 having a plurality of motor cover attachment holes 19. The outer ring first housing 20 supports the ball-shaped air flow directing component 2 by means of an upper pivot pin 12 (not shown) and a motor drive shaft collar shoulder 17 attached to the motor drive shaft 14 and fixed within the recess 21. The recess 21 has a further locking projection recess 22 for accommodating the locking projection 18. When the motor 13 operates to rotate the motor drive shaft 14 in either direction by the locking projection 18 engaged within the locking projection recess 22 and the rotating motor 13 fixed within the ball-shaped air flow directing component 2, the ball-shaped air flow directing component 2 rotates within the outer ring first housing 20 or the outer ring first housing 20 rotates around the ball-shaped air flow directing component 2. When the outer ring first housing 20 itself is fixed within the front portion of the second housing (not shown), as will be shown in more detail in the following figures, the rotational movement initiated by the rotating motor 13 rotates the ball-shaped air flow directing component 2 within the outer ring first housing 20 to a selectable angle in the left or right direction. In this figure, the ball-shaped air flow directing component 2 is facing to the right as indicated by the arrow 23.

[0022] Figure 7 of the drawings is a view similar to that shown in Figure 6, showing the ball-shaped air flow directing component 2 attached to the outer ring first housing 20 and directed to the left as indicated by the arrow 24.

[0023] Figure 8 of the drawings shows a slightly tilted top view in which the ball-shaped airflow directing component 2 is rotatably fixed within the outer ring first housing 20, and details the upper end swivel pin 12 within the bearing 26 fixed within the recess 25. The outer ring first housing 20 includes a ring rotation post hole portion 27. The ball-shaped airflow directing component 2 faces right as indicated by the vent slot 10.

[0024] Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8, except that the ball-shaped airflow directing component 2 faces left as indicated by the vent slot 10.

[0025] Figure 10 of the drawings shows a rear view of the ball-shaped airflow directing component attached to the outer ring first housing 20, the ring rotation post 33 with a bearing shoulder 34 fixed within the outer ring first housing 20, the ring rotation lock post 28 with a bearing shoulder 29, the ring insertion protrusion 31, the lock protrusion 32, and the key groove protrusion 30 from the lock post to the motor at an angle. The ring insertion protrusion 31 is inserted into the outer ring rotation post hole portion 27, and the lock protrusion 32 engages and locks into the outer ring rotation post hole lock 27A. The outer ring pivots rotatably about the axis of the lock post 28, resulting in a rotational movement by a computer input instruction imparted to a rotation motor mounted within the front housing.

[0026] Figure 11 of the drawings shows a front view of an air vent assembly without the front and rear parts of the second housing. The ball-shaped air flow directing parts 2 are rotatably attached to the outer ring first housing 20 by the rotary pivot pins 12 and the motor drive shaft collar 16, both of which are in the vertical plane of this embodiment. The outer ring first housing 20 with the ring rotation post 33 embedded therein is in the horizontal plane, and the ring rotation post 33 also has an exposed shoulder 34 and a bearing 35 further attached thereto. The ring rotation lock post 28 is inserted into the bearing 35. The ring rotation lock post shoulder 29 is exposed and is also in the horizontal plane. One end is inserted into the outer ring first housing 20, and the other end is connected to the rotation motor 38. The wiring harness 39 and the motor mounting plate 37 are also shown. The motor mounting plate 37 is attached to the motor 38 and is attached to the front part (not shown) of the second housing. When the motor drive shaft, which rotates the motor itself, is attached to and operated at the front part of the second housing, it rotates the outer ring first housing 20 internally and can move the topmost part of the outer ring first housing 20 forward and backward by a selectable angle as shown in further figures.

[0027] Figure 12 is a side view of the air vent assembly with the front part 3 of the second housing shown by a dashed line, showing the outer ring first housing 20 rotated so that the topmost part tilts backward toward the rear part 4 of the second housing. Due to this rotation, the ball-shaped air flow directing parts 2 direct the air flow upward when air passes through them. The ring rotation post 33 serves as the axis point of rotation.

[0028] Figure 13 is a side view with the front part 3 of the second housing shown by a dashed line, showing the outer ring first housing 20 rotated so that the topmost part tilts forward away from the rear part 4 of the second housing. Due to this rotation, the ball-shaped air flow directing parts 2 direct the air flow downward when air passes through them. The ring rotation post 33 serves as the axis point of rotation.

[0029] Figure 14 is a front view of the air vent assembly 1, showing the ball-shaped air flow directing component 2 that directs the air flow downward and to the left as indicated by arrow 41. This angle is achieved by combining the rotational movement ability of the ball-shaped air flow directing component 2 within the first housing 20 of the outer ring and the rotational movement ability of the first housing 20 of the outer ring within the front portion 3 of the second housing. As shown in the illustration, an outer ring motor cover 40 is attached to the front portion 3 of the second housing.

[0030] Figure 15 is a front view of the air vent assembly 1, showing the ball-shaped air flow directing component 2 that directs the air flow upward and to the right as indicated by arrow 42. This angle is achieved by combining the rotational movement ability of the ball-shaped air flow directing component 2 within the first housing 20 of the outer ring and the rotational movement ability of the first housing 20 of the outer ring within the front portion 3 of the second housing. As shown in the illustration, an outer ring motor cover 40 is attached to the front portion 3 of the second housing.

[0031] Figure 16 illustrates a slightly tilted rear view of the air vent assembly, showing the intake area 5A that houses the air volume control flap 44 for adjusting the amount of air that can pass through the vent assembly. A rotary motor adjusts the position of the air volume control flap 44 through a number of angle selections, thereby enabling the operator to obtain the desired amount of air passing through the air vent assembly. The air volume control flap 44 is covered by a motor cover 43 and is powered by a wiring harness 45. The air volume flap 44 is shown in the fully open position in this figure.

[0032] Figure 17 shows the flap 44 of Figure 16, with the front and rear parts of the second housing and all the internal parts housed therein removed, and only the air volume control flap 44 and its directly connected parts shown. The air volume control flap 44 is held between the flap storage rotation post 48 and the flap motor shaft post 51. Both the post 48 and the post 51 rotate within a pair of bearings 49 attached to the rear air intake 5 of the rear housing 4 by a pair of retaining clips 50. The motor plate 47 fixes the rotation motor 46. The air volume flap 44 is shown in the fully open position.

[0033] Figure 18 illustrates a view similar to Figure 17, except that the air volume control flap 44 is in the fully closed position.

[0034] Figure 19 shows a view similar to Figure 16, except that the air volume control flap 44 is in the fully closed position.

[0035] Drawing Figure 20 shows a further embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the rectangular air conditioning vent assembly 100 includes a first housing 102, a second housing 101, a plurality of air flow directing parts 103, a plurality of assembly mounting holes 106, and a rotation motor cover 105 attached to the second housing 101.

[0036] Figure 21 illustrates a front top view of the embodiment shown in Figure 20, showing in detail the second housing 101, the first housing 102, the rotation motor 104, and the rotation motor mounting plate 107.

[0037] Drawing Figure 22 is a slightly shifted rear view with the air flow directing parts 103 removed, showing in detail a plurality of lower air flow directing part mounting holes 108, the rotation lock pivot post 109, and the rotation motor 104.

[0038] Figure 23 is a sectional view similar to Figure 22, showing in detail the rotating parts required to rotate the first housing 102 within the second housing 101. The rotating motor 104 is attached to a motor plate 107 attached to the outer housing 101. The motor drive shaft 113 engages with a drive shaft swivel shaft 114 fixed within a bearing 115 and is locked internally. The bearing 115 is held within the second housing 101 and fixed by a retaining clip 116. The drive shaft swivel post 114 has a shoulder 117 for maintaining a set distance between the first and second housings and is locked within the first housing 102.

[0039] The rotating swivel post 109 is fixed within the inner housing 102 and is partially accommodated within a bearing 111. The bearing 111 is locked within the outer housing 101 by a retaining clip 112. The rotating swivel pin 109 has a shoulder 118 for maintaining a set distance between the first and second housings. When the rotating motor 104 receives a direction indication via the control panel components, the motor drive shaft 113 is rotated. The motor drive shaft 113 rotates the drive shaft swivel post 114, which rotates the first housing 102 so as to direct the direction of the entire air flow upward or downward. The rotating motor 104 has the ability to provide a number of stop positions or stop angles, directing the air flow from the possible uppermost position of the vent assembly to the possible lowermost position of the vent assembly. A request for a position change can be directed to a controller that relays information to the rotating motor 104 from a user moving an actual control device, such as a "joystick" or "trackball" (or any other type of control device), thereby relaying the user's request to change the direction of the air flow to the air vent assembly itself.

[0040] Figure 24 is a front view showing the first housing 102 rotated by a rotating motor 104 (not shown) within the second housing 101 to direct the air flow at an upward angle.

[0041] FIG. 25 is a front view showing a first housing 102 rotated by a rotation motor 104 (not shown) in a second housing 101 to direct an air flow at a downward angle. Also shown are a plurality of air flow directing component lower posts 120, air flow directing component upper posts 120A, and air flow directing component upper mounting post holes 108A.

[0042] Figure 26 is a perspective side front rear view in which a second housing 101 houses a first housing 102, and the first housing houses an air flow directing component 103. As shown in detail on the bottom side of the first housing 102, there is a complete mechanical system that can move the air flow directing component 103 over an operating range from directing the air flow to the left to directing the air flow to the right. The first housing motor plate 128 is attached to the bottom side 102A of the first housing 102 by a pair of mounting screws 129. A first housing rotation motor 131 is attached to the motor plate 128 by a pair of mounting screws 130, and the motor 131 has a drive shaft that rotates clockwise and counterclockwise as directed by an input from a computer via a "joystick stick", "trackball" type direction input device. The drive shaft has a gear 132 fixed thereto. The gear 132 engages with a gear rack 123 that slides across the bottom surface 102A of the first housing 102, and is movably fixed within a limited movement range between a pair of gear alignment posts 125 that engage with a pair of gear rack alignment slots 124. There are a plurality of air flow directing component pivot arms 121, and each lower air flow directing component mounting post 120 is provided with one air flow directing component pivot arm 121 attached thereto. The gear rack 123 has a number of direction posts 126, each post 126 having one end fixed to the gear rack 123 and the opposite end of each direction post 126 freely fitting inside a pivot arm slot 122. Each pivot arm 121 includes a pivot arm slot 122. When the rotation motor 131 receives a request from a computer (or other location), it rotates the drive shaft that rotates the gear 132 and moves the gear rack 123. The gear rack 123 moves from one position to another position, and changes the angle of the pivot arm 121 by the gear rack direction post 126 that guides the pivot arm 121 by a movable engagement with the pivot arm slot 122. The pivot arm 121 is moved by the gear rack direction post 126, and since the pivot arm 121 is stably fixed to the air flow directing component lower mounting post 120, the direction of the air flow directing component 103 is changed.

[0043] Figure 27 illustrates the rear rear view of the air vent assembly, and details the operation that occurs when the rotary motor gear 132 rotates clockwise as indicated by arrow 133. This rotation of the motor gear 132 that engages with the gear rack 123 moves the gear rack 123 in the right direction as indicated by arrow 134, thereby pivoting the pivot arm 121 in the right direction as indicated by arrow 135. The pivot arm 121 fixed to the lower air flow directing component mounting post 120 also rotates the air flow directing component 103 in the right direction as indicated by arrow 136, directing the air flow in that direction.

[0044] Figure 28 shows the rear rear view of the air vent assembly, and details the operation that occurs when the rotary motor gear 132 rotates counterclockwise as indicated by arrow 133A. This rotation of the gear 132 that engages with the gear rack 123 moves the gear rack 123 in the left direction as indicated by arrow 134A, thereby pivoting the pivot arm 121 in the left direction as indicated by arrow 135A. The pivot arm 121 fixed to the lower air flow directing component mounting post 120 also rotates the air flow directing component 103 in the left direction as indicated by arrow 136A, directing the air flow in that direction.

[0045] Figure 29 illustrates the front side view of the air vent assembly of the present embodiment, where the second housing 101 is in a typical mounting position. The air flow is directed downward and to the right as indicated by arrow 140. This angular position of the air flow is created when the second housing motor and the first housing motor are instructed to move in combination with each other. The combination of the up and down movement ability of the first housing 102 urged by the second housing motor and the left to right and right to left movement ability of the air flow directing component urged by the first housing motor can include the entire range of the "scale board" from the upper center "12 o'clock" to "1 o'clock", "2 o'clock", "3 o'clock", the lower center "6 o'clock", and back to the "12 o'clock" position.

[0046] Figure 30 shows a front view of the present embodiment of the present invention in which the second housing 101 is in a typical mounting position. The air flow is directed upward and to the left as indicated by arrow 141. This angular position of the air flow is created when the second housing motor and the first housing motor are instructed to move in combination with each other. The combination of the up-and-down movement ability of the first housing 102 promoted by the second housing motor and the left-to-right and right-to-left movement ability of the air flow directing component promoted by the first housing motor can cover the entire range of the "scale board" from the upper center "12 o'clock" to "1 o'clock", "2 o'clock", "3 o'clock", the lower center "6 o'clock", and back to the "12 o'clock" position, including the direction of the air flow.

[0047] Figure 31 shows an air vent assembly at an off-center angle and illustrates the second housing motor cover 105, the first housing motor cover 143, and the pivot arm cover 142.

[0048] Figure 32 shows an embodiment in which the second housing 101 has an extended intake neck 101A, and the extended length is used to accommodate an air flow control flap 144 inside the extended neck region 101B of the second housing 101. The air flow flap 144 is rotatably controlled by a rotary motor 146 attached to the second housing by a motor plate 147. The air flow control flap 144 is shown in a closed position that restricts the air flow through the air vent assembly.

[0049] Figure 33 is a view similar to Figure 32 of the drawings, but with all parts removed except those directly required to facilitate the rotation of the air volume control flap and the flap. The air flow control flap 144 is fixed on one side to an air flap swivel post 145 that rotates within a bearing 148, and the bearing 148 is fixed within a second housing by a retaining clip 149. The air flap 144 is fixed on the opposite side of the swivel post 145 to a motor shaft post 150 that also connects to the drive shaft of a rotary motor 146. The motor shaft post 150 rotates within the bearing 148 that is also fixed by a retaining clip within the second housing. The rotary motor 146 is fixed to a motor plate 147 before the motor plate is fixed to the side of the second housing 101. The air flow flap 144 is shown in the closed position, restricting or preventing the air flow through the vent assembly.

[0050] Figure 34 shows a view similar to Figure 33, differing in that in this figure the air flow control flap 144 is shown in the open position allowing all air flow to pass through the vent. The instructions sent to the rotary motor 146 by the control device allow for a number of angles at which the air flow flap can be opened or closed, thereby controlling the air volume flow through the air vent assembly and providing the result desired by the user.

[0051] Figure 35 of the drawings illustrates a state where the air flow flap 144 is shown in the open position allowing all air flow to pass through the vent assembly. The instructions or electronic instructions sent to the rotary motor 146 by the control device allow for a number of angles at which the air flow control flap can be opened and closed, thereby controlling the air volume flow passing through the air vent assembly and providing the result desired by the user.

[0052] Figure 36 illustrates a manner in which the components of the present invention can be arranged in a passenger compartment of a vehicle. Although the interior of the vehicle is not shown, the layout represents a general vehicle configuration. A dash panel 7 is shown, housing several air vent assemblies 1 in locations typical and appropriate for a number of today's vehicles. A main control panel 162 attached to a center console 160 is readily accessible for a driver to control, adjust, and position the direction of ventilation and air flow. An auxiliary / passenger side control panel 163 is provided so that a passenger can control ventilation in the passenger side area.

[0053] Figure 37 shows an embodiment of a main controller 162 having a plurality of individual control functions mounted on a main control face panel 165. When a trackball type controller 164 is moved to one of innumerable positions, it controls the direction of the air flow passing through the selected air vent. A plurality of control buttons or operators 167A, 167B, 167C, and 167D, each in the shape of four vents, can position one specific vent as desired and bring about the selected air flow rate and direction. A user can position the vent connected to control button 167A and then move to control button 167B and position the vent connected to its switch. When all four vents are positioned and the desired result is obtained, the user can preset these vent positions by associating them with one of a plurality of preset switches 166A, 166B, 166C, 166D. These preset switches enable a number of different drivers to accurately program and adjust the air vents according to such user preferences by pressing one of the preset switch buttons.

[0054] Figure 38 of the drawings shows a front view of the controller and illustrates a general type of main control panel as shown in Figure 37, equipped with a "joystick" type direction controller for changing the direction and flow rate of the air vent air flow.

[0055] Figure 39 of the drawings shows a front view of the controller, and describes the passenger - side control panel 163 equipped with a mouse trackball controller 164 for requesting a change in the direction of the air vent, and a pair of control buttons 167C and 167D, each of which can be positioned as desired in relation to one specific vent, typically associated with the passenger seat. The user can position the vent connected to the control button 167C and then move to the control button 167D and position the vent connected to its switch, thereby providing passenger control over two vents on the passenger side of the passenger compartment.

[0056] Figure 40 schematically illustrates the passenger compartment 200 of an automobile cut away to expose the interior passenger area including the windshield 201 and the passenger door 202. A number of temperature sensors 203 are arranged around the passenger area, programmed to monitor and collect current temperature information in the passenger area and transmit the accumulated information to the main control panel 204 as indicated by the arrow 205. It should be noted that the sensors are not limited to the passenger seat and can be placed at any one or more locations.

[0057] Figure 41 schematically illustrates the vehicle passenger compartment and shows the control panel 204 that, after diagnosing and analyzing the information received from the temperature sensors, transmits a direction request to a plurality of air vents 207 as indicated by the arrow 206. In one form of the present invention, the air vents are positioned in response to such a direction request, sending increased cold or warm air to a specific area of the vehicle while reducing the flow to other areas. The purpose, of course, is to provide an equal and consistent temperature throughout the passenger compartment of the vehicle, likely in response to a situation where a part of the vehicle facing the sun may receive more heat than other parts of the vehicle, thus requiring compensation for the air flow to ensure a moderately consistent temperature throughout the vehicle.

[0058] Figure 42 shows a plurality of air vent assemblies 207 that receive information from temperature sensor 203 via main control panel 204, and adjusts the properties of the air flowing out in a number of directions as indicated by arrows 207A, 207B, 207C, and 207D from the vents, thereby achieving an even temperature balance throughout the passenger compartment. The data collection information of temperature sensor 203 is collected and analyzed using the main control panel set to "balance mode" by computer software based on the sensor information input to main control panel 204. Air vents 207 move to adapt to the temperature sensor data, resulting in a passenger compartment with a substantially uniform and constant temperature that is free of hot spots caused by, for example, afternoon sunlight concentrating on a particular window or area.

[0059] Figure 43 is a diagram showing details of the components required in one embodiment of the present invention. Specifically shown are a plurality of temperature sensors 203 for collecting temperature data, a main control panel 204 for compiling the data, an air flow direction component rotation motor 208 for adjusting the direction of the air flow on the vertical plane through the vents using the compiled data, an outer ring first housing rotation motor 209 for adjusting the direction of the air flow on the horizontal plane through the vents using the compiled data, and an air flow control flap rotation motor 210 for adjusting the air flow rate required at any particular location using the compiled data. The combination of the air flow direction component rotation motor 208 and the outer ring first housing rotation motor 209, achieved by computer processing in the main control panel 204, enables a number of directions in which the air vent assembly itself can direct the air flow, and the movement of the air vent assembly includes a direct and smooth path from one position to another rather than a vertical plane movement following a horizontal plane movement.

[0060] Figure 44 is a view similar to Figure 43, with some components removed to clearly show three rotary motors, namely, the air flow direction component rotary motor 208, the outer ring first housing rotary motor 209, and the air flow control flap rotary motor 210. The three motors receive data from the main control panel 204 and adjust the direction of the air flow and the air flow rate as requested.

[0061] Figure 45 illustrates another application of the present invention and shows a general room equipped with a pair of tables 213, a number of chairs 214, and a bench 215. A plurality of temperature sensors 217 are arranged around the large space to monitor temperature information and transfer data to the main control panel 216. The main control panel 216 accumulates data from the sensors regarding the different temperatures of various regions of the large space and transfers that data in digital signals to air vents 218 arranged at various positions around the large space. These air vents, in response, adjust the direction of the air flow in such a way as to more evenly and consistently balance the temperature across the large space. This function can occur when the main control panel is set to the "balance mode". It is also possible to manually direct the direction of the air flow through the vents using a control stick device within the main control panel.

[0062] With various embodiments and examples of the air vent system according to the present invention, it becomes possible for a user of the system to remotely and electronically control the direction and air flow rate of the air flow from a selected air vent. This provides a significant functional benefit in vehicles where, while sitting in a desired position to receive the benefit of the air flow from an air vent, the driver or passenger can electronically set the air flow parameters using the control panel without the hands or arms obstructing the path of the air flow. When the air flow from a certain air vent assembly is set, the user can utilize the control panel to optimally direct the air flow from other surrounding air vent assemblies.

[0063] The air vent control system is also beneficially applicable in other spaces such as residential, industrial, and business rooms and spaces. The system enables the direction of air from one or more air vent assemblies while taking into account locations where maintaining temperature consistency is more important compared to locations where each individual can sit and areas where fluctuations in ambient temperature are not as critical.

[0064] Furthermore, the air vent control system of the present invention does not require one or more users to manually adjust using a control panel. Rather, sensors strategically placed in the space to be heated or cooled can provide real-time input based on temperature changes at the location where the sensor is placed, transmit this information to a controller, and the controller adjusts and regulates the air flow from a plurality of air vent assemblies located in that space to ensure a consistent temperature is maintained at various locations within that space.

[0065] Throughout this description, the illustrated embodiments and examples should be considered as exemplary rather than limiting the disclosed or claimed apparatus and means. It should be understood that many of the examples presented herein include specific combinations of method acts or system elements, and that these acts and elements may be combined in other ways to achieve the same purpose. Acts, elements, and features discussed only in association with one embodiment are not intended to be excluded from similar roles in other embodiments.

[0066] As used herein, "a plurality of" means two or more. An "array" of items as used herein includes one or more items. As used herein, in any of the described descriptions or claims, the terms "comprising", "including", "carrying", "having", "containing", "involving", etc. are open-ended, that is, it is understood to mean including but not limiting. Only the transitional phrases "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of" are closed or semi-closed transitional phrases for claims, respectively. The use of ordinal numbers such as "first", "second", "third", etc. in the claims to modify claim elements does not by itself imply any priority, precedence, or order from one claim element to another, or the chronological order in which acts of a method are performed, but is used only as a label to distinguish a claim element having a certain name from another element having the same name (in the absence of the use of ordinal numbers) for the purpose of distinguishing claim elements. As used herein, "and / or" means that the listed items are alternatives, but this also means that any combination of the listed items is also included in this alternative.

Claims

1. A plurality of air flow directing components mounted on a vertical axis within a first housing, wherein the first housing has a substantially rectangular shape and is mounted on a horizontal axis within a second housing, wherein the second housing has a substantially rectangular shape and has a mounting flange with a plurality of mounting holes, a plurality of air flow directing components; a mechanical system including a motor, a gear mounted on the first housing, and a plurality of pivot arms for directing the angle of the air flow directing components from left to right and from right to left; a first rotary motor mounted on the first housing, supporting the gear that moves a rack leftward and rightward in the lateral direction, and rotating the plurality of air flow directing components mounted on the vertical axis left and right; a second rotary motor mounted on the second housing for rotating the first housing on the horizontal axis up and down, wherein the movement of the plurality of air flow directing components mounted on the vertical axis within the first housing combined with the movement of the first housing mounted on the horizontal axis within the second housing enables the air flow to be directed up and down and left and right by only the vertically mounted air flow directing components; a second rotary motor; a main controller including one trackball or one joystick type controller for simultaneously setting the plurality of air flow directing components on the vertical axis and the first housing on the horizontal axis, wherein the position of the plurality of air flow directing components relative to the first housing and the position of the first housing relative to the second housing selectively adjust the direction of the air flow discharged through the air vent assembly; a main controller An air vent control system comprising.

2. The main controller is, Including a trackball or joystick type controller, and also including a plurality of control buttons for separately setting and storing the positions of selected air vent assemblies and separately setting and storing the air flow rates of the selected vents, and further including a series of preset buttons for enabling different users of the same vehicle to set a specific preset arrangement of all of the air vent assemblies of the vehicle and later recall it, a plurality of individual control functions mounted on a face panel, wherein the trackball or joystick type controller receives a manual input request from a user for a change in direction with respect to the flow of the air stream, and as a result, moves the rack laterally and rotates the gear that rotates the first rotary motor that rotates the air flow directing swivel arm and the air flow directing component about the vertical axis, and simultaneously directs the rotation of the second rotary motor that rotates the first housing about the horizontal axis, and the rotations of the first rotary motor and the second rotary motor direct the air stream in an infinite number of up and down and left and right combinations as the user has indicated, a plurality of individual control functions, An air flow rate button that transmits an instruction to a third rotary motor of a selected air flow vent assembly, wherein the third rotary motor rotates an air volume control flap along the horizontal axis and sets the air volume control flap to any one of a number of positions from a closed position to an open position, an air flow rate button An air vent control system according to claim 1, comprising. [

3. ] A plurality of air flow directing components each having an air flow directing component upper post and an air flow directing component lower post, A first housing having a generally rectangular shape, wherein upper and lower air flow directing component post mounting holes for the air flow directing component upper post and the air flow directing component lower post are disposed on an inner surface on a vertical axis, and through holes are disposed on a horizontal axis, a first housing, A second housing having a generally rectangular shape, having a pocket and a through hole in a side wall on a horizontal axis, and a flange having a plurality of mounting holes, wherein the first housing is received inside the second housing, a second housing A mechanical system attached to the outer surface of the first housing, including a first housing rotation motor, a gear, a rack with a number of indexing posts, a pair of rack alignment posts, and a plurality of airflow directing component pivot arms each having an airflow directing component post attachment hole and a pivot arm slot. The plurality of airflow directing components are attached inside the first housing on the vertical axis as the airflow directing component upper posts and the airflow directing component lower posts, and each airflow directing component lower post extends through the bottom wall of the first housing. One of the plurality of airflow directing component pivot arms is attached to one of the airflow directing component lower posts, the first housing rotation motor is attached to the bottom outer wall of the first housing, the first housing motor plate has the gear attached, and the rack with the number of indexing posts is movably attached to the bottom outer wall of the first housing between the pair of rack alignment posts and is in direct contact with the gear attached to the first housing rotation motor. Each airflow directing component pivot arm extends outward over the rack, enabling each of the number of indexing posts of the rack to engage with one of the number of pivot arm slots. The first housing is attached inside the second housing on the horizontal axis and is supported on a rotation lock pivot post and a drive shaft pivot post fixed inside a through hole arranged on the side wall of the second housing on the horizontal axis. The first housing rotation motor rotates the gear to move the rack horizontally left and right, and pivots the airflow directing component pivot arm left or right through contact with the rack. The airflow directing component pivot arm is directly connected to the airflow directing component, rotating the airflow directing component from left to right and from right to left. A mechanical system. On the horizontal axis, a second rotary motor attached to the side wall of the second housing connected to the first housing by the rotary lock swivel post through the through hole in the wall, the second rotary motor rotating the first housing inside the second housing vertically to direct the air flow vertically; An extended intake neck of the second housing having through holes in each side wall, and an air flow control flap fixed between an air flap swivel post and a motor shaft post inside the extended intake neck on the horizontal axis, both posts being inside a bearing attached to the through holes in the side wall, the extended intake neck and the air flow control flap; A third rotary motor attached to one of the side walls of the extended intake neck of the second housing through the through hole, the third rotary motor being attached to the air flow control flap by the motor shaft post to rotate the air flow control flap; A main controller including a trackball or a joystick type controller for simultaneously controlling the first housing rotary motor and the second rotary motor, including a plurality of individual control functions attached to the face panel, a plurality of control buttons for selecting individual vent assemblies, enabling separate setting and storage of vent positions, and enabling control of air flow, and a series of preset buttons enabling different users of the same vehicle to set a specific preset arrangement of all the vent assemblies of the vehicle and recall it later. The one trackball or one joystick type controller receives a manual input request from the user for a change in direction with respect to the flow of the air stream, and as a result simultaneously moves the rack laterally and directs the rotation of the first housing rotation motor that rotates the gear that rotates the air flow directing swivel arm and the air flow directing component about the vertical axis, and the second rotation motor rotates the drive shaft swivel post, causing the first housing to rotate about the horizontal axis, and the rotation of the first housing rotation motor and the second rotation motor direct the air stream in an infinite number of up and down and left and right combinations as indicated by the user, a main controller, an air flow rate button that transmits an instruction to the third rotation motor of the selected air flow vent assembly, the third rotation motor rotating the air flow control flap by the motor shaft post along the horizontal axis to set the air flow control flap to any one of a number of positions between a closed position and an open position, an air flow rate button comprising an air vent control system.

4. The air vent control system according to claim 1, wherein the second housing is configured to be attached to the inner surface of a vehicle or the inner wall surface of a building by using a fixed face ring and a fixed face ring screw.

5. The air vent control system according to claim 1, wherein the main controller includes a plurality of air vent operator control devices, and each operator control device is associated with a specific air vent.

6. The air vent control system according to claim 5, further comprising a preset control device, and the air vent can be positioned in an arrangement preselected by a specific user by operating the preset control device.

7. The air vent control system according to claim 5, wherein the main controller further includes a joystick device, and movement of the joystick device in a specific direction discharges the air stream from the associated air vent assembly in the corresponding direction.

8. The main controller further comprises a trackball device, and movement of the trackball device in a specific direction causes the air flow to be discharged from the associated air vent assembly in a corresponding direction. The air vent control system according to claim 5.

9. The air vent control system according to claim 5, comprising a second control panel for use at a second position on the passenger side of the passenger compartment.

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