Patent Application
20070017194
The present invention relates generally to air distribution systems and, more particularly, to air duct outlets utilized within air distribution systems.
Conventionally, vehicle interiors are provided with one or more air duct outlets which are connected by ducts to an outside air source and/or to a heating and/or air conditioning system that provides cooled and/or heated (“conditioned”) air. Because it is generally desirable for vehicle occupants to be able to adjust the direction of air flow within a vehicle interior, air duct outlets are typically provided with adjustable vanes or louvers. In addition, air duct outlets may be provided with dampers that allow vehicle occupants to control the amount of air flowing therethrough. Similarly, air distribution systems for residential and commercial buildings utilize air duct outlets to direct and control the amount of air flow.
Conventional air duct outlets in both vehicles and buildings typically utilize one or more sets of louvers to mechanically redirect an air stream flowing therethrough. While this technology is proven and successful, louver assemblies can be complex and expensive to manufacture. In addition, conventional air duct outlets in vehicle air distribution systems typically provide an air stream deflection range up to only about 90° (i.e., −45° to +45° relative to a centerline of the flow direction of an air stream). Air stream deflection ranges in excess of ±45° in conventional air duct outlets typically result in large pressure drops and lower air flow rates, which can be undesirable.
In addition, air duct outlets are conventionally designed to allow the passage of a large amount of air so that the cabin of a vehicle can be cooled/heated as rapidly as possible. However, passengers typically can tolerate relatively high airflow rates only for a limited time before starting to feel uncomfortable. This problem has been addressed by the use of oscillating air duct outlets wherein a pivoting set of louvers causes an air stream flowing therethrough to oscillate or sweep back and forth such that a passenger experiences direct airflow only for limited durations. For example, the Mazda 626 automobile incorporates an oscillating air duct outlet. This air duct outlet uses a small direct current (DC) motor (geared down to low rotational speed) to drive a crank which, through a shaft, mechanically moves air-directing louvers back and forth in an oscillating pattern, thereby imparting a sweeping motion to an air stream.
Unfortunately, the use of motors and associated rotational linkages to generate oscillating air stream motion can be somewhat complicated and expensive. Vehicle manufacturers are continuously seeking components, such as air duct outlets, that have enhanced functionality and durability, yet are cost effective to manufacture. Vehicle manufacturers are also continuously seeking components, such as air duct outlets, that can enhance styling within a vehicle, yet remain functional and economical.
In view of the above discussion, an air duct outlet includes a housing that defines an air passageway with an inlet and outlet, and a porous layer of material (e.g., woven, nonwoven, combination woven and nonwoven) that overlies the air passageway outlet and hides the air duct outlet from view. The porous layer of material is configured to soften and diffuse an air stream flowing through the air passageway outlet. According to embodiments of the present invention, the porous layer of material is configured to cause an air stream flowing through the air passageway outlet to be directed in one or more directions. According to embodiments of the present invention, the porous layer of material is configured to cause an air stream flowing through the air passageway outlet to generate a predetermined audible tone, for example, a pleasing, soothing audible tone. According to embodiments of the present invention, the porous layer of material may be formed from virtually any type of material including, but not limited to, woven fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, and combinations of woven and nonwoven fabrics.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle instrument panel includes a plurality of perforated portions that are in communication with an air source. An air stream flowing from an air source flows through the one or more perforated portions and into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. A porous layer of material overlies the instrument panel and hides the perforated portions from view. The porous layer of material also softens and diffuses air flowing through the one or more perforated portions from the air source. According to embodiments of the present invention, the porous layer of material causes an air stream flowing through the perforated portions of the instrument panel to spread out in one or more directions.
The accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention. The drawings and description together serve to fully explain the invention.
The present invention now is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. In the figures, the thickness of certain lines, layers, components, elements or features may be exaggerated for clarity. Broken lines illustrate optional features or operations unless specified otherwise. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, phrases such as “between X and Y” and “between about X and Y” should be interpreted to include X and Y. As used herein, phrases such as “between about X and Y” mean “between about X and about Y.” As used herein, phrases such as “from about X to Y” mean “from about X to about Y.”
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the specification and relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.
It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on”, “attached” to, “connected” to, “coupled” with, “contacting”, etc., another element, it can be directly on, attached to, connected to, coupled with or contacting the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being, for example, “directly on”, “directly attached” to, “directly connected” to, “directly coupled” with or “directly contacting” another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.
Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both an orientation of “over” and “under”. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal” and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise.
It will be understood that, although the terms “first”, “second”, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a “first” element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could also be termed a “second” element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention. The sequence of operations (or steps) is not limited to the order presented in the claims or figures unless specifically indicated otherwise.
Referring to
In the illustrated embodiment of
The terms “soften and diffuse” as used herein refers to modifying airflow from an air duct outlet so a person does not feel a direct and uncomfortable flow of air. Embodiments of the present invention allow the same amount of airflow as conventional air duct outlets but without the harsh, direct feel of conventional air duct outlets. According to embodiments of the present invention, a person may not even be able to tell where air flow is coming from.
The porous layer of material 18 may be configured (e.g., via the weave pattern if a woven material) to deliver a predetermined flow rate of air. According to embodiments of the present invention, the porous layer of material 18 may be configured to cause an air stream flowing therethrough to generate a predetermined (e.g., pleasing, soothing, etc.) audible tone.
According to embodiments of the present invention, the porous layer of material 18 may be formed from virtually any type of material including, but not limited to, woven fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, and combinations of woven and nonwoven fabrics. According to embodiments of the present invention, the porous layer of material 18 may include a metallic mesh. Moreover, the porous layer of material 18 may include a combination of metallic mesh and fabric (e.g., woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, combinations of woven and nonwoven fabric, etc.). The fabric can be chosen to optimize desired properties, such as airflow direction, softness of air flow, how much an air flow is diffused, audible tone generated by airflow, etc.
Referring to
The porous layer of material 18′ may be configured (e.g., via the weave pattern if a woven material) to deliver a predetermined flow rate of air. According to embodiments of the present invention, the porous layer of material 18′ may be configured to cause an air stream flowing therethrough to generate a predetermined (e.g., pleasing, soothing, etc.) audible tone.
According to embodiments of the present invention, the porous layer of material 18′ may be formed from virtually any type of material including, but not limited to, woven fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, and combinations of woven and nonwoven fabrics. According to embodiments of the present invention, the porous layer of material 18′ may include a metallic mesh. Moreover, the porous layer of material 18′ may include a combination of metallic mesh and fabric (e.g., woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, combinations of woven and nonwoven fabric, etc.).
According to another embodiment of the present invention illustrated in
The porous layer of material 118 may be configured (e.g., via the weave pattern if a woven material) to deliver a predetermined flow rate of air. According to embodiments of the present invention, the porous layer of material 118 may be configured to cause an air stream flowing therethrough to generate a predetermined (e.g., pleasing, soothing, etc.) audible tone.
According to embodiments of the present invention, air duct outlets may be covered with a porous layer of woven fabric that has one or more weave patterns that are configured to direct an air stream in a predetermined direction. As illustrated in
According to embodiments of the present invention, a woven fabric may be utilized to direct an air stream in a direction that is substantially transverse to a direction normal to an air passageway outlet of an air duct outlet. For example,
Embodiments of the present invention may be used within the interior compartments of any kind of vehicle including, but not limited to, automobiles, trucks, trains, boats, aircraft, and the like. Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to vehicle applications. Air duct outlets in structures such as buildings (e.g., residential homes, commercial buildings, etc.) may include a covering of porous material configured to soften and diffuse air flowing therethrough and/or to direct the airflow in one or more particular directions.
Embodiments of the present invention are advantageous because material overlying an air duct outlet can prevent insects and dust from entering an air distribution system. Air duct outlets according to embodiments of the present invention can also be quieter than conventional air duct outlets.
The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.
This application claims the benefit of and priority to U. S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/590,240, filed Jul. 22, 2004, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in its entirety.
