The present invention relates to an air vent assembly.
It is well-known to provide an air vent assembly for a vehicle interior.
It would be advantageous to provide an improved air vent assembly for a vehicle interior configured to provide for adjustment of air flow volume and/or air flow direction.
It would be advantageous to provide an improved air vent assembly for a vehicle interior comprising an adjuster configured to provide for independent adjustment of air flow volume and air flow direction.
It would be advantageous to provide an improved air vent assembly for a vehicle interior configured to provide for illumination of translucent elements to provide a visual effect.
The present invention relates to a component for a vehicle interior providing a passage for airflow and comprising (a) a valve assembly comprising a door; (b) a vane assembly comprising a guide configured to guide airflow; (c) a knob configured to move at least one of the door or the guide; and (d) a light source. The light source may be configured to illuminate the knob. The component may comprise a light guide configured to direct light from the light source toward the knob. The light guide may comprise an angled surface configured to direct light from a transverse direction to a direction generally orthogonal to the transverse direction. The component may comprise a shaft coupled to the knob. The shaft may be configured to move the door between an open position to allow airflow and a closed position to block airflow. The shaft may comprise an opening. The component may comprise a light guide configured to direct light from the light source toward the knob; the light guide may be positioned within the opening of the shaft.
The present invention relates to an air conditioning device for a vehicle interior comprising an air direction transmission structure and an air volume transmission structure. The air direction transmission structure and the air volume transmission structure may be arranged on a shell. A shell cavity may axially protrude out of an interior of the shell. The air direction transmission structure may be mounted on an outside of the shell cavity to adjust a blowing angle. The air volume transmission structure may be mounted on an inside of the shell cavity to adjust a blowing force. The air volume transmission structure may comprise a knob assembly, an air volume bushing, a transmission shaft and an air door. The transmission shaft may be connected with the air door. The knob assembly may be mounted on the transmission shaft through an air volume universal joint pair by means of the air volume bushing. A knob spherical cavity may protrude out of the knob assembly; the knob spherical cavity may comprise opposite knob characteristic holes; the transmission shaft may comprise opposite transmission characteristic shafts; the air volume bushing may be provided between the knob spherical cavity and the transmission shaft; the transmission shaft may comprise opposite air volume characteristic shafts and opposite air volume characteristic holes; the air volume characteristic shafts may be inserted into the knob characteristic holes; the transmission characteristic shafts may be inserted into the air volume characteristic holes to form an air volume universal joint pair. An axis of the air volume characteristic shafts may be perpendicular to a line connecting the air volume characteristic holes. The air direction transmission structure may comprise an air guiding grill and an air direction bushing; the air guiding grill may be mounted on the shell cavity through an air direction universal joint pair by means of the air direction bushing. An interior of the air guiding grill may be provided with a sleeve in an axial direction; the sleeve may comprise opposite grill characteristic holes. The shell cavity may comprise opposite shell characteristic shafts; the air direction bushing may be provided between the sleeve and the shell cavity. The air direction bushing may comprise opposite air direction characteristic shafts and opposite air direction characteristic holes; the air direction characteristic shafts may be inserted into the grill characteristic holes for cooperation; the shell characteristic shafts may be inserted into the air direction characteristic holes to form an air direction universal joint pair. An axis of the air direction characteristic shafts may be perpendicular to a line connecting the air direction characteristic holes. The air direction transmission structure may comprise an air guiding grill, a grill carrier, and an elastic body. The air guiding grill may be mounted on the shell cavity through a ball joint pair by means of the grill carrier and the elastic body. The grill carrier may comprise a spherical inner side wall adapted to a shape of the shell cavity to be loaded on the outside of the shell cavity. An annular groove may be formed in the spherical inner side wall; the elastic body may be accommodated in the annular groove to form a ball joint pair. The knob assembly may comprise a knob mounted on the air guiding grill configured to rotate about a central axis of the air guiding grill and a knob carrier captured inside the knob. The air volume transmission structure may comprise a gear connected between the transmission shaft and the air door.
The present invention relates to an air vent assembly for a vehicle interior component configured to provide air flow at an outlet from a ventilation system comprising (a) a housing providing a passage for air flow between an inlet and the outlet; (b) a cover; (c) a vane assembly configured to adjust direction of air flow at the outlet; (d) a valve assembly configured to adjust volume of air flow from the inlet; (e) a shaft within the passage; (f) an adjuster configured to adjust at least one of direction of air flow and/or volume of air flow; and (g) a light module configured to provide illumination at the outlet. Illumination at the outlet may comprise illumination of a set of light-transmissive elements within the cover to provide a visual effect. The adjuster may be configured independently to adjust direction of air flow and volume of air flow. The light module may comprise a light source. The light source may be configured to illuminate a light-transmissive element within the cover.
The present invention relates to an air vent assembly for a vehicle interior component configured to provide air flow at an outlet from a ventilation system comprising a housing providing a passage for air flow between an inlet and the outlet, a cover, a vane assembly configured to adjust direction of air flow at the outlet, a valve assembly configured to adjust volume of air flow from the inlet, a shaft within the passage and an adjuster configured to adjust at least one of direction of air flow and/or volume of air flow. The shaft may be between the vane assembly and the valve assembly. The shaft may be coupled to the vane assembly by a joint such as a ball joint. The shaft may be coupled to the valve assembly at an interface. The adjuster may comprise an operator control. The adjuster may comprise a knob. The adjuster may be coupled to the shaft by a joint such as a universal joint. The adjuster may be within the cover. The adjuster may comprise a rotatable operator control. The adjuster may comprise a rotatable operator control configured to adjust volume of air flow at the valve assembly. The adjuster may be configured to adjust direction of air flow and volume of air flow. The adjuster may be configured independently to adjust direction of air flow and volume of air flow. The adjuster may be configured to adjust direction of air flow at the outlet and volume of air flow at the inlet. The adjuster may be configured to adjust direction of air flow through the outlet and volume of air flow through the outlet. The valve assembly may comprise a set of valves configured to adjust volume of air flow. The valve assembly may be configured to provide a closed position to obstruct air flow and an open position to permit air flow. The vane assembly may comprise a set of vanes. The vane assembly may comprise a header. The vane assembly may be at least partially within the cover. The vane assembly may be configured to move within the cover to adjust the direction of air flow at the outlet. The vane assembly may be coupled to the adjuster at a joint. The vane assembly may be configured to pivot at the joint to adjust the direction of air flow at the outlet. The vane assembly may comprise a set of vanes configured to rotate at the joint to adjust direction of air flow. The vane assembly may be coupled to the adjuster so that the vane assembly can be rotated. The vane assembly may comprise a circular structure. The vane assembly may comprise a set of vanes configured to guide air flow. The adjuster may be configured to adjust the vane assembly. The air valve assembly may comprise a joint; the joint may comprise a ball joint; the joint may comprise a universal joint. The valve assembly may be at the inlet. The valve assembly may be configured to open and to close the inlet. The valve assembly may be within the passage. The valve assembly may comprise a set of valves. The set of valves may be movable between an open position and a closed position. Housing HS may comprise a seat for the set of valves. The seat may comprise a seal for air flow at the inlet. The shaft may couple the adjuster to the valve assembly. The shaft may be coupled to the valve assembly by an interface. The interface may comprise a mechanism. The mechanism may comprise a gear mechanism. The valve assembly may comprise a set of valves coupled to the shaft at the mechanism. The set of valves may comprise a set of doors. The set of doors may be rotatably movable between an open position and a closed position. The set of doors may comprise flaps. The adjuster may be configured to adjust the valve assembly. The adjuster may be configured to adjust volume of air flow. The adjuster may be configured to adjust the valve assembly between an open position and a closed position. The cover may comprise a cap. The vane assembly may comprise a bezel; the vane assembly may be moveable within the cap. The adjuster may comprise a knob on the vane assembly. The adjuster may comprise a knob within the cover connected to the shaft. The knob may be configured to adjust position of the vane assembly to direct air flow at the outlet. The knob may be configured to adjust position of the valve assembly between an open position and a closed position. The assembly may comprise a light module configured to provide illumination at the outlet. The light module may comprise a light source. The light source may comprise an LED. The light source may be configured to illuminate a light-transmissive element within the cover. The vane assembly may comprise the light transmissive element. The assembly may comprise a light guide between the light source and the light transmissive element. The light guide may comprise a section within the shaft. Illumination at the outlet may comprise a visual effect. Illumination at the outlet may comprise illumination of a set of light transmissive elements within the cover. Illumination at the outlet may comprise illumination of the adjuster.
The present invention relates to a vehicle interior component providing a passage for airflow and comprising a valve assembly comprising a door, a vane assembly comprising a guide configured to guide airflow and a knob. The knob may be configured to move the door between an open position to allow airflow and a closed position to block airflow; the knob may be configured to move the guide between a first position to guide airflow in a first direction and a second position to guide airflow in a second direction. The knob may be configured to translate to move the door between the open position and the closed position. The knob may be configured to rotate to move the guide between the first position and the second position. The guide may comprise a set of vanes.
The present invention relates to a vehicle interior component providing a passage for airflow and comprising a valve assembly comprising a door, a vane assembly comprising a guide configured to guide airflow, a knob configured to move at least one of the door or the guide and a light source. The light source may be configured to illuminate the knob. The component may comprise a light guide configured to direct light from the light source toward the knob. The light guide may comprise an angled surface configured to direct light from a transverse direction to a direction generally orthogonal to the transverse direction. The component may comprise a shaft coupled to the knob. The shaft may be configured to move the door between an open position to allow airflow and a closed position to block airflow. The shaft may comprise an opening. The component may comprise a light guide configured to direct light from the light source toward the knob; the light guide may be positioned within the opening of the shaft.
The present invention relates to an air conditioning device comprising an air direction transmission structure and an air volume transmission structure. The air direction transmission structure and the air volume transmission structure may be arranged on a shell. A shell cavity may protrude axially out of an interior of the shell. The air direction transmission structure may be mounted on an outside of the shell cavity to adjust a blowing angle. The air volume transmission structure may be mounted on an inside of the shell cavity to adjust a blowing force. The air volume transmission structure may comprise a knob assembly, an air volume bushing, a transmission shaft and an air door. The transmission shaft may be connected with the air door. The knob assembly may be mounted on the transmission shaft through an air volume universal joint pair by means of the air volume bushing. A knob spherical cavity may protrude out of the knob assembly; the knob spherical cavity may comprise opposite knob characteristic holes; the transmission shaft may comprise opposite transmission characteristic shafts; the air volume bushing may be provided between the knob spherical cavity and the transmission shaft; the transmission shaft may comprise opposite air volume characteristic shafts and opposite air volume characteristic holes; the air volume characteristic shafts may be inserted into the knob characteristic holes; the transmission characteristic shafts may be inserted into the air volume characteristic holes to form an air volume universal joint pair. An axis of the air volume characteristic shafts may be perpendicular to a line connecting the air volume characteristic holes. The air direction transmission structure may comprise an air guiding grill and an air direction bushing; the air guiding grill may be mounted on the shell cavity through an air direction universal joint pair by means of the air direction bushing. An interior of the air guiding grill may be provided with a sleeve in an axial direction; the sleeve may comprise opposite grill characteristic holes; the shell cavity may comprise opposite shell characteristic shafts; the air direction bushing may be provided between the sleeve and the shell cavity; the air direction bushing may comprise opposite air direction characteristic shafts and opposite air direction characteristic holes; the air direction characteristic shafts may be inserted into the grill characteristic holes for cooperation; the shell characteristic shafts may be inserted into the air direction characteristic holes to form an air direction universal joint pair. An axis of the air direction characteristic shafts may be perpendicular to a line connecting the air direction characteristic holes. The air direction transmission structure may comprise an air guiding grill, a grill carrier, and an elastic body; the air guiding grill may be mounted on the shell cavity through a ball joint pair by means of the grill carrier and the elastic body. The grill carrier may comprise a spherical inner side wall adapted to a shape of the shell cavity to be loaded on the outside of the shell cavity; an annular groove may be formed in the spherical inner side wall; the elastic body may be accommodated in the annular groove to form a ball joint pair. The knob assembly may comprise a knob mounted on the air guiding grill configured to rotate about a central axis of the air guiding grill and a knob carrier captured inside the knob. The air volume transmission structure may comprise a gear connected between the transmission shaft and the air door.
The present invention relates to an air vent assembly for a vehicle interior component configured to provide air flow at an outlet from a ventilation system comprising a housing providing a passage for air flow between an inlet and the outlet, a cover, a vane assembly configured to adjust direction of air flow at the outlet, a valve assembly configured to adjust volume of air flow from the inlet, a shaft within the passage, an adjuster configured to adjust at least one of direction of air flow and/or volume of air flow and a light module configured to provide illumination at the outlet. Illumination at the outlet may comprise illumination of a set of light-transmissive elements within the cover to provide a visual effect.
Referring to
As indicated schematically according to an exemplary embodiment in
As shown schematically in
As indicated schematically in
As indicated schematically in
As indicated schematically in
As indicated schematically according to an exemplary embodiment in
According to an exemplary embodiment the air vent assembly may be configured to provide for efficient operation permitting independent adjustment of air flow volume and/or air flow direction. As indicated schematically, the air vent assembly may be configured to provide for adjustment of air flow volume and/or air flow direction. As indicated schematically, the air vent assembly may comprise an adjuster configured to provide for independent adjustment of air flow volume and air flow direction. As indicated schematically, the air vent assembly may be configured to provide for illumination of translucent elements to provide a visual effect within the vehicle interior.
According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in
Vane assembly VS may be at least partially within cover CP. Vane assembly VS may be configured to move within cover CP to adjust the direction of air flow at outlet OT. Vane assembly VS may be coupled to adjuster KB at a joint JT. Vane assembly VS may be configured to pivot at joint JT to adjust the direction of air flow at outlet OT. Vane assembly VS may comprise a set of vanes VN configured to rotate at joint JT to adjust direction of air flow. Joint JT may comprise a ball joint. Joint JT may comprise a universal joint. Vane assembly VS may comprise a circular structure. Vane assembly VS may comprise a set of vanes VN configured to guide air flow. Adjuster KB may be configured to adjust vane assembly VS. Valve assembly DS may be at inlet IN. Valve assembly DS may be configured to open and to close inlet IN. Valve assembly DS may be within passage. Valve assembly DS may comprise a set of valves DV. Set of valves DV may be movable between an open position and a closed position. Housing HS may comprise a seat ST for set of valves DV. Seat ST may comprise a seal for air flow at inlet IN. Shaft SH may couple adjuster KB to valve assembly DS. Shaft SH may be coupled to valve assembly DS by an interface. The interface may comprise a mechanism. The mechanism may comprise a gear mechanism. Valve assembly DS may comprise a set of valves DV coupled to shaft SH at the mechanism. Set of valves DV may comprise a set of doors. The set of doors may be rotatably movable between an open position and a closed position. The set of doors may comprise flaps. Adjuster KB may be configured to adjust valve assembly DS. Adjuster KB may be configured to adjust volume of air flow. Adjuster KB may be configured to adjust valve assembly DS between an open position and a closed position. Cover CP may comprise a cap. The vane assembly VS may comprise a bezel NS; the vane assembly VS may be movable within the cover/cap CP. Adjuster KB may comprise a knob on vane assembly VS. Adjuster KB may comprise a knob within cover CP connected to shaft SH. The knob may be configured to adjust position of vane assembly VS to direct air flow at outlet OT. The knob may be configured to adjust position of valve assembly DS between an open position and a closed position. The assembly may comprise a light module LM configured to provide illumination at outlet OT. Light module LM may comprise a light source LS. Light source LS may comprise an LED. Light source LS may be configured to illuminate a light-transmissive element within cover CP. Vane assembly VS may comprise the light transmissive element. The assembly may comprise a light guide LG between light source LS and the light transmissive element. Light guide LG may comprise a section within shaft SH. Illumination at outlet OT may comprise a visual effect. Illumination at outlet OT may comprise illumination of a set of light transmissive elements within cover CP. Illumination at outlet OT may comprise illumination of adjuster KB.
According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in
According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in
According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in
According to an exemplary embodiment, the adjuster of the air valve assembly may comprise a rotatable operator control configured to adjust volume of air flow at the valve assembly; the adjuster may be configured to adjust volume of air flow independently of direction of air flow. According to an exemplary embodiment, the vane assembly may be coupled to the adjuster so that the vane assembly can be rotated. According to an exemplary embodiment, the air valve assembly may comprise a joint on the shaft; the joint may comprise a rotating joint; the joint may comprise a ball joint; the joint may comprise a universal joint. The shaft may be coupled to the vane assembly by a joint such as a ball joint. The adjuster may be coupled to the shaft by a joint such as a universal joint. The adjuster may comprise an operator control. The adjuster may comprise a knob (e.g. configured to rotate to adjust the air flow volume at the door mechanism and to move/swivel the vane assembly within the cover/cap). The shaft may be coupled to the valve assembly at an interface (e.g. a door/gear mechanism).
According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in
According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in
According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in
According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in
According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in
According to an exemplary embodiment an air conditioning device may comprise an air direction transmission structure and an air volume transmission structure. The air direction transmission structure and the air volume transmission structure may be arranged on a shell. A shell cavity may axially protrude out of an interior of the shell. The air direction transmission structure may be mounted on an outside of the shell cavity to adjust a blowing angle. The air volume transmission structure may be mounted on an inside of the shell cavity to adjust a blowing force. The air volume transmission structure may comprise a knob assembly, an air volume bushing, a transmission shaft and an air door. The transmission shaft may be connected with the air door. The knob assembly may be mounted on the transmission shaft through an air volume universal joint pair by means of the air volume bushing.
According to an exemplary embodiment, a knob spherical cavity may protrude out of the knob assembly, the knob spherical cavity may be provided with opposite knob characteristic holes, the transmission shaft may be provided with opposite transmission characteristic shafts, and the air volume bushing provided between the knob spherical cavity and the transmission shaft may be provided with opposite air volume characteristic shafts and opposite air volume characteristic holes, the air volume characteristic shafts being inserted into the knob characteristic holes for cooperation, the transmission characteristic shafts being inserted into the air volume characteristic holes for cooperation, forming the air volume universal joint pair.
According to an exemplary embodiment, axes of the air volume characteristic shafts may be perpendicular to a line connecting the air volume characteristic holes.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the air direction transmission structure may comprise an air guiding grill and an air direction bushing; the air guiding grill may be mounted on the shell cavity through an air direction universal joint pair by means of the air direction bushing.
According to an exemplary embodiment, an interior of the air guiding grill may be provided with a sleeve in an axial direction, the sleeve having opposite grill characteristic holes, the shell cavity having opposite shell characteristic shafts, the air direction bushing provided between the sleeve and the shell cavity having opposite air direction characteristic shafts and opposite air direction characteristic holes, the air direction characteristic shafts being inserted into the grill characteristic holes for cooperation, the shell characteristic shafts being inserted into the air direction characteristic holes for cooperation, forming the air direction universal joint pair.
According to an exemplary embodiment, axes of the air direction characteristic shafts may be perpendicular to a line connecting the air direction characteristic holes.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the air direction transmission structure may comprise an air guiding grill, a grill carrier, and an elastic body; the air guiding grill may be mounted on the shell cavity through a ball joint pair by means of the grill carrier and the elastic body.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the grill carrier may comprise a spherical inner side wall adapted to a shape of the shell cavity to be loaded on the outside of the shell cavity, an annular groove may be formed in the spherical inner side wall, and the elastic body may be accommodated in the annular groove for cooperation, forming a ball joint pair.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the knob assembly may comprise a knob mounted on the air guiding grill to be rotatable about a central axis of the air guiding grill and a knob carrier captured inside the knob.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the air volume transmission structure may comprise a gear connected between the transmission shaft and the air door.
According to an exemplary embodiment, an independent operation of the air direction and the air volume can be realized, and a situation that the operation is not smooth or the air door cannot be normally closed due to weakening of the elasticity of a spring and the like in the prior art can be prevented. Moreover, according to the air conditioning device of the present disclosure, any adjustment of different blowing angles can be realized, the blowing volume and the blowing angle are not interfered with each other, and the operation is simpler and more reliable.
According to an exemplary embodiment, an air conditioning device may comprise an air direction transmission structure and an air volume transmission structure. The air direction transmission structure and the air volume transmission structure may be arranged on a shell. A shell cavity may axially protrude inside the shell. The air direction transmission structure may be mounted on an outside of the shell cavity to adjust a blowing angle. The air volume transmission structure may be mounted on an inside of the shell cavity to adjust a blowing force.
The air volume transmission structure may comprise a knob assembly, an air volume bushing, a transmission shaft and an air door. The transmission shaft may be connected with the air door. The knob assembly may be mounted on the transmission shaft through an air volume universal joint pair by means of the air volume bushing. Independent operation of the air direction and the air volume may be realized.
According to an exemplary embodiment the air vent assembly may be configured to provide for operation permitting adjustment of air flow volume and air flow direction that is smooth and in which the air door/valve can be normally closed without weakening of the elasticity (e.g. spring action of elements) and in which adjustment of different angles of air flow direction may be realized and in which the air flow volume and the air flow direction (angle) are independent and in which the operation is simple and reliable.
It is important to note that the present inventions (e.g. inventive concepts, etc.) have been described in the specification and/or illustrated in the FIGURES of the present patent document according to exemplary embodiments; the embodiments of the present inventions are presented by way of example only and are not intended as a limitation on the scope of the present inventions. The construction and/or arrangement of the elements of the inventive concepts embodied in the present inventions as described in the specification and/or illustrated in the FIGURES is illustrative only. Although exemplary embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail in the present patent document, a person of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that equivalents, modifications, variations, etc. of the subject matter of the exemplary embodiments and alternative embodiments are possible and contemplated as being within the scope of the present inventions; all such subject matter (e.g. modifications, variations, embodiments, combinations, equivalents, etc.) is intended to be included within the scope of the present inventions. It should also be noted that various/other modifications, variations, substitutions, equivalents, changes, omissions, etc. may be made in the configuration and/or arrangement of the exemplary embodiments (e.g. in concept, design, structure, apparatus, form, assembly, construction, means, function, system, process/method, steps, sequence of process/method steps, operation, operating conditions, performance, materials, composition, combination, etc.) without departing from the scope of the present inventions; all such subject matter (e.g. modifications, variations, embodiments, combinations, equivalents, etc.) is intended to be included within the scope of the present inventions. The scope of the present inventions is not intended to be limited to the subject matter (e.g. details, structure, functions, materials, acts, steps, sequence, system, result, etc.) described in the specification and/or illustrated in the FIGURES of the present patent document. It is contemplated that the claims of the present patent document will be construed properly to cover the complete scope of the subject matter of the present inventions (e.g. including any and all such modifications, variations, embodiments, combinations, equivalents, etc.); it is to be understood that the terminology used in the present patent document is for the purpose of providing a description of the subject matter of the exemplary embodiments rather than as a limitation on the scope of the present inventions.
It is also important to note that according to exemplary embodiments the present inventions may comprise conventional technology (e.g. as implemented and/or integrated in exemplary embodiments, modifications, variations, combinations, equivalents, etc.) or may comprise any other applicable technology (present and/or future) with suitability and/or capability to perform the functions and processes/operations described in the specification and/or illustrated in the FIGURES. All such technology (e.g. as implemented in embodiments, modifications, variations, combinations, equivalents, etc.) is considered to be within the scope of the present inventions of the present patent document.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
202010297589.1 | Apr 2020 | CN | national |
The present application is a continuation of PCT/International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2021/087489 titled “AIR VENT ASSEMBLY” filed Apr. 15, 2021, which claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. 202010297589.1 filed Apr. 16, 2020. The present application claims priority to and incorporates by reference in full the following patent applications: (a) Chinese Patent Application No. 202010297589.1 filed Apr. 16, 2020; (b) PCT/International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2021/087489 titled “AIR VENT ASSEMBLY” filed Apr. 15, 2021.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | PCT/CN2021/087489 | Apr 2021 | US |
Child | 17965560 | US |