Abstract:
An air outlet device for the interior of a motor vehicle is provided. The air outlet device includes a housing that exhibits an outflow surface, and at least one pivoting flap integrated in a wall of the housing upstream from the outflow surface.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2011 118 148.6, filed Nov. 10, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to an air outlet device for a ventilator of a motor vehicle, which is designed in particular to regulate and influence a stream of air entering the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Air outlet devices or air vents are sufficiently known for the interior of motor vehicles. One or more air outlet devices generally recessed in the dashboard of a motor vehicle allow the passengers in the motor vehicle to individually change both the quantity of air and the direction in which the air entering the passenger compartment flows. Even though the inflowing quantity of air can be varied with a ventilator fan, the air outlet device can also be used to alter the very flow characteristics of the stream of air entering the passenger compartment. 
         [0004]    For example, air outlet devices can exhibit several lamellae, with which the air stream generated by the fan can be steered in different directions. However, passengers want to be able to individually regulate not just the direction, but also the intensity or flow rate of the air stream on the air outlet device at a prescribed fan power level, in particular under extreme climatic conditions. Against this backdrop, it is desirable to diminish the freely traversable cross section of the air outlet device, for example to increase the flow rate of the supplied air, as well as to bring about a bundled or spatially focused inflow. 
         [0005]    For example, DE 197 39 652 A1 discloses a ventilator with a housing that exhibits an outflow region, and incorporates an air deflector device and flow restrictor. The flow restrictor here exhibits two restrictor elements that can move relative to each other, wherein an outlet cross section can be varied without changing the direction of flow of the exiting air by moving the restrictor elements relative to each other. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, it may be desirable to provide an improved air outlet device. In addition, other objects, desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent summary and detailed description, and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, provided is an air outlet device that allows the user to specifically and controllably adjust the flow characteristics, in one example, the spatial bundling or expansion of the air stream. In addition, the air outlet device is intended to achieve a reduction in weight, and exhibit a design that is as simple and cost-effective to implement as possible. 
         [0008]    The air outlet device provided in this regard is intended for the interior of a motor vehicle. It exhibits a housing with an outlet surface. The housing provides a flow channel for the stream of air exiting via the outlet surface, and can be connected in terms of flow with the fan of a ventilator in a motor vehicle. The outlet surface of the air outlet device can typically be integrated into the interior lining of the motor vehicle, in one example, into the dashboard. 
         [0009]    Upstream from the outlet surface, the air outlet device exhibits at least one pivoting flap integrated into a housing wall. This at least one flap generally has a dual function. On the one hand, it can specifically change the flow cross section of the housing to alter the flow characteristics of the air flow. On the other hand, the flap can also offer a locking function for the air outlet device, and thereby close off the entire flow cross section of the housing. 
         [0010]    In this regard, the flap can act as both a locking flap and restrictor flap. By recessing or integrating the flap itself into the housing wall, it can be configured as part of the housing wall, thereby enabling a corresponding design of the air outlet device that saves on both space and weight. 
         [0011]    In one exemplary embodiment, the flap can seal an opening formed in the housing wall in an open position. In other words, the housing wall accommodating the flap can exhibit an opening that corresponds to the geometric configuration and expansion of the pivoted flap. As a consequence, the flap comprises an integral component of the housing wall, at least when in the open position. It is integrated largely flush in the latter in the open position, wherein an open position in this case refers to a flap configuration in which the flap releases the cross section of the housing traversable by air in terms of flow, and only imperceptibly constricts it, if at all. 
         [0012]    When the flap pivots out of its open position at least regionally into the interior of the housing traversable by air, it releases at least portions of the opening formed on the housing wall. It is then in an intermediate position, in an extreme case in the closed position. 
         [0013]    In this regard, another exemplary embodiment provides that the at least one flap at least regionally project into an interior of the housing traversable by air in an intermediate or closed position, so as to release the opening of the housing wall. The flap here acts to taper the flow cross section of the housing exposable to air, as a result of which the flow characteristics of the air exiting via the outlet surface can be specifically altered, in one example, spatially bundled. 
         [0014]    In another exemplary embodiment, it is here further provided that the flap be pivoted to an edge of the opening in the housing wall facing away from the outlet surface of the housing. In this way, the flap can further be made to assume an air guiding function, and act as a kind of air baffle. Because it is pivoted in the region of the housing wall, the free end of the at least one flap facing away from the pivoting axis can point both into the housing interior and in the direction of flow. 
         [0015]    Generally, the entire length of the pivoting axis of the flap extends in the housing wall. In its open position integrated into the housing wall, the flap hence exerts nearly no effect, and does not notably impair or alter the stream of air passing through the air outlet device. 
         [0016]    In another exemplary embodiment, the flap is designed to seal the internal cross section of the housing in its closed position. In this regard, the flap can regulate not just the flow characteristics and spatial expansion of the supplied air stream, but also the amount of air flowing via the outlet surface. The flap is here adjusted to the geometry of the housing interior in such a way as to seal off the entire internal cross section of the housing in the closed position. 
         [0017]    Another exemplary embodiment provides for at least two flaps arranged on mutually opposing housing walls, which are each integrated into the opposing housing walls of the housing in the open position, but extend into the housing interior in their intermediate or closed position, so as to specifically alter the amount of air and/or flow characteristics of the air stream. 
         [0018]    It is here provided in one example, that the free ends of the flaps extending into the interior of the housing can be made to abut each other and form a seal in the closed position. The free ends of the flaps here generally come to abut each other at roughly the midpoint between the opposing housing walls of the housing, so that moving the flaps leads to a significant change in only the flow rate and spatial expansion of the flow, but not in the direction of flow. 
         [0019]    In another exemplary embodiment, the at least one flap can also exhibit a beak-like free end, which in the closed position of the flap extends substantially parallel to the alignment of the housing wall on which the respective flap is pivoted or which lies opposite the flap. Having the free ends protrude outwardly in a beak-like manner toward the housing wall opening makes it possible to enlarge the mutually abutting surfaces of the flaps that can be contacted with each other to form a seal and an opposing housing wall. An exemplary embodiment with two flaps provides that the free ends of the flaps bent over like beaks can be made to abut so as to form a seal. 
         [0020]    While the at least one flap, generally two flaps, extend substantially inclined relative to the air stream or inclined relative to the housing wall in their intermediate or closed position, the free ends of the flaps can be aligned substantially parallel to the direction of air flow. In this respect, the flap arrangement can provide a nozzle-like configuration that tapers in the direction of flow, which facilitates the establishment of a hydrodynamic pressure that holds the flaps together due to the increasing flow rate between the flaps. 
         [0021]    In another exemplary embodiment, the flaps are synchronously coupled with each other. In this respect, a mechanical-kinematic actuator is provided for the flaps, which interacts to the same extent with both flaps. For example, the flaps can exhibit at least one toothed wheel in the area of their pivoting axes, which is functionally connected with a manually activatable flap drive. For example, in order to transmit force or torque to the flaps, interconnected toothed racks that mesh with respective toothed wheels of the flap stems can be provided, which on the drive side are directly functionally connected with a user-operable actuator located in the area of the outlet surface. 
         [0022]    In another exemplary embodiment, the air outlet device exhibits pivoted and mutually parallel lamellae downstream from the at least one flap, by means of which the direction of flow of the exiting air can be specifically altered. The lamellae are here generally provided in the area of the outlet surface of the air outlet device designed as an air outlet nozzle. In this case, one or more planes of lamellae can be provided, which each are distributed over the entire flow cross section of the air outlet device and coupled with each other so as to be motion-synchronized. 
         [0023]    For example, horizontally aligned lamellae can be used to specifically change the height of the air stream, and vertically aligned lamellae to specifically change a direction of the air stream related to the transverse direction of the vehicle. In an intermediate position, the flaps situated upstream from the air outlet lamellae in the direction of flow can alter the traversable cross section of the air outlet device housing in such a way that only a central region of the downstream lamellae is exposed to air. 
         [0024]    Another exemplary embodiment of the above further provides a ventilator for a motor vehicle, which exhibits at least one air outlet device described above. For example, the ventilator can be designed as a heating, ventilating and air conditioning module, a so-called heating-ventilating-air conditioning (HVAC) module, and exhibit a plurality of flow channels situated downstream from a fan, whose downstream ends are provided with at least one of the air outlet devices described above. 
         [0025]    In addition, another exemplary embodiment provides for a motor vehicle, which exhibits a corresponding ventilator, which is furnished with at least one of the air outlet devices described above. 
         [0026]    A person skilled in the art can gather other characteristics and advantages of the disclosure from the following description of exemplary embodiments that refers to the attached drawings, wherein the described exemplary embodiments should not be interpreted in a restrictive sense. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]    The various embodiments will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and wherein: 
           [0028]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic and perspective view of an exemplary air outlet device, 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the flaps provided in the exemplary air outlet device, and 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is a cross section through the exemplary air outlet device according to  FIG. 1  along the direction of flow. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]    The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure or the application and uses of the present disclosure. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or the following detailed description. 
         [0032]    The air outlet device  10  shown on  FIGS. 1 to 3  exhibits a housing  12 , which has a roughly rectangular internal cross section  46  traversable by supplied air  34 . An outlet surface  16  is situated downstream from the air outlet device  10 , on the left side on  FIGS. 1 and 3 , and allows the supplied air  34  to flow into a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, which is not explicitly shown here. 
         [0033]    The region of the outlet surface  16  is provided with a row of horizontally aligned lamellae  18 , which are aligned substantially parallel to each other, and can be pivoted synchronously to the alignment of the flow of supplied air  34 . Another set of vertically aligned lamellae  38  is placed downstream from the horizontal lamellae  18  in the direction of flow, wherein only one such lamella  38  is depicted on  FIG. 3 . The substantially vertically aligned lamellae  38  can be moved synchronously with each other in a similar manner as the horizontally aligned lamellae  18 , so as to be able to specifically align the air  34  even relative to a horizontal component. 
         [0034]    In one exemplary embodiment, the housing  12  exhibits an upper housing wall  14 , as well as a lower housing wall  15  opposite it. The upper housing wall  14  incorporates an opening  30  that can be sealed by a flap  22 . Accordingly, the lower housing wall  15  also exhibits an opening  32 , which can be sealed in a comparable manner by a flap  24  designed symmetrically to the upper flap  22 . 
         [0035]    The end of the two flaps  22 ,  24  facing away from the outlet surface  16  is pivoted to the respective housing wall  14 ,  15  in the area of an axis  26 ,  28 , so that they can be moved from an open or basic position lying flush with the respective housing walls  14 ,  15  and not explicitly shown on the figures to an intermediate position depicted on  FIGS. 1 to 3 . In this intermediate position, the flaps  22 ,  24  extend into the interior  44  of the housing  12 , and can in this respect diminish the traversable internal cross section  46  of the housing  12 . 
         [0036]    The flaps  22 ,  24  are here pivoted to an edge  27 ,  29  of the respective opening  30 ,  32  of the accompanying housing wall  14 ,  15  that faces away from the outlet surface  16  of the housing  12 . As a result, the flaps  22 ,  24  can provide a nozzle-like, continuous diminution of the internal cross section  46  of the housing  12  relative to the direction of the supplied air  34 . The flow of supplied air  45  can hence be correspondingly concentrated in terms of its expansion, or bundled and focused, so that an air flow  36  can be provided downstream from the flaps  22 ,  24  that exhibits an elevated flow rate by comparison to the supplied air  34  and a lower transversal expansion. The air flow  36  bundled in this respect can be used direct the flow directly at the vehicle passengers. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 2 and 3  further reveal a beak-like configuration of the free ends  40 ,  42  of the flaps  22 ,  24  facing away from the axes  26 ,  28 . The free ends  40 ,  42  of the flaps  22 ,  24  pointing in the direction of flow come to mutually abut each other over a comparatively large surface roughly midway between the housing walls  14 ,  15  in a closed position (not explicitly shown), making it possible to bring about a sealing effect required for closing off the internal cross section  46  of the housing  12 . The free ends  40 ,  42  of the flaps  22 ,  24  here extend substantially parallel to the housing walls  14 ,  15  as they come to mutually abut each other in a closed position. 
         [0038]    Because the flaps  22 ,  24  in the interior  44  of the housing  12  can pivot, they substantially simultaneously release the openings  30 ,  32  of the housing walls  14 ,  15 . Additional air, for example from the vehicle interior, can enter through these openings  30 ,  32 , and be quasi entrained by the concentrated air flow  36 . Designing the flaps  22 ,  24  as part of the housing wall  14 ,  15  makes it possible to expose the corresponding openings  30 ,  32  of the respective housing walls  14 ,  15  to the ambient air present inside the vehicle, thereby allowing the air outlet device  10  to improve the circulation of air located inside the passenger compartment as a whole. 
         [0039]    The flaps  22 ,  24  can be synchronously coupled together, and in one example, the area of their axes  26 ,  28  can exhibit a toothed wheel or a comparable slave not explicitly shown here, which can be functionally connected in terms of kinematics with an actuating element, for example one designed as a hand wheel  20 . The hand wheel  20  makes it possible to substantially synchronously swivel the flaps  22 ,  24  between an open position, in which the flaps  22 ,  24  lie substantially flush in the housing walls  14 ,  15 , and a closed position, in which the free ends  40 ,  42  of the flaps  22 ,  24  come to abut each other to substantially form a seal, and also into intermediate positions lying in between. 
         [0040]    While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the present disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.