Remote outlet vane control system

An air vent includes a housing extending between an inlet opening and an outlet opening, such that the housing defines a substantially closed air path between the inlet opening and the outlet opening. A first vane is disposed within the air path and is configured to rotate about a first axis. A second vane is disposed within the air path and is configured to rotate about a second axis, which is substantially orthogonal to the first axis. A controller is configured to rotate the first vane about the first axis and to rotate the second vane about the second axis. The controller is disposed outside of the air path, such that both the first vane and the second vane are adjustable from outside of the air path.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to an air vent, and air vent controls, such as those used in vehicles, equipment, and the like.

BACKGROUND

Many passenger vehicles include a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system that allows a vehicle occupant to control the temperature or adjust other settings of a vehicle interior. For instance, a fan or blower circulates conditioned air to the vehicle interior through one or more vents.

SUMMARY

An air vent for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, such as those used in vehicles and other equipment, is provided. The air vent includes a housing extending generally longitudinally between an inlet opening and an outlet opening, such that the housing defines a substantially closed air path between the inlet opening and the outlet opening.

A first vane is disposed within the air path and is configured to rotate about a first axis. A second vane is disposed within the air path and is configured to rotate about a second axis, which is substantially orthogonal to the first axis.

A controller is configured to rotate the first vane about the first axis and to rotate the second vane about the second axis. The controller is disposed outside of the air path, such that both the first vane and the second vane are adjustable from outside of the air path.

The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages, of the present subject matter are readily apparent from the following detailed description of some of the best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the disclosed structures, methods, or both.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers correspond to like or similar components whenever possible throughout the several figures, there is shown inFIG. 1an isometric view of an air vent10for a vehicle12. Only a portion of the vehicle12—in particular, a dashboard14, is shown schematically inFIG. 1—to illustrate possible surroundings for the structures described herein. The air vent10may be part of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.

While the present disclosure may be described with respect to specific applications or industries, those skilled in the art will recognize the broader applicability of the disclosure. Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that terms such as “above,” “below,” “upward,” “downward,” et cetera, are used descriptively of the figures, and do not represent limitations on the scope of the disclosure, as defined by the appended claims. Any numerical designations, such as “first” or “second” are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure in any way.

Features shown in one figure may be combined with, substituted for, or modified by, features shown in any of the figures. Unless stated otherwise, no features, elements, or limitations are mutually exclusive of any other features, elements, or limitations. Furthermore, no features, elements, or limitations are absolutely required for operation. Any specific configurations shown in the figures are illustrative only and the specific configurations shown are not limiting of the claims or the description.

Referring also toFIG. 2, and with continued reference toFIG. 1, there is shown an exploded view of the air vent10. A housing20extends longitudinally and defines an inlet opening22and an outlet opening24. In the example configuration shown, the inlet opening22is at least partially defined by an inlet plate26and the outlet opening24is at least partially defined by a face plate28. Both the inlet opening22and the outlet opening24are transversely oriented, such that the air vent has a low or thin profile but is capable to transferring a substantial volume of air. Note that the structures described herein may be useful with other shapes or geometries of the air vent10.

The face plate28is generally flush with the surrounding structure, for example the dashboard14, into which the air vent10is mounted. The housing20defines an air path30between the inlet opening22and the outlet opening24. The air path30may be substantially closed in some embodiments. The air vent10directs airflow from the air path30into the vehicle12along a selectable direction referred to as an exit vector or exit flow32in the examples shown.

The inlet plate26and the face plate28may be considered portions of the housing20. As shown in the exploded view ofFIG. 2, the housing20may be formed from additional components, such as a plenum34, an upper plate35and a lower plate36.

In addition to the dashboard14shown schematically in the figures, the air vent10may be located in other portions or areas of the vehicle12. For example, and without limitation, the air vent10may be mounted in: a center stack or console positioned between the driver-side seat and the passenger-side seats; in one of the front or rear passenger seats; within a ceiling or floor; or within one or more pillars (i.e., an A-pillar or B-pillar, such that the air vent10may be vertically oriented). Furthermore, the air vent10may be incorporated in applications other than vehicles. For example, it could be applied to residential or commercial furniture, such as recliners or couches. In addition, the air vent10may also be incorporated into HVAC systems of buildings or mobile housing in still other embodiments.

A first vane41is movably disposed within the air path30. The first vane41is configured to rotate about a first axis, which is generally horizontal in the figures. The first vane41directs or moves the exit flow32along a first direction, the vertical direction. In the configuration shown, the first vane41is a single blade.

A second vane42is movably disposed within the air path30. The second vane42is configured to rotate about a second axis, a vertical axis that is substantially orthogonal to the first axis. The second vane42directs or alters the exit flow32through the outlet opening24in a second direction, which is the horizontal direction in the figures. In the configuration shown, the second vane42is formed from a plurality of smaller blades, as compared to the single blade of the first vane41, which may be collectively referred to as the second vane42. In other configurations, the second vane42may be a single blade.

Referring now toFIGS. 3-9, and with continued reference toFIGS. 1-2, there are shown additional views of the air vent10. These views illustrate actuation and operation of the air vent10to selectively change or direct the exit flow32of air delivered by the air vent10.

FIG. 3shows the assembled air vent from a front angle view, with the exit flow32directed generally downward.FIG. 4shows an isometric view of the air vent10with the housing20hidden from view to illustrate how the first vane41and the second vane42may be controlled to direct the exit path downward and leftward.

As illustrated inFIGS. 3-4, an adjuster or controller44is operatively attached to the first vane41and the second vane42. The first vane41and the second vane42have a mechanical connection to the controller44, as opposed to an electrical (or by wire) connection. In the example configuration shown, the controller44is the only controller for adjustment of the air vent10, such that it may be referred to as a single controller. The controller44is configured to rotate the first vane41about the first axis (the horizontal axis, in the configuration shown) and also to rotate the second vane42and the second axis (the vertical axis, in the configuration shown). Therefore, the controller44simultaneously alters, adjusts, or controls two directions or axes of variation in air flow from the air vent10, such that the controller44is the only device adjusting air flow from the air vent10. This allows, in some embodiments, for the air flow to be controlled without any additional control knobs or sticks.

Note that the controller44shown is disposed entirely outside of the air path30, such that both the first vane41and the second vane42are adjusted and controlled from outside of the air path30. If the controller44, or any associated linkages, were located inside of the air path30, those control systems could restrict the flow of air through the air vent10.

The controller44may be effecting movement of the first vane41and the second vane42individually, or may be simultaneously adjusting movement of both the first vane41and the second vane42—i.e., dual-axis control over the exit flow32from the controller44. As shown inFIG. 4, the exit flow32is directed downward and leftward, without requirement for the user to manipulate two different control knobs, sliders, or sticks.

FIG. 5schematically illustrates a cross section of the air vent10taken generally along a line5-5ofFIG. 3.FIG. 6schematically illustrates a cross section of the air vent10taken generally along a line6-6ofFIG. 3, which sections the controller44.FIG. 7shows a partially exploded isometric view of the air vent10, and illustrates the components of the controller44. InFIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the controller44is adjusting the air vent10to direct the exit flow32downward.

As shown byFIGS. 3-7, the controller44actuates the first vane41and the second vane42to direct air flowing through the air path30. InFIGS. 3-6, the first vane41is oriented or aligned to direct the exit flow32downward. Note that, as illustrated inFIG. 5, the first vane41closes off the lower region of the housing20, which forces air to move above the first vane41. However, the housing20has a barrel shape just prior to the outlet opening24. This barrel shape—particularly, the portion formed in the upper plate35—directs air downward when the lower portion is closed off by the first vane41.

As best viewed inFIGS. 6 and 7, the controller44of the air vent10in formed as two separate pieces. The controller44includes a thumb knob50and a control stick52, which are linked by a spherical gear54partially formed on both components.

The thumb knob50extends forward beyond the face plate28, such that the thumb knob50is outside of the housing20and accessible to the user or operator. The control stick52is behind the face plate28and is operatively connected to the first vane41and the second vane42.

In use, the operator moves the thumb knob50to point in the same direction that the operator desires of the exit flow32. Via the spherical gear54, the thumb knob50rotates the control stick52in the opposite the direction of movement or rotation of the thumb knob50.

The spherical gear54, as best viewed inFIGS. 6 and 7, allows connection between the thumb knob50and the control stick52at substantially any angle. Furthermore, the thumb knob50translates rotation to the control stick52about two axes simultaneously for smooth, and direct, movement between positions of the controller44. For any cross section taken through the center of the controller44, the spherical gear54portions of the thumb knob50and the control stick52will look substantially identical to the section shown inFIG. 6.

As illustrated inFIGS. 2, 4, 6, and 7, a tie rod60is connected to each blade of the second vane42and a slot arm62is pivotally connected to the tie rod60. The slot arm62transfers horizontal movement of the control stick52to the tie rod60, but a slot defined perpendicularly to the tie rod60allows the control stick52to translate within the slot vertically relative to the tie rod60. Therefore, leftward and rightward movement of the thumb knob50is transferred by the control stick52to tie rod60—as leftward and rightward movement, respectively—but upward and downward movement is not.

The blades of the second vane42pivot about the second axes via anchor points formed in the housing20. Therefore, linear translation of the tie rod60causes the blades of the second vane42to rotate.

As best viewed in theFIGS. 6 and 7, a pin64is formed in the control stick52and a vane arm66extends from the first vane41. The pin64connects the vane arm66to the control stick52. When the control stick52moves vertically, the vane arm66and the first vane41rotate about the first axis, which alters the vertical orientation of the exit flow32. However, when the control stick52moves horizontally, the vane arm66allows the control stick52to pivot about the pin64, such that no horizontal movement is transferred from the control stick52to the first vane41.

Note that the thumb knob50points in substantially the same direction as the exit flow32from the outlet opening24. In the configuration ofFIG. 3, the thumb knob50is pointed downward, such that the second vane42is generally straight and the first vane41is angled downward - i.e., closing off air flow through the lower portion of the housing20- and the exit flow32is generally downward.

Similarly, in the configuration ofFIG. 4, the thumb knob50is pointed downward and leftward. In this configuration, the second vane42is angled to the left and the first vane41is angled downward, such that the exit flow32is generally downward and leftward. The relationship between the direction of the thumb knob50and the exit flow32may not be exact. However, it is more intuitive for the operator of the air vent10to point the controller44generally in the direction desired of the exit flow32than to have to reverse a stick or knob relative to the desired flow.

FIGS. 8 and 9further illustrate horizontal adjustment, and complete closure, of the air vent10.FIG. 8shows the air vent10directing the exit flow32to the left, andFIG. 9shows the air vent10blocking the air path30, such that there is substantially no exit flow32inFIG. 9.

FIGS. 8 and 9are sectioned generally along a line8-8ofFIG. 3. Note, however, that in order to illustrate the interaction between the tie rod60and the second vane42, the housing20is shown with a plane-intersection view inFIGS. 8 and 9, such that portions of the housing20beyond the section plane, such as portions of the lower plate36and the inlet plate26, are hidden from view.

As the thumb knob50is moved leftward, the spherical gear54causes the control stick52to also move leftward. The slot arm62translates the horizontal movement of the control stick52to the tie rod60. Note that the slot arm62rotates slightly, to maintain contact with the control stick52, about the end of the tie rod60.

Leftward movement of the tie rod60applies twist to the pivot points of the blades of the second vane42, such that they pivot clockwise (as viewed inFIGS. 8 and 9) and direct air to the left. As shown inFIGS. 8 and 9, the control stick52pivots about the vane arm66on the pin64.

The first vane41is supported by, and pivots at, cradle points on the housing20, in particular on the lower plate36and the upper plate35. The second vane42is supported by, and pivots at, cradle points on the housing20, in particular on the plenum34. The control stick52of the controller44is supported by, and pivots at, the vane arm66. The thumb knob50of the controller44is supported by, and pivots at, the face plate28and a corresponding portion of the lower plate36.

In the position shown inFIG. 9, the thumb knob50is moved to the far left. This causes the control stick52to move the tie rod60further to the left, which results in additional rotation of the second vane42. This position effectively closes the air vent10and prevents any flow through the air path30, such that the operator may selectively stop airflow completely, which is beneficial in configurations having multiple air vents10.

The detailed description and the drawings or figures are supportive and descriptive of the subject matter discussed herein. While some of the best modes and other embodiments for have been described in detail, various alternative designs, configurations, and embodiments exist.