Abstract:
The invention concerns a device for connecting first and second air ducts using a connecting element for transferring an air stream between the air ducts, wherein the connecting element can assume various snap-in positions relative to the first air duct.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    This invention concerns a device for connecting air ducts, in particular in a motor vehicle, as well as a motor vehicle door, a motor vehicle pillar and a motor vehicle interior paneling, in particular an instrument panel. 
         [0002]    It is well-known that for enhanced air conditioning of the vestibule in a motor vehicle, air must not only be guided via a duct in the middle of the vehicle on the tunnel into the rear area of the vehicle, but also laterally, by means of an air duct over the respective front door and the so-called B-pillar. From the B-pillar, for example, the air then travels at chest height into the rear interior. Such ventilation systems are used for various motor vehicle types. 
         [0003]    We know from DE 199 26 380 A1 of a duct transition for bridging the gap between the front door and the B-pillar by means of a duct component that is moldable and/or maneuverable in its longitudinal expansion, in particular a maneuverable bellows. The maneuverable duct component creates a maneuverable sealing surface, which bridges the existing gap when the door is closed and is pulled back into a retracted position that does not hinder climbing in and out of the automobile when the door is open. The operating component used to mold or maneuver the duct component is designed as a lever. In this connection, a lever component acts as a frame, in which an opening of the moldable duct component is stretched. A similar arrangement is known from DE 199 26 380 A1. 
         [0004]    The disadvantage of this previously known air duct is its expensive design and the wear and tear resulting from the movement and/or deformation of the duct component with each opening and closing of the door. A further disadvantage is the fact that the door becomes relatively sluggish. In addition, a considerable amount of leak air can enter the joint area with this design. 
         [0005]    Additional snap-in connection structures are also known from DE 103 22 878 A1 and DE 101 37 998 A1. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The task which forms the basis of the invention is to create a better device for connecting the first and second air ducts as well as a correspondingly improved motor vehicle door, motor vehicle pillar and motor vehicle interior paneling component, in particular a dashboard. 
         [0007]    The device according to the invention has a connecting element for transferring an air stream between two air ducts, wherein various snap-in positions can be selected for the connecting element relative to one of the air ducts. 
         [0008]    Of particular advantage here is the fact that a balance of tolerance can be created between the air ducts based on the various snap-in positions available. The impermeability of the connection between the two air ducts can thereby be improved. Due to the improved impermeability, the air stream can be conducted from one air duct to the other at an essentially undiminished strength, since there is no loss or virtually no loss based on the discharge of so-called leak air in the area of the connection of the two air ducts. This has the further advantage that noises which occur due to the discharge of leak air can be prevented or decreased. 
         [0009]    According to one embodiment of the invention, the connecting element has a seal, which is designed to lie against an opening of the air duct being connected. The seal can, for example, be designed as a circular sealing lip. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment of the invention, the air ducts which are to be connected to each other are arranged so as to be maneuverable relative to each other. For example, one of the air ducts can be swiveling relative to the other air duct. If the swiveling air duct is in a swiveling position, then the connection between the two air ducts is separated. If the swiveling air duct is swiveled back into a closed position, the connecting element then connects the two ducts to each other in a detachable manner, so that the connection can again be separated by swinging it open again. 
         [0011]    The swiveling axis can therefore run vertically for all intents and purposes, for example when one of the air ducts is arranged in the front door of a motor vehicle. The swiveling axis can also run horizontally for all intents and purposes, if it pertains to a hatch door of a motor vehicle or to the front door of a sports car that can swivel upward. 
         [0012]    Alternatively to or in addition to a swiveling motion, the air ducts can also be arranged in such a way that they can carry out an essentially translational movement relative to one another, as can be the case with the sliding door of a small transporter or minivan, for example. 
         [0013]    According to one embodiment of the invention, the device has a fastening element for fastening the connecting element to one of the air ducts. To attach the connecting element, the fastening element is first attached to the air duct. This can be by means of adhesive sealing, welding or by means of a snap connection. 
         [0014]    The different snap-in positions for the connecting element are determined by the fastening element fastened to the air duct. For example, the connecting element can be brought into the various snap-in positions inside the fastening element. Preferably, a snap-in position will be selected in such a way that the tolerance with respect to positioning of the air ducts being connected to each other is reduced and/or balanced. 
         [0015]    According to one embodiment of the invention, the fastening element has at least one snap-in element for each snap-in position. In this way, a snap connection can be formed using the connecting element in the respective snap-in position selected. The snap connection is preferably removable. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment of the invention, the connecting element has at least one snap-on hook, to effect the snap connection in the selected snap-in position with the fastening element. 
         [0017]    In one embodiment of the invention, the fastening element has a guide for at least one locking element for locking the snap connection, which is located between the fastening element and the connecting element. The snap-on hook is blocked in a locking position by the locking element, so that it cannot come out of its snap-in position. 
         [0018]    If the locking element has been moved along the guide into a release position, the snap-on hook will thereby be released, so that it can snap out of its snap-in position and the connecting element can be moved into another snap-in position, where the snap-on hook once again engages. After the connecting element has been brought into the selected snap-in position in this way, the locking element will again be brought into a locking position in order to block the snap-on hook in the selected snap-in position. 
         [0019]    In one embodiment of the invention, the guide for the locking element is blanked off by a bar. The bar has a stopping element for forming a stop with the locking element in the release position. The stopping element can prevent the locking element from falling out of the guide when it is being moved into the release position. 
         [0020]    According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking element has a guiding slot, into which the stopping element can engage. The stopping element thus has a duel function: on one hand, it forms an additional gliding surface for the guide of the locking element for it to be moved between the locking position and the release position, so as to avoid any jamming inside the guide. On the other hand, the stopping element forms an end-stop together with one end of the guiding slot, by means of which the release position is defined. 
         [0021]    In one embodiment of the invention, the locking element has a stopping element for forming a stop in the locking position. This clearly defines the locking position and prevents the locking element from being able to be moved beyond the locking position along the guide. In addition to clearly defining the locking position, this stopping element is also used to prevent the locking element from falling out of the guide. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment of the invention, one of the air ducts runs in a motor vehicle door, for example a driver&#39;s door or a passenger door. By means of a device according to the invention, this air duct is connected to an air duct formed in the so-called B-pillar of the motor vehicle when the motor vehicle door is closed. 
         [0023]    Of particular advantage here is the fact that the generally rather larger tolerance of the position of the B-pillar relative to the driver&#39;s and/or passenger door can be compensated for at least partially by the connecting element according to the invention, in that to this end a corresponding snap-in position is selected for the connecting element. This reduces or totally prevents the occurrence of leak air in the area of transition between the motor vehicle door and the B-pillar, so that the air stream available for the ventilation, air conditioning and/or heating of the rear interior can accordingly reach the rear interior essentially undiminished. 
         [0024]    This invention can also be used, for example, for connecting the air duct in a dashboard to the air duct going to the driver&#39;s or passenger&#39;s door. 
         [0025]    In a further aspect, the invention pertains to a motor vehicle door which features an air duct, which is blanked off by a connecting element according to the invention. The connecting element according to the invention enables the motor vehicle door to be delivered to an assembly line completely preassembled. After the motor vehicle door is installed into the body-in-the-white, a balance of tolerance occurs by selecting the respective snap-in position for the connecting element. 
         [0026]    In a further aspect, the invention pertains to a motor vehicle pillar, which features a connecting element in accordance with the invention. In this case, the balance of tolerance takes place by selecting a respective snap-in position of the connecting element relative to the motor vehicle pillar, in particular the B-pillar. 
         [0027]    In a further aspect, the invention pertains to a motor vehicle interior paneling, which has or forms an air duct. To connect this air duct with another air duct, the motor vehicle interior paneling features a connecting element in accordance with the invention. The motor vehicle interior paneling component can be dashboard, which has an air duct discharge opening in a border area, which must be connected to the air duct running in the door when the driver&#39;s or passenger&#39;s door is closed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0028]    Embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings will be described in more detail below. Shown here are: 
           [0029]      FIG. 1  is a cross section through an embodiment of a connecting element according to the invention for connecting two air ducts, 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view, in perspective, of an embodiment of a connecting element according to the invention with locking elements, 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  is a partial cross section of an embodiment of a connecting element according to the invention with a depiction of various snap-in positions, 
           [0032]      FIG. 4  is a view of the connecting element of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , in perspective, and 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view from above of a motor vehicle with at least one connecting element according to the invention for transferring an air stream between air ducts. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0034]    Elements in the figures below, which correspond to one another, are identified with the same reference marks. 
         [0035]      FIG. 1  shows an air duct  100  used to conduct air stream  102 . Air stream  102  is produced, for example, from the fan of a motor vehicle. 
         [0036]    Air duct  100  has an opening  104 . Opposite opening  104  is an opening  106  of another air duct  108 , into which air stream  102  is to be conducted with as little as possible or no loss. To this end, a device  110  is attached in opening  104  of air duct  100 . To fasten device  110 , air duct  100  has near its opening  104  one or more snap-in elements  112 , which together with corresponding snap-in elements  114  of device  110  can form snap connections for fastening device  110  in opening  104  of air duct  100   
         [0037]    Device  110  has a fastening element  116 , on whose external side  118  snap-in elements  114  are arranged. Fastening element  116  has various groove-like recesses  122  on its internal side  120 , through which various snap-in positions of a connecting element  124  are defined. Three snap-in positions come into play for the embodiment being considered here; a larger or smaller number of snap-in positions can be defined, however, based on the respective number of grooves. 
         [0038]    Connecting element  124  has a smaller cross section than fastening element  116 , so that it can be pushed in and moved into fastening element  116  in indicated direction  126 . On its exterior side, connecting element  124  has snap-in elements  128 , which are designed for snapping into place in recesses  122 . 
         [0039]    Connecting element  124  has a seal  130 , which may be designed as a circular sealing lip. Seal  130  is arranged so that it lies opposite to opening  106  of air duct  108 . 
         [0040]    By moving connecting element  124  in indicated direction  126 , seal  130  can be positioned so that a gap  132  between air duct  100  and air duct  108  is completely bridged to the extent possible and seal  130  abuts opening  106 . In the snap-in position thus selected, snap-in elements  128  engage into respective recesses  122 . 
         [0041]    In the embodiment example observed here, three different snap-in positions are defined by recesses  122 . In place of this, only two different snap-in positions can be defined for positioning connecting element  124  relative to air duct  100  or a larger number of snap-in positions by a respectively larger number of recesses to enable a more precise adjustment of connecting element  124 . 
         [0042]    When it comes to installation, procedures can be such that fastening element  116  is first introduced into opening  104  of air duct  100 , so that snap elements  112  and  114  produce a snap connection. The position of fastening element  116  is thereby determined relative to air duct  100 . 
         [0043]    In the following step, connecting element  124  is introduced into fastening element  116  and brought there into the desired snap-in position. 
         [0044]      FIG. 2  shows an embodiment of a device  100  according to the invention in an exploded view, in perspective. 
         [0045]    In embodiment being observed here, snap-in elements  128  of connecting element  124  are arranged on two snap-on hooks  134  arranged opposite one another. 
         [0046]    Guides  136  and  138  are created in fastening element  116 , which are each blanked off by a bar  140  or  142 . Guides  136  and  138  are used for receiving locking elements  144  or  146 . Locking elements  144  and  146  each have a base  148 , which has a generally rectangular form and by means of its lateral areas can engage with the respective guides  136  or  138 . On the side situated opposite base  148 , locking devices  144  and  146  are each blanked off by a stopping element  150 . Stopping element  150  is essentially wedge-shaped in the embodiment under observation here. A guide slot  152  runs in the middle of both locking elements  140  and  146 , which extends from stopping element  150  to base Basis  148 . 
         [0047]    For installation of device  110 , procedures can be such that locking elements  144  and  146  are first moved into guides  136  or  138 . Next, connecting element  124  is pushed into fastening element  116 , while snap-on hooks  134  are moved above locking element  144  or below locking element  146 . Snap-on hooks  134  thereby snap into place in recesses  122  with their snap-in elements  128  (see also  FIG. 1 ). Due to locking elements  144  or  146 , snap-on hooks  134  are blocked, so that connecting element  124  can no longer be moved inside of fastening element  116 . 
         [0048]    To select another snap-in position, locking elements  144  and  146  are pulled out of guides  136  or  138 , whereby the blockade of snap-on hook  134  is released. Based on this, connecting element  124  within fastening element  116  can be moved into the desired snap-in position. As soon as connecting element  124  is in the desired snap-in position, locking mechanisms  144  and  146  can again be moved back along guide  136  or  138  to the respective locking position. 
         [0049]      FIG. 3  shows a detail view of device  110  in assembly position corresponding to the depiction in  FIG. 1 , while only the upper area is depicted in the area of guide  136  (see also  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0050]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , bar  140  has a stopping element in the middle, which engages in guide slot  152  of locking element  144 . In its position as depicted in  FIG. 3 , locking element  144  is in a locking position in which snap-on hook  134  is blocked. This locking position is defined by stopping element  150  of locking element  144  with a front fore-part of bar  140 . 
         [0051]    If locking element  144  is withdrawn from guide  136  in indicated direction  156 , stopping element  154  glides through guide slot  152  until it forms a stop in the release position at base  148 . In the release position, connecting element  124  inside fastening element  116  can be moved to a snap-in position defined by recesses  122 . In the example of an embodiment being observed here, three different snap-in positions are defined by recesses  122 , while a middle snap-in position has been chosen to bridge gap  132 . The other two snap-in positions which are available are depicted in  FIG. 3  by dotted lines to show the respective positions of seal  130  and snap-on hook  134 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 4  shows device  110  in the assembled state. In the assembled state, connecting element  124  is engaged in one of the defined snap-in positions with attaching element  116 . Locking elements  144  and  146  are in their respective locking positions, while stops of stopping elements  150  are formed with bar  140  or  142 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 5  shows a schematic view from above of a motor vehicle  158 . Motor vehicle  158  has a dashboard  160  under which a fan  162  of a motor vehicle heating and/or air conditioning system is located. From fan  162 , an air duct  164  leads to an opening  166  of dashboard  160 . Opening  166  of dashboard  160  is arranged in such a way, that it lies opposite an opening  168  of a motor vehicle door  170  when this door is closed. An air duct  100  runs inside motor vehicle door  170 , which is blanked off by a device  110 . When motor vehicle door  170  is closed, device  110  lies opposite an opening  106  of a B-pillar  172  of motor vehicle  158 . Ventilation slots  174  are arranged on B-pillar  172 , through which an air stream  102  produced by fan  162  can flow into the motor vehicle interior. 
         [0054]    The following procedures will be followed, as an example, for installation in motor vehicle  158 : first, the body of motor vehicle  158  is manufactured. With respect to the position of B-pillar  172  in particular, the body has relatively large tolerances, which can lie within the range of several millimeters. 
         [0055]    Motor vehicle door  170  is supplied to the assembly line as a complete unit and installed in motor vehicle  158 . If required, a balance of tolerance can be carried out to seal gap  132  (see also  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 ), by bringing connecting element  124  (see also  FIGS. 1 to 4 ) into a respective snap-in position. 
         [0056]    In the case of the embodiment of device  110  according to  FIGS. 2 to 4 , locking elements  144  and  146  are first pulled out from guides  136  or  138 , until the respective bases  148  form a stop with stopping elements  154  arranged on bars  140  and  142 . Snap-on hooks  134  are thereby released, so that connecting element  124  can be moved into the desired snap-in position, so that gap  132  is sealed. Following this, locking elements  144 ,  146  are moved back into their locking positions. 
         [0057]    Alternatively or additionally, device  110  can also be arranged at opening  168  of motor vehicle door  170 , opening  166  of dashboard  160  and/or at opening  106  of B-pillar  172 , in order to create the respective balance of tolerance there. 
         [0058]    The invention is by no means limited to air ducts which are swivel-mounted to each other. Device  110  according to the invention can also be used, for example, for a tailgate, the sliding door of a small transporter, minivan or the like. 
       LIST OF REFERENCE MARKS 
       [0000]    
       
           100  Air duct 
           102  Air stream 
           104  Opening 
           106  Opening 
           108  Air duct 
           110  Device 
           112  Snap-in element 
           114  Snap-in element 
           116  Fastening element 
           118  Exterior 
           120  Interior 
           122  Recesses 
           124  Connecting element 
           126  Indicated direction 
           128  Snap-in element 
           130  Seal 
           132  Gap 
           134  Snap-on hook 
           136  Guide 
           138  Guide 
           140  Bar 
           142  Bar 
           144  Locking element 
           146  Locking element 
           148  Base 
           150  Stopping element 
           152  Guide slot 
           154  Stopping element 
           156  Indicated direction 
           158  Motor vehicle 
           160  Dashboard 
           162  Fan 
           164  Air duct 
           166  Opening 
           168  Opening 
           170  Motor vehicle door 
           172  B-pillar 
           174  Ventilation slots