Patent Publication Number: US-2017361683-A1

Title: Motorized duct outlet for hvac system

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to an automotive vehicle ventilation system, and more particularly to an outlet having movable vanes. 
     INTRODUCTION 
     For heating and cooling, automotive vehicles are generally provided with a ventilation system with air vents opening into the vehicle cabin. Such vents are typically arranged in a front dash of the vehicles, and in some vehicles may also be arranged in other locations of the vehicle cabin. 
     The vents are generally provided with a lever or control knob arranged to adjust the direction of airflow from the vent, e.g. by adjusting angle orientation of vanes in the vent. 
     SUMMARY 
     An automotive vehicle according to the present disclosure includes an interior cabin. The vehicle further includes a climate control system including a duct. The duct has an outlet opening into the interior cabin. The vehicle also includes a housing coupled to the outlet. A vane is disposed within the housing. The vane has a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis. The vehicle includes a first electric motor and a second electric motor. The first electric motor is configured to pivot the vane relative to the first pivot axis, and the second electric motor is configured to pivot the vane relative to the second pivot axis. 
     According to various embodiments, the second electric motor is configured to pivot the housing about the second pivot axis relative to the outlet. The housing may be generally cylindrical in shape. 
     According to various embodiments, the vehicle further includes a second vane and a linkage coupling the first vane and the second vane. The linkage is configured to pivot the second vane in response to the vane pivoting relative to the first pivot axis. 
     According to various embodiments, the vehicle additionally includes a worm gear, a vane pivot arm coupled to the vane, and a swing arm. The swing arm has a first end and a second end. The first end is provided with a plurality of teeth. The first electric motor is drivingly coupled to the worm gear. The worm gear is in meshing engagement with the plurality of teeth to pivot the swing arm. The second end of the swing arm is drivingly coupled to the vane pivot arm to pivot the vane. 
     According to various embodiments, the vehicle additionally includes a user input interface and a controller. The controller is configured to control the first electric motor and the second electric motor in response to a user input to the user interface. The vehicle may additionally include a temperature sensor, and the controller may be further configured to control the first electric motor and the second electric motor in response to a measured temperature from the temperature sensor. The vane may have a default position relative to the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis, and the controller may be further configured to, in response to a user input, control the first electric motor and the second electric motor to pivot the vane to the default position. 
     An outlet assembly for an HVAC duct in a vehicle according to the present disclosure includes a housing. The housing is configured to pivotably couple to an outlet of a duct. The outlet assembly additionally includes a vane disposed within the housing. The vane is pivotably coupled to the housing. The outlet assembly additionally includes a first electric motor and a second electric motor. The first electric motor is configured to pivot the vane relative to a first pivot axis, and the second electric motor is configured to pivot the vane relative to a second pivot axis. 
     According to various embodiments, the second electric motor is configured to pivot the housing about the second pivot axis relative to an outlet. The housing may be cylindrical in shape. 
     According to various embodiments, the outlet assembly additionally includes a second vane and a linkage coupling the first vane and the second vane. The linkage is configured to pivot the second vane in response to the vane pivoting relative to the first pivot axis. 
     According to various embodiments, the outlet assembly additionally includes a worm gear, a vane pivot arm coupled to the vane, and a swing arm. The swing arm has a first end and a second end. The first end is provided with a plurality of teeth. The first electric motor is drivingly coupled to the worm gear. The worm gear is in meshing engagement with the plurality of teeth to pivot the swing arm. The second end of the swing arm is drivingly coupled to the vane pivot arm to pivot the vane. 
     A ventilation system for a vehicle according to the present disclosure includes a duct with an outlet. A housing is in fluid communication with the outlet. A vane is disposed within the housing. The vane has a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis. A first electric motor is configured to pivot the vane relative to the first pivot axis, and a second electric motor is configured to pivot the vane relative to the second pivot axis. A controller is configured to control the first electric motor to pivot the vane relative to the first pivot axis and to control the second electric motor to pivot the vane relative to the second pivot axis. 
     According to various embodiments, the second electric motor is configured to pivot the housing relative to the second pivot axis. 
     According to various embodiments, the ventilation system additionally includes a second vane and a linkage coupling the second vane and the vane. The linkage is configured to pivot the second vane in response to the vane pivoting relative to the first pivot axis. 
     According to various embodiments, the ventilation system additionally includes a worm gear, a vane pivot arm coupled to the vane, and a swing arm. The swing arm has a first end and a second end. The first end is provided with a plurality of teeth. The first electric motor is drivingly coupled to the worm gear. The worm gear is in meshing engagement with the plurality of teeth to pivot the swing arm. The second end of the swing arm is drivingly coupled to the vane pivot arm to pivot the vane. 
     According to various embodiments, the controller is further configured to control the first electric motor and the second electric motor in response to at least one measured temperature. 
     According to various embodiments, the vane has a default position relative to the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis, and the controller is further configured to, in response to a user input, control the first electric motor and the second electric motor to pivot the vane to the default position. 
     According to various embodiments, the duct has a second outlet. In such embodiments, the ventilation system additionally includes a second housing in fluid communication with the second outlet. A second vane is disposed within the second housing. The second vane has a third pivot axis and a fourth pivot axis. The ventilation system additionally includes a third electric motor and a fourth electric motor. The third electric motor is configured to pivot the second vane relative to the third pivot axis. The fourth electric motor is configured to pivot the second vane relative to the fourth pivot axis. The controller is further configured to control the third electric motor to pivot the second vane relative to the third pivot axis and to control the fourth electric motor to pivot the vane relative to the fourth pivot axis. 
     Embodiments according to the present disclosure provide a number of advantages. For example, the present disclosure provides a vent assembly for a ventilation system which may be controlled remotely, and moreover may provide various automated vent control functions, thus increasing customer satisfaction. Moreover, the present disclosure provides a low-profile vent assembly which may more easily be integrated into small packaging spaces. 
     The above advantage and other advantages and features of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a view of a vehicle dashboard having a plurality of vents for a ventilation system; 
         FIG. 2  is a representative vent assembly according to the prior art; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a vent assembly according to the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 4A-4C  illustrate a second mode of operation of a vent assembly according to the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 5A-5C  illustrate a first mode of operation of a vent assembly according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is an schematic view of a ventilation system for a vehicle according to the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 7  illustrates control of a vent assembly according to the present disclosure in flowchart form. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. It is to be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and other embodiments can take various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features could be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various features illustrated and described with reference to any one of the figures can be combined with features illustrated in one or more other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combinations of features illustrated provide representative embodiments for typical applications. Various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of this disclosure, however, could be desired for particular applications or implementations. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an interior cabin  12  of an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle  10  is illustrated. The interior cabin  12  includes a dashboard  14 . A plurality of vent assemblies  16  are provided on the dashboard  14 . The vent assemblies  16  are provided with a plurality of adjustable vanes for directing air from a ventilation system to a desired portion of the interior cabin  12 . 
     A multi-function display  18  is also provided on the dashboard  14 . The multi-function display is configured to present various information screens to a user and/or provide various control interfaces to a user. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an isometric view of a prior art vent assembly  20  is shown. The vent assembly  20  includes a plurality of vertical vanes  22  and a plurality of horizontal vanes  24  retained within a housing. A knob  26  is provided to adjust the vertical vanes  22  and the horizontal vanes  24 . The knob  26  is mechanically coupled to a respective vane of the vertical vanes  22  and to a respective vane of the horizontal vanes  24 . The knob  26  may slide relative to the respective horizontal vane  24  in order to pivot the respective vertical vane  22 . The vertical vanes  22  are coupled by a first linkage  28 , such that the pivoting of the respective vertical vane  22  pivots the plurality of vertical vanes  22 . In addition, the knob  26  may pivot in order to pivot the respective horizontal vane  24 . The horizontal vanes  24  are coupled by a second linkage  28 , such that the pivoting of the respective horizontal vane  24  pivots the plurality of horizontal vanes  24 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an exploded view of a vent assembly  40  according to the present disclosure is shown. The vent assembly  40  includes a rear housing  42 . The rear housing  42  is configured to fixedly couple to an outlet of a duct, as will be discussed below with respect to  FIG. 6 . The vent assembly  40  additionally includes a cylindrical housing  44  having a first portion  46  and a second portion  48 . A plurality of vanes  50  is disposed within the cylindrical housing  44 . A trim bezel  52  is coupled to the front of the rear housing  42 , and is configured to provide a desired aesthetic impression from the interior of the vehicle cabin. 
     The plurality of vanes  50  are pivotable within the cylindrical housing  44 , as will be discussed below with respect to  FIGS. 4A-4C . Each vane  50  has a respective vane pivot axis  54 . The vane pivot axes  54  are generally parallel with one another. The plurality of vanes  50  are coupled by a vane linkage  56 , such that the vanes  50  pivot together about the vane pivot axes  54 . A first electric motor  58  is provided to control pivoting of the vanes  50 . 
     The cylindrical housing  44  is pivotably coupled to the rear housing  42 , as will be discussed below with respect to  FIGS. 5A-5C . The cylindrical housing  44  has a housing pivot axis  60 . A second electric motor  62  is provided to control pivoting of the cylindrical housing  44 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4A-4C , a first pivoting mode of operation is shown. In an exemplary embodiment, the vanes  50  have a “neutral” position with the vanes  50  oriented generally parallel with a direction of air flow from the rear housing  42 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4A . The first electric motor  58  is operable to pivot the vanes  50  in a first direction about the vane pivot axes  54 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4B , to direct air from the duct in a first direction. The first electric motor  58  is also operable to pivot the vanes  50  in a second direction about the vane pivot axes  54 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4C , to direct air from the duct in a second direction. 
     In this exemplary embodiment, the first electric motor  58  is drivingly coupled to a first worm gear  64 . The first worm gear  64  is in meshing engagement with teeth an end of a first helical drive gear  66 , such that rotation of the first worm gear  64  causes the first helical drive gear  66  to pivot about an axis generally parallel to the vane pivot axes  54 . The first helical drive gear  66  is, in turn, slidably and pivotably coupled to a first swing arm  68 , such that pivoting of the first helical drive gear  66  causes the first swing arm  68  to pivot about an axis generally parallel to the vane pivot axes  54  in a direction opposite the pivoting of the first helical drive gear  66 . The first swing arm  68  is drivingly coupled to a respective vane of the vanes  50 , such that pivoting of the first swing arm  68  drives the respective vane in pivoting. The vane linkage  56 , in turn, drives the vanes  50  to pivot together about the vane pivoting axes  54 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5A-5C , a second pivoting mode of operation is shown. In an exemplary embodiment, the cylindrical housing  44  has a “neutral” position with the cylindrical housing  44  oriented generally parallel with a direction of air flow from the rear housing  42 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5A . The second electric motor  62  is operable to pivot the cylindrical housing  44  in a first direction about the housing pivot axis  60 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5B , to direct air from the duct in a first direction. The second electric motor  62  is also operable to pivot the cylindrical housing  44  in a second direction about the housing pivot axis  60 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5C , to direct air from the duct in a second direction. 
     In this exemplary embodiment, the second electric motor  58  is drivingly coupled to a second worm gear  70 . The second worm gear  70  is in meshing engagement with teeth an end of a second helical drive gear  72 , such that rotation of the second worm gear  70  causes the second helical drive gear  72  to pivot about an axis generally parallel to the housing pivot axis  60 . The second helical drive gear  72  is, in turn, slidably and pivotably coupled to a second swing arm  74 , such that pivoting of the second helical drive gear  72  causes the second swing arm  74  to pivot about an axis generally parallel to the housing pivot axis  60  in a direction opposite the pivoting of the second helical drive gear  72 . The second swing arm  74  is drivingly coupled to the cylindrical housing  44 , such that pivoting of the second swing arm  74  drives the cylindrical housing  44  in pivoting. Because the vanes  50  are retained within the housing, the vanes  50  are pivoted about the housing pivot axis  60  in conjunction with the cylindrical housing  44 . 
     Advantageously, the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 3-5 , having the cylindrical housing  44  retaining the vanes  50 , provides a low-profile vent assembly. Such embodiments provide a smaller footprint in a vehicle dashboard, and may thus alleviate packaging challenges associated with conventional vent designs. Moreover, such embodiments include only one row of vanes  50 , thus reducing air flow blockage relative to conventional vent designs having two rows of vanes. However, other configurations are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a schematic view of a ventilation system  80  for a vehicle according to the present disclosure is illustrated. The ventilation system  80  includes a duct  82 . The duct  82  is in fluid communication with at least two vent assemblies  40 ′. In an exemplary embodiment, each vent assembly  40 ′ is configured in similar fashion to the vent assembly  40  illustrated in  FIGS. 3-5 , e.g. including first and second electric motors. 
     The vent assemblies  40 ′ are in communication with and/or under the control of at least one controller  84 . The controller  84  is configured to control the respective electric motors of the vent assemblies  40 ′ to pivot the respective vanes of the vent assemblies  40 ′ about multiple axes. 
     While depicted as a single unit, the controller  84  and one or more other controllers can collectively be referred to as a “controller.” The controller  84  may include a microprocessor or central processing unit (CPU) in communication with various types of computer readable storage devices or media. Computer readable storage devices or media may include volatile and nonvolatile storage in read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), and keep-alive memory (KAM), for example. KAM is a persistent or non-volatile memory that may be used to store various operating variables while the CPU is powered down. Computer-readable storage devices or media may be implemented using any of a number of known memory devices such as PROMs (programmable read-only memory), EPROMs (electrically PROM), EEPROMs (electrically erasable PROM), flash memory, or any other electric, magnetic, optical, or combination memory devices capable of storing data, some of which represent executable instructions, used by the controller in controlling the engine or vehicle. 
     The controller  84  is in communication with a user interface  86 . According to various embodiments, the user interface may include a physical control, e.g. knobs or switches, and/or a touchscreen interface. The controller  84  is configured to control the respective electric motors of the vent assemblies  40 ′ in response to at least one user input to the user interface  86 . Advantageously, the user interface  86  does not need to be positioned proximate any of the vent assemblies  40 ′, and may be located remotely from the vent assemblies  40 ′ if desirable for aesthetic or functional considerations. The user interface  86  may be, for example, integrated into a central multi-function display in a vehicle dashboard. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the user interface  86  may receive a first user input for selecting a desired vent assembly  40 ′ and a second user input for selecting a desired direction of pivoting. In response to the first and second inputs, the controller  84  controls the vent assembly  40 ′ associated with the first user input in the direction associated with the second user input. In some embodiments, the controller  84  may control multiple vent assemblies  40 ′ to pivot in unison. It should be understood that pivoting a vent assembly refers to control of the respective electric motors associated with a vent assembly  40 ′ to pivot the cylindrical housing and/or vanes in a desired direction. 
     According to another exemplary embodiment, the user interface  86  may receive a user input for selecting at least one stored vent orientation. In response to a user selection of the stored vent orientation, the controller  84  automatically controls the respective electric motors of the vent assemblies  40 ′ to pivot the vent assemblies  40 ′ to the stored orientation. According to various embodiments, the stored vent orientation may be provided on a per-vent basis and/or as a set of stored orientations for all vent assemblies  40 ′ of the ventilation system  80 . According to various embodiments, the stored vent orientation may be predefined, e.g. by a manufacturer, or may be defined by a user of the vehicle. 
     According to an additional exemplary embodiment, the user interface  86  may receive a user input for selecting a desired temperature. In response to a user selection of the desired temperature and in response to temperature readings from at least one temperatures sensor disposed in the cabin  12 , the controller  84  automatically controls the respective electric motors of the vent assemblies  40 ′ to pivot the vent assemblies  40 ′ to attain a consistent temperature throughout the cabin  12 . As an example, the controller  84  may pivot the vent assemblies  40 ′ to direct increased air flow toward a region of the cabin  12  where a temperature reading is relatively far from the desired temperature. 
     According to a further exemplary embodiment, the user interface  86  may receive a user input for selecting an oscillation mode. In response to a user selection of the oscillation mode, the controller  84  automatically controls the respective electric motors of the vent assemblies  40 ′ to pivot the vent assemblies  40 ′ in a repeating pattern. The pattern may include oscillation about one axis, e.g. in a back-and-forth pattern, or about multiple axes, e.g. in a circular pattern. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a method of controlling a vent assembly according to the present disclosure is illustrated in flowchart form. 
     According to another exemplary embodiment, the user interface  86  may receive a user input for selecting at least one venting mode. The venting modes may include, but are not limited to, a vent oscillation mode and a max driver air mode. In the vent oscillation mode, at least one respective electric motor of the vent assemblies  40 ′ is automatically controlled to pivot the vent assemblies  40 ′ in an oscillating pattern. In the max driver air mode, at least one respective vent assembly  40 ′ proximate a driver seat is automatically pivoted to direct air toward the driver seat, and other respective vent assemblies  40 ′ are automatically controlled to restrict air flow, e.g. by pivoting respective vanes to be generally perpendicular to a direction of air flow. Thus, the flow of air through the respective vane assemblies  40 ′ proximate the driver seat is maximized. 
     According to another exemplary embodiment, the controller  64  is configured to, in response to a key-on and/or key-off event, automatically control the respective electric motors of the vent assemblies  40 ′ to pivot the vent assemblies  40 ′ to a default position. The default position may correspond to the vanes of the vent assemblies  40 ′ being in a neutral position, e.g. oriented generally parallel to airflow, and the cylindrical housings of the vent assemblies  40 ′ being in a neutral position, e.g. oriented generally parallel to airflow. The default position may be defined for aesthetic and/or functional reasons. By controlling the vent assemblies  40 ′ to a default position in response to a key-on or key-off event, a user may be presented with a consistent experience upon beginning each drive cycle. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a method of controlling a ventilation system according to the present disclosure is illustrated in flowchart form. The method begins at block  90 . A key-on event is received, as illustrated at block  92 . The key-on event may include a key being used to manually start the vehicle, or a remote start of the vehicle. Motors are then controlled to pivot vent assemblies in the vehicle to default positions, as illustrated at block  94 . 
     A determination is made of whether a specific vent control mode has been selected, e.g. via an operator input at a user interface, as illustrated at operation  96 . If the determination of operation  96  is positive, motors are controlled to pivot vent assemblies according to the selected mode, as illustrated at block  98 . Control then proceeds to operation  100 . If the determination of operation  96  is negative, control proceeds directly to operation  100 . 
     A determination is made of whether a user control input has been received, e.g. via a user interface, as illustrated at operation  100 . If the determination of operation  96  is positive, motors are controlled to pivot vent assemblies according to the user input, as illustrated at block  102 . Control then proceeds to operation  104 . If the determination of operation  100  is negative, control proceeds directly to operation  104 . 
     At operation  104 , a determination is made of whether a key-off event has been received. If the determination of operation  104  is negative, control returns to operation  96 . If the determination of operation  104  is positive, the algorithm ends at block  106 . 
     As may be seen, the present disclosure provides a vent assembly for a ventilation system which may be controlled remotely. Moreover, embodiments according to the present disclosure may provide various automated vent control functions, thus increasing customer satisfaction. 
     The processes, methods, or algorithms disclosed herein can be deliverable to/implemented by a processing device, controller, or computer, which can include any existing programmable electronic control unit or dedicated electronic control unit. Similarly, the processes, methods, or algorithms can be stored as data and instructions executable by a controller or computer in many forms including, but not limited to, information permanently stored on non-writable storage media such as ROM devices and information alterably stored on writeable storage media such as floppy disks, magnetic tapes, CDs, RAM devices, and other magnetic and optical media. The processes, methods, or algorithms can also be implemented in a software executable object. Alternatively, the processes, methods, or algorithms can be embodied in whole or in part using suitable hardware components, such as Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), state machines, controllers or other hardware components or devices, or a combination of hardware, software and firmware components. Such example devices may be on-board as part of a vehicle computing system or be located off-board and conduct remote communication with devices on one or more vehicles. 
     As previously described, the features of various embodiments can be combined to form further embodiments of the invention that may not be explicitly described or illustrated. While various embodiments could have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more desired characteristics, those of ordinary skill in the art recognize that one or more features or characteristics can be compromised to achieve desired overall system attributes, which depend on the specific application and implementation. These attributes can include, but are not limited to cost, strength, durability, life cycle cost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, serviceability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, etc. As such, embodiments described as less desirable than other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more characteristics are not outside the scope of the disclosure and can be desirable for particular applications. 
     While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms encompassed by the claims. The words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. As previously described, the features of various embodiments can be combined to form further embodiments of the invention that may not be explicitly described or illustrated. While various embodiments could have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more desired characteristics, those of ordinary skill in the art recognize that one or more features or characteristics can be compromised to achieve desired overall system attributes, which depend on the specific application and implementation. These attributes can include, but are not limited to cost, strength, durability, life cycle cost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, serviceability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, etc. As such, embodiments described as less desirable than other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more characteristics are not outside the scope of the disclosure and can be desirable for particular applications.