Abstract:
An air vent with an adjustment insert for adjusting the air stream flowing out through the air vent, can be adjusted by rotating the adjustment insert. A first light guide and a second light guide are provided, with the first light guide being firmly attached to a housing of the air vent and the second Sight guide being firmly attached to the adjustment insert. The first light guide and the second light guide are rotatable with respect to each other, and the light guide can be illuminated by the first light guide. A backlightable portion of the adjustment insert can be illuminated by the second light guide.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an air vent. 
         [0002]    From the prior art, air vents for motor vehicles are known already. The air vents are used for example for ventilating and for air-conditioning the interior of the motor vehicle. 
         [0003]    The air vent can be used for adjusting direction and volume of the air stream flowing into the vehicle interior space. For this purpose, slats or inserts as well as flaps are provided at the air vent. 
         [0004]    To provide for operating these air vents also in the dark, e.g. when driving at night, the air vents partly are illuminated. 
         [0005]    From the prior art, air vents for motor vehicles are known already, which are backlit. 
         [0006]    DE 20 2011 110 285 U1 for examples describes a ventilation device for a vehicle, wherein the ventilation device includes an outflow nozzle and lamps. The lamps indicate whether the air stream can flow from the outflow nozzle into the vehicle interior. 
         [0007]    DE 201 18 014 U1 discloses an air nozzle for emitting an air stream from an air supply duct. The air nozzle includes a control element which provides for adjusting the slats of the air nozzle. This control element includes a backlightable light exit portion, which reveals the orientation of the control element and hence of the air stream in the dark. 
         [0008]    Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to develop an air vent as mentioned above in an advantageous way, in particular to the effect that an operation of the air vent is easily and intuitively possible also at night. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    In order to achieve this object, an air vent with an adjustment insert for adjusting the air stream flowing out through the air vent is provided, the air flow being adjustable rotating the adjustment insert. At least a first light guide and at least a second light guide are provided, with the first light guide being firmly attached to a housing of the air vent and the second light guide being firmly attached to the adjustment insert. The first light guide and the second light guide are rotatable with respect to each other, and the light guide can be illuminated by the first light guide. A backlightable portion of the adjustment insert can be illuminated by the second light guide according to the invention, this object is solved by an air vent with the features of claim  1 . Accordingly, an air vent includes an adjustment insert for adjusting the air stream flowing out through the air vent, wherein the air stream is adjustable by rotating the adjustment insert, comprising at least one first light guide and at least one second light guide, wherein the first light guide is firmly attached to a housing of the air vent and the second light guide is firmly attached to the adjustment insert. The first light guide and the second light guide are rotatable against each other, and the second light guide can be illuminated by the first light guide. Furthermore, a backlightable portion of the adjustment insert can be illuminated by the second light guide. This provides the advantage that the air vent according to the invention is easily and intuitively operable also in the dark. Backlighting the air vent does not require an expensive construction, but can be realized with a simple construction. Via one or more LEDs light can be introduced into the first light guide and from there be passed on into the second light guide. Rotating the backlightable portion in particular is effected synchronously to the rotation of the adjustment insert with which the air stream flowing out through the air vent is adjusted. The illumination of the second light guide is effected homogeneously over the entire adjustment range. Consequently, the backlightable portion is illuminated in essence with the same intensity substantially over the entire adjustment range. With reference to the position of the backlightable portion, the rotation of the adjustment insert and hence the adjustment or intensity of the air stream flowing out through the air vent can easily and reliably be road and possibly be adjusted correspondingly. 
         [0010]    The used LED respectively light emitting diode may be a RGB colour light emitting diode (RGB-LED). This allows the driver to freely adjust or select the colour of the illumination. It is also possible that the colour of the illumination is preselectable or adjustable according to driving modes of the manufacturer. For example, an ECO mode may have a green illumination and a sport mode a red illumination etc. 
         [0011]    Moreover, it is possible that the first light guide is at least partially, especially totally, made of a illuminatable foil. This provides the advantage that no LEDs must be used. 
         [0012]    Furthermore, it can be provided that the adjustment insert comprises an adjustment ring, wherein the adjustment ring and the second light guide are connected with each other. The adjustment ring provides for an easy adjustment of the adjustment insert and hence for an easy adjustment of the air stream flowing out through the air vent. The connection of adjustment ring and second light guide is a particularly simple and reliable possibility of coupling the rotation of the adjustment insert with the rotation of the backlightable portion. 
         [0013]    Preferably, the adjustment insert can comprise a decorative ring in which the backlightable portion is arranged. Among other things, the decorative ring serves for facing the gap between adjustment insert and the housing of the air vent. By arranging the backlightable portion on the decorative ring, a plurality of functional elements of the adjustment insert can be combined in a single component. In addition, this provides for an optically appealing design. For example, the decorative ring can be clipped onto the adjustment ring or be attached to the same. 
         [0014]    In addition, it can be provided that the backlightable portion is an on-off symbol. This symbol is used worldwide and due to its widespread use is understood almost everywhere on the world. As compared to systems known so far the operability of the air vent thus is improved distinctly. In addition, the operator can recognize at one sight whether the air vent is closed or open. With reference to the position of the backlightable portion, the operator also can recognize the current setting of the air vent. 
         [0015]    It is possible that the air vent may be illuminated when the vehicle is opened or started or when the illumination of the vehicle is switched on. 
         [0016]    Furthermore, it is possible that the light intensity can be increased with increased opening of the flaps of the air vent. 
         [0017]    Preferably, the second light guide includes a light receiving portion, by means of which the light from the first light guide can be transmitted to the second light guide in a channeled manner. Transmission losses of the light between the first end the second light guide thereby are reduced. 
         [0018]    Furthermore, it can be provided that the first and the second light guide do not contact each other. This prevents jamming of the first and the second light guide and ensures that the first and the second light guide can easily be rotated against each other. Between the first and the second light guide a gap of less than one millimeter can be provided. 
         [0019]    In addition, the adjustment insert can include a first rotary stop and a second rotary stop, which define an actuation range for the adjustment insert. The adjustment insert can be rotatable exclusively between the first rotary stop and the second rotary stop. An adjustment of the air stream flowing out through the air vent is effected between the first and the second rotary stop. In the position of the first rotary stop no air flows through the air vent, and in the position of the second rotary stop air flows through the air vent with maximum air mass flow. 
         [0020]    Furthermore, a switching device can be provided, which switches the illumination of the air vent on or off, and it can be provided that reaching or leaving the first rotary stop actuates the switching device. 
         [0021]    In the position of the first rotary stop the air vent preferably is closed, so that no air flows out through the air vent, and that in the position of the second rotary stop the air vent is maximally opened. 
         [0022]    In particular, the adjustment device can comprise at least one transmission element for actuating a flap mechanism of the air vent, wherein by means of the transmission element the switching device can be actuated at the same time. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    Further features and advantages of the invention can be taken from the following description and from the following drawings to which reference is made. In the drawings: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the most relevant components of an air vent according to the invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  shows a top view of the air vent according to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the decorative ring of the air vent according to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective detail view of the light guides of the air vent according to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  shows a schematic view of the first light guide of the air vent according to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective side view of the two light guides of the air vent according to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective top view of the two light guides of the air vent according to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  shows a perspective detail view of the backlightable portion of the adjustment insert of the air vent according to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  shows a perspective side view of the flap mechanism of the air vent according to  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0033]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an air vent  10  according to the invention for a motor vehicle. There are shown only those components which are necessary or helpful for the understanding of the invention. 
         [0034]    The air vent  10  includes a housing  12 , which e.g. is inserted into the dashboard of a motor vehicle. 
         [0035]    At the housing  12  a contact ring  13  is mounted. The contact ring  13  serves for fixing the air vent  10  e.g. in the non-illustrated dashboard. 
         [0036]    The air vent  10  furthermore includes an adjustment insert  14 . As external components, the adjustment insert  14  includes an adjustment ring  16  and a decorative ring  18 . 
         [0037]    The decorative ring  18  is clipped into the adjustment ring  16  and thus firmly connected with the adjustment ring  16 . In addition, the adjustment ring  16  includes a nose  19  with a backlightable portion  20 . 
         [0038]    The air vent  10  and its components, i.e. the housing  12 , the adjustment insert  14 , the adjustment ring  16 , the decorative ring  18  and the backlightable portion  20  are made of plastics. 
         [0039]    The backlightable portion  20  is arranged in the nose  19  of the decorative ring  18 , which is integrally formed at the decorative ring  18 . The shape of the nose  19  approximately is trapezoidal and is rounded at the corners. 
         [0040]    The adjustment ring  16  includes a ring-shaped groove  17 , into which the decorative ring  18  is clipped. 
         [0041]    In the region of the backlightable portion  20 , the adjustment ring  16  Includes an inversely trapezoidal recess  22  which encloses the nose  19  at its edges, but does not conceal the same. 
         [0042]    The backlightable portion  20  is an on-off symbol  21  (cf.  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 ). 
         [0043]      FIG. 2  shows a top view of the air vent  10  according to  FIG. 1 . The slat packages of the air vent  10  are not shown here. 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the adjustment insert  14  includes a first rotary stop D 1  and a second rotary stop D 2 , which define an actuation range for the adjustment insert  14 . Between the rotary stop D 1  and the rotary stop D 2  an actuation range of about 80° is present, which is defined by the rotary stop D 1  and the rotary stop D 2 . 
         [0045]    Alternatively, however, it can be provided for example that the first rotary stop is arranged at about “3:00 p.m.” and the second rotary stop at about “9:00 a.m.”. This results in an actuation range of about 180°. 
         [0046]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the decorative ring  18  of the air vent  10 . 
         [0047]    The decorative ring  18  has an upper side which is visible after insertion into the adjustment ring  16  and protrudes from the adjustment ring  16 . Preferably, the decorative ring  18  and the adjustment ring  16  are formed such that after insertion the external surfaces of the decorative ring  18  and of the adjustment ring  16  do not form a step. 
         [0048]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective detail view of the first light guide  24  and the second light guide  26  of the air vent  10 . 
         [0049]    The first light guide  24  is attached to the housing  12  and includes a web-like portion  25   a.  The web-like portion  25   a  is bent and with its curvature adapted to the curvature of the surface of the housing  12 . 
         [0050]    It is possible that the first light guide  24  is totally or partially made of a illuminatable foil. 
         [0051]    In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the first light guide  24  is clipped into the housing  12 . 
         [0052]    The first light guide  24  furthermore includes a light coupling portion  25   b,  which is formed as nose- or lance-like protrusion (cf. also  FIG. 5 ). In the mounted condition, the light coupling portion  25   b  points in direction of the inflow region of the air vent  10  and thus is oriented opposite to the outflow direction. 
         [0053]    The tip of the light coupling portion  25   b  is arranged in the vicinity of one or more LEDs. The used LED or the used LEDs may be RGB-LED(s). 
         [0054]      FIG. 4  shows the LED housing  23  in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged. 
         [0055]    Alternatively, however, it can be provided that no LED housing is provided. The LED or the LEDs can directly be fixed (e.g. clipped) in the vent housing. In this connection it is possible that the LED or the LEDs are partly covered by the contact ring  13  (cf.  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0056]    Furthermore, the adjustment ring  16  and the second light guide  28  are firmly connected with each other. The second light guide  26  here is dipped into the adjustment ring  16 . 
         [0057]    The second light guide  26  has a web-like portion  27 , which is bent and with its curvature is adapted to the curvature of the surface of the adjustment ring  16 . 
         [0058]    In addition, the second light guide  26  includes a light receiving portion  28 . The light receiving portion  28  is integrally molded to the second light guide  26  and in the mounted condition is located between the web-like portion  25   a  of the first light guide  24  and the web-like portion  27  of the second light guide. 
         [0059]    The first light guide  24  and the second light guide  26  do not contact each other, because between the light receiving portion  28  and the web-like portion  25   a  of the first light guide  24  a gap  30  is present. This gap  30  for example has a height of less than one millimeter. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment the gap  30  has a height of about 0.5 mm. 
         [0060]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective side view of the two light guides  24 ,  26  of the air vent  10 . The light guide  24  is clipped into the housing  12  of the air vent  10 . 
         [0061]    In contrast to  FIG. 4 , the adjustment ring  16  and the decorative ring  18  are mounted already in  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 7  shows the mounted condition according to  FIG. 6 . The on-off symbol  21  can be seen clearly in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 9  shows a perspective side view of the flap actuating transmission  32  of the air vent  10 . 
         [0063]    The flap actuating transmission  32  comprises a first gear wheel  34  which meshes with a toothing  36  of the adjustment ring  16 . This first gear wheel  34  furthermore meshes with a second gear wheel  33 . The second gear wheel  38  is connected with the levers  40  and  42  via non-illustrated toothing means. 
         [0064]    At the height of the levers  40  and  42 , an LED on-off switch  44  is provided. This LED on-off switch  44  is optional and part of a possible embodiment of the invention. In principle, however, it is also conceivable that such LED on-off switch  44  is not provided. 
         [0065]    The function and adjustment of the air vent  10  will be described below: 
         [0066]    The adjustment insert  14  is rotatable exclusively between the first rotary step D 1  and the second rotary stop D 2  (cf.  FIG. 2 ). The adjustment of the air outflow is effected exclusively between the first and the second rotary stop D 1  and D 2 . 
         [0067]    By rotating the adjustment ring  16 , the same rotates the first gear wheel  34  with its toothing  36 . This gear wheel  34  in turn meshes with the second gear wheel  38 , and the levers  40  and  42  are adjusted corresponding to the rotation of the adjustment ring  16 . The non-illustrated flaps of the air vent are opened, partly opened or dosed corresponding to the rotation of the adjustment ring  16 . 
         [0068]    When the adjustment insert  14  is in the position of the first rotary stop D 1 , there is no outflow through the air vent  10 . In this position, the on-off symbol  21  of the air vent  10  also is switched off. 
         [0069]    In the position of the second rotary stop D 2 , the full outflow is effected through the air vent  10 . In this position, the on-off symbol  21  of the air vent  10  is switched on. 
         [0070]    The illumination of the on-off symbol  21  can be dimmed. 
         [0071]    It is possible that the air vent  10  may be illuminated, when the vehicle is opened or started or when the illumination of the vehicle is switched on. 
         [0072]    Furthermore, it is possible that the light intensity can be increased with increased opening of the flaps of the air vent  10 . 
         [0073]    It can be provided that the brightness of the illumination of the on-off symbol  21  conforms to the air volume flow. The LED on-off switch  44  is part of a switching device which switches the illumination of the on-off symbol  21  of the air vent  10  on or off. Reaching or leaving the first rotary stop D 1  actuates the switching device, because the lever  42  is rotated against the LED on-off switch  44  and depresses the same. 
         [0074]    When the LEO on-off switch  44  is depressed, the LEDs are switched off. 
         [0075]    It is possible that switching on the LEDs only is effected when the adjustment ring  16  has been rotated from the zero position of the first rotary stop D 1  by about 10° in direction of the second rotary stop D 2 . 
         [0076]    When the LEDs are switched on, the light omitted by the LEDs in the LED housing  23  is received via the light coupling portion  25  and radiated via the web-like portion  25   a  (see also  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0077]    By means of at least one RGB-LED, the colour of the illumination may be adjusted or selected freely by the driver. It is also possible that the colour of the illumination is preselectable or adjustable according to driving modes of the manufacturer. For example, an ECO mode may have a green illumination and a sport mode a red illumination etc. 
         [0078]    The light receiving portion  28  of the second light guide  26  receives the light radiated by the web-like portion  25   a  and channels it. 
         [0079]    Via the web-like portion  27 , the backlightable portion  20 , i.e. the on-off symbol  21 , always can be illuminated with constant light intensity in the possible rotary positions. 
         [0080]    The second light guide  26  substantially is homogeneously illuminated by the first light guide  24  over the entire adjustment range. Thus, the backlightable portion  20  also is backlit with the same intensity with the illumination switched on. 
         [0081]    Due to the fact that there is a gap between the web-like portion  25   a  and the light receiving portion  28 , the first light guide  24  and the second light guide  26  are rotatable against each other.