Patent ID: 12220967

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

The present disclosure relates to the field of air vent systems for automobiles. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a simple, efficient, and robust vane controller assembly for air vents of vehicles to provide multi-directional airflow inside the vehicles, which provides enhanced effort management, and reduced noise and damages to the components of the vane controller assembly.

According to an embodiment, the present disclosure elaborates upon a vane controller assembly for an air vent. The vane controller assembly can include a deco panel for fitment in the air vent, and a knob movably coupled to the deco panel using a shaft. The vane controller assembly can include an elastic member comprising a body portion having a hole, and one or more protrusions configured on an outer surface of the body portion and adapted to engage with the slot of the knob. The shaft can be adapted to movably couple the knob to the deco panel, can pass through the hole of the body portion of the elastic member such that the elastic member is slidably and rotatably engaged with the shaft.

In an embodiment, an inner surface of the hole of the elastic member can have a profile such that a portion of the inner surface of the hole is in contact with the shaft, and a gap is created between another portion of the inner surface of the hole and the shaft. The portion of the inner surface of the hole can have a curved profile corresponding to the outer surface of the shaft, and the other portion of the inner surface of the hole can have a flat profile.

In another embodiment, an outer surface of the shaft can have a profile such that a portion of the outer surface of the shaft is in contact with the inner surface of the hole, and a gap is created between another portion of the outer surface of the shaft and the inner surface of hole. The portion of the outer surface of the shaft can have a curved profile corresponding to the inner surface of the hole, and the other portion of the outer surface of the shaft can have a flat profile.

In an embodiment, the one or more protrusions can be extending along a length of the outer surface of the body portion of the elastic member. In another embodiment, the one or more protrusions can be configured at one or more predefined positions on the outer surface of the body portion of the elastic member.

In an embodiment, the elastic member can be made of an elastic material selected from silicon, rubber, and polymers. The shaft can be made of a material selected from plastic, metal, and alloys.

In an embodiment, the vane controller assembly can include a set of vertical vanes and a set of horizontal vanes, movably configured with the deco panel and the knob such that a second end of the knob facilitates adjustment of orientation of any or a combination of the set of vertical vanes and the set of horizontal vanes at a predefined angle with the deco panel.

In an embodiment, the vane controller assembly can include a horizontal link movably configured with the knob, and adapted to accommodate the set of horizontal vanes. Further, the vane controller assembly can include a vertical link movably configured with the knob, and adapted to accommodate the set of vertical vanes.

Referring toFIGS.1A to1C, the proposed vane controller assembly100(also referred to as vane controller100, or assembly100herein) for air vent of vehicles can include a deco panel102for fitment in the air vent, and a knob104(also referred to as controller104, herein) movably coupled to the deco panel102using a shaft108. The knob104can have a first end104-1provided with a slot112, and a second end104-2to facilitate maneuverability of the knob104by a user. In an embodiment, the vane controller assembly100can include an elastic member106comprising an annular-shaped body portion106-1having a hole, and one or more protrusions106-2(also referred to as protrusion106-2or an extended portion106-2, herein) configured on an outer surface of the body portion106-1and adapted to engage with and lock in the slot112of the knob104. The shaft108can be adapted to movably couple the knob104to the deco panel102, and can pass through the hole of the body portion106-1of the elastic member106such that the elastic member106is slidably and rotatably engaged with the shaft108. Further, the user can slidably or translationally as well as rotationally move the knob104around an axis of the shaft108using the second end104-2of the knob104.

In an embodiment, an inner surface of the hole of the elastic member106or an outer surface of the shaft108can have a profile such that a portion of the inner surface of the hole of the elastic member106can be in contact with the shaft108, and a gap can be created between another portion of the inner surface of the hole of the elastic member106and the shaft108. This configuration can provide a required and interference to enable an efficient slidable as well as rotational engagement between the knob104and the shaft108, which can facilitate efficient translational and rotational movement of the shaft108, as well as the vanes of the vane controller assembly100upon movement of the knob104by the user, thereby enhancing effort management, reducing noise, and limiting wearing or damages to the components of the vane controller assembly100.

In an embodiment, as illustrated inFIGS.1A,3H, and3I, and the vane controller assembly100,300can include a horizontal link110movably configured with the knob104, and configured to accommodate multiple horizontal vanes306at required distances therebetween. The vane controller assembly100can further include a vertical link310movably configured with the knob104and configured to accommodate multiple vertical vanes310at required distances therebetween. The vertical vanes310and the horizontal vanes306can be movably configured with the deco panel102, and the knob104such that a second end104-2of the knob104can facilitate a user in the adjustment of the orientation of any or a combination of the vertical vanes310and the horizontal vanes306at a predefined angle with the deco panel102, thereby providing a multi-directional inflow of air inside the vehicle.

In an embodiment, the body portion of the elastic member106can be annular in shape having a cylindrical-shaped hole extending therewithin. Further, an outer surface of the shaft108can have a profile such that a portion of the outer surface of the shaft108can be in contact with the inner surface of the hole of the elastic member106, and a gap is created between another portion of the outer surface of the shaft108and the inner surface of the hole of the elastic member106. As illustrated inFIG.1C, in an exemplary embodiment, first portions of the outer surface of the shaft108can have a curved profile (C) corresponding to the inner surface of the hole of the elastic member106such that the curved (first) portions C of the shaft108are in contact with the inner surface of the hole of the elastic member106, and second portions of the outer surface of the shaft can have a flat profile (F) such that gaps (G) are created between the flat (second) portions F of the shaft108and the inner surface of the hole of the elastic member106. It is to be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that this configuration provides sufficient interference between the shaft108and the elastic member106, to enable the efficient slidable as well as rotational engagement between the knob104and the shaft108, which can further facilitate efficient translational and rotational movement of the shaft108, as well as the vanes306,310of the vane controller assembly100upon movement of the knob104by the user, thereby enhancing effort management, reducing noise, and limiting wearing or damages to the components of the vane controller assembly100.

In another embodiment (not shown), the shaft108can be cylindrical in shape, and an inner surface of the hole of the elastic member106can have a profile such that a portion of the inner surface of the hole of the elastic member106can be in contact with the outer cylindrical surface of the shaft108, and gaps can be created between another portion of the inner surface of the hole of the elastic member106and the outer cylindrical surface of the shaft108.

In an exemplary embodiment, the elastic member106can be made of an elastic material selected from silicon, rubber, and polymers. The shaft108, and the horizontal vanes306, and the vertical vanes310can be made of a material selected from plastic, metal, and alloys.

Referring toFIG.2A, in a first embodiment, the elastic member106can include an annular-shaped body portion202, and a protrusion206extending along a length of the outer surface of the body portion202of the elastic member106. The body portion202can have a hole204to accommodate the shaft108. A first end of the protrusion206can be coupled to the outer surface of the body portion202, and a second end of the protrusion206can be adapted to engage with or lock in the slot112of the knob104.

Referring toFIG.2B, in a second embodiment, the elastic member106can include an annular-shaped body portion202, and two protrusions206-1,206-2positioned at two ends on the outer surface of the body portion202of the elastic member106. The body portion202can have a hole202to accommodate the shaft108. Further, a first end of each of the two protrusions206-1,206-2can be coupled to the outer surface of the body portion202, and a second end of each of the two protrusions206-1,206-2can be adapted to engage with or lock in the slot112of the knob104.

Referring toFIG.2C, in a third embodiment, the elastic member106can include an annular shaped body portion202, and a protrusion206extending along length of the outer surface of the body portion202of the elastic member106. The body portion202can have a hole204to accommodate the shaft108. Further, a first end of the protrusion206can be coupled to the outer surface of the body portion202, and a second end of the protrusion206can have an engaging end208adapted to efficiently engage with or lock in the slot112of the knob104. The engaging end208can be profiled based on the shape of the slot112of the knob104to efficiently lock the protrusion206in the slot112of the knob104.

FIGS.3A-3Jillustrate exemplary views of the steps involved in assembling of the proposed vane controller. As illustrated inFIG.3A, the knob104of the proposed vane controller assembly100can accommodate the elastic member106at its first end such that the protrusion of the elastic member106engages and locks in the slot of the knob104. Further, the deco panel102can include a notching spring302configured within it, as illustrated in FIG.3B. The knob104having the elastic member106can then be slid within the deco panel102as shown inFIG.3Csuch that the second end of the knob104is outside the deco panel102and is accessible for the user to maneuver the knob104as required. Furthermore, a knob fork304can be configured with the knob104and the deco panel104as illustrated inFIG.3D, and the shaft108can be passed through the hole of the elastic member106of the knob104, to movably configure the knob104with the shaft108as illustrated inFIG.3E.

In an embodiment, as illustrated inFIG.3F, the proposed vane controller100can include a horizontal vane link110that can be movably configured with the knob104, and can be oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft108. The horizontal vane link110can include multiple engaging means at predefined distances to accommodate the horizontal vanes306of the vane controller assembly100.

In an embodiment, as illustrated inFIGS.3G and3H, multiple horizontal vanes306can be coupled to the horizontal vane link110, which is already movably configured with the knob104such that the horizontal vanes306can be rotated in an upward and downward direction about their longitudinal axis, and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the horizontal vane link110, upon movement of the second end of the knob104by a user.

In an embodiment, as illustrated inFIG.31, the proposed vane controller100can include a vertical vane link308that can be movably configured with the knob104, and oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft108. The vertical vane link308can include multiple engaging means at predefined positions to accommodate the vertical vanes310of the vane controller100. The vertical vanes310can be coupled to the vertical vane link308, which can be movably configured with the knob104such that the vertical vanes310can be rotated in left and right direction about their longitudinal axis, and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vertical vane link308, upon movement of the second end of the knob104by a user.

In an embodiment, as illustrated inFIG.3J, the proposed vane controller100can include two vertical vane bearings312-1,312-2configured on two opposite ends of the vertical vanes310such that each of the vertical vanes310is configured between the two vertical vane bearings312-1,312-2. The vane bearings312-1,312-2can allow the vane controller assembly100to be fitted in the air vent without disturbing the rotation of the vertical vanes310about their axes.

In an implementation, as illustrated inFIGS.4A and4B, the proposed vane controller100can be fitted into an air vent in an interior400of vehicles. The air vane controller100can be movably mounted around an axis secured to a dashboard, roof, rear side of the front seats, and other interior surfaces (collectively designated as402, herein) of the vehicle. The air vent can be associated with any or a combination of a heating system, ventilation system, or air conditioning system (or HVAC system) of the vehicle, in the interior400of the vehicle to control the direction and inflow rate of air inside the vehicle. The knob104of the vane controller assembly100can be accessible to a user of the vehicle, and as the knob104is movably coupled to both the horizontal vanes306, as well as the vertical vanes310using the horizontal vane link110, and the vertical vane link308, respectively, the knob104can allow the user to adjust the orientation of any or a combination of the horizontal vanes306and the vertical vanes310at the required angle, to control the direction and inflow rate of air inside the vehicles, thereby enabling multi-directional airflow inside the vehicles using a single controller (knob)104.

In an implementation, when the knob104is in a neutral condition, all the horizontal vanes306remain perpendicular to a surface of the deco panel102and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft108, and the vertical vanes310remain perpendicular to the surface of the deco panel102and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft108, thereby enabling a straight flow of air inside the vehicle.

In an implementation, when the knob104is moved in a downward direction with respect to a surface of the deco panel102, the horizontal vanes306rotate about their longitudinal axis in a downward direction and making a non-right angle (not perpendicular) with the surface of the deco panel102, but the vertical vanes310remain perpendicular to the surface of the deco panel102, thereby enabling a downward flow of the air inside the vehicle.

In an implementation, when the knob104is moved in the right direction with respect to the surface of the deco panel102, the vertical vanes310rotate about their longitudinal axis in the right direction and making a non-right angle (not perpendicular) with the surface of the deco panel102, but the horizontal vanes306remain parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft108, thereby enabling a rightward flow of the air inside the vehicle.

In an implementation, when the knob104is moved in a down-right direction with respect to the deco panel102, the horizontal vanes306rotate about their longitudinal axis in a downward direction and making a non-right angle (not perpendicular) with the surface of the deco panel102, and the vertical vanes310rotate about their longitudinal axis in the right direction and making a non-right angle (not perpendicular) with the surface of the deco panel102, thereby enabling inflow of air inside the vehicle in the down-right direction.

In an implementation, when the knob102is moved in an up-left direction with respect to the deco panel102, the horizontal vanes306rotate about their longitudinal axis in an upward direction and making a non-right angle (not perpendicular) with the surface of the deco panel102, and the vertical vanes310rotate about their longitudinal axis in the left direction and making a non-right angle (not perpendicular) with the surface of the deco panel102, thereby enabling inflow of air inside the vehicle in the up-left direction.

Similarly, the movement of the knob102, by a user, in a specific direction, can accordingly change the orientation of any or a combination of the vertical vanes310and the horizontal vanes306to adjust the direction of airflow inside the vehicle in the same specific direction of the knob104.

It is to be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that while various embodiments and drawings of the present disclosure have been illustrated regarding a vane controller assembly for a vehicle being configured in an interior of the vehicle, however, the proposed vane controller assembly can also be fitted and configured in an interior as well as the exterior of an HVAC system of buildings, storage devices, refrigeration devices, but not limited to the likes, and all such embodiments are well within the scope of the present disclosure.

While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

Advantages of the Invention

The proposed invention provides a vane controller assembly to facilitate multi-directional airflow inside vehicles.

The proposed invention provides a simple, efficient, robust, easy to operate and assemble, and improved vane controller assembly controller for air vents of vehicles.

The proposed invention provides a vane controller assembly that is capable of efficiently accommodate multiple horizontal and vertical vanes, and facilitate efficient maneuverability of the multiple horizontal and vertical vanes.

The proposed invention enhances effort management, and reduces noise creation and damages to the components of the vane controller.

The proposed invention provides a structurally improved elastic member for the vane controller.

The proposed invention provides a structurally improved elastic member for the vane controller of air vents, which enhances effort management, reduces noise and damages to the components of the vane controller, and efficiently facilitate translational and rotational movement of the mounting rod as well as the deflectors of the vane controller upon movement of the knob.

The present invention provides an improved air vent assembly for vehicles, which is slim in profile, and aesthetically pleasing.