RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to German Application No. 10 2017 011 180.4, filed Dec. 4, 2017, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

US 20140357178 A1 discloses an air vent. This application relates to an outlet device for ventilation of air in a vehicle interior.

SUMMARY

In at least one example, an outlet device is provided. The outlet device may be used for ventilation of air in a vehicle interior. The outlet device embodies by a relatively simple and space-saving design which allows easy control of the outlet flow stream generated by the outlet device.

According to one example, an outlet device for ventilation of a vehicle interior by generating an outlet flow is provided. The outlet device includes a housing with an inner surface forming a channel which extends between an air inlet orifice and an air outlet orifice, a first air-directing surface which lies opposite to a first inner surface section of the inner surface and which together with the first inner surface section forms a first air channel, wherein the first air channel defines a first partial volume flow direction at the air outlet orifice, a second air-directing surface which lies contrary to the first air-directing surface and opposite to a second inner surface section of the inner surface and which together with the second inner surface section forms a second air channel, wherein the second air channel defines a second partial volume flow direction at the air outlet orifice, a first flap which is pivotable around a first adjustment axis which runs transversely a housing centerline, wherein the first flap is disposed in front of the first and second air-directing surfaces, when viewed from the air inlet orifice, a second flap which is pivotable around a second adjustment axis which runs transversely the housing centerline, wherein the second flap is disposed in front of the first and second air-directing surfaces, when viewed from the air inlet orifice, an adjustment device which comprises a control device and a coupling device, wherein the coupling device is actuated by the control device and couples the pivoting motions of the first flap and the second flap.

In some examples of the outlet device, the disposition of the coupling device and of the first and the second flap is such that the first flap and the second flap can be pivoted such that the second flap is in front of the first flap when viewed from the air inlet orifice.

In some examples of the outlet device, additionally the coupling of the coupling device with the first and the second flap is realized such that the first flap and the second flap can be pivoted such that the second flap is in front of the first flap, when viewed from the air inlet orifice, in all positions of the second flap within the complete adjustment area of the first flap and the second flap.

In some examples, the expression “coupling two motions of two devices” means that the motion of a first one of two devices results in a motion of a second one of the two devices that is coupled to the first device. Such a coupling can be realized as a direct coupling or an indirect coupling. When the coupling of two devices is an indirect coupling, the motion of the first device is coupled to the second device via a third device that is coupled to both the first device and the second device. In this regard, a device can also be a component of a device.

It is appreciated that according to some examples, the space needed for integration of the outlet device in an inner support structure of a vehicle can be minimized.

Further, in some examples, an outlet flow of air can be generated, wherein the outlet device can be produced in a cost-effective manner. In this regard the essential parts can for example be made of plastic and can for example be produced by injection molding.

In some examples, a first flap and a second flap for regulating the outlet flow can be moved functionally in dependency of each other for directing the outlet flow and for completely closing the air vent.

In some examples, the resulting outlet flow which flows into the interior of the vehicle is generated by two partial flow components which are controlled by the first and the second flap and which are directed towards each other under an acute angle and which deflect each other before generating the resulting outlet flow. Particularly, the two partial flow components are defined as flow components which flow along each other when viewed in a direction transversely the housing centerline or the main flow direction.

In some examples, the acute angle can particularly be smaller than 90 degrees and particularly smaller than 60 degrees.

In some examples, the prolongations of the direction of the streamlines of the different partial flow components at the outlet opening meet each other in an intersection area, particularly in an intersection area of a main reference plane.

In some examples, the direction of the resulting outlet flow depends from the flow rates of the partial flow components which are influenced or controlled by the first and the second flap. In case that the flow rates of the partial flow components are equal, the direction of the resulting outlet flow is a medium direction or neutral direction or reference direction. In case that the flow rate of the flow components which flows through one of the air channels is greater than the flow rate of the flow components which flows through the other one of the air channels, the resulting outlet flow has a direction which is more inclined towards the respective other one of the air channels.

In some examples, the outlet device comprises a central body with a first and second air-directing surface lying contrary to each other with respect to a housing centerline, wherein the central body is disposed in a fixed or time-invariant position or state with respect to the housing. With this central body due to an inlet flow, two partial flow components on the two sides of the central body are generated. According to an embodiment of the outlet device, the two partial flow components, after their exit from their respective air channels, are directed towards each other under an acute angle and deflect each other.

In some examples, a movement of at least one flap in a state can be provided in which a ratio of the first volumetric flow to the second volumetric flow and thereby the direction of the outlet flow can be varied or adjusted, as the direction of the outlet flow results from the collision of the flows is delivered by two air channels which are separated from each other by the central body.

In some examples, the central body can in particular be formed that it extends completely through the inner of the housing in a direction transversely the housing centerline such that within a section along the housing centerline two air channels, a first air channel and a second air channel, are structurally separated from each other.

In some examples, the outlet device the first flap and the second flap are coupled to each other by means of a pivot bearing and wherein the first flap and the second flap are rotatably mounted to the housing.

In some examples, the coupling device comprises a first guide track in which a first engagement part of a first lever which is rotatably fixed to the first flap is movably engaged, the coupling device comprises a second guide track in which a second engagement part of a second lever which is rotatably fixed to the second flap is movably engaged, and the first guide track and the second guide track are formed on a coupling plate of the coupling device.

In some examples, the first guide track and the second guide track are formed on different surfaces of the coupling plate which are oriented contrary to each other.

In some examples, the coupling device comprises a coupling gear wheel section, which coupling gear section is coupled to the control device.

In some examples, the control device comprises a motor for actuating the coupling device.

In some examples, the control device comprises an control knob which comprises a gearwheel section, and the gearwheel section is rotatably coupled to the housing and which engages with the coupling gear wheel section of the coupling device.

In some examples, the outlet device further comprises a transmission device, wherein the coupling device is actuated by the control device via the transmission device.

In some examples, the transmission device comprises a transmission gear wheel section which is rotatably coupled to the housing and which engages a coupling gearwheel section of the coupling device and a control gearwheel section of the control device.

In some examples, the outlet device comprises at least one vertical fin which is articulated on the housing each by means of a pivot bearing and by providing a fin adjustment axis which runs transversely the first adjustment axis and the second adjustment axis.

In some examples, at least one of the at least one vertical fin can comprise an outer edge section which faces the air inlet orifice and which is formed as a concave arched section, when viewed from the air inlet orifice, in order to from a recess into which an outer edge section of the first flap which faces the at least one vertical fin extends within predetermined areas of rotational states of the first flap.

In some examples, the expression “along” with regard to a reference direction or a reference axis, particularly in the context with the indications of a specific direction or specific axis, generally means that the specific direction or axis deviates locally at least with a maximal angle of 45 degrees and preferably at a maximal angle of 23 degrees from the reference direction or reference axis.

In some examples, the expression “transversely” with regard to a reference direction or a reference axis, particularly in the context with the indications of a specific direction or specific axis, generally means that the respective direction or axis deviates locally with an angle which amounts between 45 degrees and 135 degrees and preferably with an angle which amounts between 67 degrees and 113 degrees from the reference direction or reference axis.

In some examples, the end section of the outlet flow channel is particularly defined as having a length when projected along the housing centerline which amounts to at least 1/10 and particularly at least 1/20 of smallest diameter of the inner housing surface at the air outlet opening at the second end.

In some examples, generally the direction or centerline of a component, particularly of the end section of the outlet flow channel, is the direction of the connection line of the centroids of the smallest cross-sections of the component along a reference line and, respectively, the end section along the housing centerline. In case that this connection line is a curved line, a straight line is taken for which the integral of the distances to the connection line is a minimum. The direction or centerline of a component can also be line of the center of gravity of the component.

