AU714450B2

AU714450B2 - Adjustable air diffuser

Info

Publication number: AU714450B2
Application number: AU16459/97A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Walter Kimble
Original assignee: Air Advantage Pty Ltd; Advantage Air Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Advantage Air Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1996-03-21
Filing date: 1997-03-21
Publication date: 2000-01-06
Anticipated expiration: 2017-03-21
Also published as: AU1645997A

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD

PATENT

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Name of Applicant: Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: ADVANTAGE AIR (AUST) PTY LTD 4 WHYALLA STREET WILLETTON WA 6155 WALTER KIMBLE Griffith Hack Co.

256 Adelaide Terrace (6 Floor) PERTH WA 6000 CC C C Standard Complete Specification for the invention entitled:

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ADJUSTABLE AIR DIFFUSER Details of Associated Provisional Applications: Australian Provisional Patent Application No. PN8834 filed on 21 March 1996 The following is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 2 ADJUSTABLE AIR DIFFUSER The present invention relates generally to an adjustable diffuser used in an air-conditioning outlet.

Australian patent serial no. 647157 describes an improved air-conditioning outlet director including a series of adjustable elongate vanes. Each of the elongate vanes is pivotally coupled at each end to opposing sides, respectively, of a frame. A control bar is pivotally coupled to the vanes so that movement of one of the vanes simultaneously effects movement of the other vanes. The vanes are each pivoted about a main spigot formed on each e and positioned adjacent a leading edge of the vane. A control spigot moulded to the leading edge of each of the vanes operatively couples the vanes to the control bar.

.ooooi The improved director described in Australian patent no.

647157 can be adjusted so that the vanes simultaneously .pivot between a closed position, where air is prevented from passing through the director, and an open position :'":where air passes through or is deflected by the director.

S. 20 The vanes of the director in a closed position overlap one another and generally lie in the same plane as the director frame. As the vanes are progressively opened an increased proportion of the vanes protrudes from the director frame beneath the line of the ceiling. The appearance of the director with the vanes in this position is unpleasant.

Furthermore, a relatively high flow of air through the director may force the vanes to pivot about the frame requiring readjustment.

An intention of the present invention is to provide an aesthetically pleasant adjustable air diffuser having a plurality of blades which, in use, can be pivoted between an open and a closed position without requiring readjustment.

According to the present invention there is provided an adjustable air diffuser designed to seat in a grille frame, said diffuser comprising: a support frame for seating in the grille frame; a plurality of blades pivotally coupled to the support frame, said blades pivotal between an open position where airflow is maximised through the diffuser, and a closed position where air is prevented from passing through the diffuser, said blades being proximate a down stream air outlet of the support frame and, arranged to pivot so as to not substantially protrude from the grille frame in either o• configuration; and a link member operatively coupled to said blades so that pivotal movement of one of said blades causes movement 15 of the link member and thus cooperative pivotal movement of the other blades.

Preferably, said blades are pivotally coupled to the support .e frame at or near a downstream edge of each of the blades, when the blades are in the open position.

20 Preferably, said blades are pivotally coupled to the support frame proximate the air outlet.

eooee Preferably, the link member includes resistance means designed to engage the support frame so that, in use, pivotal movement of the blades caused by air flowing through the diffuser is substantially inhibited by said resistance means.

Typically, a portion of the support frame located adjacent the link member includes a series of recesses or hollows located at predetermined positions therein, the resistance means capable of engaging each of the series of recesses whereby incremental pivotal movement of the blades is achieved as the resistance means engages each of the recesses. Typically, the resistance means consists of a protuberance formed in the link member, an engaging portion Aof the protuberance being shaped substantially complementary to each of the recesses.

3A Typically, each of the plurality of blades is elongate. More typically, each of the elongate blades is shaped in a transverse section in the form of an aerofoil having S 5

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4 mutually opposing concave and convex surfaces. Preferably, each end of each of the elongate blades includes a pivot spigot designed to pivotally couple the blade to the support frame. Typically, the pivot spigots of each blade are barbed so as to releasably press-fit into a corresponding pivot hole formed in opposing sides of the support frame.

Preferably, the pivot spigots are each located adjacent a trailing edge of each of the blades. More preferably, the pivot spigots are each located a distance, measured from the trailing edge of the blade, of less than approximately one third of the chord width of the blade.

Preferably, at least one end of each of the elongate blades includes actuating means designed to operatively couple the 15 link member to the plurality of blades so as to effect cooperative movement thereof. Typically, the actuating means is an actuating spigot formed on at least one end of each blade. In one example the actuating spigot of each blade is barbed and thus designed to releasably press-fit 20 into a corresponding linkage hole formed in the link member.

Typically, the actuating spigot is located at a leading edge of the blade. Consequently, the link member moves through an arcuate path when the blades move between the open and closed positions, the arcuate path defined by the travel of each linkage hole about its corresponding pivot spigot.

Preferably, the link member is one of a pair of link members each operatively coupled to opposing ends, respectively, of the plurality of blades. Typically, the link member is elongate.

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5 Preferably, the blades are oriented so that when they are in the closed position the concave and convex surfaces face upstream and downstream, respectively.

Typically, the support frame has four perimeter walls connected together to form a substantially rectangularshaped frame. Preferably, the frame is configured so that one or more of the adjustable air diffusers can removably locate in the grille frame. Typically, the grille frame is adapted to mount in a ceiling, wall or the like.

Typically, the adjustable diffuser is moulded from a ~plastics material. More typically, the pivot and actuating spigots are formed integral with each of the blades.

Generally speaking, during pivotal movement of the blades between the open and closed positions, said blades remain on an upstream side of an imaginary plane which passes through a downstream or lower peripheral surface of the "'grille frame.

~In order to achieve a better understanding of the nature of S- the present invention a preferred embodiment of an adjustable air diffuser will now be described in some detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an exploded sectional view taken through an adjustable air diffuser located in a grille frame fixed to a ceiling; Figure 2 is a plan and elevational view of a support frame taken from the adjustable diffuser of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional and elevational view of a blade taken from the adjustable diffuser of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a sectional and elevational view of a link member taken from the adjustable diffuser of Figure i.

6 As illustrated in Figure 1 there is an adjustable air diffuser shown generally as 10 located in a grille frame 12 designed to mount in a ceiling 14. A neck adaptor 16 connected to the grill frame 12 couples the adjustable air diffuser 10 to an air-conditioning conduit (not shown).

Thus, air from the air-conditioning conduit flows from an upstream to a downstream side of the diffuser 10 in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 1.

The adjustable air diffuser 10 comprises a plurality of elongate blades 18 each pivotally coupled to a support frame or biscuit frame 20. An elongate link member 22 is pivotally connected to each of the blades 18 so that pivotal movement of one of the blades 18 effects movement of the elongate link member 22 and thus cooperative pivotal movement of the other blades 18.

As depicted in Figure 2 the biscuit frame 20 is substantially square-shaped having four perimeter walls 24A to 24D, respectively. An outer rib 26 is located on an outer surface of the four perimeter walls 24A to 24D, the outer rib 26 designed to locate the adjustable diffuser within the grille frame 12 (see Figure Opposing perimeter walls 24B and 24D also have an inner rib 28 formed longitudinally along an inner surface thereof. The inner ribs 28 are configured to assist in sealing the passage of air between the biscuit frame 20 and blades 18 when the blades are in a closed position.

An inner surface of opposing perimeter walls 24A and 24C include a series of recesses or circular-shaped dimples formed therein. The dimples 30 are located along an arcuate path and equally spaced from each other. The opposing perimeter walls 24A and 24C also include a series of pivot holes 32 spaced equally from each other and located adjacent a downstream edge of the biscuit frame 7 As shown in Figure 3 each blade 18 is elongate having a pivot spigot 34 and an actuating spigot 36 located at each end. In this example, the pivot and actuating spigots 34, 36 are barbed and thus designed to releasably press-fit into corresponding holes formed in the biscuit frame 20 and link member 22, respectively. Each of the blades 18 is shaped in a transverse section in the form of an aerofoil having mutually opposing concave and convex surfaces 38, respectively. In this embodiment, the pivot spigots 34 are each located a distance, measured from a trailing edge of the blade 18, of approximately one third of the cord width of the blade. The actuating spigots 36 are each formed at a leading edge of the blade 18. In this example the actuating spigots 36 constitute the actuating means.

o:o 15 As illustrated in Figure 4 the link member 22 is an elongate link member having a series of equally spaced linkage holes 42 formed therein. The actuating spigot 36 of each of the blades 18 is designed to press-fit into one :*of the linkage holes 42 so that the plurality of blades 18 are operatively coupled together via the elongate link amember 22. The link member 22 further comprises a protuberance or boss 44 extending from an outer-facing surface of the elongate link member 22. The boss 44 is {designed, during pivotal movement of the blades 18 and link -25 member 22, to engage each of the dimples 30 formed in the biscuit frame 20. In this embodiment, the boss 44 thus constitutes resistance means.

In order to facilitate a further understanding of the invention, operation of the adjustable air diffuser described above will now be explained.

As shown in Figure 1 the blades 18 can be moved between an open position and a closed position depicted on the left and right hand sides of the drawing, respectively. In the open position, airflow through the adjustable diffuser 8 is substantially maximised. In the closed position, air is substantially prevented from flowing past the adjustable diffuser 10 with the blades 18 overlapping each other and generally lying in a plane parallel to the biscuit frame Pivotal movement of the blades 18 between the open and closed positions is achieved by moving one or more of the blades 18 which effect movement of the link member 22 and thus cooperative pivotal movement of the other blades 18.

As the blades 18 move between the open and closed positions the boss 44 of each link member 22 bears against an inner surface of one of the opposing perimeter walls 24A or 24C.

The boss 44 is shaped complementary to and engages each of *the dimples 30 as the blades 18 move between the open and S 15 closed positions. Thus, incremental pivotal movement of the blades 18 can be achieved with relative ease.

Furthermore, the blades 18 under the force of air flowing through the adjustable diffuser 10 are prevented from pivoting by engagement of the boss 44 with one of the dimples :0.1% As further illustrated in Figure 1 the blades 18 remain substantially within and/or on an upstream side of the grille frame 12 when the blades 18 are pivoted between the open and closed positions. Generally speaking, the blades 18 remain on an upstream side of an imaginary plane which passes through a downstream or lower peripheral surface of the grille frame 12. Thus, regardless of the position of the blades 18, the adjustable air diffuser 10 has a pleasant appearance.

Now that a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described it will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that the adjustable air diffuser has at least the following advantages over the admitted prior art: 9 the blades remain substantially within and/or on an upstream side of the grille frame thus giving the adjustable air diffuser a pleasant appearance; the adjustable air diffuser is designed so that the vanes remain in position even with relatively high flow rates of air passing through the adjustable diffuser eliminating the need for frequent readjustment of the blades; and adjustment of the blades into a series of predetermined positions can be achieved expeditiously.

It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that numerous variations and modifications can be made to the described adjustable air diffuser in addition to those already mentioned above without departing from the basic 15 inventive concepts of the present invention. For example, the blades may be pivotally coupled to the support frame, and link member operatively coupled to the blades in a variety of ways provided simultaneous pivotal movement of S"the blades can be achieved wherein the blades remain substantially within and/or on an upstream side of a grille frame. The resistance means may comprise a hollow or S recess formed in the link member which is engaged by a series of protrusions or bosses formed in an adjacent perimeter wall. Preferably, the components of the 25 adjustable air diffuser are moulded from a plastics material. However, the invention also includes other suitable materials of construction. All such variations and modifications are to be considered within the scope of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description.

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Claims

2. An adjustable air diffuser as defined in claim 1, owherein said blades are pivotally coupled to the support *.og frame at or near a downstream edge of each of the blades, 20 when the blades are in the open position. An adjustable air diffuser as defined in claim 1, wherein said blades are pivotally coupled to the support frame proximate the air outlet.
4. An adjustable air diffuser as defined in claim i, wherein the link member includes resistance means designed to engage the support frame so that, in use, pivotal movement of the blades caused by air flowing through the diffuser is substantially inhibited by said resistance means. An adjustable air diffuser as defined in claim 2, wherein a portion of the support frame located adjacent the link member includes a series of recesses or hollows located at predetermined positions therein, the resistance means R, capable of engaging each of the series of recesses whereby incremental pivotal movement of the blades is achieved as the 11 resistance means engages each of the recesses.
6. An adjustable air diffuser as defined in claim 3 wherein the resistance means consists of a protuberance formed in the link member, an engaging portion of the protuberance being shaped substantially complementary to each of the recesses.
7. An adjustable air diffuser as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein each of the plurality of blades is elongate. 10 8. An adjustable air diffuser as defined in claim wherein each of the elongate blades is shaped in a transverse section in the form of an aerofoil having mutually opposing concave and convex surfaces.
9. An adjustable air diffuser as defined in claim 6 i: o 15 wherein each end of each of the elongate blades includes a pivot spigot designed to pivotally couple the blade to the support frame.
10. An adjustable air diffuser as defined in claim 7 ro S" wherein the pivot spigots of each blade are barbed so as to releasably press-fit into a corresponding pivot hole formed in opposing sides of the support frame.
11. An adjustable air diffuser as defined in either of claims 7 or 8 wherein the pivot spigots are each located adjacent a trailing edge of each of the blades.
12. An adjustable air diffuser as defined in claim 9 wherein the pivot spigots are each located a distance, measured from the trailing edge of the blade, of less than approximately one third of the chord width of the blade.
13. An adjustable air diffuser as defined in any one of Sclaims 5 to 10 wherein at least one end of each of the 12elongate blades includes actuating means designed to rr__l 12 operatively couple the link member to the plurality of blades so as to effect cooperative movement thereof.
14. An adjustable air diffuser as defined in claim 11 wherein the actuating means is an actuating spigot formed on at least one end of each blade. An adjustable air diffuser as defined in claim 12 wherein the actuating spigot of each blade is barbed and thus designed to releasably press-fit into a corresponding linkage hole formed in the link member. a 10 16. An adjustable air diffuser as defined in either of 0:06 claims 12 or 13 wherein the actuating spigot is located at a S o leading edge of the blade.
17. An adjustable air diffuser as defined in claim 14 :":".wherein the link member moves through an arcuate path when 15 the blades move between the open and closed positions, the arcuate path defined by the travel of each linkage hole about its corresponding pivot spigot. S
18. An adjustable air diffuser as defined in any one of claims 5 to 15 wherein the link member is one of a pair of link members each operatively coupled to opposing ends, respectively, of the plurality of blades.
19. An adjustable air diffuser as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the support frame has four (4) perimeter walls connected together to form a substantially rectangular-shaped frame. An adjustable air diffuser as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the frame is configured so that one or more of the adjustable air diffusers can removably locate in the grille frame.
21. An adjustable air diffuser as defined in any one of ASthe preceding claims wherein the grille frame is adapted to 13 mount in a ceiling, wall or the like.
22. An adjustable air diffuser substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 19th day of October 1999. ADVANTAGE AIR (AUST) PTY LTD By Thier Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK Fellows Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia