CN215621293U

CN215621293U - Blade adjusting device and air outlet assembly

Info

Publication number: CN215621293U
Application number: CN202022247247.7U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 林跃强; 保罗·梅洛; 张兴宇; 程田生
Original assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Current assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Priority date: 2020-10-10
Filing date: 2020-10-10
Publication date: 2022-01-25
Anticipated expiration: 2030-10-10

Abstract

The utility model provides a blade adjusting device. The blade adjusting device includes a motor having a rotating shaft, a first driving member, a second driving member, and an engaging member connected to the rotating shaft of the motor. The first drive element is for driving a first blade and the second drive element is for driving a second blade oriented in a different direction than the first blade. The engagement element selectively engages the first drive element or the second drive element in response to a rotational direction of the rotating shaft to drive the first blade or the second blade, respectively. The utility model also provides an air outlet assembly. The air outlet assembly according to the present invention can provide reduced volume and reduced weight and cost.

Description

Blade adjusting device and air outlet assembly

Technical Field

The present invention relates to air conditioning systems for vehicles, and more particularly to blade adjustment devices and air outlet assemblies for motor vehicles.

Background

Air conditioning systems are often provided in vehicles to provide passenger comfort. Conditioned air enters the passenger compartment of the vehicle from the air outlet. The expected air outlet angle and air outlet quantity can be realized through the blade adjusting device so as to better meet the requirements of users. An electric air outlet assembly in the prior art generally comprises two motors which are respectively used for adjusting a transverse blade and a vertical blade. The additional motor requires a large installation space, so that the weight of the air outlet assembly is increased and the cost is high.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The present invention aims to address at least one of the above problems and to provide a blade adjustment device and an air outlet assembly having reduced installation space, reduced weight and cost.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a vane adjustment device is provided. The blade adjusting device includes a motor having a rotating shaft, a first driving member, a second driving member, and an engaging member connected to the rotating shaft of the motor. The first drive element is for driving a first blade and the second drive element is for driving a second blade oriented in a different direction than the first blade. The engagement element selectively engages the first drive element or the second drive element in response to a rotational direction of the rotating shaft to drive the first blade or the second blade, respectively.

In one embodiment, the engagement element engages the first drive element to drive the first blade when the rotating shaft is rotated in the first rotational direction. The engagement element engages the second drive element to drive the second blade when the rotating shaft rotates in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction.

In one embodiment, the engagement element includes a ball screw connected to the rotating shaft of the motor and a ball nut movably fitted over the ball screw.

In one embodiment, the ball nut includes opposing first and second ends, the first end configured to engage the first drive element and the second end configured to engage the second drive element.

In one embodiment, the ball nut has a projection extending radially outwardly therealong.

In one embodiment, the vane adjusting device further includes a sleeve surrounding the ball nut, the sleeve having a slide groove extending in a moving direction of the ball nut, the projection of the ball nut extending into the slide groove.

In one embodiment, the vane adjustment device further comprises a damping gear in meshing engagement with the end gear of the sleeve.

In one embodiment, the first drive element includes a first drive gear and a first driven gear in meshing engagement, the first drive gear configured to engage the first end of the ball nut, the first driven gear engaged with the first lobe. The second drive element includes a second drive gear and a second driven gear in meshing engagement, the second drive gear configured to engage the second end of the ball nut, the second driven gear engaged with the second blade.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an outlet assembly is provided. The air outlet assembly comprises a shell, a first blade and a second blade which are arranged in the shell and are oriented along different directions, a first driving element and a second driving element which are respectively used for driving the first blade and the second blade, a motor with a rotating shaft and a joint element connected with the rotating shaft of the motor. The engagement element selectively engages the first drive element or the second drive element in response to a rotational direction of the rotating shaft to drive the first blade or the second blade, respectively.

In one embodiment, the outlet assembly may have only one motor, and the outlet assembly may have a plurality of first blades parallel to each other and a plurality of second blades parallel to each other.

According to the blade adjusting device and the air outlet assembly, two kinds of blades positioned along different directions can be adjusted by using one motor, so that the installation space of the air outlet assembly is reduced, the weight and the cost are reduced, and meanwhile, a desired air outlet angle and air outlet quantity can be provided.

Drawings

One or more features and/or advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of one or more embodiments, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vane adjusting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2A and 2B are perspective views of the ball nut and the first drive gear of the vane adjusting apparatus of fig. 1, respectively, and fig. 2C is a sectional view of a portion of the ball nut and the first drive gear in an engaged state.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an outlet assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is another perspective view of the outlet assembly of fig. 3.

Detailed Description

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in the present specification; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the utility model that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. The same or similar reference numerals may indicate the same parameters and components or similar modifications and substitutions thereto. In the following description, various operating parameters and components are described in various embodiments as contemplated. These specific parameters and components are used in this specification as examples only and are not meant to be limiting. 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.

FIG. 1 illustrates a vane adjustment device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 1, the vane adjusting device 100 includes a motor 110 as a power source, the motor 110 having a rotary shaft 112. With the forward or reverse rotation of the motor 110 to provide power, the rotary shaft 112 may rotate in the opposite direction, for example, in a clockwise direction or in a counterclockwise direction. The vane adjustment device 100 also includes an engagement member 120 and a vane drive mechanism, e.g., a first drive member 130 and a second drive member 140. The engagement element 120 may establish a connection between the rotational shaft 112 of the motor 110 and the blade drive mechanism, thereby transferring power of the motor 110 to the blade drive mechanism to drive the respective blade, e.g., the first blade 150 or the second blade 160 oriented in different directions.

As shown in FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the engagement element 120 includes a ball screw 122 and a ball nut 124 that fits over the ball screw 122. One end of the ball screw 122 is fixed to the rotating shaft 112 of the motor 110, so that the ball screw 122 is rotatable about its central axis X1 in accordance with the rotation of the rotating shaft 112. When the rotating shaft 112 of the motor 110 rotates in the first rotating direction R1 (e.g., clockwise), the ball screw shaft 122 rotates in the first rotating direction R1 about the central axis X1; when the rotational shaft 112 of the motor 110 rotates in the second rotational direction R2 (e.g., counterclockwise), the ball screw shaft 122 rotates in the second rotational direction R2 about the central axis X1.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the ball nut 124 is movably disposed on the ball screw 122, i.e., the ball nut 124 is capable of moving along the ball screw 122 as the ball screw 122 rotates. Specifically, as ball screw 122 rotates in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction about central axis X1, ball nut 124 does not rotate with ball screw 122, but instead translates on ball screw 122 along central axis X1. The internal structure of the ball nut 124 and the ball screw 122 thus configured is known to those skilled in the art, and thus, the details will not be described here.

The ball nut 124 has a first end 121 and a second end 123 opposite in the direction of the central axis X1. As the ball screw 122 rotates in the first rotational direction R1, the ball nut 124 moves along the ball screw 122 in the first movement direction M1 (e.g., translates along the central axis X1 toward the first drive mechanism 130), and its first end 121 may move into engagement with the first drive element 130. Similarly, as ball screw 122 rotates in second rotational direction R2, ball nut 124 moves along ball screw 122 in second moving direction M2 (e.g., translates along central axis X1 toward second drive mechanism 140), and second end 123 thereof is movable into engagement with second drive element 140.

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 1, the ball nut 124 further includes a projection 125 extending radially outward therealong. The vane adjusting device 100 further includes a sleeve 170 disposed around the ball nut 124, and the sleeve 170 has a sliding groove 172 on an inner wall thereof facing the ball nut 124, the sliding groove 172 extending in the direction of the central axis X1 and receiving a top of the protrusion 125. One end of the sleeve 170 is provided with an end gear 174, and the end gear 174 is engaged with a damping gear 176. In this manner, the damping gear 176 provides some resistance to securing the sleeve 170, and the lobes 125 of the ball nut 124 are constrained within the slots 172 of the sleeve 170, further facilitating translation of the ball nut 124 along the ball screw 122 without rotation with the ball screw 122.

In one embodiment, the ball nut 124 may include a plurality of protrusions 125, the plurality of protrusions 125 extending outwardly in the form of fins; accordingly, the inner wall of the sleeve 170 is provided with a plurality of sliding grooves 172 extending along the central axis X1 to accommodate the plurality of protrusions 125.

Referring to fig. 1, in one embodiment, the first driving member 130 may include a first driving gear 132 and a first driven gear 134 engaged with each other, a first engaging portion 131 of the first driving gear 132 may be engaged with the first end 121 of the ball nut 124, and the first driven gear 134 is connected with the first blade 150. When the ball nut 124 is moved to have the first end 121 thereof engaged with the first engaging portion 131, the ball nut 124 rotates together with the ball screw shaft 122, thereby rotating the first driving gear 132 engaged with the first end 121 of the ball nut 124, thereby driving the first driven gear 134 to rotate to pivot the first blade 150.

Similarly, in one embodiment, the second drive element 140 may include a second drive gear 142 and a second driven gear 144 that are intermeshed, the second engagement portion 141 of the second drive gear 142 may be engaged with the second end 123 of the ball nut 124, and the second driven gear 144 is coupled to the second blade 160. When the ball nut 124 is moved to engage the second end 123 thereof with the second engaging portion 141, the ball nut 124 rotates along with the ball screw shaft 122, thereby rotating the second driving gear 142 engaged with the second end 123 of the ball nut 124, thereby driving the second driven gear 144 to rotate to pivot the second blade 160.

The first vane 150 may be oriented in the direction of a first axis Y1, and the second vane 160 may be oriented in the direction of a second axis Y2 that is different from the first axis Y1. In one embodiment, the first axis Y1 may be parallel to the central axis X1 of the ball screw 122, or may be parallel to the width direction of the vehicle having the vane adjusting apparatus 100. In one embodiment, the second axis Y2 may be perpendicular to the first axis Y1, or may be parallel to the height direction of the vehicle having the vane adjustment apparatus 100.

Fig. 2A shows the first end 121 of the ball nut 124, fig. 2B shows the first engagement portion 131 of the first drive gear 132, and fig. 2C shows the first end 121 and the first engagement portion 131 in an engaged state. Referring to fig. 2A to 2C, the first end 121 of the ball nut 124 may be configured as a circular truncated cone (or have the shape of a truncated cone), and the first engagement portion 131 of the first drive gear 132 has a first engagement groove 135 that mates with the circular truncated cone. The outer surface of the first end 121 and the inner wall of the first engagement groove 135 may be configured as a rough surface or provided with a friction-increasing material. In this way, when the ball nut 124 is moved into engagement with the first drive element 130, a tight engagement may be formed between the first end 121 and the first engagement portion 131, which may facilitate rotation of the first drive gear 132 with the ball nut 124 and the ball screw 122.

It should be appreciated that the engagement between the second end 123 of the ball nut 124 and the second engagement portion 141 of the second drive gear 142 may be as described with reference to the embodiment of fig. 2A-2C, and that the engagement structure may be a mirror image of the engagement structure shown in fig. 2A-2C about the ball nut 124 and therefore will not be described again here.

The blade adjusting apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may have a workflow described below. In response to a request for adjusting the wind outlet angle and the wind outlet amount, the rotary shaft 112 of the motor 110 rotates in the first rotation direction R1, and the ball screw 122 fixedly connected to the rotary shaft 112 rotates in synchronization. The structural configuration of ball screw 122 and ball nut 124 is such that ball nut 124 tends to move along ball screw 122; further, since the resistance applied by the damping gear 176 to the end gear 174 of the sleeve 170 is such that the sleeve 170 remains stationary and the protrusions 125 of the ball nut 124 remain in the slide slots 172 of the sleeve 170 (which further reduces the likelihood of the ball nut 124 rotating with the ball screw 122), the ball nut 124 begins to move in the direction M1 along the central axis X1 of the ball screw 122. After the ball nut 124 moves to the state that the first end 121 thereof is closely engaged with the first engaging groove 131 of the first driving gear 132, the ball nut 124 no longer moves in the M1 direction but rotates together with the ball screw 122 due to the blocking of the movement of the ball nut 124 in the M1 direction by the first driving gear 132; and the driving force of the motor 110 is increased to be greater than the resistance provided by the damping gear 176 so that the sleeve 170 rotates together with the ball nut 124 caught therein, and the end gear 174 of the sleeve 170 rotates the damping gear 176 together. Since the first driving gear 132 is tightly engaged with the first end 121 of the ball nut 124, the first driving gear 132 rotates with the rotation of the ball nut 124, driving the first driven gear 134 to rotate, thereby pivoting the first blade 150 connected with the first driven gear 134.

During adjustment of the blade adjustment device 100, once the first blade 150 is pivoted to a desired position, the rotary shaft 112 of the motor 110 is no longer rotated in the first rotational direction R1, but is rotated in the opposite second rotational direction R2. As the ball screw 122 rotates in the second rotational direction R2 along with the rotational shaft 112, the structural configuration of the ball nut 124 and the ball screw 122 is such that the ball nut 124 tends to move in the M2 direction along the ball screw 122. The sleeve 170 and the damper gear 176 have stopped rotating and remain stationary, and the projections 125 of the ball nut 124 remain in the slide slots 172 of the sleeve 170, thereby reducing the likelihood that the ball nut 124 will rotate with the ball screw 122 as the ball nut 124 moves in the direction M2. When the ball nut 124 is moved to the second end 123 thereof to be closely engaged with the second engagement groove 141 of the second driving gear 142, the ball nut 124 is rotated together with the ball screw shaft 122, and the sleeve 170 and the damping gear 176 are rotated together therewith. Since the second driving gear 142 is tightly engaged with the second end 123 of the ball nut 124, the second driving gear 142 rotates with the rotation of the ball nut 124, driving the second driven gear 144 to rotate, thereby pivoting the second blade 160 connected to the second driven gear 144. Once the second blade 160 is also pivoted to the desired position, the rotating shaft 112 of the motor 110 stops rotating. Thus, using one motor 110, both the first blade 150 and the second blade 160 are adjusted to desired positions, which can provide a suitable air output and air output angle.

Fig. 3 and 4 illustrate an outlet assembly 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The outlet assembly 200 may comprise the vane adjustment device 100 of the embodiment of fig. 1, wherein the same or similar components as the vane adjustment device 100 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the structure, connection, operation and other features thereof may refer to the description above regarding the vane adjustment device 100. Referring to fig. 3 and 4, the outlet assembly 200 includes a housing 210 and a plurality of first and

second vanes

150 and 160 disposed within the housing 210. The plurality of first blades 150 are oriented parallel to each other in the direction of the first axis Y1 and are connected to each other by a linkage mechanism (e.g., a link), such that pivoting of one first blade 150 can cause the plurality of first blades 150 to pivot simultaneously. The plurality of second blades 160 are oriented parallel to each other in the direction of the second axis Y2, the first axis Y1 may be perpendicular to the second axis Y2; the plurality of second blades 160 are connected to each other by a link mechanism (e.g., a link), so that pivoting of one second blade 160 may cause the plurality of second blades 160 to pivot simultaneously. In response to different rotational directions of the rotational shaft 112 of the motor 110, the engagement element 120 selectively engages the first drive element 130 or the second drive element 140, thereby adjusting the plurality of first blades 150 or the plurality of second blades 160, respectively. The structure, connections, operation, and other features of the engaging element 120, the first drive element 130, and the second drive element 140 may all be referenced in the corresponding description above in the blade adjustment apparatus 100.

In one embodiment, in response to a request for adjusting the wind outlet angle and the wind outlet amount, the rotating shaft 112 of the motor 110 rotates in the first rotating direction R1, the ball screw 122 fixedly connected to the rotating shaft 112 rotates in synchronization, and the ball nut 124 starts to move in the M1 direction along the central axis X1 of the ball screw 122. When the ball nut 124 moves to the first end 121 to be closely engaged with the first engagement groove 131 of the first driving gear 132, the ball nut 124 rotates together with the ball screw 122. The first driving gear 132 rotates with the rotation of the ball nut 124, and drives the first driven gear 134 to rotate, thereby pivoting one first blade 150 connected to the first driven gear 134, and the linkage mechanism causes the plurality of first blades 150 to pivot synchronously. Once the plurality of first blades 150 are pivoted to the desired position, the rotational shaft 112 of the motor 110 is rotated in a second, opposite rotational direction R2. As the ball screw shaft 122 rotates in the second rotation direction R2 together with the rotation shaft 112, the ball nut 124 moves in the M2 direction along the ball screw shaft 122. When the ball nut 124 moves to the position where the second end 123 of the ball nut 124 is tightly engaged with the second engaging groove 141 of the second driving gear 142, the ball nut 124 rotates along with the ball screw 122, the second driving gear 142 rotates along with the rotation of the ball nut 124, the second driven gear 144 is driven to rotate, one second blade 160 connected with the second driven gear 144 is driven to pivot, and the linkage mechanism enables the plurality of second blades 160 to pivot synchronously. Once the plurality of second blades 160 are also pivoted to the desired position, the rotation shaft 112 of the motor 110 stops rotating.

According to the blade adjusting device 100 and the air outlet assembly 200 of the present invention, the first blade 150 and the second blade 160 oriented in different directions can be driven to pivot to desired positions by rotating one motor 110 in different rotation directions, so as to provide a suitable air outlet angle and air outlet amount.

The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention, and various modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art. Any modification, equivalent replacement, or improvement made within the spirit and principle of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vane adjustment device, comprising:

a motor having a rotating shaft;

a first drive element for driving the first blade;

a second drive element for driving a second blade oriented in a different direction than the first blade; and

an engagement element connected with the rotating shaft of the motor, the engagement element selectively engaging the first drive element or the second drive element to drive the first blade or the second blade, respectively, in response to a direction of rotation of the rotating shaft.

2. The vane adjustment device of claim 1, wherein the engagement element engages the first drive element to drive the first vane when the rotational shaft is rotated in a first rotational direction; the engagement element engages the second drive element to drive the second blade when the rotating shaft rotates in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction.

3. The vane adjustment device of claim 1, wherein the engagement element comprises a ball screw coupled to the rotational shaft of the motor and a ball nut movably fitted over the ball screw.

4. The vane adjustment device of claim 3, wherein the ball nut includes opposing first and second ends, the first end configured to engage a first drive element and the second end configured to engage a second drive element.

5. The vane adjustment device of claim 3, wherein the ball nut has a projection extending radially outward therealong.

6. The vane adjustment device of claim 5, further comprising a sleeve surrounding the ball nut, the sleeve having a slide slot extending in a direction of movement of the ball nut, the protrusion of the ball nut extending into the slide slot.

7. The vane adjustment device of claim 6, further comprising a damper gear in meshing engagement with an end gear of the sleeve.

8. The vane adjustment device of claim 4, wherein the first drive element comprises a first drive gear and a first driven gear that intermesh, the first drive gear configured to engage the first end of the ball nut, the first driven gear engaged with the first vane; the second drive element includes a second drive gear and a second driven gear in mesh with each other, the second drive gear configured to engage the second end of the ball nut, the second driven gear engaged with the second blade.

9. An air outlet assembly, comprising:

a housing;

a first blade and a second blade provided in the housing and oriented in different directions;

a first drive element and a second drive element for driving the first blade and the second blade, respectively;

a motor having a rotating shaft; and

10. The outlet assembly of claim 9, wherein the outlet assembly has only one motor; the air outlet assembly is provided with a plurality of first blades which are parallel to each other and a plurality of second blades which are parallel to each other.