FR2784624A1 - Ventilator for automobiles has hollow body, fitted with single unit, which acts as closing device, operating control and director for air flow. - Google Patents

Abstract

The ventilator consists of a hollow body, fitted in the passenger compartment at the outlet end of an air pipe. The body is provided with an air diffuser, which defines the air flow, a closing element, operated by a control, and a device for directing the flow of air. The closing element (13) is integrated with its control and with the element for directing the flow.

Description

AERATOR FOR MOTOR VEHICLE
The present invention relates to an aerator for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one hollow body mounted in the passenger compartment of the vehicle at the outlet of an air duct, this body being provided with an air diffuser arranged to define at least an air flow, a shutter of said air flow actuated by a shutter control member, and, an air flow deflection device arranged to modify the direction of said air flow, deflection device being actuated by a flow direction control member.

The aerators provided in motor vehicles are well known. The technical means used to shut off and open the air flow such as shutters, those to divert the air flow such as pivoting fin systems and those to control the shutter of the flow and the directivity of this flow such as buttons or command dials are various and varied depending on the techniques chosen. The aerators are constantly evolving technically in order to reduce their manufacturing and assembly costs. Consequently, it is sought to reduce the number of components of the aerators while simplifying their manufacture and assembly and improving their aesthetics.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a technical solution which allows the removal of the shutter, the fins for orienting the air flow and the corresponding control knobs and knobs with their transmission means.

Thus, the aerators obtained are much simpler. Their assembly comes down to putting in place in the dashboard a single piece without adding control elements. In addition, their aesthetics are improved and original.

This object is achieved by an aerator as defined in the preamble and characterized in that the shutter integrates both the shutter control member and the flow direction control member.

In a first embodiment, the air diffuser has an annular shape having a peripheral surface complementary to an interior surface of said body, the shutter, in the shape of a trumpet, is rigidly connected to the air diffuser, arranged in its axis of symmetry and projecting from it, the front end of said shutter having an outer section at least equal to the section of the outlet orifice of said body, and the assembly formed by the air diffuser and the shutter is arranged to be axially movable in said body and to be moved manually by an operator between at least two stable positions, namely: a closed position in which the front end of the shutter closes the outlet opening preventing the outlet of the flow air and an open position in which the shutter partially exits from said outlet opening releasing the air flow.

In this first variant, the aerator advantageously comprises a stopper fixedly mounted inside said body at the rear of the air diffuser, at least one spring element disposed between said stopper and the air diffuser and means for locking the diffuser / shutter assembly in the closed position, said spring element being arranged to urge the diffuser / shutter assembly from its closed position to its open position, the latter being defined by the front part of said body when the diffuser air is in abutment against it.

For example, the locking means may include a groove having a linear section extended by two heart-shaped lobes provided in the stopper and a connecting rod articulated at the rear end of the shutter and provided at its free end with a stud arranged to circulate in said groove, the recess provided between the two lobes defining the closed position of the diffuser / shutter assembly.

In a second embodiment, the air diffuser has an annular shape having a peripheral surface complementary to an interior surface of said body, ending in an outlet opening for the air flow, the shutter is disposed inside. and in the axis of symmetry of the air diffuser, has an outer section at least equal to the section of the outlet orifice of the air diffuser, this shutter being arranged to be axially movable in said air diffuser and to be moved manually by an operator between at least two stable positions, namely: an open position in which he releases the outlet opening releasing the air flow and a closed position in which he closes the outlet opening preventing air flow outlet.

In this second variant, the air diffuser advantageously comprises an interior housing arranged to receive said shutter slidably mounted and at least one spring element disposed in said housing at the rear of said shutter and means for locking the shutter in the open position, said spring element being arranged to urge the shutter from its open position to its closed position, the latter being defined by said outlet orifice when the shutter is in abutment against it.

For example, the locking means may include a groove having a linear section extended by two heart-shaped lobes provided in the shutter and an articulated link provided in said housing and provided at its free end with a stud arranged to circulate in said groove, the recess provided between the two lobes defining the open position of the shutter.

In a third embodiment, the air diffuser has an annular shape having a peripheral surface complementary to an interior surface of said body and comprises at least one orifice for the passage of the decentralized air flow, the shutter has a cover shape disposed in front of the air diffuser and comprises at least one outlet hole for the off-center air flow opposite said passage orifice provided in the air diffuser, this shutter being arranged to be movable in rotation relative to the diffuser air and to be moved manually by an operator between at least two stable angular positions, namely: a closed position in which the outlet orifice is not opposite the passage orifice preventing the exit of the air flow and an open position in which the outlet orifice is opposite the passage orifice releasing the air flow.

In this third variant, the air diffuser advantageously comprises an inner peripheral groove arranged to receive a peripheral shoulder of complementary shape provided on said shutter, the angular movement of the shutter being defined by a stud provided on the diffuser or the shutter sliding in a light extending over a corresponding angular sector provided in the other room.

Advantageously, in the open position, the diffuser and said body are arranged to cooperate with each other by a ball joint making it possible to modify the directivity of the air flow by manual movement of the shutter in an orthogonal coordinate system YZ, the angular movement of said diffuser being limited by stops provided on said body.

The present invention and its advantages will be better understood in the following description of three alternative embodiments given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a first variant of embodiment of an aerator according to the invention, FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are views in axial section of the embodiment of FIG. I in three different positions corresponding respectively to the flow of closed, open and deflected air, FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a second alternative embodiment of an aerator according to the invention, FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are views in axial section of the embodiment of 3 in three different positions corresponding respectively to the flow closed, open and deflected air, FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a third alternative embodiment of an aerator according to the invention, and FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C are views in axial section of theembodiment of FIG. 5 in three different positions corresponding respectively to the closed, open and deflected air flow.

With reference to FIGS. 1,2A, 2B and 2C, the aerator 10 according to the invention comprises a hollow body 11 mounted for example in a dashboard 1 of a vehicle at the outlet of an air duct not shown and opening into the passenger compartment of this vehicle.

This body 11 comprises, in the example shown, starting from the air duct up to the passenger compartment, a cylindrical section l followed by a partially spherical section I lb which narrows towards an outlet orifice 1 lc air flow then ends in a flared section lld, the end of which is flush with the dashboard 1. Other shapes can also be envisaged.

This aerator 10 comprises an air diffuser 12 movable in axial translation in said body 11 and having an annular shape having a peripheral surface complementary to an interior surface of said body, this surface being partially spherical. This diffuser 12 comprises at least one central orifice 12a for the passage of the air flow. This air diffuser 12 is integrally coupled to a shutter 13 in the shape of a trumpet, projecting from it and arranged in its axis of symmetry.

The front end 13a of the shutter has an outer section at least equal to the section of the outlet orifice Ile of said body and is extended to a bitter end 13b by a rod 13c of a significantly smaller section.

A stopper 14 is fixedly mounted in said body 11 at the rear of the assembly formed by the air diffuser 12 and the shutter 13. This stopper 14 is in the form of a ring forcibly mounted in the body 11 or fixed by any appropriate means. n is arranged to let the air flow pass and comprises in its central part an edge carrying a housing 14a provided with a groove 14b having a linear section extended by two lobes in the shape of a heart, this groove forming a cam. Furthermore, the rear end 13b of the shutter comprises a ball joint intended to receive a link 15. This link 15 is guided by sliding in said housing 14a when the diffuser 12 / shutter assembly 13 moves in axial translation in the body. 11. The link 15 carries at its free end a stud 15a intended to circulate in the groove 14b. A spring 16 is also mounted between the air diffuser 12 and the stopper 14.

The diffuser 12 / shutter 13 assembly is arranged to move axially in said body 11 between at least two stable positions, namely: a depressed position corresponding to the closed position of the aerator 10, in which the front end 13a of the shutter closes the outlet port l lc preventing the outlet of the air flow and an outlet position corresponding to the open position of the aerator 10, in which the shutter 13 partially exits from this outlet orifice releasing the flow of air.

Figure 2A illustrates the closed position. The diffuser 12 / shutter 13 assembly is moved back inside said body 11, compresses the spring 16 against the stopper 14 and the front end 13a of the shutter closes the outlet port l lc preventing the flow of air to get out. The diffuser 12 / shutter 13 assembly is held in this position by virtue of the groove 14a in which the stud 15a of the rod is blocked in the hollow formed between the two lobes of the heart.

To pass from the closed position to the open position as illustrated in FIG. 2B, the operator presses the shutter 13, which serves as a gripping element. Backing up, the shutter 13 releases the stud 15a from the heart shape of the groove 14a and the diffuser 12 / shutter assembly 13 moves axially under the action of the spring 16 in the direction of the outlet orifice l lc up to 'that the air diffuser 12 abuts in the partially spherical section 1 lb of said body. In this position, the shutter 13 partially exits the body 11, its front end 13a being located in the flared section lld and its rod 13c passing through said outlet orifice llc of said body. The shutter 13 is positioned in the axis of symmetry of said aerator 10 and naturally deflects the air flow according to the arrows F by its conical shape located in the center of the flared section 11 d.

To pass from this central open position to a deviated open position represented by FIG. 2C, the operator manually moves the shutter 13 in an orthogonal coordinate system YZ. The air diffuser 12, integral with the shutter 13, follows this rotational movement by pivoting around its center, guided in the partially spherical section 11b of said body thus forming a ball joint.

The shutter 13 can move in all directions, its angular movement 2a being limited by the flared section 1d forming a stop for the front end 13a of the shutter.

In the open position, the link 15 remains engaged with the housing 14a to facilitate the return of the diffuser 12 / shutter assembly 13 in the closed position and to guide the stud 15a in the heart-shaped groove 14b. Furthermore, the spring 16 ensures the stability of the diffuser 12 / shutter 13 assembly in all its positions. It also has the advantage of eliminating any parasitic noise since it makes it possible to dampen vibrations.

With reference to FIGS. 3,4A, 4B and 4C, the aerator 20 according to the invention comprises a hollow body 21 mounted for example in a dashboard 1 of a vehicle at the outlet of an air duct not shown and opening into the passenger compartment of this vehicle.

This body 21 comprises, in the example shown, starting from the air duct up to the passenger compartment, a cylindrical section 21a followed by a partially spherical section 21b which narrows slightly towards an orifice 21c flush with the dashboard 1. Other forms can also be envisaged.

This aerator 20 comprises an air diffuser 22 having an annular shape having a peripheral surface complementary to an interior surface of said body. This air diffuser 22 is mounted in the partially spherical section 21b of said body by means of a ring 27 integral with the diffuser, the latter being movable in rotation around its center. It comprises at least one annular orifice 22a disposed around a central housing 22c and ending on the front face by an outlet orifice 22b for the air flow. This air diffuser 22 also includes a shutter 23 movably mounted in axial translation in said central housing 22c. The front end 23a of the shutter has an outside diameter at least equal to the diameter of the outlet orifice 22b of said air diffuser and is extended by a cylindrical part 23b whose diameter is slightly less than the diameter of the central housing 22c .

The shutter 23 has in its cylindrical part an internal projection provided with a groove 23c having a linear section extended by two lobes in the shape of a heart, this groove forming a cam. Furthermore, the central housing 22c is coupled to a link 25 by a ball joint. This link 25 carries at its free end a stud 25a intended to circulate in the groove 23c. A spring 26 is also mounted in the central housing 22c at the rear of the shutter 23.

The shutter 23 is arranged to move axially in said air diffuser 22 between at least two stable positions, namely: a depressed position corresponding to the open position of the aerator 20, in which the shutter 23 is released from the outlet orifice 22b releasing the air flow and an outlet position corresponding to the closed position of the aerator 20, in which the front end 23a of the shutter closes the outlet orifice 22b preventing the outlet of the flow of air.

Figure 4A illustrates the closed position. The shutter 23 partially leaves the central housing 22c under the action of the spring 26, the stud 25a of the link 25 being released from the heart shape of the groove 23c, and its front end 23a abuts against the outlet orifice 22b of the air diffuser 22 by closing it to prevent the air flow from leaving. This position is maintained by the spring 26.

To pass from the closed position to the open position as illustrated in FIG. 4B, the operator presses the shutter 23 which serves as a gripping member.

The shutter 23, by sinking into the central housing 24, allows the stud 25a of the link 25 to circulate in the groove 23c until it is blocked in the hollow located between the two heart-shaped lobes thus retaining the shutter 23 pressed.

In this position, the shutter 23 releases the outlet orifice 22b from the air diffuser and authorizes the exit of the air flow according to arrow F. This air diffuser 22 makes it possible to generate a concentric air flow and accelerated. The diffuser being located in the axis of the body 21, the air flow generated is substantially perpendicular to the dashboard 1.

To pass from this central open position to a deviated open position represented by FIG. 4C, the operator manually moves the shutter 23 and simultaneously the diffuser 22 in an orthogonal coordinate system YZ by pivoting it around its center. The air diffuser 22 can move in all directions, its angular movement 2a being limited by the orifice 21c of said body forming a stop for the ring 27.

As in the previous example, the spring 26 ensures the stability of the shutter 23 in all its positions. It also has the advantage of eliminating any parasitic noise since it makes it possible to dampen vibrations. Furthermore, the friction existing between the ring 27 and the body 21 ensures the holding of the air diffuser 22 in its different angular positions.

With reference to FIGS. 5,6A, 6B and 6C, the aerator 30 according to the invention comprises a hollow body 31 mounted for example in a dashboard I of a vehicle at the outlet of an air duct not shown and opening into the passenger compartment of this vehicle.

This body 31 comprises, in the example shown, starting from the air duct to the passenger compartment, a cylindrical section 31a followed by a partially spherical section 31b which narrows slightly towards an orifice 3 lc flush with the board. edge 1. Other forms can also be envisaged.

This aerator 30 comprises an air diffuser 32 having an annular shape and having a peripheral surface complementary to an interior surface of said body 31, this surface being partially spherical. It is mounted in the partially spherical section 31b by means of a ring 37 integral with the diffuser, the latter being movable in rotation around its center. M has at least one offset hole 32a for the passage of the air flow. In the example shown, the orifices 32a are three in number distributed regularly over 360. A shutter 33 in the form of a cover is mounted for rotation directly on the front face of the air diffuser 32 by means of nested complementary shapes such as an inner peripheral groove 32b provided in the diffuser 32 and an outer peripheral shoulder 33b provided in the shutter 33. This shutter 33 comprises at least one outlet orifice 33a for the off-center air flow and, in the example shown, three orifices distributed regularly over 360 intended to be positioned in correspondence with the three orifices 32a for passage of said flow of air.

The shutter 33 is arranged to move in rotation about the axis X with respect to said air diffuser 32 between at least two stable positions: an open position of the aerator 30, in which the shutter 33 is positioned for that its outlet orifices 33a are opposite the orifices 32a for passage of the flow releasing the air flow and a closed position of the aerator 30, in which the shutter 33 is positioned so that it closes the orifices 32a for passage of the flow preventing the exit of the air flow. Its angular movement 2a is defined by a stud 33c provided on the shutter 33 sliding in a slot 32c extending over a corresponding angular sector provided in the air diffuser 32.

Figure 6A illustrates the closed position. The shutter 33 is positioned to close the passage orifices 32a of the diffuser 32 preventing the air flow from leaving.

To pass from the closed position to the open position as illustrated in FIG. 6B, the operator turns the shutter 33, which serves as a gripping member, for example by placing his fingers in the outlet orifices 3a, up to 'to place these orifices opposite the passage orifices 32a. In this position, the shutter 33 clears the passage orifices 32a of the diffuser and allows the air flow to exit according to the dry conditions.
F corresponding to the three orifices 32a, 33a. The diffuser 32 being in the axis of the body 31, these flows are substantially perpendicular to the dashboard 1. Depending on the opening angle of the shutter 33, an adjustment of the air flow is obtained.

To pass from this central open position to a deviated open position represented by FIG. 6C, the operator manually moves the shutter 33 and simultaneously the diffuser 32 in an orthogonal coordinate system YZ by pivoting it around its center. The diffuser 32 can move in all directions, its angular movement 2a being limited by the orifice 3 lc of said body forming a stop for the ring 37.

In all of these described embodiments, the body defines the total size of the aerator. Consequently, when it is mounted in the dashboard, no control member needs to be added.

 It is clear from this description that, in all cases, the shutter fulfills, in addition to its flow shutter function, the functions of shutter control and of the direction of the air flow, since it serves as a gripping organ. In addition, the shutter being linked to the air diffuser, it fully fulfills the directivity function of the air flow without the need to add orientation fins.

Of course, the geometry of the different parts can vary as required, while respecting the necessary correlation between certain parts as explained above to obtain the relative movements between them.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described but extends to any modification and variant obvious to a person skilled in the art. The locking means using a groove having a heart shape can be replaced by any other suitable means.

Claims (10)

Claims 1. Aerator for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one hollow body mounted in the passenger compartment of the vehicle at the outlet of an air duct, this body being provided with an air diffuser arranged to define a flow of air, an air flow shutter actuated by a shutter control member, and, an air flow deflection device arranged to modify the direction of the air flow and actuated by a control of the direction of the flow, characterized in that the shutter (13, 23, 33) of the air flow integrates both the shutter control member and the control member of the direction of the flow. 2. Aerator according to claim 1, characterized in that the air diffuser (12) has an annular shape having a peripheral surface complementary to an interior surface of said body (11), in that the shutter (13), in trumpet-shaped, is rigidly connected to the air diffuser, arranged in its axis of symmetry and projecting from it, the front end (13a) of said shutter having an external section at least equal to the section of the orifice of outlet (1 lc) of said body, and in that the assembly formed by the air diffuser (12) and the shutter (13) is arranged to be axially movable in said body (11) and to be moved manually by an operator enters at least two stable positions, namely: a closed position in which the front end (13a) of the shutter closes the outlet orifice (llc) preventing the exit of the air flow and an open position in which the shutter partially leaves said orifice rtie (lie) releasing the air flow. 3. Aerator according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a stopper (14) fixedly mounted inside said body (11) at the rear of the air diffuser (12), at least one element spring (16) disposed between said stopper (14) and the air diffuser (12) and means for locking the diffuser / shutter assembly in the closed position, said spring element (16) being arranged to urge the diffuser assembly / shutter from its closed position to its open position, the latter being defined by the front part of said body (11) when the air diffuser (12) is in abutment against it. 4. Aerator according to claim 3, characterized in that the locking means comprise a groove (14a) having a linear section extended by two heart-shaped lobes provided in the stopper (14) and a link (15) articulated to the rear end of the shutter (13) and provided at its free end with a stud (15a) arranged to circulate in said groove (14a), the recess provided between the two lobes defining the closed position of the diffuser assembly / shutter. 5. Aerator according to claim 1, characterized in that the air diffuser (22) has an annular shape having a peripheral surface complementary to an interior surface of said body (21), ending in an outlet orifice (22a) of the air flow, in that the shutter (23) is arranged inside and in the axis of symmetry of the air diffuser (22), has an outer section at least equal to the section of the orifice outlet (22a) of the air diffuser, and in that this shutter (23) is arranged to be axially movable in said air diffuser (22) and to be moved manually by an operator between at least two stable positions, namely: an open position in which it releases the outlet orifice (22a) releasing the air flow and a closed position in which it closes the outlet orifice (22a) preventing the outlet of the air flow. 6. Aerator according to claim 5, characterized in that the air diffuser (22) has an interior housing (22c) arranged to receive said shutter (23) slidably mounted and at least one spring element (26) disposed in said housing (22c) at the rear of said shutter (23) and means for locking the shutter in the open position, said spring element (26) being arranged to urge the shutter (23) from its open position to its position closed, the latter being defined by said outlet orifice (22a) when the shutter is in abutment against it. 7. Aerator according to claim 6, characterized in that the locking means comprise a groove (23c) having a linear section extended by two heart-shaped lobes provided in the shutter (23) and an articulated link (25) provided in said housing (22c) and provided at its free end with a stud (25a) arranged to circulate in said groove (23c), the recess provided between the two lobes defining the open position of the shutter. 8. Aerator according to claim 1, characterized in that the air diffuser (32) has an annular shape having a peripheral surface complementary to an inner surface of said body (31) and comprises at least one passage orifice (32a) of the off-center air flow, in that the shutter (33) has a cover shape arranged in front of the air diffuser (32) and comprises at least one outlet orifice (33a) for the off-center air flow opposite said air passage orifice (32a) provided in the air diffuser, and in that this shutter (33) is arranged to be movable in rotation relative to the air diffuser (32) and to be moved manually by an operator between the at least two stable angular positions, namely: a closed position in which the outlet orifice (33a) is not opposite the passage orifice (32a) preventing the exit of the air flow and an open position in which the outlet orifice (33a) is opposite the orifice of passa ge (32a) releasing the air flow. 9. Aerator according to claim 8, characterized in that the air diffuser (32) has an inner peripheral groove (32b) arranged to receive a peripheral shoulder (33b) of complementary shape provided on said shutter (33), the travel angle of the shutter being defined by a stud (33c) provided on the diffuser or the shutter sliding in a light (32c) extending over a corresponding angular sector provided in the other room. 10. Aerator according to any one of claims 2,5 and 8, characterized in that, in the open position, the diffuser (12,22,32) and said body (11,21, 31) are arranged to cooperate with each other by a ball joint making it possible to modify the directivity of the air flow by manual movement of the shutter in an orthogonal coordinate system YZ, the angular movement of said diffuser being limited by stops provided on said body.