GB2334780A

GB2334780A - A vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2334780A
Application number: GB9804230A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Towler; Adrian Donald Coomber
Original assignee: MG Rover Group Ltd
Current assignee: MG Rover Group Ltd
Priority date: 1998-02-28
Filing date: 1998-02-28
Publication date: 1999-09-01
Also published as: GB9804230D0

Abstract

A vehicle having a ventilation system which includes a multi-function ventilator assembly 42 is disclosed. The ventilator assembly 42 is moveable under power between a position L in which it directs its air-flow towards a windscreen 62 and a position R in which it directs its air-flow towards a user. In this manner, the ventilator assembly 42 can be used to perform two separate functions, i.e. demisting a window and face level ventilation, thus reducing the number of ventilators required in the vehicle.

Description

A Vehicle This invention relates to vehicles and in particular to a vehicle having a ventilation system.

It is known to provide a vehicle with a ventilation system which performs at least two functions, the system employing dedicated ventilator outlets for each of the functions such as windscreen demisting and face level ventilation.

A high number of ventilation outlets spaced around the passenger compartment of vehicles can result in a ventilation system which is complex to assemble for the manufacturer. A user may also find the number of configurations possible by opening and closing a high number of ventilator outlets to be confusing and distracting, in particular when in control of a moving vehicle.

It is an object of this invention to provide a vehicle having an improved ventilation system.

According to the invention there is provided a vehicle having a ventilation system comprising at least one ventilator assembly which includes means for directing an air-flow through an outlet duct into a passenger compartment of the vehicle in a predetermined direction, wherein the directing means is moveable to vary the distribution of the airflow such that in use the air-flow may be used to perform at least one of at least two separate functions.

A first one of the functions may comprise the demisting of a window of the vehicle and a second one of the functions may comprise the provision of passenger ventilation.

The directing means is preferably moveable by a power operated mechanism and is advantageously moveable by remote control.

The directing means may comprise a flap member which is hingedly connected to the vehicle and is moveable between a first position in which the flap member is positioned substantially across the outlet duct so as to distribute the air-flow in a first direction in order to perform a first one of the functions and a second position in which the flap member is tilted at an angle to the outlet duct so as to distribute the air-flow in a second direction in order to perform a second one of the functions.

In a second aspect to the invention, the directing means may comprise a vane member which is pivotally moveable between a first position in which the vane member is positioned across the outlet duct at a first angle to the centre line of the outlet duct so as to distribute the air-flow in a first direction in order to perform a first one of the functions and a second position in which the vane member is positioned across the outlet duct at a second angle to the centre line of the outlet duct so as to distribute the airflow in a second direction in order to perform a second one of the functions.

In a third aspect of the invention, the directing means may comprise a rotary member which is rotatable between at least a first position in which the rotary member is arranged to distribute the air-flow through an outlet in a first direction in order to perform a first one of the functions and a second position in which the rotary member is arranged to distribute the air-flow through the outlet in a second direction in order to perform a second one of the functions.

The rotary member may comprise a plurality of outlets so as to provide a variable air-flow distribution pattern between the first and second positions and may be rotatable about an axis which is substantially vertical or about an axis which is substantially horizontal.

The power operated mechanism may comprise one of: a segment gear and pinion mechanism; a rack and pinion mechanism; a camshaft and camshaft follower mechanism; or a crankshaft and connecting rod mechanism.

The vehicle may further comprise means to control which of the at least two functions is performed by the directing means at a predetermined time or under predetermined conditions. The control means may be arranged to cause the directing means to use the majority of the air-flow to substantially demist the window before providing the passenger ventilation.

The directing means may be arranged to oscillate the direction of the air-flow.

The invention also provides a ventilator assembly for a vehicle according to the invention and a dashboard assembly for a vehicle including such a ventilator assembly.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a partial view of a dashboard of a vehicle having a ventilation system typical of the prior art; Figure 2 is a partial view of a dashboard of a vehicle having a ventilation system according to the invention; Figure 3 represents a section through the dashboard of Figure 2 on the line A to A and shows a ventilator according to the invention in a first position; Figure 4 shows the ventilator of Figure 3 in a second position; Figures 5 and 6 show a mechanism for moving the ventilator into and between the first and second positions of Figures 3 and 4 respectively; Figure 7 represents an simplified view of part of the dashboard of Figure 2 and shows a ventilator according to a second aspect of the invention.

Figures 8 and 9 represent a section through the part of the dashboard shown in Figure 7 on the line B to B and show functionally the ventilator of Figure 7 in a first and in a second position respectively; Figure 10 is a plan view of a dashboard of a vehicle including a ventilator according to a third aspect of the invention in a first position; Figure 11 is the view of Figure 10 with the ventilator in a second position; and Figure 12 shows a mechanism for moving the ventilator of Figures 10 and 11 into and between the first and second positions.

Referring to Figure 1, a dashboard assembly 10 for a vehicle (not shown further) includes a set of ventilators positioned in outlet ducts of a ventilation system and arranged to direct the air-flow through the ducts in a dedicated direction.

A set of uni-directional windscreen demist ventilators 12 are incorporated into the front of the dashboard assembly 10 and are arranged to direct, in one direction only, a portion of the air-flow onto a windscreen (not shown).

A pair of dedicated side window demist ventilators 14, 16 are positioned towards the outer sides of the dashboard assembly 10 and are arranged to direct a portion of the air-flow uni-directionally onto respective door windows (not shown).

Below the side window demist ventilators 14, 16 are positioned a pair of outer face level ventilators 18, 20 which are arranged to direct a portion of the air-flow towards a user. A limited variation in the air-flow distribution pattern of the outer face level ventilators 18, 20 is afforded by adjustable vanes 22, 24 respectively, whose direction is adjusted manually in the horizontal and vertical planes using respective sliding control knobs 26, 28.

In the centre region of the dashboard assembly 10 are positioned a cabin ventilator 30 and a pair of face level ventilators 32, 34, all of which provide passenger ventilation only and have limited directionality in their air-flow distribution pattern afforded by similar vane arrangements to the outer face level ventilators 18, 20.

The distribution of the air-flow between the ventilators is controlled manually by a series of conventional heater control knobs 36 situated in the region of the centre console 38. The control knobs 36 vary the speed of a blower motor (not shown) and use mechanical connections to a set of flaps included in the ventilation system ducting (not shown) to distribute the airflow between the ventilators 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 30, 32, 34.

The large number of ventilators, each of which is dedicated to only one function such as window demisting or passenger ventilation, makes the dashboard area look crowded to a user and causes packaging problems for the manufacturer. The need to adjust the distribution of the air-flow locally at each ventilator may distract a driver from full control of the vehicle and furthermore some ventilators may be out of reach of the driver. The fixed nature of the windscreen demist ventilators 12 can lead to patchy demisting of the windscreen and may prove inadequate to clear the upper corners of frost or mist if much of the air-flow is diverted to the passenger ventilators before full demisting has occurred.

Referring now to Figures 2 to 9, a dashboard assembly 40 for a vehicle includes a set of ventilators positioned in outlet ducts of a ventilation system.

The set of ventilators comprises a flap member in the form of a combined ventilator assembly 42 positioned centrally on an upper surface 44 of the dashboard assembly 40 and a pair of outer ventilator assemblies 46, 48 positioned towards the outer sides of the dashboard assembly 40.

The combined ventilator assembly 42 comprises a pair of grills 52 and is attached to the dashboard assembly 40 by a hinge 54 which pivots about a fixed fulcrum. A link arm 56 of a crank mechanism 58 is connected to the hinge 54 such that the crank mechanism 58 is operable to move the assembly 42 between a lower position L in which the grills 52 cover their ventilation duct 60 and a raised position R in which the grills 52 are angled towards the user. The crank mechanism 68 is moveable by a powered device (not shown), the control of which is described below.

In the lower position L, the assembly 42 is arranged to direct air-flow through the grills 52 towards a windscreen 62 in order to provide a demisting function.

The assembly 42 includes a section of flexible ducting 42A which is arranged to ensure that substantially all the air-flow is still directed through the assembly 42 when it is in the raised position R, so that the airflow is directed towards the user through the grills 52. The assembly 42 may also be raised to an intermediate position so as to provide passenger cabin ventilation.

The outer ventilator assemblies 46, 48 each comprise a grill 64, 66 which pivots about a vertical axis 68, 70 and includes a set of horizontally orientated vanes 72, 74. Variation in the vertical air-flow distribution pattern of the outer ventilator assemblies 46, 48 is afforded by manually adjusting the angle of the vanes 72, 74 in the horizontal plane using respective sliding control knobs 76, 78.

The grills 64, 66 are moveable to a first position W1 at a first angle to the centre line CIL of their outlet duct, in which their air-flow is directed towards respective door windows (only one door window 80 is shown) in order to provide a demist function. The grills 64, 66 are also move able between the first position NV1 and a second position P1 at a second angle to the centre line CIL of their outlet duct, in which their air-flow is directed towards a user in order to provide face level ventilation. Each grill 64, 66 is moved independently by a respective powered device (not shown), the control of which is described below.

A set of heater control knobs is provided on a central instrument console 82 of the dashboard assembly 40 and comprises: a blower motor speed control knob 84 for varying the volume of air-flow generated; a temperature control knob 86 for varying the temperature of the air-flow and a ventilator selection knob 88 for selecting which of the ventilator assemblies 42, 46, 48 is to be controlled by a series of switches 90 also positioned on the console 82. The switches 90 control the operation of the powered device used to move each of the ventilator assemblies 42, 46, 48.

The powered device for each of the ventilator assemblies 42, 46, 48 comprises an electric motor which is connected to one of the switches 90 to provide power so as to move the selected ventilator assembly 42, 46, 48.

Referring now to Figures 10 to 12, in a modification of this invention the ventilator assemblies are replaced by a set of rotary drum air dispensers which comprise a pair of outer ventilators 100, 102 and a central ventilator 104. The ventilators are positioned vertically and have outlets on their top surfaces.

The outer ventilators 100, 102 have a single outlet 106, 108 respectively, which is arranged to direct an air-flow into the passenger compartment in one direction. The ventilators 100, 102 are moveable independently about a respective vertical axis between a first position W2 in which they direct substantially all their air-flow towards a side window (not shown) and a second position P2 in which they direct substantially all their air flow towards a user.

The central ventilator 104 includes three segments 110, 112, 114 in its outlet, two of which 110, 112 provide an air-flow distribution pattern which is different to the distribution pattern of the third segment 114. The central ventilator 104 is moveable about a vertical axis so as to vary the direction of its air-flow distribution pattern between windscreen demisting and user face level ventilation.

The ventilators 100, 102, 104 are moved by independent electric motors 116 which drive a respective segment gear and pinion mechanism 118 connected to the ventilators 100, 102, 104. The motors are controlled in a similar manner to that described above.

The central ventilator 104 could be replaced by a horizontally disposed, power driven rotary drum which has an outlet on its curved surface and rotates about a horizontal axis to vary the direction of its air-flow between windscreen demisting and face level ventilation.

In each version of the invention, further switches could be provided to select an oscillating movement of the selected ventilator assembly so that, for example, the ventilator assembly 42, 104 could be used to sweep across the windscreen 62 to ensure full demist coverage or so that the ventilator assemblies 42, 46, 48; 100, 102, 104 could sweep their air-flow to and fro across their respective glass 62, 80 or the user as desired.

The powered device for each aspect of this invention could be modified to comprise one of: a segment gear and pinion mechanism; a rack and pinion mechanism; a camshaft and camshaft follower mechanism; or a crankshaft and connecting rod mechanism. The movement could be provided by an electric motor or by any other means suitable for providing movement, such as a vacuum drive or an electric solenoid drive.

This invention reduces the number of ventilators required in a vehicle interior by arranging the ventilators provided to perform multiple functions.

In this manner, manufacture of the vehicle is simplified by reducing the number of components required. Vehicle use is simplified by reducing the complexity of controls and it is preferred to provide powered movement of the ventilators from a central remote control position.

In a further modification, ventilator movement could be controlled by an automated climatic control system to prioritise ventilator functions by, for example, controlling the ventilators to use the majority of the air-flow to substantially demist the window before providing passenger ventilation.

The prioritisation could be achieved, for example, by using a time delay from engine start-up or a sensor to detect damp or visibility through a window.

In each version of the invention, there are points between the extremes of movement of the ventilator when it may distribute the air-flow at least in part to two of its intended functions. By way of example, in this manner an intermediate position may be selectable in which the ventilator assembly 42 is between its raised and lower positions R, L and distributes the air-flow between passenger ventilation and windscreen demisting, thereby performing two functions simultaneously.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A vehicle having a ventilation system comprising at least one ventilator assembly which includes means for directing an air-flow through an outlet duct into a passenger compartment of the vehicle in a predetermined direction, wherein the directing means is moveable to vary the distribution of the airflow such that in use the air-flow may be used to perform at least one of at least two separate functions.
2. A vehicle according to Claim 1, wherein a first one of the functions comprises the demisting of a window of the vehicle and a second one of the functions comprises the provision of passenger ventilation.
3. A vehicle according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the directing means is moveable by a power operated mechanism.
4. A vehicle according to any preceding claim, wherein the directing means is moveable by remote control.
5. A vehicle according to any preceding claim, wherein the directing means comprises a flap member which is hingedly connected to the vehicle and is moveable between a first position in which the flap member is positioned substantially across the outlet duct so as to distribute the air-flow in a first direction in order to perform a first one of the functions and a second position in which the flap member is tilted at an angle to the outlet duct so as to distribute the air-flow in a second direction in order to perform a second one of the functions.
6. A vehicle according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the directing means comprises a vane member which is pivotally moveable between a first position in which the vane member is positioned across the outlet duct at a first angle to the centre line of the outlet duct so as to distribute the air-flow in a first direction in order to perform a first one of the functions and a second position in which the vane member is positioned across the outlet duct at a second angle to the centre line of the outlet duct so as to distribute the air-flow in a second direction in order to perform a second one of the functions.
7. A vehicle according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the directing means comprises a rotary member which is rotatable between at least a first position in which the rotary member is arranged to distribute the air-flow through an outlet in a first direction in order to perform a first one of the functions and a second position in which the rotary member is arranged to distribute the air-flow through the outlet in a second direction in order to perform a second one of the functions.
8. A vehicle according to Claim 7, the rotary member comprising a plurality of outlets so as to provide a variable air-flow distribution pattern between the first and second positions.
9. A vehicle according to Claim 7 or Claim 8, wherein the rotary member is rotatable about an axis which is substantially vertical.
10. A vehicle according to Claim 7 or Claim 8, wherein the rotary member is rotatable about an axis which is substantially horizontal.
11. A vehicle according to Claim 3 or any claim when dependent thereon, the power operated mechanism comprising one of: a segment gear and pinion mechanism; a rack and pinion mechanism; a camshaft and camshaft follower mechanism; or a crankshaft and connecting rod mechanism.
12. A vehicle according to any preceding claim, further comprising means to control which of the at least two functions is performed by the directing means at a predetermined time or under predetermined conditions.
13. A vehicle according to Claim 12 when dependent upon Claim 2, wherein the control means is arranged to cause the directing means to use the majority of the air-flow to substantially demist the window before providing the passenger ventilation.
14. A vehicle according to any preceding claim, wherein the directing means is arranged to oscillate the direction of the air-flow.
15. A vehicle substantially as described herein with reference to figures 2 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.
16. A vehicle substantially as described herein with reference to figures 2 and 7 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.
17. A vehicle substantially as described herein with reference to figures 10 to 12 of the accompanying drawings.
18. A ventilator assembly for a vehicle according to any preceding claim.
19. A dashboard assembly for a vehicle including a ventilator assembly according to Claim 18.