GB2564732A

GB2564732A - Air register assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2564732A
Application number: GB1802456.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Amrendra Kumar; Nicholas Fidh Steven; Saigal Vikas
Original assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Current assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Priority date: 2017-07-12
Filing date: 2018-02-15
Publication date: 2019-01-23
Anticipated expiration: 2038-02-15
Also published as: GB2564732B; GB201802456D0; CN109249778A; DE102018108548A1

Abstract

An air register assembly 100 for a vehicle heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system has a first set (115, Fig 1c) and a second set of vanes (120, Fig 1d) aligned in mutually perpendicular directions in a housing (105, Fig 1a & 1b). The second set of vanes includes a detent control vane 130 having a detent component 205 formed as protrusion, e.g. a dual-ramp profile, to prevent unwanted movement of the vanes. The air register assembly further includes a vane controller 110 having a resilient member 320 capable of sliding over the detent component to control a movement of the first set of vanes. The resilient member is compressed when sliding over the detent component to control the movement of the first set of vanes. A rack and pinion gear system may be used to translate movement of the vane controller to adjust the first set of vanes.

Description

AIR REGISTER ASSEMBLY

BACKGROUND [0001] The present subject matter relates, in general, to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and, in particular, to an air register assembly of a HVAC system.

[0002] HVAC systems, for instance, HVAC systems in vehicles, generally include air register assemblies, or simply air registers, to deflect air and to control air flow inside a passenger compartment of a vehicle. An example of an air register is a dual vane air register, which includes a set of horizontal vanes and a set of vertical vanes. An angle of orientation of both the set of vanes may be appropriately adjusted to control the direction of air flow and/or shut off the air flow. The orientation of the vanes may be controlled by way of a control unit, such as a control knob, to provide smooth movement of the vanes.

[0003] While the dual vane air registers provide for flexibility in size and efficient packaging, the control unit, and thus the dual vane air register may fail to control the air flow in certain cases. For instance, when the vanes are at a position closer to a shut-off position, the vanes may rotate and blow the air in an unintended direction before the vanes shut-off. Furthermore, a rigid control unit to prevent such accidental rotation of vanes may result in jerky movement of vanes, which in turn may not be preferred by users. Thus, the traditional dual vane air registers may fail to efficiently control the movement of the vanes.

[0004] An example of a dual vane air register is described in US Pat. Application 11176238 (‘238 application). The ‘238 application describes a control knob having a spring integrally molded with the control knob to hold the vanes in a given position. As the spring is integrally molded with the control knob, the control knob assembly is simplified and failure of glued, snapped, or welded joints are avoided. While the spring may provide for holding the vents in a position, the control assembly of ‘238 application may fail to prevent accidental rotation of the vents, as the air pressure from inside the air register may easily overcome frictional force offered by the control knob. Moreover, it will be appreciated that a strong frictional force may prevent the vents from rotating but at the same such frictional force may result in jerky movement of the control knob

SUMMARY [0005] The subject matter described herein, relates to an air register assembly for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. In an implementation, the air register assembly comprises a housing, a first set of vanes, a second set of vanes, and a vane controller. The first set of vanes may be aligned in a first direction in the housing, and a second set of vanes aligned in a second direction in the housing, the second direction being substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The second set of vanes may include a detent control vane having a detent component formed as a protrusion. In an example, the detent component may be provided on an under-side of the detent control vane. To control the movement of the first set of vanes, for instance, closing of the first set of vanes, the vane controller includes a resilient member, such as, a leaf spring, which may be capable of sliding over the detent component. The resilient member is such that it may be compressed to slide over the detent component to control the movement of the first set of vanes.

[0006] In an example, the detent component has a dual ramp profile, where an inclination gradually increases before decreasing further in a direction of closing the first set of vanes.

[0007] In an example, the resilient member may be housed in a first controller housing of the vane controller. The first controller housing may engage with a second controller housing to enclose a portion of the detent control vane having the detent component. The vane controller may further include, for instance, a rack having gear teeth perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the vane controller, where a flat surface of the rack abuts with an edge of the first controller housing and an edge of the second controller housing.

[0008] In another implementation, an air register assembly for a HVAC system includes a housing, a first set of vanes aligned in the housing, a second set of vanes aligned in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of alignment of the first set of vanes, the second set of vanes includes a detent control vane having a detent component. The detent component may have a dual ramp profile with an inclination gradually increasing before decreasing further in a direction of closing the first set of vanes. The air register assembly further includes a vane controller to enclose a portion of the detent control vane. The vane controller may include a resilient member capable of sliding over the detent component to control a movement of the first set of vanes.

[0009] In an example, the detent component includes a first ramp portion and a second ramp portion such that a non-inclined surface of the first ramp portion abuts against a non-inclined surface of the second ramp portion. Further, the first ramp portion comprises a slope increasing in the direction of closing the first set of vanes and the second ramp portion comprises a slope decreasing in the direction of closing the first set of vanes. Furthermore, an interference between the detent control vane and the vane controller may be non-uniform owing to the presence of the detent component. The maximum interference may be at a peak of the detent component, the peak corresponding to a position, where flat portions of the first ramp portion and second ramp portion abut against each other.

[0010] In another example, at least one of the first ramp portion and the second ramp portion comprises a substantially flat portion gradually merging with the detent control vane.

[0011] Different features, aspects, and advantages of the present subject matter will be better understood with reference to the following description and the appended claims. The summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form and is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0012] The detailed description is described with reference to the following figures, wherein:

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates various components of an air register assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a control vane of one of the air register assembly, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present subject matter.

[0015] Fig. 3a-Fig. 3c illustrate various components of a vane controller of the air register assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0016] Figs. 4a-4c, Figs. 5a-5c, and Figs. 6a-6c illustrate vane controller at multiple positions on the control vane, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0017] Fig. 7 illustrates a graph illustrating efforts required to open and close a set of vanes of the air register assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0018] An air register assembly of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system controls air flow, based on user preferences. For instance, the air register assembly of a vehicle may control orientation and/or ingress of air into a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The air register assemblies with dual set of vanes are widely used owing to ease of implementation and design flexibility they offer. The movement of the vanes is generally controlled by a control unit, often a control knob. The control knob provides a frictional force that while allowing the vanes to move may also provide for retaining the in a given position.

[0019] However, such control knobs may fail to hold the vanes in the position in certain scenarios, for instance, when the vanes are closer to a shutoff position, i.e., a position before the vanes completely close to block the air. In such scenarios, the vanes may rotate and blow air into a housing of the air register assembly before completely shutting off. Additionally, the vanes may be locked in a position by an interference contact between a component of the control knob and the vane. Further, both the interfering component of the control knob and the vane are often made of plastic, which may result in jerky movement, thereby negatively affecting the user experience. Moreover, owing to wear and tear of the plastic components, the locking mechanism may be affected over a period of time.

[0020] Examples of an air register assembly to efficiently control vanes are described. The air register assembly may be employed, for instance, in a vehicle. In an example, the air register assembly may include a housing having a first set of vanes and a second set of vanes pivotally mounted therein. Each set of vanes may have a limited rotation to orient the airflow in a corresponding direction. One set of vanes, say the first set, may be capable of adjusting air flow in a horizontal plane (side-to-side adjustment) and the other set, i.e., the second set, of vanes may provide may be capable of adjusting air flow in a vertical plane (floor-to-ceiling adjustment) within a passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0021] Each set of the vanes may include a control vane coupled to the remaining vanes such that the remaining vanes follow a movement of the control vane. According to an aspect of the present subject matter, the control vane of the second set of vanes includes a detent component, which may be provided as a protrusion of the control vane. For instance, the detent component may be provided on an underside of the control vane. The detent component may include a dual ramp profile along the length of the control vane. The detent ramp profile may have an inclined profile, which may first increase and then decrease in a direction of closing of the first set of vanes.

[0022] In an example, a vane controller may couple with the control vane of the both sets of the vanes to control the movement of the vanes. Referring to movement of the first set of vanes, the vane controller may include a resilient member capable of sliding over the detent component to control a manner in which the first set of vanes may close. The resilient member may be metal component, such as a leaf spring, thereby providing smooth interference of the vane controller and the control vane.

[0023] In operation, when the resilient member reaches the detent component, the inclined profile of the detent component offers resistance to movement of the resilient member over the control vane. The resistance offered by the detent component, thus prevents the free movement of the resilient member on the control vane. In the absence of such a detent component, the resilient member might have continued to slide on the control vane in cases where pressure of an incoming air is high enough to push the vanes, for instance, when vanes are to a close to the shut off position. Owing to the detent component, the resilient member may stay in position till an external force is applied to move the resilient member over the detent component. As the movement of the vane controller guides the first set of vanes, the first set of vanes are also held in position. This way, the accidental closing of the first set of vanes may be avoided and the first set of vanes may remain in position even close to a shut off position.

[0024] The above mentioned implementations are further described herein with reference to the accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures relate to exemplary implementations, and should not be construed as a limitation to the present subject matter. It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.

[0025] FIGS.1a-1f illustrate an air register assembly 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Figs. 1 a-1 e illustrate various components of the air register assembly 100 and Fig. 1f illustrates an assembled view of the air register assembly 100. Although, the present subject matter has been explained in considerable details with respect to an air register assembly of a vehicle, it will be appreciated that the principles described herein may be extended to other HVAC systems as well.

[0026] In an example, the air register assembly 100 includes a housing 105, a vane controller 110, a first set of vanes 115, and a second set of vanes 120. The housing 105 in turn includes, as illustrated in Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b, a first panel 105-1 and a second panel 105-2. The first panel 105-1 may cooperate with the second panel 105-2 to form the housing 105. It will be appreciated that the shape of the panels and thus the housing 105 is only for illustration purposes and the housing 105 may come in variety of other shapes. The first panel 105-1 refers to a portion of the housing 105 that faces a user, for instance, the first panel 105-1 may open into a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The second panel 105-2 may house the first set vanes 115 and the second set of vanes 120.

[0027] The set of vanes 115 and 120 may be pivotally mounted in the second panel 105-2 to allow movement of the vanes. The first set of vanes 115 may be aligned in a first direction in the second panel 105-2. For instance, the first set of vanes 115 may be aligned so as to adjust air flow in a horizontal plane (side-to-side adjustment). The second set of vanes 120 may be aligned in a second direction in the second panel 105-2. The second direction being perpendicular to the first direction. For instance, the second set of vanes 120 may be operated to control air flow in a vertical plane (floor-to-ceiling adjustment) within a passenger compartment ofthe vehicle. When viewed from a direction of a user operating the air register assembly 100, the second set of vanes 120 may be provided at a front end, i.e., facing a user and the first set of vanes 115 may be provided at a rear end.

[0028] Each set of vanes 115 and 120 may include a plurality of vanes arranged parallel to each other in the housing 105, as illustrated in Figs. 1 c and 1d. Further, each set may include a control vane to control the movement of the remaining vanes in the set. The control vanes may be positioned at the middle of the corresponding set. For instance, the first set of vanes 115 may include a control vane 125, hereinafter referred to as rear control vane 125; and the second set of vanes 120 may include another detent control vane 130, hereinafter referred to as detent control vane 130.

[0029] The control vanes 125 and 130 may be coupled to remaining vanes in the respective set through a common link member, which may provide for parallel movement of the vanes in each set of vanes. As the vanes in either set are pivotally mounted and linked together, a movement of a corresponding control vane 125 and 130, on being operated by a user, may result in similar movement of the rest of vanes in the set.

[0030] The movement of vanes to control airflow may be controlled by the vane controller 110, which may be operated by the user. The vane controller 110 may engage with the detent control vane 130 capable of controlling airflow in the vertical direction. To control the airflow in the vertical direction, the user may operate the vane controller 100 to move the detent control vane (and thus the second set of vanes 120) in the vertical direction. As a result, an orientation of the second set of vanes 120 may be adjusted, as preferred by the user.

[0031] In an example, to control the movement of the first set of vanes, the vane controller 110 may be capable of sliding in a direction in which the second set of vanes 120 are arranged. According to an aspect of the present subject matter, the vane controller 110 may slide over a detent component (shown in Fig. 2) of the detent control vane to control the airflow in the horizontal direction, i.e., left side to right side (or vice-versa). In an example, the control vane assembly 110 may be coupled to the rear control vane 125 via a pinion gear assembly (shown in Figs. 4a-4c) to control the first set of vanes 115. The operation of the vane controller 110 and the detent control vane to control airflow in the horizontal direction, is explained in detail in subsequent figures.

[0032] Fig. 2 illustrates a control vane, for instance, a detent control vane

130 of a second set of vanes 120, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. According to an aspect of the present subject matter, a portion of the detent control vane 130 on which the vane controller 110 is to slide has a non-uniform profile. For instance, the detent control vane 130 may include a detent component 205, which may prevent accidental closing of the first set of vanes 115. In an example, the detent component 205 may be provided as a protrusion on an underside of the detent control vane 130. In said example, the detent component 205 may not be visible to the user, which may enhance aesthetics, and the effort required to slide the vane controller 110 over the detent component 205 may be minimized. Also, rattle noise due to movement of the vane controller 110 may be minimized. However, in other examples, the detent component 205 may also be provided on a top side of the detent control vane 130.

[0033] In an example, the detent component 205 may have a dual ramp profile, which may gradually increase before decreasing in a direction ofclosing of the first set of vanes 115. The detent component 205 may include a dual ramp to have the dual ramp profile. The dual ramp profile may have two ramps portions abutting against each other. For instance, a first ramp portion 210 having a steep incline, which may increase in a direction of closing the first set of vanes 115 and a second ramp portion 215 having a gradually decreasing slope in the direction of closing the first set of vanes 115. As a result, the first ramp portion 210 may be considerably smaller than the second ramp portion 215. To form the detent component 205 or the dual ramp profile, the noninclined surfaces of both the ramp portions 210 and 215 may abut against each other. Thus, the detent component 205 has profile, where inclination rises up to a peak, and then gradually lowers.

[0034] A height of the first ramp portion 210 may be such that it provides sufficient resistance to the vane controller 110 to prevent it from sliding over the detent control vane 130 without any external force. It will be appreciated io that more the interference between the detent control vane 130 and the vane controller 110, more the efforts required to slide the resilient member over the detent control vane 130. Accordingly, the detent portion 205 is provided on the detent control vane 130 such that the maximum interference (i.e., height of the first ramp portion 210) is sufficient to resist free rotation of the first set of vanes 115 and at the same does not hinder the user experience owing to efforts required to move the control vane assembly 110.

[0035] Although the present subject matter has been explained in considerable detail with respect to detent component 205 having a dual ramp profile, however it will be appreciated that the detent component 205 may have other profiles as well, which may provide for obstructing a movement of the resilient member. For instance, the detent component 205 may have a noninclined rectangular profile or may have a profile, where inclination is provided on one of the two sides of the detent component 205.

[0036] Thus, owing to the presence of detent component 205, the interference between the detent control vane 130 and the vane controller 110 may be non-uniform, the maximum interference being at the peak of the detent component 205. In an example, interference of about 0.1 mm may be maintained throughout the travel of the vane controller 110 on the detent control vane 130 till it reaches the detent component 205. At the detent component 205, the interference may increase up to 0.3 mm (at the peak) and from the peak, the interference may gradually reduce to 0.1 mm.

[0037] In one example, the first ramp portion 210 and/or the second ramp portion 215 may include a substantially flat portion, which may gradually merge with the detent control vane 130. In an example, the first ramp portion 210 may be preceded by a flat portion. Alternatively or additionally, the second ramp portion 215 may be followed by a flat portion 220. Further, a length of the detent component 205 may be based on travel of the vane controller 110 of the air register assembly 100. For instance, bigger the air register assembly 100 more sliding travel of the vane controller 110, the longer the detent component 205.

[0038] In operation, the vane controller 110 may slide over the detent control vane 130 in a conventional way until it reaches the detent component 205. The detent component 205 may be positioned on the detent control vane 130 such that the vane controller 110 reaches the detent component 205, when the first set of vanes 115 is substantially close to a shut-off position. For the sake explanation and not as a limitation, close to the shut-off position may be understood to be a position, where the first set of vanes 115 have a tendency to shut accidently, under the influence of air coming from housing 105. In an example, when the first set of vanes 115 are 58° from nominal (as illustrated in Fig. 4a), it may be referred to as a shut-off position. It will be appreciated that for different air register assemblies, the shut-off position may vary. This way, in addition to preventing free rotation of the first set of vanes 110, the detent component 205 may also serve as an indication to the user that the first set of vanes 115 are about the shut off.

[0039] Figs. 3a, Fig. 3b, and Fig. 3c illustrate a vane controller 110 of the air register assembly 100, according to an implementation of the present subject matter. In an example, the vane controller 110 includes a first controller housing 305, a second controller housing 310, and a rack 315, which may be provided as separate components or integrated components. For instance, the rack 315 may be integrated with the first controller housing 305, and the second controller housing 310 may be provided as a separate component, which may engage with the first controller housing 305 to enclose a portion of the detent control vane 130. The enclosed portion of the detent control vane 130 includes the detent component 205.

[0040] In an example, where the detent component 205 is provided on the underside of the detent control vane 130, the first controller housing 305 may house a resilient member 320, as shown in Fig. 3a. The resilient member 320 may be molded with a base of the first vane control portion 205 or may be provided as a separate component. The resilient member 320, in addition to sliding over a flat portion of the detent control vane 130, may be capable of sliding over the detent component 205, as illustrated in Fig. 3c. The resilient member 320, along with the detent component 205, may prevent accidental shut off of the first set of vanes 115. This is achieved because the resilient member 320 may not be able slide over the detent component 205 in the absence of an external force; and, on application of the appropriate external force, the resilient member 320 may be easily pushed (compressed) to move over the detent component 205. As mentioned earlier, at this point, the user may be indicated (owing to application of external force) that the first set of vanes 115 are close to the shut-off position. Once the resilient member 320 is at the peak, i.e., the resilient member has crossed the first ramp portion 210, the resilient member 320, while sliding down the second ramp portion 215, may gradually take its original shape.

[0041] In an example, the resilient member 320 may be metal component, such as a leaf spring. Consequently, the interference may now be between a plastic component (control vane) and a metal component, resulting in smoother movement. Further, this may also provide for longer operational life of the detent control vane 130 and detent component 205, and the vane controller 110 as the wear and tear losses may now be minimized. In other examples, the resilient member 320 may be a cantilever, coil spring, or a molded elastomer [0042] The first controller housing 305 may also include a silicon or silicone pad 325 provided along a longitudinal axis of the vane controller 110.

Further, the silicone pad 325 may be disposed substantially towards an end facing a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The silicone pad 325 provides for eliminating or minimizing rattling noise that may there due to the movement of the vane controller 110 over the detent control vane 130.

[0043] It will be appreciated that in implementations, where the detent component 205 is provided on the top surface of the detent control vane 130, the resilient member 320 and the silicone pad 325 may be provided in the second controller housing 310.

[0044] The first controller housing 305 and the second controller housing 310 may cooperate to enclose the detent control vane 130. The first controller 305 may enclose the detent control vane 130 from underside, while the second controller housing 310 may enclose the top surface of the detent control vane 130, as illustrated in Fig. 3b. Further, an edge of the first controller housing 305 and an edge of the second controller housing 310 may abut with a flat surface 330 of the rack 315. The other surface of the rack 315 may include corrugations or gear teeth 335. The gear teeth 335 may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vane controller 110. The gear teeth 335 may provide for meshing with a pinion gear assembly (shown Fig. 4) coupled to the rear control vane 125. In an example, the rack 315 and the pinion gear assembly may have mesh in a manner similar to a rack and pinion arrangement. The movement of the vane controller 110 on the detent control vane 130 may be appropriately transmitted to the rear control vane 125 by the meshing of the rack 315 with the pinion gear assembly. The linear movement of the vane controller 110 along the detent control vane 130 may be translated into rotational movement of the pinion gear assembly for adjustment of the first set of vanes 115. Consequently, the first set of vanes 115 may be moved in accordance with the movement of the vane controller 110. In other examples, mechanisms other than rack and pinion arrangement for translating the motion of the vane controller 110 to move the first set of vanes 115 may also be used.

[0045] Figs. 4a-c, Figs. 5a-c, and Figs. 6a-c illustrate operation of the vane controller 110 to control shutting of the first set of vanes 115, according to an implementation of the present subject matter. Figs. 4a, 5a, and 6a illustrate the air register assembly 100, with the first set of vanes 115 at a first position 400, a second position 500, and a third position 600, respectively. Figs. 4b, 5b, and 6b illustrate a cross section of the air register assembly 100 along a section line AA. Figs. 4c, 5c, and 6c schematically illustrate a cross section of the air register assembly 100 along a section line AA.

[0046] Figs. 4a-4c illustrate the first set of vanes 115 in the first position 400. The first position 400 may refer to position, where the first set of vanes 115 are close to a shut-off position, i.e., when the first set if vanes are about to completely shut-off. As mentioned earlier, the detent component 205 may be positioned on the detent control vane 130 such that when the resilient member 320 is at the detent component 205, the first set of vanes 115 are close to the shut-off position. In an example, the shut-off position may correspond to a position, where the first set of vanes 115 are at 58° from the normal axis, i.e. an axis perpendicular to section line AA. In other examples, the shut-off position may vary, based on size of the air register or preferences of a manufacturer.

[0047] As illustrated, the rear control vane 125 is coupled to the control vane assembly 110 through a pinion gear assembly 405, as illustrated in Fig. 4c. The pinion gear assembly 405 may include a pinion gear, having teeth on an outer surface, which may mesh with the rack 315, and a pair protrusion on an inner surface to couple with the rear control vane 125. Thus, in operation, as the user operates the vane controller 110, the rack 315 is moved accordingly on the detent control vane 130. The rack 315 meshes with the pinion gear assembly 405, which in turn provides for movement of the rear control vane 125. The movement of the rear control vane 125 is followed by rest of the vanes in the first set of vanes 115 as the vanes are linked together using a common link member.

[0048] Referring to the first position 400, as illustrated in Figs. 4a-4c, once at the beginning of the detent component 205, the resilient member 320 may maintain its position 400-A and may not slide further till appropriate external force is applied. The first ramp portion 210 of the detent component 205 may obstruct the movement of the resilient member 320 on the detent control vane 130. As the movement of the first set of vanes 115 is guided by the movement control vane assembly 110 (resilient member 320), the first set of vanes 115 may also remain in position. In the absence of the detent component 205, the vane controller 100 may have moved over the detent control vane 130, because of the pressure of the incoming air, as indicated by arrow 410. However, as per the present subject matter, as the first set of vanes 115 are prevented from accidental shut-off, the incoming air is prevented from hitting sidewalls of the housing 105, which otherwise would have caused turbulence inside the housing 105. Thus, the incoming air may exit towards a user or the passenger compartment/cabin, as indicated by the arrow 415.

[0049] Referring to the second position 500 of the first set of vanes 115 as illustrated in Figs. 5a-5c, on application of external force, the resilient member 320 may be compressed to mover over the first ramp portion 210 of the detent component 205 and reach position 500-A. The second position 500 may refer to the position of first set of vanes 115, when the resilient member is at the peak of the detent component 205, i.e., the resilient member has crossed the first ramp portion 210. In an example, at the second position, the first set of vanes 115 may be at angle of 68° from the normal axis. At this position, the incoming air, as indicated by arrow 505, may be directed out of the air register assembly 100 towards the passenger cabin, (while the intended direction is toward the occupant, as was indicated by arrow415), as indicated by arrow 510.

[0050] Referring to the third position 600 illustrated in Figs. 6a-6c, to further close the first set of vanes 115, a user may move the vane controller 110 and as a result the resilient member 320 may easily slide down the detent component 205 to reach at the third position 600-A. It will be appreciated that efforts required at the third position 600 to further close the first set of vanes 115 and the efforts required to move the first set of vanes 115 before it reaches the first position 400, may be less than the efforts required to move the first set of vanes 115 from position 400 to position 500. Finally, when the resilient member 320 is at the end of the detent component 205, the first set of vanes 115 shut off, with no air flow inside the passenger cabin.

[0051] Thus, to close the first set of vanes 115, the vane controller 110 may be moved in a direction in which slope of the second ramp portion 215 decreases or in a direction of increasing slope of the first ramp portion 210. In an example, to open the first set of vanes 115, the vane controller 110 may be moved in the opposite direction. Thus, the first set of vanes 115 may shut in only one direction and open in the opposite direction.

[0052] Fig. 7 illustrates a graph 700 illustrating efforts required to move the control vane assembly 110 along the length of the detent control vane 130, according to an implementation of the present subject matter. Curve 705 corresponds to efforts required to close the first set of vanes 115 and curve 710 illustrates efforts required to open the first set of vanes 115. Referring to the curve 705, it can be observed that on average about 1 Newton (N) force is required to move the control vane assembly 110. However, after travel of about

10mm, at peak 710, force of about 4.5 N may be required, which may again decrease to 1N. The peak 710 may correspond to the peak of the detent component 205, where maximum efforts may be required to further move the vane controller 110. Further, it will be appreciated that though extra efforts may 5 be required to move the vane controller 100 beyond the detent component 205, however the efforts are not high to bring discomfort to the user.

[0053] Likewise, curve 710 illustrates that beyond the detent component 205 force of about 1N may be required to open the first set if vanes 115; however, while travelling over the detent component 205, efforts may gradually io increase to 3.5 N at the peak 720, and then may drop to 1 N again.

[0054] Thus, owing to the presence of the detent component 205 and the resilient member 320, the accidental closing of the first set of vanes 115 may be prevented. Further, the resilient member 320 may engage with the detent component 205 such that the user experience is not compromised.

is [0055] Although the disclosed subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/ or methods, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as implementations of the present subject matter.

Claims

1. An air register assembly (100) for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, the air register assembly (100) comprising:

a housing (105);

a first set of vanes (115) aligned in a first direction in the housing (105);

a second set of vanes (120) aligned in a second direction in the housing (105), the second direction being substantially perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the second set of vanes (120) comprises a detent control vane (130) having a detent component (205) formed as a protrusion; and a vane controller (110) comprises a resilient member (320) capable of sliding over the detent component (205), wherein the resilient member (320) is capable of being compressed when sliding over the detent component (205) to control the movement ofthe first set of vanes (115).

2. The air register assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detent component (205) has a dual ramp profile, where an inclination gradually increases before decreasing further in a direction of closing the first set of vanes (115).

3. The air register assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the vane controller (110) comprises a first controller housing (305) to house the resilient member (320);

a second controller housing (310) to engage with the first controller housing (305) to enclose a portion of the detent control vane (130) having the detent component (205); and a rack (315) having plurality of gear teeth (335) perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the vane controller (110), wherein a flat surface (330) of the rack (315) abuts with an edge of the first controller housing (305) and an edge of the second controller housing (310).

4. The air register assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the rack (315) is to mesh with a pinion gear assembly (405) to move the first set of vanes (115), wherein linear movement of the vane controller (110) along the detent control vane (130) translates into rotational movement of the pinion gear assembly (405) for adjustment of the first set of vanes (115).

5. The air register assembly (100) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the detent component (205) is disposed on an under-side of the detent control vane (130).

6. The air register assembly (100) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the vane controller (110) comprises a silicone pad (325) provided along a longitudinal axis of the vane controller (110), and wherein the silicone pad (325) is disposed substantially towards an end facing a user.

7. The air register assembly (100) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the resilient member (320) is a leaf spring.

8. The air register assembly (100) as claimed in any of the preceding claims further comprising a pinion gear assembly (405) to couple a control vane (125) of the first set of vanes (115) with the vane controller (110) to provide for movement of the first set of vanes (115).

9. The air register assembly (100) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (105) further comprises:

a first panel (105-1) to open towards a user; and a second panel (105-2) to couple with the first panel (105-1), the second panel (105-2) housing the first set of vanes (115) and the second set of vanes (120).

10. A vehicle comprising an air register assembly (100) as claimed in any of the preceding claims.

11. An air register assembly (100) for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, the air register assembly (100) comprising:

a housing (105);

a first set of vanes (115) aligned in the housing (105);

a second set of vanes (120) aligned in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of alignment of the first set of vanes (115), wherein the second set of vanes (120) comprises a detent control vane (130) having a detent component (205), and wherein the detent component (205) has a dual ramp profile with an inclination gradually increasing before decreasing further in a direction of closing the first set of vanes (115); and a vane controller (110) to enclose a portion of the detent control vane (130), wherein the vane controller (110) comprises a resilient member (320) capable of sliding over the detent component (205) to control a movement of the first set of vanes (115).

12. The air register assembly (100) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the detent component (205) comprises a first ramp portion (210) and a second ramp portion (215), and wherein a non-inclined surface of the first ramp portion (210) abuts against a non-inclined surface of the second ramp portion (215), and wherein the first ramp portion (210) comprises a slope increasing in the direction of closing the first set of vanes (115) and the second ramp portion (215) comprises a slope decreasing in the direction of closing the first set of vanes (115).

13. The air register assembly (100) as claimed in claim 12, wherein at least one of the first ramp portion (210) and the second ramp portion (215) comprises a substantially flat portion gradually merging with the detent control vane (130).

14. The air register assembly (100) as claimed in any of claims 11 to 13, wherein an interference between the detent control vane (130) and the vane controller (110) is non-uniform, the maximum interference being at a peak of the detent component (205), the peak corresponding to a position, where flat portions of the first ramp portion (210) and second ramp portion (215) abut against each other.

15. The air register assembly (100) as claimed in any of claims 11 to 14, wherein the detent component (205) is disposed on an under-side of the detent control vane (130).