WO2019084222A1

WO2019084222A1 - Air vent for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2019084222A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/057435
Authority: WO
Inventors: Oliver CARRERA CONTRERAS
Original assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Priority date: 2017-10-27
Filing date: 2018-10-25
Publication date: 2019-05-02
Also published as: DE102017125321A1

Abstract

Air vent (10) for a vehicle comprising an air duct (14) which is delimited by way of a housing (12), further comprising an actuating element (16) and at least one air flow regulating element (20, 20') which can be adjusted by way of the actuating element (16), it being possible for an air flow which flows through the air duct(14) along a main flow direction to be influenced by way of an adjustment of the at least one air flow regulating element (20, 20'), wherein a damping element (18) which acts on the actuating element (16), the damping element (18) being prestressed into a contact position on the actuating element (16).

Description

AIR VENT FOR A VEHICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to an air vent for a vehicle comprising an air duct which is delimited by way of a housing, further comprising an actuating element and at least one air flow regulating element which can be adjusted by way of the actuating element, it being possible for an air flow which flows through the air duct along a main flow direction to be influenced by way of an adjustment of the at least one air flow regulating element.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Air vents for vehicles serve for the targeted introduction of air into a vehicle interior compartment. A plurality of air flow regulating elements are usually provided within the air duct for controlling the air flow. Said air flow regulating elements can steer the air flow, for example, in different directions or can change the intensity of the air flow. A regulation of this type of the air supply usually takes place manually or automatically by way of actuating elements which act on the air flow regulating elements. In the case of known air vents, an undesired deflection of the air flow regulating elements can occur, which can be caused, in particular, by way of the air flow itself. An air flow which flows through the air duct can thus press air flow regulating elements, such as louvers or shut-off valves, which have been deflected from their neutral position back into their neutral position on account of the flow pressure. This prevents reliable air deflection and/or throttling.

[0003] In order to overcome said disadvantage, the movement of the actuating element, for example, and therefore that of the air flow regulating elements which are connected to it can be made more difficult. For example, the movement of the actuating element with respect to the housing might be braked, by the actuating element being brought into contact with the housing and therefore experiencing a frictional force in the case of a movement. The actuating element can comprise, for example, a shaft which can be rotated about its longitudinal axis and is manufactured from two plastics of different hardness in a two- component injection molding method. A relatively harder and stable shaft core can be surrounded by a sheath made from relatively softer material, the softer material being in contact with the housing inner wall and experiencing a frictional force in the case of a rotational movement of the shaft. An undesired adjustment of the air flow regulating elements is avoided as a result, as long as the fnctional force between the actuating element and the housing inner wall is greater than the force which acts on the air flow regulating elements by way of the air flow. A solution of this type is not always sufficiently stable, however. In particular, the damping action of the actuating element is impaired in the case of fluctuating temperatures and on account of wear over time.

SUMMARY

[0004] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing an air vent for a vehicle, which air vent ensures a reliable control of the air flow independently of the prevailing temperature and has a long service life.

[0005] The invention solves the object by way of the subject matter of claim 1.

Advantageous refinements are the subject matter of the subclaims, the description and the figures.

[0006] The object is achieved by way of an air vent for a vehicle comprising an air duct which is delimited by way of a housing, further comprising an actuating element and at least one air flow regulating element which can be adjusted by way of the actuating element, it being possible for an air flow which flows through the air duct along a main flow direction to be influenced by way of an adjustment of the at least one air flow regulating element, further comprising a damping element which acts on the actuating element, the damping element being prestressed into a contact position on the actuating element.

[0007] The air duct of the air vent according to the invention is delimited by way of the housing and has, in particular, an air inlet end and an air outlet end, between which the air flow flows through the housing along the main flow direction. Here, the main flow direction can extend, in particular, along a longitudinal axis of the air duct. The actuating element acts on the at least one air flow regulating element and is configured to adjust the latter into the air flow in such a way that the air flow is deflected from its main flow direction or is changed in terms of its intensity. The actuating element can also be configured, for example, as a cardan shaft, at least one section of the actuating element extending along the main flow direction, in particular along a longitudinal axis of the air duct. In particular, the actuating element can be connected to an operating element and can convert a movement of the operating element into a movement of the at least one air flow regulating element. The air flow regulating element can be, for example, a shut-off valve or an air guiding element, such as an air guiding louver, as will be explained later. In particular, the at least one air flow regulating element can be mounted such that it can be rotated or pivoted about an axis with respect to the housing.

[0008] The damping element which acts on the actuating element can extend from a housing wall of the air duct, in particular perpendicularly with respect to a longitudinal axis of the actuating element, in the direction of the actuating element. Here, a contact section of the damping element is in frictional contact with at least one section of the actuating element and therefore exerts a braking force on the actuating element in the case of a movement of the latter. As a consequence, the contact section of the damping element acts as a brake element. On account of the frictional force which exists between the actuating element and the damping element, a movement of the actuating element is made more difficult, which in turn makes the movement of the at least one air flow regulating element which is actuated by way of the actuating element more difficult. In this way, an undesired movement of the at least one air flow regulating element is prevented, which undesired movement can be caused, for example, by way of the air flow itself. The contact section of the damping element can consist, in particular, of silicone which is particularly

temperature-resistant. The damping element can have a guide, in order to stabilize the damping element in the case of loading, as will be explained later.

[0009] The prestress according to the invention of the damping element into the contact position additionally ensures that the frictional force which occurs between the damping element and the actuating element remains sufficiently high even in the case of varying operating parameters. As a result of the prestress, the damping element is pressed against the actuating element, for example by way of a spring force. Here, the damping element can be counter-mounted, in particular, on the housing of the air duct. On account of the prestress of the damping element onto the actuating element, a more uniform damping action which is constant over a longer time period is achieved. It is thus ensured, even in the case of wear of the contact sections of the damping element and the actuating element which are in frictional contact with one another, that the damping action which is generated by way of the frictional force remains sufficiently high, in order to keep constant the operating forces which are to be applied for the adjustment of the at least one air flow regulating element, and to prevent an undesired adjustment. In this way, the service life of the air vent is also increased. In addition, the prestress of the damping element also ensures a maintenance of a sufficiently high damping action over a wide temperature range, since possible thermal expansions of the components are compensated for. In comparison with the described prior art, there is additionally the advantage that the actuating element does not have to be manufactured from two components and is therefore easier to manufacture.

[0010] According to one refinement, the damping element has a spring for prestressing the damping element into the contact position. According to said refinement, the prestress of the damping element onto the actuating element is therefore achieved by way of a spring. Here, in particular, the spring can be counter-mounted on the housing of the air duct, that is to say can be stressed between the housing and the actuating element. The spring preferably consists of metal. A spring allows a structurally particularly simple damping element and additionally is highly resistant to temperature fluctuations and wear. The spring can be, in particular, a helical spring, preferably made from metal. Said springs substantially maintain their shape even in the case of pronounced temperature differences.

[0011] According to one refinement, the spring is a helical spring and, furthermore, the damping element has a pin which is enclosed by the helical spring, extends between a housing wall of the air duct and the actuating element, and merges into a contact section which makes contact with the actuating element, the helical spring being stressed between the contact section and the housing wall. According to said refinement, a pin extends within the helical spring in the direction from a housing wall of the air duct to the actuating element. The pin stabilizes the helical spring and therefore the entire damping element. Here, a contact section which is configured at that end of the pin which faces the actuating element is in contact with the actuating element. The pin can have, in particular, a greater length than the compressed helical spring and can extend through a housing opening out of the housing of the air duct. According to said refinement, the helical spring which encloses the pin can bear with one end against a housing wall of the air duct and with the opposite end against the contact section of the damping element. The helical spring therefore presses the contact section of the damping element against the actuating element. In particular, in the case of wear of the contact section of the damping element which occurs as a result of relatively long operation of the air vent, the helical spring can expand, the pin moving further into the housing and the contact section continuing to be pressed reliably onto the actuating element.

[0012] According to a further refinement, the damping element has a latching section for latching to a latching rail which extends along the damping element between the housing wall and the actuating element. The latching section can be configured, in particular, on the contact section of the damping element. The latching section interacts with a latching rail which runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the damping element, in particular of the helical spring. This ensures that, despite its prestress, the damping element does not experience any deflection in an undesired direction. Here, the latching section and the latching rail interact in such a way that the damping element remains movable along the latching rail. The freedom of movement of the damping element is therefore limited to the axis of the latching rail. As a result, the damping element is guided and stabilized.

[0013] According to one refinement, those sections of the damping element and of the actuating element which are in contact with one another are shaped in a corresponding manner to one another. The contact section of the damping element and that contact section of the actuating element which is in contact with the former can thus be adapted to one another in terms of their shape. In particular, the contact sections which correspond to one another can be curved, that is to say can run at least partially along a circular path. For example, the contact section of the actuating element can be of convex configuration, and the contact section of the damping element can be of correspondingly concave

configuration.

[0014] According to a further refinement, those sections of the damping element and of the actuating element which are in contact with one another consist of materials of different softness. As a consequence, the mentioned contact sections can be configured with a different hardness, for example can consist of plastics with a different hardness. Here, the damping element can be produced, for example, in a two-component injection molding method. In particular, the contact section of the damping element can consist of a softer material than the contact section of the actuating element. This achieves a particularly satisfactory and low-noise damping action. In the case of wear, in particular, of the contact section which consists of a softer material, a sufficient damping action nevertheless remains ensured on account of the prestress according to the invention. For example, they can be a harder and a softer plastic. The softer material can be, for example, an elastomer, in particular a thermoplastic elastomer. The softer material can preferably be silicone or a rubber. An elastomer, in particular silicone, is particularly temperature-resistant and therefore ensures a sufficiently high brake action by way of the damping element even in the case of pronounced temperature fluctuations.

[0015] According to one refinement, the at least one air flow regulating element is formed by way of at least one air guiding element which is configured for deflecting the air flow from its main flow direction. The at least one air guiding element can be, for example, at least one louver. In particular, a plurality of air guiding elements can be provided which are adjusted jointly and can jointly deflect the air flow in one direction. In particular, two groups of air guiding elements can be provided for deflecting the air flow along two axes which lie perpendicularly with respect to one another. For example, one group of louvers can be provided, which group extends horizontally and perpendicularly with respect to the main flow direction through the air duct, whereas a second group of louvers extends vertically and perpendicularly with respect to the main flow direction through the air duct. In this way, a deflection of the air flow in any desired direction in a plane perpendicularly with respect to the main flow direction can be achieved. Here, the actuating element can be configured, in particular, for the adjustment of a plurality of air guiding elements. If a plurality of groups of air guiding elements are provided, each of said groups can have a dedicated actuating element which can be damped by way of in each case one dedicated damping element.

[0016] According to one refinement, the at least one air flow regulating element is formed by way of at least one shut-off valve element which throttles the air flow. In the case of said refinement, one or more shut-off valve elements which regulate the intensity of the air flow can therefore be provided as air flow regulating element. Here, the at least one shut-off valve element can be adjusted into the air duct in such a way that the air flow is throttled or is stopped completely. In particular, two valve elements which can be pivoted with respect to one another about a common axis can be provided, with the result that the air flow regulation takes place by way of a butterfly valve.

[0017] According to one refinement, the actuating element comprises a joint rod which is in engagement with the at least one air flow regulating element and is configured such that it can be displaced along its longitudinal axis, the at least one air flow regulating element being adjusted with respect to the air flow by way of a displacement of the joint rod along its longitudinal axis. Here, the joint rod can extend from an outer side of the housing through a through opening into the interior of the air duct. In particular, the joint rod can be mounted on the housing, said joint rod remaining displaceable along its longitudinal axis, however. Here, the at least one air flow regulating element can be connected via one or more joints to the joint rod, the at least one air flow regulating element being pivoted by way of a displacement of the joint rod along its longitudinal axis. For this purpose, the at least one air flow regulating element, in particular a louver, can be mounted on the housing of the air duct via a bearing axis which extends perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the joint rod. Here, the damping element which acts on the actuating element brakes the translational movement of the joint rod along its longitudinal axis. For this purpose, a contact section of the damping element can fundamentally make contact with the joint rod at any desired region in the contact position.

[0018] According to one alternative refinement, the actuating element comprises a shaft which is in engagement with the at least one air flow regulating element and is mounted such that it can be rotated about its longitudinal axis, the at least one air flow regulating element being adjusted with respect to the air flow by way of a revolution of the shaft. In accordance with said refinement, the actuating element is configured such that it can be rotated about its longitudinal axis. Here, the shaft can run along a longitudinal axis of the air duct, in particular along the main flow direction. Via a connecting section, the shaft can be connected to a further shaft which protrudes out of the housing of the air duct, and can form a cardan shaft. By way of a revolution of the shaft, the at least one air flow regulating element can be adjusted, via a corresponding mechanism. Here, the damping element can fundamentally act on the shaft on any desired region. Here, the damping element which acts on the actuating element brakes the rotational movement of the shaft about its longitudinal axis.

[0019] According to a further refinement, at its free end, the shaft has a bevel gearwheel which is in engagement with at least one gearwheel of the at least one air flow regulating element, the bevel gearwheel being rotated by way of a revolution of the shaft, and the at least one air flow regulating element thus being pivoted about a pivot axis which lies at an angle with respect to the shaft. As a consequence, the bevel gearwheel of the shaft and the gearwheel of the at least one air flow regulating element form a mechanism which converts the implementation of the rotational movement of the shaft of the actuating element into a pivoting movement of the at least one air flow regulating element. Here, the pivot axis of the air flow regulating element can lie, in particular, perpendicularly with respect to the shaft. The angle of intersection of the gearwheels can lie, for example, at 45°, in particular at 90°. The at least one air flow regulating element can have a pivot axis which is mounted, in particular, on the housing. Here, the gearwheel of the at least one air flow regulating element does not have to be of fully circumferential configuration or does not have to be provided with teeth over the entire circumference, but rather can also form only a gearwheel section. Here, as mentioned, the damping element can be prestressed with respect to the shaft of the actuating element. In particular, the damping element can be prestressed with respect to an outer circumference of the bevel gearwheel. In this case, a contact section of the actuating element which is in contact with the contact section of the damping element can be formed by way of an outer wall of the bevel gearwheel.

[0020] According to a further refinement, the air flow regulating element has two shut- off valve elements which can be pivoted in an opposed manner with respect to one another about a common axis and are mounted in each case via a bearing section on a common valve bearing axis and are in engagement with the bevel gearwheel of the shaft in each case via a gearwheel of the respective bearing section. Here, the two shut-off valve elements which can be pivoted relative to one another form what is known as a butterfly valve. The two shut-off valve elements are mounted via their respective bearing section on the same valve bearing axis which can extend, in particular, between opposite housing walls of the air duct perpendicularly with respect to the shaft axis. The bearing sections can be rotated about the valve bearing axis and can engage at least partially around a valve bearing which runs on the valve bearing axis. The bevel gearwheel is also moved by way of a revolution of the shaft about its longitudinal axis. The bevel gearwheel engages into the two gearwheels of the shut-off valve elements and moves them in such a way that the shut-off valve elements are moved in opposed rotational directions. The shut-off valve elements are therefore moved toward one another or away from one another by way of a revolution of the shaft, depending on the rotational direction. Here, the shut-off valve elements including their bearing sections and gearwheels can be, in particular, of identical configuration, but can be arranged in a mirrored manner about their rotational axis. The gearwheels of the shut-off valve elements then engage into the bevel gearwheel from opposite sides, which makes the described movement in opposite directions possible. Said refinement is particularly robust and reliable.

[0021] According to a further refinement, the actuating element is mounted within the air duct such that it can be moved on at least one housing wall of the air duct. The actuating element is therefore supported with respect to the housing. For example, at least one holding element can extend into the air duct from at least one housing wall of the air duct, in order to receive the actuating element. If the actuating element is configured, for example, as a shaft or joint rod, the holding element can engage axially around the shaft or joint rod partially or completely. Here, the actuating element is mounted movably in such a way that a movement for the purpose of adjustment of the at least one air flow regulating element is still possible. If the actuating element comprises, for example, a shaft which can be rotated about its longitudinal axis, the shaft can be mounted in such a way that the holding element engages axially around the shaft, but still makes an axial rotation possible. Here, the mounting of the actuating element takes place in every case in such a way that no deflection of the actuating element by way of the prestressed damping element takes place.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] One exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described in the following text using figures, in which:

[0023] figure 1 shows a perspective partial view of the air vent,

[0024] figure 2 shows the air vent from figure 1 in a further perspective detailed view without air flow regulating elements,

[0025] figure 3 shows a detailed view of the air vent from figure 2,

[0026] figure 4shows the actuating element, the damping element and the air flow regulating elements from figure 1, and

[0027] figure 5 shows the elements from figure 4 in a second view. [0028] Unless specified otherwise, identical designations denote identical objects in the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] An air vent 10 according to the invention having a housing 12 and an air duct 14 which is delimited by way of the housing can be seen in figures 1 and 2. An actuating element 16 is arranged within the air duct 14, which actuating element 16 extends along a longitudinal axis Al of the air duct 14. The main flow direction of an air flow L which flows through the air duct 14 also runs along the axis Al (see figure 2). In addition, a damping element 18 which acts on the actuating element 16 and is prestressed into a contact position on the actuating element 16 can be seen in figures 1, 2. The actuating element 16 serves for the adjustment of two air flow regulating elements 20, 20' which are configured as shut-off valve elements in the present case. For improved clarity, the shut-off valve elements 20, 20' are omitted in figure 2.

[0030] The actuating element 16 comprises an elongate shaft 22 which extends along the axis Al in the installed state, as can be seen in figures 4 and 5, in particular. The shaft 22 is connected via a connecting section 24 to a control shaft (not shown) which protrudes out of the housing 12 and interacts with an operating element (likewise not shown). The shaft 22 therefore forms a part of a cardan shaft. A bevel gearwheel 26 is arranged at that end of the shaft 22 which lies opposite the connecting section 24, which bevel gearwheel 26 has a toothed rim 28 and a contact section 30. Here, the contact section 30 of the actuating element 16 is formed by way of the outer wall of the spur gearwheel 26.

[0031] As can be seen, in particular, in figures 4 and 5, the damping element 18 has a helical spring 32, a pin 34 which is enclosed by the helical spring 32, and a contact section 36 which in turn has a latching section 38. The contact section 36 and the pin 34 can be manufactured, for example, in a two-component injection molding method, the contact section 36 of the damping element preferably consisting of silicone. The pin 34 and the helical spring 32 extend from a housing wall 13 of the housing 12 in the direction of the contact section 30 of the actuating element 16 perpendicularly with respect to the axis Al . Here, the contact section 36 of the damping element 18 comes into contact with the contact section 30 of the actuating element 16. As can be seen, in particular, in figure 5, the contact section 36 has a concave depression, the curvature of which is formed in a corresponding manner to the curvature of the contact section 30 of the actuating element 16. In the mounted state, the pin 34 of the damping element 18 protrudes through an opening 40 in the housing wall 13 of the housing 12, as can be seen in figure 1. The spring 32 is stressed between the housing wall 13 and the contact section 36 and therefore presses the contact section 36 of the damping element 18 onto the contact section 30 of the actuating element 16. In the case of a rotation of the actuating element 16 about the axis Al, the damping element 18 therefore exerts a frictional force on the bevel gearwheel 26 and, as a consequence, on the actuating element 16. In this way, the actuating element 16 is braked or damped and an unwanted movement is prevented. As a result, in particular, a constant exertion of force during the actuation is achieved, and it is prevented that the shut-off valve elements 20, 20' which are connected to the actuating element 16 are moved in an undesired manner.

[0032] The shut-off valve elements 20, 20' in each case have a bearing section 42, 42' with in each case one gearwheel 44, 44' . In figures 1, 4 and 5, the bearing sections 42, 42' are shown partially cut away for illustrative purposes. Both the bearing section 42 and the bearing section 42' are mounted on a common valve bearing axis A2 which lies perpendicularly with respect to the axis Al . Each of the shut-off valve elements 20, 20' additionally has a valve pin 43, 43' which lies on the axis A2 and via which the shut-off valve elements 20, 20' are mounted on opposite housing walls. Here, the valve pins 43, 43' can run stiffly in the receptacles in the housing walls in such a way that a further brake action is generated. This also counteracts an undesired adjustment of the shut-off valve elements 20, 20' . Here, the valve pins 43, 43' can be coated with a softer material, for example with silicone. As can be seen, in particular, in figures 4 and 5, the gearwheels 44, 44' engage together with the bevel gearwheel 26 from opposite sides. The gearwheels 44, 44' extend from their respective bearing section 42, 42' at an angle of approximately 45° toward the bevel gearwheel 26, the teeth of the gearwheels 44, 44' engaging together with the toothed rim 28 of the bevel gearwheel 26. In the open position which is shown in figures 4 and 5, the shut-off valve elements 20, 20' are in contact with one another and influence the cross section of the air duct and therefore the air flow only slightly. As a result of a revolution of the shaft 22 of the actuating element 16 counter to the clockwise direction (in the case of a plan view of the toothed rim 28), the gearwheels 44, 44' and, with them, the bearing sections 42, 42' and, as a consequence, the shut-off valve elements 20, 20' which are connected to the bearing sections are moved about the axis A2 in rotational directions which are opposed to one another. The shut-off valve elements 20, 20' are thus moved away from one another into the air flow. During said movement into a closed position of the butterfly valve, an increasing restoring force which is caused by way of the air flow acts on the shut-off valve elements 20, 20' . Said restoring force is counteracted, however, by the described frictional force between the damping element 18 and the actuating element 16, with the result that no undesired adjustment of the butterfly valves takes place.

[0033] In addition, a holder 50 for holding the actuating element 16 can be seen in figures 2 and 3. The holder 50 has four arms 52 which lie perpendicularly with respect to one another, extend from the housing inner walls of the housing 12 in the direction of the center of the air duct 14, and merge into a circular holding section 54. The bevel gearwheel 26 of the actuating element 16 is mounted in the holding section 54. The actuating element 16 is therefore mounted in a stable manner on the axis Al, with the result that even a force which emanates from the damping element 18 and acts perpendicularly with respect to the axis Al does not lead to a deflection of the actuating element 16. Furthermore, the arm 52 which extends parallel to the helical spring 32 serves as a latching rail which is engaged around by the latching section 38 of the damping element 18. In this way, said holding arm also stabilizes the damping element 18.

List of Designations

10 Air vent

12 Housing

13 Housing wall

14 Air duct

16 Actuating element

18 Damping element

20, 20' Air flow regulating element

22 Shaft

24 Connecting section

26 Bevel gearwheel

28 Toothed rim

30 Contact section of the actuating element

32 Helical spring

34 Pin

36 Contact section of the damping element

38 Latching section

40 Through opening

42, 42' Bearing sections

43, 43' Valve pins

44, 44' Gearwheels

50 Holder

52 Arms

54 Holding section

Al Axis

A2 Axis

L Air flow

Claims

Air vent for a vehicle comprising an air duct (14) which is delimited by way of a housing (12), further comprising an actuating element (16) and at least one air flow regulating element (20, 20') which can be adjusted by way of the actuating element (16), it being possible for an air flow which flows through the air duct (14) along a main flow direction to be influenced by way of an adjustment of the at least one air flow regulating element (20, 20'), characterized by a damping element (18) which acts on the actuating element (16), the damping element (18) being prestressed into a contact position on the actuating element (16).

Air vent according to Claim 1, characterized in that the damping element (18) has a spring (32) for prestressing the damping element (18) into the contact position.

Air vent according to Claim 2, characterized in that the spring is a helical spring (32) and, furthermore, the damping element (18) has a pin (34) which is enclosed by the helical spring (32), extends between a housing wall of the air duct (14) and the actuating element (16), and merges into a contact section (36) which makes contact with the actuating element (16), the helical spring (32) being stressed between the contact section (36) and the housing wall.

Air vent according to Claim 3, characterized in that the damping element (18) has a latching section (38) for latching to a latching rail which extends along the damping element (18) between the housing wall and the actuating element (16).

Air vent according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that those sections (30, 36) of the damping element (18) and of the actuating element (16) which are in contact with one another are shaped in a corresponding manner to one another, in particular in a curved manner.

Air vent according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that those sections (30, 36) of the damping element (18) and of the actuating element (16) which are in contact with one another consist of materials of different softness.

7. Air vent according to Claim 6, characterized in that the softer material is an elastomer, in particular silicone.

8. Air vent according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one air flow regulating element (20, 20') is formed by way of at least one air guiding element which is configured for deflecting the air flow from its main flow direction.

9. Air vent according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one air flow regulating element (20, 20') is formed by way of at least one shut-off valve element which throttles the air flow.

10. Air vent according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (16) comprises a joint rod which is in engagement with the at least one air flow regulating element (20, 20') and is configured such that it can be displaced along its longitudinal axis, the at least one air flow regulating element (20, 20') being adjusted with respect to the air flow by way of a displacement of the joint rod along its longitudinal axis.

11. Air vent according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the actuating element comprises a shaft (22) which is in engagement with the at least one air flow regulating element (20, 20') and is mounted such that it can be rotated about its longitudinal axis, the at least one air flow regulating element (20, 20') being adjusted with respect to the air flow by way of a revolution of the shaft (22).

12. Air vent according to Claim 11, characterized in that, at its free end, the shaft (22) has a bevel gearwheel (26) which is in engagement with at least one gearwheel (44, 44') of the at least one air flow regulating element (20, 20'), the bevel gearwheel (26) being rotated by way of a revolution of the shaft (22), and the at least one air flow regulating element (20, 20') thus being pivoted about a pivot axis which lies at an angle with respect to the shaft (22).

13. Air vent according to Claims 9 and 12, characterized in that two shut-off valve elements which can be pivoted in an opposed manner with respect to one another about a common axis are provided as air flow regulating elements (20, 20'), which shut-off valve elements are mounted in each case via a bearing section (42, 42') on a common valve bearing (A2) and are in engagement with the bevel gearwheel (26) of the shaft (22) in each case via a gearwheel (44, 44') of the respective bearing section (42, 42').

Air vent according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (16) is mounted within the air duct (14) such that it can be moved on at least one housing wall of the air duct.