FR2809349A1 - Ventilation outlet for motor vehicle interior has drum with rotary button driving main louvre via cable and vanes attached directly to vane operating console - Google Patents

Abstract

Ventilation outlet has a drum (1) with an operating button (30) rotatably mounted in the operating console for the vanes. The button has a cable to connect it to a conical toothed gear wheel (32) mounted on a trunnion formed on the wall of the housing. The gear wheel engages a rack toothing on a louvre to move it. The button can be used to alter the position of the main louvre without altering the position of the vanes.

Description

<B> <U> BARREL </ U> </ B> OF AERATOR <B> <U> FOR </ U> </ B> VEHICLE <B> <U> AUTOMOTIVE </ U> </ B> The present invention relates to an aerator barrel for a motor vehicle comprising at least one hollow body mounted at the outlet of an air duct and opening into the passenger compartment of the vehicle for channeling an air flow, a shutter flap and for regulating the air flow pivotally mounted in the body around a transverse rotation, a first set of swivel fins has front on the body and a second set of swivel fins disposed in the body at the rear of this first set of fins, the fins of the first and second set being pivotally mounted respectively about first and second transverse pivot axes, perpendicular to each other, being interconnected respectively by at least a first and second articulated connection bar which ensure a synchronous pivoting, this aerator barrel further comprising an org actuating pin disposed in the axis of the body, mounted on at least one guide fin of one of the two sets of fins and coupled to at least one guide fin of the other set of fins, so that it is arranged to independently pivot the fins of the first game and the fins of the second game.

Numerous embodiments of a typical aerator barrel as defined above are already known. Generally, the fins are pivotally mounted about horizontal and vertical pivot axes, for example horizontal for the first game on the front, visible on the dashboard, and vertical for the second game, housed back in the body. The actuator of the fins is often slidably mounted slidingly along a guide fin of the first horizontal clearance and is coupled to a guide fin of the second vertical clearance by a fork cooperating transversely with an edge of that -this.

Finally, the aerator barrel has a specific device for controlling the rotation of the shutter to regulate the flow of air in the body. This flap is mounted inside the body behind the two sets of swivel fins. For this, the device comprises an operating element, in the form of a button, a wheel or a slider, provided on one of the available sides of the barrel, outside the air duct and the two sets of fins, either on the front of the body of the barrel directly, or on the dashboard in which is housed the barrel. This operating element is connected to the shutter by means of a gearing mechanism suitable for transmission, by levers or other equivalent means, to drive it in rotation.

Aerator barrels of the prior art have various disadvantages. the control of the airflow control flap is completely separated and dissociated from the control of the airflow orientation fins. The operator must therefore operate separately these two separate controls to adjust the flow of ventilation, which is impractical and relatively long. In addition, the control device of the flap is placed outside the air duct, which increases the lateral size of the aerator barrel and therefore the volume necessary for its implantation in the dashboard of the vehicle. The space reserved for the aerator barrel being limited, the cross section of the body for the passage of air must be chosen relatively small, which substantially reduces the performance of the ventilation system of the passenger compartment. The present invention proposes to overcome these disadvantages by providing an aerator barrel which allows a convenient, quick and easy adjustment of aeration flow, that is to say the air flow and the orientation of the flow of air. air, the operation of a single control, disposed in the axis of the air duct so as to reduce the lateral size of the barrel and allow the implantation of a body of larger cross section for the passage of air and therefore significantly increase the performance of the ventilation system of the passenger compartment. This object is achieved by an aerator barrel as described in the preamble, characterized in that it comprises an operating knob rotatably mounted in said actuating member, as well as a flexible rotational transmission mechanism connecting the control knob. shutter maneuver.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mechanism comprises at least one rotary drive element whose front end is coupled to the operating knob in an attachment zone located on its axis of rotation, this element of rotation. drive being arranged to transmit the rotation of the operating knob to the flap to rotate it about its transverse axis of rotation regardless of the position of said actuating member and to allow movement of the operating knob acting on said actuating member fins without acting on the shutter.

This drive element may be formed at least partially by a flexible flexural cable and torsionally rigid, the front end of the cable can be articulated on the operating knob around a transverse pivot. The rear end of the cable can be arranged to slide freely or can be locked in translation. In this case, the cable may have a curved profile having a curvilinear length chosen so that the cable deforms in bending during said movements of the operating knob acting on said actuator of the fins.

In the preferred embodiment, the cable rear end is coupled to a conically toothed drive gear supported longitudinally by a yoke integral with the body, this pinion meshing with a toothed sector with conical teeth, integral with the front face of the flap and centered on its transverse axis of rotation.

In an alternative embodiment, the shutter is secured receiver lever in which is formed a radial slot and the rear end of the cable is secured to a pivotally mounted drive lever in a wall of the body, about axis parallel to the transverse axis of rotation of the shutter this drive lever comprising an axial finger guided in said radial slot of the receiver lever.

In another variant embodiment, the rear end of the cable secured to a right-hand drive gear pivotally mounted in the body wall around an axis parallel to the transverse axis of rotation of the flap and meshing with a pinion receiver integral with the shutter.

The actuating member may consist of a slider slidably mounted in a transverse groove provided on said guide fin of the first set of fins in correspondence of a transverse space separating two adjacent fins of the second set of fins, this slider comprising a lateral coupling element cooperating transversely with the front edge of said guide fin of the second set of fins, and the operating knob being rotatably mounted in a hole formed longitudinally through the slider.

The present invention and its advantages will become more apparent in the following description of various embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which - Figures 1a and 1b are front and rear perspective views, partly in section, of an embodiment of the aerator barrel of the invention, illustrating in particular its control device of the shutter flap, in the closed position, and of the pivoting wings, neutral position - FIGS. 2a to 2c are side views in section of the barrel Figure 1, illustrating different positions of the fins set in front, pivoting about horizontal axes, to adjust the vertical component of the air flow, - Figures 3a to 3c are top views in section of the barrel d aerator of Figure 1, illustrating different positions of the fins of the back game, pivoting about vertical axes, for adjusting the horizontal component of the flow of ai FIGS. 4a and 4b are sectional side views of the aerator barrel of FIG. 1, illustrating the closed and open positions of the shutter for adjusting the air flow, and FIGS. 5b are a rear perspective view partially in section and a top view in section of two embodiments of the aerator barrel of the invention.

With reference to the figures, the aerator barrel 10 for a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle mainly comprises the following elements - a hollow body 11 mounted at the outlet of an air duct (not shown) coming from a circuit aeration and opening into the passenger compartment of the vehicle (not shown) for channeling a flow of air, - in an upstream or rear part, a shutter 12 for closing and regulating the air flow pivotally mounted in the body 11 around a transverse axis of rotation 13, for example horizontal, - in a downstream or front part, a first set of pivoting fins 14 disposed frontally on the body 11 and a second set of pivoting fins 15 disposed at the rear of the first set, these two sets of fins 14, 15 being oriented in two perpendicular transverse directions, for example horizontal and vertical, two articulated connection bars 16, 17 vertical and horizontal each connecting synchronously the fins of a set of wings 15 corresponding, finally - a control device of the shutter 12 and the swivel fins 14, 1 disposed in the axis of the hollow body 11 and the air duct. This aerator barrel 10 is designed to be assembled into a finished module ready to be mounted in the dashboard of the vehicle for example by interlocking. It is finished in front by a frame of aspect 18.

The fins 14 of the first game on the front, three in the embodiment shown, are in a known manner pivoting in the body 1 about horizontal pivot axes H, fixed and parallel to each other. H axes extend to the front of the fins 14. These are connected together, at their right end, by the articulated connecting bar 16 vertically at points of articulation distinct from the H axes, in this case staggered towards the back which ensures a synchronous pivoting.

Similarly, the fins 15 of the second set, which are arranged at the rear of the vanes 14 of the front clearance and are six in the embodiment shown, are pivotally mounted in the body 11 about pivot axes V vertical, fixed and parallel to each other. These vertical pivot axes V extend for example substantially to the mid-fins 1 These are connected together, at their lower end, by horizontal articulated link bar 17 at points of articulation distinct from the V, in this case staggered backwards, which ensures them synchronous pivoting.

The control device 20 firstly comprises an actuator 21 of the fins coupled on the one hand to the central fin 14 of horizontal vanes, and on the other hand to the fourth fin 15, from the left. , of the set of vertical fins. This actuating member 21 is arranged to rotate, independently of one another, this central fin 1 called "director", about its horizontal pivot axis H, and this fourth fin 15, also called "guide fin "around its vertical pivot V, so as to continuously change the direction of airflow. Synchronous pivoting of the other fins 14, 15 is achieved by two articulated link bars 16, 17 already mentioned.

For this, this member 21 is in the form of a slider 22 slidably mounted in a transverse groove 23 provided in the middle of the central guide fin 14 of the first set of horizontal fins. For example, the slider 22 has a substantially cylindrical shape and the groove 23 has an oblong hole whose ends are rounded.

This slider 22 comprises, at the rear and on its right side, a lateral arm 24 terminating in a coupling element, such as a fork oriented longitudinally, cooperating transversely with the edge before the guide fin 15 of the second set of vertical fins. A recess is practiced along this edge to allow the angular displacement of the fin 15 with respect to the coupling fork 25 of the slider 22.

slider 22 makes it possible to orient independently, by pivoting about the horizontal pivot axis H, the fins 14 of the first clearance, and, by transverse sliding in the groove 23, the fins 15 of the second clearance.

The device 20 comprises an operating knob 30 rotatably mounted in a cylindrical hole 31 formed longitudinally through the slider 22. The slider is for example made of an elastic metal material having a spring effect to slightly brake the sliding of the slider 22 in the groove transversal 23 and the rotation of the knob 30 in the 31 cursor hole, this in order to maintain the selected adjustment position and have constant maneuvering forces.

Finally, the device 20 comprises a flexible rotational transmission mechanism 32 connecting the operating knob 30 to the shutter 12, the position of which determines the flow of air through the body 11. This mechanism 32 is arranged to transmit the rotation of the knob 30 about its longitudinal axis, in the hole 31 of the slider 22, to the shutter flap 12 to rotate about its transverse axis of rotation 13 regardless of the cursor position 22, and to allow the movements of the pushbutton slider 22 moving and acting on the position of the fins 14, 15 for adjusting the orientation of the air flow, without changing the position of the shutter 12.

This mechanism 32 comprises a rotational driving element 33, a flexible flexural cable but torsionally rigid, which for example made of a metal or plastic material. The front end of this cable 33 is hinged to the operating knob 30, in an attachment zone located on its longitudinal axis of rotation, about a transverse pivot 34 parallel to the horizontal pivot axis H of the knob 30. The rear end of the cable 33 is slidably mounted longitudinally, coaxially in a drive gear 35 of the conical type.

A sufficient transversal space, at least equal to the length of the transverse groove 23 in which the slider 22 and the button 30 slides, is arranged in correspondence of the groove 23 between the vertical pivot axes V of the third and fourth fins. 15 of the second set, for the free passage of the cable 33 regardless of the position of the slider 22.

The pinion 35 is supported longitudinally by a yoke 36 integral body 11, between the second set of vertical fins 15 and the flap 12. II disposed substantially in the middle of the air duct. This gear 35 meshes toothed sector 37 semicircular, conical type, integral with the front face of the flap 12 so that it is centered on the transverse axis of rotation 13 of the flap 12. The flap 12 advantageously comprises a central recess forming a recess around its axis of rotation 13 to receive the pinion 35 when it opens. Referring to FIGS. 2a to 2c, when the button 30 is urged vertically by the operator, it pivots with the slider 22 and the central guide fin 14 around the horizontal central axis H, which drives the two other fins 14 of the first game in front, through the vertical articulated link 16, pivoting about their axis H. This maneuver allows to adjust the vertical component of the air flow at the outlet of the cylinder which is determined by the position fins 14 of the first game on the front. pivoting of the slider 22 has no effect on the guide fin 15 of the second vertical fins, its fork 25 sliding along the edge thereof. pivoting of the knob 30 also has no effect on the position of the shutter 12 because the cable 33 then works only longitudinal bending, the sliding connection of the cable 33 with the pinion 35 to compensate for the variation in distance between the pivot joint 34 on the button 30 and the pinion 35. The pivot joint 34 can greatly limit this bending of the cable 33.

Referring to Figures 3a to 3c, when the button 30 is biased horizontally, it slides with the slider 22 in the transverse groove 23 of the central guide fin 14 of the set of horizontal fins. The transverse displacement of the fork 25 of the slider 22 along the horizontal central axis H of the guide fin 14 causes the pivoting of the vertical guide fin 15 and thus, via the horizontal articulated link 17 of the other five fins of the set of vertical vanes 15 about their axis This maneuver makes it possible to adjust the horizontal component of the air flow is determined by the position of the vanes 15 of the second game back. sliding of the slider 22 is obviously without effect on the horizontal fins 14. As previously, the sliding button 30 is also without effect on the position of the shutter 12 cable 33 still works in longitudinal bending, the sliding connection cable 33 with the pinion 35 to compensate for the variation in distance between the pivot joint 34 on the knob 30 and the pinion 35. With reference to FIGS. 4a and 4b, the rotation of the actuating knob 30 around its longitudinal axis in the hole 31 of the slider and this whatever position of the slider 22, generates the rotation of the cable about its longitudinal axis, even when it is curved when the cable 33 is bent. cable 33 rotates the pinion 35 which in turn rotates the flap via the toothed sector 37. This maneuver allows to regulate the air flow in the duct. It should be noted that the rotation of the operating knob 30 in the slider 22 has no effect on the latter, and therefore on the position of the guide vanes 14, 15 determining the orientation of the air flow. FIGS. 5a and 5b show two alternative embodiments of the flexible rotational transmission mechanism 32 of the control device 20 associated with the shutter 12.

With reference to FIG. 5a, the end of the axis of shutter flap 12 is integral with a receiving lever 38 in which a radial slot 39 is provided. Driving lever 40, disposed adjacent to receiving lever 38, is pivotally mounted in the side wall of the body 11, on an axis parallel to the transverse axis of rotation 13 of the shutter flap 12. This lever 40 comprises an axial drive finger 41 guided in the radial slot 39 of the lever Receiver 38. The rear end of the rotary drive cable 33, whose front end is coupled as previously to the operating knob 30, is now rigidly and coaxially connected to the transverse axis of rotation of the drive lever 40. The cable 33 then has a longitudinal profile always curved in the same direction. In this embodiment, the curvilinear length of the cable 33 is chosen to be large enough to allow the actuation of the button 30 with the slider 22 acting on the orientation of the air flow, so that the cable 33 is deformed only in bending without any effect on the position of the shutter 12.

The embodiment variant represented by FIG. 5b is similar to that described above with reference to FIG. 5a. The two drive levers 40 and receiver 38 are replaced by two drive gears 42 and receiver 43 with straight teeth.

It is clear from the description above that the present invention achieves the goals set. The operator must operate a single control knob to adjust both the air flow and the air direction, it is convenient and fast. The control device 20 is disposed in the air duct axis. This reduces the lateral size of the barrel 10 and allows to implant, in the dashboard of the vehicle, a barrel body having significant section for the passage of air and thus significantly increase the performance of the aeration system of the cockpit.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described but extends to any modification and variation obvious to the skilled person. In particular, the shape, size, arrangement, number and choice of the various parts that make up the barrel may vary while remaining within the scope of protection of the invention defined by the appended claims.

Claims (10)

claims 1. aerator barrel (10) for a motor vehicle having at least one hollow body (11) mounted at the outlet of an air duct and opening into the passenger compartment of the vehicle for channeling an air flow, a flap (1 closing and regulating the air flow pivotally mounted in the body (11) about a transverse axis of rotation (13), a first set of pivoting fins 4) arranged on the front of the body (11). ) and a second set of swivel fins (15) disposed in the body (11) at the rear of the first set of fins (14), the fins of the first (14) and the second set (15) being mounted pivoting respectively about first (H) and second transverse pivoting axes (V), perpendicular to each other, and being interconnected respectively by at least a first (16) and a second articulated link (17) which assure them a synchronous pivoting, this aerator barrel (0) further comprising an actuating member (21) disposed in the body axis (11), mounted on at least one fin (14) directing one of the two sets of fins and couples to at least one fin (15) directing the other set of fins, in such a way is arranged to independently pivot the fins (14) of the first and the fins (15) of the second set, characterized in that it comprises a maneuvering knob (30) rotatably mounted in said actuating member (21) , and flexible mechanism (32) for rotational transmission connecting the operating knob (30) to the flap (12). 2. Aerator barrel (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said mechanism (32) comprises at least one rotary drive element (33) whose front end is coupled to the operating knob (30). in an attachment zone located on its axis of rotation, this drive element (32) being arranged to transmit the rotation of the operating knob (30) to the flap (12) to rotate it about its transverse axis of rotation (13) regardless of the position of said actuating member (21), and to allow movement of the operating knob (30) acting on said actuating member (21) of the fins (14, 1 without acting on the flap (1 3. An aerator barrel (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that said drive member is at least partially constituted by a flexible cable (33) flexible and torsionally rigid. 4. aerator barrel (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the front end of the cable (33) is articulated on the actuating knob (30) about a transverse pivot (34). Aerator barrel (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the rear end of the cable (33) is arranged to slide freely. Aerator barrel (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the rear end of the cable (33) is locked in translation, and that the cable (33) has a curved profile having a curvilinear length chosen from way the cable (33) deforms in bending during said movements of the actuating knob (30) acting on said actuating member (21) fins 15). An aerator barrel (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the rear end of said cable (33) is coupled to a conically toothed drive gear (35) supported longitudinally by a secured yoke (36). the body (11), and in that this pinion (35) meshes with a toothed sector (37) with conical teeth, integral with the front face of said flap (12) and centered on its transverse axis of rotation (13). Aerator barrel (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the flap (12) is integral with a receiver lever (38) in which a radial lumen (39) is arranged, and in that the rear end of the cable (33) integral with a driving lever (40) pivotally mounted in a body wall (11) about an axis parallel to the transverse axis of rotation (13) of the flap (12) , said drive lever (40) having an axial finger (41) guided in said radial slot (39) of the receiver lever (38). 9. aerator barrel (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the rear end of the cable (33) is integral with a drive gear (42) toothing pivotally mounted in a wall of the body ( 11), around a parallel to the transverse axis of rotation (13) of the flap (12), and meshing with the receiver gear (43) integral with the flap (12). Aerator cylinder (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said actuating member (21) constitutes a slider (22) slidably mounted in a transverse groove (23) provided on said guide fin (14) of the first set of vanes corresponding to a transverse space separating two adjacent vanes (15) of the second set of vanes, in that this slider (22) comprises a transversely cooperating lateral coupling element (25) with the leading edge of said guide fin (15) of the second set of vanes, and in that said operating knob (30) is rotatably mounted in a hole (31) formed longitudinally through the slider (21).