FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
[39 OF 1970]
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10; rule 13] TITLE: “A MODULAR AIR VENT ASSEMBLY OF A VEHICLE”
Name and Address of the Applicant:
TATA MOTORS LIMITED of Bombay house, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400 001, Maharashtra, INDIA
Nationality: Indian
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
Present disclosure, in general, relates to the field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to an air conditioning system or a heating ventilating and air conditioning system of a vehicle. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure discloses a modular air vent assembly of the air conditioning system of the vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Modern passenger vehicles generally include a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system or an air conditioning system that enables conditioning air within a cabin of the vehicle. The HVAC or the air conditioning systems typically include a condenser, a blower, air ducts/conduits connected to the blower which channelize air from the blower and plurality of air vents which dispense air channelized by the air ducts.
Conventionally, the plurality of air vents are positioned in a dashboard of the vehicle and are generally directed towards seats in a passenger compartment in the cabin of the vehicle. As it is generally desirable for the passengers to be able to adjust the direction of air flow within the cabin, the plurality of air vents are typically provided with adjustable vanes or louvers. The adjustable vanes or louvers are selectively operated to direct the air flow as per requirement. However, these conventional air vents are rigidly fixed at predefined locations and cannot be displaced as per requirement to various locations in the cabin of the vehicle and outside the vehicle to portably condition air at specific locations inside and outside the vehicle.
Present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any other limitations associated with the known arts.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
One or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by an assembly as claimed and additional advantages are provided through the assembly as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a modular air vent assembly of a vehicle is disclosed. The modular air vent assembly includes at least one spool which is connected to a body in a cabin of the vehicle. The at least one spool is adapted to receive at least one hose, where the at least one spool is configured to selectively wind and un-wind the at least one hose. Further, the modular vent assembly includes one or more air vents which are fluidly coupled to the at least one hose. The one or more air vents are detachably fixed to the body in the cabin of the vehicle and are configured to selectively displace between a fixed position and a detached position thereby enabling selective conditioning of air at required locations inside and outside the vehicle.
In an embodiment, the one or more air vents are detachably fixed to the body proximate to the at least one spool and are configured to selectively displace between a fixed position and a detached position away from the fixed position, relative to rotation of the at least one spool.
In an embodiment, the at least one hose is defined with one end fluidly coupled to a blower and the other end is fluidly coupled to the one or more air vents.
In an embodiment, the modular air vent assembly includes a valve coupled to the at least one hose and configured to selectively regulate passage of air in the at least one hose, where the valve is a butterfly valve adapted to selectively regulate passage of air in the at least one hose.
In an embodiment, the at least one spool includes a pair of support members which are connectable to the body in the cabin of the vehicle. Further, the at least one spool includes a shaft that is rotatably connected between the pair of support members. The shaft is configured to rotate and is adapted to receive the at least one hose. Additionally, at least one resilient member is provided within the shaft which is configured to exert a biasing force during rotation of the shaft.
In an embodiment, the at least one spool is adapted to receive the at least one hose around an axis A-A.
In an embodiment, the modular air vent assembly includes a locking member coupled to the shaft of the at least one spool. The locking member is configured to lock the rotation of the shaft for positioning the one or more air vents in the detached position.

In an embodiment, the modular air vent assembly includes at least one sensor connected to the at least one spool and the one or more air vents to determine displacement of the one or more air vents between the fixed position and the detached position.
In an embodiment, the modular air vent assembly includes a control unit which is communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor and the valve is configured to selectively operate the valve based on operational signals received from the at least one sensor.
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a modular air vent assembly of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic view of at least one spool and one or more air vents in the modular air vent assembly of Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the system and method illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which forms the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, the conception and specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying other devices, systems, assemblies and mechanisms for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that, such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristics of the disclosure, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.
The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non¬exclusive inclusions, such that a system or a device that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.
Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same numerals have been used to refer to the same or like parts. The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to Figs. 1-2.
Fig. 1 is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which illustrates a modular air vent assembly (100) of a vehicle. The modular air vent assembly (100) [hereafter referred to as assembly (100)] may be a part of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system or an air conditioning system of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the vehicle may be including but not limited to a passenger vehicle, a utility vehicle, a commercial vehicle and the like. The assembly (100) may include at least one hose (2) or a duct [hereafter referred to as hose (2)]. The at least

one hose (2) may be defined with one end that may be fluidly coupled to a blower (1) of the HVAC system. In an embodiment, the at least one hose (2) may split into multiple hoses to channelize air in multiple flow paths or each of the at least one hose (2) may extend from the blower (1) in required directions to channelize air in the multiple flow paths as per requirement. For illustrative purpose one hose (2) may be split into multiple flow paths has been illustrated in Fig. 1, however, this should not be considered as a limitation as more than one hose (2) may be coupled to the blower (1) to channelize the air. Further, the assembly (100) may include a valve (3) coupled to or disposed within the at least one hose (2). The valve (3) may be configured to selectively regulate passage of air in the at least one hose (2). In an embodiment, the valve (3) may be a butterfly valve which may be adapted to allow and restrict flow of air within the at least one hose (2) to selectively regulate passage of air in the at least one hose (2). Furthermore, the valve (3) may be disposed or connected to each of the flow paths which may be divided from the at least one hose (2).
In an embodiment, the at least one hose (2) may be made of a flexible material.
Referring now to Fig. 2, the assembly (100) may include at least one spool (5) which may be connected to a body (9) in a cabin of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the body (9) may be any part of the vehicle which may be including but not limited to a dashboard, a central console, a side pillar, a seat, a door, a roof and any other part of the vehicle which may be adapted to house the at least one spool (5). The at least one spool (5) may be adapted to receive the at least one hose (2) and may be configured to selectively wind and un-wind the at least one hose (2). In an embodiment, the at least one spool (5) may be adapted to receive the at least one hose (2) around an axis A-A relative to connection of the at least one spool (5) with the body (9) of the vehicle. Further, the at least one spool (5) may include a pair of support members (7) which may be connected to the body (9). The pair of support members (7) may be including but not limited to a flange, a bracket, a fastener and the like. Furthermore, the at least one spool (5) may include a shaft (6) which may be supported between the pair of support members (9) and configured to rotate and may be adapted to receive the at least one hose (2). In an embodiment, the shaft (6) may be connected to ends of the shaft (6). The pair of support members (7) may be adapted to connect the shaft (6) to the body (9) in the cabin of the vehicle. Furthermore, the at least one spool (5) may include at least one resilient member which may be provided within the shaft (6). The at least one resilient member may be configured to exert biasing force during rotation of the shaft (6) to wind and un-wind the

at least one hose (2). In an embodiment, the at least one resilient member may be connected externally to the shaft (6). Additionally, the at least one resilient member may be including but not limited to a helical spring, a torsional spring, a compression spring, and any other flexible member capable of exerting a biasing force on the shaft (6).
Additionally, the other end of the at least one hose (2) may be fluidly coupled to one or more air vents (4). In an embodiment, the at least one hose (2) may extend from the blower (1) and around the at least one spool (5) to couple with the one or more air vents (4). The one or more air vents (4) are detachably fixed to the body (9) in the cabin of the vehicle proximate to the at least one spool (5) and may be configured to dispense air channelized within the at least one hose (2). The one or more air vents (4) are configured to selectively displace between a fixed position and a detached position which is away from the fixed position, relative to rotation of the at least one spool (5). The selective displacement of the one or more air vents (4) from the fixed position to the detached position enables selective conditioning of air at required locations inside and outside the vehicle. In an embodiment, the required locations may be at any position within the cabin of the vehicle or may be any location outside the vehicle where the one or more air vents (4) may be displaced through the window or door of the vehicle to a pre-defined position outside the cabin of the vehicle.
It should be noted that in an illustrated embodiment as seen in Fig. 1, the assembly (100) may include three air vents (4), and the same cannot be construed as a limitation since the number of air vents (4) may be dependent on cooling or heating requirement within the cabin of the vehicle. Furthermore, in an embodiment, all the air vents (4) within the cabin of the vehicle may be detachably fixed to the body (9) or at least one air vent (4) within the cabin of the vehicle may be detachably fixed to the body (9).
In an embodiment, the one or more air vents (4) may be defined with adjustable vanes or louvers [not shown in Figs] which may be selectively operated to direct the air flow as per requirement. Further, the one or more air vents (4) may be defined with connection members [not shown in Figs] which may be structured to detachably fix the one or more air vents (4) with the body (9) in the cabin of the vehicle. The connection members may interact or connect with receiving members [not shown in Figs] defined on the body (9) of the cabin to detachably connect the one or more air

vents (4) with the body (9). For example, the connection members to connect the one or more air vents (4) to the body (9) may be stubs, clips, projections and the like which may be received within receiving members which may be defined in the body (9) such as holes, cavities, grooves and the like or vice versa.
In an embodiment, the one or more air vents (4) may be defined with a gripper or a handle [not shown in Figs] to facilitate handling and maneuvering of the one or more air vents (4) in the detached position.
In an embodiment, the assembly (100) may include a locking member which may be coupled to the shaft (6) of the at least one spool (5). The locking member may be configured to lock the rotation of the shaft (6) for positioning the one or more air vents (4) in the detached position. In an embodiment, the locking member may be a mechanically operated lock or an electrically operated lock to restrict winding of the at least one spool (5) and may selectively unlock the rotation of the shaft (6) based on requirement to enable winding of the at least one spool (5) to retract the at least one hose (2) and in-turn retract the one or more air vents (4) from the detached position to the fixed position.
In an embodiment, the assembly (100) may include at least one sensor (8) which may be connected at least, to the at least one spool (5) and the one or more air vents (4) to determine displacement of the one or more air vents (4) between the fixed position and the detached position.
In an embodiment, the assembly (100) may include a control unit (CU). The control unit (CU) may be communicatively coupled to at least one of, the at least one sensor (8) and the valve (3). The control unit (CU) may be configured to selectively transmit signals to operate the valves (3) based on operational signals received from the at least one sensor (8). For example, the control unit (CU) may be configured to receive a signal to activate the valves (3) in the at least one hose (2) coupled to the one or more air vents (4) which are in the fixed condition to restrict air flow and allow passage of air flow only within the at least one hose (2) coupled to the one or more air vents (4) in the detached condition based on operational signals received from the at least one sensor (8).
Furthermore, in an embodiment, the control unit (CU) may be configured with predefined functions which may include operating the blower (1) and setting a predefined temperature of air

corresponding to detection of detached condition of the one or more air vents (4). For example, the control unit (CU) may be configured with a predefined function of converting the one or more air vents (4) into a hot press or a steam press to remove creases from fabric, where the predefined function may include automatically operating the blower (1) at maximum speed and setting the temperature of air by the control unit (CU), at a highest temperature level.
In an embodiment, the control unit (CU) may be configured to switch ON the components of the HVAC system upon detection of the detached position of the one or more air vents (4). Further, the control unit (CU) may be configured to switch OFF the components of the HVAC system upon detection of the fixed position of the one or more air vents (4). In another embodiment, the control unit (CU) may also operate the valves (3) such that air may be dispensed through each of the one or more air vents (4) even when one of the one or more air vents (4) is in the detached position.
In an embodiment, the control unit (CU) may be a centralized control unit of the vehicle or may be a dedicated control unit to the assembly (100) associated with the centralized control unit of the vehicle. The control unit (CU) may also be associated with other control units including, but not limited to, a body control module (BCM), a central control module (CCM), a general electronic module (GEM), and the like. In an embodiment, the control unit (CU) may include a processing unit, where the processing unit may comprise at least one data processor for executing program components for executing user- or system-generated requests. Further, the control unit (CU) may be an electronic control unit, disposed in communication with one or more memory devices via a storage interface.
In an operational embodiment, upon detaching the one or more air vents (4) from the fixed position to the detached position, the at least one hose (2) may also be displaced with the one or more air vents (4). The displacement of the at least one hose (2) may rotate the at least one spool (5) to un¬wind the at least one hose (2) received around the at least one spool (5). Further, upon displacement of the one or more air vents (4) from the detached position to the fixed position, the at least one hose (2) may displace back and the at least one spool (5) may rotate in the opposite direction due to the biasing force of the at least on resilient member to wind the at least one hose (2) around the at least one spool (5).

It should be noted that in an exemplary embodiment, as seen in the Figs. 1 and 2 the construction, profile, arrangement, layout and connections of the assembly (100) should not be construed as a limitation as the assembly (100) may include any other type of construction, profile, arrangement, layout and connection or any other combinations for providing selective conditioning of air at predefined locations as per requirement.
In an embodiment, the assembly (100) is simple in construction and has less number of components which results in low-cost manufacturing and easy maintenance.
In an embodiment, the assembly (100) facilitates a simple and a convenient approach to condition air at select locations as per requirement within the vehicle cabin and outside the vehicle cabin as well.
In an embodiment and as indicated above, the assembly (100) facilitates conditioning of air outside the vehicle. Further, the one or more air vents (4) may be employed as a hot press or a steam press or a hair dryer. Further, the one or more air vents (4) may be configured to provide portable air conditioning as per requirement. Furthermore, the one or more air vents (4) may be employed as a hand held air vent to direct air as per requirement such as tents pitched proximal to the vehicle or to cool a beverage container etc.
It should be imperative that the construction and configuration of the assembly and any other elements or components described in the above detailed description should not be considered as a limitation with respect to the figures. Rather, variation to such structural configuration of the elements or components should be considered within the scope of the detailed description.
Equivalents:
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of

including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope being indicated by the following claims.

Referral Numerals:

Reference Number Description
100 Modular air vent assembly
1 Blower
2 Hose
3 Valve
4 Air vent
5 Spool
6 Shaft
7 Support member
8 Sensor
9 Body
CU Control unit

We Claim:
1. A modular air vent assembly (100) of a vehicle, comprising:
at least one spool (5) connected to a body in a cabin of the vehicle and adapted to receive at least one hose (2), wherein the at least one spool (5) is configured to selectively wind and un-wind the at least one hose (2); and
one or more air vents (4) fluidly coupled to the at least one hose (2), wherein the one or more air vents (4) are detachably fixed to the body in the cabin of the vehicle.
2. The modular air vent assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more air vents (4) are detachably fixed to the body proximate to the at least one spool (5) and are configured to selectively displace between a fixed position and a detached position away from the fixed position, relative to rotation of the at least one spool (5).
3. The modular air vent assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one hose (2) is defined with one end fluidly coupled to a blower (1) and the other end is fluidly coupled to the one or more air vents (4).
4. The modular air vent assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a valve (3) coupled to the at least one hose (2) and configured to selectively regulate passage of air in the at least one hose (2).
5. The modular air vent assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the valve (3) is a butterfly valve adapted to selectively regulate passage of air in the at least one hose (2).
6. The modular air vent assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one spool (5) comprises:
a pair of support members (7) connectable to the body (9) in the cabin of the vehicle;
a shaft (6) rotatably connected between the pair of support members (9), wherein the shaft (6) is configured to rotate and is adapted to receive the at least one hose (2); and
at least one resilient member, provided within the shaft (6) and configured to exert a biasing force during rotation of the shaft (6).

7. The modular air vent assembly (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one spool (5) is adapted to receive the at least one hose (2) around an axis A-A.
8. The modular air vent assembly (100) as claimed in claim 6, comprises a locking member coupled to the shaft (6) of the at least one spool (5), the locking member is configured to lock the rotation of the shaft (6) for positioning the one or more air vents (4) in the detached position.
9. The modular air vent assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises at least one sensor (8) connected to the at least one spool (5) and the one or more air vents (4) to determine displacement of the one or more air vents (4) between the fixed position and the detached position.
10. The modular air vent assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a control unit (CU) communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor (8) and the valve (3), wherein the control unit (CU) is configured to selectively operate the valve (3) based on operational signals received from the at least one sensor (8).