Claims:We Claim:

1. Air vent (1) for a vehicle, comprising
a housing (2), configured to guide an air flow from an air inlet opening (3) to an air outlet opening (4),
an air guiding element (5) arranged at least partly within the housing (2) such that a first outer surface (6) of the air guiding element (5) and the housing (2) define a first air channel (7) for guiding a first partial air flow and a second outer surface (8) of the air guiding element (5) and the housing (2) define a second air channel (9) for guiding a second partial air flow,
wherein the air guiding element (5) comprises a first closure element (13) for closing the first air channel (7) and a second closure element (14) for closing the second air channel (9), the first closure element (13) being arranged at least partly within the first air channel (7) and the second closure element (14) being arranged at least partly within the second air channel (9),
wherein the first closure element (13) comprises a first front surface (15) and the second closure element (14) comprises a second front surface (16),
characterized in that
the first closure element (13) and the second closure element (14) are arranged such that when the first air channel (7) and the second air channel (9) are closed by the closing elements, the first front surface (15) and the second front surface (16) are facing the outside (17) of the air vent (1) and such that when the first air channel (7) and the second air channel (9) are open, the first front surface (15) is part of the first outer surface (6) of the air guiding element (5) and the second front surface (16) is part of the second outer surface (8) of the air guiding element (5).

2. Air vent (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first closure element (13) is pivotable around a first pivot axis (22), the second closure element (14) is pivotable around a second pivot axis (23), and the second pivot axis (23) is parallel to or co-axial with the first pivot axis (22).

3. Air vent (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a manipulator (28) for closing the first closure element (13) and the second closure element (14), wherein the manipulator (28) is arranged at a first end portion (24) of the air guiding element (5), the first end portion (24) facing towards or projecting through the air outlet opening (4).

4. Air vent (1) according to claim 3, wherein the manipulator (28) is or comprises a push button (29), in particular a push button (29) comprising a biasing member (30).

5. Air vent (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein each of the first closure element (13) and the second closure element (14) comprises a connecting element connected to a first end portion (32) of the respective closure element and configured to translate a motion of the manipulator (28) into a motion of the closure element, the first end portion (32) extending away from the air guiding element (5) and towards the housing (2) when the first air channel (7) and the second air channel (9) are open.

6. Air vent (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first air channel (7) and the second air channel (9) are configured such that the first partial air flow and the second partial air flow collide at the downstream side of the first closure element (13) and second closure element (14).

7. Air vent (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air guiding element (5) has a substantially egg-shaped or teardrop-shaped cross-section.

8. Air vent (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an air regulating flap arranged at least partly between the air guiding element (5) and the air inlet opening (3), configured to be pivotable to at least partially obstruct the first air channel (7) or the second air channel (9) for regulating a ratio of the first partial air flow and the second partial air flow.

9. Air vent (1) according to claim 8 when dependent on claim 3, wherein the manipulator (28) is further configured to be pivotable for pivoting the air guiding flap.

10. Air vent (1) according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising at least one directional vane arranged at least partly within the housing (2), the at least one directional vane being pivotable around an axis that is perpendicular to a pivot axis of the air regulating flap to regulate a direction of the air flow.
, Description:Field of the Invention:
The disclosure concerns an air vent, particularly an air vent for a vehicle.

Background of the Invention:
An air vent of the type described herein comprises a housing configured to guide an air flow from an air inlet opening to an air outlet opening as well as various components configured to guide and/or shut off the air flow and regulate, for instance, the flow rate and/or directionality of the air flow.

Numerous examples of such air vents are known in the art. In many cases, spatial constraints need to be taken into account when considering the place-ment of air vents. In particular, the available space for air vents in dashboards, center consoles, ceilings, pillars, door modules, or similar interior elements of a motor vehicle may be highly limited. Accommodating the various components of the air vent for guiding, shutting and regulating the air flow may make the air vent too large to easily fit into the available space.

Another issue with known air vents can be insufficient protection against dust (or other small objects, such as coins) entering the interior of the air vent from the air outlet side when the air vent is not in use.

Object of the Invention:
Consequently, a problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide an air vent that avoids the above-mentioned shortcomings.

Summary of the Invention:
This problem is solved by an air vent according to independent claim 1. Preferred embodiments, further developments, and applications become apparent in combination with the dependent claims.

An air vent of the kind proposed here comprises a housing, configured to guide an air flow from an air inlet opening to an air outlet opening, an air guiding element arranged at least partly within the housing such that a first outer surface of the air guiding element and the housing define a first air channel for guiding a first partial air flow and a second outer surface of the air guiding element and the housing define a second air channel for guiding a second partial air flow.

An interior of the housing defines a cavity. The air outlet opening is configured to fluidly connect the cavity with surrounding air. The air inlet opening and the air outlet opening may be diametrical or nearly diametrical with respect to one another. A central axis is defined as an axis extending approximately through the center of the housing from the air inlet opening to the air outlet opening. For example, if the air vent has a mirror symmetric arrangement, the central axis may be an axis in the symmetry plane. The central axis may be a curved line part. A direction parallel to or coaxial with the central axis is referred to as the axial direction.

The air inlet opening may be connectable or connected to an air duct. The air duct may be part of an HVAC (heating and/or ventilation and/or air condition-ing) system. The HVAC system may be an HVAC system of a motor vehicle. The air duct may be configured to cause the air flow through the cavity, e.g. by being fluidly connected to a central unit of the HVAC system.
The air outlet opening may be configured to allow for the cavity to be fluidly connected with, for instance, a space in the interior of a motor vehicle or any other space where a discharge of air is desired. The air outlet opening may be configured to allow for a discharge of the air flow into said space when the air inlet opening is connected to the air duct of the HVAC system.

The air guiding element may be a substantially rigid body mounted in a fixed position with respect to the housing. The air guiding element is fully or partially contained within the cavity. Spaces between the housing and the air guiding element on opposite sides of the air guiding element form part of the first air channel and the second air channel.

The air guiding element comprises a first closure element for closing the first air channel and a second closure element for closing the second air channel, the first closure element being arranged at least partly within the first air channel and the second closure element being arranged at least partly within the second air channel. The first closure element comprises a first front surface and the second closure element comprises a second front surface.

The first closure element and the second closure element are arranged such that when the first air channel and the second air channel are closed by the closure elements, the first front surface and the second front surface are facing the outside of the air vent and such that when the first air channel and the second air channel are open, the first front surface is part of the first outer surface of the air guiding element and the second front surface is part of the second outer surface of the air guiding element.

The first closure element and the second closure element are movable elements, each configured to be movable to a closed position, in which the respective air channel is closed and the corresponding partial air flow is shut off or minimal, and an open position, in which the respective air channel is open and the corresponding partial air flow is maximal. The first closure element and the second closure element may be movable independently or jointly, i.e. in a coupled manner.

The first closure element and the second closure element being arranged such that the first front surface is part of the first outer surface of the air guiding element and the second front surface is part of the second outer surface of the air guiding element when the first air channel and the second air channel are open means that in the open position, the first front surface and the second front surface are facing away from an inside of the air guiding element and towards the housing such that the housing and the first front surface and the second front surface define at least a part of the first air channel and the second air channel, respectively. For this purpose, the air guiding element may have a first recessed portion configured to accommodate at least part of the first closure element and a second recessed portion configured to accommodate at least part of the second closure element.

Arranging the first and second closure element such that the first front surface is part of the first outer surface of the air guiding element and the second front surface is part of the second outer surface of the air guiding element when the first air channel and the second air channel are open enables, on the one hand, closing the first air channel and/or the second air channel without providing a single, central closure element. This allows for a space-saving placement of the closure elements and a correspondingly compact housing, particularly along the axial direction, as no additional closure element (such as a single, central closure element) needs to be arranged in other parts of the air vent. For example, no closure element is necessary between the air guiding element and the air inlet opening, which would lead to an axially more elongated housing. The available space in the first air channel and the second air channel at or near the air guiding element is used in an efficient, space-saving manner for accommodating the first closure element and the second closure element.

On the other hand, said arrangement of the first closure element and the second closure element ensures favorable air guiding properties of the first air channel and the second air channel, as the air path through the channels is not impeded by the closure elements. Additionally, said arrangement enables a particularly simple construction of the air vent, which may have fewer parts and according-ly be more cost-effective and robust than, for instance, a complex system of flaps and gears.

The first front surface and the second front surface facing the outside of the air vent when the first air channel and the second air channel are closed means that in the closed position, the first front surface and the second front surface are oriented towards the air outlet opening and/or oriented away from the air inlet opening. This provides effective protection of the interior of the air vent from dust and other small objects or particles.

As the first closure element and the second closure element face the outside of the air vent in the closed position, the first closure element and the second closure element may be arranged such that they are visible from the outside of the air vent at the outlet side. For instance, the first closure element and the second closure element may be flush with a trim panel of the vehicle or with a front surface of the housing of the air vent. This allows for a decorative appearance of the air vent as well as for a direct visual feedback on whether the closure elements are in the open position or in the closed position.
The first closure element may be pivotable around a first pivot axis, the second closure element may be pivotable around a second pivot axis. The second pivot axis may be parallel to or co-axial with the first pivot axis. Alternatively, the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis may be at an angle, for example an angle ranging from zero to ninety degrees, to each other. The first pivot axis and the second pivot axis may be arranged at or near a first end portion of the air guiding element, the first end portion facing the air outlet opening or protruding through the air outlet opening.

The first closure element and the second closure element may comprise pivotable flaps, pivotable around the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis, respectively. Such pivotable flaps may be flat, rigid bodies. The first pivot axis and/or the second pivot axis may be formed by a respective hinge-like structure and/or rod and/or spindle arranged at the air guiding element and/or the housing, with an end portion of the corresponding shutoff element pivotably mounted to the pivot axis.

Using pivotable flaps as closure elements may have the advantage that they allow for an efficient shutoff and robust construction and that numerous ways to actuate or manipulate such flaps are known in the art.

Arranging the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis such that they are parallel or co-axial, allows for favorable constructive arrangements of the first closure element and the second closure element such that they may be actuated or manipulated by robust and user-friendly control elements.
The air vent may further comprise a manipulator for closing the first closure element and the second closure element, wherein the manipulator is arranged at the first end portion of the air guiding element. Providing the air vent with such a manipulator enables convenient operation (i.e. opening and/or closing) of the first closure element and the second closure element. The manipulator may be operated manually or via an actuator, for example a motor. An advantage of using a motor is that a knob or button for manual operation can be omitted.

For manual operation, the manipulator may be or comprise a push button, in particular a push button comprising a biasing member, such as a spring. This allows for simple operation of the first closure element and the second closure element while providing tactile feedback of the operation.

Each of the first closure element and the second closure element may comprise a connecting element connected to a first end portion of the respective closure element and configured to translate a motion of the manipulator into a motion of the closure element, the first end portion extending away from the air guiding element and towards the housing when the first air channel and the second air channel are open. The connecting elements may provide stable and secure positioning of the closure elements as well as reduce the force required to operate the closure elements by acting as levers.

The air guiding element may have a substantially egg-shaped or teardrop-shaped cross-section when viewing in a direction perpendicular to the central axis. Such a shape may have favorable air guiding/air flow properties.

The air vent may further comprise an air regulating flap arranged at least partly between the air guiding element and the air inlet opening, configured to be pivotable to at least partially obstruct the first air channel or the second air channel for regulating a ratio of the first partial air flow and the second partial air flow.

The air regulating flap may be a rigid element mounted pivotably (around a third pivot axis) between the air inlet opening and the air guiding element, preferably close or adjacent to a second end portion of the air guiding element, the second end portion being oriented towards the air inlet opening.

The air regulating flap may be configured to regulate the ratio between the first partial air flow and the second partial air flow by pivoting away from a neutral position such that either the first air channel or the second air channel is at least partially obstructed when viewed from the air inlet opening. In the neutral position, the first partial air flow and the second partial air flow may be equal, i.e. have equal flow rates. If the housing is symmetrical about the central axis, the air regulating flap may be aligned along the axial direction when in the neutral position. The air regulating flap may be configured to pivot to a first extreme position, in which the first air channel is fully obstructed, and to a second extreme position, in which the second air channel is fully obstructed.

The first air channel and the second air channel may be configured such that the first partial air flow and the second partial air flow collide at the down-stream side of the air guiding element, more in particular at the downstream side of both the first closure element and second closure element. Regulating the ratio between the two colliding partial air flows – for example by means of an air regulating flap as described – allows regulating the direction of the air flow discharged into for example a vehicle interior.

The air vent may further comprise at least one directional vane, preferably a plurality of directional vane arranged in a pairwise parallel fashion. The at least one directional vane may be arranged within the housing, the at least one directional vane being pivotable around an axis that is perpendicular to the central axis of the air vent and/or perpendicular to a pivot axis of the air regulating flap to regulate a direction of the air flow and/or the first partial air flow and/or the second partial air flow.

Depending on the positions of the first and second closure element, the at least one directional vane may be placed in a different part of the first and/or second air channel, thus permitting a highly efficient use of space within the air vent while providing good air flow guiding and regulating capabilities. The at least one directional vane may also be arranged at least partially between the air guiding element and the air inlet opening or elsewhere in the air vent.

If the air vent comprises an air regulating flap and/or at least one directional vane as well as a manipulator as described above, the manipulator may further be configured to be pivotable or slidable for pivoting the air regulating flap and/or the at least one directional vane, thereby providing a convenient way to operate multiple movable elements using the same manipulating element.

Brief description of the drawings:
The above, as well as other advantages of the proposed air vent, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the air vent when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings, in which

Fig. 1 shows schematically a cross-section of an air vent according to an illustrative example with a first closure element and a second closure element in a closed position,

Fig. 2 shows schematically a cross-section of the air vent of Fig. 1 with the first closure element and the second closure element in an open position.

Detailed description of the Invention:
Recurring features in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are provided with identical reference numerals.

The air vent 1 shown in Fig. 1 comprises a housing 2, configured to guide an air flow from an air inlet opening 3 to an air outlet opening 4, and an air guiding element 5 arranged within the housing 2. A first outer surface 6 of the air guiding element 5 and the housing 2 define a first air channel 7 for guiding a first partial air flow. A second outer surface 8 of the air guiding element 5 and the housing 2 define a second air channel 9 for guiding a second partial air flow.

An interior of the housing 2 defines a cavity 10. The air inlet opening 3 in the housing 2 is configured to fluidly connect the cavity 10 with surrounding air. The air inlet opening 3 is configured for fluidly connecting the cavity 10 with an air flow providing unit. The air inlet opening 3 and the air outlet opening 4 are diametrical to one another. The air vent 1 has a mirror symmetric arrange-ment about a symmetry plane containing a central axis 11, the central axis 11 extending through the center of the housing 2 from the air inlet opening 3 to the air outlet opening 4. A direction parallel to or coaxial with the central axis 11 is referred to as an axial direction.
The air inlet opening 4 is connectable to an air duct (not shown), which is part of an HVAC (heating and/or ventilation and/or air conditioning) system of a motor vehicle, the air vent 1 being mountable in a trim panel 12 of the motor vehicle. Through the air outlet opening 4 the cavity 10 is in fluid connection with a space in the interior of a motor vehicle such that the air outlet opening 4 allows for a discharge of the air flow into said space.

The air guiding element 5 is a substantially rigid body comprising, for instance, plastic or metal materials. The air guiding element 5 is affixed to walls of the housing 2, i.e. mounted in a fixed position with respect to the housing 2, and contained within the cavity 10 such that spaces between the housing 2 and the air guiding element 5 on opposite sides of the air guiding element 5 form part of the first air channel 7 and the second air channel 9.

The air guiding element 5 comprises a first closure element 13 for closing the first air channel 7 and a second closure element 14 for closing the second air channel 9, the first closure element 13 being arranged within the first air channel 7 and the second closure element 14 being arranged within the second air channel 9. The first closure element 13 comprises a first front surface 15 and the second closure element 14 comprises a second front surface 16.

The first closure element 13 and the second closure element 14 are movable elements, each configured to be movable to a closed position (shown in Fig. 1), in which the respective air channel 7 or 9 is closed and the corresponding partial air flow is shut off, and an open position (shown in Fig. 2), in which the respective air channel 7 or 9 is open and the corresponding partial air flow is maximal.

The first closure element 13 and the second closure element 14 are arranged such that when the first air channel 7 and the second air channel 9 are closed by the closure elements 13 and 14 as shown in Fig 1, the first front surface 15 and the second front surface 16 are facing the outside 17 of the air vent 1. In the closed position, the first front surface 15 and the second front surface 16 are oriented away from the air inlet opening 3 and towards the inside of the vehicle. In the closed position, the first front surface 15 of the first closure element 13 and the second front surface 16 of the second closure element 14 are visible from the outside 17 of the air vent 1, more in particular from the vehicle interior. In the closed position, the first closure element 13 and the second closure element 14 may be flush with a third front surface 18 of the housing 2 of the air vent 1.

Furthermore, the first closure element 13 and the second closure element 14 are arranged such that when the first air channel 7 and the second air channel 9 are open, i.e. when the first closure element 13 and the second closure element 14 are in the open position as shown in Fig. 2, the first front surface 15 is part of the first outer surface 6 of the air guiding element 5 and the second front surface 16 is part of the second outer surface 8 of the air guiding element 5. In the open position, the first front surface 13 and the second front surface 14 are facing away from an inside 19 of the air guiding element 5 and towards the first air channel 7 and the second air channel 9, respectively. For this purpose, the air guiding element 5 has a first recessed portion 20 configured to accom-modate the first closure element 13 and a second recessed portion 21 config-ured to accommodate the second closure element 14 in such a way that the closure elements are flush with another part of the outer surface of the air guiding element in order to guide the partial air flows without disturbances or at least with minimal disturbances along the surface of the air guiding element.

The first closure element 13 is pivotable around a first pivot axis 22, the second closure element is pivotable around a second pivot axis 23. The second pivot axis 23 is parallel to the first pivot axis 22. Alternatively, the first pivot axis 22 and the second pivot axis 23 may be coaxial. The first pivot axis 22 and the second pivot axis 23 are arranged near a first end portion 24 of the air guiding element 5, which first end portion is facing or protruding through the air outlet opening 4.

The first closure element 13 and the second closure element 14 comprise pivotable flaps 25, pivotable around the first pivot axis 22 and the second pivot axis 23, respectively. The pivotable flaps 25 are flat, rigid bodies comprising, for example, plastic or metal materials. Each of the first pivot axis 22 and the second pivot axis 23 is formed by a rod 26 arranged within the respective recessed portion 20, 21. The rods may be affixed to the housing 2. The pivot axes 22 and 23 may alternatively be formed by hinge-like structures or other elements.

The air vent 1 further comprises a manipulator 28 for closing the first closure element 13 and the second closure element 14, wherein the manipulator 28 is arranged at the first end portion 24 of the air guiding element 5. The manipula-tor 28 is operated manually, but operation via an actuator, for example a motor, is alternatively possible. Using the manipulator 28, the first closure element 13 and the second closure element 14 are movable jointly, i.e. in a coupled manner such that the two closing elements are simultaneously in their closed or open position. Alternatively, the first closure element 13 and the second closure element 14 may be movable independently, for instance by means of separate manipulators.

The manipulator 28 comprises a push button 29 comprising a spring as a biasing member 30. Each of the first closure element 13 and the second closure element 14 comprises a connecting element 31 connected to a first closure element end portion 32 of the respective closure element 13/14 and configured to translate a linear motion of the manipulator 28 into a pivoting motion of the closure element 13/14, the first closure element end portion 32 extending away from the air guiding element 5 and towards the housing 2 in the open position (Fig. 2).

For translating the linear motion of the manipulator 28 into a pivoting motion of the closure elements 13 and 14, the manipulator 28 comprises a pushing pin 33 connected to the push button 29, the pushing pin 33 pivotably connected to the connecting elements 31. When the closure elements 13, 14 are in the open position (Fig. 2) and the push button 29 is pushed, the biasing member 30 is compressed, the closure elements 13, 14 pivot to the closed position, and a locking portion 34 of the pushing pin 33 is held in a socket 35 (Fig. 1). When the closure elements 13, 14 are in the closed position (Fig. 1) and the push button 29 is pushed and subsequently released, the locking portion 34 of the pushing pin 33 is released from the socket 35 and the biasing member 30 pushes on the pushing pin 33 such that the closure elements 13, 14 pivot to the open position (Fig. 2).

The air guiding element 5 has a substantially egg-shaped cross-section, though other cross-sections such as teardrop-shaped or oval cross-sections are also possible.

The air vent 1 further comprises an air regulating flap 36 arranged between the air guiding element 5 and the air inlet opening 3, configured to be pivotable to partially or fully obstruct the first air channel 7 or the second air channel 9 (depending on the pivoting direction) for regulating a ratio of the first partial air flow and the second partial air flow.

The air regulating flap 36 is a rigid element, comprising, for example, plastic or metal materials, which is mounted pivotably (around a third pivot axis 37) between the air inlet opening 3 and the air guiding element 5, adjacent to a second end portion 38 of the air guiding element 5, the second end portion 38 being oriented towards the air inlet opening 3.

The air regulating flap 36 is configured to regulate the ratio between the first partial air flow and the second partial air flow when the closure elements 13, 14 are in their open position, by pivoting away from a neutral position such that either the first air channel 7 or the second air channel 9 is at least partially obstructed when viewed from the air inlet opening 3. In the neutral position as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the first partial air flow and the second partial air flow are equal, i.e. have equal flow rates. Consequently, the colliding partial air flows result in a net air flow into the vehicle interior that is directed in the axial direction of the air vent. The air regulating flap 36 is configured to pivot to a first extreme position, in which the first air channel 7 is fully obstructed, and to a second extreme position, in which the second air channel 9 is fully obstructed (not shown). When the air regulating flap 36 is in its first extreme position, the net air flow into the vehicle interior is directed upwards. When the air regulat-ing flap 36 is in its second extreme position, the net air flow into the vehicle interior is directed downwards.

The first air channel 7 and the second air channel 9 are configured – due to their shape and alignment – such that the first partial air flow and the second partial air flow collide at the downstream side of the air guiding element, more in particular at the downstream side of both the first closure element 13 and second closure element 14. Regulating the fractions of the air flow that make up the first and second partial air flow by means of the air regulating flap 36 regulates a net discharge direction of the air flow discharged through the air outlet opening 4.

The air vent 1 further comprises a plurality of directional vanes (not shown), arranged within the first air channel 7 and the second air channel 9. Alterna-tively, the plurality of directional vanes may also be arranged at least partially between the air guiding element and the air outlet opening or elsewhere in the air vent. The directional vanes are configured to be pivotable – while maintain-ing a pairwise parallel arrangement – around axes perpendicular to the pivot axis 37 of the air regulating flap 36 to regulate a direction of the first partial air flow and the second partial air flow. More in particular the directional vanes are configured to direct an air flow in a direction that is parallel to the direction of the pivot axis of the air regulating flap 36.

List of reference numerals:
1 Air vent
2 Housing
3 Air inlet opening
4 Air outlet opening
5 Air guiding element
6 First outer surface
7 First air channel
8 Second outer surface
9 Second air channel
10 Cavity
11 Central axis
12 Trim panel
13 First closure element
14 Second closure element
15 First front surface
16 Second front surface
17 Outside
18 Third front surface
19 Inside
20 First recessed portion
21 Second recessed portion
22 First pivot axis
23 Second pivot axis
24 First end portion
25 Pivotable flap
26 Rod
27 Second closure element end portion
28 Manipulator
29 Push button
30 Biasing member
31 Connecting element
32 First closure element end portion
33 Pushing pin
34 Locking portion
35 Socket
36 Air regulating flap
37 Third pivot axis
38 Space