Claims:We claim:

1. An air vent assembly (10) for an air conditioning system of a vehicle, the air-vent assembly (10) comprising:
a first ring (6) defining a first passage (1) along an inner circumference, is fixedly connectable in an air vent of the vehicle, wherein the first passage (1) is fluidly connected to an air duct (3);
a second ring (7) movably disposed within the first ring (6), wherein the second ring (6) is defined with a second passage (5) which is in fluid communication with the first passage (1),
wherein, air passing from the first passage (1) to the second passage (5) creates a suction on an inner surface (8) of the second ring (7) to draw the air from surroundings to direct the air into a cabin of the vehicle.

2. The air-vent assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air duct (3) is configured to circulate a portion of air form a HVAC unit of the vehicle to the first passage (1).

3. The air-vent assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air duct (3) is fluidly connected to a blower for supplying a pressurized air to the first passage (1).

4. The air-vent assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second passage (5) is defined throughout an outer circumference of the second ring (7).

5. The air vent assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second passages comprises a plurality of connecting walls (2)

6. The air-vent assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1 comprises a slit (9) defined in an inner surface (8) the second ring (7), wherein the slit is in fluid communication with the second passage to guide the air along the inner surface (8) of the second ring (7).

7. The air-vent assembly (10) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the inner surface (8) of the second ring adjacent to the slit (9) is defined with a convex surface.

8. The air-vent assembly (10) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the air gliding along the convex surface creates a suction on inner surface of the second ring (7).

9. The air-vent assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the second ring (7) is at least one of a frusto-conical shape and airfoil shape.

10. The air-vent assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a sealing member (11) provided between the first ring (6) and second ring (7).

11. The air-vent assembly (10) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the sealing member (11) is positioned in a groove (12) defined in a wall of the of the first ring (6).

12. The air-vent assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second ring (7) defines an opening (4) at a substantially central portion to channelize the air into the cabin of the vehicle.

13. The air vent assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second ring is moveable in at least one of rightward, leftward, upward, downward directions relative to the first ring.

14. A vehicle comprising an air-vent assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to an air conditioning system of a vehicle. Further embodiments of the present disclosure disclose an air vent assembly for the air conditioning system of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND

A heating ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) unit or simply referred as air conditioning unit may be used in all types of vehicles ranging from passenger vehicle to commercial vehicles, to provide comfort to passengers in different climatic conditions. In HVAC unit, air may be drawn either from inside the cabin of the vehicle or from atmosphere. The drawn air may be conditioned, i.e., cooled or heated by the HVAC unit as per need of the passengers or the vehicle conditions and may be finally delivered to the cabin of the vehicle through one or more air vents provided in the cabin.

Conventionally, the HVAC unit may consist of a blower unit, heat exchangers, and air vents. The fresh air or re-circulated air may be sucked through an intake assembly of the blower unit. The blower unit may then force the air to move forward and gives it a velocity and momentum to move towards the heat exchanger coils. The air which is passing the heat exchanger coils, contacts with it to dissipate or absorb heat. This conditioned air may be passed through the one or more air ducts to blow the air to the vehicle cabin through the air vents.

The conventional air vents generally have different geometry, such as, but not limiting to circular, rectangular, and square with number of horizontal and vertical vanes to direct air flow to the vehicle cabin. In most cases, the conventional air vents lead to low occupant level air velocity, poor directivity of air and most commonly the conventional air vents are noisier causing discomfort to the occupants. Also, consumption of power to direct the air through the conventional air vents may be high and they use a greater number of parts which increases the weight as well as cost.

The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or other such relevant limitations associated with the conventional systems.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One or more shortcomings of the conventional system are overcome by the assembly as claimed and additional advantages are provided through the provision of 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 as a part of the claimed disclosure.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure an air-vent assembly for an air conditioning system of a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly includes a first ring which defines a first passage along an inner circumference. The first ring is fixedly connectable to an air vent of the vehicle. The first passage is fluidly connected to an air duct. Further, the assembly includes a second ring which is movably disposed within the first ring. The second ring is defined with a second passage which is in fluid communication with the first passage. Air passing from the first passage to the second passage creates a suction on an inner surface of the second ring. The suction created in the inner surface of the second ring draws air from the surroundings to direct into a cabin of the vehicle.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the air duct is configured to circulate a portion of air from a HVAC unit of the vehicle to the passenger. The air duct is fluidly connected to a blower for supplying a pressurized air to the first passage.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the second passage is defined throughout an outer circumference of the second ring. The second passage includes a plurality of connecting walls.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, a slit is defined in the inner surface of the second ring. The slit is in fluid communication with the second passage to guide the air along the inner surface of the second ring. The inner surface of the second ring adjacent to the slit is defined with a convex surface. The air from the second passage glides along the convex surface, thereby creating a suction on the inner surface of the second ring.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, cross-sectional shape of the second ring is at least one of frusto-conical shape and air-foil shape.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, a sealing member is provided between the first ring and second ring. The sealing member is positioned in a groove defined in a wall of the first ring.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the second ring defines an opening at a substantially central portion. The central portion channelizes the air to the cabin of the vehicle.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the second ring is movably disposed within the first ring. The second ring is moveable in at least one of forward, rearward, upward or downward directions relative to the first ring.

It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

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 FIGURES

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 embodiment 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 sectional perspective view of an air-vent assembly for an air conditioning system of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG.2 illustrates a side view the air-vent assembly of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG.3 illustrates detailed view of a portion ‘A’ of FIG.2, 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 assembly 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 form the subject of the claims of the disclosure.

It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other assemblies for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent processes do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, 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. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this disclosure.

Embodiments of the present disclosure discloses an air-vent assembly for an air conditioning system of a vehicle. The air-vent assembly of the present disclosure does not use fins to divert the air and hence creates a streamlined air flow. Also, use of the air-vent assembly (10) creates air multiplier effect and improves air velocity in the air conditioning system.

The air-vent assembly may be configured to be accommodated fixedly in an air-vent of the vehicle. The air-vent assembly of the present disclosure broadly includes a first ring and a second ring. The first ring may be fixed to the air vent of the vehicle and the second ring may movable within the first ring. The movement of the second ring relative to the first ring facilitates distribution and directivity of conditioned air within a cabin of the vehicle as per the need of the occupants. Pressurized air form the HVAC unit of the vehicle supplies air to the air vent. Unlike the conventional air vent assemblies, the air-vent assembly of the present disclosure receives air into the first ring. The first ring circulates the pressurized air to the second ring through the passage that is provided over the circumference of the second ring. The pressurized air in the second ring forces itself through a slit that is provided in the inner surface of the second ring. The slit aides in gliding the air forcing out of the second passage on the inner surface of the second ring. The air gets attached to the inner surface and does not deflect into the opening in the inner surface of the second ring. The air gliding on the surface creates a negative pressure in the opening of the second ring. The negative pressure created in the second ring causes suction of air into the vent from the rear end of the air-vent assembly and channelizes into the cabin of the vehicle. The primary air flow into the cabin is created by the air passing on the inner surface of the second ring. The secondary air flow into the cabin is created by the suction of air and channelizing it into the cabin. The air-vent assembly of the present disclosure causes air multiplier effect with the combination of primary and secondary air flow. Thus, requires less energy to supply the conditioned air to the vehicle cabin when compared to the conventional air vent assemblies which relay on operation of the blower.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the specification, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an assembly 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 method. In other words, one or more elements in an assembly proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the assembly.

Henceforth, the present disclosure is explained with the help of one or more figures of exemplary embodiments. However, such exemplary embodiments should not be construed as limitation of the present disclosure. In the figures neither the vehicle nor the complete air-conditioning system is depicted for the purpose of simplicity. One skilled in the art would appreciate that the assembly may be employed in the air conditioning system of any vehicle including but not limiting to passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and the like.

The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to FIGS.1-3. In the figures, same element or elements which have similar functions are indicated by the same reference signs.

Referring now to FIG.1 which is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, illustrating a perspective view of an air-vent assembly for an air conditioning system of a vehicle. As shown in FIG.1, the air-vent assembly (10) may include a first ring (6) that is configured to be secured in an air-vent of the vehicle. The air-vent assembly (10) may be secured in the air vent by either mechanical joining process or by thermal joining process, such as but not limiting to welding, or fastening. In an embodiment, the air-vent assembly may form a transition fit with the air vent of the vehicle. The air-vent assembly (10) may receive air through an air-duct (3) [shown in FIG.3], where a portion of the first ring (6) may be fluidly connected to the air duct (3). In an embodiment, the air duct (3) may be configured to circulate a pressurized, conditioned air received from a HVAC unit [not shown] of the vehicle. In an embodiment, a blower [not shown] of the HVAC unit may be provided to supply a pre-determined amount of air to the air-duct (3). The air from air duct (3) is further supplied to the first ring (6).

The first ring (6) is defined with a first passage (1) [best shown in FIG.2] along an inner circumference of the first ring (6). The first passage (1) receives air from the HVAC unit of the vehicle via the air duct (3). The air-vent assembly (10) further includes a second ring (7) that is disposed within the first ring (6). The second ring (7) may be movable relative to the first ring (6). In an embodiment, the second ring (7) may be moved in leftward, rightward, upward or downward directions with respect to the first ring (6). The movement of the second ring (7) inside the first ring (6) may induce a swing motion to the second ring (7). In an embodiment, the second ring (7) and the first ring (6) may be circular in shape and the second ring (7) may have a circular opening at a substantially central portion of the second ring (7). The cross-sectional shape of the second ring (7) may be at least one of frusto-conical shape or air-foil shape. However, the cross-sectional shape of the second ring (7) is not limited to the particular shapes mentioned herein, and other small modifications in shape is to be considered as part of the present disclosure. The second ring (7) is also defined with a second passage (5) on its outer circumference. The second passage (5) may be configured to receive air from the first passage (1) of the first ring (6). In an embodiment, a plurality of connecting walls may be provided in the second passage (5). The connecting walls (2) connects two halves of the second ring (7). In an embodiment, the first passage (1) of the first ring (6) may circulate the air received from the HVAC unit to the second passage (5) provisioned in the second ring (6).

Referring to FIG.2 in conjunction with FIG. 1, the second ring (7) is defined with a slit (9) [best shown in FIG.3] on an inner surface (8) of the second ring (7). In an embodiment, the slit (9) may be defined throughout the circumference of the inner surface (8) of the second ring (7). The slit (9) may be a small aperture provisioned in the inner surface (8) of the second ring (7), and the slit (9) is fluidly communicating with the second passage. Air from the second passage (5) is released along the inner surface (8) of the second ring (7) through the slit (9). The flow of air exiting the slit (9) glides along the curved area in the inner surface (8) due to the frictional effect of the air molecules with the inner surface (8). In an embodiment, the curved area may be convex shaped.

As shown in FIG.3, the air (B) exiting the slit (9) at a high velocity and pressure glides along the inner surface (8) throughout the circumference of the second ring (7). In an embodiment, the air flow (B) may be referred as the primary air flow. The air flow (B) over the surface (8) on the second ring (7) creates a negative pressure in the circular opening (4). In an embodiment, the negative pressure in the opening (4) may be caused due to the pressure difference that is created between the inner surface (8) and the opening (4). The opening (4) may be circular and may be defined at a substantially central portion of the second ring (7). The difference in pressure creates a suctional force in the opening (4) which in turn draws air from the surroundings at the rear side of the air-vent. The air flow into the opening due to suction may be regarded as a secondary flow of air (C). The primary and secondary flow of air (B and C) may be channelized from the air vent assembly (10) into the cabin of the vehicle.

In the present disclosure, the primary air flow (B) may constitute about 20% to 25% of the air flow that flows to the cabin of the vehicle, while the secondary air flow (C) caused due to the suction effect by building negative pressure in the second ring (7) constitutes about 75% to 80% of the air flow into the cabin. In an embodiment, the above stated effect of creating primary flow may be known as “Coanda effect”. The Coanda effect is aphenomena in which a jet flow attaches itself to a nearby surface and remains attached even when the surface curves away from the initial jet direction.

Further, as shown in FIG.1 and FIG.3, a sealing member (11) may be provided between the first ring (6) and second ring (7). The sealing member (11) [best shown in FIG.3] may be a gasket made of a polymeric material such as but not limited to rubber. In the present disclosure, the gasket (11) may be used to prevent the leakage of the pressurised air from the first ring (6). The sealing member (11) may have a frictional contact between the first ring (6) and the second ring (7). Further, the sealing member (11) may be retained in a specific position within grooves (12) that may be defined in a wall of the first ring (6). In an embodiment, vibrations that occur in the vehicle may be dampened by the sealing member (11), thereby reducing the vibrations reaching the vent assembly (10). The sealing member (11) absorbs the vibrations thereby making sure that the second ring (7) stays in the position as adjusted by the user in the vehicle. In an embodiment, the sealing member (11) provides a haptic feedback for the user while the user operates the directivity of second ring (6).

In operation, the pressurised, conditioned air may be supplied from the HVAC unit to the first passage (1) in the first ring (6) via an air duct (3). The pressurised air in the first passage (1) may be passed to the second ring (7) through the second passage (5). Further, the air is let out of the slit (9) to glide along the inner surface (8) of the second ring (7). The air guided onto the inner surface (8) glides along the inner surface (8) creating a negative pressure [pressure difference] in the opening at substantially central portion of the second ring (7). The negative pressure causes the suction of air surrounding the rear side of the vents. This allows the opening (4) to draw more air and channelize it to the cabin of the vehicle. The air channelized into the cabin can be directed to different portions of the cabin by the second ring. The second ring (7) swings within the first ring (6) facilitating the occupant to manage the directivity of the air flow. The directivity of the air flow by operating the second ring (7) allows the occupant to adjust the air flow as required to improve thermal comfort.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure discloses an air vent assembly (10) for an air conditioning system of a vehicle which offers advantages including reduction in number of parts. The air-vent assembly of the present disclosure is light-weight. Also, use of the air-vent assembly (10) creates air multiplier effect and improves air velocity which in turn improves the thermal comfort of the occupants.

The air-vent assembly (10) of the present disclosure does not use fins to divert the air and hence creates a streamlined air flow. The present arrangement offers a potential reduction in cost. The air-vent uses only 20% to 25% of the air flow generated by the HVAC unit which reduces the blower input power. The saving in electric power consumption helps reducing alternator load and thus improving fuel economy.

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, 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 description 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, 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."

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 and spirit being indicated in the description.

Referral Numerals:
Description Reference Number
Air-vent assembly 10
First passage 1
Connecting walls 2
Air duct 3
Opening 4
Second passage 5
First ring 6
Second ring 7
Inner surface 8
Slit 9
Sealing member 11
Groove 12
Enlarged view of section of a figure A
Primary air flow B
Secondary air flow C