Claims:We Claim:
1. An air-vent 200 for a vehicle interior, the air-vent 200 comprising:
a housing 100 defining periphery of the air-vent 200, the housing 100 is having an inlet 102 , an outlet 104 and having a partition wall 111 for configuring an inner housing 113;
wherein the partition wall 111 comprising an opening (106a, 106b, 106c, 106d) for guiding the air into the inner housing 113 and directing the air into the vehicle interior;
wherein a sliding member 110 is adapted to slide in the inner housing 113, the sliding member110 is having an opening (112a, 112b, 112c, 112d), configured on a side wall of the sliding member110;
wherein upon moving the sliding member 110 the opening (106a, 106b, 106c, 106d) of the partition wall 111 and the opening of the sliding member110 is aligned in a first position for directing the air therefrom in a first direction into the vehicle interior.

2. The air-vent 200 as claimed in claim 1, wherein a partition space 111a is configured between the partition wall 111 and the inner surface of the housing 100 for the flow of air towards the vehicle interior through a vent 152.

3. The air-vent 200 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sliding member 110 is a hollow casing such that the air can pass through the inlet 102 and outlet 104 into the vehicle interior.
4. The air-vent 200 as claimed in claims 1, wherein a plurality of openings (106a, 106b, 106c, 106d) are provided in each of the four side walls of the partition wall 111 and a plurality of openings (112a, 112b, 112c, 112d) are configured on the sliding member 110 corresponding to the openings of the partition wall 111.

5. The air-vent 200 as claimed in claim 1, wherein a guiding arrangement 130 is provided inside the housing 100 to control the air flow through the air-vent 200.

6. The air-vent 200 as claimed in claim 5, wherein the guiding arrangement 130 has two guiding members 132, 134, each configured on a pivot pin 136 of the guiding arrangement 130, the guiding members 132, 134 pivot around a pivotal axis to configure an open position and a closed position.

7. The air-vent 200 as claimed in claims 1 and 6, wherein the guiding arrangement 130 is operably connected to an operating member 140, sliding movement of the operating member 140 moves the guiding member 132, 134 pivotally around the pivotal axis between the open position and the closed position.

8. The air-vent 200 as claimed in claim 7, wherein the operating member 140 is arranged centrally inside the housing 100.
9. The air-vent 200 as claimed in claim 7, wherein a rotational movement of the operating member 140 moves the vane 152 alternately between a first position and a second position.

10. The air-vent 200 as claimed in claim 7, wherein the operating member 140 and the vane 152 are connected by rack and pinion arrangement, wherein the pinion 146 is configured around the operating member 140.
, Description:Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an air-vent. More particularly, the present invention relates to an air vent for a vehicle interior.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Air-vents inside a vehicle are known for guiding and distributing air inside the vehicle from an HVAC duct. Generally, these air-vents are provided with vanes for directing and deflecting the air according to the preference of the occupants inside the vehicle. The current air-vents have a minimum of 4 vanes horizontal and 4 vanes vertical in a vane-type air-vent. These vanes facilitate in directivity of air.

[0003] These vanes may have a complex mechanism and assembly which affects the movement of the vanes. Further, a large amount of time is required for assembling these vanes. Moulding of these vanes also may amount a large time. After assembling, the vanes could be rattling or too tight depending on the hole-shaft tolerances. This is a major cause of defects in many air-vents. Also, the vanes may be fragile and may break away after a short period of usage.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need to provide an air-vent, which overcomes few or all of the drawbacks of the existing air-vents.

Objects of the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an air-vent for a vehicle interior.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide an air-vent for a vehicle interior, which does not include vanes for directivity.

[0007] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an air-vent for a vehicle interior, which has a simple mechanism for operation.

[0008] One more object of the present invention is to provide an air-vent for a vehicle interior, which enables a user to control the directivity of air flow through the air-vent effortlessly.

[0009] Still, one more object of the present invention is to provide an air-vent for a vehicle interior, which is robust in construction.

Summary of the invention

[0010] According to the present invention, an air-vent for a vehicle interior is provided. The air-vent includes a housing defining the periphery of the air vent. The housing confines an airflow channel with an air inlet and an air outlet. The air inlet allows air flow into the air flow channel of the air-vent, and the air outlet allows air to flow outside of the air-vent towards the interior of the vehicle. The housing is having a partition wall for configuring an inner housing. The partition wall is provided with at least one openings. In the present embodiment, the openings are provided in each of the four side walls of the partition wall, like a first opening, a second opening, a third opening and a fourth opening for guiding the air into the inner housing and directing the air into the vehicle interior. A partition space is configured between the partition wall and the inner surface of the housing for the flow of air towards the vehicle interior through a vent.

[0011] Further, a sliding member is configured inside the inner housing. Specifically, the sliding member is adapted to slide in the inner housing. The sliding member is a hollow casing such that the air can pass through the inlet and outlet into the vehicle interior. The sliding member may also be provided with at least one openings. The present embodiment may be shown to provide openings like a first opening, a second opening, a third opening and a fourth opening, each configured on side walls of the sliding member corresponding to the openings of the partition wall. The openings in the sliding member have to be aligned with the openings in the partition wall to ensure the flow of air towards the vehicle interior. The sliding member can be slide between four positions. At each position, one of the opening of the sliding member is aligned with the opening of the partition wall so that the air from the air-vent can be released from the aligned openings.
[0012] Specifically, one of the openings of the sliding member is aligned with the opening of the partition wall in a first position for directing the air therefrom in a first direction. Another opening of the sliding member is aligned with the opening of the partition wall in a second position for directing the air therefrom in a second direction.

[0013] When the sliding member is slide to the first position, the air flows to the vehicle interior through the fourth opening of the sliding member and the air flow is restricted through the other openings. Similarly, in the second position, the air flows through only the second opening of the sliding member while restricting the air flow through other openings. Further, the sliding member is provided with supporting members which extends vertically from each of the walls and intersect at a central portion and configures a hollow path at the central portion.

[0014] Further, the housing is provided with a guiding arrangement. The guiding arrangement is configured inside the housing and may be adjacent to the inner housing. In the present embodiment, the guiding arrangement includes two guiding members pivotally arranged on a pivot pin. The guiding members pivot around a pivotal axis of the pivot pin to configure an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the guiding members prevent the airflow towards the outlet of the housing. When the guiding members are in the open position, air flows through the housing in the vehicle interior.
[0015] Further, the guiding members are configured to slide through a guide path provided on the housing. The guide path is configured on an inner bottom portion of the housing and has an arcuate path which allows the guiding members to slide arcuately along the guide path in the closed position and the open position.

[0016] Further, the guiding arrangement is operatively connected to an operating member. The operating member is an elongated extending member extending along an X-axis. Specifically, the operating member is supported by the supporting members from the inner housing. In this embodiment, the operating member extends through the hollow path of the central portion. The operating member arranged centrally inside the housing. Specifically, the operating member is rotatably and slidably configured inside the hollow portion. Slidably configured here means, the axial movement of the operating member. The hollow path of the central portion supports the longitudinal axial movement of the operating member along an X-axis. The operating member moves the guiding members pivotally around the pivotal axis and allows the sliding movement of the guiding members along the guide path between the open position and the closed position.

[0017] The operating member is a spindle having a head portion extending outwards from the outlet. The operating member upon sliding axially from a first position to a second position, the guiding members slide from the closed position to the open position. Specifically, upon moving the operating member, the guiding arrangement slides and allows the guiding members to rotate along the pivot pin and slide through the guide path.

[0018] Further, the operating member is rotatable along the axis to change the directivity of the airflow towards the vehicle interior. Specifically, the rotational movement of the operating member enables alternate movement of the vane arranged exterior to the housing. The vane covers the opening of the partition wall. The movement of the vane enables the directivity of airflow through the openings. The vane is operable by rotating the operating member from a first direction to a second direction.

[0019] The operating member and the vane is connected by rack and pinion arrangement, wherein a pinion is configured around the operating member. The rack is arranged vertical to the operating member, which connects with the vanes. The rotation of the operating member enables the rack to engage with the pinion of the operating member allowing the rack to move vertically upside or downside allowing the vane to move between a first position and a second position.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] The advantages and features of the present invention will be understood better with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

[0021] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an air-vent in accordance with the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 illustrates a schematic side view of the air-vent showing flow of air through a first opening;

[0023] Figure 3 illustrates another side view of the air-vent showing an upward flow of air through a fourth opening;

[0024] Figure 4 illustrates a top view of the air-vent showing a downward flow of air through a second opening;

[0025] Figure 5 illustrates a sectional view of an operating member configured inside a hollow path of a housing;

[0026] Figure 6 illustrates a closed position of guiding members inside the housing;

[0027] Figure 7 illustrates an open position of the guiding members inside the housing;

[0028] Figure 8 illustrates a top view of the air vent when the guiding members are in the closed position inside the housing;

[0029] Figure 9 illustrates a top view of the air vent when the guiding members are in the open position inside the housing;

[0030] Figure 10 illustrates a schematic side view of the air-vent showing the vane in an open position, and

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0031] An embodiment of this invention, illustrating its features, will now be described in detail. The words "comprising, "having, "containing," and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.

[0032] The terms “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms “an” and “a” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

[0033] The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms.

[0034] Referring to figures 1 and 2, an air-vent 200 for a vehicle interior in according to the present invention is illustrated. The air-vent 200 facilitates in providing proper circulation of air and ventilation inside the vehicle interior. The air-vent 200 includes a housing 100 defining the periphery of the air vent 200. The housing 100 confine an airflow channel with an air inlet 102 and an air outlet 104. In the present embodiment, the housing 100 is rectangular in shape. It may be obvious to a person skilled in the art to configure the housing 100 with any other shape. The air inlet 102 allows air flow into the air flow channel of the air-vent 200, and the air outlet 104 allows air to flow outside of the air-vent 100 in the interior of the vehicle. The housing is having a partition wall 111 for configuring an inner housing 113. In the present embodiment, a partition space 111a is configured between the partition wall 111 and the inner surface of the housing 100 for the flow of air towards the vehicle interior through a vent 152 as shown in figures 2 and 3.

[0035] The partition wall 111 may be provided with at least two openings, each configured on side walls. In the present embodiment, a plurality of openings are provided in each of the four side walls (right side, downside, left and up) of the partition wall 111, like a first opening 106a, a second opening 106b, a third opening 106c and a fourth opening 106d for guiding the air into the inner housing 113 and directing the air into the vehicle interior. As the housing 100 in the present embodiment is rectangular in shape, it has four side, depending upon the shape of the housing 100 number of sides and therefore the openings may increase or decrease.

[0036] Further, a sliding member 110 is configured inside the inner housing 113. Specifically, the sliding member 110 is adapted to slide in the inner housing 113. The sliding member 110 is in near visibility to an occupant so that the occupant can manually slide the sliding member 110 or can be operated by means of a knob.

[0037] The sliding member 110 is a hollow casing with side walls having openings such that the air can pass through the inlet 102 and outlet 104 into the vehicle interior. The side walls may be provided with at least two openings. The present embodiment is shown to provide a plurality of openings like a first opening 112a, a second opening 112b, a third opening 112c and a fourth opening 112d, each configured on aside wall of the sliding member 110 and are corresponding to the openings of the partition wall 111. The openings in the sliding member 110 are aligned with the openings in the partition wall 100 to ensure the flow of air towards the vehicle interior. The sliding member 110 can be slide between four positions. At each position, one of the opening of the sliding member 110 is aligned with the opening of the partition wall 111 so that the air from the air-vent 100 can be released from the aligned openings.
[0038] Specifically, one of the openings of the sliding member 110 is aligned with the opening of the partition wall 111 in a first position for directing the air therefrom in a first direction. Another opening of the sliding member 110 is aligned with the opening of the partition wall 111 in a second position for directing the air therefrom in a second direction. Similarly, the third and fourth openings of the sliding member 110 is aligned with the respective openings in the partition wall 111 to distribute air flow in the third and fourth directions. The first, second, third and the fourth direction can be from a down portion or upside portion or left side portion or right side portion of the housing. By way of non-limiting example as shown in figure 2, in the first position, the fourth opening 112d (upside opening) of the sliding member 110 is aligned with the fourth opening 106d of the partition wall 111 allowing the flow of air through the right side portion of the housing 100. Similarly, in the second position, the second opening 112b of the sliding member 110 is aligned with the second opening 106b of the partition wall 111 allowing the flow of air through the left side portion of the housing 100 as shown in figure 3.

[0039] When the sliding member 110 slides to the first position, the air flows to the vehicle interior through the fourth opening 112d of the sliding member 110 and the air flow is restricted through the other openings. Similarly, in the second position, the air flows through only the second opening 112b of the sliding member 110 while restricting the air flow through other openings. Further, the sliding member 110 is provided with supporting members 114a, 114b, 114c, and 114d which extends vertically from each of the respective walls and intersect at a central portion and configures a hollow path 120 at the central portion as shown in figure 1.

[0040] Referring to figures 3 and 4, the housing 100 is provided with a guiding arrangement 130. The guiding arrangement 130 is configured inside the housing 100 and may be adjacent to the inner housing 113. In the present embodiment, the guiding arrangement 130 includes two guiding members 132, 134 pivotally arranged on a pivot pin 136. The guiding members 132, 134 are a flap-like arrangement which allows and prevent the flow of air through the outlet 104 of the housing 100. The guiding members 132, 134 are commonly pivoted in the pivot pin 136 of the guiding arrangement 130. The guiding members 132, 134 pivot around a pivotal axis of the pivot pin 136 to configure an open position and a closed position. In the closed position as shown in figures 6 and 8, the guiding members 132, 134 prevents the airflow towards the outlet 104 of the housing 100. When the guiding members 132, 134 are in the open position, air flows through the housing 100 in the vehicle interior as shown in figures 7 and 9.

[0041] In the present embodiment, the guiding members 132, 134 are configured to slide through a respective guide path 142, 144 provided on the housing 100. The guide path 142, 144 is configured on an inner bottom portion of the housing 100 and has an arcuate path which allows the guiding members 132, 134 to slide arcuately along the guide path 142, 144 in the closed position and in the open position.

[0042] Further, the guiding arrangement 130 is operatively connected to an operating member 140 as shown in figure 5. The operating member 140 is an elongated member extending along an X-axis. Specifically, the operating member 140 is supported by the supporting members 114a, 114b, 114c, and 114d of the inner housing 110. In the present embodiment, the operating member 140 extends through the hollow path 120 of the central portion as shown in figures 1, 2, and 3. The operating member 140 is manually operable by the user. In the present embodiment, the operating member 140 is arranged centrally inside the housing 100. Specifically, the operating member 140 is rotatably and slidably configured inside the hollow portion 120. Slidably configured here means, the axial movement of the operating member 140. The hollow path 120 of the central portion supports the longitudinal axial movement of the operating member 140 along X-axis. The operating member 140 moves the guiding members 132, 134 pivotally around the pivotal axis and allows the sliding movement of the guiding members 132, 134 along the guide path 142, 144 between the open position and the closed position.

[0043] The operating member 140 is a spindle having a head portion 140a extending outwards to the outlet 104. The operating member 140 upon sliding axially from a first position to a second position, the guiding members 132, 134 slides from the closed position to the open position as shown in figures 6, 7, 8, and 9. Specifically, upon moving the operating member 140, the guiding arrangement 130 slides and allows the guiding members 132, 134 to rotate along the pivot pin 136 and slide through the respective guide path 142, 144.

[0044] Further, the operating member 140 is rotatable along its axis to change the directivity of the airflow towards the vehicle interior. Specifically, the rotational movement of the operating member 140 enables alternate movement of the vane 152 arranged exterior to the housing 100 as shown in figures 2 and 3. The vane 152 covers the opening 106d of the partition wall 111. The movement of the vane 152 enables the directivity of airflow through these openings 106d. The vane 152 is operable by rotating the operating member 140 from a first direction to a second direction.

[0045] The operating member 140 and the vane 152 are connected by rack and pinion arrangement, wherein a pinion 146 is configured around the operating member 140 as shown in figure 5. The rack 160 is arranged vertical to the operating member 140, which connects with the vanes 152. The rotation of the operating member 140 enables the rack 160 to engage with the pinion 146 of the operating member 140 allowing the rack 160 to move vertically upside or downside allowing the vane 152 to move from a first position to a second position.
[0046] By way of non-limiting example as shown in figure 10, the operating member 140 when rotated in clockwise direction moves the rack 160 vertically upwards allowing the vane 152 to move from the first position to the second position. In the first position, the vane 152 prevents the flow of air through the opening 106d. When the vane 152 moves from the first position to the second position, the air flow through the opening 106d towards the vehicle interior. Similarly, when the operating member 140 is rotated in anti-clockwise direction, the rack 160 moves vertically downwards allowing the vane 152 to move from the second position to the first position as shown in figure 2.

[0047] In an alternate embodiment (not shown), two vanes like an upper vane (not shown) and a lower vane (not shown) are arranged respectively on a top portion and a bottom portion of the housing 100 which covers the openings 106d and 106b of the partition wall 111. The movement of the vanes enables the directivity of airflow through these openings 106d and 106b. The vanes are operable by rotating the operating member 140 from a first direction to a second direction. In this embodiment, two racks may be provided for connecting with the vanes operable by the operating member 140.

[0048] Therefore the present invention has an advantage of providing an air-vent 200 for a vehicle interior which does not include vanes for directivity. The air-vent 200 has a simple mechanism for operation and enables a user to control the directivity of air flow through the air vent 200 effortlessly. Further, the air-vent 200 is robust in construction.

[0049] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the scope of the claims of the present invention.