DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to a field of Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for controlling the direction of flow of air passing through an apparatus.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Typically, Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in vehicles include an air vent apparatus. The air vent apparatus includes a frame, a plurality of louvers mounted on the frame, and a thumbwheel operable for closing or opening the louvers of the air vent assembly. The thumbwheel (dial) allows users to direct the airflow as per their requirement and to shut-off the airflow whenever required. The air vent apparatus further includes a set of vanes located behind the louvers and a control wheel/knob. The vanes extend in a direction perpendicular to the louvers. The vanes are also mounted to the frame and are operable using the control wheel/knob to change the direction of the airflow.
To facilitate control of airflow, the thumbwheel and the louvers of the air vent assembly have to be linked to one another through a linkage mechanism. The arrangement of thumbwheel, louvers and the linkage mechanism takes up a lot of space and adds to the cost of the air vent apparatus, which is not desired.
Currently there exists is no in-vehicle HVAC system which facilitates control of airflow from the vent without the use of the thumbwheel.
Therefore, there is a need for an airflow direction control apparatus for a HVAC system that alleviates the abovementioned problems.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide an airflow direction control apparatus for a Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an airflow direction control apparatus for a HVAC system that is compact.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide an airflow direction control apparatus for a HVAC system that is economical.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an airflow direction control apparatus for a HVAC system that is simple in construction and operation.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide an airflow direction control apparatus for a HVAC system that increases the air outlet area from the vent of the HVAC system, thereby making it easy to achieve the flow level targets.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an airflow direction control apparatus for a HVAC system that allows maximum air flow to be shut-off with minimal air loss.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide an airflow direction control apparatus for a HVAC system that is easy for maintenance.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages an airflow direction control apparatus for a HVAC system. The apparatus comprises at least one housing, a plurality of first guide vanes, a first coupling means and at least one knob. The housing of the apparatus defines an air passage in which the plurality of first guide vanes is being located. The first guide vanes are configured to be disposed along a first axis within the housing, and further configured with at least one first master guide vane therebetween. The first coupling means is configured to operatively engage to one of extreme end of the first guide vanes. The coupling means is configured to synchronize the movement of the first guide vanes with the first master guide vane in an operative configuration.
In an embodiment, the first master guide vane is configured to be in mechanical engagement with the plurality of the first guide vanes by means of the first coupling means.
Further, the at least one knob is configured to be fitted on an operative surface of the first master guide vane. The knob is configured to actuate the plurality of first guide vanes. In an operative configuration of the apparatus, a predefined swaying movement of the knob is configured to actuate the plurality of first guide vanes, and thereby the first guide vanes direct air in a first desired direction.
In an embodiment, the knob is configured to be slidably fitted with a predefined sideways movement on the first master guide vane.
In another embodiment, the first master guide vane is configured with at least a pair of first stopper, configured to restrict the predefined sideways movement of the knob.
In another embodiment, the knob is configured with a U-shaped slot therebetween, the slot is configured to receive the first master guide vane therein.
Further, the apparatus further comprises a plurality of second guide vanes. The second guide vanes are configured to be disposed along a second axis within the housing, and further configured with at least one second master guide vane therebetween.
In an embodiment, the second axis is defined along a vertical axis and the first axis is defined along a horizontal axis of the housing.
Further, the first guide vanes and the second guide vanes are being pivotally mounted to mutually perpendicular axes of the housing. The first guide vanes and the second guide vanes are allowed to pivotally rotate with the actuation of the knob. A second coupling means is provided with the apparatus. The second coupling means is configured to operatively engage to one of extreme end of the second guide vanes. The second coupling means is configured to engage the second master guide vane with the plurality of second guide vanes, and further configured to synchronize the movement of the second guide vanes with the second master guide vane.
In an embodiment, the plurality of second guide vanes is configured to operatively rotate to shut-off the airflow passage of the apparatus.
In another embodiment, the plurality of first guide vanes and the plurality of second guide vanes are hingedly mounted on an operative surface of the housing.
Further, the second master guide vane is configured with at least one engaging means and the knob is configured with at least one connecting means, the connecting means is configured to be received within the engaging means in an operative configuration.
In an embodiment, the predefined sideways movement of the knob configured to actuate the second master guide vane, and further configured to actuate the second guide vanes to control the airflow in a second desired direction.
In another embodiment, the desired direction of airflow is defined at least along an eye-sight direction or along a hip-point direction or in between thereof as desired by a user.
In another embodiment, the connecting means is a fork attachment, configured to slidably engage within the engaging means.
In another embodiment, the engaging means is configured with at least a pair of second stopper, configured to restrict the predefined swaying movement of the knob.
In another embodiment, the HVAC system is configured with the apparatus which is configured to control the airflow direction in a vehicle cabin space or an Air-conditioning space.
Advantageously, the knob provided is configured to control the airflow direction in both horizontal as well as in vertical direction without the requirement of the air vent dial and air vent dial rod. Further, the apparatus avoids the complex geometry assembly, thereby easy for maintenance and economical for production.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
An airflow direction control apparatus for a HVAC system of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrate a front view of the airflow direction control apparatus (prior art);
Figure 2A illustrate an isometric view of the arrangement of the airflow direction control apparatus (prior art);
Figure 2B illustrate an isometric exploded view of the arrangement of the airflow direction control apparatus (prior art);
Figure 3A illustrates a front view of the arrangement of the airflow direction control apparatus as per an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3B illustrates an isometric back view of the arrangement of the airflow direction control apparatus as per the present disclosure;
Figure 4A illustrates a sectional view of Figure 3A to illustrate the arrangement of the airflow direction control apparatus to control airflow in vertical direction as per the present disclosure;
Figure 4B illustrates a sectional view of Figure 3A to illustrate the arrangement of the airflow direction control apparatus to control airflow in horizontal direction as per the present disclosure;
Figure 5A, Figure 5B, and Figure 5C illustrates an isometric views of the arrangement of the airflow direction control apparatus as per the present disclosure;
Figure 6 illustrates exploded isometric views of the arrangement of the airflow direction control apparatus to control airflow in vertical direction as per the present disclosure; and
Figure 7 illustrates an isometric assembly view of Figure 5 to illustrate the arrangement of the airflow direction control apparatus as per the present disclosure.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100 Apparatus
100' Apparatus (Prior art)
50 knob
50' thumbwheel (Prior art)
10 thumbwheel rod
12 housing
14 dampener
16 spacer
18 dampener insert
20 first guide vanes
20a first master guide vane
22 second guide vanes
22a second master guide vane
24 first coupling means
26 second coupling means
28 first stopper
30 slot
32 engaging means
34 fork attachment
36 second stopper
38 bezel
40 housing ring
42 knob upper
44 knob upper
46 knob chicklet
48 knob rubber
50 First stationary link
52 second stationary link
I eye-sight direction
II hip-point direction
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
When an element is referred to as being "mounted on," “engaged to,” "connected to," or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
Typically, Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems of vehicles typically include an airflow direction control apparatus 100’. A conventional airflow direction control apparatus 100’ is shown in Figure 1. The airflow direction control apparatus 100’ includes a housing 12, a plurality of guide vanes 20, 22 mounted on the housing 12, and a thumbwheel 50’ operable for closing or opening the guide vanes 20, 22 of the airflow direction control apparatus 100’. The thumbwheel 50’ can be rotated by a user to control the airflow from the vent as per the requirement. The thumbwheel 50’ also allows the user to shut-off the airflow whenever required. Additionally, a vent knob 50 is mounted on any one of the guide vanes 20, 22 to allow the louvers to be manually controlled by the user. The airflow direction control apparatus 100’ further includes a set of second guide vanes 22 disposed at a rear side of the housing 12 and a thumbwheel 20. The second guide vanes 22 are placed in a direction perpendicular to set of first guide vanes 20. The first guide vanes 20 are mounted to the housing 12 and are operable using the thumbwheel 20 to change the direction of the airflow. Figure 1 illustrate a front view of the airflow direction control apparatus (prior art); Figure 2A illustrate an isometric view of the arrangement of the airflow direction control apparatus (prior art) and Figure 2B illustrate an isometric exploded view of the arrangement of the airflow direction control apparatus (prior art).
To facilitate control of the airflow, the thumbwheel 50’ and the first guide vanes 20 of the airflow direction control apparatus 100’ have to be linked to one another through a linkage mechanism (not shown). The arrangement of the thumbwheel 50’, the first guide vanes 20 and the linkage mechanism takes up a lot of space, making the airflow direction control apparatus 100’ bulky. Further, it adds to the cost of the airflow direction control apparatus 100’, which is not desired.
Currently, there exists is no in-vehicle HVAC system which allows airflow to be controlled without the use of the thumbwheel 50’.
In order to address the afore-mentioned problems, the present disclosure envisages an airflow direction control apparatus 100 (hereinafter referred to as “assembly 100”) for use in a Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The apparatus 100 is now being described with reference to Figure 3 to Figure 6.
An embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the Figure 3A, Figure 3B, Figure 4A and Figure 4B. The airflow direction control apparatus 100 comprises at least one housing 12, a plurality of first guide vanes 20, a plurality of second guide vanes 22, a first coupling means 24, a second coupling means 26 and at least one knob 50. The airflow direction control apparatus 100 includes the housing 12, which is to be inserted into a corresponding opening of a dashboard or a frame for ventilating the interior of vehicles. The housing 12 of the apparatus defines an air passage in which the plurality of first guide vanes 20 and the plurality of the second guide vanes 22 are being located. The housing 12 consists of at least one housing ring 40, and at least one bezel 38 to provide a better aesthetic for the housing 12. The first guide vanes 20 and the second guide vanes 22 are being pivotally mounted to mutually perpendicular axes of the housing 12, and further configured to pivotally rotate with the actuation of the knob 50.
The Figure 3A illustrates a front view of the arrangement of the airflow direction control apparatus 100 as per an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 3B illustrates an isometric back view of the arrangement of the airflow direction control apparatus as per the present disclosure; Figure 4A shows a sectional view of Figure 3A to illustrate the arrangement of the airflow direction control apparatus to control airflow in vertical direction as per the present disclosure; and Figure 4B shows a sectional view of Figure 3A to illustrate the arrangement of the airflow direction control apparatus to control airflow in horizontal direction as per the present disclosure.
In an embodiment, unequal numbers of the first guide vanes 20 and the second guide vanes 22 mounted on the operating surface of the housing 12.
In another embodiment, equal numbers of the first guide vanes 20 and the second guide vanes 22 mounted on the operating surface of the housing 12.
In another embodiment, the shape of the first guide vanes 20 and the second guide vanes 22 mounted on the operating surface of the housing may be different or same.
The first guide vanes 20 are configured to be disposed along a first axis within the housing 12, and further configured with at least one first master guide vane 20a therebetween. The second guide vanes 22 are configured to be disposed along a second axis within the housing 12, and further configured with at least one second master guide vane 22a therebetween. The first guide vanes 20 and the second guide vanes 22 are allowed to pivotally rotate along the first axis and the second axis, respectively. The First guide vanes 20 are mounted to the housing 12 by means of at least one first stationary links 52 attached to the extremities ends of the first guide vanes 20. Also, the second guide vanes 22 are mounted to the housing 12 by means of at least one second stationary links 54 attached to the extremities ends of the second guide vanes 22.
In an embodiment, the first axes of the first guide vanes 20 are parallel to each other, and the second axes of the second guide vanes 22 are parallel to each other.
In another embodiment, the second axis is defined along a vertical axis and the first axis is defined along a horizontal axis of the housing 12.
In another embodiment, the plurality of first guide vanes 20 and the plurality of second guide vanes 22 are hingedly mounted on an operative surface of the housing 12.
Further, the first coupling means 24 is configured to operatively engage to one of extreme end of the first guide vanes 20. The second coupling means 26 is configured to operatively engage to one of extreme end of the second guide vanes 22. The first and second coupling means 24, 26 are configured to synchronize the movement of the first guide vanes 20 with the first master guide vane 20a and the second guide vanes 22 with the second master guide vane 22a in an operative configuration of the apparatus 100, respectively. Figure 5A, Figure 5B, and Figure 5C shows an isometric views of the arrangement of the airflow direction control apparatus as per the present disclosure;
In an embodiment, the first master guide vane 20 is configured to be in mechanical engagement with the plurality of the first guide vanes 20 by means of the first coupling means 24.
Further, the at least one knob 50 is configured to be fitted on an operative surface of the first master guide vane 20a. The knob 50 consists of a knob upper 42, a knob lower 44, a knob chicklet 46, a knob rubber 48 and a fork 34. The knob rubber 48 with knob lower 44 and the fork generates a fork attachment 34 for the knob 50. The knob 50 is configured with a U-shaped slot 30 therebetween. The slot 30 is configured to receive the first master guide vane 20a therein. Also, the knob 50 is configured with the fork attachment 34 therein. The fork 34 is configured to operatively engage with the second master guide van 22a. The knob 50 is configured for a predefined sideways movement of as well as a predefined swaying movement. In an operative configuration of the apparatus 100, the predefined swaying (up and down) movement of the knob 50 is configured to actuate the plurality of first guide vanes 20, and thereby the first guide vanes 20 direct the air in a first desired direction.
In an embodiment, the predefined sideways movement of the knob 50 enables to rotate the second guide vanes 22 in a vertical plane or axis.
In another embodiment, the predefined swaying movement of the knob enables to rotate the first guide vanes in a horizontal plane or axis.
In another embodiment, the plurality of second guide vanes 22 is configured to operatively rotate to shut-off the airflow passage of the apparatus 100.
Further, the predefined sideways movement of the knob 50 is configured to control the second guide vanes 22 .i.e. vertical guide vanes and the predefined swaying movement (up and down) of the knob 50 is configured to control the first guide vanes 20 .i.e. Horizontal guide vanes. Thus, the same knob 50 is configured to actuate the movement of the guide vanes 20, 22 in all operating direction as desired without separate requirement of the thumbwheel arrangement.
Since, the apparatus does not require the thumbwheel arrangement, advantageously, the apparatus requires less number of components in an assembly, optimizes the weight and the cost.
In another embodiment, the knob 50 is configured to be slidably fitted on the first master guide vane 20a.
In another embodiment, the knob 50 is configured to be snugly fitted on the first master guide vane 20a.
In another embodiment, the first master guide vane 20a is configured with at least a pair of first stopper 28, configured to restrict the predefined sideways movement of the knob 50.
Further, the second master guide vane 22a is configured with at least one engaging means 32. The fork attachment 34 is configured to be received within the engaging means 32 in an operative configuration, to thereby allow to slide within the engaging means 32. Also, the engaging means 32 is configured with at least a pair of second stopper 36, configured to restrict the predefined swaying movement of the knob 50. The predefined sideways movement of the knob 50 configured to actuate the second master guide vane 22a, and further configured to actuate the second guide vanes 22 to direct the airflow in a second desired direction. Figure 6 shows exploded isometric views of the arrangement of the airflow direction control apparatus to control airflow in vertical direction as per the present disclosure; and Figure 7 shows an isometric assembly view of Figure 5 to illustrate the arrangement of the airflow direction control apparatus as per the present disclosure.
In an embodiment, the HVAC system is configured with the apparatus 100 which is configured to control the airflow direction in a vehicle cabin space or an Air-conditioning space.
In another embodiment, the materials of the apparatus 100 are selected from a group consisting of a polycarbonate material or a polymeric material or a non-metallic material.
Advantageously, the knob 50 provided is configured to control the airflow direction in both horizontal as well as in vertical direction without the requirement of the air vent thumbwheel and air vent thumbwheel rod. Further, the apparatus 100 avoids the complex geometry assembly, thereby easy for maintenance and economical for production.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCES AND ECONOMICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The present disclosure described hereinabove has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of an airflow direction control apparatus for a Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, that:
• provides simple and easy fitments;
• is compact;
• is economical;
• optimize the weight;
• reduces the number of component;
• increases the air outlet area from the vent of the HVAC system, thereby making it easy to achieve the flow level targets;
• easy for maintenance; and
• allows maximum air flow to be shut-off with minimal air loss.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveals the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, or group of elements, but not the exclusion of any other element, or group of elements.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation. ,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. An airflow direction control apparatus (100) for a HVAC system, said apparatus (100) comprising:
• at least one housing (12), defining an air passage for said apparatus (100);
• a plurality of first guide vanes (20), configured to be disposed along a first axis within said housing (12), and further configured with at least one first master guide vane (20a) therebetween;
• a first coupling means (24), configured to operatively engage to one of extreme end of said first guide vanes (20); and
• at least one knob (50), configured to be fitted on an operative surface of said first master guide vane (20a) to actuate said plurality of first guide vanes (20),
wherein, in an operative configuration of said apparatus (100), a predefined swaying movement of said knob (50) is configured to actuate said plurality of first guide vanes (20), to thereby said first guide vanes (20) controls the airflow in a first desired direction.
2. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first master guide vane (20a) is configured to be in communication with said plurality of first guide vanes (20) by means of said first coupling means (24), and further configured to synchronize the movement of said first guide vanes (20) with said first master guide vane (20a), wherein said first master guide vane (20a) is configured with at least a pair of first stopper, configured to restrict said predefined sideways movement of said knob (50).
3. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said knob (50) is configured to be slidably fitted with a predefined sideways movement on said first master guide vane (20a), and said knob (50) is configured with a U-shaped slot (30) therebetween, said slot (30) is configured to receive said first master guide vane therein.
4. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said apparatus (100) further comprises a plurality of second guide vanes (22), configured to be disposed along a vertical axis within said housing (12), and further configured with at least one second master guide vane (22a) therebetween.
5. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said second axis is defined along a vertical axis and said first axis is defined along a horizontal axis of said housing (12).
6. The apparatus (100) as claimed in anyone of claims 1-5, wherein said first guide vanes (20) and said second guide vanes (22) are being pivotally mounted to mutually perpendicular axes of said housing (12), and further configured to pivotally rotate with the actuation of said knob (50), wherein said plurality of second guide vanes (22) are configured to operatively rotate to shut-off the airflow passage of said apparatus (100).
7. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein a second coupling means (26) is configured to operatively engage to one of extreme end of each of said second guide vanes (22), said second coupling means (26) is configured to engage said second master guide vane (22a) with said plurality of second guide vanes (22), and further configured to synchronize the movement of said second guide vanes (22) with said second master guide vane (22a).
8. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said second master guide vane (22a) is configured with at least one engaging means (32) and said knob (50) is configured with at least one connecting means, said connecting means is configured to be received within said engaging means (32) in an operative configuration.
9. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the predefined sideways movement of said knob (50) configured to actuate said second master guide vane (22a), and further configured to actuate said second guide vanes (22) to direct the airflow in a second desired direction, wherein the desired direction of airflow is defined at least along an eye-sight direction (I) or along a hip-point direction (II) or in between thereof as desired by a user.
10. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said connecting means is a fork attachment (34), configured to slidably engage within said engaging means (32), said engaging means (32) is configured with at least a pair of second stopper (36), configured to restrict said predefined swaying movement of said knob (50).

Dated this 01st day of August, 2022

_______________________________
MOHAN RAJKUMAR DEWAN, IN/PA – 25
of R.K.DEWAN & CO.
Authorized Agent of Applicant

TO,
THE CONTROLLER OF PATENTS
THE PATENT OFFICE, AT CHENNAI