Having Swiveling Nozzle Patents (Class 454/154)
  • Patent number: 11850920
    Abstract: A cage that can be rotated about a longitudinal axis and has a lattice tube shape is disposed in a tubular air channel of an air vent, serving as a carrier of an air guide device and an air volume control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: fischer automotive systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Gunter Leopold
  • Patent number: 11796216
    Abstract: An air outlet device includes an air duct case and an air guide assembly. The air duct case including an air outlet member. The air outlet member includes an air cavity formed inside the air outlet member, an air inlet at one side of the air outlet member and communicating with the air cavity, and an air outlet at another side of the air outlet member and communicating with the air cavity. The air guide assembly includes an air outlet hole. The air guide assembly is movably mounted at the air outlet member and located at the air outlet. The air guide assembly is provided close to a surface of the air outlet member and is movable along the surface of the air outlet member to change an angle of an airflow from the air outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: GD MIDEA AIR-CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhigang Xing, Ali Zhao
  • Patent number: 11707970
    Abstract: An air vent for a motor vehicle includes a housing with an air channel for feeding air and a partial hemisphere shell. The partial hemisphere shell is mounted in a rotatable manner within the housing such that air fed through the air channel is deflected on the housing before it exits from the air vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: DR. ING. H.C. F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Marc-Lieven Heth, Andreas Schneider
  • Patent number: 11697325
    Abstract: A vehicle air register assembly includes a housing defining a cavity. An upstream portion of the cavity is disposed proximate to an inlet and a downstream portion of the cavity is disposed proximate to an outlet. Vertical vanes are disposed within the upstream portion. The vertical vanes direct air in a horizontal direction. A horizontal vane assembly is disposed within the downstream portion. The horizontal vane assembly directs the air in a vertical direction. The horizontal vane assembly includes at least one horizontal vane including a driver portion rotatably coupled to the housing proximate to the outlet and a follower portion coupled to the housing proximate to the upstream portion. The follower portion is rotatably coupled to the driver portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: George David Koch Smith, Steven Nicholas Fidh, Brent Clifford Dalton, Anthony Michael Esser, Martin Alfred Lindell
  • Patent number: 11660936
    Abstract: Wind direction adjustment device (10) includes cylindrical case body (11) having flow path (22) therein, and valve (14) that is movably disposed in case body (11) and that opens and closes flow path (22). Valve (14) includes base material (61) supported by case body (11). Valve (14) is formed of a member that is softer than base material (61), and includes soft portion (62) capable of elastically contacting case body (11) in a state in which flow path (22) is closed by valve (14). Valve 14 includes deformation suppressing portions (63) that suppresses deformation of soft portion (62) caused by contact of soft portion (62) with case body (11). Deformation suppressing portions (63) are disposed at positions at which deformation suppressing portions (63) are not in contact with case body (11) in a state in which flow path (22) is closed by valve (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: NIHON PLAST CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Akio Hattori
  • Patent number: 11453270
    Abstract: A vehicle air vent includes a primary vane system pivotal about a horizontal axis to direct an air flow from an outlet of the vehicle air vent in an up/down direction and including a primary vane, a secondary vane system pivotal about a vertical axis to direct an air flow from an outlet of the vehicle air vent in a side-to-side direction and including a secondary vane, and an air flow volume control system including a control knob movable in a fore/aft direction for adjusting the volume of air flow through the air vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Angel R. Munoz, Roman Szocinski
  • Patent number: 11433741
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a vehicle air vent that includes a duct having a channel therein through which air flows, and a discharge end through which the air is discharged, a first adjuster installed in the duct so as to be rotatable about a first rotary shaft, an extending direction of a first opening being varied depending on the angle of rotation of the first adjuster, a second adjuster installed in the duct so as to be rotatable about a second rotary shaft, an extending direction of a second opening being varied depending on the angle of rotation of the second adjuster, a third adjuster installed on the discharge end so as to be rotatable about a third rotary shaft, a third opening being defined between the third adjuster and the duct, and an interlocking connector operatively connecting the first adjuster to the third adjuster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Won Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 11400796
    Abstract: A combined luminaire and air conditioning nozzle includes a front panel (101) with an opening. A nozzle frame (103) is pivotably connected to the opening of the front panel (101) so as to separate an air cavity (105) located behind the front panel (101) from a front side of the front panel (101). The structure includes a controller element (106) with a closing mechanism mechanically coupled thereto and arranged to adjustably limit an air passage (107) from the air cavity (105) to the front side of the front panel (101) in response to a movement of the controller element (106). A luminaire element (108) forms part of the closing mechanism and is provided with a light source arranged to output light to the front side of the front panel (101). The closing mechanism is arranged to convert a movement of the controller element (106) into a movement of the luminaire element (108), so that said adjustable limiting of the air passage (107) occurs as a result of said movement of the luminaire element (108).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Teknoware Oy
    Inventor: Keny Muesa
  • Patent number: 11370275
    Abstract: A fluid discharge device includes a base portion defining a fluid flow passage and having an opening at a downstream end of the fluid flow passage, and a grill portion disposed to adjust a flow direction of the fluid blown from the opening. The grill portion includes a flow passage forming body defining a main flow passage and an auxiliary flow passage. In the flow passage forming body, the auxiliary flow passage surrounds the main flow passage and the auxiliary flow discharged from the auxiliary flow passage flows outside of the main flow discharged from the main flow passage. The flow passage forming body is configured such that a direction of the auxiliary flow discharged from the auxiliary flow passage corresponds to the direction of the main flow discharged from the main flow passage, when the flow direction of the fluid blown out of the opening is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusuke Komatsubara, Hitoshi Ninomiya, Takahito Nakamura, Jun Yamaoka
  • Patent number: 11364774
    Abstract: Wind direction adjustment device is provided with cylindrical case body, movable louver including manipulation knob, and support section which supports movable louver inside the case body such that movable louver is capable of pivoting. Support section is provided with link which is provided on one of the case body side and the movable louver side and includes ball portion, at least a portion of which is on a coaxial line with manipulation knob at a neutral position of movable louver. Support section is provided with bearing portion which is provided on the other of the case body side and the movable louver side and receives ball portion. Support section is provided with protruding portion which is provided on movable louver. Support section is provided with stopper portion which is provided on link and sets a pivoting end of movable louver by abutting against protruding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: NIHON PLAST CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Akio Hattori
  • Patent number: 11285786
    Abstract: An outlet device for ventilating a vehicle interior by generating an outlet flow, the outlet device including: a housing with an inner housing surface, a central body which is rotatably mounted on the housing, wherein the central body has a first air-guide surface for generating a first partial volume flow and a second air-guide surface for generating a second partial volume flow, wherein the second air-guide surface lies contrary to the first air-guide surface, and a first arrangement of fins and a second arrangement of fins, wherein the fins of the first and second arrangement of fins are rotatably mounted on the central body and wherein the vertical fins of the first arrangement extend from the first air-guide surface and the fins of the second arrangement extend from the second air-guide surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: FAURECIA INTERIEUR INDUSTRIE
    Inventors: Bruno Dinant, Thanh-Tu Bui
  • Patent number: 11273689
    Abstract: An air vent apparatus for a vehicle includes a wing cover mounted at an outlet of an air duct to be movable in a front-rear direction by using a pop-up driving device and angularly adjustable by using a ball joint. The apparatus is configured to simultaneously perform a wind direction adjustment and a damper door function, and can pop-up and then angularly rotate the wing cover around the ball joint in a desired direction, thereby adjusting a wind direction of the air discharged to an interior of the vehicle in the desired direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, NIFCO KOREA Inc., Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong Woo Lee, Ran Jeong Park, Kwan Woo Lee, Jong Chae Lee, Kee Jin Sung
  • Patent number: 10960729
    Abstract: An air vent for a vehicle may include: a duct having a passage through which air is moved; a first adjuster rotatably installed in the duct, and configured to guide a discharge direction of air while rotating in a side-to-side direction; a second adjuster rotatably installed in the duct with the first adjuster, and configured to guide a discharge direction of air while rotating in an up and down direction or block an air flow passing through the duct; and a driving unit connected to the second adjuster and configured to supply power to rotate the second adjuster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Won Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 10899200
    Abstract: An outlet device for ventilation of a vehicle interior has a housing which extends between an air inlet orifice and an air outlet orifice and a pivot bearing device mounted on the housing, wherein the pivot bearing device provides a rotational axis. The outlet device further comprises a rotatable displacement body, a first vane which extends in a direction across the rotational axis, a second vane which extends in a direction across the rotational axis and contrary to the extension of the first vane, a rudder, and an adjustment device. The adjustment device permits pivoting of the rudder around an axis that is parallel to the direction of extension of the first and second vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: FAURECIA INNENRAUM SYSTEME GMBH
    Inventors: Volker Doll, Stéphane Londiche
  • Patent number: 10682899
    Abstract: A air vent with a housing has at least one opening for supplying an airflow and an opening for discharging the supplied airflow. The airflow can be supplied to the air vent from an air supply shaft or from an air supply line in a heating, ventilating, or air-conditioning systems for a motor vehicle. The housing of the air vent is adapted to be inserted into a wall opening or can be assembled behind such a wall opening and secured there via one of the at least two parts of the housing. In the non-use state of the air vent, one part of the housing lies in or over the other part of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: DR. SCHNEIDER KUNSTSTOFFWERKE GMBH
    Inventors: Olaf Uhlenbusch, Thomas Gruenbeck, Markus Langbein, Bernd Huettel, Gerhard Endres
  • Patent number: 10589601
    Abstract: An air register includes a support, at least one folding vane connected to the support by a first pivot and a flap connected to the support by a second pivot. A method of distributing air from an air register is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jorge Araujo Nieto, Alfredo Pérez Montiel, Gustavo Llamas Maldonado
  • Patent number: 10556480
    Abstract: A HVAC system that includes an air duct connected to an air handler and having a tubular housing with a first airflow path and a second airflow path therein separated from the first airflow path. One end of the tubular housing having a first air outlet in fluid communication with only the first airflow path and a second air outlet in fluid communication with only the second airflow path. The first air outlet and the second air outlet are adjacent to one another. A vent assembly having a housing surrounding first airflow directing members and second airflow directing members. The vent assembly is installed to the end of the tubular housing such that the first airflow directing members direct airflow from the first air outlet in a first direction. The second airflow directing members direct airflow from the second air outlet in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Amilkar Abraham Soto
  • Patent number: 10343493
    Abstract: An air conditioning round register includes a cylindrical retainer, an annular outlet ring supported so as to be able to be rotated in any direction, an opening and closing fin body supported so as to be able to be tilted, a control rotated with fingers, and a mechanism that converts rotation of the control into tilt of the fin body. The control includes a branch connection part placed on a central axis of the outlet ring, and three branches radially extending from the branch connection part and disposed at regular angular intervals around the central axis. At the branch connection part, a front end of each crotch surface portion between adjacent branches has a radius of 10 to 30 mm in front view. The front end of each crotch surface portion protrudes farther forward than a front end of the retainer by 8 to 15 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kengo Terasawa, Nobuhiro Terai
  • Patent number: 10328773
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an air vent for a vehicle, provided with a damper for opening or closing the air path of a duct housing with improved operation quality and convenience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Nifco Korea Inc.
    Inventor: Sung Hwa Kim
  • Patent number: 10220683
    Abstract: A wind direction adjuster enabling an operation of a louver with a stable operation load and providing an excellent operation feeling is provided. An axial support body is axially supported to a cylindrical case body turnably so as to have an axis along a direction crossing an axial direction of the case body. A louver is axially supported to the axial support body turnably so as to have an axis along a direction crossing the axis of the axial support body. A ball unit is set in any one of the case body and the louver as a load setting unit that sets a turning load of the louver. A receiving unit that slidably receives the ball unit is set in the other one of the case body and the louver. A coil spring urges one of the ball unit and the receiving unit to be pressed against the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: NIHON PLAST CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Toru Sano
  • Patent number: 10195924
    Abstract: An air vent comprising a housing, an air inlet opening, which is located in the axial direction of the housing, and an air outlet opening, which is disposed opposite the air inlet opening, a first air guide surface, which has a first bulge and is disposed in the housing, and a second air guide surface, which has a second bulge and is disposed in the housing, wherein the first bulge points in a first direction and the second bulge points in a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction oppose one another and extend perpendicularly to the axial direction, wherein the first air guide surface and the second air guide surface are disposed at a distance from the housing, wherein a first air duct is formed by the housing and the first air guide surface, and wherein a second air duct is formed by the housing and the second air guide surface, wherein the first air duct is designed to convey a first volumetric flow of air—which can flow into the housing through the air inlet opening—to the ai
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Faurecia Innenraum Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Doll, Stephane Londiche, Julien Seiller, Martin Schulz
  • Patent number: 9890996
    Abstract: A system for tempering vehicle bodies having a housing, a tempering tunnel in the housing, at least one pressure chamber in a housing and separated by a wall from the tempering tunnel, a plurality of nozzles in the wall and an air tempering unit which introduces tempered air into the pressure chamber in such a way that the tempered air flows in through the nozzles into the tempering tunnel and acts on the vehicle body. At least one nozzle unit is oriented and has a range that is wide enough, such that the air stream exiting the nozzle unit passes through an opening in the vehicle body on the side facing the nozzle unit and acts on an inner face of the vehicle body on the opposite side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: EISENMANN SE
    Inventors: Erwin Hihn, Werner Swoboda, Tatjan Urich
  • Patent number: 9499211
    Abstract: An aeraulic crossmember for a motor vehicle includes a beam (12) in the form of a section forming a channel (13) along the length of the beam. The aforementioned channel is equipped with an opening (14) on one of the side faces thereof and contains a duct (15) which is made from rigid insulating material. The duct is also equipped with an opening which is defined by a mouth that is located opposite the opening in the channel and which is slightly smaller than the latter. The opening in the insulating duct is located inside the channel. The crossmember includes an interface device (16) in the form of a sleeve which extends through the opening (14) in the channel in order to connect the mouth of the opening in the duct in a leaktight manner to an air vent that is located on the exterior of the crossmember.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: FAURECIA INTERIEUR INDUSTRIE
    Inventor: Christophe Brunard
  • Patent number: 9457907
    Abstract: A direction controlled service apparatus may include a mounting assembly, a housing assembly configured to operably connect to the mounting assembly, the housing assembly being movable with respect to the mounting assembly, and a plurality of actuators connected between the mounting assembly and the housing assembly, each actuator of the plurality of actuators being configured to contract upon a current being applied to the actuator to rotate the housing assembly with respect to the mounting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Douglas A. Brown, Kwun-Wing W. Cheung
  • Patent number: 9457639
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and a method of controlling a HVAC system that is configured to provide a perceived comfortable ambient environment to an occupant seated in a vehicle cabin. The system includes a nozzle configured to direct an air stream from the HVAC system to the location of a thermally sensitive portion of the body of the occupant. The system also includes a controller configured to determine an air stream temperature and an air stream flow rate necessary to establish the desired heat supply rate for the sensitive portion and provide a comfortable thermal environment by thermally isolating the occupant from the ambient vehicle cabin temperature. The system may include a sensor to determine the location of the sensitive portion. The nozzle may include a thermoelectric device to heat or cool the air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Mingyu Wang, Prasad S. Kadle, Debashis Ghosh, Mark J. Zima, Edward Wolfe, IV, Timothy D Craig
  • Patent number: 8974273
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air nozzle for conducting an air flow from an air feed shaft or an air feed duct in a heating, a ventilating or an air-conditioning installation, particularly for passenger compartments in motor vehicles, consisting of a hollow-cylindrical housing with a front air outflow opening and a rear air inflow opening as well as an insert, which is mounted in the housing and by which the direction and/or the intensity of the of the air flow issuing from the air nozzle is or are variable. For improved mounting and easier assembly the insert has an outer surface which is spherical at least in sections and is supported at the inner surface of the housing by way of at least two bearing points of matching contour, wherein a spring element is associated with at least one bearing point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Dr. Schneider Kunststoffwerke GmbH
    Inventor: Olaf Uhlenbusch
  • Patent number: 8834240
    Abstract: An aerator includes a duct (50) defining a chamber in which a portion of the inner surface defines a spherical segment, a profiled body (60) with a holding device (62), and a ring (52) having an outer surface defining a portion of a sphere having the same radius as the spherical segment of the chamber and bearing the profiled body (60) in the duct (50) while allowing the rotational movement thereof relative to the duct (50) and the translation movement thereof relative to the find (22), wherein the profiled body (60) can assume a closing position when in contact with the duct. The profiled body (60) is provided with a member (70) for limiting the translation stroke when the translation axis of the body (60) is very inclined. Application in automotive vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Faurecia Interieur Industrie
    Inventors: Loys Azzouz, Tony Ercolano, Pierre Guerreiro
  • Patent number: 8834241
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air nozzle for conducting air flow from an air feed shaft or a duct from a heating, ventilating or air-conditioning installation, particularly in a motor vehicle, with a housing having a connection at the back for the air feed shaft and an air outlet opening at the front. Air guide elements with blades adjustable by way of a coupling rod are present in the air outlet opening. The axles (4) of the individual blades (5) are arranged in a blade ring (2) with one lateral coupling rod (3) or two lateral coupling rods (3), wherein the middle blade (5) is constructed as a control blade and has an actuating element (6) for adjusting the blades (5). The blade ring (2) is inserted, together with the blades (5), in an annular guide (7) of the mount (1) and is coupled with an adjusting ring (8), which is rotatably mounted in the annular guide (7) and which has at its outer circumference control elements (9) for rotating the blade ring (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Dr. Schneider Kunststoffwerke GmbH
    Inventor: Olaf Uhlenbusch
  • Patent number: 8740677
    Abstract: An air vent comprising a housing and an air guiding device which is pivotally and rotatably mounted in the housing and has an outer surface having the general shape of a spherical segment, the air vent having a sliding bearing which includes a first sliding surface provided on the housing and facing the air guiding device, and a second sliding surface provided on the air guiding device, the air vent having a support arranged between the housing and the air guiding device, by means of which the air guiding device is mounted to the housing for pivotal movement about at least one swiveling axis, and the support being arranged opposite the sliding bearing in the radial direction, and a prestressing device being provided on the support, which can act on the air guiding device with a force directed against the sliding bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Sabine Steinbeiss, Reinhard Krause
  • Patent number: 8707989
    Abstract: A fluid discharge device having a main body with first and second ends may be mounted to one or more components of a system. The first end may include an inlet for receiving a fluid flow. A mounting system may include a first mounting plate having an opening with a diameter that is greater than the inlet diameter. An insert may include an outside wall configured to be fitted to the opening of the first mounting plate and may include an inside wall that defines another opening through which the inlet of the fluid discharge device may be fitted. The opening defined by the inside wall of the insert may provide a radial clearance for the inlet that compensates for distortions and/or deviations from an expected inlet and/or main body shape, wherein such distortions may be caused at least partially by stresses experienced during manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Allen S. Pucciani
  • Publication number: 20140011437
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a ventilating system for regulating a property of an electrical equipment cabinet are provided, generally including a duct configured and dimensioned to be mounted with respect to the electrical equipment cabinet. The exemplary ventilating system generally includes a damper mounted with respect to the duct and a sensor mounted with respect to at least one of the electrical equipment cabinet and the duct. The sensor is generally effective to generate signals related to the property. Exemplary methods for regulating a property of an electrical equipment cabinet with a ventilating system are provided, generally including throttling the damper based at least in part upon a sensed property to maintain a substantially zero pressure or temperature environment in the electrical equipment cabinet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: ORTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Gosselin, Lars R. Larsen, Rudolph A. Montgelas, Ryan J. Grandidge
  • Patent number: 8616943
    Abstract: A passenger air vent is provided for a cockpit of a motor vehicle. The passenger air vent includes, but is not limited to a nozzle which has adjustable blades on the air outlet side, a control element for adjusting the blades, a separate bezel for the control element, and the bezel and nozzle are formed as two pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Peter Arndt, Bernd Trinkwalter
  • Patent number: 8602852
    Abstract: An operation load application member includes: a pivot support portion, a leg portion having a first projection and a second projection at its tip; and a connection portion which connects the pivot support portion and the leg portion together. The pivot support portion, the leg portion, and the connection portion are unitarily formed. The operation load application member can generate, by itself, a plurality of operation loads and a plurality of operation feels. Accordingly, there is provided an air blowing device which can reduce manufacturing cost while maintaining satisfactory operation loads and operation feels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Howa Plastics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Sawada
  • Publication number: 20130210333
    Abstract: An air vent (10) having a housing (12) and an air guiding means (14) that is swivel-mounted in the housing (12) includes a mounting (24) by means of which the air guiding means (14) is mounted on the housing (12) for swiveling about at least one swivel axis, the mounting (24) being formed by a ball joint (30) having a bearing shell (34) and a ball head (32) mounted in the bearing shell (34), and the ball head (32) being of a multipart configuration with at least two spherical segments (50, 52), and a spring member (54) being provided that acts upon the spherical segments (50, 52) of the ball head (32) with a force that seeks to push the spherical segments (50, 52) apart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Steve Kober, Marco Kuesperth
  • Publication number: 20130203332
    Abstract: A temperature control gasper apparatus for vehicle interiors such as aircraft cabins. Airflow temperature, volume and orientation are integrated and controlled by the gasper apparatus—at the point of use of the gasper apparatus. The temperature control gasper apparatus includes a mixing chamber, a temperature control dial, and an airflow control nozzle assembly. The temperature control gasper apparatus provides airflow output control with rotation of a grip member of the nozzle assembly relative to a ball portion of the mixing chamber, temperature control by rotation of a handle portion of the temperature control dial relative to the ball portion of the mixing chamber, and airflow direction control by movement of the ball portion of the mixing chamber relative to a socket portion of the mixing chamber fixed to the vehicle interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Leslie Fernandes, Charlie Rann, Krist Khodjasaryan
  • Patent number: 8475119
    Abstract: An airflow shielding device is configured for being secured to fan and includes a first member, a second member, and a plurality of shielding pieces. The first member defines a first through opening. The second member defines a second through opening corresponding to the first through opening. The shielding pieces are rotatably secured between the first member and the second member and rotate between a closed position, where the shielding pieces cover the first through opening, and an open position, where the shielding pieces are located so that air can flow through the first and second through openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zhan-Yang Li
  • Publication number: 20130059520
    Abstract: An air discharging device for discharging an air flow into a vehicle interior is provided that includes a first air conducting device that can be adjusted with respect to the air discharging characteristic thereof, the air conducting device lying in a first air through-flow region of the air discharging device. The air discharging device also includes a second air conducting device that can be adjusted with respect to the air discharging characteristic thereof, the air conducting device lying in a second air through-flow region of the air discharging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventors: Walter Wolf, Salah Benamira, Marco D'Angelo, Axel Tidelski, Kuno Zeller, Uwe Fritsche, Holger Wanke
  • Patent number: 8302669
    Abstract: A louver for an air-conduction housing of a motor vehicle air-conditioning system includes a plurality of regions. The plurality of regions are arranged directly adjacent to one another to facilitate air stratification and are subdivided by partitions which are part of the louver. At least one of the regions is configured as a drum-type louver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: BEHR GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ronny Kiel, Wolfgang Dieksander, Erich Litwing
  • Publication number: 20110250830
    Abstract: An air vent comprising a housing and an air guiding device which is pivotally and rotatably mounted in the housing and has an outer surface having the general shape of a spherical segment, the air vent having a sliding bearing which includes a first sliding surface provided on the housing and facing the air guiding device, and a second sliding surface provided on the air guiding device, the air vent having a support arranged between the housing and the air guiding device, by means of which the air guiding device is mounted to the housing for pivotal movement about at least one swiveling axis, and the support being arranged opposite the sliding bearing in the radial direction, and a prestressing device being provided on the support, which can act on the air guiding device with a force directed against the sliding bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Sabine Steinbeiss, Reinhard Krause
  • Patent number: 7978469
    Abstract: A computer system including an enclosure having a plurality of components; a first chamber including a first set of components; and a second chamber including a second set of components, the second chamber located adjacent to the first chamber and the first set of components being different than the second set of components; wherein air flow is prevented from flowing between the first chamber and the second chamber; and wherein the first chamber includes a first set of cooling devices and the second chamber includes a second set of cooling devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventor: Panagiotis Tsakanikas
  • Patent number: 7871317
    Abstract: An air exit guidance which in particular is provided for arrangement in the personal service unit of an passenger aircraft. The guidance includes an air inlet and an air outlet as well as an adjustable throttle which is arranged at the inflow side of the air exit guidance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Rüdiger Meckes, Wolfgang Rittner
  • Patent number: 7819728
    Abstract: A rotary shutter actuator comprising a retainer, a rotatable member, a plurality of shutters, and a dial. The rotatable member is supported by the retainer, and the plurality of shutters are swivelably coupled to the retainer. The dial has an opening and is operably connected to each of the shutters and the rotatable member. Thus, as the dial is rotated, the shutters move to and from a fully open and closed position. The dial also causes the rotatable member to rotate with respect to the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Vern Beckley
  • Publication number: 20100093269
    Abstract: A vehicle air-conditioning discharge port structure wherein the airflow direction of air-conditioning drafts can be adjusted by changing the orientation of a plurality of fins provided to a discharge port. The fins include an outermost fin and an adjacent fin adjacent to the outer fins. The outer fin has a first regulating part for regulating the air-conditioning drafts flowing through an inter-fin flow passage between the outer fin and the adjacent fin, and a second regulating part for regulating the air-conditioning drafts flowing through a flow passage between the outer fin and a wall part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Sakaguchi, Masayuki Miyagawa, Hiroyuki Inoue
  • Patent number: 7674164
    Abstract: An air-conditioning system for the passenger compartment of a vehicle. The air-conditioning system includes an air-treatment unit and with a series of ventilation outlets distributed inside the passenger compartment and connected to the air-treatment unit. Some of the ventilation outlets are mounted on the side surface of a tubular body, which is set in a bottom portion of the passenger compartment. An internal pipe communicates with the air-treatment unit, and is mounted to oscillate about a longitudinal axis thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giovanni Stefani
  • Publication number: 20100029191
    Abstract: A passenger air vent is provided for a cockpit of a motor vehicle. The passenger air vent includes, but is not limited to a nozzle which has adjustable blades on the air outlet side, a control element for adjusting the blades, a separate bezel for the control element, and the bezel and nozzle are formed as two pieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Peter Arndt, Bernd TRINKWALTER
  • Patent number: 7399221
    Abstract: A cabin for a work vehicle, comprising: a ceiling portion; an air conditioner provided to the work vehicle; an air distribution duct provided to the ceiling portion for communicating conditioned air from the air conditioner to the cabin; an air guide projecting into the air distribution duct at an intermediate portion of the duct and forming an inlet opening in a lateral face of a projecting portion of the air guide; and an outlet portion extending to outside the duct and having an opening for introducing the conditioned air from the inlet opening into the cabin. The air guide is pivotable between a use condition and a non-use condition where the inlet opening is oriented differently from an orientation of the inlet opening when the air guide is in the use condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Masumoto, Kenzo Ushiro
  • Patent number: 7201650
    Abstract: An air vent for a ventilation system in a vehicle is disclosed that has an air circulation chamber (1) defined by a housing (9) that has a generally bulged shape. An inflow duct (2) is connected to this housing and opens into the circulation chamber (1), the housing having a perforated wall area (3). An air stream, in use, enters the circulation chamber (1) through inflow duct (2), circulates through the air circulation chamber and exits through the perforated wall area. The air vent further comprises a movable air deflection member disposed to deflect the air stream transversely to an axial direction of the inflow duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Demerath, Markus Bittcher
  • Patent number: 7122066
    Abstract: An air filter system for use by airline passengers on commercial airlines and the like. The housing is configured to clamp to the gasper air supply nozzle of the airliner. The housing is configured to direct air from the air supply nozzle through the filter medium. Thus, the present invention provides a filter which may easily be installed by an airline passenger so as to mitigate airborne contaminants from the air supply nozzle of the airliner. The air filter system provides a flow of comparatively clean air to the passenger and the flow of comparatively clean air directs undesirable airborne contaminants found within the passenger cabin of the airliner away from the passenger, thus forming a region of comparatively clean air generally around the passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Avertech, Inc.
    Inventor: Neal H. Avery
  • Patent number: 7093821
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fluid flow control valve for regulating the flow of fluid, and a method for assembling the valve. The fluid flow control valve includes a housing having a generally spherical exterior portion sized to pivotally cooperate within a coupling oriented at an opening of a pressurized fluid duct. A control member is provided having a retaining member received within an outlet end of a central bore of the housing. The control member is provided with a knob for manual rotation. A closure member is threadably engaged within the housing or the control member and is fixed for axial translation relative to the other. The closure member is further adapted to sealingly engage with an inlet end of the housing central bore. Rotation of the control member provides axial displacement to the closure member for varying flow of fluid therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Bruce Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Samuel Harold Howe
  • Patent number: 7029389
    Abstract: An air supply orifice arrangement (1) particularly suitable for a motor vehicle includes at least one air supply orifice (4) which is arranged on a support (3), wherein the air supply orifice (4) is capable of being displaced with respect to the support (3) in the event of a crash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Behr GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Derleth, Thomas Feith, Andreas Grieb, Walter Wolf