Having Adjustable Deflector Patents (Class 454/155)
  • Patent number: 9589746
    Abstract: A switch device for a vehicular air conditioning system includes a transverse wing surrounded by a knob of an air vent. A circuit board is mounted to an inner side of the transverse wing. The button switch for controlling an air conditioner and an air amount is connected to a switch contact portion of the circuit board to contact the switch contact portion of the circuit board and mounted to an upper surface of the knob. A connector connects a connecting portion formed at a rear portion of the circuit board and an air conditioning controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jung Mo Kwak
  • Patent number: 9579954
    Abstract: The present invention provides an air vent for a vehicle, including: a housing which has an air outlet to which a duct is connected; and a damper unit which is inserted into and installed in the housing so as to open and close the air outlet, in which the damper unit includes: a damper knob which has a through hole into which a duct boss, which protrudes on the duct, is inserted, and one side surface connected to a damper, and drives the damper while being rotated; and a knob rubber which is made of rubber, covers a partial region of the damper knob, and extends to an inner surface of the through hole so as to be inserted into the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ki Yeong Kim
  • Patent number: 9579953
    Abstract: This device includes at least one peripheral wall (2, 6, 8) forming an air duct (4) and at least one first fin (10) rotatably mobile around a substantially longitudinal axis (A), at least one second fin (12) rotatably mobile around a substantially transverse axis (B), and at least one deflector (18) extending upstream of the second fin (12) and being rotatably mobile around a substantially transverse axis (C), the downstream end portion (20) of the deflector (18) being fastened to the upstream end portion (22) of the second fin (12) via a hinge (24). The axis of rotation (C) of the deflector (18) is mounted in at least one slot (28) of the peripheral wall (2, 6, 8), the slot (26) extending along a path at least partially not parallel to the upstream-downstream direction of the air duct (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: FAURECIA INTERIEUR INDUSTRIE
    Inventors: Nicolas Mercey, Rene-Louis Courtel
  • Patent number: 9539882
    Abstract: An air conditioning register includes a downstream fin, primary upstream fins, a secondary upstream fin, and an operation knob slidably attached onto the downstream fin. The operation knob sandwiches a shaft of the secondary upstream fin. The air conditioning register has a link mechanism that includes arms and a coupling rod. The arms extend from pivots of the primary and secondary upstream fins in a direction orthogonal to the pivots, and have a pin at the tip of the arms. The coupling rod couples the respective pins. The distance between the pivot and the pin in the arm of the secondary upstream fin is longer than the distance between the pivot and the pin in the arm of each primary upstream fin. The coupling rod includes coupling portions, each of which couples the pins of an adjacent pair of the arms. Adjacent coupling portions are pivotally coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hajime Takai, Mitsuo Ogura, Minoru Shibata, Kenji Asano
  • Patent number: 9500092
    Abstract: An air duct assembly having a housing and a flexible vane. Sufficient airflow through the housing may actuate the flexible vane to permit airflow through an outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven David Errick, Paul Bryan Hoke, James R. Hurd, Eric R. Yerke
  • Patent number: 9493052
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle air conditioning device, in which a plurality of blow-off mode switching dampers are turned by a link mechanism, for enabling selective switching of blow-off modes, the link mechanism including: levers respectively provided to rotating shafts; and a turnable link including a plurality of cam grooves on each of which a pin provided to each lever slides. A rail portion is provided in any one of an inner side surface of the cam groove and an outer peripheral surface of each pin, and the cam groove and the pin are in contact with each other through the rail portion. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress abnormal noise that is generated when foreign substances are caught in a sliding surface (rail surface) between the cam groove and the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Junichiro Hara, Tomoki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9463682
    Abstract: A vehicle includes: a front panel provided in front of an occupant traveling in the vehicle; an air-conditioning duct that forms at least one air outlet, through which a conditioned airflow is blown, in an upper portion of the front panel; a wind direction adjustment member capable of adjusting the conditioned airflow blown out of the air outlet such that the conditioned airflow flows from the air outlet toward the occupant; and at least one display member that displays information to the occupant. The display member is provided in the air-conditioning duct or the air outlet. The wind direction adjustment member is provided so as not to interfere a path between an image displayed by the display member and the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahito Suzuki, Tomoyuki Nunome, Tsukasa Mikuni, Makoto Niwa, Isamu Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 9377206
    Abstract: An indoor unit of an air conditioning apparatus includes a casing, a heat exchanger, a fan, a first airflow direction adjusting plate adjusting a direction of airflow blown out from an air outlet by rotation about a first axial direction, a plurality of second airflow direction adjusting plates adjusting the direction of the airflow blown out from the air outlet by rotation about a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and a support member rotatably supporting the first airflow direction adjusting plate in the air outlet other than at both end portions. The second airflow direction adjusting plates include a third airflow direction adjusting plate and a fourth airflow direction adjusting plate placed in a location such that a distance to the support member from the fourth airflow direction adjusting plate is smaller than a distance to the support member from the third airflow direction adjusting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masafumi Kawanaka, Kenji Terano, Susumu Ishii
  • Patent number: 9315090
    Abstract: A ventilation arrangement includes a console with a surface in which a receptacle is formed. An air outlet is moveably mounted on the console for movement between an opening and a closing position. In the opening position the air outlet protrudes from the receptacle and in the closing position is at least partially flush-mounted in the receptacle. Air guiding elements guide air flowing out of an airflow opening of the air outlet. The air guiding elements are at least partially displaceably mounted on a support structure of the air outlet between an opening and a closing position. The air guiding elements in the opening position are displaceable into working positions in which adjacent air guiding elements have a larger intermediate spacing, and in the closing position into rest positions wherein the elements have a smaller intermediate spacing than in the working positions or lie on one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Marten Wittorf
  • Patent number: 9278607
    Abstract: A vehicle air vent is provided that includes a plurality of air control vanes, the orientation of which determines the direction of air flow exiting the air vent; a shut-off door that allows air to flow through the air vent when it is in a first position and blocks air flow through the air vent when it is in a second position; a control tab mechanically coupled to the plurality of air control vanes; and a linkage assembly mechanically coupling the control tab to the shut-off door. Adjustment of the control tab within a first range of positions controls the orientation of the air control vanes while maintaining the shut-off door in an open position. Adjustment of the control tab within a second range of positions, however, moves the shut-off door between the first and second positions, thereby controlling air flow through the air vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: Daryl Zalan
  • Patent number: 9157398
    Abstract: An actuation assembly adapted to protect against overload conditions, includes an active material actuator and an active material overload protection device either with or without a manual reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9120433
    Abstract: A trim strip for lining an opening of an interior panel for a vehicle includes a first trim segment having a panel engaging side and an exposed side. A second trim segment extends outwardly from the first trim segment at a first end of the first trim segment. The second trim segment has a panel engaging side and an exposed side. A third trim segment extends outwardly from the first trim segment at a second, opposite end of the first trim segment. The third trim segment has a panel engaging side and an exposed side. A detachable support member is connected to the second trim segment along a first line of weakness and to the third trim segment along a second line of weakness. The detachable support member includes a datum member arranged and configured to be engaged by a panel datum member during installation of the trim strip at the opening to align and maintain spacing between the second and third trim segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy Thorsell, Brian Thurgate
  • Patent number: 9110492
    Abstract: An assembly having a soft-touch user interface for controlling the operative position of a device which controls the flow of air into the passenger compartment of a vehicle is provided. An occupant of the vehicle operates a first member of the assembly at its outer soft-touch, surface layer to cause the first member to rotate about an axis. A second member of the assembly rotatably supports the first member. A portion of a structural substrate of the first member is configured to couple the first member to the device. The substrate and the second member have a pair of annular faces that oppose each other and are oriented to face axially along the axis. A portion of a biasing member projects outwardly from at least one pocket in one of the faces to frictionally engage the other face and prevent undesired rotational movement of the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: GLOBAL IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis W. Puskar, Jr., Steven M. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20150147949
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting vehicle grille shutters based on a direction of motion of the grille shutters. In one example, a method includes adjusting a motor coupled to the grille shutters based on the direction of motion of the grille shutters, a desired opening of the grille shutters, and vehicle speed. Further, the method may include determining the direction of motion of the grille shutters based on a desired motor position relative to an actual motor position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Macfarlane, Christopher Semanson, Joseph James Gallo, Mark Fleming, Colby Jason Buckman, Robert Roy Jentz
  • Publication number: 20150136500
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustment device for adjusting shutoff strips of an at least partly closable air inlet of a motor compartment of a motor vehicle between at least a first position in which the shutoff strips leave the air inlet at least partly open and a second position in which the shutoff strips at least partly close the air inlet. The adjustment device comprises a drive unit, situated in a housing, which has a motor and a drive train with reduction stage. The drive train comprises an output shaft provided with a first coupling means facing outside the housing and a second coupling means facing outside the housing, opposite with respect to the first coupling means. The coupling means are configured to cooperate with, respectively, a first and a second coupling element of a first and second set of shutoff strips, respectively, for coupling the output shaft on both sides of the housing to the respective set of shutoff strips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Stephen Alexander George Gustavo Boom, Erik Alfred Simeon de Vries
  • Publication number: 20150118949
    Abstract: An airflow guiding system for a vehicle may include an air flap module with air flaps that are selectively opened/closed so that an engine compartment selectively receives external air from a front of the vehicle in accordance with a driving state of an engine, air holes that are formed through the air flap module, at an upper portion of the air flap module, and are kept open, and air ducts that supply air passed through the air holes or air from a front of the air flap module as intake air for the engine. The air passed through the air holes or the air from the front of the air flap module may be supplied as the intake air for the engine, even if the air flaps are closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jong Woo NAM, Hyun Cho, Joonho Lee, Hanshin Chung
  • Publication number: 20150087217
    Abstract: A grille for a vehicle wall opening may comprise a frame, a pair of first louvers, and a second louver. The frame may be receivable on the vehicle wall in an installed position extending around the opening, and may have an inboard side and an outboard side. The pair of first louvers may be supported on the frame, and may be transversely inclined to an outboard direction at a first angle. The second louver may be located between the first louvers, fixed relative to the first louvers, and inclined to the outboard direction at a second angle different from the first angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Lon E. Switzer, Fred P. Siebert
  • Publication number: 20150072605
    Abstract: A control element (16) for an air vent (10) in a vehicle has a bearing portion which serves for the air-vent-side bearing of the control element (16) and includes a receptacle (22), in particular for a slat (12) of an air vent (10), and a spring element (34) which protrudes into the receptacle (22) of the bearing portion, wherein the spring element (34) is integrally molded to the control element (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: Michael Schlippe
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20150056907
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric actuator able to drive a component of a heating, ventilation and/or air-conditioning installation of a vehicle. The electric actuator comprises a housing accommodating at least an electric motor driving a drive shaft extending along a first axis, a speed reducer driven by the drive shaft and setting in motion an output stub intended to drive the component. The speed reducer extending along a second axis and the output stub extending along a third axis. The first axis, the second axis and the third axis are coincident, thus forming a main axis of the electric actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Nathalie Dion, Didier Loup
  • Patent number: 8951102
    Abstract: The invention concerns a swivel joint ventilation flap comprising an air stream duct (10), a profiled body (18) the major part of which is at least arranged in the duct chamber, and a ring (26) co-operating with the duct and with the profiled member so that it supports the profiled body (18) in the duct while enabling the profiled body to be moved relative to the duct. Part at least of the inner surface of the chamber forms a spherical segment, the ring (26) has an outer surface forming a sphere portion of practically the same radius as the spherical segment, the ring (26) is arranged in the chamber at the outer surface of the profiled body (18). The profiled body (18) can slide relative to the ring (26). The ventilation flap is suitable for motor vehicle instrument panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Faurecia Interieur Industrie
    Inventors: Christian Brancheriau, Pierre Guerreiro, Guy Heriquet, Etienne Francois, Lionel Fernandes
  • Publication number: 20150004897
    Abstract: An air flow direction adjusting device is provided with a first rear fin and a second rear fin which are adjacent to each other. At a rear fin main body of the first rear fin of these two rear fins that are adjacent to each other, a protrusion portion is provided in a thickness direction. At a rear fin main body of the second rear fin of the above two rear fins that adjacent to each other, a recessed portion configured to close a gap between the first rear fin and the second rear fin that are adjacent to each other by the recessed portion coming into contact with the protrusion portion is provided in proximity to a rear turning shaft portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Sadao ISHIKAWA, Takashi SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20140364045
    Abstract: An operating device (10) for an air vent (12) which includes at least one swiveling vane (14), the operating device (10) having a first operating lever (22) which has a first lever arm (30), a second lever arm (34), and a bearing member (38) which is arranged therebetween, the first operating lever (22) being mounted around the bearing member (38) for swiveling about a swivel pin (24), and a second operating lever (26) which has a first lever arm (32), a second lever arm (36), and a bearing member (40) which is arranged therebetween, the second operating lever (26) being mounted around the bearing member (40) for swiveling about a swivel pin (28), the first lever arm (32) of the second operating lever (26) being coupled to the second lever arm (34) of the first operating lever (22) and the second lever arm (36) of the second operating lever (26) being adapted to be coupled for swiveling motion to the vane (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Noichl, Frank Mootz
  • Patent number: 8876579
    Abstract: A baffle controller for moving a baffle disposed within an HVAC outlet housing between an open position and a closed position to control airflow through an HVAC outlet in a vehicle includes a Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuator that is controlled and actuated by an electrical signal. The SMA actuator rotates a main lever that rotates a valve plate. The valve plate is attached to the baffle such that the baffle rotates with the valve plate. The baffle controller may include a position biasing device that increases a position holding ability of the baffle controller, and a cut-off switch that interrupts the electrical signal to the SMA actuator to prevent over-rotating the baffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Dynalloy, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Michael E. Nishek, James Holbrook Brown, Xiujie Gao
  • Publication number: 20140315478
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an air vent device of a vehicle, including: a damper door which adjusts a flow rate of air that is supplied to the interior of the vehicle; a knob which is provided to operate the damper door; and an operating member which connects the damper door and the knob, in which the operating member includes: a link portion connected to the damper door; a rod portion connected to the knob; and a connecting portion which is connected between the link portion and the rod portion, and is formed to be bent or rotated, in which the link portion, the rod portion, and the connecting portion are integrally formed by injection molding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOBIS Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ki Yeong Kim
  • Publication number: 20140287669
    Abstract: An HVAC airflow door assembly including a pivot hub, a main body, and a flexible member. The pivot hub is connectable with a pivot member for pivoting the door assembly. The main body extends from the pivot hub and includes a distal end opposite to and spaced apart from the pivot hub. The flexible member is mounted to, and extends from, the distal end of the main body, and is configured for connection with a guide track. The door assembly is configured for rotation by the pivot member between a first position in which the flexible member is collapsed, and a second position in which the flexible member is extended relative to the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: DENSO INTERNATIONAL AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: James Stander, David Korenchuk, Kosuke Hayashi, William Cochran
  • Publication number: 20140284123
    Abstract: An actuator for opening and closing grille shutters includes a drive unit, a wheel driven by the drive unit, and a pair of shafts attached to the wheel and configured for driving the grille shutters to open or close. At least one of the shafts is pivotally coupled to the wheel so that an angle formed between the shafts and the wheel is adjustable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Johnson Electric S.A.
    Inventors: Yvan Bourqui, Yan Chappex, Nick Grivas
  • Publication number: 20140273789
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) module includes a housing and a valve. The housing defines a protruding portion that substantially conforms to a portion of an arching pathway defined by a distal end of the valve. The protruding portion may be configured so a distance between the protruding portion and the distal end may vary from more to less as the distal end moves toward where the valve is in a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: ARDEEAN SCOCCIA, THEODORE LIPA, III
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140248828
    Abstract: Air guide system (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising a support structure (12) having an air passage opening (14), an air damper assembly (16) having at least one air damper (18) which is provided on the support structure (12) so that it can pivot about a damper axis (20) between a closed position (FIG. 1(a)) and an open position (FIG. 1(c)) in order to adjust a flow cross-section of the air passage opening (14), the flow cross-section being minimal in the closed position (FIG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Röchling Automotive SE & Co. KG
    Inventor: Andreas SCHMITT
  • Publication number: 20140206270
    Abstract: In a slat, in particular for an air vent in a vehicle, with a base body and an add-on part which are mounted at each other by means of a mechanical connection, the mechanical connection contains at least one holding element at one of the two components base body and add-on part and at least one receptacle for the holding element at the other one of the two components, wherein the receptacle includes at least one insertion portion, into which the holding element can be inserted in an insertion direction, and at least one succeeding holding portion, in which the holding element can be fixed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Demerath, Dirk Lauhoff
  • Patent number: 8784166
    Abstract: An HVAC system is provided for use in a vehicle having a passenger compartment volume. The HVAC system includes a HVAC housing having a duct opening formed in an exterior sidewall thereof. An evaporator is further provided for exhausting air downstream that is cooler than the air on the upstream side. An auxiliary compartment, such as a storage bin, is spaced apart from the HVAC housing, such as in a remote location of the passenger compartment. An auxiliary duct fluidly interconnects the HVAC housing and the auxiliary compartment via the duct opening for transmitting the cool exhausted air to the auxiliary compartment to provide a cooling effect within the auxiliary location. The auxiliary duct, in some embodiments, is disposed external from the HVAC housing for improved service and retrofitting to existing HVAC systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignees: DENSO International America, Inc., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nicholas Mazzocco, Jason Hendry, David Korenchuk, Delomer Gosioco
  • Publication number: 20140194047
    Abstract: An air conditioner for a vehicle, including: an air conditioning case including a rear console vent through which introduced air is discharged toward a rear console, a defrost vent through which air is discharged toward a front window, a face vent through which air is discharged in a direction of a front passenger, and a foot vent through which air is discharged in a foot direction of front and rear seats; a door unit including a defrost door, a face door, and a foot door that are rotatably disposed in the air conditioning case and adjust a degree of openness of each of the defrost vent, the face vent, and the foot vent; and a door driving unit that individually drives and controls the defrost door, the face door, and the foot door and establishes an air conditioning mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Inventors: Byung Guk AN, Joon Hong Choi
  • 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: 8721408
    Abstract: An air conditioner for a vehicle includes: an air-blowing guide that includes a flexible connecting section that elastically deforms, and a pair of engaging sections that are arranged at both ends of the flexible connecting section, is arranged in a mixing region of a hot air and a cool air, and guides the hot air and the cool air; and a case that includes a protrusion that engages the engaging section in a state where the flexible connecting section is elastically deformed, the case in which the air-blowing guide is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventors: Shintaro Ikeda, Shinya Chiba, Naoki Higa, Keiko Arai
  • Publication number: 20140120823
    Abstract: An active airflow outlet for a vehicle and method for facilitating airflow through an active airflow outlet are provided. The active airflow outlet may operate in one of a static mode and an active mode. The active airflow outlet may include a motor, a gear assembly, a plurality of vent blades, and at least one control mechanism. The gear assembly may be operatively connected to the motor and the plurality of vent blades. The plurality of vent blades may be capable of occupying one of an open position and a closed position. The at least one control mechanism may be configured to signal the plurality of vent blades to rotate from the closed position to the open position and signal the motor to rotate the gear assembly and the plurality of vent blades in the active mode to facilitate additional airflow through the active airflow outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Gerard Brinas
  • Publication number: 20140113537
    Abstract: A vehicular airflow outlet comprising a plurality of outlet units having an airflow unit, a ball joint, and a connection member; a control knob unit including a control knob coupled to a ball joint; and a connection mechanism configured to couple the ball joint of the each of the outlet units and the ball joint of the control knob unit is provided. The airflow outlet allows for the direction of airflow throughout a vehicle passenger compartment without the use of multiple sets of vanes. The airflow outlet directs airflow through the use of a single control knob. Force applied to the face of the control knob is operable to simultaneously pivot the ball joints of each of the plurality of outlet units and the ball joint of the control knob unit in unison to adjust airflow direction, allowing for the direction of air at a variety of angles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Gerard Brinas
  • Publication number: 20140080399
    Abstract: An air conditioning register includes a downstream fin, primary upstream fins, a secondary upstream fin, and an operation knob slidably attached onto the downstream fin. The operation knob sandwiches a shaft of the secondary upstream fin. The air conditioning register has a link mechanism that includes arms and a coupling rod. The arms extend from pivots of the primary and secondary upstream fins in a direction orthogonal to the pivots, and have a pin at the tip of the arms. The coupling rod couples the respective pins. The distance between the pivot and the pin in the arm of the secondary upstream fin is longer than the distance between the pivot and the pin in the arm of each primary upstream fin. The coupling rod includes coupling portions, each of which couples the pins of an adjacent pair of the arms. Adjacent coupling portions are pivotally coupled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hajime TAKAI, Mitsuo OGURA, Minoru SHIBATA, Kenji ASANO
  • Patent number: 8676545
    Abstract: Example methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to determine pliable air duct configurations are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves determining a first quantity of adjustable air outlet duct sections to configure an air delivery duct system when an operating mode identifier is received. The operating mode identifier is associated with an amount of air delivered by the air delivery duct system into targeted areas. The first quantity of adjustable air outlet duct sections is based on an airflow rate value and the operating mode identifier. The airflow rate value is indicative of airflow through an air delivery duct system. Each adjustable air outlet duct section includes at least one adjustable air outlet having at least one size-adjustable orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas L. Kaufmann, Brenda L. Ritt, Cary Pinkalla, Kevin J. Gebke, Frank Heim, William A. Niehaus, Matthew Lux
  • Patent number: 8662968
    Abstract: A thermal conditioning system for the energy storage system of a hybrid vehicle. At least one auxiliary air source, other than a permanently open air source, has a selectively operable actuator door which either connects or disconnects the auxiliary air source to the energy storage system blower, the air flow being selected to optimally temperature condition the energy storage system. The auxiliary air source preferably includes the HVAC ducting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Leffert, Tyler J Pilgeram, Ian L Hanna, Eric L. Mayberry, Jonathan R. Schwarz
  • Patent number: 8662970
    Abstract: An air conditioning register includes a retainer having an elongated opening, a first fin, and a plurality of second fins. The first fin is arranged along long sides of the opening at a downstream position in the retainer. The second fins are arranged along short sides at an upstream position in the retainer. The retainer includes a pair of facing inner wall surfaces corresponding to the long sides of the opening. First inclined surfaces that are continuous with the long sides of the opening and second inclined surfaces that are continuous with the first inclined surfaces through ridges are each formed in the corresponding inner wall surface of the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruki Nagasaka, Hiroto Watanabe, Yusuke Nakano, Yasuyuki Mitsui
  • Publication number: 20140054388
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air-diverting element with a flow-optimized contour for an air-conditioning system, in particular of a motor vehicle, which air-diverting element extends approximately perpendicular to an air flow direction. To divert an air flow through approximately 180° and at the same time nevertheless prevent pressure losses and disadvantageous acoustic effects, one end of the air-diverting element is adjoined by an approximately parabolic elongation which is situated opposite that side of the air-diverting element which faces away from the air flow direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: BEHR GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Heilemann, Harald Mühleisen, Vincenzo Venezia, Holger Laux
  • Publication number: 20140045418
    Abstract: An air damper device for a motor vehicle, comprising a device mount which defines a passage opening and on which at least one air damper extending along an air damper longitudinal axis is displaceably mounted in the region of at least one of its longitudinal ends as a mounting longitudinal end relative to the device mount, an opening cross-sectional area of the passage opening being alterable by displacement of the at least one air damper relative to the device mount, the mounting of the mounting longitudinal end of the air damper comprising a mounting component that has a mounting portion mounted on the device mount so as to be movable relative thereto in the fully assembled state of the air damper device and has a connection portion provided at an axial spacing thereto and connects the mounting portion to the air damper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: ROECHLING AUTOMOTIVE AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Juergen SCHNEIDER
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20130344791
    Abstract: A system and a method of controlling a ventilation or HVAC system that is configured to provide an air stream having a comfortable contact velocity to an occupant seated in a vehicle cabin. The system includes a sensor to determine the distance from a discharge nozzle to the vehicle occupant and a controller to control the exit velocity and/or an effective diameter of the nozzle. The sensor may use ultrasonic, infrared, LIDAR, or RADAR technology to determine distance. The system may determine the distance from the nozzle to the occupant based on a seat location determined by a seat location sensor. The seat location sensor may be common to an inflatable restraint (air bag) system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: MINGYU WANG, PRASAD S. KADLE, DEBASHIS GHOSH
  • Publication number: 20130327581
    Abstract: A divided dual inlet housing for an air-based hybrid battery thermal conditioning system which is configured such that HVAC air entering at the HVAC air inlet is prevented from partly backflowing out the cabin air inlet via a dividing wall disposed therein so that all the HVAC air exits the divided dual inlet housing at the air outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michael S. Foos, Ronald A. Swartz, Brooksie J. Pollack, Teresa A. Walczyk
  • Publication number: 20130303071
    Abstract: An air blowing portion 7 for blowing air flowing in an air feed duct 9 into a vehicle compartment is provided with a plurality of lateral fins 11, and the air blowing portion 7 is provided with a longitudinal fin 12, and the longitudinal fin 12 is inclined in such a way that as a portion is closer to a downstream side, the portion is positioned closer to a one side portion 11S1 side of the lateral fin 11, and a convex portion 14 protrudes into a flow passage of the air from a one side portion 9S1 side of the air feed duct 9 on an upstream side of the longitudinal fin 12.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Seki
  • Publication number: 20130267158
    Abstract: In the manufacturing of an operating element (10) for an air vent, a first partial element (12) is manufactured from a hard component in a first injection molding process and a second partial element (14) is manufactured from a soft component in a second injection molding process. The second partial element (14) forms a bearing (20) for a support of the operating element (10) on a vane (22) of the air vent. During its manufacture, the second partial element (14) is connected with the first partial element (12) by adhesion and/or by geometric shaping. The two partial elements (12, 14) that are captively connected with each other constitute a prefabricated unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: TRW AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS & COMPONENTS GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Harald Noichl, Steve Kober
  • Patent number: 8550887
    Abstract: A grill for attachment to a front portion of a vehicle including a base frame structure with a mesh front structure secured thereto. The grill has at least one picture frame structure that is moveable with respect to the base frame structure. The grill also includes a plurality of louvers that are in communication with and moveable with respect to each of the base frame structure and the at least one picture frame structure. A motor unit is associated with the grill and is in communication with the at least one picture frame structure to effectuate movement thereof such that as the at least one picture frame structure moves, the plurality of louvers between an open position and a closed position, whereby openings between adjacent ones of the plurality of louvers are exposed or shut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Lacks Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: David Walters
  • Patent number: 8550886
    Abstract: A ventilation device is for ventilating a motor vehicle interior. The ventilation device comprises an air supply channel and an outflow region. The outflow region is provided with a first component and a second component which can be brought into at least one first state of displacement and a second state of displacement in relation to each other, in order to generate a first air flow and a different second air flow. The first component and the second component have a first lamella structure and a second lamella structure, according to the state of displacement, for producing a first air flow and a second air flow with different opening angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Faurecia Innenraum Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Mike Kogler, Younes Chlyeh