CN110549827A

CN110549827A - Airflow guiding device

Info

Publication number: CN110549827A
Application number: CN201910459712.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: B·迪南; T-T·布伊
Original assignee: Virginia Automotive Internal Equipment Industry Co
Current assignee: Virginia Automotive Internal Equipment Industry Co; Faurecia Interieur Industrie SAS
Priority date: 2018-05-30
Filing date: 2019-05-30
Publication date: 2019-12-10
Also published as: FR3081780A1; FR3081780B1

Abstract

An airflow directing device (10) having a frame (16) and at least one blade (18) removably secured to the frame (16). The frame (16) has at least one deformation region (28,32), and the frame (16) is reversibly configurable between a first position, in which the deformation region (28,32) is in a first deformed state and the blade (18) is separated from the frame (16), and a second position, in which the deformation region (28,32) is in a second deformed state and the blade (18) is secured to the frame (16).

Description

airflow guiding device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an airflow directing device having a frame and at least one blade removably secured to the frame.

Background

The present invention relates generally to ventilators, air intake ventilators, refrigerators, and heaters. The present invention relates to a vehicle ventilation device. Such a guide device is used, for example, for injecting an air stream in the cab of a motor vehicle and communicates with a trim part of the cab. In order to orient the air flow according to the wishes of the user, at least one air flow deflector is generally arranged at the outlet of the guide, for example made as a plurality of blades, mounted in a frame at the outlet of the guide.

Generally, such a frame of the device is rigid, the blades being forcibly inserted and fixed in the frame, being mounted in holders provided for this purpose.

Therefore, the assembly of the blades requires a great force to be applied by the operator, making such an operation difficult and troublesome. Furthermore, the assembly force of the blade on the frame is large, so that the device is easily damaged. In addition, the assembly of each blade to the frame may require a different force, with the force required being greater when the blade is near one of the side edges of the frame.

the present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks by proposing an airflow guiding device that reduces and balances the assembly forces of the blades on the frame, simplifying its assembly and thus reducing the operating times.

Disclosure of Invention

To this end, the invention relates to the aforementioned airflow directing device, wherein the frame has at least one deformation region, the frame being reversibly configurable between a first position, in which the deformation region is in a first deformed state and the blade is separated from the frame, and a second position, in which the deformation region is in a second deformed state and the blade is fixed to the frame.

The deformation zone may thus deform the frame during blade assembly, thereby facilitating assembly of all blades within the frame, as the operator does not exert great force to forcibly insert the blades in the frame. In addition, the required force is the same for all blades.

According to various embodiments, the air flow guide device also has one or more of the following features, alone or according to all possible combinations:

The frame surrounds an opening through which the air flow passes, the area of the opening in the second position of the frame being smaller than the area of the opening in the first position of the frame;

-at least a part of the frame is made of plastic;

-the frame is substantially rectangular, the frame comprising at least one first edge having a deformation zone, the first edge and the blade being substantially parallel to each other in the second position of the frame;

-a second edge of the frame being substantially parallel to the first edge, the second edge having at least one deformation zone;

The deformation zone has a fold forming a projection projecting outwards or inwards of the frame;

-the first deformed state of the deformed zone is a tensile deformed state and the second deformed state of the deformed zone is a non-deformed rest state;

-the second deformed state of the deformed zone is a compressed deformed state, the first deformed state of the deformed zone being a non-deformed rest state;

The airflow directing means has an outer frame forming a mouth, the frame being fixed in the mouth in the second position;

The air flow guide comprises a first edge with a first deformation zone and a second edge parallel to the first edge with a second deformation zone, the first edge and the blade being parallel to each other in the second position of the frame, the first and second deformation zones being the only deformable and deformed zones in the first or second position of the frame.

The invention also relates to a vehicle cab trim having the airflow directing device.

the invention also relates to a vehicle with the ornament.

Finally, the invention also relates to a method for fixing at least one blade to a frame of an airflow guiding device, comprising the following steps:

-providing a frame and at least one blade, the frame having at least one deformation region;

-the frame is arranged in a first position in which the deformation zone is in a first deformed state, the blade being separated from the frame;

The frame is arranged in a second position in which the deformation zone is in a second deformed state, the blade being fixed to the frame.

Drawings

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded view of the airflow directing device of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the frame of the guide according to the first embodiment of the invention;

figures 3 and 4 are longitudinal section views of the frame shown in figure 2 in a first position and a second position, respectively;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of a guide according to a second embodiment of the invention in a first position (solid line) and a second position (broken line).

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows an air flow guide device, in particular a ventilation device for a vehicle according to the invention.

the gas flow is for example an air flow.

The device 10 has an outer frame 12 forming a mouth 14, a frame 16 secured within the mouth 14, and a plurality of blades 18 secured within the frame 16.

The outer frame 12 is formed, for example, by an air guide tube for connecting a ventilation system of the vehicle to an air outlet which leads from the mouth 14 to the cab of the vehicle. The mouth 14 extends, for example, in a trim, for example, in the dashboard, door panel or other trim of a vehicle.

The frame 16 surrounds an opening through which the airflow passes.

The frame 16 is, for example, lockingly fixed to the outer frame 12.

thus, the outer frame 12 has a first locking and securing mechanism 18 and the frame 16 has a second locking and securing mechanism 20 that is complementary to the first securing mechanism 18.

as shown in fig. 1, the first securing mechanism 18 is, for example, a locking aperture 22 and the second securing mechanism 20 is, for example, a locking tab 24 that engages the locking aperture 22.

in other embodiments (not shown), the arrangement of the locking apertures 22 and locking tabs 24 is reversed such that the outer frame 12 has locking tabs 24 and the frame 16 has locking apertures 22.

In other embodiments (not shown), the frame 16 is secured within the outer frame 12 by screws or adhesive.

As shown in fig. 1-5, the frame 16 is generally rectangular with rounded corners.

In other embodiments, the frame 16 has any shape, such as trapezoidal, or circular, or rectangular with right angles.

The frame 16 is preferably made in one piece, e.g. molded. In this way, the manufacture of the frame 16 can be simplified.

In a preferred embodiment, a first side 26 of the frame 16 has a first deformed region 28 and a second side 30, generally parallel to the first side, has a second deformed region 32.

First deformation zone 28 and second deformation zone 32 are, for example, arranged opposite to each other.

In other embodiments (not shown), only one of the first and second edges 26, 30 has one deformed region 28, 32.

In other embodiments (not shown), the first and second edges 26, 30 have a plurality of deformed regions 28,32, respectively.

The frame 16 also has a third side 34 and a fourth side 36 that are generally parallel to each other, generally perpendicular to the first side 26 and the second side 30, and connected to each other.

As shown in fig. 2, the third and fourth sides 34, 36 have a first series of blade 18 receiving apertures 38 and a second series of blade receiving apertures 40, respectively. Each aperture 38 of the first series is arranged relative to a respective aperture 40 of the second series.

According to the invention, the frame 16 is reversibly configurable between a first position, in which the deformation zones 28,32 are in a first deformation state and the blade 18 can be arranged in the frame 16 without interfering therewith, and a second position, in which the deformation zones 28,32 are in a second deformation state and the blade 18 is fixed to the frame.

Advantageously, the frame 16 is made of plastic. The plastic is a plastic having a hardness of 80 Shore A or more.

For example, the plastic is made of the following materials: thermoplastic copolyesters, polyoxymethylene, polystyrene-b-poly (ethylene-butylene) -b-polystyrene, thermoplastic elastomers, polycaprolactam, polypropylene, and/or other materials.

advantageously, the deformation regions 28,32 are only deformable regions of the frame 16, only substantially deformable regions of the frame 16 at the first or second locations.

Thus, in particular, in the first and second positions of the frame 16, the third and fourth sides 34, 36 of the frame 16 are not significantly deformed.

According to one embodiment, the frame 16 is molded from a bi-material composite, with the deformation regions 28,32 being formed from an elastomeric material and the remainder of the frame 16 being formed from a rigid material.

A first embodiment of a positive modification of the invention is shown in figures 2 to 4.

According to this embodiment, the first deformation state of the deformation zones 28,32 is the tensile deformation state (fig. 3), and the second deformation state of the deformation zones 28,32 is the non-deformed rest state (fig. 4).

Each deformation zone 28,32 has a fold 42 which forms a projection out of the frame 16.

The pleat 42 has a first branch 46 and a second branch 48. Each branch 46, 48 extends outwardly of the frame 16 between a proximal end 50 and a distal end 52.

The first branch 46 and the second branch 48 are connected by their respective distal ends 52 into one pleat 42.

The first and second branches 46, 48 define an angle α therebetween that is oriented inwardly toward the frame 16.

in other embodiments (not shown), the pleats 42 form a bulge out of the frame 16. Thus, the first branch 46 and the second branch 48 form an angle α therebetween that is oriented outwardly of the frame 16.

In the first position of the frame (fig. 3), the first deformed state of the deformed regions 28,32 is a tensile deformed state, with the first branch portion 46 and the second branch portion 48 forming an angle α 1 therebetween.

In the second position of the frame (fig. 4), the second deformed state of the deformed regions 28,32 is an undeformed rest state, with the first branch 46 and the second branch 48 forming an angle α 2 therebetween that is less than the angle α 1.

Thus, when the frame 16 is moved from the first, stretch-deformed position (fig. 3) to the second, non-deformed, inoperative position (fig. 4), the first and second branches 46, 48 of the pleats 42 are adjacent one another.

Conversely, when the frame 16 is brought from the non-deformed, inactive second position (fig. 4) into the stretch-deformed first position (fig. 3), the first branch 46 and the second branch 48 of the pleat 42 are separated from each other.

The first side 26 of the frame 16 having the deformation zone 28 has a first length L1 in a first position of tensile deformation of the frame 16 (fig. 3) and a second length L2 in a second, non-deformed, inoperative position of the frame 16 (fig. 4).

The first length L1 is greater than the second length L2. The difference between the first length L1 and the second length L2 is preferably 2 to 10 mm, for example greater than 4 mm.

Thus, the distance between the third side 34 and the fourth side 36 of the frame 16 in the second position is less than the distance between the third side 34 and the fourth side 36 of the frame 16 in the first position.

Thus, the area of the opening in the second position of the frame 16 (fig. 4) is smaller than the area of the opening in the first position of the frame 16 (fig. 3).

each blade 18 has a first head 50 and a second head 54, the first head 50 being disposed at a first end 52 of the blade 18, the second head 54 being disposed at a second end 56 of the blade 18.

The first and second heads 50, 54 are formed, for example, by first and second pins 58, 60, respectively, that lockingly engage the first and second series of receiving holes 38, 40, respectively, of the third and fourth sides 34, 36 of the frame 16 (fig. 2).

the vanes 18 are preferably pivotally arranged on the frame 16 to change the direction of the air flow through the frame by changing the position of the vanes 18 relative to the frame. The vanes 18 pivot about pivot axes 62, the pivot axes 62 being generally parallel to each other and to the first and second sides 26, 30 of the frame 16.

In other embodiments, not shown, the vanes 18 are connected by a connection such that the vanes 18 pivot together about their respective pivot axes 62, i.e., movement of one vane causes corresponding movement of the other vanes.

the method of securing the vanes 18 to the frame 16 of the airflow directing device 10 of one embodiment will now be described in detail.

First, the method includes providing one frame 16 and a plurality of blades 18 as described above.

Initially, the frame 16 is in a non-deformed rest position, which is similar to the second position.

The frame 16 is then disposed in a first position (fig. 3) in which the deformed regions 28,32 of the first and second sides 26, 30 of the frame 16 are in a tensile deformed state, and the blade 18 is not secured to the frame 16.

In particular, to achieve the first position of the frame 16, a tensile force is applied by the user to the outside of the frame 1 at one of the ends of the first side 26 and/or the second side 30, or at the third side 34 and the fourth side 36.

Thus, the blade 18 can be inserted in the frame without interfering with the third and fourth sides, thereby eliminating the need for operator effort.

The first and second heads 50, 54 of the vane 18 are sequentially lockingly secured in the receiving apertures 38, 40 of the third and fourth sides 34, 36 of the frame 16.

Additionally, in other embodiments, to achieve the first position of the frame 16, the user applies pressure at the protrusions 44 of each deformation region 28, 32.

The blades 18 are then secured to the frame 16 in succession. When no further tensile force is applied at one of the ends of the first and/or second edges 26, 30, or when no further compressive force is maintained at the projection 44 of each deformation zone 28,32, the frame 16 is brought into a non-deformed, inactive second position, and the vane 18 is secured and retained within the frame 16 by the engagement of the head portions 50, 54 of the vane with the apertures 38, 40 of the third and fourth edges 34, 36 of the frame 16.

The frame 16 is then locked into place within the outer frame 12 of the vent 10.

According to a second embodiment of the invention (not shown), both the first deformation state of the deformation zones 28,32 and the second deformation state of the deformation zones 28,32 are tensile deformation states.

In this embodiment, the overall length of the blade 18 without the first and second heads 50, 54 is greater than the interior distance between the third and fourth sides 34, 36 of the frame 16. Thus, in the second position of the frame 16, when the blade 18 is secured to the frame 16, the deformation zones 28,32 are not in the rest position, and the third and fourth sides 34, 36 of the frame 16 exert pressure on the blade 18. Thus, the frame exerts a retaining force on the blade in the second position, which may result in a better fixation of the blade to the frame.

thus, the angle α 3 formed by the two branches 46, 48 of each pleat 42 of the deformation zones 28,32 is smaller than the angle α 1 (first position of the frame 16, fig. 3) and greater than the angle α 2 (second position of the frame 16 of the first embodiment of the invention, fig. 4).

The method of securing the blade 18 to the frame 16 is similar to that described above.

A third embodiment of the invention is shown in figure 5. In this embodiment, the frame is negatively deformed, i.e. compressively deformed.

Thus, the first deformed state of the deformed regions 28,32 is a non-deformed rest state (solid lines in fig. 5), and the second deformed state of the deformed regions 28,32 is a compression deformed state (broken lines in fig. 5).

The overall length of the blade 18 with the first and second heads 50, 54 is less than the internal distance between the third and fourth sides 34, 36 of the frame 16 in the non-deformed, inoperative first position.

The angles α 1 and α 2 formed by the first and second branches 46 and 48 of the pleats 42 of the deformed regions 28,32 in the first and second positions, respectively, of the frame 16 are similar to the angles α 1 and α 2 of the first embodiment.

In particular, when the frame 16 is brought from a non-deformed, inoperative first position into a compressively deformed second position, the first branch 46 and the second branch 48 of the pleat 42 approach one another.

Conversely, when the frame 16 is moved from the second, compressively deformed position to the first, undeformed, inoperative position, the first and second leg portions 46, 48 separate from one another.

In the first position, the blade may be disposed in the frame without interfering with the third and fourth sides.

Unlike the first embodiment, the second position of the frame 16 is not an equilibrium position, requiring a compressive force to maintain the frame 16 in the second deformed position, and thus, the blade 18 attached to the frame 16.

Thus, the method of securing the blade 18 to the frame 16 prior to insertion of the frame 16 into the outer frame 12 of the device 10 includes the step of the user holding the deformation regions 28,32 in compression, for example, by pressing the third and fourth sides of the frame closer together.

When the frame 16 is inserted in the outer frame 12 of the device 10, the compressive retention of the deformed regions 28,32 is ensured by the inner walls of the outer frame 12, so that the blades 18 remain connected to the frame 16 within the mouth 14 of the outer frame 12.

Thus, according to this embodiment, the frame exerts a retaining force on the blade in the second position, so that the blade can be better secured to the frame.

By means of the device 10 according to the invention, the fixing of the blades 18 to the frame 16 is simplified, the assembly forces being reduced and uniform irrespective of the number of blades 18. In fact, the only force required by the operator is the force applied to the frame to bring it into one position or another, and not the force required to insert one blade in the frame for each blade. The risk of the blades 18 disengaging is also greatly reduced. The fixing of the blade 18 to the frame 16 is simplified and the assembly time is reduced.

Claims

1. Airflow directing device (10) having a frame (16) and at least one blade (18) removably secured to the frame (16), characterised in that the frame (16) has at least one deformation region (28,32), the frame (16) being reversibly configurable between a first position in which the deformation region (28,32) is in a first deformed state and the blade (18) is separated from the frame (16) and a second position in which the deformation region (28,32) is in a second deformed state and the blade (18) is secured to the frame (16).

2. The airflow directing device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame (16) surrounds an opening through which the airflow passes, the area of the opening in the second position of the frame (16) being smaller than the area of the opening in the first position of the frame (16).

3. The airflow directing device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a portion of the frame (16) is made of plastic.

4. The airflow directing device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the frame (16) is substantially rectangular, the frame (16) comprising at least one first edge (26) having a deformation region (28), the first edge (26) and the blade (18) being substantially parallel to each other in the second position of the frame (16).

5. The airflow directing device (10) of claim 4, wherein the second edge (30) of the frame (16) is substantially parallel to the first edge (26), the second edge (30) having at least one deformed region (32).

6. The airflow directing device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the deformation regions (28,32) have corrugations (42) forming protrusions (44) protruding out or in the frame (16).

7. The airflow director (10) according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the first deformed state of the deformation region (28,32) is a stretched deformed state and the second deformed state of the deformation region (28,32) is a non-deformed rest state.

8. The airflow directing device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second deformed state of the deformation region (28,32) is a compressed deformed state and the first deformed state of the deformation region (28,32) is a non-deformed rest state.

9. The airflow guide (10) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the airflow guide has an outer frame (12) forming a mouth (14), the frame (16) being secured within the mouth (14) in the second position.

10. The airflow guide device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the airflow guide device comprises a first edge (26) with a first deformation region (28) and a second edge (30) parallel to the first edge (26) with a second deformation region (32), the first edge (26) and the blade (18) being parallel to each other in the second position of the frame (16), the first deformation region (28) and the second deformation region (32) being the only deformable and deformed regions in the first position or the second position of the frame (16).

11. Method for fixing at least one blade (18) to a frame (16) of an airflow guiding device (10), characterized in that the fixing method comprises the steps of:

-providing a frame (16) and at least one blade (18), the frame (16) having at least one deformation zone (28, 32);

-the frame (16) is configured in a first position in which the deformation zone (28,32) is in a first deformed state, the blade (18) being separated from the frame (16);

-the frame (16) is arranged in a second position in which the deformation zone (28,32) is in a second deformed state, the blade (18) being fixed to the frame (16).