WO2020180583A1

WO2020180583A1 - Air vent for a vehicle, and ventilation system having such an air vent

Info

Publication number: WO2020180583A1
Application number: PCT/US2020/020030
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marek PRODELAL
Original assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Priority date: 2019-03-04
Filing date: 2020-02-27
Publication date: 2020-09-10
Also published as: DE102019105409A1

Abstract

An air vent (1) for a vehicle, wherein the air vent (1) has a housing with an air inlet region (3) and an opposite air outlet region (4), with an air duct (5) for air flowing from the air inlet region (3) to the air outlet region (4), wherein, upstream of the air outlet region (4), the air duct (5) is divided into at least two subducts (7, 8) which open at the air outlet region (4) into a respective air outlet opening (9, 10), wherein the air vent (1) has a rotatably mounted throttle or closure flap (11) which can be selectively pivoted, into a first or into a second of the at least two subducts (7, 8) from a neutral position in which the throttle or closure flap (11) projects neither into the air duct (5) nor into one of the subducts (7, 8).

Description

AIR VENT FOR A VEHICLE, AND VENTILATION SYSTEM

HAVING SUCH AN AIR VENT

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an air vent, in particular for a ventilation system of a vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a ventilation system having such an air vent.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In ventilation devices for vehicles, use is generally made of air vents or air outlet nozzles, which allow deliberate control of the emerging air jet. Such air vents serve to deliver in particular fresh air into a vehicle interior.

[0003] The air flow in this case flows via an inlet opening of the air vent into the air duct delimited by the housing wall of the air vent, through said air duct and finally through the outlet opening of the air vent into the interior of a vehicle (for example passenger car or truck). The air flow basically follows a main flow direction in this case, which can extend in particular parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing.

[0004] In known air vents, the air flow is deflected from the main flow direction by one or more air-guiding elements, for example pivotable air-guiding slats. In order to deflect the air from the main flow direction, it is possible, in addition to the air-guiding elements, to also use the housing delimiting the air duct.

[0005] Thus, for example, air vents are known in which the housing walls extend in an arcuate manner toward one another, wherein an air flow directed toward the arcuate housing wall by an air-guiding element follows the arc shape and thus undergoes a corresponding deflection.

[0006] Air vents of this kind are known for example from DE 20 2015 102 026 Ul, DE 20 2013 012 285 Ul, and DE 10 2017 111 Oil Al. [0007] On account of the arcuate configuration of the housing wall, such air vents are very complicated to produce, however, in particular by way of a plastic injection-molding process.

[0008] Apart from these production-related drawbacks, the air vents known from the prior art have design-related drawbacks as regards the air deflection. Thus, in the known air vents, the air is diverted multiple times for example even when the air-guiding elements are in the straight-ahead position, this resulting in increased flow resistance. As a result, the action of the air-guiding elements is greatly impaired in particular for horizontal air deflection. Moreover, as a result of the increased flow resistance, the emerging air flow may be flared in front of the outlet opening of the air vent, this likewise not being desired.

SUMMARY

[0009] Proceeding from these problems, the present invention is therefore based on the object of developing an air vent of the type mentioned at the beginning such that air deflection that is optimized as far as possible is ensured. Furthermore, a corresponding ventilation system for a vehicle is intended to be specified.

[0010] As regards the air vent, the object on which the invention is based is achieved by the subject matter of independent claim 1, and as regards the ventilation system, it is achieved by the subject matter of additional independent claim 15, wherein advantageous developments of the air vent according to the invention are specified in the corresponding dependent claims.

[0011] Accordingly, the invention relates in particular to an air vent for a vehicle, wherein the air vent has a housing with an air inlet region and an opposite air outlet region. A housing wall of the housing delimits, at least in certain regions, an air duct for air flowing from the air inlet region to the air outlet region along a main flow direction. Upstream of the air outlet region, the air duct is divided into at least two subducts, which extend parallel or at least substantially parallel along the main flow direction and which open at the air outlet region of the air vent into a respective air outlet opening. [0012] In order to deflect the air from the main flow direction, the air vent has, according to the invention, a rotatably mounted throttle or closure flap, which can be selectively pivoted, at least in certain regions, into a first or into a second subduct of the at least two subducts from a neutral position, in which the throttle or closure flap projects neither into the air duct nor into one of the subducts.

[0013] The expression "can be pivoted, at least in certain regions, into a subduct" used herein covers both embodiments in which the throttle or closure flap can be pivoted into the subduct in question such that the subduct in question is completely closed by the pivoted-in throttle or closure flap, and embodiments in which the throttle or closure flap can be pivoted into the subduct in question such that the subduct in question is only partially closed by the pivoted-in throttle or closure flap, i.e. the airflow passing through the subduct is throttled. In other words, with the throttle or closure flap, the effective flow cross section of the subduct can be preferably variably influenced (reduced) and in an extreme case set to zero.

[0014] The design according to the invention, in which the effective flow cross section of a first or of a second subduct is reduced selectively and as required with the aid of the throttle or closure flap in order to achieve air deflection at the air outlet region of the air vent, has substantial advantages compared with the air vents known from the prior art. In particular, it should be mentioned that, on account of the design according to the invention, in which air deflection is brought about ultimately by one of the two air ducts being closed selectively and at least in certain regions, virtually no, or no significant, air vortices arise in the interior of the air vent. In this way, the air deflection can be brought about without, or if at all only with little noise generation. In addition, an advantage that should be mentioned is that, in the air vent according to the invention, the flow resistance is relatively low, this having the positive result of optimal air deflection without disruptive flaring of the air flow.

[0015] A further advantage that should be mentioned is the compact construction of the air vent.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the air vent according to the invention, said air vent has an air-guiding component which is fixed relative to the housing of the air vent and is provided in the air duct of the air vent. This air-guiding component has various tasks: firstly, the air-guiding component serves to divide the air duct into the at least two subducts. Secondly, the air-guiding component serves to hold the throttle or closure flap in a "concealed" manner in the neutral position thereof, such that no region of the throttle or closure flap projects in a disruptive manner into one of the subducts or into the air duct before the air duct is divided into the two subducts. Apart from this, a coupling mechanism can be accommodated, at least in certain regions, in the air-guiding component, with which coupling mechanism the throttle or closure flap can be manipulated or actuated.

[0017] As regards the construction of the air-guiding component, according to embodiments of the present invention, the air-guiding component is embodied as a three- dimensional body, which is able to be inserted, and in particular plugged, into the housing of the air vent. The air-guiding component has a first wall, which faces a first wall region of the housing of the air vent. Furthermore, the air-guiding component has a second wall opposite the first wall, said second wall being opposite a corresponding second wall region of the housing of the air vent. In this case, a first subduct is delimited by the first wall of the air-guiding component and the first wall region of the housing, and a second subduct is delimited by the second wall of the air-guiding component and the second wall region of the housing. The throttle or closure flap, when it is in its neutral position, is situated preferably in a region between the first and second wall of the air-guiding component.

[0018] In order as far as possible not to generate any air vortices when the air duct is divided into the at least two subducts, and in order in particular not to noticeably increase the flow resistance, the air-guiding component has, according to embodiments of the air vent according to the invention, an appropriately designed shape. For example, it is possible that, as viewed in longitudinal section, the air-guiding component widens in the direction of the air outlet region and has a widened region at the air outlet region of the air vent. In this widened region of the air-guiding component, the first wall of the air- guiding component extends, at least in certain portions, parallel to the first wall region of the housing, and the second wall of the air-guiding component extends, at least in certain portions, parallel to the second wall region of the housing. [0019] In addition, it is possible that, as viewed in the main flow direction, upstream of the widened region of the air-guiding component, the first and second wall region of the housing and the first and second wall of the air-guiding component are formed in such a way that an effective flow cross section of the first and second subduct decreases in the main flow direction. In this way, the air flowing through the first and second subduct is correspondingly accelerated, this having a positive effect in the outflow region of the air vent.

[0020] According to embodiments of the invention, the throttle or closure flap is formed, at least in certain regions and/or at least substantially, as part of a lateral surface of a cylinder, wherein the throttle or closure flap is mounted in the housing or in the air- guiding component so as to be rotatable about the axis of rotation of the cylinder, in particular in such a way that the throttle or closure flap, at least in certain regions, can be pivoted, selectively and as required, either into the first or second subduct at the upstream end region of the widened region of the air-guiding component. This embodiment is distinguished in particular by the compact structure of the air vent. Of course, other embodiments with regard to the throttle or closure flap are also conceivable, however.

[0021] In order to effect optimal deflection of the air flow at the outlet opening of the air vent with the aid of the throttle or closure flap that can be pivoted selectively into the first or second subduct, it is advantageous that the effective flow cross section of the subducts decreases downstream of the widened region of the air-guiding component in order in this way to achieve further acceleration of the air flowing through the subducts. Furthermore, the respective air outlet openings of the first and second subduct should be inclined obliquely towards one another. In this way, it is possible for the air flow passing out of the air vent to extend straight ahead, i.e. along the longitudinal axis of the air vent, when the two subducts of the air vent are open. If, by contrast, one of the two subducts is closed by the throttle or closure flap, the air flows obliquely out of the air vent only through one air outlet opening and in particular without undesired flaring.

[0022] Optimal division of the air duct into the first and second subduct without undesired vortices is also achievable in particular when the air-guiding component has a tapering upstream end region. This tapering upstream end region of the air-guiding component should make up at least 20%, and preferably at least 30%, and more preferably at least 35%, of the total length of the air-guiding component. With these values, the division of the air duct into the two subducts can be achieved without increased flow resistance.

[0023] According to developments of the last-mentioned embodiment, in the region of the tapering upstream end region of the air-guiding component, the first and second wall region of the housing are designed to diverge from one another, at least in certain portions, in the main flow direction. In this way, it is possible for the effective flow cross section of the subducts to be virtually unchanged, at least in the upstream end region of the air-guiding component, this again having a positive effect in terms of a reduction in the flow resistance.

[0024] The design according to the invention is distinguished by the fact that the air vent has overall a particularly compact construction and a relatively simple structure, wherein it is possible for the air-guiding component to be designed in particular as a preferably one-piece molding, in particular injection molding, which can be inserted, and preferably plugged, into the housing of the air vent. Of course, embodiments in which the air-guiding component is formed from a plurality of moldings and/or components also come into question, however.

[0025] According to embodiments of the throttle or closure flap, the latter is mounted in the housing of the air vent or in the air-guiding component so as to be pivotable about an axis of rotation extending perpendicularly to the main flow direction, wherein the axis of rotation extends through the region between the first and second wall of the air-guiding component. In particular, as viewed in the main flow direction, the axis of rotation extends upstream or downstream of the throttle or closure flap, specifically in a state when the throttle or closure flap is in its neutral position.

[0026] In order to actuate the throttle or closure flap, the latter can be assigned a motor drive, in particular an electric motor drive. In this way, the throttle or closure flap can be adjusted as required and preferably automatically relative to the housing of the air vent. [0027] Alternatively or additionally, it is possible for the throttle or closure flap to be assigned a manually actuatable actuating element in order to adjust the throttle or closure flap as required and manually relative to the housing of the air vent.

[0028] As regards the manually actuatable actuating element, it is possible for the latter to be operatively connected to the throttle or closure flap via a coupling mechanism held, at least in certain regions, in the air-guiding component. According to embodiments, the coupling mechanism is configured in such a way that the throttle or closure flap is pivoted into the first subduct during a movement, in particular pivoting movement, of the manually actuatable actuating element in the direction of the air outlet opening of the first subduct, and that the throttle or closure flap is pivoted into the second subduct during a movement, in particular pivoting movement, of the manually actuatable actuating element in the direction of the air outlet opening of the second subduct.

[0029] According to developments of the air vent according to the invention, at least one airflow-directing or airflow-regulating air-guiding component, and in particular an airflow-directing or airflow-regulating air-guiding slat assembly, is provided for each subduct, which component or assembly is provided in the relevant subduct between the air outlet opening of the subduct and the region of the subduct into which, as required, the throttle or closure flap can be pivoted at least in certain regions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] In the following text, exemplary embodiments of the air vent according to the invention are described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] In the drawings:

[0032] FIG. 1 schematically shows an isometric view of a first exemplary embodiment of the air vent according to the invention;

[0033] FIG. 2 schematically shows a view in longitudinal section of the exemplary embodiment of the air vent according to the invention according to FIG. 1; [0034] FIG. 3 schematically shows an isometric view of an exploded illustration of the exemplary embodiment of the air vent according to the invention according to FIG. 1;

[0035] FIG. 4 schematically shows an isometric view of a second exemplary

embodiment of the air vent according to the invention;

[0036] FIG. 5 schematically shows a view in longitudinal section of the exemplary embodiment of the air vent according to the invention according to FIG. 4; and

[0037] FIG. 6 schematically shows an isometric view of an exploded illustration of the exemplary embodiment of the air vent according to the invention according to FIG. 4.

In the following text, a first exemplary embodiment of the air vent according to the invention is described with reference to the illustration in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] As can be gathered in particular from the exploded illustration in FIG. 3, the air vent 1 consists substantially of an elongate housing 2, into which a three-dimensional air- guiding component 12 can be inserted.

[0039] In the inserted state (cf. for example FIG. 2), the air-guiding component 12 serves to divide an air duct 5 of the housing 2, which air duct 5 is delimited by the housing wall of the housing 2, into a first and a second subduct 7, 8. The air duct 5, which extends from an air inlet region 3 of the housing 2 to an opposite air outlet region 4 of the housing 2, and which is delimited, at least in certain regions, by the housing wall of the housing 2, is thus divided, with the aid of the air-guiding component 12, into two subducts 7, 8, which extend parallel or at least substantially parallel along a main flow direction 6. The main flow direction 6 is defined by the direction in which the air flows from the air inlet region 3 to the air outlet region 4 of the air vent 1.

[0040] At the air outlet region 4 of the air vent 1, the two subducts 7, 8 open into a respective air outlet opening 9, 10.

[0041] The air-guiding component 12 has preferably a tapering upstream end region 22, wherein this tapering upstream end region 22 makes up at least 20%, and preferably at least 30%, and more preferably at least 35%, of the total length of the air-guiding component 12.

[0042] The air-guiding component 12 has a first wall 14 facing a first wall region 13 of the housing 2, and a second wall 16 facing an opposite second wall region 15 of the housing 2. In this case, a first subduct 7 is formed by the first wall 14 of the air-guiding component 12 and the first wall region 13 of the housing 2, while a second subduct 8 is delimited, and thus formed, by the second wall 16 of the air-guiding component 12 and the second wall region 15 of the housing 2.

[0043] In the region of the tapering upstream end region 22 of the air-guiding component 12, the first and second wall region 13, 15 of the housing 2 are in this case designed preferably to diverge from one another, at least in certain portions, in the main flow direction 6. In this way, at least in the region of the tapering upstream end region 22 of the air-guiding component 12, the sum of the effective flow cross sections of the first and second subduct 7, 8 corresponds to the effective flow cross section of the air duct 5 before it is divided. Thus, a pressure loss on account of the division of the air duct 5 can be avoided effectively.

[0044] As viewed in longitudinal section, the air-guiding component 12 widens in the direction of the air outlet region 4 of the air vent 1 and has a widened region 18 at the air outlet region 4 of the air vent 1. In the widened region 18 of the air-guiding component 12, the first wall 14 of the air-guiding component 12 extends, at least in certain portions, parallel to the first wall region 13 of the housing 2, and the second wall 16 of the air- guiding component 12 extends, at least in certain portions, parallel to the second wall region 15 of the housing 2.

[0045] As viewed in the main flow direction 6, upstream of the widened region 18 of the air-guiding component 12, the first and second wall region 13, 15 of the housing 2 and the first and second wall 14, 16 of the air-guiding component 12 are formed in such a way that an effective flow cross section of the first and second subduct 7, 8 decreases in the flow direction. In this way, an airflow flowing through the first subduct 7 or through the second subduct 8 is accelerated on account of the jet effect. [0046] The effective flow cross section of the subducts 7, 8 decreases downstream of the widened region 18 of the air-guiding component 12, wherein the respective air outlet openings 9, 10 of the first and second subducts 7, 8 are inclined obliquely towards one another (cf. FIG. 2).

[0047] The air vent 1 according to the invention, as is shown by a first exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, is distinguished in particular also by the fact that, for vertical air deflection, the air vent 1 has a rotatably mounted throttle or closure flap 11, which can be selectively pivoted, at least in certain regions, into the first or into the second subduct 7, 8 from a neutral position (cf. FIG. 2), in which the throttle or closure flap 11 projects neither into the air duct 5 of the air vent 1 nor into one of the two subducts 7, 8, in order to close or block the corresponding subduct 7, 8.

[0048] Specifically, the throttle or closure flap 11 is situated entirely in a region between the first and second wall 14, 16 of the air-guiding component 12 when the throttle or closure flap 11 is in its neutral position. In this connection, reference is made to the sectional view according to FIG. 2.

[0049] The throttle or closure flap 11 is mounted in the housing 2 of the air vent 1, or in the air-guiding component 12 of the air vent 1, so as to be pivotable about an axis of rotation 17 extending perpendicularly to the main flow direction 6. In this case, the axis of rotation 17 extends through the region between the first and second wall 14, 16 of the air-guiding component 12.

[0050] In the first exemplary embodiment of the air vent 1 according to the invention according to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the axis of rotation 17 of the throttle or closure flap 11 - as viewed in the main flow direction 6 - extends upstream of the throttle or closure flap 11.

[0051] The throttle or closure flap 11 can be formed, at least in certain regions and/or at least substantially, as part of a lateral surface of a cylinder, wherein the throttle or closure flap 11 is mounted in the housing 2 or in the air-guiding component 12 so as to be rotatable about the axis of rotation of the cylinder, specifically in particular in such a way that the throttle or closure flap 11, at least in certain regions, can be pivoted, selectively and as required, either into the first or second subduct 7, 8 at the upstream end region 22 of the widened region 18 of the air-guiding component 12.

[0052] Although not illustrated in the drawings, it is in principle conceivable for the throttle or closure flap 11 to be assigned a motor drive, in particular an electric motor drive, in order for it to be possible to adjust the throttle or closure flap 11 as required and preferably automatically relative to the housing 2 of the air vent 1.

[0053] Alternatively or additionally, it is possible - as illustrated in the first exemplary embodiment of the air vent 1 according to the invention - for the throttle or closure flap 11 also to be assigned a manually actuatable actuating element 19, in order for it to be possible to adjust the throttle or closure flap 11 as required and manually relative to the housing 2 of the air vent 1.

[0054] The manually actuatable actuating element 19 is in this case operatively connected to the throttle or closure flap 11 preferably via a coupling mechanism 20 held, at least in certain regions, in the air-guiding component 12.

[0055] The coupling mechanism 20 is configured in particular in such a way that the throttle or closure flap 11 is pivoted into the first subduct 7 during a movement, in particular pivoting movement, of the manually actuatable actuating element 19 in the direction of the air outlet opening 9 of the first subduct 7. By contrast, during a movement, in particular pivoting movement, of the manually actuatable actuating element 19 in the direction of the air outlet opening 10 of the second subduct 8, the throttle or closure flap 11 is pivoted into the second subduct 8.

[0056] The air vent 1 according to the invention according to the first exemplary embodiment (cf. FIG. 1 to FIG. 3) also has further airflow-directing or airflow-regulating air-guiding elements 21, which are configured as an air-guiding element assembly in the embodiment illustrated. These further airflow-directing or airflow-regulating air-guiding elements 21 serve for the selective horizontal air deflection in the exemplary embodiment.

[0057] Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment of the air vent 1 according to the invention, corresponding airflow-directing or airflow-regulating air-guiding elements 21 are arranged in each subduct 7, 8, specifically in the relevant subduct 7, 8 between the air outlet opening 9, 10 of the subduct 7, 8, on one side, and the region of the subduct 7, 8 into which, as required, the throttle or closure flap 11 can be pivoted at least in certain regions, on the other side. The individual airflow-directing or airflow-regulating air-guiding elements 21 are synchronized in terms of their movements preferably with the aid of suitable coupling rods.

[0058] The abovementioned manually actuatable actuating element 19 is operatively coupled to the mutually synchronized airflow-directing or airflow-regulating air-guiding elements 21 via a further coupling mechanism.

[0059] Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings, the airflowdirecting or airflow-regulating air-guiding elements 21 are adjusted in a horizontal direction relative to the housing 2 of the air vent 1 when the manually actuatable actuating element 19 is moved in a horizontal direction.

[0060] In the following text, a further (second) exemplary embodiment of the air vent 1 according to the invention is described with reference to the illustrations in FIG. 4 to 6.

[0061] From a structural and functional point of view, the second exemplary embodiment of the air vent 1 according to the invention corresponds substantially to the above-described first exemplary embodiment, although, in the second exemplary embodiment, the widened region 18 of the air-guiding component 12 is configured in a slightly longer manner. The reason for this is that, in the second exemplary embodiment of the air vent 1, the throttle or closure flap 11 has been rotated through 180° compared with the first exemplary embodiment, and so the axis of rotation 17 of the throttle or closure flap 11, which again extends perpendicularly to the main flow direction 6, extends downstream of the throttle or closure flap 11.

[0062] A further difference is that the coupling mechanism 20, via which the manually actuatable actuating element 19 is operatively connected to the throttle or closure flap 11, can be held virtually entirely in the air-guiding component 12, i.e. in a region between the first and second wall 14, 16 of the air-guiding component 12. In particular, it is not necessary, in the second exemplary embodiment of the air vent 1 according to the invention, to arrange a part of the coupling mechanism 20 outside the air guiding component 12 and in particular also outside the housing 2 of the air vent 1, as is the case in the first exemplary embodiment, in which coupling rods of the coupling mechanism 20 extend outside the housing 2 of the air vent 1 (cf. FIG. 1).

[0063] The solution according to the invention, as was described in more detail above with reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, is distinguished in particular by the compact structure of the air vent 1, in which vertical air deflection is achieved with the aid of the throttle or closure flap 11 without an increased pressure loss and without an increased flow resistance.

[0064] The further airflow-directing or airflow-regulating air-guiding elements 21, which are provided downstream of the throttle or closure flap 11 and serve for horizontal air deflection, are coupled together in terms of movement such that, in the various positions, they do not reduce the cross section of the relevant subduct in which they are arranged.

[0065] In the neutral position of the throttle or closure flap 11, the latter is arranged in the air-guiding component 12, which is arranged fixedly relative to the housing 2 of the air vent 1, in such a way that the cross section of the first and second air duct is not reduced by the throttle or closure flap 11. Specifically, the cross sections of the first and second air duct are preferably the same size in the neutral position of the throttle or closure flap 11. In this way, it is possible for no air deflection to be brought about by the throttle or closure flap 11 in the neutral position of the throttle or closure flap 11, such that the air flows out of the air vent 1 substantially in a straight line.

[0066] The air vent 1 has a simple structure. No complex adjusting kinematics are necessary in order to control for example wings or other deflecting devices.

[0067] The components of the air vent 1 can be manufactured predominantly from plastic. Preferably, they are produced in an injection-molding process and are therefore cost-effective to manufacture in large numbers. The plastics can have various additives in order to satisfy particular properties relating to their use (e.g. stiffness, scratch resistance, etc.). [0068] The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments of the air vent 1 according to the invention, but rather results from joint consideration of all of the features disclosed herein. In particular, the invention also relates to a ventilation system for a vehicle, which has at least one air vent 1 of the type according to the invention.

List of reference signs Air vent

Housing of the air vent

Air inlet region of the air vent

Air outlet region of the air vent

Air duct of the air vent

Main flow direction

First subduct

Second subduct

Air outlet opening of the first subduct

Air outlet opening of the second subduct

Throttle or closure flap

Air-guiding component

First wall region of the housing of the air vent

First wall of the air-guiding component

Second wall region of the housing of the air vent

Second wall of the air-guiding component

Axis of rotation of the throttle or closure flap

Widened region of the air-guiding component

Manually actuatable actuating element

Coupling mechanism of the manually actuatable actuating element Airflow-directing or airflow-regulating air-guiding element

Tapering upstream end region of the air-guiding component

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. An air vent (1) for a vehicle, wherein the air vent (1) has a housing (2) with an air inlet region (3) and an opposite air outlet region (4), wherein a housing wall of the housing (2) delimits, at least in certain regions, an air duct (5) for air flowing from the air inlet region (3) to the air outlet region (4) along a main flow direction (6), wherein, upstream of the air outlet region (4), the air duct (5) is divided into at least two subducts (7, 8), which extend parallel or at least substantially parallel along the main flow direction (6) and which open at the air outlet region (4) into a respective air outlet opening (9, 10), wherein the air vent (1) has a rotatably mounted throttle or closure flap (11), which can be selectively pivoted, at least in certain regions, into a first or into a second of the at least two subducts (7, 8) from a neutral position, in which the throttle or closure flap (11) projects neither into the air duct (5) nor into one of the subducts (7, 8).

2. The air vent (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an air-guiding component (12) which is fixed relative to the housing (2) of the air vent (1) is provided in the air duct (5) and has a first wall (14) facing a first wall region (13) of the housing (2), and a second wall (16) facing an opposite second wall region (15) of the housing (2), wherein a first subduct (7) is delimited by the first wall (14) of the air-guiding component (12) and the first wall region (13) of the housing (2), and a second subduct (8) is delimited by the second wall (16) of the air-guiding component (12) and the second wall region (15) of the housing (2), wherein the throttle or closure flap (11), in its neutral position, is situated in a region between the first and second wall (14, 16) of the air-guiding component (12).

3. The air vent (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein, as viewed in longitudinal section, the air-guiding component (12) widens in the direction of the air outlet region (4) and has a widened region (18) at the air outlet region (4) of the air vent (1), wherein, in the widened region (18) of the air-guiding component (12), the first wall (14) of the air- guiding component (12) extends, at least in certain portions, parallel to the first wall region (13) of the housing (2), and the second wall (16) of the air- guiding component (12) extends, at least in certain portions, parallel to the second wall region (15) of the housing (2).

4. The air vent (1) as claimed in claim 3, wherein, as viewed in the main flow direction (6), upstream of the widened region (18) of the air-guiding component (12), the first and second wall region (13, 15) of the housing (2) and the first and second wall (14, 16) of the air-guiding component (12) are formed in such a way that an effective flow cross section of the first and second subduct (7, 8) decreases in the main flow direction (6).

5. The air vent (1) as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the throttle or closure flap (11) is formed, at least in certain regions and/or at least substantially, as part of a lateral surface of a cylinder, and wherein the throttle or closure flap (11) is mounted in the housing (2) or in the air-guiding component (12) so as to be rotatable about the axis of rotation of the cylinder, in particular in such a way that the throttle or closure flap (11), at least in certain regions, can be pivoted, selectively and as required, either into the first or second subduct (7, 8) at the upstream end region of the widened region (18) of the air-guiding component (12).

6. The air vent (1) as claimed in one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the effective flow cross section of the subducts (7, 8) decreases downstream of the widened region (18) of the air-guiding component (12), and wherein the respective air outlet openings (9, 10) of the first and second subducts (7, 8) are inclined obliquely towards one another.

7. The air vent (1) as claimed in one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the air-guiding component (12) has a tapering upstream end region (22), wherein the tapering upstream end region (22) makes up at least 20%, and preferably at least 30%, and more preferably at least 35%, of the total length of the air-guiding component (12).

8. The air vent (1) as claimed in claim 7, wherein, in the region of the tapering upstream end region (22) of the air- guiding component (12), the first and second wall region (13, 15) of the housing (2) are designed to diverge from one another, at least in certain portions, in the main flow direction (6).

9. The air vent (1) as claimed in one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the air-guiding component (12) is designed in particular as a preferably one-piece molding, in particular injection molding, which can be inserted, and preferably plugged, into the housing (2) of the air vent (1).

10. The air vent (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the throttle or closure flap (11) is mounted in the housing (2) of the air vent (1) or in the air-guiding component (12) so as to be pivotable about an axis of rotation (17) extending perpendicularly to the main flow direction (6), wherein the axis of rotation (17) extends through the region between the first and second wall (14, 16) of the air-guiding component (12).

11. The air vent (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, as viewed in the main flow direction (6), the axis of rotation (17) of the throttle or closure flap (11) extends upstream or downstream of the throttle or closure flap (11).

12. The air vent (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the throttle or closure flap (11) is assigned a motor drive, in particular an electric motor drive, for the as-required and preferably automatic adjustment of the throttle or closure flap (11) relative to the housing (2) of the air vent (1); and/or wherein the throttle or closure flap (11) is assigned a manually actuatable actuating element (19) for the as-required and manual adjustment of the throttle or closure flap (11) relative to the housing (2) of the air vent (1).

13. The air vent (1) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the manually actuatable actuating element (19) is operatively connected to the throttle or closure flap (11) via a coupling mechanism (20), wherein the coupling mechanism (20) is configured in such a way that the throttle or closure flap (11) is pivoted into the first subduct (7) during a movement, in particular pivoting movement, of the manually actuatable actuating element (19) in the direction of the air outlet opening (9) of the first subduct (7), and that the throttle or closure flap (11) is pivoted into the second subduct (8) during a movement, in particular pivoting movement, of the manually actuatable actuating element (19) in the direction of the air outlet opening (10) of the second subduct (8).

14. The air vent (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 13, wherein at least one airflow-directing or airflow-regulating air-guiding element (21), and in particular an airflow-directing or airflow-regulating air- guiding slat assembly, is provided for each subduct (7, 8), which element or assembly is provided in the relevant subduct (7, 8) between the air outlet opening (9, 10) of the subduct (7, 8) and the region of the subduct (7, 8) into which, as required, the throttle or closure flap (11) can be pivoted at least in certain regions.

15. A ventilation system for a vehicle having an air vent (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 14.