Air outlet with visual feedback

The invention relates to an air vent, in particular for a motor vehicle, of a visual assessment of the operating condition allowed even in low light.

Air vents in vehicles usually have devices for the regulation of operating conditions such as the outflow air quantity, the direction of air flow and optionally the flow characteristic. Such air vent is made of<patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="DE102004038016A1"><text>DE 10 2004 038 016 A1</text></patcit> known. With sufficient illumination, z. B. the day, the adjusted operating states of a driver of the motor vehicle as a rule should be recognized at a glance and can be operated easily and intuitively as well. In low light conditions, however, such as at night, the review and adjustment of these devices requires a higher degree of attention as the air vents and the more devices are poorly visible. Solutions in which these devices are partially plated or chromated, help the problem not from.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an air vent, which allows control of the set operating conditions even in low light conditions.

The object is achieved by an air vent with the features of claim 1.

Advantageous developments are the subject matter of the subordinate claims.

The air vent according to the invention comprises at least one component that is visible by a ventilated through the air vent to space and is wettable by a ausströmbaren through the air vent air stream. The component is at least partially formed of a photoconductive material, and light can be supplied to him. If the component light is supplied, at least the parts that are formed from the light conductive material, visible from the room to be ventilated out even in the dark, so that a driver of a motor vehicle, the interior of which is ventilated, check effortlessly adjusted operating states of the air vent can. By the luminous component only a small portion of the driver's attention is required for this, so that road safety is unaffected.

Preferably, the device is as an air duct, in particular for direct, radiant shaped air outlet is formed. In this way, the operator can check and adjust if necessary, in the direction of the air flow exiting. This is especially true when the air channel is formed as an elongated hollow body having open ends and one in the normal direction oriented to a lengthwise axis of symmetry axis (also called air channel axis), and is pivotable about this axis, so that pivoting of the air duct, the direction of air flow changes. Such an arrangement is used in the horizontal direction in particular for pivoting. Suitably, the axle is a part of the air channel, so as not to obstruct the light conduit between the axle and air duct, since the axis is particularly suitable for coupling in the light into the air duct.

In a preferred embodiment, the air vent has a device for influencing the direction of air flow in a room to be ventilated the facing side of the air vent, which influences the direction of the air flow by means of at least one slat, in particular in the vertical direction. In this case, the blade is designed as a component lichtleitfähig, so that the driver receives a simple control opportunity also for this direction of the airflow.

This blade preferably has a longitudinally disposed axis (also called lamellar axis) about which it is pivotable. Such axis granted a simple swivel option. The axis is particularly suitable for coupling in the light. In the interests of low-loss optical fiber line, the axis is part of the lamella.

The light is supplied to the device at an end face at least one end of an axis (eg, the lamellar axis or the air channel axis), eliminates the necessity of having to so connect a light source or a light transmission medium to the device that it follows its movements, and is thus subject to wear.

The same applies if the light to the component via another surface of at least one end of the axis is supplied, for example in cylindrical axes on the cylindrical surface.

In this case, particularly the use of an at least partially light-conductive storage element, which in turn can be fed light is. If using multiple fins corresponding bearings in the bearing element expediently more, the number of blades provided. A suitable mechanism provides a synchronous pivoting of all the slats when a single blade is pivoted. Alternatively, the slats may also be pivoted asynchronously by means of an appropriate adjustment mechanism.

In a preferred embodiment, as a component lichtleitfähiger Reiterverstellknopf disposed longitudinally displaceably on a lamella, the lamella of this light can be supplied. Such Reiterverstellknopf serves to actuate an adjusting kinematics, including a rod assembly, which in turn causes a pivoting of the air duct. In this way the horizontal pivot direction of the airflow is alternatively or additionally be visualized. Such additional, redundant information is therefore cognitive advantageous because they can detect the driver of the situation quickly.

Instead of a can as Reiterverstellnopfs lichleitfähiges device for the adjustment of a joystick, a Kugelverstellknopf, a lever mechanism, or an adjusting wheel are used, which are preferably arranged outside of the air vent of the air duct or the like.

The supply of light into the device and / or the bearing element is preferably carried by an attached light source and / or by a housing in which the light source is arranged. For a particularly efficient coupling in the housing for this purpose, a light conductive prism, for example made of plastic, on. The component and / or the bearing element have a shape complementary to this prism inserter to accommodate the prism can.

In a further embodiment of the invention the component and / or the bearing element light from an optical fiber is fed, in turn, the light from the light source can be coupled. In this way, an air vent having a complicated geometry and many can be operated to be illuminated devices having only one light source.

Preferably, the light source as a light emitting diode (LED) is formed. The low power consumption of an LED is advantageous both for economic reasons and because of the consequently low heat output.

The light source may advantageously light in one or more of the colors white, yellow (λ = 550-590 nm), orange (λ = 585-620 nm), green (λ = 520-565 nm), red (λ = 625-740 nm emitting) or blue (λ = 450 to 500 nm). In this way, a design of an interior adapted overall impression can be ensured.

In another embodiment, the photoconductive material is at least partially colored. In this way, the visual impression can also be customized with a white light source in a simple manner.

Preferably, the component and / or the bearing element is at least partially coated with an opaque paint so that light exits only to the non-coated areas of the component and / or the bearing element. For the bearing element can be sure that the light exits only at the bearing points for the axes, if all other areas, apart from the point at which the light is coupled, are painted. When component are accordingly only the use for coupling light ends of the axles and the particular glow parts not painted. In the case of the fin must Reiterverstellknopfes in the area, on the Reiterverstellknopf is longitudinally displaceable, have an unpainted surface. Likewise the Reiterverstellknopf requires a matching, unpainted metal surface to couple the light from the blade can. With sufficient illumination the device is supplied no light and it appears in the color of the opaque paint.

The same effect can be achieved in a simpler manner when the opaque coating is removed to at least a selected location from the component. In this case, the component might first painted and then the paint to the design specifications are accordingly partially removed, for example by means of a laser.

A similar effect is achieved with an embodiment in which the component and / or the bearing element includes at least one light-impermeable material component, so that it is composed of at least two components, a light-conductive and a non-transparent. The device can be designed in this way so that it lights up only at the locations and passes light, which are formed from the photoconductive component, so as to achieve a desired appearance.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to drawings. Therein:<dl id="dl0001" compact="compact"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>a perspective view of an air vent with two air channels, </dd><dt>FIG. 2</dt><dd>an illustration of an air duct with an axis of a pivotable support,</dd><dt>Fig. 3</dt><dd>a perspective view of a device for influencing a direction of the airflow with fins and a Reiterverstellknopf,</dd><dt>Fig. 4</dt><dd>a perspective view of a bearing element and</dd><dt>Fig. 5</dt><dd>a perspective view of a lamination.</dd></dl>

Corresponding parts are provided in all figures with the same reference numerals.

In Fig. 1, an air vent 1 with two air channels 2 is shown with a respective axis (= air duct axis) are formed in one piece 3.1. At one facing the room to be ventilated side of the air vent 1, an apparatus 4 for influencing a direction of an air flow is provided, which is provided with fins. 5 On one of the lamellae 5 is a Reiterverstellknopf 6 is arranged to be longitudinally displaceable, which serves for the actuation of an adjusting kinematics for changing the direction of air flow, not shown. A light source, especially a light-emitting diode is arranged in a housing 7 with a prism eighth To accommodate this casing 7, the lower part of the axis of 3.1 on its end face a plug-in device 9 which is complementarily formed to the housing. 7

The air channels 2 are pivotable about their axes 3.1, so that the direction of the airflow can be influenced in the horizontal direction. It is operated with the Reiterverstellknopf. 6

The housing 7 is again used for clarity in the plug-in device 9 and once shown separately

In FIG. 2, an air duct 2 from the air vent shown in Fig. 1 is shown, which is particularly suitable for the outflow of a direct beam-shaped air flow. The air duct 2 and the axis of 3.1 are formed of a light conductive material and coated with an opaque paint, which was removed at the plug-in device 9 and the front edge 10 of the air duct 2 selectively with a laser, so that a driver of a motor vehicle in which the air vent 1 is located, only the glowing edge 10 of the air duct 2 is perceived. The axis 3.1 is not designed to be continuous, but is attached to the air channel 2 in the manner of semiaxes up and down. However, a consistent implementation would also be possible.

In FIG. 3, another embodiment of an air vent 1 is shown, which on the facing the room to be ventilated side of the air outlet 1 comprises a device 4 for influencing the direction of the airflow, which is provided with sipes 5. The sipes 5 each have a longitudinal axis lying (= lamellae axis) 3.2, about which they are pivotable in order to influence the direction of air flow in the vertical direction. By a suitable, not shown here, mechanics it is achieved that the pivoting of a blade 5 causes a synchronous pivoting of all the other slats. 5 On one of the lamellae 5 is a Reiterverstellknopf 6 for actuating another device, in particular an air passage shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, arranged to be longitudinally displaceable.

On the right side, the axes of the slats are 3.2 5 mounted in a bearing element 11 which comprises a covert 9 for receiving an insertion device here provided with a prism 8 housing 7 of a light source. The plug-in device 9 is shaped complementarily to the shape of the housing. 7 The bearing element 11, the fins 5, which is integrally connected to the vanes 5 and the axes 3.2 Reiterverstettknopf 6 are made of a light-conductive material and coated with an opaque paint. This is removed to the light outlet points provided and in the areas needed for Lichtweitedeitung between the individual parts, for example using a laser.

In FIG. 4 is a storage element 11, as it is used in the air vent 1 shown in FIG. 3, shown from a different perspective so that the bearings 12, in which the axis 3.2 of the fins 5 can be mounted are visible. Also, the casing provided with a prism 8 of the light source 7 is shown in the position in which it can be used in the inserter. 9 The bearing element 11 is made of lichtleitfähigem material and painted with an opaque paint. At the insertion device 9 and the bearings 12 of the paint was removed with a laser, to allow entry and egress of light.

FIG. 5 shows a blade 5, as it is used in an air diffuser 1 of FIG. 3. The plate 5 is formed of a light conductive material and coated with an opaque paint. In the region of the axis 3.2 at the right side and at the points indicated by the points on the facing space to be ventilated leading edge 14 of the blade 5 of the lacquer is removed by a laser. Light can be coupled into the lateral surface and / or end face of the axis 5 from the bearing 12 of the bearing element eleventh At the front edge 14 of the slat 5 the arrangement of a Reiterverstellknopfes 6 is provided which can be längsverschofben within the adjustment range 13 of the lamella. 5 Specifically, within this adjustment range 13, the plate 5 must have a surface which is not covered with the opaque paint.

The 3 visible in Fig., Formed from lichtleitfähigem material and painted with an opaque paint Reiterverstellknopf 6 has its complementary to the shape of the sipe 5 formed, not shown, back, on also a surface which is not covered with the opaque paint, so that light from the sipe 5 can be coupled into the Reiterverstellknopf 6th In addition, the paint on the said facing room to be ventilated side of Reiterverstellknopfes 6 is locally removed to enable an appropriate design specifications Light outlet.

In all embodiments shown, other light sources such as incandescent lamps come into question.

Alternatively to the use of a housing 7 could be the light source directly in a suitably adapted inserter 9, elsewhere the air duct 2, the fin 5, the Reiterverstellknopfes 6 and / or the bearing element 11, are used. Another possibility would be the coupling of light from an optical fiber other than the shapes shown for the housing 7 are possible.

Plug-in fittings 9 and / or storage elements 11 can at both ends of the axles 3.1, 3.2 be provided.

Alternatively, for selective removal of the opaque coating of the air duct 2, the fin 5, the Reiterverstellknopf 6 or the bearing member 11 may be selectively painted with opaque paint so that it does not have to be removed in a further process step. Likewise, the air duct 2, the fin 5, the Reiterverstellknopf 6 or the bearing element 11 may include a supplementary opaque material component forming the surface of all the places from which no light is to exit.

The photoconductive material may be colored.

The light source can light the colors white, yellow (λ = 550-590 nm), orange (λ = 585-620 nm), green (λ = 520-565 nm), red (λ = 625-740 nm) or blue ( λ = 450 to 500 nm) emit.