Air vent and method of control thereof

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide air conditioning system for use in a motor vehicle, the air conditioning system comprising a controller, at least one primary vent and an air delivery apparatus for location in a dashboard of a motor vehicle, the apparatus comprising: at least one secondary vent; and means for moving the at least one secondary vent between a retracted position in which the at least one secondary vent lies rearward of an A surface of the dashboard and a deployed position in which the at least one secondary vent is exposed for delivery of air to a zone of the vehicle, the controller being operable to: control the air conditioning system to provide a flow of air from the at least one primary vent while the air delivery apparatus is in a retracted position; and control the at least one vent to assume the deployed position responsive to a demand for a flow of air from the at least one secondary vent.

1 . A controller for use in an air conditioning system for a motor vehicle, the controller being configured to:
 control the air conditioning system to provide a flow of air from at least one primary vent in dependence on a required flow rate of air; and,   in response to the required flow rate of air exceeding a predetermined flow rate, to control the at least one secondary vent to assume a deployed position and to provide a flow of air from the at least one primary vent and the at least one secondary vent in the deployed position.   
     
     
         2 . A controller as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein, in response to activation of a user operable switch, the controller is configured to over-ride deployment of at least one secondary vent and to control the at least one secondary vent to assume the retracted condition. 
     
     
         3 . A controller as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein activation of the user operable switch comprises the application of downward pressure to the at least one secondary vent. 
     
     
         4 . A controller as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the controller is operable to control the at least one secondary vent to remain in the deployed condition when air is no longer required to be delivered through the at least one secondary vent responsive to a value of at least one selected from an outside air temperature and a solar load on the vehicle. 
     
     
         5 . A controller as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the controller is operable to control the at least one secondary vent to assume the retracted position in response to the required flow rate dropping below a threshold value. 
     
     
         6 . A controller as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the threshold value is lower than the predetermined flow rate. 
     
     
         7 . A controller as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to control the at least one secondary vent to transition between the deployed and retracted conditions using a hysteresis functionality. 
     
     
         8 . A controller as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the controller is operable to control the at least one secondary vent to remain in the deployed condition when air is no longer required to be delivered through the at least one secondary vent responsive to a value of an average flow rate of air through the at least one secondary vent since the at least one secondary vent was deployed. 
     
     
         9 . A controller as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a predetermined flow rate is a predetermined flow rate of air required to be provided to a facial zone of a cabin of the vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . A controller as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the controller is operable to open a valve to allow air to flow through the at least one secondary vent only after the at least one secondary vent has assumed the deployed condition. 
     
     
         11 . An air conditioning system for a motor vehicle comprising a controller as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . A motor vehicle comprising a controller as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus for an air conditioning system for a motor vehicle comprising
 a vent pivotable between a retracted position and a deployed position in which the vent is arranged to provide a flow of air to the cabin of the vehicle;   a lift mechanism for moving the vent from the retracted position to the deployed position;   an actuator for driving the lift mechanism; and   a clutch mechanism arranged to allow the vent to move from the deployed position to the retracted position, responsive to application of pressure to the apparatus, without requiring actuation of the actuator.   
     
     
         14 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the apparatus comprises a rotatable drive bar that is oriented parallel to a pivot hinge of the apparatus. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the drive bar is located at a forward end of a vent substrate opposite that at which the pivot hinge is located. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the actuator is a stepper motor. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the clutch mechanism is configured to allow slip of the actuator if the vent is unable to move from the retracted position to the deployed position. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the lift mechanism comprises a damper element configured to enable smooth movement of the vent between the retracted and deployed positions.