Air flap for a ventilation, heating or air conditioning system of a motor vehicle

#The invention relates to an air flap for a ventilation, heating or air conditioning system of a motor vehicle and to devices for guiding air using an air flap of this type.

#German Patent Publication No. DE-A 42 28 866 (incorporated herein by reference) discloses a three-dimensional, in particular quadrant-shaped, pivotable air flap which is provided for optionally shutting off a fresh-air/circulating-air supply. An air flap formed in this manner together with its corresponding sealing elements is used for improved handling of the fresh-air flow which is obtained with high dynamic pressure.

#French Patent Publication No. FR-A 2 771 966 discloses a pivotable, drum-shaped air flap with which different air ducts originating from a mixing space of an air-guiding housing of a vehicle air conditioning system can be shut off individually, depending in each case on the position of the air flap. In this arrangement, the drum-shaped air flap has circular-cylinder-shaped sections which are adjacent to one another in the direction of the pivot axis. At one end, the sections have a region which is bent inwardly and by means of which an air duct can be shut off in one of the end positions of the flap. This air flap has a very complicated geometric construction. Therefore, the flap is very expensive to produce. The flap only allows a very complicated guiding of air to the air duct, which can be covered by the angled region. As a result, the loss of pressure from the air directed into this air duct is very high. In addition, a relatively large amount of noise is produced because the air flow is deflected a number of times.

#These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, appended claims, and the accompanying exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings, which are briefly described below.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air flap according to the invention;

#FIG. 2 is a view in elevation of the air flap of FIG. 1 in the direction line II—II from FIG. 1;

#The air flap according to the invention comprises a three dimensional shutoff surface extending between two outer edges having “curved” or “vaulted” profiles, the endpieces of the first edge adjoining the endpieces of the second edge, and all four end sections are jointed to a pivot axis. According to the invention, in this arrangement a first surface enclosed by the first outer edge and the pivot axis is larger than a second surface enclosed by the second outer edge and the pivot axis. The term “curved profile” or “vaulted profile” of the outer edges is to be understood as including a triangular, a rectangular, a circular-arc-shaped or oval configuration or similar configurations. The term “curved” or “vaulted” is therefore to be understood in its widest sense. This design has the great advantage of enabling the air flap to be adapted to the most varied structural spaces by adaptation of the surfaces mentioned and of the angle enclosed by the two edges. This substantial advantage becomes particularly apparent if the air flap is used as a circulating-air/fresh-air flap, as described below in the detailed description of the figures. By varying the surfaces mentioned and the enclosed angle, the position of the pivot axis and the openings of the flap in the two end positions can be adapted to the structural conditions. The air intake housing of a heating or air conditioning system is particularly subject to installation constraints, with the result that the flap according to the invention offers particular advantages in this sphere of use on account of its adaptability.

#In an open position of the air flap according to the invention, a relatively large opening region can be freed, and in a closed position this region can be covered. It is possible to keep the structural space very small both in the open and in the closed position.

#In a structurally simple refinement of the invention, side walls are provided and the shut-off surface is arranged between them. The air flap is then virtually in the shape of a dredging shovel.