Ventilation – Vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
1998-01-02
2001-01-09
Joyce, Harold (Department: 3744)
Ventilation
Vehicle
C251S064000, C251S294000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06171183
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present relates generally to an actuating means for actuating a structural part in an automobile to an actuating means for actuating particularly in a flap for a fan of an automobide air conditioning system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Flaps for fans in automobiles are actuated manually and/or automatically such as for example in air conditioning systems. When the fan flap is actuated rapidly, it occurs quite often that the fan flap strikes against an abutment of the fan housing in the opening or closing position so as to generate an undesired noise. Fan flaps are generally actuated by so-called Bowden wires.
It has become known to dampen members rotatably mounted in the automobile, such as the flap of a glove compartment, the cover of an ashtray or similar structural members, by having them cooperate with a rotary damper which includes a pinion cooperating with a toothed segment of the member to be dampened. The rotary dampers are intended to prevent shocks affecting the members and generating noises. However, direct coupling between rotary dampers and fan flaps is inappropriate for actuation reasons.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The problem to be solved by the invention is to provide an actuating means for actuating a structural part in an automobile, particularly a flap for a fan, which includes a wire pull and which is adapted to provide an effective damping action.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the actuation means of the invention a force transmitting means is connected to the cable or wire pull, which force transmitting means includes a resilient portion positioned in the force transmitting path. When a tension force is exerted on the wire pull, initially the elastic portion is deformed before a force is transmitted to the structural member, such as for example a fan flap to be pivoted. Only after a predetermined deformation of the elastic portion has occurred, the force inherent in the deformed portion results in a movement of the structural member, such as for example a pivotal movement. The damper means can be coupled to the force transmitting means or, respectively, to the output of the force transmitting means or to the structural member to be actuated. Such a damping means may be for example a rotary damper including a pinion which meshes with a toothed segment of the force transmitting member or, respectively, the structural member.
The design of such force transmitting means encompasses various types. A preferred embodiment provides that a two-armed lever is attached to the structural part for rotation therewith such that the structural part is being pivoted upon pivotal movement of the lever. Preferably, this is obtained by positioning the pivot axis of the lever coaxial to the pivot axis of the structural part, for example upon the bearing pin of the structural part. The wire pull engages an arm of the lever while the damping element cooperates with the second arm of the lever. The first arm of the lever is formed as a mounting member of plastic or metal so as to be resilient whereas the second arm is relatively rigid. When the wire pull is used to rotate the lever, the lever arm is initially deflected due to the damping torque of the damping element before it begins to rotate so as to cause pivoting of the structural part. As a result the structural part is rotated to its new position in a delayed manner.
According to a modification of the invention the first arm of the lever preferably comprises a leaf spring of plastic or metal. It may be integral with the second arm of the lever or may be formed as a separate part. The second arm of the lever, according to a further modification of the invention, includes a toothed segment of circular arc shape, which cooperates with a pinion of a stationary rotary damper. Preferably, the entire lever is an integral one-piece member, preferably of a suitable plastic material or metal. Furthermore, an adapter portion may be formed upon the lever so as to allow for coupling thereof to the structural part, for example a fan flap, for rotation therewith.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4602828 (1986-07-01), Omata
patent: 4854344 (1989-08-01), Schnipke
patent: 2 614 710 (1988-11-01), None
patent: 961489 (1964-06-01), None
patent: 62-80119 (1987-04-01), None
Klein Roland
Villbrandt Ute
ITW- ATECO GmbH
Joyce Harold
Schwartz & Weinrieb
LandOfFree
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