Air-distribution system, with contactless activation of air outlets
First Claim
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1. A system for air distribution in a passenger compartment of a vehicle comprising:
- at least one air outlet for outflow of air into the passenger compartment of the vehicle,a duct for supplying a flow of air to said at least one air outlet,means for activating the air outlet, said means for activating include a proximity sensor, which is associated to said air outlet and is configured to output an electrical signal of activation of the air outlet in response to detecting a presence of a body at a short distance from the air outlet,said sensor being activated only when a body is set adjacent to the air outlet and wherein said means for activating comprise;
an actuator designed to switch said air outlet from a de-activated condition to an activated condition, and to switch said air outlet from the activated condition to the deactivated condition;
an electronic control unit configured to receive a signal output by said sensor and to control said actuator such that, whenever the sensor is activated, the actuator brings the air outlet from the condition in which it is found, whether activated or de-activated, to an opposite condition; and
said sensor being set at a distance from said air outlet and optically connected to a window adjacent to the air outlet via a light guide;
said sensor comprises an optical emitter and an optical receiver, said emitter configured to emit an encoded optical pulse sequence through said light guide and output from said window, said optical receiver configured to receive radiation reflected by a body set in front of said window, the radiation reflected by said body returning through said window and through said light guide to said receiver;
said emitter controlled by said electronic control unit in such a way as to emit said encoded optical pulse sequence, said electronic control unit connected to said receiver and programmed to distinguish between optical signals received by said receiver resulting from a reflection of the optical pulse sequence emitted by said emitter and other optical signals; and
a triplexer coupling said emitter, said receiver, and a light source to said light guide.
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Abstract
A system for air distribution in the passenger compartment of a vehicle, for example a motor vehicle, includes at least one outlet for outflow of air into the passenger compartment, which can be activated by putting one'"'"'s hand at a short distance therefrom without touching it. Associated to the air outlet is an optical sensor, which is set at distance from the air outlet and is optically connected to a window adjacent to the air outlet.
29 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A system for air distribution in a passenger compartment of a vehicle comprising:
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at least one air outlet for outflow of air into the passenger compartment of the vehicle, a duct for supplying a flow of air to said at least one air outlet, means for activating the air outlet, said means for activating include a proximity sensor, which is associated to said air outlet and is configured to output an electrical signal of activation of the air outlet in response to detecting a presence of a body at a short distance from the air outlet, said sensor being activated only when a body is set adjacent to the air outlet and wherein said means for activating comprise; an actuator designed to switch said air outlet from a de-activated condition to an activated condition, and to switch said air outlet from the activated condition to the deactivated condition; an electronic control unit configured to receive a signal output by said sensor and to control said actuator such that, whenever the sensor is activated, the actuator brings the air outlet from the condition in which it is found, whether activated or de-activated, to an opposite condition; and said sensor being set at a distance from said air outlet and optically connected to a window adjacent to the air outlet via a light guide; said sensor comprises an optical emitter and an optical receiver, said emitter configured to emit an encoded optical pulse sequence through said light guide and output from said window, said optical receiver configured to receive radiation reflected by a body set in front of said window, the radiation reflected by said body returning through said window and through said light guide to said receiver; said emitter controlled by said electronic control unit in such a way as to emit said encoded optical pulse sequence, said electronic control unit connected to said receiver and programmed to distinguish between optical signals received by said receiver resulting from a reflection of the optical pulse sequence emitted by said emitter and other optical signals; and a triplexer coupling said emitter, said receiver, and a light source to said light guide. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for air distribution in a passenger compartment of a vehicle comprising:
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at least one air outlet for outflow of air into the passenger compartment of the vehicle, a duct for supplying a flow of air to said at least one air outlet, means for activating the air outlet, said means for activating include a proximity sensor, which is associated to said air outlet and is configured to output an electrical signal of activation of the air outlet in response to detecting a presence of a body at a short distance from the air outlet, said sensor being activated only when a body is set adjacent to the air outlet and wherein said means for activating comprise; an actuator designed to switch said air outlet from a de-activated condition to an activated condition, and to switch said air outlet from the activated condition to the de-activated condition; an electronic control unit configured to receive a signal output by said sensor and to control said actuator such that, whenever the sensor is activated, the actuator brings the air outlet from the condition in which it is found, whether activated or de-activated, to an opposite condition; said sensor being set at a distance from said air outlet and optically connected to a window adjacent to the air outlet via a light guide; said sensor comprising an optical emitter and an optical receiver, said emitter configured to emit an encoded optical pulse sequence through said light guide and output from said window, said optical receiver configured to receive radiation reflected by a body set in front of said window, the radiation reflected by said body returning through said window and through said light guide to said receiver; said emitter controlled by said electronic control unit in such a way as to emit said encoded optical pulse sequence said electronic control unit connected to said receiver and programmed to distinguish between optical signals received by said receiver resulting from a reflection of the optical pulse sequence emitted by said emitter and other optical signals; and a light source optically connected to the window by the light guide and controlled by said electronic control unit to provide an indication of an activated condition or a de-activated condition of said air outlet. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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Specification