FR2788019A1 - Air distributor for heater in vehicle passenger compartment comprises mixing chamber and three outlets controlled by two distribution flaps shaped as drums pivoting on single axis - Google Patents

Abstract

The vehicle air distributor has a mixing chamber (16) supplied with a cold airflow (F) and a hot airflow (C) in regulated proportions. A demisting outlet (24), a ventilating outlet (26) and a foot warming outlet (28) are provided, supplied from the mixing chamber. Two distribution flaps (30,32) that are shaped as drums are included, and these pivot about a single axis (34) to selectively control the outlets.

Description

Air distribution device for heating and / or air conditioning

  of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle The invention relates to air distribution devices for heating and / or air conditioning the passenger compartment of

motor vehicles.

  It relates more particularly to a device for distributing

  air intake comprising a mixing chamber suitable for being supplied by a flow of cold air and by a flow of hot air in a controlled proportion, a defrosting outlet, a ventilation outlet and a foot-heating outlet supplied by the mixing, as well as two drum type distribution flaps suitable for pivoting around the same axis to

  selectively control the above outputs.

  An air distribution device of this type is described in French Patent Application N 97 09 899 (not published),

in the name of the Applicant.

  In a distribution device of this type, the mixing chamber is supplied by a flow of cold air and a flow of hot air supplied respectively by a cold air duct and a hot air duct. These two flows are usually mixed by a mixing flap, most often of the butterfly type, which controls the respective outputs of the duct.

  cold air and hot air duct.

  In the mixing chamber, the flow of cold air and the flow of hot air mix in a controlled proportion to produce a flow of air treated at a set temperature which is then

  distributed between the air outlets by the distribution flaps

tion.

  These components allow you to define several distribution configurations depending on the desired aerothermal comfort

  by the occupant (s) of the vehicle.

  In each of the distribution configurations thus defined, at least one of the air outlets is supplied by treated air, that is to say by a flow of air at temperature

relatively homogeneous.

  However, for certain distribution configurations, it is desirable to distribute, by an outlet nozzle, a flow

  air at non-uniform temperature.

  The invention provides a solution to this problem.

  To this end, it offers a distribution device of the type defined in the introduction, in which each distribution flap comprises at least one integrated channel capable of directing selectively, as a function of the position of the flap, a flow of cold air and / or a hot air flow towards one

of said outputs.

  Thus, in accordance with the invention, it is possible, for certain positions of the flap or flaps, to send to a chosen air outlet a flow of cold air and / or a flow of hot air coming to be superimposed on the flow treated air from

the mixing chamber.

  In other words, this additional air flow, forming a leakage current, is taken directly from the outlet of the cold air duct and / or the hot air duct and conveyed to an air outlet chosen by directly integrated channels. in

shutters.

  This results in a simplification of the structure of the device.

  tif and a reduction in size.

  In one embodiment of the invention, each component

  includes a generally cylindrical shutter wall

  that, mounted between two flanges, and two channels formed

  respectively in the two flanges.

  In this case, each channel is advantageously delimited by a groove in the general shape of an arc of a circle, formed in a flange and suitable for delimiting an air passage in combination

  with a fixed side wall of a housing.

  This groove may have a cross section

  constant or an evolving cross section.

  In a second embodiment of the invention, each flap comprises a shutter wall of generally cylindrical shape, mounted between two flanges, and at least one channel

formed in the closure wall.

  This is how this channel can be formed along the side

concave of the obturation wall.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the two flaps are able to pivot between a close position and a distant position, so that, in the close position, the respective channels of the flaps

  communicate with each other to form a continuous air passage.

  The panes can define different distribution configurations. In the remote position, the flaps close the defrost outlet and the foot heater outlet respectively by opening

  the ventilation output to define an "ventilation" configuration.

  In this configuration, the channel of one of the flaps allows the passage of a flow of cold air to the ventilation outlet and the channel of the other flap allows the passage of a flow

  hot air to the ventilation outlet.

  In the close position, the flaps jointly close the ventilation outlet and at least partially open the defrost outlet and / or the foot-heater outlet. In particular,

  the shutters are suitable for defining a "clear

  vrage-chauffage ", in which the defrost outlet and the floor heating outlet are each partially open and the respective channels of the shutters form at least one continuous channel for channeling a flow of hot air towards the defrost outlet. The shutters are suitable for defining an intermediate "ventilation-heating" configuration, in which one of the shutters closes the defrost outlet, while the other shutter opens

  partially the ventilation outlet and the heating outlet-

  feet, and in which the respective channels of the flaps respectively channel a flow of cold air towards the outlet

  ventilation and a flow of hot air to the ventilation outlet.

  According to yet another characteristic of the invention, at least one of the distribution flaps has an interlocking flange which allows a connection of the channels when said distribution flaps are in a close position.

  In the following description, made only as

  example, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a partial view in cross section

  of a device according to the invention, shown in configuration

  "ventilation"; - Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of the distribution flaps of the device of Figure 1; - Figures 3 to 6 are views similar to Figure 1 for other distribution configurations of the device; - Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 5 in an alternative embodiment;

  - Figure 8 is a side view of two dispensing flaps

  tion in another variant; and - Figures 9 to 11 are perspective views of other

  alternative embodiments of the distribution flaps.

  We first refer to FIG. 1 which represents a device

  air distribution system for heating and / or air conditioning

  of the passenger compartment H of a motor vehicle. This arrangement

  tif comprises a housing 10 provided with an air inlet (not shown) supplying a cold air duct 12 and a hot air duct 14 which both open into a mixing chamber 16. The duct 12 transmits directly from cold air, while the duct 14 houses a heating radiator 18 to heat the air. The mixing chamber 16 is thus supplied by a flow of cold air F and by a flow of hot air C, coming respectively from the conduits 12

and 14.

  In the housing 10 is provided a mixing flap 20 of the type

  butterfly, pivotally mounted about an axis 22 to control

  selectively link the outlets of conduits 12 and 14. This shutter can pivot between two extreme positions: an "all cold" position (shutter shown in solid lines) in which the shutter closes the hot air duct 14 to supply the mixing chamber 16 only with cold air, and a "hot" position (flap shown in broken lines) in which the flap closes the outlet of the cold air duct 12 and forces the air flow to pass through the duct 14 to supply the mixing chamber 16 only with air

hot.

  The shutter can also take an infinite number of intermediate positions (one of which is shown in FIG. 1) to adjust the proportion of the flow of cold air and the flow of hot air accessing the chamber 16 and, consequently, the temperature of the treated air flow T which enters the chamber

mixer 16.

  This room communicates with three air outlets: a defrost outlet 24 leading to nozzles (not shown) located at the base of the vehicle windshield, a ventilation outlet 26 leading to distributed nozzles (not shown)

  on the dashboard of the vehicle and a heating outlet-

  feet 28 leading to nozzles (not shown) directed towards the lower part of the passenger compartment H. The distribution and distribution of the treated air T between the three aforementioned outlets is carried out by means of two flaps 30 and 32 of the drum type adapted to pivot around a common axis 34 to selectively control the outputs 24, 26

and 28.

  These flaps are adapted to pivot in a coordinated manner by appropriate control means (not shown) to

  essentially define five distribution configurations.

  In the configuration of FIG. 1, these flaps are distant from each other, so that the flap 30 closes the

  defrost output 24 and shutter 32 closes the heating output -

  feet 28, and that the ventilation outlet 26 is open.

  As can be seen in FIG. 2, the shutter 30 comprises a closing wall 34 of generally circular cylindrical shape centered around an axis X-X which coincides with the axis of rotation of the shutter. This wall 34 is mounted between two flanges 36. These two flanges each define an air channel delimited by a groove 38 in the general shape of an arc of a circle which, in the example, is also limited by the

  edge of the closure wall 34. These channels 38 are delimited

  ted by grooves which, in the example, have a constant cross section. Each of these channels is suitable for defining an air passage in combination with a wall

  fixed side 40 of the housing (Figure 2).

  As a result, an air flow can travel in the passage

  thus defined as shown by the arrows F in FIG. 2.

  Part 32 is similar to part 30 and includes a

  obturation wall 42 connected to two flanges 44 (FIG. 1).

  Each of the flanges 44 has a channel 46 in the form of an arc of

  circle, similar to channel 38 above.

  In the "ventilation" configuration of FIG. 1, the ventilation outlet 26 is supplied with treated air T coming from

the mixing chamber 16.

  Furthermore, the flap 30 routes through its channels 38, a flow of cold air F coming from the cold air duct 12, while the flap 32 routes through its channels 46 a flow of hot air C

  from the hot air duct 14.

  This makes it possible to obtain an air flow of non-uniform temperature with in particular a cold air flow and an air flow

  which can be sent to particular regions

  res, in particular in particular nozzles located at the level

of the dashboard.

  In the configuration of Figure 3, called "ventilation-heating-

  ge ", the flap 30 still ensures the closing of the defrost outlet 24, while the flap 32 has moved somewhat closer to the flap 30 by pivoting counterclockwise (in the drawing). The flap 32 partially opens the ventilation outlet

26 and the foot-heater outlet 28.

  As a result, the aeration outlet 26 is supplied mainly by treated air T coming from the mixing chamber 16. In addition, the aeration outlet 26 is supplied by a flow of cold air F through the channels 38 of the shutter 30 and a flow of hot air C through the channels 46 of the shutter 32. The foot-heater outlet 28 is supplied only with hot air C. This configuration also corresponds to a so-called distribution

  "two-level" or "temperature stratification".

  In the configuration of Figure 4, the flaps 30 and 32 are reconciled. The shutter 30 always ensures the closing of the defrost outlet 24, while the shutter 32 now ensures the closure of the ventilation outlet 26. As a result, only the foot-heater outlet 28 is open. The latter is supplied with treated air T

  from mixing chamber 16. In this configuration

  particular channel, channels 38 and 46 of the two components do not

play no particular role.

  In the configuration of Figure 5, the flaps 30 and 32 are close together but have rotated together, relative to the configuration of Figure 4, clockwise (in the drawing).

  As a result, the ventilation outlet 26 is closed together.

  through flaps 30 and 32, while the outlet clears

  glass 24 and the heater-foot outlet 28 are each in

party open.

  The defrost outlet 24 is supplied by a stream of treated air T coming from the mixing chamber and by a stream of hot air C coming from the outlet of the hot air duct 14 and conveyed by respective channels of the flaps 30 and 32, which

  each time form a continuous passage.

  Indeed, each of the channels 38 is placed end to end to a channel 46. As a result, the hot air first borrows a channel 46 then the channel 38 before leading to the defrost outlet 24. The defrost outlet is thus powered by a

  air flow at higher temperature than the heating outlet-

  feet 28 which receives only treated air T from

of the mixing chamber 16.

  In the "defrosting" configuration of FIG. 6, the two flaps 30 and 32 are reciprocated and ensure respectively the closing of the ventilation outlet 26 and the closing of the heating-feet outlet 28. Consequently, only the defrosting outlet 24 is clear. As a result, this outlet is supplied only with treated air T

  from mixing chamber 16. In this configuration

  tion, the respective channels 38 and 46 of the flaps only play

no active role.

  We now refer to Figure 7 which shows a variant

  of channels in the "defrosting" configuration

  heating "which corresponds to that in figure 5. The difference

  The main reason for this is that the channels 38 and 46 are defined by grooves of evolving cross section. Channel 46 has an inlet 48 with a larger section than its outlet 50. The latter has the same section as inlet 52 of channel 38, which has an outlet 54 of

  narrower cross section.

  Thus, in the close position of the flaps, an air circulation passage is defined which has a cross section decreasing from the inlet 48 to the outlet 54 which provides a "funnel effect" making it possible to capture

  more hot air at the outlet of the hot air duct 14.

  In the embodiment of Figure 8, the flaps 30 and 32 are similar to those of Figures 1 to 6. The channels 38 and 46 are defined by grooves of constant cross section. However, one of the components, namely component 30,

  has an interlocking edge 56 which allows a connection

  almost watertight channels 38 and 46 when the flaps

are in a close position.

  In the embodiment of Figure 9, the flap 30 is similar to that of Figure 2, except that the

  Channels 38 are deeper in the direction of the X-X axis.

  In other words, each of these channels is covered more by the closure wall 34 than in the embodiment

in Figure 2.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the flap 30 comprises two channels 58 formed by grooves in an arc of a circle which comprises the closure wall 34. These two channels are closed by an intermediate wall 60 in the form of an arc of circle, which is later reported to ensure the

  continuity with the closing wall 34.

  As a result, these two channels are formed along the side

concave of the obturation wall.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 11, the flap 30 combines both channels 38 formed respectively in the two flanges and channels 58 formed along the closure wall. The distribution flaps can thus include one or more channels of different shapes formed in the flanges and / or

the sealing wall.

  It will be understood that the flap channels play essential-

  an active role in three distribution configurations, namely the "ventilation", "ventilation-heating" and "defrosting-heating" configurations. The aforementioned channels can be made by molding with the flaps. In the case of Figures and 11, the flaps are formed in two molded parts which

  are then made integral with one another.

it

Claims (13)

Claims   1. An air distribution device for heating and / or air conditioning the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, comprising a mixing chamber (16) suitable for being supplied by a flow of cold air (F) and by a flow of hot air (C) in proportion adjusted, a defrost outlet (24), a ventilation outlet (26) and a foot-heater outlet (28) supplied by the mixing chamber (16), as well as two shutters of distribution (30, 32) of the drum type, capable of pivoting about the same axis (34) to selectively control the above-mentioned outlets, characterized in that each distribution flap (30, 32) comprises at least one integrated channel (38; 46; 58) suitable for directing selectively, as a function of the position of the flap, a flow of cold air (F) and / or a flow of hot air (C) towards   one of said outputs (24, 26, 28).   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that each flap (30, 32) comprises a closure wall (34; 42) of generally cylindrical shape, mounted between two   flanges (36; 44), and two channels (38; 46) formed respectively in the two flanges.   3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that each channel (38; 46) is delimited by a groove in the general shape of an arc of a circle, formed in a flange and suitable for delimiting an air passage in combination with a   fixed side wall (40) of a housing.   4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the groove (38; 46) has a constant cross section. 5. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the groove (38; 46) has an evolving cross section. 6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that each flap comprises a closure wall (34, 60) of generally cylindrical shape, mounted between two flanges (36),   and at least one channel (58) formed in the closure wall.   7. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the channel (58) is formed along the concave side of the sealing wall (34, 60).   8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7,   characterized in that the two flaps (30, 32) are able to pivot between a close position and a distant position, and in that, in the close position, the respective channels (38; 46) of the flaps communicate with each other   to form a continuous air passage.   9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that, in the remote position, the flaps (30, 32) close   the defrost outlet (24) and the heating outlet respectively   foot pegs (28) by opening the ventilation outlet (26) to define a "ventilation" configuration, and in that the channel (38) of one of the flaps allows the passage of a flow of cold air (F ) towards the ventilation outlet (26) and the channel (46) of the other flap the passage of a flow of hot air (C) towards the ventilation outlet (26).   10. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that, in the close position, the flaps (30, 32) jointly close the ventilation outlet (26) and open at least in   part the defrost output (24) and / or the heating output - feet (28).   11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that, in the close position, the flaps (30, 32) are capable of defining a "defrost-heating" configuration,   which the defrost outlet (24) and the heating outlet-   feet (28) are each partially open and the respective channels (38, 46) of the flaps form at least one continuous channel for channeling a flow of hot air (C) towards the outlet defrost (24).   12. Device according to one of claims 8 to 11,   characterized in that the flaps (30, 32) are suitable for defining an intermediate "ventilation-heating" configuration, in which one of the flaps closes the defrost outlet (24), while the other flap partially opens the aeration outlet (26) and the foot heating output (28), and in that   the respective channels (38, 46) of the flaps channel respectively   a cold air flow (F) towards the ventilation outlet (26)   and a flow of hot air (C) to the ventilation outlet (26).   13. Device according to one of claims 1 to 12,   characterized in that at least one of the distribution flaps (30, 32) has an interlocking flange (56) which allows a connection of the channels (38, 46, 58) when said flaps   dispensers are in a close position.