Ventilation units for vehicle heating and / or air conditioning systems

Abstract

The invention relates to a ventilation device (100) for a vehicle heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system (200), comprising at least one housing (110), the at least one housing comprising at least one wall (114) defining an inner volume (210), in which at least one rotatable radial propeller (120) and at least one guide member (130) are accommodated, the radial propeller (120) and the guide member (130) being configured to generate an air inlet (126) of the radial propeller (120). ) and an air outlet (112) formed in a wall (114) of a housing (110) of a ventilation device (100) having an air flow (FA) in a general direction parallel to the rotation axis (R) of a radial propeller (120), at least a portion of the wall (114) of the housing (110) is configured to straighten the air flow (FA) at the outlet of the radial propeller (120), characterized in that the guide member (130) is configured to guide the air flow (FA) toward the rotation axis (R) of the radial propeller (120).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning systems intended to be integrated into motor vehicles, for example electric propulsion motor vehicles. Background Art

[0002] Motor vehicles conventionally include a heating and / or air conditioning system for heat-treating an air flow intended to be directed into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. These heating and / or air conditioning systems include at least one housing in which at least one heat exchanger and at least one ventilation device are housed. For example, a heat transfer fluid (i.e., a fluid capable of collecting, carrying, and delivering calories) circulates in the heat exchanger. The air flow also passes through the heat exchanger, and the air flow undergoes a temperature change before being directed into the passenger compartment by passing through the heat exchanger so as to heat-treat the temperature of the passenger compartment.

[0003] In order to generate an air flow capable of passing through the heat exchanger, a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system conventionally includes at least one ventilation device comprising at least one propeller housed in a housing, wherein the propeller is rotated by a moving part, which may also be housed in the housing. Currently implemented ventilation devices comprise an axial air inlet, i.e., an opening that allows air flow to enter the ventilation device in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the propeller of the ventilation device; and a radial air outlet, at which the air flow exits the propeller in a radial direction. In other words, such ventilation devices are conventionally arranged in a volute, so that the air flow enters the ventilation device in a first direction and leaves the housing in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0004] A disadvantage of these ventilation devices is that they are particularly bulky due to the radial nature of the air flow leaving the device. Consequently, they cannot be easily installed in particularly confined ventilation systems.

[0005] For example, document KR 2014 / 0054655 A describes a ventilation device in which an air flow circulates between the air inlet of the propeller and the outlet of the ventilation device in a general direction parallel to the rotation axis of the propeller of the ventilation device. The disadvantage of the ventilation device described in this document is that the air flow easily leaves the ventilation device via the peripheral portion of the outlet opening formed in the housing. In other words, the flow rate of the air flow measured in the peripheral portion of the air outlet opening formed in the housing of the ventilation device is greater than the flow rate of the air flow measured in the central portion of the air outlet opening. The air outlet opening of this type of ventilation device can be closed by an air filter. Therefore, the flow rate difference between the peripheral portion and the central portion of the air outlet may lead to non-optimal use of this air filter, which may cause this air filter to need to be replaced more frequently than if the flow rate of the air flow is constant or substantially constant over the entire surface of the air outlet opening, that is, in the central portion and the peripheral portion of the air outlet opening.

[0006] The present invention falls within this background and aims to solve at least the mentioned drawbacks by proposing a ventilation device which is less bulky than prior art ventilation devices and in which the air flow has a substantially constant flow rate at all points of the air outlet opening. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a ventilation device for a vehicle heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system, the ventilation device comprising at least one housing including at least one wall defining an interior volume, in which at least one rotatable radial propeller and at least one guide member are housed, the radial propeller and the guide member being configured to generate an air flow having a general direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the radial propeller between an air inlet of the radial propeller and an air outlet opening formed in the wall of the housing of the ventilation device, wherein at least a portion of the wall of the housing is configured to straighten the air flow leaving the radial propeller. According to the invention, the guide member is configured to direct the air flow towards the axis of rotation of the radial propeller.

[0008] A "radial propeller" should be understood to mean a propeller in which the air flow enters in a first direction, in this case parallel to the propeller's axis of rotation, and exits in a second, transverse direction, for example, perpendicular to the propeller's axis of rotation. In other words, within the meaning of the present invention, a radial propeller comprises an axial air inlet and a radial air outlet. "At least a portion of the wall of the housing is configured to straighten the air flow" should be understood to mean that the shape of the wall is designed so that when the air flow leaves the radial propeller, it encounters that portion of the housing wall, which deflects the air flow so as to straighten it, i.e., directs it towards the guide member. Thus, the shape of the housing of the ventilation device and the air flow guiding member housed therein together allow the air flow generated by the rotation of the radial propeller to be guided, resulting in a reduction in the overall volume of the ventilation device compared to prior art ventilation devices. Consequently, the air outlet of the ventilation device according to the present invention can be placed in the axial extension of the radial propeller, which allows the radial volume of such a device to be reduced. As a result, the ventilation device according to the present invention can be more easily installed in small vehicles, such as vehicles with at least partial electric propulsion. For example, the radial propeller can be rotated by a moving component. Alternatively, the support of the mobile part can be housed in the internal volume of the housing. The ventilation device according to the invention makes it possible to obtain a homogeneous distribution of the air flow over the entire surface of the outlet opening formed in the wall of the housing, by tilting the air flow so as to enter a portion of the outlet opening formed in the wall of the housing through which the axis of rotation of the radial propeller passes, even in the presence of a support placed axially at the center of the outlet opening formed in the wall of the housing.

[0009] According to the present invention, the air flow guiding member may include a plurality of fixed blades arranged axially between the radial propeller and the air outlet opening. For example, at least one fixed blade of the air flow guiding member includes at least one outer end rigidly connected to the wall of the housing. Advantageously, each fixed blade of the air flow guiding member includes an outer end rigidly connected to the wall of the housing.

[0010] According to one feature of the invention, the radial propeller comprises a plurality of movable blades, wherein each movable blade comprises an inner edge oriented toward the axis of rotation of the radial propeller and an outer edge oriented away from the inner edge, wherein at least one outer edge extends parallel to the axis of rotation of the radial propeller. Advantageously, the outer edge of each movable blade extends in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the radial propeller.

[0011] According to another feature of the invention, the inner radius of the radial propeller, measured between the axis of rotation of the radial propeller and the inner edge of one of the movable blades of the radial propeller, in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the radial propeller, ranges from 36 mm to 54 mm. For example, the outer radius of the radial propeller, measured between the axis of rotation and the outer edge of one of the movable blades of the radial propeller, in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the radial propeller, can range from 64 mm to 96 mm.

[0012] Advantageously, the height of the inner edge of the movable blade, measured parallel to the axis of rotation of the radial propeller, is greater than the height of the outer edge of the movable blade, measured parallel to the axis of rotation of the radial propeller. For example, the ratio between the height of the inner edge of the movable blade of the radial propeller and the height of the outer edge of the movable blade of the radial propeller can be set to a range between 1.1 and 1.9. For example, the height of the inner edge of the movable blade of the radial propeller can range from 36 mm to 54 mm, and the height of the outer edge of the same movable blade of the radial propeller can range from 29 mm to 44 mm. In addition, the inner edge of the movable blade of the radial propeller and the outer edge of the movable blade of the radial propeller can adopt different positions along the axis of rotation of the radial propeller, that is, have an offset relative to each other.

[0013] More specifically, the movable blades of the radial propeller extend between a bowl of the propeller and an edge of the propeller, respectively, wherein the bowl of the propeller has a convex shape when viewed from the movable blades of the radial propeller, wherein the height of the inner edge of the movable blade and the height of the outer edge of the movable blade are respectively measured between the bowl of the propeller and the edge of the propeller, parallel to the rotation axis of the radial propeller.

[0014] According to one feature of the invention, each movable blade of the radial propeller is defined by at least one upper line oriented toward the air inlet of the radial propeller and at least one lower line oriented toward the air outlet opening formed in the wall of the housing, and the upper line of at least one movable blade of the radial propeller has at least one first portion protruding from the edge of the radial propeller toward the axis of rotation of the radial propeller and a second portion covered by the edge of the radial propeller. Advantageously, all upper lines of the movable blades of the radial propeller have this first portion and this second portion. More specifically, the bowl of the radial propeller is arranged to connect the lower lines of these movable blades of the radial propeller. Advantageously, the bowl of the radial propeller can be closed, that is, the bowl extends continuously between two consecutive movable blades. As a result, the entire air flow generated by the rotation of the radial propeller leaves the radial propeller via the radial air outlet.

[0015] According to another feature of the present invention, the housing of the ventilation device includes at least one upper portion for accommodating the radial propeller and a lower portion for accommodating the guide member, wherein the upper portion includes at least one first convex curvature when viewed from the axis of rotation of the radial propeller and at least one second concave curvature when viewed from the axis of rotation of the radial propeller, the first curvature overlapping the edge of the radial propeller, and the second curvature being arranged to face the radial air outlet of the radial propeller. More specifically, when viewed in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the radial propeller, the first curvature overlaps the edge of the radial propeller. Similarly, in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the radial propeller, the second curvature is arranged to face the radial air outlet of the radial propeller. In other words, the second curvature of the upper portion of the housing is arranged so that the air flow exiting the radial propeller encounters this second curvature, so that this second curvature forms the portion of the housing configured to straighten the air flow exiting the radial propeller.

[0016] According to one feature of the invention, an air flow guiding member comprises a plurality of fixed blades, wherein at least one fixed blade of the air flow guiding member comprises a pressure surface and a suction surface connected by a leading edge and a trailing edge, wherein the fixed blade comprises a cross section extending along a camber line between the leading edge and the trailing edge when viewed in a plane perpendicular to the radial extension axis of the associated fixed blade, wherein the camber line is inscribed in a circle, wherein a first angle is formed between a tangent to the circle at the leading edge and the camber line at the leading edge, and a second angle is formed between a tangent to the circle at the leading edge and the camber line at the trailing edge, the first angle ranging from 3° to 10°, and the second angle ranging from 79° to 128°. For example, the fixed blades of the guiding member can be arranged as a circular profile, wherein the center of the circular profile forms the center of the guiding member. Advantageously, all fixed blades of the air flow guiding member can be structurally identical.

[0017] According to one feature of the invention, at least one stationary blade of the air flow guide member comprises a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion being aligned in this order along the radial extension axis of the stationary blade toward the wall of the housing, wherein the ratio between the first angle and the second angle measured in the first portion is in the range of 0.03 to 0.07, the ratio between the first angle and the second angle measured in the second portion is in the range of 0.05 to 0.12, and the ratio between the first angle and the second angle measured in the third portion is in the range of 0.02 to 0.07. Advantageously, the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion are integrally formed, i.e., they form a single component that cannot be separated without damaging at least one of the portions.

[0018] According to the present invention, a radial propeller is capable of being rotated by at least one moving component, wherein the housing includes at least one support member capable of accommodating the at least one moving component, and a guide member is interposed between the support member capable of accommodating the at least one moving component and a wall of the housing. According to a specific application example of the present invention, the center of the guide member coincides with the center of the support member of the moving component.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the air flow guiding member comprises a plurality of fixed blades, wherein at least one fixed blade of the air flow guiding member comprises at least one inner end and at least one outer end, the at least one inner end being rigidly connected to a support capable of accommodating the moving part, and the at least one outer end being rigidly connected to the wall of the housing. In other words, it should be understood that the air flow guiding member is fixed relative to the housing. Advantageously, all fixed blades of the air flow guiding member may comprise an inner end rigidly connected to the support of the moving part and at least one outer end rigidly connected to the wall of the housing. Optionally, the housing, the air flow guiding member and the support of the moving part may be integral, i.e., forming a single component that cannot be separated without causing damage to at least the housing, the air flow guiding member and / or the support.

[0020] Alternatively, the air filter can be arranged facing an air outlet opening formed in the wall of the housing. Advantageously, the air filter can close the air outlet opening of the housing. In other words, the air flow guiding member then allows the entire available surface of the air filter to be used by deflecting the air flow leaving the radial propeller, thereby improving the efficiency and durability of the air filter.

[0021] Advantageously, the ventilation device includes means for moving the radial propeller. For example, the means for moving the radial propeller may be a DC motor comprising a drive shaft that can be housed in the hub of the radial propeller. It will therefore be understood from the above that, if necessary, the moving means are housed in a housing, on supports provided for this purpose.

[0022] The present invention also relates to a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system for a vehicle, comprising at least one ventilation device as mentioned above, the system comprising at least one heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the air flow generated by the radial propeller and a coolant. "Coolant" is understood to mean a fluid configured to carry calories and to exchange calories with or without a change of state. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Further features, details and advantages will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description which is provided for purposes of illustration with reference to the various views of the invention shown in the following drawings:

[0024] [ Figure 1 ] schematically shows a part of a heating, ventilation and / or air-conditioning system according to the invention comprising at least one ventilation device according to the invention;

[0025] [ Figure 2 ] shows a perspective view of a ventilation device according to the present invention;

[0026] [ Figure 3 ] shows a perspective view of a radial propeller of a ventilation device according to the present invention;

[0027] [ Figure 4 ] shows a perspective bottom view of an air flow guiding member of a ventilation device according to the present invention;

[0028] [ Figure 5 ] shows Figure 4 The first section of the fixed blade of the air flow guide member is shown along Figure 4 The cross section obtained by the first transverse plane AA is shown;

[0029] [ Figure 6 ] shows Figure 5 The second section of the fixed blade of the air flow guide member is shown along Figure 4 The cross section obtained by the second transverse plane BB is shown;

[0030] [ Figure 7 ] shows Figure 5 The third section of the fixed blade of the air flow guide member is shown along Figure 4 The cross section obtained by the third transverse plane CC is shown;

[0031] [ Figure 8 ] shows the ventilation device according to the present invention along Figure 1 A vertical cross-sectional view taken along the vertical plane DD is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The features, alternative embodiments, and various embodiments of the present invention may be combined in various combinations, as long as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, alternative embodiments of the present invention may be envisioned that include only a set of features described below independently of the other features described, provided that the set of features is sufficient to provide a technical advantage or to distinguish the present invention from the prior art.

[0033] Figure 1A schematic diagram illustrates a portion of a heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning system 200 according to the present invention. This heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning system 200 (hereinafter referred to as "system 200") is intended to be integrated into a motor vehicle (e.g., an electrically propelled motor vehicle) to thermally treat an air flow FA before it is directed into the vehicle's passenger compartment for thermal treatment. In other words, the air flow FA is used to cool or heat the vehicle's passenger compartment. The system 200 according to the present invention comprises: at least one housing 201 housing at least one heat exchanger 202 configured to exchange heat between a coolant and the air flow FA intended to be directed into the vehicle's passenger compartment; and at least one ventilation device 100 according to the present invention configured to generate the air flow FA. The housing 201 advantageously allows the treated air flow FA to be directed into the vehicle's passenger compartment. "Coolant" is understood herein to mean a fluid configured to carry calories and exchange calories, either by changing state or not changing state.

[0034] As shown, the ventilation device 100 according to the present invention comprises at least one housing 110 including at least one wall 114 defining an interior volume 210 in which are housed at least one moving component 140, a radial propeller 120, at least one air flow guide member 130, and at least one air filter 113. Advantageously, the air filter 113 is axially arranged between the guide member 130 and the heat exchanger 202. The moving component 140 is configured to rotate the radial propeller 120 about an axis of rotation R to generate the air flow FA, and the guide member 130 itself, together with at least a portion of the wall 114 of the housing 110, helps to straighten the air flow FA so that the air flow has a general direction of movement parallel to the axis of rotation R of the radial propeller 120 between the air inlet 126 of the radial propeller 120 and an outlet opening formed in the wall 114 of the housing 110. As described in further detail below, at least one support 131 of the moving part 140 of the radial propeller 120 is also housed in the inner volume 210 of the housing 110 of the ventilation device, with the air flow FA guiding member 130 interposed therebetween.

[0035] according to Figure 1 In the example shown, the housing 110 of the ventilation device and the outer shell 201 of the system 200 are integrally formed, ie they form a single component that cannot be separated without causing damage to the housing 110 and / or the outer shell 201 .

[0036] Reference Figures 2 to 8 , the ventilation device 100 according to the present invention will now be described in further detail.

[0037] Figure 2A perspective view of such a ventilation device 100 is shown, which comprises at least a housing 110, in which at least one air inlet opening 111 and one air outlet opening 112 are formed, wherein the air outlet opening 112 is at least partially closed, for example, by an air filter 113. More specifically, the air inlet opening 111 and the air outlet opening 112 are each formed in a wall 114 of the housing 110. Advantageously, the air filter 113 can completely close the air outlet opening 112, thereby ensuring that all air exhausted from the ventilation device 100 passes through the air filter 113 before being directed into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0038] According to the example shown, the ventilation device 100 extends along a main extension line D, wherein the air inlet opening 111 and the air outlet opening 112 extend in planes parallel and perpendicular or substantially parallel and perpendicular to the main extension line D.

[0039] The housing 110 and more particularly its wall 114 is generally bell-shaped, ie its cross-section increases in size from the air inlet opening 111 towards the air outlet opening 112 when viewed in a plane perpendicular to a main extension line D of the housing 110 .

[0040] As mentioned above, the wall 114 of the housing 110 defines an interior volume of the ventilation device 100, which houses at least a radial propeller 120 configured to be rotated by a moving part 140 and a guide member 130 configured to guide at least a portion of the air flow generated by the rotation of the radial propeller 120, after the air flow passes through the guide member 130, toward the axis of rotation R of the radial propeller 120. The radial propeller 120 can be rotated by the moving part 140 housed in the support 131. For example, the moving part 140 can be an electric motor including at least one stator and at least one rotor, wherein the rotor is rotationally connected to a shaft housed in the hub 121 of the radial propeller 120. In other words, the axis of rotation R of the radial propeller 120 extends parallel to the hub 121.

[0041] exist Figure 2In the figure, the moving part 140 and its support 131, the radial propeller 120, and the guide member 130 are schematically shown as dashed lines. As shown, the radial propeller 120 and the guide member 130 are arranged in this order along the rotation axis R of the radial propeller 120, between the inlet opening 111 and the outlet opening 112 formed in the wall 114 of the housing 110. The guide member 130 is interposed between the moving part 140 and the wall 114 of the housing 110. More specifically, the guide member 130 is interposed between the support 131 of the moving part 140 and the wall 114 of the housing 110. A "radial propeller" should be understood to mean a propeller for which air enters in a direction parallel to the propeller's rotation axis R and exits in a direction transverse to the propeller's rotation axis R. As described below, the rotation axis R of the radial propeller in the illustrated example is parallel to the main extension axis D of the housing 110.

[0042] The housing 110 comprises at least one upper portion 115 housing the radial propeller 120 and a lower portion 116 housing the air flow directing member 130. For example, the upper portion 115 and the lower portion 116 of the housing 110 may be integral, i.e. they may form a single component that cannot be separated without causing damage to at least one of the portions.

[0043] Upper portion 115 includes at least one first portion 117, which flares toward outlet opening 112 formed in wall 114 of housing 110, forming air inlet opening 111 at its end, and at least one second portion 118, which is at least partially curved. As shown, the axis of rotation of first flared portion 117 coincides with main extension line D of housing 110, while the axis of rotation of second cylindrical portion 118 also coincides with main extension line D of housing 110. More specifically, first portion 117 extends along main extension line D of housing 110 between a first end 117a, where air inlet opening 111 is formed, and a second end 117b, opposite first end 117a. Second portion 118 extends along main extension line D of housing 110 between first and second ends 118a, 118b, opposite each other. As shown, first end 118a of second portion 118 coincides with second end 117b of first portion 117.

[0044] The first portion 117 of the upper portion 115 of the housing 110 has a first curvature 117c extending between a first end 117a and a second end 117b. The second portion 118 itself includes at least one second curvature 118c extending the first portion 117, wherein the second curvature 118c is extended by a straight portion 118d. In other words, the second curvature 118c is located between the first curvature 117c of the first portion 117 and the straight portion 118d of the second portion 118. As shown, the first curvature 117c of the first portion 117 and the second curvature 118c of the second portion 118 curve in opposite directions. In other words, the first curvature 117c of the first portion 117 is convex when viewed from the radial thruster's axis of rotation R, while the second curvature 118c itself is concave when viewed from the radial thruster's axis of rotation R. In other words, the first curvature 117c is inscribed in a circle whose center is arranged in the environment surrounding the ventilation device according to the present invention, while the second curvature 118c is inscribed in a circle whose center is arranged in the internal volume of the ventilation device according to the present invention. For example, the second curvature 118c can have a radius of curvature that, measured in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation R of the radial propeller within an angular sector of 45°, ranges from 23.1 mm to 34.7 mm. Advantageously, the second curvature 118c has a radius of curvature that is equal to or substantially equal to 28.9 mm. As will be described below, the second curvature 118c forms a portion of the wall 114 of the housing 110 that is configured to straighten the air flow leaving the radial propeller 120.

[0045] This results in an arrangement in which, according to the example shown, the air flow enters the ventilation device 100 in a first direction via the air inlet opening 111 and leaves the ventilation device 100 in a second direction, parallel or substantially parallel to the first direction, via the air outlet opening 112. According to the example shown here, the first and second directions are also parallel to the main extension axis D of the housing 110 and therefore also to the rotation axis R of the radial propeller 120.

[0046] According to an embodiment not shown here, the first curvature 117 c can also be provided to be concave when viewed from the rotation axis R of the radial propeller 120 .

[0047] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a radial propeller 120 that can be housed in the inner volume of the housing. In the remainder of this description, the terms "radial propeller" and "propeller" will be used interchangeably.

[0048] The radial propeller 120 comprises a plurality of movable blades 122 connected together, on the one hand, by a bowl 123 of the radial propeller 120 and, on the other hand, by a rim 124 of the radial propeller. More specifically, each movable blade 122 comprises at least one upper line 125 oriented toward an air inlet 126 of the radial propeller 120 and at least one lower line 127 oriented away from the corresponding upper line 125. The rim 124 of the radial propeller 120 connects the upper lines 125 of the movable blades 122 of the propeller 120, and the bowl 123 itself connects the lower lines 127 of the movable blades 122.

[0049] The upper line 125 of the movable blade 122 more specifically comprises at least one first portion 125a protruding from the edge 124 towards the axis of rotation R of the propeller 120 and a second portion 125b, in this case covered by the edge 124 of the propeller 120. Each movable blade 122 further comprises at least one inner edge 129 and at least one outer edge 220 connecting the upper line 125 of the movable blade 122 to the lower line 127, wherein the inner edges 129 of the movable blades 122 are oriented towards the axis of rotation R of the propeller 120 and the outer edges 220 are oriented radially away from the axis of rotation R.

[0050] The inner edges 129 of the movable blades 122 thus define the inner perimeter P1 of the propeller 120, while the outer edges 220 of these movable blades 122 define the outer perimeter P2 of the propeller 120. Advantageously, a portion of the edge 124 of the propeller helps to define the air inlet 126 of the propeller 120. According to the example shown, the inner edge 129 of at least one of the movable blades 122 forms the leading edge of the propeller 120. Advantageously, the inner edge 129 of each movable blade 122 forms the leading edge of the movable blade 122 of this propeller 120.

[0051] The propeller bowl 123 connects the lower line 127 of these movable blades 122. Figure 3 As shown in the partial view, the bowl 123 is closed. In other words, each space 222 formed between two consecutive movable blades 122 is closed. Figure 8 The bowl 123 of the impeller 120 is described in further detail.

[0052] As mentioned, the radial propeller 120 comprises at least an air inlet 126, through which air enters the propeller 120 in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation R of the propeller 120, and at least one radial air outlet 221, through which air leaves the propeller 120 in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation R of the propeller 120. According to the example shown here, the radial air outlet 221 is formed on the outer perimeter P2 of the propeller 120, i.e., the radial air outlet 221 is axially limited on one side by the edge 124 of the propeller 120 and on the other side by the bowl 123 of the propeller 120. In other words, at least the outer edge 220 of at least one movable blade 122 forms the trailing edge of the radial propeller 120. Advantageously, the outer edges 220 of all movable blades 122 respectively form the trailing edge of the radial propeller 120. With the bowl 123 of the propeller 120 closed, it will be appreciated that the entire air flow generated by the rotation of the propeller 120 exits the propeller 120 via the radial air outlet 221 .

[0053] Finally, according to Figure 3 In the example shown, the movable blades 122 of the propeller 120 each have a curved shape, i.e., they extend in the form of a circular arc between their inner edge 129 and their outer edge 220. Advantageously, the propeller 120 can be integral, i.e., can form a single component that cannot be separated without causing damage to the hub 121, the movable blades 122, the bowl 123, and / or the edge 124 of the propeller 120.

[0054] According to the invention, the ventilation device 100 further comprises an air flow guiding member 130 capable of guiding the air flow downstream thereof towards the axis of rotation R of the radial propeller. Figure 4 An embodiment of the guide member 130 is shown. More specifically, Figure 4 is a bottom perspective view of the guide member 130 shown together with a portion of the wall 114 of the housing.

[0055] In the illustrated example, an airflow guide member 130 is radially interposed between a support 131 of the moving part and the wall 114 of the housing. More specifically, the guide member 130 is formed by a plurality of stationary blades 132, each of which extends between the support 131 and the wall 114 of the housing. Each of these stationary blades 132 extends along a radially extending axis X between an inner end 133 in contact with the support 131 and an outer end 134 in contact with the wall 114. For example, at least one inner end 133 of one of these stationary blades 132 is rigidly connected to the support 131, while the outer end 134 of this stationary blade 132 is rigidly connected to the wall 114. In the illustrated example, all inner ends 133 of the stationary blades 132 are rigidly connected to the support 131, and all outer ends 134 of these stationary blades 132 are rigidly connected to the wall 114. For example, the guide member 130 , the support 131 and the wall 114 of the housing may be integrally formed, ie they form a single component that cannot be separated without damaging the guide member 130 , the support 131 or the wall 114 .

[0056] Each stationary blade 132 also includes at least one leading edge 135 through which the air flow enters the guide member 130 and at least one trailing edge 136 through which the air flow exits the guide member 130. Thus, when the guide member 130 is in place in the housing, the leading edge 135 is oriented toward the air inlet opening formed in the housing, while the trailing edge 136 itself is oriented toward the outlet opening 112 of the housing. The leading edge 135 and the trailing edge 136 are also connected together by a pressure surface 137 and by a suction surface 138.

[0057] Advantageously, the stationary blades 132 may be evenly distributed, i.e., the size of the space 139 separating the pressure surface 137 of a first stationary blade 132 from the suction surface 138 of a second stationary blade 132 following the first stationary blade 132 may be equal to or substantially equal to the size of the space 139 separating the pressure surface 137 of the second stationary blade 132 from the suction surface of a third stationary blade 132 immediately following the second stationary blade 132.

[0058] As described in further detail below, each stationary blade 132 may nearly share at least three portions S1 , S2 , S3 having specific characteristics, which allow each of these stationary blades 132 to direct air flow toward the rotation axis of the radial propeller.

[0059] Figures 5 to 7A cross section through a first portion S1 of one of the stationary blades 132, a cross section through a second portion S2 of the same stationary blade 132, and a cross section through a third portion S3 of the same stationary blade 132 are shown, respectively, wherein the cross section of the first portion S1 is taken along a first transverse plane AA located at a first distance r1 from the center 230 of the guide member 130, the cross section of the second portion S2 is taken along a second transverse plane BB located at a second distance r2 from the center 230 of the guide member 130, and the cross section of the third portion S3 is taken along a third transverse plane CC located at a third distance r3 from the center 230 of the guide member 130, wherein the first transverse plane AA, the second transverse plane BB, and the third transverse plane CC are each perpendicular to the radial extension axis X of the associated stationary blade 132. As shown in the figure, the first distance r1, the second distance r2, and the third distance r3 are measured between the center 230 of the guide member 130 (in this case coinciding with the center of the support 131 of the means for moving the propeller) and the leading edge 135 of the associated stationary blade 132. According to the example shown here, the first distance r1 is equal to or substantially equal to 80 mm, the second distance r2 is equal to or substantially equal to 90 mm, and the third distance r3 is equal to or substantially equal to 100 mm. In other words, the first portion S1, the second portion S2, and the third portion S3 of the stationary blade 132 are aligned in this order along the radially extending axis X of the relevant stationary blade 132 between the inner end 133 of the relevant stationary blade 132 and the outer end 134 of the relevant stationary blade 132.

[0060] In the illustrated example, a first angular offset α1 measured between a first straight line D1 passing through the leading edge 135 in the first section S1 and a second straight line D2 passing through the leading edge 135 in the second section S2 ranges from 2.5° to 4.5°. A second angular offset α2 measured between the second straight line D2 and a third straight line D3 passing through the leading edge 135 in the third section S3 ranges from 3° to 5°. More specifically, the first straight line D1 passes through the center 230 of the guide member and a point on the leading edge 135 of the stationary blade 132 located a first distance r1 from the center 230 of the guide member, the second straight line D2 passes through the center 230 of the guide member and a point on the leading edge 135 of the stationary blade 132 located a second distance r2 from the center 230, and the third straight line D3 passes through the center 230 of the guide member and a point on the leading edge 135 of the stationary blade 132 located a third distance r3 from the center 230.

[0061] Reference Figures 5 to 7 Before providing features specific to each of the three sections S1 , S2 , and S3 , features common to the cross-sections of each section will first be described.

[0062] Thus, as described above, each stationary blade 132 includes a pressure surface 137 and a suction surface 138 connected together by a leading edge 135 and a trailing edge 136. It should be noted that the cross section of the stationary blade 132 extends along a camber line C between the leading edge 135 and the trailing edge 136. This camber line C is inscribed in circles C1, C2, and C3, which are schematically and partially shown as dashed lines in the figure.

[0063] The cross-sections of the stationary blades 132 share a number of common dimensions. Specifically, each stationary blade 132 has at least one chord line Ch and at least one maximum camber Hmax. The chord line Ch of a stationary blade 132 corresponds to the straight line portion extending between the leading edge 135 and the trailing edge 136 of the stationary blade 132. According to the example shown here, the dimension of the chord line Ch ranges from 20.2 mm to 30.4 mm. The maximum camber Hmax of the stationary blade 132 itself corresponds to the dimension of the stationary blade 132 measured between the chord line Ch and the camber line C, parallel to a line d extending perpendicular to the chord line Ch and intersecting the camber line C, with the maximum camber Hmax corresponding to the maximum dimension that can be measured in this manner. According to the example shown, the maximum camber Hmax ranges from 3.1 mm to 4.7 mm. Furthermore, a distance P.Hmax measured between the leading edge 135 of the stationary blade 132 and the intersection point between the pressure surface 137 and a straight line d perpendicular to the aforementioned chord line Ch and along which the maximum camber Hmax is measured ranges from 10 mm to 15.2 mm.

[0064] The cross-sections of these portions of each stationary blade 132 are further characterized by the ratio between a first angle β1 measured between the camber line C at the leading edge 135 of the stationary blade 132 and a tangent to the circles C1, C2, C3 at the leading edge 135 of the stationary blade 132 and a second angle β2 measured between the camber line C at the trailing edge 136 and a tangent to the circles C1, C2, C3 at the leading edge 135 of the stationary blade 132.

[0065] According to the illustrated example, the ratio between the first angle β1 and the second angle β2 measured in the first portion S1 ranges from 0.03 to 0.07, the ratio between the first angle β1 and the second angle β2 measured in the second portion S2 ranges from 0.05 to 0.12, and the ratio between the first angle β1 and the second angle β2 measured in the third portion S3 ranges from 0.02 to 0.07. In other words, the ratio is substantially the same in the first portion S1 and the third portion S3, but is greater in the second portion S2.

[0066] These different ratios represent the evolution of the curvature exhibited by each stationary blade 132 of the guide member 130 and which allows the air flow to be directed towards the axis of rotation of the radial propeller. Figure 8 The operation of the ventilator device 100 according to the present invention will be described in further detail.

[0067] For example, the first angle β1 measured in the first portion S1 may range from 4° to 6.2°, and the second angle β2 measured in the first portion S2 may range from 85° to 128°. The first angle β1 measured in the second portion S2 itself may range from 6° to 9.3°, and the second angle β2 measured in the second portion S2 may range from 79.5° to 119.3°. Finally, the first angle β1 measured in the third portion S3 may range from 3.4° to 5.2°, and the second angle β2 measured in the third portion S3 may range from 79.4° to 119.3°.

[0068] Figure 8 The ventilation device 100 is shown along the Figure 2 The vertical plane DD shown is a vertical section taken and therefore shows the inner volume 210 of the housing 110 and the arrangement of in particular the propeller 120 and the air flow guiding member 130 within this inner volume 210 of the housing 110 .

[0069] As mentioned above, the housing 110 extends between the air inlet opening 111 and the air outlet opening 112 along the main extension line D. The air inlet opening 111 , the impeller 120 , the guide member 130 and the air outlet opening 112 are aligned in this order along the main extension line D of the housing 110 .

[0070] The propeller 120 is more specifically arranged so that its air inlet 126 emerges at the air inlet opening 111 formed in the wall 114 of the housing 110. A support 131 and an air guide member 130 for the components that move the propeller 120 are arranged below the propeller 120, that is, between the propeller 120 and the air outlet opening 112, wherein the air guide member 130 is interposed between the support 131 of the moving component and the wall 114 of the housing 110. As described above, the moving component (not shown here) can take the form of an electric motor, for example, and can include a drive shaft extending into the hub 121 of the propeller 120. The drive shaft thus rotates the hub 121 and thereby the entire propeller 120, and in particular the movable blades 122 of the propeller 120, in order to generate the air flow FA.

[0071] As described above, the movable blades 122 of the propeller 120 extend between the bowl 123 of the propeller 120 and the edge 124 of the propeller 120. When viewed from the inner perimeter of the propeller 120, the bowl 123 of the propeller 120 has a convex shape. The bowl 123 is also penetrated by the hub 121 of the propeller 120, which can accommodate the drive shaft of the moving parts. As shown in the figure, the outer edge 220 of at least one movable blade 122 of the propeller 120 extends parallel to the rotation axis R of the propeller 120. Advantageously, the outer edges 220 of all movable blades 122 extend parallel to the rotation axis R of the propeller 120.

[0072] It should also be noted that the inner edge 129 and outer edge 220 of each movable blade 122 have different heights and different positions. "Different positions" should be understood to mean that the inner edge 129 and the outer edge 220 of the movable blade 122 are offset relative to each other along the axis of rotation R of the propeller 120. "Edge height" should be understood to mean the dimension of the edge measured parallel to the propeller's axis of rotation R between the bowl 123 and the edge 124 of the propeller 120. Thus, the height h1 of the inner edge 129 of the movable blade 122 of the propeller 120 is greater than the height h2 of the outer edge 220 of the propeller 120. In particular, the height h1 of the inner edge 129 of the movable blade 122 can be set, for example, in the range of 36.6 mm to 55 mm, and the height h2 of the outer edge 220 of the same movable blade 122 can be set in the range of 29 mm to 44 mm. In other words, the ratio between the height h1 of the inner edge 129 of the blade and the height h2 of the outer edge 220 of the movable blade 122 ranges from 1.1 to 1.9. The propeller 120 may also be characterized by an inner radius R1, where the inner radius R1 is measured between the rotation axis R of the propeller 120 and a point of the bowl 123 located to the right of the inner edge 129 of one of the movable blades 122 of the propeller 120, in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis R of the propeller 120. In other words, the inner radius R1 is measured between the center of the hub 121 of the propeller 120 and the inner edge 129 of one of the movable blades 122. For example, the inner radius R1 of the propeller 120 ranges from 36 mm to 54 mm. Finally, the propeller 120 has an outer radius R2, measured in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation R of the propeller 120, between the axis of rotation R and a point of the bowl 123 to the right of the outer edge 220 of one of the movable blades 122 of the propeller 120. For example, the outer radius R2 of the propeller 120 may range from 64 mm to 96 mm.

[0073] As shown in the figure, the air flow FA enters the housing 110 through the air inlet opening 111, then enters the propeller 120 through the air inlet 126 of the propeller 120, and then exits through the radial air outlet 221 of the propeller 120. The first curvature 117c of the wall 114 of the housing 110 covers the edge 124 of the propeller 120, and the second curvature 118c of the wall 114 is arranged to face the radial air outlet 221 of the propeller 120.

[0074] The airflow FA exiting the radial propeller 120 thus encounters the second curvature 118c of the wall 114, causing the path of the airflow FA to change, with the path now being directed toward the airflow guiding member 130. To allow for this straightening of the airflow FA upon exiting the radial propeller 120, the second curvature 118c, as previously described, has a radius of curvature ranging from 23.1 mm to 34.7 mm, advantageously equal to or substantially equal to 28.9 mm. The airflow FA then enters the guide member 130 via the leading edges 135 of the guide member's fixed vanes 132. As described above, these fixed vanes 132 have a specific shape that deflects at least a portion of the airflow FA upon entering the guide member 130, thereby directing it toward the axis of rotation R of the propeller 120. The shape of these fixed vanes 132 also ensures that another portion of the airflow experiences little or no deflection as it passes through the guide member 130. In other words, it will be understood that the shape of the wall 114 of the housing 110 and of the fixed blades 132 of the guide member 130, together with the spaces 139 formed between consecutive fixed blades 132 of the guide member 130, allow the air flow FA to be guided so that its general direction, between the air inlet 126 of the propeller 120 and the air outlet opening 112 formed in the wall 114, is parallel to the main extension line D of the housing 110, which itself coincides with the axis of rotation R of the propeller 120. Advantageously, the air flow FA is thus guided over the entire surface of the air outlet opening 112, including at its center (through which the axis of rotation R passes), which allows the entire surface of the air filter 113 covering this air outlet opening 112 to be used, thereby improving the efficiency and durability of this air filter 113.

[0075] As will be appreciated from the above, the present invention provides a ventilation arrangement in which an air flow moves in a single general direction between an air inlet of the impeller and an air outlet opening of the housing.

[0076] However, the present invention is not limited to the devices and configurations described and illustrated herein, but also extends to any equivalent devices and configurations and any technically feasible combination of such devices. In particular, the shape and features of the radial propellers and the air flow guiding members may be modified without prejudice to the present invention, as long as they fulfill the functions described in this document.

Claims

1. A ventilation device (100) for a vehicle heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system (200), the ventilation device comprising at least one housing (110), the at least one housing comprising at least one wall (114) defining an interior volume (210), in which at least one rotatable radial propeller (120) and at least one guide member (130) are housed, the radial propeller (120) and the guide member (130) being configured to generate an air flow (FA) having a general direction parallel to an axis of rotation (R) of the radial propeller (120) between an air inlet (126) of the radial propeller (120) and an air outlet opening (112) formed in the wall (114) of the housing (110) of the ventilation device (100), wherein at least a portion of the wall (114) of the housing (110) is configured to straighten the air flow (FA) leaving the radial propeller (120), characterized in that The guide member (130) is configured to guide the air flow (FA) toward the rotation axis (R) of the radial propeller (120), wherein the housing (110) of the ventilation device (100) comprises at least one upper portion (115) accommodating the radial propeller (120) and a lower portion (116) accommodating the guide member (130), the upper portion (115) comprising at least one first convex curvature (117c) when viewed from the rotation axis (R) of the radial propeller (120) and at least one second concave curvature (118c) when viewed from the rotation axis (R) of the radial propeller (120), the at least one first convex curvature (117c) covering an edge (124) of the radial propeller (120), and the at least one second concave curvature (118c) being arranged to face a radial air outlet (221) of the radial propeller (120), wherein the air flow (FA) guiding member (130) comprises a plurality of fixed blades (132), wherein at least one fixed blade (132) of the air flow (FA) guiding member (130) comprises a pressure surface (137) and a suction surface (138) connected together by a leading edge (135) and a trailing edge (136), wherein the fixed blade (132) comprises a cross section extending along a camber line (C) between the leading edge (135) and the trailing edge (136) when viewed in a plane perpendicular to a radial extension axis (X) of the corresponding fixed blade (132), wherein the A camber line (C) is inscribed in a circle (C1, C2, C3), wherein a first angle (β1) is formed between a tangent line of the circle (C1, C2, C3) at the leading edge (135) and the camber line (C) at the leading edge (135), and a second angle (β2) is formed between a tangent line of the circle (C1, C2, C3) at the leading edge (135) and the camber line (C) at the trailing edge (136), wherein the first angle (β1) ranges from 3° to 10°, and the second angle (β2) ranges from 79° to 128°.

2. The ventilation device (100) according to claim 1, wherein The plurality of stationary blades are axially disposed between the radial propeller (120) and the air outlet opening (112).

3. The ventilation device (100) according to claim 2, wherein: At least one stationary vane (132) of the air flow (FA) directing member (130) includes at least one outer end (134) rigidly connected to a wall (114) of the housing (110).

4. The ventilation device (100) according to claim 1, wherein The radial propeller (120) includes a plurality of movable blades (122), wherein each movable blade (122) includes an inner edge (129) oriented toward the rotation axis (R) of the radial propeller (120) and an outer edge (220) oriented away from the inner edge (129), wherein at least one outer edge (220) extends parallel to the rotation axis (R) of the radial propeller (120).

5. The ventilation device (100) according to claim 4, wherein The inner radius (R1) of the radial propeller (120) ranges from 36 mm to 54 mm, the inner radius being measured in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation (R) of the radial propeller (120) and the inner edge (129) of one of the movable blades (122) of the radial propeller (120).

6. The ventilation device (100) according to claim 4, wherein: The height (h1) of the inner edge (129) of the movable blade (122) measured parallel to the rotation axis (R) of the radial propeller (120) is greater than the height (h2) of the outer edge (220) of the movable blade (122) measured parallel to the rotation axis (R) of the radial propeller (120).

7. The ventilation device (100) according to claim 1, wherein At least one stationary blade (132) of the air flow (FA) guide member (130) includes a first portion (S1), a second portion (S2), and a third portion (S3), the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion being aligned in this order along a radial extension axis (X) of the stationary blade (132) toward a wall (114) of the housing (110), wherein a ratio between the first angle (β1) and the second angle (β2) measured in the first portion (S1) ranges from 0.03 to 0.07, a ratio between the first angle (β1) and the second angle (β2) measured in the second portion (S2) ranges from 0.05 to 0.12, and a ratio between the first angle (β1) and the second angle (β2) measured in the third portion (S3) ranges from 0.02 to 0.

07.

8. The ventilation device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, wherein: The radial propeller (120) is capable of being rotated by at least one moving component (140), the housing (110) includes at least one support (131), the at least one support is capable of accommodating at least one moving component (140) for moving the radial propeller (120), and wherein the guide member (130) is interposed between the support (131) capable of accommodating the at least one moving component (140) and a wall (114) of the housing (110).

9. The ventilation device (100) according to claim 8, wherein: At least one fixed blade (132) of the air flow (FA) guiding member (130) includes at least one inner end (133) and at least one outer end (134), wherein the at least one inner end is rigidly connected to a support (131) capable of accommodating the moving part (140), and the at least one outer end is rigidly connected to a wall (114) of the housing (110).

10. A heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system (200) for a vehicle, comprising at least one ventilation device (100) as described in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, the system (200) comprising at least one heat exchanger (202), the at least one heat exchanger being configured to exchange heat between the air flow (FA) guided by the ventilation device (100) and a coolant.

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