Arrangement and method for supplying ventilation air to a ventilation device for a vehicle interior and motor vehicle

The air supply arrangement in vehicles uses a divided air chamber with opposing air flows and a water separation mechanism to address uniformity and water entrainment issues, achieving efficient and compact ventilation.

DE102016222150B4Active Publication Date: 2026-02-05FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC
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Patent Information

Application Number
DE102016222150
Authority / Receiving Office
DE · DE
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2015-12-09
Filing Date
2016-11-11
Publication Date
2026-02-05
Estimated Expiration
2036-11-11

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing ventilation systems in vehicles face challenges in providing uniform air supply and preventing the entrainment of liquid water under varying operating conditions, particularly at high speeds or pressure gradients, often requiring complex dynamic pressure compensation measures.

Method used

An air supply arrangement with an air chamber divided into sub-chambers, utilizing a helical main air flow and a counter-air flow directed oppositely to combine and reduce velocity, combined with a water separation mechanism to minimize water entrainment and pressure fluctuations.

Benefits of technology

Ensures uniform air supply and effective water separation, reducing flow velocity and pressure fluctuations while maintaining adequate mass flow, even under adverse conditions, with a compact and efficient design.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

Arrangement (1) for supplying ventilation air to a ventilation device (10) for a vehicle interior (21), comprising an air chamber (2) with a first air inlet opening (24) and with an air outlet opening (9) which constitutes an intake opening of the ventilation device (10) or is connected to it, wherein the arrangement (1) comprises an air guide device (12, 28) which divides the air chamber (2) into a first sub-chamber (13) and a second sub-chamber (14), wherein the first sub-chamber (13) has the first air inlet opening (24) and the air outlet opening (9), wherein the air outlet opening (9) is connected to the first air inlet opening (24), and wherein the second sub-chamber (14) has a second air inlet opening and a through-opening (15) which is connected to the second air inlet opening and which opens into the first sub-chamber (13), wherein the air chamber (2) is elongated,wherein the second subchamber (14) is arranged in an end region of the air chamber (2) and wherein the air outlet opening (9) is arranged in an end region of the first subchamber (13) adjacent to the second subchamber (14), and wherein the first air inlet opening (24) is arranged in a front upper region of the air chamber (2) and the passage opening (15) is arranged in an upper region of the air chamber (2) facing rearward.
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Description

The invention relates to an arrangement and a method for supplying ventilation air to a ventilation device for a vehicle interior, and to a motor vehicle having a corresponding arrangement.Motor vehicles frequently have a closed vehicle interior which is typically designed as a passenger cabin for receiving the passengers of the motor vehicle or else as a cargo space which is separate from the latter or connected to the latter. The vehicle interior can be supplied with fresh air by means of a ventilation device. A heating and / or air conditioning device is generally connected to the ventilation device, which usually comprises a ventilation fan for active air supply, and can form a unit with the latter, which is also referred to as a heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit (HVAC).The ventilation air to be supplied to the vehicle interior is usually taken up by an air inlet opening arranged in front of the windshield of the motor vehicle and extending in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle. From the air inlet opening, the ventilation air reaches an air chamber, within which it flows to an air outlet opening of the air chamber and reaches through the latter into the ventilation device. The ventilation device conveys the ventilation air in a temperature-controlled or air-conditioned form into the vehicle interior.The air inlet opening may include an inlet grille to prevent ingress of leaves or other larger items. On the other hand, drop-shaped water impinging as rain or spray water can pass through the air inlet opening and thereby reaches the air chamber. It is therefore known to design the arrangement for supplying air, in particular the air chamber, in such a way that the water is separated and does not enter the ventilation device. It is also desirable to provide the ventilation device with the ventilation air at a suitable, uniform pressure and with a sufficient mass flow even under different operating conditions, for example at different switching stages of the ventilation fan. The air chamber also serves to keep unwanted heat from the engine compartment away from the ventilation device and the vehicle interior.Under adverse conditions, it may be possible in known air supply arrangements for the air flow generated within the air chamber to have a sufficiently high speed to absorb any separated water which may be present in the base region of the air chamber and introduce it into the venting device in the form of droplets. Furthermore, at high travel speeds, for example above 140 km / h, and in vehicles with a large pressure gradient between the air inlet opening and the air outlet opening, uncontrolled air flow through the ventilation device may occasionally occur. In order to avoid this, it is known to take measures for dynamic pressure compensation, for example corresponding additional devices and / or a corresponding control of the ventilation device, which, however, is associated with increased effort.US 2010 / 0052364 A1 discloses an air supply arrangement of a vehicle, which has an air inlet, an air outlet, an air flow path and a flow restriction device. The flow restrictor is disposed in the air flow path between the air inlet and the air outlet and is configured and arranged to automatically decrease the air flow from the air inlet to the air outlet as the air flow through the air inlet increases.According to US 2014 / 0017987 A1, an air supply arrangement comprises a housing with an air inlet and an air outlet as well as a cover inside the housing. The cover is arranged such that the air flow is divided into two partial air flows, wherein a first partial air flow flows between the cover and an upper part of the housing and the second partial air flow flows underneath the cover. After passing the cover, the first and the second partial air flow enter the air outlet.DE 34 22 182 A1 discloses a housing for a heating or air-conditioning device for a motor vehicle, which housing has two lateral air outlet openings which are formed on two opposite sides of a chamber which serves for mixing air at an external temperature with air which has passed through a heat exchanger. In order to compensate for a temperature difference between the two air outlet openings, a bypass channel is provided for bypassing the heat exchanger, which bypass channel has an outlet opening which opens into a channel which leads from the outlet side of the heat exchanger to the chamber.U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,458 A discloses an arrangement for supplying ventilation air to a vehicle ventilation device, having an air chamber which extends in the transverse direction of the vehicle and which has air inlet openings on its upper side in the region of the front-windshield-side end of the engine hood and has, in its right-hand end region, a box which projects from below into the air chamber and has an air outlet opening with a regulating flap leading to an HVAC system. Above the box, an intermediate wall is provided which extends approximately over the right-hand half of the air chamber and divides the air chamber in this region into an upper and a lower chamber, so that, together with other measures, water is prevented from entering the air outlet.It is the object of the present invention to specify an arrangement and a method for supplying ventilation air to a ventilation device for a vehicle interior and a motor vehicle having a corresponding arrangement, wherein the above-mentioned disadvantages are avoided as far as possible, wherein, in particular, adequate and uniform air supply to the ventilation device is made possible in a simple manner even under different operating conditions and entrainment of liquid water can be avoided.This object is achieved by an arrangement and by a method and a motor vehicle as specified in the independent claims.An arrangement according to the invention for supplying ventilation air to a ventilation device for a vehicle interior, which arrangement is also referred to below as an air supply arrangement, comprises an air chamber which has a first air inlet opening and an air outlet opening. The air chamber may have further air inlet openings. The air outlet opening simultaneously represents a suction opening of the ventilation device or is connected to the latter, through which the ventilation air to be supplied to the vehicle interior reaches the ventilation device. The ventilation device for the vehicle interior is preferably designed as a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning unit (HVAC). The vehicle interior is in particular a passenger cabin and / or a cargo space of a motor vehicle. The air chamber is configured to form a main air flow from the first air inlet opening to the air outlet opening. At least a portion of the air to be supplied to the ventilation device thus reaches the air chamber through the first air inlet opening and optionally further air inlet openings, flows from there along a flow path as a main air flow through the air chamber to the air outlet opening and reaches the ventilation device through the latter. The main air stream flows in particular along a substantially helical flow path and thus forms a helix or a cyclone in the air chamber, as a result of which efficient water separation from the main air stream is made possible in a simple manner.According to the invention, the air supply arrangement comprises an air guiding device which divides the air chamber into a first and a second sub-chamber. The first sub-chamber has the first air inlet opening and the air outlet opening, wherein the air outlet opening is connected to the first air inlet opening via a flow path running within the first sub-chamber. The main air flow thus flows from the first air inlet opening within the first sub-chamber along the flow path to the air outlet opening, wherein the main air flow can form the cyclone. The second subchamber also has an air inlet opening, referred to herein as a second air inlet opening; the second subchamber may have further air inlet openings. The second sub-chamber further comprises a passage opening connected to the second air inlet opening. At least a portion of the air entering the second subchamber through the second air inlet opening and optionally further air inlet openings flows through the second subchamber to the passage opening. The passage opening opens into the first sub-chamber. At least a portion of the air entering the second subchamber through the second air inlet opening thus reaches the first subchamber through the passage opening and there at least partially to the air outlet opening. In particular, the passage opening is formed in an outlet region of the first subchamber or a short distance upstream of the air outlet opening, with respect to the flow path of the main air flow from the first air inlet opening to the air outlet opening, such that the air flow entering the first subchamber through the passage opening preferably impinges on the main air flow in the region of the outlet opening or shortly before it. The two air streams are thus combined with one another shortly before the outlet opening and pass together to the ventilation device.By providing an air guiding device for combining the main air flow from the first inlet opening to the outlet opening with a further air flow, it can be achieved that the flow speed of the ventilation air flowing into the air outlet opening is reduced and thereby the risk of water located at the bottom of the air chamber being entrained and entering the ventilation device is avoided. This also makes it possible to achieve a simple reduction in fluctuations in the pressure and the mass flow. In this case, a particularly compact design can be made possible by the fact that the air guiding device divides the air chamber into a first and a second sub-chamber, wherein the main air flow is formed in the first sub-chamber and a further air flow is formed in the second sub-chamber, which air flow passes through the passage opening into the first sub-chamber and is combined there with the main air flow. The first sub-chamber may have a progressive cross-section in order to maximize compactness.The passage opening is preferably arranged counter to a flow direction of the main air flow flowing from the first air inlet opening through the first sub-chamber to the air outlet opening. The air flow guided through the second subchamber and entering the first subchamber through the passage opening is therefore referred to here as the counter-air flow. According to this embodiment of the invention, the air guiding device is designed for supplying the counter-air flow from the second sub-chamber into the first sub-chamber in such a way that the counter-air flow in the first sub-chamber impinges on the main air flow in a direction substantially opposite to a flow direction of the main air flow. The air guiding device is thus arranged and configured in such a way that a counter-air flow is formed, which is guided into the flow path of the main air flow at such a position and with such a direction that the flow direction of the counter-air flow is directed substantially opposite to that of the main air flow in the region of the meeting of the air flows. This makes it possible to achieve in a particularly effective manner that the flow speed of the ventilation air flowing into the air outlet opening is reduced and the risk of water located at the bottom of the air chamber being entrained and entering the ventilation device is avoided. It is also possible in this way to reduce fluctuations in the pressure and the mass flow in a particularly effective manner, and it is also possible to achieve provision of ventilation air for the ventilation device under a suitable pressure and extensive compensation of the dynamic pressure.According to the invention, the first air inlet opening is arranged in a front upper region of the air chamber, with respect to an intended installation position of the air supply arrangement and a forward direction of the vehicle. In this way, a favorable use of space and a favorable flow guidance of the main air flow, in particular for forming a cyclone, can be achieved. Furthermore, the passage opening is arranged counter to a flow direction of the main air flow in that the passage opening is arranged in an upper region of the air chamber directed substantially rearward. Since the main air flow is directed substantially downward in the front region of the air chamber and, when forming a cyclone in the upper region, flows directed substantially forward, the counter-air flow is combined with the main air flow counter to the flow direction of the main air flow by a rearward arrangement of the passage opening in the upper region of the air chamber. This makes it possible to achieve a further improved reduction in the flow velocity of the ventilation air flowing into the air outlet opening and in the fluctuations in the pressure and the mass flow. The flow direction of the main and / or the counter-air flow can additionally have a component transversely to the forward direction of the vehicle.According to the invention, the air chamber is designed to be elongate and can be arranged in particular transversely to a forward direction of the vehicle, within which the vehicle interior is formed. This allows a space-saving installation of the air chamber into the vehicle and a configuration with a sufficient volume. According to the invention, the second sub-chamber is arranged in an end region of the elongate air chamber and the air outlet opening is arranged in an end region of the first sub-chamber adjoining the second sub-chamber. The second sub-chamber thus adjoins, in the longitudinal or transverse direction of the air chamber, that end region of the first sub-chamber which has the air outlet opening. The air guiding device, which is arranged between the first and the second subchamber, therefore adjoins an outlet region of the first subchamber. This allows a compact and simple configuration of the air supply arrangement and a simple and effective supply of the counter-air flow.Furthermore, it is preferred that the air guiding device, in relation to the intended installation position of the air supply arrangement within the vehicle, is designed as a vertical, horizontal or obliquely directed partition wall between the first and the second subchamber, which partition wall has the passage opening for guiding the counter-air flow into the first subchamber. The partition wall thus largely separates the first and the second subchambers from one another, but allows a defined air flow to pass over as counter-air flow from the second subchamber into the first subchamber. The passage opening can be formed, for example, in the form of a slot. Preferably, the passage opening extends in the longitudinal direction of the air chamber only over a part of the extension of the partition wall. By appropriate configuration of the passage opening, it is possible in a simple manner to configure the counter-air flow in terms of position, flow cross section and direction such that it impinges on the main air flow in a substantially opposite direction.Preferably, the partition wall extends into or beyond a region of the first sub-chamber opposite the air outlet opening. This makes it possible in a simple manner to feed the counter-air flow into the flow path of the main air flow in the region of the outlet opening or, with respect to the entire flow path of the main air flow in the first sub-chamber, a short distance upstream of the outlet opening. At the same time, it is made possible that the counter-air flow is not directed directly onto the outlet opening. In particular, the passage opening can be offset in the longitudinal direction of the air chamber with respect to the air outlet opening. This makes it possible to achieve a particularly effective homogenization of the air flow entering the ventilation device.The air guiding device is preferably designed such that the counter-air flow is supplied opposite the main air flow at least in the tangential direction. The counter-air flow, if it were not incident on the main air flow, would thus form a vortex in the first subchamber which is directed counter to the main air flow. Because the counter-air flow impinges tangentially in the opposite direction to the main air flow, a compensation of the velocity component of the main air flow that is tangential with respect to the helical flow path and thus already a substantial reduction of the flow velocity and a homogenization of the air flow into the air outlet opening is made possible.Furthermore, it is preferred that the counter-air flow is also supplied in an axial direction relative to the helix formed by the flow lines of the main air flow opposite the main air flow into the outlet region of the first subchamber. This enables a further improved settling and homogenization of the air flow.Advantageously, a water conducting device is arranged within the air chamber, through which water separated on the walls of the air chamber can be guided to one or more water discharge openings. The water-conducting device is in particular designed as a substantially encircling flange projecting inward from the walls of the air chamber or as an encircling bead. The water guiding device can be arranged, for example, within the first sub-chamber between the passage opening and the outlet opening, i.e. downstream of the combination of the main air flow and the counter-air flow, and thereby divide an outlet region in the first sub-chamber. The water guiding device not only enables an improved discharge of separated water and an additional safety against the penetration of water into the ventilation device, but can also contribute to the homogenization of the air flow reaching the outlet opening and to the minimization of pressure fluctuations.The air guiding device itself is preferably designed for water separation, for example by providing an edge around which the counter-air flow flows. This makes it possible in a simple manner to separate water drops contained in the counter-air flow from the air flow. Alternatively or additionally, the air flow within the second subchamber can likewise flow along a helical flow path, wherein said flow can be directed axially and tangentially opposite the flow of the main air flow. This additionally allows improved water separation also in the second subchamber.According to a method according to the invention for supplying ventilation air to a ventilation device for a vehicle interior, a main air flow from the first air inlet opening to the air outlet opening is formed in an air chamber which has an air outlet opening for supplying the ventilation air to the ventilation device and a first air inlet opening. The air chamber is divided into first and second compartments, wherein the main air flow is formed in the first compartment and flows along a substantially helical flow path from the first air inlet port to the air outlet port. Furthermore, a counter-air flow is formed in the second sub-chamber, and the counter-air flow is guided into the first sub-chamber in such a way that it impinges on the main air flow in a direction which is directed substantially opposite to the flow direction of the main air flow. In particular, the counter-air flow is supplied in tangential and preferably also in axial direction opposite the main air flow.The invention also relates to a motor vehicle having an air supply arrangement which is designed as described above. In particular, the air chamber of the air supply arrangement extends transversely to a forward direction of the motor vehicle, wherein the first and the second air inlet openings are covered by a preferably common inlet grille. The first and second air inlet openings may together form a continuous air inlet opening which is arranged in the region of the cowl or directly in front of the windshield of the motor vehicle and extends substantially over the entire width thereof. Preferably, the axis of the helix, which can be formed by the flow path of the main air flow, is directed in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle.The invention is explained in more detail below by way of example with reference to the drawings. The following are shown: FIGS. 1 ato 1 d show schematic sectional representations of a first exemplary embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention for supplying ventilation air to a ventilation device for a vehicle interior; FIGS. 2 aand 2 b show schematic sectional representations of a second exemplary embodiment of an air supply arrangement according to the invention; FIG. 3 shows a schematic section through an air supply arrangement according to FIGS. 2 aand 2 b, wherein the air flow is illustrated in the case that no main air flow would be present; FIGS. 4 aand 4 b show a perspective illustration of a third exemplary embodiment of an air supply arrangement according to the invention, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of an air supply arrangement according to the invention.FIGS. 1a to 1d show an exemplary embodiment of an air supply arrangement according to the invention in schematic form in different sectional planes. In the following, the sectional planes are referred to with reference to the installation position of the air supply arrangement 1 in a motor vehicle; likewise, the terms "left" and "right" refer to a forward direction of the motor vehicle. In the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures, the air supply arrangement 1 is intended for a motor vehicle with left-hand steering; in this case, for space reasons, the ventilation device is arranged on the right side in front of the vehicle interior. In vehicles with right-hand steering, the air supply arrangement 1 can be designed correspondingly in mirror image form.FIG. 1a shows a sectional view in a vertical plane which extends transversely to the forward direction of the motor vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1 a, the air supply arrangement 1 comprises an elongate air chamber 2 which extends in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle and is closed off by a floor 3, a ceiling 4, end side walls 5, 6 and a front wall 7 and a rear wall 8 (see also FIGS. 1 bto 1 d). The rear wall 8 has an air outlet opening 9, through which an air flow can pass to a ventilation device 10, which is symbolically indicated in FIG. 1 c. In a motor vehicle with left-hand steering, the air outlet opening 9 is located on the right side of the air chamber 2. the ventilation device 10 is in the described exemplary embodiments a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning unit which comprises at least one blower fan and devices for heating and air-conditioning the ventilation air flowing through the air outlet opening 9 into the ventilation device 10 and conducted on into a vehicle interior. In the area of the ceiling 4, in front of the air chamber 2, as viewed in the forward direction of the motor vehicle, there is an air inlet opening which is closed by an inlet grille 11, which is likewise symbolically indicated in FIG. 1 a.A horizontal partition wall 12 extends in the horizontal direction within the air chamber 2 and divides the air chamber 2 into first and second sub-chambers, which are referred to here as main chamber 13 and secondary chamber 14. As shown in the section shown in FIG. 1 b, in a vertical plane parallel to the forward direction of the motor vehicle (denoted by A-A in FIG. 1 a), the horizontal partition wall 12 extends over the entire width of the air chamber 2 in the region of the air chamber 2 in which the air outlet opening 9 is arranged. In a region adjoining the latter, which is shown in FIG. 1 cin a corresponding sectional illustration (B-B in FIG. 1 a), the partition wall 12 forms a passage opening 15 to the main chamber 13. FIG. 1 dillustrates a section through the air supply arrangement 1 in a further parallel vertical longitudinal plane of the motor vehicle (C-C in FIG. 1 a), as seen from the left side of the motor vehicle.FIGS. 1 bto 1 dshow the air flow within the air supply arrangement 1 arising during operation of the ventilation device 10, in particular during operation of a ventilation fan of the ventilation device 10 during driving operation of the motor vehicle. Air passes through the inlet grille 11 and the air inlet opening arranged in the upper region of the air chamber 2 and extending substantially over the entire width of the air chamber 2 through respective corresponding regions of the air inlet opening both into the main chamber 13 and into the secondary chamber 14. The tangential flow component of the main air flow 16 forming the cyclone is, as shown in FIG. 1d, directed in the region of the floor 3 counter to the forward direction of the motor vehicle, in the region of the rear wall 8 upward, in the region of the ceiling 4 in the forward direction and in the region of the front wall 7 downward. The axial flow component of the main air flow 16 is directed to the right, i.e. in the direction of the air outlet opening 9. Further, through the part of the air inlet opening where the horizontal partition wall 12 extends, an air flow enters the sub chamber 14. This air flow is guided within the secondary chamber in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle to the passage opening 15, where it enters the main chamber 13 as a counter-air flow 17 and impinges on the main air flow 16 axially and tangentially thereto. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the counter-air flow 17 enters the main chamber 13 in the region of the ceiling 4, but has a velocity component directed counter to the forward direction of the motor vehicle and a velocity component directed to the right. Both the tangential and the axial flow velocity of the main air flow are thereby reduced or canceled, so that the air flow in the outlet region of the air chamber 2, i.e. in the region of the air outlet opening 9, has correspondingly lower flow velocities. As a result, a more uniform air flow which can be controlled better by means of the fan of the ventilation device 10 and a more uniform static pressure in the main chamber 13 in the region of the outlet opening 9 can be achieved.In addition to the function as an air guiding device, the horizontal partition wall 12 can at the same time have a function as water protection. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1a to 1d, a flange 18 which extends inwards from the walls of the air chamber 2 and serves as a water-conducting device is arranged in the region of the passage opening 15 of the secondary chamber 14 in the air chamber 2. The cyclone formed by the main air flow 16 leads to the separation of water droplets from the main air flow 16 at the floor 3, the ceiling 4 and the front and rear walls 7, 8 of the air chamber 2. The circumferential flange 18 prevents the water from entering the region of the air outlet opening 9. The water drops which enter the secondary chamber together with the air entering the latter are separated from the walls of the secondary chamber 14 and are likewise retained by the flange 18 and guided to a further water outlet opening 20. The counter-air flow 17 guided through the passage opening 15 into the main chamber 13 is thus likewise largely free of water drops. In addition to the function of discharging water, the encircling flange 18 additionally brings about a further homogenization of the air flow entering the region of the outlet opening 9.In a corresponding manner, a further embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 2 aand 2 b, wherein FIG. 2 bshows a section in the plane A-A; a section in the plane B-B corresponds to FIG. 1 d. In this case, the air inlet opening of the air chamber 2 is designed and arranged in such a way that even in the event of rain water droplets can only penetrate to a small extent; for example, the air inlet opening is completely covered by the engine hood. In this case, it may be sufficient that the horizontal partition wall 12 is made shorter in the forward direction of the vehicle, i.e., in the transverse direction of the air chamber 2. A further water protection can be dispensed with here. The passage opening 15, through which the counter-air flow 17 enters the main chamber 13, is arranged closer to the outlet opening 9 in the longitudinal direction of the air chamber 2. A single water discharge opening 19 is sufficient for any water remaining. Otherwise, the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 aand 2 bis designed like that described with reference to FIGS. 1 ato 1 d, and the tangential and the axial components of the main air flow 16 are compensated by the counter-air flow 17 in a corresponding manner.FIG. 3 schematically illustrates, in a vertical longitudinal plane of the motor vehicle, viewed from the left side of the motor vehicle, the installation of the air supply arrangement. The air supply arrangement is installed in the front region of the vehicle cabin, i.e. in the region of the dashboard, below the windshield 22. In front of the windshield 22, protected by the rear portion of the hood 23, the air inlet port 24 of the air supply assembly 1 is disposed. The air inlet opening 24 extends over the entire width of the windshield 22 and is covered by the inlet grille 11. The counter-air flow 17 guided through the horizontal partition wall 12 and the passage opening 15 into the main chamber 13, if the main air flow were not present, would form a vortex therein with a tangential flow direction which is opposite to that of the main air flow 16 (see FIG. 1 d ). As described above, a combination of the counter-air flow 17 with the main air flow 16 results in a reduced formation of vortices and thus a more uniform and more controllable flow in the region of the air outlet opening 9. In the embodiment described in FIGS. 1 ato 1 d, the horizontal partition wall 12 would be correspondingly longer in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle (see FIGS. 1 b, 1 c ).In FIGS. 4 aand 4 b, viewed from the right side of the motor vehicle, an air supply arrangement 1 is illustrated, which corresponds substantially to the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 ato 1 d. As shown in FIG. 4 a, the partition wall 12 is arranged substantially horizontally in the air chamber 2 and extends over the right-hand part of the air chamber 2. in the left-hand region of the horizontal partition wall 12 there is provided the passage opening 15 through which the counter-air flow 17 is guided into the main chamber 13. In order to avoid uncontrolled transfer of air from the secondary chamber 14 divided by the partition wall 12 into the main chamber 13, the secondary chamber 14 is laterally closed off by a side wall 25; the side wall 25 can have openings 26 for further reduction of pressure fluctuations. In FIG. 4 a, a windshield wiper 27 can also be seen.In FIG. 4 b, the air flow prevailing in the main chamber 13, which forms the main air flow 16, is indicated by arrows. As is further indicated in FIG. 4 b, the counter-air flow 17 enters the main chamber 13 tangentially counter to the direction of the main air flow 16 through the passage opening 15 formed at the rear edge of the separating wall 12. This enables a reduction in the flow speed and a reduction in fluctuations in the pressure and flow speed in the outlet region of the main chamber 13.FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the air supply arrangement 1 according to the invention. Here, the air chamber 2 is divided into a main chamber 13 and a sub-chamber 14 by an air guide device which is formed as a substantially vertically arranged partition 28. The vertical partition 28 is designed as a baffle plate bent twice, which defines a region of the secondary chamber 14 that extends beyond the region of the air outlet opening 9. There, i.e. arranged opposite the left edge region of the air outlet opening 9 within the air chamber 2, the vertical separating wall 28 has a passage opening 15 through which a counter-air flow 17 can enter the main chamber 13 tangentially and axially opposite the flow direction of the main air flow 16. A cyclone for water separation can likewise be formed within the secondary chamber 14; furthermore, the air guide device or the separating wall 28 can have one or more edges, around which the counter-air flow 17 is guided, in order additionally to achieve a water separation effect.For the sake of clarity, all reference numerals are not shown in all figures. Reference numerals not explained with respect to a figure have the same meaning as in the other figures.List of reference characters1 Air supply arrangement 2 Air chamber 3 Floor 4 Ceiling 5 Side wall 6 Side wall 7 Front wall 8 Rear wall 9 Air outlet opening 10 Ventilation device 11 Inlet grille 12 Partition wall 13 Main chamber 14 Secondary chamber 15 Passage opening 16 Main air flow 17 Counter air flow 18 Flange, water guide device 19 Water outlet opening 20 Water outlet opening 21 Vehicle interior 22 Windshield 23 Engine hood 24 Air inlet opening 25 Side wall 26 Opening 27 Windshield wiper 28 Partition wall

Claims

Arrangement (1) for supplying ventilation air to a ventilation device (10) for a vehicle interior (21), comprising an air chamber (2) having a first air inlet opening (24) and having an air outlet opening (9) which represents a suction opening of the ventilation device (10) or is connected thereto, wherein the arrangement (1) comprises an air guiding device (12, 28) which divides the air chamber (2) into a first sub-chamber (13) and a second sub-chamber (14), wherein the first sub-chamber (13) has the first air inlet opening (24) and the air outlet opening (9), wherein the air outlet opening (9) is connected to the first air inlet opening (24) and wherein the second sub-chamber (14) has a second air inlet opening and a passage opening (15) which is connected to the second air inlet opening and which opens into the first sub-chamber (13), wherein the air chamber (2) is of elongate design, wherein the second sub-chamber (14) is arranged in an end region of the air chamber (2) and wherein the air outlet opening (9) is arranged in an end region of the first sub-chamber (13) adjoining the second sub-chamber (14), and wherein the first air inlet opening (24) is arranged in a front upper region of the air chamber (2) and the passage opening (15) is arranged in an upper region of the air chamber (2) directed rearward.Arrangement (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the passage opening (15) is arranged in a manner counteracting a flow direction of a main air stream (16) flowing from the first air inlet opening through the first sub-chamber (13) to the air outlet opening (9).Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air-guiding device (12, 28) is designed as a vertical, horizontal or obliquely directed dividing wall (12, 28) which has the passage opening (15).Arrangement (1) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the dividing wall (12, 28) extends at least as far as into a region of the first sub-chamber (13) which lies opposite the air outlet opening (9).Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a water-conducting device (18) for conducting separated water to one or more water-discharge openings (19, 20) is arranged within the air chamber (2).Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air-guiding device (12, 28) is designed for water separation.Method for supplying ventilation air to a ventilation device (10) for a vehicle interior (21), wherein in an air chamber (2) which has an air outlet opening (9) for supplying the ventilation air to the ventilation device (10) and a first air inlet opening (24), a main air stream (16) is formed from the first air inlet opening (24) to the air outlet opening (9), characterized in that the air chamber (2) is divided into a first sub-chamber (13) and a second sub-chamber (14), in that the main air stream (16) is formed in the first sub-chamber (13) and flows along a helical or helical flow path having a helical axis running in the transverse direction of the vehicle, in that a counter-air stream (17) is formed in the second sub-chamber (14), and in that the counter-air stream (17) is supplied into the first sub-chamber (13), that said main air stream impinges on the main air stream (16) in a direction at least tangentially directed opposite a flow direction of the main air stream (16).Motor vehicle having an arrangement (1) for supplying ventilation air to a ventilation device (10) for a vehicle interior (21) of the motor vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 6.

Citation Information

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