Device for air conditioning a vehicle passenger compartment and associated vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an air conditioning system (30) for a vehicle passenger compartment. The air conditioning system (30) comprises: - an air handling unit (34) having a first recirculated air inlet (60), a second outside air inlet (62), and an conditioned air outlet (64); - a heat exchanger (36) adapted to cool and / or heat at least a portion of the air present in the air handling unit (34). The air conditioning system (30) further comprises a diverter (38) for at least a portion of the recirculated air, the diverter (38) being configured to divert at least a portion, preferably all, of the recirculated air arriving in the air handling unit (34) to the heat exchanger (36).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioning device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] The invention relates to the field of ventilation, heating and air conditioning of confined spaces. It finds particular application in the field of public transport vehicles, such as railway vehicles.

[0003] Indeed, it is necessary to equip public transport vehicles, particularly rail transport such as trains or subways, with ventilation, heating and air conditioning systems, known by the acronym HVAC (for "Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning"). This ensures a certain degree of thermal comfort for passengers, resulting in particular from good air circulation within the passenger compartment of the transport vehicle.

[0004] JP 3 190824 B2 and US 9 821 626 B2 describe, for example, air conditioning devices for a vehicle interior.

[0005] To save energy, it is known to take some of the air present in the passenger compartment, mix it with fresh air from outside the passenger compartment and heat or cool the resulting mixture, before blowing it into the passenger compartment.

[0006] However, in certain situations, it can be advantageous to increase the fresh air intake rather than recirculating the cabin air. This is particularly true when a large number of passengers and / or heating due to solar radiation result in a cabin temperature that is too high compared to the outside temperature. In this case, using recirculated air instead of fresh air is less energy-efficient.

[0007] It may also be necessary to blow exclusively air from outside the passenger compartment and to no longer reuse the recycled air from the passenger compartment, for example for sanitary reasons in an epidemic context or to remove smoke from the passenger compartment in the event of a fire.

[0008] However, existing HVAC systems are not designed to increase fresh air intake by eliminating recirculated air. They are generally sized to limit fresh air intake and therefore have a reduced fresh air inlet area. Increasing fresh air intake requires, among other things, modifying the fan that draws in the mixture of fresh and recirculated air.

[0009] Such modifications require lengthy and costly maintenance operations, during which the vehicle must be taken out of service.

[0010] One aim of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks by providing an air conditioning device that allows for a quick and inexpensive adjustment of fresh air and recycled air flow rates.

[0011] To this end, the invention proposes an air conditioning device according to claim 1.

[0012] The proposed system is thus able, thanks to the diversion device, to reduce, or even eliminate, the proportion of recycled air in the air blown into the passenger compartment and to increase the proportion of fresh air, without having to make substantial modifications to the air conditioning system.

[0013] The power of the heat exchanger's ventilation device(s) is thus used to extract the recycled air to the outside of the passenger compartment, without the need to modify or replace the existing fans.

[0014] The air conditioning device according to the invention may have one or more of the features of claims 2 to 8, taken independently or in any of their technically acceptable combinations.

[0015] The invention also relates to a transport vehicle according to claim 9.

[0016] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example and with reference to the attached figures, among which: there figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a transport vehicle comprising an air conditioning unit according to the invention; the figure 2 is a perspective view of an air conditioning system according to a first embodiment of the invention; the figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the air conditioning system of the figure 2 The air conditioning system, including a diverter device in a recirculation configuration; figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the air conditioning system of the figure 3 , the diversion device being here in a renewal configuration; the figure 5 is a perspective view of an air conditioning device according to a second embodiment of the invention; the figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the air conditioning system of the figure 5 .

[0017] We have represented, on the figure 1 , a transport vehicle 10 comprising a passenger compartment 12 and an air conditioning unit 14 for the passenger compartment 12.

[0018] Vehicle 10 is, for example, a rail vehicle, preferably a tram, metro, or regional or high-speed train. Alternatively, vehicle 10 is a road vehicle, such as a bus, or any other conceivable vehicle.

[0019] The passenger compartment 12 defines an interior 16 and an exterior 18 of the vehicle. The passenger compartment 12 includes, for example, side walls 20, a floor 22 and a roof 24.

[0020] In the following description, the "upper part" of the passenger compartment 12 means the volume of the passenger compartment located near the roof 24, and the "lower part" means the volume of the passenger compartment located near the floor 22.

[0021] Preferably, the passenger compartment 12 has air exhaust grilles 26 allowing some of the air from the passenger compartment 12 to be extracted by overpressure. In the example of the figure 1 , the air exhaust grilles 26 are provided in the upper part of the passenger compartment 12.

[0022] The cabin 12 is adapted to accommodate users such as passengers and / or to accommodate devices, for example electronics, and / or goods.

[0023] The air conditioning unit 14 includes an air conditioning unit 30, intended to produce treated, cooled or heated air, and an air distribution network suitable for distributing the treated air into the interior 16, for example by means of air distribution ducts (not shown) extending partly into a space provided between a ceiling 31 of the passenger compartment and the roof 24.

[0024] The air conditioning device 30 allows, in particular, the temperature in the passenger compartment 12 to be modified by drawing air from the interior 16 and / or the exterior 18 of the passenger compartment 12, and then blowing air conditioning into the passenger compartment 12. This air conditioning can be heated or cooled, depending on the settings of the air conditioning device 30.

[0025] In the example shown on the figure 1 , the air conditioning unit 30 is arranged in a box 32 fixed to the pavilion 24.

[0026] The air conditioning unit 30, shown in more detail on the figures 2 à 4 , includes an air handling unit 34, suitable for receiving recycled air from the interior 16 and / or outside air from the exterior 18 of the passenger compartment 12, and a heat exchanger 36, suitable for cooling and / or heating at least part of the air present in the air handling unit 34. The air handling unit 34 and the heat exchanger 36 are both arranged here in the box 32.

[0027] The air conditioning unit 30 further includes a diversion device 38 configured to divert at least part of the recycled air arriving in the air handling unit 34 to the heat exchanger 36.

[0028] For example, as shown on the figure 2 The box 32 is substantially parallelepiped in shape. The box 32 extends along a longitudinal direction X between a front face 321 and a rear face 322, along a transverse direction Y, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, between two lateral faces 323, here symmetrical, and along an elevation direction Z, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and transverse direction Y, between a lower face 324 and an upper face 325.

[0029] Note that the terms "front" and "rear" are arbitrary, used for convenience in this description. In particular, these terms do not imply the direction of travel of the vehicle, which could move in either direction.

[0030] In the example of the figure 1 , the lower face 324 of the box 32 is fixed to the pavilion 24, for example by riveting or by bolting onto fixing rails (not shown).

[0031] The air handling unit 34 is located in the front part of the box 32, i.e. near the front face 321, while the heat exchanger 36 is located in the rear part of the box 32, i.e. near the rear face 322. The air handling unit 34 and the heat exchanger 36 are hermetically separated by an internal partition 40 extending here in the transverse Y and elevation Z directions.

[0032] The air handling unit 34 has an inlet chamber 44 and a mixing chamber 46, said chambers being fluidly connected to each other. "Fluidly connected" means that an airflow is able to pass from the inlet chamber 44 to the mixing chamber 46.

[0033] The inlet chamber 44 is located in the front part of the box 32, i.e. near the front face 321, while the mixing chamber 46 is located near the partition 40. The inlet chamber 44 and the mixing chamber 46 are partially separated from each other by an internal wall 47.

[0034] The internal wall 47 extends here parallel to the partition 40 up to a free edge 471 over a height H, measured along the elevation direction Z and strictly less than the height of the inlet chambers 44 and mixing chambers 46. Thus, the internal wall 47 protrudes inside the box 32 from the lower face 324 over a height H, said height H being less than 80% of the height of the inlet chambers 44 and mixing chambers 46.

[0035] The intake chamber 44 therefore opens into the mixing chamber 46 at the level of an opening 48 delimited between the free edge 471 of the internal wall 47 and the upper face 325 of the box 32.

[0036] The inlet chamber 44 is here in a substantially parallelepiped shape. It has a width L, measured between the lateral faces 323, of between 0.5 m and 2.5 m and a depth p, measured between the front face 321 and the internal wall 47, of between 0.1 m and 1.0 m.

[0037] The admission chamber 44 has an upper part 50, located near the upper face 325, and a lower part 52, located near the lower face 324.

[0038] The air treatment device 34 has a first inlet 60 of recycled air from the interior 16 of the passenger compartment 12, a second inlet 62 of outside air from the exterior 18 of the passenger compartment 12 and an air outlet 64 towards the interior 16 of the passenger compartment 12.

[0039] In the first embodiment shown on the figures 2 à 4 , the first arrival 60 opens into the intake chamber 44, more particularly in the lower part 52 of the intake chamber 44, at the level of the lower face 324 of the box 32.

[0040] The first arrival 60 has a cross-section (i.e. taken in the X; Y plane when the first arrival 60 extends in the Z direction), for example of substantially rectangular shape, with an area between 0.1 m² and 1.25 m².

[0041] Thus, the air from inside the passenger compartment 12, also called recycled air, enters the air conditioning unit 30 through this first inlet 60. The recycled airflow is shown schematically on the figures 3 And 4 by the arrow F int.

[0042] The second inlet 62 opens into the intake chamber 44, more particularly into the upper part 50 of the intake chamber 44, at the level for example of the front face 321 of the box 32.

[0043] The second arrival 62 has a cross-section (i.e. taken in the Y plane; Z when the second arrival 62 extends in the X direction), for example of substantially rectangular shape, with an area between 0.5 m² and 2.5 m².

[0044] Thus, air from outside the passenger compartment 12, also called fresh air, enters the air conditioning unit 30 through this second inlet 62. The fresh air flow is schematically represented on the figures 3 And 4 by the arrow F ext.

[0045] In the recycling configuration, which will be described in more detail later, both the recycled airflow and the fresh airflow arrive in the mixing chamber 46, passing through the opening 48.

[0046] The air outlet 64 opens into the mixing chamber 46, for example at the lower face 324 of the box 32.

[0047] The air outlet 64 has a cross-section (i.e. taken in the X; Y plane when the air outlet 64 extends in the Z direction), for example of substantially rectangular shape, with an area between 0.1 m² and 1.25 m².

[0048] Thus, the air present in the mixing chamber 46 exits the air conditioning unit 30 through this air outlet 64. The outgoing airflow is shown schematically on the figures 3 And 4 by the arrow F s.

[0049] Air circulation through the air handling unit 34 is ensured in a conventional manner by at least one fan 66 (shown schematically on the figures 3 And 4 ), arranged in the air treatment device 34. The upstream side of said fan 66 allows air to be drawn from the interior 16 and / or the exterior 18 of the passenger compartment 12 through the air inlets 60, 62 to the intake chamber 44, then into the mixing chamber 46. The downstream side of said fan 66 allows the air present in the mixing chamber 46 to be blown towards the outlet 64 which leads, for example, to the distribution network of the vehicle 10, in order to redistribute this air into the passenger compartment 12.

[0050] The heat exchanger 36 is intended to exchange heat with the air circulating in the air treatment device 34, and more particularly with the air present in the mixing chamber 46.

[0051] The heat exchanger 36 is located in the example shown on the figures 2 à 4 at the rear face 322 of the box 32.

[0052] Heat exchanger 36 is a conventional exchanger and its operation will therefore not be detailed here. Heat exchanger 36 includes, for example, a heat pump circuit in which a refrigerant circulates, a compressor, and a condenser.

[0053] The heat exchanger 36 further includes at least one air inlet 70 opening to the outside 18. In the example shown on the figures 2 à 4 , the heat exchanger 36 includes on each lateral face 323 an air inlet 70.

[0054] The heat exchanger 36 further includes at least one air outlet 72. In the example shown on the figures 2 à 4 , the air outlet 72 opens to the outside 18 of the passenger compartment 12, for example at the level of the upper face 325 of the box 32.

[0055] The heat exchanger 36 further includes a ventilation device 74 (shown schematically on the figures 3 And 4 ) suitable for generating an airflow between the air inlet(s) 70 and outlet(s) 72 and for promoting heat exchange between the air present in the air treatment device 34 and the heat exchanger 36.

[0056] The ventilation device 74 of the heat exchanger 36 preferably has a flow rate greater than or equal to 3000 m³ / h, in particular greater than 10,000 m³ / h.

[0057] The diversion device 38 is designed to divert at least part of the recycled air flow F int arriving in the air treatment device 34 towards the heat exchanger 36.

[0058] The diversion device 38 includes at least one duct 76 for supplying the heat exchanger 36 with recycled air and diversion means 78 suitable for diverting at least part of the recycled air flow F int towards the heat exchanger 36.

[0059] The diversion device 38 also includes means 80 for controlling the diversion means 78.

[0060] Preferably, the diversion device 38 comprises two supply ducts 76, each extending along a respective side wall 323 of the box 32.

[0061] Each duct 76 opens on one side into the lower part 52 of the intake chamber 44 at the level of an opening 761 (visible on the figure 4 ) provided in the associated side face 323, and on the other hand in the heat exchanger 36 at the level of a recycled air inlet 762 provided in said side face 323. Each duct 76 is thus suitable for fluidly connecting the lower part 52 of the intake chamber 44 to the heat exchanger 36.

[0062] Each duct 76, for example, has a cross-sectional area between 0.06 m² and 0.25 m² and a length measured between the opening 761 and the recycled air inlet 762 between 0.5 m and 2.0 m.

[0063] The diversion means 78 are mobile between a recycling configuration, represented on the figure 3 , in which the air handling unit 34, and more particularly the inlet chamber 44, is fluidically isolated from the heat exchanger 36, and a renewal configuration, shown on the figure 4 in which the air handling device 34, and more particularly the intake chamber 44, is fluidly connected with the heat exchanger 36.

[0064] When the diversion means 78 are in recirculation configuration, the recirculated airflow F int is able to reach the mixing chamber 46, but is not able to reach the heat exchanger 36. The first recirculated air inlet 60 thus opens into the intake chamber 44, then into the mixing chamber 46. The recirculated air therefore arrives at the mixing chamber 46 where it is mixed with fresh air, before being reinjected into the passenger compartment 12. The first inlet 60 is then isolated from the recirculated air inlet(s) 762 of the heat exchanger 36, and preferably from each duct 76.

[0065] In this recirculation configuration, the conditioned air reintroduced into the passenger compartment comprises between 60% and 95% recycled air, and 40% to 5% fresh air.

[0066] Conversely, when the diversion means 78 are in renewal configuration, the first recycled air inlet 60 is connected to each recycled air inlet 762 of the heat exchanger 36 by means of the supply ducts 76. At least a portion of the recycled air is then diverted through the supply duct(s) 76 to the heat exchanger 36, notably thanks to the ventilation device 74 of the heat exchanger 36.

[0067] In this renewal configuration, the conditioned air reinjected into the passenger compartment contains less than 5% recycled air.

[0068] Advantageously, when the diversion means 78 are in renewal configuration, the first inlet 60 is isolated from the mixing chamber 46. The recycled air is then entirely diverted through the supply duct or duct 76 to the heat exchanger 36, thanks in particular to the ventilation device 74 of the heat exchanger 36. The air-conditioned air reinjected into the passenger compartment 12 is then free of recycled air.

[0069] For example, the diversion means 78 include a movable flap 82 per duct 76 and a movable damper 84.

[0070] Each flap 82 is configured to close a respective opening 761. Each flap 82 is, for example, mounted movable relative to the housing 32 between a closing position, shown on the figure 3 , and a transition position, represented on the figure 4 . For example, each valve 82 is mounted rotatably relative to the housing 32, around an axis substantially parallel to the transverse direction Y, between the closing position and the passage position.

[0071] In the closed position, each valve 82 is positioned with regard to a respective opening 761, so as to completely close said opening 761. The lower part 52 of the inlet chamber 44 is then fluidically isolated from the duct 76, and from the heat exchanger 36.

[0072] In the passage position, each valve 82 extends away from the opening 761 to which it is associated, so that each duct 76 opens into the lower part 52 of the inlet chamber 44, which is then fluidly connected to the duct 76, and to the heat exchanger 36.

[0073] In the first embodiment, each valve 82 is arranged inside the housing 32, in the lower part 52 of the inlet chamber 44 at the level of a respective opening 761. For example, each valve 82 is composed of a plate having here the shape of a portion of a disc.

[0074] The flap 84 is movablely mounted inside the inlet chamber 44 between an open position, shown on the figure 3 , and a closed position, represented on the figure 4 . The shutter 84 is for example mounted to rotate relative to the box 32, by means of a hinge extending along an axis substantially parallel to the transverse direction Y.

[0075] The flap 84, for example, has a substantially rectangular shape, of length Iv measured between two lateral edges 842 of the flap 84 and of width Lv measured between a connecting edge 843 and a free edge 844.

[0076] Advantageously, the flap 84 has a length lv equal to the width L of the inlet chamber 44 and a width Lv greater than or equal to the depth p of the inlet chamber 44.

[0077] For example, as depicted on the figures 2 à 4 , the connecting edge 843 of the flap 84 is mounted on the front face 321 by means of a hinge (not shown).

[0078] The flap 84 is configured to isolate the upper part 50 from the lower part 52 of the intake chamber 44.

[0079] When the flap 84 is in the open position, the free edge 844 of the flap 84 is at a distance from the free edge 471 of the inner wall 47. Advantageously, in the open position, the flap 84 extends along a plane substantially parallel to the front face 321 of the box 32. The upper part 50 and the lower part 52 of the inlet chamber are therefore fluidly connected to each other.

[0080] Advantageously, in the open position, the flap 84 partially blocks the second outside air inlet 62. For example, in the open position, the flap 84 covers between 50% and 80% of the second air inlet 62.

[0081] When the flap 84 is in the closed position, the free edge 844 of the flap 84 rests on the free edge 471 of the inner wall 47. The lower part 52 is then fluidically isolated from the upper part 50 of the inlet chamber 44. Thus, the internal airflow F int can no longer reach the mixing chamber 46.

[0082] Advantageously, in the closed position, the damper 84 no longer obstructs the second outside air inlet 62. Therefore, moving the damper 84 from the open to the closed position also increases the effective cross-section of the second outside air inlet 62. Consequently, it is not necessary to modify the power of the fan(s) 66 of the treatment unit to compensate for the redirection of the recirculated airflow.

[0083] Advantageously, each flap 82 is integral with the shutter 84. For example, each flap 82 is a single unit with the shutter 84. The pivoting of the shutter 84 from the open position to the closed position is then able to move each flap 82 from its closing position to its passage position.

[0084] For example, as depicted on the figures 3 And 4, the flap 84 and the flaps 82 are formed from a folded sheet metal, a light 85 being cut in the sheet metal at the level of each flap 82, each light 85 having substantially the shape of the respective opening 761, so that in renewal configuration, each light 85 is opposite the respective opening 761.

[0085] The control means 80 of the diversion means 78 are suitable for controlling the passage of said diversion means 78 from the recycling configuration to the renewal configuration, and vice versa.

[0086] The control means 80 include, for example, a receiving module 90, suitable for receiving an instruction to switch the deflection means 78 from one configuration to another, and a control module 92, suitable for controlling the movement of the deflection means, and for example the pivoting of each flap 82 and / or the shutter 84, by means of a motor (not shown).

[0087] The operation of the air conditioning device 30 according to the first embodiment will now be detailed.

[0088] In a first mode of operation, the air conditioning device 30 takes some of the air present in the passenger compartment 12, in order to mix it with fresh air from outside 18 of the passenger compartment 12 and to heat or cool the resulting mixture, before reinjecting it into the passenger compartment 12.

[0089] Thus, recycled air, coming from the interior 16 of the passenger compartment 12, enters the air conditioning device 30 through the first inlet 60 and fresh air, coming from the exterior 18 of the passenger compartment 12, enters the air conditioning device 30 through the second inlet 62.

[0090] The recycled airflow Fint and the fresh airflow Fext both enter the mixing chamber 46 where they are mixed. Air circulation through the air handling unit 34 is ensured in a conventional manner by at least one fan 66.

[0091] Then, the air present in the mixing chamber 46 exits the air conditioning device 30 through the air outlet 64, to the vehicle distribution network 10, in order to be redistributed in the passenger compartment 12.

[0092] The air exhaust grilles 26 allow the extraction of part of the air from the passenger compartment 12 by overpressure due to the supply of fresh air in the air conditioning.

[0093] In this first operating mode, the diversion means 78 are in a recirculation configuration. Each valve 82 is in the closed position and the flap 84 is in the open position. The recycled airflow F int is thus able to reach the mixing chamber 46, but is not able to reach the heat exchanger 36.

[0094] The first inlet 60 is then isolated from the or each recycled air inlet 762 of the heat exchanger 36, and preferably from each duct 76.

[0095] Under certain conditions, it is preferable to increase the flow of fresh air rather than recirculating the air from the passenger compartment.

[0096] The air conditioning unit 30 then switches to a second operating mode, in which the diversion means 78 are in renewal configuration.

[0097] For example, the receiving module 90 of the control means 80 receives an instruction to switch the diversion means 78 from the recycling configuration to the renewal configuration. This instruction is sent, for example, by an operator, such as the driver of the vehicle 10, or automatically, based, for example, on a parameter measured in the passenger compartment 12, such as the temperature.

[0098] The control module 92 then commands the movement of the diversion means 78 from the recycling configuration to the renewal configuration.

[0099] Preferably, each flap 82 then moves into the passage position and the shutter 84 moves into the closed position, for example by pivoting.

[0100] Each valve 82 then extends away from the opening 761 to which it is associated. The lower part 52 of the inlet chamber 44 is then fluidly connected to the duct 76, and thus to the heat exchanger 36.

[0101] Advantageously, the free edge 844 of the flap 84 rests on the free edge 471 of the inner wall 47 and the lower part 52 is fluidically isolated from the upper part 50 of the inlet chamber 44. Thus, the internal airflow F int can no longer reach the mixing chamber 46 and is drawn into each duct 76, then into the heat exchanger 36 by means of the ventilation device 74 thereof.

[0102] Moving the flap 84 from the open position to the closed position increases the useful cross-section of the second outside air inlet 62.

[0103] The air conditioning system 30 thus makes it possible to reduce, or even eliminate, the proportion of recycled air in the air blown into the passenger compartment 12 and to increase the proportion of fresh air, without having to make substantial modifications to the air conditioning system 30, and in particular to the fan(s) 66.

[0104] THE figures 5 And6 illustrate a second embodiment of an air conditioning device 130 according to the invention. Only the elements by which the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment will be described in the remainder of the description. Identical or similar elements will have the corresponding reference numeral from the first embodiment incremented by 100.

[0105] The air conditioning unit 130 includes an air handling unit 134, a heat exchanger 136 and a deflection unit 138. The air handling unit 134 and the heat exchanger 136 are housed here in the same casing 132 located on the roof of the vehicle.

[0106] The air conditioning unit 130 further includes at least one supply chamber 139 located upstream of a first recirculated air inlet 160. The supply chamber(s) 139 are preferably located in the space between the ceiling 31 and the pavilion 24.

[0107] In the example shown on the figures 5 And 6 , the air conditioning unit 130 has two arrival chambers 139.

[0108] Each arrival chamber 139 opens on one side into the interior 16 of the passenger compartment 12 and on the other side into the lower part of the intake chamber 144.

[0109] The diversion device 138 also includes at least one sheath 176.

[0110] Each duct 176 no longer opens into the lower part of the intake chamber 144, but directly into a respective arrival chamber 139.

[0111] Each duct 176 opens into a respective inlet chamber 139 at an opening 190, for example, provided in a side wall of said chamber 139. For example, as shown on the figures 5 And 6, each duct 176 has an essentially L-shaped form and defines a bend 191 connecting a horizontal branch 192 and a vertical branch 193. The horizontal branch 192 extends along the box 132 in the longitudinal direction X and the vertical branch 193 extends along the box 132 in the elevation direction Z.

[0112] Preferably, the vertical branch 193 of each duct 176 passes through the pavilion 24 at openings provided in it. Additional openings are therefore necessary.

[0113] The diversion device 138 further includes diversion means 178 comprising a valve 182 per duct and a flap 184.

[0114] Each valve 182 is arranged inside a respective supply duct 176. For example, as shown in the figure 6 , each valve 184 is arranged in the horizontal branch 192, near the heat exchanger 136.

[0115] Each valve 182 is movable between a closed position (represented by dotted lines on the figure 6 ), in which the inlet chamber 139 is fluidically isolated from the heat exchanger 136, and a passage position (represented in solid line on the figure 6 ), in which the inlet chamber 139 is fluidly connected to the heat exchanger 136.

[0116] The dimensions of each valve 182 are such that in the closed position, each valve 182 hermetically seals the inlet chamber 139 and the heat exchanger 136.

[0117] For example, each valve 182 is mounted to rotate around an axis parallel to the Z elevation direction.

[0118] Part 184 is similar to part 84 of the first embodiment.

[0119] According to a particular embodiment, an additional valve (not shown) is disposed in each inlet chamber 139. Each additional valve is capable of switching from an open position, in which the inlet chamber 139 is fluidly connected to the lower part of the inlet chamber 144, to a closed position, in which the inlet chamber 139 is fluidly isolated from the lower part of the inlet chamber 144. The airflow from inside the passenger compartment is thus directed directly to the ducts 176, avoiding any potential turbulence problems in the lower part 152 of the inlet chamber 144.

[0120] Alternatively, the diversion means 178 do not include a flap 184, but only an additional flap per inlet chamber 139.

[0121] The operation of the air conditioning device 130 according to the second embodiment is similar to that of the air conditioning device 30 according to the first embodiment.

[0122] When the diversion means 178 are in recirculation configuration, the recirculated air, coming from the interior 16 of the passenger compartment 12, enters each supply chamber 139, then enters the intake chamber 144 through a respective first inlet 160. The fresh air, coming from outside the passenger compartment 12, enters the intake chamber 144 through the second inlet 162.

[0123] Both the recycled airflow and the fresh airflow enter the mixing chamber 146 where they are mixed. Then, the air in the mixing chamber 146 exits the air conditioning unit 130 through the air outlet 164, to the vehicle's distribution network 10, in order to be redistributed into the passenger compartment 12.

[0124] Each valve 182 is then in the closed position (dotted lines on the figure 6 ) and the flap 184 is in the open position. The recycled airflow is thus able to reach the mixing chamber 146, but is not able to reach the heat exchanger 136. When there is one or more additional flap(s), the additional flap(s) is / are in the open position.

[0125] The first inlet 160 is then isolated from the heat exchanger 136.

[0126] Then, the means of diversion 178 switch from the recycling configuration to the renewal configuration.

[0127] Each valve 182 then moves into the passage position (solid line on the figure 6 ) and the flap 184 moves to the closed position, for example by pivoting. When there is one or more additional flap(s), the additional flap(s) move to the closed position.

[0128] Each inlet chamber 139 is then fluidly connected to the heat exchanger 136, and is fluidly isolated from the upper part of the inlet chamber 144. Thus, the indoor airflow can no longer reach the mixing chamber 146 and is drawn into each duct 176, then into the heat exchanger 136 by means of the ventilation device 174 of the latter.

[0129] The air conditioning devices 30, 130 according to the invention allow for quick and inexpensive adjustment of the fresh air and recirculated air flow rates. It is thus possible to switch from a recirculation configuration, in which the air reinjected into the passenger compartment is a mixture of recirculated air and outside air including a significant portion of recirculated air, to an air renewal configuration in which the air reinjected into the passenger compartment is a mixture of recirculated air and outside air including a small portion of recirculated air, or even in which only air from outside the passenger compartment is reinjected into it.

[0130] The ventilation device(s) 74, 174 of the heat exchanger 36, 136 is / are used to exhaust air from the interior 16 of the passenger compartment 12 to the exterior 18. The movement of the flap 84, 184 from the open position to the closed position increases the effective area of ​​the second outside air inlet 62, 162, without requiring any modification of the power of the fan(s) 66 of the treatment device 34, 134 to take into account the deflection of the recycled airflow.

[0131] Alternatively, the diversion device 38, 138 includes a single supply duct 76, 176.

[0132] Alternatively, the air handling unit 34, 134 and the heat exchanger 36, 136 are arranged in two different boxes 32, 132, arranged close to each other.

[0133] According to a particular embodiment, the deflection means 78 are able to assume an intermediate position, in which the first inlet 60 of recycled air is connected to both the mixing chamber 46 and the heat exchanger 36. In such an intermediate position, the free edge 844 of the flap 84 extends away from the free edge 471 of the inner wall 47 and at least one opening 761 is not completely closed by a flap 82.

Claims

1. An air conditioning system (30; 130) for a vehicle (10) cabin (12), the cabin (12) defining an interior (16) and an exterior (18), the air conditioning system (30; 130) comprising: - an air treatment device (34; 134) having a first inlet (60; 160) for recirculated air from the interior (16) of the cabin (12), a second inlet (62; 162) for exterior air from the exterior (18) of the cabin (12), and an outlet (64; 164) for conditioned air towards the interior (16) of the cabin (12), the air treatment device (34; 134) comprising a mixing chamber (46; 146) able to receive both the recirculated air and the exterior air, and at least one ventilator (66) able to mix the recirculated air and the exterior air; - a heat exchanger (36; 136) able to cool and / or heat at least part of the air present in the air treatment device (34; 134), the heat exchanger (36; 136) comprising at least one ventilation unit (74; 174); characterised in that the air conditioning device (30; 130) further comprises a diverting device (38; 138) for at least part of the recirculated air, the diverting device (38; 138) being configured to divert at least part, preferably all, of the recirculated air entering the air treatment device (34; 134) towards the heat exchanger (36; 136), the diverting device (38; 138) comprising: - at least one supply sheath (76; 176) supplying the heat exchanger (36; 136) with recirculated air, the or each supply sheath (76; 176) opening into the heat exchanger (36; 136) at a respective air inlet (762), and - diverting means (78; 178) being movable between a recirculation configuration, in which the first inlet (60; 160) for recirculated air is fluidly connected to the mixing chamber (46; 146) and is isolated from the or each air inlet (762) of the heat exchanger (36; 136), and a renewal configuration, in which the first inlet (60; 160) for recirculated air is connected to the or each air inlet (762) of the heat exchanger (36; 136) by means of the or each supply sheath (76; 176), with at least part, preferably all, of the recirculated air being diverted through the or each supply sheath (76; 176) to the heat exchanger (36; 136).

2. The air conditioning device (30; 130) according to claim 1, wherein the diverting means (78; 178) comprise a flap (84; 184) movable between an open position, in which the first inlet (60; 160) for recirculated air is connected with the mixing chamber (46; 146), and a closed position, in which the first inlet (60; 160) for recirculated air is isolated from the mixing chamber (46; 146) by the flap (84; 184).

3. The air conditioning device (30; 130) according to claim 2, wherein, in the open position, the flap (84; 184) partly plugs the second inlet (62; 162) for exterior air.

4. The air conditioning device (30; 130) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the diverting means (78; 178) comprise at least one valve (82; 182) that is movable between a plugging position, in which the first inlet (60; 160) for recirculated air is isolated from the air inlet of the heat exchanger (36; 136) by the valve(s) (82; 182), and a flow position, in which the first inlet (60; 160) for recirculated air is connected to the air inlet of the heat exchanger (36; 136).

5. The air conditioning device (30) according to claim 4, wherein the or each valve (82) is disposed inside the air treatment device (34), with the or each supply sheath (76) opening into the air treatment device (34) at a respective opening (761) configured to be plugged by a respective valve (82).

6. The air conditioning device (30) according to claim 5 combined with claim 2 or 3, wherein the flap (84) has made as one piece with the or each valve (82), the transition of the flap (84) from the open position to the closed position being able to transition the or each valve (82) from the plugging position to the flow position.

7. The air conditioning device (130) according to claim 4, in which the or each valve (182) is disposed inside a respective supply sheath (176).

8. The air conditioning device (30; 130) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ventilation device (74; 174) of the heat exchanger (36; 136) has a flow rate greater than or equal to 3,000 m3 / h, preferably greater than 10,000 m3 / h.

9. A transport vehicle (10) including a cabin (12) and an air conditioning device (30; 130) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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