Heating, ventilation and / or air-conditioning device for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a heating, ventilation and / or air-conditioning device (1) for a motor vehicle, the device comprising: • - a housing (2) that defines an internal space (4) having an intermediate local wall (5) having, for example, a concave shape with the concavity directed outward from the housing, said intermediate wall (5) defining a reserved zone, for example in the form of an outer housing (6) separated from the internal space by the intermediate wall, said reserved zone being arranged so as to face a structural member of the vehicle, for example a dashboard crossmember (7); • - a first air outlet opening (8) on the housing is arranged to send a stream of treated air from the heating, ventilation and / or air-conditioning device into a passenger compartment of the vehicle; • - an air circulation channel (3) arranged in the internal space of the housing.

Description

HEATING, VENTILATION AND / OR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM FOR MOTOR VEHICLES

[0001] The invention relates to the field of heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning devices for motor vehicles as well as a motor vehicle comprising such a device. [2] There is a need to standardize heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning (HVAC) systems and to adapt them, at low cost, to different types of vehicles, including different types of dashboards. [3] The invention is intended, in particular, to meet this need. [4] The invention thus proposes a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device for a motor vehicle, comprising: a housing defining an internal space and having locally an intermediate wall, for example of concave shape with concavity directed outwards from the housing, this intermediate wall defining a reserved area, for example in the form of an external housing, separated from the internal space by the intermediate wall, this reserved area being arranged to be opposite a structural component of the vehicle, for example a dashboard crossbeam, a first air outlet on the housing arranged to send a flow of air treated in the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device to a passenger compartment of the vehicle, an air circulation channel arranged in the internal space of the housing, this channel opening onto the first air outlet and being adjacent to the intermediate wall,an optional functional zone which, depending on the option selected, is: o a useful functional zone in which case this zone receives a second air outlet arranged to send a treated airflow from the internal space of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system to the vehicle's passenger compartment, or o an inactive zone in which case this optional functional zone is sealed so that no airflow can circulate between the internal space of the housing and the passenger compartment through this zone, this sealed inactive zone being adjacent to the air circulation channel, the first air outlet and the optional functional zone being arranged on the housing on either side of the intermediate wall. [5] According to one aspect of the invention, in the option of the useful functional area, the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device includes the first and second air outlets, which allows, during the operation of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device, the distribution of treated airflows to two regions of the passenger compartment. [6] The inactive zone option should be used when the vehicle's dashboard is equipped with a device, such as a screen, which, due to its size, does not allow for an air vent to be installed at the point on the dashboard obstructed by the device. In this case, the second air vent should not be installed. [7] In the inactive zone option, this inactive zone may include the second air outlet, which is nevertheless closed by a plug so as to make this second air outlet airtight and therefore inoperative. [8] Thus the invention provides at least two ways of making the inactive zone, namely by providing a simple sealed wall or by providing for blocking an existing air outlet to make it inactive, using a plug. [9] The invention makes it possible to easily modulate the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system with the number and type of air outlets required. In the case where the first air outlet is required while the second air outlet is omitted, for example due to a lack of available space on the dashboard because of equipment placed on this dashboard, the invention makes it possible to seal this second air outlet by means of a sealed plug which prevents whistling noises that would occur in the event of an air leak.

[0010] In the other case, both the first and second air outlets can be implemented, for example due to the absence of equipment on the dashboard in the area of ​​the optional functional zone of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system, making the presence of the second air outlet possible.

[0011] The invention thus makes it possible to use the same heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning system in two types of dashboard configurations: one allowing the use of only the first air outlet, and the other allowing the use of both the first and second air outlets simultaneously. To switch from one configuration to the other, the invention simply requires blocking one of the two air outlets with a plug.

[0012] The invention also provides, in another example of implementation, for manufacturing the housing without the second air outlet, with at this location a simple wall which defines the inactive zone within the meaning of the invention.

[0013] It is therefore possible to modify, to a small extent, the mold which is used to manufacture the case, the modification allowing, depending on the need and the option chosen, to manufacture cases with the second air outlet or cases without the second air outlet, with instead a simple wall.

[0014] For example, additional drawers can be provided on the mold to manufacture the second air outlet.

[0015] The mold can be a mold for injecting plastic material to manufacture at least part of the casing.

[0016] Thus, to create the inactive zone, it is possible to provide an air outlet and seal it to make it airtight, or to manufacture the housing with a solid wall in place of the second air outlet.

[0017] The invention is further advantageous in that the optional functional zone is adjacent to the channel, namely this zone is in the immediate vicinity of the channel, making it easy to design an air outlet, when necessary.

[0018] In general, the invention thus makes it possible to standardize heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning devices and to adapt them, at low cost, to different types of dashboards.

[0019] The invention makes it possible in particular to meet the growing constraint of having similar heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning (also called HVAC) systems in different vehicles of the same platform.

[0020] According to one aspect of the invention, the first air outlet and the optional functional area are arranged on either side of the intermediate wall along a vertical axis when the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device is mounted on the vehicle.

[0021] In other words, after installation on the vehicle, the height of the interlayer wall has a value between the height of the first air outlet and the height of the optional functional area.

[0022] Following this vertical axis, the first air outlet is located at the highest point relative to the intermediate wall and the optional functional area.

[0023] According to one aspect of the invention, the second air outlet has an air passage cross-section equal to at least 20% of the air passage cross-section of the first air outlet, in particular equal to at least 50%, or even 90% or 100%, of the air passage cross-section of the first air outlet.

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, the sections of the first and second air outlets are substantially rectangular.

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, at least one of the first and second air outlets has a raised rim, in particular with a rectangular perimeter.

[0026] According to one aspect of the invention, the device includes a movable flap, in particular pivoting, arranged to regulate the airflow exiting from this second air outlet.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, this flap is of the butterfly type.

[0028] According to one aspect of the invention, the inactive area, which is in particular a solid wall, has an area equal to at least 20% of the air passage cross-section of the first air outlet, in particular equal to at least 50%, or even 90% or 100%, of the air passage cross-section of the first air outlet.

[0029] According to one aspect of the invention, the device includes a movable flap, in particular pivoting, arranged to regulate the airflow exiting the first air outlet.

[0030] According to one aspect of the invention, this shutter is of the butterfly type or of the sliding door type (or “sliding door” in English).

[0031] According to one aspect of the invention, the respective flaps of the first and second air outlets are connected together by a mechanism that ensures synchronization of their movements and positions. This mechanism includes, in particular, a connecting rod for the two flaps.

[0032] According to one aspect of the invention, the device includes a rear air outlet arranged to guide a treated airflow from the interior space to a rear region of the passenger compartment.

[0033] According to one aspect of the invention, the concave shape of the wall that defines the external housing for the dashboard crossbeam is cylindrical.

[0034] According to one aspect of the invention, the channel selectively supplies, by means of associated flaps, the first and second outlets, when these two air outlets are present.

[0035] The invention also relates to a first method for manufacturing a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device, comprising the following steps: manufacturing, in particular by molding plastic material, a housing defining an internal space and having locally an intercalated wall, for example of a concave shape with the concavity directed outwards from the housing, this intercalated wall defining a reserved area, for example in the form of an external housing, separated from the internal space by the intercalated wall, this reserved area being arranged to be opposite a structural component of the vehicle, for example a dashboard crossbeam, form on the housing a first air outlet arranged to send a treated airflow from the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system to a passenger compartment of the vehicle, form a second air outlet arranged to send a treated airflow from the internal space of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system to the passenger compartment of the vehicle, the first air outlet and the second air outlet being arranged on the housing on either side of the intermediate wall.

[0036] The invention also relates to a second method for manufacturing a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device, comprising the following steps: manufacturing, in particular by molding plastic material, a housing defining an internal space and having locally an interlayer wall, for example of a concave shape with the concavity directed outwards from the housing, this interlayer wall defining a reserved area, for example in the form of an external housing, separated from the internal space by the interlayer wall, this reserved area being arranged to be opposite a structural component of the vehicle, for example a dashboard crossbeam, forming on the housing a first air outlet arranged to send a flow of air treated in the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device to a passenger compartment of the vehicle,to form a second air outlet which is sealed with a plug to create a sealed inactive area, the first air outlet and the second air outlet being positioned on the housing on either side of the interlayer wall.

[0037] The invention also relates to a third method of manufacturing a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device, comprising the following steps: manufacturing, in particular by molding plastic material, a housing defining an internal space and having locally an interlayer wall, for example of a concave shape with the concavity directed outwards from the housing, this interlayer wall defining a reserved area, for example in the form of an external housing, separated from the internal space by the interlayer wall, this reserved area being arranged to be opposite a structural component of the vehicle, for example a dashboard crossbeam, forming on the housing a first air outlet and arranged to send a flow of air treated in the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device to a passenger compartment of the vehicle,to form an inactive zone that is sealed so that no airflow can circulate between the internal space of the casing and the passenger compartment through this sealed inactive zone, being adjacent to an air circulation channel, and the first air outlet and the inactive area being arranged on the housing on either side of the interlayer wall.

[0038] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing at least two heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning devices, comprising the following steps: manufacturing one heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device using the first method, manufacturing another heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device using the third method, these two devices having exactly the same arrangement for the first air outlet and the intercalated wall, one of the devices being provided with the second air outlet while the other of the devices being devoid of it.

[0039] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, with reference to the attached figures, which illustrate:

[0040] Figure 1 illustrates a partial perspective view of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system according to an example of an embodiment of the invention;

[0041] Figure 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of part of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system shown in Figure 1;

[0042] Figure 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of part of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0043] Figure 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of part of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

[0044] Figures 1 and 2 show a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device 1 according to a first example of implementation of the invention, mounted in a vehicle V with an arrangement identified by a vertical axis materialized by the arrow Y on these figures.

[0045] The heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device 1 includes a casing 2 which has a height H measured along the vertical axis Y.

[0046] The heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device 1 further includes heat treatment components, not shown, among which is, in a manner known per se, an evaporator intended to cool and dehumidify the entire airflow circulating in a flow channel 3 of the device 1.

[0047] These heat treatment components also include a radiator intended to heat a portion of the airflow circulating in the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning unit 1, and is arranged downstream, relative to the airflow, of the evaporator. The radiator can optionally be coupled with an additional electric radiator designed to heat the airflow more quickly, particularly when starting the vehicle.

[0048] Airflow is introduced into the housing 2 via at least one air inlet on the housing and then directed via a motor-fan unit which includes for this purpose a motor and a blade wheel.

[0049] These heat treatment components are not described in further detail as they are well known from the state of the art.

[0050] The housing 2 defines an internal space 4 and locally having a concave wall 5 with concavity directed outwards from the housing 2, this concave wall 5 defining an external housing 6 separated from the internal space 4 by the concave wall 5.

[0051] This concave wall 5 defines the intercalary wall within the meaning of the invention.

[0052] This intercalated wall can have any other shape, for example a flat wall, a convex wall or a wall with ribs.

[0053] This external housing 6 is arranged to house at least partially a structural component of the vehicle, here a crossbeam 7 of the dashboard.

[0054] This housing 6 defines a reserved area within the meaning of the present invention.

[0055] In an unillustrated variant in which the interlayer wall is flat, this reserved area is then a flat area opposite the structural element.

[0056] A first air outlet 8 is provided on the housing 2 and arranged to send a treated airflow from the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system 1 to a passenger compartment H of the vehicle V.

[0057] The air circulation channel 3 is arranged in the internal space 4 of the housing, and opens onto the first air outlet 8.

[0058] This channel 3 is adjacent to the concave-shaped wall 5.

[0059] The heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning unit 1 includes an optional functional zone which, depending on the option selected, is either: a useful functional zone 10, in which case this zone has a second air outlet 11 arranged to send a flow of treated air from the internal space 4 of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning unit to the passenger compartment H of the vehicle (this case being illustrated in Figures 1 and 2), or an inactive zone 20, in which case this optional functional zone is sealed so that no airflow can circulate between the internal space 4 of the housing and the passenger compartment through this area, this sealed inactive area being adjacent to the air circulation channel (corresponding to the cases illustrated in figures 3 and 4).

[0060] The first air outlet 8 and the optional functional area 10 are arranged on the housing 2 on either side of the concave wall 5.

[0061] We will first describe the embodiment in which the option of the useful functional area 10 is applied (figures 1 and 2).

[0062] In this case, the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system 1 includes the first and second air outlets 8 and 11, which allows, when the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system 1 is in operation, treated airflows to be distributed to two regions of the passenger compartment H.

[0063] The first air outlet 8 and the useful functional area 10 are arranged on either side of the concave wall 5 along the vertical axis Y when the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device 1 is mounted on the vehicle.

[0064] In other words, after mounting on the vehicle, the height (in the sense of the altitude measured along the Y axis) of the concave wall 5 has a value between the height of the first air outlet 8 and the height of the useful functional area 10.

[0065] The distance along the Y axis between the first air outlet 8 and the optional area, here the useful functional area 10, is for example between 50 mm and 100 mm.

[0066] Along this vertical axis Y, the first air outlet 8 is located at the highest point relative to the concave wall 5 and the useful functional area 10.

[0067] The second air outlet 11 has an air passage cross-section equal to at least 50% of the air passage cross-section of the first air outlet, for example in a ratio between 50% and 100%.

[0068] The sections of the first and second air outlets 8 and 11 are substantially rectangular.

[0069] The second air outlet 11 has a raised rim 12 with a rectangular perimeter.

[0070] Device 1 includes a movable butterfly-type flap 14, arranged to regulate the airflow exiting from this second air outlet 11.

[0071] A movable flap 15 of butterfly type is planned, arranged to regulate the airflow coming out of the first air outlet 8.

[0072] The respective flaps 14 and 15 of the first and second air outlets 8 and 11 are linked together by a mechanism that ensures synchronization of their movements and positions. This mechanism includes a connecting rod 16 for the two flaps 14 and 15.

[0073] The flaps 14 and 15 allow the first vent 8 and second vent 11 to be selectively supplied with air.

[0074] Device 1 further includes at least one rear air outlet 17 arranged to guide a treated airflow from the internal space 4 to a rear region of the passenger compartment.

[0075] As can be clearly seen in Figure 1, the concave shape of the wall 5 which defines the external housing 6 for the dashboard crossbeam is cylindrical.

[0076] The heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system is manufactured according to the following steps: manufacture, in particular by molding of plastic material, the housing 2, form on the housing the first air outlet 8 arranged to send a treated airflow from the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system to a passenger compartment of the vehicle, form the second air outlet 11 arranged to send a treated airflow from the internal space 4 of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system to the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0077] In the event that the option of the inactive zone 20 is selected (because the vehicle's dashboard is equipped with a device, for example a screen, which, due to its size, does not allow for an air outlet to be provided at the location on the dashboard obstructed by the device), then the second air outlet 11 should not be provided, at least not one that is operational.

[0078] In an embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, this inactive area 20 can include the second air outlet 11, which is nevertheless closed by a plug 21 so as to make this second air outlet 11 airtight and therefore inoperative.

[0079] The airtight cap 21 prevents whistling noises that would occur in the event of an air leak.

[0080] The invention thus makes it possible to use the same heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system in two types of dashboard configurations, one allowing the use of only the first air outlet 8 and the other allowing the use of both the first and second air outlets 8 and 1 simultaneously. To switch from one From one configuration to the other, thanks to the invention, it is sufficient to plug one of the two air outlets with a stopper.

[0081] In an embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, the second air outlet 11 is replaced by a simple sealed wall 24 which defines an inactive zone 23.

[0082] The inactive zone 23, which is a solid wall 24, has an area equal to at least 20% of the air passage cross-section of the first air outlet, in particular equal to at least 50%, or even 90% or 100%, of the air passage cross-section of the first air outlet.

[0083] It is therefore possible to modify, to a small extent, the mold which is used to manufacture the housing 2, the modification allowing, depending on the need and the option chosen, to manufacture housings with the second air outlet 1 1 or housings without the second air outlet, with instead a simple wall 24.

[0084] For example, additional drawers can be provided on the mold to manufacture the second air outlet.

[0085] The mold can be a mold for injecting plastic material to manufacture at least part of the casing.

[0086] The invention makes it possible in particular to meet the growing constraint of having similar heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning (also called HVAC) systems in different vehicles of the same platform.

[0087] Thanks to the invention, it is possible to manufacture at least two families of heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning devices.

[0088] Thus it is possible to manufacture a first family with the first and second mouths 8 and 1 1, both of which are functional.

[0089] The second family is made with, in place of the second air outlet 1 1, the solid wall 24.

Claims

Demands

1. A heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising: a casing (2) defining an internal space (4) and having a local interlayer wall (5), for example, concave in shape with the concavity directed outwards from the housing, this interlayer wall (5) defining a reserved area, for example in the form of an external housing (6), separated from the internal space by the intercalated wall, this reserved area (6) being arranged to be opposite a structural component of the vehicle, for example a transverse beam (7) of the dashboard, a first air outlet (8) on the housing and arranged to send a treated airflow from the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system to a passenger compartment of the vehicle, an air circulation channel (3) arranged in the internal space of the housing, this channel opening onto the first air outlet (8) and being adjacent to the intermediate wall (5), an optional functional area which is, depending on the option selected: o a useful functional area (10) in which case this area receives a second air outlet (11) arranged to send a treated airflow from the internal space of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system to the passenger compartment of the vehicle, or o an inactive area (20;24) in which case this optional functional zone is sealed so that no airflow can circulate between the internal space of the housing and the passenger compartment through this zone, this sealed inactive zone being adjacent to the air circulation channel (3), the first air outlet (8) and the optional functional zone being arranged on the housing on either side of the intermediate wall. The intermediate wall (5) defining the reserved zone is in the form of an external housing (6), separated from the internal space by the intermediate wall, this housing being arranged to accommodate at least partially the structural component of the vehicle.

2. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device comprises the first and second air outlets (8, 11), enabling, during operation of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device, the distribution of treated airflows to two regions of the passenger compartment.

3. Device according to claim 1, wherein, the inactive zone option being retained, this inactive zone (20) includes the second air outlet (11), which is nevertheless closed by a plug (21) so as to make this second air outlet airtight and therefore inoperative.

4. Device according to claim 1, wherein, the inactive zone option being retained, this inactive zone (23) comprises a simple sealed wall (24).

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the intercalated wall (5) defining the reserved area is in the form of an external housing (6), separated from the internal space by the intercalated wall, this housing being arranged to accommodate at least partially the structural component of the vehicle.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first air outlet (8) and the optional functional area (10; 11; 20; 23) are arranged on either side of the intermediate wall along a vertical axis (Y) when the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device is mounted on the vehicle.

7. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the distance along the Y axis between the first air outlet (8) and the optional functional area (10; 11; 20; 23) is between 50 mm and 100 mm.

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device comprises a movable flap (15), in particular pivoting, arranged to regulate the airflow exiting the first air outlet.

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a concave shape of the wall (5) which defines the external housing for the dashboard crossbeam is of the cylindrical type.

10. A method for manufacturing a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device (1), comprising the following steps: manufacturing, in particular by molding plastic material, a housing (2) defining an internal space (4) and having locally an interlayer wall (5), for example of concave shape with the concavity directed outwards from the housing, this interlayer wall (5) defining a reserved area, for example in the form of an external housing (6), separated from the internal space by the interlayer wall, this reserved area being arranged to be opposite a structural component of the vehicle, for example a dashboard crossbeam (7), forming on the housing a first air outlet (8) arranged to send a flow of air treated in the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device to a passenger compartment of the vehicle,to form a second air outlet (1 1 ) arranged to send a flow of treated air from the internal space of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system to the vehicle's passenger compartment, the first air outlet and the second air outlet being arranged on the housing on either side of the intercalated wall.

11. A method for manufacturing a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device (1), comprising the following steps: manufacture, in particular by molding plastic material, a housing (2) defining an internal space (4) and having locally an interlayer wall (5), for example of concave shape with concavity directed outwards from the housing, this interlayer wall (5) defining a reserved area, for example in the form of an external housing (6), separated from the internal space by the interlayer wall, this reserved area being arranged to be opposite a structural component of the vehicle, for example a crossbeam (7) of the dashboard, form on the housing a first air outlet (8) arranged to send a flow of air treated in the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system to a passenger compartment of the vehicle, form a second air outlet (11) which is closed by a plug (21) to make it a sealed inactive area,The first air outlet and the second air outlet are positioned on the casing on either side of the interlayer wall.

12. A method for manufacturing a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device (1), comprising the following steps: manufacturing, in particular by molding plastic material, a housing (2) defining an internal space (4) and having locally an interlayer wall (5), for example of concave shape with the concavity directed outwards from the housing, this interlayer wall (5) defining a reserved area, for example in the form of an external housing (6), separated from the internal space by the interlayer wall, this reserved area being arranged to be opposite a structural component of the vehicle, for example a dashboard crossbeam (7), forming on the housing a first air outlet and arranged to send a flow of air treated in the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device to a passenger compartment of the vehicle,to form an inactive zone (23) which is sealed so that no airflow can circulate between the internal space of the housing and the passenger compartment through this zone, this sealed inactive zone being adjacent to an air circulation channel, and the first air outlet and the inactive zone being disposed on the housing on either side of the intercalated wall.

13. A method for manufacturing at least two heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning devices, comprising the following steps: manufacturing one (1) heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device using the method according to claim 9 or 10, manufacturing another heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device using the method according to claim 11, these two devices having exactly the same arrangement for the first air outlet and the interlayer wall, one of the devices being provided with the second air outlet (11) while the other of the devices being devoid of it.

14. Motor vehicle comprising the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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