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

Abstract

Heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device (1) for a vehicle, comprising, in a housing of this device (1), a cold air duct (7), a hot air duct (8), a mixing chamber (9) arranged downstream of the cold air duct (7) and the hot air duct (8) such that a cold air flow coming from the cold air duct (7) and a hot air flow coming from the hot air duct (8) can mix in this mixing chamber (9), the mixing chamber (9) having a bottom wall (10) and an upper wall (11) opposite to the bottom wall (10), the bottom wall (10) being provided with a mixing opening (12) between, on the one hand, the cold (7) and hot (8) air ducts and, on the other hand, the mixing chamber (9), this mixing opening (12) comprising a passage section for the cold air duct (7) and a passage section for the hot air duct (8), at least one sliding shutter arranged to control an air flow which circulates in this mixing chamber (9), a member for driving the sliding shutter, comprising in particular a toothed wheel, this driving member being arranged on the opposite side of the sliding shutter to the mixing chamber (9).

Description

[0001] HEATING, VENTILATION AND / OR AIR CONDITIONING DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLE

[0002] The invention relates to the field of heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning devices for land, sea or air vehicles, for example for land motor vehicles.

[0003] Patent application FR3100311 describes a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device with a small vertical footprint, comprising an elongated housing housing an evaporator intended to cool and dehumidify the air flow and a radiator intended to heat a portion of the air flow. The air flow is introduced into the housing via at least one air inlet and is then directed via a blower which comprises a motor and a bladed wheel for this purpose. The blower conveys the air flow from the air inlet to at least one outlet, after it has been heat-treated by the heat exchangers. This device comprises a mixing flap for regulating the proportion of hot air flow and the proportion of cold air flow in a mixing chamber. The mixing flap corresponds to a sliding door type flap, i.e. it comprises a sliding door on which at least one rack is arranged.To set the mixing flap in motion, a gear complementary to the rack is rotated around an axis by an actuator. The rotation of the gear causes the sliding door to move between two extreme positions. The sliding door is configured to adopt an intermediate configuration.

[0004] The invention aims in particular to improve this type of heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device.

[0005] The invention thus relates to a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device for a vehicle, comprising in a housing of this device:

[0006] - a cold air channel,

[0007] - a hot air channel,

[0008] - a mixing chamber arranged downstream of the cold air channel and the hot air channel so that a flow of cold air from the cold air channel and a flow of hot air from the hot air channel can mix in this mixing chamber, the mixing chamber comprising a lower wall and an upper wall opposite the lower wall, the lower wall being provided with a mixing opening between, on the one hand, the cold and hot air channels and, on the other hand, the mixing chamber, this mixing opening comprising a passage section for the cold air channel and a passage section for the hot air channel,

[0009] - a distribution air channel arranged to bring air from the mixing chamber to an air nozzle, in particular a footwell air nozzle opening into a passenger compartment of the vehicle, to a floor of this vehicle,

[0010] - a movable mixing flap arranged to control the flow of cold air and the flow of hot air entering the mixing chamber, this mixing flap being movable between a first extreme position blocking the cold air passage section of the mixing opening preventing the flow of cold air from the cold air channel from circulating towards the mixing chamber, and a second extreme position blocking the hot air passage section of the mixing opening preventing the flow of hot air from the hot air channel from circulating towards the mixing chamber, this movable flap being arranged to take an intermediate position between these extreme positions, intermediate position in which this flap defines a bypass channel separate from the mixing chamber, and allowing cold air to circulate from the cold air channel to the hot air channel through this bypass channel, the mixing flap extending on the lower wall of the mixing chamber,

[0011] - at least one air guide arranged to guide air exiting the bypass channel towards the distribution air channel, this air guide extending into the mixing chamber between the lower wall and the upper wall, and having an extent chosen so as to leave a passage of air from the mixing opening towards the upper wall of the mixing chamber.

[0012] In the present invention, height is defined as the dimension measured along a height axis that passes through the lower and upper walls of the mixing chamber. For example, a point that is mid-height between the lower and upper walls of the mixing chamber is a point that is equidistant from these walls. The air guide according to the invention is thus at an intermediate height between the lower and upper walls of the mixing chamber.

[0013] This air guide according to the invention makes it possible to guide the air flow from the bypass channel towards the distribution channel, while reducing the temperature stratification in this air flow. Indeed, the air guide makes it possible to reduce the height of the air flow, and to separate this air flow from the volume on the other side of the air guide, which is opposite the upper wall of the mixing chamber.

[0014] This allows for a more uniform temperature in this air flow and avoids undesirable temperature stratification. The invention thus improves the thermal performance of the device by avoiding this type of temperature stratification.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the air guide has a height which varies between the bypass channel and the distribution channel.

[0016] In particular, this air guide is closer to the lower wall of the mixing chamber than to the upper wall, at one end opposite the bypass channel, and this air guide is closer to the upper wall of the mixing chamber than to the lower wall, at one end opposite the distribution channel.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, the air guide has a curved profile with an inflection point. Alternatively, the air guide has a flat profile.

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, the air guide comprises, at its end opposite the bypass channel, a portion substantially parallel to the lower wall of the mixing chamber.

[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, the air guide comprises, at its end facing the distribution channel, a portion substantially parallel to the upper wall of the mixing chamber.

[0020] According to one aspect of the invention, the air guide has a strip shape, in particular with two parallel longitudinal edges.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, this strip has a profile in side view with an inflection point. According to one aspect of the invention, this air guide is made of a monolithic part. Preferably, the air guide is made in one piece with a wall of the housing, in particular being made by molding, in particular of a plastic material, with the wall of the housing.

[0022] Alternatively, the air guide comprises at least one fixing lug, in particular two fixing lugs, arranged to allow the fixing of this air guide on a side wall of the mixing chamber.

[0023] According to one aspect of the invention, this or these fixing tabs are perpendicular to the strip.

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, this or these fixing lugs are arranged to allow fixing by screws, on the housing.

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, the distribution channel comprises a distribution flap rotatable about an axis of rotation, in particular a butterfly-type flap, for controlling the flow of air entering this distribution channel, and the air guide has a width measured parallel to this axis of rotation of the flap, which is less than the width of this distribution flap.

[0026] According to one aspect of the invention, the air guide has a width which is less than the width of the mixing flap.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, the device comprises two sliding mixing flaps and two air guides each associated respectively with one of these mixing flaps.

[0028] According to one aspect of the invention, the mixing shutter is a sliding shutter, also called a sliding door.

[0029] According to one aspect of the invention, this sliding mixing flap has two parallel longitudinal edges and the flap is arranged to be able to slide between the extreme positions along a trajectory which runs along the longitudinal edges of the flap.

[0030] According to one aspect of the invention, the sliding shutter comprises, at each longitudinal end, two transverse projections perpendicular to the longitudinal edges, and projecting in the direction of the mixing opening. According to one aspect of the invention, the transverse projections bear on the lower wall when the shutter is in the extreme positions.

[0031] According to one aspect of the invention, in the intermediate position of the shutter, the transverse projections are opposite respectively the passage section for the cold air channel and the passage section for the hot air channel so as to form the bypass channel allowing air to circulate from one passage section to the other.

[0032] According to one aspect of the invention, the housing comprises a partition wall between the cold air channel and the hot air channel, and the shutter comprises a main face between the two transverse projections, this main face being arranged to define the bypass channel which is between this main face and the partition wall.

[0033] In other words, this main face is set back from the partition wall to leave sufficient space to form the bypass channel.

[0034] According to one aspect of the invention, the longitudinal edges of this main face are curved.

[0035] According to one aspect of the invention, this main face of the shutter has a curvature whose center of curvature is directed towards the upper wall.

[0036] In other words, this main face of the shutter has a concavity directed towards the mixing chamber.

[0037] According to one aspect of the invention, the device comprises a shutter drive member, arranged to cooperate with the shutter to move it between the extreme positions.

[0038] According to one aspect of the invention, this drive member comprises a toothed wheel actuable in particular by an electric motor actuator.

[0039] According to one aspect of the invention, the shutter comprises a rack along the longitudinal edge, in particular two racks each along a longitudinal edge, and the toothed wheel of the drive member cooperates with the rack of the shutter to move this shutter.

[0040] According to one aspect of the invention, each rack comprises a strip of splines. According to one aspect of the invention, the drive member comprises two toothed wheels connected by a connecting rod which forms a common axis of rotation of the wheels, and each toothed wheel cooperates with a rack of the shutter.

[0041] Thus, each shutter is associated with two toothed wheels which turn simultaneously.

[0042] According to one aspect of the invention, the housing comprises sliding grooves arranged to receive the longitudinal edges of the shutter and guide the shutter during sliding movements between the extreme positions.

[0043] According to one aspect of the invention, these grooves generally have the shape of an arc of a circle.

[0044] According to one aspect of the invention, these grooves serve as a rail for the shutter.

[0045] According to one aspect of the invention, the movement between the extreme positions of the shutter is carried out substantially following a curved trajectory, in particular in an arc of a circle with a center facing the mixing chamber.

[0046] According to one aspect of the invention, the drive member, in particular the toothed wheel(s), is arranged on the side of the mixing flap facing the mixing chamber.

[0047] According to one aspect of the invention, the air guide extends substantially from the toothed wheel to the distribution flap of the distribution channel.

[0048] According to one aspect of the invention, the mixing chamber communicates with at least one first upper air outlet formed on the upper wall, and an upper sliding flap is arranged to open or close this air outlet.

[0049] According to one aspect of the invention, this first air outlet is arranged to communicate with a lateral or central ventilation nozzle, thus making it possible to cool / heat a passenger of the vehicle.

[0050] According to one aspect of the invention, the upper sliding shutter is of the sliding door type. According to one aspect of the invention, this upper sliding shutter has two parallel longitudinal edges and the shutter is arranged to be able to slide between the open and closed positions of this first upper air outlet.

[0051] According to one aspect of the invention, this upper sliding shutter has a curvature whose center of curvature is directed towards the upper wall.

[0052] In other words, this upper sliding flap has a concavity directed away from the mixing chamber. Alternatively, this flap can be flat.

[0053] According to one aspect of the invention, the device comprises a drive member for the upper sliding shutter, arranged to move it between the open and closed positions.

[0054] According to one aspect of the invention, this drive member comprises a toothed wheel actuable in particular by an electric motor actuator.

[0055] According to one aspect of the invention, the upper sliding shutter comprises a rack along the longitudinal edge, in particular two racks each along a longitudinal edge, and the toothed wheel of the drive member cooperates with the rack of the shutter to move this upper sliding shutter.

[0056] According to one aspect of the invention, each rack comprises a strip of grooves.

[0057] According to one aspect of the invention, the drive member comprises two toothed wheels connected by a connecting rod which forms a common axis of rotation of the wheels, and each toothed wheel cooperates with a rack of the upper sliding shutter.

[0058] Thus, each upper sliding shutter is associated with two toothed wheels which turn simultaneously.

[0059] According to one aspect of the invention, the housing comprises sliding grooves arranged to receive the longitudinal edges of the upper sliding shutter and guide the shutter during sliding movements.

[0060] According to one aspect of the invention, these grooves generally have the shape of an arc of a circle.

[0061] According to one aspect of the invention, these grooves serve as a rail for the shutter. According to one aspect of the invention, the movement of the upper sliding shutter is carried out substantially along an arc-shaped trajectory with a center rotated at IAccording to one aspect of the invention, the drive member, in particular the toothed wheel(s), is arranged on the side of the upper sliding shutter, opposite the mixing chamber.

[0062] Thus the toothed wheel(s) are outside the mixing chamber, which allows the air flow in the mixing chamber to be unobstructed, thereby improving the performance of the device.

[0063] According to one aspect of the invention, the drive member, in particular the toothed wheel(s), is housed in a cylindrical housing formed by the upper wall.

[0064] According to one aspect of the invention, the drive member of this upper sliding shutter is arranged along a structural beam of the vehicle, in particular a structural beam of the dashboard.

[0065] According to one aspect of the invention, the mixing chamber communicates with a second upper air outlet formed on the upper wall, in particular configured to direct the air flow towards a defrosting nozzle of a windshield of the vehicle.

[0066] According to one aspect of the invention, this second upper air outlet comprises a flap, in particular a pivoting flap, arranged to regulate the flow of air which passes through this second air outlet.

[0067] According to one aspect of the invention, the first and second upper air outlets are arranged on the same side of the upper sliding shutter, in particular on the same side of the associated drive member, unlike an arrangement in which the first and second upper air outlets would be arranged on either side of the sliding shutter or the drive member.

[0068] According to one aspect of the invention, the first and second upper air outlets are arranged relative to each other such that the upper sliding flap moves closer to the second air outlet when this flap moves towards the closed position of the first air outlet. According to one aspect of the invention, the first and second upper air outlets have, at least for some of them, a rectangular section.

[0069] According to one aspect of the invention, the mixing chamber thus communicates with, on the one hand, the distribution channel which in particular directs the air towards an air nozzle for feet, and, on the other hand, with the first and second upper air outlets.

[0070] According to one aspect of the invention, the distribution channel which in particular directs the air towards an air nozzle for feet, on the one hand, and the first and second upper air outlets, on the other hand, are arranged on either side of the upper sliding flap.

[0071] According to one aspect of the invention, the paths of the mixing flap and the upper sliding flap are substantially parallel.

[0072] According to one aspect of the invention, the device comprises a plurality of heat exchangers housed in the housing.

[0073] These heat exchangers include at least one evaporator and one condenser.

[0074] The invention also relates, independently or in combination with the above, to a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device for a vehicle, comprising in a housing of this device:

[0075] - a cold air channel,

[0076] - a hot air channel,

[0077] - a mixing chamber arranged downstream of the cold air channel and the hot air channel so that a flow of cold air from the cold air channel and a flow of hot air from the hot air channel can mix in this mixing chamber, the mixing chamber comprising a lower wall and an upper wall opposite the lower wall, the lower wall being provided with a mixing opening between, on the one hand, the cold and hot air channels and, on the other hand, the mixing chamber, this mixing opening comprising a passage section for the cold air channel and a passage section for the hot air channel, - at least one sliding flap arranged to control an air flow which circulates in this mixing chamber,

[0078] - a drive member for the sliding shutter, comprising in particular a toothed wheel, this drive member being arranged on the side of the sliding shutter, opposite the mixing chamber.

[0079] Thanks to the invention, this sliding shutter drive member is outside the mixing chamber, which avoids obstructing the air flows inside this mixing chamber. The invention thus makes it possible to improve the performance of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device.

[0080] According to one aspect of the invention, the mixing chamber communicates with at least one first upper air outlet formed on the upper wall, and the sliding flap is an upper sliding flap arranged to open or close this air outlet.

[0081] According to one aspect of the invention, this first air outlet is arranged to communicate with a lateral or central ventilation nozzle, thus making it possible to cool / heat a passenger of the vehicle.

[0082] According to one aspect of the invention, this upper sliding flap has two parallel longitudinal edges and the flap is arranged to be able to slide between the open and closed positions of this first upper air outlet.

[0083] According to one aspect of the invention, this upper sliding shutter has a curvature whose center of curvature is towards the upper wall of the mixing chamber. Alternatively, this shutter may be flat.

[0084] According to one aspect of the invention, the drive member comprises a toothed wheel actuable in particular by an electric motor actuator.

[0085] According to one aspect of the invention, the upper sliding shutter comprises a rack along a longitudinal edge, in particular two racks each along a longitudinal edge, and each toothed wheel of the drive member cooperates with the rack of the shutter to move this upper sliding shutter.

[0086] According to one aspect of the invention, each rack comprises a strip of splines. According to one aspect of the invention, the drive member comprises two toothed wheels connected by a connecting rod which forms a common axis of rotation of the wheels, and each toothed wheel cooperates with a rack of the upper sliding shutter.

[0087] According to one aspect of the invention, the housing comprises sliding grooves arranged to receive the longitudinal edges of the upper sliding shutter and guide the shutter during sliding movements.

[0088] According to one aspect of the invention, these grooves generally have the shape of an arc of a circle.

[0089] According to one aspect of the invention, these grooves serve as a rail for the shutter.

[0090] According to one aspect of the invention, the movement of the upper sliding shutter is carried out substantially along an arc-shaped trajectory with a center facing away from the mixing chamber, in other words towards the outside of the housing.

[0091] According to one aspect of the invention, the drive member, in particular the toothed wheel(s), is housed in a cylindrical housing formed by the upper wall.

[0092] According to one aspect of the invention, the drive member of this upper sliding shutter is arranged along a structural beam of the vehicle, in particular a structural beam of the dashboard.

[0093] The invention also relates, independently or in combination with the above, to a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device for a vehicle, comprising in a housing of this device:

[0094] - a cold air channel,

[0095] - a hot air channel,

[0096] - a mixing chamber arranged downstream of the cold air channel and the hot air channel so that a flow of cold air from the cold air channel and a flow of hot air from the hot air channel can mix in this mixing chamber, the mixing chamber comprising a lower wall and an upper wall opposite the lower wall, the lower wall being provided with a mixing opening between, on the one hand, the cold and hot air channels and, on the other hand, the mixing chamber, this mixing opening comprising a passage section for the cold air channel and a passage section for the hot air channel,

[0097] - at least one sliding flap arranged to control an air flow which circulates in this mixing chamber, this flap comprising a main face which has a curvature whose center of curvature is directed towards the upper wall of the mixing chamber.

[0098] According to one aspect of the invention, the mixing chamber communicates with at least one first upper air outlet formed on the upper wall, and the sliding flap is an upper sliding flap arranged to open or close this air outlet.

[0099] According to one aspect of the invention, this first air outlet is arranged to communicate with a lateral or central ventilation nozzle, thus making it possible to cool / heat a passenger of the vehicle.

[0100] According to one aspect of the invention, this upper sliding flap has two parallel longitudinal edges and the flap is arranged to be able to slide between the open and closed positions of this first upper air outlet.

[0101] According to one aspect of the invention, the device comprises a drive member for the sliding shutter, comprising in particular a toothed wheel, this drive member being arranged on the side of the sliding shutter, opposite the mixing chamber.

[0102] According to one aspect of the invention, the upper sliding shutter comprises a rack along a longitudinal edge, in particular two racks each along a longitudinal edge, and each toothed wheel of the drive member cooperates with the rack of the shutter to move this upper sliding shutter.

[0103] According to one aspect of the invention, the device further comprises a movable mixing flap arranged to control the flow of cold air and the flow of hot air entering the mixing chamber, this mixing flap being movable between a first extreme position blocking the cold air passage section of the mixing opening preventing the flow of cold air from the cold air channel from circulating towards the mixing chamber, and a second extreme position blocking the hot air passage section of the mixing opening preventing the flow of hot air from the hot air channel from circulating towards the mixing chamber.

[0104] According to one aspect of the invention, the movable mixing flap comprises a main face which has a curvature whose center of curvature is directed towards the upper wall of the mixing chamber.

[0105] According to one aspect of the invention, the paths of the mixing flap and the upper sliding flap are substantially parallel.

[0106] According to one aspect of the invention, the paths of the mixing flap and the upper sliding flap are curved.

[0107] The invention also relates, independently or in combination with the above, to a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device for a vehicle, comprising in a housing of this device:

[0108] - a cold air channel,

[0109] - a hot air channel,

[0110] - a mixing chamber arranged downstream of the cold air channel and the hot air channel so that a flow of cold air from the cold air channel and a flow of hot air from the hot air channel can mix in this mixing chamber, the mixing chamber comprising a lower wall and an upper wall opposite the lower wall, the lower wall being provided with a mixing opening between, on the one hand, the cold and hot air channels and, on the other hand, the mixing chamber, this mixing opening comprising a passage section for the cold air channel and a passage section for the hot air channel, in which the mixing chamber communicates with at least a first upper air outlet formed on the upper wall, and an upper sliding flap is arranged to open or close this air outlet,this first air outlet being in particular arranged to communicate with a lateral or central ventilation nozzle thus making it possible to cool / heat a passenger of the vehicle, in which the mixing chamber communicates with a second upper air outlet formed on the upper wall, in particular configured to lead the air flow towards a defrosting nozzle of a windshield of the vehicle, and in which the first and second upper air outlets are arranged on the same side of the upper sliding flap.,

[0111] According to one aspect of the invention, the first and second upper air outlets are arranged relative to each other such that the upper sliding flap moves closer to the second air outlet when the flap moves towards the closed position of the first air outlet.

[0112] According to one aspect of the invention, the first and second upper air outlets have, at least for some of them, a rectangular section.

[0113] According to one aspect of the invention, the mixing chamber thus communicates with, on the one hand, the distribution channel which in particular directs the air towards an air nozzle for feet, and, on the other hand, with the first and second upper air outlets.

[0114] According to one aspect of the invention, the distribution channel which in particular directs the air towards an air nozzle for feet, on the one hand, and the first and second upper air outlets, on the other hand, are arranged on either side of the upper sliding flap.

[0115] According to one aspect of the invention, the upper sliding flap has two parallel longitudinal edges and the flap is arranged to be able to slide between the open and closed positions of this first upper air outlet.

[0116] According to one aspect of the invention, this upper sliding shutter has a curvature whose center of curvature is directed towards the upper wall.

[0117] According to one aspect of the invention, the device comprises a drive member for the upper sliding shutter, arranged to move it between the open and closed positions, this drive member comprising a toothed wheel actuable in particular by an electric motor actuator.

[0118] According to one aspect of the invention, the upper sliding shutter comprises a rack along the longitudinal edge, in particular two racks each along a longitudinal edge, and the toothed wheel of the drive member cooperates with the rack of the shutter to move this upper sliding shutter. According to one aspect of the invention, the second upper air outlet comprises a shutter, in particular a pivoting shutter, arranged to regulate the air flow which passes through this second air outlet.

[0119] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from reading the description which follows, with reference to the appended figures, which illustrate:

[0120] [Fig. 1] illustrates a sectional view of a part of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0121] [Fig. 2] illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device of Fig. 1;

[0122] [Fig. 3] illustrates a perspective view of the mixing flap and associated drive member of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device of Fig. 1;

[0123] [Fig. 4] illustrates a perspective view of the upper flap and associated drive member of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device of Figure 1.

[0124] The terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to the flow of air circulating within the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device.

[0125] Figures 1 and 2 show a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device 1, comprising a housing 2 which houses heat exchangers.

[0126] Among these heat exchangers are an evaporator 4 intended to cool and dehumidify an air flow F1 which passes through it, and a heater 6 intended to heat an air flow F2 which passes through it.

[0127] The heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device 1 comprises a motor-fan unit, not shown, which makes it possible to convey air to the heat exchangers 4 and 6.

[0128] It is possible to refer for example to patent application FR3100311 for more details on the operation of the device 1.

[0129] The device 1 further comprises: a cold air channel 7 in which the air flow F1 can circulate, - a hot air channel 8 in which the air flow F2 can circulate,

[0130] - a mixing chamber 9 arranged downstream of the cold air channel 7 and the hot air channel 8 so that a cold air flow F1 coming from the cold air channel 7 and a hot air flow F2 coming from the hot air channel 8 can mix in this mixing chamber 9.

[0131] The mixing chamber 9 comprises a lower wall 10 and an upper wall 11 opposite the lower wall 10, the lower wall 10 being provided with a mixing opening 12 between, on the one hand, the cold and hot air channels 7 and 8 and, on the other hand, the mixing chamber 9, this mixing opening 12 comprising a passage section 14 for the cold air channel 7 and a passage section 15 for the hot air channel 8.

[0132] The housing 2 comprises a distribution air channel 16 arranged to bring air from the mixing chamber 9 to a foot air nozzle, not shown, opening into a passenger compartment of the vehicle, towards a floor of this vehicle.

[0133] Also provided is a movable mixing flap 20 arranged to control the cold air flow F1 and the hot air flow F2 entering the mixing chamber 9.

[0134] This mixing flap 20 is movable between a first extreme position blocking the cold air passage section 14 of the mixing opening 12 preventing the cold air flow F1 of the cold air channel 7 from circulating towards the mixing chamber 9, and a second extreme position blocking the hot air passage section 15 of the mixing opening 12 preventing the hot air flow F2 of the hot air channel 8 from circulating towards the mixing chamber 9.

[0135] This movable flap 20 is arranged to take an intermediate position between these extreme positions, intermediate position in which this flap 20 defines a bypass channel 21 separate from the mixing chamber, and allowing cold air to circulate from the cold air channel 7 to the hot air channel 8 through this bypass channel 21, as illustrated by the arrow F3.

[0136] The mixing flap 20 extends over the lower wall 10 of the mixing chamber 9.

[0137] The device 1 further comprises an air guide 22 arranged to guide air exiting from the bypass channel 21 towards the distribution air channel 16, this air guide 22 extending in the mixing chamber 9 between the lower wall 10 and the upper wall 11, and having an extent chosen so as to leave a passage of air from the mixing opening 12 towards the upper wall 11 of the mixing chamber 9.

[0138] The air flow F1 which has been cooled by the evaporator 4 is separated from the heater 6 by a partition 25, so that the cold air flow F1 is not heated by the hot air flow, when this is not desirable.

[0139] In the present invention, height is defined as the dimension measured along a height axis Z which passes through the lower 10 and upper 11 walls of the mixing chamber 9. This axis Z corresponds to the vertical when the device 1 is mounted on the vehicle.

[0140] The air guide 22 is thus at an intermediate height between the lower 10 and upper 11 walls of the mixing chamber 9.

[0141] This air guide 22 makes it possible to guide the air flow F3 from the bypass channel 21 towards the distribution channel 16, while reducing the temperature stratification in this air flow. Indeed, the air guide 22 makes it possible to reduce the height of the air flow, and to separate this air flow from the volume on the other side of the air guide 22.

[0142] The air guide 22 has a height which varies between the bypass channel 21 and the distribution channel 16.

[0143] In particular, this air guide 22 is closer to the lower wall 10 of the mixing chamber 9 than to the upper wall 11, at one end facing the bypass channel 21, and this air guide 22 is closer to the upper wall 11 of the mixing chamber 9 than to the lower wall 10, at one end facing the distribution channel 16.

[0144] In the example described, the air guide 22 has a curved profile with an inflection point, as can be seen in FIG. 1.

[0145] The air guide 22 comprises, at its end facing the bypass channel 21, a portion 27 substantially parallel to the lower wall 10 of the mixing chamber 9. The air guide 22 comprises, at its end facing the distribution channel, a portion 28 substantially parallel to the upper wall 11 of the mixing chamber 9.

[0146] The air guide 22 has a strip shape with two parallel longitudinal edges 29, and is made of a monolithic piece.

[0147] The air guide 22 comprises two fixing lugs 30 arranged to allow the fixing of this air guide on a side wall 31 of the mixing chamber 9.

[0148] These fixing tabs 30 are perpendicular to the strip of the air guide 22, and are arranged to allow fixing by screws. Alternatively, the air guide 22 is made of molding with a portion of the housing 2.

[0149] The distribution channel 16 comprises a butterfly-type distribution flap 32, movable around an axis of rotation R1 to control the flow of air entering this distribution channel 16, and the air guide 22 has a width measured parallel to this axis of rotation R1 of the flap 32, which is less than the width of this distribution flap 32.

[0150] The air guide 22 has a width which is less than the width of the mixing flap 20.

[0151] In the example described, the device 1 comprises two sliding mixing flaps 20, each on one side of the housing 2, and two air guides 22 each associated respectively with one of these mixing flaps 20.

[0152] As seen in Figure 3, this sliding mixing flap 20 has two parallel longitudinal edges 34 and the flap 20 is arranged to be able to slide between the extreme positions along a trajectory which runs along these longitudinal edges 34.

[0153] The sliding shutter 20 comprises, at each longitudinal end, two transverse projections 35 perpendicular to the longitudinal edges 34, and projecting in the direction of the mixing opening 12.

[0154] The transverse projections 35 come to bear on the lower wall 10 when the flap 20 is in the extreme positions.

[0155] In the intermediate position of the flap, the transverse projections 35 are opposite respectively the passage section 14 for the cold air channel and the passage section 15 for the hot air channel so as to form the bypass channel 21 allowing air to circulate from one passage section to the other.

[0156] The housing 2 comprises a separating partition 25 between the cold air channel 7 and the hot air channel 8, and the flap 20 comprises a main face 37 between the two transverse projections 35, this main face 37 being arranged to define the bypass channel 21 which is between this main face 37 and the separating partition 25.

[0157] In other words, this main face 37 is set back from the dividing wall 25 to leave sufficient space to form the bypass channel 21.

[0158] The longitudinal edges 34 of this main face 37 are curved.

[0159] This main face 37 of the shutter has a curvature whose center of curvature is directed towards the upper wall 11.

[0160] In other words, this main face 37 of the shutter has a concavity directed towards the mixing chamber 9.

[0161] The device 1 comprises a drive member 38 of the shutter, arranged to cooperate with the shutter 20 to move it between the extreme positions.

[0162] The drive member 38 comprises two toothed wheels 39 connected by a connecting rod 40 which forms a common axis of rotation R2 of the wheels, and each toothed wheel 39 cooperates with a rack 42 of the shutter 20.

[0163] The shutter 20 comprises two racks 42 each along a longitudinal edge 34, and the toothed wheel 39 of the drive member 38 cooperates with the rack 42 of the shutter to move this shutter 20.

[0164] Each rack 42 comprises a strip of grooves 43.

[0165] Thus, each shutter 20 is associated with two toothed wheels 39 which rotate simultaneously.

[0166] The housing 2 comprises sliding grooves 44, or sliding grooves, arranged to receive the longitudinal edges 34 of the shutter and guide the shutter 20 during sliding movements between the extreme positions.

[0167] These grooves 44 generally have the shape of an arc of a circle, and serve as a rail for the shutter 20.

[0168] The movement between the extreme positions of the flap 20 is carried out substantially following an arc-shaped trajectory with a center facing the mixing chamber 9.

[0169] The drive member 38 including the toothed wheels 39 is arranged on the side of the mixing flap 20 facing the mixing chamber 9.

[0170] The air guide 22 extends substantially from the toothed wheel 39 to the distribution flap 32 of the distribution channel 16.

[0171] The mixing chamber 9 communicates with first upper air outlets 47 formed on the upper wall 11, and an upper sliding flap 48 is arranged to open or close these air outlets 47.

[0172] These first air outlets 47 are arranged to communicate with a lateral or central ventilation nozzle, thus making it possible to cool / heat a passenger of the vehicle.

[0173] As can be better seen in Figure 4, the upper sliding shutter 48 is of the sliding door type.

[0174] This upper sliding flap 48 has two parallel longitudinal edges 49 and the flap 48 is arranged to be able to slide between the open and closed positions of these first upper air outlets 47.

[0175] This upper sliding shutter 48 has a curvature whose center of curvature is directed towards the upper wall 11.

[0176] In particular, this flap 48 comprises a main face 68 which has a curvature whose center of curvature is directed towards the upper wall 11 of the mixing chamber 9.

[0177] In other words, this upper sliding shutter 48 has a concavity directed away from the mixing chamber 9. The device 1 comprises a drive member 50 for the upper sliding shutter 48, arranged to move it between the open and closed positions.

[0178] This drive member 50 comprises two toothed wheels 51 connected by a connecting rod 52 which forms a common axis of rotation of the wheels, and each toothed wheel cooperates with a rack 53 of the upper sliding shutter.

[0179] The upper sliding shutter 48 comprises two racks 53 each along a longitudinal edge 49, and the toothed wheel 51 of the drive member cooperates with the rack 53 of the shutter to move this upper sliding shutter 48.

[0180] Each rack 53 comprises a strip of grooves 54.

[0181] Thus, each upper sliding shutter 48 is associated with two toothed wheels 51 which rotate simultaneously.

[0182] The housing 2 comprises sliding grooves 55 arranged to receive the longitudinal edges 49 of the upper sliding shutter and guide the shutter during sliding movements.

[0183] These grooves 55 generally have the shape of an arc of a circle, and serve as a rail for the shutter 48.

[0184] The movement of the upper sliding flap 48 is carried out substantially along an arc-shaped trajectory with a center facing away from the mixing chamber 9, in other words towards the outside of the housing 2.

[0185] The drive member 50 including the toothed wheels 51 is arranged on the side of the upper sliding flap 48, opposite the mixing chamber 9.

[0186] Thus the toothed wheels 51 are outside the mixing chamber 9, which makes it possible not to obstruct the air flows in the mixing chamber 9, which makes it possible to improve the performance of the device 1.

[0187] The drive member 50 including the toothed wheels 51 is housed in a cylindrical housing 56 formed by the upper wall 11.

[0188] The drive member 50 of this upper sliding flap 48 is arranged along a structural beam of the vehicle, in particular a structural beam of the dashboard, not shown. The mixing chamber 9 communicates with a second upper air outlet 60 formed on the upper wall 11 and configured to lead the air flow towards a defrosting nozzle of a windshield of the vehicle.

[0189] This second upper air outlet 60 comprises a pivoting flap 61 arranged to regulate the flow of air which passes through this second air outlet 60.

[0190] The first and second upper air outlets 47 and 60 are arranged on the same side of the upper sliding flap 48, and on the same side of the associated drive member 50, unlike an arrangement in which the first and second upper air outlets 47 and 60 would be arranged on either side of the sliding flap 48.

[0191] The first and second upper air outlets 47 and 60 are arranged relative to each other such that the upper sliding flap 48 moves closer to the second air outlet 60 when this flap 48 moves towards the closed position of the first air outlet.

[0192] The first and second upper air outlets 47 and 60 have, at least for some of them, a rectangular section.

[0193] The mixing chamber 9 thus communicates with, on the one hand, the distribution channel 16 which in particular directs the air towards an air nozzle for feet, and, on the other hand, with the first and second upper air outlets 47 and 60.

[0194] The distribution channel 16 which in particular directs the air towards an air nozzle for feet, on the one hand, and the first and second upper air outlets 47 and 60, on the other hand, are arranged on either side of the upper sliding flap 48.

[0195] The paths of the mixing flap 20 and the upper sliding flap 48 are substantially parallel.

Claims

Demands Claim 1 - A vehicle heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device (1), comprising in a housing of this device: - a cold air duct (7), - a hot air duct (8), - a mixing chamber (9) disposed downstream of the cold air duct and the hot air duct so that a flow of cold air from the cold air duct and a flow of hot air from the hot air duct can mix in this mixing chamber, the mixing chamber having a lower wall and an upper wall (11) opposite the lower wall (10), the lower wall being provided with a mixing opening (12) between, on the one hand, the cold and hot air ducts and, on the other hand, the mixing chamber, this mixing opening comprising a passage section for the cold air duct and a passage section for the hot air duct, - at least one sliding flap (48) arranged to control an airflow circulating in this mixing chamber, - a drive element (50) of the sliding shutter, including in particular a toothed wheel (51), this drive element being disposed on the side of the sliding shutter, opposite the mixing chamber (9). Claim 2 - Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the mixing chamber (9) communicates with at least one first upper air outlet (47) formed on the upper wall (11), and the sliding flap (48) is an upper sliding flap arranged to open or close this air outlet, this first air outlet (47) being in particular arranged to communicate with a side or central ventilation nozzle thus enabling a passenger of the vehicle to be cooled / heated. Claim 3 - Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein this upper sliding flap (48) has a curvature whose center of curvature is towards the upper wall (11) of the mixing chamber (9). Claim 4 - Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive member (50) comprises a toothed wheel (51) actuable in particular by an electric motor actuator. Claim 5 - A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper sliding flap (48) comprises a rack along a longitudinal edge, in particular two racks (53), each along a longitudinal edge, and each gear of the drive member cooperates with the rack of the flap to move this upper sliding flap. Claim 6 - A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive member (50) comprises two gears (51) connected by a connecting rod (52) which forms a common axis of rotation for the gears, and each gear cooperates with a rack of the upper sliding flap.Claim 7 - Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing includes sliding grooves (55) arranged to receive the longitudinal edges of the upper sliding flap and guide the flap during sliding movements, these grooves generally having an arc-shaped form. Claim 8 - Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive member (50), in particular the gear wheel(s), is housed in a cylindrical housing (56) formed by the upper wall. Claim 9 - Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive member (50) of this upper sliding flap is disposed along a structural beam of the vehicle, in particular a structural beam of the dashboard.

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