Land vehicle window demisting device

Abstract

Device for demisting land vehicle glazing The invention relates to a device for demisting land vehicle glazing (18, 20), comprising: - a box defining a compartment (40, 41); - an air inlet duct (34, 35), opening onto a first end of the first compartment; and - a fan (36, 37) arranged between the air inlet duct and the compartment; the box comprising a slot (38, 39) arranged at a second end of the compartment, said slot forming an air outlet intended to send, towards the glazing of the land vehicle, a flow (55, 56) of air from the fan. Figure for abstract: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Device for defogging land vehicle windows

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for demisting the windows of a land vehicle.

[0002] Such a device is intended to eliminate the fog forming on the vehicle windows, such as the windshield, during a movement of said vehicle with a driver and any passengers. It is indeed necessary to guarantee satisfactory visibility when driving.

[0003] Known devices, such as the device described in document WO2014044977, are connected to an air treatment installation of the vehicle, ensuring ventilation and heating or air conditioning of the interior air. It is therefore difficult to incorporate such devices into existing vehicles.

[0004] The aim of the invention is to propose a demisting device which is easy to incorporate into existing vehicles.

[0005] To this end, the invention relates to a demisting device of the aforementioned type, comprising: a box defining a first compartment; a first air inlet duct, opening onto a first end of the first compartment; and a first fan arranged between the first air inlet duct and the first compartment; the box comprising a first slot arranged at a second end of the first compartment, said first slot forming a first air outlet intended to send, towards the glazing of the land vehicle, a first air flow from the first fan.

[0006] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the demisting device comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0007] - the first slot comprises a first and a second portion and the box further comprises a deflector, disposed in the first compartment and configured to distribute the first air flow between said first and second portions;

[0008] - the deflector is configured to direct a greater portion of the airflow toward the second portion, in particular 75% of the airflow to the second portion;

[0009] - the demisting device further comprises a first heating element associated with the first fan, the first heating element being capable of heating the first flow (of air coming from the first fan;

[0010] - the first heating element is a heating resistor;

[0011] - the box defines a second compartment separated from the first compartment by an internal partition of said box; and the device further comprises: a second air inlet duct, opening onto a first end of the second compartment; and a second fan disposed between the second air inlet duct and the second compartment; the box comprising a second slot disposed at a second end of the second compartment, said second slot forming a second air outlet.

[0012] The invention further relates to a land vehicle comprising an internal space, a wall of said internal space being formed by glazing, said land vehicle comprising a demisting device as described above, the first air inlet duct opening onto the internal space, the first slot being arranged so as to direct the first air flow towards the glazing.

[0013] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the land vehicle comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0014] - the glazing comprises a first zone more resistant to shocks and a second less impact-resistant area, the first and second portions of the first slot being arranged opposite, respectively, the first and second areas of the glazing;

[0015] - a distance between the second portion of the first slot and the second zone of the glazing is greater than a distance between the first portion of the first slot and the first area of ​​the glazing;

[0016] the first zone is equipped with a heating film and the second zone is without a heating film.

[0017] The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0018] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a schematic side view of a land vehicle comprising a demisting device according to one embodiment of the invention; and

[0019] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic top view of the land vehicle of [Fig.l].

[0020] Figures 1 and 2 are partial schematic views of a land vehicle 10 according to one embodiment of the invention. The vehicle 10 is for example a railway vehicle of the train or tram type. Alternatively, the vehicle 10 is a road vehicle of the bus type.

[0021] The vehicle 10 comprises a body 12. In the remainder of the description, an orthonormal base (X, Y, Z) associated with the body 12 is considered. The X direction represents a horizontal direction of movement of the vehicle 10, the Z direction represents the vertical.

[0022] A front end of the body 12, relative to the direction X of movement, is formed by a driving cabin 14, intended to receive a driver of the vehicle 10. The body 12 comprises in particular glazings 16 delimiting the driving cabin 14. The glazings 16 comprise in particular a windshield 18 and side windows 20, intended to be arranged respectively facing the driver and on the sides of said driver during the driving of the vehicle 10.

[0023] In the embodiment shown, each side bay 20 comprises a first 22 and a second 24 zones. More precisely, the second zone 24 is intended to be broken by the driver to allow emergency evacuation of the driver's cabin 14. Thus, preferably, the second zone 24 has a resistance to shocks and breakage lower than a resistance of the first zone 22.

[0024] In particular, in the embodiment shown, the first zone 22 is equipped with a heating film 26, the second zone 24 being devoid of heating film.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the second zone 24 is delimited by a frame (not shown) which separates it from the first zone 22. Said frame preferably projects relative to the side bay 20.

[0026] The vehicle 10 further comprises a device 30 for demisting the windows 16.

[0027] The demisting device 30 comprises: a box 32; at least one air inlet duct 34, 35; and at least one air heater 36, 37. The box comprises at least one slot 38, 39.

[0028] The box is arranged in the driving cabin 14 and defines at least one compartment 40, 4L. The air inlet duct 34, 35 connects the driving cabin 14 and said compartment 40, 4L. The slot 38, 39 forms an air outlet from the compartment 40, 41 to the driving cabin 14, more precisely to the glazing 16.

[0029] In the embodiment shown, the box 32 has a substantially C-shaped shape, with a central branch 42 and two lateral branches 44.

[0030] Each of the branches 42, 44 has an elongated shape. The central branch 42 extends substantially along Y. Each lateral branch 44 extends substantially along X.

[0031] The box 32 is arranged at a lower end of the glazings 16. More precisely, the central branch 42 is arranged at a lower end of the windshield 18; and each lateral branch 44 is arranged at a lower end of one of the lateral bays 20.

[0032] In the embodiment shown, the box 32 comprises internal partitions 46 extending between the central branch 42 and each lateral branch 44. Each of the central branches 42 and lateral branches 44 respectively defines a central compartment 40 and a lateral compartment 4L.

[0033] At least one first air inlet duct 34 opens onto the central compartment 40. In the embodiment shown, two first air inlet ducts 34 open onto the central compartment 40. Said first ducts 34 are arranged on a first edge 48 along X of the central branch 42. Said first edge 48 is oriented towards a location 50 intended for the driver in the driving cabin 14.

[0034] Preferably, the first conduits 34 are spaced apart from each other along the first edge 48. For example, the first conduits 34 are arranged on either side of a control console 52, located in the cabin 14.

[0035] Furthermore, at least one second air inlet duct 35 opens onto each lateral compartment 41. In the embodiment shown, each second duct 35 is arranged on a first edge 54 along Y of the corresponding lateral branch 44. Said first edge 54 is oriented towards the location 50 intended for the driver.

[0036] Each of the first 34 and second 35 conduits is associated with an air heater 36, 37, arranged between said first 34 or second 35 conduit and the corresponding compartment 40, 41.

[0037] Each air heater 36, 37 comprises at least one fan, capable of generating a flow 55, 56 of air between the driving cabin 14 and the compartment 40, 4L.

[0038] Preferably, at least one of the air heaters 36, 37 further comprises a heating element such as a heating resistor, capable of heating the corresponding air flow.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the air heaters 36, 37 can be started by the driver, in particular via the control panel 52. Alternatively, the air heaters 36, 37 are connected to an electronic device (not shown) of the vehicle 10, capable of controlling their start-up. The electronic device comprises, for example, humidity detectors located at the level of the windows 16.

[0040] At least one first slot 38 of the box 32 opens onto the central compartment 40. In the embodiment shown, the first slot 38 is arranged near a second edge 57 along X of the central branch 42, oriented towards the windshield 18. The air outlet formed by the first slot 38 is oriented upwards, so as to send the air flow leaving the central compartment 40 towards the windshield 18.

[0041] In the embodiment shown, the first slot 38 is continuous, substantially over a length along Y of the central branch 42. In a variant not shown, the first slot 38 is discontinuous, comprising for example several portions spaced from each other over said length.

[0042] At least one second slot 39 of the box 32 opens onto each lateral compartment 4L. In the embodiment shown, the second slot 39 is arranged near a second edge 58 along Y of the corresponding lateral branch 44, oriented towards the corresponding lateral bay 20. The air outlet formed by the second slot 39 is oriented upwards, so as to send the air flow towards the lateral bay 20. exiting from side compartment 41.

[0043] Preferably, the second slot 39 of at least one of the lateral compartments 41 is discontinuous and comprises a first 60 and a second 62 portions, spaced apart from each other. The first 60 and second 62 portions are arranged facing, respectively, the first 22 and the second 24 zones of the corresponding lateral bay 20.

[0044] In the embodiment shown, the two lateral compartments 41 comprise second identical slots 39.

[0045] In the embodiment shown, the second portion 62 of the second slot 39 is further away from the second edge 58 of the lateral branch 44 than the first portion 60. Thus, the second portion 62 and the second zone 24 of the lateral opening are further away from each other than the first portion 60 and the first zone 22. Such a configuration makes it possible to bypass a frame (not shown), projecting relative to the lateral opening 20 and surrounding the second zone 24.

[0046] Preferably, the box 32 further comprises at least one deflector 64, arranged in one of the lateral compartments 41. The deflector 64 is configured to distribute the air flow 56 between the first 60 and second 62 portions of the second slot 39.

[0047] Preferably, the deflector 64 is configured to direct a greater portion of the air flow toward the second portion 62, located opposite the second zone 24 without a heating film. For example, the deflector 64 is configured to direct 75% of the air flow 56 toward the second portion 62 and 25% toward the first portion 60.

[0048] According to one embodiment, in addition to the demisting device 30, the vehicle 10 comprises an air treatment installation for the driver's cabin 14. Said installation comprises, for example, a distribution box 66, arranged at the level of a ceiling of the cabin 14. The box 66 is capable of diffusing treated air into said cabin, for example heated or cooled depending on the external conditions. The demisting device 30 and the air treatment installation are independent of each other.

[0049] A method of operating the demisting device 30 will now be described.

[0050] During the movement of the vehicle 10, when mist accumulates on the windshield 18 and / or on the side windows 20, the driver actuates a control located on the console 52 to start the air heaters 36, 37. Alternatively, detectors (not shown) identify the presence of mist, which triggers the start-up of the air heaters.

[0051] The fans of the heaters 36, 37 generate a flow 55, 56 of air inside the cabin 14, directed towards the glazings 16, 18, 20 through the slots 38, 39 of the box. The air blown onto the glazings, inside the cabin 14, leads to the evaporation of the mist formed.

[0052] If necessary, the air flow is further heated by the heating element of the air heaters 36, 37 to accelerate the evaporation of the mist.

[0053] Preferably, for glazing comprising a heating film 26, such as the first zone 22 of the side windows, said heating film is also activated to evaporate the mist from said first zone.

[0054] The demisting device 30 is independent of other air treatment systems in land vehicle driver's cabins. The device 30 can thus be easily incorporated into existing vehicles.

Claims

Claims

1. Device (30) for demisting glazing (16) of a land vehicle, comprising: - a box (32), said box defining a first compartment (40, 41); - a first air inlet duct (34, 35), opening onto a first end of the first compartment; and - a first fan (36, 37) arranged between the first air inlet duct and the first compartment; the box comprising a first slot (38, 39) arranged at a second end of the first compartment, said first slot forming a first air outlet intended to send, towards the glazing of the land vehicle, a first flow (55, 56) of air from the first fan, the box defining a second compartment (40, 41), separated from the first compartment by an internal partition (46) of said box; and the device further comprising: - a second air inlet duct (34, 35), opening onto a first end of the second compartment;and - a second fan (36, 37) arranged between the second air inlet duct and the second compartment; the box comprising a second slot (38, 39) arranged at a second end of the second compartment, said second slot forming a second air outlet.;

2. A demisting device according to claim 1, wherein the first slot (39) comprises a first (60) and a second (62) portion and the box further comprises a deflector (64), disposed in the first compartment (41) and configured to distribute the first air flow between said first and second portions.

3. A demisting device according to claim 2, wherein the deflector (64) is configured to direct a greater portion of the airflow towards the second portion (62), in particular 75% of the airflow towards the second portion (62).

4. A demisting device according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a first heating element associated with the first fan (36, 37), the first heating element being capable of heating the first flow (55, 56) of air from the first fan.

5. A demisting device according to claim 4, wherein the first heating element is a heating resistor.

6. Land vehicle (10) comprising an internal space (14), a wall of said internal space being formed by a glazing (16), said land vehicle comprising a demisting device (30) according to one of the preceding claims, the first air inlet duct (34, 35) opening onto the internal space, the first slot (38, 39) being arranged so as to direct the first air flow towards the glazing.

7. Land vehicle according to claim 6, in which the glazing comprises a first zone (22) more resistant to impacts and a second zone (24) less resistant to impacts, the demisting device being in accordance with claim 2, the first (60) and second (62) portions of the first slot (39) being arranged opposite, respectively, the first and second zones of the glazing.

8. A land vehicle according to claim 7, wherein a distance between the second portion (62) of the first slot and the second area (24) of the glazing is greater than a distance between the first portion (60) of the first slot and the first area (22) of the glazing.

9. A land vehicle according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the first zone (22) is equipped with a heating film (26) and the second zone (24) is devoid of heating film.

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