Vehicle comprising an air handling unit, an air distribution system and an air intake system

Abstract

Vehicle comprising an air handling unit, an air distribution system, and an air return system. Vehicle (1), in particular a railway vehicle, comprising a roof (2) and a passenger compartment (3) for passengers, the vehicle (1) further comprising a ceiling (4) delimiting the passenger compartment (3), a space (14) being defined between the roof (2) and the ceiling (4), the vehicle (1) further comprising at least one air handling unit (6) arranged on the roof (2), the vehicle (1) further comprising an air distribution system (8) arranged in said space (14) capable of distributing air from the air handling unit (6) into the passenger compartment (3), the vehicle (1) further comprising an air return system (10) capable of conveying air from the passenger compartment (3) to the air handling unit (6) for treatment. Figure for abbreviation: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Vehicle comprising an air treatment unit, an air diffusion system and an air recirculation system

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle, comprising at least one air handling unit, an air diffusion system and an air return system.

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of air treatment for vehicles, such as railway vehicles.

[0003] As is known per se, some vehicles include one or more air handling units configured to heat, ventilate, and air-condition vehicles by means of air, for example, to supply air to the driver's cab or the passenger compartments of the vehicle. Such air handling units are also known by the acronym HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning).

[0004] When air is supplied and / or extracted from passenger rooms, for example, a number of constraints must be observed to ensure passenger comfort. For example, air ducts are arranged to distribute air to desired areas.

[0005] In some cases, noise from the air handling unit may restrict passenger comfort. In particular, air handling units generally include at least one fan that generates noise during operation.

[0006] Therefore, such systems with air handling units for vehicles can still be improved.

[0007] One object of the present invention is therefore to remedy at least in part the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0008] In particular, an object of the invention is to obtain a vehicle comprising at least one air handling unit, which increases passenger comfort. Also, an object of the present invention is to obtain a vehicle that is particularly simple to construct.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle, comprising a roof and a passenger compartment for passengers, the vehicle further comprising a ceiling delimiting the passenger compartment, a space being defined between the roof and the ceiling, the vehicle further comprising at least one air handling unit arranged on the roof,

[0010] the vehicle further comprising an air diffusion system arranged in said space capable of diffusing air from the air handling unit into the passenger compartment, the vehicle further comprising an air return system capable of conveying air from the passenger compartment to the air handling unit for treatment,

[0011] the air recovery system comprising at least one return duct arranged in said space, a first opening connecting the passenger room to a first end of said return duct, and a second opening connecting a second end of said return duct to the air handling unit, the first opening being offset relative to the second opening in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0012] Indeed, thanks to the air return system, the first opening is located away from the second opening which leads into the air handling unit. Consequently, noise levels in the passenger cabin are reduced.

[0013] According to particular embodiments of the invention, the vehicle comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0014] - the air diffusion system includes lateral ducts and a first duct central connected to an outlet of the air handling unit, the lateral ducts having diffusion openings in the passenger room;

[0015] - the first central conduit is devoid of openings leading into the room of passengers;

[0016] - the air intake system comprises at least two return ducts arranged in said space, each return duct connecting the respective first opening to the respective second opening, the first central duct extending between said return ducts and parallel to said return ducts;

[0017] - the vehicle includes at least one driver's cab for a driver of the vehicle, the air diffusion system further comprising a cabin duct connecting the first central duct to an opening in the driver's cabin for supplying the driver's cabin with air;

[0018] - the driver's cab opening is fitted with a movable flap configured for adjust the airflow in the driver's cab;

[0019] - the driver's cab includes an extractor configured to regulate an airflow extracted from the driver's cab towards the outside of the vehicle;

[0020] - the air diffusion system includes at least one absorption element acoustic placed between the outlet of the air handling unit and one of the diffusion openings in the passenger room of the side ducts;

[0021] - the air diffusion system includes a movable guidance device in translation to adjust an air diffusion ratio between the first central duct and a second central conduit extending in a direction opposite to the first central conduit;

[0022] - the air diffusion system includes adjustment devices suitable for adjusting a ratio of an air diffusion between the first central duct and the lateral ducts, each adjustment device having a first part fixed relative to the lateral ducts and a second part fixed to the mobile guide device, the second part modifying a minimum section between the outlet of the air handling unit and the lateral ducts during a translation of the mobile guide device;

[0023] - the first central conduit has a width between 20% and 33% of a vehicle width;

[0024] - the air diffusion system is fanless.

[0025] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] - [Fig. 1] [Fig. 1] is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a vehicle according to the invention;

[0027] - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a perspective representation with a section along a plane II of the [Fig. 1], and

[0028] - [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic perspective representation with a section according to plan III of [Fig.l].

[0029] With reference to [Fig.1], a vehicle 1 includes a roof 2 and a passenger room 3 for receiving passengers from the vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 further includes a ceiling 4 delimiting the passenger room 3, in particular along an elevation direction E of the vehicle 1.

[0030] The vehicle 1 further includes at least one air handling unit 6 arranged on the roof 2.

[0031] The vehicle 1 further includes an air diffusion system 8 configured to diffuse air from the air handling unit 6 into the vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 further includes an air recirculation system 10 configured to recover air and transport it to the air handling unit 6. The air diffusion system 8 and the air recirculation system 10 are shown in more detail in Figures 2 and 3.

[0032] In addition, vehicle 1 includes, for example, a driver's cab 12 configured to receive a driver of vehicle 1.

[0033] Vehicle 1 is, for example, a railway vehicle. According to other examples, vehicle 1 is a road vehicle, a ship, or an aircraft.

[0034] Vehicle 1 defines a longitudinal direction L corresponding to a direction of travel of vehicle 1. Vehicle 1 further defines an elevation direction E which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L, and oriented, for example, vertically upwards when vehicle 1 travels on a horizontal plane. Vehicle 1 defines in addition a transverse direction T perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and to the elevation direction E.

[0035] The vehicle 1 has in particular a width defined according to the transverse direction T.

[0036] The air handling group 6 is for example a system of the type HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning).

[0037] The air handling group 6 is configured to recover air, treat it and diffuse it.

[0038] The air handling unit 6 includes at least one fan. For example, the air handling unit 6 includes a fan both for recovering air from the air return system 10 and for distributing air treated by the air distribution system 8. In addition, the air handling unit 6 includes air treatment means, known per se.

[0039] The vehicle 1 defines a space 14 delimited between the roof 2 and the ceiling 4. For example, the roof 2 and the ceiling 4 extend parallel to each other, and with a substantially constant distance along the direction of elevation E.

[0040] The air diffusion system 8 and the air return system 10 are arranged in space 14.

[0041] The air diffusion system 8 is suitable for diffusing treated air from the air handling unit 6 into the passenger room 3. In addition, the air diffusion system 8 is also suitable for diffusing treated air into the driver's cab 12.

[0042] With reference to [Fig.2], the air diffusion system 8 has, for example, an opening 16, preferably a single opening 16, towards the air handling unit 6. The air diffusion system 8 is thus able to receive treated air from the handling unit 6 through the opening 16.

[0043] According to an example and with reference to [Fig.2], the air return system 10 has openings 18 towards the air handling unit 6. Through the openings 18, the air return system 10 is thus able to transmit air towards the handling unit 6 for treatment of this air.

[0044] With reference to [Fig.3], the air diffusion system 8 includes lateral ducts 20, for example two lateral ducts 20. The lateral ducts 20 extend in particular parallel to each other, and preferably at opposite ends of the vehicle 1 in the transverse direction T.

[0045] The air diffusion system 8 further comprises, for example, a first central duct 22. According to one example, the air diffusion system 8 further comprises a second central duct 24 extending in a direction opposite to the first duct central 22. For example, each of the first central conduit 22 and the second central conduit 24 extends substantially along the longitudinal direction L.

[0046] The lateral ducts 20, the first central duct 22, and the second central duct 24 are connected to the opening 16 forming an outlet of the air handling unit 6.

[0047] Preferably, the lateral conduits 20 extend over the entire length of the passenger room 3 in the longitudinal direction L.

[0048] The side ducts 20, for example, have diffusion openings 26 suitable for diffusing air into the passenger room 3. Preferably, the side ducts 20 have the diffusion openings 26 along the entire length of the passenger room 3, and / or, for example, at a constant distance between two adjacent diffusion openings. In particular, the side ducts 20 also have diffusion openings 26 at a position along the longitudinal direction L corresponding to the outlet of the air handling unit 6 in the air distribution system 8, namely, in particular, the opening 16. This makes it possible, in particular, to ensure a supply of treated air throughout the passenger room 3, including at the outlet of the air handling unit 6 in the air distribution system 8.

[0049] Preferably, the first central duct 22 and / or the second central duct 24 is / are without openings leading into the passenger room 3. Preferably, the air diffusion system 8 is capable of diffusing air into the passenger room 3 only through the lateral ducts 20.

[0050] For example, the first central duct 22 has a width between 20% and 33% of the width of the vehicle 1 in the transverse direction T. This makes it possible in particular to transmit treated air over a large distance in the longitudinal direction L, for example to the driver's cabin 12.

[0051] Preferably, the air diffusion system 8 is fanless. In particular, when the width of the first central duct 22 is between 20% and 33% of the width of the vehicle 1, the air diffusion system 8 is able to transport air to the driver's cab 12, without a fan, for example, in the first central duct 22.

[0052] The air diffusion system 8 further comprises, for example, at least one sound-absorbing element 28 disposed between the outlet of the air handling unit 6 formed by the opening 16, and one of the diffusion openings 26 in the passenger room 3 of the side ducts 20. For example, the air diffusion system 8 comprises three sound-absorbing elements 28 on one side of the outlet of the air handling unit 6 and three sound-absorbing elements 28 on the other side of this outlet.

[0053] Each sound-absorbing element 28 has, for example, the shape of a brick.

[0054] Each sound-absorbing element 28 is configured to absorb at least partially noise nuisances, for example from the fan of the air handling unit 6. For example, each sound-absorbing element 28 is made of a material suitable for absorbing sound waves.

[0055] For example, each sound-absorbing element 28 is arranged relative to at least one other sound-absorbing element 28 so as to form a gap between these elements, suitable for allowing the passage of air from the outlet of the air handling unit 6 to the diffusion openings 26.

[0056] The acoustic absorption elements 28 make it possible in particular to obtain an absorption of noise from the fan of the air handling unit 6, in order to reduce the noise transmitted to the passenger room 3 from the air handling unit 6.

[0057] The air diffusion system 8 further includes, for example, a guide device 30 movable in translation along the longitudinal direction L. The guide device 30 is configured to regulate an air diffusion ratio between the first central duct 22 and the second central duct 24.

[0058] For example, the guiding device 30 has a ramp-shaped surface extending towards the second central duct 24. The ramp forms in particular a rounded part of the guiding device 30 adapted to guide the fraction of air flowing into the second central duct 24. The ramp-shaped surface thus makes it possible in particular to improve the guidance of the air from the air handling unit 6 to the second central duct 24.

[0059] The guiding device 30 further has, for example, a surface extending towards the first central conduit 24, which is without a ramp. This surface is thus, for example, a face parallel to the elevation direction E.

[0060] According to one example, the air diffusion system 8 further comprises adjustment devices 32 suitable for regulating the ratio of air diffusion between the first central duct 22 and the lateral ducts 20. Each adjustment device 32 comprises a first part that is fixed relative to the lateral ducts 20, and a second part that is fixed to the guide device 30, in particular fixed to the surface of the guide device 30 extending towards the first central duct 24. Preferably, the second part modifies a minimum cross-section between the outlet of the air handling unit 6 formed by the opening 16, and the lateral ducts 20, during a translation of the guide device 30. In particular, when the guide device 30 translates along the longitudinal direction L, the adjustment device or each of the adjustment devices 32 modifies the minimum cross-section opening into the lateral ducts 20.In this way, the ratio of an air flow transmitted in the first central duct 22 to an air flow transmitted in the lateral ducts 20 is modified according to. of the translational position of the guiding device 30.

[0061] According to one example, the air diffusion system 8 further includes a cabin duct 34 connecting the first central duct 22 to an opening 36 in the driver's cabin 12 for supplying the driver's cabin 12 with air received by the air handling unit 6.

[0062] This allows, in particular, the driver's cab 12 to be supplied by the same air handling unit 6 that supplies the passenger compartment 3 with treated air. Specifically, this eliminates, for example, the need for an additional air handling unit 6 dedicated solely to supplying the driver's cab 12.

[0063] The opening 36 of the driver's cab 12 is, for example, equipped with a movable flap 38, visible, for example, in [Fig. 3]. The movable flap 38 is, for example, configured to open or close the opening 36 at least partially. The movable flap 38 is, for example, configured to be controlled according to an air supply requirement in the driver's cab 12. According to another example, or in addition, the movable flap 38 is configured to close, for example, in the event of a fire being detected in the passenger compartment 3 or elsewhere in the vehicle 1. This ensures that no smoke enters the driver's cab 12 in the event of a fire.

[0064] According to one example, the driver's cabin 12 further includes an extractor 40, visible for example in [Fig.1], configured to regulate an airflow extracted from the driver's cabin 12 to the outside of the vehicle 1.

[0065] Preferably, the vehicle 1 is without a duct connecting the driver's cabin 12 to an inlet of the air handling unit 6 for air recirculation by the handling unit 6 in view of the treatment of this air.

[0066] The air return system 10 includes at least one return duct 42. For example, the air return system 10 includes two return ducts 42.

[0067] The return conduit or each return conduit 42 extends in particular along the longitudinal direction L between a first end and a second end of the return conduit 42 concerned.

[0068] Each return conduit 42 has, for example, a rectangular section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L.

[0069] With reference to Figures 1 and 3, the air return system 10 defines at least one first opening 44 connecting the passenger room 3 to the first end of the relevant return duct 42. The air return system 10 further defines at least one second opening 46, visible in particular in Figures 1 and 2, connecting the second end of the return duct 42 to the air handling unit 6, in particular via the opening 18. In particular, each return duct 42 extends along the longitudinal direction L between the first end connected to the first opening 44 and the second end connected to the second opening 46.

[0070] The first opening 44 is offset relative to the second opening 46 along the longitudinal direction L of the vehicle 1.

[0071] For example, the first opening 44 and / or the second opening 46 has a rectangular, circular or elliptical section.

[0072] Preferably, the air return system 10 comprises two return ducts 42 arranged in space 14, and extending parallel to each other. Each return duct 42 connects the respective first opening 44 to the respective second opening 46.

[0073] Preferably, the first central conduit 22 extends between the two return conduits 42 and parallel to the return conduits 42.

[0074] Preferably, the return conduit or each return conduit 42 extends between the first central conduit 22 and the respective lateral conduit 20.

[0075] This makes it possible to obtain an efficient arrangement in terms of the space occupied by the air diffusion system 8 and the air return system 10.

[0076] Of course, other embodiments can be envisaged.

Claims

Demands

1. A vehicle (1), in particular a railway vehicle, comprising a roof (2) and a passenger compartment (3) for passengers, the vehicle (1) further comprising a ceiling (4) delimiting the passenger compartment (3), a space (14) being defined between the roof (2) and the ceiling (4), the vehicle (1) further comprising at least one air handling unit (6) arranged on the roof (2), the vehicle (1) further comprising an air distribution system (8) arranged in said space (14) capable of distributing air from the air handling unit (6) into the passenger compartment (3), the vehicle (1) further comprising an air return system (10) capable of conducting air from the passenger compartment (3) to the air handling unit (6) for treatment, the air return system (10) comprising at least one return duct (42) arranged in said space (14), a first opening (44) connecting the passenger room (3) to a first end of said return duct (42),and a second opening (46) connecting a second end of said return duct (42) to the air handling unit (6), the first opening (44) being offset relative to the second opening (46) along a longitudinal direction (L) of the vehicle (1).

2. Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, wherein the air diffusion system (8) comprises side ducts (20) and a first central duct (22) connected to an outlet of the air handling unit (6), the side ducts (20) having diffusion openings (26) in the passenger compartment (3), preferably the first central duct (22) being devoid of openings leading into the passenger compartment (3).

3. Vehicle (1) according to claim 2, wherein the air recovery system (10) comprises at least two return ducts (42) arranged in said space (14), each return duct (42) connecting the respective first opening (44) to the respective second opening (46), the first central duct (22) extending between said return ducts (42) and parallel to said return ducts (42).

4. Vehicle (1) according to claim 2 or claim 3, further comprising at least one driver's cab (12) for a driver of the vehicle (1), the air diffusion system (8) further comprising a cab duct (34) connecting the first central duct (22) to a opening (36) of the driver's cab (12) for supplying the driver's cab (12) with air.

5. Vehicle (1) according to claim 4, wherein the opening (36) of the driver's cab (12) is provided with a movable flap (38) configured to regulate an airflow into the driver's cab (12).

6. Vehicle (1) according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the driver's cabin (12) includes an extractor (40) configured to regulate the flow of air extracted from the driver's cabin (12) to the outside of the vehicle.

7. Vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the air diffusion system (8) comprises at least one sound-absorbing element (28) disposed between the outlet of the air handling unit (6) and one of the diffusion openings (26) in the passenger compartment (3) of the side ducts (20).

8. Vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the air diffusion system (8) comprises a movable translational guide device (30) for adjusting an air diffusion ratio between the first central duct (22) and a second central duct (24) extending in a direction opposite to the first central duct (22).

9. Vehicle (1) according to claim 8, wherein the air diffusion system (8) comprises adjustment devices (32) capable of adjusting a ratio of air diffusion between the first central duct (22) and the lateral ducts (20), each adjustment device (32) having a first part fixed relative to the lateral ducts (20) and a second part fixed to the movable guide device (30), the second part modifying a minimum section between the outlet of the air handling unit (6) and the lateral ducts (20) during a translation of the movable guide device (30).

10. Vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the first central duct (22) has a width between 20% and 33% of a width of the vehicle (1), preferably the air diffusion system (8) being fanless.

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