Ventilation system for motor vehicles.

Abstract

A ventilation system comprises a housing including an air inlet (3) and a chamber (5) into which the air inlet opens. The chamber includes a substantially cylindrical portion about an axis perpendicular (xx') to the airflow, having a first opening (7) and a second opening (9) connected to a second duct (11). The second duct is subdivided into two channels (21, 23). The substantially cylindrical portion includes a rotating device (28) about the axis, comprising first and second walls (29, 33) parallel to the axis, arranged to direct the air so that, in a first position, the air is directed entirely towards the first opening and, in a second position, the air is directed entirely towards the second opening. The second position includes sub-positions for directing the air towards one or both channels simultaneously. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig 2

Description

Title of the invention: Ventilation system for motor vehicles. technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a ventilation system for a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle comprising such a system. State of the art

[0002] For the comfort of motor vehicle occupants, it is important that the passenger compartment be well ventilated. To achieve this, a ventilation system draws in outside air, filters it, and may preheat it, then distributes it throughout the passenger compartment. Controllable flaps and adjustable louvers allow occupants to adjust the airflow distribution through various openings.

[0003] Many ventilation systems exist. For example, the systems described in documents DE 10 2019 116 668.3, DE 10 2019 116679.9 and DE 10 2020 131 095 allow airflow to be directed towards a high and / or a low area of ​​the passenger compartment as well as towards different horizontal directions.

[0004] Furthermore, to allow the windshield to be defogged, it is also provided on motor vehicles for the arrival of an airflow at the base of the windshield.

[0005] In order to reduce costs and simplify assembly, it therefore seems advantageous to integrate demisting with passenger compartment ventilation into a single ventilation system. However, this can have the drawback of making the ventilation system complex.

[0006] Also, it would be particularly advantageous to have an integrated ventilation system, but one that remains of simple design. Description of the invention

[0007] To overcome one or more of the aforementioned drawbacks, according to a first embodiment, a ventilation system for a motor vehicle comprises a housing for regulating and directing the air exiting the housing, the housing comprising an air inlet and a chamber into which the air inlet opens, the chamber comprising a substantially cylindrical portion about an axis perpendicular to the airflow, the substantially cylindrical portion having a first opening connected to a first duct, and a second opening connected to a second duct directed towards a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, the second duct being subdivided into two channels separated by a fixed guide body, the substantially cylindrical portion comprising a device rotating about the axis comprising a first and a second wall parallel to the axis arranged to direct the air and so that, in a first position, the air is directed entirely towards the first opening and in a second position, the air is directed entirely towards the second opening, the second position comprising sub-positions to direct the air towards one of the channels or both simultaneously.

[0008] Thus, advantageously, a single rotating device alternately provides defogging or air supply to the passenger compartment, allowing a simplification of the ventilation system and therefore a lower cost.

[0009] Specific features or embodiments, usable alone or in combination, are: • the second opening is located opposite the air inlet and the first opening is positioned laterally relative to the plane formed by the axis and the air inlet; • in a plane perpendicular to the axis, an arc of the chamber formed between the edges of the first opening and the second opening has a length equal to or greater than an arc formed by the air inlet; • the first wall of the rotating device is arranged so that, when the rotating device is in the first position, it has a first end near the edge of the first opening close to the second opening and a second end near an edge of the air inlet furthest from the first opening and in a first sub-position of the second position, it has the first end near the edge of the second opening and the second end near an edge of the air inlet closest to the first opening; • the guide body forms an edge at the edge of the chamber and the second wall is arranged so that, in the first sub-position, it closes the channel furthest from the first opening; • the angle formed in the chamber by the channel furthest from the first opening is equal to the angle formed between the edges of the air inlet and the first opening, so that, in a second sub-position of the second position, the second end of the first wall is near the edge of the first opening near the air inlet and the first end near the edge of the guide body; • the arc formed between the edges of the air inlet and the second channel has a chord of length substantially equal to the length of the second wall; and / or • the rotating device includes a third wall disposed between the first and second walls and such that in a third sub-position of the second position, intermediate between the first and second sub-positions, the edge of the third wall is close to the edge of the guide body.

[0010] In a second embodiment, a motor vehicle includes a ventilation system described above. Brief description of the figures

[0011] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and with reference to the figures in the appendix in which: • [Fig.1] represents a perspective view of a ventilation system according to one embodiment; • [Fig.2] represents a perspective view of the ventilation system of the [Fig.l], cut open to show the interior; • [Fig.3] represents a view along section II-II of the ventilation system of the [Fig. 1]; and • [Fig.4] represents the same view as [Fig.3] with different positions of the rotating device. Methods of implementation

[0012] The embodiments presented below refer to a motor vehicle, a car, but can be adapted to any type of vehicle such as a van, truck, etc.

[0013] In the figures, a reference denotes the same object or a similar object.

[0014] The terms "front", "rear", "right", "left", etc. are understood in relation to a vehicle. Thus, for a component, this refers to that component mounted in the vehicle.

[0015] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of part of a ventilation system 1, limited to the part of the system that distributes air in different directions. Thus, the control elements and some of the ducts leading air to the different parts of the vehicle are not shown.

[0016] Fig.2 complements Fig.1 by representing the ventilation system 1 from the same perspective, but in section along plane II-II in order to represent the interior of the ventilation system 1.

[0017] The ventilation system 1 comprises an air inlet 3 opening into a chamber 5 of substantially cylindrical shape along an axis xx', perpendicular to the incoming airflow. When the system is installed in the vehicle, the axis xx' is substantially horizontal and the air inlet 3 is located towards the front of the vehicle.

[0018] On the upper part of the chamber 5, a first opening 7 is intended to be connected to a first conduit (not shown), such as for example a nozzle to direct the air towards the windshield of the vehicle for demisting.

[0019] Opposite the air inlet 3, a second opening 9 connects the chamber 5 to a second duct, or nozzle, 11 which directs the air towards the passenger compartment of the automobile. The second nozzle 11 is, for example, equipped with a grid 13. The grid 13 is, for example, integrated into the dashboard of the motor vehicle.

[0020] The second nozzle 11 is separated into 2 channels 21, 23, [Fig.2], by a fixed guide body 25.

[0021] The shape of the two channels 21, 23 is such that the air flowing in the upper channel 21 exits the second nozzle 11 in a downward direction and the air flowing in the lower channel 23 exits said second nozzle 11 in an upward direction, as shown in Figures 4b, 4c, 4d.

[0022] The guide body 25 includes an edge 27 at the limit of the chamber 5.

[0023] Inside chamber 5, a rotating device 28 about axis xx' comprises 3 walls 29, 31, 33 extending along the direction xx'. Wall 29 will be called first wall 29, wall 33 second wall 33, and wall 31 intermediate wall 31. At each end of chamber 5, an element (not shown) formed in a plane perpendicular to axis xx' connects the 3 walls together so as to make them rigid, and also reinforces the strength of the rotating device 28. In one embodiment, a grid 35 through which air can circulate is arranged on the rotating device and connects walls 29, 31 and 33 so as to make them rigid. The grid 35 is positioned upstream of the rotating device 28 so that the air arriving from the air inlet 3 passes through the grid, then the rotating device 28 before exiting through the first or second opening 7, 9.

[0024] The arrangement of the three walls 29, 31, and 33 and the mode of operation will now be explained with reference to [Fig. 3] and [Fig. 4], which are taken in section plane II-II. It is understood that the shape of the ventilation system 1 is such that the shape in section plane II-II remains substantially similar when plane II-II moves along the axis xx'. It should also be noted that, in these figures, the grille 35 is not shown for the sake of clarity.

[0025] Various angles will be considered around the axis xx' represented in these figures by point O. By convention, the angle formed by the edges of the air inlet 3 is the angle formed by the half-lines OA and OB. It will be called angle AB, and the angle formed by the edges of the first opening 7 will be called CD, etc. Depending on the context, AB may also designate the corresponding arc on the cylindrical part.

[0026] In diagram a of [Fig. 4], the wall 29 has a first end near the lower edge of the air inlet 3, labeled A, and a second end near the right edge of the first opening 7, labeled D. In this position, the air coming from the air inlet 3 is directed towards the first opening 7 and thus towards the first nozzle, such as a defogging nozzle. In this position of the rotating device 28, the first end of the wall 29 is, for example, in contact with the lower edge A of the air inlet 3 to reduce the passage of air between the wall 29 and said lower edge A, and / or the second end wall 29 is in contact with the right edge D of the first opening 7 to reduce the passage of air between wall 29 and said right edge D, ensuring that a maximum of air is directed towards the first opening 7 and reducing air leaks passing into the second nozzle 11. It is thus understood that the first wall 29 blocks the passage of air towards the second nozzle 11, and directs the air towards the first opening 7.

[0027] By a first clockwise rotation around angle AB, diagram b of [Fig. 4], the wall 29 positions itself so that its first and second ends are positioned respectively on edges B and E. It can thus be seen that angle AB is equal to angle DE. In this position, air can no longer access the first opening 7 and is directed by the wall 29 towards the second opening 9. At the same time, the wall 33 positions itself between edges F and G, thus blocking access to the second channel 23. The air is therefore directed solely towards the first channel 21.

[0028] By continuing the rotation in the clockwise direction, the intermediate wall 31 arrives near the edge F corresponding to the edge 27 of the separating element 25, which allows air to diffuse into the two channels 21, 23, as illustrated in diagram c of [Fig.4].

[0029] Finally, a last clockwise rotation positions the first wall 29 between edges C and F, while the third wall 33 is located approximately between edges A and G, as illustrated in diagram d of [Fig. 4]. The air is then directed solely towards the second channel 23.

[0030] Between the positions illustrated in diagrams a and d of [Fig.4], the rotating device 28 can take other intermediate positions so as to vary the quantity of air passing through each of the two channels of the second nozzle 11 as a function of the position of said rotating device 28.

[0031] By comparing diagrams b and d of [Fig.4], we find that angle BC corresponds substantially to angle EF and angle FG to angle GA.

[0032] In order to reduce air passage between the ends of the first walls 29 and 33, and the walls of the chamber 5, the wall section corresponding to the arc BC has a circular cross-section, centered on the axis xx', so that the end of the first wall 29 follows this arc. Alternatively, a sealing means, such as a flexible lip, may be provided at this end of the first wall 29 to ensure a seal between this end and the chamber wall on the arc BC.

[0033] Alternatively, the arc AG is also cylindrical in shape with a circular cross-section, so as to follow the movement of the edge of the second wall 33, and a sealing means, such as a flexible lip, is placed on said end, so as to form a seal between the second wall 33 and the arc AG throughout the movement along this arc AG.

[0034] In another variant, the radius of curvature of arc AG is smaller than the radius of curvature of arc BC, so that the first end of the first wall 29 comes resting against the lower edge A of the air inlet 3, when the rotating device 28 is positioned to guide the air entirely towards the first nozzle 7 as illustrated in diagram a of [Fig.4].

[0035] Many other embodiments, not shown, are possible.

[0036] Generally, chamber 5 has a shape that ensures a seal with the wall 29 during its movements. In particular, the arcs BC and DE have a substantially circular cylindrical configuration along the axis xx' possibly associated with flexible lips at the ends of the wall 29. The other parts of the chamber 5 are arranged so as not to hinder the movement of the rotating device 28. Apart from the part housing the rotating device 28, the chamber can extend and have other shapes.

[0037] In particular, it is observed that when the rotating device 28 is in the position of diagram b of [Fig.4], it is advantageous to position the upstream edge of the wall 29 inside the angle BC in order to prevent air from being directed towards the opening 7. This implies that the angle AB is less than or equal to the angle DE.

[0038] Similarly, it is desirable in the position illustrated with diagram d of [Fig.4] that the upstream edge of the wall 29 remains inside the angle BC in order to prevent air from being directed towards the opening 7, which implies that the angle BC is equal to or greater than the angle EF.

[0039] It is also understood that the wall 31 is optional insofar as its role is mainly to allow a good distribution of airflow between the two channels 21 and 23 in the position of diagram c of [Fig.4].

[0040] The rotating device 28 can also have a different structure by removing the grid 35 and this can for example be replaced by vertical fins positioned between the walls 29, 31, 33.

[0041] Alternatively, the grid 35 is arranged on the rotating device 28 on the side of the second nozzle 11, so that the air entering through the air inlet 3 first passes through the rotating device 28, then through the grid 35 before entering the second nozzle 11.

[0042] In a different embodiment, the duct connected to the first opening 7 can direct air to a location in the motor vehicle other than the windshield. For example, the duct can be arranged to direct air to the rear seats or to the footwells of the front passengers. In this embodiment, it may then be desirable to position the ventilation system in the vehicle such that the first opening is directed downwards. Alternatively, the duct can be arranged to direct air to the front and / or rear side windows or to any other area of ​​the vehicle's interior. Generally, the term "duct" is used to refer to any type of hollow element that allows air to be conducted from one point to another.

Claims

1.

2. Demands A ventilation system (1) of a motor vehicle comprising a housing for regulating and directing the air exiting the housing, the housing comprising an air inlet (3) and a chamber (5) into which the air inlet opens, the chamber (5) comprising a portion of substantially cylindrical shape about an axis perpendicular (xx') to the airflow, the substantially cylindrical portion having a first opening (7) connected to a first duct, and a second opening (9) connected to a second duct (11) directed towards a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, the second duct (11) being subdivided into two channels (21, 23) separated by a fixed guide body (25), the substantially cylindrical portion comprising a rotating device (28) about the axis xx' comprising a first and a second wall (29, 33) parallel to the axis xx' and arranged to direct the air and to,in a first position the air is directed entirely towards the first opening (7) and that in a second position the air is directed entirely towards the second opening (9), the second position comprising sub-positions for directing the air towards one of the channels (21, 23) or both simultaneously, characterized in that the second opening (9) is located opposite the air inlet and the first opening (7) is positioned laterally with respect to the plane formed by the axis xx' and the air inlet (3), and in that the first wall (29) of the rotating device (28) is arranged such that, when the rotating device is in the first position, it has a first end near the edge (D) of the first opening (7) close to the second opening (9) and a second end near an edge (A) of the air inlet furthest from the first opening (7) and in a first sub-position of the second position,It has its first end near the edge (E) of the second opening (9) and its second end near an edge (B) of the air inlet closest to the first opening (7). System according to claim 1, characterized in that, in a plane perpendicular to the axis xx', an arc (DE) of the chamber (5) formed between the edges of the first opening (7) and the second opening (9) has a length equal to or greater than an arc (AB) formed by the air inlet (3).

3. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the guide body forms an edge (27) at the edge of the chamber (5) and the second wall (33) is arranged such that, in the first subposition, it closes the channel furthest from the first opening (7).

4. System according to claim 3, characterized in that the angle (FG) formed in the chamber (5) by the channel furthest from the first opening (7) is equal to the angle (BC) formed between the edges of the air inlet and the first opening (7), so that, in a second subposition of the second position, the second end of the first wall (29) is near the edge (C) of the first opening (7) close to the air inlet and the first end near the edge (27) of the guide body.

5. System according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the arc (GA) formed between the edges of the air inlet and the second channel has a chord of length substantially equal to the length of the second wall (33).

6. System according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the rotating device (28) comprises a third wall (31) disposed between the first wall (29) and the second wall (33) and such that in a third sub-position of the second position, intermediate between the first and second sub-position, one end of the third wall (31) is near the edge (27) of the guide body.

7. Motor vehicle comprising a ventilation system according to any one of the preceding claims.

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