AIR FLOW DIRECTION SYSTEM FOR MOTOR VEHICLES AND VEHICLES INCLUDING SUCH A SYSTEM

Abstract

The invention relates to an airflow direction control device (1) for a motor vehicle, said device (1) comprising at least: a hollow external cylinder (3) having two opposing longitudinal ends, an air inlet end (3a) and an air outlet end (3b); a hollow internal cylinder (5) comprising an airflow direction control surface (7) and movable within the external cylinder (3); the position of the airflow direction control surface (7) allowing the direction of the airflow to be directed at the air outlet end (3b) of the external cylinder (3), characterized in that the internal cylinder (5) comprises gear teeth configured such that their actuation causes the internal cylinder (5) to move relative to said external cylinder (3). Figure to be published with the abstract: [Fig. 1]

Description

Title of the invention: AIR FLOW DIRECTION DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLE AND VEHICLE COMPRISING SUCH AN ORGAN

[0001] The present invention relates to the general field of air flow orientation members for a motor vehicle, in particular an orientation member fluidically connected to an air source, such as a fan of a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system (or "HVAC" for "Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning" in English).

[0002] Such an air flow orientation member may be, on the one hand, integrated into an aerator, or an air vent, which is arranged in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, for example at the dashboard or, on the other hand, located in an air duct between the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system and one or more aerators.

[0003] Whatever the arrangement of the air flow orientation member, it is necessary for such a member to receive an air flow at the inlet and deliver an air flow at the outlet which is oriented in the desired direction, and more particularly for such a member to be as simple and robust as possible.

[0004] It is also necessary to reduce the number of constituent elements of such an air flow orientation member, to reduce the cost, but also to reduce the risk of breakdown linked to this type of member.

[0005] The present invention thus proposes to remedy at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a new type of member for directing an air flow for a motor vehicle, said member comprising at least: - a hollow external cylinder having two opposite longitudinal ends, an air inlet end and an air outlet end; - a hollow internal cylinder which, on the one hand, comprises an air flow orientation surface and, on the other hand, is housed movably in the external cylinder; the position of the airflow orientation surface for orienting the direction of the airflow at the air outlet end of the external cylinder, characterized in that the inner cylinder comprises gear notches configured so that their actuation causes the inner cylinder to move relative to said outer cylinder.

[0006] The air flow orientation member has a simple, inexpensive structure that is easy to adapt according to the space constraints at the level of a passenger compartment dashboard or at the level of the air ducts between a heating system, ventilation and / or air conditioning and an aerator. In addition, it should be noted that the air flow orientation member advantageously has only one gear to operate to allow an air flow to be oriented.

[0007] According to a possible characteristic, the internal cylinder is mounted to be able to rotate in the external cylinder. The internal cylinder (and the associated orientation surface) by its rotation is configured to allow the control of the direction of the air flow leaving said member. In addition, the fact that the internal cylinder is mounted in a rotatable manner can allow it to rotate 360°, simplifying the selection of the position of said cylinder, and therefore the direction of the air flow leaving said member.

[0008] According to another possible characteristic, the external and internal cylinders are pivotally connected to each other, the internal cylinder being movable in rotation around its central axis.

[0009] According to another possible characteristic, said member comprises an angular servo system configured to determine the angular position of the internal cylinder. Such a servo system makes it possible, among other things, to automate and optimize the positioning of the internal cylinder according to the direction of the desired air flow at the outlet of the member according to the invention.

[0010] According to another possible characteristic, said member comprises a toothed wheel engaging the gear notches of the internal cylinder. Advantageously, the internal cylinder is driven in rotation by means of a toothed wheel, or a toothed pinion, this by the mechanical cooperation between the gear notches of said cylinder and the teeth of said wheel.

[0011] According to another possible characteristic, said member comprises a motor or a manual actuating device, said motor or the manual actuating device being configured to actuate the toothed wheel meshing with the gear notches of the internal cylinder. Advantageously, the toothed wheel is actuated by a motor, for example a stepper motor, or a manual actuating device, in order to allow the user of the vehicle to select the most suitable position of said cylinder.

[0012] According to another possible characteristic, said gear notches are arranged directly in the internal cylinder. Said gear notches are advantageously arranged or shaped directly in the internal cylinder, thus avoiding the addition of an additional part which can complicate the structure of said member and / or increase its manufacturing cost.

[0013] According to another possible characteristic, the external cylinder comprises a through opening arranged opposite the gear notches of the internal cylinder. Advantageously, the gear notches are accessible through the outer cylinder, via the through opening, allowing among other things to position the inner cylinder away from the ends of the outer cylinder, ends for example configured to be connected to air ducts and / or decorated / equipped with trim pieces.

[0014] According to another possible characteristic, the air flow orientation surface is a curved surface. The air flow orientation surface advantageously has a curved surface to limit pressure losses and optimize the redirection of the flow operated by the internal cylinder.

[0015] According to another possible characteristic, the air flow orientation surface is a substantially conical surface. A conical surface allows for optimized reorientation of the incident airflow and is a simpler shape to machine or form when manufacturing the internal cylinder by molding and / or injection.

[0016] According to another possible characteristic, the air flow orientation surface comprises a passage opening. Advantageously, the presence of an opening provided in the air flow orientation surface makes it possible to focus and allow the air flow entering the internal cylinder to pass through. It should be noted that the passage opening may have a passage section and / or various shapes, in order to accentuate or reduce the speed of the air flow after it has passed through the air flow orientation member.

[0017] According to another possible characteristic, the air flow orientation surface extends substantially parallel to the section of the air flow passage of the member. More particularly, the airflow directing surface extends over the entire surface of the passage section of the internal cylinder and directs or channels the airflow towards the opening provided in said airflow directing surface.

[0018] According to another possible characteristic, the external cylinder and / or the internal cylinder are in one piece. Said external and / or internal cylinders are advantageously monobloc or unitary, reducing their manufacturing cost and facilitating the assembly of said air flow orientation member according to the invention.

[0019] According to another possible characteristic, the external cylinder comprises a stop at its internal face on which said internal cylinder rests. Said stop, for example arranged on the internal face of said external cylinder, makes it easier to correctly position the internal cylinder in said external cylinder, for example the positioning of the gear notches opposite the through opening. arranged in the external cylinder.

[0020] According to another possible characteristic, the external cylinder comprises one or more stiffening ribs. Said stiffening ribs make it possible, among other things, to reinforce the mechanical strength of the external cylinder and / or to participate in the orientation of the air flow if they are shaped appropriately, in particular if said stiffening elements are located at the outlet of the external cylinder.

[0021] According to another possible characteristic, said member is an aerator or an air vent. Said member according to the invention can advantageously act as an aerator or air vent in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, for example at the level of a vehicle dashboard.

[0022] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle, for example thermal, hybrid or electric, characterized in that said vehicle comprises a member for directing an air flow as defined above.

[0023] The invention will be better understood, and other aims, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, given solely for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: - [Fig.l] illustrates a schematic, perspective and front view of an air flow orientation member according to the invention; - [Fig.2] is another schematic view of three-quarters from the top of the organ of [Fig.l]; - [Fig.3] is a schematic, partial, rear view of an internal cylinder of an organ of [[Fig.l]].

[0024] In the following description, the term "comprise" is synonymous with "include" and is not limiting in that it allows the presence of other elements in the vehicle, or the structure to which it relates. It is understood that the term "comprise" includes the terms "consist of". Furthermore, it will be noted that in the different figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements.

[0025] In the present application, it will be noted that "substantially parallel" means a direction deviating by at most 20°, or even by at most 10° or by at most 5° from a parallel direction. It will also be noted that "substantially orthogonal" means a direction deviating by at most 20°, or even by at most 10° or by at most 5° from an angle of a value of 90°.

[0026] [Fig.l] and [Fig.2] thus illustrate schematic and perspective views of a member 1 for directing an air flow according to the invention. Said member 1 according to the invention is for example configured to act as an aerator (or vent ventilation) in a motor vehicle, thermal, hybrid or electric, or be mounted at the interface of air ducts between the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system (not shown) of the vehicle and one or more vents.

[0027] Said air flow orientation member 1 thus comprises at least: - a hollow external cylinder 3 having two opposite longitudinal ends 3a and 3b, an air inlet end 3a and an air outlet end 3b; - a hollow internal cylinder 5 which, on the one hand, comprises an air flow orientation surface 7 and, on the other hand, is housed movably in the external cylinder 3.

[0028] The external cylinder 3 and / or the internal cylinder 5 are advantageously monobloc or unitary, and for example made of plastic material, such as polypropylene, polyphenylene ether, etc. or a plastic having low dynamic and static coefficients of friction, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (or PTFE). Said surface 7 is advantageously made of the same material as the internal cylinder 5.

[0029] It will be noted that the external 3 and internal 5 cylinders are here cylinders of the tubular type, therefore that said cylinders have a circular section and an axis of symmetry of revolution. However, said cylinders 3 and 5 can also be cylinders with various sections, such as a polygonal, elliptical section, etc. as long as the internal cylinder 5 can be mounted movably (at least partially) in the external cylinder 3.

[0030] The two opposite longitudinal ends of the cylinder 3 are open and are called respectively first and second ends 3a and 3b. The first end 3a is for example configured to be connected to an air duct (not shown), or air inlet, and therefore acts as an air inlet end, while the second end 3b corresponds to an air outlet end. The external cylinder 3 (and in particular the wall defining said cylinder 3) therefore makes it possible to channel an air flow coming from a source (such as an air duct, a fan, etc.) from the air inlet end 3 to the air outlet end 3b.

[0031] Said external cylinder 3 may also comprise one or more stiffening ribs 9, for example arranged at the outlet end 3b of said external cylinder 3. Said ribs 9 are for example a cross-shaped structure, and advantageously extend inside the external cylinder 3, between opposite parts of the internal face of the wall delimiting said external cylinder 3.

[0032] Said internal cylinder 5 is therefore, for its part, inserted into the external cylinder 3 which comprises a stop (not visible) arranged at the level of its internal face on which said internal cylinder 5 rests, and positions the latter in said external cylinder 5.

[0033] [Fig. 3] is a schematic, enlarged and perspective view of the internal cylinder 5. Said internal cylinder 5 is advantageously mounted for rotation in the external cylinder 3, that is to say that the internal cylinder 5 can rotate on itself (that is to say on its longitudinal axis), so as to modify the position of the orientation surface 7 of the air flow. Thus, the external 3 and internal 5 cylinders are in pivot connection with each other, the internal cylinder 3 being movable in rotation around its central axis (or axis of symmetry).

[0034] Said hollow internal cylinder 5 also has two opposite open longitudinal ends 5a and 5b, called respectively first and second ends 5a and 5b. The first end 5a is, in the mounted position, located opposite the air inlet end 3a of the external cylinder 3, while the second end 5b is located, in the mounted position, opposite the air outlet end 3b of the external cylinder 3. Thus, an air flow coming from an air source enters through the first end 5a and exits through the second end 5b of the internal cylinder 5.

[0035] Said internal cylinder 5 further comprises gear notches 11, or gear teeth, advantageously arranged or shaped in the wall delimiting the internal cylinder 5. Said gear notches 11 are for example through openings (or not) arranged at regular intervals preferably over the entire periphery (or circumference) of the internal cylinder 5.

[0036] Said gear notches 11 are thus configured to be actuated by a toothed wheel, or a toothed pinion, thus driving the internal cylinder 5 in rotation (relative to its axis of symmetry), allowing for example it to rotate through 360°.

[0037] Said member 1 furthermore advantageously comprises a motor (not shown), for example electric, such as a stepping motor, and a toothed wheel (not shown) actuated by said motor, the toothed wheel being configured to mesh with the gear notches 11 of the internal cylinder 3. Thus, the mechanical cooperation of the gear notches 11 with the toothed wheel makes it possible to generate the movement of the internal cylinder 5, for example by rotation, relative to said external cylinder 3.

[0038] The external cylinder 3 advantageously comprises a through opening 13 (more particularly visible in ([Fig.2]]), or light, through which the gear notches 11 are accessible (therefore through the external cylinder 3), in particular for the toothed wheel actuated by a motor. The stop arranged on the internal face of the external cylinder 3 is thus advantageously configured to position the gear notches 11 of the internal cylinder 5 opposite the through opening 13 of the external cylinder 3.

[0039] The air flow orientation surface 7 is, for its part, configured to orient the direction of the air flow at the air outlet end 3b of the external cylinder 3. The surface 7 thus extends substantially parallel to the section of the passage of the air flow in the member 1, passage section corresponding substantially to the passage sections of the external 3 and internal 5 cylinders.

[0040] The orientation surface 7 advantageously has a curved surface, and preferably a substantially conical surface, in which a passage opening 7a for the air flow is arranged. The curved or conical shape of the surface 7 thus makes it possible to orient the incident air flow coming from the inlet end 3a towards the passage opening 7a of said surface 7, then towards the outlet end 3b (via, among other things, the passage opening 7a).

[0041] The rotation of the internal cylinder 5, and therefore of the orientation surface 7, thus makes it possible to modify the position of said surface 7 and of its passage opening 7, and therefore to orient the direction of the air flow after it has passed through the internal cylinder 5 (and the surface 7), therefore the direction of the air flow leaving the external cylinder 3.

[0042] In alternative embodiments of the invention not shown, said stiffening ribs are arranged longitudinally on the internal and / or external face of the external cylinder 3.

[0043] In another variant embodiment of the invention, not shown, the air flow orientation member comprises a manual actuation device, said manual actuation device being configured to actuate the toothed wheel meshing with the gear notches 11 of the internal cylinder 5, and therefore to generate the movement (for example a rotation) of the internal cylinder 5 in the external cylinder 3.

[0044] In another variant embodiment of the invention, not shown, the external cylinder 3 does not include a through opening, but one end of the internal cylinder 5 protrudes from the external cylinder 3, the gear notches 13 being arranged on this portion of the internal cylinder 5 projecting from the external cylinder 3.

[0045] In another variant embodiment of the invention, not shown, said orientation member 1 comprises an angular servo-control system configured to determine the angular position of the internal cylinder 3 (in itself and / or relative to the external cylinder 5). Said servo-control system may be a separate device, integrated into the motor or the manual actuating device, each making it possible to actuate the toothed wheel meshing with the gear notches of said internal cylinder 3.

Claims

Claims

1. Orientation member (1) of an air flow for a motor vehicle, said member (1) comprising at least: - a hollow external cylinder (3) having two opposite longitudinal ends, an air inlet end (3a) and an air outlet end (3b); - a hollow internal cylinder (5) which, on the one hand, comprises an orientation surface (7) of the air flow and, on the other hand, is housed movably in the external cylinder (3); the position of the orientation surface (7) of the air flow making it possible to orient the direction of the air flow at the air outlet end (3b) of the external cylinder (3), characterized in that the internal cylinder (5) comprises gear notches (11) configured so that their actuation causes the internal cylinder (5) to move relative to said external cylinder (3).

2. Member (1) for directing an air flow according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the internal cylinder (5) is mounted to move in rotation in the external cylinder (3).

3. Member (1) for directing an air flow according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said member (1) comprises a toothed wheel meshing with the gear notches (11) of the internal cylinder (5).

4. Member (1) for directing an air flow according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said member (1) comprises a motor or a manual actuating device, said motor or the manual actuating device being configured to actuate the toothed wheel meshing with the gear notches (11) of the internal cylinder (5).

5. Air flow orientation member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said gear notches (11) are arranged directly in the internal cylinder (5).

6. A member (1) for directing an air flow according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the external cylinder (3) comprises a through opening (3c) arranged opposite the gear notches (11) of the internal cylinder (5).

7. Air flow orientation member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the orientation surface (7) of the air flow is a curved surface.

8. Air flow orientation member (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the air flow orientation surface (7) comprises a passage opening (7a).

9. Air flow orientation member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air flow orientation surface (7) extends substantially parallel to the section of the air flow passage in the member (1).

10. Motor vehicle, characterized in that said vehicle comprises a member (1) for directing an air flow according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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