Water filtration device, ventilation system including such a device and motor vehicle including such a system

Abstract

This water filtration device (14) comprises an upper shell (22) and a lower shell (20) assembled to form a housing. The upper shell (22) includes an upstream opening (26), and the lower shell (20) includes a downstream opening (28). The water filtration device further comprises a watertight wall (44) defining within the housing a flow channel extending from the upstream opening (26) to the downstream opening (28), and a receptacle (48) arranged within the flow channel and provided with a water discharge opening (54). The watertight wall (44) is arranged so that water entering the housing through the upstream opening (26) of the upper shell (22) flows over the watertight wall (44) and then into the receptacle (48) under the effect of gravity. (See Figure 3 for abbreviations.)

Description

Title of the invention: Water filtering device, ventilation system comprising such a device and motor vehicle comprising such a system Technical field

[0001] The technical field of the invention is motor vehicle ventilation systems.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to a water filtering device, a ventilation system comprising such a device and a motor vehicle comprising such a system. Previous techniques

[0003] A heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, or "Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning" in Anglo-Saxon terms, is generally bulky.

[0004] Some quadricycles, particularly electric ones, have little space available to integrate heating, ventilation and air conditioning functions.

[0005] The air taken in by the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system can be humid when it comes from outside the vehicle, risking damaging the system.

[0006] In addition, the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system may also suck up bodies, such as leaves, during its operation.

[0007] The invention aims to provide an architecture of a ventilation system for a motor vehicle, in particular for a quadricycle, to improve the integration of such a ventilation system, and to distribute good quality air in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Presentation of the invention

[0008] The invention relates to a water filtering device for a motor vehicle ventilation system comprising an upper shell and a lower shell assembled together to form a housing, the upper shell comprising an upstream opening for the inlet of humid air, the lower shell comprising a downstream opening for the outlet of dry air.

[0009] The water filtering device further comprises a sealed wall delimiting within the housing a flow channel going from the upstream opening of the upper shell to the downstream opening of the lower shell, and a receptacle arranged in the flow channel and provided with a water discharge opening, the sealed wall being arranged so that water entering the housing through the upstream opening of the upper shell flows over the sealed wall then into the receptacle under the effect of gravity.

[0010] The watertight wall forms a screen between the upstream opening of the upper hull and the downstream opening of the lower hull.

[0011] The arrangement of the watertight wall makes it possible to separate the water and air coming from the upstream opening of the upper shell so that only the air reaches the downstream opening of the lower shell, the water being directed into the receptacle by the watertight wall.

[0012] The water drainage opening of the receptacle allows water to be drained from the water filtering device.

[0013] The lower shell may be of stepped shape and comprise at least a first stage forming the receptacle and a second stage comprising the downstream opening of the lower shell, a wall of the lower shell forming a wall between the first and second stages.

[0014] The wall of the lower shell forming the wall between the first and second stages prevents the water contained in the receptacle from reaching the downstream opening of the lower shell.

[0015] The water filtering device may include an air filter inserted into the downstream opening of the lower shell.

[0016] Thus, dusty particles contained in the air passing through the air filter inserted in the downstream opening of the lower shell are captured.

[0017] The water filtering device may include a water discharge pipe connected to the opening of the receptacle.

[0018] The water discharge pipe allows the water discharged from the water filtering device to be directed.

[0019] The lower and upper shells can be assembled together by elastic interlocking.

[0020] Optionally, one of the lower and upper shells comprises at least one fixing lug, the other of the lower and upper shells comprising at least one fixing notch for said fixing lug.

[0021] The invention also relates to a ventilation system for a motor vehicle comprising a water filtering device as defined above, an air distribution device and an air blower device connected on the one hand to the downstream opening of the lower shell and on the other hand to the air distribution device.

[0022] The air blower device is configured to draw air from the water filtering device and to blow air into the air distribution device. The air distribution device is configured to distribute air into the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

[0023] The air distribution device may comprise two half-shells assembled together to form an air distribution body connected to the air blower device.

[0024] The air distribution device may further comprise air ducts, a windshield demister frieze connected to the air distribution body, and two side demister and ventilation friezes each connected to the air distribution body.

[0025] The air blower device may comprise a heating member and / or an air conditioning member.

[0026] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a ventilation system as defined above.

[0027] Advantageously, the vehicle comprises an engine compartment, a passenger compartment and an apron separating the engine compartment and the passenger compartment so that the water filtering device and the air blower device are arranged in the engine compartment, and so that the air distribution device is arranged in the passenger compartment.

[0028] The ventilation system thus arranged makes it possible to distribute its size between the engine compartment and the passenger compartment, in particular increasing the space available in the passenger compartment.

[0029] Advantageously, the motor vehicle comprises a windshield and an engine hood, the upstream opening of the upper shell of the water filtering device opening between the windshield and the engine hood.

[0030] Thus, the ventilation system captures air from outside the engine compartment, the outside air generally being colder than the air contained in the engine compartment.

[0031] Advantageously, the water filtering device is directly accessible by opening the hood of the motor vehicle, thus making it easy to change the air filter and to clean the receptacle by opening the housing of the water filtering device and removing the sealed wall, changing the air filter not requiring removal of the lower shell. Brief description of the drawings

[0032] Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0033] [Fig-1] is a schematic representation of a motor vehicle comprising a ventilation system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0034] [Fig.2] is an exploded view of a ventilation system according to an example of a rea lization of the invention;

[0035] [Fig.3] is an exploded view of the water filtering device of [Fig.2];

[0036] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of the arrangement of the ventilation system of the [Fig.2] in the motor vehicle, the apron not having been shown for reasons of understanding; and

[0037] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of the watertight wall and the lower hull of the [Fig.4] fixed to the apron. Detailed description

[0038] [Fig.l] represents a motor vehicle 2, for example a quadricycle, comprising an engine compartment 4, an engine hood 6 forming an upper wall of the engine compartment 4, a passenger compartment 8, a windshield 9 forming a front wall of the passenger compartment 8, an apron 10 separating the engine compartment 4 and the passenger compartment 8, and a ventilation system 12.

[0039] The apron 10 is, for example, a plastic part.

[0040] The ventilation system 12 comprises a water filtering device 14 in the engine compartment 4, an air distribution device 16 in the passenger compartment 8 and an air blower device 18 in the passenger compartment 8 connected on the one hand to the water filtering device 14 and on the other hand to the air distribution device 16.

[0041] An opening 19 is provided in the apron 10 to allow the connection between the water filtering device 14 and the air blower device 18.

[0042] As illustrated in [Fig.2], the water filtering device 14 comprises a lower shell 20 and an upper shell 22 assembled together to form a housing, as well as a water discharge pipe 24 extending from the lower shell 20.

[0043] The lower and upper shells 20, 22 are, for example, each formed from polypropylene.

[0044] The housing of the water filtering device 14 comprises an upstream opening 26 made in an upper wall of the upper shell 22 and intended to collect humid air, as well as a downstream opening 28 made in a lower wall of the lower shell 20 and intended to expel dry air.

[0045] The air blower device 18 comprises an electric motor, a fan and an electric heating member with a positive temperature coefficient. Alternatively or in addition, the air blower device 18 may comprise an air conditioning member.

[0046] The air blower device 18 is capable of connecting to the water filtering device 14 through the opening 19 of the apron 10, of sucking air from the downstream opening 28 of the lower shell 20 of the water filtering device 14 and of blowing the air thus sucked into the air distribution device 16.

[0047] The air blower device 18 is, for example, screwed to the apron 10.

[0048] The air distribution device 16 comprises two half-shells 30 assembled between them to form an air distribution body provided with an upstream opening 32 for connection to the air blower device 18, two lateral downstream openings 34 and a main downstream opening 36.

[0049] The air distribution device 16 further comprises two air ducts 38, a windshield demisting frieze 40 connected to the main downstream opening 36 of the air distribution body, and two lateral demisting and ventilation friezes 42 each connected by an air duct to a lateral downstream opening 34 of the air distribution body.

[0050] The air distribution device 16 is capable of distributing air into the passenger compartment 8 of the motor vehicle 2 through the windshield demisting vent 40 and the two lateral demisting and ventilation vents 42.

[0051] As illustrated in [Fig.3], the water filtering device 14 comprises a sealed wall 44 arranged inside the housing of the water filtering device 14.

[0052] The watertight wall 44 delimits in the housing a flow channel going from the upstream opening 26 of the upper shell 22 to the downstream opening 28 of the lower shell 20.

[0053] The lower shell 20 is of stepped shape and comprises a first stage 46 forming a receptacle 48, a second stage 50 in which the downstream opening 28 is made, and a third stage 52 intended to be opposite the upstream opening 26 of the upper shell 22 when the housing is assembled, the second stage 50 being arranged between the first stage 46 and the third stage 52. The first, second and third stages 46, 50, 52 of the lower shell 20 are arranged at different altitudes, the second stage 50 being arranged at an intermediate altitude between the altitude of the first stage 46 and the altitude of the third stage 52.

[0054] A water drainage opening 54 is provided at the bottom of the first stage 46 of the lower shell 20, in particular at the bottom of the receptacle 48, in order to connect the water drainage pipe 24 thereto.

[0055] The lower shell 20 comprises a wall extending the second stage 50 towards the first stage 46 and forming a wall between the first and second stages 46, 50 of the lower shell 20. The lower shell 20 comprises a wall extending the second stage 50 towards the third stage 52 and forming a wall between the second and third stages 50, 52.

[0056] The watertight wall 44 forms a screen between the upstream opening 26 of the upper shell 22 and the downstream opening 28 of the lower shell 20.

[0057] The watertight wall 44 comprises a first portion intended to be positioned in the extension of the third stage 52 of the lower shell 20, a second portion extending the first portion and intended to extend opposite and at a distance from the second stage 50 of the lower shell 20, and a third portion extending the second portion on the side opposite the first portion and intended to extend opposite and at a distance from the wall of the lower shell 20 forming a wall between the first and second stages 46, 50 of the lower shell 20.

[0058] The lower shell 20 comprises a groove 56 intended to receive the edges of the watertight wall 44 so that the water flowing over the third stage 52 flows by gravity over the watertight wall 44 and cannot flow along the wall between the second and third stages 50, 52 of the lower shell 20. Advantageously, an interface seal (not shown), for example a foam or a rubber, is arranged between the watertight wall 44 and the groove 56 in order to improve the watertightness of the connection between the lower shell 20 and the watertight wall 44.

[0059] The waterproof wall 44 is, for example, formed from polypropylene. Alternatively, the waterproof wall 44 may be formed from a soft plastic in order to further improve the sealing of the connection between the lower shell 20 and the waterproof wall 44.

[0060] The watertight wall 44 is intended to remain at a distance from the bottom of the receptacle 48.

[0061] Thus, the watertight wall 44 is arranged so that water penetrating into the housing through the upstream opening 26 of the upper shell 22 flows onto the third stage 52, then onto the sealed wall 44, then into the receptacle 48 under the effect of gravity. Advantageously, leaves or other bodies entering the housing through the upstream opening 26 of the upper shell 22 are also directed into the receptacle 48.

[0062] The flow channel delimited by the sealed wall 44 in the housing comprises a first portion going from the upstream opening 26 of the upper shell 22 to the receptacle 48, and a second portion going from the receptacle 48 to the downstream opening 28 of the lower shell 20. In particular, the water and the air naturally entering the housing through the upstream opening 26 of the upper shell 22 can circulate in the first portion of the flow channel, only the air then being able to circulate in the second portion of the flow channel, the water being trapped in the receptacle 48 by gravity.

[0063] The lower and upper shells 20, 22 of the water filtering device 14 are assembled together by elastic fitting.

[0064] The upper shell 22 here comprises eight fixing lugs 58 distributed along a periphery of the upper shell 20 and each extending in the direction of the lower shell 20.

[0065] The lower shell 20 here comprises eight associated fixing notches 60 distributed along a periphery of the lower shell 20 and each capable of locking a fixing lug 58 by elastic fitting.

[0066] Advantageously, an interface seal (not shown) is arranged between the lower and upper shells 20, 22 in order to improve the sealing of the assembly of the lower and upper shells 20, 22.

[0067] The water filtering device 14 comprises fixing lugs 62 of the water filtering device 14 to the apron 10 extending here from the lower shell 20.

[0068] [Fig.4] shows the arrangement of the ventilation system 12 in the vehicle at car 2, the apron 10 not having been shown.

[0069] The upstream opening 26 of the upper shell 22 is arranged so as to open between the engine hood 6 and the windshield 9 of the motor vehicle 2, so as to be able to suck in air coming from outside the motor vehicle 2.

[0070] The motor vehicle 2 comprises a cowl grille 64 arranged between the engine hood 6 and the windshield 9 of the motor vehicle 2 and comprising a grille 66 arranged opposite the upstream opening 26 of the upper shell 22 and partially closing the upstream opening 26 of the upper shell 22. Alternatively, the water filtering device 14 may comprise such a grille 66 partially closing the upstream opening 26 of the upper shell and forming a single piece with the upper shell 22.

[0071] [Fig. 5] represents the watertight wall 44 arranged in the groove 56 of the lower shell 20.

[0072] The water filtering device 14 comprises an air filter 68 inserted into the downstream opening 28 of the lower shell 20.

[0073] The lower shell 20 further comprises a plurality of flanges 70 extending from the second stage 50 and forming a guide for the air filter 68 so as to ensure the correct positioning of the air filter 68.

Claims

Claims

1. Water filtering device (14) for a ventilation system (12) of a motor vehicle (2) comprising an upper shell (22) and a lower shell (20) assembled together to form a housing, the upper shell (22) comprising an upstream opening (26) for the inlet of humid air, the lower shell (20) comprising a downstream opening (28) for the outlet of dry air, characterized in that it further comprises a sealed wall (44) delimiting within the housing a flow channel going from the upstream opening (26) of the upper shell (22) to the downstream opening (28) of the lower shell (20), and a receptacle (48) arranged in the flow channel and provided with a water discharge opening (54), the sealed wall (44) being arranged so that water entering the housing through the upstream opening (26) of the upper shell (22) flows onto the sealed wall (44) then into the receptacle (48) under the effect of gravity.

2. A water filtering device (14) according to claim 1, wherein the lower shell (20) is of stepped shape and comprises at least a first stage (46) forming the receptacle (48) and a second stage (50) comprising the downstream opening (28) of the lower shell (20), a wall of the lower shell (20) forming a wall between the first and second stages (46, 50).

3. Water filtering device (14) according to one of claims 1 and 2, comprising an air filter (68) inserted in the downstream opening (28) of the lower shell (20).

4. A water filtering device (14) according to any preceding claim, comprising a water discharge pipe (24) connected to the opening of the receptacle (48).

5. A water filtering device (14) according to any preceding claim, wherein the lower and upper shells (20, 22) are assembled together by elastic interlocking.

6. Ventilation system (12) for a motor vehicle (2) comprising a water filtering device (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, an air distribution device (16) and an air blower device (18) connected on the one hand to the downstream opening (28) of the lower shell (20) and on the other hand to the air distribution device (16).

7. A ventilation system (12) according to claim 6, wherein the air distribution device (16) comprises two half-shells assembled together to form an air distribution body connected to the air blower device (18), air ducts, a windshield demisting frieze (40) connected to the air distribution body, and two lateral demisting and ventilation friezes (42) each connected to the air distribution body.

8. Motor vehicle (2) comprising a ventilation system (12) according to one of claims 6 and 7.

9. Motor vehicle (2) according to claim 8, comprising an engine compartment (4), a passenger compartment (8) and an apron (10) separating the engine compartment (4) and the passenger compartment (8) such that the water filtering device (14) and the air blower device (18) are arranged in the engine compartment (4), and such that the air distribution device (16) is arranged in the passenger compartment (8).

10. Motor vehicle (2) according to one of claims 8 and 9, comprising a windshield (9) and an engine hood (6), the upstream opening (26) of the upper shell (22) of the water filtering device (14) opening between the windshield (9) and the engine hood (6).

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