Ventilator for the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an air flow directing unit (20) for use in a ventilator (10) for a vehicle interior, comprising a series of air duct vanes (261-263) arranged substantially parallel to one another and spaced apart from one another, the air duct vanes (261-263) forming a one-piece structure (26) which is housed inside a hollow cylindrical body (22) and pivotally connected thereto in such a way that they pivot about a first pivot axis (Y2), the cylindrical body (22) being pivotable about a second pivot axis (X2) under the action of a motor (14), wherein an outer shell (24) at least partially surrounds the cylindrical body (22), said outer shell (24) being provided with a guide groove (25) on an inner peripheral circumference (243), said guide groove (25) defining a cam profile,and wherein an operating pin (28) integral with one of the air duct fins is slidably received inside the guide groove (25) such that, when the cylindrical body (22) pivots about the second pivot axis (X2), the operating pin (28) follows the cam profile, thereby causing the structure (26) to pivot as a single piece about the first pivot axis (Y2). Figure 3,

Description

Title of the invention: Ventilator for the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle

[0001] The invention relates to an aerator for the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.

[0002] The vents are used to supply fresh air or hot air to the passenger compartment of a vehicle. automobile. They are generally located on the dashboard and can be manually controlled to obtain the desired airflow. The user can generally adjust the airflow, air temperature or airflow direction using buttons or sliders located on a central console, or a dashboard element or on the vent itself. This type of manually controlled vent, however, has the disadvantage of requiring systematic action by an operator if the airflow, air temperature and / or airflow direction needs to be changed. However, if the operator is the driver himself, this can lead to careless errors on his part which can be dangerous and lead, in some cases, to serious accidents.

[0003] For this purpose, some motor vehicles are sometimes equipped with motor-controlled air vents, in which the air flow at the outlet of the air vent follows a pre-defined trajectory. This trajectory is generally optimized to provide better driving comfort for the driver and passengers of the vehicle.

[0004] Generally, motor-driven aerators require two motors to achieve regulated control of the movement of two rows of air guide vanes pivoting respectively around vertical and horizontal pivot axes. The use of two motors, however, generates high manufacturing costs and requires sufficient electrical energy for their operation.

[0005] The invention therefore aims to propose an aerator which does not have the aforementioned drawbacks. In particular, the invention aims to propose a motor-controlled aerator generating lower manufacturing costs and consuming less electrical energy during its operation.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to an air flow orientation unit usable in a ventilator for a vehicle passenger compartment, comprising a series of air duct fins arranged substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other, the air duct fins forming a one-piece structure which is housed inside a hollow cylindrical body and pivotally connected to the latter in such a way that they pivot about a first pivot axis, the cylindrical body being pivotable about a second pivot axis under the action of a motor, in which an outer shell at least partially surrounds the body cylindrical, said outer shell being provided with a guide groove on an internal peripheral periphery, said guide groove defining a cam profile, and in which an operating pin secured to one of the air duct fins is slidably received inside the guide groove such that, when the cylindrical body pivots about the second pivot axis, the operating pin follows the cam profile, thereby causing the structure to pivot as a single piece about the first pivot axis.

[0007] Thus configured, the air flow orientation unit according to the invention makes it possible to control the pivoting of a series of guide vanes around two pivot axes by means of a single motor, thus reducing the manufacturing cost and the electrical consumption of such a unit.

[0008] According to other characteristics, the unit according to the invention comprises one or more of the following optional characteristics considered alone or in combination: - the cylindrical body is provided on an external peripheral periphery with a toothed crown, said toothed crown being capable of interacting with a toothed wheel rotated by the motor directly or via a gear so as to cause a pivoting movement of the cylindrical body around the second pivot axis.

[0009] - the outer shell has a cylindrical shape.

[0010] - the outer shell is formed of an upper part and a lower part, said upper and lower parts being connected together at a lower edge of the upper part and an upper edge of the lower part.

[0011] - the lower edge of the upper part and the upper edge of the lower part have a complementary shape so that the upper and lower parts fit into each other.

[0012] - the guide groove extends on either side of the lower edge of the part su upper and upper edge of the lower part.

[0013] - the guide groove has a substantially sinusoidal shape, the groove of oscillating guide around a circle forming a guideline for the cylindrical shape defined by the outer shell.

[0014] - the cylindrical body is provided with a slot in which the operating pin, the operating pin having an end portion protruding from the external peripheral periphery of the cylindrical body, said end portion being in contact with at least one of the edges of the guide groove.

[0015] The invention also relates to an aerator for the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle comprising:

[0016] - a housing having at least one air inlet opening and at least one air outlet opening and through which an air flow circulates,

[0017] - orientation means capable of orienting the air flow in at least one direction exit,

[0018] wherein the orientation means comprise at least one unit for orientation of an air flow as defined previously.

[0019] According to other characteristics, the aerator according to the invention comprises one or more of the following optional characteristics considered alone or in combination: - the orientation means comprise several units for orienting an air flow as defined previously.

[0020] - the cylindrical body of each of the air flow orientation units is provided on an external peripheral circumference of a toothed crown, said toothed crown being capable of interacting with a toothed wheel rotated by a motor directly or via a gear formed by a succession of a toothed wheel meshing with a toothed crown of another air flow orientation unit so as to cause a simultaneous pivoting movement of the cylindrical bodies of all the air flow orientation units by means of a single motor.

[0021] - the housing comprises at least one deflecting wall capable of receiving an air flow in originating from at least one unit for directing an air flow and redirecting this air flow in at least one outlet direction.

[0022] - the housing comprises an upper deflector wall and an inward deflector wall lower, said upper, respectively lower, deflector wall being capable of receiving an upward, respectively downward, air flow coming from at least one air flow orientation unit and of reorienting this air flow in a downward, respectively upward oriented outlet direction.

[0023] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising an aerator as defined above.

[0024] The invention will be better understood upon reading the non-limiting description which follows, given with reference to the attached figures.

[0025] [Fig-1] is a top view of an aerator according to the invention.

[0026] [Fig.2] is a front view of the aerator of [Fig.l].

[0027] [Fig.3] is an exploded perspective view of the aerator of [Fig.l].

[0028] [Fig.4] is a cross-sectional view along the section plane AA shown in [Fig.l], the air duct fins being oriented upwards.

[0029] [Fig.5] is a cross-sectional view along the section plane BB shown in [Fig.2], the air duct fins being oriented to the right.

[0030] [Fig.6] is a top view of an air flow orientation unit equipping the aerator of [Fig.l].

[0031] [Fig.7] is an exploded perspective view of the airflow direction unit of the [Fig.6].

[0032] [Fig-8] is a cross-sectional view along the section plane DD shown in [Fig.6],

[0033] [Fig.9] is a cross-sectional view along the section plane EE shown in [Fig.8].

[0034] [Fig. 10a] is a front view of the airflow direction unit of [Fig.6], according to a first orientation of the air duct fins.

[0035] [Fig. 10b] is a view similar to [Fig. 10a], according to a second orientation of the air duct fins.

[0036] [Fig. 10c] is a view similar to [Fig. 10a], according to a third orientation of the air duct fins.

[0037] [Fig.10d] is a view similar to [Fig.10a], according to a fourth orientation of the air duct fins.

[0038] [Fig.11a] is a partial cross-sectional view along the section plane CC shown in [Fig.1], the cylindrical body being in a first stop position.

[0039] [Fig. 11b] is a view similar to [Fig. 11a], the cylindrical body being in a second stop position.

[0040] In the following paragraphs, the terms horizontal, vertical, top, bottom, front and rear, left and right refer to airflow orientations for an air vent installed facing the front driver's seat of a motor vehicle passenger compartment. Thus, an airflow exiting such an air vent will be directed forward and upward if the driver wishes to preferentially ventilate his head, and to the right if he wishes to preferentially ventilate the left part of his face. The terms front / rear, and left / right therefore refer in this case to orientations opposite to those of the normal orientation of the vehicle.

[0041] With reference to Figures 1 to 3, there is shown an aerator 10 according to the invention. This aerator 10 comprises a housing 12 connected on its rear face to a pipe (not shown) supplying air to the aerator. The housing 12 extends along a longitudinal direction aligned with the front / rear direction X of the vehicle and comprises in particular an upper part 12s and a lower part 12i, the upper and lower parts being connected together, for example by clipping. The upper and lower parts 12s, 12i have an identical or substantially identical shape. Each of the parts 12s, 12i comprises in particular a rear portion, respectively 121 and 121', on which is fixed a rear annular structure 11 defining an inlet opening 111 for the air flow, and a front portion, respectively 122 and 122', on which is fixed a front annular structure 13 defining an outlet opening 131 for the air flow.

[0042] As shown in [Fig.3], the front portion 122 of the upper part 12s is defined by an upper wall 124a, and by two left and right side walls 124b and 124c. Similarly, the front portion 122' of the lower part 12i is defined by a lower wall 125a, and by two left and right side walls 125b and 125c.

[0043] As shown in [Fig. 4], each of the upper and lower walls 124a and 125a has a curved, substantially semi-cylindrical shape, the upper and lower walls 124a and 125a converging towards the outlet opening 131. The upper wall 124a has the function of deflecting downwards an air flow circulating inside the housing 12, when this air flow impacts said upper wall 124a. Similarly, the lower wall 125a has the function of deflecting upwards an air flow circulating inside the housing 12, when this air flow impacts said lower wall 125a.

[0044] As shown in [Fig. 5], each of the left 124b, 125b and right 124c, 125c side walls has a rectilinear profile, the walls 124b and 124c, respectively 125b and 125c, diverging from each other in the direction of the outlet opening 131. Said side walls 124b, 125b, 124c, 125c are thus configured to induce no deviation of the air flow circulating inside the housing 12, when this air flow is maintained in a preferred orientation. In this preferred orientation, the air flow can only sweep a conical zone delimited respectively by the side walls 124b, 125b, 124c, 125c.

[0045] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the rear portions 121 and 121' have several cavities of substantially semi-cylindrical shape defining a series of contiguous housings 123a, 123b, 123c, 123d, aligned in a transverse direction Y, said housings 123a-123d serving as support for a series of air flow orientation units 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, each of said units 20a-20d being provided with air duct fins 261, 262, 263 intended to orient the air flow coming from the inlet opening 111 in an internal circulation direction Di. Depending on the orientation of the air duct fins, the air flow is directed either upwards, towards the upper wall 124a, or downwards, towards the lower wall 125a, or horizontally. In the first case, shown in [Fig.4], the air flow is then reoriented in contact with the upper wall 124a and exits at the outlet opening 131 in a downwardly oriented outlet direction Ds. In the second case (not shown), the air flow is then reoriented in contact with the lower wall 125a and exits at the outlet opening 131 in an upwardly oriented outlet direction Ds. In the third case (not shown), the air flow, not coming into contact with the upper and lower walls 124a, 125a, retains its internal circulation direction Di and, as shown in [Fig. 5], this air flow, also not coming into contact with the left and right side walls 124b, 124c, 125b, . 125c, exits at the outlet opening 131 in an outlet direction Ds which is identical to that of its internal circulation direction Di. Generally, the left and right side walls 124b, 124c, 125b, 125c will not impact the outlet direction Ds of the air flow as long as the internal direction Di defined by the air duct fins is maintained within an inclination range al-a2 with the longitudinal direction X, al corresponding to the inclination of the left side walls 124b, 125b and a2 corresponding to the inclination of the right side walls 124c, 125c.

[0046] Each of the air flow orientation units 20a-20d has an identical configuration illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. In this configuration, an air flow orientation unit 20 comprises a hollow cylindrical body 22 provided on an external peripheral periphery 221 with a toothed crown 23, said toothed crown 23 being provided with teeth intended to cooperate with the corresponding teeth of a toothed wheel 27 rotated about an axis XI, either directly or via a gear, by an output shaft of a motor 14 (illustrated in Figures 1 and 3) so as to cause a pivoting movement of the cylindrical body 22 about a pivot axis X2. Thus, in the specific configuration of [Fig.3], the cylindrical body 22 of the unit 20a pivots under the action of a toothed wheel 27 which is rotated directly by the output shaft of the motor 14, while each of the cylindrical bodies 22 of the units 20b-20d pivots under the action of a toothed wheel 27 which is rotated by the output shaft of the motor 14 via a gear formed by a succession of one or more toothed wheels 27 and the toothed crown(s) 23 of the cylindrical bodies 22 which are arranged between said cylindrical body 22 and the output shaft of the motor 14.

[0047] The unit 20 further comprises a series of air duct fins 261, 262, 263 arranged substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other, the air duct fins forming a one-piece structure 26 which is housed inside the cylindrical body 22 and pivotally connected to the latter in such a way that they pivot about a pivot axis Y2, which is perpendicular to the pivot axis X2 of the cylindrical body 22.

[0048] The unit 20 further comprises a substantially cylindrical outer shell 24 which at least partially surrounds the cylindrical body 22, said outer shell 24 being formed of an upper part 24a and a lower part 24b. The upper part 24a has a lower edge 241 describing a sinusoidal curve and the lower part 24b has an upper edge 242 describing a sinusoidal curve which is complementary to that described by the lower edge 241 such that the upper and lower parts 24a, 24b fit into each other. The upper and lower parts 24a, 24b may be connected together at said lower edges and higher 241, 242.

[0049] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the outer shell 24 is provided with a guide groove 25 on an inner peripheral periphery 243. The guide groove 25 extends on either side of the lower edge 241 and the upper edge 242. In the embodiment shown, the guide groove 25 oscillates sinusoidally around a circle forming a guideline for the cylindrical shape defined by the outer shell 24. An operating pin 28 secured to the air duct fin 263 is slidably received inside the guide groove 25, so that the guide groove 25 defines a cam profile for the operating pin 28. Thus, when the cylindrical body 22 pivots around the axis X2, the operating pin 28 follows the cam profile, thereby causing the structure 26 to pivot as a single piece around the axis X2. the Y2 axis.To allow the movement of the operating pin 28 inside the guide groove 25, the cylindrical body 22 is advantageously provided with a slot 222 in which the operating pin 28 is partially housed, the operating pin 28 having an end portion protruding from the external peripheral periphery 221 of the cylindrical body 22, said end portion being in contact with at least one of the edges of the guide groove 25.

[0050] Thus configured, the air flow orientation unit 20 can generate a controlled movement of the air duct vanes 261, 262 and 263 under the action of the motor 14 so that their orientation varies with respect to a reference orientation, which, by convention, may correspond to a position in which they are parallel to a vertical plane. This reference orientation is for example shown in [Fig. 10a]. This reference orientation induces an outlet direction Ds for the air flow which is directed forwards while being aligned with the longitudinal direction X.

[0051] Another possible orientation of the air duct fins 261-263 is shown in [Fig.10b]. In this orientation, the fins 261-263 are inclined upwards relative to a horizontal plane. This orientation induces an outlet direction Ds for the air flow which is directed forwards and downwards.

[0052] Another possible orientation of the air duct fins 261-263 is shown in [Fig.10c]. In this orientation, the fins 261-263 are inclined downwards and to the right. This orientation induces an outlet direction Ds for the air flow which is directed to the right and upwards.

[0053] Another possible orientation of the air duct fins 261-263 is shown in [Fig.lOd]. In this orientation, the fins 261-263 are inclined to the right relative to a vertical plane. This orientation induces an outlet direction Ds for the air flow which is directed forward and to the right.

[0054] These examples of orientation of the fins 261-263 each correspond to a position specific angular direction of the cylindrical body 22 relative to a reference position. To enable a user to know the orientation of the fins 261-263 of the unit 20, it will be advantageous to equip the vehicle with a control screen or any other display means on which the outlet direction Ds of the air flow will be visible to a user seated opposite the outlet opening 131.

[0055] In practice, it will be possible for the driver or a passenger of the motor vehicle to choose, via the control screen or via any other input means, a specific area of ​​his body on which he wishes to receive air. A computer, knowing the starting position of the aerator, will then determine the rotary movement that the cylindrical body 22 must perform to reach the position that will allow air to be diffused in the outlet direction Ds as close as possible to that desired by the driver or the passenger. A control unit, connected to said computer, will thus be able to control the motor 14 so as to induce a corresponding movement of the cylindrical body 22.

[0056] According to another variant of use of the invention, the air duct vanes 261-263 may successively and uninterruptedly pass from their reference orientation to several preferred orientations advantageously chosen to produce a sweep of the air flow over certain specific areas of the driver or a passenger of the motor vehicle (for example the head, neck, shoulders, chest, etc.), then return to their reference orientation after a movement cycle. This movement cycle may be executed in an automated manner by means of the motor 14 and the aforementioned control unit so as to induce a back-and-forth movement of the cylindrical body 22 from its reference position to a limit position.The forward movement will correspond to a rotation of the cylindrical body 22 by a predefined angle from the reference position and in a given direction, the return movement corresponding to a reverse rotation of the cylindrical body 22 by the same predefined angle from the limit position. This predefined angle may in particular be between 300° and 360°, and preferably be equal to 340°. For this purpose, and as shown in FIGS. 11a and 11b, the cylindrical body 22 may be provided with a radial protrusion 223, which will be defined by two end edges. These end edges will be configured to abut against a rib 126 projecting from the internal wall of the housing 12 when the limit position and / or the reference position of the cylindrical body 22 are reached.When one of said end edges comes into contact with said rib 126, the electric motor 14 will generate an increase in the current (or power) demand which will be detected by the control unit. The control unit will thus deduce the angular position of the cylindrical body 22 relative to its reference position and will then be able to precisely control the rotation of the cylindrical body 22 by means of the motor 14 so as to modify. the orientation of the air duct fins 261-263 according to the user's request.

[0057] The invention is obviously not limited to the specific embodiment described above.

[0058] In particular, the successive orientations of the air flow at the outlet of the aerator may obviously vary depending on the profile of the guide groove 25 of each of the air flow orientation units 20 and adapt to the installation location in the dashboard and the seating position of the driver and passenger.

[0059] It is also clear that the number and shape of the air duct fins of the structure 26 may also vary. It will also be possible to use other air duct means instead of the air duct fins.

[0060] Furthermore, the rotary movement of the cylindrical body 22 may be transmitted by the motor 14 by any possible means, the use of a toothed crown 23 being one of the possible means.

[0061] Furthermore, the number of air flow orientation units 20 and their arrangement within the aerator 10 may vary. In particular, in one possible embodiment, the aerator 10 may comprise only one air flow orientation unit 20.

[0062] Finally, in another possible embodiment, the aerator 10 may comprise several motors 14 and several units for directing an air flow 20, at least one of the motors 14 being associated with a single unit for directing an air flow 20 such that the units for directing an air flow 20 may induce several different outlet directions Ds for the air flow.

Claims

Claims

1. Unit (20) for directing an air flow usable in a ventilator (10) for a vehicle passenger compartment, comprising a series of air duct vanes (261-263) arranged substantially parallel to one another and spaced apart from one another, the air duct vanes (261-263) forming a one-piece structure (26) which is housed inside a hollow cylindrical body (22) and pivotally connected thereto in such a way that they pivot about a first pivot axis (Y2), the cylindrical body (22) being pivotable about a second pivot axis (X2) under the action of a motor (14), in which an outer shell (24) at least partially surrounds the cylindrical body (22), said outer shell (24) being provided with a guide groove (25) on an inner peripheral circumference (243), said guide groove (25) defining a cam profile,and wherein an operating pin (28) secured to one of the air duct fins is slidably received inside the guide groove (25) such that, when the cylindrical body (22) pivots about the second pivot axis (X2), the operating pin (28) follows the cam profile, thereby causing the structure (26) to pivot as a single piece about the first pivot axis (Y2).,

2. Unit (20) for directing an air flow according to claim 1, in which the cylindrical body (22) is provided on an external peripheral periphery (221) with a toothed crown (23), said toothed crown (23) being capable of interacting with a toothed wheel (27) rotated by the motor (14) directly or via a gear so as to cause a pivoting movement of the cylindrical body (22) around the second pivot axis (X2).

3. An airflow directing unit (20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer shell (24) has a cylindrical shape.

4. An airflow directing unit (20) according to claim 3, wherein the outer shell (24) is formed of an upper portion (24a) and a lower portion (24b), said upper and lower portions (24a, 24b) being connected together at a lower edge (241) of the upper portion (24a) and an upper edge (242) of the lower portion (24b).

5. An airflow directing unit (20) according to claim 4, wherein the lower edge (241) of the upper portion (24a) and the edge upper part (242) of the lower part (24b) have a complementary shape such that the upper and lower parts (24a, 24b) fit into each other.

6. Unit (20) for directing an air flow according to claim 5, in which the guide groove (25) extends on either side of the lower edge (241) of the upper part (24a) and the upper edge (242) of the lower part (24b).

7. An airflow directing unit (20) according to one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the guide groove (25) has a substantially sinusoidal shape, the guide groove (25) oscillating around a circle forming a guideline for the cylindrical shape defined by the outer shell (24).

8. Unit (20) for directing an air flow according to claim 7, in which the cylindrical body (22) is provided with a slot (222) in which the operating pin (28) is partially housed, the operating pin (28) having an end portion projecting from the external peripheral periphery (221) of the cylindrical body (22), said end portion being in contact with at least one of the edges of the guide groove (25).

9. Aerator (10) for a motor vehicle passenger compartment comprising: - a housing (12) having at least one air inlet opening (111) and at least one air outlet opening (131) and through which an air flow circulates, - orientation means (20) capable of orienting the air flow in at least one outlet direction (Ds), in which the orientation means comprise at least one unit (20) for orienting an air flow according to one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Aerator (10) according to claim 9, wherein the orientation means comprise several units (20) for orientation of an air flow according to one of claims 1 to 8.

11. Aerator (10) according to claim 10, in which the cylindrical body (22) of each of the units (20) for directing an air flow is provided on an external peripheral periphery (221) with a toothed crown (23), said toothed crown (23) being capable of interacting with a toothed wheel (27) rotated by a motor (14) directly or via a gear formed by a succession of a toothed wheel (27) meshing with a toothed crown (23) of another unit (20) for directing an air flow so as to cause a simultaneous pivoting movement of the cylindrical bodies (20) of all the units (20) for directing an air flow by means of a single motor (14).

12. Aerator (10) according to one of claims 9 to 11, in which the housing (12) comprises at least one deflecting wall (124a, 125a) capable of receiving an air flow from at least one air flow orientation unit (20) and of reorienting this air flow in at least one outlet direction (Ds).

13. Aerator (10) according to claim 12, wherein the housing (12) comprises an upper deflector wall (124a) and a lower deflector wall (125a), said upper deflector wall (124a), respectively lower deflector wall (125a), being capable of receiving an upward or downward air flow from at least one air flow orientation unit (20) and of reorienting this air flow in a downward or upward exit direction (Ds).

14. Motor vehicle comprising an aerator (10) according to one of claims 9 to 13.

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