VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH A CONNECTION DEVICE BETWEEN AT LEAST ONE AIR DUCT PASSING THROUGH THE DASHBOARD AND A HOLLOW PILLAR OF THE CABIN
A flexible connecting conduit with a rotating shaft and sealing element ensures sealed connections between air ducts and hollow pillars, addressing temperature vulnerabilities of the RTCU by maintaining a consistent airflow for optimal operation.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023014224
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-12-14
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-31
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-12-14
AI Technical Summary
Existing vehicles face challenges in maintaining the optimal operating temperature of the telematics data exchange unit (RTCU) due to extreme temperatures, as it is typically positioned near the roof and vulnerable to temperature fluctuations, necessitating a solution for ensuring fluid continuity and sealed connections between air ducts and hollow pillars to maintain a constant airflow.
A connecting conduit made of flexible material is used to establish a sealed connection between the air ducts in the dashboard and hollow side pillars, ensuring fluid continuity and minimizing pressure losses by using a rotating shaft and sealing element for airtight sealing during dashboard assembly.
The solution provides a constant flow of conditioned air at a controlled temperature to the RTCU, maintaining its optimal operation by preventing air leaks and pressure losses, thus stabilizing the RTCU's environment.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH A LINKING DEVICE BETWEEN AT LEAST ONE AIR DUCT PASSING THROUGH THE DASHBOARD AND A HOLLOW PILLAR OF THE HABITAT
[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle equipped with a linking device between at least one air duct passing through the dashboard and a hollow pillar of the passenger compartment.
[0002] Here the term vehicle refers to a car, a van, a truck, a public transport vehicle, a piece of public works or agricultural machinery, regardless of the type of engine.
[0003] Most modern vehicles are equipped with a telematics data exchange unit, frequently referred to by the English acronym RTCU (Radio Telematic Control Unit), which allows the vehicle to be wirelessly connected to server and / or control and / or data storage centers. The terms RTCU and unit will be used interchangeably hereafter. To optimize data transmission and reception, the RTCU is located in the upper part of the passenger compartment and attached to the inner surface of the vehicle's roof. This arrangement makes the RTCU particularly vulnerable to extreme temperatures, for example, above 50°C or below -20°C. Such temperatures can affect the unit's operation. It is therefore necessary to maintain a temperature that ensures optimal RTCU operation, both in data transmission and reception.The aim is to maintain the temperature of the RTCU (Remote Control Unit) as close as possible to the temperature of the vehicle's interior when passengers are present. KR-U-1998 022 306 describes a device using hollow pillars located on either side of the windshield to direct air from the vehicle's air conditioning system to the head level of the vehicle's occupants, thus near the roof. The applicant of this application has also developed a solution for maintaining the RTCU's temperature using the vehicle's air conditioning system. The RTCU is positioned at an air outlet in a hollow upper crossmember of the roof, which is connected to the air conditioning system via the hollow pillars located on either side of the windshield.While it is known to use and supply air conditioning to the RTCU (Remote Control Unit) via the hollow pillars in the front of the vehicle, it is essential to ensure fluid continuity between these pillars and the air conditioning ducts located in the dashboard during the dashboard installation. This is because the air conditioning unit is positioned at the front of the vehicle, below the cowl grille at the base of the windshield, and the ducts distribute air from the... The air conditioning system and the wiring for the passenger compartment are routed through the dashboard. The dashboard is installed in the passenger compartment, which already has hollow pillars, during the final stages of vehicle manufacturing.
[0004] The invention aims to provide a solution for achieving a sealed connection during the assembly of the dashboard in a vehicle between the air duct(s) from the air conditioning system and at least one of the hollow pillars of the bodywork surrounding the windshield and constituting the passenger compartment of the vehicle in order to ensure fluid continuity between the air conditioning system and the air outlet at the RTCU level.
[0005] To this end, the invention relates to a vehicle comprising a front part of the vehicle's passenger compartment provided with at least one hollow side pillar connected to a hollow upper crossmember, a telematics unit for exchanging data by wireless means placed in the upper part of the front part of the passenger compartment and near an opening provided in the upper crossmember, a passenger compartment air conditioning device positioned downstream of a dashboard of the vehicle, the latter being provided with at least one air duct ensuring the diffusion of air into the passenger compartment from the air conditioning device, characterized in that the vehicle includes at least one additional air duct called a connecting duct between an air duct of the dashboard ensuring the diffusion of air into the passenger compartment from the air conditioning device and at least one hollow side pillar of the passenger compartment,said connecting conduit being provided at one open, free end with a sealing element for connection to the hollow lateral upright.
[0006] Thanks to the invention, a sealed connection is achieved during the assembly of the dashboard in the passenger compartment between at least one air duct of the dashboard and a hollow side pillar. Fluid continuity is ensured between the air conditioning unit and the RTCU by providing a means of distributing conditioned air at the RTCU, without air loss and by minimizing pressure losses, thus maintaining a constant flow of conditioned air at a controlled temperature.
[0007] According to advantageous, but not mandatory, aspects of the invention, such a vehicle may include one or more of the following features:
[0008] The connecting conduit is made of a soft and flexible material.
[0009] The connecting conduit is articulated.
[0010] A connecting conduit is fitted to each side of the dashboard.
[0011] The connecting member placed at the end of each connecting conduit is a nozzle made of elastomer or rubber with a peripheral seal.
[0012] The connecting member is fixed to a rotating movable shaft, the angle of rotation of the connecting member being identical to the angle of rotation of the rotating shaft.
[0013] A rotational device for the rotational shaft is fixed to one of the walls of the minus a hollow amount.
[0014] The rotation element is a relief with a triangular cross-section, one face of the rotation element ensuring the rotation of the shaft by friction.
[0015] The face of the rotating member opposite to that ensuring the rotation and translation of the shaft forms a stop at the end of the shaft's rotation and prohibits any movement in the opposite direction of the latter.
[0016] The rotation shaft is provided with a locking device preventing any rotation of the shaft in any direction.
[0017] The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will become more apparent upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0018] [Fig-1] is a simplified and schematic view of the front part of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention illustrating the air distribution from the air conditioning unit to the RTCU located on the vehicle's roof, at the level of an upper crossmember,
[0019] [Fig.2] is a simplified diagram, at another scale, illustrating a connection zone between one end of the dashboard and a hollow side pillar of the vehicle's passenger compartment, before the watertight seal is established,
[0020] [Fig.3] is a view similar to [Fig.2], with the watertight connection established,
[0021] [Fig.4] is a larger scale diagram of detail IV and
[0022] [Fig.5] is a larger scale diagram of detail V.
[0023] Figure 1 illustrates the front part of a vehicle 1 seen from the outside, i.e. the The part of the vehicle extending from the grille to the windshield 2. An air conditioning unit, known in itself, is schematically represented by a square and designated by the reference 3. It is generally located in the engine compartment, downstream of a dashboard illustrated by a rectangle and referenced 4. The air conditioning unit 3 is located lower than the dashboard 4. The air conditioning unit 3 takes in outside air and, after cooling or heating depending on the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the passenger compartment and the desired temperature in the passenger compartment, directs it into the passenger compartment 7 via at least one, or in an advantageous embodiment, two air distribution ducts 5, 6. Each duct 5, 6 passes through the dashboard 4 and brings the air to the level of one face of the dashboard 4, at least through a ventilation grille 8, visible in figures 2 and 3.This at least one grille 8 is located on the top and / or on one face of the dashboard 4 in the presence of the vehicle occupants 1.
[0024] The front part of the vehicle 1 also includes hollow side pillars 9, 10 supporting the roof of the passenger compartment, also known as the roof panel. The ends of each pillar 9, 10 are connected to each other at the upper part of The passenger compartment, as seen in [Fig. 1], is accessed via a hollow upper crossmember 11 extending across the entire width of the vehicle. This crossmember 11 has an opening 12 located near a telematics unit 13, also known as the RTCU. The unit 13 enables wireless data exchange between the vehicle and external equipment. It should also be noted that the side pillars 9 and 10, and the upper crossmember 11 serve as a mounting frame for the windshield 2, the base of which rests on the bodywork at the rear of the engine hood 14. With this configuration, conditioned air is supplied through each duct 5 and 6, then through the pillars 9 and 10 and the crossmember 11 to the upper level of the passenger compartment 7, under the roof, near the unit 13, in order to maintain the latter at a constant temperature for optimal RTCU operation. Here the direction of air distribution is illustrated by arrows on ducts 5, 6..
[0025] Connection zones 15, 16 are schematically illustrated in [Fig. 1] by rectangles between the outlet ends of the ducts 5, 6 located in the dashboard 4 and, respectively, the base of each side pillar 9, 10. A connection zone 16 is schematically represented on a larger scale in Figures 2 and 3, it being understood that the connection zone 15 is identical. Figures 2 and 3 represent the connection zone 16 as seen from inside the passenger compartment 7 of the vehicle 1.
[0026] Figure 2 illustrates a so-called pre-assembly configuration in which the interior volume of the hollow side pillar 10 is not hermetically sealed to the conduit 6. This configuration corresponds to the installation phase of the dashboard 4 in the passenger compartment 7. A wall 18 of the open end 17 of the pillar 10 is welded to a metal wall 19 of the vehicle's passenger compartment 7. The open end 17 of the pillar 10 is beveled, with the wall 18 welded to the wall 19 of the passenger compartment 7 being the longer wall. In this configuration, the dashboard 4 is positioned opposite, on one side, the shorter wall 20 of the end 17 of the side pillar 10 and, on the other side, opposite the wall 19 of the passenger compartment, but without contact with these walls 18 to 20.The dashboard 4 is installed either by a vertical movement from top to bottom or by a horizontal translational movement from the inside to the outside of the passenger compartment 7, or by a combination of both movements. A side ventilation grille 8 is schematically illustrated in [Fig. 2], here on the front face of the dashboard 4, bearing in mind that it could be positioned on another face of the dashboard and / or that several ventilation grilles may be provided. The air distribution duct 6 from the air conditioning unit 3 is partially illustrated. Its open end connects to the grille 8.
[0027] The invention consists of positioning an additional air duct, called a connecting duct, in a bypass on duct 6, in order to connect this duct 6 to the upright 10 and ensure fluid continuity, therefore continuity of air distribution up to the housing 13, by limiting pressure losses, preventing air leaks, and ensuring a regular and constant airflow. This additional air distribution duct, called the connecting duct, is referenced as 21. It is connected to duct 6 by known means, for example, by a Y or T fitting. Advantageously, the duct 21 is installed upstream, during the installation of duct 6 in the dashboard 4. Alternatively, duct 6 is originally configured with the connecting duct 21, the latter being a single unit with duct 6.
[0028] The connecting conduit 21 is advantageously made of a soft and flexible material, for example elastomer or rubber. Alternatively, it is made of a rigid but articulated material.
[0029] The open free end of the conduit 21 is provided with a sealing connecting member 22. The connecting member 22 is formed by a rubber tip with a peripheral seal. This tip 22 is rigid, or at least includes a rigid peripheral portion and is configured to ensure an airtight seal when the tip 22 is firmly pressed against the open end 17 of the upright 10.
[0030] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, one edge of the nozzle 22 is connected to and fixed to the dashboard 4 by a rotating shaft 23, while also being able to rotate relative to the dashboard. The nozzle 22 is rotationally fixed to the shaft 23. The rotation of the rotating shaft 23, and therefore the rotation of the nozzle 22, is illustrated by arrow F in [Fig. 5]. It should be noted that the rotating shaft 23 extends beyond a plane P in which the opening of the nozzle 22 and a side wall of the dashboard 4, to which the nozzle 22 is fixed, are located. In other words, the shaft 23 forms a fixing point for the nozzle 22 on the dashboard 4, this point being rotationally movable and extending beyond the nozzle 22 and the dashboard 4.
[0031] A triangular relief 24 is fixed on a free end of the wall 20 of the pillar 10, therefore on the shortest wall, the latter being closest to the dashboard 4. The relief 24 is oriented outwards from the pillar 10 towards the end piece 22. The relief 24 forms a means of rotating the rotation shaft 23.
[0032] In the configuration illustrated in Figures 2 and 4, the shaft 23 and the relief 24 are opposite each other, with the relief 24 being directly above and below the shaft 23. There is no contact between the shaft 23 and the relief 24, therefore no rotation of the shaft 23 and consequently no rotation of the end piece 22. There is no airtight seal between the upright 10 and the duct 21. The open ends of the duct 21 and the upright 10 are opposite each other but are not sealed together. This configuration corresponds to the presentation of the dashboard 4 in the passenger compartment 7, during its installation and before it is secured to the passenger compartment. The dashboard 4, once positioned in the passenger compartment 7, is held in place and fixed to the passenger compartment 7 by means known per se, for example by screwing or clipping, so that it can be removed if necessary. mountable.
[0033] In the position illustrated in [Fig. 2] and as can also be seen in [Fig. 4], the end 22 of the conduit 21 is opposite the wall 20 of the upright 10, slightly upstream of the free end of the wall 20, without any support between the various elements. The shaft 23 is above the relief 24, without contacting it.
[0034] When the dashboard 4 is moved downwards, as indicated by arrow F1, upon completion of its installation in the passenger compartment 7, contact is initiated between the shaft 23 and a so-called upper face 25 of the triangular relief 24. During this translational movement, friction occurs between the shaft 23 and the face 25, resulting in a rotation of the shaft 23 which also causes an identical rotation, by the same angular value, of the end piece 22 as indicated by arrow F. It should be noted that the rotation of the shaft 23 is accompanied by a downward translation, as shown in Figures 2 to 5. This translation of the shaft 23 is induced by the movement of the dashboard 4 during its installation. The rotation and movement of the shaft 23 continue until the dashboard 4 is in place. At the end of rotation and translation, the tree 23 is located under a so-called lower face 26 of the relief 24.In this configuration, the rotation by friction between the shaft 23 and the relief 24 is interrupted, and the return to the initial position, for example due to the elasticity of the conduit 21, is not possible. Indeed, the tip of the triangular relief 24 and the lower face 26 of the relief 24 form a stop to any upward translational movement and rotation of the shaft 23 in the opposite direction of arrow FL. The continuation of the rotation of the shaft 23 along arrow Fl, as well as its translation along arrow F, is also impossible, since the face 25 no longer drives the shaft 23 in rotation.
[0035] During the pivoting movement of the nozzle 22 towards the end 17 of the upright 10, due to the rotation and displacement of the shaft 23, the conduit 21 deforms due to its flexibility, and the area of the nozzle 22 diametrically opposite the shaft 23 rests against the free end of the wall 18 of the upright 10. Thanks to the peripheral seal surrounding the opening of the nozzle 22, an airtight seal is thus achieved between the outlet of the conduit 21 and the opening 17 of the upright 10, thereby ensuring fluid continuity between these two elements. The invention allows this continuity to be achieved automatically, without additional parts, during the installation and securing of the dashboard 4 in the passenger compartment 7.
[0036] Once the dashboard 4 is in place and the connection made between the conduit 21 and the upright 10, it is possible to secure the connection between these two elements by screwing, by a clamp or any other means provided that it is removable so that the dashboard 4 can be dismantled if necessary.
[0037] Here the invention is described for only one side of the passenger compartment. It is easy to understand that, according to an advantageous embodiment, the invention is applied to both sides, that of in the same way.
[0038] Alternatively, the shaft 23 is provided with a push button, with a locking position for example by quarter turn, which makes it possible to lock in a given position and to prevent any accidental rotation of the shaft 23, and therefore of the tip 22, once the tip 22 is in place on the end 17 of the upright 10.
Claims
Demands
1. A vehicle (1) comprising a front portion of the vehicle's passenger compartment (7) having at least one hollow side pillar (9, 10) connected to a hollow upper crossmember (11), a telematics unit (13) for exchanging data wirelessly located in the upper part of the front portion of the passenger compartment (7) and near an opening (12) in the upper crossmember (11), and a passenger compartment air conditioning unit (3) positioned downstream of a dashboard (4) of the vehicle (1), the latter having at least one air duct (5, 6) for distributing air into the passenger compartment (7) from the air conditioning unit (3), characterized in that the vehicle (1) has at least one additional air duct, referred to as a connecting duct (21), between an air duct (5, 6) of the dashboard (4) distributing air into the passenger compartment (7) from the air conditioning unit (3) and at least one side pillar (9,10) hollow of the passenger compartment (7), said connecting conduit (21) being provided at an open free end with a connecting element (22) sealed with the hollow side pillar (9, 10).
2. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting conduit (21) is made of a soft and flexible material.
3. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting conduit (21) is articulated.
4. Vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a connecting conduit (21) is fitted to each side of the dashboard (4).
5. Vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting member (22) placed at the end of each connecting conduit (21) is an elastomer or rubber tip provided with a peripheral seal.
6. Vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that the connecting member (22) is integral with a rotating shaft (23) (F), the angle of rotation of the connecting member (22) being identical to the angle of rotation of the rotating shaft (23).
7. Vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that a rotational switching element (24) for the rotational shaft (23) is fixed on one (20) of the walls of at least one hollow upright (9, 10).
8. Vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that the rotating member (24) is a relief with a triangular cross-section, a face (25) of the rotating member (24) ensuring the rotation of the shaft (23) by friction.
9. Vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that the face (26) of the rotating member (24) opposite that (25) ensuring the rotation of the shaft (23) forms a stop at the end of rotation of the shaft (23) and prohibits any movement in the opposite direction of the shaft (23).
10. Vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that the rotation shaft (23) is provided with a locking member preventing any rotation of the shaft (23) in any direction whatsoever.