Coanda effect aerator with a pressure loss reduction valve

Abstract

COANDA EFFECT AIR FAN WITH A PRESSURE DROP REDUCTION VALVE The present invention relates to an air fan (2) for a trim element of a vehicle (1), for example, a vehicle dashboard, comprising: - an airflow channel (4) in a principal direction and opening onto a principal outlet (6) of the air fan; - an airflow guide element, housed in the channel and forming, on either side of said guide element, a first and a second airflow channel, respectively; notable in that the air fan further comprises a valve (14) connecting to the channel upstream of the guide element, said valve comprising an electromagnet configured to control an opening of said valve, so as to allow a controlled escape of a portion of the airflow. (Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Figure 3)

Description

Title of the invention: Coanda effect aerator with a pressure drop reduction valve technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicles, more particularly to the field of air diffusers arranged in the passenger compartments of motor vehicles. Previous technique

[0002] Automakers are increasingly incorporating Coanda effect vents, which improve airflow in the passenger compartment. Unlike traditional vents, which blow air through fixed openings, Coanda effect vents utilize the physical property that allows a fluid, such as air, to follow a curved surface. Many ventilation systems that utilize this phenomenon exist. For example, the systems described in US patents 2019 / 0270363 A1 and 2022 / 0009316 A1 direct airflow in different directions using a curved surface, creating more uniform airflow in the passenger compartment and providing a better climate control experience for passengers.

[0003] Modern dashboards tend to be less "invasive" in the passenger compartment, and to be further back along the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle, which advantageously frees up more space for the two front passengers.

[0004] However, this type of aerator generally presents the risk of noise arising from pressure losses that may occur during airflow under normal operating conditions.

[0005] The published patent document EP 3 758 964 Al discloses a Coanda effect cabin ventilator comprising an air flow control device provided with a pivoting flap allowing the air flow to be controlled at the level of each airflow channel.

[0006] However, the air flow regulation solution disclosed in the document has room for improvement in order to effectively reduce pressure losses as well as any associated noise. Description of the invention

[0007] The present invention aims to overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the aforementioned prior art. More particularly, the invention aims to provide a simple and effective solution for efficiently reducing the pressure losses in an airflow within Coanda effect aerators for vehicles.

[0008] To this end, the invention relates to a ventilator for a trim element of a vehicle, comprising: - an airflow channel following a main direction and opening onto a main outlet of the aerator; - an airflow guide element, housed in the channel and forming, on either side of said guide element, a first and a second airflow channel, respectively; remarkable in that the aerator further comprises a valve connecting to the channel upstream of the guide element, said valve comprising an electromagnet configured to control an opening of said valve, so as to permit a controlled escape of part of the airflow.

[0009] Preferably, the trim element may correspond, for example, to a dashboard of a motor vehicle.

[0010] Advantageously, the valve is controlled to open and close by means of the electromagnet, said valve allowing the regulation of an air flow in the channel, so as to limit pressure losses.

[0011] According to one embodiment, said aerator comprising directional means disposed in the channel upstream of the guide element, configured to direct the airflow, selectively, towards specifically the first corridor, the first and second corridors or specifically the second corridor, the valve being disposed upstream of said directional means.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the valve is disposed in an inlet portion of the channel, opposite an upper airflow guide wall.

[0013] Advantageously, the channel comprises a lower guide wall opposite and facing the upper guide wall. Said upper guide wall is disposed above the lower guide wall, along a vertical direction of a vehicle, in the normal mounting position of the ventilator in said vehicle.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the inlet portion of the channel comprises an evacuation tube formed with the upper guide wall, and having a distal end forming a seat for the valve, said evacuation tube being perpendicular to a main direction of airflow or inclined at more than 45° with respect to said main direction.

[0015] The invention also relates to a ventilation device for a vehicle, comprising a main airflow duct extending from a ventilation system of said vehicle, and a bifurcation fluidically connecting said main duct to at least one ventilator, notable in that said at least one ventilator is according to the invention.

[0016] Preferably, the motor vehicle ventilation system corresponds to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system of said motor vehicle, said system being commonly referred to as "HVAC".

[0017] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a ventilator for a trim element of said vehicle, remarkable in that said ventilator is according to the invention.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the controlled escape of the portion of the airflow is configured to be directed substantially vertically towards a portion of the trim element of said vehicle.

[0019] The invention also relates to a method of managing an airflow for a ventilator of a trim element of a vehicle, remarkable in that said ventilator being according to the invention, said method comprising the following steps: - detection of the presence of a pressure loss within the airflow channel of the ventilator; - opening of the valve by actuation of the electromagnet; - closing of the valve, as soon as a decrease in said pressure loss is detected below a threshold value in the channel.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the step of detecting the presence of a pressure drop is based on a measurement of the mass flow rate of the air and on the angular orientation of the directional means arranged in the channel to direct the airflow. Preferably, said detection is further based on the angular orientation of a flap of the vehicle's HVAC ventilation system.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the step of detecting the presence of a pressure loss includes a direct measurement of said pressure loss by means of a pressure sensor flush with a wall guiding the air flow in the channel.

[0022] The measures of the invention are advantageous in that the aerator of the present invention makes it possible to combine the possibility of splitting the airflow into two and to take advantage of the Coanda effect for better directivity of the airflow, while significantly reducing pressure losses by means of the valve controlled automatically by means of the electromagnet according to the detection of said pressure losses, resulting in a reduction of noises related to the airflow in the aerator. Brief description of the drawings

[0023] [Fig.1] schematically illustrates a perspective view of a ventilation device for a vehicle according to the invention;

[0024] [Fig.2] represents a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerator according to the invention, comprising a valve disposed in an inlet portion of a flow channel air, said valve allowing a controlled escape of part of the air flow;

[0025] [Fig.3] represents a perspective view of the ventilation device of the [Fig.1], comprising at least one aerator according to the invention, provided with a valve projecting from an upper guide wall of the channel;

[0026] [Fig.4] represents a perspective and cross-sectional view along an axis AA passing the valve of [Fig.3]. Detailed description

[0027] In this description, the terms "transverse" and "longitudinal," in relation to cross-sections, refer to the principal direction of the object in question. Upstream and downstream refer to the direction of airflow in the aerator.

[0028] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a perspective view of a ventilation device 3 for a vehicle 1 according to the invention. Said vehicle being preferably a motor vehicle 1.

[0029] The ventilation device 3 comprises at least one ventilator 2 according to the invention. This is a Coanda effect ventilator intended to be integrated into a trim element of the vehicle, and preferably into a dashboard of the motor vehicle 1.

[0030] Preferably, the ventilation device 3 comprises four ventilators 2, of which two central ventilators 2.1 and two lateral ventilators 2, the latter two being preferably according to the invention.

[0031] The motor vehicle 1 includes a ventilation system 7 corresponding to a heating, ventilation and air conditioning “HVAC” system of said motor vehicle 1, which is connected to the ventilators 2, 2.1 by means of a main airflow duct 5, and a bifurcation 9 fluidly connecting said main duct 5 to each of the ventilators 2, 2.1 of the motor vehicle 1, passing through corresponding airflow channels 4.

[0032] Fig. 2 represents a cross-sectional and schematic view of the aerator 2 according to the invention.

[0033] The aerator 2 includes an air flow channel 4 F following a principal direction A substantially horizontal and opening onto a main outlet 6 of the aerator 2.

[0034] An airflow guiding element 8 is arranged in the channel 4 upstream of the main outlet 6, the element 8 is commonly referred to as ogive 8, and allows the channel 4 to be split into a first airflow channel 10 and a second airflow channel 12.

[0035] The channel 4 comprises, upstream of the main outlet 6, an upper internal wall 4.1 and a lower internal wall 4.2, both of which are curved around the ogive 8, so as to allow the airflow F to benefit from the Coanda effect, and thus direct the airflow F upwards or downwards (in a direction substantially perpendicular to the main direction A).

[0036] Advantageously, the aerator 2 according to the present invention has a valve 14 disposed at an inlet portion 4.3 of the channel 4, which makes it possible to limit, or even eliminate, the pressure losses within said channel 4, by a controlled release of a portion F' of the airflow F. The valve 14 and its operation will be detailed later in this description.

[0037] The aerator 2 includes directional means 18 arranged in the channel 4 upstream of the ogive 8, and configured to direct the air towards the first channel 10 and / or towards the second channel 12. In this respect, the directional means 18 include a pivoting central wall 21. Preferably, the directional means 18 may correspond to a rotating device commonly referred to as a barrel 18, which preferably includes three pivoting walls, including a central wall 21 arranged between two walls (not shown) and which may delimit an orientable passage of the airflow F. In this respect, the barrel 18 may include a common axis of rotation (not shown) allowing the three walls to pivot together.

[0038] The inlet portion 4.3 of the channel 4 preferably comprises an outlet tube 4.5 formed with the upper guide wall 4.1, and having a distal end 4.6 forming a seat for the valve 14. Preferably, the outlet tube 4.5 is substantially perpendicular to the main direction A, or inclined at more than 45° with respect to said main direction A. Advantageously, the inclination of the outlet tube 4.5 is between 45° and 90° with respect to the main direction A of air flow A.

[0039] It can be seen that the airflow F is split in two, being directed both towards the first channel 10, and towards the second channel 12. It can also be seen that a part F' of the airflow F is evacuated from the channel 4, passing through the evacuation tube 4.5.

[0040] The valve 14, arranged upstream of the barrel 18 and the ogive 8, can direct the air substantially vertically towards a predetermined portion of the dashboard of the motor vehicle, in order to provide heating or cooling of said portion. For example, the controlled vent F' can allow the cooling of an inductive smartphone charger (not shown), while limiting aerodynamic disturbances within the channel 4.

[0041] It should be noted that the aerator 2 according to the invention is schematically illustrated in a very simplified manner to facilitate reading the figures. It is thus understood that a person skilled in the art is capable of configuring the dimensions of the walls and / or the surrounding elements as needed, for example, valve 14 can be more or less distant from air outlet 6.

[0042] Fig. 3 represents a perspective view of the ventilation device 3 of Fig. 1. including the aerator 2 provided with the valve 14 projecting from the upper guide wall 4.1 of the channel 4.

[0043] Here, the valve 14 is arranged on the wall of the channel of the lateral ventilator 2. However, said valve 14 can also be arranged at the level of the inlet portion 4.3 of the channel of the central ventilator(s) 2.1.

[0044] Preferably, the valve 14 is arranged closer to the bifurcation 9 than to the air outlet 6.

[0045] The present invention proposes a method for managing airflow, comprising a step of detecting the presence of pressure losses within the channel 4 of the corresponding aerator 2. Based on this detection, the valve 14 is controlled to open and close by means of an electromagnet (not shown), which is configured to be activated by an electric current to generate a weak magnetic field that controls the opening and closing of the valve 14, thus regulating the airflow in the channel 4.

[0046] Advantageously, the detection of pressure losses in the channel is preferably based on a measurement of the air mass flow rate (in kg / h) and on the angular orientation of the barrel (in radians) located in the channel, as well as the angular orientation of a flap in the vehicle's HVAC system. Thus, these three parameters can enable an intelligent microcontroller board in the vehicle to detect and / or predict a significant pressure loss in channel 4 of the vent 2, and thereby open valve 14.

[0047] Alternatively, the detection of the presence of pressure losses may include a direct measurement of said pressure losses by means of a pressure sensor (not shown), which may be embedded in the plastic of the channel 4 and flush with the air flow guide wall in the channel 4.

[0048] The valve 14 is also configured to close as soon as a decrease, or even a disappearance, of pressure losses is detected. Their decrease can be detected when they fall below a certain threshold value in the channel.

[0049] Figure 4 shows a perspective and cross-sectional view along axis AA passing through the valve of [Fig.3].

[0050] It can be seen that the valve 14 preferably comprises a stem 14.1 having a distal end 14.2 intended to be steered by the magnetic field of the electromagnet located above the valve 14, along the vertical axis Z of the motor vehicle, and comprises a proximal end 14.3 forming a base cylindrical cooperating with the distal end 4.6 of the discharge tube 4.5. In this respect, the valve 14 is advantageously formed from a conductive material.

[0051] In this configuration, the valve 14 is attracted by the electromagnet, when deemed necessary by the intelligent microcontroller board, allowing the valve to open in order to advantageously limit aerodynamic disturbances and significantly reduce pressure losses, resulting in a decrease in noise related to the airflow in channel 4.

Claims

Demands

1. A ventilator (2) for a trim element of a vehicle (1), comprising: - an airflow channel (4) (F) along a main direction (A) and opening onto a main outlet (6) of the ventilator (2); - an airflow guide element (8) for the airflow (F), housed in the channel (4) and forming, on either side of said guide element (8), a first (10) and a second airflow channel (12), respectively; characterized in that the ventilator (2) further comprises a valve (14) connecting to the channel (4) upstream of the guide element (8), said valve (14) comprising an electromagnet configured to control an opening of said valve (14), so as to permit a controlled escape of a portion (F') of the airflow (F).

2. Aerator (2) according to claim 1, comprising directional means (18) disposed in the channel (4) upstream of the guide element (8), configured to direct the airflow (F), selectively, to specifically the first channel (10), the first (10) and second channels (12) or specifically the second channel (12), the valve (14) being disposed upstream of said directional means (18).

3. Aerator (2) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the valve (14) is disposed in an inlet portion of the channel (4), opposite an upper guide wall (4.1) of the airflow (F).

4. Aerator (2) according to claim 3, wherein the inlet portion (4.3) of the channel (4) comprises an outlet tube (4.5) formed with the upper guide wall (4.1), and having a distal end (4.6) forming a seat for the valve (14), said outlet tube (4.5) being perpendicular to a principal direction (A) of the airflow (F) or inclined at more than 45° with respect to said principal direction (A).

5. A ventilation device (3) for a vehicle (1), comprising a main airflow duct (5) extending from a ventilation system (7) of said vehicle, and a branch (9) fluidly connecting said main duct (5) to at least one ventilator (2), characterized in that said at least one aerator (2) being according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. Vehicle (1) comprising a ventilator (2) for a trim element of said vehicle (1), characterized in that said ventilator (2) is according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. Vehicle (1) according to claim 6, wherein the controlled escape of the portion (F') of the airflow (F) is configured to be directed substantially vertically towards a portion of the trim element of said vehicle (1).

8. Method for managing an airflow (F) for a ventilator of a trim element of a vehicle (1), characterized in that said ventilator (2) being according to any one of claims 1 to 4, said method comprising the following steps: - detection of the presence of a pressure drop within the airflow channel (4) of the ventilator (2); - opening of the valve (14) by actuation of the electromagnet; - closing of the valve (14), as soon as a decrease in said pressure drop is detected below a threshold value in the channel (4).

9. Method according to claim 8, wherein the aerator is according to claim 2, and the step of detecting the presence of a pressure loss is based on a mass flow measurement of the air and on an angular orientation of the directional means (18) arranged in the channel (4) to direct the airflow (F).

10. A method according to claim 8, wherein the step of detecting the presence of a pressure loss includes a direct measurement of said pressure loss by means of a pressure sensor flush with a guide wall (4.1, 4.2) of the air flow (F) in the channel (4).

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