Device and method for supplying cooled or heated air to seats in a motor vehicle passenger compartment

Abstract

Device and method for supplying cooled or heated air to seats in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. The invention relates to an air supply device (23) for at least one vehicle passenger seat (25, 27), comprising: - an HVAC (1) including an evaporator and a heat exchanger (11) downstream of said evaporator, capable of cooling an airflow passing through it when operating in cooling mode and of heating said airflow when operating in heating mode, - a rear air vent (19), capable of being supplied with fresh air by said HVAC when said HVAC is operating in cooling mode and of distributing air to a rear row of the passenger compartment of said vehicle. According to the invention, the supply device comprises: - a branch (31) in said HVAC, arranged downstream of said heat exchanger (11), and - an air duct (33), connecting said branch (31) to said rear air vent (19). Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: Device and method for supplying cooled or heated air to seats in a motor vehicle passenger compartment. Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of thermal comfort of a motor vehicle passenger compartment.

[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to a device and a method for supplying air to seats in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.

[0003] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising such a device. Previous technique

[0004] In order to improve the thermal comfort of the occupants in a motor vehicle, the seats in the passenger compartment of the vehicle can be ventilated by convective effect by means of fans integrated into the seat and adapted to create an aspiration of air in the seat.

[0005] This greatly limits the sweating of the occupants, especially in hot weather.

[0006] However, the ventilated seat remains at the ambient temperature of the passenger compartment, i.e. the seat is not refrigerated.

[0007] It is also known to cool the passenger compartment seats using a thermoelectric device operating, in particular, by the Peltier effect. In this way, the seats are no longer ventilated but are cooled.

[0008] However, the performance of this type of device is relatively limited, particularly in hot climates, as the efficiency of the Peltier effect is relatively poor.

[0009] In addition, with this type of device, hot air is diffused into the passenger compartment by dissipation of heat generated by the Peltier effect.

[0010] Moreover, this type of device is relatively expensive and intended for premium vehicles.

[0011] In cold weather, the thermal comfort of the occupants can be improved by resistive effect by heating the seats in the vehicle's passenger compartment using a dedicated device comprising electrically powered heating mats integrated in particular at the level of the seat and backrest of the seats.

[0012] It is also known to combine in the same vehicle passenger compartment a seat that is ventilated in hot weather by convection effect using fans integrated into the seat and which is heated in cold weather by resistive effect by means of the electrically powered heating mats integrated into the seat.

[0013] Beyond the fact that seat ventilation by convection does not cool the seat, the use of two different technologies is necessary, which complicates the associated architecture. This also increases the cost of a ventilated and heated seat.

[0014] Also, the use of a thermoelectric device and a heating pad device could make it possible to obtain a seat that can be both heated and cooled. However, the use of two different technologies remains necessary, thus making the associated architecture complex and further increasing the cost of the seat.

[0015] Furthermore, when the seat is cooled by a thermoelectric device, a simple reversal of the current flowing in the thermoelectric device would not allow sufficient heating of the seat, making the heating performance insufficient in cold weather. Description of the invention

[0016] The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, and to this end relates to an air supply device for at least one passenger seat of a motor vehicle, said device comprising: - an HVAC system comprising an air inlet, an evaporator, a mixing chamber and a heat exchanger downstream of said evaporator, said HVAC system being capable of cooling an airflow passing through it when operating in cooling mode and of heating an airflow passing through it when operating in heating mode, - a rear ventilation duct, capable of being supplied with fresh air by said HVAC when said HVAC is operating in cooling mode and of diffusing air to a rear row of the passenger compartment of said motor vehicle, said device being notable in that it comprises: - a branch made in said HVAC, arranged downstream of said heat exchanger, and - an air duct, connecting said branch to said rear ventilation duct.

[0017] Thus, by providing an air supply device for at least one vehicle passenger seat comprising a connection made in the HVAC downstream of the HVAC heat exchanger, when the HVAC is operating in cooling mode, the air admitted into the HVAC is cooled and a portion of the cooled air is sent into the rear air duct via the rear outlet, and when the HVAC is operating in heating mode, the air admitted into the HVAC is heated and a Part of the heated air is taken from the tap and sent through the additional air duct into the rear ventilation duct.

[0018] In this way, it is possible to distribute, in the same rear ventilation duct, cooled air when the HVAC is operating in cooling mode and heated air when the HVAC is operating in heating mode, unlike the prior art where only cooled air circulates in the rear ventilation duct when the HVAC is operating in automatic mode.

[0019] Thus, the front row seats of the passenger compartment are supplied with hot or cold air reversibly by the single supply device according to the invention.

[0020] The design of the supply device is extremely simple given that the only addition of the air duct between the tap and the rear ventilation duct makes it possible to make the air supply to the front row seats of the passenger compartment reversible.

[0021] Thanks to the present invention, no major modification of the HVAC architecture is necessary.

[0022] According to optional features of the power supply device according to the invention: - said rear ventilation duct supplies a relay blower designed to diffuse air at the level of said rear row of said passenger compartment of said motor vehicle and said air duct connects said upstream tapping to said relay blower; - said air duct connects said branch to the inlet of said relay blower; - said device includes an air intake means arranged at the entrance of said at least one seat, designed to diffuse air circulating in said rear ventilation duct into said at least one seat; - said air intake means includes a blower adapted to draw in the air circulating in said rear ventilation duct.

[0023] The invention also relates to a method of supplying air to at least one passenger seat of a motor vehicle implemented by an air supply device according to the invention, remarkable in that it comprises the following steps aimed at: - operating said HVAC in heating mode, - to take a portion of the air heated by said HVAC at said tapping, - to route the air taken to said rear ventilation duct via said air duct, - to diffuse at least a portion of the heated air circulating in said rear ventilation duct into said at least one seat of said passenger compartment.

[0024] According to one feature of the air supply method according to the invention, the method comprises the following steps aimed at: - operate the said HVAC in cooling mode, - to circulate a portion of the air cooled by said HVAC through said rear ventilation duct, - to diffuse at least a portion of the cooled air circulating in said rear ventilation duct into said at least one seat of said passenger compartment.

[0025] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle, comprising a passenger compartment including a front row comprising at least one seat and an air supply device for said at least one seat, notable in that said air supply device is according to the invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0026] Other features, purposes and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, for the understanding of which reference should be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0027] [Fig-1] shows a heating, ventilation and air conditioning device of a motor vehicle according to the invention, operating in a heating mode.

[0028] [Fig.2] shows the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system of the invention, operating in a cooling mode.

[0029] [Fig.3] shows the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system of the invention, operating in an intermediate mode.

[0030] [Fig.4] shows a passenger compartment seat air supply device according to the invention.

[0031] [Fig.5] shows the power supply device operating so as to refresh the front row seats of the vehicle's passenger compartment.

[0032] [Fig.6] shows the power supply device operating so as to heat the front row seats of the vehicle's passenger compartment. Description of the implementation methods

[0033] In the following description, elements having an identical structure or analogous functions are designated by the same reference.

[0034] Reference is made to [Fig.1] showing a heating, ventilation and air conditioning device 1 of a motor vehicle according to the invention, used in a heating mode.

[0035] The heating, ventilation and air conditioning device 1 is frequently referred to by the acronym "HVAC" (English acronym for "Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning").

[0036] The HVAC 1 is located under the dashboard of the vehicle's passenger compartment. The HVAC 1 is designed to ensure optimal air management inside the vehicle's passenger compartment and to provide optimal passenger comfort.

[0037] For this purpose, the HVAC 1 can be used to heat the passenger compartment, as is the case in the operating mode shown in [Fig. 1], to cool the passenger compartment, as is the case in the usage mode shown in [Fig.2], or to be used in an intermediate mode as is the case in the usage mode shown in [Fig.3].

[0038] When the HVAC 1 is used in heating mode to warm the passenger compartment, the HVAC 1 heats the airflow passing through it.

[0039] In a conventional manner, the HVAC 1 includes an air inlet 3, which may, for example, include a blower designed to admit air into the HVAC 1 from outside the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0040] Downstream of the air inlet 3, the HVAC 1 may include a filtration system 5 designed to filter the air entering the motor vehicle before introduction into the passenger compartment, so as to improve the quality of the air entering the passenger compartment.

[0041] The HVAC 1 further comprises an evaporator exchanger 7, a component designed to cool the airflow passing through it.

[0042] The HVAC 1 also includes a mixing chamber, comprising a movable mixing flap 9 depending on the setpoint applied: heating mode, cooling mode, intermediate mode.

[0043] The HVAC 1 also includes an air-source heat exchanger 11, a component designed to heat the airflow passing through it.

[0044] In the heating position of the HVAC 1 shown in [Fig.1], the mixing flap 9 is arranged so that when an airflow is admitted at the air inlet 3 of the HVAC 1, it passes through the filter 5, the evaporator 7 and then through the heat exchanger 11.

[0045] The fact that the airflow passes through the evaporator 7 allows the air to be dried, which prevents fogging in the passenger compartment when the passenger compartment is heated in cold weather.

[0046] When the airflow has passed through the evaporator 7, it passes through the heat exchanger 11 before being diffused into the passenger compartment by means of air vents present in the passenger compartment, the actuation of which is controlled by an HVAC management means 1 according to the selected operating mode of the HVAC 1. The HVAC 1 management means is for example a computer management system for the HVAC 1.

[0047] Aerators are, for example: - a foot ventilator 13, arranged at the level of a footwell located in the lower part of the passenger compartment, - a front vent 15, arranged at the level of the front row of the passenger compartment, so as to diffuse air towards the heads of users seated in the front row, - a rear outlet 17, feeding a rear ventilation duct 19 (visible in figures 4 to 6) arranged to diffuse cooled air at the level of a rear row of the vehicle's passenger compartment, - a defrosting vent 21, directed towards the front windshield of the passenger compartment in order to provide a defrosting function for the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0048] For example, when the HVAC 1 is used in automatic heating mode, the HVAC 1 control means operates so that the HVAC 1 distributes the heated airflow only via the foot vent 13 and via the defrost vent 21, i.e. the heated airflow is not distributed into the passenger compartment via the front vent 15 and via the rear air duct 19. Indeed, this could create a feeling of discomfort for the users due to hot air being blown towards the users' heads.

[0049] Reference is made to [Fig.2] showing the HVAC 1 used in cooling mode to cool the passenger compartment, according to which the HVAC 1 cools the airflow passing through it.

[0050] In the HVAC 1 cooling position shown in [Fig.2], the mixing flap 9 is arranged so that when an airflow is admitted at the air inlet 3 of the HVAC 1, it passes through the filter 5, then the evaporator 7 before being blown into the passenger compartment without passing through the heat exchanger 11.

[0051] In automatic cooling mode, the HVAC 1 management means operates so that the HVAC 1 distributes the cooled airflow only via the front vent 15 and via the rear outlet 17, i.e. the cooled airflow is not distributed into the passenger compartment via the foot vent 13 and via the defrost vent 21, which could create a feeling of discomfort for users.

[0052] Reference is made to [Fig.3] showing the HVAC 1 used in intermediate mode.

[0053] In intermediate mode, the mixing shutter 9 is arranged so that when a Airflow is admitted at the air inlet 3 of the HVAC 1, it passes through the filter 5, then the evaporator 7.

[0054] A first part of the airflow that has passed through the evaporator 7 passes through the heat exchanger 11 while a second part of the airflow that has passed through the evaporator 7 is blown directly into the passenger compartment without passing through the heat exchanger 11.

[0055] This operating mode makes it possible to generate a blown air of average temperature.

[0056] Reference is made to [Fig.4] showing according to the invention an air supply device 23 for at least one passenger seat of a motor vehicle.

[0057] In the embodiment shown in the figures, two seats 25, 27 in the front row of the passenger compartment are supplied with air by the supply device 23.

[0058] The power supply device 23 includes the HVAC 1, in which the mixing flap 9 is capable of occupying its positions shown in dotted lines corresponding to the heating, cooling and intermediate modes of the HVAC 1.

[0059] The power supply device 23 further includes the rear ventilation duct 19, which passes through the central console (not shown) of the passenger compartment.

[0060] The rear ventilation duct 19 is likely to be supplied with fresh air by the HVAC 1 when the HVAC 1 is operating in cooling mode.

[0061] As previously seen, when the HVAC 1 operates in automatic cooling mode, the HVAC 1 control means operates so that the HVAC 1 distributes the cooled airflow only through the front vent 15 and through the rear outlet 17. Thus, the rear outlet 17 supplies fresh air to the rear ventilation duct 19 which distributes cooled air to a rear row of the vehicle's passenger compartment.

[0062] According to the invention, the supply device 23 comprises, on the one hand, a tap 31 made in the HVAC 1, the tap 31 being arranged downstream of the heat exchanger 11, and, on the other hand, an additional air duct 33, connecting the tap 31 to the rear ventilation duct 19.

[0063] Thus, by providing for a branch connection downstream of the heat exchanger 11 of the HVAC 1, when the HVAC 1 is operating in cooling mode, fresh air is sent into the rear ventilation duct 19 via the rear outlet 17, and when the HVAC 1 is operating in heating mode, the air duct 33 carries hot air taken from the branch connection 31 downstream of the heat exchanger 11 to the rear ventilation duct 19, as will be seen in the rest of the description.

[0064] In this way, it is possible to distribute cooled air in the same rear ventilation duct 19 when the HVAC 1 is operating in cooling mode and heated air when the HVAC 1 is operating in heating mode, to supply the seats 25, 27 of the front row of the vehicle.

[0065] The front row seats 25, 27 are thus supplied with cooled or heated air reversibly in an extremely simple manner, by the sole addition of the air duct 33 between the spigot 31 and the rear ventilation duct 19.

[0066] Thanks to the present invention, no major modification of the architecture of the HVAC 1 is necessary to achieve both heating and cooling of the front row seats.

[0067] The branch 31 is materialized for example by a drilling of the HVAC 1 on which the additional air duct 33 is mounted.

[0068] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the rear ventilation duct 19 supplies a relay blower 35 designed to diffuse air at the level of the rear row of the vehicle's passenger compartment.

[0069] According to one arrangement of the invention, the air duct 33 connects the spigot 31 upstream of the relay blower 35.

[0070] For example, the air duct 33 connects the branch 31 to the inlet of the relay blower 35, that is, to the suction inlet of the relay blower 35, which provides the necessary power to supply the seats 25, 27. In this way, it is possible to counteract the pressure loss which is generated during the circulation of air in the rear ventilation duct 19.

[0071] The supply device 23 enables the implementation of a method for supplying air to the seats 25, 27, comprising the following steps aimed at: - operating the HVAC 1 in heating mode, - taking a portion of the air heated by the HVAC 1 at the point of the spigot 31, - conveying the taken air to the rear ventilation duct 19 via the air duct 33, - distributing at least a portion of the heated air circulating in the rear ventilation duct 19 into at least one of the seats 25, 27.

[0072] Reference is made to [Fig.5] showing the power supply device 23 operating to cool the seats 25, 27 of the front row of the vehicle's passenger compartment.

[0073] When the HVAC 1 is operating in cooling mode, the mixing flap 9 is positioned so as to block the passage of air through the heat exchanger 11.

[0074] Thus, when an airflow is admitted at the air inlet 3 of the HVAC 1, it passes through the filter 5, then the evaporator 7.

[0075] No airflow passes through the heat exchanger 11, and therefore no airflow is drawn from the spigot 31 located downstream of the heat exchanger 11. No airflow supplies the additional air duct 33. Also, no airflow supplies the foot vent 13 located in the footwell in the lower part of the passenger compartment.

[0076] The airflow cooled by the HVAC 1 is diffused via the front vent 15 and via the rear outlet 17.

[0077] The front vent 15 diffuses the cooled air into the passenger compartment of the vehicle while the rear outlet 17 supplies the rear ventilation duct 19 with cooled air.

[0078] The rear ventilation duct 19 carries the cooled air to the relay blower 35, which supplies the front row seats 25, 27 of the passenger compartment by any suitable means.

[0079] In one embodiment, the supply device 23 includes an air intake means arranged at the entrance of the seats 25, 27 and designed to diffuse air circulating in the rear ventilation duct 19 into the seats 25, 27.

[0080] For example, the air intake means includes a blower 37 adapted to draw air circulating in the rear ventilation duct 19, thus eliminating the need for a physical supply duct between the rear ventilation duct 19 and the seats 25, 27.

[0081] The supply device 23 enables the implementation of a method for supplying air to the seats 25, 27, comprising the following steps aimed at: - operating the HVAC 1 in cooling mode, - circulate some of the air cooled by the HVAC 1 through the rear ventilation duct 19, - to distribute at least some of the cooled air circulating in the rear ventilation duct 19 into at least one of the seats 25, 27.

[0082] Reference is made to [Fig.6] showing the power supply device 23 operating to heat the seats 25, 27 of the front row of the vehicle's passenger compartment.

[0083] When the HVAC 1 is operating in heating mode, the mixing flap 9 is positioned to allow air to pass through the heat exchanger 11.

[0084] Thus, when an airflow is admitted at the air inlet 3 of the HVAC 1, it passes through the filter 5, then the evaporator 7, then it passes through the heat exchanger 11.

[0085] When the HVAC 1 is used in automatic heating mode, the HVAC 1 control means operates such that the HVAC 1 distributes the heated airflow only via the foot vent 13 located in the footwell in the lower part of the passenger compartment and via the defrost vent 21 directed towards the front windshield of the passenger compartment in order to provide a defrosting function for the vehicle's passenger compartment. The heated airflow is not distributed via the rear outlet 17.

[0086] However, thanks to the supply device 23, part of the air heated by the HVAC 1 is taken from the spigot 31 and is routed via the additional air duct 33 to the rear ventilation duct 19 which carries the cooled air to the relay blower 35, which supplies the seats 25, 27 of the front row of the passenger compartment.

[0087] As will be understood, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments of this air supply device and method and of this vehicle comprising such a device, described above solely by way of illustrative examples, but on the contrary it encompasses all variants involving the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Demands

1. A device (23) for supplying air to at least one seat (25, 27) in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, said supply device (23) comprising: - an HVAC (1) including an air inlet (3), an evaporator (7), a mixing chamber and a heat exchanger (11) downstream of said evaporator (7), said HVAC (1) being capable of cooling an airflow passing through it when operating in a cooling mode and of heating an airflow passing through it when operating in a heating mode, - a rear air vent (19), capable of being supplied with fresh air by said HVAC (1) when said HVAC (1) is operating in cooling mode and of distributing air to a rear row of the passenger compartment of said motor vehicle, said supply device (23) being characterized in that it comprises: - a branch (31) in said HVAC (1), arranged downstream of said heat exchanger of heat (11), and - an air duct (33),connecting said branch (31) to said rear ventilation duct (19).

2. Air supply device (23) according to claim 1, wherein said rear ventilation duct (19) supplies a relay blower (35) designed to diffuse air at the level of said rear row of said passenger compartment of said motor vehicle, characterized in that said air duct (33) connects said spigot (31) upstream of said relay blower (35).

3. Air supply device (23) according to claim 2, characterized in that said air duct (33) connects said spigot (31) to the inlet of said relay blower (35).

4. Air supply device (23) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises an air intake means arranged at the inlet of said at least one seat (25, 27), designed to diffuse air circulating in said rear ventilation duct (19) into said at least one seat (25, 27).

5. Air supply device (23) according to claim 4, characterized in that said air intake means comprises a blower adapted to draw in the air circulating in said rear ventilation duct (19).

6. A method for supplying air to at least one seat (25, 27) of a motor vehicle passenger compartment implemented by an air supply device (23) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises the following steps for: - operating said HVAC (1) in heating mode, - drawing a portion of the air heated by said HVAC (1) at said spigot (31), - conveying the drawn air to said rear ventilation duct (19) via said air duct (33), - diffusing at least a portion of the heated air circulating in said rear ventilation duct (19) into said at least one seat (25, 27) of said passenger compartment.

7. Air supply method according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises the following steps for: - operating said HVAC (1) in cooling mode, - circulating a portion of the air cooled by said HVAC (1) in said rear ventilation duct (19), - diffusing at least a portion of the cooled air circulating in said rear ventilation duct (19) into said at least one seat (25, 27) of said passenger compartment.

8. Motor vehicle, comprising a passenger compartment including a front row comprising at least one seat (25, 27) and an air supply device (23) for said at least one seat (25, 27), characterized in that said air supply device (23) is according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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