Heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system for vehicle

Abstract

Title: Vehicle Heating, Ventilation and / or Air Conditioning Device The invention relates to a vehicle heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device (1), comprising in a housing (2): At least one heat exchanger (4) arranged to exchange heat with an airflow (F1) passing through it, A motor-fan unit (5) arranged to direct said airflow to said heat exchanger (4), An air circulation duct (25) arranged to direct the airflow to the heat exchanger (4), At least one grille (30) disposed between the motor-fan unit (5) and the heat exchanger (4). . Abbreviated figure: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device for vehicles

[0001] The invention relates to the field of heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning devices for land, sea or air vehicles, for example for land motor vehicles.

[0002] A motor vehicle includes a passenger compartment into which air is drawn, typically from a heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning (HVAC) system. This system comprises a housing containing a fan that circulates the airflow through a duct. Heat exchangers are also located within the housing, including an evaporator for cooling and dehumidifying the airflow from the fan and a radiator for heating the airflow.

[0003] The airflow reaching the evaporator can generate noise, particularly high-frequency noise (1 to 10 kHz), as it passes through the evaporator fins. This is because the airflow passing over the tips of the fins forms an acute angle with them, which generates turbulence. There is currently a need to prevent and avoid this noise.

[0004] In this context, the present invention proposes a solution to prevent turbulence generated at the level of the evaporator fins and thus avoid the generation of high-frequency noise caused by air friction on the fins.

[0005] The invention relates to a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device for a vehicle, comprising in a housing: - At least one heat exchanger arranged to exchange heat with an airflow passing through it, - A motor-fan unit (also called a blower) arranged to convey said airflow to said heat exchanger, - An air circulation duct arranged to direct the airflow towards the heat exchanger, - At least one grille positioned between the motor-fan unit and the heat exchanger.

[0006] In one aspect of the invention, the heat exchanger is an evaporator intended to cool and dehumidify the airflow passing through it.

[0007] In one aspect according to the invention, the heat exchanger comprises a plurality of fins, the fins being in particular separated by a constant pitch.

[0008] In one aspect of the invention, the grid faces one of the faces of the heat exchanger, said face being directed towards the airflow circulation duct.

[0009] In one aspect according to the invention, the grid is arranged on one face of the heat exchanger facing the air circulation duct.

[0010] In one aspect according to the invention, the grille is arranged in the air circulation duct between the motor-fan unit and the heat exchanger, the distance separating the motor-fan unit from the grille being greater than the distance separating the heat exchanger from the grille.

[0011] In one aspect according to the invention, the grid is disposed at a distance from a face of the heat exchanger of between 1 millimeter and 5 millimeters. For example, the grid is disposed directly on a face of the heat exchanger, or at a distance of up to 5 mm.

[0012] In one aspect of the invention, the grid is substantially parallel to the face of the heat exchanger opposite it.

[0013] In one aspect according to the invention, the evaporator is held in the housing of the device by a frame comprising four edges, in particular two lateral uprights, an upper cross member and a lower cross member.

[0014] In one aspect according to the invention, the grid is fixed to said frame, in particular to at least one of the edges of said frame.

[0015] In one aspect according to the invention, the grid is fixed to the heat exchanger (in particular an evaporator) by means of a frame which includes tabs (in particular hook-shaped) configured to cooperate with said heat exchanger.

[0016] In one aspect according to the invention, the grid is fixed to the heat exchanger with a space between them (i.e. without being in contact).

[0017] In one aspect of the invention, the grid comprises a plurality of openings arranged to allow air to pass through.

[0018] In one aspect according to the invention, the openings form a repeated pattern.

[0019] In one aspect of the invention, the pitch between two adjacent openings is between 1mm and 10mm.

[0020] In one aspect of the invention, the pitch between two neighboring openings is the same as the pitch between two neighboring fins of the heat exchanger.

[0021] In one aspect of the invention, the openings have a shape chosen from a cylindrical shape or a polygonal shape (for example rectangle), in particular a cubic shape.

[0022] In one aspect of the invention, all the openings have the same surface.

[0023] Alternatively, the openings may have different surface areas. For example, the openings arranged around the periphery of the grid may have a larger surface area than the openings arranged in the center of the grid.

[0024] In one aspect of the invention, the perforations have a characteristic length surface area of ​​between 2 mm and 100 µm, preferably between 200 µm and 900 µm, in particular approximately 300 µm, 400 µm, or 600 µm. The characteristic length may be a diameter when the perforation is circular, or the longer side of a rectangle when the perforation is rectangular, or the largest dimension of the perforation when the perforation has a complex shape.

[0025] In one aspect of the invention, the grid is configured to homogenize the airflow before passing through the evaporator.

[0026] In one aspect of the invention the grid has a thickness which extends along an axis parallel to the airflow which passes through it, said thickness being less than or equal to 2 mm, preferably less than or equal to 1 mm, preferably less than or equal to 500 µm, preferably about 200 µm.

[0027] The present invention makes it possible to prevent noise generation by preventing turbulence at the fins of the heat exchanger (evaporator or any other type of heat exchanger) as air passes through, by placing the grid (with fine perforations) in front of the evaporator fins. The effect of the grid is to homogenize the high-velocity peaks of the airflow before it enters the evaporator.

[0028] The invention makes it possible to ensure a homogeneous airflow after the blower in a compact heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning (HVAC) unit, which leads to improved sound performance over a wide frequency range. The perceived sound level is thus improved.

[0029] In one aspect of the invention, the grid is made in one piece.

[0030] Alternatively, the grid is made of several pieces, each piece forming a portion of the grid. In other words, one piece forms one part of the grid and another piece forms another part of the grid.

[0031] For example, the grid may comprise two pieces adjacent to each other, each piece forming half of the grid, the grid may comprise three pieces of which one piece is adjacent to the other two pieces, each piece forming one third of the grid, the grid may comprise four pieces adjacent two by two, each piece forming one quarter of the grid.

[0032] In one aspect of the invention the parts are connected to each other by a cross member extending along the entire length of the adjacent side of each of the parts.

[0033] In one aspect of the invention, the openings in the grid are arranged at a constant pitch.

[0034] In one aspect of the invention, the motor-fan unit and the heat exchanger are separated by a distance along the airflow circulation duct of between 2 cm and 60 cm, in particular 6 cm.

[0035] In one aspect of the invention, the grid covers the entire surface of the heat exchanger.

[0036] In one aspect of the invention, the grid comprises a flexible material, in particular a flexible plastic such as PAR (NCAR) for Polyacrylonitrile (regenerated activated carbon), PP-TD20, PP-TD10, PP-TD30, PP-TD40 and intermediate PP-TDs, PE (Polyethylene), PA (Polyamide), PP (Polypropylene) or a woven material.

[0037] In one aspect of the invention, the housing comprises a lower region, the motor-fan assembly (in particular electric) being disposed in the lower region of the housing. By lower region is meant a region located in the lower part of the housing when the device is mounted on a motor vehicle.

[0038] In one aspect of the invention, the motor-fan assembly is arranged under the heat exchanger when the device is mounted in a motor vehicle.

[0039] In one aspect of the invention, when considering a vertical axis extending in the direction of gravity when the device is mounted on a motor vehicle, the motor-fan assembly is at a height lower than the heat exchanger when the height is measured on this vertical axis.

[0040] In one aspect of the invention, the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device comprises at least one of the following elements: - an outside air intake configured to supply the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system with outside air, - a recycled air intake configured to supply the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system with recycled air (i.e., air coming from inside the passenger compartment), - at least one demisting vent configured to send treated air towards a window (in particular a windshield) to be demisted / defrosted, - at least one high-level ventilation outlet configured to send treated air to a high area of ​​the living space, - at least one floor ventilation outlet configured to send treated air towards the habitable floor, - at least one rear ventilation outlet configured to send treated air towards the rear of the passenger compartment.

[0041] In one aspect of the invention, the inlets / outlets are formed on a housing of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device.

[0042] In one aspect of the invention, the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device comprises one or more movable flaps associated with the aforementioned inlets / outlets, and configured to control the airflows passing through them.

[0043] In one aspect of the invention, the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device includes at least one filter configured to filter the air, in particular upstream of the evaporator.

[0044] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description, provided by way of illustration and not limitation, and the accompanying drawings in which:

[0045] [Fig-1] Figure [Fig.1] schematically represents, in cross-section, a heating device, ventilation and / or air conditioning according to an example of an embodiment of the invention,

[0046] [Fig.2] Fig.2 schematically represents the evaporator with the grid, in the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system of the [Fig.1],

[0047] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] schematically represents the grid of [Fig.2], alone,

[0048] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] schematically represents the grid of [Fig.2], according to another view.

[0049] The terms "upstream" and "downstream" are in reference to the flow of an airflow circulating within the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device.

[0050] Figure [1] shows a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device 1 according to an example of an embodiment of the invention, comprising a housing 2 which houses heat exchangers.

[0051] Among these heat exchangers are an evaporator 4 intended to cool and dehumidify an airflow Fl which passes through it, and a heater 6 intended to heat an airflow which passes through it.

[0052] The evaporator 4 may include tubes through which a refrigerant flows.

[0053] The heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device 1 includes a motor-fan unit 5, which generates the airflow FL

[0054] The motor-fan group 5 opens via a divergent 7 onto a front face of the evaporator 4.

[0055] The housing 2 includes a lower region 9, the electric motor-fan assembly 5 being located in the lower region 9 of the housing. By lower region is meant a region located in the lower part of the housing when the device 1 is mounted on a motor vehicle.

[0056] The motor-fan assembly 5 is located under the heat exchanger 4 when the device 1 is mounted in a motor vehicle.

[0057] When considering a vertical axis extending in the direction of gravity when the device 1 is mounted on a motor vehicle, the motor-fan assembly 5 is at a height (or altitude) lower than heat exchanger 4 when the height is measured on this vertical axis.

[0058] The heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system 1 comprises the following elements: - an outside air inlet 11 configured to supply the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning unit 1 with outside air, - a recycled air inlet 12 configured to supply the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system with recycled air (i.e., air coming from inside the passenger compartment), - at least one demisting vent 14 (in particular a right vent and a left vent) configured to send treated air towards a window (in particular a windshield) to be demisted / defrosted, - at least one high ventilation outlet 15 (specifically a right and a left outlet) configured to send treated air to a high area of ​​the living space, - at least one ventilation outlet at floor level 16 (specifically one right and one left outlet) configured to send treated air towards the floor of the living space, - at least one rear ventilation outlet 17 (in particular a right outlet and a left outlet) configured to send treated air towards the rear of the passenger compartment.

[0059] The inlets / outlets are formed on a housing 2 of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device 1.

[0060] The heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device 1 comprises one or more movable flaps 19 associated with the aforementioned inlets / outlets, and configured to control the airflow passing through them. These flaps 19 are known and are not described in further detail.

[0061] The heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device 1 includes at least one filter 20 configured to filter the air, in particular upstream of the evaporator 4.

[0062] A bypass 21 is provided to allow the airflow downstream of the evaporator 4 to bypass the heater 6, when desired, in certain modes.

[0063] Thus, the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device 1 comprises, in the housing 2: - the heat exchanger 4 (here an evaporator) arranged to exchange heat with an airflow Fl passing through it, - the motor-fan unit 5 (also called the blower) arranged to convey said airflow to said heat exchanger 4, - an air circulation duct 25 arranged to direct the airflow (set in motion by the motor-fan unit 5) towards the heat exchanger 4, - at least one grille 30 disposed between the motor-fan unit 5 and the heat exchanger 4 (namely the grille 30 is disposed on the airflow path, between the motor-fan unit 5 and the heat exchanger 4).

[0064] In one aspect according to the invention, the heat exchanger 4 comprises a plurality of fins, between tubes through which a refrigerant flows, and the fins being in particular separated by a constant pitch.

[0065] As illustrated in particular in [Fig.2], the grid 30 faces one of the faces 29 of the heat exchanger 4, said face 29 being directed towards the airflow circulation duct 25.

[0066] The grille 30 is arranged in the air circulation duct between the motor-fan unit and the heat exchanger 4, and the distance separating the motor-fan unit 5 from the grille 30 is greater than the distance separating the heat exchanger 4 from the grille 30.

[0067] The grid 30 is positioned at a distance from the face 29 of the heat exchanger 4, which is between 1 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 2 mm and 3 mm. Thus, the grid 30 is fixed to the heat exchanger 4 with a gap between them (i.e., without being in contact).

[0068] The grid 30 is substantially parallel to the face 29 of the heat exchanger 4 which faces it.

[0069] As illustrated in particular in figures 3 and 4, the grid 30 is fixed to a frame 32, for example made of plastic material.

[0070] The frame 32 includes a rectangular perimeter 33 formed by two lateral uprights, an upper crossbar and a lower crossbar.

[0071] The frame 32 further includes cross members 34 which extend for example as diagonals of the rectangular perimeter 33.

[0072] The grid 30 is placed on the frame 32.

[0073] The frame 32 includes tabs 35, here in the form of hooks, configured to cooperate (by hooking) with said heat exchanger 4. Two tabs 35 are present on each side of the periphery 33 of the frame. The tabs 35 cooperate with flanks 36 and collector boxes 37 of the heat exchanger 4 to ensure mechanical retention.

[0074] The grid 30 comprises a plurality of openings 39 arranged to allow air to pass through. The openings 39 cover the entire grid 30, namely also the entire frame 32.

[0075] In one aspect according to the invention, the openings 39 form a repeated pattern.

[0076] The pitch between two neighboring vents 39 is the same as the pitch between two neighboring fins of the heat exchanger 4.

[0077] The openings 39 have a shape chosen from a rounded shape or a polygonal shape (for example rectangle).

[0078] In one aspect of the invention, all the openings 39 have the same surface.

[0079] Alternatively, the openings 39 may have different surface areas. For example, the openings 39 arranged around the periphery of the grid 30 may have a larger surface area than the openings 39 arranged in the center of the grid 30.

[0080] The grid 30 is configured to homogenize the airflow before passing through the evaporator.

[0081] The grid 30 is made in one piece.

[0082] Alternatively, the grid 30 is made in several pieces, each piece forming a portion of the grid 30. In other words, one piece forms one part of the grid 30 and another piece forms another part of the grid 30.

[0083] For example, grid 30 may include two pieces adjacent to each other, each piece forming half of grid 30; grid 30 may include three pieces, one of which is adjacent to the other two pieces, each piece forming one third of grid 30; grid 30 may include four pieces adjacent in pairs, each piece forming one quarter of grid 30.

[0084] In one aspect of the invention, the parts are connected to each other by a crossbar extending along the entire length of the adjacent side of each of the parts.

[0085] In one aspect of the invention, the openings 39 of the grid 30 are arranged at a constant pitch.

[0086] In one aspect of the invention, the grid 30 covers the entire surface of the heat exchanger 4.

Claims

Demands

1. A vehicle heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device (1), comprising in a housing (2): - At least one heat exchanger (4) arranged to exchange heat with an airflow (Fl) passing through it, - A motor-fan unit (5) arranged to convey said airflow to said heat exchanger (4), - An air circulation duct (25) arranged to direct the airflow to the heat exchanger (4), - At least one grille (30) disposed between the motor-fan unit (5) and the heat exchanger (4).

2. Heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device according to the preceding claim, wherein the grille (30) faces one of the faces (29) of the heat exchanger (4), said face being directed towards the airflow circulation duct.

3. Heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the grille (30) is disposed in the air circulation duct between the motor-fan unit (5) and the heat exchanger (4), the distance separating the motor-fan unit (5) from the grille (30) being greater than the distance separating the heat exchanger (4) from the grille (30).

4. Heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device according to claim 2 or claim 3 taken with claim 2, wherein the grille (30) is substantially parallel to the face of the heat exchanger (4) facing it.

5. A heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the grille (30) is fixed to the heat exchanger (4) by means of a frame (32) which includes tabs (35), in particular hook-shaped tabs, configured to cooperate with said heat exchanger (4).

6. A heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the grille (30) is fixed to the heat exchanger (4) with a space between them, without being in contact.

7. A heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the grille (30) comprises

8.

9.

10. a plurality of openings (39) arranged to let air through, the openings (39) form a repeated pattern. Heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the grille (30) is made in one piece. Heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the grille (30) covers the entire surface of the heat exchanger (4). Heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the motor-fan assembly (5) is disposed in the lower region of the housing (2).

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