DISTRIBUTED AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

An air conditioning system (AC) supplies treated air to a passenger compartment (H) of a vehicle (V), and comprises: - a heating unit (BC1) receiving air to be treated from a supply box (BA) via a first blower (PA1) in order to heat this air, - a cooling unit (BC2) separate from the heating unit (BC1) and receiving air to be treated from an internal part of the vehicle (V) via a second blower (PA2) in order to cool this air, - and a first auxiliary supply duct (CAA1) connecting a first outlet (SB1) of the cooling unit (BC2) to an auxiliary inlet (E3) of the supply box (BA) to supply the latter with cooled treated air. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: DISTRIBUTED AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to air conditioning systems intended to equip vehicles comprising at least one passenger compartment. State of the art

[0002] Some vehicles, generally of the automobile type, include an air conditioning installation comprising a heating unit suitable for heating air to be treated and a cooling unit suitable for cooling air to be treated.

[0003] Generally, the air conditioning installation has the following architecture:

[0004] - a power supply unit receiving outside air and possibly outside air recirculated (from the passenger compartment) to be treated,

[0005] - a blower that draws in the air to be treated from the power supply unit, and draws this air from The air is then aspirated and treated towards a filtering device.

[0006] - the cooling unit responsible for cooling the air to be treated exiting the device filtering,

[0007] - the heating unit responsible for heating the air to be treated exiting the unit cooling or filtering device,

[0008] - a mixing chamber for mixing (or blending) the cooled treated air and the treated air is heated, and

[0009] - a distribution chamber responsible for distributing air, in a controlled manner, into different locations within the passenger compartment.

[0010] It will be understood that such an architecture results in a significant size for the air conditioning system, which negatively impacts the area in which it is installed. Generally, this area is the front compartment (located under the front hood) of the vehicle or a portion of the space that is hidden by the dashboard installed in the passenger compartment downstream of the front bulkhead (defining the interface between the front compartment and the passenger compartment).

[0011] It should be noted that the placement of the air conditioning system in the passenger compartment (hidden by the dashboard) requires the latter to be quite large, which reduces the free space in the front part of the passenger compartment and incidentally limits the diversity of shape and / or style of the dashboard.

[0012] It should also be noted that the placement of the air conditioning system in the passenger compartment may prove impossible when the dimensions of the vehicle (and in particular of its passenger compartment) are small.

[0013] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0014] It proposes in particular for this purpose an air conditioning installation, on the one hand, suitable for supplying treated air to a vehicle's passenger compartment, and, on the other hand, comprising a heating unit suitable for receiving from a first blower the air to be treated from a supply box in order to heat this air to be treated, and a cooling unit suitable for receiving the air to be treated in order to cool the latter.

[0015] This air conditioning installation is characterized by the fact that:

[0016] - that its cooling block is separate from its heating block and specific to receive air to be treated from a second blower, originating from an internal part of the vehicle, and

[0017] - that it comprises a first auxiliary supply conduit connecting a first output from the cooling block to an auxiliary inlet of the power supply unit in order to supply the latter with treated, cooled air.

[0018] Thanks to the invention, it is now possible to reduce the dimensions of the dashboard and thus increase the free space in the front part of the passenger compartment, but also to increase the diversity of shape and / or style of the dashboard, and to equip small vehicles with a real air conditioning system.

[0019] The air conditioning installation according to the invention may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0020] - its cooling block may include a second outlet. In this case, it may include a second auxiliary supply duct comprising an inlet connected to this second outlet and an outlet of its own to supply treated cooled air to the internal part of the vehicle;

[0021] - its power supply unit may include a flap controlling access to a part at least treated air cooled at the auxiliary inlet;

[0022] - its heating unit may include an air heater;

[0023] - it may include at least one filtration device interposed between the first blower and heater unit and suitable to ensure at least some filtration of the air supplied by the first blower.

[0024] The invention also proposes a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, comprising:

[0025] - a passenger compartment comprising a dashboard and interposed between a compartment front and rear trunk, and

[0026] - at least one air conditioning installation of the type shown below before, suitable for supplying treated air to the passenger compartment, at least part of the supply unit, the first blower and the heater unit being installed in the front compartment or in the passenger compartment, hidden by the dashboard, and the second blower and cooling unit being installed in an internal part of the vehicle chosen from the passenger compartment, the front compartment and the rear trunk.

[0027] The vehicle according to the invention may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0028] - in a first embodiment, at least a part of the power supply unit, the first blower and heater unit can be installed in the passenger compartment, hidden by the dashboard, and the second blower and cooling unit can be installed in a center console installed in an internal part located between two front seats installed in the passenger compartment;

[0029] - in a second embodiment, at least part of the housing Regarding the power supply, the first blower and heater unit can be installed in the passenger compartment, hidden by the dashboard, and the second blower and cooling unit can be installed in an internal part located in the rear trunk;

[0030] - in a third embodiment, the power supply units, first blower and heater unit can be installed in the front compartment, and the second blower and cooling unit can be installed in an internal part of the passenger compartment hidden by the dashboard;

[0031] - in a fourth embodiment, the power supply units, first The blower and heater unit can be installed in the front compartment, and the second blower and cooling unit can be installed in a center console installed in an internal part located between two front seats installed in the passenger compartment. Brief description of the figures

[0032] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] [Fig. 1] schematically and functionally illustrates part of a first example of a vehicle including an example of an implementation of an air conditioning system according to the invention,

[0034] [Fig.2] schematically and functionally illustrates part of a second example of a vehicle including an example of an implementation of an air conditioning system according to the invention, and

[0035] [Fig.3] schematically and functionally illustrates the first part of the air conditioning installation shown in figures 1 and 2. Detailed description of the invention

[0036] The invention aims in particular to provide an IC air conditioning installation distributed (or separated) into first PI and second P2 parts communicating with each other, and intended to equip a vehicle V comprising at least one passenger compartment H which must be supplied with treated air.

[0037] In what follows, the vehicle V is considered, by way of non-limiting example, to be of the automobile type. This is, for example, a car, as illustrated, non-limitingly and partially, in Figures 1 and 2. However, the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. It relates in fact to any vehicle (land, sea (or river), or air) comprising at least one passenger compartment H which must be supplied with air treated by an air conditioning system.

[0038] Figures 1 and 2 schematically illustrate two examples of vehicle V, each incorporating an example of an IC air conditioning system according to the invention. It should be noted that the difference between these two examples of vehicle V lies in the locations of the first part PI of the IC air conditioning system.

[0039] In these two examples, the vehicle V comprises a front compartment CV, located under a front hood CV' and potentially containing at least part of the powertrain (or powertrain), and a passenger compartment H, located downstream of the front compartment CV and separated from it by a front bulkhead TV. It should be noted that a rear trunk may optionally be located downstream of the passenger compartment H.

[0040] The IC air conditioning installation, according to the invention, is suitable for supplying treated air to the passenger compartment H.

[0041] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, an air conditioning installation IC, according to the invention, comprises at least one power supply box BA, a first blower PA1, a heater block BC1, a second blower PA2, a cooling block BC2, and a first auxiliary supply duct CAA1.

[0042] As illustrated in [Fig.3], the BA power supply unit includes a first inlet El, the access to which is controlled by a first flap VI, which allows its supply of outside air.

[0043] Also as illustrated non-limitingly on [Fig.3], the BA power supply unit may also include a second inlet E2, the access to which is controlled by a second flap V2, which allows its supply of recirculated air from the passenger compartment H.

[0044] The heating block BC1 is designed to receive air to be treated from the first blower PA1 coming from the supply box BA in order to heat this air to be treated.

[0045] At least the BA power supply unit, the first PA1 blower and the BC1 heater unit are part of the first PI part of the IC air conditioning installation.

[0046] The cooling block BC2 is separate (and therefore distant) from the heating block BC1, and is designed to receive air to be treated in order to cool the latter before deliver it to at least one first outlet SB1. More precisely, this cooling block BC2 is designed to receive air to be treated from the second blower PA2, which originates from an internal part of the vehicle V. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the second blower PA2 can be supplied with air to be treated from an internal part of the vehicle V via a CAP supply duct that communicates with this internal part.

[0047] The first auxiliary supply conduit CAA1 connects the first output SB1 (of the cooling block BC2) to an auxiliary input E3 of the power supply unit BA in order to supply the latter (BA) with cooled treated air.

[0048] At least the second blower PA2 and the cooling block BC2 are part of the second part PI of the air conditioning installation IC.

[0049] The IC air conditioning installation therefore now comprises first PI and second P2 parts which are separated (or distant) from each other, while being coupled by the first auxiliary supply duct CAA1.

[0050] Thus, it is now much easier to install the IC air conditioning system since each of its first PI and second P2 parts is significantly smaller than the overall volume of a prior art air conditioning system, especially since the IC air conditioning system no longer needs to include a mixing chamber. Furthermore, this allows for a reduction in the dimensions of the dashboard PB and therefore increases the available space in the front of the passenger compartment H, as well as increasing the diversity of shapes and / or styles of the dashboard PB. Finally, it also makes it possible to equip small vehicles with a true IC air conditioning system, which was previously impossible.

[0051] For example, and as illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 1 to 3, the air conditioning system IC also preferably includes a distribution chamber CD located downstream of the heater unit BC1 and thus receiving the treated air exiting the latter (BC1). This distribution chamber CD is responsible for distributing this treated air to at least one outlet associated with a predefined area of ​​the passenger compartment H. This distribution chamber CD may, for example, be part of the first section PI of the air conditioning system IC. However, this is not mandatory. Indeed, it could be located slightly away from this first section PI while still being connected to the outlet of the heater unit BC1.

[0052] In the example illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 3], the CD distribution chamber comprises:

[0053] - a first SI output whose access is controlled by a fourth V4 flap and supplying, for example, at least one duct intended to deliver treated air to an intermediate part of the front section of the passenger compartment H,

[0054] - a second output S2, access to which is controlled by a fifth flap V5 and supplying, for example, at least one duct intended to deliver treated air to the vicinity of the inner surface of the windshield of vehicle V,

[0055] - a third output S3, access to which is controlled by a sixth flap V6 and supplying, for example, at least one duct intended to deliver treated air to the rear part of the passenger compartment H, and

[0056] - a fourth output S4, access to which is controlled by a seventh flap V7 and supplying, for example, at least one duct intended to deliver treated air to a lower part of the front section of the passenger compartment H (in the space dedicated to the feet of the front passengers).

[0057] Thus, by controlling the respective positions of the fourth V4, fifth V5, sixth V6 and seventh V7 flaps, it is possible to supply treated air, as needed, to the intermediate part of the front part of the passenger compartment H and / or the lower part of the front part of the passenger compartment H and / or the rear part of the passenger compartment H and / or the inner face of the windshield of the vehicle V.

[0058] Also, for example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 1 and 2, the cooling unit BC2 may include a second outlet SB2. In this case, the air conditioning system IC may include a second auxiliary supply duct CAA2 which includes an inlet connected to this second outlet SB2 and an outlet for supplying cooled treated air to the aforementioned internal part of the vehicle V. This allows the passenger compartment H to be supplied directly with cooled treated air without passing through the first part PI of the air conditioning system IC.

[0059] With this option, it is preferable that access to the first SB1 and second SB2 outlets be controlled by dampers (not shown). This allows the cooled treated air to be distributed only into the first auxiliary supply duct CAA1, or only into the second auxiliary supply duct CAA2, or both into the first CAA1 and second CAA2 auxiliary supply ducts.

[0060] Also, for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 to 3, the BA supply unit may include a third flap V3 controlling the access of at least part of the cooled treated air to the auxiliary inlet E3. Thus, by controlling the respective positions of the first VI, second V2 and third V3 flaps, the first part PI of the air conditioning system IC can be supplied, as required, with outside air and / or recirculated air and / or cooled treated air.

[0061] Also, for example, the BC1 heating unit may include an air heater, possibly electric.

[0062] Also, for example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 1 to 3, the IC air conditioning installation may also include at least one device for DF filtration interposed between the first blower PA1 and the heating unit BC1, and designed to ensure at least one filtration of the air which is supplied by the first blower PA1 (and coming from the power supply unit BA).

[0063] It should be noted that the first PI and second P2 parts of the air conditioning system IC can be installed respectively in different (internal) locations of the vehicle V. More specifically, the first part PI (at least part of the power supply unit BA, the first blower PA1, the heater unit BC1, the optional distribution chamber CD, and the optional filtration device DF) can be installed in the front compartment CV or in the passenger compartment H, being hidden by the dashboard PB, and the second part P2 (second blower PA2, cooling unit BC2, and optional second auxiliary supply duct CAA2) can be installed in an internal part of the vehicle V which is chosen from the passenger compartment H, the front compartment CV and the optional rear trunk.

[0064] Thus, at least four embodiments of vehicle V can be envisaged.

[0065] In a first embodiment illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 1]:

[0066] - at least part of the BA power supply unit, the first PA1 blower, the The BC1 heating unit and any DF filtering devices and CD distribution chamber (i.e., (almost) the entire first PI part of the IC air conditioning system) can be installed in the passenger compartment H, concealed by the PB dashboard, and

[0067] - the second blower PA2, the cooling block BC2 and the possible duct CAP power supply units (i.e., the second part P2 of the IC air conditioning system) can be installed in a CC center console. The latter (CC) is here installed in an internal part of the vehicle V which is located between two front seats SV installed in the passenger compartment H.

[0068] It will be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly on [Fig.1] the BA power supply unit is installed partly in the front compartment CV and partly in the internal part of the passenger compartment H which is masked by the dashboard PB, and therefore passes through the front apron TV.

[0069] In a second, unillustrated embodiment and variant of the first embodiment:

[0070] - at least part of the BA power supply unit, the first PA1 blower, the block heating unit BC1 and any filtering devices DF and distribution chamber CD (i.e., the first part PI of the air conditioning system IC) can be installed in the passenger compartment H, concealed by the dashboard PB, and

[0071] - the second blower PA2, the cooling block BC2 and the possible duct CAP power supply (i.e., the second part P2 of the air conditioning installation) IC) can be installed in an internal part of vehicle V which is located in the rear trunk of the latter (V).

[0072] In a third embodiment illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.2]:

[0073] - the BA power supply unit, the first PA1 blower, the BC1 heating unit, The optional DF filtering device and the optional CD distribution chamber (i.e., at least part of the first PI section of the IC air conditioning system) may be installed in the front CV compartment of the vehicle V (located upstream of the passenger compartment H), and

[0074] - the second blower PA2, the cooling block BC2 and the possible duct CAP power supply (i.e. the second part P2 of the IC air conditioning installation) can be installed in an internal part of the passenger compartment H which is hidden by the dashboard PB.

[0075] It should be noted that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 2], the possible distribution chamber CD is installed in the internal part of the passenger compartment H, which is hidden by the dashboard PB, and is therefore supplied with treated air to be distributed by a supply duct passing through the front bulkhead TV and connected to the heater unit BC1. This makes it easier to distribute the treated air via the dashboard PB (first SI, second S2 and fourth S4 outlets).

[0076] In a fourth embodiment not illustrated and a variant of the third embodiment:

[0077] - the BA power supply unit, the first PA1 blower, the BC1 heater unit, The optional DF filtering device and the optional CD distribution chamber (i.e., at least part of the first PI section of the IC air conditioning system) may be installed in the front CV compartment of the vehicle V (located upstream of the passenger compartment H), and

[0078] - the second blower PA2, the cooling block BC2 and the possible duct CAP power supply (i.e. the second part P2 of the IC air conditioning installation) can be installed in the CC center console installed in an internal part of the vehicle V located between the two front seats SV installed in the passenger compartment H.

[0079] It should be noted that in this fourth embodiment the possible distribution chamber CD is also preferably installed in the internal part of the passenger compartment H which is masked by the dashboard PB and is therefore supplied with treated air to be distributed by a supply duct passing through the front apron TV and connected to the heating unit BC1.

[0080] It should also be noted that in a fifth embodiment, the second part P2 of the air conditioning system IC could be installed in an internal part located in the front compartment CV, and the first part PI of the system IC air conditioning could be installed (almost) entirely in the internal part of the passenger compartment H which is hidden by the dashboard PB.

Claims

Demands

1. Air conditioning installation (IC) suitable for supplying treated air to a passenger compartment (H) of a vehicle (V), and comprising i) a heating unit (BC1) suitable for receiving from a first blower (PA1) air to be treated from a supply box (BA) in order to heat this air to be treated, and ii) a cooling unit (BC2) suitable for receiving air to be treated in order to cool the latter, characterized in that said cooling unit (BC2) is separate from said heating unit (BC1) and suitable for receiving from a second blower (PA2) air to be treated from an internal part of said vehicle (V), and in that it comprises a first auxiliary supply duct (CAA1) connecting a first outlet (SB1) of said cooling unit (BC2) to an auxiliary inlet (E3) of said supply box (BA) in order to supply the latter (BA) with cooled treated air.

2. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that said cooling block (BC2) includes a second outlet (SB2), and in that it includes a second auxiliary supply duct (CAA2) comprising an inlet connected to said second outlet (SB2) and an outlet suitable for supplying cooled treated air to said internal part of the vehicle (V).

3. Installation according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said power supply unit (BA) includes a flap (V3) controlling the access of at least a portion of said cooled treated air to said auxiliary inlet (E3).

4. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said heating block (BC1) comprises an air heater.

5. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises at least one filtration device (DF) interposed between said first blower (PA1) and said heating unit (BC1) and suitable for ensuring at least one filtration of the air supplied by said first blower (PA1).

6. A vehicle comprising a passenger compartment (H) including a dashboard (PB) and interposed between a front compartment (CV) and a rear trunk, characterized in that it comprises at least one air conditioning system (IC) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, suitable for supplying treated air to said passenger compartment (H), at least a part thereof power supply unit (BA), said first blower (PA1) and said heater unit (BC1) being installed in said front compartment (CV) or in said passenger compartment (H) being masked by said dashboard (PB), and said second blower (PA2) and cooling unit (BC2) being installed in an internal part of said vehicle (V) selected from said passenger compartment (H), said front compartment (CV) and said rear trunk.

7. Vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that at least a part of said power supply unit (BA), said first blower (PA1) and said heater unit (BC1) are installed in said passenger compartment (H) while being masked by said dashboard (PB), and said second blower (PA2) and cooling unit (BC2) are installed in a center console (CC) installed in an internal part located between two front seats installed in said passenger compartment (H).

8. Vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that at least a part of said power supply unit (BA), said first blower (PA1) and said heater unit (BC1) are installed in said passenger compartment (H) while being masked by said dashboard (PB), and said second blower (PA2) and cooling unit (BC2) are installed in an internal part located in said rear trunk.

9. Vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that said power supply unit (BA), first blower (PA1) and heater unit (BC1) are installed in said front compartment (CV), and said second blower (PA2) and cooling unit (BC2) are installed in an internal part of said passenger compartment (H) hidden by said dashboard (PB).

10. Vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that said power supply unit (BA), first blower (PA1) and heater unit (BC1) are installed in said front compartment (CV), and said second blower (PA2) and cooling unit (BC2) are installed in a center console (CC) installed in an internal part located between two front seats installed in said passenger compartment (H).

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