Heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system

Abstract

Title: Heating, Ventilation and / or Air Conditioning Device The invention relates to a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device comprising: a main housing having at least one air inlet and configured to house at least one heat exchanger, in particular an evaporator; a drain cover (10) configured to collect condensate; this drain cover having an acoustic chamber (30) configured to absorb noise generated by the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device, in particular by a fan (200) in the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 5

Description

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

[0001] The field of the present invention is that of heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning (also called HVAC) devices, particularly for motor vehicles.

[0002] Traditionally, HVAC devices use fans (or fan motor units) which generate unwanted noise.

[0003] The invention aims to overcome this noise problem without impacting the overall size of the device, especially when the device has to be mounted in a confined space.

[0004] The invention thus relates to a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning (HVAC) device comprising: - a main casing comprising at least one air inlet and configured to house at least one heat exchanger, in particular an evaporator, - a drainage hood configured to collect condensate, this drainage hood including an acoustic chamber configured to absorb noise generated by the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system, in particular by a fan in the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system.

[0005] According to one aspect of the invention, the main housing is configured to receive at least one air filter configured to filter air entering the housing through the air inlet.

[0006] According to one aspect of the invention, the drainage hood is configured to collect condensate from the main housing.

[0007] According to one aspect of the invention, the drainage hood is a drainage hood for air intake.

[0008] The invention provides an integrated solution in which the acoustic chamber is combined with the drainage hood within the HVAC unit. This integration makes it possible to achieve dual functions, namely a condensate collection function and a noise reduction function, without increasing the size of the HVAC unit.

[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, the acoustic chamber is separated from a drainage duct of the drainage hood, in particular by a partition of the drainage hood, and this drainage duct being configured to conduct condensate from a condensate collection area to a condensate outlet.

[0010] Advantageously, the walls of the drainage hood defining the acoustic chamber are airtight.

[0011] Advantageously, the acoustic chamber is defined by a hermetic volume, with respect to the drainage duct.

[0012] According to one aspect of the invention, the drainage conduit is defined between two parallel side walls and a bottom wall of the drainage hood, this drainage conduit being configured to conduct condensate from a condensate collection area to a condensate outlet.

[0013] According to one aspect of the invention, the condensate outlet is arranged on the drainage hood, for example on the air inlet drainage hood or on the exchanger drainage hood.

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, the acoustic chamber has a sufficient volume to absorb the noise that reaches this acoustic chamber.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the acoustic chamber comprises a bottom wall which occupies at least 20%, in particular at least 30%, in particular at least 40%, or in particular at least 50% of the surface area of ​​an external face of the drainage hood.

[0016] Preferably, the acoustic chamber has a volume that is greater than 30% or 50% of the total volume defined by the drainage hood when it is applied against the main housing.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, the acoustic chamber has the greatest depth on the drainage hood, in particular a greater depth than that of the drainage duct.

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, the acoustic chamber comprises a bottom wall which is tiered.

[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, the drainage conduit runs along at least one side of the acoustic chamber, in particular only one side of the acoustic chamber.

[0020] According to one aspect of the invention, the acoustic chamber is isolated from the drainage duct within the drainage hood.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, the acoustic chamber has a perimeter configured to come to rest against the main housing, in particular with a seal interposed between the perimeter of the acoustic chamber and the main housing.

[0022] According to one aspect of the invention, the seal is made of an elastomeric material.

[0023] According to one aspect of the invention, the joint is formed by a cord of material.

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, the seal can be made by being co-molded with the material of the drainage cover.

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, the drainage cover which carries both the acoustic chamber and the drainage duct is made in one piece, in particular by molding a plastic material.

[0026] According to one aspect of the invention, several acoustic attenuators are arranged in the acoustic chamber to absorb or attenuate noise.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, the acoustic attenuators are ribs or honeycomb structures on an inner face of the drainage hood.

[0028] According to one aspect of the invention, the acoustic attenuators are formed within the drainage hood or are provided on additional parts.

[0029] According to one aspect of the invention, the drainage hood which includes the acoustic chamber is placed against the main housing, opposite the location which receives the fan (or motor-fan assembly).

[0030] This allows the acoustic chamber to be as close as possible to the noise source, which is the fan (or blower), thus enabling efficient absorption of the noise generated by the fan (or blower).

[0031] The invention makes it possible, by performing the two functions (drainage and acoustics) on the same part, namely on the drainage cover, to reduce manufacturing costs and to reduce the number of parts required.

[0032] The acoustic chamber has a concavity that complements a convex portion of the main housing containing the fan (or blower). In other words, the drainage cover conforms to the portion of the main housing containing the fan (or blower).

[0033] The main housing comprises, with respect to the acoustic chamber, a window in which is disposed a membrane formed from a flexible material, in particular a flexible material with a porosity that partially allows air and sound waves to pass through the membrane. The flexible material of the membrane is in particular of the acoustic fleece type, for example made of polyester.

[0034] According to one aspect of the invention, an attenuator formed in an additional piece is provided in the acoustic chamber, behind the membrane.

[0035] According to one aspect of the invention, when several drainage hoods are mounted on the main casing of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device, only one of these drainage hoods, for example the drainage hood for the air inlet, is provided with an acoustic chamber.

[0036] Alternatively, several of the drainage hoods can each be provided with an acoustic chamber.

[0037] According to one aspect of the invention, the main casing can be composed of several parts, for example a plurality of shells assembled together.

[0038] Furthermore, in a traditional HVAC system, condensate from the evaporator is usually collected in an evaporator housing, which is equipped with a drain at the bottom. Due to the semi-central architecture of some HVAC systems, there is no space for a drain below or near the evaporator, as a fan (or "blower") is positioned directly below the evaporator. Condensate may also appear at other locations within the HVAC system.

[0039] The invention aims in particular to enable better drainage of condensate in a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning (HVAC) system, particularly in an environment with very limited available space.

[0040] The invention thus also relates to a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning (HVAC) device comprising: - a main housing having at least one air inlet and configured to house at least one heat exchanger, including an evaporator, and the main housing being configured in particular to receive at least one air filter configured to filter air entering the housing through the air inlet, - an air inlet drain cover configured to collect condensate, including water, from the air inlet and / or the air filter, the air inlet drain cover being configured in particular to be assembled, for example using screws and / or snap-fit ​​elements, onto the main housing.

[0041] Preferably, the main housing has at least one drain port configured to drain condensate, including water, from the air intake and / or air filter, and the air intake drain cover is configured to collect condensate, including water, from the air intake and / or air filter through the drain port.

[0042] The present invention advantageously allows the condensate to be collected from various parts of the main housing, namely at the locations of the air inlet and / or the air filter, thanks to the air inlet drainage cover.

[0043] Furthermore, thanks to the invention, it is possible to do without pipes / tubes attached to the device housing, these pipes being replaced by the drainage cover(s). Thus, advantageously, the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device is free of pipes to carry condensate from a location on this device to a condensate drain.

[0044] According to one aspect of the invention, the air inlet drainage cover is positioned under a housing for the air filter, when the heating device, of ventilation and / or air conditioning is mounted on a vehicle, in its operating position.

[0045] According to one aspect of the invention, the air inlet drainage cover has a shape conforming to a wall region of the main housing.

[0046] According to one aspect of the invention, this wall region extends substantially from the air inlet of the main housing to a low point of this main housing.

[0047] In other words, according to one aspect of the invention, the air inlet drainage cover extends to a low point in the main housing

[0048] In the present invention, the term "lowest point" of the main housing means a point of the main housing which is located at the lowest point when the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device is placed on a vehicle, in its operating position.

[0049] According to one aspect of the invention, the air inlet drainage hood has a height that is greater than 20%, or greater than 30%, or greater than 40% of the total height of the main housing, the height being measured along the vertical axis when the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device is placed on a vehicle, in its operating position.

[0050] According to one aspect of the invention, the air inlet drainage cover is pressed against said wall region of the main housing so as to define a condensate drainage duct.

[0051] In other words, the drainage duct is formed by assembling the air inlet drainage cover onto the main housing.

[0052] According to one aspect of the invention, the air inlet drainage cover has a substantially open shell shape, with a support edge configured to bear against said wall region of the main housing.

[0053] According to one aspect of the invention, a sealing gasket is interposed between the wall region of the main housing and the support edge of the air inlet drainage cover.

[0054] According to one aspect of the invention, the air inlet drainage cover has a condensate collection area located at the drainage orifice(s) of the main housing.

[0055] According to one aspect of the invention, the air inlet drainage hood comprises a drainage conduit, in particular defined between two parallel side walls and a bottom wall, this drainage conduit being configured to conduct condensate from the collection area to a condensate outlet.

[0056] According to one aspect of the invention, said drainage duct is part of the air inlet drainage cover. It is thus a single part, and the duct is not an added part.

[0057] According to one aspect of the invention, the drainage conduit is divided into two adjacent paths separated by a separating wall.

[0058] Separating the drainage duct into two paths provides the following advantage. Outside air enters the device through the fresh air inlet under high pressure, accompanied by water or moisture. Due to the high pressure, there is a risk that outside air may also pass through the drain. This could lead to this air returning to the air conditioning (HVAC) unit through other drainage holes or openings. To prevent this problem, the partition wall separates the air inlet drainage path from the rest of the drainage duct.

[0059] According to one aspect of the invention, the condensate outlet is in the form of an outlet tube.

[0060] According to one aspect of the invention, the air inlet drainage cover is formed in one piece, in particular by molding, in particular from a plastic material.

[0061] According to one aspect of the invention, the air inlet drainage cover has a generally rounded shape configured to fit a generally rounded shape of wall region of the main housing.

[0062] According to one aspect of the invention, the air inlet drainage cover includes an acoustic chamber.

[0063] According to one aspect of the invention, the acoustic chamber is separated from a drainage duct, in particular by a partition of the drainage hood for air intake, and this drainage duct being configured to conduct condensate from a condensate collection area to a condensate outlet.

[0064] According to one aspect of the invention, the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device comprises a drainage cover for fluid connections, particularly for pipes, configured to collect condensate from a fluid connection, particularly from pipes connected to the heat exchanger, particularly to an evaporator. It should be noted that these pipes are not condensate drain pipes.

[0065] According to one aspect of the invention, the fluid connection drainage cover is made in one piece, in particular by molding, in particular from a plastic material.

[0066] According to one aspect of the invention, the fluid connection drainage hood is configured to wrap one or more pipes to the heat exchanger, in particular an evaporator.

[0067] This pipe or these pipes extend between the main housing, outside of it, and the fluid connection drain cover.

[0068] According to one aspect of the invention, the fluid connection drainage cover has a window to allow the pipe(s) to exit at one end of the fluid connection drainage cover.

[0069] According to one aspect of the invention, when the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device is in its operating position, the fluid connection drain cover is positioned higher than the air inlet drain cover.

[0070] According to one aspect of the invention, the fluid connection drainage cover includes a support rim that applies to the main housing.

[0071] According to one aspect of the invention, the fluid connection drainage cover has a height that is greater than 20%, or greater than 30%, or greater than 40% of the total height of the main housing, the height being measured along the vertical axis when the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device is placed on a vehicle, in its operating position.

[0072] According to one aspect of the invention, the fluid connection drainage cover is pressed against the main housing so as to define a condensate drainage channel.

[0073] In other words, the drainage channel is formed by assembling the fluid connection drainage cover onto the main housing.

[0074] According to one aspect of the invention, the fluid connection drainage cover has a substantially open shell shape, with a support edge configured to bear against the main housing.

[0075] According to one aspect of the invention, a sealing gasket is interposed between the main housing and the support edge of the fluid connection drainage cover.

[0076] According to one aspect of the invention, the condensate drainage channel in the fluid connection drainage hood communicates with the condensate drainage channel in the air inlet drainage hood.

[0077] The invention thus allows condensate to flow from the fluid connection drain cover to the air inlet drain cover. This results in only one condensate outlet on the air inlet drain cover. This simplifies the assembly because only one condensate outlet is required, rather than multiple outlets.

[0078] The fluid connection drainage hood does not have its own condensate outlet since the condensate flowing through it passes through the air inlet drainage hood and is then evacuated through the common condensate outlet.

[0079] According to one aspect of the invention, the main housing includes a passage configured to form a condensate path between the fluid connection drain cover and the air inlet drain cover.

[0080] According to one aspect of the invention, this passage is formed by a groove, or cutout, on the main housing.

[0081] According to one aspect of the invention, the fluid connection drainage cover and the air inlet drainage cover do not communicate directly with each other, but through this passage made on the main housing.

[0082] In other words, the fluid connection drain cover and the air inlet drain cover are not in direct contact with each other.

[0083] According to one aspect of the invention, the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device includes a heat exchanger drain cover configured to collect condensate from the heat exchanger, in particular an evaporator.

[0084] According to one aspect of the invention, the heat exchanger drainage hood comprises a condensate collection area formed with the main housing.

[0085] According to one aspect of the invention, the heat exchanger drain cover has a height that is greater than 20%, or greater than 30%, or greater than 40% of the total height of the main housing, the height being measured along the vertical axis when the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device is placed on a vehicle, in its operating position.

[0086] According to one aspect of the invention, the heat exchanger drainage cover is pressed against the main housing so as to define a condensate drainage channel.

[0087] In other words, the drainage channel is formed by assembling the heat exchanger drainage cover onto the main housing.

[0088] According to aspects of the invention, the heat exchanger drainage hood has a diverging shape towards the heat exchanger, in particular an evaporator, and includes a condensate drainage duct which becomes less wide as one moves away from the collection area.

[0089] According to one aspect of the invention, the heat exchanger drainage cover has a substantially open shell shape, with a support edge configured to bear against the main housing.

[0090] According to one aspect of the invention, a sealing gasket is interposed between the main housing and the support edge of the heat exchanger drainage cover.

[0091] According to one aspect of the invention, the condensate drain duct in the heat exchanger drain hood communicates with the condensate drain duct in the air inlet drain hood.

[0092] According to one aspect of the invention, the heat exchanger drain cover and the air inlet drain cover are supported against each other in such a way to create a watertight seal between them around a path to allow condensate to pass through.

[0093] According to one aspect of the invention, the heat exchanger drainage hood extends below the heat exchanger, in particular an evaporator, to a low point in the main casing when the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device is in its operating position.

[0094] In other words, the heat exchanger drain cover and the air inlet drain cover meet approximately at the lowest point of the main housing. Thus, the condensate collected by the heat exchanger drain cover is sent to the air inlet drain cover and then discharged through the common condensate outlet.

[0095] Advantageously, the common condensate outlet is made on the air inlet drainage hood or on the heat exchanger drainage hood.

[0096] According to an unrepresented variant, the heat exchanger drain cover and the air inlet drain cover are supported against each other and together form the common condensate outlet.

[0097] Thus the invention makes it possible to have a single condensate outlet for the three drainage hoods.

[0098] Furthermore, the invention makes it possible to drain condensate in a constrained space because the various drainage hoods conform to the shape of the main housing to minimize the volume used for condensate collection.

[0099] Advantageously, the drainage hood comprises a collection portion and a drainage portion which are formed on the same part, namely this drainage hood.

[0100] The invention also relates to a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning (HVAC) device comprising: - a main casing comprising at least one air inlet and configured to house at least one heat exchanger, including an evaporator, and the main casing being specifically configured to receive at least one air filter configured to filter air entering the casing through the air inlet, - a drainage cover for fluid connections, in particular for pipes, configured to collect condensate from a fluid connection, in particular from pipes connected to the heat exchanger, in particular to an evaporator.

[0101] Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following description on the one hand, and several exemplary embodiments given by way of illustration and not limitation with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0102] [Fig.1] Fig.1 is a side view of a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning (HVAC) device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0103] [Fig.2] Fig.2 is a cross-sectional view of the device of Fig.1, showing the drainage pipes;

[0104] [Fig.3] Fig.3 is a schematic and partial cross-sectional view, showing the passage between the drainage duct of the fluid connection drain hood and the drainage duct of the air intake drain hood;

[0105] [Fig.4] Fig.4 schematically illustrates, in perspective, the drainage cover for air inlet and drain cover for the heat exchanger, placed side by side;

[0106] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] The [Fig.5] schematically and partially illustrates, in cross-section, the chamber acoustic on the hood for air intake of the device of the [Fig.l];

[0107] [Fig.6] Fig.6 schematically illustrates, in perspective, the air intake hood and the membrane of the acoustic chamber of the device in [Fig.1];

[0108] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] illustrates, schematically and partially, in perspective, the hood drainage for fluid connection, with the pipes that are visible, of the device of [Fig.l].

[0109] The features, variants, and different embodiments of the invention can be combined in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of features, described hereafter in isolation from the other described features, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and / or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0110] Figure 1 shows a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system 1, also known as HVAC, comprising: - a main casing 2 comprising at least one air inlet 3 and configured to house at least one heat exchanger, here an evaporator 4, and the main casing 2 being in particular configured to receive at least one air filter 5 configured to filter air entering the casing 2 through the air inlet 3, - a drain cover for air inlet 10 configured to collect condensate, including water, from the air inlet 3 and the air filter 4, the drain cover for air inlet 10 being configured to be assembled, here using screws 11 and / or snap-fit ​​elements, onto the main housing 2.

[0111] The main housing 2 includes a group of first orifices, namely drainage orifices 12, here arranged on an arc in the air inlet 3, configured to drain condensate from the air inlet 3 and a group of second orifices, namely drainage ports 14, in the bottom of a filter housing 15, configured to drain condensate from the air filter 5, as can be seen in [Fig.2],

[0112] The air inlet drainage cover 10 is configured to collect condensate from the air inlet 3 and the air filter 5, through the drainage ports 12 and 14.

[0113] The present invention advantageously allows the condensate to be collected from various parts of the main housing 2, namely at the locations of the air inlet 3 and the air filter 5, by means of the air inlet drainage cover 10.

[0114] The air inlet drain cover 10 is positioned under the housing 15 for the air filter, when the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device 1 is mounted on a vehicle, in its operating position.

[0115] The air inlet drainage cover 10 has a shape conforming to a wall region 16 of the main housing 2.

[0116] This wall region 16 extends substantially from the air inlet 3 of the main housing 2 to a low point PB of this main housing 2.

[0117] In other words, the air inlet drainage cover 10 extends to a low point PB of the main housing 2

[0118] In the present invention, the term "low point PB" of the main housing 2 means a point of the main housing 2 which is located at its lowest point when the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device 1 is placed on a vehicle, in its operating position.

[0119] The air inlet drainage cover 10 has a height H1 which is greater than 20%, or greater than 30%, or greater than 40%, of the total height HT of the main housing 2, the height being measured along the vertical axis when the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device 1 is placed on a vehicle, in its operating position.

[0120] The air inlet drainage cover 10 is pressed against said wall region 16 of the main housing 2 so as to define a condensate drainage channel 20, as can be seen in [Fig. 2]. Arrow Fl schematically illustrates the path of the condensate in this drainage channel 20 from the drainage ports 12 and 14.

[0121] In other words, the drainage duct 20 is formed by the assembly of the air inlet drainage cover 10 on the main housing 2.

[0122] The air inlet drainage cover 10 has a substantially open shell shape, with a support rim 18 configured to bear against said wall region 16 of the main housing 2, as illustrated in [Fig.6].

[0123] A sealing gasket 19 is interposed between the wall region 16 of the main housing 2 and the support edge 18 of the drainage cover for air inlet 10.

[0124] The air inlet drainage cover 10 has a condensate collection area 21 located at the drainage ports 12 of the air inlet 3 of the main housing 2.

[0125] The air inlet drainage cover 10 has a condensate collection area 22 located at the drainage ports 14 of the air filter 5 of the main housing 2, as can be clearly seen in [Fig.6].

[0126] The drainage conduit 20 is divided into two adjacent paths separated by a partition wall 23. Each path extends respectively from the collection zones 21 and 22, as can be clearly seen in [Fig. 6]. When the partition wall 23 comes into contact with the main housing 2, the drainage conduit 20 thus divides into two adjacent isolated flow conduits.

[0127] The separating wall 23 also separates the two collection zones 21 and 22.

[0128] The separating wall 23 comprises a first panel 23a which separates the two zones of collection 21 and 22 and a second section 23b which separates the two adjacent paths.

[0129] The first panel 23a and the second panel 23b are inclined at an angle between 90 and 120°.

[0130] Dividing the drainage duct 20 into two paths provides the following advantage. Outside air enters the device through the fresh air inlet 3 under high pressure, accompanied by water or moisture. Due to the high pressure, there is a risk that outside air may also pass through the drain. This could lead to this air returning to the air conditioning unit 1 through other drainage holes or openings. To avoid this problem, the partition wall 23 separates the drainage path of the air inlet 3 from the rest of the drainage duct 20.

[0131] The drainage conduit 20 is between two parallel side walls 24 and a bottom wall 25, this drainage conduit 20 being configured to conduct condensate from the collection areas 21 and 22 to a condensate outlet 26, as can be seen in particular in Figures 1 and 2.

[0132] The drainage duct 20 is part of the air inlet drainage cover 10. It is therefore a single part, and the duct is not an added part.

[0133] The condensate outlet 26 is in the form of an outlet tube, in particular formed in the air inlet drainage hood 10.

[0134] According to an alternative not shown, the condensate outlet is formed in the main housing, specifically in a lower portion of the main housing. If applicable, the air inlet drainage cover extends from a high area located at the first and / or second ports to a low area cooperating with the lower portion of the main housing.

[0135] The air inlet drainage cover 10 is formed in one piece, in particular by molding, in particular from a plastic material.

[0136] The air inlet drainage cover 10 has a generally rounded shape configured to fit a generally rounded shape of wall region 16 of the main housing 2.

[0137] The device 1 includes a fluid connection cover 40, here for pipes 41, configured to collect condensate from the pipes 41 connected to the evaporator 4. It should be noted that these pipes are not condensate drain pipes but pipes for refrigerant circulating in the evaporator 4.

[0138] The fluid connection drainage cover 40 is made in one piece, by molding, in particular of a plastic material, in the form of a shell to be pressed against the main housing 2.

[0139] The fluid connection drain cover 40 is configured to wrap around the 4L hoses

[0140] These pipes 41 extend between the main housing 2, outside of it, and the fluid connection drain cover 40.

[0141] The fluid connection drain cover 40 has windows 42 to allow the pipes 41 to exit at one end of the fluid connection drain cover 40, as can be seen in [Fig.7].

[0142] When the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device 1 is in its operating position, the fluid connection drain cover 40 is positioned higher than the air inlet drain cover 10.

[0143] The fluid connection drainage cover 40 includes a support rim 44 that applies to the main housing 2.

[0144] The fluid connection drain cover 40 has a height H2 which is greater than 20%, or greater than 30%, or greater than 40%, of the total height HT of the main housing 2, the height being measured along the vertical axis when the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device is placed on a vehicle, in its operating position.

[0145] The fluid connection drainage cover 40 is pressed against the main housing 2 so as to define a condensate drainage channel 45.

[0146] In other words, the drainage channel 45 is formed by the assembly of the fluid connection drainage cover 40 on the main housing 2.

[0147] A sealing gasket is interposed between the main housing 2 and the support edge of the fluid connection drain cover 40.

[0148] The drainage conduit 45 associated with the drainage cover for fluid connection 40 communicates with the drainage conduit 20 associated with the drainage cover for air inlet 10.

[0149] The invention thus allows the condensate to flow from the fluid connection drain cover 40 to the air inlet drain cover 10. This allows only one condensate outlet to be required on the air inlet drain cover 10. This simplifies the assembly because only one condensate outlet is provided, and not several outlets.

[0150] The fluid connection drainage hood 40 does not have its own condensate outlet since the condensate flowing through it passes into the air inlet drainage hood 10 and is then evacuated through the common condensate outlet 26.

[0151] The main housing 2 has a passage 43 configured to form a condensate path between the fluid connection drain cover 40 and the air inlet drain cover 10, as illustrated in [Fig.3].

[0152] Passage 43 is located in the ZI area of ​​the main housing 2 which can be seen in [Fig.1].

[0153] The passage 43 is formed by a groove, or cutout, on the main housing 2.

[0154] The fluid connection drain cover 40 and the air inlet drain cover 10 do not communicate directly with each other, but via this passage made on the main housing 2.

[0155] In other words, the fluid connection drain cover 40 and the air inlet drain cover 10 are not in direct contact with each other.

[0156] The heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device 1 further includes a drain cover for heat exchanger 50 configured to collect condensate from evaporator 4.

[0157] The heat exchanger drainage hood 50 has a condensate collection area 51 formed with the main housing 2, as can be seen in [Fig.2].

[0158] The heat exchanger drain cover 50 has a height H3 which is greater than 20%, or greater than 30%, or greater than 40%, of the total height HT of the main housing 2, the height being measured along the vertical axis when the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device is placed on a vehicle, in its operating position.

[0159] The heat exchanger drain cover 50 is pressed against the main housing 2 so as to define a condensate drain duct 55, as can be seen in [Fig.2].

[0160] In other words, the drainage conduit 55 is formed by the assembly of the drainage cover for heat exchanger 50 on the main housing 2.

[0161] The flow of condensate in this drainage conduit 55 is illustrated by arrow F2.

[0162] The heat exchanger drainage hood 50 has a diverging shape 54 towards the evaporator 4, and the condensate drainage conduit 55 becomes less wide as one moves away from the collection area 51.

[0163] The heat exchanger drainage cover 50 has a substantially open shell shape, with a support rim 56 configured to bear against the main housing 2.

[0164] A sealing gasket is interposed between the main housing 2 and the support edge 56 of the drainage cover for heat exchanger 50.

[0165] The drain duct 55 in the drain hood for heat exchanger 50 communicates with the condensate drain duct 20 in the drain hood for air inlet 10, as can be clearly seen in [Fig.4].

[0166] The heat exchanger drain cover 50 and the air inlet drain cover 10 are supported against each other so as to create a sealed joint 57 between them around a path to allow condensate to pass through.

[0167] The heat exchanger drain cover 50 extends below the evaporator 4, down to a low point PB of the main housing 2, when the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device is in its operating position.

[0168] In other words, the heat exchanger drain hood 50 and the air inlet drain hood 10 meet substantially at the lowest point PB of the main housing 2. Thus the condensate collected by the heat exchanger drain hood 50 is sent to the air inlet drain hood 10 and is then discharged through the common condensate outlet.

[0169] The low point PB can therefore extend both over a lower portion of the drainage hood for heat exchanger 50 and over a lower portion of the drainage hood for air inlet 10.

[0170] Alternatively, the common condensate outlet 26 could be made on the heat exchanger drain cover 50 (example not shown).

[0171] According to an unrepresented variant, the heat exchanger drain cover 50 and the air inlet drain cover 10 are supported against each other and together form the common condensate outlet.

[0172] Thus the invention makes it possible to have a single condensate outlet for the three drainage hoods 10, 40, 50.

[0173] In addition, the invention makes it possible to drain condensate in a constrained space because the various drainage hoods 10, 40, 50 conform to the shape of the main housing 2 to minimize the volume used for condensate collection.

[0174] In the example described, as illustrated in [Fig. 5], the air inlet drainage cover 10 has an acoustic chamber 30 which is separated from the drainage duct 20, by a partition 31 of the drainage hood for air inlet 10. This partition 31 corresponds to one of the side walls 24 which delimit the drainage duct 20.

[0175] Advantageously, the walls of the drainage hood defining the acoustic chamber 30 are airtight. In other words, the acoustic chamber 30 is defined by an airtight volume, with respect to the drainage duct.

[0176] The acoustic chamber 30 has a sufficient volume to absorb the noise which reaches this acoustic chamber 30.

[0177] The acoustic chamber 30 includes a bottom wall 32 which is stepped and which occupies at least 20%, in particular at least 30%, in particular at least 40%, or in particular at least 50% of the area of ​​an external face 29 of the drainage cover 10.

[0178] Preferably, the acoustic chamber 30 has a volume that is greater than 30% or 50% of the total volume defined by the drainage cover 10 when applied against the main housing 2.

[0179] The drainage conduit 20 runs along at least one side of the acoustic chamber 30, here only one side of the acoustic chamber 30.

[0180] The acoustic chamber 30 is isolated from the drainage duct 20 within the drainage hood.

[0181] The acoustic chamber 30 has a perimeter 37 configured to come against the main housing 2.

[0182] The drainage cover 10 which carries both the acoustic chamber 30 and the drainage conduit 20 is made in one piece, here by molding a plastic material.

[0183] Several acoustic attenuators are arranged in the acoustic chamber 30 to absorb or attenuate noise.

[0184] Acoustic attenuators are ribs 38 or honeycomb structures on an inner face of the drainage cover 10.

[0185] Here the acoustic attenuators 38 are formed within the drainage hood or could, alternatively, be provided on additional parts.

[0186] The drainage hood 10 which includes the acoustic chamber 30 is placed against the main housing 2, opposite the location which receives the fan 200 (or motor-fan assembly).

[0187] This allows the acoustic chamber 30 to be as close as possible to the noise source which is the fan 200 (or the blower), which allows for efficient absorption of the noise generated by the fan (or the blower).

[0188] The invention makes it possible, by performing the two functions (drainage and acoustics) on the same part, namely on the drainage cover 10, to reduce manufacturing costs and to reduce the number of parts required.

[0189] The acoustic chamber 30 has a concavity complementary to a convex portion 16 (wall region 16) of the main housing 2 housing the fan (or blower).

[0190] As can be seen in Figures 5 and 6, the main housing 2 comprises, with respect to the acoustic chamber 30, a window 60 in which is disposed a membrane 61 formed from a flexible material, here a flexible material with a porosity that partially allows air and sound waves to pass through the membrane. The flexible material of the membrane is in particular of the acoustic fleece type, for example made of polyester.

[0191] An attenuator formed in an additional piece may be provided in the acoustic chamber 30, behind the membrane 61.

[0192] In the example described, only one of these drainage hoods, for example the drainage hood for the air inlet 10, is provided with an acoustic chamber 30.

[0193] As an alternative (not illustrated), several of the drainage hoods can each be provided with an acoustic chamber 30.

[0194] The main housing 2 is composed of several parts, for example a plurality of shells assembled together.

Claims

Demands

1. Heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device (1) comprising: - a main casing (2) having at least one air inlet (3) and configured to house at least one heat exchanger (4), in particular an evaporator, - a drain hood (10; 40; 50) configured to collect condensate, this drain hood having an acoustic chamber (30) configured to absorb noise generated by the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device, in particular by a fan (200) in the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device (1).

2. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the drainage hood (10; 40; 50) is configured to collect condensate from the main housing (2).

3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the acoustic chamber (30) is separated from a drainage conduit (20) of the drainage hood (10; 40; 50), in particular by a partition (30) of the drainage hood (10; 40; 50), and this drainage conduit (20) being configured to conduct condensate from a condensate collection area (21) to a condensate outlet (26).

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the walls of the drainage hood defining the acoustic chamber (30) are airtight.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the acoustic chamber (30) has a perimeter (37) configured to bear against the main housing (2), in particular with a seal interposed between the perimeter (37) of the acoustic chamber (30) and the main housing (2).

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein several acoustic attenuators (38) are arranged in the acoustic chamber (30) to absorb or attenuate noise, in particular the acoustic attenuators (38) are ribs or honeycomb structures on an inner face of the drainage hood.

7. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the acoustic attenuators (38) are formed within the drainage hood or are provided on additional parts.

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drainage hood which includes the acoustic chamber (30) is placed against the main housing (2), opposite the location which receives the fan.

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the acoustic chamber (30) has a concavity complementary to a convex portion of the main housing (2) housing the fan.

10. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main housing (2) comprises, with respect to the acoustic chamber (30), a window (42) in which is disposed a membrane (61) formed of a flexible material, in particular a flexible material with a porosity which partially allows air and sound waves to pass through the membrane, the flexible material of the membrane being in particular of the acoustic fleece type, for example of Polyester.

11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main housing (2) is composed of several parts, for example a plurality of shells assembled together.

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