Cassette for a device for controlling the circulation of the air flow of a motor vehicle, and shutter for such a cassette

Abstract

A cassette (5) for a device for controlling the circulation of the air flow of a vehicle, comprising a frame (6) and a plurality of movable shutters (7, 71, 72) arranged on the frame (6), at least two adjacent shutters (71, 72) being arranged in sequence along a first axis (100) and configured to cooperate reversibly and firmly with each other such that the movement exerted on either of the two shutters (71, 72) is transmitted to the other of the shutters (71, 72) is disclosed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cassette comprising a shutter, in particular a movable shutter, arranged, for example, in a grille or vent of a motor vehicle, for a device for controlling the circulation of the air flow in a vehicle, and to said device. The invention also relates to an apparatus for circulating and / or heat-treating an air flow, such as an apparatus for cooling a heat transfer fluid, or a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning apparatus, comprising such a device. Finally, the invention relates to a motor vehicle on which is mounted an apparatus, a device, and / or a cassette according to the invention.

Background Art

[0002] Motor vehicles are provided with a grille installed at the front end of the vehicle to circulate an external air flow towards at least one cooling module specifically intended for at least one fluid that is to circulate through a heating device, such as a radiator for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) apparatus. Such a cooling module typically comprises an assembly of heat exchangers traversed by ambient air in order to cool at least one fluid, in particular a heat transfer fluid intended to cool a combustion engine, or a refrigerant fluid intended for an HVAC apparatus.

[0003] A device for controlling the circulation of an air flow is known to be provided in an air intake passage, the device comprising a cassette including a plurality of movable shutters arranged in columns in a frame and controlled to selectively block and / or control the air flow upstream of a cooling module. One drawback of such a controlled shutter cassette is that the shutter cassette requires at least two different types of shutters having different dimensions, and the device and / or the frame have a more complex structure with variations in dimensions, particularly in length, between one column of shutters and another column of shutters, which requires even more different types of shutters. In particular, such a cassette comprises a longer drive shutter coupled to an actuator shaft and a shutter driven in rotation by a connecting rod in mechanical relation to the drive shutter, i.e., a drive shutter and a driven shutter. This means that it is necessary to increase the number of types of shutters from one model of the cassette or the device for controlling the circulation of the air flow to another model, and this increase is associated with a significant cost for both the development and the manufacture of such components. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention is in this situation and aims to solve the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a modular assembly that is easy to assemble and can be made at low cost to fit a wide variety of cooling modules, and in particular, a cassette equipped with shutters that enables a modular assembly in terms of the length of the shutters and / or in the direction of extension.

[0005] The present invention relates to a cassette for a device for controlling the circulation of the air flow of a vehicle, the cassette comprising a frame and a plurality of movable shutters arranged on the frame, at least two adjacent shutters being attached to each other and arranged in sequence along a first axis. Each of the two shutters comprises a body having first and second end portions opposite to each other along the first axis and first and second coupling members whose shapes are at least partially complementary, and a movement exerted on any one of the two shutters, in particular a rotation about the first axis, is transmitted to the other of the shutters. The end portions are configured such that the bodies of two adjacent shutters are integrally and reversibly connected to each other by at least connecting a first coupling member of one of the two adjacent shutters to a second coupling member of the other shutter in a connection region.

[0006] In particular, at least one of the first and second coupling members of two adjacent shutters can be centered on the first axis.

[0007] In particular, among two adjacent shutters, either the first coupling member or the second coupling member can have a cylindrical shape with at least one stop means, and the other of the first and second coupling members can have a hollow cylindrical shape capable of receiving either the first coupling member or the second coupling member. The inner surface of the hollow cylindrical shape is provided with a stop element complementary to the stop means so that a movement exerted on any one of the two shutters, in particular a rotation about the first axis, is transmitted to the other of the shutters to integrally connect two adjacent shutters together.

[0008] The frame may further comprise at least one arm configured to cooperate with the first coupling member and / or the second coupling member within the coupling region that connects two adjacent shutters. In particular, at least one of the first coupling member and / or the second coupling member within the coupling region may comprise a flange configured to abut against the at least one arm in at least one or the other of the directions defined by the first axis.

[0009] Each first end portion of the two adjacent shutters may further comprise at least one first member for transmitting movement, and each second end portion of the two adjacent shutters may further comprise at least one second member for transmitting movement. At least one first transmission member of one of the two adjacent shutters is configured to cooperate with the second transmission member of the other of the two shutters in the coupling region.

[0010] The invention also relates to a device for controlling the circulation of the air flow in a vehicle, comprising a cassette as described above, and at least one means for adjusting the intake of the air flow, configured in particular to move at least one of two adjacent shutters by rotation about a first axis.

[0011] The invention also relates to a shutter for a cassette or for a device for controlling the circulation of the air flow in a vehicle according to the invention. Such a shutter comprises a body extending along a first axis and having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to each other along the axis. The first end portion comprises a first coupling member configured to connect the body to an adjacent shutter arranged integrally and reversibly along the first axis. The second end portion is a second coupling member that is at least partially complementary in shape to the first coupling member and is configured to cooperate with the first coupling member of an adjacent shutter arranged along the first axis. The first coupling member and / or the second coupling member are centered in particular on the first axis.

[0012] In particular, the first end portion may further comprise at least one first member for transmitting movement, the second end portion may further comprise at least one second transmission member, the first transmission member is configured to cooperate with the second transmission member of an adjacent shutter arranged along the first axis, the second transmission member is configured to cooperate with the first transmission member of an adjacent shutter arranged along the first axis, and the first transmission member and the second transmission member are centered on a second axis different from the first axis.

[0013] The present invention also relates to an apparatus for circulating and / or heat-treating an air flow, comprising a device for controlling the circulation of the air flow, at least one cassette, and / or at least one shutter, as described in all of the above.

[0014] In particular, such an apparatus may comprise several rows of shutters, in particular several horizontal rows of shutters, and the shape of at least one shutter of one of the rows of shutters may be different from the shape of at least one other shutter of the row, or from the shape of at least one shutter of an adjacent row.

[0015] Finally, the present invention relates to a device for controlling the circulation of an air flow and / or a motor vehicle comprising the apparatus according to the present invention.

[0016] Further details, features, and advantages will become more clearly apparent from reading the detailed description given below with non-limiting indications in connection with the examples of various embodiments shown in the following figures.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] FIG. 1 schematically shows an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle 100, which is a motor vehicle particularly equipped with a cooling module 101. The cooling module 101 can be fully or partially integrated into a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) device and / or an engine cooling system. The cooling module 101 includes at least one heat exchanger 2 configured to perform heat exchange with an external air flow FA passing therethrough according to requirements established particularly according to the manner in which the vehicle operates. Throughout the following description, the cooling module 101 is described as including a single heat exchanger 2. Nevertheless, it is understood that the present invention is also applicable to a cooling module including a plurality of heat exchangers 2.

[0019] The device 102 comprises a device 1 for controlling the circulation of an external air flow FA, which is especially electrically controlled, and at least a heat exchanger 2 can be configured to cool or heat said air flow FA. The device 102 further comprises a housing 3 forming a distribution circuit for the external air flow FA in which the control device 1 and the heat exchanger 2 are arranged. The housing 3 is open towards the grill 4 of the vehicle 100, especially at the front of the vehicle 100, and through the grill 4, the device is supplied with the external air flow FA, and the control device 1 is arranged, for example, upstream of the heat exchanger 2 in the direction of the circulation of the external air flow FA.

[0020] Figures 2 to 10 show in more detail various examples and embodiments of the control device 1 according to the invention. Referring to the predefined orientation and directions, the longitudinal direction is represented by the axis Ox and corresponds to the direction of travel of the vehicle, while the axes Oy and Oz represent the vertical and transverse directions respectively. These axes together define a reference system Oxyz shown in the associated figures. Further, the direction of circulation of the external air flow is schematically represented by an arrow. Finally, the terms "first" and "second" are intended to distinguish similar elements and are not intended to define an order for said elements.

[0021] Generally, the control device 1 comprises a cassette 5 comprising a frame 6 and a plurality of shutters 7 arranged on the frame 6 so as to be movable with respect to the frame 6, that is to say, to operate between at least two different positions as will be described further below. Similarly, such shutters 7 are attached to the frame 6 and are removable. The device also comprises means 11 for adjusting the intake of the air flow FA configured to move some or all of the shutters 7 of the cassette 5 so as to control the air flow FA. The adjusting means 11 especially comprises at least one means 12 for driving at least one of the plurality of movable shutters 7, and the movable shutters 7 can be actuated especially by electrical control.

[0022] According to an embodiment of a non-limiting example, the frame 6 may comprise at least a first side portion 61, a second side portion 62, a third side portion 63, and a fourth side portion 64. The first side portion 61 and the second side portion 62 are opposite to each other and are connected together by the third side portion 63 and the fourth side portion 64. Therefore, in the illustrated example, the frame 6, in particular the side portions 61, 62, 63, 64 of the frame 6, may have a substantially parallelepiped continuous shape that defines an internal volume 600 of a control device in which a plurality of shutters 7 are arranged in a non-limiting manner. Specifically, at least two opposite side portions of the frame 6 may be configured to carry the adjusting means 11. In this case, these are the first side portion 61 and the second side portion 62.

[0023] Optionally, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the frame 6 may further comprise at least one or a plurality of support arms 65 configured to cooperate with at least one of the plurality of shutters 7. Preferably, the frame 6 may comprise a plurality of support arms 65 distributed in the internal volume 600. The arms extend between two opposite side portions, in this case between the third side portion 63 and the fourth side portion 64.

[0024] The cassette 5 comprises a plurality of movable shutters 7. Specifically, according to the present invention, the cassette 5 comprises at least two adjacent shutters 71, 72 arranged in sequence along a first axis 100, and at least two adjacent shutters 71, 72 are configured to cooperate reversibly and integrally with each other such that the movement exerted on either one of the two shutters 71, 72 is transmitted to the other shutter. In particular, one contemplated movement is a rotational movement about the first axis 100. The shutters are attached to each other and removable such that their connection is reversible. Thus, "adjacent" shutters 7 are understood to mean shutters 7 arranged adjacent to each other along the first axis 100, particularly in direct cooperation with each other. The term "integrally" is understood to mean that when one of the two shutters 7 is controlled to move, in this case a rotational movement, the other shutter is driven to perform the same movement in a synchronized manner, for example. In other words, the shutters 7 integrally connected to each other in the direction defined by the first axis 100 are moved in association with the frame 6, but not relative to each other. Such a connection is reversible in relation to the assembly or disassembly of the cassette 5, as will be further described later. Such a principle provides a modular cassette 5 in which a plurality of shutters 7 can be stacked along the first axis 100 as required, for example to fit the dimensions of the frame 6 defined along the first axis 100, in this case particularly to fit the length between a first side portion 61 and a second side portion 62 opposite each other. Thus, the present invention advantageously enables increasing the number of shutters stacked in the direction defined by the first axis as required, without the need to develop a new type of shutter.

[0025] Optionally, cassette 5 may comprise one or more rows 70, each row having one or more shutters 7. For example, such a row 70 can extend in a direction parallel to the first axis 100 and can be arranged adjacent to each other in a direction transverse to the first axis 100, in particular in a direction orthogonal to the first axis 100. For example, a given row may comprise a single shutter as conventionally known in the prior art, or alternatively, at least two adjacent shutters 7 arranged in sequence along an axis parallel to the first axis 100 according to the present invention.

[0026] For the sake of clarity, the following description is provided with reference to two particular adjacent shutters 7 out of a plurality of shutters. Nevertheless, it is understood that the entire description is to be modified and applied mutatis mutandis to some or all of the shutters 7 of the plurality of shutters 7 of cassette 5. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a shutter configured to be used in cassette 5 according to the present invention, that is, a shutter configured to be stacked with one or more separate shutters 7 along the first axis 100. Furthermore, the entire following description also applies to such a shutter.

[0027] As schematically shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, two adjacent shutters 7 have an elongated structure. Each of these shutters 7 comprises a body 8 having a first end portion 81 and a second end portion 82 opposite to each other along the first axis 100. The body 8 of the shutter 7 may comprise one or more blades installed at a pivoting portion 83 centered on the first axis 100. For example, as will be described later, at least one of the pivoting portions 83 may be installed on one of the sides of the frame 6, on one of the arms 65, and / or on another shutter. Therefore, the arm 65 can extend transversely or even orthogonally to the first axis 100 and can carry at least one pivoting portion 83 of two adjacent shutters 7. The body 8 can have a flat or substantially flat shape. Alternatively, the body 8 can have a substantially curved shape.

[0028] Thus, at least two adjacent shutters 7 are movably installed, particularly pivotably installed, relative to the frame 6, for example around a first axis 100, so as to move between a first position and a second position. The drive means 12 can engage with these shutters 7 by driving to selectively move some or all of the plurality of shutters 7 between the first position and the second position. By way of non-limiting example, the drive means 12 may comprise a drive shaft and / or an actuator such as a motor or any other electromechanical device (not shown).

[0029] In the first position, the shutter 7 restricts the passage of external air flow through the frame 6, for example through the grille of the vehicle, and in the second position, the shutter 7 circulates the air flow FA through the frame 6 and thus through the grille of the vehicle, i.e., towards the heat exchanger 2. In other words, when the shutter 7 is moved to the first position, the control device 1 is in a "closed" configuration that prevents the air flow FA from entering the device. Conversely, when the shutter 7 is moved to the second position, the control device 1 is in an "open" configuration that circulates the air flow FA through the device 102, particularly through the control device 1 and the heat exchanger 2. Optionally, the control device 1 can also be configured to implement one or more "intermediate" configurations to ensure a reduced circulation of the external air flow FA compared to the open configuration, particularly depending on the requirements of the vehicle device. In such a configuration, at least some of the shutters 7 of the plurality of shutters 7 can be moved to an intermediate position between the first position and the second position.

[0030] As previously described, at least two adjacent shutters 71, 72 are configured to cooperate with each other such that the movement exerted on either one of the two shutters is transmitted to the other shutter. For this purpose, the first end portion 81 and the second end portion 82 of the shutter may be made according to different embodiments.

[0031] According to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the first end portion 81 includes a first coupling member 84, and the second end portion 82 includes a second coupling member 85 that is at least partially complementary in shape to the first coupling member 84. Not only the coupling members within a given shutter, but also the members that couple one of the two shutters to the other are complementary in shape so that the two shutters can be connected to each other without restriction in terms of order. The first coupling member 84 and the second coupling member 85 are specifically configured to reversibly couple the first coupling member 84 of one of the two adjacent shutters 7 to the second coupling member 85 of the other shutter 7 in the coupling region, so as to be able to connect the main bodies 8 of the two adjacent shutters 7 to each other. The term "coupling region" is understood to mean the reversible coupling region between the first coupling member 84 of the shutter according to the present invention and the second coupling member 85 of another shutter adjacent to the shutter in the direction defined by the first axis 100. For example, in the cassette 5, some or all of the shutters 7 of the plurality of shutters 7 can include at least one coupling region, and in particular, depending on whether the shutter under consideration cooperates with one or more shutters 7 according to the present invention, it can include one coupling region or two coupling regions. In other words, each shutter according to the present invention can be reversibly connected to two separate shutters according to the present invention, on the one hand via the first coupling member 84 and on the other hand via the second coupling member 85, so as to form an overlap along the first axis 100.

[0032] At least one first coupling member 84 and a second coupling member 85 of two adjacent shutters 7 are intersected by a first axis 100. In particular, the first coupling member 84 and the second coupling member 85 are centered on the first axis 100. Therefore, the first coupling member 84 and the second coupling member 85 can at least partially coincide with the pivoting part 83 of the shutter under consideration. Specifically, the first coupling member 84 and the second coupling member 85 of two adjacent shutters 7 are centered on the first axis 100 when the shutters are assembled together, that is, when they are connected to each other in the connection region. Therefore, the coupling members belonging to two adjacent shutters 7 are arranged along the first axis 100. While the first coupling member 84 can be arranged at the first end portion 81 of the first plate 86, the second coupling member 85 is arranged on the second plate 87. The first plate 86 and the second plate 87 are connected to the main body 8 and define the main body in the direction defined by the first axis 100.

[0033] The shutter according to the present invention can be made such that an assembly formed by the first coupling member 84, the main body 8, and the second coupling member 85 forms an integral part. In other words, the first coupling member 84, the main body 8, and the second coupling member 85 form an integral assembly in which the coupling member cannot be separated from the main body 8 of the shutter without damaging or even destroying the shutter under consideration. For example, the shutter can be made of a reinforced plastic material, especially using any type of fiber with a filler content of up to 50% at most.

[0034] The first coupling members 84 of at least two adjacent shutters 71, 72 preferably have the same shape and / or dimensions. Also, the second coupling members 85 of at least two adjacent shutters preferably have the same shape and / or dimensions so that the shutters can be connected to each other without specific constraints from the perspective of order.

[0035] The first coupling member 84 can have a cylindrical shape with at least one stopping means 88. The second coupling member 85 can have a hollow cylindrical shape capable of receiving the first coupling member 84. The inner surface of the hollow cylindrical shape is provided with a stopping element complementary to the stopping means 88 (not shown). The stopping means 88 and the stopping element are advantageously configured to integrally connect the two adjacent shutters 7 together such that movement, particularly rotation about the first axis 100, exerted on either one of the two shutters 7 is transmitted to the other of the shutters 7. In this sense, when the shutter is moved, along the trajectory brought about by the shutter, the stopping element obstructs the movement of the stopping means 88 and the stopping means 88 obstructs the movement of the stopping element. When one of the shutters 71, 72 is moved, either the stopping element or the stopping means exerts a force on the other to drive the other of the shutters 71, 72. In this way, the shutters 71, 72 are not moved relative to each other. It is understood that the shape of the first coupling member 84 and the shape of the second coupling member 85 may be reversed.

[0036] According to an embodiment of the example shown in FIG. 6, the first coupling member 84 can have a cross-shaped profile, a star-shaped profile, or any other similar-shaped profile, and the stopping means 88 is formed by at least one branch of the profile. In this case, the term "profile" is understood to mean the shape of the member in a plane orthogonal to the first axis 100. For example, the profile can be centered on the first axis 100. The inner surface of the hollow cylindrical shape of the second coupling member 85 can be engraved with a profile that is at least partially complementary to the profile of the first coupling member 84, and the inner surface is provided with a stopping element complementary to the stopping means 88, for example, in this case, one of the branches.

[0037] Alternatively or in combination, the stop means 88 may be a flat portion 881 on the first coupling member 84, as shown in FIG. 5. Thus, the hollow cylindrical inner surface of the second coupling member 85 is shaped to be at least partially complementary to the contour of the first stop member, and in particular complementary to a part of the stop means 88 formed by the flat portion 881, and can be engraved with a contour of such a shape.

[0038] Advantageously, as shown in FIG. 7, at least one arm 65 of the frame 6, or one of the arms 65, may be configured to cooperate with at least one coupling region that connects two adjacent shutters 7. In particular, at least one arm 65 is configured to cooperate with the first coupling member 84 and / or the second coupling member 85 within the coupling region that connects two adjacent shutters 7. For example, the arm 65 may comprise a recess or an opening configured to receive the first coupling member 84 and / or the second coupling member. As described above, when the shutter under consideration comprises two coupling regions, the cassette 5 may be configured such that the plurality of arms 65 of the body 8 cooperate with a given shutter in separate coupling regions, respectively.

[0039] Optionally, at least one of the first coupling member 84 and / or the second coupling member 85 in the coupling region comprises a flange 89 in order to limit or even prevent the movement of at least one of two adjacent shutters 7 along the first axis 100. The flange 89 is configured to abut against at least one arm 65 in at least one or the other of the directions defined by the first axis 100. The flange 89 extends transversely to the first axis 100, such as orthogonally. For example, the flange 89 may be included in the second coupling member 85, particularly at the free end of the second coupling member 85. According to an embodiment of a non-limiting example, the flange 89 may have the form of a ring bounding all or part of the outer profile of the hollow-shaped outer surface of the second coupling member 85 that can receive the first coupling member 84. Alternatively, the flange 89 may be in the form of a protrusion that extends radially with respect to the axis about which the second coupling member is centered and is arranged only on a part of the outer profile of the hollow-shaped outer surface of the second coupling member 85.

[0040] Alternatively or in combination, such a flange 89 may be included in the first coupling member 84, for example at a cylindrical base, in the vicinity of the first plate 86 and at a non-zero distance from the free end of the first coupling member 84. Also, for this reason, the arms 65 can ensure the positioning of each shutter 7 in the direction defined by the first axis 100 using the flange 89 in order to maintain the minimum interconnection necessary for the transmission of the rotational drive, which is mainly because when the shutter 7 is moved to the first position, i.e., when the control device 1 is in the "closed" configuration preventing the air flow FA from entering the device, the arms 65 are subjected to a force due to the air pressure.

[0041] Therefore, in the cassette 5 according to the present invention, when movement, particularly rotational movement, is exerted on one of two connected adjacent shutters 71, 72, the movement is transmitted to the other of the shutters 71, 72 via their respective coupling members 84, 85 within the coupling region. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4, the first shutter 71 is driven by the driving means 12 and is connected to the second shutter 72. The rotational movement about the first axis 100 can be imparted to the first shutter 71 by the driving means 12, for example, at one of the pivoting portions and / or at the first coupling member 84. The first shutter 71 pivots about the first axis 100 and the body 8 tilts so as to be moved between a first position and a second position. The first coupling member 84 and the second coupling member 85 of the first shutter 71 pivot together. In the coupling region, the second coupling member 85 of the first shutter having a hollow cylindrical shape cooperates with the first coupling member 84 of the second shutter and specifically receives the first coupling member 84. The stop element on the inner surface of the hollow shape contacts the stop means 88 on the first coupling member 84 of the second shutter 72. When the first shutter 71 is moved, the second shutter 72 is driven, and thus the second coupling member 85 of the first shutter 71 and the first coupling member 84 of the second shutter 72 are configured such that the shutters 7 remain stationary relative to each other. Therefore, the second shutter 72 is driven by the movement of the first shutter 71 so as to perform the same movement. Therefore, the two shutters 7 form a partial assembly of a plurality of shutters 7 included in a given row that can be moved as one. Such a principle also applies when three or more shutters are stacked along the first axis 100.

[0042] Thus, in the cassette 5 according to the present invention, at least two adjacent shutters 7 can be stacked in the direction defined by the first axis 100. Advantageously, more shutters 7 can be stacked in this same direction. Also, such a principle can be repeated in one or more rows 70 of shutters 7 included in the cassette 5 and extending in a direction orthogonal to the first axis 100. In other words, the cassette 5 may comprise a plurality of partial assemblies of adjacent shutters 7, each partial assembly being connected to each other by a coupling region as described above and stacked along its own axis so as to form a row separate from the rows of other partial assemblies. In particular, some or all of the axes specific to different rows, including the first axis 100, may extend parallel to each other. Thus, the cassette 5 and the shutter 7 according to the present invention enhance the modularity of the device for controlling the air flow, and the number of shutters 7 stacked in a row can be easily adapted as needed by adding or removing shutters. In this case, the shutters 7 of a given row, i.e., the shutters 7 stacked along a given axis, may have the same length or different lengths corresponding to one dimension of the shutters along said axis. Furthermore, the cassette 5 may comprise the same number or different numbers of shutters 7 stacked from one row to another. Alternatively or additionally, the cassette 5 may be configured to include rows of indeterminate or identical dimensions in the direction defined by the first axis 100. For example, the frame 6 may be shaped and / or dimensioned to receive a predetermined number of shutters 7 according to the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a non-limiting example embodiment intended to receive one shutter 7 with fewer upper rows than other rows, where the region without shutters is used in this case as a region for attaching the frame 6 to the support. Alternatively, the region without shutters may be intended for other requirements, such as a permanent air flow, a functional interface, or a permanent obstacle, depending on the cooling requirements, in particular the cooling requirements of the heat exchanger exposed to the cooling air flow.

[0043] Optionally, the column dimensions can be adapted by adjusting the shape and / or dimensions of at least one shutter 7, for example, by changing the dimensions of the body 8 of the shutter. Advantageously, the coupling member remains the same as the previously described coupling member, thereby eliminating the need to develop an entirely new type, which would reduce design diversity.

[0044] Figures 8 to 10 show an embodiment of a second embodiment of the shutter according to the present invention. The second embodiment is similar to the previously described embodiment, and the previous description is applied with modifications as specifically related to the coupling member. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that each first end portion 81 of two adjacent shutters 7 further includes at least one first member 91 for transmitting movement, and each second end portion 82 of two adjacent shutters 7 further includes at least one second member 92 for transmitting movement. The first transmission member 91 and the second transmission member 92 are particularly configured such that one of the first members of two adjacent shutters 7 cooperates with the second transmission member 92 of the other of the two adjacent shutters 7 without any restrictions from the perspective of the assembly order, and their shapes are complementary.

[0045] It should be understood that the first coupling member 84 and the second coupling member 85 can have the contours as previously defined and each include a stop means 88 and a stop element. Therefore, the first transmission member 91 and the second transmission member 92 are involved in ensuring the transmission from one of the connected shutters 7 to the other in combination with the first coupling member 84 and the second coupling member 85, and the transmission members 91, 92 facilitate such movement.

[0046] Alternatively, the first coupling member 84 may have a simple cylindrical shape without the stop means 88, and the second coupling member 85 may have a complementary hollow cylindrical shape configured to receive the first coupling member 84. Therefore, the first transmission member 91 and the second transmission member 92 perform the transmission function for the whole of one of the shutters 7 coupled to the other.

[0047] In particular, the first transmission member 91 and the second transmission member 92 of the shutter under consideration are traversed by a second shaft 200 different from the first shaft 100. Specifically, the first transmission member 91 and the second transmission member 92 of the shutter under consideration are centered on the second shaft 200. According to the exemplary embodiment, the second shaft 200 extends parallel or substantially parallel to the first shaft 100. In other words, the second shaft 200 is offset from the first shaft 100 and / or the shaft defined by the pivoting part. In particular, the second shaft 200 may be offset from at least one arm 65.

[0048] The first transmission member 91 may comprise a stud, for example a cylindrical stud. Similar to the first transmission member, the first transmission member 91 may be carried by the first plate 86. In particular, the first transmission members 91 of at least two adjacent shutters 7 have the same shape and / or dimensions. In particular, the second transmission members 92 of at least two adjacent shutters 7 have the same shape and / or dimensions.

[0049] The second transmission member 92 may comprise an opening or, alternatively (not shown), may comprise a cavity configured to cooperate with the first transmission member 91. Optionally, the second transmission member 92 may be carried by the second plate 87. It should be understood that the shape of the first transmission member 91 and the shape of the second transmission member 92 may be reversed.

[0050] Advantageously, the shutter 7 is shaped such that when the cassette 5 is installed in a control device or apparatus for circulating air flow and / or heat treatment, the first shaft 100 can be interposed between the first transmission member 91 and the second transmission member 92 on one side and the heat exchanger 2 on the other side in the direction of circulation of the air flow. In other words, the first shaft 100 is interposed between the second shaft 200 and the heat exchanger.

[0051] Alternatively, as indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 10, the shutter 7 may be shaped such that when the cassette 5 is installed in a control device or apparatus for circulating and / or heat-treating an air flow, the first transmission member 91 and the second transmission member 92 are interposed between the first shaft 100 and the heat exchanger 2 in the direction of circulation of the air flow. In other words, the second shaft 200 is interposed between the first shaft 100 and the heat exchanger.

[0052] In this way, at least two adjacent shutters 7 can be selected to match the characteristics and / or dimensions specific to the control device 1 and / or the frame 6. For example, the positioning of the first transmission member 91 and the second transmission member 92 can be determined according to the shape and / or position of the arm 65 in the frame 6. Also, the positioning of the first transmission member 91 and the second transmission member 92 may be determined depending on whether there are means for preventing particles and / or projections passing through the frame 6, such as bars or fins of a "spalling protection" grid fitted in the vicinity of the cassette 5.

[0053] The principle of transmitting the movement from one of at least two shutters 71, 72 as described above to the other is applied with modifications where necessary. In this case, when two adjacent shutters 71, 72 are superposed in the direction defined by the first axis 100 as described above in the coupling region, the coupling members 85, 86 and / or transmission members 91, 92 that connect the first shutter 71 to the second shutter 72 ensure that the shutters remain integral with each other and do not move relative to each other. As described above, the second coupling member 85 of the first shutter 71 having a hollow cylindrical shape cooperates with the first coupling member 84 of the second shutter 72, specifically receiving the first coupling member 84. Also, the second transmission member 92 of the first shutter, in this case having an opening included in the second plate 87, receives the first transmission member 91, and these transmission members are configured to limit or even prevent the movement of the first shutter 71 relative to the second shutter 72 in at least one direction orthogonal to the first axis 100. Optionally, the coupling members, stop elements, and stop means in the coupling region can perform similar functions. When the first shutter 71 is moved, the second shutter 72 is driven by the movement of the first shutter so as to perform the same movement. Such a principle is also applicable when three or more shutters 7 are superposed along the first axis 100.

[0054] Accordingly, the present invention proposes a cassette comprising a plurality of shutters for a device for controlling the circulation of an air flow, for example intended for a vehicle. Such a cassette advantageously comprises removable shutters configured to be reversibly superposed in a direction such that the shutters form one or more columns of modular dimensions that move integrally within at least one considered column. The present invention is a low-cost solution that is easy to implement and advantageously allows the integration of cassettes of various models and dimensions with the shutters according to the present invention.

[0055] However, the present invention is not limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated herein, but is also applicable to any equivalent means or configurations, and is also applicable to technically feasible combinations of such means as long as the functionality described and illustrated in this document is ultimately implemented.

Claims

1. A cassette (5) for a device for controlling the circulation of airflow in a vehicle, the cassette (5) comprising a frame (6) and a plurality of movable shutters (7, 71, 72) disposed on the frame (6), wherein at least two adjacent shutters (71, 72) are mounted to each other and arranged sequentially along a first axis (100), and each of the two adjacent shutters (71, 72) comprises a body (8) having opposite first end portions (81) and second end portions (82) along the first axis (100) and a first coupling member (84) and a second coupling member (85) which are at least partially complementary in shape. A cassette (5) is provided, and the end portions (81, 82) are configured such that the bodies (8) of the two adjacent shutters (71, 72) are integrally and reversibly connected to each other, by coupling the first coupling member (84) of one of the two adjacent shutters (71, 72) with the second coupling member (85) of the other of the two adjacent shutters (71, 72) in the coupling region, so that the movement exerted on one of the two adjacent shutters (71, 72), particularly rotation around the first axis (100), is transmitted to the other of the two adjacent shutters (71, 72).

2. The cassette (5) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first coupling member (84) and the second coupling member (85) of the two adjacent shutters (71, 72) is centered on the first axis (100).

3. Cassette (5) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, among the two adjacent shutters (71, 72), either the first coupling member (84) or the second coupling member (85) has a cylindrical shape comprising at least one stopping means (88), and the other of the first coupling member (84) and the second coupling member (85) has a hollow cylindrical shape capable of receiving either the first coupling member (84) or the second coupling member (85), and the inner surface of the hollow cylindrical shape comprises a stopping element complementary to the stopping means (88) such that the movement exerted on one of the two adjacent shutters (71, 72), particularly rotation around the first axis (100), is transmitted to the other of the two adjacent shutters (71, 72), thereby integrally connecting the two adjacent shutters (71, 72) together.

4. The cassette (5) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the frame (6) further comprises at least one arm (65) configured to cooperate with the first coupling member (84) and / or the second coupling member (85) in the coupling region connecting the two adjacent shutters (71, 72).

5. The cassette (5) according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the first coupling member (84) and / or the second coupling member (85) within the coupling region is provided with a flange (89) configured to abut against the at least one arm (65) in at least one or the other direction determined by the first axis (100).

6. The cassette (5) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first end portion (81) of each of the two adjacent shutters (71, 72) further comprises at least one first transmission member (91) for transmitting motion, and the second end portion (82) of each of the two adjacent shutters (71, 72) further comprises at least one second transmission member (92) for transmitting motion, and at least the first transmission member (91) of one of the two adjacent shutters (71, 72) is configured to cooperate with the second transmission member (92) of the other of the two adjacent shutters (71, 72) in the coupling region.

7. A device for controlling the circulation of airflow in a vehicle, comprising a cassette (5) according to claim 1 or 2, and at least one means (11) for adjusting the intake of the airflow, configured to move at least one of the two adjacent shutters (71, 72) by rotation, in particular, around the first axis (100).

8. A shutter (7) for a cassette (5) according to claim 1 or 2, the shutter (7) comprising a body (8) extending along a first axis (100) and having a first end portion (81) and a second end portion (82) opposite to each other along the axis, wherein the first end portion (81) comprises a first coupling member (84) configured to connect the body (8) to an adjacent shutter arranged integrally and reversibly along the first axis (100), and the second end portion (82) comprises a second coupling member (85) which is at least partially complementary in shape to the first coupling member (84) and configured to cooperate with the first coupling member (84) of an adjacent shutter arranged along the first axis (100), wherein the first coupling member (84) and / or the second coupling member (85) are centered in particular on the first axis (100).

9. The shutter (7) according to claim 8, wherein the first end portion (81) further comprises at least one first transmission member (91) for transmitting motion, and the second end portion (82) further comprises at least one second transmission member (92), wherein the first transmission member (91) is configured to cooperate with a second transmission member (92) of an adjacent shutter arranged along the first axis (100), and the second transmission member (92) is configured to cooperate with a first transmission member (91) of an adjacent shutter arranged along the first axis (100), and the first transmission member (91) and the second transmission member (92) are centered on a second axis (200) different from the first axis (100).

10. An apparatus for circulating and / or heat-treating an airflow, comprising at least one cassette (5) as described in claim 1 or 2.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the apparatus comprises several rows of shutters (7), in particular several horizontal rows of shutters, and the shape of at least one shutter (7) in the row of shutters is different from the shape of at least one other shutter in the row, or the shape of at least one shutter in an adjacent row.

12. A powered vehicle comprising a device for controlling the circulation of airflow as described in claim 7.

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