Device for heat treatment of air for motor vehicles with improved temperature control

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for the thermal treatment of air for a motor vehicle, comprising a conveying duct (5), a heating duct (7) and a mixing chamber (11). The mixing device (21) is configured to be movable between a first end position (A) in which the air is prevented from passing between the conveying duct (5) and the mixing chamber (11) and a second end position (B) in which the air is prevented from passing through the heating duct (7). The mixing device (21) comprises a main flap (23) and a deflection element protruding from the main flap (23). The deflection element comprises at least one front rib and at least one lateral rib extending one end of the front rib.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of thermal treatment of air inside vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, and more particularly to a device for thermal treatment of air inside a vehicle compartment, comprising means for regulating the temperature of said compartment by ventilating, heating and / or cooling the air inside said compartment. [Background technology]

[0002] The device for thermally treating air in a vehicle includes a casing, the walls of which are provided with holes defining an air inlet and an air outlet, within which air is directed past various thermal treatment elements. More specifically, the walls of the casing form ducts, some of which contain an evaporator for cooling the air and a radiator for heating the air.

[0003] Such devices are typically equipped with adjustable shutters to regulate the temperature of the air resulting from the mixture of hot and cold air by adjusting the flow rates of cold air from the evaporator and hot air from the radiator, and the air at the regulated temperature is then directed towards the passenger compartment, for example towards the windshield or towards the area where the feet of the vehicle user are likely to be.

[0004] These devices may also include a mixing flap movable between a first end position configured to allow only hot air to flow toward the air outlet and a second end position configured to allow only cool air to flow toward the air outlet. The mixing flap may also assume intermediate positions between the two end positions to allow different amounts of hot and cool air to be mixed, thereby providing better control over the temperature of the air destined for the vehicle passenger compartment.

[0005] One drawback of these solutions is that the temperature variations obtained in response to the different positions of the flap are not as smooth as possible, which results in thermal discomfort for the vehicle user.

[0006] Another drawback is that there is always a temperature gradient between the various air outlets and therefore between the various areas of the vehicle cabin, for example between the area of ​​the vehicle windshield and the area under the feet of the vehicle user.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to overcome at least one of the above-mentioned drawbacks, as well as to provide other advantages, by proposing a novel device for thermally treating air intended for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, and more particularly for the passenger compartment of said vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention proposes an air heat treatment device for a vehicle, in particular an automobile, with a casing including a conveying duct, a heating duct, and a mixing chamber, the conveying duct, the heating duct, and the mixing chamber being formed by the walls of the casing and configured to air-communicate at least one air inlet opening of the casing with at least one air outlet opening of the casing. The conveying duct extends from the inlet opening to the mixing chamber, and the heating duct extends parallel to the conveying duct to the mixing chamber. The heat treatment device further comprises a mixing device configured to be movable between a first end position, in which air is intended to flow through the heating duct by preventing air flow between the conveying duct and the mixing chamber, and a second end position, in which air is prevented from flowing through the heating duct. The mixing device includes a main flap adapted to be rotatable about a rotation axis. According to the invention, the mixing device includes a deflection element protruding from an upper surface of the main flap. The deflection element is configured to deflect air from the rotation axis. In a plane parallel to and at least one lateral rib extending from one end of the forward rib and lying in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

[0009] The heating device may in particular be arranged in the heating duct and may be configured to heat the air flowing through the heating duct.

[0010] The upper surface is therefore the orientation that the flap takes within the case when the case is installed in a vehicle. The upper surface of the flap faces the opposite side of the road on which the vehicle is traveling. The upper surface is the surface of the flap that contributes to defining the area through which air flows within the conveying duct, particularly when the main flap is in the second end position and most, if not all, of the airflow is flowing through the conveying duct. The upper surface may therefore be defined as the surface of the main flap that faces the opposite side of the heating duct. Meanwhile, the other surface of the main flap, i.e., the lower surface opposite the upper surface, faces the heating duct.

[0011] The forward rib changes the type of airflow by disrupting the laminar airflow on the top surface. The airflow therefore changes from laminar to turbulent. This causes the air to swirl as it enters the mixing chamber. This results in a good mix of the air from the conveying duct and the air from the heating duct.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the lateral ribs are substantially perpendicular, preferably strictly perpendicular, to the front rib when viewed in the projection of a plane containing the axis of rotation.

[0013] Herein, throughout the following text, the term "substantially" should be understood to mean within possible manufacturing and assembly tolerances.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the upper surface is configured to face the mixing chamber. In other words, the upper surface faces the mixing chamber regardless of the position of the main flap and regardless of the position of the mixing device. Conversely, as mentioned above, the upper surface faces the opposite side of the heating duct regardless of the position of the mixing device.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the main flap includes a first free edge extending parallel to the rotation axis and closer to the inlet opening than a second free edge of the main flap opposite the first free edge, and the forward rib is proximate to the first free edge of the main flap. The proximity of the first and second free edges to the inlet opening must be considered in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis.

[0016] In other words, the first free edge of the main flap is located upstream of the second free edge with respect to the airflow. Therefore, the first free edge contacts the air first. In this context, the above-mentioned side ribs extend from the front rib toward the second free edge.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the lateral ribs extend continuously from the ends of the forward ribs to the vicinity of the second free edge of the main flap.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the main flap includes a shaft configured to enable rotation of the main flap about the rotation axis, the shaft being positioned between the first free edge and the second free edge of the main flap, and the lateral ribs pass through the shaft when viewed in projection on a plane including the rotation axis.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the lateral ribs extend over at least 80% of the length of the upper surface of the main flap. The ratio of the length of the lateral ribs to the length of the upper surface is considered in a projection plane containing the axis of rotation. These lengths are measured along an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the forward rib extends over no more than 25% of the width of the top surface of the main flap, the width of the top surface being measured from a first end of the first free edge of the main flap to a second end of the first free edge along an axis parallel to the axis of rotation and contained in a plane that contains the axis of rotation.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the plane of extension of the forward rib has an inclined angle with respect to the plane of extension of the upper surface of the main flap. One technical effect of this feature is to reduce or eliminate noise that would otherwise be generated by the airflow striking a wall perpendicular to its path. The inclination of the forward rib helps to create a slope that deflects the airflow, for example, directing the airflow to an area of ​​the casing other than the mixing chamber where it is directed, allowing it to be continuously supplied to the defrost air outlet without passing through the mixing chamber, and also creates a disturbance in the airflow, allowing the portion of the flow passing through the mixing chamber to mix more quickly with air present elsewhere in the mixing chamber. The inclination of the forward rib is likewise calculated to provide these advantageous features while limiting pressure losses in the airflow so as not to impair the performance of the heat treatment device.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the inclination angle is between 50° and 80°. The inclination angle is measured counterclockwise from the plane of extension of the upper surface of the main flap to the plane of extension of the main rib, as seen in the projection of a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the main flap. The inventors have been able to determine through calculations that these values ​​provide a good compromise between noise reduction, acceptable pressure loss and degree of turbulence of the airflow.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the lateral rib is a first lateral rib and the deflecting element comprises a second lateral rib protruding from the upper surface of the main flap, the second lateral rib extending the other end of the forward rib and lying in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation. In this context, it will be understood that the first and second lateral ribs are substantially parallel and that the deflecting element has a U-shape in a plane containing the axis of rotation.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the main flap comprises a plurality of deflection elements extending at a distance from one another along an axis parallel to the rotation axis. The deflection elements are arranged side by side along an axis parallel to the rotation axis. Each deflection element is spaced apart from the adjacent deflection element, thereby forming a flow duct through which air can pass between two adjacent deflection elements. In other words, the lateral ribs of the deflection elements are parallel to one another and form a passage through which the air can travel faster. This results in an acceleration of the air in the region of the lateral ribs. The air therefore reaches the mixing chamber more quickly, simplifying the mixing of the various air streams present in this mixing chamber.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the forward ribs of the deflection elements are aligned with one another along an axis parallel to the axis of rotation.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the plurality of deflection elements includes a central deflection element having second lateral ribs projecting from the upper surface of the main flap, the second lateral ribs extending from the other ends of the forward ribs and lying in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The central deflection element is centrally located among the plurality of deflection elements, in other words, it is surrounded on both sides of its lateral ribs by an equal number of deflection elements.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the plurality of deflecting elements comprises at least two end deflecting elements, each consisting of a front rib and a lateral rib, and the other deflecting elements of the plurality of deflecting elements are arranged between two of the end deflecting elements, from which it can be deduced that, in projection on a plane containing the axis of rotation, these end deflecting elements have an L-shape.

[0028] According to one embodiment, each end deflector element is positioned near a side edge of the main flap that connects the ends of the first free edge and the second free edge of the main flap, with each free end of the front rib of each end deflector element being closest to one of the side edges.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the main flap has a plane of symmetry perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the main flap.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the mixing device includes an additional flap, the proximal edge of which is hinged to the first free edge of the main flap, the distal end of which is opposite the proximal edge and slidably engages a guide formed in the wall of the casing.

[0031] The present invention also relates to a vehicle, in particular an automobile, comprising a passenger compartment partially defined by a glass surface and an air heat treatment device according to the present invention, wherein at least one air outlet opening of the air heat treatment device is configured to feed a channel adapted to direct air towards the glass surface, and wherein the at least one air outlet opening is configured to direct air towards the feet of at least one user of the vehicle.

[0032] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description and from a number of exemplary embodiments thereof, given in a non-limiting manner with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which: FIG. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows diagrammatically in cross section and perpendicular cross section a heat treatment device according to the invention with the mixing device in a first end position. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows diagrammatically the heat treatment device of FIG. 1 with the mixing device in a second end position. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of the heat treatment apparatus of FIG. 1 with the mixing device in an intermediate position between a first end position and a second end position. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the mixing device of FIGS. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of the main flap of the mixing device of FIG. 4 in projection in the longitudinal and transverse planes. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of the main flap in cross section in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] First, it should be noted that although the drawings describe the details of the present invention for carrying out the invention, the drawings can of course be used to more clearly define the invention as needed. It should also be noted that in all of the drawings, similar elements and / or elements performing the same function are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0035] In the following description, the directions of the longitudinal axis L, the transverse axis T, and the vertical axis V are represented in the drawings by a trihedron (L, T, V).

[0036] 1 to 3 show an apparatus 1 for thermally treating the air in the passenger compartment of a vehicle according to the invention in different configurations. The thermal treatment apparatus 1 is configured to ventilate, heat and / or cool the air in the passenger compartment of a vehicle. The temperature of the passenger compartment can thus be regulated, for example, according to a request from a vehicle user.

[0037] 1 to 3, the heat treatment apparatus 1 comprises a casing 3 including a conveying duct 5, a heating duct 7, at least one distribution duct 9, and a mixing chamber 11, the conveying duct 5, the heating duct 7, the distribution duct 9, and the mixing chamber 11 being formed by the wall of the casing. The conveying duct 5, the heating duct 7, the distribution duct 9, and the mixing chamber 11 are arranged so as to air communicate at least one air inlet opening 13 of the casing 3 with at least one air outlet opening of the casing 3.

[0038] The conveying duct 5 extends from the inlet opening 13 to the mixing chamber 11. The conveying duct 5 is configured to guide at least a portion of the air flowing through the inlet opening 13 into the mixing chamber 11. An evaporator 17 is arranged in the conveying duct 5. The evaporator 17 is configured to cool and dry the air passing through the evaporator 17.

[0039] A ventilation member, not shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, may be arranged near the inlet opening 13. The ventilation member is configured to generate an air flow in a direction from the air inlet opening 13 of the casing 3 toward the outlet openings 15a, 15b of the casing 3. The ventilation member is, for example, a centrifugal fan. An air filter, not shown in the drawings, may be arranged between the ventilation member, not shown, and the evaporator 17.

[0040] The heating duct 7 runs parallel to the conveying duct 5 up to the mixing chamber 11. The heating duct 7 is therefore arranged as a branch of the conveying duct 5. A heating device 19 is arranged in the heating duct 7 and is configured to heat the air flowing through the heating duct 7.

[0041] In an embodiment not shown, an additional heating device, for example of the PTC type, is arranged in the heating duct 7 between the heating device 19 and the mixing chamber 11 .

[0042] The mixing chamber 11 connects the conveying duct 5, the heating duct 7 and the distribution duct 9. The mixing chamber 11 allows the air leaving the conveying duct 5 to be mixed with the air leaving the heating duct 7 so as to obtain the desired temperature of the air intended for the passenger compartment. The conveying duct 5, the heating duct 7 and the mixing chamber 11 therefore have a common junction.

[0043] 1 to 3, a mixer 21 is arranged in the casing, specifically inside the conveying duct, upstream of the mixing chamber with respect to the flow direction of air that will flow through the conveying duct 5. The mixer 21 is configured to be movable between a first end position A shown in FIG. 1, in which the air is prevented from flowing in the conveying duct 5 towards the mixing chamber 11, and a second end position B shown in FIG. 2, in which the air is prevented from flowing towards the heating duct 7.

[0044] In other words, in a first end position, the air is directed towards the heating duct, such that the first end position of the main flap corresponds to the heating function of the heat treatment device, whereas in a second end position, the air is directed towards the mixing chamber only through the conveying duct 5, avoiding the heating circuit, such that the second end position of the main flap corresponds to the ventilation and / or air conditioning function of the heat treatment device.

[0045] The mixing device 21 can also take at least one intermediate position I shown in Figure 3 between the first end position A and the second end position B. In intermediate position I, part of the air flow is directed towards the mixing chamber via the heating duct 7, and another part of the air flow is directed towards the mixing chamber via the conveying duct 5. Thus, by adjusting the amount of cold air flowing into the mixing chamber and the amount of hot air flowing into this same mixing chamber, the temperature of the air flow exiting the mixing chamber 11 can be varied depending on the desired temperature in the vehicle interior.

[0046] 4 to 6, the mixer 21 includes a main flap 23 formed of a shaft 39 and two wings 41, 43 extending from the shaft 39. The shaft 39 is configured so that the main flap 23 can rotate about an axis of rotation R. The axis of rotation R, which in this example extends in the longitudinal direction L, is perpendicular to the overall direction of airflow along the mixer 21.

[0047] Each wing 41, 43 has a free edge that extends along an axis that is substantially parallel to the shaft 39, and thus to the axis of rotation R. The free edges of the wings face each other relative to the shaft 39. One of the free edges of the wings 41, 43 forms the first free edge 29 of the main flap 23, and the other of the free edges of the wings 41, 43 forms the second free edge 31 of the main flap 23. It should be noted that the first free edge 29 of the main flap 23 is opposite the second free edge 31 of the main flap 23.

[0048] The end of the first free edge 29 of the main flap 23 is connected to the end of the second free edge 31 of the main flap 23 by side edges 33, 35 extending along an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation R. The side edges 33, 35 of the main flap 21 are formed by the side edges of the wings 41, 43 and part of the shaft 39.

[0049] Optionally, a first free edge 29 of the main flap 23 is arranged upstream of the air flow in the area of ​​the mixer 21, and a second free edge 31 is arranged downstream of said air flow. In other words, as seen in a plane containing the rotation axis R, the first free edge 29 is closer to the inlet opening 13 than the second free edge 31.

[0050] The two wings 41, 43 and the shaft 39 each have an upper surface that together form the upper surface 25 of the main flap 23, and a lower surface that together form the lower surface 27 of the main flap 23 opposite the upper surface 25 of the main flap 23. The main flap 23 is configured so that the upper surface 25 always faces the mixing chamber 11, regardless of the positions A, B, and I of the mixing device 21.

[0051] It should also be noted that the underside of the main flap, i.e. the underside of the wings and shafts that contribute to its construction, faces the heating duct. In this context, in the second end position shown in Figure 2, the upper surface 25 of the main flap helps to define the path of the air passing in the conveying duct 5 towards the mixing chamber.

[0052] Although not limiting of the present invention, the mixing device 21 may also include an additional flap 45. The additional flap 45 is hinged to the main flap to extend it and to help close the heating duct. This additional flap is particularly shown in Figures 1-4. The additional flap 45 includes a proximal edge 45a hinged to the first free edge 29 of the main flap 23 and a distal edge 45b opposite the proximal edge 45a. The distal edge 45b includes a pin 45c that slidably engages a guide 46 formed in the wall of the casing 3.

[0053] 4-6, the mixing device 21 includes at least one deflection element 51a, 51b, 51c. More specifically, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the mixing device 21 includes a plurality of deflection elements 51a, 51b, 51c, namely, a first end deflection element 51a, a second end deflection element 51c, and a central deflection element 51b. The deflection elements 51a, 51b, 51c protrude from the upper surface 25 of the main flap 23.

[0054] The first end deflection element 51a and the second end deflection element 51c each include a forward rib 53 lying in a longitudinal plane parallel to the axis of rotation R and a lateral rib 59 extending a first end 55 of the forward rib 53 and lying in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation R. These end deflection elements each include only a single lateral rib such that the second end 57 of the forward rib 53 is free.

[0055] Thus, in the projection of the main extension plane of the upper surface 25 of the main flap, the first end deflection element 51a and the second end deflection element 51c each have an L-shape.

[0056] The first end deflector element 51a is positioned near the side edge 33 of the main flap 23. The front rib 53 of the first end deflector element 51a is substantially perpendicular to the first side edge 33 of the main flap 23. The second end 57 of the front rib of the first end deflector element 51a is closer to the side edge 33 of the main flap 23 than the first end 55 of the front rib 53, which is extended by the lateral ribs 59.

[0057] The second end deflector element 51c is positioned near the second side edge 35 of the main flap 23. The front rib 53 of the second end deflector element 51c is substantially perpendicular to the second side edge 35 of the main flap 23. The second end 57 of the front rib of the second end deflector element 51c is closer to the side edge 35 of the main flap 23 than the first end 55 of the front rib 53 of the second end deflector element 51c, which is extended by the lateral rib 59.

[0058] The central deflection element 51c differs from the above-described elements in that it includes a front rib 53 lying in a plane parallel to the axis of rotation R and two lateral ribs 59, 65 each extending from one end of the front rib 53 of the central deflection element 51b. The two lateral ribs 59, 65 of the central deflection element each lie in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation R. The central deflection element 51c is therefore such that the two lateral ribs 59, 65 are substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the front rib 53. In this embodiment, the central deflection element 51c has a U-shape when viewed in the projection of the main extension plane of the upper surface 25 of the main flap.

[0059] For each deflector element 51 a, 51 b, 51 c, a forward rib 53 is formed on the wing 41 that bears at one end against the first free edge 29 of the main flap 23. This forward rib 53 is located near the first free edge 29. In other words, the forward rib 53 of each deflector element 51 a, 51 b, 51 c is closer to the first free edge 29 of the main flap 23 than the second edge 31 of the main flap 23. More specifically, the forward rib 53 of each deflector element 51 a, 51 b, 51 c is closer to the first free edge 29 than the shaft 39 that separates the two wings 41, 43 from each other.

[0060] In Figure 5, the forward ribs 53 of each deflector element 51a, 51b, 51c are aligned with one another along an axis parallel to the axis of rotation R. Thus, airflow likely to encounter the deflector element when passing along the main flap, particularly in the second end or intermediate positions, contacts each of the forward ribs substantially simultaneously.

[0061] The front rib 53 of each deflector element 51 a, 51 b, 51 c extends over 25% or less of the width D1 of the upper surface 25 of the main flap 23. In other words, the extension dimension of the front rib 53 of each deflector element 51 a, 51 b, 51 c is 25% or less of the width D1 of the upper surface 25 of the main flap 23. It is understood that in the present example, these dimensions are considered in the longitudinal direction parallel to the axis of rotation R.

[0062] It should be noted that in FIG. 5 the width D1 is measured from one side edge of the main flap to the other, and the extension dimension Ex of the forward rib 53 of the deflection elements 51 a, 51 b, 51 c is measured from one end 55 to the other end 57 of this forward rib 53, these two dimensions being measured along an axis parallel to the axis of rotation R.

[0063] As mentioned above, it should be noted that these embodiments are not limiting of the present invention, so long as the extension dimension of the forward rib 53 of each deflection element 51a, 51b, 51c is less than or equal to 25% of the width D1 of the upper surface 25 of the main flap 23. Each deflection element may, for example, have a forward rib with an extension dimension that is different from the extension dimensions of the other forward ribs.

[0064] The front ribs 53 of the deflecting elements 51a, 51b, 51c each extend in an extension plane that has an inclination angle α with respect to the extension plane 250 of the upper surface 25 of the main flap 23. As particularly shown in the drawings, the front ribs can be arranged relative to one another so that they extend in a common extension plane 150 that has said inclination with respect to the extension plane 20 of the upper surface 25, i.e. the plane in which this upper surface mainly extends. In an embodiment not shown, each front rib 53 of the deflecting elements 51a, 51b, 51c extends in a different extension plane from the other ribs 53.

[0065] The inclination angle α is 50° to 80°. The inclination angle α is measured counterclockwise from the extension plane 250 of the upper surface 25 of the main flap 23 to the extension plane 150 of the front rib 53 when viewed in projection onto a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis R of the main flap 23.

[0066] 4 to 6, each lateral rib 59, 63 of each deflecting element 51a, 51b, 51c extends continuously from one of the ends of the forward rib 53 to the vicinity of the second free edge 31 of the main flap 23 along an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation R. In addition to the above, in the illustrated example, the lateral ribs 59, 63 of the deflecting elements 51a, 51b, 51c are parallel to each other not only within the same deflecting element but also from one deflecting element to another.

[0067] 5, the lateral ribs 59, 65 of the deflector elements 51a, 51b, 51c have a length N1 that is substantially 80% or more of the length of the upper surface 25 of the main flap 23. The length N1 of the lateral rib is the distance measured along an axis perpendicular to the rotation axis R between one end of the lateral rib and the other free end of the lateral rib of the corresponding forward rib. The length L of the upper surface 25 of the main flap 23 is the distance measured along an axis perpendicular to the rotation axis R between the first free edge 29 and the second free edge 31 of the main flap 23.

[0068] In an embodiment not shown, the at least two lateral ribs each have a different length.

[0069] The central deflection element 51c is arranged between the two deflection elements 51a, 51b along an axis parallel to the rotation axis R. The deflection elements 51a, 51b, 51c are arranged spaced apart from one another along an axis parallel to the rotation axis R. In other words, the deflection elements are arranged side by side along an axis parallel to the rotation axis R, with a space between two adjacent deflection elements.

[0070] From the features described above with reference to FIG. 4, it will be understood that the main flap 23 has a plane of symmetry S perpendicular to the axis of rotation R of the main flap 23 .

[0071] 1 to 3, distribution duct 9 extends between mixing chamber 11 and outlet openings 15a, 15b. Distribution duct 9 is configured to distribute air from the mixing chamber to outlet opening 15a, which feeds upper channel 83 intended to bring a portion of the air to the glass surface, and / or outlet opening 15b, which feeds lower channel 81 intended to bring another portion of the air to the feet of at least one user of said vehicle, whether the user is seated at the front or rear of the vehicle cabin.

[0072] Distributor flaps 47, 49 are arranged in the distributor duct 9 to facilitate distributing the air from the mixing chamber 11 between the outlet openings 15a, 15b. The distributor flaps 47, 49 are configured to be rotatable to partially or totally open or close the passage between the mixing chamber 11 and the distributor duct 9 on the one hand and / or the passage between the mixing chamber 11 and the outlet openings 15a, 15b on the other hand.

[0073] As may be mentioned above, the first end position A of the mixing device 21 shown in Figure 1 corresponds to the case where warm air is required in the vehicle passenger compartment. All of the air that would otherwise enter the conveying duct 5 is directed towards the heating duct 7 to be heated by the heating device 19. Before being directed towards the heating duct 7, the air may come into contact with the underside 27 of the main flap 23, but not with the upper side 25 of the main flap. The heated air is thus guided towards the mixing chamber 11.

[0074] The second end position B of the mixer 21 shown in Figure 2 corresponds to the case where unheated air is required in the vehicle passenger compartment. The mixer 21 is arranged at the inlet of the heating duct between the evaporator 17 and the heating device 19, so that all of the air flowing into the conveying duct 5 is directed towards the mixing chamber. The air flows in particular along the upper surface 25 of the main flap 23, which contributes to defining the area through which the air flows.

[0075] The intermediate position I of the mixing device 21 shown in FIG. 3 corresponds to the case where air that needs to be partially heated is required. After passing through the evaporator, a portion of the air is guided by the upper surface 25 of the main flap 23 to the mixing chamber 11, and another portion is guided, in particular, by the lower surface 27 of the main flap 23 to the heating duct 7. The portion of the air that contacts the upper surface 25 of the main flap 23 is deflected by the forward ribs 53 of the deflecting elements 51a, 51b, and 51c. This allows, according to a first noteworthy functional aspect, a portion of the air flow to be directed in a direction other than the direction in which the air is directed toward the mixing chamber. Specifically, a portion of the air flow can be directed directly toward the air outlet opening 15a and the upper channel 83 dedicated to ventilation of the glass surface, thereby continuously performing a dehumidifying function. The deflection of the air flow by the forward ribs causes the air flow to change from laminar to turbulent. This allows for rapid mixing with the portion of the air that has passed through the heating duct 7. Furthermore, the presence of the front ribs and the lateral ribs extending perpendicularly to them allows the formation of small air passages through which the air flows at high speed. As a result, part of the air flowing along the upper surface 25 reaches the mixing chamber 11 more quickly. This also helps to promote mixing with the air present in the mixing chamber. The various air flows entering the mixing chamber therefore mix quickly, and the air flows that reach the distribution ducts 9 at the outlet of the mixing chamber have a uniform temperature. This ensures that the temperature variations obtained in response to the various positions of the flaps are as smooth as possible.

[0076] Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and many modifications of these embodiments can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An air heat treatment device (1) for a vehicle, comprising a casing (3) containing a conveying duct (5), a heating duct (7) and a mixing chamber (11), the conveying duct (5), the heating duct (7) and the mixing chamber (11) are formed by the wall of the casing (3) and are configured to provide air communication between at least one air inlet opening (13) of the casing (3) and at least one air outlet opening (15) of the casing (3); The conveying duct (5) extends from the air inlet opening (13) to the mixing chamber (11); The heating duct (7) extends parallel to the conveying duct (5) to the mixing chamber (11), The air heat treatment device further comprises a mixing device (21) configured to be movable between a first end position (A) in which the air is intended to flow through the heating duct by preventing the air flow between the conveying duct (5) and the mixing chamber (11) and a second end position (B) in which the air is prevented from flowing through the heating duct (7), The mixing device (21) comprises a main flap (23) adapted to be rotatable about a rotation axis (R), In the heat treatment device, The mixing device (21) further includes deflection elements (51a, 51b, 51c) protruding from the upper surface (25) of the main flap (23), the deflection elements (51a, 51b, 51c) comprise at least one front rib (53) lying in a plane parallel to the axis of rotation (R) and at least one lateral rib (59) extending from one end (55) of the front rib (53), the lateral rib (59) lying in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation (R); the main flap (23) includes a plurality of deflection elements (51 a, 51 b, 51 c), the plurality of deflection elements (51 a, 51 b, 51 c) being spaced apart from one another along an axis parallel to the rotation axis (R), each deflection element (51 a, 51 b, 51 c) being spaced apart from its adjacent deflection element (51 a, 51 b, 51 c), such that a flow path through which air can flow is formed between two adjacent deflection elements (51 a, 51 b, 51 c), and lateral ribs (59) of adjacent deflection elements are parallel to one another and form an air passage through which air can flow at high speed; The air heat treatment device (1), wherein the front ribs (53) of the deflection elements (51a, 51b, 51c) each extend in an extension plane having an inclination angle (α) with respect to an extension plane (250) of the upper surface (25) of the main flap (23), and the inclination angle (α) is in the range of 50° to 80°.

2. The upper surface (25) is configured to face the mixing chamber (11). An air heat treatment device (1) according to claim 1.

3. the main flap (23) includes a first free edge (29) extending parallel to the rotation axis (R), the first free edge (29) being closer to the air inlet opening (13) than a second free edge (31) of the main flap (23) opposite the first free edge (29); The forward rib (53) is located near the first free edge (29) of the main flap (23). An air heat treatment device (1) according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The side ribs (59, 65) extend continuously from the ends (55, 57) of the forward rib (53) to the vicinity of the second free edge (31) of the main flap (23). Air heat treatment device (1) according to claim 3.

5. the main flap (23) includes a shaft (39) configured to enable rotation of the main flap (23) about the rotation axis (R), the shaft (39) being disposed between the first free edge (29) and the second free edge (31) of the main flap (23); When viewed in the projection of a plane containing the axis of rotation (R), the lateral ribs (59, 65) pass through the shaft (39); Air heat treatment device (1) according to claim 4.

6. The lateral rib (59, 65) is a first lateral rib (59), the deflection element (51a, 51b, 51c) includes a second lateral rib (65) protruding from the upper surface (25) of the main flap (23); The second lateral rib (65) extends the other end (57) of the forward rib (53) and lies in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis (R). An air heat treatment device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. the plurality of deflection elements (51a, 51b, 51c) includes a central deflection element (51b) having second lateral ribs (65) protruding from the upper surface (25) of the main flap (23); the second lateral rib (65) extends from the other end (57) of the forward rib (53) and lies in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis (R); The central deflection element (51b) is disposed in the center of the plurality of deflection elements (51a, 51b, 51c). An air heat treatment device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. the plurality of deflection elements (51a, 51b, 51c) includes at least two end deflection elements (51a, 51c) each consisting of a front rib (53) and a lateral rib (55); Another deflection element (51b) of the plurality of deflection elements (51a, 51b, 51c) is disposed between two of the end deflection elements (51a, 51c). An air heat treatment device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

Images