Heating, ventilating and / or air-conditioning device

Abstract

The invention relates to a heating, ventilating and / or air-conditioning device (1), in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising: a casing (2) defining an outside-air path (8) configured to allow a supply of outside air coming from outside the casing (2), and a recycled-air path (9) configured to allow recirculation of air that has been treated in the heating, ventilating and / or air-conditioning device (1), an air filter (10) configured to filter air that passes through this filter, an air prefilter (11) configured to filter air that passes through this prefilter, this prefilter being positioned on the outside-air path, upstream of the filter, such that when outside air is supplied, this outside air can pass firstly through the prefilter (11) and then through the filter (10), and a movable bypass flap (15; 31) configured to allow, in a bypass position, a circulation of outside air and / or of recycled air to bypass the filter (10).

Description

DESCRIPTION Title: HEATING, VENTILATION AND / OR AIR CONDITIONING DEVICE [1] The present invention relates to a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device. [2] A motor vehicle is commonly equipped with a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device to regulate the aerothermal parameters of an air flow distributed towards the interior of the vehicle's passenger compartment. Outside air is used in this type of device. In this case, this outside air should be filtered to avoid pollution in the passenger compartment. [3] The present invention aims in particular to further improve a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device. [4] The invention thus relates to a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising: a housing defining an exterior air path configured to allow a supply of exterior air coming from outside the housing, and a recycled air path configured to allow recirculation of air having been treated in the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device, - an air filter configured to filter air passing through this filter, - an air pre-filter configured to filter air passing through this pre-filter, this pre-filter being arranged on the outside air path, upstream of the filter, so that when outside air is supplied, this outside air can pass first through the pre-filter and then through the filter, - a movable bypass flap configured to allow, in a bypass position, bypassing of the filter by a circulation of outside air and / or recycled air. [5] The present invention achieves several advantages. First, the use of a pre-filter upstream of the filter allows the pre-filter to rid the outside air of larger particles, which allows the filter placed behind the pre-filter to saturate less quickly. In a way, the pre-filter protects the filter so as to extend the life of the filter by sacrificing the pre-filter as a priority. This pre-filter can be chosen with a filtration quality that is lower than that of the filter. For example, the pre-filter can be less expensive than the filter. By protecting the filter, it is thus possible to change this filter less frequently than the pre-filter. The invention thus allows a gain economical in that the filter is changed less often than the pre-filter, for example half as often. [6] According to one aspect of the invention, the air filter is a high efficiency air filter, notably called a HEPA filter in English (for High Efficiency Particulate Air). [7] This high-efficiency filter is particularly capable of filtering particles with a characteristic size less than or equal to 0.3 microns. [8] According to one aspect of the invention, the pre-filter has a lower filtration capacity than the air filter. [9] The invention is also advantageous in that the movable bypass flap allows, in certain operating modes of the vehicle, the circulation of recycled air or outside air by bypassing the filter.

[0010] This is advantageous in order not to generate pressure loss in the air flow when pressure loss reduction takes priority over air filtering.

[0011] It is also possible to avoid saturating this filter by letting the air bypass this filter.

[0012] Generally speaking, the invention allows the preservation of the high efficiency air filter which can be relatively expensive.

[0013] According to one aspect of the invention, the movable bypass flap is placed on the recycled air path and is configured to allow, depending on its position, a circulation of recycled air through the filter or a circulation of recycled air bypassing the filter, or both at the same time.

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, the movable bypass flap can take a first position in which the recycled air is sent through the filter (in particular HEPA filter).

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the movable bypass flap can take a second position in which part of the recycled air is sent through the filter and another part continues its circulation by bypassing the filter.

[0016] It is understood that this movable bypass flap makes it possible to regulate the proportion of recycled air which must be sent through the filter.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, the movable bypass shutter is a butterfly type shutter or a drum type shutter.

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device comprises a movable exterior air inlet flap placed on the exterior air path, in particular downstream of the prefilter.

[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, the movable outside air inlet flap is configured to, in an open position, open the outside air path to allow outside air to circulate on this outside air path passing through the prefilter then the filter.

[0020] According to one aspect of the invention, the movable exterior air inlet flap can also take a closing position closing the exterior air path.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, the movable exterior air flap is configured to, in its position of closing the exterior air path, allow the flow of recycled air through the filter.

[0022] In this open position of the movable outside air inlet flap, only outside air passes through the filter (recycled air cannot pass through the filter.

[0023] According to one aspect of the invention, the movable exterior air intake flap may be a drum-type flap.

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, the movable exterior air intake flap is placed between the pre-filter and the filter.

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, in a partial recycling mode, the movable bypass flap is in the second position allowing the recycled air to flow directly to the motor-fan unit without passing through the filter and the movable outside air inlet flap is open so that outside air is drawn into the housing by passing through the pre-filter and then the filter.

[0026] In a first embodiment of the invention, the pre-filter is placed exclusively on the outside air path. Thus the recycled air does not pass through the pre-filter.

[0027] In a second embodiment of the invention, the pre-filter extends over both the outside air path and the recirculated air path so that the outside air and the recirculated air are systematically filtered by the pre-filter.

[0028] According to one aspect of the invention, the movable bypass flap, in this exemplary embodiment, can be placed in a bypass path through which both outside air and recycled air pass, bypassing the filter.

[0029] According to one aspect of the invention, this movable bypass flap is placed for example on one side of the filter.

[0030] According to one aspect of the invention, the filter and the pre-filter can be attached to each other.

[0031] Alternatively, the filter and pre-filter are arranged at a distance from each other.

[0032] According to one aspect of the invention, the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device comprises a motor-fan unit placed downstream of the pre-filter filter, and in particular downstream of the movable bypass flap.

[0033] According to one aspect of the invention, the filter and / or the pre-filter are placed at the front of an electric motor of the vehicle.

[0034] The invention also relates to a method for controlling a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device as described above, comprising the step of controlling a movable outside air inlet flap to pass outside air through a pre-filter and a filter of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning device.

[0035] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the description which follows on the one hand, and several examples of embodiment given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the appended schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0036] [Fig 1] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device in a first operating mode, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0037] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device of Figure 1, in a second mode of operation;

[0038] [Fig. 3] Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device of Figure 1, in a third mode of operation;

[0039] [Fig. 4] Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device of Figure 1, in a fourth mode of operation;

[0040] [Fig. 5] Figure 5 is a perspective representation of a shutter of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device of Figure 1;

[0041] [Fig. 6] Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0042] [Fig. 7] Figure 7 is a schematic representation of a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0043] The features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be imagined comprising only a selection of features described below in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and / or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0044] Figures 1 to 4 show a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device 1 according to a first example of implementation of the invention, mounted in a vehicle V.

[0045] The heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device 1 comprises a housing 2 and, in the housing 2, heat treatment components, not shown, among which is included, in a manner known per se, an evaporator intended to cool and dehumidify a flow of air circulating in the housing 2.

[0046] These heat treatment components also include a radiator intended to heat a portion of the air flow circulating in the housing 2, and is arranged downstream, relative to the flow of the air flow, of the evaporator. This radiator may optionally be coupled to an additional electric radiator intended to heat the air flow more quickly, in particular when starting the vehicle.

[0047] As illustrated in Fig. 1, an outside air flow Fext is drawn into the housing 2 by at least one outside air inlet 5 on the housing 2, thanks to a motor-fan unit 4 which for this purpose comprises a motor and a bladed wheel.

[0048] These heat treatment components are not described in further detail because they are well known in the state of the art.

[0049] The housing 2 defines an outside air path 8 configured to allow a supply of outside air from outside the housing 2, and a recycled air path 9 configured to allow recirculation of air having been treated in the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device 1.

[0050] The heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device 1 also comprises an air filter 10 configured to filter air which passes through this filter 10, and an air pre-filter 11 configured to filter air which passes through this pre-filter 11.

[0051] The pre-filter 11 is arranged on the outside air path 8, upstream of the filter 10, so that when outside air is supplied, this outside air can pass first through the pre-filter 11 and then through the filter 10.

[0052] The heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device 1 comprises a movable bypass flap 15 configured to allow, in a bypass position, a bypass of the filter 10 by a circulation of recycled air.

[0053] The use of a pre-filter 11 upstream of the filter 10 allows the pre-filter 11 to rid the outside air of larger particles, which allows the filter 10 placed behind the pre-filter 11 to saturate less quickly. In a way, the pre-filter 11 protects the filter 10 so as to extend the life of the filter 10 by sacrificing the pre-filter 11 as a priority. This pre-filter 11 can be chosen with a filtration quality which is lower than that of the filter 10. For example, the pre-filter 11 can be less expensive than the filter 10. By protecting the filter 10, it is thus possible to change this filter 10 at a lower frequency than the pre-filter 11. The invention thus allows an economic gain insofar as the filter 10 is changed less often than the pre-filter 11, for example half as often.

[0054] The 10 air filter is a high-efficiency air filter, also known as a HEPA filter (for High Efficiency Particulate Air).

[0055] This high efficiency 10 filter is particularly capable of filtering particles with a characteristic size less than or equal to 0.3 microns.

[0056] Pre-filter 11 Pre-filter 11 has a lower filtration capacity than air filter 10.

[0057] The movable bypass flap 15 allows, in certain operating modes of the vehicle, the circulation of recycled air by bypassing the filter 10.

[0058] This is advantageous in order not to generate pressure loss in the air flow when pressure loss reduction takes priority over air filtering.

[0059] It is also possible not to saturate this filter 10 by letting the air bypass this filter 10.

[0060] Generally speaking, the invention makes it possible to preserve the high efficiency air filter 10 which can be relatively expensive.

[0061] In the example described, the movable bypass flap 15 (shown in isolation in FIG. 5) is placed on the recycled air path 9 and is configured to allow, depending on its position, a circulation of recycled air through the filter 10 or a circulation of recycled air bypassing the filter 10, or both at the same time.

[0062] The movable bypass shutter 15 is a butterfly-type shutter or a drum-type shutter, rotatably mounted relative to the housing 2.

[0063] The heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device 1 also comprises a movable exterior air inlet flap 16 placed on the exterior air path 8, downstream of the prefilter 11.

[0064] The movable outside air inlet flap 16 is configured to, in an open position, open the outside air path 8 to allow outside air to circulate on this outside air path 8 passing through the prefilter 11 then the filter 10. In this position open of the movable outside air inlet flap 16, only outside air passes through the filter 10, the recycled air not being able to pass through the filter 10.

[0065] The movable exterior air inlet flap 15 can also take a closing position closing the exterior air path 8.

[0066] The movable outside air flap 8 is configured to, in its position of closing the outside air path, allow the flow of recycled air through the filter 10.

[0067] The movable exterior air inlet flap 16 may be a drum-type flap, similar to the flap 15.

[0068] The movable outside air inlet flap 16 is placed between the prefilter 11 and the filter 10.

[0069] The movable bypass flap 15 can take a first position in which the recycled air is sent through the filter 10.

[0070] The movable bypass flap 15 can take a second position in which part of the recycled air is sent through the filter 10 and another part continues its circulation by bypassing the filter 10.

[0071] It is understood that this movable bypass flap 15 makes it possible to regulate the proportion of recycled air which must be sent through the filter 10.

[0072] In a first operating mode illustrated in Figure 1 (called “outside air” mode), the movable outside air inlet flap 16 is in the open position to allow outside air to circulate on this outside air path 8 passing through the prefilter 11 then the filter 10. The recycled air path 9 is inactive.

[0073] In a second operating mode illustrated in Figure 2, the movable outside air inlet flap 16 is in the closed position closing the outside air path 8. No outside air supplies the housing 2. The movable bypass flap 15 is then in the first position in which the recycled air is sent via the path 9 through the filter 10. This recycled air then passes through the motor-fan unit 4. This mode is called “fully filtered recycled air (by the filter 10)”.

[0074] In a third operating mode illustrated in Figure 3, the movable outside air inlet flap 16 is in the closed position closing the outside air path 8. No outside air feeds the housing 2. The movable bypass flap 15 is in the second position so that recycled air is sent both via the path 9 through the filter 10 and directly to the motor-fan unit 4 without passing through the filter 10. This mode is called “partially filtered recycled air (by the filter 10)” " ,

[0075] It is possible to consider having the flap 15 in a position which forces the recycled air to pass completely around the filter 10.

[0076] In a fourth operating mode illustrated in Figure 4, the movable outside air inlet flap 16 is in the open position to allow outside air to circulate on this outside air path 8 passing through the pre-filter 11 then the filter 10. The movable bypass flap 15 is in the second position so that recycled air is sent directly to the motor-fan unit 4 without passing through the filter 10. The recycled air path through the filter 10 is then blocked by the movable outside air inlet flap 16. This mode is called “partial recycled air”.

[0077] In the embodiment which has just been described, the prefilter 11 is placed exclusively on the outside air path 8. Thus the recycled air does not pass through the prefilter 11.

[0078] In a second embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 6, the prefilter 11 extends over both the outside air path 8 and the recycled air path 9 so that the outside air and the recycled air are systematically filtered by the prefilter 11.

[0079] The movable bypass flap 30, in this exemplary embodiment, can be placed in a bypass path 31 through which both the outside air and the recycled air pass, bypassing the filter 10 (HEPA).

[0080] This mobile bypass flap 31 is placed for example on one side of the filter 10.

[0081] A second flap 32 upstream of the prefilter 11 is provided to selectively open or close the outside air path 8 and the recycled air path 9.

[0082] The shutter 32 and the bypass movable shutter 30 are configured to allow all possible combinations, namely:

[0083] - the case where outside air from the outside air path 8 is sent through the pre-filter 11, then passes through the high efficiency filter 10, the movable bypass flap 30 being closed;

[0084] - the case where outside air coming from the outside air path 8 is sent through the pre-filter 11 then passes through the bypass path 31, without passing through the filter 10, the movable bypass flap 30 being open;

[0085] - the case where the outside air path 8 is blocked by the flap 32 and the recycled air coming from the recycled air path 9 passes through the pre-filter 11 then through the filter 10, the bypass flap 30 then being closed;

[0086] - the case where recycled air from the recycled air path 9 passes through the pre-filter 11 and is then sent into the bypass path 30, without passing through the filter 10, the movable bypass flap 30 being open.

[0087] The filter 10 and the pre-filter 11 can be placed next to each other, or arranged with a space between them.

[0088] Generally speaking, the filter 10 and / or the pre-filter 11 can be placed at the front of an electric motor of the vehicle.

[0089] Another example of implementation of the invention has been described with reference to FIG. 7 in which the recycled air path 9 is not placed upstream of the prefilter 11 but downstream of this prefilter 11.

[0090] In the example of Figure 7, the outside air path 8 is upstream of the prefilter 11 and is provided with a flap 33 which manages the opening and closing of this outside air path 8.

[0091] The recycled air path 9 is provided with a flap 34 making it possible to open or close this recycled air path 9 which arrives downstream of the prefilter 11 and upstream of the high efficiency filter 10 and the bypass path 30.

[0092] In this example of Figure 7, the recirculated air from the recirculated air path 9 never passes through the prefilter 11.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. Heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device (1), in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising: - a housing (2) defining an outside air path (8) configured to allow a supply of outside air from outside the housing (2), and a recycled air path (9) configured to allow recirculation of air having been treated in the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device (1), - an air filter (10) configured to filter air passing through this filter, - an air pre-filter (11) configured to filter air passing through this pre-filter, this pre-filter being arranged on the outside air path, upstream of the filter, so that when outside air is supplied, this outside air can pass first through the pre-filter (11) and then through the filter (10), - a movable bypass flap (15; 31) configured to allow, in a bypass position, bypassing of the filter (10) by a circulation of outside air and / or recycled air.

2. Device according to the preceding claim, in which the air filter (10) is a high-efficiency air filter, in particular capable of filtering particles with a characteristic size less than or equal to 0.3 microns.

3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the pre-filter (11) has a lower filtration capacity than the air filter (10).

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the movable bypass flap (15) is placed on the recycled air path and is configured to allow, depending on its position, a circulation of recycled air through the filter (10) or a circulation of recycled air bypassing the filter (10), or both at the same time.

5. Device according to the preceding claim, in which the movable bypass flap (15) is capable of taking a first position in which the recycled air is sent through the filter (10), and a second position in which a portion of the recycled air is sent through the filter (10) and another portion continues its circulation by bypassing the filter (10).

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device comprises a movable exterior air inlet flap (16) placed on the exterior air path, in particular downstream of the prefilter (11), and the movable exterior air inlet flap (16) is in particular configured to, in an open position, open the exterior air path to allow exterior air to circulate on this exterior air path passing through the prefilter (11) then the filter (10), the movable exterior air inlet flap (16) also being able to take a closing position closing the exterior air path (8).

7. Device according to claim 6, in which, in a partial recycling mode, the movable bypass flap (15) is in a second position allowing the recycled air to flow directly to a motor-fan unit (4) without passing through the filter (10) and the movable outside air inlet flap (16) is open so that outside air is drawn into the housing by passing through the pre-filter (11) then the filter (10).

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the prefilter (11) is placed exclusively on the external air path (8).

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which the prefilter (11) extends over both the outside air path (8) and the recycled air path (9) so that the outside air and the recycled air are systematically filtered by the prefilter (11).

10. Method for controlling a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the step of controlling a movable outside air inlet flap (16) to pass outside air through a pre-filter (11) and a filter (10) of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning device.

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