Housing for a heating, ventilation and / or air-conditioning device

Abstract

The invention relates to a housing (1) for a heating, ventilation and / or air-conditioning device (200), the housing comprising at least one air passage opening (2) configured to be connected to an air duct (201), wherein the air passage opening (2) has a main air flow axis (X) and comprises at least one centring structure (4) that is formed in one piece with the air passage opening (2) and is configured to co-operate with the air duct (201) to allow the air duct (201) to be centred with respect to the air passage opening (2) when the air duct (201) is mounted on this air passage opening (2), and wherein the centring structure (4) has a cross section taken perpendicular to the main axis (X), which cross section increases as it approaches the air passage opening (2).

Description

DESCRIPTION Title: Housing of a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device [1] The invention relates in particular to a housing of a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device and a plurality of air ducts connected to this housing. [2] The heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device is in particular configured to be installed in a vehicle, and allows, for example, air at a controlled temperature to be sent into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. [3] Air ducts, flexible or rigid, allow treated air to be directed from the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device to air outlets in the vehicle passenger compartment. [4] The assembly of air ducts on the housing of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device requires precise adjustment and alignment to guide the air without losses. [5] Air ducts are known which have a centering collar to facilitate the sealed assembly of the air flow paths on a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device. The collar consists of a flared portion at the end of the air duct. However, this collar increases the thickness of the air duct at its end. The use of this collar therefore sets a minimum distance between two air ducts fixed to the housing of a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device. [6] This minimum distance adds an additional constraint for the design of the housing of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device, in particular reduces the compactness of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device. [7] This loss of compactness is particularly critical in the automotive sector where space saving is extremely important. [8] The invention aims to reduce the minimum distance between two air ducts of the housing of a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device. [9] The invention thus relates to a housing for a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device comprising at least one air passage opening configured to be connected to an air duct, the air passage opening having a main air circulation axis and comprising at least one centering structure made in one piece with the air passage opening and configured to cooperate with the air duct to allow centering of the air duct relative to the air passage opening when of mounting the duct on this air passage opening, the centering structure having a cross-section taken perpendicular to the main axis, cross-section which increases when the cross-section approaches the air passage opening.

[0010] Advantageously, the use of a centering form inside an air passage opening makes it possible to avoid using a centering collar on the end of an air duct.

[0011] Thus, the invention makes it possible to reduce the spacing between the air passage vents on a housing of a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device.

[0012] Advantageously, no additional part is necessary for implementing the invention, the centering shapes being for example molded in the same block as the air passage vents.

[0013] According to one aspect of the invention, each passage mouth comprises an annular wall having an annular border delimiting an air passage zone, and the centering structure connects to this annular border.

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, the two neighboring air passage openings are spaced apart by a distance less than or equal to 9 mm.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the centering structure is produced with the air passage mouth by molding, in particular from a plastic material.

[0016] Alternatively, the centering structure is welded with the air passage mouth.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, the centering structure comprises one or more walls, in particular with a thickness less than or equal to 2 mm.

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, the wall(s) of the centering structure are parallel to the main axis of the air passage opening.

[0019] The main axis of the air passage mouth is called an axis perpendicular to the section of the air passage mouth.

[0020] In particular, when the housing of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device is produced by molding, the main axis of the air passage opening may coincide with the demolding axis of the air passage opening.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, the centering structure does not provide any significant resistance to the passage of air through the air passage opening of the housing of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device.

[0022] In addition, the walls of the centering structure being parallel to the demolding axis makes it easier to mold the centering structure in the same block as the housing of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device.

[0023] According to one aspect of the invention, the air passage openings of the housing of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device are of rectangular section, possibly with rounded corners.

[0024] Alternatively, the air passage vents of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device housing are round or oval in section.

[0025] The connection of the air ducts to the housing of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device is made to air passage vents in the housing of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device.

[0026] According to one aspect of the invention, the centering structure is configured to be inserted inside an air duct connected to the air passage opening.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, the centering structure comprises a base adjacent the annular edge of the air passage opening and a top which is located at the end of the centering structure, the end furthest from the air passage opening.

[0028] According to one aspect of the invention, the top of the centering structure is inscribed inside the periphery of the air passage opening when the centering structure is observed in a direction perpendicular to this periphery.

[0029] According to one aspect of the invention, the centering structure flares as one approaches the periphery of the air passage opening from the top.

[0030] According to one aspect of the invention, the centering structure extends outside the air passage opening of the housing of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device.

[0031] According to one aspect of the invention, the centering structure comprises one or more beveled edges connecting the base and the top, in particular beveled edges with an angle of between 10° and 45°.

[0032] The presence of beveled edges, straight or curved, allows an air duct to be guided effectively when it is brought closer to the air passage opening.

[0033] According to one aspect of the invention, the beveled edges are concurrent at the apex. The apex then has a pointed shape.

[0034] Alternatively, the top has a flat surface and the beveled edges join this flat surface.

[0035] According to one aspect of the invention, the centering structure comprises a plurality of fins.

[0036] According to one aspect of the invention, the fins are arranged in a cross.

[0037] For example, in the case where the air passage opening of the housing has a rectangular section, the fins are placed along the diagonals of the rectangular profile of the air passage opening.

[0038] According to one aspect of the invention, the fins have beveled edges.

[0039] According to one aspect of the invention, the fins define four air passage channels in the air passage mouth.

[0040] According to another aspect of the invention, the centering structure comprises a plurality of centering shapes which are spaced apart from each other.

[0041] According to one aspect of the invention, these centering forms each take the form of a stud.

[0042] According to one aspect of the invention, each stud is arranged at a corner of the perimeter of the air passage opening.

[0043] According to one aspect of the invention, the pads have, in a section perpendicular to the main axis of the air passage opening, a rounded “C” profile, the ends of which join two adjacent faces of the annular wall which defines the air passage opening.

[0044] According to one aspect of the invention, each pad comprises a base adjacent to the annular wall which defines the air passage opening and a top.

[0045] According to one aspect of the invention, each stud has a shape which flares from the top towards the base.

[0046] The use of studs uses less material than cross-centering structures placed along the diagonals of the air passage profile.

[0047] According to one aspect of the invention, the four pads define four air passage channels in the four corners of the air passage mouth, as well as a central air passage channel located between the pads.

[0048] According to one aspect of the invention, the housing of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device comprises a plurality of air passage vents, in particular at least two air passage vents, in particular six air passage vents.

[0049] According to one aspect of the invention, the air passage vents of the housing of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device are air outlet vents.

[0050] According to one aspect of the invention, the air passage vents are distributed on each side of a median plane of the housing of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device.

[0051] The invention also relates to a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device comprising a housing as described above.

[0052] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising: a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device as described previously, at least one air duct fixed to an air passage opening of the housing of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device.

[0053] According to one aspect of the invention, the inner contour of the air duct has the same shape and size as the outer contour of the air passage opening of the housing of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device.

[0054] In particular, in the case where the air passage vents of the housing have a rectangular section, the air ducts are tubes of substantially rectangular section.

[0055] The top of the centering structure first meets the duct which is attached and then, as the duct is introduced along the centering structure, the shape which widens towards its base, allows the duct to be gradually centered in relation to the air passage opening.

[0056] Once the air ducts are assembled onto the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning unit housing, the centering structures extend inside the air ducts.

[0057] The invention also relates to a mounting method as described previously, the mounting method comprising at least the following step: mounting an air duct on an air passage opening of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device by centering the air duct on the centering structure of the air passage opening.

[0058] 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:

[0059] [Fig 1] Figure 1 is a representation, in section, of an assembly according to an example of the invention, with a housing;

[0060] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the housing of Figure 1;

[0061] [Fig. 3] Figure 3 is a view of a centering structure of the housing illustrated in Figures 1 and 2;

[0062] [Fig. 4] Figure 4 is a view of a centering structure of the housing according to another embodiment.

[0063] 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 conceived 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.

[0064] Figure 1 shows an assembly 100 comprising: a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device 200 according to the invention, comprising a housing 1, air ducts 201 each fixed to an air passage opening 2 of the housing 1 of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device 200.

[0065] The heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device 200, also called HVAC, comprises, in a manner known per se, heat exchangers such as an evaporator, an electric heating device, etc., as well as a motor-fan unit to create air circulation.

[0066] The inner contour of the air duct 201 has the same shape and size as the outer contour of the air passage mouth 2 of the housing 1.

[0067] In particular, in the case where the air passage vents 2 of the housing 1 have a rectangular section, the air ducts 201 are tubes (or pipes) of substantially rectangular section.

[0068] The air passage vents 2 are distributed on each side of a median plane PM of the housing 1.

[0069] Each air passage mouth 2 has a main axis X of air circulation.

[0070] The housing 1 comprises, for each air passage opening 2, a centering structure 4 made in one piece with the air passage opening 2 and configured to cooperate with the air duct 201 to allow centering of the air duct 201 relative to the air passage opening 2 when mounting the duct 201 on this air passage opening 2.

[0071] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the centering structure 4 has a cross-section taken perpendicular to the main axis X, a cross-section which increases as the cross-section approaches the air passage opening 2.

[0072] Each air passage opening 2 comprises an annular wall 6 having an annular edge 7 delimiting an air passage zone, and the centering structure 4 connects to this annular edge 7.

[0073] Figure 2 shows a centering structure 4 only for one of the mouths 2, for the sake of clarity.

[0074] The 2 neighboring air passage vents are separated by a distance “a” less than or equal to 3 mm.

[0075] The centering structure 7 is produced with the air passage mouth 2 by molding, in particular from a plastic material.

[0076] Alternatively, the centering structure 4 is welded with the air passage mouth 2.

[0077] The centering structure 4 comprises several walls 9, in particular with a thickness less than or equal to 2 mm.

[0078] These walls 9 of the centering structure 4 are parallel to the main axis X of the air passage opening 2.

[0079] The main axis X of the air passage mouth 2 is called an axis perpendicular to the section of the air passage mouth 2.

[0080] In particular, when the housing 1 of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device is produced by molding, the main axis X of the air passage opening may coincide with the demolding axis of the air passage opening 2.

[0081] The centering structure 4 does not offer any significant resistance to the passage of air into the air passage opening 2.

[0082] In addition, the walls 9 of the centering structure 4 being parallel to the demolding axis makes it easier to mold the centering structure in the same block as the housing of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device.

[0083] The air passage vents 2 are rectangular in section, with rounded corners.

[0084] Alternatively, the air passage vents of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device housing are round or oval in section.

[0085] The connection of the air ducts 201 on the housing 1 is made on air passage vents 2.

[0086] The centering structure 4 is configured to be inserted inside the air duct 201 connected to the air passage mouth 2.

[0087] The centering structure 4 comprises a base 10 adjacent to the annular edge 7 of the air passage opening and a top 11 which is located at the end of the centering structure, the end furthest from the air passage opening 2.

[0088] The vertex 11 of the centering structure 4 is inscribed inside the perimeter of the air passage opening 2 when the centering structure 3 is observed in a direction X perpendicular to this perimeter (see figure 3).

[0089] The top 11 of the centering structure 4 substantially at the center of the perimeter 7.

[0090] The centering structure 4 flares out as one approaches the periphery of the air passage opening 2 from the top 11.

[0091] The centering structure 4 extends outside the air passage mouth 2.

[0092] The centering structure 4 comprises several beveled edges 12 connecting the base 10 and the top 11, in particular beveled edges with an angle ANG between 10° and 45° (see figure 1).

[0093] The presence of beveled edges 12, straight or curved, makes it possible to effectively guide an air duct 2 when it is brought closer to the air passage opening.

[0094] The summit 11 has a flat surface and the beveled edges 12 join this flat surface.

[0095] In the example of figures 1 to 3, the centering structure 4 comprises a plurality of fins 9 formed by the walls.

[0096] The walls / fins 9 are arranged in a cross.

[0097] For example, in the case where the air passage opening of the housing has a rectangular section, the fins 9 are placed along the diagonals of the rectangular profile of the air passage opening 2 (see figure 3).

[0098] The fins 9 have beveled edges.

[0099] The fins 9 delimit four air passage channels in the air passage mouth 2.

[0100] Alternatively, in the example of Figure 4, the centering structure 40 comprises a plurality of centering shapes 41 which are spaced apart from each other.

[0101] These centering forms 41 each come in the form of a stud.

[0102] Each stud 41 is arranged at a rounded corner 42 of the perimeter of the air passage opening 2.

[0103] The studs 41 have, in a section perpendicular to the main axis of the air passage opening, a rounded “C” profile, the ends of which join two adjacent faces 44 of the annular wall 6 which defines the air passage opening.

[0104] Each pad 41 comprises a base 45 adjacent to the annular wall 6 which defines the air passage opening and a top 46.

[0105] Each pad 41 has a shape which flares from the top 46 towards the base 45.

[0106] The use of 41 studs uses less material than cross-centering structures placed along the diagonals of the air passage profile.

[0107] The four studs 41 define four air passage channels in the four corners of the air passage mouth, as well as a central air passage channel located between the studs.

[0108] The top of the centering structure 4 first meets the duct 201 which is attached then, as the duct is introduced along the centering structure 4, the shape which widens towards its base, makes it possible to gradually center the duct in relation to the air passage opening.

[0109] Once the air ducts are assembled on the housing 1, the centering structures 4 extend inside the air ducts 201.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. Housing (1) of a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device (200) comprising at least one air passage opening (2) configured to be connected to an air duct (201), the air passage opening having a main axis (X) of air circulation and comprising at least one centering structure (4; 40) made in one piece with the air passage opening (2) and configured to cooperate with the air duct to allow centering of the air duct relative to the air passage opening when the duct is mounted on this air passage opening (2), the centering structure (4; 40) having a cross-section taken perpendicular to the main axis (X), cross-section which increases when the cross-section approaches the air passage opening (2).

2. Housing (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the centering structure (4; 40) is produced with the air passage opening (2) by molding, in particular from a plastic material.

3. Housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the centering structure (4; 40) comprises one or more walls (9), in particular parallel to the main axis (X) of the air passage opening.

4. Housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the centering structure (4; 40) is configured to be inserted inside an air duct connected to the air passage opening.

5. Housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the centering structure (4; 40) comprises a base (10) adjacent to the annular edge of the air passage opening and a top (11) which is located at the end of the centering structure, the end furthest from the air passage opening.

6. Housing (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the top (11) of the centering structure is inscribed inside the periphery of the air passage opening when the centering structure is observed in a direction perpendicular to this periphery.

7. Housing (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the centering structure (4) widens when approaching the periphery of the air passage opening from the top.

8. Housing (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the structure centering comprises one or more beveled edges (12) connecting the base and the top, in particular beveled edges with an angle between 10° and 45°.

9. Housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the centering structure comprises a plurality of fins (9).

10. Housing (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the centering structure (40) comprises a plurality of centering shapes (41) which are spaced from each other.

11. Heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device comprising a housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

12. Assembly comprising: a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device according to one of the preceding claims, at least one air duct (201) fixed to an air passage opening of the housing (1) of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device.

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