Heating, ventilation and / or air-conditioning device and system, in particular for a motor vehicle

The system addresses the bulkiness of vehicle HVAC units by using bypass channels and adjustable heat exchangers to control airflow temperature and flow rate, reducing size and maintaining temperature control through heat transfer fluid adjustments.

WO2026082685A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2026-04-23VALEO ELECTRIFICATION
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
VALEO ELECTRIFICATION
Filing Date
2025-10-14
Publication Date
2026-04-23

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing ventilation, heating, and air conditioning units in motor vehicles are bulky due to the use of mixing flaps that regulate airflow temperature, leading to increased size and complexity.

Method used

A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system for vehicles that eliminates mixing flaps by using bypass channels and adjustable heat exchangers to control airflow temperature and flow rate, allowing for reduced unit size while maintaining temperature control through adjustable heat transfer fluid parameters.

Benefits of technology

The system reduces the overall size of the unit, particularly in the axial direction, while effectively controlling airflow temperature and flow rate, enabling tailored temperature adjustments for different vehicle areas without the need for mixing flaps.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The invention relates to a heating, ventilation and / or air-conditioning device comprising a housing (2) for circulation of an air flow, a first heat exchanger (24) for, at least in certain operating modes of the device, cooling at least a portion of the air flow in the housing that passes through the first heat exchanger (24) and thus generating a cold air flow downstream in the direction of circulation of the air, and, downstream of the first heat exchanger (24) in the direction of circulation of the air, a second heat exchanger (22) for, at least in certain operating modes of the device, heating at least a portion of the air flow in the housing that passes through the second heat exchanger (22) and thus generating a hot air flow downstream in the direction of circulation of the air, the housing (2) comprising at least one bypass channel for bypassing the first heat exchanger (24) and at least one bypass channel for bypassing the second heat exchanger (22) and at least one first movable member for at least partially closing off at least one of the first bypass channel and the second bypass channel, the housing being further configured such that, in all the operating modes of the device, a portion of the air flow passes through the first heat exchanger (24) and a portion of the air flow passes through the second heat exchanger (22).
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Description

[0001] TITLE: Heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning devices and systems, particularly for motor vehicles

[0002] The invention relates to a device and a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system, in particular for motor vehicles.

[0003] In this field, it is common to find ventilation, heating, and / or air conditioning units equipped with a heat exchanger that heats the airflow passing through the unit. To provide an unheated airflow, it is also common to equip the unit with a bypass duct around the heat exchanger, which also provides heating. To regulate the airflow temperature, a mixing damper is used to blend a warm portion of the airflow that has passed through the exchanger with a cool portion of the airflow that has passed through the bypass duct. The temperature of the airflow exiting the unit thus depends on the proportions of warm and cool air used for mixing.

[0004] One disadvantage of mixing shutters is that they lead to an increase in the overall size of the unit.

[0005] The invention aims to overcome, at least in part, the aforementioned drawbacks and proposes for this purpose a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device, particularly for motor vehicles, said device comprising an airflow circulation casing, a first heat exchanger for, at least in certain operating modes of said device, cooling at least a portion of said airflow from the casing passing through said first heat exchanger and thus generating downstream a flow of cold air in the direction of air circulation, and, downstream of the first heat exchanger in the direction of air circulation, a second heat exchanger for, at least in certain operating modes of said device, heating at least a portion of said airflow from the casing passing through said second heat exchanger and thus generating a flow of hot air downstream in the direction of air circulation.said housing comprising at least one bypass channel of said first heat exchanger, referred to as the first bypass channel, and at least one bypass channel of said second heat exchanger, referred to as the second bypass channel, and at least one first movable device for at least partial closure of at least one of said first bypass channel and said second bypass channel, for example a movable device for at least partial closure of said first bypass channel and a movable device for at least partial closure of the second channel or a common device for at least partial closure of said first channel and said second channel, said housing being further configured such that, in all operating modes of the device, there is a portion of airflow passing through said first heat exchanger and a portion of airflow passing through said second heat exchanger,such that said first heat exchanger and said second heat exchanger are always at least partially open to the airflow.

[0006] In other words, in the device according to the invention, there are no movable flaps, such as prior art mixing flaps, intended to more or less obstruct airflow through the second heat exchanger in said housing, either upstream or downstream of said second heat exchanger, without excluding the possibility of airflow distribution flaps at the housing outlet. Consequently, with the housing according to the invention, at least a portion of the airflow exiting the housing systematically passes upstream through said second heat exchanger.

[0007] This allows for a reduction in the unit's overall size, particularly in the X-shaped direction of vehicle movement, while maintaining control over the outgoing airflow temperature. This control is achieved at least partially, if not primarily, or even essentially, through the temperature and / or flow rate of the heat transfer fluid circulating in the second heat exchanger, rather than using mixing flaps. The bypass channels and their control components allow for further adjustment of the airflow temperature at the unit's outlet, potentially tailored to the specific air outlet(s) targeted, thanks to the location of these bypass channels relative to the second heat exchanger.

[0008] Furthermore, thanks to the invention, it is possible to increase the passage area when the second bypass channel is at least partially open. The invention also allows for modulating the temperature stratification in the area of ​​the second bypass channel.

[0009] Depending on various additional characteristics, which can be taken together or separately:

[0010] - said housing is configured so that the cross-section of air passage through said first heat exchanger is constant and so that the cross-section of air passage through said second heat exchanger is constant, in all operating modes of the device;

[0011] - said casing does not include at least a partial closing device for said passage section through said first heat exchanger and does not include at least a partial closing device for said passage section through said second heat exchanger;

[0012] - said first heat exchanger is configured for heat exchange between the airflow passing through said first heat exchanger and a heat transfer fluid of adjustable temperature and / or flow rate intended to circulate in said first heat exchanger;

[0013] - said second heat exchanger is configured for heat exchange between the airflow passing through said second heat exchanger and a heat transfer fluid of adjustable temperature and / or flow rate intended to circulate in said second heat exchanger;

[0014] - which at least one first movable shuttering element and the housing are configured to allow a first operating mode of the device in which said first bypass channel is closed and said second bypass channel is open;

[0015] - said at least one first movable shuttering element and the housing are configured to allow a second operating mode of the device in which said first bypass channel is open and said second bypass channel is closed;

[0016] - said at least one first movable shuttering element and the housing are configured to allow a third operating mode of the device in which said first bypass channel is partially open and said second bypass channel is partially open; - said at least one first movable shuttering element and the housing are configured to allow a fourth operating mode of the device in which said first bypass channel is closed and said second bypass channel is partially open;

[0017] - said at least one first movable shuttering element and the housing are configured to allow a fifth operating mode of the device in which said first bypass channel is partially open and said second bypass channel is closed;

[0018] - said at least one first movable obturating device includes a common obturating device at least partially of said first channel and of said second channel;

[0019] - said common body is a movable flap arranged between said first heat exchanger and said second heat exchanger, for example a butterfly type flap;

[0020] - said housing comprises a partition separating the airflow into a left airflow, for example for the driver of the vehicle, and a right airflow, for example for the front passenger of the vehicle, said partition separating said housing into a so-called "left" zone and a so-called "right" zone and at least partially surrounding said first heat exchanger and said second heat exchanger, said first bypass channel of said first heat exchanger being divided into a first left bypass channel of said first heat exchanger and a first right bypass channel of said first heat exchanger, and said second bypass channel of said second heat exchanger being divided into a second left bypass channel of said second heat exchanger and a second right bypass channel of said second heat exchanger,said at least one first movable obturating device comprising at least one first left movable obturating device for at least partial obturating of at least one of said first left bypass channel and said second left bypass channel and at least one first right movable obturating device for at least partial obturating of at least one of said first right bypass channel and said second right bypass channel;

[0021] - the device includes a control unit; - the device (or its control unit) is configured such that said at least one first movable left shuttering element and said at least one first movable right shuttering element are independently controllable so as to obtain a different heat treatment of the airflow on the left and the airflow on the right;

[0022] -the device (or its control unit) is configured so that it has at least one "summer" operating mode in which said first heat exchanger is active and cold so as to cool the airflow through said first heat exchanger and said second heat exchanger is inactive so as not to significantly change the temperature of the airflow through said second heat exchanger;

[0023] - the device (or its control unit) is configured so that it has a "summer max cold" operating mode, in all or part of the housing, in which said at least one first movable shuttering member and the housing are configured so that, in this "summer max cold" operating mode, said first bypass channel is closed and said second bypass channel is preferably open;

[0024] - the device (or its control unit) is configured so that it has a "summer less cold" operating mode, in all or part of the housing, in which said at least one first movable shuttering member and the housing are configured so that, in this "summer less cold" operating mode, said first bypass channel is at least partially open and said second bypass channel is preferably closed;

[0025] - the device (or its control unit) is configured so that it has the "summer max cold" operating mode in said "left" zone of the housing and the "summer less cold" operating mode in said right zone of the housing, or vice versa;

[0026] - the device (or its control unit) is configured such that it has at least one "winter" operating mode in which said first heat exchanger is inactive so as not to significantly change the temperature of the airflow through said first heat exchanger, and said second heat exchanger is active and hot so as to warm the airflow through said second heat exchanger; - the device (or its control unit) is configured such that it has a "winter max warm" operating mode, in all or part of the housing, in which said at least one first movable shuttering element and the housing are configured so that, in this "winter max warm" operating mode, said first bypass channel is preferably open and said second bypass channel is closed;

[0027] - the device (or its control unit) is configured so that it has a "winter less heat" operating mode, in all or part of the housing, in which said at least one first movable shuttering member and the housing are configured so that, in this "winter less heat" operating mode, said first bypass channel is preferably closed and said second bypass channel is at least partially open;

[0028] - the device (or its control unit) is configured so that it has the "winter max warm" operating mode in said "left" zone of the housing and the "winter less warm" operating mode in said right zone of the housing, or vice versa;

[0029] - the device (or its control unit) is configured such that it has at least one "heating" operating mode in which said first heat exchanger is active and cold so as to cool the airflow through said first heat exchanger, and said second heat exchanger is active and hot so as to heat the airflow through said second heat exchanger;

[0030] - the device (or its control unit) is configured so that it has a "whole heating" operating mode, in all or part of the housing, in which said at least one first movable shuttering member and the housing are configured so that, in this "whole heating" operating mode, said first bypass channel is preferably closed and said second bypass channel is closed;

[0031] - the device (or its control unit) is configured so that it has a "heating less hot" operating mode, in all or part of the housing, in which at least one first movable shuttering member and the housing are configured so that, in this "heating whole" operating mode, said first bypass channel is preferably closed and said second bypass channel is at least partially open;

[0032] - the device (or its control unit) is configured so that it has the "full heating" operating mode in said "left" area of ​​the housing and the "less hot heating" operating mode in said right area of ​​the housing, or vice versa;

[0033] - said at least one second bypass channel of the second heat exchanger comprises two second bypass channels, one on each side of said second heat exchanger, for example at the top and bottom in the vehicle reference frame, said at least one movable shutting device comprising two movable shutting devices at least partially of the two second bypass channels, at least one for each second bypass channel, so as to allow different temperature stratification on each side of said second heat exchanger, downstream of said second heat exchanger.

[0034] - said at least one first movable shuttering element includes a movable flap, for example of the butterfly type;

[0035] - said casing includes a stratification chamber configured to allow a combination of said hot portion, on the one hand, and on the other hand, of a part of the cold portion coming from said first of the second bypass channels (34), said first combination, and / or of a part of the cold portion coming from said second of the second bypass channels, said second combination.

[0036] - the first of the second bypass channels opens onto one or more air outlets, known as defrosting / demisting outlets, located at the level of an upper wall of said housing;

[0037] - the second of the second bypass channels opens onto one or more air outlet ports, called rear, located at the level of a lower wall of said housing;

[0038] - said second heat exchanger is a condenser and / or cooler of a refrigerant fluid intended to form said heat transfer fluid.

[0039] - said first heat exchanger and said second heat exchanger extend in parallel planes or form an angle of less than 15° between them. The invention also relates to a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system comprising a device as described above. Preferably, said system further comprises a circulation loop for said heat transfer fluid, said loop being configured to regulate a flow rate and / or temperature of the heat transfer fluid through said second heat exchanger.

[0040] The invention also relates to a method of using a device as described above.

[0041] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more apparent in the course of the detailed explanatory description which follows, of at least one embodiment of the invention given by way of purely illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, among which:

[0042] [Fig 1] schematically illustrates in perspective an example of a device conforming to the invention;

[0043] [Fig 2] schematically illustrates the device of figure 1 according to a section plane marked P;

[0044] [Fig 3] schematically illustrates the device of figure 1 according to a section plane marked P';

[0045] [Fig 4] illustrates different modes of operation in the left and right areas of the device.

[0046] It is important to note that the terms upstream and downstream used in the following description refer to the direction of flow of the fluid in question, namely the pulsed airflow passing through the device. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," "third," etc., are used solely to distinguish the components involved and do not imply any order or importance of said components.

[0047] As illustrated in Figure 1, the invention relates to a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device, particularly for motor vehicles.

[0048] The device comprises an airflow circulation unit 2, designed for the thermal treatment of said airflow. As it passes through said unit 2, the airflow is cooled, heated, and / or dehumidified. This unit 2 is further advantageously configured to distribute the airflow to air outlets connected to different areas of the vehicle's interior, to which all or part of the airflow is intended to be directed, in proportions determined by a user via a control interface.

[0049] The said air outlet openings include, in particular, one or more defrosting / demisting openings 4a, located at the level of an upper wall 6 of said housing 2. The said defrosting / demisting openings 4a are intended to direct the airflow or a portion of the airflow passing through them towards a windshield of the vehicle.

[0050] Alternatively or cumulatively, said air outlet orifices include one or more rear orifices 4b located at the level of a lower wall 8 of said housing 2. Said rear orifices 4b are intended to direct the airflow or a portion of the airflow passing through them towards rear passengers.

[0051] Alternatively or cumulatively, said air outlet orifices include one or more orifices 4c, referred to as side orifices, located in the upper part of said housing 2. Said side orifices 4c are intended to direct the airflow or a portion of the airflow passing through them towards the face of the driver and / or front passenger.

[0052] Alternatively or cumulatively, said air outlet orifices include one or more 4d orifices, referred to as central orifices, located at mid-height of said housing 2. Said central orifices 4d are intended to direct the airflow or a portion of the airflow passing through them between the driver and the front passenger.

[0053] Alternatively or cumulatively, said air outlet orifices include one or more 4e orifices, referred to as floor orifices, located in the lower part of said housing 2. Said floor orifices 4e are intended to direct the airflow or a portion of the airflow passing through them towards the feet of the driver and / or front passenger.

[0054] The side opening(s) 4c and / or the floor opening(s) 4e are located here on side walls 10 of said housing 2. The central opening(s) are located on a front wall 12 of said housing 2.

[0055] The said device further includes herein an air inlet box 14. The said air inlet box 14 is intended to generate the said airflow and direct it to the said housing 2 via a passage channel 16 of the said device.

[0056] The air intake box 14 includes, for example, a first air inlet 18, intended to be supplied with outside air, in particular air from outside the vehicle's passenger compartment. It also includes a second air inlet 20, intended to be supplied with inside air, in particular air from inside the vehicle's passenger compartment.

[0057] In Figure 2, the airflow through the housing 2 is illustrated by an arrow labeled A. According to the embodiment shown, the device includes flaps, referred to as distribution flaps, for controlling the airflow through the outlet ports 4a-4e. These are, for example, butterfly flaps and / or sliding flaps. The distribution flaps are shown here located at one end of the outlet ports 4a-4e.

[0058] The device further includes a cooling exchanger 24 for the airflow A, referred to as the first heat exchanger. This is, for example, an evaporator for the refrigerant. The first heat exchanger 24 is configured to allow the refrigerant to flow through it and to permit heat exchange between the airflow A and the refrigerant, thereby transferring heat from the airflow A to the refrigerant.

[0059] The device according to the invention includes a heat exchanger 22, referred to as the second heat exchanger, intended for heat exchange between at least a portion of said airflow A and a heat transfer fluid of adjustable temperature and / or flow rate intended to circulate in said second heat exchanger 22 to transfer its calories to the airflow A.

[0060] The second heat exchanger 22 is, for example, a condenser and / or cooler for a refrigerant intended to form the heat transfer fluid. The refrigerant is, for example, a hydrofluorocarbon such as the fluid known as R134a, or a gas such as carbon dioxide, also known as R744 in its use as a refrigerant. Alternatively, the heat exchanger 22 is, for example, a heater, and the heat transfer fluid is a heat transfer liquid such as a mixture of water and antifreeze, for example, glycol. Also alternatively, the heat exchanger 22 is an electric heater, for example, using PTC heating elements. More generally, it is a heat exchanger.

[0061] The first heat exchanger 24 is advantageously located in the casing 2 upstream of the second heat exchanger 22, along the direction of airflow A. In this configuration, it is understood that the airflow A is first cooled by the first heat exchanger 24, if the refrigerant circulates within it, and at least partially heated by the second heat exchanger 22, if the heat transfer fluid circulates within it. More generally, it is a heat exchanger.

[0062] According to the invention, said housing 2 is configured so that a cross-section of airflow through said second heat exchanger remains constant regardless of the desired air temperature at the outlet of said housing 2. In other words, there are no movable flaps capable of more or less obstructing airflow through the second heat exchanger 22 in said housing 2, i.e., through the heating exchanger 22, either upstream or downstream of said second heat exchanger 22. This does not preclude, as mentioned above, the presence of airflow distribution flaps at the outlet of housing 2. Consequently, at least a portion of the airflow exiting the housing systematically passes through said second heat exchanger 22 before exiting housing 2.

[0063] By eliminating the mixing flaps used in prior art designs to regulate the temperature of the airflow passing through the housing, the invention reduces the overall size of the housing 2, particularly in the axial direction X, which is intended to correspond to the direction of vehicle movement. However, the temperature regulation of the airflow A is maintained by using at least partially, or even primarily, or essentially, the temperature and / or flow rate of the heat transfer fluid in the second heat exchanger 22. This is to be considered in the illustrated embodiment for a given temperature of the airflow A exiting the first heat exchanger 24.

[0064] Preferably, said constant air passage section through said second heat exchanger 22 represents an entirety of an exchange surface of said second heat exchanger 22.

[0065] The heat exchanger comprises, for example, a heat exchange bundle extending between collection boxes. This bundle includes, in particular, a plurality of circulation tubes for the heat transfer fluid and fins or interlayers located between the tubes and through which the air flow A passes. These fins or interlayers are in thermal contact with the tubes. The heat exchange bundle here forms the heat exchange surface as defined in the invention. The collection boxes are configured to allow circulation of the heat transfer fluid between the heat exchange bundle and a circuit of said heat transfer fluid, not shown, external to the device. The collection boxes are located in housings formed by a body of the casing 2. They extend parallel to each other in a direction perpendicular to that shown in the figure.One of them is located above said beam and the other below.

[0066] Said housing 2 includes a first bypass channel 32 of said first heat exchanger 24, so that a part of the airflow can bypass said first heat exchanger 24.

[0067] The housing 2 is also configured so that at least a first portion of the airflow, referred to as the hot portion, identified by an arrow A1, passes through the second heat exchanger 22. The housing 2 further includes one or more "second" bypass channels 34, 36 for the second heat exchanger 22, intended to carry a second portion of the airflow, referred to as the cold portion, identified by arrows A2, A2'. Thus, while a portion of the airflow A, namely the hot portion A1, systematically passes through the heating radiator 22, it is also possible to have a portion, namely the cold portion A2, A2', that is not heated. The temperature of the outlet airflow A can then be controlled not only by the temperature and / or flow rate of the heat transfer fluid passing through the second heat exchanger 22 but also by the quantity of air in each of the hot and cold portions.To avoid any doubt, according to the invention, there is however no configuration where the outgoing flow from the housing is formed solely from the cold portion since the passage of air through the second heat exchanger 22 is not obstructed.

[0068] In other words, said box 2 is configured so that an outgoing flow from said box is formed, in a first configuration, exclusively of said hot portion and, in a second configuration, of a combination of said hot portion and said cold portion.

[0069] The second bypass channel(s) 34, 36 are equipped with a flow control device 38 for the cold portion. These bypass devices include, for example, a movable flap in each of the second bypass channels. This is a butterfly valve.

[0070] A first 34 of said bypass channels is located above said second heat exchanger 22. Said first bypass channel 34 is located more precisely here said second heat exchanger 22 and an upper part of the body of the housing 2. Said first bypass channel 34 opens onto the defrosting / demisting orifice 4a.

[0071] A first of the control devices 38 is located both in said first bypass conduit 32 and the first of the second bypass conduits 34.

[0072] A second 36 of said bypass channels is located below said heat exchanger 22. Said second bypass channel 36 is located more precisely here between said second heat exchanger 22 and a lower part of the body of the housing 2. Said second bypass channel 38 opens onto the rear port(s) 4b.

[0073] A second control device 38 is located at an opening of said second bypass channel 36. An angular displacement of said second control device 38 is limited so as not to obstruct the passage of the hot portion A1 of the airflow through said second heat exchanger 22.

[0074] Alternatively, the second of the second bypass ducts 36 is absent, with temperature stratification only being carried out in the upper part.

[0075] Preferably, the flaps forming the control elements 38 are mechanically independent so as to allow variable temperature stratification between a first output of the housing 2 at the level of the first 34 of said second bypass channels and a second output of the housing at the level of the second 36 of said channels.

[0076] The casing advantageously includes a stratification chamber 46 configured to allow a combination of the hot portion A1, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, a portion A2 of the cold portion originating from the first bypass channel, referred to as the first combination, and / or a portion A2' of the cold portion originating from the second channel, referred to as the second combination. In other words, the stratification chamber is located downstream of the second heat exchanger 22 and the bypass ducts 34, 36. It is bordered here by the upper wall 6, the lower wall 8, and / or the front wall 12 of the casing 2.

[0077] The stratification chamber 46 opens onto the side air outlet(s) 4c, the central air outlet(s) 4d and / or the floor air outlet(s) 4e. It is configured so that the portions of the airflow A exiting through the various outlet(s) 4a-4e, when the corresponding distribution valves are open, are formed, in a stratified manner, of a combination of the cold portions A2, A2' and hot portions A1, when the second bypass ducts 34, 36 are open, the quantity of air in each of the portions being able to vary from one outlet(s) to another and / or according to a degree of opening of said bypass ducts 34, 36.

[0078] The said stratification chamber 46 has a depth corresponding to a distance between said second heat exchanger 22 and said front wall 12. A width of said side orifice(s) 4c and / or of said floor orifice(s) 4e corresponds substantially to said depth.

[0079] The housing 2 is configured so that the first of the second bypass channels 34 primarily supplies the defrosting / demisting vent(s) 4a. The stratification chamber 46 includes an upper zone configured to also supply the defrosting / demisting vent(s) 4a. This upper zone of the stratification chamber 46 extends between the housing 30 for the collector box 28 located above the second heat exchanger 22 and the upper face 6 of the housing 2.The said defrosting / demistling orifice(s) 4a are thus supplied either by a part of the hot portion A1, namely the part passing through the upper zone of said stratification chamber 46, when said first bypass duct 34 is closed, or, in a stratified manner, by the combination of said part of the hot portion A1 passing through the upper zone of the stratification chamber 46 and the first part A2 of said cold portion, when said first bypass duct 34 is open.

[0080] Alternatively or cumulatively, said housing 2 is configured so that the second of the second bypass channels 36 primarily supplies the rear outlet port(s) 4b. Said stratification chamber 46 includes a lower zone opening jointly with the second bypass channel 36 into said rear outlet port(s) 4b. Said rear outlet port(s) 4b are thus supplied either by a portion of the hot portion A1, namely the portion passing through said lower zone of said stratification chamber 46, when said second bypass channel 36 is closed, or, in a stratified manner, by the combination of said portion of the hot portion A1 passing through the lower zone of said stratification chamber 46 and the second portion A2' of said cold portion, when said second bypass channel 36 is open.

[0081] Alternatively or cumulatively, said housing 2 is configured so that the stratification chamber 46 primarily supplies the side, central and / or floor outlet(s) 4c-4e with said hot portion. As said first and second bypass ducts 34, 36 are in communication with said stratification chamber 46, a portion of the air passing through said first and second bypass ducts 34, 36, when they are open, also supplies, where applicable, the side, central and / or floor outlet(s) 4c-4e, and the combination of hot portions A1 and cold portions A2, A2' thus formed flows, in a stratified manner, through these latter.

[0082] It should be noted that, even if a mixing of the hot and cold portions has possibly occurred in the housing 2, such a mixing is intended to occur essentially downstream of said housing 2 before exiting into the passenger compartment, the housing 2 being preferentially configured for a flow of said hot and cold portions A1, A2, A2', in a stratified, layered manner, with little or very little mixing of said portions.

[0083] The first heat exchanger 24 and the second heat exchanger 22 are arranged in parallel planes or at an angle of less than 15°. This arrangement further limits the axial footprint of the device.

[0084] According to the illustrated embodiment, said casing 2 includes an intermediate chamber 50 between said first heat exchanger 24 and said second heat exchanger 22. It is configured here for substantially horizontal airflow from said first heat exchanger 24 to said second heat exchanger 22. It opens into the second bypass ducts 34, 36. It is bordered here by the upper wall 6 and the lower wall 8 of casing 2. Said casing 2 advantageously includes a first partition, located, for example, in a vertical plane parallel to that of the figure, configured to form a flow of said air stream A into two zones Z1 and Z2 (visible in Figure 1) on either side of said partition. Such a configuration makes it possible to have an air stream A at a different temperature in each of said zones Z1, Z2 at the outlet of said casing 2.The first heat exchanger 24, the second heat exchanger 22, and / or the control devices 38 are adapted to allow such independent temperature control in each of the zones Z1 and Z2, by being duplicated in each zone where necessary. This allows for a left zone and a right zone. The movable shut-off devices 38 are then duplicated in each zone so as to be able to control the left and right zones independently.

[0085] As illustrated in Figure 4, the device is configured so that it has at least one "summer" operating mode in which said first heat exchanger 24 is active and cold so as to cool the airflow through said first heat exchanger 24 and said second heat exchanger is inactive so as not to significantly change the temperature of the airflow through said second heat exchanger 22.

[0086] The device is configured so that it can display:

[0087] - a "summer max cold" operating mode, in all or part of the housing, in which said at least one first movable shuttering element and the housing are configured so that, in this "summer max cold" operating mode, said first bypass channel is closed and said second bypass channel is preferably open,

[0088] - a "summer less cold" operating mode, in all or part of the housing, in which said at least one first movable shuttering element and the housing are configured so that, in this "summer less cold" operating mode, said first bypass channel is at least partially open and said second bypass channel is preferably closed,

[0089] The device is configured so that it can present the "summer max cold" operating mode in said "left" zone of the box and the "summer less cold" operating mode in said right zone of the box, or vice versa.

[0090] The device is also configured so that it has at least one "winter" operating mode in which said first heat exchanger 24 is inactive so as not to significantly change the temperature of the airflow through said first heat exchanger 24, and said second heat exchanger is active and hot so as to warm the airflow through said second heat exchanger 22.

[0091] The device is configured so that it can display:

[0092] - a "winter maximum warm" operating mode, in all or part of the housing, in which said at least one first movable shuttering element and the housing are configured so that, in this "winter maximum warm" operating mode, said first bypass channel is preferably open and said second bypass channel is closed,

[0093] - a "winter less heat" operating mode, in all or part of the housing, in which said at least one first movable shuttering member and the housing are configured so that, in this "winter less heat" operating mode, said first bypass channel is preferably closed and said second bypass channel is at least partially open.

[0094] The device is configured so that it presents the "winter max warm" operating mode in said "left" zone of the box and the "winter less warm" operating mode in said right zone of the box, or vice versa.

[0095] The device is also configured such that it has at least one "heating" operating mode in which said first heat exchanger 24 is active and cold so as to cool the airflow through said first heat exchanger 24, and said second heat exchanger is active and hot so as to heat the airflow through said second heat exchanger 22.

[0096] The device is configured so that it can display:

[0097] - a "whole heating" operating mode, in all or part of the housing, in which said at least one first movable shuttering element and the housing are configured such that, in this "whole heating" operating mode, said first bypass channel is preferably closed and said second bypass channel is closed,

[0098] - a "heating less hot" operating mode, in all or part of the housing, in which at least one first movable closing device of said first channel and said second channel and the housing are configured so that, in this "full heating" operating mode, said first bypass channel is preferably closed and said second bypass channel is at least partially open.

[0099] The device is configured so that it exhibits the "full heating" operating mode in said "left" zone of the housing and the "less hot heating" operating mode in said right zone of the housing, or vice versa.

[0100] Alternatively or cumulatively, said housing 2 includes a second partition 52, substantially horizontal. Such a partition 52 is located upstream of said first heat exchanger 24 and / or in said intermediate chamber 50. Said second partition 52 is configured to form a flow of said airflow into two distinct layers N1 and N2 originating from different air sources.

[0101] As illustrated in Figure 3, a first of said air sources, circulating here in the upper part 54, is formed solely of outside air coming from said first air inlet 18. A second of said air sources, circulating here in the lower part 56, is formed of a mixture of outside air, coming from the first air inlet 18 and / or inside air, coming from the second air inlet 20, through a nozzle 60 passing through an annular duct 62 supplying outside air.

[0102] The box 14 further comprises a generator 64 of said airflow A, in particular in the form of a radial blower. The supply duct 62 and / or the nozzle 60 open into the blower 64, in particular internally and / or along a direction of an axis of rotation of the blower 64. The blower 64 is configured to supply, for example tangentially, the upper and lower parts 54, 56 of the device, each forming layers N1 and N2, in particular via the passage duct 16 (see figures 1 and 2).

[0103] The air inlet box 14 is preferably located on one side of the housing 2 so that, in use, the housing 2 and the air inlet box 14 allow the supply of the first heat exchanger 24 according to an air circulation substantially horizontal and parallel to an extension plane of the first heat exchanger 24. Such a configuration makes it possible to limit the axial size of the device by promoting its transverse extension.

[0104] The invention also relates to a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system comprising the device described above and a circulation loop for said heat transfer fluid. This loop is configured to regulate the flow rate and / or temperature of the heat transfer fluid through said second heat exchanger 22.

[0105] In the variant with a condenser or gas cooler, as already mentioned, the heat transfer fluid is a refrigerant. This heat transfer fluid loop is then, for example, a loop of a heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning system configured so that the refrigerant flowing through the loop follows a thermodynamic cycle such as the Carnot cycle. This loop also includes the first heat exchanger 24.

[0106] In the variant with a heating radiator, as already mentioned, the heat transfer fluid is, for example, a heat transfer liquid. The heat transfer fluid loop advantageously includes a two-fluid heat exchanger enabling heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid circulating in the loop and a refrigerant from a heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning circuit configured so that the refrigerant flowing through the circuit follows a thermodynamic cycle such as the Carnot cycle. The circuit also includes the first heat exchanger 24.

[0107] Finally, it should be noted that, as an alternative (not illustrated), housing 2 also features a second "first" bypass channel for said first heat exchanger 24, for example in the lower part of this heat exchanger.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device, particularly for motor vehicles, said device comprising an airflow circulation casing (2), a first heat exchanger (24) for, at least in certain operating modes of said device, cooling at least a portion of said airflow from the casing passing through said first heat exchanger (24) and thus generating downstream a cold airflow in the direction of air circulation, and, downstream of the first heat exchanger (24) in the direction of air circulation, a second heat exchanger (22) for, at least in certain operating modes of said device, heating at least a portion of said airflow from the casing passing through said second heat exchanger (22) and thus generating a hot airflow downstream in the direction of air circulation, said casing (2) comprising at least one bypass channel for said first heat exchanger (24),referred to as the first bypass channel, and at least one bypass channel of said second heat exchanger (22), referred to as the second bypass channel, and at least one first movable device for at least partial closure of at least one of said first bypass channel and said second bypass channel, for example a movable device for at least partial closure of said first bypass channel and a movable device for at least partial closure of the second channel or a common device for at least partial closure of said first channel and said second channel, said housing being further configured such that, in all operating modes of the device, there is a portion of airflow passing through said first heat exchanger (24) and a portion of airflow passing through said second heat exchanger (22),such that said first heat exchanger (24) and said second heat exchanger (22) are always at least partially open to the airflow.

2. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one first movable shuttering member (38) and the housing (2) are configured to permit a first operating mode of the device in which said first bypass channel (32) is closed and said second bypass channel (34) is open.

3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one first movable shuttering member (38) and the housing (2) are configured to permit a second operating mode of the device in which said first bypass channel (32) is open and said second bypass channel (34) is closed.

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one first movable shuttering member (38) and the housing (2) are configured to permit a third operating mode of the device in which said first bypass channel (32) is partially open and said second bypass channel (34) is partially open.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one first movable shuttering member (38) and the housing (2) are configured to permit a fourth operating mode of the device in which said first bypass channel (32) is closed and said second bypass channel (34) is partially open.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one first movable shuttering member (38) and the housing (2) are configured to permit a fifth operating mode of the device in which said first bypass channel (32) is partially open and said second bypass channel (34) is closed.

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one first movable closing member (38) comprises a common member for at least partial closing of said first bypass channel (32) and of said second bypass channel (34).

8. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said housing comprises a partition dividing the airflow into a left-hand airflow, for example for the driver of the vehicle, and a right-hand airflow, for example for the front passenger of the vehicle, said partition dividing said housing into a "left-hand" zone and a "right-hand" zone and at least partially surrounding said first heat exchanger (24) and said second heat exchanger (22), said first bypass channel of said first heat exchanger (24) being divided into a first left-hand bypass channel of said first heat exchanger (24) and a first right bypass channel of said first heat exchanger (24), and said second bypass channel of said second heat exchanger (22) being divided into a second left bypass channel of said second heat exchanger (22) and a second right bypass channel of said second heat exchanger (22), said at least one first movable shutting device comprising at least one first left movable shutting device of at least partial shutting of at least one of said first left bypass channel and said second left bypass channel and at least one first right movable shutting device of at least partial shutting of at least one of said first right bypass channel and said second right bypass channel.

9. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the device is configured such that said at least one first movable left shuttering member and said at least one first movable right shuttering member are independently controllable so as to obtain a different heat treatment of the left airflow and the right airflow.

10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device is configured such that it has at least one "summer" operating mode in which said first heat exchanger (24) is active and cold so as to cool the airflow through said first heat exchanger (24) and said second heat exchanger is inactive so as not to significantly change the temperature of the airflow through said second heat exchanger (22). 1 1. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the device is configured such that it has a "summer max cold" operating mode, in all or part of the housing, wherein said at least one first movable shuttering member (38) and the housing (2) are configured so that, in this "summer max cold" operating mode, said first bypass channel (32) is closed and said second bypass channel (34) is preferably open.

12. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the device is configured such that it has a "summer less cold" operating mode, in all or part of the housing, wherein said at least a first movable shutter member (38) and the housing (2) are configured so that, in this mode of "less cold summer" operation, said first bypass channel (32) is at least partially open and said second bypass channel (34) is preferably closed.

13. Device according to the preceding claim in combination with claim 8, wherein the device is configured such that it exhibits the "summer max cold" operating mode in said "left" zone of the housing and the "summer less cold" operating mode in said right zone of the housing, or vice versa.

14. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device is configured such that it has at least one "winter" operating mode in which said first heat exchanger (24) is inactive so as not to significantly change the temperature of the airflow through said first heat exchanger (24), and said second heat exchanger is active and hot so as to warm the airflow through said second heat exchanger (22).

15. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the device is configured such that it has a "winter max warm" operating mode, in all or part of the housing, wherein said at least one first movable shuttering member (38) and the housing (2) are configured so that, in this "winter max warm" operating mode, said first bypass channel (32) is preferably open and said second bypass channel (34) is closed.

16. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the device is configured such that it has a "winter less heat" operating mode, in all or part of the housing, wherein said at least one first movable shuttering member (38) and the housing (2) are configured so that, in this "winter less heat" operating mode, said first bypass channel (32) is preferably closed and said second bypass channel (34) is at least partially open.

17. A device according to the preceding claim in combination with claim 8, wherein the device is configured such that it exhibits the "winter max warm" operating mode in said "left" area of ​​the housing and the "winter less heat" operating mode in said right-hand area of ​​the case, or vice versa.

18. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device is configured such that it has at least one "heating" operating mode in which said first heat exchanger (24) is active and cold so as to cool the airflow through said first heat exchanger (24), and said second heat exchanger is active and hot so as to heat the airflow through said second heat exchanger (22).

19. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the device is configured such that it has a "whole heating" operating mode, in all or part of the housing, wherein said at least one first movable shuttering member (38) and the housing (2) are configured so that, in this "whole heating" operating mode, said first bypass channel (32) is preferably closed and said second bypass channel (34) is closed.

20. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the device is configured such that it has a "heating less hot" operating mode, in all or part of the housing, wherein at least one first movable shuttering member (38) and the housing (2) are configured so that, in this "full heating" operating mode, said first bypass channel (32) is preferably closed and said second bypass channel (34) is at least partially open.

21. Device according to the preceding claim in combination with claim 8, wherein the device is configured such that it exhibits the "full heating" operating mode in said "left" zone of the housing and the "less hot heating" operating mode in said right zone of the housing, or vice versa.

22. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one second bypass channel of the second heat exchanger (22) comprises two second bypass channels (34, 36), one on each side of said second heat exchanger (22), for example at the top and bottom in the vehicle frame of reference, said at least one movable closing member (38) comprising two movable members for at least partial closing of the two second bypass channels (34, 36), at least one for each second bypass channel (34, 36), so as to permit different temperature stratification on each side of said second heat exchanger (22), downstream of said second heat exchanger (22).

Citation Information

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