Ventilation device for vehicle, ventilation system, and vehicle
By designing the corners of the housing and noise-reducing components in the vehicle ventilation system, the noise problem under high airflow was solved, achieving a balance between noise suppression and airflow, and improving the comfort inside the vehicle.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- VALEO ELECTRIFICATION
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-21
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-30
AI Technical Summary
Existing vehicle ventilation systems generate significant noise while meeting high airflow requirements, affecting in-vehicle comfort.
Design a ventilation device comprising a housing, an impeller, and noise reduction devices at adjacent corners. The corners within the housing act as volutes, the noise reduction components reduce airflow disturbance, and noise is reduced through silencers.
It effectively suppresses airflow noise within the ventilation system, increases airflow, and enhances the comfort inside the vehicle.
Smart Images
Figure CN2026073985_30072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Ventilation devices, ventilation systems and vehicles for use in vehicles Technical Field
[0001] This disclosure relates to a ventilation device for a vehicle. Specifically, the ventilation device includes a noise-reducing component capable of reducing noise generated by airflow within the ventilation device. This disclosure also relates to a ventilation system including such a ventilation device, and a vehicle including such a ventilation system. Background Technology
[0002] Vehicles are typically equipped with ventilation systems to draw in fresh or recirculated air and distribute it within the vehicle to regulate interior temperature and create a comfortable environment. Due to considerations of compactness and space-saving installation, ventilation systems are becoming increasingly smaller, yet the required air volume remains high. It is known that ventilation systems incorporate impellers; as the impeller rotates, the air within the system is driven by the impeller, increasing airflow velocity and thus the air volume distributed by the ventilation system. However, this high-speed airflow also generates significant noise within the ventilation system. This noise can be unpleasant for the driver and passengers, negatively impacting vehicle comfort.
[0003] Therefore, a ventilation device is needed that can both meet the requirements for air volume distribution and effectively suppress noise. Summary of the Invention
[0004] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a ventilation device for vehicles to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, which can both meet the airflow requirements and effectively suppress the noise generated by the airflow.
[0005] A ventilation device for a vehicle according to this disclosure includes a housing and an impeller. The housing includes: a first compartment housing the impeller; and a second compartment communicating with the first compartment and configured to direct air driven by the impeller to an air outlet of the housing. The junction of the sidewalls of the first and second compartments forms a corner projecting into the housing. The ventilation device also includes a noise reduction device disposed inside the housing adjacent to the corner.
[0006] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a ventilation device for a vehicle that can both meet airflow requirements and suppress noise generated by airflow. The ventilation device according to this disclosure includes an impeller for driving air and a corner formed at the connection between a first compartment and a second compartment. The impeller draws air into the housing and causes the air to centrifugally accelerate away from the impeller. The corner of the housing acts as a volute, improving the efficiency of the ventilation device and achieving a large airflow. Noise reduction devices arranged adjacent to the corner prevent airflow backflow within the housing, reduce the disturbance of airflow by the corner, and suppress the resulting low-frequency noise.
[0007] The ventilation device for vehicles according to this disclosure may also have one or more of the following features, individually or in combination.
[0008] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the noise reduction device includes a noise reduction member having a first end and a second end, the second end being arranged adjacent to the corner. This positioning of the second end of the noise reduction member increases the effectiveness of the noise reduction member in reducing the corner's impact on airflow disturbance.
[0009] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the first end is disposed within the first compartment. The positioning of the first end of the noise reduction component within the first compartment, close to the impeller, enables it to guide the airflow driven by the impeller as early as possible and enhances the noise reduction component's effect in preventing airflow backflow.
[0010] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the noise reduction member has a first side and a second side, the first side and the second side extending from the first end away from each other to the second end. That is, the width of the noise reduction member gradually increases from the first end to the second end.
[0011] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the first side surface is continuous in shape with the sidewall of the first compartment at the second end without interruption, and the second side surface is continuous in shape with the sidewall of the second compartment at the second end without interruption. Thus, the two sides of the noise reduction member smoothly transition to the sidewalls of the corresponding compartments, reducing disturbance to airflow.
[0012] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the second end partially or completely follows the corner within the housing. Thus, the second end of the noise-reducing member partially or completely covers the corner, reducing the disturbance of the corner to the airflow.
[0013] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the noise reduction component further has a top surface connecting the first side surface and the second side surface, the top surface having a slope along the axial direction of the impeller from the first end to the second end. This slope conforms to the airflow direction, further reducing the disturbance of the airflow by the noise reduction component.
[0014] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the noise reduction device further includes a windbreak ring surrounding the impeller in the first compartment, a first end of the noise reduction member being located at the windbreak ring, and the height of the first end being approximately equal to the height of the windbreak ring.
[0015] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the height of the second end of the noise reduction member is greater than the height of the first end, and the height of the second end is greater than half the height of the second compartment, and / or the height of the second end is greater than half the height of the impeller.
[0016] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the noise reduction component is provided with one or more silencing holes. The silencing holes form a silencing cavity structure, which is suitable for reducing high-frequency noise generated by airflow.
[0017] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the silencing hole extends along the axial direction of the impeller.
[0018] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the noise reduction member has one or more sound-absorbing holes extending along the axial direction on the top surface.
[0019] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the noise reduction component is a solid component or the noise reduction component is a hollow component.
[0020] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the first side and / or the second side are curved surfaces.
[0021] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the first side is a concave surface surrounding the impeller, and / or the second side is a convex surface facing the second compartment.
[0022] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the first side has an arcuate shape that partially or completely surrounds the impeller.
[0023] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the first side and / or the second side has an involute shape.
[0024] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the top surface of the noise reduction component is convex.
[0025] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the noise reduction component is a separate part attached to the housing, or the noise reduction component is integrally formed with the housing.
[0026] This disclosure also relates to a ventilation system comprising two ventilation devices as described above, the housings of the two ventilation devices being spaced apart from each other and each including an impeller housed within its first compartment. The ventilation system further includes a motor disposed between the housings of the two ventilation devices, each impeller being driven by the motor.
[0027] This disclosure also relates to a vehicle that includes the ventilation system described above. Attached Figure Description
[0028] The above and other features and advantages of this disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure in any way. The following drawings are not intentionally drawn to scale with actual dimensions; their focus is on illustrating the gist of this disclosure. In the figures:
[0029] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a ventilation system used in vehicles.
[0030] Figure 2 is a top view of a part of the ventilation system.
[0031] Figure 3 shows the noise reduction components and impeller in an enlarged view.
[0032] Figure 4 shows two ventilation devices of the ventilation system and a motor arranged between the housings of the two ventilation devices.
[0033] In all the accompanying drawings, the same or similar parts are indicated by the same number. Detailed Implementation
[0034] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this disclosure clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this disclosure.
[0035] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used herein shall have the ordinary meaning understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. The use of terms such as “a,” “an,” or “the” in this patent application specification and claims does not indicate a limitation of quantity, but rather indicates the presence of at least one. Terms such as “comprising” or “including” mean that the element or object preceding the word encompasses the element or object listed following the word and its equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Although expressions such as “first” and “second” are used to describe the various elements of this disclosure, they are used only to distinguish one component from another and not to define the order or importance of the respective components. Without departing from the scope of this disclosure, “first element” may be written as “second element,” and similarly, “second element” may be written as “first element.” The terms “axial” and “axial direction” refer to the direction of the impeller’s axis of rotation X; “radial” and “radial direction” refer to the direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation X; and “circumferential” and “circumferential direction” refer to…
[0036] Furthermore, the orientations or positional relationships indicated by terms such as "up," "down," "left," "right," "inner," and "outer" mentioned herein are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientations or positional relationships commonly used when the disclosed product is in use, or the orientations or positional relationships commonly understood by those skilled in the art. They are only for the purpose of facilitating the description of this disclosure and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this disclosure.
[0037] Figure 1 illustrates a ventilation system 200 for a vehicle, comprising two ventilation devices 100 spaced apart from each other. Exemplarily, the ventilation system 200 directs conditioned air, regulated by the vehicle's air conditioning system, to the rear seats of the vehicle. The two ventilation devices 100 are arranged separately, one for the left rear seat vent and the other for the right rear seat vent.
[0038] Referring to Figures 2-4, each ventilation device 100 of the ventilation system 200 includes a housing 10 and an impeller 20 disposed within the housing 10. The impeller 20 is driven by a motor 40 disposed between the housings 10 of the two ventilation devices 100 to rotate about a rotation axis X. The rotating impeller 40 can drive the airflow to accelerate, increasing the airflow of the ventilation device 100. In other words, the ventilation system 200 can accelerate the airflow passing through the ventilation device 100, increasing the airflow guided to the rear seats and improving the comfort of rear passengers.
[0039] Referring again to Figures 2 and 3, the housing 10 includes a first compartment 11 and a second compartment 12 that are interconnected. An impeller 20 is housed in the first compartment 11, and air driven by the impeller 20 is guided by the second compartment 12 to the air outlet of the housing 10. Specifically, when driven to rotate by the motor 40, the impeller 20 axially draws air into the first compartment 11 and drives the air to centrifugally accelerate away from the impeller 20. The accelerated air is then guided by the housing 10 to flow to the air outlet.
[0040] As shown in Figure 2, a corner 13 protruding into the housing 10 is formed at the junction of the side walls of the first compartment 11 and the second compartment 12 of the housing 10 of the ventilation device 100. The corner 13 brings the side walls of the housing closer to the impeller 20, acting as a volute tongue. This corner 13 can confine the airflow leaving the impeller 20, improving the efficiency of the ventilation device 100. However, the corner 13 also disturbs the airflow within the housing 10, generating noticeable noise that can be perceived by the driver and passengers of the vehicle.
[0041] To suppress this noise, the ventilation device 100 has a noise reduction device arranged inside the housing 10 near the corner 13.
[0042] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the noise reduction device includes a noise reduction component 30 having a first end 31 and a second end 32. The second end 32 of the noise reduction component 30 is arranged adjacent to the corner 13. Preferably, the second end 32 of the noise reduction component 30 is immediately adjacent to the corner 13, with no gap between them. The second end 32 of the noise reduction component 30 can reduce the disturbance of the corner 13 to the airflow and reduce noise. The first end 31 of the noise reduction component 30 is arranged within the first compartment 11, thereby being closer to the impeller 20. In this way, the airflow driven away from the impeller 20 can be guided by the noise reduction component 30 earlier, enhancing the noise reduction effect.
[0043] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the noise reduction device also includes a baffle ring 14 arranged around the impeller 20 within the first compartment 11. This baffle ring 14 is preferably integrally formed with the housing 10. When the impeller 20 rotates, the suction effect causes the air pressure at the impeller 20 to be lower than the air pressure in the rest of the housing 10, generating a backflow returning to the impeller 20. The baffle ring 14 can block this backflow and help reduce the airflow noise generated by this backflow. A first end 31 of the noise reduction member 30 is preferably arranged at the baffle ring 14. That is, the noise reduction member 30 of the noise reduction device extends approximately from the first end 31 at the baffle ring 14 to a second end 32 at the corner 13. Therefore, the noise reduction member 30 can reduce the backflow between the baffle ring 14 and the corner 13, thereby further reducing the airflow noise generated by the backflow.
[0044] The noise reduction component 30 also has a first side 33 and a second side 34. The first side 33 and the second side 34 extend from the first end 31 away from each other to the second end 32. That is, the noise reduction component 30 gradually increases in width from the first end 33 near the impeller 20 to the second end near the corner 13. This configuration follows the trend of gradual separation of airflow after exiting the impeller 20, which helps to reduce disturbance to the airflow.
[0045] Referring further to Figure 2, the first side 33 of the noise reduction component 20 faces the first compartment 11, specifically being a concave surface surrounding the impeller 20. The second side 34 is a convex surface facing the second compartment 12. That is, both the first side 33 and the second side 34 are curved surfaces. Optionally, only one of the first side 33 and the second side 34 may be a curved surface. Optionally, the first side 33 has an arcuate shape that partially or completely surrounds the impeller 20, while the second side 34 has an involute shape. Alternatively, the first side 33 may also have an involute shape. The aforementioned shapes of the first side 33 and the second side 34 can conform to the airflow direction and reduce disturbance to the airflow.
[0046] In the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 2, the first side surface 33 of the noise reduction member 20 is continuous in shape with the side wall of the first compartment 11 at the second end 32 without any interruption, and the second side surface 34 of the noise reduction member 20 is continuous in shape with the side wall of the second compartment 12 at the second end 32 without any interruption. That is, the first side surface 33 of the noise reduction member 20 smoothly transitions to the side wall of the first compartment 11, and the second side surface 34 smoothly transitions to the side wall of the second compartment 12. The smooth transition between the noise reduction member 20 and the housing 10 further reduces the disturbance to the airflow, which is beneficial for reducing the noise of the ventilation device 100.
[0047] As shown in Figure 2, the second end 32 partially or completely follows the corner 13 within the housing 10. The shape of the second end 32 of the noise reduction member 20 is generally complementary to the shape of the corner 13. The shape profile of the noise reduction member 20 from the second end 32 to the first end 31 also generally extends the shape profile of the corner 13.
[0048] The noise reduction component 30 also has a top surface 35 connecting the first side surface 33 and the second side surface 34. As shown in Figure 3, the top surface 30 of the noise reduction component 30 is a sloping surface with a gradient along the axial direction of the impeller 20 from the first end 31 to the second end 32. That is, the height of the noise reduction component 30 gradually increases along the extension direction from the first end 31 to the second end 32. Therefore, the height of the second end 32 of the noise reduction component 30 is greater than the height of the first end 31. This height change conforms to the axial component of the airflow leaving the impeller 20, further reducing the disturbance to the airflow and helping to reduce the noise of the ventilation device 100.
[0049] In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG3, the height of the first end 31 of the noise reduction member 30 is approximately equal to the height of the wind deflector ring 14. Therefore, the noise reduction member 30 does not form a protrusion higher than the wind deflector ring 14, nor a recess lower than the wind deflector ring 14 at the first end 31. This smooth transition further reduces airflow disturbance, which is beneficial for reducing the noise of the ventilation device 100. The height of the second end 32 of the noise reduction member 30 can be set to be greater than half the height of the second compartment 12, or greater than half the height of the impeller 20. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG4, the height of the second end 32 is approximately equal to or only slightly lower than the impeller 20.
[0050] As can also be seen from Figures 3 and 4, the top surface 35 of the noise reduction component 30 is not a plane, but a curved surface, specifically a convex surface. The curved shape of the top surface 35 also helps to reduce disturbance to the airflow.
[0051] The location and shape of the noise reduction component 30 and the wind deflector ring 14 of the noise reduction device have been described in detail above. Through the above design, the noise reduction device can reduce gas backflow within the ventilation device 100, reduce disturbance to the airflow, and thus suppress airflow noise within the ventilation device 100, especially low-frequency noise.
[0052] The noise reduction device also features an optimized design to reduce high-frequency noise from the airflow. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, silencing holes 36 are arranged on the noise reduction component 30. These silencing holes 36 extend along the axial direction of the impeller 20, forming a silencing cavity on the noise reduction component 30. The silencing holes 36 can absorb high-frequency noise generated by the airflow flowing through the noise reduction component 30. In particular, the noise reduction component 30 has a plurality of axially extending silencing holes 36 arranged on its top surface 35. These silencing holes 36 are arranged closely on the top surface 35 to maximize their number.
[0053] The noise reduction component 30 can be a solid part. The first side, the second side, and the top surface are all the outer surfaces of the solid part.
[0054] Alternatively, the noise reduction member 30 can be a hollow component. Different walls of the hollow component are formed on the first side, the second side, and the top surface. In particular, in this case, the different silencing holes 36 of the noise reduction member 30 are connected inside the noise reduction member 30 to form an integral silencing cavity.
[0055] The noise reduction component 30 can be integrally formed with the housing 10, for example, the noise reduction component 30 is formed when molding the housing 10. In this case, the first end 31 of the noise reduction component 30 can be fused with the wind deflector 14, and the second end 32 can be fused with the corner portion 13.
[0056] Alternatively, the noise reduction component 30 may also be a separate part attached to the housing 10. The noise reduction component 30 may be attached to the housing 10 by means of bonding, snap-fitting, welding, or form fitting.
[0057] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a vehicle is proposed that includes the ventilation system 200 as described above.
[0058] Certain features, structures, or characteristics in one or more embodiments of this disclosure may be appropriately combined.
[0059] The foregoing description is illustrative of the present disclosure and should not be construed as limiting it. While several exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, those skilled in the art will readily understand that many modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the present disclosure. Therefore, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure as defined in the claims. It should be understood that the foregoing description is illustrative of the present disclosure and should not be construed as limiting it to the specific embodiments disclosed, and modifications to the disclosed embodiments and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure.
Claims
1. A ventilation device (100) for a vehicle, the ventilation device (100) comprising a housing (10) and an impeller (20), the housing (10) comprising: - First compartment (11), which houses the impeller (20), - A second compartment (12), which communicates with the first compartment (11) and is configured to guide air driven by the impeller (20) to the air outlet of the housing (10), wherein the junction of the sidewall of the first compartment (11) and the sidewall of the second compartment (12) forms a corner (13) protruding into the housing (10). The ventilation device (100) is characterized in that it further includes a noise reduction member (30) arranged inside the housing (10) adjacent to the corner (13).
2. The ventilation device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The noise reduction component (30) has a first end (31) and a second end (32), the second end (32) being arranged adjacent to the corner (13).
3. The ventilation device (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first end (31) is arranged in the first compartment (11).
4. The ventilation device (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The noise reduction component (30) has a first side (33) and a second side (34), which extend from the first end (31) away from each other to the second end (32).
5. The ventilation device (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first side (33) is continuous in shape with the side wall of the first compartment (11) at the second end (32) without interruption, and the second side (34) is continuous in shape with the side wall of the second compartment (12) at the second end (32) without interruption.
6. The ventilation device (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The second end (32) partially or completely follows the corner (13) inside the housing (10).
7. The ventilation device (100) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The noise reduction component (30) also has a top surface (35) connecting the first side surface (33) and the second side surface (34), the top surface (35) having a slope from the first end (31) to the second end (32) along the axial direction of the impeller (20).
8. The ventilation device (100) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The noise reduction device also includes a windshield ring (14) surrounding the impeller (20) in the first compartment (11), with the first end (31) of the noise reduction member (30) located at the windshield ring (14) and the height of the first end (31) being approximately equal to the height of the windshield ring (14).
9. The ventilation device (100) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The height of the second end (32) of the noise reduction component (30) is greater than the height of the first end (31), and The height of the second end (32) is greater than half the height of the second compartment (12), and / or the height of the second end (32) is greater than half the height of the impeller (20).
10. The ventilation device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The noise reduction component (30) is provided with one or more sound-absorbing holes (36).
11. The ventilation device (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The silencing hole (36) extends along the axial direction of the impeller (20).
12. The ventilation device (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The noise reduction component (30) has one or more sound-absorbing holes (36) extending along the axial direction on the top surface (35).
13. The ventilation device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The noise reduction component (30) is a solid part, or The noise reduction component (30) is a hollow part.
14. The ventilation device (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first side (33) and / or the second side (34) are curved surfaces.
15. The ventilation device (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first side surface (33) is a concave surface surrounding the impeller (20), and / or The second side (34) is a convex surface facing the second compartment (12).
16. The ventilation device (100) according to claim 15, characterized in that, The first side (33) has an arc shape that partially or completely surrounds the impeller (20).
17. The ventilation device (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first side (33) and / or the second side (34) have an involute shape.
18. The ventilation device (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The top surface (35) of the noise reduction component (30) is convex.
19. The ventilation device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The noise reduction component (30) is a separate part attached to the housing (10), or The noise reduction component (30) is integrally formed with the housing (10).
20. A ventilation system (200) comprising two ventilation devices (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that, The housings (10) of the two ventilation devices (100) are separated from each other and each includes an impeller (20) housed in its first compartment (11). The ventilation system (200) also includes a motor (40) arranged between the housings (10) of the two ventilation devices (100), and each impeller (20) is driven by the motor (40).
21. A vehicle, characterized in that, The vehicle has a ventilation system (200) according to claim 20.