FR2762888A1 - MULTI-SHUTTER AIR DISTRIBUTION DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

An air distribution device, in particular for a motor vehicle heating / air conditioning apparatus, comprises a first inlet (14), a second air inlet (16) and a third air inlet (18) occupying respective angular positions on either side of the first air inlet (14) as well as two flaps (28, 30) mounted to pivot about adjacent parallel axes (32, 34) and movable between a close position where they close jointly the first air inlet (14) and a remote position where they respectively block the second air inlet (16) and the third air inlet (18).

Description

Vehicle multi-flap air distribution device

  automobile The invention relates to an air distribution device

  suitable for being part of a heating / air conditioning system

motor vehicle.

  It relates more particularly to a device for distributing

  air intake of the type comprising a box provided with a first air inlet and a second air inlet, as well as two flaps rotatably mounted inside the box for selectively controlling the first air inlet and the

second air inlet.

  Already known from EP-A-0 678 410, a device of this kind, in which the two flaps have respective walls with a spherical surface and are mounted for rotation about a common axis, these two walls being able to s '' nest one inside the other and take different positions to control

  selectively the first and second air inlets.

  In this known device, the air inlets serve respectively

  ing to the intake of outside air taken from outside the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle and to recirculated air

  taken from inside this cabin.

  This known device has the drawback in particular that its two air inlets have respective limited sections compared to the dimensions of the housing, which limits the

  air flow rate likely to pass through the housing.

  Therefore, if one wishes to increase the section of

  two air inlets from the housing, the dimensions must be increased

  sions of the housing, which increases the bulk.

  In addition, this known device is essentially suitable for

  shutters having walls with spherical surfaces.

  In addition, the flaps do not always guarantee a watertight

  optimal cheerfulness, especially when they have to oppose

a high speed air flow.

  The object of the invention is in particular to overcome the drawbacks

mentioned above.

  To this end, it offers an air distribution device of the type defined in the introduction, which further comprises a third air inlet such that the second air inlet and the third air inlet occupy respective angular positions. and on the other side of the first air inlet, in which the two flaps are pivotally mounted around adjacent parallel axes and are movable between a close position where they jointly seal the first air inlet and a distant position where they seal respectively the second air inlet and the third air inlet, and in which means are provided for

  control of the movement of these shutters.

  Thus, the device of the invention comprises three air inlets which can be controlled by the two flaps, the latter being pivotally mounted around adjacent parallel axes and being able to approach or move away from one of

the other.

  As a result, the total air intake section offered by the housing of the device of the invention is greater than

  that of the device of the prior art.

  In addition, the flaps do not overlap one another, which in particular simplifies the means ensuring their control. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second air inlet and the third air inlet occupy substantially symmetrical angular positions in part and

  on the other side of the first air inlet.

  The invention applies very particularly to the case where the

  two flaps have walls shaped as shells.

  Advantageously, the respective shaped walls of the two

  flaps extend over equal angular intervals.

  Still in this preferred embodiment of the invention,

  tion, the second air inlet and the third air inlet extend over equal angular intervals, the first air inlet extending over an angular interval twice that of either second air inlet and

the third air inlet.

  As a result, the section offered by the first air inlet corresponds substantially to the sum of the sections offered respectively by the second and third

air inlet.

  As we will see below, we can take advantage of this advantage to supply the first air inlet with a first air flow and jointly supply the second and

  the third air intake by a second different air flow

rent from the first.

  In the invention, the shaped walls can be coated

different forms.

  Thus, these shaped walls can have a general shape

  cylindrical, whether circular or non-circular.

  Alternatively, these shaped walls have a shape

  general of a spherical portion.

  Of course, other forms are possible.

  According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the two flaps have first own stops to come into mutual support when the two flaps are in close position and second own stops to come into contact with the

  housing when the two flaps are in the remote position.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the control means are capable of ensuring the coordinated movement of the two flaps from one to the other from the close position and

from the far position.

  Advantageously, these control means comprise an actuator capable of acting on the movement of one of the flaps (or leading flap) and movement transmission means interposed between the driving flap and the other flap

(or led component).

  Advantageously, the transmission means comprise gears. In this regard, gears having a transmission ratio of 1 are preferred, so that the two flaps are each time driven in rotation in opposite directions, with the same angular speed, and on strokes

equal angles.

  The actuator of the control means advantageously comprises,

  either a micromotor or a lever.

  In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the driving flap comprises an interface for the positioning of the actuator.

  When this actuator is a lever, the latter is advantageously

  cheerfully molded with the leading flap.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, this lever comprises at least one opening serving as a guide for a pin driven in displacement by a remote control means,

for example a cable.

  The invention applies very particularly to the case where the housing is an air housing for a heating appliance

  and / or air conditioning of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle

  the, the first air inlet being suitable for being supplied

  by a flow of outside air taken from outside the cabin

  tackle, while the second and third air intake are adapted to be supplied both by a recirculated air flow taken from inside the passenger compartment. In this application, the housing advantageously comprises an air outlet capable of being connected to an air blower. An air filter can be interposed between the air outlet of the

housing and air blower.

  In the following description, given by way of example, we

  refers to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a sectional view of an air distribution device according to the invention associated with an air blower of a heating / air conditioning installation of a motor vehicle; - Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 in an alternative embodiment; - Figure 3 is a perspective view of a flap of a device according to the invention; - Figure 4 is a perspective view of another component;

  - Figure 5 is a front view of a shutter with a spherical wall-

than;

  - Figure 6 is a side view corresponding to the fig-

re 5;

  - Figure 7 is a perspective view of a flap presented

  both a wall of evolving shape; and

  - Figure 8 is a side view corresponding to the fig-

  re 7. Firstly reference is made to FIG. 1 which shows an air distribution device 10 according to the invention comprising a casing 12 of generally circular semi-cylindrical shape provided with a first inlet 14, with a second input 16 and a third input 18. The inputs 16 and 18 occupy respective symmetrical angular positions, on either side of the first input 14. The input 14 is used to admit a flow of outside air AE taken outside the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, while the inputs 16 and 18 are used for the admission of a recirculated air flow AR

  taken from inside the passenger compartment.

  The housing 12 comprises an air outlet 20 which is disposed opposite the air inlet 14 and which communicates with an axial inlet 22 of an air blower 24 comprising a scroll-shaped housing 26 intended housing a turbine (not shown). The blower 24 is part of a heating / air conditioning installation (not shown) comprising

  air treatment and distribution means, known per se.

  The housing 12 internally houses two flaps 28 and 30 mounted

  pivoting around adjacent parallel axes 32, 34.

  The air inlet 14 extends over an angular interval which occupies a central position of the boot 12 and which corresponds approximately to twice the angular interval of the air inlet 16 or the air inlet 18 , these last two

  entries with equal angular intervals.

  In the example, the inputs 16 and 18 extend over an angular interval of approximately 45, while the input 14 extends over an angular interval of approximately 90. As a result, the air inlet 14 has an inlet section which corresponds practically to the total inlet section of the

air inlets 16 and 18 combined.

  The flaps 28 and 30 are generally identical and extend

  tooth each over an angular interval A of approximately 45. The flaps 28 and 30 can be moved between a position

  close together (flaps shown in solid lines on the figure)

  re 1) in which the shutters jointly seal the

  first entry 14 and a distant position (flaps represent

  teas in broken lines in FIG. 1) in which they close the second air inlet 16 and the

third air inlet 18.

  In the embodiment of Figure 1, the flap 28

  comprises two flanges 36 having the form of angular sectors

  res and connected together by a closure wall 38 having the shape of a circular cylindrical portion (Figures 1 and 3). The flap 28 is advantageously made by molding a plastic material and further comprises two pivots 40

defining the aforementioned axis 32.

  The flap 30 is produced in a similar manner and comprises two flanges 42 (only one of which is visible in FIG. 1) connecting a closure wall 44 having the shape of a

circular cylindrical portion.

  It will be understood that the flanges 36 and 42 each extend over

  an angular interval A substantially equal to 45.

  The flaps 28 and 30 have respective first stops 46 and 48 capable of coming into mutual support when the two flaps are in the close position, as shown in

solid line in Figure 1.

  Furthermore, the flaps 28 and 30 have respective second stops 50 and 52. These second stops are capable of coming to bear against the edges 54 and 56 of the housing when the flaps are in the close position and against the edges 58

  and 60 of the housing when the flaps are in the remote position

  gnawed. In the embodiment of the flap corresponding to FIG. 3, the latter comprises a seal 62, for example a foam-type or elastomer-type seal, which

  is disposed around the entire periphery of the closure wall 38.

  The device of the invention further comprises control means for ensuring the movement of the flaps 28 and 30, from

  in a coordinated manner, from one to the other from the close position

  and distant position. In the close position, the air inlet 14 is closed while the two inlets 16 and 18 are open, while in the remote position, the air inlet 14 is open, while the air inlets

16 and 18 are both closed.

  The flaps 28 and 30 respectively comprise gear wheels 64 and 66 of the same diameter wedged respectively on the axes 32 and 34. These gears cooperate mutually and define a transmission ratio equal to 1. As a result, the rotational movements of the flaps 28 and 30 are coordinated, these displacements being made in opposite directions, with the same angular speed, and on

equal angular strokes.

  The gear wheels 64 and 66, which can be toothed sectors, are preferably molded with the flaps 28 and 30. These gear wheels can be located either at

  inside, either outside the shutters or the housing.

  In the example, the shutter 30 constitutes a leading shutter and the shutter 28 a driven shutter. Indeed, the flap 30 comprises a lever 68 which extends radially with respect to the axis 34 and which has come from molding with the flap 30. This lever carries, in the vicinity of its free end, at least one opening 70 serving guide to a pin 72 capable of being driven in remote rotation by a cable 74. In the example, the connection between the pin 72 and the cable 74 is effected by means of a lifting beam 76 mounted pivotally around an axis 78 fixed relative to the housing. The cable 74 passes through a sheath 80 and has one end 82 articulated at one end of the lifter, while the other end of the lifter carries the pin 72. Thus, when the end 82 of the cable is in a position close to the sheath, the flaps 28 and 30 are in the close position, while, when the end 82 of the cable is distant from the sheath, the

  flaps 28 and 30 are in the remote position.

  In the embodiment of Figure 2, there is provided an air filter 84 interposed between the air outlet 20 of the housing 12 and the air blower 24. This therefore makes it possible to filter the outside air AE or the AR recirculated air before entering the blower housing, without significantly increasing

the size of the device.

  In the embodiment of Figure 4, the flap 28 comprises two triangular flanges 86 connecting a closure wall 88 of rectangular shape, that is to say a cylindrical non-circular shape. The shutter comprises a seal 90 which extends along the flanges and along two longitudinal edges of the closure wall 88. Of course, the shutter of FIG. 4 could be fitted with a seal bordering only the wall 88, similarly to FIG. 3. Conversely, the shutter of FIG. 8 could be fitted with a seal similar to that of FIG. 4 and bordering

also the flanges 36.

  In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, the flap 28 comprises a closure wall 92 having the shape of a portion of spherical surface which extends between two pivots 94

  and which is bordered by two arcs of a circle 96.

  In the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, the flap comprises a closure wall 98 of evolutive shape (neither cylindrical, nor spherical) extending between two flanges 100 of rectangular shape. The wall 98 comprises two parts 102 and 104 of generally cylindrical shape located respectively at different distances from the pivot axis X-X. These two parts 102 and 104 are interconnected by a

curved connecting part 106.

  It will be understood that the flaps shown in Figures 3 to

  8 are only examples of shutters with conforming walls.

  mées, also called "shells with hull walls", which can be

made according to the invention.

  The closure wall can have different shapes to adapt to different shapes of the housing and take into account

  special installation conditions of the motor vehicle

bile considered.

  In the case of FIGS. 3 and 4, the shell flap is similar to a flap of the drum type. In the case of FIGS. 5 and 6, the

  shell flap is similar to a spherical flap.

  On the other hand, the shutter of FIGS. 7 and 8 constitutes a shutter of original structure in which the obturation wall can be shaped in a specific way and present evolving shapes. Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above by way of example and

extends to other variants.

  The flaps of the device of the invention may have shaped walls having very different shapes, from

  as long as they are shell type walls.

  In addition, the control means of the device of the invention are susceptible of numerous variants. The actuator can be produced in particular in the form of a remote control means such as a cable. It is also possible to use other actuators, in particular a micromotor. Also, it

  is possible to use other types of means of transmission-

  that gears. In addition, these means of transmission may offer a transmission ratio different from i for

  allow the two flaps to have different speed laws

annuities.

  In addition, the invention is not limited to the case of a housing serving for the admission of an external air flow and a flow

  recirculated air, as previously described by way of example.

Claims (20)

Claims   1. Air distribution device for a motor vehicle   the, of the type comprising a box provided with a first air inlet and a second air inlet, as well as two flaps mounted in rotation inside the box for selectively controlling the first air inlet and the second air inlet, characterized in that it further comprises a third air inlet (18) such that the second air inlet (16) and the third air inlet (18) occupy respective angular positions on either side of the first air inlet (14), in that the two flaps (28, 30) are pivotally mounted around adjacent parallel axes (32, 34) and are movable between a close position o they jointly seal the first air inlet (14) and a remote position where they respectively seal the second air inlet (16) and the third air inlet (18), and in that it comprises means for order (68, 76, 74) from moving the shutters.   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second air inlet (16) and the third air inlet (18) occupy substantially symmetrical angular positions on either side of the first air inlet (14).   3. Device according to one of claims 1 and 2,   characterized in that the two flaps (28, 30) have walls shaped like shells (38, 44).   4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the respective shaped walls (38, 44) of the two flaps (28, 30) extend over angular intervals (A) which are equal.   5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4,   characterized in that the second air inlet (16) and the third air inlet (18) extend over equal angular intervals and in that the first air inlet (14) extends over an interval angular double that of one   either of the second air inlet (16) and the third 5th air inlet (18).   6. Device according to one of claims 3 to 5,   characterized in that the respective shaped walls (38) of the two flaps (28, 30) are of generally cylindrical shape   circular or cylindrical non-circular.   7. Device according to one of claims 3 to 5,   characterized in that the respective shaped walls (92)   of the two flaps have a general shape of a spherical portion.   8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7,   characterized in that the two flaps (28, 30) have first stops (46, 48) adapted to come into mutual support when the two flaps are in close position and second stops (50, 52) suitable to come into contact against the   housing when the two flaps are in the remote position.   9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8,   characterized in that the control means (68, 76, 74) are suitable for ensuring the coordinated movement of the two flaps (28, 30) from one to the other from the close position and the distant position.   10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the control means comprise an actuator (68) capable of acting on the movement of one (30) of the flaps (leading flap) and of the movement transmission means (64 , 66) interposed between the leading flap (30) and the other flap (28) (led flap).   11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the transmission means comprise gears (64, 66).   12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the gears (64, 70) have a transmission ratio of 1, so that the two flaps (28, 30) are each time driven in rotation in opposite directions, with the same angular speed, and on equal angular strokes.   13. Device according to one of claims 9 to 12,   characterized in that the actuator comprises a micromotor.   14. Device according to one of claims 9 to 12,   characterized in that the actuator comprises a lever (68).   15. Device according to one of claims 10 to 14,   characterized in that the leading flap (30) comprises a   interface for positioning the actuator (68).   16. Device according to claim 14, taken in combination with   sound with claim 10, characterized in that the lever   (68) came from molding with the leading flap (30).   17. Device according to one of claims 14 and 16,   characterized in that the lever (68) has at least one opening (70) serving to guide a pin (72) driven in displacement by a remote control means, for example a cable (74).   18. Device according to one of claims 1 to 17,   characterized in that the housing (12) is produced in the form of an air intake housing for a heating and / or air conditioning appliance of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle and in that the first inlet d air (14) is suitable for being supplied by an outside air flow (AE) taken from outside the passenger compartment while the second air inlet (16) and the third air inlet (18) are suitable for both being supplied by an air flow   recirculated (AR) taken from outside the passenger compartment.   19. Device according to claim 18, characterized in that it comprises an air outlet (20) suitable for being connected to an air blower (24).   20. Device according to claim 19, characterized in that an air filter (84) is interposed between the air outlet   (20) of the housing (12) and the air blower (24).