FR2788240A1 - AIR CONDITIONER FOR VEHICLES - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an air conditioner for vehicles comprising a plurality of heat exchangers (3, 4) and a sliding type air mixing door (10) installed in a pipe (2). The air mixing door (10) slides in a transverse direction with respect to a hot air path (8) and a cold air path (9) formed in the duct, so as to regulate the flow rates air flowing in the respective paths of hot air and cold air. The air mixing door (10) is driven to slide by a sliding mechanism having a sliding cord (11, 12) connected to the air mixing door (10). At least one rotatable support member (13, 14) for tensioning the sliding cord (11, 12) is supported in a direction suitable for imparting some tension to the sliding cord in a floating state by the intermediate of an elastic element comprising a compression or tension spring.

Description

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AIR CONDITIONER FOR VEHICLES

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner for vehicles, and more particularly, an air conditioner having a sliding type air mixing door for adjusting the mixing ratio of hot air and cold air. FIG. 6 (appended) describes a conventional air conditioner for vehicles (for example document JP-A-9-175,147). In the air conditioner 50 described in FIG. 6, an evaporator 52 serving as a cooling device, and a radiator 53 serving as a heating device, are arranged in this order in an air duct 51. An air mixing door of the sliding type 56 is placed between the evaporator 52 and the radiator 53. The air mixing door 56 regulates the ratio of the air flows flowing in the cold air path 54 and the hot air path formed in line 51. A sliding cord 57, consisting of a rubber strap, is connected to the air mixing door 56 to make the air mixing door 56 slide. The sliding cord 57 is driven by the rotation of support elements 58 and 59. The air mixing door 56 is caused to slide under the effect of the displacement of the sliding cord 57, which regulates the ratio of

  mixture of hot and cold air.

  In such an air conditioner for vehicles, since the sliding cord 57 itself is formed of a rubber belt having a certain elasticity, the sliding cord 57 can be

  tensioned to an appropriate tension between the support elements 58 and 59.

  Therefore, it is possible to ensure a precise stop position of the air mixing door 56, as well as adequate sealing and

  smooth operation for the air mixing door 56.

  In addition, in another conventional air conditioner 60 for vehicles described in FIG. 7 (appended), a cable 62 serving as a sliding cord is connected to the air mixing door 61. The cable 62 is stretched between support elements rotary 63 and 64. A spring 65 is placed in the path of the cable 62, and the spring 65 imparts an appropriate tension to the cable 62, which guarantees the precision of the stop position of the air mixing door 61, etc. However, in the air conditioner depicted in Figure 6, there may occur over time a deterioration or elongation of the rubber belt 57 serving as a sliding cord. In the air conditioner described in FIG. 7, because the spring 65 imparting the tension is placed on the outlet side of the evaporator 52, corrosion of the spring 65 can occur. Consequently, in these conventional air conditioners described in the Figures 6 and 7, the sliding cords may not have an appropriate tension over a long period, which reduces the precision of the stop position of the air mixing door or its sealing. In addition, because the tension-imparting mechanism is placed inside the pipe in both air conditioners, maintenance can be difficult. In addition, in the air conditioner described in Figure 7, since the spring 65 is arranged in the path of the cable 62, the interval of movement of the door

  air mixture 61 may be limited.

  Document JP-A-7-329 540 describes an air conditioner in which a torsion mechanism is arranged on a part of a shaft, which is actuated to wind a door which is in the form of a film, and an adequate tension is imparted to the film door by the twist mechanism, which increases the positioning accuracy of the film door. However, because the proposed mechanism is complicated, it may result in an inconvenience, such as an increase in the cost of manufacturing the air conditioner, a reduction in the reliability of the air conditioner, or a reduction in the ease of maintenance. . It would be desirable to provide an air conditioner for vehicles having a sliding mechanism allowing desired operation of an air mixing door, and in which the sliding mechanism is simplified to reduce the manufacturing cost of the air conditioner and to increase reliability of the sliding mechanism, which results in precise positioning of the air mixing door, excellent

  performance over a long period, as well as easier maintenance.

  The present invention provides an air conditioner for vehicles. The air conditioner for vehicles according to the present invention has a plurality of heat exchangers and an air mixing door installed in a duct. The air mixing door slides in a transverse direction with respect to a hot air passage and a cold air passage formed in the pipe. By its sliding, the air mixing door regulates the air flow flowing in the respective paths of hot air and cold air. The sliding action is performed by a sliding mechanism which has a sliding cord connected to the air mixing door. In the sliding mechanism, at least one rotatable support member for tensioning the sliding cord is supported in a direction capable of imparting a certain tension to the sliding cord, in a state

  floating, by means of an elastic element.

  In order to support the rotating support member in the direction described above, in a floating state, via an elastic member, a force of repulsion against compression or tension of the elastic member can be imparted to the support member. For example, the elastic member is a compression spring, and a repulsive force against the compression force of the spring can be exerted. Alternatively, the elastic member is a tension spring, and a repulsive force against the tension force of the spring can be exerted. The elastic element can be placed outside the pipe or inside the pipe. In particular, if the elastic element is placed outside the pipe, so that the elastic element can be freely attached and detached from the outside, the maintenance of this part can be

greatly facilitated.

  In the air conditioner for vehicles according to the present invention, a repulsive force of the elastic member is continuously communicated to the rotary support member, and the rotary support member is moved in a direction imparting some tension to the cord. sliding. More precisely, the simple mechanism used to support the rotary support element in a direction which gives a certain tension to the sliding cord, in a floating state, alone allows it to correctly absorb the elongation of the sliding cord over time and to give adequate permanent tension to the sliding cord. When the elongation of the sliding cord is equal to "a", the elongation can be absorbed by moving the support element to "a / 2". Therefore, the mechanism can be further simplified. The simplification of the mechanism makes it possible to reduce the cost of manufacturing the air conditioner and to increase the reliability of the air conditioner, but also to increase the positioning accuracy of the air mixing door and to correctly maintain the sealing of the part of air mixing door on a

long period.

  In addition, if the elastic element is placed outside the pipe, maintenance, such as for example changing the elastic element, can be easily carried out from outside the pipe,

  which greatly improves ease of maintenance.

  Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention

  will become evident on reading the detailed description

  below are preferred embodiments of the present invention,

  with reference to the attached drawings.

  Preferred embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of example only, and which are not intended to limit the present invention. Figure 1 is a perspective view of an air conditioner for vehicles according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is an enlarged partial vertical sectional view of the

  air conditioner described in Figure 1, taken along line II-II.

  Figure 3 is an enlarged partial vertical sectional view of the air conditioner described in Figure 1, showing the displacement of the support member with respect to the elongation of the sliding cord. Figure 4 is an enlarged partial vertical sectional view of an air conditioner for vehicles according to a second embodiment of the present invention, showing the support member supported in

  a floating state by an elastic element.

  Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view of the support portion

floating described in figure 4.

  Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view of an air conditioner for

classic vehicles.

  Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view of another air conditioner

for classic vehicles.

  Figures 1 and 2 describe a first embodiment of an air conditioner for vehicles according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, the air conditioner 1 comprises an air line 2. An evaporator 3 serving as a cooling device and a radiator 4 serving

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  heaters are arranged in the air flow direction, in this order, in the air line 2. Respective air discharge ports, such as the discharge port in DEF mode 5, l the discharge port in WIND mode 6 and the discharge port in FOOT mode 7 are formed in line 2, downstream of the radiator 4. The temperature-controlled air is discharged inside the vehicle by one, two or three selected discharge ports,

depending on the mode requested.

  In air line 2, the air flow path located above

  above the radiator 4 constitutes a cold air flow path 9.

  The cold air path passes in front of the evaporator 3. The flow path passing through the evaporator 3 and the radiator 4 constitutes a hot air flow path 8. A sliding type air mixing door 10 is arranged between the evaporator 3 and the radiator 4. The air mixing door 10 slides in a direction transverse to the passage of cold air 9 and to the passage of hot air 8, to adjust the amount of air passing through the cold air flow path 9 and the amount of air passing through the hot air flow path 8, depending on the mode of

desired air conditioning.

  Cables 11 and 12 serving as sliding cords for driving the air mixing door 10 are connected to the air mixing door 10. The cables 11 and 12 are tensioned by rotary support elements 13 and 14. L the support element 13 has pulleys 15 and 16, and the support element 14 has pulleys 17 and 18. The cable 11 extends between and around the pulleys 15 and 17, and the cable 12 extends between and around the pulleys 16 and 18. When the support elements 13 and 14 are rotated, the driving force is transmitted to the cables 11 and 12 via the pulleys 15 and 17 and the pulleys 16 and 18, the cables 11 and 12 are driven in the direction of a tension, and

  the air mixing door 10 is slid in the vertical direction.

  In this embodiment, the rotary support element 14 is supported in a direction suitable for imparting a certain tension to the cables 11 and 12 (in this embodiment, upwards in FIGS. 1 and 2), in a state floating, by means of the elastic elements 19 and 20 situated at the two ends of the support element 14. In this embodiment, the elastic elements 19 and 20 comprise compression springs. In more detail, both

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  end parts of the support element 14 project towards the outside of the pipe 2, through vertical slots 23 and 24 defined on the side walls of the pipe 2. The two end parts of the element support 14 are rotatably supported on respective compression springs 19 and 20, placed outside the pipe 2, by means of receiving elements 21 and 22 as described in FIG. 2. The compression springs 19 and 20 serving as elastic elements can be arranged so as to be free to be attached

  and detached from outside the pipe 2.

  When the end portions of the support member 14 engage the receiving members 21 and 22, the support member 14 is moved in the vertical direction in Figures 1 and 2, so as to impart some tension to cables 11 and 12 thanks to a force of

  repulsion against compression of compression springs 19 and 20.

  Consequently, an appropriate tension can be imparted permanently to the cables 11 and 12. A sleeve (not shown) can be arranged on each end part of the support element 14, so that the sleeve is positioned between the end part of the support element 14 and the receiving element 21 or 22. The support element 14 can be rotated relative to the sleeves, and the sleeves may not be rotated relative to the elements receivers 21 and 22. Consequently, the durability of the mechanism comprising the receiver elements 21 and 22 and the springs

  19 and 20 can be improved.

  In this embodiment, the simple mechanism serving to support the rotary support element 14 in a floating state, by means of the compression springs 19 and 20, alone makes it possible to correctly absorb the elongation of the cables 11 and 12 over time and impart adequate permanent tension to cables 11 and

12.

  Furthermore, as can be seen in FIG. 3, when the elongation of the cables 11 and 12 is "a", the elongation can be absorbed by a displacement of the support element 14 by approximately "a / 2" . Therefore, the amount of travel to be adjusted may be small. This simple mechanism can prevent the increase in the manufacturing cost of the air conditioner and the decrease in the reliability of the mechanism. In addition, the positioning accuracy of the air mixing door 10, such as for example the precision of the stop position, and the tightness around the air mixing door 10, can be guaranteed over a long period of time. period. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the compression springs 19 and 20 serving as elastic elements are arranged outside the pipe 2, the compression springs 19 and 20 can be easily attached and detached. Therefore, maintenance, such as changing the springs of

  compression 19 and 20, can be greatly facilitated.

  Figures 4 and 5 describe a mechanism for imparting a certain tension to a sliding cord of an air conditioner for vehicles according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The two end parts of the rotary support element 14 project towards the outside of the pipe 2, through vertical slots 25 and 26 defined on the side walls of the pipe 2. The two end parts of the pipe 2 the support element 14 are rotatably supported on respective tension springs 27 and 28, serving as elastic elements, outside the pipe 2. The hooking parts 29 and 30 are formed on the lower ends of the respective tension springs 27 and 28. When the hooking portions 29 and 30 engage the end portions of the support member 14, the support member 14 is supported in a floating state by a force of repulsion acting against the tension force of tension springs 27 and 28, so that an appropriate tension

  is given to cables 11 and 12.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, annular collars 31 and 32 are provided on the two end portions of the support element 14. The movement of the support element 14 in its axial direction can be limited by the 'engagement of the collars 31 and 32 with the edge portions of the slots 25 and 26. In addition, in this embodiment, a sleeve (not shown) may preferably be disposed on each end portion of the element support 14, so that the sleeve is positioned between the end part of the support element 14 and the hooking parts 29 and 30 of the tension springs 27 and 28. The support element 14 can be rotated relative to the sleeves, and the sleeves cannot

  be driven in rotation relative to the attachment parts 29 and 30.

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  Therefore, the durability of tension springs 27 and 28

  including the hooking parts 29 and 30 can be improved.

  In this embodiment, the simple mechanism serving to support the rotary support element 14 in a floating state, by means of the tension springs 27 and 28, alone allows it to correctly absorb the elongation of the cables 11 and 12 over time and to impart an adequate permanent tension to the cables 11 and 12. In addition, since the tension springs 27 and 28 serving as elastic elements are arranged outside the pipe 2, the springs tension 27 and 28 can be easily attached and detached. Therefore, maintenance, such as changing the tension springs 27 and 28, can be greatly facilitated. Although the tension mechanism is only provided for the upper support member 14 in the first and second embodiments described above, a similar tension mechanism can be provided for the lower support member 13, and for each of the

  support elements 14 and 13 upper and lower.

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Claims (6)

  1. Air conditioner for vehicles comprising a plurality of heat exchangers (3, 4) and an air mixing door (10) installed in a duct (2), said air mixing door (10) being capable of sliding in a direction transverse to a hot air path (8) and a cold air path (9) formed in said pipe (2), thereby regulating the air flow rates passing through said respective hot air paths and cold air, said air mixing door (10) being driven to slide by a sliding mechanism having a sliding cord (11, 12) connected to said air mixing door (10), characterized in that at least one rotary support element (13, 14), serving to tension said sliding cord (11, 12), is supported in a direction capable of imparting a certain tension to said sliding cord (11, 12), in a floating state, by   through an elastic element (19, 20; 27, 28).   2. Air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that said elastic element (19, 20) exerts a repulsive force against a   compression of said support element (13, 14).   3. Air conditioner according to claim 2, characterized in that said   elastic element (19, 20) is a compression spring.   4. Air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that said elastic element (27, 28) exerts a repulsive force against a   tension of said support element (13, 14).   5. Air conditioner according to claim 4, characterized in that said   elastic element (27, 28) is a tension spring.   6. Air conditioner according to any one of claims   above, characterized in that said elastic element (19, 20   27, 28) is disposed outside of said pipe (2).