FR2788728A1 - Air supply system for car has distribution flaps separated from heater, evaporator and moto-ventilator group - Google Patents

Abstract

Air supply system has heater, evaporator and moto-ventilator group (19) adjusting air temperature, flap (43) for mixing cold and warm air, distribution means (27, 39, 37, 41) for spreading towards dashboard and interior and having distribution flaps (39, 41) and air distribution channels (29, 31) to ventilator (29a). Distribution flaps are separated from heater, evaporator and moto-ventilator group to which they are removably attached to.

Description

The invention relates to the production of a device, or a system,

  air supply of a vehicle, and in particular of a board

vehicle edge.

  Many such air supply systems have of course already been proposed. Thus, there are systems comprising: - means for adapting the air temperature, these means comprising a heating radiator and possibly an evaporator (air conditioner), - means for controlled mixing of hot air and cold air, comprising a control flap for the air temperature, these means being located downstream of said means for adapting the air temperature and communicating with them, - air distribution means located downstream of the mixing means, with which they communicate, to distribute the air at the right temperature obtained from the latter to different locations on the dashboard and possibly in the passenger compartment, these distribution means comprising at least one flap distribution, - and air distribution channels to aerators open through the dashboard and possibly also arranged in the passenger compartment, these distribution channels being interposed between the means ens of

  distribution (downstream of them) and aerators.

  However, the following problems have been noted in these existing systems: - difficulty in integrating a bulky assembly behind the dashboard, - bulk at the location of the dashboard, difficult accessibility to the elements most likely to

  break down, get out of balance, ....

  To solve the essentials at least of these problems, an important characteristic of the invention provides that said distribution means, the distribution flap (s) of which are (are) arranged inside a hollow housing communicating respectively, upstream and downstream, with said mixing means and with the distribution channels, are structurally dissociated from the means for adapting the air temperature, and in particular from the heating radiator, as well as from the possible evaporator, vis-à-vis which (which) they are removably attached (preferably). An advantage of this solution is that it will thus be possible to first mount the temperature adaptation means (heating group plus possibly air conditioning system, if the vehicle is equipped with it) and to report only after suddenly said distribution means, thereby facilitating the mounting of the dashboard and the rear accessibility thereof. Integrating a flap (s) into the "air distribution box" will also facilitate their control, as soon as they are dissociated from the block

  heating and air conditioning as such.

  Advantageously, according to a complementary characteristic of the invention, the distribution box will also incorporate an upstream extension (usually at the bottom) to which the temperature control flap of the means for controlled mixing of hot air / cold air will be fixed, with an increase in advantages indicated above, due to additional integration of function and even more dissociation

  pronounced against the heating and air conditioning unit.

  Another problem encountered in the design of the environment of dashboards relates to rigidity and resistance to effort, in particular in the event of a frontal impact and more generally,

  driving this dashboard.

  The solution proposed in this regard by the invention recommends using the monobloc assembly constituted by the hollow housing of the distribution means and by its extension carrying the flap (s) for controlling the temperature of the air supplied by the heating / air conditioning unit, so that this assembly constitutes, for the dashboard, a support leg on the floor of the vehicle, by resumption of the forces of this board so as to retransmit them towards the floor. Advantageously, this monobloc assembly will be fixed to the cross member which typically extends, at this location, between the pillars "A" of the vehicle.

(front side pillars).

  Thus, this hollow air supply assembly, dissociated from the heating / air conditioning group, will constitute an effective mechanical reinforcement structure, favorable to the impact resistance of the dashboard.

and its environment.

  Another characteristic of the invention, also favorable to the resolution of the problems mentioned above (integration, size and accessibility), relates to the location of the means for adapting the air temperature. According to this favorable characteristic, these means (and in particular the evaporator and / or the radiator) will be arranged in the

vehicle engine compartment.

  According to an additional characteristic, it is also advised that in the immediate vicinity of the bulkhead (which separates the passenger compartment from the engine compartment), the air duct which passes through it to receive the cold air or the hot air / cold air mixture to be diffused, separates beyond the "control" hot air / cold air flap (s) into air distribution ducts for the feet, central air distribution and upper demisting, the separation of said conduits containing said control flap then

  located substantially in line with the sound absorbing deck.

  And according to yet another characteristic, at the location of the engine compartment of the vehicle, the evaporator will preferably communicate with the motor-fan unit which blows air towards the radiator so that this evaporator and the radiator are offset laterally one with respect to the other, the radiator being situated at a lower level than that of the motor-fan group and preferably at

also that of the evaporator.

  All of this saves space and promotes accessibility and ergonomics.

  A more detailed description of the invention will now be

  provided with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the illustration of Figure 2, - Figure 2 is a schematic top view, with partial section, of the essential elements of the air distribution according to the invention, - Figure 3 is an enlarged schematic perspective view of a possible embodiment of a mixing and air distribution block dissociated from the heating and air conditioning group,

  - Figure 4 shows the block of Figure 3 separated by two sub-

  structurally independent parts (mixing box at the bottom and distribution box at the top), - and Figure 5 shows another alternative embodiment in which the independent block is only an air distribution block, the temperature adaptation and the possible mixing of hot air / cold air

  taking place in the heating and air conditioning group.

  In FIGS. 1 and 2, the illustrated part of the vehicle 1 comprises an engine compartment 3 separated from a passenger compartment 5 by a sound-absorbing apron 7 which, in the upper part, bypasses a cross-member 9 (connected laterally to the pillars "A" of the vehicle shown diagrammatically in 10a and O10b in Figure 2) and to which is fixed by any appropriate means the dashboard (or dashboard)

  11 (fixing lugs screwed, welded, ...).

  As we can see, this dashboard extends in

  the passenger compartment 5, substantially from the deck 7.

  For the generation of hot air if necessary and for its controlled circulation in the passenger compartment, the vehicle is furthermore equipped with a "temperature-controlled air diffusion system" identified in its

together 13.

  Roughly the air distribution system 13 can first of all be divided into two sub-parts: the group for generating air at the right temperature (or heating / air conditioning unit) 15 in which a liquid (water) or a cooling gas (freon) is, or may be, present and

  elements 17 o only air is caused to move.

  The soundproofing apron 7 (preferably a sheet metal plate coated with an acoustic soundproofing layer) advantageously constitutes the

  separation zone between parts 15 and 17.

  In the illustrated assembly, the elements likely to contain liquid 15 are located in the engine compartment 3, while the

  elements o only air must circulate 17 extend from the side of the passenger compartment 5.

  Anyway, there is shown in the figures as belonging to the group of elements 15, a motor-fan group 19 located in the water box 21 (upper part of the engine compartment 3, in the immediate vicinity of the cross member 9 ), a heating radiator 25 and an evaporator 23 belonging to the air conditioning system

  In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the moto- group

  fan 19 is located in lateral offset, at a level above that of radiator 25, which is arranged laterally next to the evaporator, while being located practically along the axis Y0, the evaporator being located on the side. AT

  note that the evaporator could be placed next to the power unit

  fan 19, therefore higher than the radiator 25.

  Among the elements of the "dry" part 17, there is, downstream, the foot air distribution chute 27 (shown only in part), a central air distribution chute 29 and a distribution chute

  demisting air (upper part of the dashboard), 31.

  The three chutes 27, 29 and 31 are connected to three conduits located opposite 53, 55, 57, emanating from a common conduit 33, at the location of the deck 7, which conduit 33 is itself connected to two conduits d air supply, in this case a heated air duct 35, connected to the radiator 25 and a cold air duct 36, coming from the evaporator 23. Inside the passenger compartment, but behind the dashboard 11, the conduit 33 thus branches off first into at least two troughs 53, 37, the

  chute 37 separating itself into at least two "sub-chutes" 55, 57.

  Different components such as 39, 41 and 42 allow you to control and

  distribute the air flow in the ducts 53, 55, 57.

  As for the hot air / cold air metering, it is carried out by virtue of the temperature control flap 43 whose axis of rotation can be located substantially in alignment with the sound absorbing apron 7 (general plan

  materialized by axes 7a, 7a 'in Figures 1 and 2).

  In FIG. 2, the aerator has been identified at 29a into which the most advanced central ventilation duct 29 opens into the passenger compartment, at 29b and 29c, the outlet orifices of two front aerators also connected to the duct 29 ( which has branched), the marks 31a and 31b indicating two defogging aerators, one of which is connected to the duct 31 (see FIG. 1) and the other to a homologous duct, symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis Zoet

communicating with channel 37.

  With such a controlled air distribution system, the following operation can be envisaged: from a lateral air intake 45 (FIG. 2), the motor-fan unit 19 passes the extracted outside air, either directly towards the centralization duct 33 (through the evaporator 23 and the chute 36), or (depending on the position of the flap 43) with prior circulation through the heating radiator 25 then the chute 35 (see the

  illustrative arrows in Figure 2).

  As soon as it leaves the duct 33, the air is distributed rearward and downward, through the chute 53, and / or upward and frontally and laterally, via the chute 37, again depending on the position. distribution flaps

such as 39, 41 and 42.

  The products (liquid) of condensation from the evaporator 23 can be collected and evacuated via the collector 47, those of the radiator 25 can be directly in the engine compartment. FIG. 3 shows the solution of the invention in which the mixing and distribution channels of the hot air and the cold air coming from the supply unit 15 are grouped together in an independent block. that is to say of the block comprising the outside air intake 45, the heating radiator 25 and the air conditioning evaporator 23, if a

air conditioning exists).

  In this figure 3, the mixing / air distribution block has been identified

as a whole 50.

  As we can see, it is a block structurally independent of block 15, which will therefore provide block 50 with a certain volume

  air more or less hot or more or less cold.

  At the inlet (upstream with respect to the direction of circulation of the air flow shown diagrammatically by arrows in FIG. 3), the mixing and distribution block comprises the mixing flap 43 already presented, which more or less closes or releases the access to the internal centralization duct 33 through the two parts 35, 35 ′ which define access to the block 50 (with therefore either direct access via 35 ′, or indirect access via chute 35, after circulation through the radiator 25 of block 15, depending on the

  angular position of the flap 43, as already indicated).

  In addition to this mixing flap 43, the block 50 includes the flaps 41,

42, as well as the feet flap 39.

  Internally, the centralization duct 33 communicates with the inner channel 37 which leads to the two "high" distribution chutes 53 and 55 (see also FIG. 1) which lead respectively to the air distribution ducts, respectively central and upper, (landmarks

29 and 31 in Figure 1).

  The distribution ducts 55, 57 are structurally distinct from the distribution ducts 29 and 31, as, moreover, the foot distribution duct 53 (also marked in FIG. 1) is distinct from the duct 27 for distributing air to the interior (feet air for the rear seats). Thus, this air mixing / distribution block comprises several movable flaps and different ducts or internal channels making it possible, according to the determined mixture of air at the inlet and thanks to flap 43, to distribute this air at the right temperature towards the conduits 29 , 31, linked to the aerators 29a, 29b, ..., of the dashboard and / or towards the air duct of

  27 feet that goes under this dashboard.

  It will also be noted that the front and upper air distribution ducts, respectively 29 and 31, are linked to the dashboard 11 and can in particular be integrated into its plastic structure, so as to form with it a one-piece assembly to which the mixing / distribution block 50 will then be fixed (by the free outlet end of its conduits 53, 55), the inlet 35, 35 'of the block 50 being in turn attached to the outlet 51 of the block 15, of which

  we see the end in Figure 3 (in phantom lines).

  The fixing of the mixing / distribution block 50 with the dashboard 11 will in particular allow a resumption of effort favorable to

  the mechanical strength of the dashboard.

  These fixings can consist of screw connections to allow

then a subsequent disassembly.

  Thus, if as is the case in FIG. 3, the block 50 extends, towards the dashboard, over a height such that it is fixed in the upper part to the two mechanically resistant chutes 29 and 31 fixedly linked to the dashboard and comes to rest, in the lower part, on the floor 59 of the vehicle to which it is fixed by any fixing means, such as legs 61, 63, screwed or riveted to the floor, it will constitute a leg

effective support.

  Of course, its structure, advantageously made of rigid plastic, combined with shapes studied for this purpose, will then allow it to play this role. The mixing / distribution block 50 may also be attached to the

cross 9.

  For this purpose, it may locally present a sleeve 65 adapted

  to receive internally and tightly the cross 9.

  Thus fixed to the cross member and connected to the dashboard, the mixing / distribution block 50 will transmit the forces in particular between the floor

59 and cross member 9.

  Optionally, as shown in Figure 4, the block of

  above-mentioned mixture / distribution, and identified 150, could be split into two sub-

parts 150a, 150b.

  In this hypothesis, the separation would take place towards the base of the

  two essentially vertical conduits 55, 57, under the flaps 41 and 42.

  Thus, the upper block 150a would constitute an air distribution block towards the dashboard, while the lower block 150b would constitute a mixing block, with the distributor flap 43, while having a function

  distribution, due to the presence of the "foot air" component 39.

  In FIG. 5, another variant is illustrated in which the block 250 is only an air distribution block, insofar as the mixing flap 43 is then carried by the block 15 of the heating / air conditioning group, the block 250 only distributing the air already brought to the right temperature, either towards the dashboard (conduits 55c, 57c) or towards the interior of the passenger compartment (rear seats) via the

foot pipe 53c.

  The blocks 50, 150, 250 can be made of polypropylene, or even of high density polyethylene and possibly reinforced with synthetic fibers. For their manufacture, they can be molded in au

  at least two half-shells then assembled by welding.

  The removability between them of the blocks presented above (15,

  , 50a, ...) can facilitate the mounting and installation of the dashboard.

  The dissociation with the "heating group" proper (block 15) will in particular make it possible to obtain a more complete preassembly of the elements to the dashboard, before bringing this preassembled assembly opposite the outlet of the heating group, with as an additional advantage, elimination of the risks of leakage of liquid or technical gas (such as freon) if the heating radiator 25 and the air conditioning evaporator 23 are arranged on the side of the engine compartment, while the mixing / distribution block and the other aforementioned elements of the board

  edge are siltued on the side of the cockpit.

  Note also in Figures 4, 5, 6 that the heating block 15 is not necessarily (entirely) located in the compartment 3 but

may encroach on the passenger compartment 5.

Claims (8)

  1. Air supply system for a vehicle, comprising: - means (15; 19, 23, 25) for adjusting the air temperature, these means comprising a heating radiator (25) as well as 'optionally an evaporator (23), - means for controlled mixing of hot air and cold air, comprising a flap (43) for controlling the air temperature, these means being located downstream of said means adaptation of the air temperature and communicating with them, - means (27, 39, 37, 41) of air distribution located downstream of the mixing means (43), to distribute the air at the right temperature obtained from the latter to different locations of the dashboard (11) and possibly of the passenger compartment (5), these distribution means comprising at least one distribution flap (39, 41, 42), - and distribution channels d 'air (29, 31, 57) to aerators (29a, 29b, 29c, ...) open through the dashboard and optionally further arranged d in the passenger compartment, these distribution channels being interposed between the distribution means, downstream from them, and the aerators, characterized in that said distribution means including the distribution flap (s) (39, 41 , 42) is (are) arranged inside a hollow housing communicating respectively upstream and downstream with said mixing means and with the distribution channels, are structurally dissociated from the means (19, 23, 25 J for adapting the temperature of the air, and in particular of the heating radiator (25), as well as any   evaporator (23), vis-à-vis which (which) they are removably attached.   2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that said hollow housing (50) of the distribution means is extended in a single piece, by an upstream part defining a hollow interior volume (33) of air circulation towards (s) distribution flap (s), said hollow interior volume receiving the control flap (43) for the air temperature which is thus structurally dissociated from said means (15) for adapting the air temperature.   3. System according to claim 2, characterized in that the monobloc assembly (50), constituted by the hollow housing and its extension, defines a force recovery structure of the dashboard (11), transmitting said forces to the floor (59) on which it rests,   stiffening this dashboard to which this set is linked.   4. System according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that the monobloc assembly (50), constituted by the hollow housing and its extension, is fixed to a structural crosspiece (9) extending   behind the dashboard, between two pillars "A" (10a, 10b).   5. System according to claim 4, characterized in that the monobloc assembly (50) comprising the hollow housing and its extension comprises a sleeve (65) adapted to internally and tightly receive said crosspiece (9), to link the monobloc assembly and this   crosspiece to which is also fixed the dashboard (11).   6. Air supply system according to any one of   previous claims, installed in a vehicle comprising a   engine compartment (3) separated from a passenger compartment (5) by a soundproofing apron (7), characterized in that the means (19, 23, 25) for adjusting the air temperature, and in particular the evaporator and / or the radiator,   are arranged in the engine compartment (3) of the vehicle.   7. System according to claim 6, characterized in that the distribution flap (43) is located substantially in alignment (7a, 7a ') of the soundproof apron.   8. System according to claim 6 or claim 7, characterized in that at the place of the engine compartment (3) of the vehicle, the evaporator (23) communicates with the motor-fan group (19) which blows from the air to the radiator (25), so that this evaporator and the radiator are offset laterally with respect to each other, the radiator   (25) being located at a lower level than that of the moto- group   fan and preferably that of the evaporator.