FR2834246A1 - Air conditioning for motor vehicle interior, has independent feeds into front and rear areas of passenger compartment - Google Patents

Abstract

The air conditioning for a motor vehicle interior has an air inlet (6) and a heater-cooler circuit (10-12) for the air with a mixing chamber (12). At least one of the outlets (19,23) opens into the mixing chamber and has an obturator (21,25). A rear duct (38) is fed with air from a breach of at least one of the outlets. Part of the inlet air is fed towards the front and part toward the rear, with the latter controlled to condition the air into the rear of the vehicle.

Description

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 Air conditioning device, especially for a motor vehicle.

 The present invention relates to an air conditioning device, in particular an air-conditioning device for a motor vehicle.

un refroidisseur d'air, un radiateur de chauffage d'air, et des moyens de mélange 1 ZD d'air refroidi et d'air chauffé. Le dispositif de climatisation comprend une conduite de sortie vers des aérateurs de dégivrage, une conduite de sortie d'air vers des aérateurs de places avant, et une conduite de sortie vers des aérateurs de pieds. Les entrées des conduites de sortie peuvent être fermées complètement ou partiellement à l'aide de moyens d'obturation. Un panneau de réglage permet de commander une température d'air diffusé, un débit d'air selon plusieurs valeurs prédéterminées, et une répartition de l'air entre les différents aérateurs, par fermeture complète ou partielle de chaque conduite de sortie. Le dispositif de climatisation peut éventuellement être à commande automatique réalisée par une unité de commande et des capteurs associés. An air conditioning device generally comprises an air intake,

an air cooler, an air heating radiator, and 1 ZD mixing means of cooled air and heated air. The air conditioning device includes an outlet duct to de-icing vents, an air outlet duct to front seat ventilators, and an outlet duct to foot ventilators. The inlet of the outlet pipes can be closed completely or partially by means of shutter means. An adjustment panel makes it possible to control a diffused air temperature, an air flow rate according to several predetermined values, and a distribution of air between the different aerators, by complete or partial closure of each outlet pipe. The air conditioning device can optionally be automatically controlled by a control unit and associated sensors.

 It may be desired to provide motor vehicles comprising air conditioning devices offering the possibility of different settings between the front seats and the rear seats. A vehicle may include two air conditioning devices: a front device and a rear device. Such a solution is expensive. In addition, the consumption of the vehicle is increased, and the maintenance of the air conditioning devices may require more frequent stops of the vehicle.

 In order to bring treated air directly to a rear space of the vehicle, an air conditioning device may include a rear air outlet connected to a pipe opening into said rear space. Document EP 0 989 004 discloses an air conditioning module comprising a mixing chamber, from which de-icing lines, front aerator pipes, and rear aerator pipes start.

 Partition walls make it possible to obtain different air mixing chambers, and air diffusion to the different pipes with different air temperatures. Shutters for shutting off the various pipes make it possible, by completely or partially closing the pipe entries, and from a flow rate supplied by an air supply, to distribute air between the pipes

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de dégivrage, d'aérateurs avant et d'aérateurs arrière. Cependant, un tel dispositif ne ZD permet pas la diffusion d'air vers des places arrière d'un véhicule automobile par une adaptation simple d'un dispositif de diffusion d'air aux places avant, avec un réglage de débit indépendant.

defrosting, front aerators and rear aerators. However, such a device does not allow the diffusion of air to the rear seats of a motor vehicle by a simple adaptation of an air distribution device in the front seats, with an independent flow control.

The present invention relates to an air conditioning device for front air diffusion and rear air diffusion, by a simple adaptation of an air diffusion device at the front
The invention also relates to an air conditioning device for obtaining a rear air diffusion with independent flow control, without disturbing a setting distribution and air flow specified at the output of front vents.

 The invention also relates to an air conditioning device for rear air diffusion, from a simple adaptation of a front air distribution air conditioning system, and regardless of the distribution of air diffusion between different front vents of the air conditioning system.

 Such an air conditioning device comprises an air inlet, a heating / cooling treatment unit of the intake air, at least first and second treated air outlet ducts, means for closing the inlet of the air, outlet pipes and a first air circulation means. The device further comprises a rear air diffusion duct to a rear space supplied with air from an air intake on at least one outlet duct.

 The air supply of the rear pipe from an air intake on an outlet pipe allows, from an existing air conditioning device and diffusing air to the front seats, to be able to diffuse in a simple way from the air to the rear seats. Provision is made of air intakes conveniently arranged on the outlet ducts of the air conditioning device, so that the rear pipe can, at least in all cases necessary, be supplied with air.

 In one embodiment, the air conditioning device comprises an air circulation means disposed in an intermediate portion of the rear pipe. The second air circulation means disposed in the rear pipe allows an increase in the air flow diffused backwards, and can for example be controlled from a control panel accessible from the rear seats.

Appropriate control of the first and second circulation means, as well as closure means, may allow a rearward flow adjustment independent of a front air diffusion setting.

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 Advantageously, the rear pipe comprises at an end opposite the air intake at least two rear outlets, allowing air diffusion to different portions of the rear space. For example, an air outlet can diffuse air to the feet of the rear passengers, a second air outlet diffusing air to the upper body of the passengers. An air outlet can feed a plurality of aerators, near or far.

 Preferably, the air conditioning device comprises an air distribution means between the rear outlets, and an associated control means. The control means can be controlled from an adjustment panel accessible to the rear passengers so that they can adjust the rear air distribution at their convenience.

 In one embodiment, the air conditioning device comprises at least a third air outlet duct, the rear duct being supplied with air by air intakes disposed on at least two outlet ducts. The rear duct air supply from a plurality of air intakes, disposed on different outlet ducts, provides air supply to the rear duct in most distribution configurations. air between the outlet pipes. Thus, an independent rear flow adjustment is made possible, since there is no risk of depriving the rear line of air supply.

 In one embodiment, each air outlet duct inlet is associated with a shutoff means to provide air distribution adjustment between the outlet ducts. Of course, closure means may be connected to allow certain air distribution configurations.

 In one embodiment, the air conditioning device comprises a control unit able to control the closing means of the outlet ducts and the first air circulation means as a function of desired flow rate information at the outlet of the outlet ducts. .

 In a preferred embodiment, the control unit comprises means for determining a flow information in the rear line, and means for determining corrected flow rates of the output lines for controlling the first means of air circulation and closure means of the outlet pipes.

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 The present invention and its advantages will be better understood on studying the detailed description of an embodiment taken by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an air conditioning device according to the invention; and FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating control steps of the device according to the invention.

 In FIG. 1, an air conditioning device 1 comprises air intake means 2, an air heating / cooling assembly 3, a front ventilation assembly 4 and a rear aeration assembly 5.

 The air intake means 2 comprise an intake duct 6 provided with an inlet 7 and an outlet 8, and an air circulation means 9, in the form of a fan or a fan. pump. The heating / cooling assembly 3 comprises a cooling chamber 10, a heating chamber 11 and a mixing chamber 12. An opening 13 allows the passage of air from the cooling chamber 10 to the mixing chamber 12. opening 14 allows the passage of air from the cooling chamber 10 to the heating chamber 11.

et 14 permet le passage d'air entre la chambre de chauffage 11 et la chambre de 1 mélange 12. Un obturateur 16 permet d'obturer partiellement ou complètement les ouvertures 13 et 14. The openings 13 and 14 are adjacent. An opening 15 distant from the openings 13

and 14 allows the passage of air between the heating chamber 11 and the chamber of 1 mixture 12. A shutter 16 allows to partially or completely close the openings 13 and 14.

gaz par détente et d'échange de chaleur entre le gaz refroidi et l'air admis. En sortie ZD du refroidisseur 17, l'air refroidi peut passer directement dans l'ouverture 13 vers la chambre de mélange 12. L'air sortant du refroidisseur 17 peut également passer dans la chambre de chauffage 11 par l'ouverture 14. Un radiateur de chauffage 18 est disposé en travers de la chambre de chauffage 11. L'air entrant par l'ouverture 14 traverse le radiateur 18 avant de ressortir par l'ouverture 15 vers la chambre de mélange 12. L'obturateur 16 permet une répartition de l'air refroidi en air refroidi passant directement dans la chambre de mélange 12 et d'air refroidi passant dans la chambre de chauffage 11 avant de passer vers la chambre de mélange 12, afin d'obtenir un mélange d'air à la température désirée. Le refroidisseur 17 peut être en The air emerging from the outlet 8 of the intake duct 6 passes through a cooler 17 disposed in the cooling chamber 10, of the type of evaporator of air-conditioning loop with a cycle of compression of a gas, cooling of the

gas by expansion and heat exchange between the cooled gas and the air admitted. At the outlet ZD of the cooler 17, the cooled air can pass directly into the opening 13 to the mixing chamber 12. The air leaving the cooler 17 can also pass into the heating chamber 11 through the opening 14. A radiator The air entering through the opening 14 passes through the radiator 18 before emerging through the opening 15 to the mixing chamber 12. The shutter 16 allows a distribution of the cooled air cooled air passing directly into the mixing chamber 12 and cooled air passing through the heating chamber 11 before passing to the mixing chamber 12, to obtain a mixture of air at the desired temperature . The cooler 17 can be in

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 operation or stopped, the so-called cooled air being in this case substantially at the same temperature as the air admitted.

différente d'air, suivant son orientation. On peut également prévoir que l'obturateur Z : D 16 comprend deux clapets indépendants de fermeture d'une part de l'ouverture 13 vers la chambre de mélange 12 et d'autre par de l'ouverture 14 vers la chambre de chauffage 1, ou un unique clapet pour fermer soit l'ouverture 13 soit l'ouverture 14. The shutter 16 may comprise a single swingable flap to completely or partially close both the openings 13 and 14, with a distribution

different from air, depending on its orientation. It is also possible for the shutter Z: D 16 to comprise two independent shut-off valves on the one hand from the opening 13 towards the mixing chamber 12 and on the other by the opening 14 towards the heating chamber 1, or a single valve for closing either the opening 13 or the opening 14.

 A defrost outlet pipe 19 has an inlet 20 opening into the mixing chamber 12, and can be closed completely or partially by a valve 21. An aerator 22 is disposed at the outlet of the outlet pipe 19, to bring the air towards the windshield of the vehicle. A dashboard output pipe 23 has an inlet 24 opening into the mixing chamber 12, and can be closed completely or partially by a valve 25. An aerator 26 is disposed at the outlet of the instrument panel output pipe 23 A foot outlet conduit 27 includes an inlet 28 opening into the mixing chamber 12 and being closable completely or partially by a valve 29. An outlet 30 is disposed at one end of the lower outlet conduit 27.

 A control unit 31 comprises a processing module 32, memory means 33, a program stored on the memory means 33 and able to be executed by a microprocessor 34.

 The operation of the air conditioning device 1 which would be devoid of the rear aeration assembly 5 is described below. Depending on a desired temperature, and desired air flow rates at the outlet of the defrost outlet lines 19, dashboard 23 and feet 27, the control unit 31 controls the circulation means 9, the cooler 17, the heating radiator 18, the closure means 16, and the valves 21, 25 and 29. The control unit 31 determines a total flow rate to control the circulation means 9. Depending on the temperature, the The control unit 31 controls the cooler 17, the heating radiator 18 and the shutter 16 to obtain the air at the desired temperature in the mixing chamber 12. The control unit 31 then determines a desired air distribution between the defrost outlet 19, instrument panel 23 and feet 27.

It then controls the opening and closing of the valves 21,25 and 29 in order to complete or partial closure of the corresponding entries 20,24 and 28. The

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 control of the valves 21, 25, 29 may be independent and performed using several actuators, or linked, and performed by an actuator associated with a cam system for example for two valves 25,29.

 The control unit 31 can control the organs automatically, in function of sensor information and from a control program, or in manual mode, in which a user specifies on a control panel a ventilation rate and a diffused air temperature.

 The rear aeration assembly 5 is described below. An air intake 35 is disposed on an intermediate portion of the dashboard outlet pipe 23.

An air intake 36 opens into the foot outlet pipe 27 near the outlet 30. The air intakes 35,36 meet in a manifold 37 also opening into a rear pipe 38. Rear outlets 39, 40 are connected to the end of the rear pipe 38 opposite the manifold 37. Closing means 41 allow a distribution of air from the rear pipe 38 to the rear outlets 39,40. The rear outlets 39,40 are provided at their opposite ends with aerators 42,43. A rotary air circulation means 44 is disposed in an intermediate portion of the rear line 38. A control console 45 comprises a flow control knob 46 and a distribution adjustment knob 47, respectively controlling the circulation means. air 44 and the distribution means 41.

A rear passenger can operate the 46, 47 t> setting buttons to specify a rear airflow and air distribution between the rear exits 39,40, one of which may be at the foot level. , and the other in height relative to the floor of the vehicle. The rear passenger adjusts the rear airflow independently of a forward setting. Depending on the specified flow rate, the control console 45 causes rotation of a rotary actuator of the circulation means 44, with a suitable rotational speed.

For a given adjustment, the addition of air intakes 35, 36 on the instrument panel output 23 and feet 27 ZD leads to a variation in the output flow of the instrument panel output pipes 23 and feet 27 when the aerators 42,43 are open and the circulation means 44 operates. This variation in flow rate is a function of the distribution of flow rates between the defrosting outlet 19, the instrument panel 23, and the feet 27. This flow variation is also a function of the air flow in the rear line 38. that the addition

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 of the rear aeration assembly 5 does not interfere with the operation of the front ventilation assembly 4, the control unit 31 determines corrected flow rates which are used for the control of the circulation means 9 and the valves 21, 25, 29. These corrected flow rates take into account the flow variations caused by the rear aeration assembly 5. The rear aeration control can then be carried out independently of the forward aeration control, as regards the flow rates, and without disrupting the operation of the front vent. The control unit 31 takes into account rotational speed information of a rotary actuator of the circulation means 44 to obtain flow information in the rear line 38.

 There is a plurality of different flow rate distributions. As the air intakes 35, 37 are arranged on two outlet lines 23, 27, as soon as one of these outlet lines 23, 27 is supplied with air, the rear line 38 can be supplied with air. The situation where the inputs of the two dashboard output lines 23 and feet 27 are substantially completely closed corresponds to the case where the windshield must be defrosted quickly, for example when starting the vehicle, after a cold night. In this case, the supply of the rear line 38 is in fact not desirable since the hot air must be sent to the windshield for rapid defrosting. The arrangement of the air intakes 35,37 on the outlet pipes 23,27, and not on the mixing chamber 12 for example, makes it possible to avoid a decrease in the defrost air flow rate by controlling a flow rate a large rear, although this can be compensated by an appropriate control of the elements of the air conditioning device 1. It could of course provide to have an additional air intake on the defrost outlet pipe 19. In this case, the rear duct 38 could be supplied with air, regardless of the distribution of air between the outlet ducts 19, 23, 27.

 In FIG. 2, a block diagram illustrates an example of control steps of the air conditioning device 1 that can be implemented by the control unit 31. During a processing step 50, input data symbolized by an arrow 51 are processed by the processing module 32 of FIG. 1 to determine the desired flow rates Q1, Q2, Q3 at the outlet of the defrosting outlet 19, the dashboard 23 and the feet 27. This determination of the desired flow rates Ql, Q2, Q3 is suitable for the air conditioning device without rear aeration assembly.

The data 51 include, by way of non-limiting example, the temperature

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 indoor, sunshine, outside temperature, etc. These input data can be provided by suitable sensors arranged on a vehicle.

During a step 52, distribution coefficients q1, q2, q3 are determined of the desired rates Q1, Q2, Q3 defined by the following equation:

In a step 53, the flow distribution coefficients q1, q2, q3 are used as predetermined table entries, and schematized by blocks 54, 55, 56, respectively corresponding to the defrost output lines 19, of the table. edge 23, and feet 27. At the output, correction coefficients C1, C2, C3 are recovered.

 During steps 57 and 58, which can be simultaneous with steps 50, 52, 53, a rotational speed information M of a rotary actuator of the circulation means 44 (FIG.1) is obtained and determined from this information a flow of air QA flowing in the rear pipe 38 (Figure 1). The rear air flow QA can be determined from a predetermined table whose input is the rotational speed M of the rotary actuator. QA can be a linear function or a refinement of the speed of rotation.

corrigés QC1, QC2, QC3, comme étant la somme d'un débit souhaité QI, Q2, Q3, et de la correction de débit correspondante AQ1, AQ2, AQ3. Un débit corrigé est donc défini par l'équation suivante :

In a step 59, flow rate corrections AQ1, AQ2, AQ3 defined as the product of a correction coefficient C1, C2, C3 are determined by the flow rate in the rear line QA. In a next step 60, flow rates are determined

corrected QC1, QC2, QC3, as the sum of a desired rate Q1, Q2, Q3, and the corresponding rate correction AQ1, AQ2, AQ3. A corrected bit rate is therefore defined by the following equation:

When a flow distribution is specified between the output lines 19, 23, 27, the flow rate corrections AQ1, AQ2, AQ3 vary linearly as a function of the back flow. The use of AQ1, AQ2, AQ3 flow corrections

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 determined as linear functions of the backflow QA allows a reliable and fast calculation of AQ1, AQ2, AQ3 flow rate corrections.

 The flow rate corrections AQ1, AQ2, AQ3 each depend differently on the flow distribution between the outlet lines 19, 23, 27. For example, the air flow at the outlet of the outlet pipe 27 may important, the output flow of the instrument panel output conduit 23 being low. An increase in flow rate in the rear line 38 will cause a greater flow rate variation in the foot exit line 27 than in the dashboard outlet line 23. The rate corrections will therefore be different. The flow rate corrections in the defrost outlet line 19, where no air intake is arranged, are generally lower.

 The correction coefficients C1, C2, C3 therefore depend on the distribution of flow rates in the outlet pipes 19, 23, 27. Furthermore, the correction coefficients C1, C2, C3 depend on the architecture of the air conditioning device 1. It is advantageous to determine the tables 54, 55, 56 of correction coefficients C1, C2, C3 experimentally.

During a step 61, the circulation means 9 (FIG 1) are controlled according to the sum of the corrected flow rates QC 1, QC 2, QC 3, and the valves 21, 25 and 29, as a function of the corrected flow rates QC 1, QC 2 , QC3, and more particularly as a function of corrected flow rates q1, qc2, qc3 QC1, QC2, QC3, defined by the following equation:

The circulation means 9 makes it possible to control an inlet flow rate sufficient to obtain the desired flow rates Q1, Q2, Q3, QA at the outlet of the defrosting outlet 19, the dashboard 23, the feet 27, and the rearward driving ducts. 38. The valves 21, 25, 29 allow a distribution of flow between the defrosting outlet 19, instrument panel 23, and feet 27, in whose inputs flow corrected flow QC1, QC2, QC3. The 35.37 air intakes take enough air to obtain the desired rear airflow QA. The flow variation in the defrost outlet lines 19, dashboard 23, feet 27

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 is such that one obtains at output of said defrost outlet lines 19, dashboard 23, feet 27 the desired flow rates at the output QI, Q2, Q3.

 When the circulation means 44 (FIG 1) operates, during the step 61, the control of the circulation means 9 (FIG 1) and the valves 21, 25, 29 (FIG 1) is carried out identically the situation where the circulation means 44 does not work, for example using predetermined control tables. The compensation of the output flow rate variations of the outlet lines 19, 23, 27 (FIG 1), caused by a rearward-directed air flow increase, is obtained by a command in step 61 no. not according to the desired flow rates QI, Q2, Q3 output of the output lines 19,23, 27, but according to corrected flow rates QC1, QC2, QC3, determined using tables 54,55, 56 of correction, according to the distribution of desired flow rates between the outlet lines 19, 23, 27. By correcting input instructions when the circulation means 44 operates using correction coefficient tables 54, 55, 56, it is possible to use in step 61 predetermined control tables for the device when the circulation means 44 is not in operation. This makes it possible to use smaller memory means.

 No air intake is disposed on the defrost outlet pipe 19.

correction de débit de la conduite de dégivrage 19 peut être négative, c'est-à-dire que ZIP des coefficients de correction de débit peuvent être négatifs. When the back flow QA is increased, and the flow rate of the defrost outlet line is low, the flow rate variation in the defrost outlet line 19 is small. Moreover, the increase of a rear flow rate QA causes the control of the circulation means 9 (FIG 1) for an increase of an input flow rate equal to the sum of the desired flow rates at the front QI, Q2, Q3 and backflow QA. Consequently, the increase in the total flow rate, despite the flow rate variation in the defrost outlet line 19, may tend to cause the circulation of a greater flow rate in said de-icing outlet pipe 19. In other words , there are flow distribution configurations in which the

flow rate correction of the defrost line 19 may be negative, that is, ZIP of the flow correction coefficients may be negative.

 The air conditioning device described comprises three outlet pipes, two of which are provided with air intake. Of course, there may be more outlet pipes, and a different number of air intake. The control method can then be easily adapted.

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 The air conditioning device 1 can be used in a configuration in which the rear aeration assembly 5 (FIG 1) is absent. In this case, the air diffusion is only to the front seats of a motor vehicle. The method of implementing such an air conditioning device is identical to the method described above, except that it goes directly from step 52 to step 61.

 The modification of the front diffusion air conditioning system (air intake means 2, heating / cooling assembly 3 and front ventilation assembly 4 of FIG. 1) is accomplished by the addition of a rear aeration assembly 5 (fig.

1), with air intakes arranged so as to allow air supply of the rear aeration assembly in all cases, or at least in all cases necessary. Control means of the rear diffusion device, such as the control unit 31, according to one aspect of the invention, can be easily adapted, by the addition of a limited number of control steps, to enable control. rear air diffusion, including a rear flow adjustment independent of a forward flow adjustment and a distribution of air distribution between the output pipes.

Claims (8)

1. An air conditioning device comprising an air inlet (6), a heating / cooling treatment assembly (10, 11, 12) of the intake air, at least first and second outlet pipes (19, 23) treated air, means for closing the inlet pipes (21,25) and a first air circulation means (9), characterized in that it comprises a rear pipe (38) supplied with air from an air intake (35) on at least one outlet pipe (23).  2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the air conditioning device comprises a second air circulation means (44) disposed in an intermediate portion of the rear pipe (38).  3. Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the rear pipe (38) comprises at an end opposite the air intakes (35,37) at least two rear outlets (39,40). .  4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a distribution means (41) of air between the rear outlets (39,40), and an associated control means.  5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least a third outlet pipe (27), the rear pipe (38) being supplied with air by air intake (37) disposed on at least two outlet pipes (27).  6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each outlet pipe inlet (19,23,27) is associated with a closure means (21,25,29).  7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a control unit (31) adapted to control the first air circulation means (9) and the filling means (21, 25, 29) of the outlet pipes (19, 23, 27) as a function of desired flow rate information (IQ, Q2, Q3) at the outlet of the outlet pipes (19, 23, 27).  8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the control unit (31) comprises means for determining a flow information (Qa) in the rear pipe (38), and flow determination means corrected (QC1, QC2, QC3) input of the output pipes, for the control of the means <Desc / Clms Page number 13>  closing (21,25,29) the outlet pipes and the first air circulation means (9).