FR2859146A1 - VENTILATION MODULE FOR SEATS OF A MOTOR VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

The module comprises a housing (4), an air passage (6) arranged in the housing (4) for circulating a flow of air in the housing. A seat air duct circulates air through at least one seat (12). An electrical heating resistor (28) is provided in the air passage. An air blower (14) circulates a flow of air between the seat air passage (8) and the air passage (6). A second air passage (46) can be arranged to circulate a second air flow in the housing (4). A mixing flap (48) makes it possible to mix the first and second air flows in variable proportions.

Description

Motor vehicle seating ventilation module.

  The invention relates to the air conditioning of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, its heating and ventilation, particularly the seats of this vehicle.

  The current motor vehicles are equipped with a heating and ventilation device that allows hot air to be blown into the passenger compartment in the event of a low outside temperature or, on the contrary, to ventilate fresh air to cool it down. Many of these devices are additionally equipped with an air conditioning circuit that effectively lowers the temperature inside the vehicle, especially in summer.

  In order to bring ever greater comfort to the driver and passengers, it has been found desirable to heat or ventilate the vehicle seats more particularly. Already known (US 6,478,369; US 5,921,100; US 6,059,018) a number of devices for this application. One of these documents discloses a seat ventilation apparatus that allows air to be blown through a porous liner. The airflow is not reversible and the comfort is not significantly improved. A second document describes a device for ventilating a seat by sucking air through a porous seat pad. This device is effective only in summer. In addition, the airflow is not reversible. A third document describes a seat ventilated by a circulation of air inside the seat, without orifices allowing the exit of the air. This device is not very effective and the sensation of hot or cold does not manifest itself until after a long period of time.

  Yet another document describes seat heating by means of heating layers. This device is only effective in winter. In addition, the sensations he produces are not pleasant.

  The need therefore arises for a heating, ventilation and / or air-conditioning device having more extensive functionalities and which allows, in particular, a reversal of the airflow, which is adjustable independently of the temperature of the air. main air conditioning and ventilation unit of the passenger compartment. This device must be inexpensive and modular so that it can be an option for each seat.

  For this purpose, the invention proposes a seat ventilation module, particularly for a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a housing, at least one air passage arranged in the housing for circulating a flow of air in the vehicle. housing, a seat air passage for circulating air through at least one seat, heating means in the air passage, an air blower for circulating a flow of air between the passage seat air and air passage.

  Advantageously, the module comprises at least a second air passage for circulating a second air flow in the housing, a mixing flap able to move between a first position in which it closes the first passage of air and a second position in which it closes the second passage of air to mix in variable proportion the first and the second air flow.

  Thus, the temperature of the air flow through the seat can be adjusted independently of that of the main cabin heater and ventilation. This air flow can in particular be heated thanks to the presence of the heating means, for example an electrical resistance with a positive temperature coefficient.

  In a preferred embodiment, the blower is able to blow or suck a flow of air through the seat. This result can be obtained, for example, by reversing the direction of rotation of the blower.

  In another embodiment, the blower is disposed in a duct having first and second ends, a first flap being disposed at the first end of the duct and a second flap being disposed at its second end, the first and second flaps. being designed to place the first and second ends of the conduit in communication with either the seat air passage or with the air passage.

  Thanks to these features, it is possible to blow a flow of air into the seat through a porous lining. Or, conversely, it is possible to draw air through the seat, depending on the most effective method.

  In a particular embodiment, the second air passage is connected by an air intake duct to the ventilation device, heating and / or air conditioning of the vehicle.

  In particular, this air intake duct can be connected to the ventilation device, heating and / or air conditioning of the vehicle at the outlet of an evaporator housed in this device. In this way, cold air is removed, which enables the seats to be effectively cooled in the event of a high outside temperature.

  In an alternative embodiment, the air intake pipe is connected to a mixing chamber of the ventilation device, heating and / or air conditioning of the vehicle. It is thus possible to draw air at a set temperature.

  The module can be mounted on the floor of the vehicle, a deformable conduit connecting the seat air passage to at least one seat.

  Alternatively, the module can be mounted directly under the seat of a vehicle seat. Finally, the module can be placed in the center console of the vehicle and connected by a left seat duct to the left seat and a straight seat duct to the right seat of the vehicle.

  2859146 4 The module can also be associated with a group of seats, for example the front seats.

  To allow the passage of air, where micro perforations 5 are made in the seat upholstery, in a known manner, both in the seat and in the seat back.

  Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description of exemplary embodiments given by way of illustration with reference to the appended figures. In these figures: - Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of a ventilation module according to the invention comprising a single air duct 15; - Figure 2 is a schematic sectional view of a ventilation module having two air ducts; - Figure 3 is a sectional view along the line III-III of the ventilation module of Figure 2; - Figures 4 and 5 show schematically a ventilation module for reversing the air flow; - Figures 6 and 7 are side and front views of a vehicle seat having air diffusion pockets; Figures 8 and 9 are schematic views of a ventilation module 30 connected to the ventilation apparatus, heating and / or air conditioning of the vehicle.

  FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a first embodiment of a motor vehicle seat ventilation module 2 according to the present invention.

  It comprises a housing 4 in which is arranged an air passage 6 and a seat passage 8. The seat air passage 2859146 58 is connected by a seat air duct 10 to a seat 12. The duct 10 can be deformable, for example telescopic or flexible to allow a variation of the position of the seat 12 relative to the ventilation module 2, especially when it is desired to adjust the height of the seat. A blower 14 is arranged inside the casing 4. This blower makes it possible to draw air through the air passage 6, as shown schematically by the arrow 16 when the blower 14 rotates in the direction of rotation shown by FIG. arrow 18.

  The air is blown through the seat air passage 8 as shown schematically by the arrow 20 to a pocket 22 formed in the seat cushion. The seat trim is porous or microporous so as to allow air to flow through as shown by the arrows 24.

  The seat 12 may also include a pocket 24 formed in the seat back and connected to the pocket 22 by ducts that allow the passage of air (not shown). The backrest pad is also porous or microporous so that air can pass through it.

  Advantageously, a dust filter 26 is placed at the inlet of the seat air passage 6 so as to retain the dust present in suspension in the sucked air. Heating means, for example electrical resistors, in particular positive temperature coefficient (PTC) resistors are placed after the air filter. The electrical resistances are used to heat the air sent into the pockets 22 and 24.

  The direction of rotation of the blower 14 can be reversed so that it rotates in the direction shown schematically by the arrow 30.

  In this case, instead of sucking the air through the air passage 6, the air is sucked through the seat and backrest lining of the seat 12 as shown schematically by the arrows 32 shown in dashed lines. The inspired air through the seat covers passes into the housing other than the seat air duct 10, as shown by the arrow 34, and is rejected outside the housing, as shown schematically by arrow 36. The seat ventilation module 2 of Figure 1 can operate in different modes. In summer, it is possible to draw air through the seat upholstery to cool it. Conversely, it is possible to draw air into the cabin of the vehicle and blow it through the trims. On the contrary, when it is desired to heat the seat, for example in winter, the module can operate only in blowing mode. The air is sucked, as shown schematically by the arrow 1, then heated by passing on the electric resistors 28 before being sent into the seat and the seat back 12.

  The electrical resistors CTP 28 can operate in all or nothing, or, in a more elaborate embodiment, they can be staged so as to adjust their power at different levels depending on the desired temperature. It will further be observed that this module operates completely independently of the ventilation device, heating and / or main air conditioning of the motor vehicle. In addition, it can work even if the vehicle is not equipped with an air conditioning system.

  FIGS. 2 and 3 show respectively a vertical sectional view and a horizontal sectional view of a second embodiment of a seat ventilation module according to the invention. It is distinguished from the previous embodiment shown in Figure 1 in that it comprises a second air passage 46 parallel to the first air passage 6. In contrast to the passage 6, the passage 46 has no resistance electric heating. On the other hand, it may possibly be equipped with a dust filter. A mixing flap 48 hinged about an axis 50 completely closes the first air passage 6 or the second air passage 46 as shown in FIG. 2.

  When the second passage is completely closed, the air flows entirely through the first passage and vice versa. The mixing flap 48 may further occupy any intermediate positions between the end positions described above so as to mix in variable proportion the airflows flowing through the first and second passages. It is thus possible to regulate the temperature of the air blown into the seats by mixing, in the desired proportion, the hot air heated by the electrical resistors 28 (passage 6) and the air at ambient temperature inspired in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle coming from the second passage 46. The ventilation module is equipped with an electric motor 50 whose axis is arranged vertically. This motor drives a blade wheel 52 disposed in a volute 54 which allows air to be blown through the seat passage 8 connected to one or more seats 12 of the vehicle by a seat duct not shown. In this embodiment, unlike the previous one, the direction of rotation of the blower 52 can not be reversed. This module can therefore operate in the seat ventilation mode by blowing fresh air through their lining, the electrical resistances 28 then being cut, or it can operate in heating mode, the hot air produced by the electrical resistors 28 being able to to be mixed in variable proportion with air at a lower temperature admitted by the second air intake passage 46.

  FIGS. 4 and 5 show a third embodiment of a seat ventilation module according to the invention. As the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3, it comprises a first air passage 6 in which are arranged a dust filter 26 and electrical resistors with a positive temperature coefficient 28 and a second air passage 46, a flap mixer 48 articulated about its axis 50 allows, as described above, to mix in varying proportions the air flows from the first and second air passages.

  In this embodiment the blower 14 is disposed in a duct having a first open end 60 and a second open end 62. A first flap 64 hinged about an axis of rotation 66 is disposed facing the first open end 60, while a second flap 68 articulated around an axis of rotation 70 is arranged facing the second open end 62 of the duct 58. The flap 64 can occupy a first position shown in solid lines in FIG. in communication the open end 60 of the conduit 58 with the outside of the housing 4, in particular via the second air passage 46 left open by the mixing flap 48. The flap 64 can also occupy a second position shown in FIG. dashed lines in FIG. 4 in which the first open end of the duct 58 is in communication with the seat air passage 8 and therefore, via the air duct r seat 10 with the pockets 22 and 24 respectively arranged in the seat and in the backrest of one or more seats 12. Similarly, the second flap 68 is movable between a position shown in solid lines in the figure 4 in which the second open end 62 of the duct 58 is in communication with the seat air passage 8, as shown schematically by the arrows 74 and 76 and a second position shown in dashed lines in Figure 4 in which the second open end 62 of the conduit 58 is in communication with the outside of the housing, in particular via the second air passage 46. Note that the flaps 54 and 58 do not occupy an intermediate position between the two positions described above.

  In the position shown in Figure 4, air is inspired through the seat upholstery by the blower 14, as shown schematically by the arrows 74 and 76 and rejected outside the ventilation module, as shown schematically by the arrow 72 by the passage 46. In contrast, in the position shown in Figure 5, the air is inspired in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle by the air passage 46, as shown by the arrows 78 and blown into the fittings of the seat 12 as shown schematically by the arrow 80.

  Thus, thanks to the play of the first and second flaps 64, 68, it is possible to reverse the direction of the airflow while maintaining the same direction of rotation of the blower 14. In this way, the ventilation module can operate either in inspiration mode or in blowing mode. When operating in inspiration mode, it is obviously unnecessary to heat the exhaust air into the passenger compartment. This is the reason why the first air passage 6 is in the closed position. The electrical resistances CTP 28 are at a standstill. On the contrary, in the blowing position, the ventilation module can operate in two different ways. The mixing flap 48 may be in the closed position, shown in solid lines in Figure 5, so as to blow air as cool as possible in the vehicle seats. It is this mode of operation that will be used in summer.

  FIG. 6 shows a side view and in FIG. 7 a front view of a ventilated seat 12 using the ventilation module of the invention. Figures 6 and 7 allow to appreciate the shape and arrangement of the seat pocket 22 and the diffusion bag 24 housed in the seat back. The pockets 22 and 26 are connected to the seat ventilation module 2 disposed directly on the floor 80 of the vehicle by two flexible ducts 10 which allow upward and downward movement of the seat so as to adapt its position to the size of the driver or driver. 'a passenger.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the ventilation module of the invention. In this variant, the outer passage 46 is connected by an air intake duct 82 to the vehicle ventilation, heating and / or air-conditioning apparatus 84. This apparatus, shown schematically in FIG. comprises a blower 86 which circulates a flow of air through the apparatus. An evaporator 90 is traversed by this flow of air. A heating radiator 92 is disposed downstream of the evaporator 90. A mixing flap 94 makes it possible to mix, in variable proportion, the cold air coming directly from the evaporator and the hot air having passed through the radiator 92. The hot flow and the cold flow mix again in a mixing chamber 96.

  The line 82, shown in solid line, is connected to the housing 88 of the heater in a position 2859146 10 located between the evaporator 90 and the radiator 92. The pipe 82 thus allows to take cold air which is sucked by the blower 14 of the ventilation apparatus 2 to be blown, as previously described, into the pockets of the seat 12. The cold air flow taken downstream of the evaporator 90 can also be mixed in variable proportion with a hot air flow produced by the heating resistor 28, as previously described. A mechanical adjustment device 98 makes it possible to adjust the position of the mixing flap 48.

  In another embodiment, the ventilation module 2 is connected to the ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning apparatus 84 via a pipe 102, shown in dashed lines in FIG. 8, which opens into the mixing chamber 96. This removes air at an adjustable temperature instead of taking cold air.

  FIG. 9 shows a variant of the module of FIG. 8. This module comprises two heating resistors 28, one for each of the seats 12. The power of these resistors is, in the example, 300 watts. They are not graduated. They work in all or nothing. The air passing through the filter 26, as shown by the arrow 104 is distributed between the left compartment and the right module compartment. In addition, in the same way as for the variant of FIG. 8, a pipe 82 is connected to the air-conditioning heating device 84 of the vehicle, just downstream of the evaporator 90 so as to take cold air . The cold air supply duct 82 splits in two so as to feed the left and the right part of the ventilation module. The module comprises a right mixing flap 106 adjustable by a mechanical control device 108 schematized by a rectangle in FIG. 8 and a left mixing flap 110 adjustable separately from the preceding one by a mechanical control device 112, also shown schematically by a rectangle. The blower 114 of the module comprises a wheel or a right propeller 116 and a wheel or a left propeller 118. This module thus makes it possible to ventilate the left seat and the right seat separately, the adjustment of each of the parts of the apparatus being separate.

  This module can be placed in the central console and connected to each of the seats by a deformable conduit.

Claims (12)

claims   1. A seat ventilation module including a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a housing (4), at least one air passage (6) arranged in the housing for circulating a flow of air in the housing (4), a seat air passage (8) for circulating air through at least one seat (12), heating means (26) in the air passage, an air blower (14) for circulating a flow of air between the seat air passage (8) and the air passage (6).   2. Module according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least a second air passage (46) for circulating in the housing (4) a second flow of air, a mixing flap (48) apt to move between a first position in which it closes the first air passage and a second position in which it closes the second air passage (46) to mix in variable proportions the first and second air flow.   3. Module according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the blower (14) is adapted to blow or suck a flow of air through the seat (12).   4. Module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the blower (14) is disposed in a duct (58) having first and second ends (60, 62), a first flap (64) being disposed at the first end of the duct (58) and a second flap (68) being disposed at its second end, the first and second flaps being adapted to place the first and second ends of the duct (58) in communication with the passage seat air (8) or with the air passage (6, 46).   5. Module according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the second air passage (46) is connected by an air intake duct (82) to the ventilation apparatus (84), heating and / or air conditioning of the vehicle.   2859146 13 6. Module according to claim 5, characterized in that the duct (82) for admission of air is connected to the ventilation apparatus, heating and / or air conditioning of the vehicle (84) at the exit of a evaporator (90) housed in this apparatus.   7. Module according to claim 5, characterized in that the air intake duct (82) is connected to a mixing chamber (96) of the ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning apparatus (84). of the vehicle.   8. Module according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is mounted on the floor of the vehicle (80), a deformable conduit (10) connecting the seat air passage (8) to a less than one seat (12).   9. Module according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is mounted directly under the seat of a seat (12) of the vehicle.   10. Module according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is placed in the center console of the vehicle and connected by a left seat duct to the left seat and a straight seat duct to the right seat of the vehicle .   11. Module according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it is divided into a right part and a left part for the separate ventilation of the right seat and the left seat, each of the right and left parts comprising means (108; 112) independent adjustment.   12. Module according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the heating means (28) are electrical resistors with a positive temperature coefficient.