FR3039258A1 - NEBULIZATION DEVICE, IN PARTICULAR FOR MOTOR VEHICLE AND CORRESPONDING AIR REFRESH SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for nebulizing (3) a nebulizing liquid, comprising a nebulizing head configured to deliver droplets of nebulized liquid in an air flow. According to the invention, the nebulizing device (3) further comprises a protective cover (7) arranged downstream of the nebulizing head in the direction of flow of the nebulized liquid droplets, and - the protective cover ( 7) comprises an outgrowth (43) integrally formed, the protuberance (43) having at least one aperture (139; 239) passing in line with the nebulizing head (5) to allow the ejection of the nebulized liquid droplets delivered by the nebulizing head (5), said at least one aperture (139; 239) being patterned so that the protrusion (43) of the protective cap (7) has a cross section reducing the access section at the nebulizing head from outside the nebulizing device (3). The invention also relates to a cooling system (1) comprising such a nebulizing device (3).

Description

The invention relates to a nebulizing device, in particular for a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to an air cooling system comprising such a nebulizing device.

To ensure the thermal comfort of the passengers of a vehicle for example, the motor vehicles most often incorporate a ventilation system and / or air conditioning to establish in the cabin temperature below the external temperature.

These ventilation and / or air conditioning systems ventilate cooled air so that they bring thermal comfort to the occupants of the vehicle.

A first disadvantage of such systems is that the cooled air is dried.

In addition, the seats at the rear of the cabin are often less well ventilated, so they are also less refreshed.

It should also be noted that not all vehicles are equipped with an air conditioner.

In order to improve the situation, it is known to nebulise a liquid such as water. For this purpose, the nebulizing device comprises, in a known manner, a nebulizing head arranged, in particular at the level of an aeration member through which a flow of air circulates, so as to deliver nebulized microdroplets or droplets of water. in the airflow for ventilation and / or ventilation. The droplets evaporate causing a lowering of temperature due to the latent heat of vaporization which is then absorbed. This is transparent for the passenger or passengers of the vehicle for example who only feel the sensation of freshness without perceiving an increase in humidity.

Such a solution makes it possible at least partially to overcome the absence of an air conditioner or to improve the cooling of the passenger compartment when such an air conditioner is present, but insufficient locally. This solution also helps to humidify the air.

However, the nebulizing device has the disadvantage of exposing the nebulizing head to external aggression. For example, a fingernail or a finger of a curious young child.

In particular, the nebulizing head may be a piezoelectric head micro-perforated membrane very thin, for example of the order of 40pm, which can easily be deteriorated. The object of the invention is to provide a nebulizing device that allows the nebulization of a liquid such as water, without risk of deterioration of the nebulizing head due to external aggression. To this end, the subject of the invention is a device for nebulizing a nebulizing liquid, comprising a nebulization head configured to deliver droplets of the nebulized liquid into an air stream, characterized in that: nebulization further comprises a protective cover arranged downstream of the nebulizing head in the direction of flow of the nebulized liquid droplets, and in that - the protective cover comprises an outgrowth of material, the outgrowth having at least a through opening aligned with the nebulizing head to allow the ejection of the nebulized liquid droplets delivered by the nebulizing head, said at least one opening being made in a pattern, so that the protrusion of the protective cover has a section cross-section reducing the access section to the nebulizing head from outside the born device bulization thus avoiding any risk of deterioration of the membrane.

Thus, the protective cover forms an obstacle in front of the nebulization head shaped to reduce the section of the nebulization head potentially accessible from outside the nebulizing device, for example by a fingernail or the finger of a child, this without disturbing the nebulization.

The protective cover may comprise a body, for example of substantially cylindrical general shape, and the protuberance is integral with the body of the protective cover. The protrusion is for example of substantially annular shape.

According to one aspect of the invention, the protuberance having said at least one through opening made in a pattern forms an end of the protective cover accessible from outside the nebulizing device.

According to a preferred embodiment, the opening or each opening of the protrusion of the protective cover accessible from the outside of the nebulizing device, defines at least one fictitious inscribed circle whose diameter is less than or equal to a safety diameter. predefined chosen in a range of about 6mm to 15mm, for example from 6mm to 10mm.

Thus, the protective cover and in particular its protrusion form an obstacle in front of the nebulizing head. The outgrowth of the protective cover prevents an object of diameter greater than 15 mm, such as a passenger finger of a motor vehicle, for example, coming from outside the nebulizing device, to access the nebulizing head.

Of course, the safety diameter is chosen according to external aggressions, which one wishes to avoid. For example, if it is desired to prevent a child can not introduce his finger through the protective cover to access the nebulizing head, the safety diameter can be chosen less than 15mm, for example from order of 10mm.

Preferably, the predefined safety diameter is of the order of 6 mm. In this case, the protective cover makes it possible to prevent even a young child to introduce his finger in the nebulizing device.

According to one aspect of the invention, the nebulizing head comprises a membrane or gate at the end of the nebulization head. For example, the nebulizing head is of the piezoelectric type perforated membrane or micro-perforated. We also speak of piezoelectric fogging head with micro-perforated grid.

In this case, said at least one through opening of the protrusion of the protective cover is made in a pattern, so that the protrusion of the protective cover has a cross section reducing the access section to the membrane of the head nebulizing from outside the nebulizer device.

According to another aspect of the invention, the through opening is centered on the nebulizing head. Thus, the protective cover and its protrusion do not form an obstacle to the flow of the nebulized liquid droplets delivered by the nebulizing head. The protrusion of the protective cover is arranged at a predetermined distance from the nebulizing head.

Advantageously, the protective cover is arranged so that its protrusion is closer to the nebulizing head, in other words at a distance of the order of a millimeter, so as not to increase the size of the nebulizing device.

The predefined distance between the protrusion of the protective cover and the nebulization head may be of the order of 1mm to 15mm, for example of the order of 14mm. Such a distance, for example of the order of 14mm, makes it possible to add additional security, in the event that an object could still manage to enter through an opening of the protective cover. In this way, the small intrusive object could not reach immediately behind the protective hood the nebulizing head.

According to another aspect of the invention, the pattern of said at least one through opening is selected from the following forms: circular, oblong, oval, "eight", or clover-shaped.

A complex shape substantially "8" or substantially trefoil allows to pass the jet of nebulized liquid droplets while reducing the section of the nebulizing head accessible from outside the nebulizing device.

Advantageously, the pattern of said at least one through opening, is such that the contour of said at least one through opening has at least one reentrant edge oriented towards the inside of said at least one through opening.

According to a preferred embodiment, the nebulizing device comprises at least one condensate recuperator arranged between the nebulizing head and the protective cap.

Indeed, because of its position opposite and downstream of the nebulizing head in the direction of flow of the nebulized liquid droplets delivered by the nebulizing head, the protective cover, in particular a partition of the protective cover, can therefore be exposed to the jet of droplets of nebulized liquid, and drops may condense on the protrusion or the body of the protective cover in particular. The condensate recuperator is advantageously arranged to collect any drops that condense on the protective cover.

According to an alternative embodiment, the condensates collected can be stored in the recuperator before evaporation, natural or otherwise. For this purpose, the condensate recuperator may include a condensate recovery receptacle. The condensate recovery receptacle may have a generally funnel-shaped or substantially cylindrical shape.

According to another variant embodiment, the condensate recuperator comprises a duct intended to feed at least in part a reservoir of nebulizing liquid serving to supply the nebulization head with nebulizing liquid. In this case, the condensates that can form on the protective cover can be redirected to the tank for supplying the nebulization head with nebulizing liquid, which makes it possible to avoid stagnation of these condensates at the level of the protective cover which can lead to the development of bacteria or bio-films.

The condensate recovery conduit may have a generally substantially funnel or substantially cylindrical shape.

The nebulizing device may comprise a support housing of the nebulizing head, and the protective cover is fixed to the support housing, for example by clipping or by screwing.

The protective cover thus also provides a closing function of the support housing housing the nebulizing head. In this case, said at least one through opening is of lower section to the end section of the support housing.

According to a particular embodiment, the support housing extends along a longitudinal axis and the condensate recuperator is arranged in the support housing between the nebulizing head and the protective cover, along the longitudinal axis of the support housing. The invention also relates to an air cooling system comprising an aeration member for diffusing an air flow and a nebulization device as defined above.

According to one aspect of the invention, the cooling system comprises at least one reservoir of the nebulizing liquid, and the nebulizing device comprises at least one condensate recuperator arranged on the one hand so as to collect the condensates formed at the hood gravity protection, and secondly so as to feed at least partially the tank.

According to another aspect of the invention, the nebulizing device is mounted on the aeration member, which optimizes the mixing between the air flow diffused by the aeration member and the liquid droplets. nebulized delivered by the nebulizing head. The aeration member may comprise an at least partially perforated element, for example made in the form of a ventilation grid. The nebulizer device can be mounted on the ventilation grid.

Advantageously, the nebulizing head is arranged projecting relative to the aeration member, on the side of the air outlet of the aeration member.

Alternatively, the nebulizing head is arranged flush with the aeration member, on the side of the air outlet of the aeration member.

The water droplets are thus generated downstream of the ventilation mouth of the aeration member from which the air flow is expelled. Thus in automotive application, the droplets are sprayed directly to the passenger compartment of the vehicle, in the air flow. Other features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, and the appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 schematically represents part of FIG. an air cooling system comprising a ventilation member, a nebulizing device and a protective cap of the nebulizer device; - Figure 2 is an exploded view of the refreshing system of FIG. ventilation, a support housing receiving the nebulization head and a protective cover of the nebulization device closing the support housing, - Figure 3 schematically and simplified illustrates a nebulizing device comprising a protective cover according to an embodiment example, FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of the nebulization device of FIG. condensates formed at the protective cap of the nebulizing device; FIG. 5 is a first schematic and simplified perspective view showing the nebulization device comprising the condensate recuperator and a circulation channel according to a first variant connected to the recuperator; condensate and for supplying a reservoir of nebulizing liquid, and - Figure 6 is a second schematic and simplified perspective view showing the nebulizing device comprising the condensate recovery and a circulation channel according to a second variant connected to the recuperator of condensates and for supplying a reservoir of nebulizing liquid, FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a piezoelectric nebulization head of the nebulizing device; FIG. 8 a schematically represents an outgrowth of the protective cap of the nebulizing device presenting an opening according to a first exemplary embodiment, and - Figure 8b shows schematically an outgrowth of the protective cover of the nebulizing device having an opening according to a second embodiment.

In these figures, the identical elements bear the same references.

The following achievements are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference relates to the same embodiment, or that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Simple features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments.

Referring to Figure 1, the invention relates to a cooling system 1 of an air flow, especially for a motor vehicle.

The cooling system 1 of an air flow is for example connected to a ventilation network of a ventilation system and / or air conditioning existing in particular in the motor vehicle.

Alternatively, the cooling system 1 of an air flow may include its own fan, commonly known as a blower, for moving a flow of air to be treated, for example to the passenger compartment of a vehicle automobile. The power supply of the potential blower can be via an electrical cable connected to the vehicle electrical network or alternatively to an independent energy storage means.

The cooling system 1 of an air flow comprises: a ventilation device 2 making it possible to diffuse a flow of air for example towards the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, and a nebulizing device comprising a nebulizing head 5, visible in Figure 2, arranged to deliver droplets of nebulized liquid in the air flow, and comprising a protective cover 7 of the nebulizing head 5.

In Figure 1, two embodiments of the protective cover 7 are shown schematically and shown in dashed lines. The invention relates more particularly to the nebulizing device 3.

Aeration organ

According to the particular embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the aeration member 2, also called aerator, has a crown shape. This aeration member 2 opens for example into the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, so as to diffuse a flow of air in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The aeration member 2 has an opening 9 forming a vent. The opening 9 may have a substantially circular shape, the diameter of which is for example of the order of 60 mm. In addition, the opening 9 of the aeration member 2 defines a housing adapted to receive an at least partially perforated element such as a ventilation grid 11.

The ventilation grid 11 is advantageously mounted movably on the ventilation member 2 with at least one degree of freedom, so that the orientation of the ventilation grille 11 can be adjusted so as to modify the direction of rotation. flow of the air flow.

The ventilation grille 11 has a periphery 13 of external shape complementary to the shape of the inner wall of the housing of the aeration member 2.

In addition, the ventilation grille 11 has a plurality of fins 15. According to a particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the fins 15 extend from the inner face of the periphery 13 of the ventilation grille 11 'to an internal support 17.

The internal support 17 can be arranged substantially in the center of the ventilation grid IL The internal support 17 has for example a generally tubular general shape which extends along a longitudinal axis A.

Nebulizing device

The nebulizing device 3, which can be seen more clearly in FIGS. 3 and 4, is in turn configured to distribute droplets of nebulized liquid, for example towards the passenger compartment, in the form of mist or fog B.

The nebulizing liquid is advantageously water.

The size of the droplets generated is in particular of the order of 3 pm to 15 pm.

According to a variant not illustrated, the nebulizing device 3 can be arranged next to the aeration member 2, above, below or downstream of the aeration member 2 in the direction of flow of the diffused air flow.

According to a variant illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the nebulizing device 3 can be arranged on the ventilation member 2. In this particular embodiment, the nebulizing device 3 is mounted in the internal support 17 of the grid The nebulizing device 3 can be arranged substantially in the center of the ventilation grille IL. In this case, the mixture between the air flow and the mist generated by the nebulizing head 5 is better.

In addition, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, the nebulizing device 3 is intended to be connected to at least a first circulation channel of the nebulizing liquid 19 and a second circulation channel of the nebulizing liquid 21.

The circulation channels of the nebulizing liquid 19, 21 are for example made in the form of flexible pipes.

The pipes 19, 21 are intended to be connected to at least one reservoir 23 of the nebulizing liquid in the mounted state of the cooling system 1, for example in the motor vehicle, as shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 5 and 6. The pipes 19 , 21 therefore allow the circulation of the nebulizing liquid between the nebulizing device 3 and the reservoir 23 of the nebulizing liquid.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the first pipe 19 has a first end 19i immersed in the nebulizing liquid in the reservoir 23 and a second end 192 connected to the nebulizing device 3. The first submerged end 19i is for example connected to a means filtration such as a strainer 25 arranged in the bottom of the reservoir 23 of nebulizing liquid.

The second pipe 21 has a first end 211 which can be placed above the level of the nebulizing liquid in the reservoir 23, for example on a closure cap (not shown) of the reservoir 23, and a second end 212 connected to the nebulizing device 3. The second pipe 21 is not immersed, which allows a return of the nebulizing liquid in the tank 23.

The reservoir 23 of the nebulizing liquid is preferably arranged in a manner accessible to a user for regularly changing the nebulizing liquid. For example, it may be a water bottle, or a cartridge for the nebulization liquid specific to the cooling system 1.

Alternatively, the tank 23 can be integrated in the cooling system 1.

In addition, at least one pumping device 27 can be provided. The pumping device 27 is in particular able to draw the nebulizing liquid from the tank 23 towards the nebulization device 3. Nebulization head

Furthermore, the nebulizing device 3 may comprise at least one element of piezoelectric type to ensure nebulization of the liquid. In this case, the nebulizing device 3 advantageously comprises electrical cables 29 enabling the electrical power supply of the piezoelectric element visible in FIG. 3. These electric cables 29 can be connected to the electrical network of the vehicle or, alternatively, to a means of independent energy storage.

The nebulizing head 5 is for example piezoelectric type membrane 31 perforated or micro-perforated, as shown in Figure 7. It is also called micro-perforated grid. The membrane 31 has a thickness for example of the order of 40pm.

The nebulizing head 5 comprises for example in this case a piezoelectric transducer 33 of metallic material, a piezoelectric ceramic 35 arranged to vibrate the transducer 33, and the perforated membrane 31. According to the example of FIG. 7, the piezoelectric transducer 33 has a substantially cylindrical body extending along a longitudinal axis A ', the piezoelectric ceramic 35 is for example of substantially annular shape, and the perforated membrane 31 is also of substantially annular shape and is fixed to the end of the piezoelectric transducer 33. The piezoelectric transducer 33 is able to vibrate the perforated membrane 31 fed with nebulizing liquid, so as to generate the droplets in the form of mist or fog B.

In addition, the nebulizing device 3 comprises a support housing 37 (see FIGS. 2 to 4), in which the nebulizing head 5 is mounted and which makes it possible to mount the nebulizing device 3, for example in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. . The support case 37 is for example made of a plastic material.

The nebulizing head 5 is fixed in the support housing 37 by any appropriate means.

It may be possible to provide a seal 38 between the nebulizing head 5 and the support housing 37 to protect against a possible intrusion of dust for example, as shown schematically by way of non-limiting example in FIG. the example shown diagrammatically in FIG. 4, the seal 38 is provided in the thickness of a substantially vertical wall of the support housing 37, for example in a groove and a thinned portion of the piezoelectric transducer 33 of the head of nebulization 5. Of course, any other arrangement can be envisaged.

The support housing 37, receiving the nebulizing head 5, is intended to be fixed for example next to the aeration member 2, above, below, or downstream of the aeration member 2 according to the invention. flow direction of the diffused air flow, or according to the variant of FIGS. 1 and 2, this support housing 37 is intended to be mounted in the internal support 17 of the ventilation grille 11.

In the case where the nebulizing device 3 is arranged on the aeration member 2, the support housing 37 has a shape complementary to the shape of the internal support 17 of the ventilation member 2. In this example, the housing support 37 has a substantially cylindrical or substantially frustoconical general shape extending along the longitudinal axis A ', and is introduced and maintained in the inner support 17 of the ventilation grille 11. In this case the longitudinal axis A' of the piezoelectric transducer 33 and the support housing 37 coincides with the longitudinal axis A of the inner support 17 of the aeration member 2.

The support case 37 has, for example, a maximum outside diameter of the order of 20 mm.

In addition, in the case where the nebulizer device 3 is arranged on the aeration member 2, the nebulizing head 5 can be mounted flush with the ventilation grid 11 and the internal support 17, on the outlet side. 2. According to an advantageous embodiment, the nebulizing head 5 is arranged projecting with respect to the ventilation grid 11 and to the internal support 17 of the aeration member 2. on the side of its air outlet.

Thus, in operation, the droplets from the nebulizing head 5 are generated, in the airstream downstream of the aeration member 2 according to the direction of flow of the air flow, for example in the case of an automotive application, the droplets from the nebulizing head 5 are generated directly inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Protective cover

In order to prevent the nebulizer device 3 from being in a delicate position, that is to say, exposed to external aggressions, such as curious passenger fingers, in particular an annular ring whose diameter is evaluated at approximately 15 mm 10mm or even for a child, even 6mm for a younger child, as said above, the nebulizing device 3 further comprises a protective cover 7. In fact, the membrane 31 of the nebulizing head 5 has a very low thickness, here of the order of 40pm, that it can be easy to deteriorate, for example by scratching with a fingernail.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 to 4, the protective cover 7 is arranged downstream of the nebulizing head 5 in the direction of flow of the nebulized liquid droplets, in particular downstream of the membrane 31 of the nozzle head. piezoelectric nebulization, to protect the nebulizing device 3, in particular the nebulization head 5.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the protective cover 7 has an outgrowth 43 made of material. More specifically, the protective cover 7 has a body 38 and a projection 43 integrally formed with the body 38. In the mounted state of the nebulizing device 3, the protrusion 43 is arranged downstream of the body 38 which is at its side. tower arranged downstream of the nebulizing head 5 according to the direction of flow of the nebulized liquid droplets. In other words, in the mounted state of the nebulizing device 3, the protrusion 43 extends from the body 38 in the direction opposite to the nebulizing head 5.

The protective cover 7, more precisely its protrusion 43, is further shaped to reduce the section of the nebulizer device 3 accessible from outside the nebulizer device 3, and more generally from outside the cooling system 1 For this purpose, the protective cover 7, which can be seen more clearly in FIGS. 8a and 8b, has, at its protrusion 43, at least one opening 139 or 239 made in a pattern, so that the protrusion 43 has a cross section reducing the access section to the nebulizing head 5 from outside the nebulizer device 3. The opening 139; 239 is through and aligned with the nebulizing head 5 to allow ejection of the nebulized liquid droplets delivered by the nebulizing head 5.According to the example shown, the opening 139; 239 is present on the end of the protective cover 7 formed by the protrusion 43, which is accessible from outside the nebulizing device 3.

Of course, the body 38 of the protective cover 7 also has a through opening (not visible in the figures) communicating with the opening 139; 239 of the protrusion 43 and aligned with the nebulization head 5. At the body 38, the through opening can be made in the same pattern or not at the level of the protrusion 43.

According to the particular embodiment with a support case 37 of the nebulizing head 3 having a substantially cylindrical or frustoconical body, the protective cover 7 is arranged downstream of a longitudinal end of the support case 37, here facing the membrane 31 of the nebulizing head, and the opening 139 or 239 is of lower section than the longitudinal end section of the support housing 37.

Thus the protective cover 7 forms an obstacle between the nebulizing device 3 and the outside of the nebulizing device 3, thus preventing access to the nebulizing head 5 from outside the nebulizer device 3.

The protective cover 7 also provides a closing function of the support housing 37 in which the nebulizing head 5 is received. The body 38 of the protective cover 7 or closure cap has for example a substantially cylindrical shape. The body 38 extends here along a longitudinal axis which coincides with the longitudinal axis A, A '. In this example, the protrusion 43 is for example of substantially annular shape and has a diameter substantially greater than the diameter of the body 38.

The protective cover 7 can be removably or removably attached to the support housing 37. By way of nonlimiting example, a fastening by clipping, or a fastening by screwing the protective cover 7 onto the support housing 37 can be mentioned by way of example. .

The protective cover 7 can be made at least in part of plastic material, for example in the same material as the support housing 37.

The protective cover 7 may be provided in the form of a part centered on the nebulization head 5.

Two exemplary embodiments of such a protective cover 7 are illustrated in FIGS. 8a and 8b. Of course, other variants of the protective cover 7 are conceivable.

According to a first exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8a, the protective cover 7 has, on its protrusion 43, a through opening 139 whose shape is provided so as to reduce the section of the nebulizer device 3 accessible from outside the nebulizing device 3, and more generally from outside the cooling system 1.

In order to facilitate understanding, the membrane 31 of the nebulizing head 5 is schematically illustrated in this FIG. 8a.

According to this variant, the opening 139 has a substantially "eight" shape. With this "8" shape, the contour of the opening 139 through has at least one, here two reentrant edges, that is to say oriented towards the inside of the opening 139. Of course, any other form of the opening 139 may be considered. The shape is advantageously "8" also at the body 38 of the protective cover 7. The opening 139 may be a central opening. This opening 139 can be arranged substantially facing the nebulizing head 5 when the protective cover 7 is mounted on the support housing 37, and furthermore the opening 139 can be arranged centrally with respect to the nebulizing head 5. , in particular to its membrane 31.

This opening 139 substantially "8" is accessible from outside the nebulizer device 3. However, the "8" shape of the opening 139 is dimensioned so that it can be drawn in this opening 139 substantially in " 8 ", one or more fictitious written circles represented in dashed lines in FIG. 8a, whose diameter is less than or equal to a predefined security diameter Ds. The safety diameter Ds is of the order of 6 mm to 15 mm, for example of the order of 6 mm to 10 mm, preferably of the order of 6 mm. In this way, an object, such as a particular finger of a child, with a diameter greater than the safety diameter Ds, for example 6mm, can not enter the opening 139 substantially "8" of the protective cover 7 to access the nebulizing head 5. The opening 139 substantially "8" is shaped so as to have dimensions smaller than the dimensions of a finger, including a child.

Moreover, the projection 43 of the protective cover 7 having the opening 139 substantially "8" can be arranged at a safety distance of about 14mm from the nebulizing head 5. Thus, with this safety distance , in the case where an object would still get through this opening 139 of the protective cover 7, this object, such as a finger of a young child, will not reach the nebulizing head 5. The excrescence 43 having the opening 139 substantially "8" is of complementary shape of the shape of the body 38 of the protective cover 7, in turn of a general shape complementary to the shape of the end of the support housing 37.

According to a second exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8b, the protrusion 43 of the protective cover 7 has an opening 239 through which the shape also makes it possible to reduce the section of the nebulizer device 3 accessible from outside the nebulizer device 3 , and more generally from outside the refresh system 1.

To facilitate understanding, the membrane 31 of the nebulizing head 5 is further illustrated schematically in this Figure 8b.

According to this variant, the opening 239 provided on the protrusion 43 of the protective cover 7 has a substantially clover shape. The shape of the opening at the body 38 is also preferably substantially clover.

With this substantially trefoil shape, the contour of the through opening 239 has at least one, here four reentrant edges, that is to say oriented towards the inside of the opening 239.

Similarly to the first embodiment of the protective cover 7, the opening 239 may be a central opening. This opening 239 can be arranged substantially facing the nebulizing head 5 when the protective cover 7 is mounted on the support housing 37.

This aperture 239 substantially clover-shaped is accessible from the outside of the nebulizer device 3. However, the clover shape of the opening 239 is dimensioned so that it can be drawn in this aperture 239 substantially shaped clover , one or more fictitious registered circles shown in dashed lines in FIG. 8b, the diameter of which is less than or equal to a predefined security diameter Ds. Similarly to the first embodiment, the safety diameter Ds is of the order of 6mm to 15mm, for example of the order of 6mm to 10mm, preferably of the order of 6mm. In this way, an object, such as a particular finger of a child, of diameter greater than the safety diameter Ds, for example 6mm can not fit through the aperture 239 substantially clover-shaped protective cover 7 to access the nebulizing head 5. The aperture 239 substantially shaped clover is thus shaped to have dimensions smaller than the dimensions of a finger, including a child.

Moreover, similarly to the first embodiment, the protrusion 43 of the protective cover 7 having the aperture 239 substantially clover-shaped can be arranged at a safety distance of about 14mm from the nebulizing head 5. Thus, with this safety distance, in the case where an object would still get through this opening 239 of the protective cover 7, this object, such as a finger of a young child, will not reach the nebulization head 5.

As previously, the protrusion 43 having the substantially clover-shaped aperture 239 is of complementary shape to the shape of the body 38 of the protective cap 7, in turn of a general shape complementary to the shape of the end of the support housing 37. Condensate recuperator

Furthermore, referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, the nebulizing device 3 may furthermore comprise at least one condensate recuperator 45 possibly formed at the level of the protective cover 7, for example formed at an internal partition of the device. protective cover 7, that is to say a partition arranged facing the nebulizing head 5, according to one or other of the embodiments previously described with reference to Figures 8a and 8b.

Advantageously, the condensate recuperator 45 is arranged in the nebulizing device 3 between the nebulization head 5, here the diaphragm 31 of the piezoelectric nebulizing head 5, and the protective cover 7.

The recuperator 45 of condensate 47 is thus arranged in the support case 37. According to the particular embodiment of a support case 37 extending along the longitudinal axis A ', the condensate recuperator 45 is arranged between the head of the nebulization 5 and the protective cover 7 along the longitudinal axis A '.

In addition, the condensate recuperator 45 is arranged to collect at least part of the condensates 47 formed at the protective cap 7 which fall by gravity into the recuperator 45.

The condensate recuperator 45 may comprise a condensate recovery receptacle 47. The condensates 47 may be stored in the recovery receptacle temporarily before being evaporated, naturally or not.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the reservoir 23 of the nebulizing liquid can be supplied at least in part with the condensates 47 collected by the recuperator 45. In this case, the condensate recuperator 45 comprises a conduit capable of recovering the condensates 47 and intended to to be connected to the reservoir 23. Thus, the drops of liquid that condense at the protective cover 7, can feed a conduit for supply in turn the reservoir 23 of nebulizing liquid. In this case, the reservoir 23 is advantageously arranged lower than the nebulizing head 5, in the mounted state of the nebulizing device 3 for example in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.

A circulation channel 49, for example made in the form of a flexible pipe, can be provided for connecting the condenser recuperator 45 to the reservoir 23 of the nebulizing liquid.

According to a first variant illustrated in FIG. 5, the circulation channel 49 has an end 50 which can be placed above the tank 23, for example on a closure cap (not shown) of the tank 23.

According to an alternative illustrated in FIG. 6, the end 50 of the circulation channel 49 can be connected to the second circulation channel 21 of the nebulization liquid allowing a return of the nebulizing liquid in the reservoir 23.

The recovery receptacle or, alternatively, the duct of the condensate recuperator 45 may, by way of nonlimiting example, have a generally funnel-shaped, or substantially cylindrical, shape.

In conclusion, the nebulizing head 5 and in particular the membrane 31 of the nebulizing head 5 of a nebulizing device 3 arranged next to or in a ventilation device 2, is fragile. The protective cover 7 arranged downstream of the nebulizing head 5 in the direction of flow of the nebulized liquid droplets makes it possible to prevent this nebulizing head 5, and in particular its membrane 31, from being exposed to external aggressions. . To do this, we can provide forms of the through opening 139; 239 at the level of the projection 43 of the protective cover 7 vis-à-vis the nebulizing head 5, adapted and dimensioned so as to prohibit or reduce the probability of intrusion of external aggression, such as small fingers , which could damage the fogging head 5.

However, because of these forms of opening 139; 239, in particular an internal partition of the protective cover 7 may be exposed to the jet of droplets of nebulized liquid, and there may be a risk of condensation at the level of this internal partition of the protective cover 7. According to one aspect of the invention a recuperator 45 of condensates 47 can collect any micro-droplets that may recondense at the protective cover 7 for temporary storage before evaporation or to at least partially supply the reservoir 23 of nebulizing liquid.

Claims (14)

Nebulizing device (3) for a nebulizing liquid, comprising a nebulizing head (5) configured to deliver droplets of the nebulized liquid in a stream of air, characterized in that: - the nebulizing device (3) ) further comprises a protective cover (7) arranged downstream of the nebulizing head (5) in the direction of flow of the nebulized liquid droplets, and in that - the protective cover (7) comprises an outgrowth ( 43), the protrusion (43) having at least one opening (139; 239) therethrough aligned with the nebulizing head (5) to allow the ejection of the nebulized liquid droplets delivered by the nebulizing head (5). ), said at least one opening (139; 239) being patterned so that the protrusion (43) of the protective cover (7) has a cross-section reducing the access section to the spray head ( 5) depu is outside the nebulizing device (3). 2. Nebulizing device (3) according to claim 1, wherein the protuberance (43) having said at least one aperture (139; 239) running in a pattern forms an end of the protective cover (7) accessible from the outside the nebulizing device (3). 3. Nebulizing device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one opening (139; 239) defines at least one fictitious registered circle whose diameter is less than or equal to a safety diameter (Ds) predefined chosen in a range of about 6mm to 15mm, for example from 6mm to 10mm, preferably of the order of 6mm. 4. nebulizing device (3) according to the preceding claim, wherein: - the nebulizing head (5) comprises a membrane (31) at the end of the nebulizing head (5), for example the nebulizing head (5). is of piezoelectric membrane type (31) perforated, and wherein - said at least one aperture (139; 239) passing through the protrusion (43) of the protective cover (7) is made in a pattern, so the protrusion (43) of the protective cover (7) has a cross-section reducing the membrane access section (31) of the nebulizing head (5) from outside the nebulizer device (3). A nebulizing device (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aperture (139; 239) is centered on the nebulizing head (5). Nebulizing device (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the protrusion of the protective cover (7) is arranged at a predetermined distance, for example of the order of 1 mm to 15 mm, preferably the order of 14mm, the nebulizing head (5). A nebulizing device (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pattern of said at least one aperture (139; 239) is selected from the following shapes: circular, oblong, oval, eight "Or clover-shaped. A nebulizing device (3) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pattern of said at least one through aperture (139; 239) is such that the contour of said at least one aperture (139; 239) having at least one inwardly facing re-entrant edge of said at least one aperture (139; 239) therethrough. 9. Nebulizing device (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one recuperator (45) of condensate (47) arranged between the nebulizing head (5) and the protective cover (7). 10. Nebulizing device (3) according to the preceding claim, wherein the recuperator (45) of condensate (47) comprises a condensate recovery receptacle. 11. Nebulizing device (3) according to claim 9, wherein the recuperator (45) of condensate (47) comprises a conduit for supplying at least in part a reservoir (23) of nebulizing liquid for feeding the head of nebulization (5) in nebulizing liquid. Nebulizer device (3) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a support housing (37) of the nebulizing head (5), and wherein the protective cover (7) is fixed to the support housing (37). ). 13. System for cooling (1) an air flow, especially for a motor vehicle, comprising: - a ventilation member (2) for diffusing an air flow, and - a nebulizing device (3) according to any one of the preceding claims. 14. Refreshment system (1) according to the preceding claim, comprising at least one reservoir (23) of the nebulizing liquid, and wherein the nebulizing device (3) comprises at least one collector (45) of condensates (47) arranged on the one hand so as to collect the condensates formed at the protective cover (7) by gravity, and secondly so as to supply at least partially the reservoir (23).