FR3068918A1 - AERATOR ALLEGE - Google Patents

Abstract

Aerator (1), such as a ventilator for a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, comprising a first end (3) shaped to be fixed on a dashboard, a second end (4) shaped to be connected to a ventilation system, and a body (2) forming a substantially tubular duct between the first end (3) and the second end (4), wherein the body (2) comprises at least one cutout (5a-d) so as to remove at least one non-functional part.

Description

Light aerator

The present invention relates to an aerator. It is known to use an aerator in the automotive field in order to ventilate / ventilate a passenger compartment of a vehicle. An aerator is a pipe, a first end of which is fixed and opens out at a hole in the dashboard and a second end is connected to a ventilation system. Such an aerator makes it possible to ventilate / ventilate the passenger compartment by transporting / guiding the air coming from the ventilation system towards the passenger compartment. The first end typically accommodates a shutter making it possible to selectively open or close the first end and if necessary to direct / direct the outgoing air flow, for example by means of orientable fins.

Weight gain is a recurring concern in the automotive field. The invention has therefore redesigned an aerator in order to reduce its weight. For this, the subject of the invention is an aerator, such as an aerator for the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, comprising a first end shaped to be fixed to a dashboard, a second end shaped to be connected to a ventilation system, and a body. forming a substantially tubular pipe between the first end and the second end, where the body comprises at least one cutout.

According to another characteristic of the invention, said at least one cut is made in a non-functional part.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the body is reduced to a plurality of beams, ensuring the rigidity of the body.

According to another characteristic of the invention, said at least one cutout is closed by means of at least one film.

According to another characteristic of the invention, said at least one film comprises a waterproof felt, preferably having a density of 190 kg / m3.

According to another characteristic of the invention, said at least one film is bonded, overmolded or welded.

The invention also relates to an aerator system comprising such an aerator and a shutter.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising such an aerator system.

Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly from the detailed description given below by way of indication in relation to the drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a right view of an aerator according to the prior art,

- Figure 2 is a left view of the aerator of Figure 1,

- Figure 3 is a right view of an aerator according to the invention,

- Figure 4 is a left view of the aerator of Figure 3,

FIG. 5 is a right view of the aerator of FIG. 3 equipped with a shutter,

- Figure 6 is a left view of the aerator of Figure 5.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, an aerator 1 according to the prior art has a substantially tubular shape and comprises a first end 3, a second end 4, connected by a body 2. The first end 3 is intended to be fixed on a dashboard, not shown, in a substantially flush manner, at an opening made in said dashboard. For this, the first end 3 has a shape comprising a closed contour adapted to follow the shape of said opening and fixing means 6 to the dashboard, typically by clipping. The aerator 1 is then placed under the dashboard. The second end 4 is intended to be connected to a ventilation system, not shown. For this, the second end 4 is shaped so as to provide an interface to an outlet pipe of the ventilation system. The body 2 forms a substantially tubular pipe between the first end 3 and the second end 4. Thus the aerator 1 allows the transport of air from the ventilation system to the first end 3 of the aerator 1 and therefore until the opening in the dashboard. In such an aerator 1 according to the prior art, the body 2 is closed so as to provide aeraulic continuity between the first end 3 and the second end 4. Such an aerator 1, advantageously made of plastic, has a weight, for the illustrated embodiment, 95 g.

Except for the characteristics which will be detailed below, an aerator 1 according to the invention is identical in all respects to an aerator 1 according to the prior art, as described above. In order to reduce the weight, according to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the body 2 comprises at least one cutout 5a-d made in a non-functional part.

The term non-functional part means a part which does not perform any function, from among the functions which will be listed below. So a non-functional part is not a functional part. The functional parts, which cannot be cut, are the parts that perform the following functions. A first function is the interface and the fixation with the dashboard. This function is provided by the first end 3 which carries fixing means 6. Also the first end 3 cannot be cut. The cuts 5a-d relate exclusively to the body 2.

Another function is the mobile and / or articulated reception of a shutter

10. This function is still provided by the first end 3, more particularly in its inner part.

Another function is the interface with the ventilation system. This function is ensured by the second end 4. Also the second end 4 cannot be cut. The cuts 5a-d relate exclusively to the body 2.

The body 2 must perform another function which is to maintain a certain rigidity. This assumes that there is a minimum of material, at least on one side member 9a-d. Such a spar 9a-d, providing a stiffening function for the aerator 1, must be produced and cannot be cut 5a-d. However, between beams 9a-d, which can be very narrowed, it is possible to make cuts 5ad. The number, the arrangement and the dimensions of the beam (s) 9a-d can be determined by simulation by calculation, and / or by trial and error by means of a prototype / model, in order to verify that the resulting rigidity is sufficient.

Figures 3-6 illustrate a possible embodiment where the body 2 retains: an upper longitudinal spar 9a, a lower longitudinal spar 9b, connecting the first end 3 to the second end 4, a straight transverse spar 9c, and a transverse spar left 9d. Such an illustrative configuration makes it possible to produce, between the longitudinal members 9a-d, at least one cutout, here four cutouts 5a-d, mainly arranged in the side blanks of the body 2. The longitudinal members 9a-d allow the body 2 to retain rigidity satisfactory.

The body of the aerator 1 being hidden by the dashboard, such cutouts 5a-d remain invisible and do not cause aesthetic problems.

The cuts 5a-d can be produced by machining, using an aerator produced solid according to the prior art, typically by molding. Alternatively and preferably, an aerator 1 according to the invention is produced by molding by integrating the cutouts 5a-d in the molded aerator.

It has been seen that the aerator 1 serves as a conduit for the air coming from the ventilation system. In order to maintain the air flow continuity of the aerator 1, despite the cutouts 5a-d, according to an advantageous characteristic, the cutout (s) 5a-d is / are closed (s) by means of at least one film 7.

Said film 7 can be of any material. According to a preferred embodiment, it can comprise a waterproof felt. This felt preferably has a density of 190 kg / m3. A film 7 is advantageously shaped according to the form of at least one cut 5a-d, with advantageously an additional margin in order to allow the fixing of the film 7 on the body 2 at the contour of the cut 5a-d. Alternatively, a film 7 can be shaped to cover more than one cut 5a-d. Thus a single continuous film 7 can close the two adjacent cuts 5a and 5b or the two adjacent cuts 5c and 5d.

The fixing of the film 7 to the body 2 can be carried out by any means. According to a preferred embodiment, the film 7 is glued, overmolded or welded to the body 2.

The film 7 is significantly lighter than the thickness of plastic it replaces. Also the invention allows a significant weight gain. Thus an aerator 1 according to the invention, according to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3, 4, advantageously made of the same plastic, has a weight, all other things being equal, of 63 g. Compared to the embodiment of the prior art which weighs 95 g, the invention allows an advantageous weight reduction of 34%.

Another advantage of the invention is that the cutouts 5a-d induce a reduction in the rigidity of the aerator 1 and this mainly in the longitudinal direction. This is possible in that the aerator 1 is arranged under the dashboard and protected by the latter. Also its residual stiffness can be minimal. This facilitates a desirable deformation of the aerator 1 in the event of a violent impact, with a head or a member of a passenger. Also an aerator 1 according to the invention facilitates the success of a regulatory crash test.

The invention also relates to such an aerator 1 equipped with a shutter 10, and which is called aerator system 11. Such an aerator system 11 is illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6.

Claims (8)

claims 1. - Aerator (1), such as an aerator for a passenger compartment, comprising a first end (3) shaped to be fixed to a dashboard, a second end (4) shaped to be connected to a ventilation system, and a body (2) forming a substantially tubular pipe between the first end (3) and the second end (4), characterized in that the body (2) comprises at least one cutout (5a-d). 2. - Aerator (1) according to claim 1, wherein said at least one cutout (5a-d) is formed in a non-functional part. 3. - Aerator (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the body (2) is reduced to a plurality of beams (9a-d), ensuring the rigidity of the body (2). 4. - Aerator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said at least one cutout (5a-d) is closed by means of at least one film (7). 5. - Aerator (1) according to claim 4, wherein said at least one film (7) comprises a waterproof felt, preferably having a density of 190kg / m3. 6. - Aerator (1) according to any one of claims 4 or 5, wherein said at least one film (7) is bonded, molded or welded. 7. - Aerator system (11) characterized in that it comprises an aerator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and a shutter (10). 8. - Vehicle comprising an aerator system (11) according to the preceding claim.