FR3081386A1 - APPARATUS FOR HEATING, VENTILATION AND / OR AIR CONDITIONING FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE. - Google Patents

Abstract

Heating, ventilation and / or air-conditioning apparatus for a motor vehicle, for the treatment of an air flow F, comprising: - a sensor (10) for measuring a parameter of the air flow F, - a housing ( 2), said housing (2) comprising: ▪ a housing (9) configured to receive a filter 8 for filtering the air flow F, ▪ a housing element (11) at least partially defining the housing (9), ▪ an access opening to the housing (9) arranged on a first side (15a) of the housing (9), characterized in that the sensor (10) is arranged on a second side (15b) of the housing (9), substantially opposite at the first side (15a).

Description

The invention relates to a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device for a motor vehicle.

A motor vehicle is commonly equipped with a ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning device to regulate the aerothermal parameters of a flow of air distributed inside the vehicle interior.

It is known to equip a motor vehicle with a sensor for measuring an air parameter. Such a sensor is generally placed in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. It is also known to integrate the sensor into a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device for a motor vehicle.

The term “particulate matter” means any particle of sufficiently small size, in general of size smaller than sizes of 10 μm in diameter, to be transported by air and to be inhaled.

The aim of the invention is to improve the integration of the various components of a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device, and in particular to improve the integration of the sensor.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device for a motor vehicle, for the treatment of an air flow, comprising:

- a sensor for measuring an air flow parameter,

- a housing, said housing comprising:

• a housing configured to receive a filter to filter the air flow, • a housing element at least partially defining the housing, • an opening for access to the housing arranged on a first side of the housing, characterized in that the sensor is arranged on a second side of the housing, substantially opposite to the first side.

The sensor is thus arranged at a distance from a user manipulation area of the filter. The risk of disturbance of the sensor by the user is thus minimized. In particular, it is no longer necessary to disconnect the sensor when replacing the filter.

The heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning unit may also include one or more of the following characteristics, taken separately or in combination:

- the housing includes at least one guide tube for a secondary air flow configured to be connected to a sensor for measuring an air flow parameter,

- the tube is arranged downstream of the housing with respect to a direction of circulation of the air flow, the tube is made of material with the housing element, in particular the tube and the housing element form a single molded part .

Thanks to the invention, it is possible to connect a sensor for measuring an air flow parameter to the housing, without an additional step of machining the housing being necessary and without there being any need to use an additional room. The housing is thus, from its design, able to be associated with a sensor. This simplifies the assembly and assembly of the housing / sensor assembly.

The guide tube allows in particular the removal to a sensor of part of the air flow circulating in the housing. It is thus possible to take a measurement in a part of the housing where space is limited.

The heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning unit may also include one or more of the following characteristics, taken separately or in combination:

the tube is arranged on a second side of the housing substantially opposite to the first side,

- the tube extends substantially perpendicular to the direction of the air flow in the housing,

- the tube extends at least partially opposite the housing,

- the housing is delimited by a wall,

- the wall of the housing delimits the interior of the exterior of the housing,

the wall of the housing defines an interior surface of the housing and an exterior surface of the housing,

- the tube projects from the wall of the housing,

- the tube is connected to the wall of the housing,

- an inner portion of the tube extends inside the housing,

- an outer portion of the tube extends outside the housing,

the internal portion of the tube is delimited by an internal tubular wall,

the external portion of the tube is delimited by an external tubular wall,

- the thickness of the inner tubular wall is equal to the thickness of the outer tubular wall,

the tube extends between its first end and its second end over a distance substantially equal to at least once its diameter, preferably over a distance substantially equal to at least twice its diameter, preferably over a distance substantially equal to at least three times its diameter, preferably over a distance substantially equal to at least four times its diameter.

Leakage of unfiltered air may occur around the edge of a filter installed in the home. The tube projecting into the interior of the housing allows part of the air flow circulating in the housing to be drawn away from the periphery of the filter. The measurement of filter performance is improved.

The heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning unit may also include one or more of the following characteristics, taken separately or in combination:

- the tube extends in the thickness of the wall of the housing over a parietal portion of the tube,

the housing wall, the internal tubular wall and the external tubular wall define an internal surface of the tube,

- the internal surface of the tube defines an internal space of the tube,

- the internal surface of the tube includes a projection so that a section of the internal space varies suddenly,

the internal section of the tube between its second end and the projection is greater than the internal section of the tube between the projection and its first end,

- the projection is formed in the outer portion of the tube,

- the projection is substantially flush with the exterior surface of the housing,

- the projection is formed in the thickness of the wall of the housing,

- the tube is cylindrical,

- a section of the tube is circular,

- a section of the tube is elliptical, the tube extends at a distance between 1 millimeter and 20 millimeters from the housing,

- the housing has a location configured to receive a heat exchanger,

- the tube is arranged upstream of the location relative to the direction of circulation of the air flow, the tube extends at a distance between 1 millimeter and 20 millimeters from the location,

- the housing and the location are adjacent, a distance between the housing and the location is less than 20 millimeters, preferably less than 15 millimeters,

- the tube is rigid,

- a section of the tube is oblong.

The section of the tube which extends in a reduced space between the filter and the heat exchanger is thus optimized.

The heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning unit may also include one or more of the following characteristics, taken separately or in combination:

- the access opening faces the accommodation,

- the access opening is substantially rectangular,

- the access opening is closed by a hatch,

- the housing includes a first guide tube for the secondary air flow and a second guide tube for the secondary air flow,

- the first and second guide tubes extend parallel to each other,

- the first and second guide tubes are adjacent to each other,

- the first and second tubes extend at a distance between 1 millimeter and 20 millimeters from each other.

The first and second guide tubes allow the secondary air flow withdrawn to be forced inside the housing. This minimizes the pressure difference between a sampling point of the secondary air flow and the discharge point of the secondary air flow, which guarantees better functioning of the sensor.

The heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning unit may also include one or more of the following characteristics, taken separately or in combination:

- the sensor is connected to the guide tube,

- the housing includes a filter,

- the location includes a heat exchanger,

- the filter and the heat exchanger are adjacent,

- the heat exchanger is an evaporator.

Moisture condensation in the air can occur at the evaporator. Such condensation can affect the measurement of the sensor. An arrangement of the guide tube upstream of the evaporator with respect to the direction of flow of the air flow reduces the risk of condensation returning to the sensor.

The heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning unit may also include one or more of the following characteristics, taken separately or in combination:

- the sensor is arranged outside the housing,

the sensor comprises a tubing configured to be connected to the guide tube, in particular by complementary shape,

- the tubing is force fitted on the tube,

- the tubing is inserted into the internal space of the tube,

- the tubing is rigid,

- the tube and the tubing cooperate to fix the sensor relative to the housing,

- the projection cooperates with one end of the tubing, so as to form a stop surface, capable of limiting the depth of insertion of the tubing into the internal space of the tube,

- the tubing is connected to the tube without an intermediate part,

the sensor comprises a first tube as described above, configured to be connected to the first guide tube of the housing,

- The sensor comprises a second tube as described above, configured to be connected to the second guide tube of the housing.

The sensor can thus be connected directly to the guide tube, without the need for an additional part, such as a hose. The pressure drop is thus minimized.

The heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning unit may also include one or more of the following characteristics, taken separately or in combination:

- the sensor detects a particulate matter contained in the air flow,

- the sensor measures a gas content,

- the sensor measures a temperature,

- the sensor is also configured to measure a parameter of an incoming air flow, taken at the inlet of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning unit,

- the incoming air flow is guided to the sensor by means of a first duct,

- the incoming air flow is discharged at the inlet of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning unit by means of a second duct.

It is thus possible to compare the measurement of a parameter of the air flow upstream of the filter with the measurement of a parameter of the air flow downstream of the filter, in order to measure the performance of the filter. The second duct makes it possible to minimize the pressure difference between a point of sampling of the incoming air flow and the point of discharge of the incoming air flow.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description of an embodiment which follows, with reference to the appended figures, which illustrate:

- Figure 1 illustrates a sectional view of a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device according to the embodiment described;

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the apparatus illustrating two guide tubes extending between an evaporator and a filter of the apparatus;

Figure 3 illustrates a sensor connected to the guide tubes;

FIG. 4 illustrates a detail of the sensor fitted on the guide tubes;

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the guide tubes;

FIG. 6 illustrates a particular embodiment of the invention.

A heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device for a motor vehicle 1 is a device capable of regulating the aerothermal parameters of a flow of air F distributed to the interior of a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. This heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device for a motor vehicle 1 comprises a housing 2 delimited by walls and partitions in which openings are made, including at least one air inlet 3a; 3b and at least one air outlet 4. The walls in particular delimit the interior of the exterior of the housing 2. Said housing 2 is thus capable of ensuring the circulation of the air flow F which is treated in the apparatus for heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning.

The heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning apparatus for a motor vehicle 1 comprises, for example, at least one air inlet 3a for a so-called outside air flow AE called the outside air inlet and / or one inlet. air 3b for a rear air flow coming from the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, known as the recycled air inlet. By outside air flow AE is meant an air flow taken from outside the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, for example, at the level of a water box at the foot of the windshield.

The heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning apparatus 1 typically comprises a blower 5 for the circulation of the air flow F from the inlet (s) of outside air 3a or of recycled air 3b to the outlet (s) of air 4. By way of example, the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning apparatus 1 may comprise an air outlet (not shown) arranged at the level of the windshield of the motor vehicle, an air outlet (not shown) ) arranged at the aerators of the dashboard of the motor vehicle and / or an air outlet (not shown) arranged at the feet of the driver (or front passenger) in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

The heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning apparatus 1 also includes heat treatment means for heating and / or cooling the air flow F prior to its distribution inside the passenger compartment. As such, there is provided in the embodiment described an evaporator 6 in a location of the housing 2. The evaporator 6 is intended to cool and dehumidify the air flow F passing through it. A heating radiator 7 can also be provided, possibly associated with an additional electric type radiator, which is intended to heat the air flow F which passes through it.

The heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning apparatus 1 according to the embodiment described is provided with a filter 8 for the filtration of the treated air flow F so as to assure the occupants of the motor vehicle a good quality of the air. The filter 8 is placed in a housing 9 of the housing 2 of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning apparatus 1 between the blower 5 and the evaporator 6.

The heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning apparatus 1 may also include a sensor 10 for measuring a parameter of the treated air flow F, such as temperature or humidity. In the embodiment described, the sensor 10 is a particulate matter detection sensor.

The particulate matter detection sensor 10 is in particular a particulate matter detection sensor smaller than sizes of 10 μm in diameter and preferably less than 2.5 μm in diameter.

As a reminder, by particulate matter is meant any particle of sufficiently small size, in general of size less than 10 μm to be transported by air and to be inhaled.

According to the invention, the housing 9 for the filter 8 is partially defined by a housing element 11 comprising, in this embodiment, a half-shell of the housing. A housing element 11 may consist of one or more portions of the housing 2, physically or not separable, with or without at least partial destruction of the housing 2. The housing 2 comprises a first guide tube 12a and a second guide tube 12b . The guide tubes 12a; 12b are configured to be connected to the particulate matter detection sensor 10. In the example described, the guide tubes 12a; 12b extend parallel to each other, and are notably adjacent to each other. The guide tubes 12a; 12b are, as visible in FIG. 2, cylindrical of oblong section. In other words, the guide tubes 12a; 12b have the shape of an elliptical cylinder and a section of the cylinder corresponds to the surface resulting from the intersection of the cylinder with a plane perpendicular to the axis of revolution of said cylinder. A diameter of the tube corresponds to the largest segment of the section of the cylinder, passing through the axis of revolution of the cylinder. The section of the tube which extends in a reduced space between the filter and the heat exchanger is thus optimized, to draw the desired amount of air to the sensor, while limiting the pressure drops.

The first guide tube 12a allows the withdrawal to the sensor 10 of a part of the air flow F circulating in the housing 2. This part taken from the air flow F is called secondary air flow F ’. In the embodiment described, the sensor 10 is arranged outside the housing 2. It is thus possible to carry out a measurement in a part of the housing 2 where the space is limited.

The second guide tube 12b allows the secondary air flow F ′ to be forced inside the housing 2. This minimizes the pressure difference between a sampling point of the secondary air flow F ’and the discharge point of the secondary air flow F’, which guarantees better functioning of the sensor 10.

The tubes 12a; 12b are arranged downstream of the filter 8 with respect to the direction of circulation of the air flow F. According to the invention, the tubes 12a; 12b are made from material with the housing element 11. In the embodiment described, a tube 12a; 12b and the housing element 11 form a single molded part.

In the embodiment described, the sensor 10 comprises a first tube 13a configured to be connected to the first guide tube 12a and a second tube

13b configured to be connected to the second guide tube 12b. Tubing 13a; 13b are configured to be connected to the guide tubes 12a; 12b by complementarity of form. In the embodiment described, the tubes 13a; 13b are force-fitted onto a tube 12a; 12b guide, without intermediate piece. The sensor 10 can thus be directly connected to the guide tubes 12a; 12b, without the need for an additional piece, such as a hose. The pressure drop is thus minimized.

In the embodiment described, the tubes 12a; 12b and the pipes 13a; 13b are rigid and cooperate to fix the sensor 10 relative to the housing 2.

Preferably, the tubes 12a; 12b extend a distance between 1 millimeter and 20 millimeters from each other.

The housing 2 according to the invention facilitates the connection of the particulate matter detection sensor 10, without an additional machining step of the housing 2 being necessary and without there being any need to use an additional part. The housing 2 is thus, from its design, able to be associated with the sensor 10. This simplifies the mounting and assembly of the housing 2 / sensor 10 assembly.

In the embodiment described, the housing 2 further comprises an access opening to the filter 8 (not shown), arranged on a first side 15a of the housing 9 for the filter 8. The guide tubes 12a; 12b are arranged on a second side 15b of the housing 9 substantially opposite to the first side 15a. Thus, the sensor 10 can be connected to a second side 15b of the housing 9, substantially opposite to the first side 15a of the housing 9.

The sensor 10 is in this configuration arranged at a distance from a user manipulation area of the filter 8. The risk of disturbance of the sensor 10 by the user is thus minimized. In particular, it is no longer necessary to disconnect the sensor 10 when replacing the filter 8.

In the embodiment described, the access opening (not shown) advantageously faces the housing 9 for the filter 8 and is substantially rectangular to allow a filter 8 of standard size to pass. The access opening is preferably closed by a hatch (not shown).

In the embodiment described, the tubes 12a; 12b extend substantially perpendicular to the direction of the air flow F in the housing 9 for the filter 8, opposite the filter 8. The tubes 12a; 12b are connected to a wall 16 of the housing 2 from which they extend projecting.

The wall 16 of the housing 2 considered in this embodiment defines an interior surface 17a and an exterior surface 17b of the housing 2 (see FIG. 5). The thickness of the wall 16 of the housing 2 thus corresponds to the shortest distance between the interior surface 17a and the exterior surface 17b.

Preferably, a tube 12a; 12b extends at a distance between 1 millimeter and 20 millimeters from the filter 8.

As shown in Figure 5, a tube 12a; 12b extends inside the housing 2 over a portion of the tube 12a; 12b said inner portion INT of the tube 12a; 12b (see Figure 5). The inner portion INT of the tube 12a; 12b is delimited by a tubular wall called the inner tubular wall 18a. A tube 12a; 12b further extends outside the housing 2, over a portion called the outer portion EXT of the tube 12a; 12b. The outer portion EXT of the tube 12a; 12b is delimited by a tubular wall called the outer tubular wall 18b. In this embodiment, the thickness of the inner tubular wall 18a is equal to the thickness of the outer tubular wall 18b.

Thus, a first end 14a of a tube 12a; 12b is arranged inside the housing 2, while a second opposite end 14b of the tube 12a; 12b is arranged outside the housing 2 (see FIG. 5). Preferably, a tube 12a; 12b extends between its first end 14a and its second end 14b over a distance substantially equal to at least once its diameter.

Leakage of unfiltered air may occur around the periphery of a filter 8 installed in the housing 9. A tube 12a; 12b extending inside the housing 2 projecting from the wall 16 of the housing 2 allows a portion of the air flow F circulating in the housing 2 to be removed away from the periphery of the filter 8, as is shown in Figure 3. The accuracy of the measurement is improved.

As shown in Figure 5, a tube 12a; 12b extends in the thickness of the wall 16 of the housing 2 over a portion called parietal portion 19 of the tube 12a; 12b. Thus, the wall 16 of the housing 2, the inner tubular wall 18a and the outer tubular wall 18b define an inner surface 20 of the tube 12a; 12b (see Figure 5). The internal surface 20 of the tube 12a; 12b itself delimits an internal space 21 of the tube 12a; 12b.

In the embodiment described, the internal surface 20 of a tube 12a; 12b includes a projection 22 so that a section of the internal space 21 varies suddenly. A section of the internal space 21 corresponds to the surface resulting from the intersection of the internal space with a plane perpendicular to the axis of revolution of the tube 12a; 12b.

In particular, in this embodiment, the section of the internal space 21 between the second end 14b of the tube 12a; 12b, arranged outside the housing 2, and the projection 22 is greater than the section of the internal space between the projection 22 and the first end 14a of the tube 12a; 12b, arranged inside the housing 2. The projection 22 serves in particular as a stop surface for a tube 13a; 13b of the sensor 10 which can thus be force-fitted until the tube 13a; 13b is in abutment against the projection 22. The tubing is inserted into the internal space 21 of the tube 12a; 12b, the projection 22 thus cooperates with one end of the tube 13a; 13b, and the stop surface is able to limit the insertion depth of the tubing 13a; 13b in the internal space of the tube 12a; 12b.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, a projection 22 of the first tube 12a is formed in the external portion EXT of said tube 12a and is substantially flush with the external surface 17b of the housing 2, while a projection 22 of the second tube 12b is formed in the thickness of the wall 16 of the housing 2. Of course, provision may be made for the reverse configuration where a projection 22 of the second tube 12b is substantially flush with the outer surface 17b of the housing 2 and the projection 22 of the first tube 12a is formed in the thickness of the wall 16 of the housing 2.

In the embodiment described, the tubes 12a; 12b are arranged upstream of the evaporator 6 with respect to the direction of circulation of the air flow F, that is to say between the filter 8 and the evaporator 6. A distance between the filter 8 and the evaporator 6 is preferably less than 20 millimeters. In this way, the filter 8 and the evaporator 6 are adjacent. Preferably, the tubes 12a; 12b extend at a distance between 1 millimeter and 20 millimeters from the evaporator 6. Preferably, the tubes 12a; 12b extend at a distance between 1 and 20 millimeters from each other.

A condensation of the air humidity can occur at the level of the evaporator 6. Such a condensation can affect the measurement of the sensor 10. An arrangement of the tubes 12a; 12b upstream of the evaporator 6 relative to the direction of circulation of the air flow F allows the risk of return of condensation towards the sensor 10 to be reduced.

In a particular embodiment represented in FIG. 6, a first conduit 23a guides towards the sensor 10 a flow of air taken from the inlet of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning apparatus 1, said flow of incoming air FE . The sensor 10 is in this embodiment configured to measure a particulate matter from the incoming air stream in addition to a particulate matter contained in the air stream F downstream of the filter 8. It is thus possible to compare the measurement of a particulate matter upstream of the filter 8 with the measurement of a particulate matter downstream of the filter 8, in order to measure the performance of the filter 8. The incoming air flow FE is discharged at the inlet of the device 1 by means of a second conduit 13b.

The second conduit 13b thus minimizes the pressure difference between a point of sampling the incoming air flow FE and a discharge point of the incoming air flow FE.

Claims (10)

claims 1. Heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device for a motor vehicle, for the treatment of an air flow (F), comprising: - a sensor (10) for measuring an air flow parameter (F), - a housing (2), said housing (2) comprising: a housing (9) configured to receive a filter (8) for filtering the air flow (F), a housing element (11) at least partially defining the housing (9), an opening for access to the housing (9 ) arranged on a first side (15a) of the housing (9), characterized in that the sensor (10) is arranged on a second side (15b) of the housing (9), substantially opposite to the first side (15a). 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (2) comprises at least one guide tube (12a; 12b) of a secondary air flow (F ') configured to be connected to the sensor (10) . 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the tube (12a; 12b) is arranged downstream of the housing (9) relative to a direction of circulation of the air flow (F). 4. Apparatus according to one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that the tube (12a; 12b) is made of material with the housing element (11), in particular the tube (12a; 12b) and the housing element (11) form a single molded part. 5. Apparatus according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the tube (12a; 12b) is arranged on a second side of the housing (9) substantially opposite to the first side. 6. Apparatus according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the sensor (10) comprises a tube (13a; 13b) configured to be connected to the guide tube (12a; 12b), in particular by form complementarity. 7. Apparatus according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the tube (12a; 12b) and the tubing (13a; 13b) cooperate to fix the sensor (10) relative to the housing (2). 8. Apparatus according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the tubing (13a; 13b) is connected to the tube (12a; 12b) without intermediate piece. 9. Apparatus according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the sensor (10) comprises a first tube (13a) configured to be connected to a first guide tube (12a) of the housing (2) and a second tubing (13b) configured to be connected to a second guide tube (12b) of the housing (2). 10. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (10) is further configured to measure a parameter of an incoming air flow (FE), taken at the input of the heating apparatus, ventilation and / or air conditioning (1).