FR3101285A1 - Vehicle ventilation device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a ventilation device (12) for a motor vehicle, the device (12) comprising a first air duct (18), a second air duct (24), and a closure system (33) of the first and second air ducts (18, 24). The first and second air ducts (18, 24) are arranged so that the air flows leaving these ducts intersect in an aeration zone. The system (10) is reversibly configurable between: - a first configuration in which the closure system (33) allows air to circulate in the first air duct (18) and prevents it in the second duct air (24), - a second configuration in which the closure system (33) prevents the circulation of air (36) in the first air duct (18) and allows it in the second air duct air (24), and - a third configuration in which the closure device (33) allows air to circulate in the first air duct (18) and the second air duct (24). Figure for abstract: Figure 2

Description

Ventilation device for vehicle

The present invention relates, according to a first aspect, to an aeration device comprising at least a first air duct comprising a first air inlet and a first air outlet, the first duct being intended to circulate at the outlet a first flow of air in a first direction of flow,

- at least one second air duct comprising a second air inlet and a second air outlet, the second duct being intended to circulate a second air flow at the outlet according to at least one second direction of flow,

- a system for closing the first air duct and the second air duct allowing or preventing the circulation of air in the first air duct and the second air duct.

The aeration device is for example a ventilation, air extraction, cooling or heating device. The invention relates in particular to a ventilation device for a vehicle interior. Such a device is for example arranged to direct a flow of air in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. It is generally fixed or housed in a trim element of the passenger compartment, such as a dashboard, a door panel or other.

In the context of so-called "autonomous" vehicles, in which the intervention of a driver for driving the vehicle is reduced, or even almost zero, the layout of the passenger compartment can be modular by modifying the orientation and/or the position of the seats since they no longer necessarily have to face the road. Thus, it is possible, for example, to turn the seats towards each other and/or place the seats in lying positions that are more comfortable for the passengers of the vehicle.

The conventional configuration of the ventilation devices, for example at the level of the dashboard, does not provide sufficient comfort to the passenger when the passenger(s) no longer occupy a "classic" manual driving position facing the dashboard on board. The conventional configuration is not suitable for all the positions that passengers can occupy in the passenger compartment.

Generally, current ventilation devices are not very modular and only allow the flow of air to be directed in a limited area of the passenger compartment around the outlet of these devices, for example by using directional fins.

One of the aims of the invention is to improve the thermal comfort of the passenger regardless of the position he occupies in the vehicle, whether he is close to the dashboard or far from it, whether his seat either facing the road, rearward facing or in an oblique position with respect to the road.

To this end, the invention relates to a ventilation device for a vehicle of the aforementioned type, in which the device further comprises a ventilation zone of the vehicle adapted to diffuse a flow of ventilation air in a direction of flow of ventilation, the first air outlet and the second air outlet opening into said ventilation zone, the first air outlet and the second air outlet being arranged so that the first direction of flow and the second direction of flows are secant in the aeration zone, the system also being reversibly configurable between:

- a first configuration in which the shutter system allows the circulation of the first air flow in the first air duct and prevents the circulation of the second air flow in the second air duct, the flow direction d the ventilation air in the ventilation zone being substantially the first flow direction,

- a second configuration in which the shutter system prevents the circulation of the first air flow in the first air duct and allows the circulation of the second air flow in the second air duct, the flow direction d the vent air in the vent zone being substantially the second direction of flow, and

- a third configuration in which the closure device allows the circulation of the first air flow in the first air duct and of the second air flow in the second air duct, the air flow direction of ventilation in the ventilation zone having a third direction of flow, different from the first and second direction of flow.

Thus, depending on the system configurations, the airflow in the ventilation area has a variable ventilation flow direction. The ventilation device makes it possible to direct a flow of air towards the passenger both when the latter occupies a position close to the outlet of the ventilation device, for example when the passenger occupies a manual driving position, and a position further away from the outlet of the ventilation device, for example a relaxed position or even if the passenger is positioned with his back to the dashboard.

According to other aspects of the invention, the aeration device comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in any possible technical combination:

- the shutter system includes:

- a first shutter member of the first air duct movable between an open position allowing the circulation of the first flow in the first duct and a closed position preventing the circulation of the first flow in the first duct,

- a second shutter member of the second duct movable between an open position allowing the circulation of the second air flow in the second duct and a closed position preventing the circulation of the second air flow in the second duct,

the first shutter member being in the open position and the second shutter member being in the closed position in the first configuration of the system,

the first shutter member being in the closed position and the second shutter member being in the open position in the second configuration of the device,

the first shutter member and the second shutter member being in the open position in the third configuration of the system;

- the first air outlet and the second air outlet are arranged so that the first direction of flow and the second direction of flow are substantially perpendicular to each other;

- the shutter system is movable between a plurality of partial shutter positions of the first air duct and/or of the second air duct;

- the first air duct and/or the second air duct comprise at least one fin intended to orient the respective direction of the first air flow and/or of the second air flow at the outlet of the first air duct and/or second air duct;

- the device comprises a main air supply duct intended to be connected to an air supply device, the first air inlet of the first air duct and the second air inlet of the second air duct air being connected to said main air supply duct;

- the first air duct and the second air duct respectively comprise a first rectilinear portion and a second rectilinear portion extending mainly along a first direction and a second direction substantially parallel to the first direction, the second air duct further comprising a curved portion fluidly connected to the second rectilinear portion, extending between the second rectilinear portion and the second air outlet, so as to deflect the second airflow in the second direction of flow at the outlet of the second leads;

- the device further comprises an air guide element located downstream of the first air outlet and of the second air outlet, the air guide element being arranged to direct the flow of air ventilation in the vehicle, the air guide element at least partially defining the ventilation zone;

- the device further comprises at least one deflection member arranged facing the first air outlet so as to deflect the first flow of air towards the interior of the passenger compartment.

The invention relates, according to a second aspect, to a vehicle door extending in a longitudinal direction comprising a ventilation device as described above.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the first air outlet is arranged so that the first flow direction is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction, and the second air outlet is arranged so that the second flow direction is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given by way of example and made with reference to the appended drawings, including:

- Figure 1 is a schematic representation in perspective of a vehicle door according to the invention;

- Figure 2 is a schematic representation in perspective of the aeration device of Figure 1 in the first configuration,

- Figure 3 is a schematic representation in perspective of the aeration device of Figure 1 in the second configuration,

- Figure 4 is a schematic representation in perspective of the aeration device of Figure 1 in the third configuration,

- Figure 5 is a schematic representation along a transverse plane of the device of Figure 1.

In the following, the orientations are the usual orientations of a motor vehicle. Thus, the terms "front", "rear", "up" and "down" are understood relative to the normal direction of movement of a motor vehicle relative to the position of a driver manually driving the vehicle. In the same way, the longitudinal direction is defined as the normal direction of circulation of the vehicle corresponding to the length of the vehicle. The transverse direction is defined as substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction corresponding to the width of the vehicle. The direction of elevation is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and to the transverse direction and corresponds to the height of the vehicle. The terms "inside" and "outside" orientation refer to the transverse direction. The term “exterior” is understood to mean relatively farther transversely from the passenger compartment and the term “interior” is understood to be relatively closer transversely to the passenger compartment.

Figure 1 shows a vehicle door 10 comprising a ventilation device 12 according to the invention.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the vehicle door 10 is more particularly a motor vehicle door 10.

The door 10 extends along the longitudinal direction L. The ventilation device 12 according to the invention extends mainly along a main direction P. The main direction P and the longitudinal direction L are substantially parallel to each other or coincide.

The vehicle (not shown) conventionally comprises a floor, at least one seat fixed to the floor and a dashboard arranged opposite the seat.

The seat is movable in translation in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction L with respect to the floor.

The seat is at least movable between a driving position and a rest position. The distance between the seat and the dashboard is smaller in the driving position than in the rest position.

In the case of a front seat, the first position corresponds to a manual driving position of the vehicle in which the passenger interacts with the vehicle to drive the vehicle.

For example, the second position corresponds to a rest position, for example in an automatic vehicle driving configuration in which the passenger does not drive the vehicle. In the rest position, the seat faces the front of the vehicle or the rear of the vehicle. The seat is, for example, inclined to improve passenger comfort.

The ventilation device 12 is for example integrated into a trim element 14 fixed to the door 10, such as a door panel or a trim strip.

The ventilation device 12 is intended to provide a flow of ventilation 31 inside the vehicle and more particularly inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The passenger compartment of the vehicle is intended to receive the passengers of the vehicle.

The ventilation flow 31 is intended to cool, heat or ventilate the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Alternatively, the ventilation device 12 is intended to extract a flow of air from the passenger compartment.

As seen more particularly in Figures 2 to 3, the ventilation device 12 comprises a first air duct 18 comprising a first air inlet 20 and a first air outlet 22, a second air duct 24 comprising a second air inlet 26 and a second air outlet 28, a ventilation zone 30 of the vehicle adapted to diffuse the ventilation flow 31 in a ventilation flow direction F, arranged downstream of the first outlet 22 and the second air outlet 28, a system 33 for closing the first air duct 18 and the second air duct 24 authorizing or preventing the circulation of air in the first air duct 18 and/or in the second air duct 24.

The term "downstream" is defined with reference to the direction of airflow in the first duct 18 and the second duct 24, i.e. from the first air inlet 20/second air inlet 26 to the first air outlet 22/second air outlet 28.

The first duct 18 is intended to cause a first flow of air 36 to circulate at the outlet in a first direction of flow F1.

The first duct 18 comprises at least a first portion 38 extending mainly in a first direction P1. The first direction P1 coincides with the first direction of flow F1 or substantially parallel to the first direction of flow F1.

The first portion 38 is substantially rectilinear.

The first flow direction F1 is substantially coincident with the main direction P or parallel to the main direction P.

The second duct 24 is intended to cause a second air flow 40 to circulate at the outlet according to at least one second direction of flow F2.

The second conduit 24 comprises at least a second portion 42 extending mainly in a second direction P2. The second direction P2 is substantially parallel to the first direction P1.

The second portion 42 is substantially rectilinear.

The second conduit 24 preferably comprises a curved portion 44 fluidly connected to the second portion 42 rectilinear. The curved portion 44 extends between the second rectilinear portion 42 and the second air outlet 28. Thus, the second air flow 40 which circulates in the second portion 42 of the second duct 24 in a direction substantially parallel to the first direction of flow F1 is deflected along the second direction of flow F2 at the outlet of the second conduit 24.

Preferably, the first air outlet 22 and the second air outlet 28 are arranged so that the first direction of flow F1 and the second direction of flow F2 are substantially perpendicular to each other, the second direction of flow F2 forming a non-zero angle with the first flow direction F1.

The conformation of the first conduit 18 and of the second conduit 24 described above makes it possible to obtain a compact ventilation device 12, which is fixed or easily integrated into a trim element 14 of the vehicle, such as for example a panel of gate 10.

Preferably, the ventilation device 12 comprises a main air supply duct 46 intended to be connected to an air supply device (not shown). As visible in Figures 2 to 4, the first duct 18 and the second duct 24 are fluidly connected to the main air supply duct 46 and extend downstream of the main duct 46.

The first air outlet 22 and the second air outlet 28 open into the ventilation zone 30 of the vehicle.

Preferably, the ventilation zone 30 is at least partly defined by an air guide element 48 making it possible to direct the flow of ventilation air 31 inside the vehicle.

The air guide element 30 is arranged downstream of the first air outlet 22 and the second air outlet 28.

The air guide element 30 is connected to the first air duct 18 and to the second air duct 24 at the level of the first air outlet 22 and the second air outlet 28 respectively.

In the embodiment of Figure 1, the air guide element 30 is received in an interior face 50 of the door 10, that is to say the face 50 facing the interior of the passenger compartment. of the vehicle.

The air guide element 30 has the general shape of a gutter extending along the main direction P.

The air guide element 30 has a concave internal surface 52 intended to be oriented towards the interior of the vehicle.

For example, the section of at least a portion of the air guide element 30 along a plane substantially perpendicular to the main direction P has a V or U shape. The V or U shape is symmetrical or asymmetrical. .

The air guide element 30 has for example a length along the main direction P of between 30 cm and 50 cm, for example 40 cm.

Advantageously, the first duct 18 and/or the second duct 24 comprises at least one fin 54 intended to orient the respective direction of the first air flow 36 and/or of the second air flow 40 at the outlet of the first duct 18 and/ or the second conduit 24.

In the example shown (Figure 1 and Figure 5), the second conduit 24 comprises three fins 54. Each fin 54 extends mainly in a direction substantially parallel to the main direction P. Each fin 54 is rotatably mounted relative to the second conduit 24 around an axis substantially parallel to the main direction P.

The fins 54 make it possible, for example, to deflect the direction of the second airflow 40 upwards or downwards inside the vehicle.

The shutter device 33 comprises for example a first shutter member 32 of the first air duct 18 and a second shutter member 34 of the second conduit 24. The first shutter member 32 of the first conduit 18 is movable between an open position allowing the circulation of the first stream 36 in the first conduit 18 beyond the first shutter member 32 and a closed position preventing the circulation of the first stream 36 in the first conduit 18 beyond the first shutter member 32.

The second shutter member 34 of the second conduit 24 is movable between an open position allowing the circulation of the second air flow 40 in the second conduit 4 beyond the second shutter member 34 and a closed position preventing the circulation of second air flow 40 in the second duct 24 beyond the second shutter member 34.

Preferably, the first shutter member 32 and/or the second shutter member 34 can be moved between a plurality of positions of partial shuttering of the first conduit 18 and/or of the second conduit 24 between the open position and the closed position. respective.

Each of these partial closure positions is a stable position, that is to say that the closure member remains in the partial closure position in which it was placed in the absence of external stress. This makes it possible to regulate the intensity of the flow of air circulating respectively in the first air duct 18 and the second air duct 24 beyond the closure member.

Advantageously, the ventilation device 12 further comprises a control system (not shown) of the first shutter member 32 and/or of the second shutter member 34 making it possible to control the opening of the first shutter member 32 and / or the second shutter member 34.

The ventilation device 12 according to the invention is configurable at least between a first configuration, a second configuration and a third configuration.

In the first configuration (FIG. 2), the first shutter member 32 is in the open position and the second shutter member 34 is in the closed position. Thus, a single flow of ventilation air 31 exits in the ventilation zone 30 of the ventilation device 12, at the level of the first air outlet 22 of the first air duct 18. The direction F of the flow ventilation 31 in the ventilation zone 30 is substantially the first flow direction F1.

In this configuration, the flow of air leaving the first air outlet 22 is guided from the ventilation zone 30 towards the rear of the vehicle by the air guide element 48.

This configuration is for example used when the passenger is in the rest position, away from the dashboard.

In the second configuration (FIG. 3), the first shutter member 32 is in the closed position and the second shutter member 34 is in the open position. Thus, in this configuration, a single flow of air leaves in the ventilation zone 30 of the ventilation device 12, at the level of the second air outlet 28 of the second air duct 24. The direction of the flow of ventilation air 31 is substantially the second flow direction F2.

In this configuration, the ventilation air flow 31 is rather oriented towards the front of the vehicle.

This configuration is for example used when the passenger is in the manual driving position of the vehicle.

In the third configuration (FIG. 4), the first shutter member 32 and the second shutter member 34 are in the partially open position. Thus, in this configuration, the ventilation air flow direction 31 in the ventilation zone 30 has a third flow direction F3, different from the first and second flow directions F1, F2. This is an intermediate direction between the first direction of flow F1 and the second direction of flow F2.

In this configuration, the first air flow 36 and the second flow 40 intercept each other in the ventilation zone 30.

The directivity along the main direction P (the longitudinal direction) of the ventilation airflow 31 resulting from the first airflow 36 and from the second airflow 40 is controlled by the intensity of the first airflow 36 coming from the first air outlet 22. The intensity of the first air flow 36 is controlled by the partial opening of the first shutter member 32.

The third configuration is an intermediate configuration in which the first shutter member 32 and/or the second shutter member 34 are in shutter positions are in intermediate positions of partial shutter respectively of the first air duct 18 and the second air duct 24.

This configuration is used to more precisely control the directivity of the ventilation air flow 31 in the longitudinal direction L. It is for example invariably used when the passenger is in the manual driving position or in the rest position to control the orientation ventilation air flow and thus improve thermal comfort.

Advantageously, the ventilation device 12 further comprises a deflection member (not shown) arranged opposite the first air outlet 22 so as to deflect the first air flow 36 towards the interior of the passenger compartment, in particular when the ventilation system 12 is placed in the first configuration (FIG. 2).

Indeed, in the first configuration, the ventilation air flow 31 runs along the door, following for example the guide element 48 in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction L. The deflection member makes it possible to deflect the ventilation air flow 31 towards the interior of the passenger compartment.

The deflection member is for example formed by a variation of the geometry of the guide element 48 forming a projection oriented towards the interior of the passenger compartment.

As a variant, the deflection member is formed by a variation of the geometry of the door 10 forming a projection oriented towards the interior of the passenger compartment.

As a further variant, the deflection member an attached element fixed projecting from the door 10, from the guide element 48, on a pillar between the front seat and the rear seat ("B pillar") or even on the door back.

Advantageously again, the shutter device 33 can be controlled automatically according in particular to the longitudinal position of the seat and/or according to its angular position with respect to the longitudinal direction L.

Thus, for example, if the front seat is in a rear-facing position, the system 10 is moved into the first configuration (FIG. 2). Thanks to the deflection member, the ventilation air flow 31 is then directed towards the passenger.

Alternatively, for example, the closer the seat is to the dashboard, the greater the air flow in the second air duct 24 and the lower the flow in the first air duct 18.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5, when the seat approaches the dashboard, the second shutter member 34 moves gradually from the closed position to the open position and in parallel the first shutter member 32 gradually moves from the open position to the closed position. Thus, the direction of the ventilation air flow 31 at the level of the ventilation zone 30 varies progressively between a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction (FIG. 2) for a passenger away from the dashboard, and a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L (Figure 3) passing through a plurality of intermediate directions (Figure 4) depending on the air flow in each of the air ducts 18, 24, thus making it possible to provide an air flow ventilation 31 for a plurality of longitudinal positions of the passenger seat.

Thus, the ventilation device 12 according to the invention is particularly advantageous because it makes it possible to direct the flow of ventilation air 31 both towards the front of the vehicle, for example when the passenger in the driving position, than towards the rear of the vehicle, for example when the passenger is in the comfort position behind with respect to the dashboard. The device 12 makes it easy to adjust the directivity of the ventilation air flow 31 in the longitudinal direction L.

In addition, the ventilation device 12 can be installed in a rear door of the vehicle.

According to one embodiment, each of the doors of the vehicle comprises a ventilation device 12.

As a variant, the ventilation device 12 is integrated into another trim element, such as a central console arranged between the seats, or the like.

According to one embodiment (not shown), the shutter device 33 comprises instead of the first and second shutter members 32, 34, a three-way proportional valve, for example a rotary plug, connected upstream to the main conduit of air supply 46, and downstream to the first air inlet 20 of the first duct 18 and to the second air inlet 26 of the second duct 24.

Claims (11)

Ventilation device (12) for a motor vehicle, the device (12) comprising:
- at least one first air duct (18) comprising a first air inlet (20) and a first air outlet (22), the first duct (18) being intended to cause a first flow of air to circulate at the outlet air (36) in a first flow direction (F1),
- at least one second air duct (24) comprising a second air inlet (26) and a second air outlet (26), the second duct (24) being intended to cause a second flow of air to circulate at the outlet air (40) along at least one second direction of flow (F2),
- a sealing system (33) of the first air duct (18) and of the second air duct (24) authorizing or preventing the circulation of air in the first air duct (18) and the second duct air (24),
characterized in that the device (12) further comprises a ventilation zone (30) of the vehicle adapted to diffuse a flow of ventilation air (31) according to a direction of ventilation flow (F), the first air outlet (22) and the second air outlet (28) opening into said ventilation zone, the first air outlet (22) and the second air outlet (28) being arranged so that the first direction of flow (F1) and the second direction of flow (F2) are secant in the aeration zone (30),
the system (10) further being reversibly configurable between:
- a first configuration in which the shutter system (33) allows the circulation of the first air flow (36) in the first air duct (18) and prevents the circulation of the second air flow (40) in the second air duct (24), the ventilation air flow direction (F) in the ventilation zone (30) being substantially the first flow direction (F1),
- a second configuration in which the shutter system (33) prevents the circulation of the first air flow (36) in the first air duct (18) and allows the circulation of the second air flow (40) in the second air duct (24), the ventilation airflow direction (F) in the ventilation zone (30) being substantially the second flow direction (F2), and
- a third configuration in which the shutter device (33) allows the circulation of the first air flow (36) in the first air duct (18) and of the second air flow (40) the second air duct air (24), the ventilation air flow direction (F) in the ventilation zone having a third flow direction, different from the first and second flow direction (F1, F2). Device (12) according to claim 2, in which the obturation system (33) comprises:
- a first shutter member (32) of the first air duct (18) movable between an open position allowing the circulation of the first flow (36) in the first duct (18) and a closed position preventing the circulation of the first flow (36) in the first duct (18),
- a second shutter member (34) of the second duct (24) movable between an open position allowing the circulation of the second air flow (40) in the second duct (24) and a closed position preventing the circulation of the second flow of air (40) in the second duct (24),
the first shutter member (32) being in the open position and the second shutter member (34) being in the closed position in the first configuration of the system (10),
the first shutter member (32) being in the closed position and the second shutter member (34) being in the open position in the second configuration of the device (10),
the first shutter member (32) and the second shutter member (34) being in the open position in the third configuration of the system (10). Device (12) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first air outlet (22) and the second air outlet (28) are arranged such that the first direction of flow (F1) and the second direction of flows (F2) are substantially perpendicular to each other. Device (12) according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, in which the shutter system (33) is movable between a plurality of positions of partial shuttering of the first air duct (18) and/or of the second air duct (24). Device (12) according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, in which the first air duct (18) and/or the second air duct (24) comprise at least one fin (54) intended to orient the respective direction of the first airflow (36) and/or of the second airflow (40) leaving the first air duct (18) and/or the second air duct (24). Device (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a main air supply duct (46) intended to be connected to an air supply device, the first air inlet (20) of the first air duct (18) and the second air inlet (26) of the second air duct (26) being connected to said main air supply duct (46). Device (12) according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, in which the first air duct (18) and the second air duct (24) respectively comprise a first rectilinear portion (38) and a second portion ( 42) rectilinear extending mainly in a first direction and a second direction substantially parallel to the first direction, the second air duct (24) further comprising a curved portion (44) fluidly connected to the second rectilinear portion (42) , extending between the second rectilinear portion (42) and the second air outlet (28), so as to deflect the second airflow (40) along the second direction of flow (F2) at the outlet of the second duct (24). Device (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising an air guide element (48) located downstream of the first air outlet (22) and the second air outlet ( 28), the air guide element (48) being arranged to direct the flow of ventilation air (31) into the vehicle, the air guide element (48) defining at least in part the ventilation zone (30). Device (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising at least one deflection member placed facing the first air outlet (22) so as to deflect the first air flow (36) towards the interior of the cabin. Vehicle door (10) extending in a longitudinal direction (L) comprising a ventilation device (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 9. Door according to Claim 10, in which the first air outlet (22) is arranged so that the first flow direction (F1) is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction (L), and the second air outlet ( 28) is arranged so that the second flow direction (F2) is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L).