FR3121869A1 - Air conditioning device for the passenger compartment of a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for air conditioning a passenger compartment of a vehicle The air conditioning device (17) comprises: - a fresh air blowing circuit (19) comprising at least one air distribution duct (27 ) having at least one blowing vent (29);- a stale air exhaust circuit (21) comprising at least one air exhaust duct (33) having at least one air exhaust vent stale (35);- the air conditioning device (17) comprising at least one heat exchanger (37) comprising a first side (39) for circulating fresh air, interposed in the at least one distribution duct air (27), and a second side (41) of stale air circulation, interposed in the at least one air exhaust duct (33); - the fresh air blowing circuit (19 ) comprising at least one heater (43) and at least one cooler (45), placed in series in the at least one air distribution duct (27);- the fresh air blowing circuit (19) comprising out re at least one bypass duct (47) of the at least one cooler (45), and at least one adjustment member (49) configured to control a flow of fresh air in the at least one bypass duct ( 47). Figure for abstract: 1

Description

Air conditioning device for the passenger compartment of a vehicle

The present invention generally relates to the thermal management of the passenger compartment of a vehicle, in particular of a motor vehicle.

Motor vehicles include an air conditioning device, intended to heat or cool the atmosphere inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Such a device typically includes a fan, at least one heater and at least one cooler. An air mixer and distributor device allows the air flow to be distributed in different vents, distributed in the passenger compartment.

Part of the air introduced into the passenger compartment passes through it and escapes outside the vehicle, through a non-return valve fixed in the rear wing cheek. Another part of the air can be recycled upstream of the fan.

This recycling makes it possible to reduce the quantity of fresh air drawn in from the outside, and therefore to reduce energy consumption to heat or cool the fresh air drawn in before introducing it into the passenger compartment.

However, the recirculated air is laden with humidity and depleted in oxygen, so that excessive recirculation can make the atmosphere inside the passenger compartment uncomfortable for the passengers.

It is possible, to reduce or eliminate the recycling of air, to provide a heat exchanger between the fresh air taken from outside and blown into the atmosphere of the passenger compartment, and the stale air taken from the passenger compartment and released outside the vehicle.

Such a heat exchanger makes it possible to transfer the heat, or the cold depending on the case, from the outgoing stale air to the incoming fresh air, and therefore makes it possible to reduce the energy losses linked to the rejection of the stale air in the outside atmosphere.

In such an air conditioning device, with a thermal energy recovery exchanger, at least one heater and at least one cooler, it is necessary to provide a specific architecture for adjusting the temperature of the fresh air distributed in the cabin. This architecture is different from the architecture of conventional air conditioning devices, which do not have a thermal energy recovery exchanger.

Thus, there is a need for an air conditioning device for a vehicle passenger compartment, integrating a thermal energy recovery exchanger, at least one heater and at least one cooler, and making it possible to conveniently and economically manage the temperature of the air blown into the passenger compartment.

To this end, the invention relates, according to a first aspect, to an air conditioning device for the passenger compartment of a vehicle;

- the air conditioning system comprising a circuit for blowing fresh air into the passenger compartment and a circuit for evacuating stale air from the passenger compartment;

- the fresh air blowing circuit comprises an air intake opening outside the vehicle, an air circulation member having a suction in fluid communication with the air intake, and at least one distribution duct air fluidly connected to a discharge of the air circulation member, the at least one air distribution duct having at least one vent through which fresh air is blown into the passenger compartment;

- the stale air exhaust circuit comprises an exhaust opening outside the vehicle and at least one air exhaust duct fluidly connected to the exhaust, the at least one air exhaust duct having at least one at least one stale air exhaust opening into the passenger compartment;

- the air conditioning device comprising at least one heat exchanger comprising a first side for the circulation of fresh air, interposed in the at least one air distribution duct, and a second side for the circulation of stale air , interposed in the at least one air exhaust duct, the first side being in thermal contact with the second side;

- the fresh air supply circuit comprising at least one heater and at least one cooler, placed in series in the at least one air distribution duct, downstream of the first side of the heat exchanger;

- the fresh air blowing circuit further comprising at least one bypass duct fluidly connecting a point upstream of the at least one air distribution duct, located upstream of the at least one cooler, to a point downstream of the at least one air distribution duct, located downstream of the at least one cooler, and at least one adjustment member configured to control a flow of fresh air in the at least one bypass duct .

The air circulation device draws in a flow of air at the outside temperature through the air intake. The heat exchanger makes it possible to bring the temperature of this air flow closer to that prevailing inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The at least one bypass duct, and the at least one corresponding adjustment member, make it possible to control the flow of fresh air circulating in the at least one bypass duct, and therefore the flow of fresh air circulating at through the cooler.

As a result, it becomes possible to use a cooler of the evaporator type with a fixed expansion rate, which is particularly inexpensive. The temperature of the air blown into the passenger compartment is regulated by choosing the proportion of the air flow passing through the bypass and the proportion of the air flow which will be cooled in the cooler. Such an approach is simple, effective and economical.

The conditioning device may also have one or more of the above characteristics, considered individually or in all technically possible combinations:

- the at least one vent comprises a right front vent opening directly into a right front zone of the passenger compartment, a left front vent opening directly into a left front zone of the passenger compartment, a right rear vent opening directly into a rear zone right of the passenger compartment, and a left rear vent opening directly into a left rear zone of the passenger compartment;

- the fresh air blowing circuit comprises a single air distribution duct, the air distribution duct comprising a main duct, a left secondary duct fluidly connecting the main duct to the left front vent and to the left rear vent, and a right secondary duct fluidly connecting the main duct to the right front vent and to the right rear vent,

- the air conditioning device comprises a single heat exchanger, the first side of which is interposed on the main duct, and

- the fresh air supply circuit comprises a single heater and a single cooler, interposed on the main duct;

- the fresh air blowing circuit comprises a single bypass duct, the upstream point and the downstream point, between which extends the bypass duct, belonging to the main duct;

- the fresh air blowing circuit comprises a left bypass duct and a right bypass duct, the left bypass duct connecting an upstream point belonging to the main duct to a downstream point belonging to the left secondary duct, the right bypass duct connecting an upstream point belonging to the main duct to a downstream point belonging to the right secondary duct;

- the fresh air blowing circuit comprises a left adjustment member, configured to control the flow of fresh air circulating in the left bypass duct, and a right adjustment member, configured to control the flow of fresh air circulating in the right bypass duct;

- the fresh air supply circuit includes :

- a left air distribution duct, fluidly connected to the left front vent and the left rear vent, and a right air distribution duct, fluidically connected to the right front vent and the rear vent right,

- a left heat exchanger, a first left side of which is interposed on the left air distribution duct, and a right heat exchanger, a first right side of which is interposed on the right air distribution duct,

- a left heater, inserted in the left air distribution duct, and a right heater, inserted in the right air distribution duct,

- a left cooler, inserted in the left air distribution duct, and a right cooler, inserted in the right air distribution duct;

- the at least one stale air exhaust vent comprises a front right vent opening directly into the front right zone of the passenger compartment, a front left vent opening directly into the front left zone of the passenger compartment, a rear vent right opening directly into the right rear area of the passenger compartment, and a left rear outlet opening directly into the left rear area of the passenger compartment,

- the stale air exhaust circuit comprising a left air exhaust duct, fluidly connected to the left front vent and to the left rear vent, and a right air exhaust duct, fluidically connected to the right front mouth and right rear mouth,

- the second side of the left heat exchanger being interposed on the left air exhaust duct and the second side of the right heat exchanger being interposed on the right air exhaust duct ;

- the left air distribution duct comprises a left main duct, a left front secondary duct, fluidly connecting the left main duct to the left front vent, and a left rear secondary duct, fluidly connecting the left main duct to the left rear vent,

- the right air distribution duct comprising a right main duct, a right front secondary duct, fluidly connecting the right main duct to the right front vent, and a right rear secondary duct, fluidly connecting the right main duct to the right rear vent,

- the first side of the left heat exchanger, the left heater and the left cooler being interposed on the left main duct,

- the first side of the right heat exchanger, the right heater and the right cooler being interposed on the right main duct;

- the fresh air supply circuit includes:

- a front left bypass duct and a rear left bypass duct, the front left bypass duct connecting an upstream point belonging to the main left duct to a downstream point belonging to the front left secondary duct, the rear left bypass duct connecting a point upstream belonging to the main left duct to a downstream point belonging to the rear left secondary duct, and

- a right front bypass duct and a right rear bypass duct, the right front bypass duct connecting an upstream point belonging to the right main duct to a downstream point belonging to the right front secondary duct, the right rear bypass duct connecting a point upstream belonging to the right main duct to a downstream point belonging to the right rear secondary duct;

- the left front vent, the left rear vent, the right front vent and the right rear vent are each fitted with a blanking device; Or

- the air conditioning device comprises at least one main adjustment member, configured to control a distribution of the fresh air blown by the air circulation member between the left air distribution duct and the right air distribution, only one of the front left vent and the rear left vent being equipped with a shutter member, only one of the front right vent and the rear right vent being equipped with a shutter member.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a vehicle comprising a passenger compartment and an air conditioning device for the passenger compartment, the passenger compartment comprising a front left zone, a front right zone, a rear left zone and a rear zone right, the air conditioning device having the above characteristics.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description which follows, given by way of indication and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended figures, among which:

there is a schematic representation of a motor vehicle according to a first embodiment of the invention;

there is a view similar to that of the , showing a second embodiment of the invention;

there is a view similar to that of the , showing a third embodiment of the invention;

there is a view similar to that of the , showing a fourth embodiment of the invention;

there is a view similar to that of the , showing a fifth embodiment of the invention.

The vehicle 1 represented on the is a vehicle, typically a motor vehicle such as a passenger car. Alternatively, the vehicle is a van, truck, bus, airplane, boat, etc.

In this description, front and rear are understood relative to the normal direction of movement of the vehicle. The longitudinal direction corresponds to the direction of movement of the vehicle. The transverse direction is the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and parallel to the rolling plane of the vehicle. The vertical direction is understood here as being the direction perpendicular to the rolling plane of the vehicle.

Left and right are heard equally relative to the normal direction of movement of the vehicle.

Upstream and downstream are understood relative to the normal direction of circulation of the corresponding fluid.

The motor vehicle 1 comprises a passenger compartment 3 having a front left zone 5, a front right zone 7, a rear left zone 9 and a rear right zone 11.

Each zone typically includes at least one seat.

For left-hand drive vehicles, the left front area 5 comprises the driver's seat 13 and the steering wheel of the vehicle.

In this case, the front right zone 7 includes the front passenger seat 15.

A bench seat, not shown, extends for example transversely through the right and left rear zones 11, 9.

The left front zone 5 is delimited towards the rear by a transverse plane P1 passing for example at the level of the seat backs 13, 15. It is delimited towards the front by the windscreen, the dashboard and the apron of the vehicle. It is delimited transversely to the left by the body of the vehicle and to the right by a longitudinal plane P2, median of the vehicle.

The right front zone 7 is delimited in the same way as the left front zone 5. It is delimited towards the rear by the transverse plane P1, towards the front by the windscreen, the dashboard and the apron of the vehicle . It is delimited to the left by the longitudinal plane P2 and to the right by the vehicle body.

The left rear zone 9 is delimited to the front by the transverse plane P1 and to the rear by a transverse plane P3 passing for example at the level of the backrest of the rear seat(s). It is delimited by the bodywork transversely to the left and by the longitudinal plane P2 to the right.

The right rear zone 11 is delimited like the left rear zone 9. It is delimited towards the front by the transverse plane P1 and towards the rear by the transverse plane P3. It is delimited to the left by the longitudinal plane P2 and to the right by the vehicle body.

Each zone is delimited downwards by the floor of the vehicle and upwards by its roof.

The vehicle also comprises a device 17 for air conditioning the passenger compartment 3.

The air conditioning device 17 is provided to heat or cool, depending on the case, the internal atmosphere of the passenger compartment 3.

The air conditioning device 17 comprises a circuit 19 for blowing fresh air into the passenger compartment 3 and a circuit 21 for evacuating stale air from the passenger compartment 3.

Here, fresh air means air taken from outside the vehicle and injected into the passenger compartment, this air being able to be cold or hot.

The fresh air blowing circuit 19 comprises an air intake 23 opening outside the vehicle 1, an air circulation member 25 having a suction in fluid communication with the air intake 23, and at least an air distribution duct 27 fluidly connected to a discharge of the air circulation member 25.

The at least one air distribution duct 27 comprises at least one vent 29 through which fresh air is blown into the passenger compartment 3.

The air intake 23 is for example placed at the base of the windshield of the vehicle 1.

The at least one vent 29 comprises a right front vent 29AD opening directly into the right front zone 7 of the passenger compartment 3, a left front vent 29AG opening directly into the left front zone 5 of the passenger compartment 3, a right rear vent 29RD opening directly into the right rear zone 11 of the passenger compartment 3, and a left rear vent 29RG opening directly into the left rear zone 9 of the passenger compartment 3.

Each vent 29AG, 29AD, 29RG, 29RD comprises a single orifice opening directly into the corresponding zone, or on the contrary comprises several orifices each opening directly into the corresponding zone.

The left front vent 29AG is for example carried by the left front seat 13. The right front vent 29AD is for example carried by the right front seat 15.

The right rear vent 29 RD is for example carried by the right front seat 15. The left rear vent 29 RG is for example carried by the left front seat 13.

As a variant, the or each vent is arranged at another point in the corresponding zone.

The stale air exhaust circuit 21 comprises an exhaust 31 opening outside the vehicle 1, and at least one air exhaust duct 33 fluidly connected to the exhaust 31.

The at least one air exhaust duct 33 comprises at least one stale air exhaust vent 35 opening into the passenger compartment 3.

The at least one stale air exhaust vent 35 comprises a front right exhaust vent 35AD opening directly into the front right zone 7 of the passenger compartment 3, a front left exhaust vent 35AG opening directly into the zone front left 5 of the passenger compartment 3, a rear right exhaust vent 35RD opening directly into the rear right area 11 of the passenger compartment 3, and a rear left exhaust vent 35RG opening directly into the rear left area 9 of the cabin 3.

The left front exhaust vent 35AG is typically provided longitudinally forward of the left front seat 13, in the floor or in the apron.

Similarly, the front right drain outlet 35AD is typically placed in front of the front right seat 15, in the floor or in the apron.

The 35RD right rear exhaust vent is for example arranged rearward relative to the 29RD right rear vent, and is typically carried by the back of the right rear seat.

Similarly, the 35RG left rear vent is positioned rearward of the 29RG left rear vent, and is typically carried by the left rear seat back.

The air conditioning device 17 comprises at least one heat exchanger 37 comprising a first side for the circulation of fresh air 39, interposed in the at least one air distribution duct 27, and a second side for the circulation of fresh air. stale air 41, interposed in the at least one air exhaust duct 33. The first side 39 of the heat exchanger 37 is in thermal contact with the second side 41 of the heat exchanger 37, such that the fresh air circulating in the first side 39 and the stale air circulating in the second side 41 exchange heat with each other.

The fresh air blowing circuit 19 further comprises at least one heater 43 and at least one cooler 45, placed in series in the at least one air distribution duct 27, downstream of the first side 39 of the heat exchanger. heat 37. The at least one heater 43 is configured to, when activated, heat the air circulating in the at least one air distribution duct 27. The at least one cooler 45 is configured to, when it is activated, cooling the air circulating in the at least one air distribution duct 27.

The fresh air blowing circuit 19 further comprises at least one bypass duct 47 fluidly connecting a point upstream of the at least one air distribution duct 27, located upstream of the at least one cooler 45, at a point downstream of the at least one air distribution duct 27 located downstream of the at least one cooler 45.

The bypass duct 47 allows the airflow to flow from the upstream point to the downstream point by bypassing the cooler 45.

The fresh air blowing circuit 19 also comprises at least one adjustment member 49 configured to control the flow of fresh air in the at least one bypass duct 47.

According to a first embodiment, illustrated in the , the fresh air blowing circuit 19 comprises a single air distribution duct 27.

This air distribution duct 27 then comprises a main duct 51, a left secondary duct 53 fluidly connecting the main duct 51 to the left front vent 29AG and to the left rear vent 29RG, and a right secondary duct 55 fluidly connecting the main duct 51 to the right rear vent 29RD and the front right vent 29AD.

The left secondary conduit 53 and the right secondary conduit 55 are connected to substantially the same point 57 of the main conduit 51.

The air conditioning device 17 comprises a single heat exchanger 37, the first side 39 of which is interposed on the main duct 51.

The fresh air blowing circuit 19 comprises a single heater 43 and a single cooler 45, interposed on the main duct 51.

The heater 43 and the cooler 45 are interposed downstream of the first side 39 of the heat exchanger 37, and upstream of the connection point 57 of the secondary ducts 53, 55.

In the example shown, the heater 43 is placed upstream of the cooler 45.

The fresh air blowing circuit 19 comprises a single bypass duct 47, the upstream point and the downstream point, between which extends the bypass duct 47, belonging to the main duct 51.

In the example shown, the upstream point is interposed between the heater 43 and the cooler 45, and the downstream point being interposed between the cooler 45 and the secondary ducts 53, 55.

Alternatively, the upstream point is located between the first side 39 of the heat exchanger 37 and the heater 43, the bypass pipe bypassing both the heater 43 and the cooler 45.

According to another variant, the cooler 45 is upstream of the heater 43. The upstream point is located between the first side 39 of the heat exchanger 37 and the cooler 45, the downstream point being located between the cooler 45 and the heater 43 or downstream of the heater 43.

The heat exchanger 37 is of any suitable type. For example, the first side 39 is a straight duct, one end of which is connected to the discharge outlet of the air circulation unit 25.

Fins are arranged in the first side 39, so as to facilitate the heat exchanges between the first and the second side 39, 41 of the heat exchanger 37.

Likewise, the second side 41 of the heat exchanger 37 is a duct, in which fins are placed. A downstream end of this duct is fluidically connected to the discharge 31. An upstream end of this duct is fluidically connected to the stale air exhaust vents 35AG, 35AD, 35RG, 35RD.

An intermediate wall is common to the two ducts and constitutes a heat exchange zone between the first side 39 and the second side 41.

The fins are of any suitable type: they are for example of the off-set type, or in the form of a wave, or else in a louvre. They are for example made of aluminum or copper. These materials have high thermal conductivity.

In the case of an electric vehicle, the heater 43 is for example an electrical resistor. Alternatively, the heater 43 is a condenser forming part of a heat pump.

In the case of a motor vehicle with a combustion engine, the heater 43 is for example a heat exchanger in which the engine coolant circulates. Alternatively, it is an electrical resistance.

The cooler 45 is an evaporator, for example the evaporator of a heat pump.

Advantageously, cooler 45 is a fixed expansion rate evaporator. As a variant, the cooler 45 is an evaporator with variable pressure and/or variable expansion rate.

The fresh air blowing circuit 19 comprises a single adjustment member 49.

For example, this adjustment member 49 is a three-way valve, with an inlet fluidically connected to the heater outlet 43 and two outlets, one opening into the bypass conduit 47 and the other fluidically connected to the inlet of the cooler 45. The three-way valve 49 is a metering valve, making it possible to adjust the distribution of the air flow between the bypass duct 47 and the cooler 45.

As a variant, the adjustment member 49 is a two-way adjustment valve, placed in the bypass duct 47. The degree of opening of the valve makes it possible to adjust the distribution of the air flow between the bypass duct 47 and cooler 45.

As seen on the , the left front vent 29AG, the right front vent 29AD, the left rear vent 29RG and the right rear vent 29RD are each equipped with a shutter member, designated respectively by the references 59AG, 59AD, 59RG and 59RD.

This closure member has at least one closure position and a release position.

In the closed position, the blowing of air into the passenger compartment 3 through the vent 29 is stopped. In the release position, insufflation is possible and the vent 29 is completely free.

The shutter member is for example an all-or-nothing member, which presents only the shutter position and the release position. As a variant, the closure member is of the metering type. It is also capable of adopting a plurality of intermediate positions corresponding to different degrees of partial opening of the vent, to adapt the air flow to the needs of the occupant of the corresponding zone.

Each shutter device is motorized. Alternatively, each shutter member is manual.

According to a variant embodiment, the shutter member 59AG and the shutter member 59AD are of the metering type.

According to another variant embodiment, the shutter member 59AG is all or nothing and the shutter member 59AD is metering. This adjusts the airflow between the front left and the front right.

In this case, the air conditioning device 17 comprises a controller 61, and a means for determining the total quantity of fresh air circulating in the fresh air blowing circuit 19. For example, the flow of fresh air is determined by calculation, from the speed of rotation of the air circulation member 25.

The controller 61 controls the front left shutter member 59AG and the front right shutter member 59AD. The quantity of air passing through the right front vent 29AD is regulated by the controller 61, by choosing the degree of opening of the right front shutter member 59AD according to the flow rate of air blown by the member. of air circulation 25. This degree of opening is determined by calculation. The amount of air passing through the left front vent 29AG corresponds to the total airflow blown by the air circulation device 25 minus the airflow blown by the right front vent 29AD. Thus, the computer 61, by adjusting the degree of opening of the front right shutter 29AD, can adjust, within a certain limit, the flow of air blown in by the front right vent 29AD and the flow of air blown in by the left front vent 29AG.

In the case where all the shutter members are motorized, the controller 61 adjusts the position of the shutter members according to passenger demand so as to distribute the flow of air in the vents 29AG, 29AD, 29RG, 29RD and regulates the speed of rotation of the air circulation member 25.

The air conditioning device 17 according to is particularly simple and effective. The temperature is adjusted by acting on the adjusting member 49. The air flow in each zone is adjusted by acting on the air circulation member 25 and on the shutter members 59AG, 59AD, 59RG, 59RD . Its main limitation is that all areas of the passenger compartment are supplied with air at the same temperature.

A second embodiment of the invention will now be described, with reference to the . Only the points by which this second embodiment differs from the first will be detailed below.

The identical elements or providing the same function will be designated by the same references in the two embodiments.

As indicated above, in the embodiment of the , the fresh air blowing circuit 19 comprises a single bypass duct 47.

In the embodiment of the , the fresh air blowing circuit 19 includes a left bypass duct 47G and a right bypass duct 47D.

The left bypass duct 47G connects an upstream point belonging to the main duct 51 to a downstream point belonging to the left secondary duct 53.

Symmetrically, the right bypass pipe 47D connects an upstream point belonging to the main pipe 51 to a downstream point belonging to the right secondary pipe 55.

The upstream point is located, for the two bypass ducts 47D, 47G, upstream of the heater 43 and the cooler 45.

As a variant, the upstream points are located between the heater 43 and the cooler 45, the right and left bypass ducts 47D and 47G only bypassing the cooler 45.

The left bypass conduit 47G and the right bypass conduit 47D typically connect to the same upstream point.

The fresh air blowing circuit 19 comprises a left adjustment member 49G, configured to control a flow of fresh air circulating in the left bypass duct 47G, and a right adjustment member 49D, configured to control a flow of fresh air circulating in the right bypass duct 47D.

The left and right adjustment members 49G, 49D are configured to be able to adopt a closed position preventing the circulation of fresh air in the bypass ducts 47G, 47D, a maximum open position in which the passage section for the fresh air is maximum, and a plurality of intermediate positions corresponding to different passage sections for fresh air less than the maximum section.

In other words, the left and right regulators 49G and 49R are flow regulators. These are, for example, proportional valves.

In this case, the air conditioning device 17 is equipped with an interface 63, allowing the occupants to adjust the temperature of the air blown by the left front and left rear vents 29AG and 29RG, and the temperature of the air blown from right front and right rear vents 29AD and 29RD, independently of each other. The controller 61 drives the adjustment devices 49G, 49D according to the commands entered on the interface 63.

The shutter members 59AG, 59AD, 59RG, 59RD allow the occupants of the different zones of the passenger compartment 3 to adapt the flow of air blown by each vent 29AG, 29AD, 29RG, 29RD according to their wishes.

A third embodiment of the invention will now be described, with reference to the .

Only the points by which this third embodiment differs from the first will be detailed below.

The identical elements or providing the same function will be designated by the same references in the two embodiments.

In the third embodiment, the supply to the vents located to the left of the passenger compartment is entirely dissociated from the supply to the vents located to the right of the passenger compartment.

The fresh air blowing circuit 19 thus comprises a left air distribution duct 27G, fluidly connected to the left front vent 29AG and to the left rear vent 29RG, and a right air distribution duct 27D, fluidly connected to right front vent 29AD and right rear vent 29RD.

The fresh air blowing circuit 19 comprises in this case a left heat exchanger 37G, of which a first left side 39G is interposed on the left air distribution duct 27G, and a right heat exchanger 37D, of which a first right side 39D is interposed on the right air distribution duct 27D.

Furthermore, the fresh air blowing circuit 19 includes a left heater 43G, interposed in the left air distribution duct 27G, and a right heater 43D, interposed in the right air distribution duct 27D.

The fresh air blowing circuit 19 further comprises a left cooler 45G, interposed in the left air distribution duct 27G, and a right cooler 45D, interposed in the right air distribution duct 27D.

The left air distribution duct 27G includes only a left main duct 51G and the left secondary duct 53, and does not include a right secondary duct 55.

Symmetrically, the right air distribution duct 27D includes only a right main duct 51D and the right secondary duct 55, and does not include a left secondary duct 53.

The fresh air blowing circuit 19 includes a left bypass duct 47G and a right bypass duct 47D.

The left bypass duct 47G fluidly connects an upstream point of the left air distribution duct 27G to a downstream point of the same left air distribution duct 27G, bypassing the left cooler 45G.

In the example shown, left bypass duct 47G bypasses both left heater 43G and left cooler 45G.

The upstream point is located upstream of the left heater 43G and of the left cooler 45G, the downstream point being located downstream of these two pieces of equipment.

When the left heater 43G is placed upstream of the left cooler 45G, as shown in the , the upstream point is interposed between the first left side 39G of the left heat exchanger 37G and the left heater 43G. The downstream point is placed downstream of the left cooler 45G.

Alternatively, the left bypass duct 47G only bypasses the left cooler 45G, and not the left heater 43G.

The right bypass conduit 47D is arranged like the left bypass conduit 47G. It fluidically connects a point upstream of the right air distribution duct 27D to a point downstream of this same duct, bypassing the right cooler 45D.

In the example shown, the right bypass duct 47D bypasses both the right heater 43D and the right cooler 45D.

When the right heater 43D is placed upstream of the right cooler 45D, the upstream point is interposed between the first right side 39D of the right heat exchanger 37D and the right heater 43D.

Alternatively, the right bypass duct 47D only bypasses the right cooler 45D, and not the right heater 43D.

The stale air exhaust circuit 21 comprises a left air exhaust duct 33G, fluidly connected to the left front vent 35AG and to the left rear vent 35RG, and a right air exhaust duct 33D, fluidly connected to the right front exhaust vent 35AD and to the right rear exhaust vent 35RD.

The second left side 41G of the left heat exchanger 37G is interposed on the left air exhaust duct 33G. The second right side 41D of the right heat exchanger 37D is interposed on the right air exhaust duct 33D.

Downstream, the second sides 41G, 41D of the two heat exchangers 37G, 37D are fluidly connected to the discharge 31.

A left regulator 49G is configured to control the flow of fresh air circulating in the left bypass duct 47G, and a right regulator 49D is configured to control a flow of fresh air circulating in the right bypass duct 47D . These adjustment members 49G, 49D are three-way adjustment valves or two-way adjustment valves, as described in relation to the .

An inlet cone 67 is placed at the outlet of the air circulation member 25. The inlet cone 67 distributes the fresh air towards the first left side 39G of the left heat exchanger 37G, and towards the first right side 39D of the right heat exchanger 37D.

In this third embodiment, it is possible to adjust the size of each heat exchanger 37G, 37D to the theoretical air flow which passes through it. This adjustment optimizes the size and efficiency of each heat exchanger for the most common operating points, but also reduces its thermal inertia. This is also true for heaters 43G, 43D and coolers 45G, 45D, dedicated to the left part and the right part of vehicle 1.

The size of heaters 43G, 43D and coolers 45G, 45D is reduced by at least 50% compared to heater 43 and cooler 45 of the first and second embodiments, as is their thermal inertia.

In the third embodiment, the temperature rise of the right air distribution duct 27D and of the left air distribution duct 27G is very rapid, which contributes to improving the comfort of the occupant(s).

Consequently, the third embodiment is more economical than the first two, the energy required to air-condition the passenger compartment 3 being reduced.

In the third embodiment, the left adjuster 49G and/or the left heater 43G and/or the left cooler 45G are preferably driven independently of the right adjuster 49D, and/or the right cooler 45D and/or the right heater 43D, based on the commands entered by the occupants using the interface 63.

A fourth embodiment of the invention will now be described, with reference to the .

Only the points by which this fourth embodiment differs from the third will be detailed below.

The identical elements or providing the same function will be designated by the same references in the two embodiments.

The fourth embodiment is a more economical version of the third embodiment.

Only one of the front left vent 29AG and the rear left vent 29RG is equipped with a shutter device. Similarly, only one of the front right vent 29AD and the rear right vent 29RD is equipped with a closing device.

In the example shown, the closing devices 59AD and 59AG are removed.

On the other hand, the air conditioning device 17 comprises a main adjustment member 69, configured to control a distribution of the fresh air blown by the air circulation member 25 between the left air distribution duct 27G and the right air distribution duct 27D.

The main regulator 69 is typically a three-way valve interposed between the discharge of the air circulation member 25 and the left and right heat exchangers 37G, 37D.

The three-way valve is a proportional valve.

It is for example arranged in the cone 67 and makes it possible to partially or totally block either the outlet from the cone 67 towards the first left side 39G of the left heat exchanger 37G, or the outlet from the cone 67 towards the first right side 39D of the right heat exchanger 37D.

The main adjustment device 69 is controlled by the controller 61, according to the commands entered on the interface 63.

The rear left 59RG and rear right 59RD blanking devices are, for example, manual and are arranged so as to be easily accessible by the rear passengers. As a variant, the shutter members 59 RD and 59RG are controlled by the controller 61 under the effect of the commands entered via the interface 63 by the passengers.

A fifth embodiment of the invention will now be described, with reference to the .

Only the points by which this fifth embodiment differs from the third will be detailed below.

The identical elements or providing the same function will be designated by the same references in the two embodiments.

In the fifth embodiment, it is possible to independently adjust the temperature of the air blown in the front zones and in the rear zones.

To do this, the left air distribution duct 27G comprises a left main duct 51G, a left front secondary duct 53A, fluidly connecting the left main duct 51G to the left front vent 29AG, and a left rear secondary duct 53R, fluidly connecting left main duct 51G to left rear vent 29RG.

Similarly, the right air distribution duct 27D includes a right main duct 51D, a right front secondary duct 55A, fluidly connecting the right main duct 51D to the right front vent 29AD, and a right rear secondary duct 55R , fluidly connecting the right main duct 51D to the right rear vent 29RD.

Upstream, the left main duct 51G is connected to the first left side 39G of the left heat exchanger 37G. The left heater 43G and the left cooler 45G are interposed on the left main duct 51G. The left front secondary duct 53A and the left rear secondary duct 53R are connected to the same point of the left main duct 51G, located downstream of the left cooler 43G and the left heater 45G.

Similarly, upstream, the right main duct 51D is connected to the first right side 39D of the right heat exchanger 37D. The right heater 43D and the right cooler 45D are interposed on the right main duct 51D. The right front secondary duct 55A and the right rear secondary duct 55R are for example connected to the same point of the main duct, this point being located downstream of the right heater 43D and of the right cooler 45D.

In this case, the fresh air blowing circuit 19 comprises a left front bypass duct 47AG and a left rear bypass duct 47RG. The left front bypass duct 47AG connects an upstream point belonging to the left main duct 51G to a downstream point belonging to the left front secondary duct 53A. Similarly, the left rear bypass conduit 47RG connects an upstream point belonging to the left main conduit 51G to a downstream point belonging to the left rear secondary circuit 53R.

In the example shown, the bypass ducts 47AG and 47RG are connected to the same point upstream of the main left duct 51G.

In the example shown, the left heater 43G is placed upstream of the left cooler 45G.

The upstream point for the two bypass ducts 47AG, 47RG is for example located upstream of both the left heater 43G and the left cooler 45G, the bypass ducts 47AG, 47RG bypassing both the left heater 43G and the left cooler 45G.

Alternatively, the upstream point for the two bypass conduits 47AG, 47RG is placed between the left heater 43G and the left cooler 45G, the bypass conduits 47AG, 47RG only bypassing the left cooler 45G.

The fresh air supply circuit 19 includes a right front bypass duct 47AD and a right rear bypass duct 47RD.

The right front bypass duct 47AD connects an upstream point belonging to the right main duct 51D to a downstream point belonging to the right front secondary duct 55A. The right rear bypass duct 47RD connects an upstream point belonging to the right main duct 51D to a downstream point belonging to the right rear secondary duct 55R.

For example, the bypass ducts 47AD and 47RD are connected to the same upstream point of the main right duct 51D.

In the example shown, the right heater 43D is placed upstream of the right cooler 45D.

The bypass ducts 47AD and 47RD are connected to upstream points located upstream of the right heater 43D. These bypass ducts therefore bypass both the right heater 43D and the right cooler 45D.

As a variant, the ducts of the bypasses 47AD and 47RD are connected to upstream points placed between the right heater 43D and the right cooler 45D. So they only bypass the 45D right cooler.

As seen on the , each bypass duct 47AG, 47RG, 47RD, 47AD is provided with an adjustment member referenced respectively 49AG, 49RG, 49RD, 49AD. These adjusting devices are configured to control the flow of fresh air in the bypass ducts. Thus, in the fifth embodiment, it is possible to independently adjust the temperature of the blown air in the four zones 5, 7, 9, 11, and the air flow in the four zones 5, 7, 9, 11.

As a variant, the passenger compartment comprises, in addition to the right and left front zones 7, 5 and the right and left rear zones 11, 9, a central rear zone, placed transversely between the left rear zone 9 and the right rear zone 11.

In this case, the air conditioning device 17 advantageously comprises a central rear vent served by a central secondary duct connected either to the left main duct 51G, or to the right main duct 51D. This central secondary duct is connected downstream of the corresponding cooler. An additional bypass duct connects an upstream point of the main left 51G or right 51D duct to a downstream point of the central secondary duct, bypassing at least the left cooler 45G or the right cooler 45D.

Air from the center rear vent is drawn in through the rear left and/or rear right intake vent 35RG, 35RD.

Claims (11)

Air conditioning device (17) of a passenger compartment (3) of a vehicle;
- the air conditioning device (17) comprising a circuit (19) for blowing fresh air into the passenger compartment (3) and a circuit (21) for evacuating stale air from the passenger compartment (3 );
- the fresh air blowing circuit (19) comprises an air intake (23) opening outside the vehicle, an air circulation member (25) having a suction in fluid communication with the intake air (23), and at least one air distribution duct (27) fluidly connected to a discharge of the air circulation member (25), the at least one air distribution duct (27) having at least one vent (29) through which fresh air is blown into the passenger compartment (3);
- the stale air exhaust circuit (21) comprises an exhaust (31) opening outside the vehicle and at least one air exhaust duct (33) fluidly connected to the exhaust (31), the at least one air exhaust duct (33) having at least one stale air exhaust vent (35) opening into the passenger compartment (3);
- the air conditioning device (17) comprising at least one heat exchanger (37) comprising a first side (39) for the circulation of fresh air, interposed in the at least one air distribution duct (27 ), and a second side (41) for circulating stale air, interposed in the at least one air exhaust duct (33), the first side (39) being in thermal contact with the second side (41 );
- the fresh air blowing circuit (19) comprising at least one heater (43) and at least one cooler (45), placed in series in the at least one air distribution duct (27), downstream the first side (39) of the heat exchanger (37);
- the fresh air blowing circuit (19) further comprising at least one bypass duct (47) fluidly connecting a point upstream of the at least one air distribution duct (27), located upstream of the at least one cooler (45), at a point downstream of the at least one air distribution duct (27), located downstream of the at least one cooler (45), and at least one adjustment member (49) configured to control a flow of fresh air in the at least one bypass duct (47). Air conditioning device (17) according to claim 1, in which the at least one vent (29) comprises a right front vent (29AD) opening directly into a right front zone (7) of the passenger compartment (3) , a front left vent (29AG) opening directly into a front left zone (5) of the passenger compartment (3), a rear right vent (29RD) opening directly into a rear right zone (11) of the passenger compartment (3) , and a left rear vent (29RG) opening directly into a left rear area (9) of the passenger compartment (3). An air conditioning device (17) according to claim 2, wherein:
- the fresh air blowing circuit (19) comprises a single air distribution duct (27), the air distribution duct (27) comprising a main duct (51), a left secondary duct (53) fluidly connecting the main duct to the left front vent (29AG) and the left rear vent (29RG), and a right secondary duct (55) fluidly connecting the main duct (51) to the right front vent (29AD) and to the right rear vent (29RD),
- the air conditioning device (17) comprises a single heat exchanger (37), the first side (39) of which is interposed on the main duct (51), and
- the fresh air blowing circuit (19) comprises a single heater (43) and a single cooler (45), interposed on the main duct (51). Air conditioning device (17) according to Claim 3, in which the fresh air blowing circuit (19) comprises a single bypass duct (47), the upstream point and the downstream point, between which extends the bypass conduit (47), belonging to the main conduit (51). An air conditioning device (17) according to claim 3, wherein the fresh air supply circuit (19) comprises a left bypass duct (47G) and a right bypass duct (47D), the bypass duct left (47G) connecting an upstream point belonging to the main conduit (51) to a downstream point belonging to the left secondary conduit (53), the right bypass conduit (47D) connecting an upstream point belonging to the main conduit (51) to a point downstream belonging to the right secondary duct (55). An air conditioning device (17) according to claim 5, wherein the fresh air supply circuit (19) comprises a left regulator (49G), configured to control the flow rate of fresh air circulating in the duct left bypass duct (47G), and a right adjusting member (49D), configured to control the flow of fresh air circulating in the right bypass duct (47D). Air conditioning device (17) according to claim 2, in which the fresh air supply circuit (19) comprises:
- a left air distribution duct (27G), fluidically connected to the left front vent (29AG) and to the left rear vent (29RG), and a right air distribution duct (27D), fluidically connected at the right front vent (29AD) and at the right rear vent (29RD),
- a left heat exchanger (37G), of which a first left side (39G) is interposed on the left air distribution duct (27G), and a right heat exchanger (37D), of which a first right side (39D ) is interposed on the right air distribution duct (27D),
- a left heater (43G), inserted in the left air distribution duct (27G), and a right heater (43D), inserted in the right air distribution duct (27D),
- a left cooler (45G), interposed in the left air distribution duct (27G), and a right cooler (45D), interposed in the right air distribution duct (27D). An air conditioning device (17) according to claim 7, wherein:
- the at least one stale air exhaust vent (35) comprises a front right vent (35AD) opening directly into the front right zone (7) of the passenger compartment (3), a front left vent (35AG) opening directly into the left front zone (5) of the passenger compartment (3), a right rear vent (35RD) opening directly into the right rear zone (11) of the passenger compartment (3), and a left rear vent (35RG ) opening directly into the rear left area (9) of the passenger compartment (3),
- the stale air exhaust circuit (21) comprising a left air exhaust duct (33G), fluidly connected to the left front vent (35AG) and to the left rear vent (35RG), and a duct right air outlet (33D), fluidly connected to the right front vent (35AD) and to the right rear vent (35RD),
- the second side (41) of the left heat exchanger (37G) being interposed on the left air exhaust duct (33G) and the second side (41) of the right heat exchanger (37D) being interposed on the right air exhaust duct (33D). Air conditioning device (17) according to claim 7 or 8, in which:
- the left air distribution duct (27G) comprises a left main duct (51G), a left front secondary duct (53A), fluidly connecting the left main duct (51G) to the left front vent (29AG), and a left rear secondary duct (53R), fluidly connecting the left main duct (51G) to the left rear vent (29RG),
- the right air distribution duct (27D) comprising a right main duct (51D), a right front secondary duct (55A), fluidly connecting the right main duct (51D) to the right front vent (29AD), and a right rear secondary duct (55R), fluidly connecting the right main duct (51D) to the right rear vent (29RD),
- the first side (39) of the left heat exchanger (37G), the left heater (43G) and the left cooler (45G) being interposed on the left main duct (51G),
- the first side (39) of the right heat exchanger (37D), the right heater (43D) and the right cooler (45D) being interposed on the right main duct (51D). Air conditioning device (17) according to claim 9, in which the fresh air supply circuit (19) comprises:
- a front left bypass duct (47AG) and a rear left bypass duct (47RG), the front left bypass duct (47AG) connecting an upstream point belonging to the main left duct (51G) to a downstream point belonging to the secondary duct left front (53A), the left rear bypass duct (47RG) connecting an upstream point belonging to the left main duct (51G) to a downstream point belonging to the left rear secondary duct (53R), and
- a right front bypass duct (47AD) and a right rear bypass duct (47RD), the right front bypass duct (47AD) connecting an upstream point belonging to the right main duct (51D) to a downstream point belonging to the secondary duct right front (55A), the right rear bypass duct (47RD) connecting an upstream point belonging to the right main duct (51D) to a downstream point belonging to the right rear secondary duct (55D). An air conditioning device (17) according to any of claims 7 to 10, wherein:
- the left front vent (29AG), the left rear vent (29RG), the right front vent (29AD) and the right rear vent (29RD) are each equipped with a shutter member (59AG, 59RG , 59AD, 59RD); Or
- the air conditioning device (17) comprises at least one main adjustment member (69), configured to control a distribution of the fresh air blown by the air circulation member (25) between the left air distribution (27G) and the right air distribution duct (27D), only one of the left front vent (29AG) and the left rear vent (29RG) being equipped with a member shutter, only one of the right front vent (29AD) and the right rear vent (29RD) being equipped with a shutter member.