FR3132049A1 - AUTOMATED AIR DEHUMIDIFICATION OF A VEHICLE CABIN - Google Patents

Abstract

A dehumidification device equips a vehicle (V) comprising a passenger compartment (H), and comprises: - an air inlet (EA), - a clean thermoelectric cooler (RT), when supplied with current, to be heated in a hot part (PC) a part of the air received by the inlet (EA) and to be cooled in a cold part (PF) a complementary part of the air received by the inlet (EA) below the point of dew from the water so that the humidity contained in the air condenses in the form of condensate, - a collector (CC) collecting the condensate, - a control device (DC) triggering the power supply when a value, representative of the relative humidity of the air, is greater than a first chosen threshold, and - a mixing chamber (CM) delivering a mixture of the heated air part and the complementary cooled air part and dehumidified. Figure to be published with abstract: Fig. 1

Description

AUTOMATED DEHUMIDIFICATION OF THE AIR IN A VEHICLE INTERIOR Technical field of the invention

The invention concerns vehicles which include a passenger compartment, and more specifically the dehumidification of the air present in the passenger compartment.

State of the art

Certain vehicles, possibly of the automobile type, include a passenger compartment supplied with air treated by a heating and/or air conditioning installation.

Sometimes, the heating and/or air conditioning installation includes electrical equipment providing dehumidification intended to reduce the relative humidity of the air in the passenger compartment to improve the thermal comfort of passengers. A main disadvantage of this type of dehumidification lies in the fact that it consumes a quantity of electrical energy which reduces the mileage range of the vehicle, in particular when the heating and/or air conditioning installation is in a reheating phase. the air present in the passenger compartment.

It should be noted that this reduction in mileage autonomy proves to be all the more penalizing in a vehicle with an all-electric powertrain (or GMP) because the electrical energy comes, after conversion, from a main (or traction) battery. ) also responsible for supplying electrical energy to an electric driving machine of the GMP. In addition, this penalty is further increased when the climatic conditions are very hot (typically above 40°C) or very cold (typically below -10°C) because the main battery has a significantly reduced electrical energy storage capacity. .

It has certainly been proposed to install a dehumidification device in a vehicle comprising a thermoelectric cooler (for example with a Peltier effect). The latter is capable, when supplied with current, of cooling in a cold part of the outside air received below the dew point of the water so that the humidity contained in this air condenses in the form of a condensate, and to heat in a hot part the air cooled and dehumidified in the cold part in order to deliver the heated and dehumidified air to an outlet.

A main disadvantage of this type of dehumidification device lies in its bulk which does not allow its installation in certain places of certain vehicles, such as for example in the central console (installed between the dashboard and the rear seats in the case of a motor vehicle). Another disadvantage of this type of dehumidification device lies in the fact that it dehumidifies outside air, which does not provide good thermal insulation and therefore leads to excess consumption of electrical energy.

The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation.

Presentation of the invention

In particular, it offers for this purpose a dehumidification device intended to equip a vehicle comprising a passenger compartment.

This dehumidification device is characterized by the fact that it includes:

- an inlet suitable for receiving air,

- a thermoelectric cooler capable, when supplied with current, of heating in a hot part part of the air received by the inlet and of cooling in a cold part a complementary part of the air received by the inlet below a dew point of water so that the humidity contained in this air condenses in the form of condensate,

- a collector suitable for collecting the condensate,

- a control device comprising at least one processor and at least one memory arranged to carry out the operations consisting of triggering the current supply when a value, representative of a relative humidity of the air, is greater than a first threshold chosen, and

- a mixing chamber capable of delivering to an outlet a mixture of the part of heated air and the complementary part of cooled and dehumidified air.

Thanks to the invention, automatic control of dehumidification is achieved at low energy cost, and the dehumidification device can have a small footprint which allows its installation in many places in a vehicle, and in particular in a central console or in a supply conduit for a heating/air conditioning installation.

The dehumidification device according to the invention may include other characteristics which can be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

- the processor and memory can be arranged to carry out the operations consisting of triggering a shutdown of the current supply when the value becomes lower than a second chosen threshold, lower than the first threshold;

- the first threshold can be between 50% and 85% relative humidity. For example, this first threshold can be equal to 60% relative humidity;

- the second threshold can be between 40% and 75% relative humidity. For example, this second threshold can be equal to 50% relative humidity;

- it may include a fan installed between the inlet and the thermoelectric cooler and capable of sucking air contained in the passenger compartment via the inlet so that it goes towards the mixing chamber via the thermoelectric cooler. Alternatively, it may include a fan installed in a heating/air conditioning installation;

- the thermoelectric cooler can be of the so-called Peltier type.

The invention also proposes a heating/air conditioning installation, intended to equip a vehicle comprising a passenger compartment, capable of producing treated air intended to supply the passenger compartment via at least one conduit, and comprising a dehumidification device of the type that presented above and coupled to this conduit upstream of at least one outlet.

For example, this conduit may be intended to be partially housed in a central console of the vehicle in order to supply at least one air vent capable of supplying treated air to a rear part of the passenger compartment.

The invention also proposes a central console intended to equip a passenger compartment of a vehicle, and comprising a dehumidification device of the type presented above.

The invention also proposes a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, and comprising, on the one hand, a passenger compartment, and, on the other hand, a dehumidification device of the type presented above, or a heating/ air conditioning of the type presented above and supplying treated air to the passenger compartment, or a central console of the type presented above, installed in the passenger compartment and supplying dehumidified air to the passenger compartment.

Brief description of the figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examination of the detailed description below, and the appended drawings, in which:

illustrates schematically and functionally, in a sectional view in a longitudinal and vertical plane, an example of a vehicle comprising a heating/air conditioning installation comprising a first embodiment of a dehumidification device according to the invention, installed almost entirely in a central console,

schematically and functionally illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a computer comprising a device for controlling a dehumidification device according to the invention and which must form part of a heating and/or air conditioning installation of a vehicle,

illustrates schematically and functionally, in a sectional view in a longitudinal and vertical plane, a second embodiment of a dehumidification device according to the invention, and

illustrates schematically and functionally an example of embodiment of the control device of the dehumidification device of the .

Detailed description of the invention

The invention aims in particular to propose a dehumidification device DD intended to allow automated dehumidification of the air present in a passenger compartment H of a vehicle V.

In what follows, we consider, as an illustrative example, that the vehicle V is of the automobile type. This is for example a car, as illustrated in the . But the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. It concerns any vehicle (land, sea (or river), or air) comprising a closed passenger compartment.

We have schematically illustrated on the a part of an example of vehicle V comprising a closed passenger compartment H, a dehumidification device DD and a heating and/or air conditioning installation IC.

The (heating and/or air conditioning) installation IC is intended to supply treated air for the passenger compartment H and includes for this purpose, in particular, CA ducts which are connected to aerators (or diffusers) AE installed in the passenger compartment H.

In the example illustrated non-limitingly on the only the AC conduit is shown which is connected to at least one AE ventilator supplying the rear part of the passenger compartment H and passes through a central console CC installed between the dashboard (not shown) and the rear seats (not shown). This (each) rear vent AE is here fixedly attached to a rear part of the central console CC. But in practice, the IC installation includes other ducts which supply treated air, in particular the front part of the passenger compartment H.

Note, as illustrated non-limitatively in the , that the (heating and/or air conditioning) installation IC can also include an air inlet flap VEA specific, depending on its position, to supply it with outside air and/or recirculated air from the passenger compartment H. The outside air is supplied by a first supply conduit C1 communicating with the exterior of the vehicle V (arrow F1), and the recirculated air is supplied by a second supply conduit C2 communicating with the passenger compartment H (arrow F2).

As illustrated without limitation in Figures 1 and 3, a dehumidification device DD, according to the invention, comprises at least one inlet EA, a thermoelectric cooler RT, a collector CE, a control device DC and a mixing chamber CM. For example, the EA inlet, the RT thermoelectric cooler, the CE collector, the CM mixing chamber and possibly the DC control device can be housed in a BD box of the DD dehumidification device.

The EA inlet is suitable for receiving air to be dehumidified which, as we will see later, can come from the IC installation or directly from the passenger compartment H (arrow F4).

The thermoelectric cooler RT comprises two parts PC and PF separated from each other by first and second conductors CT of different natures, connected to each other and respectively defining a hot part PC and a cold part PF when a current (electric ) circulates in it. It is recalled that in a thermoelectric cooler RT the current which supplies the first and second conductors CT (and therefore circulates in the latter (CT)) causes heating of the first conductor (located on the side of the hot part PC) and in the same time cooling of the second conductor (located on the side of the cold part PF).

Here, part of the air received by the EA inlet supplies the hot part PC in order to be heated and a complementary part of the air received by the EA inlet supplies in parallel the cold part PF in order to be cooled and dehumidified.

The first and second conductors CT and the current which supplies them (CT) when the DC control device decides are chosen so that the complementary part of air (supplying the cold part PF of the thermoelectric cooler RT) is cooled below of the dew point of the water so that the humidity contained in this additional part of air condenses in the form of a condensate.

For example, the RT thermoelectric cooler can be of the so-called Peltier type.

The collector CE is preferably installed under the second conductor CT and therefore under the cold part PF in order to collect by gravity the condensate which forms on this second conductor CT. For example, the collector CE can include an outlet which supplies a conduit responsible for evacuating the condensates outside the vehicle V.

As illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 2 and 4, the DC control device comprises at least one processor PR1, for example a digital signal processor (or DSP (“Digital Signal Processor”)), and at least one memory MD arranged to perform operations. This DC control device can therefore be produced in the form of a combination of electrical or electronic circuits or components (or “hardware”) and software modules (or “software”). So, it can, for example, be a microcontroller.

The MD memory is RAM in order to store instructions allowing the PR1 processor to carry out its automated control functionalities. The processor PR1 may include integrated (or printed) circuits, or several integrated (or printed) circuits connected by wired or non-wired connections. By integrated (or printed) circuit we mean any type of device capable of performing at least one electrical or electronic operation.

In the example illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 and 2, the DC control device is part of an IC calculator which supervises the operation of the IC installation. But this is not obligatory. Indeed, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 3 and 4, the control device DC can include its own dedicated computer CD, in particular when the dehumidification device DD is not part of the installation IC.

The operations carried out by the processor PR1 and the memory MD (and therefore the control device DC) consist first of all in triggering the current supply to the thermoelectric cooler RT (and more precisely to its first and second conductors CT), when 'a vhr value, representative of the relative humidity of the air, is greater than a first chosen threshold s1.

The mixing chamber CM is capable of delivering on an outlet SA a mixture of the part of heated air (leaving the hot part PC) and the complementary part of cooled and dehumidified air (leaving the cold part PF).

Thus, automatic control of dehumidification is carried out at low energy cost, possibly independently of the operation of the IC installation, and the BD box of the DD dehumidification device can have a small footprint allowing its installation in many places in a vehicle , and in particular in the central console CC or in an AC power conduit of the IC installation. It will be understood that the small footprint results from the fact that the cooled and dehumidified air goes directly into the mixing chamber CM without passing through the hot part PC, which makes it possible to avoid a first conduit between the outlet of the cold part PF and the inlet of the hot part PC and a second conduit connected to the outlet of the hot part PC and having to pass behind the first conduit to deliver the heated and dehumidified air.

The vhr value is provided by a humidity sensor CH which can be installed in the passenger compartment H, as illustrated without limitation on the , or in the second conduit C2 of the installation IC (in which the recirculated air from the passenger compartment H circulates), or even at the level of the inlet EA of the dehumidification device DD. Note that in the first alternative this CH sensor can be part of the dehumidification device DD or of the installation IC (and in this case its calculator CI transmits the vhr value to the DC control device of the dehumidification device DD, for example periodically).

Note that in the first example illustrated non-limitingly on the the dehumidification device DD is part of the installation IC and its box BD is coupled to upstream and downstream parts of the AC power conduit which pass at least partially into the central console CC because this AC power conduit is connected to at least one vent AE supplying treated air to the rear part of the passenger compartment H and installed in the rear part of the central console CC. But the BD box could be entirely integrated into a supply conduit of the IC installation or else coupled to upstream and downstream parts of another supply conduit connected to at least one aerator supplying treated air to the front part of the passenger compartment H and for example installed in the dashboard of the vehicle V.

It will also be noted that in the second example illustrated non-limitingly on the the DD dehumidification device is not part of the IC installation. Its BD box and its DC control device are housed entirely in the CC central console, and the SA output of the BD box is coupled to the downstream part of the AC power conduit of the IC installation which passes into the CC central console and is connected to at least one vent AE supplying treated air to the rear part of the passenger compartment H and installed in the rear part of the central console CC. But such a DC control device could include its own supply conduit connected to its SA outlet and to at least one AE vent supplying treated air to the rear part of the passenger compartment H and installed in the rear part of the central console CC . The air inlet EA of the box BD communicates here with an opening defined in a front (or side or even upper) wall of the central console CC and allowing the direct entry of the air present in the passenger compartment H (arrow F4).

The installation of at least the BD box of the DD dehumidification device in the central console CC is particularly advantageous, because it allows the use of an empty internal space, and in the second example a direct supply of air present in the passenger compartment H without going through the IC installation and its blower which is a large consumer of electrical energy.

It will also be noted that the processor PR1 and memory MD can also be arranged to carry out the operations consisting of triggering a shutdown of the current supply to the thermoelectric cooler RT when the value vhr becomes lower than a second chosen threshold s2, lower than the first threshold s1. But in a variant embodiment, the DC control device could be arranged so as to trigger a shutdown of the current supply to the thermoelectric cooler RT when a chosen dehumidification duration has elapsed after the start of the triggering of the power supply. course.

For example, the first threshold s1 can be between 50% and 85% relative humidity. As an illustrative example, the first threshold s1 can be equal to 60% relative humidity. But other values of first threshold s1 can be used.

Also for example, the second threshold s2 can be between 40% and 75% relative humidity. As an illustrative example, the second threshold s2 can be equal to 50% relative humidity. But other values of second threshold s2 can be used.

Note also, as illustrated non-limitatively in the , that the DC control device can include a fan VD installed between the inlet EA and the thermoelectric cooler RT. This VD fan is arranged so as to suck in air contained in the passenger compartment H via the EA inlet (arrow F4) in order to supply the hot part PC and the cold part PF in parallel, then the air part heated and the complementary part of cooled and dehumidified air head towards the mixing chamber CM to be mixed there before leaving through the SA outlet.

Alternatively, the VD fan could be installed in the IC installation (e.g. in a duct).

It will be understood that the DC control device triggers the operation of the VD fan only when dehumidification is decided (and only during this dehumidification).

It should also be noted that, when the DC control device includes a VD fan, it can be installed anywhere in the passenger compartment H or in the trunk, and not only in the central console CC. Thus, it could be installed under a seat or on an internal side of the roof (or roof), for example.

It will also be noted, as illustrated without limitation in Figures 2 and 4, that the calculator CI (or the calculator CD of the dehumidification device DD) can also include, in addition to the RAM memory MD and processor PR1, a mass memory MM, in particular for the storage of the vhr value and intermediate data involved in all its calculations and processing. Furthermore, the calculator CI (or the calculator CD of the dehumidification device DD) can also include an input interface IE for receiving at least the vhr value to use it in calculations or processing, possibly after the having shaped and/or demodulated and/or amplified, in a manner known per se, by means of a digital signal processor PR2. In addition, the computer CI (or the computer CD of the dehumidification device DD) can also include an output interface IS, in particular for delivering messages or power supply or shutdown orders to the thermoelectric cooler RT and the possible VD ventilator.

Claims (10)

Dehumidification device (DD) for a vehicle (V) comprising a passenger compartment (H), characterized in that it comprises i) an inlet (EA) capable of receiving air, ii) a thermoelectric cooler (RT) of its own , when supplied with current, to heat in a hot part (PC) a part of said air received by said inlet (EA) and to cool in a cold part (PF) a complementary part of said air received by said inlet (EA ) below a dew point of water so that the humidity contained in said air condenses in the form of a condensate, iii) a collector (CE) capable of collecting said condensate, iv) a device control unit (DC) comprising at least one processor (PR1) and at least one memory (MD) arranged to carry out the operations consisting of triggering said current supply when a value, representative of a relative humidity of said air, is greater than a first chosen threshold, and v) a mixing chamber (CM) capable of delivering to an outlet (SA) a mixture of said part of heated air and complementary part of cooled and dehumidified air. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said processor (PR1) and memory (MD) are arranged to carry out the operations consisting of triggering a shutdown of said current supply when said value becomes lower than a second chosen threshold, lower than said first threshold. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said first threshold is between 50% and 85% relative humidity. Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said second threshold is between 40% and 75% relative humidity. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a fan (VD) installed between said inlet (EA) and said thermoelectric cooler (RT) and capable of sucking in air contained in said passenger compartment ( H) via said inlet (EA) so that it goes to said mixing chamber (CM) via said thermoelectric cooler (RT). Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said thermoelectric cooler (RT) is of the so-called Peltier type. Heating/air conditioning installation (IC), intended to equip a vehicle (V) comprising a passenger compartment (H), and capable of producing treated air intended to supply said passenger compartment (H) via at least one conduit (CA), characterized in that it further comprises a dehumidification device (DD) according to one of the preceding claims, coupled to said conduit (CA) upstream of at least one outlet. Installation according to claim 7, characterized in that said conduit (CA) is intended to be partially housed in a central console (CC) of said vehicle (V) in order to supply at least one air vent (AE) capable of supplying in treated air a rear part of said passenger compartment (H). Central console (CC) intended to equip a passenger compartment (H) of a vehicle (V), characterized in that it comprises a dehumidification device (DD) according to one of claims 1 to 6. Vehicle (V) comprising a passenger compartment (H), characterized in that it further comprises a dehumidification device (DD) according to one of claims 1 to 6, or a heating/air conditioning installation (IC) according to claim 7 or 8, supplying treated air to said passenger compartment (H), or a central console (CC) according to claim 9, installed in said passenger compartment (H) and supplying dehumidified air to said passenger compartment (H).