GB1565102A

GB1565102A - Ventilation device

Info

Publication number: GB1565102A
Application number: GB2901477A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Francaise du Ferodo SA
Current assignee: Valeo SE
Priority date: 1976-07-12
Filing date: 1977-07-11
Publication date: 1980-04-16
Also published as: DE2730443A1; FR2401038B2; ES460537A1; IT1116767B; FR2401038A2; JPS54110533A; BR7704537A

Description

(54) VENTILATION DEVICE (71) We, SOCIETE ANONYME FRANCASIE DU FERODO, of 64, avenue de la Grande-Armée, 75017 Paris, France, a French Body Corporate, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The invention is for a ventilation device which may be used for example in the passenger space of a car or other vehicle.

Ventilation devices for the passenger spaces of a car are known which in use are located on the dash-board adjacent the front side windows, which are adjustable either to direct a stream of warm air on to the windows to defrost them or to direct a current of fresh air towards them or the occupants of the front seats. In one such known device, a first outlet directed in a non-orientable fashion towards the side windows is connected to a source of warm air, and a second outlet is connected to a source of fresh air. The complete structure of the device is relatively complicated and cannot be adpated to the different temperature conditions and air circulation conditions which may occur, for example to direct fresh air on to the side windows.

The invention seeks to provide a ventilation device which obviates the above inconveniences and which makes it easier to control the temperature control installation and at the same time gives a greater comfort for the passengers.

According to the invention, a ventilation device comprises a conduit having a first inlet thereto to be fed in use with fresh air and a second inlet thereto to be fed in use with warmed air, adjustable air distribution means in an outlet from the conduit to vary the direction of discharge of air from the conduit, control means connected to control the opening of the inlets, and transmission means interconnecting the control means and the adjustable air distribution means such that, when the warm air inlet is fully open, the distribution means is retained against significant adjustment from a selected setting and that, when the warm air inlet is other than fully open, the distribution means is manually adjustable from the selected setting.

Devices of the invention can be constructed which are not bulky, are simple, and satisfy safety requirements concerning temperature control installations of automobiles.

Devices may also be controlled by a pneumatic energy source, advantageously a source of low pressure which may be the air intake of the vehicle engine or a low pressure source connected to the said intake.

A ventilating device, according to the invention, which is adpated to effect the defrosting of the side windows of the car by directing warm air on to them and to supply air to the passenger compartment is characterised in that it comprises a single outlet for warm air, fresh air, or mixture of warm and fresh air, with a grid of vanes, or the like, for varying the direction of the air stream and control means for adjusting the vanes comprising a transmission member connecting the latter to the warm air feed control. Also vanes may be adjusted manually when fresh air or no air at all is being delivered and the vanes are automatically brought into the window defrosting setting when the device is being fed with warm air only of a mixture of warm air and fresh air.

Other advantageous characteristics and advantages of ventilation devices of this invention will become evident from the following description by way of example of a number of embodiments illustrated in the annexed drawings. in which: Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-section of a first embodiment, Figure 2 is a partial view, analogous to Figure 1, of another embodiment, Figure 3 is a perspective view of a transmission element of the deivce shown in Figure 2, Figures 4 to 7 are diagrams illustrating the functioning of these devices, Figure 8 is a front eIevation of a third embodiment, the warm air feed control being schematically represented, Figure 9 is a cross-section on the line IX-IX of Figure 8 with the air distribution means in one setting, Figure 10 is a cross-section on the line X--X of Figure 8 with the air distribution means in the setting of Figure 9, Figure 11 is a view analogous to Figure 9 but with the distribution means in a second setting, and Figure 12 is a view analogous to Figure 10 with the distribution mean in a third setting.

The ventilation device of Figure 1 is suitable for the passenger compartment of an automobile or other vehicle and comprises a principaI conduit 10 with axis 11, to which is attached a vent outlet 12 with its axis extending in a direction 13 perpendicular to the axis 11. The conduit is extended by a sleeve 14 whereof the axis coincides with the axis 11, and whereof the diameter is the same as the conduit 10. This latter is provided, adjacent to its end remote from the sleeve 14, with a valve seat 15 and adajcent to the seat with a guide 16 for the shaft 17 of a pneumatic jack 18, which shaft 17 at its top carries a damper 19 controlling the passage through the inlet defined by seat 15.

At the other end of the conduit 10 there is a valve seat 21 with which cooperates a damper head 22 which is moved by a pneumatic jack 23 whereof shaft 24 supports the head 22 and is guided through the eye 25 of a frame 26 in a tripod 27.

The damper 19, when open, allows the exterior fresh ventilating air to flow in the direction of the arrow AF into conduit 10, and the damper 22, when open, allows warm defrosting/defogging air to enter the conduit 10 in the direction of the arrow AC.

The shaft 24 of the jack 2 also carries a plate 30 to which is attached the end 31 of a mechanical transmission member 32 which in the form shown has two parallel arms 33 and 34 connected to each other by an oblique portion 28. The arm 34 is connected to the plate 30 and the arm 33 has in it a longitudinal lot 29 into which projects a pin 29' of a rig 35, the pin 29' and slot constituting a lost-motion device.

In the outlet 12, there is a grid 36 of vanes 371-375 for controlling the direction of the stream of air leaving the outlet. The vanes 37l, 372, etc.... 375 are pivoted on the rig 35 by spindles 381, 382, etc..., and also to the outlet 12 to turn about axes 391, 392, etc..., so as to be oriented at an angle a with respect to a direction 41 parallel to the axis 13. The middle fin 373 carries a control lever 42.

In this embodiment the pneumatic jacks 18, 23 are adjacent, coaxial, and held in the conduit 10 by a common annular ring 45 which is on a spider 46 extending from the seat 21 and constituted by rods 47.

The jacks 18, 23 are advantageously reduced pressure or vacuum jacks connected to a reservoir or a source of reduced pressure, for example the intake manifold of the vehicle engine by pipings 48 and 49, respectively, on which are interposed elements, such as vacuum interruptors or modulators (not shown).

In the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3, elements which correspond to those of the preceding embodiment have the same reference numerals but are denoted in primed numerals. The pneumatic jacks 18', 23' control dampers 19' and 22', the latter being on plate 30' on which is mounted a transmission means 32' constituted by an arm 50, Figure 3. The arm 50 is attached to the plate 30' by two tabs 51, 52 separated by a longitudinal slit 53 so that they can be pinched together for insertion through holes in the damper 22' and plate 30', and then allowed to spring outwards to cause the notches 54 and 55 to lock the arm to the head and plate. The other end of the arm has a projection 56 which cooperates with a hole 57 in a movable rig 58. The rig 58 comprises a narrow bar 59 having recessed brackets 601, 602 ... 605 providing sockets for trunnions 38'l, 38'2 ... 38'5 on vanes 37'.

The hole 57 is bordered by a frame 61 projecting lateraly from the bar 59. The frame (Figure 3) has a surface 62 extending outwards from the bar, and surfaces 63, 64 extending downwards from the surface 62 and converging towards an apex 65 of the substantially triangular hole 57 thus formed.

The frame 61 illustrated has a part cylindrical curvature.

In this embodiment, the grid of vanes can be set at an angle a with respect to a directions 4', and can pivot through an angle ss about an axis 40 which is perpendicular to the direction 41'. More precisely, so long as the projection 56 does not positively hole the rig 58 in the position of Figure 2, corresponding to the limit of movement in the direction of arrow P, for example when the projection 56 is in the position shown in semi-dashed lines in the figure, the grid 36' can be adjusted manually both with respect to the direction 41' and around the axis 40.

The shape of the hole 57 provides for the free movement of the rig with respect to the projection 56. When, after having been brought into contact with the apex 65, the projection 56 is displaced in the direction of the arrow P, it draws the rig 58 downwards to the full line setting so ensuring that the fins 37' assume the position of Figure 2.

The functioning of the two embodiments will now be described with reference to Figures 4 to 7 and assuming that the ventilation device is fitted in a dashboard of a car or like and is required inter alia to defrost the side windows of the front doors.

For defrosting (Figure 4) warm air is to be directed onto the windows by the grid 36 or 36' which is held in a selected setting giving the stream of warm air a direction which is optimal for defrosting. The jacks 18 and 23 (or 18' and 23') are both at an end of their adjustment which the case of vacuum jacks is achieved by their being in communication with the atmosphere. In this selected setting the damper 19 (or 19') is closed and the damper 22 (or 22') is fully open. Warm air from a device controlling the temperature of the air or a heating apparatus is directed to the outlet 12 (or 12'). Since the damper 22 is open, the transmission member 32 is in its lowest position in which the pin 29' of the rig 35 is at the top end of slot 29 so holding the vanes 37 into the optimal position for the defrosting. The same applies to the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3, the transmission member 32' being in its lowest position in which the projection 56 is at the apex 65 of the hole 57 and rig 58 and thus the vanes 37' are held in the selected setting.

This optimum defrosting setting is maintained while, as shown in Figure 5, the jack 23 (or 23') is in the case of a vacuum jack is still open to the atmosphere, while the jack 18 (or 18') is made operational, for example, connected to a source of reduced pressure. The damper 19 (or 19') thus moves from seat 15 (or 15') and a mixture of warm air and of cool air is delivered through the outlet in a more substantial quantity than that of the condition previously described.

When the two jacks 18 and 23 (or 18' and 23') are simultaneously rendered operative, for example for both being connected to a source of reduced pressure, a condition like that shown in Figure 6 is obtained, the damper 19 (or 19') being open, such that fresh air is fed into the conduit 10 while the damper 22 (or 22') is closed. In the course of its translational movement from the condition of Figure 4 to that shown in Figure 6, mechanical transmission member 32 (or 32') moves into a position which permits the adjustment of the vanes 37 (or 37') using the lever 42 (or 42'). The vanes 37 (or 37') can thus be adjusted to any desired position between those shown in full lines and dashed lines in Figure 6. Thus fresh air may be directed in any direction between those indicated by the arrows in Figure 6, e.g.

towards the occupant or occupants of the front seats of the vehicle.

Similarly, the position of the grid may be changed when, as shown in Figure 7, the two dampers 19 and 22 (or 19' and 22') are closed, a condition which occurs when the jack 18 (or 18') is inoperative and the jack 18 (or 18') is inoperative and the jack 23 (or 23') is operational, i.e., when one desires to neither defrost the windows, nor to permit the exterior air to penetrate into the passengers compartment.

If, from the condition shown in dashed lines in Figure 6, one desires to go to the setting for defrosting the side windows, it sufficies to close the damper 19 (or 19') and to open the damper 22 (or 22'). The air vent is thus fed with warm air and, simultaneous ly, the mechanical transmission member 32 or 32') draws the grid 36 (or 36') into the position optimum for the defrosting, without the occupants of the front seats having to perform any manoeuvre other than to place a control switch into a "defrost" position.

Thus by providing a ventilation device according to the invention one can simplify considerably the control of a temperature control installation of a vehicle or the like.

Concerning the embodiment of figure 2, one will note that movement of the grid from the condition shown in dashed-lines in Figure 6 to the side windows defrosting setting, due to the displacement of mechanical transmission member 32' in the direction of the arrow P, may be accompanied by rotation of the grid 36' around the axis 13' depending on the shape of the opening 57.

Advantageously, the control switch is connected to the driver's ventilation device of the driver as well as to the passenger's so that the grids of the two devices are simultaneously placed in defrosting position, when conditions are such as to necessitate such a position.

When the control jacks are vacuum jacks, they are arranged so that the damper controlling feed of warm air is open when the jack is open to the atmosphere. Thereby any deterioration of or damage to the jacks, or of their associated elements, for example the connected tubes, automatically moves the grid into the defrosting setting.

A third embodiment of ventilation device according to the invention is illustrated in Figures 8 to 12. It comprises an air outlet 110 in which is mounted a grid of vanes for directing the stream of air issuing from the outlet. The grid is connected to a conduit (not shown) having a damper, or the like, for controlling the feed of fresh air to the conduit and another damper, or the like, for controlling the feed to the conduit of warm air in a fashion analogous to the first two embodiments described.

The grid mounted in the vent 110 comprises a frame or box and two sets of vanes perpendicular to one another. The first set of vanes 1lull, 1112, 1113 is movable with respect to the frame, parallel amongst themselves. The second set is constituted by vanes 112l, 1122, 1123, 1124 which are fixed with respect to the frame, are parallel to one another and extend between two walls 113 and 114 which, together with walls 115 and 116 perpendicular to the walls 113 and 114, define the frame of the grid.

The walls 113 and 114 of the frame are pivotably mounted in the outlet to turn about an axis 119, Figures 9 and 11, so that a small amount of play must be provided between these walls 113 and 114 and the adjacent walls of the outlet, and significantly larger spaces 115' and 116', (Figure 10), must be left between these walls and the adjacent walls of the outlet.

The movable vanes 1111 to 1113 are pivotably mounted on the walls, 115, 116 to swing about respective parallel axes 1181, 1182 and 1183 (Figure 9). Furthermore, a rig 117 connects vanes 111l to 1113 for like adjustment.

The means for manipulating the grid whereby the vanes can be moved manually when the device is fed with fresh air only or no air, and the grid is automatically brought into a position in which it directs a stream of warm air towards the side windows, comprises a flexible cord 120. This cord has one end fixed at a point A to the upper end of the rig 117 (Figure 9), and has its other end fixed to a lever 121 pivotally connected at one end to a shaft 112 of a jack 123a, which controls the feed to warm air, to a lug 123 on the outlet structure.

A jack controlling the fresh air damper is provided as in the preceding embodiments.

The control of the feed of warm air, of fresh air or of a mixture of the warm air and fresh air being analogous to that of the embodiments previously described, is not specifically further described in detail at this point.

The cord is guided through a ring 124 provided at a point B on a bar 125 fixed at a location in the outlet 110 behind the grid (Figure 9).

The location of the points of attachment A and of guidance B must satisfy certain requirements.

e point of attachment A of the cord on the movable rig 117 must not be on any of the said axes 118l, 1182, or 1183 or their extensions, and also must not be located on the axis 119 or its extension.

The fixed point B must be located to that, when the cord 120 extends straight between the points A and B, the cord is oblique both to the axis 119 and the axes 118l. 1182 and 1183.

The arrangement permits the vanes to rotate about their axes 1181 to 1183, and rotation of the grid frame around the axis 119 when the cord 120 is tightened.

These requirements being satisfied, the location of the points of attachment A and of guidance B may be chosen at will.

The functioning of the manipulation means according to this third embodiment is as follows: When the jack 123a is operative, the cord hangs freely because the lever 121 is thereby displaced upwards from the position shown.

The vanes 1lull, 1112, 1113 can thus be adjusted manually both about their axes 118l, 1182 and 1183 (for example by an angle a Figure 9) and by rotating the frame about the axis 119 (for example by an angle P Figure 12).

Expansion of the jack 123a causes tensioning of the cord 120, which in turn causes a two step pivoting of the grid.

In a first step, the vanes 1181 ... 1183 pivot from the position shown in Figure 9 through an angle a to the position of Figure 11.

In a second step, by virtue of the tension maintained in the cord and of the spaced 115', 116', the grid is constrained to pivot through an angle around the axis 119 and to assume the position shown in Figure 12 corresponding to defrosting, i.e. the grid is held in a setting to direct warm air towards the associated side window.

The manipulation means are particularly simple and there is little wear. This cord arrangement also gives functional flexibility since the manual adjustment being in no way hindered by mechanical parts behind the grid. The cord arrangement also gives a margin for rough handling, particularly when the grid is held in the defrosting setting, by virtue of the flexibility of the cord.

Advantageously, a ventiliation device is provided adjacent to each of the front side windows of a vehicle. It is equally possible to equip the vehicle with a greater number of such devices, a device being for example placed adjacent each rear side window as well as adjacent to the rear window.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. Air ventilation device comprising a conduit having a first inlet thereto to be fed in use with fresh air and a second inlet thereto to be fed in use with warmed air, adjustable air distribution means in an oultet from the conduit, to vary the direction of discharge of air from the conduit, control means connected to control the opening of the inlets and transmission means interconnecting the control means and the adjustable air distribution means such that, when the warm air inlet is fully open, the distribution means is retained against significant adjustment from

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. embodiments described. The grid mounted in the vent 110 comprises a frame or box and two sets of vanes perpendicular to one another. The first set of vanes 1lull, 1112, 1113 is movable with respect to the frame, parallel amongst themselves. The second set is constituted by vanes 112l, 1122, 1123, 1124 which are fixed with respect to the frame, are parallel to one another and extend between two walls 113 and 114 which, together with walls 115 and 116 perpendicular to the walls 113 and 114, define the frame of the grid. The walls 113 and 114 of the frame are pivotably mounted in the outlet to turn about an axis 119, Figures 9 and 11, so that a small amount of play must be provided between these walls 113 and 114 and the adjacent walls of the outlet, and significantly larger spaces 115' and 116', (Figure 10), must be left between these walls and the adjacent walls of the outlet. The movable vanes 1111 to 1113 are pivotably mounted on the walls, 115, 116 to swing about respective parallel axes 1181, 1182 and 1183 (Figure 9). Furthermore, a rig 117 connects vanes 111l to 1113 for like adjustment. The means for manipulating the grid whereby the vanes can be moved manually when the device is fed with fresh air only or no air, and the grid is automatically brought into a position in which it directs a stream of warm air towards the side windows, comprises a flexible cord 120. This cord has one end fixed at a point A to the upper end of the rig 117 (Figure 9), and has its other end fixed to a lever 121 pivotally connected at one end to a shaft 112 of a jack 123a, which controls the feed to warm air, to a lug 123 on the outlet structure. A jack controlling the fresh air damper is provided as in the preceding embodiments. The control of the feed of warm air, of fresh air or of a mixture of the warm air and fresh air being analogous to that of the embodiments previously described, is not specifically further described in detail at this point. The cord is guided through a ring 124 provided at a point B on a bar 125 fixed at a location in the outlet 110 behind the grid (Figure 9). The location of the points of attachment A and of guidance B must satisfy certain requirements. e point of attachment A of the cord on the movable rig 117 must not be on any of the said axes 118l, 1182, or 1183 or their extensions, and also must not be located on the axis 119 or its extension. The fixed point B must be located to that, when the cord 120 extends straight between the points A and B, the cord is oblique both to the axis 119 and the axes 118l. 1182 and 1183. The arrangement permits the vanes to rotate about their axes 1181 to 1183, and rotation of the grid frame around the axis 119 when the cord 120 is tightened. These requirements being satisfied, the location of the points of attachment A and of guidance B may be chosen at will. The functioning of the manipulation means according to this third embodiment is as follows: When the jack 123a is operative, the cord hangs freely because the lever 121 is thereby displaced upwards from the position shown. The vanes 1lull, 1112, 1113 can thus be adjusted manually both about their axes 118l, 1182 and 1183 (for example by an angle a Figure 9) and by rotating the frame about the axis 119 (for example by an angle P Figure 12). Expansion of the jack 123a causes tensioning of the cord 120, which in turn causes a two step pivoting of the grid. In a first step, the vanes 1181 ... 1183 pivot from the position shown in Figure 9 through an angle a to the position of Figure 11. In a second step, by virtue of the tension maintained in the cord and of the spaced 115', 116', the grid is constrained to pivot through an angle ss around the axis 119 and to assume the position shown in Figure 12 corresponding to defrosting, i.e. the grid is held in a setting to direct warm air towards the associated side window. The manipulation means are particularly simple and there is little wear. This cord arrangement also gives functional flexibility since the manual adjustment being in no way hindered by mechanical parts behind the grid. The cord arrangement also gives a margin for rough handling, particularly when the grid is held in the defrosting setting, by virtue of the flexibility of the cord. Advantageously, a ventiliation device is provided adjacent to each of the front side windows of a vehicle. It is equally possible to equip the vehicle with a greater number of such devices, a device being for example placed adjacent each rear side window as well as adjacent to the rear window. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. Air ventilation device comprising a conduit having a first inlet thereto to be fed in use with fresh air and a second inlet thereto to be fed in use with warmed air, adjustable air distribution means in an oultet from the conduit, to vary the direction of discharge of air from the conduit, control means connected to control the opening of the inlets and transmission means interconnecting the control means and the adjustable air distribution means such that, when the warm air inlet is fully open, the distribution means is retained against significant adjustment from

a selected setting, and that, when the warm air inlet is other than fully open, the distribution means is manually adjustable from the selected setting.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the control means comprise for each inlet an associated damper.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein each damper is actuated by an associated vacuum jack.

4. A device according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the transmission means includes an arm to effect adjustment of the air distribution means, the arm being connected at one end to the damper for the warmed air inlet.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the distribution means includes vanes pivoted in the outlet to swing about parallel axes transverse to the axis of the outlet, and an actuating rig to which the vanes are pivoted for simultaneous adjustment, the arm and the rig having a lost-motion connection such that, with the warmed air damper fully open, the vanes are held in a selected setting, but with the damper other than fully open the vanes are freed for manual adjustment.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the lost-motion connection comprises a projection engaging a slot.

7. A device according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the outlet includes a frame around the vanes, which frame has the vanes pivoted to it and is itself pivoted to swing about an axis transverse both to the pivotal axes of the vanes and to the outlet axis.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the lost-motion connection is also such that the frame can be manually-adjusted when the warmed air damper is other than fully open.

9. A device according to claim 8, the lost-motion connection being as set forth in claim 7, wherein the slot has a triangular shape which diverges from that apex of the slot occupied by the projection when the warmed air damper is fully open.

10. A device according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the transmission means includes a cord connected by its respective ends.to the warmed air damper and to the distribution means, the arrangement being such that with the warmed air damper fully open the cord is held taut and the distribution means is held in the selected setting.

11. A device according to claim 10, wherein the distribution means comprises vanes pivoted in the outlet to swing about parallel axes transverse to the outlet axis the vanes being interconnected for simultaneous adjustment by a rig to which the cord is attached.

12. A device according to claim 11, wherein the vanes are pivoted in a surrounding frame which is itself pivoted in the outlet to swing about an axis transverse both to the axes of the vanes and the axis of the outlet, the cord also controlling the frame setting.

13. A ventilation device constructed and arranged to operate substantially ad hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 or Figures 2 and 3, both taken with Figures 4 to 7, or Figures 8 to 12 of the drawings.

14. A vehicle comprising a passenger compartment with at least one window and a ventilation device as set forth in any of claims 1 to 13 arranged so that in the selected setting the distribution means direct warmed air to the window or windows.