GB2390416A

GB2390416A - Rotary control arrangement for a vehicle heating, ventilation or air-conditioning (HVAC) system

Info

Publication number: GB2390416A
Application number: GB0215724A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Llwyd Merrills
Original assignee: Calsonic Kansei UK Ltd
Current assignee: Marelli Automotive Systems UK Ltd
Priority date: 2002-07-06
Filing date: 2002-07-06
Publication date: 2004-01-07
Also published as: WO2004005057A1; GB0215724D0; EP1539517A1; AU2003253109A1

Abstract

A control arrangement for a vehicle heating, ventilation or air-conditioning system comprises two rotary control devices that may be mounted coaxially. There is an outer control 2, that independently rotates around an inner control 4 nested within it. The two controls may be separated by a non-rotating spacer ring 5 having position indicator symbols on its surface. The outer control may be used to operate a switch controlling fan speed, or a gear sector driving a wire for operating a temperature control. This outer ring has a limited rotation range due to the non-rotating support struts 10 that in addition to limiting the rotation of the outer ring, also support the spacer ring 5. The inner control device 4 has no limit to its degree of rotation, and is connected via a stem 6 to its main output shaft 7 to control the relevant function in the HVAC system such as distribution of airflow to the vehicle cabin.

Description

Control Arrangement for a Vehicle Heating. Ventilation or Air Conditioning

(HVAC) System The present invention relates to a control arrangement for a vehicle heating ventilation or air conditioning system.

Control such as rotary controls for controlling aspects of 10 vehicle HVAC systems are know. User controls are typically provided for controlling, for example, fan speed, temperature level, and air distribution mode(determining the location to which air is directed within the cabin).

15 An improved arrangement has now been devised.

According to the present invention there is provided a control arrangement for a vehicle heating ventilation or air conditioning (HVAC) system, the control arrangement 20 comprising an inner control device and an outer control device, the outer control device being rotatable about the inner control device.

Beneficially the inner control device is a rotary device.

25 It is preferred that the inner and outer contra' devices are moveable independently of one another. Beneficially both the inner and outer control devices are rotary devices beneficially moveable independent of one another both in a clockwise and anticlockwise sense. It is preferred that 30 one or both of the control devices is rotatable through 90

-2- or more (preferably through 180 or more, most preferably through to substantially 360 ).

Beneficially the inner control device and the outer control 5 device control different functions of the HVAC system, beneficially two or more from the group comprising cabin air temperature, air distribution mode selection and fan speed. It is preferred that the inner control device (preferably a rotary control device) is an air distribution 10 mode selector arranged to select the zones to which air is to be delivered within the interior of the vehicle.

Beneficially the inner and outer control devices are arranged substantially co-axially with one another (and 15 therefore also beneficially both rotary devices).

The arrangement beneficially includes an indicia marking for the inner control device and an indicia marking for the outer control device. Beneficially the indicia markings 20 are fixed facie items.

Beneficially a facie spacer element is provided intermediate the inner and outer control devices. It is preferred that the facie spacer element carries marking 25 indicia for one of the control devices (preferably the inner control device). The facie spacer element beneficially comprises an annular element positioned intermediately between inner and outer control devices.

Beneficially the inner and outer devices are rotary devices 30 in which the inner device is nested within the outer

device. Beneficially the annular facie element is nested within the outer control device, the inner control device being nested within the annular facie spacer element.

5 It is preferred that the outer control device comprises a peripheral annular ring portion for rotary manipulation by the user. The inner and outer control devices are beneficially rotatable relative to the annular facie spacer element which remains stationary during operation.

Beneficially the annular facie spacer includes a rearward annular channel defined by the front panel of the facie spacer element and rear side walls. The annular channel beneficially acts as a light guide for back lighting of the 15 annular facie spacer.

End stops may be provided to limit the angular travel of one or both of the inner and outer control devices 20 The invention provides specific benefits enabling dual function to be achieved using nested control devices. This has a significant benefit of optimizing the area of the control panel used for functional switches. This is a significant benefit with the trend toward having dual 25 controls enabling left and right vehicle occupants to select, independently, required air conditioning criteria.

This trend tends to increase the number of functional controls required and therefore any means of reducing the facie panelled area required is beneficial.

A Additionally, the graphics panel size is reduced and the tooling costs for the control base are reduced.

The invention will now be described, by way of example S only, in specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of control arrangement for use with a vehicle HVAC system; i Figure 2 is a perspective partially cutaway view of the arrangement of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic sectional view of the arrangement 15 of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a sectional view at 90 to the view of Figure 3; 20 Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of I control arrangement for a HVAC system in accordance with the invention; Figure 6 is a partially cutaway view of the arrangement of 25 Figure 5; Figure 7 is a front view of the arrangement of Figures 5 and 6; 30 Figure 8 is a rear view of the arrangement of Figures 5 to

-5- 7; Figure 9 is a sectional view of the arrangement of Figures 5 to 8; and Figure 10 is a sectional view along BB in Figure 9.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4, there is shown a control arrangement 1 10 for a vehicle HVAC system. The control arrangement 1 is mounted to a vehicle instrument panel/facie 70 and, in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, is specifically arranged to provide a dual control function in which fan speed and air flow distribution mode are controlled. The fan speed is 15 controllable between set speed intervals at four step intervals between a fan off situation (position O in Figure 1) and a maximum fan speed (4 in Figure 1) . The control arrangement includes an external annular fan speed control device 2 which is rotatable around a central axis over the 20 range 0 to 4. The annular control ring 2 is provided with ergonomic finger recesses 3 for ease of operator use.

Internally of annular ring 2 is mounted an air distribution mode control device 4 which includes a rotating boss 4a and 25 standing proud thereof a finger grip projection 4b. The air distribution mode control device 4 is rotatable through 360 and acts to operate air direction control flaps or doors (not shown) of the HVAC system to ensure that cabin air is directed to the required position dependent upon 30 user preference and selection. Intermediately between the

-6- central mode control device 4 and the outer annular control ring 2 is a facie panel spacer 5 including a front face provided with indicator symbols informing the driver to which position the air will be directed for any given 5 position of the mode controller device 4. The annular facie panel spacer 5 remains stationary such that outer fan speed control ring device 2 and inner air distribution mode control device 4 rotate relative to the stationary annular facie panel spacer 5.

Referring now to Figures 2 to 4, the central air distribution mode control device 4 includes a stem 6 having and axial bore for receiving securely the air distribution mode output shaft 7 which rotates with the air distribution 15 mode control device 4 to determine the output configuration for the cabin directed air. Air distribution mode control device 4, stem 6 and output shaft 7 are all therefore fixed relative to one another and rotate in unison with each other. A pair of support struts 10 extend from the backing 20 panel 9 and are bonded at their forward ends to an inner wall of the annular facie spacer 5. Annular facie spacer 5 includes inner and outer radial walls and a light guide space between the outer walls and the spanning forward facie panel of the annular facie spacer 5. The facie panel 25 5, support struts 10 and backing panel 9 are all fixed and do not rotate.

The outer annular fan speed control ring 2 (as best shown in Figure 3) includes a pair of arms 12 spaced radially at 30 180 , connecting with an annular hub 13. Annular hub 13 is

-7- spaced from stem 6 and therefore independent rotation of stem 6 and hub 13 is permitted. Hub 13 is a forced fit with cylinder 14 which carries the fan switch shaft 16 (housing contact spring 15), the fan switch shaft 16 5 contacts with the fan switch contact base 17. When rotating the annular fan speed control ring 2 between fan control positions 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, the arms 12, hub 13, cylinder 14 and fan switch shaft 16 all rotate together to provide the required changing rotary contact at fan switch 10 contact base 17.

When rotating the annular outer fan speed control ring 2, the range of angular movement is limited by the fact that arms 12 will, at the relevant limits of movement, make IS contact against the support struts 10. The range of angular movement is however sufficient to ensure that the annular fan speed control ring 2 moves sufficiently to permit the cylinder 14 and fan switch shaft 16 to travel the required angular distance. A fan switch connector 20 20 is mounted on the fan switch contact base 17.

The annular fan speed control ring 2 is provided as a moulded component including the arms 12 and hub 13. The facie spacer 5 nests within the boundary of the peripheral 25 annulus of the fan speed control ring and includes a radially inner annular lip which is received within an annular recess provided in the rear face of the rotatable boss 4a of the air distribution mode control device 4.

30 The arrangement described enables dual function control to

-8- be achieved using two rotary type control switches where both are mounted coaxially. This has a significant benefit of minimizing the area of the vehicle control panel taken up with the two controls which has space benefits and also 5 other cost benefits including reducing the size of the graphics panel. The facie spacer 5 includes markings for the inner air distribution mode control device, making the arrangement convenient and compact. Such an arrangement, for example, enables dual zone controls to be provided in 10 small vehicle interiors.

Figures 5 to 10 show an alternative control arrangement for a vehicle HVAC system in which the fan speed is controlled by a fan speed controller 25 which controls the flow rate 15 of air through the HVAC system.

The control arrangement 101 shown in Figure 5 includes separate dual controls lOla, lOlb each controlling air distribution temperature and air distribution mode ti.e.

20 output configuration to the cabin) for passengers in different locations within the cabin (for example left and right or front and rear).

In the arrangement shown the air distribution mode control 25 device 104 is provided centrally of each control(in the same manner as described in relation to the previously described embodiment). The annular temperature control ring 102 is provided radially outwardly the air distribution mode control device 4. The inner annular 30 facie support 105 carries air distribution mode markings

- 9 - depicting the area of the cabin to which air will be directed (in a similar manner to the embodiments of Figures 1 to 4). The external facie panel 121 carries temperature markings 122 indicating the level of temperature of the air 5 which will be distributed depending upon the relative angular orientation of annular temperature control ring 102 relative to the marking 122. An air distribution mode torsion shaft 107 is directly coupled to the air distribution mode control device 104 to transmit rotary 10 input at the air distribution mode control device 104 to operate the air deflection system accordingly.

A temperature control output rotary geared shaft 162 meshes with a temperature control lever 132 including a peripheral 15 geared portion to axially displace a control wire 133 for temperature control.

As shown most clearly in Figures 9 and 10, the control arrangement lOla, lOlb includes a non-rotary inner panel 20 support bearing 110 which connects via arms 141 and 142 (see also Figure 8) and return lengths 143, 144 to the backing panel 109. The support strut bearing 110 remains stationary during operation. The inner diameter of support bearing 110 permits the mode output shaft 107 to pass 25 therethrough. The forward terminal portion of support bearing 110 provides a bearing end against which the rearward portion of the stem 106 of the rotary air distribution mode control device 104 abuts.

30 As most clearly seen in Figure 10 the inner annular facie

-10 spacer 105 includes a stepped portion 105a and a stem portion 105b which is secured onto the terminal diameter of support bearing 110. The support bearing 110 therefore provides a secure support for the annular facie panel 105 5 in a fixed position. Continuing to refer to Figure 10, the external annular temperature control ring 102 includes a stem portion 102a which is secured to a terminal portion of temperature control shaft 162. Stem portion 102a and temperature control shaft 162 rotate together in unison.

10 A toothed gear portion 165 of the temperature gear shaft 162 meshes with the gear teeth of temperature lever 132 for temperature control of air to be distributed into the cabin. 15 The arrangement shown permits both the air distribution mode control device 104 and the annular temperature control ring 102 to be rotated independently, clockwise and anticlockwise through 3600. The air distribution mode control device 104 is nested within the boundary of the 20 stationary annular facie spacer 105, which is in turn nested within the boundary of the periphery of the annular temperature control ring 102. The forward facie panel of facie spacer 105 together with the side walls of the spacer 105 defines an annular light guide channel permitting back 25 lighting of the indicia on the forward facie panel of spacer 105.

The invention has been described in relation to vehicle HVAC systems. This should be interpreted broadly as 30 including basic systems having only a cabin heater up to an

-11 including more advanced systems including condensers and refrigeration circuits.

Claims

-12 Claims:

1. A control arrangement for a vehicle heating ventilation or air conditioning (HVAC) system, the 5 control arrangement comprising an inner control device and an outer control device, the outer control device being rotatable about the inner control device.

2. A control arrangement according to claim 1, wherein 10 the inner control device is a rotary device.

3. A control arrangement according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the inner and outer control devices are movable independently of one another.

4. A control arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the outer control device is rotatable through 90 or more.

20 5. A control arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the outer control device is rotatable through 180 or more. 6. A control arrangement according to claim S. wherein 25 the outer control device is rotatable through substantially 360 .

7. A control arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner control device and the outer 30 control device control different functions of the HVAC

system 8. A control arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the functions controlled are two or more from the 5 group comprising cabin air temperature, air distribution mode selection; fan speed.

9. A control arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner control device is an air 10 distribution mode selector arranged to select the zones to which air is delivered.

10. A control arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner and outer control devices are 15 rotary devices arranged substantially coaxially with one another.

11. A control arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the arrangement includes an indicia marking 20 for the inner control device and an indicia marking for the outer control device.

12. A control arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the indicia markings are fixed.

13. A control arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein a facie spacer element is provided intermediate the inner and outer control devices.

30 14. A control arrangement according to claim 13, wherein

-14 the facie spacer element carries marking indicia for one of the control devices.

15. A control arrangement according to claim 13 or claim 5 14, wherein the inner and outer control devices are rotary devices, the facie spacer element comprising an annular element intermediate the inner and outer control devices.

10 16. A control arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the outer control device comprises a peripheral annular or ring portion for manipulation by the user.

15 17. A control arrangement, wherein the inner and outer devices are rotary devices, the inner device being nested within the outer device.

18. A control arrangement according to any preceding 20 claim, wherein the inner and outer control devices are rotary devices, an annular facie spacer element being nested within the outer control device, the inner control device being nested within the annular facie spacer element.

19. A control arrangement according to claim 18, wherein the inner and outer control devices are rotatable relative to the annular facie spacer element which remains stationary.

-1S 20. A control arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

21. A vehicle heating, ventilation or air conditioning 5system including a control arrangement according to any preceding claim.