WO2013189872A1

WO2013189872A1 - Vehicle ventilation and/or air conditioning module

Info

Publication number: WO2013189872A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/062479
Authority: WO
Inventors: Siegfried Derx
Original assignee: Valeo Klimasysteme Gmbh
Priority date: 2012-06-19
Filing date: 2013-06-17
Publication date: 2013-12-27
Also published as: DE102012012164A1

Abstract

A vehicle ventilation and/or air conditioning module has a module housing (14) and an adjusting mechanism (16) for adjusting at least one airflow in the module housing (14). The adjusting mechanism (16) is connected via a mechanical coupling part (30) to a manual control device (34), and the mechanical coupling part (30) runs at least in portions through the interior of the module housing ( 14 ).

Description

Vehicle ventilation and/or air conditioning module

The invention relates to a vehicle ventilation and/or air conditioning module having a module housing and having an adjusting mechanism for adjusting at least one airflow in the module housing.

Control elements, for example turn buttons, which are arranged on the board panel are frequently connected directly mechanically to an adjusting mechanism for adjusting the ventilation of the vehicle interior, especially in relatively inexpensive vehicle classes. For example, an actuation of a turn button is transmitted to a flap mechanism by rigid or flexible shafts, with the result that an airflow can be directed, for example, towards the windscreen or into the heater floor outlets. In high-quality vehicle configurations, the adjustment of these flaps often takes place by actuation of an electric motor.

The mechanical connection between the adjusting mechanism and the control device has to be produced arduously during the insertion of the board panel into the vehicle. Moreover, the mechanical connection is sensitive to damage and has to be protected correspondingly .

It is an object of the invention to design a mechanical force transmission means from a control element to the adjusting mechanism in a vehicle ventilation and/or air conditioning module to be less susceptible to faults and less expensive in a simple way.

This is achieved in a vehicle ventilation and/or air conditioning module having a module housing and having an adjusting mechanism for adjusting at least one airflow in the module housing, the adjusting mechanism being connected via a mechanical coupling part to a manual control device, and the mechanical coupling part running at least in portions through the interior of the module housing. The interior of the module housing is a space, into which no other components penetrate during the operation of the vehicle and in which the mechanical coupling part is therefore protected satisfactorily against external disruptions. The module housing also affords sufficient space for the mechanical coupling part, with the result that no complicated guides are required in the module housing, which reduces the production costs further. During the mounting of the module housing on the vehicle, that part of the mechanical coupling part and of the connection between the adjusting mechanism and the control device which runs in the module housing is also protected by the module housing.

The module housing preferably forms an air canal, through which the air flows into the vehicle interior, and the mechanical coupling part runs through this air canal. The mechanical coupling part is therefore not guided on the outside on a housing or in a dedicated, separate housing portion, but rather runs directly through the air-conducting regions of the module housing. In contrast, the function of the mechanical coupling part is not impaired by the air which flows through .

The mechanical coupling part is preferably a shaft. The use of a flexible shaft is particularly advantageous. This preferably does not run in a straight line at least in portions, but rather in a curved manner through the interior of the module housing. The space in the interior of the module housing can be utilized completely, with the result that the optimum curvature radius for the flexible shaft does not have to be undershot . The control device can advantageously be integrated into a board panel and is preferably connected fixedly to the board panel. Since the adjusting mechanism, or at least the flaps thereof, also lies in the airflow, a direct connection between the mechanical coupling part and the adjusting mechanism is advantageous, which further simplifies the construction of the module.

A connection of one end of the mechanical coupling part to the adjusting mechanism therefore preferably lies in the interior of the module housing. The mechanical coupling part can then run directly from the adjusting mechanism through the module housing in the direction of the control device.

Another end of the mechanical coupling part is preferably connected to a control element of the control device. The control element is preferably a turn button.

Since the mechanical coupling part can be guided through the module housing directly to the adjusting mechanism and separate fastening means on other housing parts can be dispensed with, this results in an optimized short path and therefore a minimum length for the mechanical coupling part. It is possible to use a single, continuous mechanical coupling part, one end of which is connected to the adjusting mechanism and the other end of which is connected to the control element. However, the mechanical coupling part preferably has two portions which are connected rotatably to one another. The first portion advantageously runs between the adjusting mechanism and a leadthrough in a wall of the module housing and the second portion runs between the leadthrough and the control device. Both portions can be designed as flexible shafts which are connected fixedly to one another in the region of the leadthrough so as to rotate together. The mechanical coupling part can consist of the two portions, but further portions might also be provided.

This construction has the advantage that the portion which runs through the module housing can already be mounted in the finished state before the board panel with the control device is positioned.

The first portion preferably runs freely through the module housing, with the result that the first portion is fastened only with its first end to the adjusting mechanism and with its second end to the wall. The mechanical coupling part can run in any desired curved manner between the two fastening points.

The second portion preferably runs freely between the leadthrough and the control device, the second portion being fastened only with its first end to the wall and with its second end to the control device. This portion can also run in a curved manner.

It is possible to provide a plurality of leadthroughs for coupling parts in the module housing and to arrange the portions only on one of the leadthroughs. This construction produces higher flexibility during the mounting in the vehicle, since it allows standard ventilation and/or air conditioning modules to be used in different vehicle types, in each case the leadthrough which is best suited in terms of its position being used, in order to connect the mechanical coupling part to the control device. The leadthroughs can be distributed correspondingly over the area of the wall of the module housing. Leadthroughs which are not used do not disturb visually, since they lie behind the board panel when the latter is mounted. They can be closed against the passage of air. The use of a vehicle ventilation and/or air conditioning module is possible, in which the adjusting device also has a connection for an electric control means. This permits the use of standardized vehicle ventilation and/or air conditioning modules. If the module is installed for a vehicle configuration, in which a manual control means is required, the mechanical coupling part is connected to the adjusting mechanism; if, in contrast, the vehicle configuration is designed for an electric control means, the electric motor is connected to the connection for the electric control means.

In the following text, the invention will be described in greater detail using one exemplary embodiment and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of a partially sectioned portion of a vehicle ventilation and air conditioning system having a vehicle ventilation and/or air conditioning module according to the invention in plan view,

Figure 2 shows a diagrammatic front view of the portion of the vehicle ventilation and/or air conditioning system from Figure 1 with an indicated board panel, as viewed from the board panel,

Figure 3 shows a diagrammatic perspective illustration of an adjusting mechanism of a vehicle ventilation and/or air conditioning module according to the invention, and the connection to the control device, - Figure 4 shows a diagrammatic sectional side view of a module housing of a vehicle ventilation and/or air conditioning module according to the invention, and the connection to a control device,

Figure 5 shows the assembly from Figure 4 in a different view including the adjusting mechanism, and

Figure 6 shows a diagrammatic perspective illustration of the adjusting mechanism of a vehicle ventilation and/or air conditioning module according to the invention with a connection of an electric motor.

Figure 1 shows a vehicle ventilation and/or air conditioning module 10 (called "module" for short in the following text) which is connected to a known air feed device 12, via which surrounding air can be guided into the interior of a motor vehicle (not shown in further detail) .

The module 10 has a module housing 14 (see, for example, Figures 4 and 5) . An adjusting mechanism 16 is connected to the module housing 14, which adjusting mechanism 16 comprises a plurality of adjustable flap groups 18, 20, 22 which are arranged pivotably in an air canal which is formed through the module housing 14 (see, for example, Figure 3) .

In this example, the flaps 18, 20, 22 are fastened on shafts which are arranged parallel to one another and are connected here to a positioning mechanism 24 on the right-hand side in the figures. The positioning mechanism 24 has a central gearwheel 26, the rotation of which causes an adjustment of the respective flaps 18, 20, 22 depending on the angular position of the gearwheel 26. For example, by pivoting of the flaps 18, an airflow which is guided from the air feed device 12 through the module housing 14 to the windscreen can be deflected precisely into the vehicle interior or downward into the heater floor outlets. The flaps 20 can be used, for example, in order to suppress the supply of fresh air. The flaps 22 can be used, for example, in order to suppress an outflow of air through a ventilation grille in the centre console when the air is to be guided only to the windscreen or into the heater floor outlets. The exact configuration of the positioning mechanism 24 and of the flaps 18, 20, 22 is not important for the invention; any desired system can be used here at the discretion of a person skilled in the art .

The entire control of all the flaps 18, 20, 22 and of the positioning mechanism 24 takes place via a central action point 28, via which a rotational movement can be transmitted directly to the central gearwheel 26.

One end 29 of a mechanical coupling part 30 which is configured here in the form of a flexible shaft is fastened to the said action point 28. This connection between the mechanical coupling part 30 and the adjusting mechanism 16 lies in the interior of the module housing 14. The mechanical coupling part 30 runs through the interior of the module housing 14 and directly through the air canal which is formed by the latter .

In a first variant, the mechanical coupling part 30 is guided through an opening in the module housing 14, with the result that a portion of the mechanical coupling part 30 protrudes out of the module housing 14. The mechanical coupling part 30 runs freely in the interior of the module housing 14 without further guides and fastening means and is curved in any desired suitable way in the space which is formed by the interior of the module housing 14.

The free end 32 of the portion which protrudes out of the module housing 14 is connected to a control device 34 and, in particular, to a control element 36 in the control device 34, a turn button here, in such a way that a rotation of the control element 36 is transmitted to the mechanical coupling part 30 and by the latter to the action point 28 and therefore to the central gearwheel 26.

The end 32 is connected to the control element 36 by a suitable, known mechanism, in exactly the same way as the end 29 is connected to the action point 28 and the gearwheel 26 by a suitable, known mechanism.

The control device 34 is integrated into a board panel 38, in the region of a centre console here. The board panel 38 is only indicated in Figure 2. In the mounted state, the module 10 disappears completely behind the board panel 38, and the mechanical coupling part 30 is also covered completely by the board panel 38. As is shown in Figure 3, the mechanical coupling part 30 can protrude through intermediate spaces between the flaps 22 which lie, for example, in front of an air outlet in the centre console, and can be routed to the control device 34.

Figures 4 and 5 show a second variant, in which the mechanical coupling part 30 is divided into two portions 40, 42 which are connected to one another in such a way that a rotation is transmitted between the two portions 40, 42.

The first portion 40 runs through the interior of the module housing 40 between the action point 28 on the positioning mechanism 24 and a leadthrough 44 which is formed in the wall of the module housing 14.

The second portion 42 runs from the leadthrough 44 in the wall of the module housing 14 to the control device 34. There, the end of the portion 42 is connected to the control element 36.

In the region of the leadthrough 44, the connection of the two portions 40, 42 also takes place via a mechanism which couples the two portions 40, 42 with regard to their rotation and which at the same time fixes the two portions 40, 42 on the wall of the module housing 14.

In the example which is shown here, both the first portion 40 and the second portion 42 are formed by in each case one flexible shaft. However, other types of mechanical coupling parts might also be used, for example a rigid shaft, lever or the like.

Figures 4 and 5 show, moreover, that a plurality of leadthroughs 44 are provided in the wall of the module housing 14. Here, only one further leadthrough 44a is shown by way of example, but any desired number of further leadthroughs can be provided. Depending on the vehicle type, the suitable leadthrough 44, 44a is used, in order to connect the control device 34 in an optimum manner via the mechanical coupling part 30 to the adjusting mechanism 16. In each case only one leadthrough is occupied and in each case only one mechanical coupling part 30 is provided (the second coupling part 30 which is shown in Figures 4 and 5 indicates only the various possible variants for mounting) . The use of various leadthroughs 44, 44a can achieve an offset of the control device 34 of, for example, up to 100 mm along the height of the centre console. Figure 6 shows an optional design of the adjusting mechanism 16, in which an electric motor 46 is connected via a rotatable shaft 48 to the action point 28 on the positioning mechanism 24. This design can be used when the module 10 is not to be actuated manually, but rather electrically. In this case, the control device 34 is connected to the electric motor 46 via a cable 50 which is shown, for example, in Figure 3 and, upon actuation of the control element 36, the shaft 48 and therefore the gearwheel 26 are set in rotation and the flaps 18, 20, 22 are thus adjusted.

Both a shaft 48 for connection to the electric motor 46 and the mechanical coupling part 30 for manual actuation can be connected at the action point 28. The identical module 10 can therefore be used both for manual use and electrically operated use and also for various installation positions in the vehicle.

The module 10 with the first portion 40 of the mechanical coupling part 30, which portion 40 is already mounted in the finished state, can be pre- assembled as one unit and installed in the vehicle.

During the insertion of the board panel 38, only the control device 34 then still has to be connected to the second portion 42 of the mechanical coupling part 30 and the latter has to be connected to the first portion

40.

Claims

Patent Claims

1. Vehicle ventilation and/or air conditioning module having a module housing (14) and having an adjusting mechanism (16) for adjusting at least one airflow in the module housing (14), the adjusting mechanism (16) being connected via a mechanical coupling part (30) to a manual control device (34), and the mechanical coupling part (30) running at least in portions through the interior of the module housing (14) .

2. Vehicle ventilation and/or air conditioning module according to Claim 1, characterized in that the mechanical coupling part (30) is a shaft.

3. Vehicle ventilation and/or air conditioning module according to Claim 2, characterized in that the shaft is a flexible shaft.

4. Vehicle ventilation and/or air conditioning module according to either of Claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the flexible shaft does not run in a straight line at least in portions.

5. Vehicle ventilation and/or air conditioning module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the module housing (14) forms an air canal, through which the mechanical coupling part (30) runs.

6. Vehicle ventilation and/or air conditioning module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a connection of one end of the mechanical coupling part (30) to the adjusting mechanism (16) lies in the interior of the module housing (14) .

7. Vehicle ventilation and/or air conditioning module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one end (32) of the mechanical coupling part (30) is connected to a control element (36) of the control device (34) .

8. Vehicle ventilation and/or air conditioning module according to Claim 7, characterized in that the control element (36) is a turn button.

9. Vehicle ventilation and/or air conditioning module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mechanical coupling part (30) has a first portion (40) and a second portion (42) which are connected rotatably to one another.

10. Vehicle ventilation and/or air conditioning module according to Claim 9, characterized in that the first portion (40) runs between the adjusting mechanism (16) and a leadthrough (44, 44a) in a wall of the module housing (14) and the second portion (42) runs between the leadthrough (44, 44a) and the control device (34) .

11. Vehicle ventilation and/or air conditioning module according to either of Claims 9 and 10, characterized in that the first portion (40) runs freely through the module housing (14) .

12. Vehicle ventilation and/or air conditioning module according to one of Claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the second portion (42) runs freely between the leadthrough (44, 44a) and the control device (34) .

13. Vehicle ventilation and/or air conditioning module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of leadthroughs (44, 44a) are provided for coupling parts (30) in the module housing (14), and the coupling part (30) is arranged at only one of the leadthroughs (44, 44a) .

14. Vehicle ventilation and/or air conditioning module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting mechanism (16) has a connection for an electric control means.