WO2016166174A1

WO2016166174A1 - Vaporization device for a vehicle interior and air-refreshing device comprising this vaporization device

Info

Publication number: WO2016166174A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/058141
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vincent Feuillard
Original assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques
Priority date: 2015-04-16
Filing date: 2016-04-13
Publication date: 2016-10-20
Also published as: FR3035031B1; FR3035031A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a vaporization device for a vehicle interior, comprising a vaporizer (20) arranged to supply micro-droplets of vaporized liquid (21) to the vehicle interior, and a cowl (30) arranged to protect the vaporizer (20), the cowl (30) being located downstream of the vaporizer (20). The invention also relates to an air-refreshing device comprising this vaporization device.

Description

NEBULIZING DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE PASSENGER AND AIR REFRIGERATING DEVICE COMPRISING SUCH A VEHICLE

The invention relates to a nebulizing device for a vehicle passenger compartment and an air cooling device comprising such a nebulizing device.

The air cooling systems for a vehicle, in particular an automobile, most often incorporate an air conditioner to ensure the thermal comfort of the passengers positioned at the front and the rear, by establishing in the passenger compartment a temperature lower than the external temperature. . These systems ventilate cooled air so that they provide thermal comfort to the occupants of the vehicle. A first disadvantage of such systems is that the cooled air is dried. In addition, the seats at the rear of the cabin are often less well ventilated, so they are also less refreshed.

It should also be noted that not all vehicles are equipped with an air conditioner.

In order to improve the situation, it has already been proposed to nebulize water at an aeration member through which circulates a flow of air. The nebulized water microdroplets are diffused with the flow of air for aeration and / or ventilation, so that they evaporate causing a lowering of temperature due to the latent heat of vaporization which is then absorbed. Such a solution makes it possible at least partially to overcome the absence of air conditioner or to improve the cooling of the passenger compartment when such an air conditioner is present, but insufficient locally, by providing a make-up air flow that can be directed anywhere in the cabin. It also helps to humidify the air.

However, the presence of a nebulizer at an aeration member, especially downstream of said aeration member, has the disadvantage of exposing the nebulizing device to external aggression. The object of the invention is to provide a nebulizing device that allows the nebulization of water at a ventilation member, without risk of deterioration due to external aggression. Thus, the invention relates to a nebulizing device for a vehicle interior comprising a nebulizer arranged to deliver microdrops of nebulized liquid to the passenger compartment.

According to the invention, said device comprises a cover arranged to protect said nebulizer, said cover being located downstream of said nebulizer, in the direction of flow of said nebulized liquid.

In other words, the nebulizing device according to the invention comprises a protective cover. This hood is located downstream of the nebulizer which delivers microdrops of nebulized liquid to the passenger compartment.

The device of the invention therefore has the advantage of eliminating the risk of deterioration of the nebulizer by aggression from outside, for example by the fingers of a passenger of the vehicle, particularly a young passenger.

According to various embodiments of the invention, which may be taken together or separately:

said hood is configured to guide the microdroplets of nebulized liquid,

said hood is designed to produce a compression effect, followed by a relaxing effect, on said nebulized liquid,

said cover comprises a channel for guiding said microguides of nebulized liquid extending along a longitudinal axis;

said channel comprises a convergent and a divergent,

the convergent is located opposite said nebulizer,

said convergent comprises an inlet section less than or equal to a section of a longitudinal end of said nebulizer,

said convergent has a mouthpiece capping a longitudinal end of said nebulizer,

said nebulizer has a direction of longitudinal extension substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis of said channel, said hood is a piece of revolution centered on the longitudinal axis of said channel,

said device further comprises an air duct guiding the air towards said hood,

the air duct has a main axis of longitudinal extension substantially coinciding with the longitudinal axis of said channel,

the nebulizer and the cover are positioned in such a way that an air gap is inserted between the channel and the microdroplets of nebulized liquid,

the nebulizer has an external shape which is configured so that an air flow flows along said nebulizer towards said hood,

the external form of the nebulizer is frustoconical,

- The external shape of the nebulizer is ogival.

The invention also relates to an air cooling device comprising a nebulization device as described above. Said device may further comprise a blower configured to generate said air flow in said duct. Advantageously, the nebulizer is positioned in said duct, downstream of said blower, said hood being positioned downstream of said duct.

The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more clearly apparent in the following detailed explanatory description of at least one embodiment of the invention given to As a purely illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the attached schematic drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partial isometric representation of a nebulization device positioned at the outlet of an aeration device, in a vehicle cabin,

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a nebulizer provided with a protective cover within a nebulization device according to the invention,

FIGS. 3 to 6 illustrate, in a simplified manner, four embodiments of the nebulization device according to the invention,

FIG. 7 is a partial isometric representation of a possible implantation of the first and second exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, in particular at the level of an aeration device, FIG. 8 is a partial isometric representation of a possible implantation of the third and fourth exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, in particular at the level of an aeration device,

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic representation of a nebulizer and a protective cover according to the invention, the nebulizer being positioned in an air duct,

FIG. 10 is the same diagrammatic representation as in FIG. 9, the nebulizer having an external shape different from that of the nebulizer of FIG. 9.

FIG. 1 illustrates, in isometric and partial manner, a vehicle passenger compartment comprising ventilation members 10 and a nebulization device. The nebulizing device is here composed of a nebulizer 20 which is positioned downstream of one of the aeration members 10. This nebulizer 20 is configured to distribute microdroplets of nebulized liquid to the passenger compartment, in particular by forming a cloud 21 of microdrops. This cloud 21 substantially forms a cone whose apex is located at the outlet of the nebulizer 20 and whose opening is substantially 20 ° angle, in particular +/- 10 ° angle around the central axis A21 of said cone.

The nebulizer 20 is here in a delicate position. Indeed, he is exposed to external aggressions, such as curious passenger fingers, especially children.

Figure 2 shows a nebulizer 20 such as that just described. This figure illustrates this nebulizer 20 and a cover 30 which protects it from passenger fingers, including an annular 40 whose diameter D40 is evaluated, for example, to 15mm or 10mm for a child, or even 6mm for a youngest child. FIG. 2 thus represents the object of the invention, namely a nebulizing device for a vehicle interior comprising a nebulizer arranged to deliver microdrops of nebulized liquid to the passenger compartment and a cover 30 arranged to protect said nebulizer. , said cover 30 being located downstream of said nebulizer 20.

The external shape of the nebulizer 20 is here cylindrical. The external diameter D20 of said nebulizer 20 is, for example, of the order of 20 mm. In this figure, the finger of the passenger 40 is also shown, in dashed lines, in a virtual position 40 '. This virtual position 40 'is the one that the hood 30 serves to prevent, that is to say the position in which a passenger of the vehicle can damage the nebulizer 20, in particular its head, called the nebulizing head 22. Indeed, the nebulizing head 22 has a membrane that is easy to deteriorate, especially by scratching with a nail 41.

In other words, the cover 30 acts as an anti-intrusion device, preventing the nail 41 from reaching the nebulizing head 22, as shown in solid lines. The hood 30 has the advantage of acting as an anti-intrusion device, without hindering the flow of the nebulized liquid.

Figures 3 to 6 illustrate, in a simplified manner, four embodiments of the nebulizing device according to the invention.

These exemplary embodiments differ in the external form given to the nebulizer 20, in particular at its nebulizing head 22, 22 'as well as in the general shape of the cap 30, 30'.

The first example - FIG. 3 - and the third exemplary embodiment - FIG. 5 - show a cylindrical nebulizer, while the second example - FIG. 4 - and the fourth embodiment - FIG. 6 - present a nebulizer 20 whose head is Nebulization 22 'is substantially frustoconical in shape.

In these figures, the cover 30, 30 'comprises a guide channel 31 of the microdrops of nebulized liquid which extends along a longitudinal axis A31. Preferably, the cover 30, 30 'is provided in the form of a piece of revolution centered on said longitudinal axis A31 of said channel 31. In addition, said channel 31 advantageously comprises a convergent 32, 32 'and a divergent 33, the convergent 32, 32' being located vis-a-vis said nebulizer 20, including the nebulizing head 22, 22 'of the nebulizer 20 .

To do this, the cover 30, 30 'is provided in the form of a part of revolution which notably has a narrowing zone between the convergent 32, 32' and the divergent 33.

An inlet section E30, E30 'will thus be defined at the level of the convergent 32, 32' of the cover 30, 30 ', vis-à-vis the nebulizing head 22, 22'. It should be noted that the nebulizing head 22 'of the second and fourth embodiments, by its frustoconical shape, has the advantage of integrating more easily with the cover 30, 30' especially at the inlet section E30, E30 '.

It should also be noted that the nebulizer 20 of the nebulizing device of the invention has a direction of longitudinal extension substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis A 31 of said channel 31. It should be noted, again, that the hood 30 of the first and second exemplary embodiments (illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4) differs from the hood 30 'of the third and fourth examples (illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6). In particular, the cover 30 of the first and second examples has an inlet section E30 less than or equal to the longitudinal end section of said nebulizer 20 which is situated on the side of the nebulizing head 22, 22 '.

The hood 30 'of the third and fourth examples has the particularity of having a mouthpiece covering the nebulizing head 22, 22', especially at the convergent 32 '. This configuration has the advantage of limiting any losses of nebulized liquid between the nebulizing head 22, 22 'and the cover 30'. The cover 30 'of the third and fourth examples thus has an inlet section E30' greater than the section of said nebulizer 20 which is that located on the side of the nebulizing head 22, 22 '.

In both cases, said cover 30, 30 'is configured to guide the microdroplets of nebulized liquid to the passenger compartment. More specifically, said cover 30, 30 'is designed to produce a compression effect, followed by a relaxing effect, on said nebulized liquid. This effect is also known as the Venturi effect.

Thus, and more generally, in addition to its protective function, the cover 30, 30 'of the invention will advantageously have a guiding function of the nebulized liquid, in particular towards the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Figure 7 shows the cover 30 of the first and second embodiments; FIG. 8 represents the cover 30 'of the third and fourth exemplary embodiments. In these figures, the cover 30, 30 'is positioned downstream of a a ventilation member 10, the nebulizer not being visible because positioned upstream of said cover 30, 30 '.

The device of the invention may further comprise an air duct guiding the air towards said cover 30, 30 ', preferably via a ventilation member 10. Said duct has a main axis of longitudinal extension substantially coinciding with the longitudinal axis of said channel A31.

Figures 9 and 10 illustrate the nebulizer 20, 20 'when positioned in said conduit. For reasons of readability, the walls of the conduit are not shown in these figures. On the other hand, the flow of air is represented in order to explain the direction that it follows, in particular by arrows.

Thus, the flow of air is directed towards the passenger compartment in the same way that the microdroplets of nebulized liquid are guided towards the passenger compartment. Said flow of air flows mainly in a main direction of flow coincides with the longitudinal axis A31 of said channel 31.

Advantageously, the nebulizer 20, 20 'and the hood 30, 30' are positioned so that an air gap is inserted between the channel 31 and the microdroplets of nebulized liquid. In other words, part of the air flow - arrow F51 - is guided by the channel 31 of the cover 30, 30 'so as to be inserted between the inner wall of the cover 30, 30' and the nebulized liquid (cloud 21 on Figures 9 and 10). This part of the air flow will be called air gap F51 afterwards. Said air gap F51 thus isolates the hood 30, 30 'from the microdroplets of nebulized liquid and reduces the risk of deposition or condensation of liquid on the hood 30, 30'. In other words, the air gap F51 prevents the microdrops from touching the hood 30, 30 'and, thus, to condense on the hood 30, 30'.

It should be noted that the cover 30, 30 'is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 as comprising concentric slots 34, or in mesh, around said cover 30, 30'. This alternative is part of the invention. However, the slots 34, more external than the cover 30, 30 'with respect to the longitudinal axis A31 of said channel 31, do not participate in the guiding of the nebulized liquid, nor that of the insulating air gap F51 between said nebulized liquid. and the hood 30, 30 '. However, the slots 34, in particular concentric around the axis A31, have the advantage of participating in guiding the flow of air towards the outside of the hood 30, 30 'by limiting any turbulence that could occur at the of the shrink zone.

The nebulizing head 22 'of the second and fourth exemplary embodiments has the advantage of allowing an optimized flow of the air flow towards the hood 30, 30', in particular because the variation of section between the nebulizing head 22 'and the input section E30, E30 'of said cover 30, 30' is continuous, or alternatively, not abrupt.

The hood 30 'of the third and fourth exemplary embodiments has the additional advantage of forcing the flow of air to rush inside, in particular because it caps the nebulizing head 22, 22'.

It should also be noted that the nebulizer 20 illustrated in FIG. 9 has a cylindrical external shape around the longitudinal axis A31 of the channel 31. This cylindrical shape allows the flow of air to flow along said nebulizer 20 to said hood 30.

The example of FIG. 10 illustrates another example of a nebulizer 20 'whose external shape is ogival. This ogival shape further facilitates the flow of air flow inside the duct, between the blower and the hood 30, to the passenger compartment of the vehicle. This ogival external shape reduces the pressure drops and possible turbulence of the air flow. It makes it possible to provide, in addition, an inlet section E30, E30 'for the cover 30, 30' which is smaller than that envisaged in the case of a nebulizer of different external shape.

Said nebulizer 20, 20 'may comprise an envelope housing nebulizing organs, non-visible, for example of the piezoelectric type. Advantageously, said envelope defines said external form of the nebulizer 20, 20 '.

It should also be noted that the frustoconical nebulization head 22 'of the second and fourth exemplary embodiments (illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6) is an intermediate solution between the cylindrical external shape of the nebulizer 20 of FIG. 9 and the ogival external form of the nebulizer 20 'of Figure 10, in particular in terms of flow facilitation for the air flow.

It should also be noted that the embodiments described above can be combined, without departing from the scope of the invention.

The nebulizing device of the invention will find a preferred application within a motor vehicle air freshening device intended in particular to the seating positions located at the rear of the vehicle. The cooling device may comprise a blower configured to generate said air flow in the duct.

Claims

claims

1. Nebulizing device for a vehicle interior comprising a nebulizer (20, 20 ') arranged to deliver microdrops of nebulized liquid (21) to the passenger compartment, and a hood (30, 30') arranged to protect said nebulizer (20, 20 '), said hood (30, 30') being located downstream of said nebulizer (20, 20 ').

2. Nebulizing device according to the preceding claim, wherein said cover (30, 30 ') is configured to guide the microdrops nebulized liquid (21).

A nebulizing device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said hood (30, 30 ') is adapted to produce a compression effect, followed by a relaxing effect, on said nebulized liquid (21) .

4. Nebulizing device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said cover (30, 30 ') comprises a guide channel (31) of said microgoutts of nebulized liquid (21) extending along a longitudinal axis (A31). .

5. Nebulizing device according to the preceding claim, wherein said channel (31) comprises a convergent (32, 32 ') and a divergent (33), the convergent (32, 32') being located opposite said nebulizer (20, 20 ').

6. Nebulizing device according to the preceding claim, wherein said convergent (32) comprises an inlet section (E30) less than or equal to a section of a longitudinal end of said nebulizer (20, 20 ').

The nebulizing device according to claim 5, wherein said convergent (32 ') has a mouthpiece capping a longitudinal end of said nebulizer (20, 20').

8. Nebulizing device according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein said nebulizer (20, 20 ') has a longitudinal extension direction substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis (A31) of said channel (31).

9. Nebulizing device according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein said cover (30, 30 ') is a piece of revolution centered on the longitudinal axis (A31) of said channel (31).

10. Nebulizing device according to any one of claims 4 to 9, said device further comprising an air duct guiding air to said hood (30, 30 ').

1 1. Nebulizing device according to the preceding claim, wherein the nebulizer (20, 20 ') and the hood (30, 30') are positioned in such a way that an air gap (F51) is inserted between the channel ( 31) and the microdroplets of nebulized liquid (21).

A nebulizing device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the nebulizer (20, 20 ') has an external shape which is configured for a flow of air to flow along said nebulizer (20, 20 ') to said hood (30, 30').

13. Nebulizing device according to the preceding claim, wherein the outer shape of the nebuliser (20, 20 ') is frustoconical.

14. A nebulizing device according to claim 12, wherein the external shape of the nebulizer (20, 20 ') is ogival.

15. An air cooling device comprising a nebulizing device according to any one of the preceding claims.