FR3068918B1 - AERATOR ALLEGE - Google Patents

Abstract

Aerator (1), such as a ventilator for a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, comprising a first end (3) shaped to be fixed on a dashboard, a second end (4) shaped to be connected to a ventilation system, and a body (2) forming a substantially tubular duct between the first end (3) and the second end (4), wherein the body (2) comprises at least one cutout (5a-d) so as to remove at least one non-functional part.

Description

Lightened aerator

The present invention relates to an aerator. It is known to use an aerator in the automotive field so as to ventilate / ventilate a vehicle interior. An aerator is a pipe whose first end is fixed and opens at an orifice in the dashboard and a second end is connected to a ventilation system. Such an aerator makes it possible to ventilate / ventilate the cabin by transporting / guiding the air coming from the ventilation system to the passenger compartment. The first end typically accommodates a shutter for selectively opening or closing the first end and optionally directing / directing the outgoing air flow, for example by means of orientable vanes.

Weight gain is a recurring concern in the automotive field. Also the invention has redesigned an aerator to reduce its weight. For this purpose the invention relates to an aerator, such as an aerator for a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, comprising a first end shaped to be fixed on a dashboard, a second end shaped to be connected to a ventilation system, and a body forming a substantially tubular conduit between the first end and the second end, wherein the body comprises at least one cutout.

According to another characteristic of the invention, said at least one cutout is made in a non-functional part.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the body is reduced to a plurality of longitudinal members, ensuring the rigidity of the body.

According to another characteristic of the invention, said at least one blank is closed by means of at least one film.

According to another characteristic of the invention, said at least one film comprises a waterproof felt, preferably having a density of 190kg / m3.

According to another characteristic of the invention, said at least one film is glued, overmoulded or welded. The invention also relates to an aerator system comprising such an aerator and a shutter. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising such an aerator system. Other features, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly from the detailed description given below for information in connection with drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a right view of an aerator according to the Fig. 2 is a left view of the aerator of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a right view of an aerator according to the invention; Fig. 4 is a left view of the aerator of Fig. Figure 5 is a right view of the aerator of Figure 3 equipped with a shutter, Figure 6 is a left view of the aerator of Figure 5.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, an aerator 1 according to the prior art has a substantially tubular shape and comprises a first end 3, a second end 4, connected by a body 2. The first end 3 is intended to be fixed on a dashboard, not shown, substantially flush, at an opening in said dashboard. For this, the first end 3 has a shape comprising a closed contour adapted to follow the shape of said opening and fastening means 6 to the dashboard, typically by clipping. The aerator 1 is then placed under the dashboard. The second end 4 is intended to be connected to a ventilation system, not shown. For this purpose the second end 4 is shaped so as to be able to interface with an outlet duct of the ventilation system. The body 2 forms a substantially tubular duct between the first end 3 and the second end 4. Thus the aerator 1 allows the transport of air from the ventilation system to the first end 3 of the aerator 1 and therefore until the opening in the dashboard. In such an aerator 1 according to the prior art, the body 2 is closed so as to ensure aeraulic continuity between the first end 3 and the second end 4. Such an aerator 1, advantageously made of plastic, has a weight, for the illustrated embodiment of 95 g.

Except for the features which will be detailed below, an aerator 1 according to the invention is identical in all respects to an aerator 1 according to the prior art, as described above. In order to reduce the weight, according to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the body 2 comprises at least one cutout 5a-d made in a non-functional part.

A non-functional part is a part that does not perform any function, among the functions that will be listed below. Thus a non-functional part is not a functional part. The functional parts, which can not be cut, are the parts that perform the following functions. A first function is the interface and the attachment with the dashboard. This function is provided by the first end 3 which carries fastening means 6. Also the first end 3 can not be cut. The cuts 5a-d relate exclusively to the body 2.

Another function is the reception, movably and / or articulated, of a shutter 10. This function is still provided by the first end 3, more particularly in its inner part.

Another function is the interface with the ventilation system. This function is provided by the second end 4. Also the second end 4 can not be cut. The cuts 5a-d relate exclusively to the body 2.

The body 2 must provide another function which is to maintain a certain rigidity. This assumes that there is a minimum of material, at least one spar 9a-d. Such a spar 9a-d, providing a stiffening function of the aerator 1, must be realized and can not be cut 5a-d. However, between longitudinal members 9a-d, which can be very narrow, it is possible to make cuts 5a-d. The number, the arrangement and the dimensions of the longitudinal members 9a-d can be determined by simulation by calculation, and / or by trial and error by means of a prototype / model, in order to verify that the resulting rigidity is sufficient.

Figures 3-6 illustrate a possible embodiment where the body 2 retains: an upper longitudinal spar 9a, a lower longitudinal spar 9b, connecting the first end 3 to the second end 4, a right transverse spar 9c, and a transverse spar left 9d. Such an illustrative configuration makes it possible to produce, between the longitudinal members 9a-d, at least one cutout, here four cuts 5a-d, mainly arranged in the side blanks of the body 2. The side members 9a-d allow the body 2 to retain rigidity satisfactory.

The body of the aerator 1 being concealed by the dashboard, such cutouts 5a-d remain invisible and do not induce aesthetic problems.

The cuts 5a-d can be made by machining, from a full aerator according to the prior art, typically by molding. Alternatively and preferably, an aerator 1 according to the invention is made by molding by integrating the cutouts 5a-d in the molded aerator.

It has been seen that the aerator 1 serves as a conduit for the air coming from the ventilation system. In order to maintain the airflow continuity of the aerator 1, despite the cut-outs 5a-d, according to an advantageous characteristic, the cut-out (s) 5a-d is / are closed off by means of at least one film 7.

Said film 7 can be in any material. According to a preferred embodiment, it may comprise a waterproof felt. This felt preferably has a density of 190kg / m3. A film 7 is advantageously shaped in the form of at least one cut-out 5a-d, with advantageously an additional margin in order to allow the film 7 to be fixed to the body 2 at the contour of the cut-out 5a-d. Alternatively, a film 7 may be shaped to cover more than one cutout 5a-d. Thus a single continuous film 7 can close the two adjacent cuts 5a and 5b or the two adjacent cuts 5c and 5d.

Fixing the film 7 on the body 2 can be done by any means. According to a preferred embodiment, the film 7 is glued, overmoulded or welded to the body 2.

The film 7 is substantially lighter than the thickness of plastic material that it replaces. Also the invention allows a significant gain in weight. Thus an aerator 1 according to the invention, according to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3, 4, preferably made of the same plastic material, has a weight, all things being equal, of 63 g. Compared with the embodiment of the prior art which weighs 95 g, the invention allows an advantageous reduction in weight of 34%.

Another advantage of the invention is that the cuts 5a-d induce a reduction in the stiffness of the aerator 1 and mainly in the longitudinal direction. This is possible in that the aerator 1 is disposed under the dashboard and protected by the latter. Also its residual rigidity can be minimal. This facilitates a desirable deformation of the aerator 1 in the event of a violent impact, with a head or a member of a passenger. Also an aerator 1 according to the invention facilitates the success of a regulatory crash test. The invention also relates to such an aerator 1 equipped with a shutter 10, and which is called aerator system 11. Such an aerator system 11 is illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6.

Claims (8)

claims 1. - aerator (1), such as a vehicle cabin aerator, comprising a first end (3) shaped to be fixed on a dashboard, a second end (4) shaped to be connected to a ventilation system, and a body (2) forming a substantially tubular duct between the first end (3) and the second end (4), characterized in that the body (2) comprises at least one cutout (5a-d). 2. - aerator (1) according to claim 1, wherein said at least one cutout (5a-d) is made in a non-functional part. 3. - aerator (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the body (2) is reduced to a plurality of longitudinal members (9a-d), ensuring the rigidity of the body (2). 4. - aerator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said at least one cutout (5a-d) is closed by means of at least one film (7). 5. - aerator (1) according to claim 4, wherein said at least one film (7) comprises a waterproof felt, preferably having a density of 190kg / m3. 6. - aerator (1) according to any one of claims 4 or 5, wherein said at least one film (7) is glued, overmolded or welded. 7. - aerator system (11) characterized in that it comprises an aerator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and a shutter (10). 8. - Vehicle comprising an aerator system (11) according to the preceding claim.