WO2023135227A1 - Air conditioning device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an air conditioning device comprising a housing (1) defining a cavity (2) that has a mixing chamber (4) for mixing a first airflow (F1) and a second airflow (F2, F2'), a first heat exchanger (6) opening onto the mixing chamber (4), and at least two first flaps (12a, 12a'), the device being configured so that the first flaps (12a, 12a') move substantially in a plane of extension parallel to a front surface (7) of the first exchanger (6) between a first position in which the first flaps (12a, 12a') allow the first airflow to flow freely through the first exchanger (6) and a second position in which the first flaps (12a, 12a') are located facing a respective portion of the front surface (7).

Description

AIR CONDITIONING DEVICE

[1] The present invention relates to an air conditioning device, in particular for motor vehicles.

[2] In this field, known air conditioning devices comprise a casing defining a housing accommodating heat exchangers, making it possible to heat, cool and/or dehumidify an air flow, and shutters making it possible to carry out a regulating a temperature of the air flow and/or distributing this flow to different areas of a vehicle cabin.

[3] In particular, air conditioning devices are known in which an incident air flow, previously cooled and/or dehumidified, is divided into a first air flow, intended to pass through one of the heat exchangers to be heated, and a second air flow, intended to bypass said exchanger. The proportion of the incident air flow forming each of the first and second air flows is determined by a position of one or more flaps, called mixing flaps. Downstream, the first and second air flows are mixed to reach the desired temperature, this in a chamber of said housing, called the mixing chamber. The resulting air flow is then sent to different areas of the passenger compartment by being distributed by flaps, called distribution flaps.

[4] Known mixer flaps are of the flag, butterfly or drum type. Their shape and/or their stroke contribute to the size of the case, in particular in a direction determining its depth. Since the box is concealed under a dashboard in an area intended to be located between the driver and the front passenger of the vehicle, such space therefore has an impact on the layout of this area.

[5] An object of the invention is to provide an air conditioning device which at least partially overcomes the above drawbacks.

[6] The invention relates in this sense to an air conditioning device comprising a housing, defining a housing having a chamber for mixing a first air flow and a second air flow, a first exchanger heat, opening onto said mixing chamber, and at least two first flaps, said device being configured so that the first flaps move substantially in a plane of extension parallel to a front surface of said first exchanger between a first position where said first flaps leave free circulation of the first air flow through said exchanger and a second position where said first flaps are located opposite a respective portion of said front surface.

[7] Thus, according to the invention, it is possible to open or close the circulation of air through the first exchanger thanks to the first flaps without adding space in a direction perpendicular to that of the front surface of the exchanger, if not at the end of travel towards the second position to improve sealing of the closure. Indeed, their movement, being essentially circumscribed to a plane parallel to this front surface, for example under the effect of a sliding or a translation in said plane, therefore does not impact the depth of the device. . Furthermore, still according to the invention, by using several first flaps, the amplitude of the stroke of each in said plane is distributed, which makes it possible to optimize the circulation of the air by conferring a more central position on the first exchanger in the box.

[8] According to additional characteristics, which may be implemented independently of each other or according to all technically possible combinations and which form as many embodiments of the invention:

- said first flaps are substantially flat,

- the said first sections are oriented according to the said extension plan,

- said device is configured so that the second air flow bypasses said first exchanger, in particular via deflection passages located at two opposite sides of said exchanger,

- said device further comprises at least two second flaps respectively intended to alternately prevent or allow free circulation of the second air flow through said deflection passages,

- said device comprises first actuators of the first shutters,

- said first actuators are located in said housing, - said first actuators are located in said deflection passages,

- said first flaps are respectively intended to be actuated by one of said second flaps,

- said device is configured so that said first flaps are in said first position when said second flaps prevent the circulation of the second air flow through said deflection passages,

- said device is configured so that said first flaps are in said second position when said second flaps allow free circulation of the second air flow through said deflection passages,

- said first flaps are hinged in rotation on said second flaps

- said device comprises guide rails for the first flaps between the first and the second position,

- said first flaps are four in number so as to each cover approximately a quarter of the front surface of the first exchanger, in said second position,

- Said device, in particular said rails, are configured to apply the first flaps against said front surface, in particular at the end of travel when arriving at the second position.

[9] Other characteristics, details and advantages will appear on reading the detailed description below, and on analyzing the appended drawings, including:

[10] [Fig. 1] is a view of an example of a thermal conditioning device according to the invention, illustrated from the side, some of its components being made visible by transparency and illustrated, where appropriate, schematically,

[11] [Fig. 2] is a perspective view of an interior part of the device of FIG. 1, in a first position, open, of first flaps of said device,

[12] [Fig. 3] is a perspective view of said interior part of FIG. 2, in a second position, closed, of the first flaps.

[13] In order to facilitate reading of the figures, identical elements bear the same references. Certain elements or parameters can be indexed, that is to say designated for example by first element or second element, or else first parameter and second parameter, etc. The purpose of this indexing is to differentiate between similar but not identical elements or parameters. This indexing does not imply a priority of an element, or parameter compared to another and one can invert the denominations.

[14] In the following description, the term "a first element upstream of a second element" means that the first element is placed before the second element with respect to the direction of circulation, or course, of a fluid. Similarly, the term “a first element downstream of a second element” means that the first element is placed after the second element with respect to the direction of circulation, or travel, of the fluid in question.

[15] As illustrated in Figure 1, the invention relates to an air conditioning device. It is intended, for example, to equip a motor vehicle to allow heat treatment of the air in a passenger compartment of said vehicle.

[16] Said device comprises a housing 1 defining a housing 2. Said housing 2 has a mixing chamber 4 of a first air flow, illustrated F1 and a second air flow, illustrated F2, F2 '.

[17] Said housing 2 also accommodates a first heat exchanger 6, leading to said mixing chamber 4. Said first heat exchanger is intended to be crossed by said air flow F1. Said air flow F1 can thus be heated. Conversely, said device is advantageously configured so that the second airflow F2, F2′ bypasses said first exchanger so as not to be heated.

[18] Said mixing chamber 4 is configured to allow mixing of said first and second airflows F1 and F2, F2'. Thus, depending on the flow rates of each of said air flows F1 and F2, F2′, a desired air temperature can be obtained in said mixing chamber 4.

[19] Downstream, the airflows F1 and F2, F2' now mixed into an outlet flow, are directed, for example, towards the distribution flaps of said device. Said distribution flaps here comprise one or more defrosting/demisting flaps 20, intended to direct all or part of the output flow towards a vehicle windshield. They further comprise top flaps 22 and/or foot flaps 24, intended to direct all or part of the output flow, respectively, towards the face and/or the hands, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, towards the feet, of the driver and/or the passenger Before. They may also include low flaps 26, intended to direct all or part of the exit flow towards the rear passengers. Said housing 2 accommodates ducts or passages, partially illustrated, connecting said mixing chamber 4 to said distribution flaps 22, 24, 26.

[20] Said housing 4 also accommodates here a second exchanger 28 intended to be traversed by an incoming air flow Fe.

[21] Said second exchanger 28 is configured to cool and/or dehumidify said incoming air flow Fe. It may be an exchanger allowing circulation of a refrigerant from an air conditioning loop. Downstream of said second exchanger 28 according to the direction of air flow, said housing 2 is configured to allow a division of said incoming air flow Fe to then form said first air flow F1 and/or said second air flow. 'air F2, F2'.

[22] Said first heat exchanger 6 comprises, for example, a first bundle 8 and/or a second bundle 10, intended to be passed through said airflow F1. Said first beam 8 is intended to be traversed by a heat transfer fluid heating said air flow F1 by heat exchange. Said second beam 10 comprises, for example, electric heating elements. Said second beam 10 is here located downstream of the first beam 8 in the direction of circulation of the first air flow F1. Said first and second beams 8, 10 extend substantially parallel to each other, in a direction orthogonal to that of the airflow F1. The latter is intended to correspond, usually, to an X axis of longitudinal extension of the vehicle. An orthonormal X, Y, Z frame has been illustrated in Figure 1 taking up said X direction and illustrating a vertical direction corresponding to the Z axis of the frame and a transverse direction corresponding to the Y axis of the frame.

[23] Said first heat exchanger 6 has a substantially parallelepipedic footprint with two large parallel faces, one upstream 7 and the other downstream 7 'in the direction of flow of the air flow F1. Said large faces 7, 7' form front surfaces of exchanger 6. Said large upstream face 7 here has a substantially planar configuration. It should be noted that said large upstream face 7 is however not continuous because it must leave the passage of the air flow F1 free. It results, for example, from a stack of tubes and heat exchange inserts of the first bundle 8.

[24] Said first beam 8 and/or said second beam 10 may be simultaneously or separately active, or even simultaneously inactive, depending on a circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the first beam 8 and a circulation of electric current in the electrical elements of the second beam 10.

[25] As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, said housing further accommodates at least two first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b'. Said first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b' are here four in number, namely a first top right flap 12a, a first bottom right flap 12a', a first top left flap 12b and a first bottom left flap 12b' , this so as to each cover about a quarter of the front surface 7 of the first exchanger 6.

[26] Depending on the positioning of said first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b', each of said first F1 and second F2, F2' flow has a given flow rate, helping to determine the temperature of the air in the mixing chamber 4 The greater the flow rate of the first air flow F1, the greater the temperature of the air in the mixing chamber. Conversely, the greater the flow rate of the second air flow F2, F2', the cooler the temperature of the air in the mixing chamber. Each of said flow rates can range from a zero or almost zero value, to a near leakage flow rate, to a maximum flow rate, the sum of said flow rates remaining relatively constant and equal to that of a flow rate of the incoming air flow Fe.

[27] According to the invention, said device is configured so that the first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b' move substantially in an extension plane parallel to the front surface 7 of said first exchanger 6, i.e. that is to say in a direction in a plane Y, Z substantially perpendicular to an incident direction of said incoming air flow Fe. More specifically, said first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b' essentially move by translation along the axis Z between a first position where said first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b' allow free circulation of the first flow of air F1 through said first exchanger 6, corresponding to the configuration of FIG. 2, and a second position where said first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b' are located opposite a respective portion of said surface frontal, corresponding to the configuration of FIG. 3 where said first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b' are in a closed position.

[28] By remaining substantially in the same plane Y, Z, the displacement of said first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b' thus does not generate additional bulk in the X axis, while distributing the movement in the direction Z by partitioning the panes in pairs. In other words, one or more first 12a, 12b of said first flaps circulate between a high position corresponding to the first configuration where they are located, in projection, above said first exchanger 6 and a low position where they are located opposite -screw an upper half of said first exchanger 6. One or more second 12a ', 12b' of said first flaps circulate between a low position corresponding to the first configuration where they are located, in projection, under said first exchanger 6 and a position high where they are located opposite a lower half of said first exchanger 6. In the illustrated embodiment where said first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b' are four in number, it is understood that each of said first flaps substantially obstructs a quarter of the front surface 7, in said second position.

[29] The first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b', 12 are advantageously grouped in pairs 12a, 12a' and 12b, 12b'. The flaps of the same pair are located one below the other along the Z axis. The device is configured so that the flaps of the same pair move in coordination with each other to pass simultaneously from the first configuration, open, to the second configuration, closed, and vice versa. On the other hand, a displacement of the first flaps from one pair to another can be decorrelated. Thus a pair of first flaps can be in the first configuration while the other will be in the second configuration. By providing a corresponding partition of the mixing chamber 4, downstream, for example using a substantially vertical partition, not shown, such an embodiment makes it possible to have two different temperatures in each of the parts of the chamber. mixer 4 located on either side of the partition.

[30] The first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b' are, for example, substantially flat. They are advantageously oriented along said extension plane Y, Z. Their size is thus optimized. [31] Preferably, said device is configured so that the second airflow F2, F2' bypasses the first exchanger 6 via deflection passages 14, 14', located at two opposite sides of said first exchanger 6, namely here, above along a branch F2 of said second stream and below along a branch F2' of said second stream.

[32] Advantageously, said device further comprises at least two second flaps 16a, 16a', 16b, 16b', respectively intended to alternately prevent or allow free circulation of the second flow of air F2, F2' through said passages of deflection 14, 14', namely to prevent the circulation of said air flow F2, F2' in said deflection passages 14, 14' when said first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b' are in said first position to force a maximum of air through said first exchanger 6 or to leave free the circulation of said air flow F2, F2' in said deflection passages 14, 14' when said first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b' are in said second position to force as much air as possible to bypass said first exchanger 6.

[33] In the illustrated embodiment, said first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b' also obstruct the deflection passages 14, 14', at least partially, being partly opposite of said second flaps 16a, 16a', 16b, 16b' in said first position.

[34] Still in the illustrated embodiment, said device comprises first actuators of the first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b'. Said first actuators are advantageously located in said casing 1 and even more advantageously in said deflection passages 14, 14'. These are in particular the said second 16a, 16a', 16b, 16b'. In other words, each of said first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b' is respectively intended to be actuated by one of said second flaps 16a, 16a', 16b, 16b'.

[35] Said device is thus configured so that the position and movements of some are linked to the position and movements of others. More precisely, here, said device is configured for said first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b' to be in said first position when the second flaps 16a, 16a', 16b, 16b' prevent the circulation of the second air flow at through said deflection passages 14, 14'. [36] Said device is further configured so that said first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b' are in said second position when the second flaps 16a, 16a', 16b, 16b' allow free circulation of the second flow of air through said deflection passages 14, 14'.

[37] Said device is further configured so that any intermediate position is possible, an intermediate position of the first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b' corresponding to a given intermediate position of the second flaps 16a, 16a', 16b, 16b' .

[38] Said second flaps 16a, 16a', 16b, 16b' are here articulated in rotation, for example around a shaft 32. For the actuation of said shaft 32, said device comprises, in particular, a stepper motor, not shown, for example located outside said housing 1, on one of its walls.

[39] Said first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b' are hinged in rotation on said second flaps 16a, 16a', 16b, 16b'. For this, said second flaps 16a, 16a', 16b, 16b' comprise lugs 35, coming from a surface of said second flaps, and first articulation pins 34, attached at a free end of said lugs 35. The first pins 34 are oriented substantially parallel to the surface of said second flaps from which said tabs 35 come, in said direction Y. Said first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b' comprise first hinge arms 36, coming a surface of said first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b'. The first hinge arms 36 are connected by one of their ends to a surface of said first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b' and have an orifice 37 at their opposite free end. Said first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b' are mounted on said second flaps 16a, 16a', 16b, 16b' by rotational articulation of said first pins 34 in said orifices 37.

[40] Said device further comprises here rails 38, 39, 40 for guiding the first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b' between the first and second position. Said guide rails are parallel to each other. They are located offset upstream, in the direction of circulation of the air flow F1, from said upstream front surface 7. They extend vertically to guide said first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b' in the desired Y, Z plane. [41] Said rails 38, 39, 40 are fixed. They are, for example, subject to said casing 1 and/or made from material of a surface of the latter.

[42] A first 38 and a second 39 of the guide rails are respectively provided close to vertical edges of said upstream front surface 7. A third 40 of the guide rails extends opposite a central axis of said upstream front surface 7.

[43] Said first left flaps 12b, 12b' slide on said first 38 and third 40 guide rails. Said first right flaps 12a, 12a' slide on said second 39 and third 40 guide rails. It is understood that, in this embodiment, the third guide rail is common to the first left and right flaps. As a variant, a fourth guide rail could be provided so that each of the first left and right flaps has respective pairs of guide rails.

[44] Said first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b' are provided with second hinge arms 42 from the surface of said first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b' and having a free end provided with second pins 44 , engaged in said rails 37, 38, 39. The second pins 44 are oriented substantially parallel to the surface of said first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b' from which said second hinge arms 42 originate, in said direction Y. Said first and second hinge arms 36, 42 get along in pairs substantially in the extension of one another, in opposite directions, in the vertical direction Z.

[45] Said device is preferably configured to apply the first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b' against said upstream front surface 7 in said second position. For this, said rails 38, 39, 40 have here, in an end zone, a bend 46 directing the rails towards said upstream front surface 7. Such an arrangement makes it possible to improve the closing of the first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b' by pressing them against said upstream front surface 7. The leakage rate is thus reduced. In other words, if the movement of the first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b' is done essentially by translation along the vertical, they can know at the very end of their travel a slight offset along the direction X to press them against the first exchanger 6 in said first position. [46] To further improve sealing, said upstream front surface 7 may be equipped with a support frame 48 for said first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b'. In the closed position, when the first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b' are at the end of their travel in said rails 38, 39, 40, a peripheral part of said first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b' is then in contact against said frame 46. Cumulatively or alternately, said first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b' and/or said frame 48 are equipped with a seal 50 intended to be compressed in the closed position of said first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b'.

[47] In the illustrated embodiment, in said second position, of closure, of the first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b', the airflow F1 is blocked and only the airflow F2, F2' arrives in the mixing chamber 4 via the deflection passages 14, 14', said second flaps 16a, 16a', 16b, 16b' being open. Such a configuration corresponds, for example, to air conditioning of the passenger compartment.

[48] In said first open position of the first flaps 12a, 12a', 12b, 12b', the air flow F1 passes through the first exchanger 6 and opens into the mixing chamber 4. Conversely, said second flaps 16a, 16a', 16b, 16b' are closed and said second air flow F2, F2' is blocked. Such a configuration corresponds, for example, to heating the passenger compartment.

Claims

Claims [1] Air conditioning device comprising a housing (1), defining a housing (2) having a mixing chamber (4) of a first airflow (F1) and a second airflow (F2, F2'), a first heat exchanger (6), opening onto the said mixing chamber (4), and at least two first flaps (12a, 12a', 12b, 12b'), the said device being configured so that the first flaps (12a, 12a', 12b, 12b') move substantially in a plane of extension parallel to a front surface (7) of said first exchanger (6) between a first position where said first flaps (12a, 12a' , 12b, 12b') allow free circulation of the first air flow through said first exchanger (6) and a second position where said first flaps (12a, 12a', 12b, 12b') are located opposite each other. screw of a respective portion of said front surface (7). [2] Device according to claim 1 wherein the first flaps (12a, 12a ', 12b, 12b') are substantially flat. [3] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the said first flaps (12a, 12a', 12b, 12b') are oriented according to the said extension plane. [4] Device according to any one of the preceding claims configured so that the second air flow (F2, F2 ') bypasses said first exchanger (6) by deflection passages (14, 14') located at two opposite sides of said exchanger (6). [5] Device according to the preceding claim further comprising at least two second flaps (16a, 16a ', 16b, 16b') respectively intended to alternately prevent or leave free circulation of the second air flow (F2, F2 ') to through said deflection passages (14, 14'). [6] Device according to the preceding claim wherein said first flaps (12a, 12a', 12b, 12b') are respectively intended to be actuated by one of said second flaps (16a, 16a', 16b, 16b'). [7] Device according to the preceding claim in said first flaps (12a, 12a', 12b, 12b') are hinged in rotation on said second flaps (16a, 16a', 16b, 16b'). [8] Device according to any one of the preceding claims comprising guide rails (38, 39, 40) of the first flaps (12a, 12a', 12b, 12b') between the first and the second position. [9] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said first flaps (12a, 12a', 12b, 12b') are four in number so as to each cover about a quarter of the front surface (7) of the first exchanger (6). [10] Device according to any one of the preceding claims configured to apply the first flaps (12a, 12a', 12b, 12b') against said front surface (7).