VEHICLE VENTILATOR

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a ventilator of the type comprising: a ventilation duct extending between an inlet and an outlet; the duct comprising a first and a second section, adjacent to each other; at least the second section extending along a first axis; at least one longitudinal wall extending in the second section; and a flap that is rotatable with respect to the duct; said flap being disposed in the first section of said duct, in the vicinity of the second section.

BACKGROUND

The invention applies particularly to ventilators intended to equip a passenger compartment of a vehicle, in particular of a motor vehicle. Such a ventilator is notably disclosed in document EP1765619 on behalf of the Applicant.

The flaps disposed in the ventilators of the background art are subject to significant pressure differences when operating at high performance levels. This may result in premature wear of the mechanical components of the ventilator.

SUMMARY

An object of the present invention is to provide a ventilator comprising a mechanism able to withstand the forces undergone during the operation thereof.

To this end, one aspect of the invention provides a ventilator of the aforementioned type, wherein: the at least one longitudinal wall is fixed with respect to the duct; the second section comprising at least two channels, separated by said longitudinal wall; and the flap comprises a first and a second panel, movable with respect to the duct, respectively along a second and along a third axis of rotation, said second and third axes of rotation being perpendicular to the first axis; each of the first and second panels being rotatable between an open position and a closed position, such that, in the closed position of each of said first and second panels, at least one of the channels of the second section is at least partially blocked by said first or second panel.

According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the ventilator comprises one or more of the following features, taken alone or in any technically feasible combination:

• • the at least two channels of the second section are substantially parallel to each other;
  • the first and the second panels respectively comprise a first and a second substantially straight inner edges; such that when the first and second panels are in the closed position, the first and second inner edges face one another;
  • the duct has an inner wall of substantially circular cross-section; each of the first and second panels comprises an outer edge, substantially in an arc of a circle; and in the closed position of each of said first and second panels, the outer edge of said panel substantially molded to the inner wall of the duct;
  • the ventilator comprises a plurality of longitudinal walls fixed with respect to the duct; wherein the second section comprises a plurality of channels angularly distributed around the first axis, two adjacent channels being separated by one of said longitudinal walls; and wherein each of the first and second panels is further rotatable with respect to the duct around the first axis;
  • the flap further comprises a support, rotatable with respect to the duct around the first axis, each of the first and second panels being articulated to the support, respectively along the second and along the third axes;
  • the second axis and the third axis are coincident;
  • the ventilator further comprises an inner element, disposed in the second section of the duct, along the first axis; and wherein the or each of the longitudinal walls extends radially from said inner element;
  • the support of the flap is articulated to the inner element along the first axis;
  • the first panel comprises a notch forming an angular portion of said first panel;
  • the ventilator is configured so that: in an angular configuration, with respect to the first axis, of the first panel in the closed position, a first of the channels is blocked by said first panel; and a second of said channels, separated from the first channel by one of the longitudinal walls, is disposed opposite the notch of the first panel;
  • the ventilator comprises n longitudinal walls regularly distributed around the first axis and delimiting n parallel channels, n being an integer greater than or equal to 3; and the notch of the first panel is configured so that, in the angular configuration of the first panel in the closed position, at least two adjacent channels of said parallel channels are disposed facing said opening.

The invention further relates to a vehicle, notably a motor vehicle, comprising a ventilator as described hereinbefore.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will become clearer on reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a rear view of a ventilator according to one embodiment of the invention, in a first configuration;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the ventilator shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a transparent perspective view of the ventilator shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in a second configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 to 3 depict a ventilator 10 according to one embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment shown, the ventilator 10 is installed in a vehicle passenger compartment (not shown), preferably in a motor vehicle passenger compartment.

The ventilator 10 notably comprises: a ventilation duct 12; at least one longitudinal wall 14, 114, 214; and a flap 16. In the embodiment depicted, the ventilator 10 further comprises: an inner element 18; and an actuating device 20 and an electronic control module 22, depicted in FIG. 2.

The ventilation duct 12 extends between an air inlet 24 and an air outlet 26. The duct 12 comprises a first 28 and a second 30 section, adjacent to each other, said first 28 and second 30 sections opening respectively onto the inlet 24 and onto the outlet 26.

At least the second section 30 is substantially straight and extends along a first axis 32. In the embodiment depicted, the first section 28 also extends along the first axis 32.

Preferentially, the ventilation duct 12 has a substantially circular internal cross-section. More preferentially, the duct 12 comprises a first inner wall 34, substantially cylindrical of revolution around the first axis 32 and extending at least along the first section 28.

In the embodiment depicted, said first inner wall 34 further extends over a part of the second section 30; and the duct 12 further comprises a second substantially frustoconical inner wall 36, disposed between the first inner wall 34 and the air outlet 26.

The or each longitudinal wall 14, 114, 214 extends in the second section 30. Preferentially, the or each longitudinal wall 14, 114, 214 extends substantially in a plane containing the first axis 32.

The or each longitudinal wall 14, 114, 214 is fixed with respect to the duct 12. Preferentially, the or each longitudinal wall 14, 114, 214 is fixed to the first 34 and/or to the second 36 inner wall of the duct 12.

The or each longitudinal wall 14, 114, 214 comprises an upstream edge 38, facing the first section 28. In the embodiment depicted, the upstream edge 38 of the or each longitudinal wall 14, 114, 214 is substantially straight and perpendicular to the first axis 32.

The second section 30 of the duct 12 comprises at least two parallel channels 40, 42 44, separated from each other by the or by one of the longitudinal walls 14, 114, 214

Preferentially, the ventilator 10 comprises a plurality of longitudinal walls 14, 114, 214, angularly distributed around the first axis 32; and the second section comprises a plurality of parallel channels 40, 42, 44, two adjacent channels being separated by one of said longitudinal walls 14, 114, 214. Preferentially, the upstream edges 38 of said longitudinal walls 14, 114, 214 are substantially disposed in a same plane perpendicular to the first axis 32.

More preferentially, the longitudinal walls 14, 114, 214 are angularly distributed in a regular manner around the first axis 32; and two adjacent longitudinal walls 14, 114 are spaced apart by a same angle α₁.

More precisely, in the embodiment depicted, the ventilator 10 comprises eight longitudinal walls 14, 114, 214, angularly distributed in a regular manner around the first axis 32, the angle α₁ being equal to 45°. Said longitudinal walls delimit eight parallel channels 40, 42, 44, separated in pairs by one of the longitudinal walls 14, 114, 214. The longitudinal walls will be disclosed in greater detail below.

The flap 16 comprises a first 50 and a second 52 panel, each of said first 50 and second 52 panels having the shape of a substantially planar plate.

Each of the first 50 and second 52 panels is rotatable with respect to the duct 12. In particular, the first 50 and second 52 panels are movable with respect to the duct 12, respectively along a second 54 and along a third 56 axis of rotation. Said second 54 and third 56 axes of rotation are parallel therebetween and perpendicular to the first axis 32

Preferentially, the second 54 and third 56 axes of rotation are disposed on both sides of the first axis 32. Preferentially, the second 54 and third 56 axes of rotation are very close to each other, or even substantially coincident.

The flap 16 is disposed in the first section 28, in the vicinity of the second section 30. Preferentially, the second 54 and third 56 axes of rotation are disposed close to the upstream edges 38 of the longitudinal walls 14, 114, 214.

Each of the first 50 and second 52 panels is rotatable between an open position, depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, and a closed position, depicted in FIG. 3.

In the closed position of each of said first 50 and second 52 panels, at least one of the parallel channels 40, 42, 44 of the second section 30 is at least partially blocked by said first or second panel. More precisely, in the closed position of each of said first 50 and second 52 panels, the upstream edge 38 of at least one of the longitudinal walls 14, 114, 214 is close to, or in contact with, said first 50 or second 52 panel.

In the closed position, each of the first 50 and second 52 panels is substantially perpendicular to the first axis 32. In the open position of FIGS. 1 and 2, each of said first 50 and second 52 panels is substantially parallel to the first axis 32.

In the embodiment depicted, the first 50 and the second 52 panels comprise respectively a first 60 and a second 62 substantially straight inner edge. When the first 50 and second 52 panels are in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 3, the first 60 and second 62 inner edges face each other.

More specifically, in the embodiment depicted, the first 60 and second 62 inner edges extend respectively along the second axis 54 and along the third axis 56.

Furthermore, in the embodiment depicted, the first 50 and the second 52 panels respectively comprise a first 64 and a second 66 outer edge, substantially in an arc of a circle; and in the closed position of each of said first and second panels, the outer edge 64, 66 of said panel substantially molds to the first inner wall 34 of the duct 12.

In the embodiment depicted, the first panel 50 comprises an opening 68. More specifically, the first outer edge 64 comprises a notch 68.

Preferably, an angular portion α₂ formed by the notch 68 is equal to the angle α₁, or a multiple of said angle α₁, from which two adjacent longitudinal walls 14, 114 are separated. In the embodiment depicted, the angular portion α₂ is equal to 2α₁.

In the embodiment depicted, the notch 68 is delimited by two radial edges 69, arranged in the first panel 50. Preferably, each of the radial edges 69 extends substantially along a radius of the circle forming the first outer edge 64.

In the embodiment depicted, the second panel 52 substantially forms a solid half-disc and the second outer edge 66 substantially forms a continuous half-circle.

Preferably, each of the first 50 and second 52 panels is further rotatable with respect to the duct 12 around the first axis 32.

For example, as in the embodiment depicted, the flap 16 further comprises a support 70. Each of the first 50 and second 52 panels is articulated to the support 70 respectively along the second 54 and along the third 56 axes. For example, the inner edge 60, 62 of each of said first 50 and second 52 panels is connected to the support 70 by means of a hinge 72. Alternatively, the first 50 and second 52 panels are assembled on a rotating ring.

Additionally, in the embodiment depicted, the support 70 is rotatable with respect to the duct 12 around the first axis 32, in a manner to be specified hereinafter The inner element 18 is disposed in the second section 30 of the duct 12, along the first axis 32. Preferably, the inner element 18 has an aerodynamic shape, for example an ogive, oriented along the first axis.

Each of the longitudinal walls 14, 114, 214 extends radially from said inner element 18, towards the first 34 and/or the second 36 inner wall of the duct. Preferably, each of the longitudinal walls 14, 114, 214 is fixed to the inner element 18.

In the embodiment depicted, the inner element 18 is hollow and defines a cavity 74.

Furthermore, in the embodiment depicted, the support 70 of the flap 16 is articulated to the inner element 18 along the first axis 32, by means of the actuating device 20.

The actuating device 20 comprises for example: a motor 76, arranged in the cavity 74 of the inner element 18; and a rotating shaft 78, extending along the first axis 32 and connecting said motor 76 to the support 70.

The actuating device 20 is able to move the support 70 between different angular configurations around the first axis 32.

Consideration is given to an orthonormal basis (X, Y, Z) associated with the duct 12, with the X direction parallel to the first axis 32.

In a first angular configuration of the support 70, visible in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second 54 and third 56 axes are parallel to Y. In a second angular configuration of the support 70, visible in FIG. 3, the second 54 and third 56 axes are parallel to Z.

According to one embodiment, the actuating device 20 further comprises means (not shown) for rotating each of the first 50 and second 52 panels respectively around the first 54 and around the second 56 axis. For example, the rotary drive means are selected from a pull tab and bevel gears.

The electronic control module 22 is connected to the actuating device 20 and is able to control the rotation of the support 70 along the first axis 32 and/or the rotation of each of the first 50 and second 52 panels, respectively around the first 54 and around the second 56 axis.

The ventilator 10 is installed in a vehicle passenger compartment (not shown). Said passenger compartment is configured to produce a flow 80 of air (FIG. 3) passing through the duct 12 from the inlet 24 to the outlet 26.

A first method for operating the ventilator 10 will now be disclosed. Such a method is implemented, for example, by means of a program stored in the electronic control module 22.

Each of the first 50 and second 52 panels of the flap 16 is in the closed position; and the actuating device 20 implements continuous rotation of the support 70 of the flap 16 around the first axis 32. The support 70 therefore successively adopts different angular configurations

Thus, the notch 68 in the first panel 50 successively faces the various channels 40, 42, 44 angularly distributed around the first axis 32. The air flow 80 is thus concentrated on a quarter of the cross-section of the duct 12, said quarter moving cyclically around the circumference of the duct 12

Alternatively, the support is held stationary, in order to direct the air flow 80 in a specific direction.

According to a second similar method, the support 70 is rotated while the first 50 and second 52 panels are respectively in the open position and closed position. The air flow 80 is thus concentrated on one half of the cross-section of the duct 12, said half moving cyclically around the circumference of the duct 12.

According to a third method, the first 50 and the second 52 panels are in the open position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The air flow 80 is thus distributed over the entire cross-section of the duct 12

According to a fourth method, the first and/or the second 52 panel is in an intermediate position, between the open position and the closed position. For example, the first or second panel forms an angle β (FIG. 2) with the first axis 32, said angle β preferentially being between 30° and 60° and more preferentially close to 45°.

The intermediate position of the first and/or of the second 52 panel divides the flow 80 into two distinct flows, which intersect at the outlet 26.

The support 70 can be rotated or blocked along the first axis while the first and/or the second 52 panel is in an intermediate position.

Such methods make it possible to manage the distribution of air flow at the outlet of the ventilator.