GB2376067A

GB2376067A - A sliding valve system for controlling the air flow from an air conditioner of a vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2376067A
Application number: GB0208949A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jean-Claude Petesch
Original assignee: Delphi Technologies Inc
Current assignee: Delphi Technologies Inc
Priority date: 2001-05-31
Filing date: 2002-04-19
Publication date: 2002-12-04
Anticipated expiration: 2022-04-19
Also published as: GB0113187D0; GB2376067B; GB0208949D0

Abstract

An air conditioner with a valve system for controlling the air flow into a vehicles passenger compartment. The valve system comprising at least two ducts 18, 20, 22 for directing the air to different regions of the passenger compartment, such as the foot, windscreen or central regions. The ducts are adjacently located with a wall 30 disposed there between. A rigid sliding valve member 32 is disposed across the duct openings and seals with the wall. The valve has a window therein to allow the air to flow there through. A drive means is used to move the valve member to selected positions, this may be achieved manually or electrically. Preferably the valve member is planar or arcuate and the window being identically shaped to that of the duct opening. Baffles could also be positioned downstream of the valve member. Alternatively there could be more than one window in the valve member.

Description

VALVE SYSTEM FOR AIR FLOW TO A PASSENGER COMPARTMENT Technical Field The present invention relates to a valve system for controlling the flow of air into the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.

Background of the Invention A motor vehicle normally includes a system for allowing the flow of fresh, cooled, or heated air into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Such known systems generally include a number of ducts for directing the air to predetermined areas of the passenger compartment, such as the windscreen, the floor, or substantially centrally. Each duct has a separate flap valve at the entrance to the duct for controlling the flow of air through the duct.

This, necessarily, requires separate control devices for each flap valve. In an alternative arrangement, described in DE-A-3820525, a valve system is proposed which uses a single flexible foil with apertures therein for controlling the flow of air into a number of ducts. The foil is driven by an actuator including a rack and pinion system. The flexible foil has disadvantages including high torque actuation, slow travel, and durability.

Summary of the Invention The object of the present invention is to provide a valve system which overcomes the above mentioned disadvantages.

A valve system in accordance with the present invention for controlling the flow of air into a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle comprises at least two ducts for directing air to different regions of the passenger compartment, each duct having an entrance portion for flow of air into the duct, the entrance portions being adjacent one another and separated by a wall; a substantially rigid valve member making a sliding fit across the entrance portions and sealing with the wall to normally close at least one

entrance portion, the valve member having a window therein; and drive means for moving the valve member to selected positions relative to the entrance portions to open at least a portion of one of the entrance portions.

Provides improved sealing and less complexity.

Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :- Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an air

conditioning system for the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle including Z-1 a valve system in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the valve system of Figure 1 in'defrost'mode; Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the valve system of Figure 1 in'defog'mode; Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the valve system of Figure 1 in'heater'mode; Figure 5 is a schematic representation of the valve system of Figure 1 in'bi-level'mode ; Figure 6 is a schematic representation of the valve system of Figure 1 in'vent'mode; and Figure 7 is a schematic representation of the valve system of Figure 1 in which all the ducts are partially open.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to Figure 1, the air conditioning system 10 includes a housing 12, a heater core 14, and an evaporator 16. Three ducts 18-22 have entrance portions 24-28, respectively, opening into the housing 12. The'defrost' duct 18 directs air from the air conditioning system 10 to the windscreen (not shown) of the motor vehicle. The'vent'duct 20 directs air from the air conditioning system 10 into the central area of the passenger compartment. The

'floor'duct 22 directs air from the air conditioning system 10 towards the floor area of the passenger compartment. The entrance portions 24-28 to each duct 18-22 are positioned adjacent one another and are separated by suitable walls 30. In a preferred arrangement, the entrance portions 24-28 are substantially identical in shape and size.

In the present embodiment, the flow of air from the housing 12 to the ducts 18-22 is controlled by a substantially rigid planar valve member 32.

The valve member 32 is capable of movement in substantially straight line by any suitable drive means (not shown)-either manually or electrically-and preferably on guide rails 34. The valve member 32 makes a sealing engagement with the walls 30 separating the ducts 18-22. The valve member 32 includes a window 36 therein which is preferably substantially the same shape and size as the entrance portions 24-28 to the ducts 18-22.

The valve member 32 is slidable between a number of predetermined positions (as shown in Figures 2 to 7) dependent on the required air flow into the ducts 18-22 and into the passenger compartment. In Figure 2, the valve member 32 is positioned to close the entrance portions 26,28 to the vent and floor ducts 20,22, but leave fully open the entrance portion 24 to the defrost duct 18. In this position, full air flow is directed from the air conditioning system 10 to the vehicle windscreen, which has particular application for defrosting the windscreen.

In Figure 3, the valve member 32 is positioned to close the entrance portion 26 to the vent duct 20, but leave partially open the entrance portion 24 to the defrost duct 18, and partially align the window 36 with the entrance portion 28 to the floor duct 22. In this position, partial air flow is directed from the air conditioning system 10 to the vehicle windscreen, which has particular application for defogging or demisting the windscreen.

In Figure 4, the valve member 32 is positioned to close the entrance portions 24,26 to the defrost and vent ducts 18,20, but align the window 36 with the entrance portion 28 to the floor duct 22 to fully open the entrance portion 28. In this position, full air flow is directed from the air

conditioning system 10 to the floor region of the passenger compartment, which has particular application for heating the passenger compartment.

In Figure 5, the valve member 32 is positioned to close the entrance portion 24 to the defrost duct 18, but to partially align the window 36 with the entrance portions 26,28 to the vent and floor ducts 20,22. In this position, partial air flow is directed from the air conditioning system 10 to the central and floor regions of the passenger compartment, which has particular application for heating, cooling, or venting of the passenger compartment.

In Figure 6, the valve member 32 is positioned to close the entrance portions 24,28 to the defrost and floor ducts 18,22, but align the window 36 with the entrance portion 26 to the vent duct 20 to fully open the entrance portion 26. In this position, full air flow is directed from the air conditioning system 10 to the central region of the passenger compartment, which has particular application for cooling or venting the passenger compartment.

In Figure 7, the valve member 32 is positioned to partially align the window 36 with the entrance portions 24,26 to the defrost and vent ducts 18,20, and to partially open the entrance portion 28 to the floor duct 22. In this position, partial air flow is directed from the air conditioning system 10 to all regions of the passenger compartment, which has particular application for heating, cooling, or venting of the passenger compartment.

Alternatives to the above described embodiment include placing baffles on the side of the valve member directed away from the ducts. The baffles may be attached to, or integrally moulded with, the valve member. The baffles direct airflow to reduce pressure drops, improve air distribution between different ducts, or improve temperature distribution between ducts. Further, the entrance portions may be formed to lie on the outer circumference of the arc of a circle. In this case, the valve member is substantially arcuate and is driven by drive means to move through the arc of a circle. Further alternatives include the option of additional windows in the valve member.

Relative to the known prior art, a single rigid valve member is used for controlling air flow to a number of ducts. Compared to separate valve flaps for each duct, this significantly reduces the number of parts required and the complexity of the drive means, and provides improved sealing between the housing and the ducts. Compared to a flexible foil, reduced torque is required for driving the valve member, the speed of travel of the valve member can be increased, and the system has increased durability.

Claims

1. A valve system for controlling the flow of air into a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, the valve system comprising at least two ducts for directing air to different regions of the passenger compartment, each duct having an entrance portion for flow of air into the duct, the entrance portions being adjacent one another and separated by a wall; a substantially rigid valve member making a sliding fit across the entrance portions and sealing with the wall to normally close at least one entrance portion, the valve member having a window therein; and drive means for moving the valve member to selected positions relative to the entrance portions to open at least a portion of one of the entrance portions.

2. A valve system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve member is substantially planar.

3. A valve system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the valve member is substantially arcuate.

4. A valve system as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein one of the selected positions includes positioning the window to open at least a portion of one of the entrance portions.

5. A valve system as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein baffles are located on the side of the valve member directed away from the ducts.

6. A valve system as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the entrance portions are substantially identical in shape and size.

7. A valve system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.