阅读说明：本技术 控制装置和相关的供暖和/或通风和/或空调设备、机动车辆和温度管理方法 (Control device and associated heating and/or ventilation and/or air-conditioning installation, motor vehicle and temperature management method ) 是由 T.巴比尔 于 2020-06-10 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于机动车辆的供暖和/或通风和/或空调设备的控制装置(1),该设备包括空气处理单元(9),空气处理单元(9)包括意图敞开到车辆乘客车厢的分区(ZG,ZD)中的空气出口,空气出口包括至少第一和第二空气出口；以及用于混合气流的至少第一(21)和第二(23,25)构件。根据本发明,所述装置(1)包括用户界面(5),该用户界面包括至少第一(51)和第二(53)控制构件,以及控制电路(7),用于从每个控制构件(51,53)接收具有其自身温度设定点的输入信号,并且用于传输分立的控制信号以控制第一和第二混合构件(21,23,25)。(The invention relates to a control device (1) for a heating and/or ventilation and/or air-conditioning apparatus of a motor vehicle, the apparatus comprising an air-handling unit (9), the air-handling unit (9) comprising air outlets intended to open into a zone (ZG, ZD) of a passenger compartment of the vehicle, the air outlets comprising at least a first and a second air outlet; and at least a first (21) and a second (23, 25) member for mixing the gas flows. According to the invention, the device (1) comprises a user interface (5) comprising at least a first (51) and a second (53) control member, and a control circuit (7) for receiving an input signal with its own temperature set point from each control member (51, 53) and for transmitting separate control signals to control the first and second mixing members (21, 23, 25).)

1. A control device (1) for a heating and/or ventilation and/or air-conditioning apparatus of a motor vehicle comprising an interior (H), said apparatus comprising an air-handling casing (9) having:

-at least two air outlets (17a, 17b, 19), a section (ZG, ZD) intended to be open to the vehicle interior (H), comprising at least a first defrost and/or ventilation air outlet (17a, 17b) and at least one second air outlet (19) at the foot level, and

-at least one first member (21) and at least one second member (23, 25) for mixing the air flows to produce an air flow at a conditioned temperature towards the first and/or second air outlet (17a, 17b, 19),

characterized in that the device (1) has:

-a user interface (5) configured to be arranged in the vehicle interior (H), the user interface comprising at least one first control member (51) and at least one second control member (53), the first control member (51) being for setting a temperature of a first air flow (F1) to the first air outlet (17a, 17b), the second control member (53) being for setting a temperature of a second air flow (F2) to the second air outlet (19), and

-a control circuit (7) configured to:

receives an input signal from each control member (51, 53) having a discrete temperature set point, and

outputting separate control signals for controlling the first and second mixing means (21, 23, 25) to independently regulate the temperature of the first and second air flows (F1, F2) flowing to the first and second air outlets (17a, 17b, 19), respectively.

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the user interface (5) is configured to be arranged in a vehicle interior (H) having at least two zones (ZG, ZD) and comprises:

-at least two first control members (51) for setting the temperature of a first air flow (F1), said first air flow (F1) flowing towards at least one first air outlet (17a, 17b) for each sector (ZG, ZD) of the vehicle interior (H), and

-at least two second control members (53) for setting the temperature of a second air flow (F2), said second air flow (F2) flowing towards at least one second air outlet (19) for each sector (ZG, ZD) of the vehicle interior (H).

3. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control circuit (7) is configured to output separate control signals for independently controlling:

-at least one first actuator (41) for the at least one first mixing member (21) in the first mixing chamber (27) of the housing (9), and

-at least one second actuator (43) for said at least one second mixing member (23, 25) in a second mixing chamber (29) of said housing (9).

4. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said control means (51, 53) are selected from at least one setting knob, touch screen, touch pad.

5. Heating and/or ventilation and/or air-conditioning device of a motor vehicle, having:

-an air treatment casing (9) having at least two air outlets (17a, 17b, 19) intended to open into a zone (ZG, ZD) of the vehicle interior (H), comprising at least a first defrost and/or ventilation air outlet (17a, 17b) and at least one second air outlet (19) at foot level, and

-at least one first member (21) and at least one second member (23, 25) for mixing the air flows arranged in the housing (9) to generate an air flow (F1, F2) at a regulated temperature towards the first air outlet (17a, 17b) and/or second air outlet (19),

characterized in that it has a control device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims for controlling the first and second mixing members (21, 23, 25) independently of each other according to separate temperature set points, to deliver a first air flow (F1) at a first conditioned temperature towards the first air outlet (17a, 17b) and/or a second air flow (F2) at a second conditioned temperature towards the second air outlet (19).

6. The device according to claim 5, having at least one partition wall (31) arranged in an air duct of the housing (9) to divide the air duct into a first portion having the at least one first air outlet (17a, 17b) and a second portion having the at least one second air outlet (19), and wherein the at least one first mixing member (21) is arranged in the first portion of the air duct and the at least one second mixing member (23, 25) is arranged in the second portion of the air duct.

7. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, having:

-at least one first mixing chamber (27) and at least one second mixing chamber (29), each comprising at least one member (21, 23, 25) for mixing the gas flows to produce a gas flow at a regulated temperature, and

-at least one first actuator (41) for the at least one first mixing member (21) in the first mixing chamber (27) of the housing (9), and at least one second actuator (43) for the at least one second mixing member (23, 25) in the second mixing chamber (29), which are configured to be controlled independently of each other by a control circuit (7).

8. The apparatus of claim 7, having:

-for each air outlet (17a, 17b, 19) there is at least one member (33, 35, 37) for arranging it in communication with the mixing chamber (27, 29), and

-at least one actuator (41, 43) configured to be controlled by the control circuit (7) to control the position of the at least one member (33, 35, 37) for placing communication.

9. A motor vehicle comprising an apparatus according to any one of claims 5-8.

10. Method for managing the temperature of a motor vehicle interior (H) by means of a control device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 of a heating and/or ventilation and/or air-conditioning apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 8,

characterized in that the method comprises the following steps:

-selecting, by at least one control member (51, 53), a temperature of an air flow (F1, F2) to be delivered via at least one air outlet (17a, 17b, 19) associated with the control member (51, 53),

-receive at least one input signal from the control member (51, 53), an

-outputting a control signal for controlling at least one mixing member (21, 23, 25) to regulate the temperature of the airflow (F1, F2) flowing to the at least one associated air outlet (17a, 17b, 19).

Technical Field

The invention belongs to the field of motor vehicles, in particular heating and/or ventilation and/or air conditioning equipment for motor vehicles. The invention relates in particular to a control device for such a device. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle having such a device. The invention also relates to a temperature management method implemented by such a control device.

Background

Thermal comfort for the occupants inside a motor vehicle is generally obtained by acting on an air flow intended to be blown into the vehicle interior through various vents, in particular for example towards the windscreen for defrosting or demisting, towards the top of the body of the occupant, or towards the foot region of the occupant.

Motor vehicles are generally equipped with a heating and/or ventilation and/or air-conditioning device for regulating the aerodynamic thermal parameters of the air flow intended to be distributed to the interior of the vehicle. Such equipment is commonly referred to as HVAC (for heating, ventilation and air conditioning).

The device generally comprises an air-handling casing delimited by a partition, in which openings are provided, comprising at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet, for access to a given sector of the vehicle interior, in particular through various vents.

The air handling enclosure typically houses a heat treatment device, such as a heat exchanger, for heating and/or cooling the airflow before it is distributed to the vehicle interior. For example, the heat treatment device may comprise an evaporator for cooling and dehumidifying the air flow passing through it, and also a heating device, in particular a heat sink, optionally associated with an electrical heating device, also referred to as additional heat sink, for heating the air flow passing through it.

A mixing member is disposed in the air treatment housing to regulate the temperature of the airflow to be dispensed. To this end, these mixing members are controlled to define the ratio of the cold and hot air flows distributed to the vehicle interior. For example, the mixing members are mixing baffles movable between at least two extreme positions.

It is known practice to provide at least one mixing chamber in the air treatment housing, which mixing chamber is provided with such mixing means for defining the proportion of one or more cold and/or hot air flows entering the mixing chamber. The mixing chamber is used to mix the air flow such that the air flow produced by the mixing, having a desired set point temperature, is distributed towards the interior of the motor vehicle.

According to known solutions, the management of the thermal comfort inside the vehicle is based on a centralized control of the supply of heat towards the top of the body of the vehicle occupant. Thus, when the device is operating in a mode in which it delivers an airflow to the vents at the top and feet of the occupant's body, the temperature is controlled in the usual manner so that the same or similar airflow as the temperature set point is delivered to the top of the occupant's body, while the temperature of the airflow delivered to the feet may be higher. Thus, in order to control the temperature of the vehicle interior to be, for example, around 20 ℃ or 25 ℃, the air flow delivered at the vent towards the top of the body is at a regulated temperature of about 20-25 ℃, whereas the air flow for delivery to the feet may, for example, be delivered at a temperature of 5 ℃ to 15 ℃ higher than the temperature of the air flow delivered towards the top of the body of the vehicle occupant, depending on the mode of operation of the device.

Occupants of the vehicle may be plagued by such temperature differences and find themselves in a location of thermal discomfort, e.g., their feet are too hot compared to other parts of the body.

However, because the mixing member is controlled as a whole, any change in temperature control results in a change in both the temperature of the airflow delivered to the feet and the temperature of the airflow delivered to the vents on top of the body of the vehicle occupant. Therefore, the occupant cannot find thermal comfort.

Accordingly, there is a need for improved thermal management of vehicle interiors.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to remedy at least partially these drawbacks of the prior art by providing a simple solution for regulating the temperature, to better adapt to the needs of the occupants of a motor vehicle.

To this end, the object of the invention is a control device for a heating and/or ventilation and/or air-conditioning apparatus of a motor vehicle comprising an interior, said apparatus comprising an air-handling casing having at least two zoned air outlets intended to open into the vehicle interior, comprising at least a first defrosting and/or ventilating air outlet and at least one second air outlet located at the level of the feet; and at least one first member and at least one second member for mixing the air flows to generate an air flow at a regulated temperature to the first and/or second air outlets. According to the invention, the device has a user interface configured to be arranged inside a vehicle, comprising at least one first control member for setting the temperature of a first air flow to the first air outlet and at least one second control member for setting the temperature of a second air flow to the second air outlet. Further, the apparatus has a control circuit configured to receive an input signal from each control member having an individual temperature set point and output separate control signals for controlling the first and second mixing members to independently regulate the temperature of the first and second air streams flowing to the first and second air outlets, respectively.

Such an arrangement allows independent temperature control of a first air flow at a first defrost and/or ventilation air outlet in a top area of the vehicle interior and a second air flow at a second air outlet at foot level in a bottom area of the vehicle interior. These are the top and bottom regions of the same zone of the vehicle interior. Thus, the user can set and select their desired temperatures at the top and bottom by himself. The terms top and bottom are defined relative to a vertical axis of the motor vehicle.

The device may also have one or more of the following features considered alone or in combination.

According to one embodiment, the user interface is configured to be disposed in a vehicle interior having at least two zones. The user interface comprises at least two first control members for setting the temperature of a first air flow to the at least one first air outlet for each zone of the vehicle interior and at least two second control members for setting the temperature of a second air flow to the at least one second air outlet for each zone of the vehicle interior. This is particularly true for devices that allow for side-to-side and/or front-to-back separation, which allows for independent temperature control of each zone and the top and bottom regions of each zone within the vehicle interior.

According to an aspect of the invention, the control circuit is configured to output separate control signals for independently controlling the at least one first actuator of the at least one first mixing member in the first mixing chamber of the housing and the at least one second actuator of the at least one second mixing member in the second mixing chamber of the housing.

According to another aspect, the control circuit is configured to receive at least one input signal for activating an operational mode of the apparatus for separately managing the air flow to the at least one first air outlet and the at least one second air outlet, and to output at least one control signal for controlling the movement of at least one partition member arranged in the housing to a position separating the first and second mixing chambers.

According to yet another aspect, the control circuit is configured to output at least one control signal for controlling the position of at least one member for each air outlet arrangement communication (place in communication) such that the first mixing chamber is in communication with said at least one first air outlet and such that the second mixing chamber is in communication with said at least one second air outlet.

The control member may be selected from at least one control knob or setting knob (e.g. a rotary knob) or a touch surface (e.g. a touch screen or a touch pad).

Another subject of the invention is a heating and/or ventilation and/or air-conditioning installation having:

-an air treatment housing having at least two air outlets intended to open into a vehicle interior compartment, comprising at least a first defrost and/or ventilation air outlet and at least one second air outlet located at the foot level, and

-at least one first member and at least one second member for mixing the air flows arranged in the housing to produce an air flow at a regulated temperature towards the first air outlet and/or the second air outlet.

According to the invention, the device has means as described above for controlling the first and second mixing members independently of each other according to separate temperature set points for delivering a first air flow at a first conditioned temperature to the first air outlet and/or a second air flow at a second conditioned temperature to the second air outlet.

The first temperature of the first gas stream may be the same as or different from the second temperature of the second gas stream.

The apparatus may also have one or more of the following features considered alone or in combination.

According to one aspect of the invention, the device is intended to be installed in a motor vehicle having an interior with at least two sectors (e.g. a left and a right sector, a front sector and a rear sector). For each zone, the apparatus comprises at least one first defrost and/or ventilation air outlet, and at least one second air outlet at the foot level. The control circuit is configured to output a separate control signal for controlling each mixing member to independently regulate the temperature of the airflow to each air outlet in the top and bottom regions of each zone of the vehicle interior.

According to another aspect of the invention, the apparatus has at least one heat exchanger (e.g. an evaporator), heating means (e.g. a radiator) and, according to an option, additional electric heating means.

The device may have at least one partition wall arranged in the air duct of the housing so as to divide the air duct into a first portion having the at least one first air outlet and a second portion having the at least one second air outlet. The at least one first mixing member is arranged in a first portion of the air duct and the at least one second mixing member is arranged in a second portion of the air duct.

According to one embodiment, the device has at least one first mixing chamber and at least one second mixing chamber, each mixing chamber comprising at least one member for mixing the gas flows in order to generate a gas flow at a regulated temperature, and at least one first actuator for the at least one first mixing member in the first mixing chamber of the housing and at least one second actuator for the at least one second mixing member in the second mixing chamber, which are configured to be controlled independently of each other by the control circuit.

The independently controllable actuators make it possible to adjust the temperature of the top and bottom regions of the vehicle interior, respectively, selected by the user, in the associated mixing chamber.

According to one embodiment, for each air outlet, the device has at least one member for being arranged in communication with the mixing chamber, and at least one actuator configured to be controlled by the control circuit so as to control the position of the at least one member for being arranged in communication.

The mixing member may be implemented in the form of a baffle.

The means for arranging the communication may be realized in the form of a baffle and/or in the form of a fixed or movable wall.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle having a heating and/or ventilation and/or air conditioning apparatus as described above.

The invention also relates to a method for managing the temperature inside a motor vehicle by means of a control device of a heating and/or ventilation and/or air-conditioning installation of the type described above, comprising the following steps:

-selecting, by at least one control member, a temperature of an air flow to be delivered via at least one air outlet associated with the control member,

-receiving at least one input signal from the control member, an

-outputting a control signal for controlling at least one mixing member in order to adjust the temperature of the airflow to the at least one associated air outlet.

In particular, the method may involve the steps of:

-selecting, by means of the first control member, a first temperature of a first air flow to be delivered via the at least one first air outlet,

-selecting, by the second control means, a second temperature of a second air flow to be delivered via the at least one second air outlet,

-receiving at least one input signal from a first control member,

-receiving at least one input signal from a second control member,

outputting a first control signal for controlling at least one first mixing member in order to adjust the temperature of the first gas flow,

-outputting a second control signal, different from the first control signal, for controlling the at least one second mixing member in order to adjust the temperature of the second air flow.

This approach enables the desired or customized temperatures to be independently selected for the top and bottom regions of the vehicle interior, and enables the mixing members to be independently controlled to deliver an optimal temperature at the air outlet for each of the top and bottom regions of the same zone of the vehicle interior.

Drawings

Further advantages and characteristics of the present invention will become more apparent from reading the following description and the attached drawings, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, wherein:

fig. 1 schematically shows the inside of the interior of a motor vehicle provided with a device for controlling a heating and/or ventilation and/or air conditioning apparatus according to the invention.

Fig. 2 schematically shows a user interface of the control device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the interaction between the control device and the elements of the air handling housing of the apparatus for discrete management of temperature flow to the top and bottom zones of the vehicle interior.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an air treatment housing of an apparatus provided with a heat exchanger and defining a mixing chamber.

FIG. 5 is a first perspective view of the air treatment housing.

FIG. 6 is a second perspective view of the air treatment housing.

Fig. 7 is a schematic view showing the operation of the apparatus for distributing air to the vehicle interior in the first mode.

Fig. 8 is a schematic view showing the operation of the apparatus for distributing air to the vehicle interior in the second mode.

In these figures, like elements have like reference numerals.

Detailed Description

The following embodiments are examples. While the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference number refers to the same embodiment, or that the features only apply to a single embodiment. Individual features of different embodiments may also be combined or interchanged to create other embodiments.

In the description, certain elements may be indexed, such as a first element or a second element. In this case, indices are used only to distinguish and indicate similar but not identical elements. Such indexing does not imply that one element takes precedence over another, and such designations may be readily interchanged without departing from the scope of the present specification. Such indexing also does not imply a chronological order.

The invention relates to the management of thermal comfort in the interior H of a motor vehicle schematically depicted in fig. 1 by means of a control device 1 of a vehicle-mounted heating and/or ventilation and/or air conditioning installation. The vehicle interior H may form a single partition, or as a variant, have a plurality of air outlets, for example a left-hand partition ZG and a right-hand partition ZD, and/or a front partition and a rear partition.

A predetermined number of ventilation openings 3 are provided in the vehicle interior H, for example in the top and bottom regions of the interior H, or in the top and bottom regions of each section ZG, ZD of the interior H. Other positions (not shown) of the vent 3 are envisaged, for example at the side.

When the device is in operation, a first air flow, indicated by arrow F1, may be delivered through vent 3 in the roof area, for example towards the windshield and towards the top of the body of the vehicle occupant. Alternatively or additionally, depending on the intended mode of operation of the apparatus, the second airflow, indicated by arrow F2, may be delivered towards the feet of the vehicle occupant through vent 3 in the bottom region.

The control device 1 has a user interface 5, which user interface 5 is configured to be arranged in an interior H of the vehicle. The user interface 5 allows the vehicle occupant to discretely select a desired temperature in the top or bottom region of the vehicle interior H. The terms top and bottom are defined relative to a vertical axis (not shown) of the motor vehicle.

The user interface 5, which is more clearly visible in fig. 2, has at least one first control member 51 for setting the temperature of the first air flow and at least one second control member 53 for setting the temperature of the second air flow.

Each pair of first and second control members 51, 53 may be dedicated to temperature management of a given zone of the vehicle interior. According to the particular example shown, the user interface 5 has two first control members 51 and two second control members 53. In the illustrated example, with reference to the arrangement of elements in fig. 2, the first and second control members 51, 53 on the left are dedicated to managing the temperature of the left zone of the vehicle interior, while the control members on the right are dedicated to managing the temperature of the right zone of the vehicle interior.

The first control member(s) 51 may be associated with temperature management of the first airflow toward a top region of the vehicle interior (e.g., toward the top of the body of a vehicle occupant). The second control member(s) 53 may be associated with temperature management of the second airflow towards a bottom region of the vehicle interior, more specifically towards the feet of the vehicle occupant. For example, the driver may select a first temperature T1G for a top region of a left zone of the vehicle interior using the first left control member 51 and a second temperature T2G for a bottom region of the interior left zone using the second left control member 53. The occupant may select a first temperature T1D for the top region of the right hand section of the vehicle interior using the right first control member 51 and a second temperature T2D for the bottom region of the right hand section of the interior using the right second control member 53. The selected first and second temperatures T1G, T2G and T1D, T2D may be the same or different.

Each control member 51, 53 may be realized, for example, in the form of a knob. As a variant, it may be in the form of a touch surface, such as a touch screen or a touchpad.

The user interface 5 may also have at least one control means for activating different operating modes of the device, in particular for interdependent or discrete management of the air flow to different zones or to the top and bottom regions of a given zone inside the vehicle.

As schematically shown in fig. 3, the control device 1 also has a control circuit 7 connected on the input side to the user interface 5. It may thus receive input signals from the user interface 5. In particular, it may receive an input signal from each control member 51, 53, with a separate temperature set point. The control circuit 7 is connected on the output side to the elements to be controlled which are described in more detail below.

In particular, these are elements housed in the air-handling casing 9 of the device. Fig. 4 shows such an air treatment housing 9 configured to thermally treat an air flow from, for example, an air inlet housing of an appliance.

To this end, the air treatment housing 9 delimits at least one air duct in which one or more heat treatment means, for example a heat exchanger, are arranged for heating and/or cooling the air flow before it is distributed to the vehicle interior. By way of example, the heat exchanger may comprise an evaporator 11 for cooling and dehumidifying the air flow passing through it, and a heating device, in particular a radiator 13, optionally associated with an electric heating device for heating the air flow, also referred to as additional radiator 15. The heating devices 13, 15 are arranged downstream of the evaporator 11 in the flow direction of the air flow.

The air treatment housing 9 has at least one first air outlet 17a, 17b and at least one second air outlet 19. The air outlets 17a, 17b, 19 may comprise air outlet ducts leading to different openings or nozzles or vents provided at selected locations in the vehicle interior.

According to the described embodiment, the first air outlet(s) 17a, 17b are intended to open into the top area of the vehicle interior when the air handling housing 9 is installed in the vehicle. This is, for example, a defrost or defogging outlet 17a leading to a vent or nozzle for windshield defrost/defogging and one or more vent outlets 17b defining a vent or vent nozzle oriented toward the top of a vehicle occupant (e.g., the top of the face or body). The second air outlet(s) 19 are intended to open into the bottom region of the vehicle interior. These are in particular air outlets 19 intended to be open to the feet of a vehicle occupant.

Mixing members 21, 23, 25 are arranged in the air treatment housing 9 to regulate the temperature of the air flow to be distributed. To this end, these mixing members 21, 23, 25 are controlled to define the ratio of the cold and hot air flows distributed to the interior of the vehicle. These are, for example, mixing baffles which are mounted so as to be movable between at least two extreme positions.

The device has in particular at least one first member 21 for mixing the air flows, which is arranged in the air-handling housing 9 to generate a first temperature-regulated air flow to at least one of the first air outlets 17a, 17 b. The apparatus also has at least one second member 23, 25 for mixing the air flows arranged in the air-handling housing 9 to produce a second temperature-conditioned air flow to the at least one second air outlet 19.

Advantageously, the device has at least one first mixing chamber 27 and at least one second mixing chamber 29. Each mixing chamber 27, 29 is provided with at least one mixing member 21, 23, 25 for defining the proportion of one or more cold and/or hot air flows entering the respective mixing chamber 27, 29. Each mixing chamber 27, 29 serves to mix the air flow such that the air flow produced by mixing, having the desired set point temperature, is distributed towards the interior of the motor vehicle.

The first mixing chamber 27 is arranged at the top of the air treatment housing 9, while the second mixing chamber 29 is arranged at the bottom. The terms "top" and "bottom" are defined with reference to the Z-axis shown in fig. 4, forming a vertical axis.

In particular, the first mixing chamber 27 is arranged downstream of the evaporator 11 in the flow direction of the air flow. Thus, during operation, the air flow admitted into the air treatment housing 9 passes through the evaporator 11 and may then be admitted into the first mixing chamber 27 and/or oriented towards the heat sink 13 and the optional additional heat sink 15 to obtain a hot air flow.

The first mixing chamber 27 is provided with first mixing means 21, such as baffles, to define the ratio of cold and hot air flows entering the first mixing chamber 27. This mixing member 21 thus makes it possible to regulate the temperature of the mixed air flow intended to be dispensed.

The second mixing chamber 29 is arranged in gaseous communication with the heating device(s) 13, 15. The second mixing chamber 29 is equipped with second mixing means(s) 23, 25, for example baffles, to define the ratio of cold and hot air flows entering the second mixing chamber 29 to adjust the temperature of the air flow intended to be distributed.

In the example shown, the first mixing member 21 and one of the second mixing members (in this case mixing member 23) are located upstream of the heat sink 13. Alternatively, they may be located downstream of the radiator 13.

In at least one mode of operation of the apparatus, the first mixing chamber 27 may supply one or more first air outlets 17a, 17b with a temperature-conditioned air flow to a top region or a given sector of the interior of the vehicle, while the second mixing chamber 29 may supply a second air outlet 19, called foot outlet, with a temperature-conditioned air flow to a bottom region or a given sector of the interior of the vehicle.

As mentioned above, the ventilation of the top and bottom areas of the vehicle interior or of each sector of the interior can be carried out on an individual command. In other words, the user may command a first set point temperature for a first airflow from the first mixing chamber 27 and a different second set point temperature for a second airflow from the second mixing chamber 29.

A dividing element 31 may be arranged in the air-handling housing 9 to divide the air flow from the evaporator 11 into two separate air flows, each intended to be oriented towards a specific mixing chamber 27, 29. Each air stream may pass through a portion of the heat sink 13 in a suitable proportion or bypass the heat sink 13 before reaching the respective mixing chamber 27, 29 to ensure the respective set point temperature. The partition member 31 is arranged downstream of the evaporator 11 and upstream of the radiator 13 in the flow direction of the air flow. The separation element 31 may, for example, be located substantially midway along the Z-axis in the evaporator 11. The separation element 31 may for example be formed by a set of walls connected together. Alternatively, a single wall may be provided.

In order to be able to put the two mixing chambers 27, 29 into communication or to make them independent of each other, a further separating member, for example a separating baffle 33, can be arranged between the two mixing chambers 27, 29. For this purpose, the separating baffle 33 is arranged, for example, to be movable between a first extreme position, in which the two mixing chambers 27, 29 are put into communication, and a second extreme position, in which the two mixing chambers 27, 29 are separated. The dividing baffle 33, when provided, is disposed downstream of the radiator 13 or the additional radiator 15.

When the flap 33 is in the second position, the flap 33 and the dividing element 31 are able to divide the air duct into a top first portion with the first air outlets 17a, 17b and a bottom second portion with the second air outlets 19. The first mixing chamber 27 and the first mixing member 21 are located in the first part of the air duct. The second mixing chamber 29 and the second mixing members 23, 25 are arranged in the second part of the air duct.

Furthermore, one or more members for arranging the communication, such as baffles and/or fixed or movable walls, may be provided to place the air outlets 17a, 17b, 19 in communication with the mixing chambers 27, 29. The baffles 33, 35, 37 are arranged to control or prevent airflow into the different air outlets 17a, 17b, 19. The dividing baffle 33 may, for example, be configured to prevent access to the second air outlet 19 when it is in a first extreme position in which the two mixing chambers 27, 29 are in communication. In this embodiment, the baffle 33 has the dual function of separating the mixing chamber and opening/closing the outlet. Of course, these functions may be separated, i.e. performed by different elements.

In a particular exemplary embodiment, deflectors 39, such as ribs, may be provided in the air handling housing 9. The deflector 39 can be used, for example, to cooperate with the separation baffle 33 in at least one operating mode of the device, for example, a double ventilation/foot mode. When the dividing baffle 33 is in the extreme position, which places the second air outlet 19 in communication with the second mixing chamber 29 and provides a separation between the two mixing chambers 27, 29, the dividing baffle 33 abuts against the deflector 39. In this position, the air flow leaving the heat sink 13 can reach the first mixing chamber 27 without first passing through the additional heat sink 15.

In order to move the mixing baffles 21, 23, 25, the apparatus has corresponding actuators. Referring to fig. 4 to 6, the first actuator 41 is configured to move the first mixing member 21. The at least one second actuator 43 is configured to move the second mixing member(s) 23, 25. The first actuator 41 and the second actuator 43 are configured to be controlled independently of each other via the control circuit 7 (fig. 3). The independently controllable actuators 41 and 43 are each capable of regulating the temperature of the air flow in the associated mixing chamber 27 and 29, respectively.

In a vehicle allowing for separate management of two zones of the vehicle interior, for example with different left and right side zones, at least four actuators 41, 43 may be provided, each zone having at least one first and one second actuator 41, 43.

A predetermined number of actuators may also be provided to control the position of the baffles 33-37.

Referring again to fig. 3 and 4, the control circuit 7 is configured to transmit separate control signals for controlling the first mixing means, independently of the control of the second mixing means(s) 23, 25, according to separate temperature set points, to independently regulate the temperature of the first air stream flowing to the first air outlets 17a, 17b and the temperature of the second air stream flowing to the second air outlet 19. More specifically, the control circuit 7 is configured to output a separate control signal for controlling each actuator 41, 43 to control the position of the mixing members 21, 23, 25.

The control circuit 7 is further configured to receive at least one input signal for activating an operation mode of the device. For example, the user may select a dual, top/bottom mode to separately manage airflow to one or more of the first air outlets 17a, 17b and to the second air outlet 19. In this case, the control circuit 7 may output at least one control signal to control the movement of the shutter 33 to the position separating the first and second mixing chambers 27, 29, thereby making them independent.

The control circuit 7 is further configured to output at least one control signal for controlling the position of the baffles 33 to 37 at each air outlet 17a, 17b, 19 such that the first mixing chamber 27 is in communication with one or more of the first air outlets 17a, 17b and such that the second mixing chamber 29 is in communication with the second air outlet 19. In the depicted example, the dividing baffle 33 may be connected to baffles 35 and 37. Alternatively, the separating baffle 33 may be independent of the baffles 35 and 37 and have only the function of separating the mixing chambers 27, 29. In this case, additional baffles may be provided at the second air outlet 19, forming a "foot" baffle, and may be kinematically connected to the baffles 35 and 37.

Therefore, referring to all the drawings, the temperature of the vehicle interior H can be controlled by the control device 1 using a management method including the following steps.

A preliminary step may be provided in which the user may select a dual mode of operation in which the first air flow at one or more of the first air outlets 17a, 17b and the second air flow F2 at the second air outlet 19 are separately managed. This step may be performed by means of the user interface 5. In this case, the control circuit 7 may output at least one control signal to control the movement of the separation damper 33 to a position separating the first and second mixing chambers 27, 29 so as to make them independent, as shown in fig. 7 or 8.

For example, this may be a first dual, top/bottom (e.g. ventilation/foot) mode of operation, with separate management of airflow to one or more first ventilation outlets 17b intended to be oriented towards the face of the occupant or the top of their body, and airflow to the second air outlets 19 towards the feet for cooling/heating (fig. 7). In this case, the shutter 35 is controlled to be placed at a position preventing access to the defrosting or defogging outlet 17 a. The shutter 37 can be controlled to occupy a position that allows the ventilation outlet 17b to communicate with the first communicating chamber 27. In this first mode of operation, the dividing baffle 33 can be controlled to a position in which it releases the passage to the second air outlet 19 by abutting against the deflector 39.

In a variant, this may be a second defrost/defrost and foot mode of operation, with separate management of the airflow to the first defrost or defrost outlet 17a and the airflow to the second air outlet 19 towards the occupant's foot (fig. 8). In this case, the baffle 35 is controlled to be placed at a position where the defrosting or defogging outlet 17a is communicated with the first communication chamber 27. The shutter 37 can be controlled to take a position for preventing access to the ventilation outlet 17 b. In this second mode of operation, the dividing baffle 33 may be controlled to an intermediate open position in which the dividing baffle 33 releases the passage to the second air outlet 19 without abutting the deflector 39.

A user, such as a driver or a passenger, may select, by means of the at least one control member 51, 53, a temperature of the airflow to be delivered via the at least one air outlet 17a, 17b, 19 associated with the control member 51, 53. For example, a user may select the first temperature T1G, T1D of the first airflow F1 through the first control member 51, which first airflow F1 is delivered via the first air outlet 17a when defogging or defrosting is desired (fig. 8), and/or via the first air outlet 17b for directional ventilation toward the face or top of the body of the user (fig. 7). The user can select the second temperature T2G, T2D of the second air flow F2 by means of the second control member 53, which second air flow F2 is delivered via the second air outlet 19 for directional ventilation towards the user's foot.

The control circuit 7 may receive input signal(s) from the or each control member 51, 53 actuated by the user and transmit at least one control signal for controlling the mixing member to regulate the temperature of the airflow to the associated air outlet.

When the first control member 51 is actuated, the control circuit 7 may transmit a first control signal for controlling the first mixing member 21 to regulate the temperature of the first air flow to the first air outlet 17a (fig. 8) and/or 17b (fig. 7).

When the second control member 53 is actuated, the control circuit 7 may transmit a second control signal, different from the first control signal, for controlling the at least one second mixing member 23, 25 to regulate the temperature of the second air flow F2 flowing to the second air outlet 19.

Thus, in the first mode of operation of fig. 7, the airflow F admitted into the air treatment housing 9 may pass through the evaporator 11. The first mixing baffle 21 may be controlled such that on leaving the evaporator 11, a portion of the air flow F' may be directed towards the heat sink 13 to pass through the heat sink 13 to be heated before reaching the first mixing chamber 27, while another portion of the cold air flow F "leaving the evaporator 11 may be directed directly towards the first mixing chamber 27 without passing through the heat sink 13. The hot and cold air flows are mixed in the first mixing chamber 27. The first airflow F1 generated by the mixing is at a first conditioned temperature and may be distributed via the first ventilation air outlet 17 b.

The second mixing baffle 23, 25 may be controlled such that, upon leaving the evaporator 11, a portion of the airflow F' may be oriented towards the heat sink 13, so as to pass through the heat sink 13 and the additional heat sink 15, to be heated before reaching the second mixing chamber 29. Another portion of the cold airflow F "leaving the evaporator 11 may be directed towards the second mixing chamber 29, bypassing the radiator 13. The hot gas flow F' and the cold gas flow F "are mixed in the second mixing chamber 29. The second airflow F2 generated by the mixing is at a second conditioned temperature and may be distributed via the second air outlet 19.

The temperature of the first gas flow F1 may be the same as or different from the temperature of the second gas flow F2.

In the second mode of operation of fig. 8, the airflow F admitted into the air treatment casing 9 may pass through the evaporator 11, as previously described. The first mixing baffle 21 may be controlled such that the airflow leaving the evaporator 11 is directed towards the heat sink 13 to pass through the heat sink 13 to be heated. The hot first airflow F1 may then reach the first mixing chamber 27 and be distributed via the first defrost or demist air outlet 17 a.

The second mixing baffle 23, 25 may be controlled such that upon leaving the evaporator 11, the airflow F may be oriented towards the heat sink 13 so as to pass through the heat sink 13 to be heated. The hot second airflow F2 may then reach the second mixing chamber 29 and be distributed via the second air outlet 19.

Thus, the air flow F upstream of the radiator 13 is divided by the partition plate 31 upstream of the radiator 13. And downstream of the radiator 13, two air flows F1 and F2 separated by the baffle 33 are obtained.

As in the first embodiment, the temperature of the first airflow F1 may be the same as or different from the temperature of the second airflow F2.

Each of these steps of the method may be carried out for one or more zones ZG, ZD of the vehicle interior H.

It will therefore be appreciated that the control device 1 as described above allows independent temperature control of the first air flow F1 delivered via the first defroster air outlet 17a and/or the vent air outlet 17b and the second air flow F2 delivered via the second air outlet 19, the first defroster air outlet 17a and/or the vent air outlet 17b opening into the top region of the vehicle interior H and the second air outlet 19 opening into the vehicle bottom region at foot level. Thus, the user himself may set and select their desired temperatures at the top and bottom for one zone of the vehicle interior or each zone of the interior.

The described invention is particularly suitable for use in installations for split side-to-side and/or front-to-back, allowing independent temperature control of the top and bottom regions of each zone ZG, ZD of the vehicle interior H.