APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE DISTRIBUTION OF AIR IN AN HVAC SYSTEM

Abstract

An air distribution plenum for controlling air flow in a vehicle HVAC system includes an air inlet and first and second air outlets. A movable member substantially blocks the first and second air outlets when in a first position, blocks only the first air outlet in a second position, blocks only the second air outlet in a third position, and permits air to flow through both the first and second air outlets when in a fourth position.

Claims

1. An air distribution plenum for vehicle ventilation systems comprising: a housing having an interior space, an air inlet opening fluidly connected to the interior space, and first and second air outlet openings fluidly connected to the interior space; a door at least partially disposed in the interior space of the housing, wherein the door is pivotal between first, second, third, and fourth positions; an electric motor operably connected to the door for moving the door to the first, second, third, and fourth positions, and wherein: when the door is in the first position, the door substantially blocks air from flowing out of the air distribution plenum through the first and second air outlet openings; when the door is in the second position, the door substantially blocks air flowing into the air distribution plenum through the air inlet opening from flowing through the first air outlet opening, and fluidly connects the air inlet opening, and the second air outlet opening to permit air flowing through the air inlet opening to flow out of the air distribution plenum through the second air outlet opening; when the door is in the third position, the door substantially blocks air entering the air inlet opening from flowing through the second air outlet opening, and fluidly connects the air inlet opening and the first air outlet opening to permit air flowing through the air inlet to flow out of the air distribution plenum through the first air outlet opening; when the door is in the fourth position, the door fluidly connects the air inlet opening to the first and second air outlet openings to permit air flowing into the air distribution plenum through the air inlet to flow out of the air distribution plenum through the first and second air outlets.

2. The air distribution plenum of claim 1, wherein: the housing includes opposite upstream and downstream sides; the inlet opening of the housing and the first outlet opening of the housing are disposed on the upstream and downstream sides, respectively, of the housing.

3. The air distribution plenum of claim 2, wherein: the second outlet opening is disposed on a side of the housing transverse to the upstream and downstream sides of the housing.

4. The air distribution plenum of claim 3, wherein: the door defines an upstream edge, a downstream edge opposite the upstream edge, and a central portion between the upstream edge and the downstream edge, and wherein the door is pivotal about an axis extending the central portion.

5. The air distribution plenum of claim 4, wherein: the housing includes a concave interior surface disposed between the first and second air outlet openings; the downstream edge of the door is positioned directly adjacent the concave interior surface when the door is in the fourth position.

6. The air distribution plenum of claim 5, wherein: the upstream edge of the door is disposed directly adjacent a central portion of the air inlet opening when the door is in the fourth position whereby air flowing through the air inlet opening is split into first and second streams of air by the door.

7. The air distribution plenum of claim 6, wherein: the door is substantially planar, and includes a substantially rectangular peripheral edge.

8. The air distribution plenum of claim 7, wherein: the housing includes upstream and downstream sidewalls and first and second opposite sidewalls extending between the upstream and downstream sidewalls, wherein the first and second opposite sidewalls include inwardly-extending engagement surfaces that engage the door adjacent the peripheral edge of the door when the door is in the first and fourth positions to form a seal along the peripheral edge of the door.

9. The air distribution plenum of claim 6, wherein: the concave interior surface is substantially cylindrical.

10. The air distribution plenum of claim 1, wherein: the door comprises a first door; the electric motor comprises a first electric motor; the air distribution plenum further including a second door and a second electrical motor operably connected to the second door; wherein the housing includes a divider wall dividing the interior space into first and second interior spaces, wherein the first and second interior spaces are fluidly connected to the air inlet opening, and wherein the first and second air outlets are fluidly connected to the first interior space, the housing further including third and fourth air outlet openings fluidly connected to the second interior space; wherein the first door is disposed in the first interior space; wherein the second door is disposed in the second interior space; and wherein the second electric motor is configured to move the second door to first, second, third, and fourth positions to selectively block both the third and fourth air outlet openings, block only a selected one of the third and fourth air outlet openings, and permit air flow out through both the third and fourth air outlet openings, respectively.

11. The air distribution plenum of claim 10, wherein: the first and second interior spaces have substantially the same sizes and shapes; the first and second doors have substantially the same sizes and shapes.

12. A ventilation system for motor vehicles comprising: a HVAC unit configured to provide conditioned air; an air duct extending from the HVAC unit; an air distribution plenum having an air inlet opening fluidly connected to the air duct and first and second air outlet openings, the air distribution plenum including a movable member that is configured to substantially block both the first and second air outlet openings when the movable member is in a first position, block only the first air outlet opening when the movable member is in a second position, block only the second air outlet opening when the movable member is in a third position, and permit air to flow through both the first and second air outlet openings when the movable member is in a fourth position.

13. The ventilation system of claim 12, wherein: the first air outlet opening is fluidly connected to a floor vent that is positioned at a lower height than a panel vent.

14. The ventilation system of claim 12, including: an electric motor operably connected to the movable member; a controller operably connected to the electric motor, wherein the controller is configured to cause the electric motor to move the movable member to the first, second, third, and fourth positions.

15. The ventilation system of claim 14, including: at least one forward duct fluidly connected to the HVAC unit for supplying air from the HVAC unit to a front row seat of a vehicle; and wherein: the forward duct is configured to supply air from the HVAC unit to second row vents of a motor vehicle.

16. The ventilation system of claim 15, wherein: the air distribution plenum includes a housing having an interior space; the movable member comprises a first door; the electric motor comprises a first electric motor; the air distribution plenum further including a second door and a second electrical motor operably connected to the second door; wherein the housing includes a divider wall dividing the interior space into first and second interior spaces, wherein the first and second interior spaces are fluidly connected to the air inlet opening, and wherein the first and second air outlet openings are fluidly connected to the first interior space, the housing further including third and fourth air outlet openings fluidly connected to the second interior space; wherein the first door is disposed in the first interior space; wherein the second door is disposed in the second interior space; and wherein the second electric motor is configured to move the second door to first, second, third, and fourth positions to selectively block both the third and fourth air outlet openings, block only a selected one of the third and fourth air outlet openings, and permit air flow out through both the third and fourth air outlet openings, respectively.

17. The ventilation system of claim 16, wherein: the first, second, third, and fourth air outlet openings are configured to supply air from the HVAC unit to a second row of seats of a motor vehicle.

18. A motor vehicle having a passenger compartment and first and second row seats disposed in the passenger compartment, and a ventilation system including: a HVAC unit positioned in front of the first row seats; an air duct extending from the HVAC unit; an air distribution plenum having an air inlet fluidly connected to the air duct and first and second air outlet openings, the air distribution plenum including a movable member that is configured to substantially block both the first and second air outlet openings when in a first position, block only the first air outlet opening in a second position, block only the second air outlet opening in a third position, and permit air to flow through both the first and second air outlet openings when in a fourth position.

19. The motor vehicle of claim 18, wherein: the motor vehicle includes a center console structure extending through a central portion of the passenger compartment; the air duct is disposed in the center console structure.

20. The motor vehicle of claim 19, wherein: the air distribution plenum includes four air outlet openings that are fluidly connected to the air inlet, and wherein the air distribution plenum is configured to permit air flow out of only a selected one of the four air outlet openings, any two of the four air outlet openings, any three of the four air outlet openings, and to simultaneously block air flow out of all four air outlet openings.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] In the drawings:

[0048] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a motor vehicle including a HVAC system and air distribution plenum according to one aspect of the present disclosure;

[0049] FIG. 2 is a partially schematic plan view of an air distribution plenum according to one aspect of the present disclosure;

[0050] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the air distribution plenum of FIG. 2 showing the door in a first position;

[0051] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the air distribution plenum of FIG. 2 showing the door in a second position;

[0052] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the air distribution plenum of FIG. 2 showing the door in a third position;

[0053] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the air distribution plenum of FIG. 2 showing the door in a fourth position;

[0054] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VII-VII of FIG. 3;

[0055] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 3; and

[0056] FIG. 9 is a partially schematic top plan view of an air distribution plenum including first and second interior spaces and first and second doors.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0057] For purposes of description herein, the terms upper, lower, right, left, rear, front, vertical, horizontal, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0058] With reference to FIG. 1, a motor vehicle 1 may include a body structure 2 forming an interior passenger space 3. A first row 4 of seating may include a driver's side seat 5 and a passenger seat 6 with driver and corresponding passenger ventilation zones 5A and 6A, respectively. Alternatively, front seats 5, 6 may form a single front zone. A second row 8 of seating may include driver and passenger side seats 9 and 10, respectively, with corresponding ventilation zones 9A and 10A, respectively. A Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) unit 12 may be disposed in front of the first row of seats 4, and may supply heated and cooled air to one or more panel outlets or vents 14 and/or floor outlets or vents 15. HVAC unit 12 may comprise virtually any suitable unit capable of providing conditioned air that has been heated and/or cooled as required for a particular application. In general, conditioned air may comprise air that is a) cooled and dehumidified, b) cooled/dehumidified and reheated, or c) heated to provide either a specific discharge air temperature and/or cabin air temperature. It will be understood that HVAC unit 12 may be configured to simultaneously provide both heated and cooled air to selected ones of ventilation zones 5A, 6A, 9A, 10A, etc. The outlets 14 and/or 15 may be fluidly connected to the HVAC unit 12 by one or more ducts 16 in a known manner. HVAC unit 12 may comprise virtually any suitable type of unit as required for a particular application. It will be understood that vehicle 1 may include a motor, drive train, wheels, suspension, and other components that are not shown in FIG. 1.

[0059] The HVAC system 20 may include a second row air duct 22 extending from the HVAC unit 12 to an air distribution plenum 25 to supply heated and/or cooled air from HVAC unit 12 to air distribution plenum 25. HVAC unit 12 may include a blower (not shown) of a known type that pressurizes the heated or cooled air and causes the air to flow into and through second row air duct 22. The air distribution plenum 25 may be configured to supply air from second row duct 22 to one or more rear panel (upper) outlets or vents 26A, 26B and floor outlets or vents 27A, 27B. The air distribution plenum 25 may be fluidly connected to the outlets 26A, 26B and 27A, 27B by one or more ducts 28. It will be understood that the number and location of ducts 28 and/or outlets or vents 26A, 26B, 27A, 27B, etc. may vary depending on the requirements of a particular application. Vehicle 1 may optionally include a center console structure 30 extending through a central portion 32 of the passenger space 3. The second row duct 22 may be disposed in the center console structure 30. The center console structure 30 may comprise a raised floor tunnel or the like, and second row duct 22 may be covered (hidden) by the console structure 30.

[0060] With further reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, air distribution plenum 25 includes a housing 34 having an interior space 35 that is fluidly connected to an air inlet opening 36, a first air outlet opening 37, and a second air outlet opening 38. A movable member such as a door 40 is movably disposed in the interior space 35 of housing 34 to control flow of air from air inlet opening 36 to first and/or second air outlet openings 37, 38. As discussed in more detail below, when door 40 is in a first position (FIG. 3), door 40 blocks air 42 entering air inlet opening 36 and prevents flow of air 42 out through first and second air outlet openings 37, 38. When the door 40 is in a second position (FIG. 4), air 42 flows into air inlet opening 36, through interior space 35, and out through second air outlet opening 38. When door 40 is in a third position (FIG. 5), air 42 flows into air inlet opening 36, through interior space 35, and out through first air outlet opening 37. When door 40 is in a fourth position (FIG. 6), air 42 is split into first and second streams of air 43 and 44, respectively, and exits through first and second air outlet openings 37 and 38, respectively.

[0061] Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, door 40 is pivotally connected to the housing 34 for rotation about an axis A. Door 40 may include pins 46 that rotatably engage bearings 47 of housing 34. An electrically-powered drive unit 48 may include an electric motor 49 and gears 50. The electric motor 49 and gears 50 may comprise conventional devices, such that a detailed description is not believed to be required. The electrically-powered drive unit 48 may be operably connected to a controller 52 and an electric power source such as a battery 54. Controller 52 may comprise a component of the HVAC unit 12 (FIG. 1) or other suitable control unit.

[0062] Door 40 includes a leading edge 56 and a trailing edge 58. When door 40 is in the first position (FIG. 3), a portion of door 40 directly adjacent the leading edge 56 may abut a resilient pad or strip 59 (see also FIG. 4) disposed on a stop surface 60 of housing 34, and trailing edge 58 may engage a resilient pad or strip 61 disposed on a stop surface 62 of housing 34. The resilient pads 59, 61, and stop surfaces 60 and 62 may be configured to prevent rotation of door 40 in a counterclockwise direction beyond the first position shown in FIG. 3. The resilient pads 59 and 61 may comprise elongated strips extending along the stop surfaces 60 and 62, respectively, to provide an airtight seal between the leading and trailing edges 56 and 58, respectively, and the stop surfaces 60 and 62, respectively. Similarly, housing 34 may include resilient pads or strips 63 and 65 that are disposed on stop surfaces 64 and 66, respectively, to seal the leading edge 56 and trailing edge 58 of door 40 when the door 40 is in the third position (FIG. 5).

[0063] With reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 7, air inlet opening 36 may be formed by a tubular portion 68 of housing 34, and may optionally have a generally quadrilateral cross-sectional shape. The end 69 of tubular portion 68 may be configured to provide a slip joint or butt joint (not shown) in a known manner to connect to the second row duct 22. Similarly, air outlet opening 38 may comprise a tubular portion 70 of housing 34 and may optionally have a generally quadrilateral cross-sectional shape. End 71 of tubular portion 70 may be configured to connect to one or more ducts 28 by a slip fit or other suitable arrangement (FIG. 8). Similarly, with reference to FIG. 2, first air outlet opening 37 may have a rectangular shape and be configured to provide a slip or butt joint connection to ducts 28.

[0064] Referring to FIGS. 3, 7, and 8, housing 34 includes an upstream sidewall 72, a downstream sidewall 73, an upper sidewall 74, and a lower sidewall 75. Housing 34 further includes opposite sidewalls 76 (FIG. 2) that extend between the upstream and downstream sidewalls 72 and 73. The sidewalls 76 include transverse stop surfaces 77 that are configured to engage opposite edge portions 80 of door 40 when the door 40 is in the first position (FIG. 3) and the third position (FIG. 5). Resilient seal strips 78 may be disposed on the transverse surfaces 77 to provide a seal when the door is in the first and third positions.

[0065] Referring again to FIG. 3, upstream sidewall 72 of housing 34 includes a concave inner surface 81 that is generally cylindrical, and downstream sidewall 73 of housing 34 includes a concave inner surface 82 that is also generally cylindrical. When door 40 is in the second position (FIG. 4) and/or in an intermediate position between the first and second positions of FIGS. 3 and 4, the leading edge 56 of door 40 is positioned directly against or immediately adjacent the cylindrical inner surface 81, and trailing edge 58 of door 40 is positioned directly against or immediately adjacent cylindrical inner surface 82 of housing 34. The close fit between leading and trailing edges 56, 58 and inner surfaces 81, 82, respectively, prevents or limits air flow around leading or trailing edges 56, 58 when the leading and trailing edges 56, 58 are positioned adjacent surfaces 81, 82, respectively.

[0066] Referring again to FIG. 1, in use, HVAC unit 12 may be actuated to provide cold air or hot air to air distribution plenum 25 through second row air duct 22. Air distribution plenum 25 can be shifted to a selected one of the first position (FIG. 3), second position (FIG. 4), third position (FIG. 5), or fourth position (FIG. 6) as required to provide air flow to the panel (upper) outlets 26 or floor outlets 27 of second row 8. In particular, one or more user inputs 84 may be provided at one or more locations within the vehicle interior 3 to provide user input to controller 52. Controller 52 is configured to selectively actuate the electrically-powered drive unit 48 to shift the door 40 between the positions of FIGS. 3-6 as required to provide air flow to one or more vent openings 26A, 26B, 27A, 27B, etc.

[0067] The first air outlet opening 37 may be fluidly connected to a pair of ducts 28 to provide air flow to a pair of floor outlets 27 and 27B, and second air outlet opening 38 may be fluidly connected to a pair of air ducts 28 to provide air flow to first and second air outlets 26A and 26B. When configured in this way, both panel outlets 26A and 26B may generally receive equal air flow from second air outlet opening 38, and both floor outlets 27A and 27B may receive substantially equal air flow from first air outlet opening 37. However, it will be understood that one or more of outlets 26A, 26B, 27A, 27B, etc. may include air flow control flaps (not shown) or the like of a known type that can be fully or partially closed to partially or completely block air flow through the outlets 26A, 26B, 27A, 27B.

[0068] With reference to FIG. 9, an air distribution plenum 25A may optionally include a housing 34A having a divider wall 86 forming first and second interior spaces 35A and 35B, respectively, that are connected to a single air inlet 36A. Air distribution plenum 25A may include first and second doors 40A and 40B that are selectively shifted to first, second, third, and fourth positions in substantially the same manner as door 40 as discussed in more detail above in connection with FIGS. 3-6. Air distribution plenum 25A includes electric motors 48A and 48B that are operably connected to doors 40A, 40B, respectively, to provide for independent control of doors 40A and 40B. Electric motors 48A, 48B may be operably connected to a controller 52A and a power source (e.g. battery 54A). It will be understood that controller 52A may comprise virtually any suitable processor, circuit, or combination thereof. The doors 40A and 40B can be separately and independently moved to a selected one of the four positions discussed above in connection with FIGS. 3-6. The housing 34A includes two first outlet openings 37A and 37B and two second air outlet openings 38A and 38B, respectively. The outlets 37A, 37B, 38A, and 38B are connected to air ducts 28 to supply air to panel outlets 26A and 26B, and floor outlets 27A and 27B (FIG. 1). Because the doors 40A and 40B can be separately controlled, the air flow to the outlets for the driver and passenger side seats 9 and 10 of second row 8 can be independently controlled. For example, a user in the driver's side seat 9 of second row 8 could utilize input 84 to close off air flow by shifting first door 40A to a first position (FIG. 3), and a user occupying the passenger side seat 10 of second row 8 could simultaneously shift the door 40B to the fourth position (FIG. 6) to provide air flow through both the panel and floor outlets 26B and 27B, respectively, utilizing input 84.

[0069] It will be understood that air distribution plenums 25 may be utilized in other applications. For example, if vehicle 1 includes a third row of seating (not shown), duct 22 (or a second duct) may extend to the third row of seating, and another air distribution plenum 25 may be disposed adjacent the third row to supply air to the third row. Also, if vehicle 1 comprises, for example, a truck having one or more climate controlled (e.g. refrigerated) compartments, one or more air distribution plenums 25 may be utilized to control air flow to multiple outlet vents in the climate controlled compartment. Furthermore, it will be understood that vehicle 1 could include a plurality of HVAC units 12 and one or more air distribution plenums 25 could be operably (fluidly) connected to one or more HVAC units 12 as required to provide controlled flow of air to selected air outlets of the vehicle 1.

[0070] It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.