ELECTRIC RADIATOR WITH TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT DEVICE

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electric radiator (1) for a ventilation, heating and/or air conditioning system, comprising a heating body (2), an electrical connection interface (3) and at least one temperature measurement device (4) arranged across an air flow (6) that is able to pass through the heating body (2) and comprising at least one temperature sensor (41) and a body (42) for supporting the temperature sensor (41) extending in a transverse direction remote from the heating body (2), characterized in that the temperature measurement device (4) is electrically connected to the electrical connection interface (3) of the radiator (1) through a connection cable (5) that extends from a transverse end (420) of the body (42) for supporting the temperature sensor.

Claims

1. An electric radiator for a ventilating, heating and/or air conditioning system of a vehicle, comprising: a heating body; an electrical connection interface; and at least one temperature measuring device disposed across an air flow able to traverse the heating body and comprising at least one temperature sensor and a support body for supporting said temperature sensor extending in a transverse direction some distance from the heating body, wherein the temperature measuring device is electrically connected to the electrical connection interface of the radiator by way of connection wiring which extends from a transverse end of the support body for supporting the temperature sensor.

2. The electric radiator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one temperature sensor has a sensor head housed in the support body and connection wires which link the sensor head to the connection wiring by extending in particular along channels formed in the support body.

3. The electric radiator as claimed in claim 2, wherein the temperature measuring device comprises a plurality of temperature sensors, the connection wires specific to each temperature sensor being grouped together to form the connection wiring at said transverse end of the support body.

4. The electric radiator as claimed in claim 2, wherein the support body for supporting the temperature sensor has a plurality of openings made between two transverse bars and uprights linking the transverse bars to one another, said openings making it possible to house the sensor head of the at least one temperature sensor and/or allowing the passage of the air flow traversing the heating body of the radiator.

5. The electric radiator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connection wiring is electrically linked to a low-voltage connector of the electrical connection interface, said connector being arranged on an external face of a cover plate (300) of the electrical connection interface.

6. A ventilating, heating and/or air conditioning system of a vehicle, comprising a casing and an electric radiator as claimed in claim 1 that is able to be housed in said casing, wherein the casing is provided with at least one air circulation duct across which the heating body of the electric radiator is arranged, said casing having for the one part on a first wall an opening for inserting the heating body into a housing, and for the other part a notch formed separately from the opening defining the housing and sized so as to receive the temperature measuring device.

7. The ventilating, heating and/or air conditioning system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the connection wiring extends from the transverse end of the support body to the electrical connection interface, on the outside of the casing.

8. The ventilating, heating and/or air conditioning system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the notch is formed in a second wall substantially perpendicular to the first wall in which the opening for inserting the heating body into the housing is formed.

9. The ventilating, heating and/or air conditioning system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the temperature measuring device is disposed between the heating body of the radiator and a heat-sensitive element housed in the casing of the system.

10. The ventilating, heating and/or air conditioning system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the temperature measuring device is located at a distance of at least 20 mm from the heating body of the radiator.

Description

[0032] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more clearly apparent from the following description, on the one hand, and from a plurality of exemplary embodiments, which are provided by way of nonlimiting indication with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, on the other hand, in which drawings:

[0033] FIG. 1 is a general view of an electric radiator according to the invention, showing in particular a heating body and a temperature measuring device arranged some distance from this heating body,

[0034] FIG. 2 is a partial view of the temperature measuring device of FIG. 1,

[0035] FIG. 3 is a top view of the electric radiator of FIG. 1, showing in particular a connection between an electrical connection interface of the electric radiator and connection wiring of the temperature measuring device,

[0036] FIG. 4 is a front view of a casing of a ventilating, heating and/or air conditioning system of a vehicle that is able to be equipped with an electric radiator, which is not shown here,

[0037] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the casing of FIG. 4, this time equipped with an electric radiator according to FIG. 1, showing in particular the disposition of the connection wiring on the outside of the casing,

[0038] FIG. 6 is a view in section of the ventilating, heating and/or air conditioning system comprising the electric radiator.

[0039] In these figures, the trihedron L, V, T illustrated arbitrarily defines an orientation of the radiator according to the invention in which the vertical direction V corresponds to an axis along which extends the main dimension of the radiator, the longitudinal direction L corresponds to an axis parallel to the main direction of the air flow emanating from the radiator, and the transverse direction T corresponds to an axis perpendicular to the vertical direction V and the longitudinal direction L, it being possible for this transverse direction T to correspond furthermore to the main direction of extension of the temperature measuring device forming part of the invention as will be described in more detail below. It should be noted that such an arbitrary orientation is independent of the orientation of the radiator in the vehicle.

[0040] FIG. 1 shows an electric radiator 1 according to the invention, configured to be disposed in a casing of a ventilating, heating and/or air conditioning system and to be traversed by an air flow 6 circulating in this casing in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L. The radiator 1 comprises a heating body 2 and an electrical connection interface 3 to which the heating body is fixed.

[0041] The heating body 2, in this instance delimited by a frame 21, has a rectangular overall shape extending mainly in a plane of extension defined by a vertical axis V, corresponding to the largest dimension of the heating body, and a transverse axis T, the electrical connection interface 3 being arranged at one end, along the vertical axis V, of the heating body.

[0042] The heating body is configured, in this instance by way of the dimension of the frame 21, to house heating elements 22 and radiant elements 23 each extending mainly along the vertical axis V.

[0043] The heating elements 22 consist in this instance of resistive elements capable of heating up by way of an input of electrical energy provided by the electrical connection interface 3. The air flow 6, by traversing the heating body 2 of the radiator, takes up the heat energy emitted by the heating elements 22, leading to a rise in temperature of the air flow 6 at the outlet of the heating body 2.

[0044] The radiant elements 23 can for example be in the form of fins or a corrugated sheet and have the function of increasing the heating surface area that is in contact with the air flow.

[0045] In the example illustrated, the faces of the frame 21 via which the air flow 6 passes are closed by a grid 24 ensuring that the heating elements 22 and the radiant elements 23 are held within the heating body. It should be noted that this embodiment is only a non-limiting example of the invention, and that the resistive and radiant elements could form a heating body within the meaning of the invention without a frame or grid.

[0046] The heating body 2 is connected to the electrical connection interface 3. More particularly, the frame 21 may be snap-fastened onto a case which forms the base of the electrical connection interface, and each heating element, by way of an electrical connector that is made integral with an electrode of this heating element, may be plugged into a connector arranged on the inside of the electrical connection interface. The electrical connection interface 3, and in particular a control module embedded in this interface, thus makes it possible to supply electrical energy to the heating elements 22 of the heating body 2, if appropriate by varying the supply of power to the heating elements 22 to control the amount of heat energy to be transferred to the air flow traversing the heating body.

[0047] The electric radiator 1 has according to a temperature measuring device 4 arranged at the outlet of the heating body 2 to monitor the temperature of the air flow 6 that has been in contact with the radiant elements 23 heated by the heating elements 22 and to be able to avoid overheating of the electric radiator. The temperature measuring device 4 comprises at least one temperature sensor 41, the function of which is to measure the temperature of the air flow 6 leaving the heating body 2, and a support body 42 which extends mainly along the transverse axis T and within which is disposed the at least one temperature sensor 41.

[0048] The support body is configured to keep the temperature sensor 41 in position and fix this position relative to the heating body 2 and to the air flow 6, and to be traversed by the air flow so as not to hinder the flow of the air in the heating, ventilating and air conditioning installation casing. To that end, the support body 42 comprises one or more openings 43 which each allow the air flow 6 to pass through, the at least one temperature sensor 41 being arranged at one of these openings 43. The support body 42 may for example be formed of a heat-resistant material so as not to be damaged by the heat of the air flow 6, whether it is the portion of the air flow made to traverse the support body by the openings 43, or the portion of the air flow made to skim over the support body 42.

[0049] Connection wiring 5 is disposed in the continuation of a transverse end 420 of the support body 42 of the temperature measuring device 4. The connection wiring 5 makes it possible to supply electrical power to each temperature sensor 41 and/or to transmit to the electrical connection interface the temperature measurements taken by each of the temperature sensors, the electrical connection interface being configured to modulate the control of and/or supply of electrical power to the heating elements 22 of the heating body 2 depending on the temperature measurements received.

[0050] A free end of the connection wiring 5, that is to say the opposite end to the support body 42, is provided with an electrical connection plug 52 configured to be able to be connected to the electrical connection interface 3. More particularly, it is notable that the connection wiring 5 is arranged between the temperature sensor 41 and a low-voltage connector 31 of the electrical connection interface 3, whereas the heating elements are linked to a high-voltage power supply present in this same electrical connection interface. It is thus possible to define, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a high-voltage section 32 and a low-voltage section 33 in the electrical connection interface 3.

[0051] FIG. 2 shows the temperature measuring device 4 in part. For reasons of clarity, the heating body does not appear in the background of FIG. 2, but the air flow 6 is still shown.

[0052] As mentioned above, the temperature measuring device 4 has at least one temperature sensor 41, in this instance two temperature sensors, for measuring the temperature of the air flow 6 in two different areas of the heating body. Providing a plurality of temperature sensors 41 evenly distributed along the support body 42 makes it possible to provide a more meaningful temperature of the air flow 6, for example via calculation of an average of the temperatures taken.

[0053] The openings 43 in the support body are shown here with a rectangular overall shape, the dimensions of which can vary. A distinction is thus made between first openings with dimensions smaller than the dimensions of second openings, the function of the first openings being to house and hold the temperature sensors 41 whereas the function of the second openings, having a larger dimension, is only to make the support more lightweight and to allow free circulation of the air flow 6 through the support body 42 without creating any pressure drop in the air flow that has to circulate in the heating, ventilating and air conditioning installation.

[0054] In FIG. 2, a transverse end of the support body 42, opposite to the transverse end 420 mentioned above and in line with the connection wiring 5, is deliberately truncated in order to be able to observe the internal structure of the support body 42. Therefore, it is possible to see that the support body 42 in this instance has a base 421 and a cover 422 which are fitted against one another so as to form a hollow body.

[0055] More specifically, the support body has two transverse bars 424 connected to one another by vertical uprights 426, the spacing between two neighboring vertical uprights and between the two transverse bars making it possible to dimension the openings 43 described above. In this way, each transverse bar 424 defines within it, by way of the hollow body formed by the interaction of the base 421 and the cover 422, a channel 44, which in this way is disposed in a portion of the support body 42 which does not have any openings 43.

[0056] The temperature sensors 41 each comprise a sensor head 50, housed in the center of one of the openings 43, and a set of connection wires 51 for electrically connecting the sensors and transmitting the measurements taken by these sensors. The sets of connection wires 51 are shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2 and it is notable that these sets of connection wires extend mainly along a transverse axis T along each channel 44. Each temperature sensor 41 is thus kept in position in its opening 43 by tension in the sets of connection wires arranged in the channels disposed on either side of this opening. As illustrated, the connection wires 51 are brought together at the transverse end 420 of the support body 42 to be grouped together in a sheath forming the connection wiring 5.

[0057] In order to dispose the temperature sensors 41 and the network of connection wires 51 within the support body 42, the temperature sensors 41 and the connection wires 51 are installed in the base of the support body and the cover plate is then fitted so as to trap the connection wires and thus fix the position of the temperature sensors.

[0058] FIG. 3 shows particularly clearly the electrical connection interface 3 and the support body 42 of the temperature measuring device. As has been mentioned above, the connection interface 3 is divided between a high-voltage section 32 and a low-voltage section 33.

[0059] The high-voltage section 32 is able to supply the heating elements with a voltage of about 400 V, for example. To that end, a mains connector 320 is provided in a return section 30 of the electrical connection interface which extends some distance from an area facing the heating elements.

[0060] The separation between the high-voltage section 32 and the low-voltage section 33 is shown in dotted lines. In order to supply power to the heating elements, the high-voltage section 32 is arranged mainly facing the heating body of the radiator, and therefore the heating elements, and the low-voltage section is mainly disposed in the return section 30 mentioned above.

[0061] The low-voltage section 33 of the electrical connection interface 3 is configured to allow the supply of power to electrical components which are not the heating elements and are able to operate at low voltage. As illustrated, there is located in particular in this low-voltage section 33 the low-voltage connector 31 which was mentioned above and is configured to receive the electrical connection plug 52 of the connection wiring 5 in order to connect the temperature measuring device 4 to the electrical connection interface 3. A mains connector 330 emerges from the low-voltage section 33 for example for connection to an electric generator and for the supply of power to this low-voltage section at a current with a voltage of about 12 V.

[0062] The low-voltage connector 31, configured to receive the electrical connection plug 52 of the connection wiring 5, is arranged through a cover plate 300 of the electrical connection interface 3, and the electrical connection plug 52 is plugged into the connector facing an outer face of this cover plate, opposite to the electrical components housed in the connection interface, that is to say in other words via the outside of the electrical connection interface. As a result, the connection wiring 5 extends on the outside of the heating body and the electrical connection interface.

[0063] The connection interface 3 moreover comprises a plurality of fixing orifices 34 ensuring the fixing of the radiator, for example by screwing, as will be shown below.

[0064] A description will now be given, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, of a ventilating, heating and/or air conditioning system 7, able to emit an air flow at variable temperature depending on the needs of the vehicle or of its occupants, and configured to have an electric radiator as described above.

[0065] The ventilating, heating and/or air conditioning system 7 has a casing 71 which exhibits any shape and is able to conduct the air flow as will be described below. The casing 71 comprises at least one air inlet 72 and a plurality of air outlets 73. The air flow enters the casing 71 through the air inlet 72, for example under the effect of the movement of the vehicle, and then circulates within the casing 71 as far as one of the air outlets 73. Each of the air outlets 73 is connected to ducts, each leading into a different area of the passenger compartment of the vehicle and the air flow is directed toward one and/or the other of these air outlets depending on the area that needs to be ventilated, heated or cooled.

[0066] The casing 71 also comprises a housing 76, configured to receive the heating body of the electric radiator. Therefore, the housing 76 has substantially larger dimensions than the heating body. The housing 76 is formed from a first wall 710 delimiting the casing 71, in this instance vertically. The heating body of the radiator is inserted within the housing 76 by a movement in translation along the vertical axis V. Once the radiator is installed, the heating body is arranged within the casing, across a passage of the air flow so as to allow it to be heated, and the electrical connection interface 3 is disposed on the outside of the casing, bearing against an outer face of a wall delimiting the casing. The radiator is subsequently kept in this position, for example by virtue of the fixing orifices 34 in the electrical connection interface 3, through which a fixing means, such as a screw, is fitted in the casing.

[0067] Close to the housing 76, the casing 71 comprises a notch 77, formed in a second wall 712 which also contributes to delimiting the shell of the casing, the second wall 712 being substantially perpendicular to the first wall. The notch 77 has dimensions substantially greater than the dimensions of the support body 42 of the temperature measuring device 4 in order that the latter can be slid through the notch 77 by a movement in translation along the transverse axis.

[0068] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the casing 71 of the ventilating, heating and/or air conditioning system 7, this time equipped with the electric radiator. It should be noted that the configuration of the temperature measuring device according to one aspect of the invention makes it possible to electrically connect the temperature sensors, housed inside the casing facing an air outlet face of the heating body of the electric radiator, to the low-voltage section of the electrical connection interface, via the outside of the casing. Therefore, advantageously, the sealing of the casing in the area of the radiator and of the temperature measuring device is ensured for the one part by a seal ring arranged around the periphery of the electrical connection interface at the first wall 710, around the periphery delimiting the inlet of the housing 76, and for the other part by a seal ring arranged on the second wall 712 at the notch 77. This sealing is particularly simple to implement, without the connection wiring adversely affecting the effectiveness of the seal rings, and without it being necessary to provide a sealing element specific to the passage of the connection wiring. It will be understood that if the connection wiring were to extend along the heating body, with a temperature measuring device inserted in the same housing as that of the heating body, the presence of the connection wiring would be a problem in the management of the sealing. In the present invention, the fact that the connection wiring is arranged at a transverse end of the support body is combined with a transverse disposition of the temperature measuring device some distance from the heating body, and in a separate area of the housing receiving the heating body, this making it easier to manage the sealing.

[0069] FIG. 6 shows in particular, by way of a view in section, this ventilating, heating and/or air conditioning system 7 equipped with the temperature measuring device. As mentioned above, the heating body 2 is disposed within the housing, in a vertical direction of insertion in this instance, and the temperature measuring device 4 is for its part slid through the notch in a perpendicular, in this instance transverse, direction.

[0070] The temperature measuring device 4 is inserted into the casing 71, by way of the notch 77, by initially inserting the transverse end without the connection wiring 5. The presence of the connection wiring 5 in the continuation of the transverse end 420 of the support body makes it possible to insert the temperature measuring device 4 within the notch without the connection wiring 5 interfering from a mechanical perspective. Once the temperature measuring device 4 is in place, the transverse end 420 of the support comprising the connection wiring 5 remains outside the casing 71.

[0071] The temperature measuring device is kept in place in the casing in particular by the edges delimiting the notch 77, and if appropriate by fixing means, which are not shown here, allowing the transverse end of the support body to be held within the notch. Furthermore, the casing 71 may have compartmentalizing walls which extend substantially perpendicularly to the heating body when the latter is disposed in the casing and which make it possible to divide the air circulation ducts in two so as to facilitate the distribution of the air flow toward a given outlet nozzle 73. In this context, at least one compartmentalizing wall 700 may have an additional notch 770, disposed in the transverse alignment of the notch 77, so as to be traversed by the temperature measuring device and so as to form a support for the latter to avoid bending of the support body.

[0072] Once the temperature measuring device 4 has been inserted into the casing of the heating, ventilating and air conditioning installation, the support body 42 of the temperature measuring device is disposed facing the heating body 2, in a similar configuration to that shown in FIG. 1. The heating body 2 and the temperature measuring device 4 are separated by a distance 8 from each other, the distance 8 being measured substantially along the longitudinal axis of circulation of the air flow 6. Ideally, the distance 8 is at least 20 mm, in order to obtain meaningful temperature measurements; if the heating body 2 and the temperature measuring device 4 are too close, incorrect measurements can result.

[0073] It is possible to observe in FIG. 6 that the casing 71 comprises a plurality of air circulation ducts 74 within which the air flow 6 is able to circulate. The casing 71 also comprises at least one heat-sensitive element 75, which is likely to be damaged if the surrounding temperature is too high. In the example illustrated, the heat-sensitive element 75 is a flap able to pivot between an open position, visible in FIG. 6, in which the flap allows the passage of the air flow 6 through the air circulation duct 74 in which the electric radiator is arranged, and a closed position of this air circulation duct which tends to force the passage of the air flow in a duct without an electric radiator.

[0074] In the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the air flow 6 sweeps through the air inlet 72, circulates in the air circulation duct 74 equipped with the electric radiator 1 and traverses the heating body 2. When the electric radiator is in operation, the air flow 6 emerges from the heating body 2 at high temperature. The air flow 6 then traverses the temperature measuring device 4 and then comes into contact with the heat-sensitive element 75. If the air flow 6 is too hot, it is likely to damage the heat-sensitive element 75. In order to prevent such damage, and in order to prevent, where appropriate, overheating during operation of the heating elements of the heating body, the temperature measuring device 4 is disposed at the outlet of the heating body, by being interposed between the heating body 2 and the heat-sensitive element 75. Therefore, the temperature of the air flow 6 at the outlet of the heating body is checked by the temperature measuring device 4, this temperature being representative of the temperature of the air flow when it comes into contact with the heat-sensitive element 75. It will be understood that when the temperature of the air flow 6 is estimated to be too high for the heat-sensitive element 75, that is to say it exceeds a predefined threshold, the temperature measuring device 4 is able to send data to the electrical connection interface 3 by way of the connection wiring 5 such that the electrical connection interface 3 acts on the supply of power to and operation of the heating elements of the heating body 2 in order to reduce the heating. The air flow 6 thus emerges from the heating body 2 at a lower temperature, which protects the heat-sensitive element 75.

[0075] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples that have just been described, and numerous modifications may be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0076] The invention as has just been described successfully achieves the aim it had set itself, and makes it possible to propose an electric radiator which has a temperature sensor that is able to be disposed some distance from the heating body, in order to better measure the temperature of the air flow at the outlet of the heating body, and which can be installed in the casing of a heating, ventilating and air conditioning system without any sealing problems. Variants not described here could be implemented without departing from the context of the invention, since, in accordance with the invention, they comprise a support body continued at one transverse end by connection wiring able to be connected to the heating body, and in particular to a low-voltage section, via the outside of the casing, in accordance with the invention.