GB2319072A

GB2319072A - Flap valve for vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2319072A
Application number: GB9623058A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jean-Claude Petesch
Original assignee: General Motors Corp
Current assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
Priority date: 1996-11-06
Filing date: 1996-11-06
Publication date: 1998-05-13
Anticipated expiration: 2016-11-06
Also published as: GB9623058D0; GB2319072B

Abstract

A flap valve arrangement (10) for the heating and ventilating system of a motor vehicle comprises chamber (18) having flap (12). A first inlet passage (20) and a second inlet passage (22) are connected to chamber (18) for air to reach the chamber. A first outlet passage (24) is connected to the chamber for air from first inlet (20) and/or second inlet (22) to leave the chamber. A second outlet (26) is connected to the chamber for air from the first inlet (20) to leave the chamber. The flap is pivotable between a first position (1-1) which at least partially closes the first outlet (24), a second position (2-2) which controls the mix of air from first and second inlet (20, 22) reaching at least a portion of the first outlet passage, and a third position (3-3) which substantially closes second outlet (26). First inlet passage (20) carries heated air and second inlet air passage (22) carries ambient or cooled air.

Description

FLAP VALVE ARRANGEMENT Technical Field The present invention relates to a flap valve arrangement for the heating and ventilating system of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.

Background of the Invention DE-A-2836800 describes a heating and ventilating system of a motor vehicle in which a flap valve is used to control air flow to an outlet and to control the temperature of the air passing through the outlet. The flap valve is positioned such that it can control the mix of heated air and unheated air reaching the outlet, and such that it can close the outlet. Separate flap valves are required for each outlet.

Summarv of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to provide an improvement to the above described arrangement.

A flap valve arrangement in accordance with the present invention for the heating and ventilating system of a motor vehicle comprises a chamber within which a flap valve is pivotally mounted; a first inlet passage connected to the chamber for air to reach the chamber; a second inlet passage connected to the chamber for air to reach the chamber; a first outlet passage connected to the chamber for air from the first inlet passage and/or air from the second inlet passage to leave the chamber; and a second outlet passage connected to the chamber for air from the first inlet passage to leave the chamber; the flap valve being pivotable between a first position which at least partially closes the first outlet passage, a second position which controls the mix of air from the first and second inlet passages reaching at least a portion of the first outlet passage, and a third position which substantially closes the second outlet passage.

In the present invention, a single flap valve can be used to provide control of air flow through two outlet passages.

Bnef Description of the Drawings The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a flap valve arrangement in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a flap valve arrangement in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3 is a side view of a modified flap valve for use in the flap valve arrangement of Figure 1 or Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of flap valve arrangement in accordance with the present invention.

Descnption of the Preferred Embodlment Referring to Figure 1, the first embodiment of flap valve arrangement 10 for the heating and ventilating system (hot shown) of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle comprises a flap valve 12 mounted on a spindle 14 for pivotal movement about the axis A of the spindle, and a housing 16. The housing 16 defines a chamber 18 within which the flap valve 12 is mounted. Connecting with the chamber 18 are first and second inlet passages 20, 22 and first and second outlet passages 24, 26. The first inlet passage 20 allows treated air (for example, air which has passed through a heat exchanger (not shown)) to reach the chamber 18. The second inlet passage 22 allows air which has not be treated (for example, ambient air) and/or air cooled by an evaporator core (not shown) to reach the first outlet passage 24 by way of the chamber 18. The air passing through the first and second inlet passages 20, 22 is preferably blown by an electrically operated blower (not shown). The first and second outlet passages 24, 26 open into the chamber 18 with the second outlet passage 26 as shown in Figure 1 extending in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the page. The flap valve 12 is pivotable through several positions. In a first position 1-1 as shown in Figure 1, the flap valve 12 substantially closes the first outlet passage 24 and the second inlet passage 22 such that air passing through the first inlet passage 20 into the chamber 18 is directed to the second outlet passage 26. In a preferred arrangement, the first outlet passage 24 is not fully closed by the flap valve 12 as it is preferable for a small amount of air to bleed into the first outlet passage. In a second position, as shown by dashed line 2-2 in Figure 1, the flap valve 12 substantially closes the second outlet passage 26 such that air passing through the first inlet passage 20 and the second inlet passage 22 into the chamber 18 is directed to, and mixes together in, the first outlet passage 24. In a third position, as shown by dashed line 3-3 in Figure 1, intermediate the first and second positions the flap valve 12 substantially closes the second outlet passage 26 and the second inlet passage 22 such that air passing through the first inlet passage 20 into the chamber 18 is directed to the first outlet passage 24. In a fourth position, as shown by dashed line 4-4 in Figure 1, the flap valve 12 substantially closes the second outlet passage 26 and the first inlet passage 20 such that air passing through the second inlet passage 22 into the chamber 18 is directed to the first outlet passage 24. For the sake of clarity, the second position of the flap valve 12 is a movable position between the third and fourth positions. With this arrangement, the second outlet passage 26 can be used to direct heated air from the first inlet passage 20 to the windscreen of a motor vehicle to de-ice or de-fog the windscreen, and the first outlet passage 24 can be used to heat, cool or ventilate the passenger compartment. Between the first and third positions of the flap valve 12, air from the first inlet passage 20 can pass by way of the chamber 18 to both the first outlet passage 24 and the second outlet passage 26. Movement of the flap valve 12 between its third and fourth positions, that is, in the second position of the flap valve, as shown, controls the amount of air leaving the first inlet passage 20 and the second inlet passage 22, and so can control the temperature of the mixed air in the first outlet passage 24.

In the second embodiment of flap valve arrangement 10', as shown in Figure 2, like parts have been given the same reference number as in Figure 1, but with a prime ('). In this second embodiment, the second outlet passage 26' extends away from the chamber 18' in a direction substantially parallel to the second inlet passage 22'. Also, the first outlet passage 24' has first and second portions 28, 30 separated by a dividing wall 32. The positional effects of the flap valve 12' are substantially the same as that described above in respect of the first embodiment, with the exception of the second position. At one point in the second position of the flap valve 12', the flap valve becomes positioned adjacent the dividing wall 32, and hence air from the first inlet passage 20' is directed solely to the first portion 28 of the first outlet passage 24' and air from the second inlet passage 22' is directed solely to the second portion 30 of the first outlet passage. At other points in the second position of the flap valve 12', between the third and fourth positions, mixing of the air from the first and second inlet passages 20', 22' takes place in the first outlet passage 24' and the arrangement is such that it can create different mixes, and hence different temperatures, in the first and second portions 28, 30 of the first outlet passage 24'.

Summarising the above two embodiments, between the first and third positions of the flap valve 12, 12', the flap valve controls the flow of air from the first inlet passage 20, 20' to the first outlet passage 24, 24' and/or to the second outlet passage 26, 26'. Between the third and fourth positions of the flap valve 12, 12', that is, in the second position of the flap valve, the flap valve controls the mix of air from the first and second inlet passages 20, 20', 22, 22' reaching the first outlet passage 24, 24', and, where a temperature difference exists between the air in the first and second inlet passages 20, 20', 22, 22', controls the temperature of the air in the first outlet passage 24, 24'.

As shown in Figure 3, the portions 34, 36 of the flap valve 12, 12' on either side of the spindle 14, 14' may have a different width W, W'.

The width W, W' of each ponion 34, 36 will depend on the width of the corresponding opening of the first and second inlet passages 20, 20', 22, 22' into the chamber 18, 18'. Also, in the above embodiments, the portions 34, 36 of the flap valve 12, 12' on either side of the spindle 14, 14' are shown as lying in a single plane. It will be appreciated that these portions 34, 36 of the flap valve 12, 12' may lie in planes at an angle to one another.

In the third embodiment of flap valve arrangement 10", as shown in Figure 4, like parts have been given the same reference number as in Figure 1, but with a double prime ("). In this embodiment the first outlet passage 24" is divided into first, second and third portions 38, 40, 42 by dividing walls 44, 46. Also, the second outlet passage 26" is preferably divided into two portions 48, 50 as shown which extend either side of the second inlet passage 22". The flap valve 12" is substantially as shown in Figure 3, but with the portions 34", 36" at an angle to one another. In the second position of the flap valve 12" (as shown in Figure 4), the narrower portion 36" of the flap valve affects the mixing of the air from the first and second inlet passages 20", 22" in the second portion 40 of the first outlet passage 24". However, because of its narrower width, the portion 36" has no effect on the air reaching the first and third portions 38, 42 of the first outlet passage 24", and these portions 38, 42 only receive air from the first inlet passage 20". The flap valve 12" has a third position beyond the second position shown which substantially closes the second outlet passage 26", but which leaves the second inlet passage 22" open. The flap valve 12" has a position intermediate the first and second positions which substantially closes the second inlet passage 22", but which leaves the second outlet passage 26" open.

Means for rotating the spindle 14, 14', 14", and hence pivoting of the flap valve 12, 12', 12", may be by any suitable means, for example, a rotary knob or sliding lever in association with a cable, such as a Bowden cable.

Claims

1. A flap valve arrangement for the heating and ventilating system of a motor vehicle comprises a chamber within which a flap valve is pivotally mounted; a first inlet passage connected to the chamber for air to reach the chamber; a second inlet passage connected to the chamber for air to reach the chamber; a first outlet passage connected to the chamber for air from the first inlet passage and/or air from the second inlet passage to leave the chamber; and a second outlet passage connected to the chamber for air from the first inlet passage to leave the chamber; the flap valve being pivotable between a first position which at least partially closes the first outlet passage, a second position controls the mix of air from the first and second inlet passages reaching at least a portion of the first outlet passage, and a third position which substantially closes the second outlet passage.

2. A flap valve arrangement as claimed in Claim 1, wherein in the first position the flap valve closes the first outlet passage.

3. A flap valve arrangement as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein in the second position the flap valve also substantially closes the second outlet passage.

4. A flap valve arrangement as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the flap valve is pivotable to a fourth position which closes the first inlet passage.

5. A flap valve arrangement as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the flap valve has first and second portions positioned either side of, and attached to, a spindle which is rotatable about its longitudinal axis, the first portion of the flap valve having a width which is greater than the width of the second portion of the flap valve.

6. A flap valve arrangement as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the flap valve has first and second portions positioned either side of, and attached to, a spindle which is rotatable about its longitudinal axis, the first portion of the flap valve lying in a plane which is at an angle to the plane of the second portion of the flap valve.

7. A flap valve arrangement as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the first outlet passage has at least one dividing wall internally thereof to divide the first outlet passage into at least two portions, at least one of which receives a controlled mix of air from the first and second inlet passages when the flap valve is in its second position.

8. A flap valve arrangement as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the first inlet passage receives air which has passed through a heater core.

9. A flap valve arrangement as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the second inlet passage receives air which has passed through an evaporator core.

10. A flap valve arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.