Abstract: A method of measuring clogging of an air filter in a system for ventilation, air conditioning and/or heating of a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, includes starting up an electric motor (11) driving a fan, measuring a characteristic value of the electric motor for driving the air passing through the filter (3) the clogging of which is being measured; comparing the measured value with a calibration value, to deduce therefrom a measure of the clogging of the filter.

Abstract: A heating and air-conditioning apparatus for the cabin of a motor vehicle. The apparatus includes a chassis within which air flows and equipped with an air-blowing mechanism and heating and cooling units for cooling and heating the air and a member for controlling the heating unit. At least one airflow duct communicates with the chassis, and at least one mixing shutter, with a variable degree of openness, controls the air stream towards the duct. The mixing shutter is arranged in the overall direction of the air flow downstream of the heating member and transmits additional air passing through the heating unit when the fresh air passage is wide open, and governs in an intermediate position of closure of the air flowing through the heating unit. The mixing shutter also switching a control member controlling the operation of the heating unit between an off and on position.

Abstract: A device for regulating the current passing through an inductive element, including a series branch including said inductive element and a control device (PT) monitored by a control signal (Vc) to supply the inductive element from an electric supply source and a device supplying a measurement signal (Vm) of an average current through the inductive element and including a device for acquiring (D Rs) a signal representing a current through the inductive element and a circuit averaging (T2, Rm, Cm) the signal representing a current, and a regulating device for generating the control signal based on a setpoint value and a measurement signal. The acquisition device is arranged parallel to the inductive element.

Abstract: A compressor for a system for air-conditioning the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle comprises a casing enclosing a system for compressing a refrigerant fluid, an electric motor for driving the compression system and electronic means for control of the electric motor. A low-pressure intake chamber (24) for the refrigerant fluid is integrated into the casing (6) and is separated from the high-pressure chamber by a separating partition (26). The electronic means for control of the electric motor (12), which are placed in the intake chamber (24), are cooled by the refrigerant fluid. A separate chamber (34) for connection of the motor (12), defined in the casing (6), communicates with the high-pressure chamber (15) via a passage (36). The chambers (24) and (34) are closed off by a cover plate (20) equipped with all the connecting terminals of the compressor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor-fan unit (1) comprising a casing (10), a turbine (12) housed in the casing to generate an air flow therein, a motor (14) for driving the turbine, a support (20) for the motor, also forming a cover that closes off the casing on one side (10a) thereof, and a motor control module (30) associated with at least one radiator dissipating heat generated by components of the control module and exposed to the air flow generated in the casing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tube for a heat exchanger through which a fluid flows, intended to promote heat exchange between an external medium and said fluid, formed by at least two plates 4, 5 connected to each other in order to define a circulation duct, the cross section of which is a cross section for passage of said fluid, said circulation duct having a fluid inlet orifice 13 and a fluid outlet orifice 14, wherein said tube comprises a means 12 for partially blocking the circulation duct intended to keep the passage cross section of said duct substantially constant between the inlet orifice 13 and the outlet orifice 14.

Abstract: A sequential control device, especially for a scrolling menu, comprises a key (8) mounted movably on a support (2) and able to actuate at least one contactor (16, 18) in response to an external action exerted in a given direction. The key (8) includes an arm (12) having a longitudinal direction, by way of which the contactor (18) is actuated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the arm (12). The longitudinal direction of the arm (12) is substantially parallel to the direction of the external action exerted on the key (8), and the contactor (18) is mounted on a printed-circuit card (14) substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the arm (12).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for air-conditioning a cabin (3) of a motor vehicle, comprising an air-conditioning unit (5) installed in front of the dashboard (2), able to be supplied with external air and/or with recycled air taken from the cabin and passing through a recycling pipe (9) arranged in the dashboard (1), and able to deliver a flow of conditioned air to an air delivery pipe (18) connecting said unit (5) to the rear region (19) of the cabin (3), wherein there is provided, in the dashboard (1), a branch pipe (21) connecting said recycling pipe (9) to said delivery pipe (18), said branch pipe (21) dividing the delivery pipe (18) into an upstream portion (18b) situated between the unit (5) and the junction (23) with the branch pipe (21), and into a downstream portion (18a) situated between said junction (23) and the vent and, in said junction (23), a rear recycling shutter (22) able to adopt at least two positions, a first position (P1) in which it closes off the entrance (24) to the branch pipe

Abstract: A heating and/or air-conditioning installation has a de-icing outlet with a de-icing opening adjoining a window, an air-diffusion element with a low output per unit surface area, and an air-distributing element. The air-distributing element has at least a first and a second position. In the first position it blocks the air-diffusion element to ensure de-icing of the window. In the second, it partially blocks the de-icing region so that the output per unit surface area via the de-icing region corresponds to diffusion at a low output per unit surface area, such that the de-icing region and the air-diffusion element provide air diffusion at a low output per unit surface area and their air flows mix.

Abstract: The mixing device, for distributing in variable proportions a main air stream (8) flowing through an apparatus for heating and/or air-conditioning the cabin of a motor vehicle between a hot air duct (14) and a cold air duct (18), comprises a perforated panel (40) arranged in the hot duct (14) and a shut-off plate (44) that can move between an open position in which it is spaced away from the perforations (42) in the panel (40) and a shut-off position in which it shuts off the panel, a shutter (50) for adjusting the passage cross section of the cold air duct (18) that can move between an open position and a shut-off position, a control mechanism (54) for controlling, in synchronism, the movement of the shut-off plate (44) and the movement of the shutter (50).

Abstract: The device for generating an air stream comprises means (22, 26) for distributing a main air stream (10) and heating means (20) for producing a hot secondary air stream (42). A modular assembly may be attached into the casing (4) of a heating and/or air-conditioning apparatus (2). This modular assembly exists in at least three versions, suited to the production of an air stream at a set temperature to supply one, two or three regions of the cabin of a motor vehicle. The external bulk of the modular assembly is identical regardless of the number of regions in the cabin for which it is intended. The modular assembly may comprise a support frame (70) and a partition plate (72) attached or incorporated into the support frame and dividing the latter into two parts.

Abstract: A signal value is derived that is representative of the cooling power produced by an air-conditioning evaporator, the signal value being derived from at least one temperature sensor placed in thermal contact with the evaporator, or downstream from it in the cooled airflow, and the signal value is compared with a reference value corresponding to a normal refrigerant-fluid level. A signal value below the reference value indicates a low level of refrigerant-fluid.

Abstract: Arrangement of inlet and outlet pipes for an evaporator A plate evaporator comprising a stack of pockets (1) each formed from two dished plates (2, 3) delimiting between them a mutually juxtaposed inlet chamber and outlet chamber (6, 7). One at least of the inlet and outlet pipes (17, 18), disposed at a same end (21) of the stack, communicates with the chambers via an end box (10) interposed between the stack and the pipes. Advantageously, the dimensions of the end box allow a mutual vertical stagger of the pipes (17, 18), facilitating their installation and connection.

Abstract: A fan causes a flow of cold air and warm air into the internal space of the passenger compartment of a vehicle. Air extraction channels connected to corresponding extraction vents are distributed at different locations in the passenger compartment. Controllable flaps selectively apportion and control the distribution of the extracted airflow between the different extraction channels.

Abstract: A vehicle with a heating/air-conditioning installation has, on the one hand, a heating and air-conditioning apparatus including a heating radiator, an evaporator and an air-distribution device and, on the other hand, a compressor and a condenser. The compressor is an electric compressor. The condenser is cooled by a cooling circuit supplied with a fluid other than air. The electric compressor and the condenser are housed in a space lying between the vertical plane passing through the axle of the front wheels of the vehicle and a vertical plane passing through the back of the seat backs of the front seats.

Abstract: An upper mixing region (210) and a lower mixing region (214) are fed with hot air via a radiator (203) and with cold air by way of respective bypass ducts (205, 208). Respective mixing flaps (212, 219) make it possible to adjust the temperature separately in the two mixing regions, from where the treated air is sent into different parts of the passenger compartment of the vehicle. According to the invention, the two bypass ducts (205, 208) pass below the radiator (203) which makes it possible to minimise the length of the path for the hot air between the radiator and the de-icing outlet duct (221) situated at the upper part of the casing (200) of the installation, and consequently to accelerate a de-icing or demisting of the windscreen required urgently for reasons of safety.

Abstract: The invention relates to a function-control device employing at least one selector which can be shifted between at least two selection positions. The function control device includes a plurality of actuators which can be controlled by a user and at least some of which drive different functions for at least two different positions of a selector symbols, the displaying of which relates to the movement of at least one such selector so as visually to display the function of at least some of the actuators driving different functions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for delivering ventilation air to the front of the cabin (6) of a motor vehicle, this ventilation air being delivered by a delivery box (11) of a heating, ventilation and/or air-conditioning unit, said device comprising at least one ventilation pipe (9) supplying at least one air vent (16a, 16b, 17a, 17b) provided in the dashboard (1), said ventilation pipe (9) being formed in a delivery module (8) which runs transversely under the upper face (2) of the dashboard (1), and splitting downstream in the direction of flow of the ventilation air into at least one “gentle” ventilation pipe (13) which opens onto the, upper face (2) of the dashboard (1) via ventilation orifices (14) of large cross section and into at least one “forced” ventilation pipe (15) which supplies at least one air vent (16a, 16b, 17a, 17b) of small cross section arranged on the dashboard (1) facing the cabin (6).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for air-conditioning a cabin (3) of a motor vehicle, comprising an air-conditioning unit (5) installed in front of the dashboard (2), able to be supplied with external air and/or with recycled air taken from the cabin and passing through a recycling pipe (9) arranged in the dashboard (1), and able to deliver a flow of conditioned air to an air delivery pipe (18) connecting said unit (5) to the rear region (19) of the cabin (3), wherein there is provided, in the dashboard (1), a branch pipe (21) connecting said recycling pipe (9) to said delivery pipe (18), said branch pipe (21) dividing the delivery pipe (18) into an upstream portion (18a) situated between the unit (5) and the junction (23) with the branch pipe (21), and into a downstream portion (18b) situated between said junction (23) and the vent and, in said junction (23), a rear recycling shutter (22) able to adopt at least two positions, a first position (P1) in which it closes off the entrance (24) to the branch pipe

Abstract: In a technique for eliminating organic pollutants from the passenger compartment of a vehicle by photocatalysis, the upper face of the dashboard is covered with a layer of photocatalyst. This upper wall includes a plurality of orifices providing diffuse ventilation. The lower face of the dashboard also includes a layer of photocatalyst irradiated by a source of ultra-violet rays, the source being in a diffusion chamber.