Arrangement for Ventilating the Passenger Space of a Motor Vehicle

The present invention relates to an arrangement for ventilating a passenger space of a motor vehicle, and more particularly to distributing airflow into the passenger space through an air permeable roof lining.

European Patent Application EP-A2-0255004 discloses an arrangement for ventilating a passenger space in an automobile where there is at least one wall less channel having focused air flow issuing from at least one throw nozzle. The flow is to an interspace between a vehicle roof and an air-permeable roof lining. The airflow reenters the passenger space in a distributed form.

A known arrangement for ventilating a motor vehicle includes air flow from the windshield through an interspace between the vehicle roof and a roof lining provided with air outlet openings into the passenger space. In such an arrangement, a wall-less air flow channel is provided in a central region of the windshield, to which channel there are assigned an air outlet nozzle in the center of the dashboard, separate from a defroster, for a focused air flow of low turbulence, and a funnel leading into the interspace in the region of the upper edge of the windshield.

The roof lining is provided, at least in regions lying directly above the seats of the passenger space, with outlet openings which are preferably designed with variable air passage cross section in such a way that the air flow issuing from each outlet opening can be adjusted individually at the respective passenger locations. For adjusting the individual air flow preferably perforated registers and possibly grilles are provided, by which the air flow issuing from the interspace is variable as to quantity and direction. Separate deflecting or guiding elements are required for the desired even flow of the air flowing horizontally into the interspace, and no outlet openings can be provided in the roof lining in the immediate inflow region of the air entering via the wall-less air flow channel along the windshield.

The present invention provides a uniform air distribution in the interspace between vehicle roof and roof lining without undesired whirl formation and with unimpeded exit option of the ventilation over the entire passenger space at a low cost of construction by producing an air flow passing through the roof lining into the interspace and rebounding from the vehicle roof to all sides. Appropriately, there is provided a focused air flow impinging on the vehicle roof substantially perpendicular to a roof center and the air-permeable roof lining at this center point. In a structurally simple and compact manner a throw nozzle for the focused air flow is provided between the front seats and arranged appropriately along a center console of the passenger car. To be able to ensure a uniform air distribution in the interspace also when the passenger space is relatively large, and especially when it is relatively long, a variant of the invention is characterized by a focused air flow directed slightly obliquely rearward, centered on the vehicle roof and the air-permeable roof lining at that point.

It has been found, surprisingly, that the channel-less focused air flow which according to the present invention enters the interspace through the roof lining, provides a ventilation uniform to all sides, turbulence free, and flowing, without draft, counter to the inflow direction from the outlet openings of the roof lining back into the passenger space without additional air guiding or air-deflecting elements, through the baffle effect of the vehicle roof closing the interspace off toward the top of that interspace.

FIG. 1 shows in perspective a longitudinal section through a passenger space of a passenger car ventilated according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a partial section through the passenger space per FIG. 1 transverse to the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle of FIG. 1.

The passenger space of a passenger car is closed off upwardly by a vehicle roof 1. An air-permeable roof lining 2 is provided parallel to the vehicle roof 1, at a certain distance therefrom, preferably at a distance of about 33 mm, forming a defined interspace 3 therebetween. An air stream is supplied via an air feed channel 51 in the region of the center console between the front seats from a heater and/or air conditioner for the ventilation of the passenger space. The air stream issues as a focused air flow 4 from a throw nozzle 5 directed slightly obliquely inclined rearwardly and substantially directed to the center of the roof. The nozzle is disposed in the center console of the passenger space, and enters into the interspace 3 through the roof lining 2 in an air-entry region 21 of increased permeability. Instead of the optically closed air-entry region 21 (i.e., a non-visible air permeable region) here provided in the roof lining 2, a cut-out opening in the roof lining 2 may optionally be provided to obtain a higher rate of air flow.

The air flow entering via the wall-less channel and bouncing back from the vehicle roof distributes itself uniformly in the interspace 3 between the roof 1 and the roof lining 2; thereafter, the air thrown back by the rebound surface formed by the vehicle roof and distributed in the process, re-enters the passenger space - as indicated by air flow arrows in the region of the vehicle seats - through respective exit regions, e.g., perforations, of the roof lining 2.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the temperature of the air issuing from the interspace 3 is controlled in the region of the exit regions of the roof lining 2, by panel heating elements 8, 9. The heating elements may additionally be switched on--if desired, and controllable individually per vehicle seat.

At a corresponding high pressure build-up, for example, by an especially strong focused air flow 4, according to another embodiment of the present invention, peripheral air outlets 31, 32 of the interspace 3 may alternatively be provided to ventilate the vehicle at regions near window spaces 11, 12. These peripheral air outlets are closable, if desired, by flaps 6, 7.