FR3028773A1 - NEBULIZATION DEVICE, IN PARTICULAR FOR A VEHICLE HABITACLE, ASSEMBLY COMPRISING SUCH A NEBULIZATION DEVICE AND AERATION DEVICE COMPRISING SUCH A NEBULIZATION DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a nebulizing device (10), in particular for a vehicle interior, comprising a nebulizing head (11) and a receiving zone (12) of a liquid reservoir (20), said head of nebulizer (11) being adapted to convert said liquid into microguides of nebulized liquid, said receiving zone (12) being adapted to receive said reservoir (20) removably with respect to said device (10). The invention also relates to an assembly (30) comprising such a nebulizing device (10) and said reservoir. The invention also relates to a ventilation device, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising such a nebulizing device (10).

Description

1 Nebulizing device, in particular for a vehicle interior, set comprising such a nebulizing device and a ventilation device comprising such a nebulizing device The invention relates to a nebulizing device, in particular for a vehicle interior, a set comprising such a nebulizing device and an aeration device, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising such a nebulizing device.

The air cooling systems for a vehicle, in particular an automobile, most often incorporate an air conditioner to ensure the thermal comfort of the passengers positioned at the front and the rear, by establishing in the passenger compartment a temperature lower than the external temperature. . These systems ventilate cooled air so that they provide thermal comfort to the occupants of the vehicle. A first disadvantage of such systems is that the fresh air is dry. In addition, the seats at the rear of the cabin are often less well ventilated, so they are also less refreshed. It should also be noted that not all vehicles are equipped with an air conditioner. It is known to nebulize water in the cabin. The nebulized water microdroplets are diffused with a flow of air, so that they evaporate causing a lowering of temperature due to the latent heat of vaporization which is then absorbed. Such a solution makes it possible at least partially to overcome the absence of air conditioner or to improve the cooling of the passenger compartment when such an air conditioner is present but insufficient locally, by making available a flow of make-up air that can be directed by any place in the cockpit. It also helps to humidify the air.

It should be noted that known nebulizers have integrated reservoirs. The size of said reservoirs is therefore limited by the generally small size of such nebulizers. This has the disadvantage of limiting the storage capacity of said nebulizers, including their water storage capacity to be nebulized.

An object of the present invention is to increase the autonomy of known nebulizers. Thus, the invention relates to a nebulizing device, in particular intended for a vehicle interior, comprising a nebulizing head and a reception area for a liquid reservoir, said nebulizing head being designed to transform said liquid into microdroplets of nebulized liquid. According to the invention, said reception zone is adapted to accommodate said reservoir removably with respect to said device.

By allowing a tank to be removably accommodated, the invention makes it possible not only to renew the quantity of liquid to be sprayed but also to use tanks without these being limited as to their size. In particular, said reservoir may be a standard mineral water bottle whose capacity may vary, without limiting the scope of the invention. Thus, any removable tank can be used and the device of the invention therefore has the advantage of increasing the autonomy of known nebulisers without having to fill a dedicated tank. Facilitating the renewal of the liquid to be sprayed also limits the risks of using a liquid that would have stagnated for too long in an unprotected environment. It also has the advantage of not requiring to be integrated into the vehicle during its manufacture. It can therefore be used as after-sales equipment in any vehicle already equipped or not with an air conditioning system.

In the case of use with reservoirs defined by commercial mineral water bottles, it will also have a particularly practical aspect, the user being able to use the bottle as well to quench its thirst while drinking its contents. to cool off by mounting said bottle on the nebulizing device.

According to different embodiments of the invention, which may be taken together or separately: said fogging head is of piezoelectric type, the reception zone is configured to receive the reservoir by mechanical connection, said linkage mechanical mechanism is a screwing, - said mechanical connection is a quick coupling ring, - said nebulizing head is configured to receive said liquid under the effect of gravity, - the nebulizing head is configured to receive said liquid under the effect of a force opposed to earth's gravity, the nebulizing head is configured to receive said liquid by capillarity, the device of the invention comprises a wick connected to the nebulization head, the nebulization head is configured to receive said liquid under the effect of a pressure difference, the device of the invention further comprises a system for generating and / or controlling said pressure difference. The invention also relates to an assembly comprising such a nebulizing device and said reservoir.

According to various embodiments of the invention, which may be taken together or separately: said reservoir is a bottle of mineral water; the assembly of the invention further comprises a means for pressurizing / depressurizing the reservoir; during its emptying, the pressurization / depressurization means is configured to ensure a pressure between two threshold values, a first threshold value, called a maximum value, chosen so as to prevent the liquid from leaking and a second threshold value, called minimum value. , chosen so as to prevent the tank, when assembled to said reception zone, from being deformed under the effect of a depression during the emptying, the pressurizing / depressurizing means is a calibrated passage intended bringing the interior of the removable container into contact with the external atmospheric pressure, said hole being located at said reception area, the pressing means tion / depressurization comprises a syringe adapted to create a depression inside said reservoir, 5 - the pressurizing / depressurizing means comprises a valve and a pump capable of creating a depression inside said reservoir, - the means of pressurization / depressurization comprises two valves capable of creating a depression inside said reservoir, - the assembly of the invention comprises a system capable of ensuring a seal between the reception zone and the reservoir, in particular a knurled system, - said liquid is water, said liquid comprises perfume, said liquid comprises an antimicrobial compound, said liquid comprises an antihistamine compound. The invention also relates to a ventilation device, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising such a nebulizing device.

The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more clearly apparent from the following detailed explanatory description of at least one embodiment of the given invention. by way of a purely illustrative and nonlimiting example, with reference to the appended diagrammatic drawings: FIG. 1 schematically represents, in longitudinal section, a first embodiment of an assembly according to the invention comprising a nebulization device and a FIG. 2 shows FIG. 1, the reservoir being provided with a syringe capable of creating a depression inside said reservoir, FIG. 3 is a representation of FIG. 1, the reservoir being provided with a valve and 4 schematically shows a detail of FIG. 1, the reservoir being provided with two valves, FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic elevational view of a second example of FIG. e embodiment of an assembly according to the invention, - Figure 6 shows schematically in elevation a third embodiment of the assembly according to the invention, - Figure 7 shows schematically, in longitudinal section, an embodiment of the invention. A mechanical connection between the nebulizing device and the reservoir according to the invention, - Figure 8 schematically shows a system adapted to ensure a seal between the docking area and the tank of the assembly 10 according to the invention. As illustrated in the figures, the invention relates to a nebulizing device 10, in particular for a vehicle interior, comprising a nebulizing head 11 and a receiving zone 12 of a liquid reservoir 20.

The nebulizing head 11 is arranged to transform said liquid into microdroplets of nebulized liquid. The size of the drops of nebulized liquid can vary from micrometer to a few tens of micrometers. According to the invention, the reception zone 12 is adapted to receive said reservoir 20 in a detachable manner with respect to said device 10. In other words, the reception zone 12 is configured to receive the reservoir 20 via a link, in particular a mechanical link, temporary. Said connection is made for example by screwing. This has the advantage of allowing the adaptation of a bottle 20 having a neck and in particular a neck having a standard thread. A standard mineral water bottle sold commercially is an example of a suitable tank. It is particularly common, in the trade, that said bottles of mineral water have an inner diameter of the order, for example, of 25 mm at their neck and an external thread, still at their neck, which can be considered standard. Such bottles are also generally provided, before unclogging, an airtight closure. The use of such bottles of mineral water thus has the advantage of interchangeability effortlessly from a user.

The use of such bottles has the further advantage of avoiding any formation of bacteria inside an unprotected reservoir and / or too rarely replaced.

It should be noted that the nebulizing head 11 shown here is of the piezoelectric type. It comprises, for example, a micro-perforated membrane, excited by a piezoelectric element to produce said microdroplets under the effect of vibrations of said flexible membrane. However, it may be of any other type, for example it may include a hydraulic pump.

It should also be noted that the invention also relates to an assembly 30 comprising such a nebulizing device 10 and said reservoir 20. FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate a first exemplary embodiment of the assembly 30 according to the invention. In these figures, the nebulizing head 11 is configured to receive said liquid under the effect of gravity, in particular under the effect of a pressure difference. FIG. 5 illustrates a second exemplary embodiment of said assembly 30. In this figure the nebulizing head 11 is configured to receive said liquid under the effect of a force opposed to the Earth's gravity. FIG. 6 illustrates a third exemplary embodiment of said assembly 30, the nebulizing head being configured to receive said liquid under the effect of a pressure difference.

In the context of the first exemplary embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 4), the nebulization of the liquid causes a progressive emptying of the reservoir 20 and therefore a depression inside the reservoir 20. The reservoir 20, if it is not rigid enough, may then deform under the effect of the pressure difference between the inside of the tank and the external atmospheric pressure.

To mitigate this risk, the device 10 of the invention advantageously comprises a pressurization / depressurization means 50. A first example of pressurization / depressurization means 50 comprises a calibrated passage 51, in particular a hole whose size is of the order of the 3028773 7 micrometer. This calibrated passage 51 makes it possible to introduce air at atmospheric pressure in order to compensate for the drop in the level of liquid in the reservoir 20, and therefore the pressure difference which is created inside.

In FIG. 1, said passage 51 is situated between the nebulizing head 11 and the reservoir 20, at the level of the reception zone 12. In other words, in the case of a threaded connection, it is situated at the level of the reception zone 12. threading said reservoir 20 and said receiving area 12. A seal 13 may be provided to ensure the liquid tightness at this location. This seal 13 is, for example, a foam seal.

The air entering through passage 51 is illustrated in FIG. 1 by bubbles B51. This air makes it possible to compensate for the depression exerted by the drop in the level of liquid in the tank, whose resulting pressure is illustrated by an arrow marked P20. Said resulting pressure P20 is compensated for by the opposing pressures P11 and P51, P11 being that resulting from the entry of air during the nebulization of the liquid - illustrated by bubbles B11 - and P51, that resulting from the entry of air at said passage 51. Figure 2 illustrates a second example of pressurizing / depressurizing means 50; it shows a syringe 52 as a means of pressurization / depressurization 50. Said syringe 52 is able to create a depression P52 inside the reservoir 20, in particular when it is assembled at the nebulizing head 11, that is to say at a time when the risk of leakage is highest given the amount of liquid in the tank and the pressure that may have been exerted to assemble said tank and said device. By a reverse action, said syringe can also be used to compensate for the depression likely to appear during emptying. The example illustrated in FIG. 3 shows a valve 53 and a pump 54 as pressurizing / depressurizing means 50. The valve 53 and the pump 54 are able to create a depression inside the reservoir 20, in particular when its assembly to the nebulizing head 11. As in the example of Figure 2, the valve 53 and the pump 54 can also be used to compensate for the depression may appear during emptying.

The example illustrated in FIG. 4 shows two valves 53 'and 53 "as means for pressurization / depressurization The valve 53' allows the generation of a negative and constant pressure difference inside the tank 20. The 53 "valve allows it to ensure a positive and constant pressure difference in the reservoir 20. As in the case of the example illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the two valves 53 ', 53" may also be used in order to compensate for the depression likely to occur during emptying, the pressurizing / depressurizing means 50 is generally designed to ensure a pressure inside the tank 20, said pressure being limited between two threshold values: first threshold value, called maximum value, chosen so as to prevent the liquid from leaking, in particular during the assembly of the reservoir 20 in said reception zone 12, in particular by the nebulizing head 11; and a second threshold value, called the minimum value, chosen so as to prevent the reservoir 20, when assembled to said reception zone 11, from being deformed under the effect of a depression during the emptying and also, so as to prevent too much air from entering the tank 20 which 20 would prevent the nebulization of the liquid contained in the tank 20. In the second embodiment (Figure 5), the nebulizing head 11 receives the liquid under the effect of a force opposed to the earth's gravity. In particular, the nebulizing head 11 is here configured to receive said liquid by capillarity. To do this, the device 10 of the invention comprises a wick 14 connected to the nebulizing head 11. This embodiment is not limiting and any other means for circulating the liquid from the tank 20 to said nebulizing head 11 under the effect of a force opposed to Earth's gravity will be adapted.

In the context of the third exemplary embodiment (FIG. 6), the nebulizing head 11 receives the liquid under the effect of a pressure difference. The example illustrated in FIG. 6 provides for creating a depression inside the tank 20 by means of pressurization / depressurization means which is situated at the level of the nebulizing device 10 and not at the level of the reservoir. 20. Said pressurizing / depressurizing means may be a syringe, a valve, a pump and / or any other system capable of creating a vacuum P50 inside said reservoir 20.

FIG. 7, for its part, illustrates an example of mechanical connection between the nebulizing head 11 and the reservoir 20, in particular a quick coupling system 42 with a ring 48. The upper part of this figure illustrates a first phase, identified 1, which is a phase of assembly / disassembly of the reservoir 20 and the nebulizing head 11. The lower part of this figure illustrates a second phase, marked 2, which is a phase in which the reservoir 20 is mounted in a sealed manner in the nebulizing head 11. Said connector 42 comprises, for example, a spring 45 and a seal 46. It is configured so that said seal 46 is compressed in a housing 47 after mounting, under the effect of said spring 45. Said housing 47 is defined between said coupling 42 and said reservoir 20. The action of the spring 45 on the seal 46 is effected here through said ring 48 of the coupling. FIG. 8 illustrates a control system 43 used in the particular case where the nebulizing head 11 tends to drip during assembly / disassembly of the reservoir 20 and / or between two uses. Said control system 43 is a knurled system 43 which provides a seal, said flat seal, without generating overpressure inside the reservoir 20. Said knurled system comprises in particular a seal 44 which seals between the knurled system 43 and the nebulizing head 11. Said seal 44 also seals between the knurled system 43 and the reservoir 20. The control system 43 which has just been described can be used with one of the three described embodiments. above, in particular those described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

It should be noted that the embodiments which have just been described may be taken alone or in combination, without departing from the scope of the invention. The assembly according to the invention may be used nomadically.

Alternatively, it may be used in a ventilation device, especially for a motor vehicle. It can then be integrated inside a housing (not shown), itself configured to be contained in a cabin interior of a motor vehicle, preferably a motor vehicle ceiling. It should also be noted that the liquid to be nebulized will advantageously be water, in particular mineral water. Said liquid may alternatively comprise an antimicrobial compound, antihistamine, or even perfume. 10

Claims (15)

REVENDICATIONS1. Nebulizing device (10), in particular for a vehicle interior, comprising a nebulizing head (11) and a receiving zone (12) for a liquid reservoir (20), said nebulizing head (11) being adapted to convert said liquid into microguides of nebulized liquid, said receiving area (12) being adapted to receive said reservoir (20) removably with respect to said device (10). 2. Nebulizing device (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the reception area (12) is configured to receive the reservoir (20) by mechanical connection. 3. Nebulizing device (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein said mechanical connection is a screw. The nebulizer device (10) of claim 2, wherein said mechanical linkage is a quick connect ring. The nebulizing device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said nebulizing head (11) is configured to receive said liquid under the effect of gravity. The nebulizing device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the nebulizing head (11) is configured to receive said liquid under the effect of a force opposing the Earth's gravity. 7. Nebulizing device (10) according to the preceding claim, further comprising a system for generating and / or controlling (42) said pressure difference. 8. Assembly (30) comprising a nebulizing device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims and said reservoir (20). 3028773 12 9. Assembly (30) according to the preceding claim, wherein said reservoir (20) is a bottle of mineral water. 5 10. Assembly (30) according to any one of claims 8 or 9, further comprising a means for pressurizing / depressurizing (50) of the reservoir (20) during its emptying. 11. Assembly (30) according to the preceding claim, wherein the pressurizing / depressurizing means (50) is configured to ensure a pressure between two threshold values, a first threshold value, called the maximum value, chosen so as to prevent the liquid leaks and a second threshold value, called minimum value, chosen so as to prevent the reservoir (20) from deforming under the effect of a depression during emptying. 15 The assembly (30) according to any of claims 10 or 11, wherein the pressurizing / depressurizing means (50) is a calibrated passage (51) for contacting the interior of the removable container (20) with the outside atmospheric pressure, said hole (51) being located at said reception area (12). 13. Assembly (30) according to any one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the pressurizing / depressurizing means (50) comprises a syringe (52) adapted to create a vacuum inside said reservoir (20). An assembly (30) according to any one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the pressurizing / depressurizing means (50) comprises a valve (53) and a pump (54), or two valves (53 ', 53 " ), able to create a depression inside said reservoir (20). 15. A ventilation device, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a nebulizing device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.