Vehicle air conditioning device

Claim 1

A device for air conditioning an enclosed space with at least one mode of automatic temperature control, such device comprising an air circulating fan; means defining different flow paths for conditioning air through the device; one heat exchanger means through which the conditioning air can pass as it travels along at least one of said paths; movable means for directing the flow of conditioning air along said different possible circulation paths in the device; at least two fluid pressure operated actuators; two electromagnetic valves associated with the actuators of the device so that each actuator is controlled by at least one of the two electromagnetic valves and is effective to drive said movable means, each of said electromagnetic valves having first, second and third valve ports, said first port of each valve being interconnected through the valve with said second port when the electromagnetic valve is de-energised, and with said third port when the electromagnetic valve is energised with a control signal; means to define a first fluid flow path for each valve including the said first and second ports of said valve; means to interconnect said first fluid flow paths of said two electromagnetic valves; two fluid feeds at different respective pressures; means connecting the two electromagnetic valves to respective ones of said two fluid feeds at different respective pressures; and means to connect at least one of said actuators to each of the two said first ports.

Claim 2

A device for air conditioning an enclosed space with at least one mode of automatic temperature control, such device comprising an air circulating fan; means defining different flow paths for conditioning air through the device; one heat exchanger means through which the conditioning air can pass as it travels along at least one of said paths; movable means for directing the flow of conditioning air along said different possible circulation paths in the device; at least two fluid pressure operated actuators; two electromagnetic valves associated with the actuators of the device so that each actuator is controlled by at least one of the two electromagnetic valves and is effective to drive said movable means, each of said electromagnetic valves having first, second and third valve ports, said first port of each valve being interconnected through the valve with said second port when the electromagnetic valve is de-energised, and with said third port when the electromagnetic valve is energised with a control signal; means to define a first fluid flow path for each valve including the said first and second ports of said valve; means to interconnect said first fluid flow paths of said two electromagnetic valves; two fluid feeds at different respective pressures; means connecting the two electromagnetic valves to respective ones of said two fluid feeds at different respective pressures; and means to connect at least one of said actuators to each of the two said first ports.

Claim 8

A device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said fluid pressure actuators of the movable means for directing the flow of conditioning air are pneumatic jacks each having a piston rod, and means spring biasing said piston rod for movement in one axial direction along the jack.

Claim 10

A device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said heat exchanger means comprise first and second heat exchangers; and further including a coolant fluid compressor connected to said first heat exchanger to cool air passing through said first heat exchanger, and means connected to said second heat exchanger for warming air passing through said second heat exchanger, said air circulating fan being effective to circulate conditioning air through said first heat exchanger before said second heat exchanger.

Claim 12

A device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, including a plurality of outlet conduits from said device, and wherein the device is capable of an automatic mode of control which effects a priority function in which the whole of the conditioned air flow is directed towards a signle one of said outlet conduits.

Claim 17

A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein during said mode of automatic control air conditioning is effected in dependance on a control parameter which is one of: the position of a cold air/hot air mixing flap, the temperature of the conditioning air entering the enclosed space to be conditioned, and the air temperature in this enclosed space.

Claim 18

A device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said movable means comprises pivoting flap means controlling hot air/cold air mixing and further flap means for controlling distribution of the conditioning air; and a first one of said actuator controls said hot air/cold air mixing flap means and a second of said actuators at least controls said further flap means.

Claim 21

A device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, when installed in an automobile vehicle such that the enclosed space to be conditioned is the vehicle cabin, and wherein said actuator means includes a first actuator which controls a flap having a first extreme position resulting in directing of the conditioning air solely to the face vents of the vehicle cabin, and a second extreme position resulting in flow of the conditioning air to ventilation conduits directed towards the feet of the vehicle occupants and towards the vehicle windscreen.