Heating and/or air conditioning apparatus for an automotive vehicle

Claim 1

Air temperature regulating apparatus for an automotive vehicle, comprising a supply duct for supplying external air, said supply duct being divided into a first branch and a second branch, said first branch having first outlet means into the interior of the vehicle, said second branch comprising a heat exchanger for heating air passing through it, said second branch having a second outlet means for delivery of air into the interior of the vehicle, the apparatus further comprising junction means for communicating said first and second branches with each other, said junction means having a terminal edge proximal said heat exchanger and extending therefrom, and control means for adjusting the temperature of the air delivered from said first and second outlet means comprising a flap valve having two flaps joined for simultaneously movement and pivotable about an axis disposed transversely to the general direction of air flow said flap valve being situated in the said junction means and adjacent said terminal edge, said flap valve pivoting between one extreme position closing said junction means and partially masking the heat exchanger while allowing free flow of air through the said first branch, and a second extreme position closing said first branch while allowing free flow of air through said heat exchanger and junction means.