GB2201767A

GB2201767A - Roof inlet/outlet for air conditioner in a vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2201767A
Application number: GB08729169A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Bermanseder; Dr Norbert Bermanseder
Original assignee: Daimler Benz AG
Current assignee: Daimler Benz AG
Priority date: 1986-12-16
Filing date: 1987-12-14
Publication date: 1988-09-07
Anticipated expiration: 2007-12-14
Also published as: HUT47482A; IT8722965A0; GB8729169D0; FR2608103B1; HU198874B; BE1000229A3; FR2608103A1; DE3642910A1; BR8706788A; GB2201767B; DE3642910C2; NL8702643A; IT1223277B

Abstract

Over the side windscreen of an omnibus there is provided a roof coping 3 projecting above the roof outline, which coping, by means of at least one partition 4, 5 extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, is divided into a first channel 6 closed towards the passenger space and a second channel 10 connected with it. The second channel 10 has a greater cross-section and is open downwards, so that it may be possible to suspend a heating or air conditioning installation 16. Fresh air is supplied via the channel 6 and the control flap 9 to an air conditioning unit having a heat exchanger 18, peltier effect device 20 and hot water supply and return conduits 17. A further channel 11 may be provided for outlet air. <IMAGE>

Description

A Roof Coping Projecting Over the Roof Outline Above the Windscreen of an Omnibus The invention relates to a roof coping projecting over the roof outline above the windscreen of an omnibus, for supplying fresh air into the inside area of the omnibus.

An omnibus constructed in this manner in which each roof coping incorporates in an advantageous manner stiffening and air ducting functions is known from DE-PS 20 06 250.

The present invention seeks to increase the supporting capacity of the roof coping further and also to increase its air supply and distributing function on the basis of shorter air passages, so that, as a result of the widening of the utilisation spectrum the comfort of the passengers, in particular, is increased.

According to the present invention there is provided a roof coping projecting over the roof outline above the windscreen of an omnibus, for supplying fresh air into the inner space of the omnibus, wherein the roof coping is divided by at least one partition extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle into a first channel closed towards the passenger space, and into a second channel connecting with the first channel and open towards the passenger space and greater in cross-section than the first channel, the first channel being connected with atmosphere via at least one air inlet disposed above the roof outline, both channels being joined together by at least one opening adapted to be closed by means of an adjusting flap, a heating and air conditioning installation being housed in an arrangement attached to the second channel.

If two partitions parallel with each other are provided, there is produced a ventilation channel which connects with the second channel of greater cross-section joined with the inside space for the passengers, said ventilation channel opening out into the atmosphere via at least one air outlet.

In this manner there is provided a central ventilation possibility, the admission of air being able to take place via a perforated roof portion provided on the underside of the ventilation channel. If the arrangement has an air conditioning device, it will be appropriate to provide in the ventilation channel a coupled shutter arrangement which releases to a varying extent or closes the air outlet and a transition opening to the second channel. On cooling operation it is then possible that the vehicle is then able to run with a modifiable amount of circulating air. The comfort of the passengers is further increased if the second channel is divided by means of bulkheads disposed one behind the other into channel portions which fresh air and/or circulating air can reach, and if such an arrangement is associated with each channel portion.A maximum degree of comfort is then achievable if each row of seats has an arrangement at its disposal, the incorporation position of which matching the construction grid or the module size.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention each arrangement is provided with supply ducts extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and, according to a further preferred embodiment, with arrangements disposed in rows side by side, a, preferably automatic, coupling of the supply ducts is provided. In a further embodiment of the invention each arrangement is equipped with at least one heat exchanger which is constructed as a tubular heat exchanger and/or a surface heat exchanger arranged on the edge.The tubular heat exchanger may then be disposed in lying or standing position as a circular heat exchanger, while the surface heat exchanger may also operate according to the heat tube principle.To produce a cooling effect at least one Feltier cell may be used by means of which, particularly in moderate widths, it is possible to achieve, as experience has shown, adequate temperature reduction of about 44C at reasonable cost. A pole changer may be mounted upstream of the Peltier cell so that e.g.

in extreme cold it is possible to achieve an increase of air temperature. In a preferred embodiment of the invention each arrangement is provided, on the side facing the passengers, operating elements and adjustable air outlets.

Two embodiments of the invention will now be described hereinbelow by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig 1 shows a roof of an omnibus, eternally sectioned transversally to the direction of travel, with a heat exchanger in horizontal position, and Peltier elements; Fig. 2 is a sectional representation corresponding to Fig. 1 with an upright arrangement of the heat exchanger and Peltier elements, and Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through a roof coping according to a further embodiment.

An omnibus not more closely represented has above the side windscreen 1, a roof coping 3 protruding beyond the roof outline 2, which is divided by partitions 4 and 5 into three individual channels. An externally-disposed first channel 6 able to be closed save for at least one air inlet 7 and at least one opening 8 disposed opposite said inlet and closeable by a regulating flap 9, connects with a second channel 10 of greater cross-section, open downwards.

Associated with the second channel 10 towards the centre of the vehicle is a ventilation channel 11 which is in connection via at least one air outlet 12 with the atmosphere and, below, via a perforated deck section which has not been represented, with the passenger space 15.

The air inlet 7 and the air outlet 12 are appropriately placed in such a way that, when using specific pressure conditions, a pressure drop to the air outlet 12 is achieved. Depending on the type of vehicle this may lead to the need for an arrangement of the inlets 7 and 12 and the associated components which is a mirror image of the representations given.

In the ventilation channel 11 at least one self-coupled flap arrangement 13 is disposed which releases in varying degrees or closes the air outlet 12 and a transition opening 14 which leads towards the second channel. Connected to the channel 10 open towards the passenger space 15 is at least one arrangement 16 which has integrated supply ducts 17, a horizontally-spaced tubular hear exchanger 18, surface heat exchanger(s) 19 as well as a Peltier cell. A polechanger shown at 21 is associated with the latter so that the Peltier cell 20 connected to a cooler circuit 22, not shown in detail can be brought into action as desired for heating or cooling.

In the embodiment represented the arrangement 16 is suspended below as one unit. However, it would also be possible to dispose indiidual components on the roof rigidly mounted on the body. On the side 23 of the arrangement 16 facing the passengers there are mounted an air outlet 24, adjustable in terms of its volume and direction, and controls 25, by means of which it is possible to adjust heat and cooling, the operation of the blower 26 as well as the necessary setting movements of the flaps in connection with fresh air and circulating air operation. The supply ducts 17, of which the two ducts disposed above, supplying heat e.g. on the channel side form the forward run and return for the hot water, while the lower duct ensures the electric supply of the setting and driving elements provided, are arranged at the end in a manner not represented such that on fitting one onto the other a plurality of arrangements 16, which are separated in ventilation terms in the area of the second channel 10 by bulkheads 27 - of which only one is represented -, an automatic coupling is effected. In the two upper supply ducts 17 there may be disposed, in a manner not represented, plastic tubes which, as a result of their heat expansion, experience a radial supporting force on the adjacent wall.

The embodiment according to Fig. 2 corresponds substantially to that of Fig. 1 so that for parts of identical type identical reference numbers are used. Two heat exchangers 18 are disposed in substantially standing position and two Peltier cells 20 have been incorporated into the sidewalls of the appliance 16 suspended below.

In order to achieve a removal of heat from the hot side of the Peltier cells 20 which is situated externally in cooling operation the Peltier cell 20 on the left-hand side is connected in the manner already described to a cooling circuit 22, while the Peltier cell 20 on the right-hand side is associated with a guide arrangement 28 which, in cooperation with the adjacent wall of the arrangement 16 and the Peltier cell 20, forms a channel through which the outgoing air is passed upwards and to the ventilation channel 11. A further possibility of arrangement of the air exchangers 18 and of the Peltier cells 20 is shown in Fig. 3. Both units as well as an air guiding arrangement 29 which can be made to flow downwards from a building unit which can be incorporated and removed after the swivelling away of a flap 30 hinged on the passenger space side. The air outlets 24 are integrated in the flap 30, and webs 31 protruding from the latter separate the cold side from the warm side of the Peltier cell 20 when the flap 30 is closed. Thus, in the manner already described, a removal of heat can be effected from the warm side of the Peltier cell 20.

Claims

1. A roof coping projecting over the roof outline above the windscreen of an omnibus, for supplying fresh air into the inner space of the omnibus, wherein the roof coping is divided by at least one partition extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle into a first channel closed towards the passenger space, and into a second channel connecting with the first channel and open towards the passenger space and greater in cross-section than the first channel, the first channel being connected with atmosphere via at least one air inlet disposed above the roof outline, both channels being joined together by at least one opening adapted to be closed by means of an adjusting flap, a heating and air conditioning installation being housed in an arrangement attached to the second channel.

2. .t roof coping according to Claim 1, wherein two partitions extending parallel with each other are provided, so as to form a ventilation channel connecting with the second channel greater in cross-section and joined with the passenger space which ventilation channel is in communication with the atmosphere via at least one air outlet.

3. A roof coping according to Claim 2, wherein the ventilation channel a coupled flap arrangement is provided which, selectively releases or closes the air outlet and a transition opening towards the second channel.

4. A roof coping according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the second channel, by means of bulkheads disposed one behind the other into several channel portions which can be impinged upon by fresh air and/or circulating air, and wherein a said arrangement is associated with each channel portion.

5. A roof coping according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein each said arrangement has supply ducts extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

6. A roof coping according to Claim 5, wherein on disposing said arrangements in rows a coupling of the supply ducts is effected.

7. A roof coping according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein each said arrangement has at least one heat exchanger which is constructed as a tubular heat exchanger and/or as a surface heat exchanger mounted on the arrangement walls.

8. A roof coping according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein at least one Peltier cell is used for cooling.

9. A roof coping according to Claim 8, wherein a pole changer is mounted upstream of the Peltier cell.

10. A roof coping according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein each said arrangement is provided on the side facing the passengers with controls and adjustable air outlets.

11. A roof coping projecting over the roof outline above the windscreen of an omnibus, for supplying fresh air into the inner space of the omnibus, substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.