JP7694079B2 - Vehicle air conditioning duct structure - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an air conditioning duct structure for a vehicle.

Typically, the instrument panel of a vehicle is provided with multiple side vent outlets through which air from the air conditioning system flows, and multiple side demister outlets that prevent condensation on the side windows. Each outlet is connected to the air conditioning system main body by ducts in front of the instrument panel.

The side vent duct and the side demister duct are mainly installed as separate components, and each forms an air passage. For example, in the technology of Patent Document 1, as shown in Figure 1, an air conditioning duct 11 corresponding to the side vent duct and a defroster duct 12 corresponding to the side demister duct are each provided separately.

JP 2015-89727 A

In front of the instrument panel, there is limited space available for laying out the side vent duct and side demister duct. For this reason, these side vent ducts and side demister ducts are often installed close to each other, and measures may be required to prevent rattle noises (abnormal noises) caused by the ducts touching each other. In addition, particularly when the side vent is in cooling mode, measures may be required to prevent condensation water from dripping from the duct surface onto other equipment. Measures taken to prevent this include, for example, attaching a packing to the surface of the duct or molding the duct from a foam material, but these increase the cost of work processes and materials, and less expensive methods are needed.

In view of these problems, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle air conditioning duct structure that has a simple structure, allows efficient placement, and prevents condensation.

To solve the above problems, a representative configuration of the vehicle air conditioning duct structure of the present invention is an air conditioning duct structure for a vehicle that guides air from an air conditioning system main body mounted in front of the vehicle's instrument panel to a predetermined first and second air outlet provided on the instrument panel, and includes a first air passage connecting the air conditioning system main body and the first air outlet, and a second air passage connecting the air conditioning system main body and the second air outlet, and the second air passage is integrated with the first air passage over a predetermined range along the first air passage.

The present invention makes it possible to provide a vehicle air conditioning duct structure that is simple in structure, allows efficient placement, and prevents condensation.

1 is a diagram showing an outline of a vehicle air conditioning duct structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a top view of the duct structure of FIG. 3 is a diagram showing each cross section of the collecting duct of FIG. 2 . 4A to 4C are diagrams showing various modified examples of the collecting duct of FIG.

The vehicle air conditioning duct structure according to one embodiment of the present invention is an air conditioning duct structure for guiding air from an air conditioning system body mounted in front of the vehicle's instrument panel to a predetermined first and second air outlet provided on the instrument panel, and includes a first air passage connecting the air conditioning system body and the first air outlet, and a second air passage connecting the air conditioning system body and the second air outlet, and the second air passage is integrated with the first air passage over a predetermined range along the first air passage.

The above configuration simplifies the structure by combining two duct systems into one, making it possible to efficiently arrange them in the limited layout space in front of the instrument panel. In particular, it is possible to prevent contact with surrounding parts while also avoiding interference between the ducts, improving design freedom and making it easier to take measures against NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness), such as suppressing the causes of abnormal noise.

In the above-mentioned specified range, a double-pipe structure is formed in which the second air passage surrounds the first air passage.

The above configuration allows for a more compact configuration, and the second air passage acts as an insulating air layer, reducing the amount of heat exchange in the first air passage and suppressing heat loss.

The first air outlet is a side vent air outlet provided at the end of the instrument panel in the vehicle width direction facing the rear of the vehicle, and the second air outlet is a side demister air outlet provided near the side vent air outlet of the instrument panel facing the side glass of the vehicle.

The side demister is a mechanism for eliminating condensation and fogging on the side glass, and mainly allows warm air to flow through it. In the above configuration, by forming a second air passage for the side demister outside the first air passage for the side vent, the side demister can be used as a heat insulating layer for the side vent, and effects such as suppressing condensation around the duct when the side vent is used for cooling, and reducing the temperature when the side vent is used for heating can be obtained. In particular, the condensation suppression effect makes it possible to reduce costs by eliminating waterproofing measures for peripheral devices.

The second air passage is branched off from a windshield demister duct that extends from the air conditioning system main body toward the windshield of the vehicle.

The above configuration allows for efficient use of demister air.

The outer wall of the second air passage is formed with multiple recesses that are recessed to the extent that they reach the outer wall of the first air passage.

The above-mentioned concave portion improves the rigidity of the duct and makes it possible to efficiently suppress abnormal noises caused by vibrations.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific values shown in the embodiments are merely examples to facilitate understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In this specification and drawings, elements that have substantially the same functions and configurations are given the same reference numerals to avoid duplicated explanations, and elements that are not directly related to the present invention are not illustrated.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing an overview of an air conditioning duct structure for a vehicle (hereinafter, duct structure 100) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1(a) is a perspective view of an instrument panel 102 in which the duct structure 100 is implemented. Hereinafter, in Figure 1 and all other drawings of the present application, the front-rear direction of the vehicle is indicated by arrows F (Forward) and B (Backward), the left and right in the vehicle width direction are indicated by arrows L (Leftward) and R (Rightward), and the top-bottom direction of the vehicle are indicated by arrows U (Upward) and D (Downward).

The instrument panel 102 is provided with multiple air outlets through which air is supplied from the air conditioning system main body 104. For example, center vent outlets 106a, 106b are provided on the left and right near the center in the vehicle width direction as outlets for supplying air for heating and cooling, and side vent outlets 108a, 108b are provided at each end in the vehicle width direction. The center vent outlets 106a, 106b and the side vent outlets 108a, 108b are provided facing toward the rear of the vehicle to provide air to the occupants.

In the duct structure 100, a front demister outlet 110 for the windshield and side demister outlets 112a, 112b for the side windows are provided as outlets for blowing warm air onto the glass to eliminate condensation and fogging. The front demister outlet 110 is provided on the front side of the top surface of the instrument panel 102, facing upward along the windshield. The side demister outlet 112a is provided on the instrument panel 102, above the side vent outlet 108a, facing the side window.

Figure 1(b) is a diagram of the duct structure 100 with the instrument panel 102 of Figure 1(a) removed. The air conditioning system main body 104 is a device that performs heating, cooling, ventilation, and air conditioning, also known as HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), and is provided in front of the center of the instrument panel 102 in the vehicle width direction.

Ducts extend from the air conditioning system main body 104 toward each air outlet. Various air streams are supplied to each duct by switching between different modes from the air conditioning system main body 104, such as cold air, hot air, and normal airflow.

The center vent duct 114 connects the air conditioning system main body 104 to the center vent outlets 106a, 106b. The front demister duct 116 connects the air conditioning system main body 104 to the front demister outlet 110.

The collecting ducts 118, 120 are ducts that combine two duct systems, one for the side vent and one for the side demister, into one. For example, the collecting duct 118 connects the air conditioning system main body 104 and the front demister duct 116 to the side vent outlets 108a, 108b and the side demister outlets 112a, 112b.

Figure 2 is a top view of the duct structure 100 in Figure 1 (b). The center vent duct 114 has a U-shaped bifurcated structure when viewed from above, with two openings 114a, 114b facing rearward. The front demister duct 116 extends upward from the front side of the air conditioning system main body 104, and has an opening 122 at its upper end that runs along the vehicle width direction.

The collecting ducts 118, 120 extend outward in the vehicle width direction from the left and right sides of the center vent duct 114 on the upper part of the air conditioning system main body 104, and then curve so that the opening 142 faces toward the rear of the vehicle.

The collecting duct 118 of this embodiment is a duct in which two ducts are collected into one as described above, and has a bifurcated structure at the base and tip. For example, the base side of the collecting duct 118 includes a first base section 126 and a second base section 130. The first base section 126 extends from a first supply section 124 provided at the top of the air conditioning system main body 104. The second base section 130 extends from a second supply section 128 provided at the side of the front demister duct 116. Both the first supply section 124 and the second supply section 128 are supplied with air from the air conditioning system main body 104 (see FIG. 2).

The tip of the collecting duct 118 branches into a first tip 138 and a second tip 140. The first tip 138 is connected to the side vent outlet 108a (see FIG. 1(a)), which is the first outlet. The second tip 140 has a smaller diameter than the first tip 138 and is connected to the side demister outlet 112a, which is the second outlet.

Figure 3 shows each cross section of the collecting duct 118 in Figure 2. Figure 3(a) is a perspective view of the A-A cross section of the collecting duct 118 in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 3(a), in the main part (collection section 132) of the collecting duct 118, the inner air passage 134, which is the first air passage, and the outer air passage 136, which is the second air passage, are joined together to form a double pipe in which the outer air passage 136 covers the periphery of the inner air passage 134. This double pipe structure can be manufactured as a single unit by double blow molding, but it can also be achieved by attaching a separable large diameter pipe to the outside of a small diameter pipe by fitting a claw or the like.

Figure 3(b) is a cross-sectional view of the collecting duct 118 of Figure 2 taken along line B-B. The inner air passage 134 includes a first root section 126 (see Figure 2) on the root side and a first tip section 138 on the tip side, and connects the first supply section 124 and the side vent outlet 108a (see Figure 1(a)). The outer air passage 136 includes a second supply section 128 (see Figure 2) on the root side and a second tip section 140 on the tip side, and connects the second supply section 128 and the side demister outlet 112a (see Figure 1(a)).

As shown in FIG. 2, the first root 126 of the outer air passage 136 branches off from the front demister duct 116 above the inner air passage 134 and extends diagonally downward toward the inner air passage 134. This allows the outer air passage 136 to efficiently flow air for the demister. As shown in FIG. 3(b), the outer air passage 136 is integrated with the outer side of the inner air passage 134 and extends along the inner air passage 134, with the second tip 140 branching off diagonally upward from the inner air passage 134.

The opening 144 of the second end 140 of the outer air passage 136 is connected to the side demister outlet 112a (see FIG. 1(a)). As another example, it is also possible to connect the opening 142 of the first end 138 of the inner air passage 134 to the side demister outlet 112a, and connect the opening 144 of the second end 140 of the outer air passage 136 to the side vent outlet 108a. In either example, the outer air passage 134 is connected to the side vent outlet 108a or the side demister outlet 112a to which the inner air passage 134 is not connected.

As described above, in this embodiment, one collective duct 118 connects the first supply section 124 to the side vent outlet 108a (see FIG. 1(a)), and the second supply section 128 to the side demister outlet 112a. This configuration simplifies the structure by combining two ducts into one, allowing efficient placement in the limited layout space in front of the instrument panel 102. In particular, it prevents contact with surrounding components and avoids interference between ducts, improving design freedom and making it easier to take measures against NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness), such as suppressing the causes of abnormal noise.

The above-mentioned collecting duct 118 realizes a more compact configuration, and by covering the outside of the inner air passage 134 with the outer air passage 136, the outer air passage 136 acts as an insulating air layer, reducing the amount of heat exchange in the inner air passage 134 and suppressing heat loss.

For example, when the inner air duct 134 for the side vent is cooling, i.e. in summer, there is little opportunity for condensation on the glass, and the outer air duct 136 for the side demister is often still. In this case, the outer air duct 136 acts as an insulating air layer, which helps to mitigate the rise in the temperature of the cold air in the inner air duct 134.

In addition, in winter and other seasons when condensation is likely to occur, warm air flows through both the inner air duct 134 for the side vent and the outer air duct 136 for the side demister, preventing a drop in temperature in the outer air duct 136. In particular, the double-pipe collecting duct 118 has a smaller surface area exposed to the outside air compared to when there are two ducts, so the amount of heat exchanged on the outer surface is reduced, preventing a drop in temperature.

Furthermore, in the collecting duct 118, when the inner air passage 134 for the side vent is used for cooling, the presence of the outer air passage 136 on the outside can suppress condensation around the duct. This condensation suppression effect makes it possible to reduce costs by eliminating the need for waterproofing measures for peripheral devices.

In the collecting duct 118, the outer circumference of the inner air passage 134 is covered by the outer air passage 136, so it is possible to block out radiated sound and vibration noise from the inner air passage 134, i.e., the side vent. Therefore, with this duct structure 100, it is possible to improve NVH performance without increasing costs by adding parts such as sound-proofing gaskets.

The collecting duct 118 is an integrated duct for the side vent and the side demister, which also reduces the number of parts. This simplifies assembly work compared to when separate side vent ducts and side demister ducts are provided, which contributes to improved productivity.

(Modification)
Fig. 4 shows various modified examples of the collecting duct of Fig. 3(a). In Fig. 4, the same components as those already explained in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the explanation of the already mentioned components is omitted. In the following explanation, components with the same names as those already explained have the same functions, even if they are given different reference numerals, unless otherwise specified.

Figure 4 (a) shows a collecting duct 200 of the first modified example. The collecting duct 200 has multiple concave portions 206 on the outer wall 202 of the outer air passage 136. The concave portions 206 are groove-shaped recesses in the outer wall 202 that reach the outer wall 204 of the inner air passage 134, and are provided along the axial direction of the collecting duct 200 at four locations on the outer circumference of the outer air passage 136. Because the concave portions 206 do not block the outer air passage 136, the outer air passage 136 can send air without any problems.

The concave portion 206 improves the rigidity of the collecting duct 200 and efficiently suppresses abnormal noises caused by vibrations. The concave portion 206 may be provided as a groove that covers the entire area of the part where the inner air passage 134 and the outer air passage 136 of the collecting duct 200 are joined, but it may also be provided as a configuration in which independent grooves are regularly arranged.

Figure 4 (b) shows a collecting duct 220 of the second modified example. The collecting duct 220 has multiple concave portions 222 on the outer wall 202 of the outer air passage 136. The concave portions 222 are circular recesses in the outer wall 202 that reach the outer wall 204 of the inner air passage 134, and are provided at multiple locations on the outer periphery of the outer air passage 136. These concave portions 222 also improve the rigidity of the collecting duct 220, making it possible to efficiently suppress abnormal noise caused by vibration.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the attached drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the examples described. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can come up with various modified or revised examples within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

This invention can be used in vehicle air conditioning duct structures.

100...duct structure, 102...instrument panel, 104...air conditioning system body, 106a, 106b...center vent outlet, 108a, 108b...side vent outlet, 110...front demister outlet, 112a, 112b...side demister outlet, 114...center vent duct, 114a, 114b...opening, 116...front demister duct, 1 18... Collection duct, 122... Opening, 124... First supply part, 126... First root part, 128... Second supply part, 130... Second root part, 132... Collection part, 134... Inner air duct, 136... Outside Side air duct, 138...first tip, 140...second tip, 142...opening, 144...opening, 202...outer wall, 204...outer wall, 206...concave shaped part, 220...collecting duct, 222...concave shaped part

Claims (2)

An air conditioning duct structure for a vehicle that guides air from an air conditioning system body mounted in front of an instrument panel of a vehicle to predetermined first and second air outlets provided in the instrument panel,
a first air passage connecting the air conditioning system main body and the first air outlet;
a second air passage connecting the air conditioning system body and the second air outlet,
The second air passage is integrally assembled with the first air passage over a predetermined range along the first air passage,
In the predetermined range, a double-pipe structure is formed in which the second air passage covers the periphery of the first air passage,
the first air outlet is a side vent air outlet provided at an end of the instrument panel in a vehicle width direction and facing toward the rear of the vehicle,
the second air outlet is a side demister air outlet provided in the vicinity of the side vent air outlet of the instrument panel and facing a side window of the vehicle,
The second air passage for a side demister is formed outside the first air passage for a side vent ,
an outer wall of the second air passage having a plurality of recessed portions formed therein by recessing the outer wall to an extent that the recessed portions reach the outer wall of the first air passage; The vehicle air conditioning duct structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the second air passage is branched off from a windshield demister duct that extends from the air conditioning system body toward the windshield of the vehicle.

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