CN221497579U - Mode dial, mode dial assembly and automobile air conditioning system - Google Patents

Abstract

A mode dial for an air conditioning system, wherein the mode dial is rotatable about a central axis and defines oppositely facing first and second sides, the first side having disposed thereon a track for receiving a mode dial lever, the second side having disposed thereon a protrusion configured to: the projection is capable of maintaining slidable contact with a fixed member as the mode dial is rotated about the central axis. The mode dial according to this embodiment does not collide with peripheral components during rotation, thereby significantly reducing noise emitted from the mode dial when in operation. The utility model also discloses a mode dial assembly and an automobile air conditioning system.

Description

Mode dial, mode dial assembly and automobile air conditioning system

Technical Field

The present utility model relates to a mode dial for an air conditioning system, a mode dial assembly and an automotive air conditioning system.

Background

Automotive air conditioning systems typically have a variety of modes of operation, such as a face-blowing mode, foot-blowing mode, defrost mode, and the like. For this purpose, the air conditioning system of the automobile is provided with an air conditioning box for mixing cold and hot air of different sources as needed and delivering the mixed air of a proper temperature to a predetermined location of the vehicle.

The air conditioning case is provided with a plurality of dampers at different locations, for example, at the inlet of the vehicle outside air or inside air into the air conditioning case, at the outlet from the air conditioning case to various locations of the vehicle, or at other locations in the air conditioning case where it is desired to regulate the flow of air. Each damper is used to regulate the air flow direction or flow rate at a respective location by changing the angle at which it is positioned.

In order to conveniently set each damper to an angular position required for a specific air conditioning mode, the air conditioning case may be provided with a mode dial on the outside of its housing, and a plurality of dampers are driven by the mode dial via corresponding mode levers. When the mode dial rotates to a specific angular position, the dampers simultaneously rotate to respective angular positions corresponding to a specific air conditioning mode.

However, in the current automotive air conditioning system, a phenomenon in which noise occurs in operation of the mode dial occurs. Accordingly, there remains a need for improved mode dials and related components to address this issue.

Disclosure of utility model

In view of the above, according to a first aspect of the present utility model, there is provided a mode dial for an air conditioning system, wherein the mode dial is rotatable about a central axis and defines oppositely facing first and second sides, the first side being provided with a track for receiving a mode dial lever, the second side being provided with a protrusion configured to: the projection is capable of maintaining slidable contact with a fixed member as the mode dial is rotated about the central axis.

The mode dial according to this embodiment does not collide with peripheral components during rotation, thereby significantly reducing noise emitted from the mode dial when in operation.

The control board according to the present utility model may have one or more of the following features.

According to one embodiment, preferably, the protrusion is provided on the second side at a position corresponding to the track.

According to one embodiment, preferably, the contact between the protrusion and the fixing member is a point contact.

According to one embodiment, the protrusions are preferably cylinders with hemispherical tops.

According to one embodiment, preferably, the protrusions are three protrusions, and the three protrusions extend the same height along the central axis.

According to one embodiment, preferably, the triangle formed by the three protrusions encloses the central axis.

According to one embodiment, preferably, the three protrusions are disposed close to a radially outer side of the mode dial.

According to one embodiment, preferably, the three protrusions are equidistant from the central axis.

According to one embodiment, preferably, the three protrusions are equiangularly spaced along the circumferential direction with respect to the central axis.

According to a second aspect of the present utility model, there is provided a mode dial assembly for an air conditioning system, the mode dial assembly comprising a main housing and any one of the foregoing mode dials, wherein the fixing member is a bracket, the mode dial is rotatably fixed to the main housing with the first side facing the main housing and the second side facing the bracket.

According to one embodiment, preferably, a surface of the bracket opposite the second side is provided with a circular track along which each of the protrusions slides.

According to a third aspect of the present utility model, there is provided an automotive air conditioning system comprising any one of the foregoing mode dial assemblies.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the embodiments of the present utility model, the following description will briefly explain the drawings of the embodiments of the present utility model. Wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating some embodiments of the utility model only and not for the purpose of limiting the same.

Fig. 1 is an assembled view of a mode dial, a mode dial group, a main housing, and a bracket according to the present utility model.

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of a mode dial, a mode dial set, a main housing and a bracket according to the present utility model.

Fig. 3A is a perspective view of a mode dial according to the present utility model, showing a second side of the mode dial.

Fig. 3B is a side view of the mode dial according to the present utility model.

Fig. 3C is a perspective view of the mode dial according to the present utility model, showing a first side of the mode dial.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the bracket showing a side of the bracket that interfaces with the mode dial.

Fig. 5A is a cross-sectional side view of a mode dial assembled with a bracket according to the present utility model, showing a portion of the bracket.

Fig. 5B is a front view of the mode dial assembled with the bracket showing a first side of the mode dial according to the present utility model.

Fig. 6 is a rear view of the mode dial according to the present utility model, showing a second side of the mode dial.

List of reference numerals

100. Main shell

200. Mode deflector rod group

210. First mode deflector rod

220. Second mode deflector rod

230. Third mode deflector rod

240. Damper driving piece of third mode deflector rod

300. Mode dial

301. First track

302. Second track

303. Third track

305. A first track part

306. Second track part

307. Third track portion

311. Center portion

3110. Rotation limiting part

312. Connecting part

313. Connecting rib

314. Viewing window

315. Viewing positioning window

316. Gear shaft

317. Joint post

318. Latch part

321. First protrusion

322. Second protrusion

323. Third protrusion

351. First side of the mode dial

352. Second side of mode dial

400. Fixing part and bracket

401. A central opening

402. Circular track

403. Fastening section

404. Fastening section

405. Round surface

500. Mode dial assembly

601. Triangle-shaped

602. Example roll axis

603. Reference circle

611. First connecting line

612. Second connecting line

613. Third connecting line

L0 central axis

Detailed Description

In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the technical solutions of the present utility model more clear, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of specific embodiments of the present utility model. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like parts. It should be noted that the described embodiments are some, but not all embodiments of the present utility model. All other embodiments, which can be made by a person skilled in the art without creative efforts, based on the described embodiments of the present utility model fall within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Unless defined otherwise, technical or scientific terms used herein should be given the ordinary meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this utility model belongs. The terms "first," "second," and the like in the description and in the claims, are not used for any order, quantity, or importance, but are used for distinguishing between different elements. Likewise, the terms "a" or "an" and the like do not necessarily denote a limitation of quantity. The word "comprising" or "comprises", and the like, means that elements or items preceding the word are included in the element or item listed after the word and equivalents thereof, but does not exclude other elements or items. The terms "connected" or "connected," and the like, are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but may include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. "upper", "lower", "left", "right", etc. are used merely to indicate relative positional relationships, which may also be changed when the absolute position of the object to be described is changed.

The utility model is described in detail below by way of description of example embodiments.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a mode dial 300 according to the present utility model in an assembled state. Fig. 1 shows a main housing 100, a mode dial set 200, a mode dial 300, and a bracket 400. According to one embodiment of the utility model, the main housing 100 is part of an air conditioning unit of an automotive air conditioning system and may be fixedly mounted to the remainder of the air conditioning unit. The bracket 400 is fixed to the outside of the main casing 100 (i.e., the side of the main casing 100 visible in fig. 1) for further mounting or spacing other parts of the automobile. For example, the bracket 400 is fixed to the outside of the main casing 100 at the fastening sections 403, 404, etc. thereof by bolts. A micro motor (not shown) for driving the mode dial 300 may be installed at a side of the bracket 400 facing away from the main housing 100. A central opening 401 (see also fig. 4) is provided in the bracket 400 for the gear shaft 316 of the mode dial 300 to pass through. On the other hand, the mode dial 300 is also rotatably fixed to the main housing 100. Thus, the micro motor can drive the mode dial 300 to rotate by driving the gear shaft 316 of the mode dial 300.

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the mode dial 300, the mode dial set 200, the main housing 100, and the bracket 400 according to the present utility model.

FIG. 2 shows a pattern lever set 200 that includes a first pattern lever 210, a second pattern lever 220, a third pattern lever 230, and a damper drive 240 for the third pattern lever. In one embodiment of the present utility model, the pattern dial set 200 is used to drive three dampers disposed on the inside of the main housing 100 (i.e., the side of the main housing 100 not visible in FIG. 1). Wherein the first mode dial 210 is rotatably mounted on the main housing 100, one end of which is configured to rotatably pass through a shaft portion of a corresponding opening on the main housing 100, and the other end of which is provided with a protrusion portion received in a track of the mode dial 300, whereby the first mode dial 210 is driven to rotate relative to the opening of the main housing 100 by the mode dial 300, and the shaft portion of which in turn drives the first damper located inside the main housing 100. The second mode lever 220 is rotatably mounted on the main housing 100 similarly to the first mode lever 210, and is driven by the mode dial 300 to drive a second damper located inside the main housing 100. The third mode dial 230 is rotatably installed on the main housing 100, one end of which is provided with a protrusion portion received in a track of the mode dial 300, the other end of which is provided with a gear portion, and a rotation shaft is provided therebetween. The damper driving member 240 is rotatably mounted on the main housing 100, and has one end provided with a mating gear portion corresponding to the gear portion of the third mode lever 230 and the other end configured to rotatably pass through a shaft portion of a corresponding opening in the main housing 100. Then, the third mode dial 230 is driven to rotate by the mode dial 300, which in turn drives the damper driving piece 240 to rotate, and the damper driving piece 240 drives the third damper located inside the main housing 100.

It should be noted that the foregoing damper and mode lever configurations are merely exemplary, and that the following embodiments of the present utility model correspond to the foregoing damper and mode lever exemplary configurations. However, the mode dial and mode dial assembly according to the present utility model may be adapted to accommodate other specific damper and mode lever configurations without departing from the scope of the present utility model.

Next, referring to fig. 3A to 3C, the structure of the mode dial 300 is described. Fig. 3A is a perspective view of the mode dial 300, showing the mode dial 300 configured toward the second side 352 of the bracket 400. Fig. 3B is a side view of the mode dial 300. Fig. 3C is a perspective view of the mode dial 300, showing the mode dial 300 configured toward the first side 351 of the main housing 100.

The mode dial 300 has a center portion 311. A gear shaft 316 (see fig. 3A, 3B) extends from the second side 352 of the central portion 311 away from the central portion 311 for rotational drive by the micro-motor. The engagement posts 317 extend away from the central portion 311 from the first side 351 of the central portion 311 to be received in corresponding mode dial shaft portion receiving openings on the main housing 100 and are rotatable relative thereto so that the mode dial 300 is rotatably secured to the main housing 100.

Alternatively, the structure of the engagement post 317 is a barrel structure that is open on a side away from the center portion 311, one section of the barrel structure in the circumferential direction is separated from the rest of the barrel structure, and one end of the section away from the center portion 311 protrudes radially outward, thereby forming the latch 318. The latch 318 enables the mode dial 300 to be easily mounted into the mode dial shaft portion receiving opening of the main housing 100, and the mode dial 300 is not easily detached from the main housing 100 after the mounting is completed.

Alternatively, as shown in fig. 3C, a rotation limiting portion 3110 may be provided at a region of the periphery of the center portion 311. The rotation limiting portion 3110 is a portion protruding away from the center portion 311 at the first side 351 of the mode dial 300. Accordingly, two cooperating rotation limiting portions may be provided at corresponding positions on the outside of the main housing 100, for example, at sections of the periphery of the mode dial shaft portion receiving opening, for limiting the rotation limiting portion 3110 to be movable only within a certain angular range, thereby limiting the mode dial 300 to be rotated only within a certain angular range.

As shown in fig. 3A and 3C, a first rail portion 305, a second rail portion 306, and a third rail portion 307 are provided on the mode dial 300 in a substantially bar shape. The first, second and third rail portions 305, 306, 307 are provided along respective bar shapes on the first side of the mode dial 300 for receiving the protruding portions of the first, second and third mode dials 210, 220, 230, respectively. Thereby, the mode dial 300 can simultaneously drive the rotation of the first, second and third mode levers 210, 220 and 230. The particular extension shape of each track 301, 302, 303 (and the shape of the corresponding each track section) is related to the particular desired configuration of the mode lever, damper drive, and damper, and is not specifically described herein.

In the embodiment of the present utility model, each of the rail portions 305, 306, 307 is formed in a substantially separate shape and is integrally formed with the center portion 311 by the plurality of coupling portions 312 and the plurality of connecting ribs 313, thereby making the mode dial 300 lighter in weight and easy to observe the installation and operation of the mode dial lever and damper driver through the gaps between the portions. Further, alternatively, each track portion 305, 306, 307 may be provided with a plurality of viewing windows 314 at the bottom of its respective track 301, 302, 303 for viewing movement of the end projections of each mode lever in the track from the second side 352 of the mode dial 300. Wherein some of the viewing windows 314 may be provided with flanges or other protrusions to distinguish from the remaining viewing windows 314 as viewing positioning windows 315 to aid in installation positioning.

Referring further to fig. 3A and 3B, the first protrusion 321, the second protrusion 322, and the third protrusion 323 on the second side 352 of the mode dial 300 are shown. Specifically, the first protrusion 321, the second protrusion 322, and the third protrusion 323 are all provided on the rail portion, that is, at positions corresponding to the rails 301, 302, 303 on the second side 352 of the mode dial 300. In a state where the mode dial 300, the mode dial group 200, the main housing 100, and the holder 400 are assembled with each other, the protrusions 321, 322, 323 on the mode dial 300 contact the holder 400 as a fixing member, for example, contact a surface of the holder 400 opposite to the second side 352 of the mode dial 300. Also, the protrusions 321, 322, 323 are configured such that when the mode dial 300 is rotated about its central axis L0, the protrusions 321, 322, 323 can remain in slidable contact with the bracket 400, thereby preventing the mode dial 300 from colliding with the bracket 400 to generate undesired noise.

As shown in fig. 4, a circular track 402 may be provided on a surface of the bracket 400 opposite the second side 352 of the mode dial 300, and each of the protrusions 321, 322, 323 may slide along the circular track 402, thereby ensuring continuous contact of each of the protrusions with the bracket 400, while other portions of the bracket 400 may be provided with holes or grids to reduce weight.

Fig. 5A and 5B specifically show a state in which the mode dial 300 is held in contact with the bracket 400 via the projections 321, 322, 323 thereof. Among them, fig. 5A is a cross-sectional side view taken along a section indicated by a broken line A-A in fig. 5B, which shows the relative positions of the mode dial 300 and the bracket 400, and a state in which the second projection 322 and the circular rail 402 are in contact with each other. Alternatively, the circular track 402 protrudes, e.g., slightly protrudes, toward the mode dial 300 relative to the rest of the surface of the bracket 400 facing the mode dial 300 (e.g., the circular face 405 surrounded by the circular track 402) to prevent portions of the mode dial 300 other than the protrusions 321, 322, 333 from contacting or impinging on the bracket 400.

Returning to fig. 3A and 3B, the protrusions 321, 322, 323 are all cylinders with hemispherical tops, forming point contacts with the circular track 402 of the bracket 400. Accordingly, even when the mode dial 300 or a portion thereof is changed at a certain angle with respect to the main housing 100 or the bracket 400, continuous contact of the respective protrusions with the circular track 402 can be ensured. In fig. 3A and 3B, all the projections 321, 322, 323 extend the same height along the central axis L0, so that the mode dial 300 remains substantially parallel to the circular track 402, so that friction between the engagement post 317 and the like of the mode dial 300 and the main housing 100 is kept small.

Referring to fig. 6, specific positions of the first protrusion 321, the second protrusion 322, and the third protrusion 323 on the mode dial 300 are shown. In fig. 6, the first protrusion 321, the second protrusion 322, and the third protrusion 323 form a triangle 601 (three sides of which are indicated by long-dashed lines), and the triangle 601 surrounds the central axis L0. Thus, the turning movement of the mode dial 300 about any of the turning axes (e.g., the example turning axis 602 in fig. 6) lying in its plane is effectively prevented, thereby significantly reducing the possibility of the mode dial 300 colliding with the bracket 400 to make noise, while the undesirable moment experienced by the gear shaft 316, the engagement post 317, and other portions of the center portion 311 of the mode dial 300 is reduced.

As shown in fig. 6, three protrusions 321, 322, 323 are provided near the radially outer side of the mode dial 300. Such an arrangement more effectively prevents the outer peripheral portion of the mode dial 300 from striking the bracket 400 while helping to reduce unwanted moment experienced by the gear shaft 316, the engagement post 317, and other portions of the center portion 311 of the mode dial 300. Further, the distances from the three protrusions 321, 322, 323 to the central axis L0 are the same (see the lengths of the lines 611, 612, 613 of the three protrusions 321, 322, 323 with the central axis L0, respectively, and the three protrusions 321, 322, 323 are located substantially on the reference circle 602 centered on the L0). This arrangement helps balance the forces of the three lobes 321, 322, 323 of the mode dial 300, which in turn balances the forces of the various portions of the mode dial 300 and balances the wear and fatigue levels of the various lobes.

In addition, in fig. 6, the three protrusions 321, 322, 323 are not equally angularly spaced in the circumferential direction with respect to the central axis L0 (see the angular positions of the connecting lines 611, 612, 613), but are preferentially arranged on the track portion for convenience of design and manufacture. However, in an embodiment not shown, three protrusions may also be arranged at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction with respect to the central axis L0 to make the stress of the respective portions of the mode dial 300 more balanced. For example, the mode dial 300 may have other integral body shapes instead of being formed by connecting a plurality of track portions to each other via a connecting portion or a connecting rib. In such a configuration, the respective protrusions may be suitably disposed on the second side 352 surface of the mode dial 300, and optionally take one or more of the aforementioned relative positional relationships to optimize the mode dial 300.

Exemplary embodiments of the mode dial, the mode dial assembly, and the air conditioning system according to the present utility model have been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, however, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and adaptations can be made to the specific embodiments described above and various combinations of the technical features and structures according to the present utility model can be made without departing from the scope of the present utility model.

Claims (12)

1. A mode dial for an air conditioning system, characterized in that the mode dial (300) is rotatable about a central axis (L0) and defines oppositely facing first (351) and second (352) sides, the first side (351) being provided with tracks (301, 302, 303) for receiving a mode lever (210, 220, 230), the second side (352) being provided with protrusions (321, 322, 323) configured to: the projection is capable of maintaining slidable contact with a fixed member (400) when the mode dial (300) is rotated about the central axis (L0).

2. The mode dial according to claim 1, characterized in that the protrusions (321, 322, 323) are provided on the second side (352) at positions corresponding to the tracks (301, 302, 303).

3. The mode dial according to claim 2, characterized in that the contact between the protrusions (321, 322, 323) and the fixing member (400) is a point contact.

4. A mode dial according to claim 3, characterized in that the protrusions (321, 322, 323) are cylinders with hemispherical tops.

5. The mode dial according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the protrusions (321, 322, 323) are three protrusions, and the three protrusions extend along the central axis (L0) to the same height.

6. The mode dial according to claim 5, characterized in that the triangle (601) formed by the three protrusions (321, 322, 323) encloses the central axis (L0).

7. The mode dial according to claim 6, characterized in that the three protrusions (321, 322, 323) are provided close to the radially outer side of the mode dial (300).

8. The mode dial according to claim 7, characterized in that the three protrusions (321, 322, 323) are equidistant from the central axis (L0).

9. The mode dial according to claim 8, characterized in that the three protrusions (321, 322, 323) are equiangularly spaced along a circumferential direction with respect to the central axis (L0).

10. A mode dial assembly for an air conditioning system, characterized in that the mode dial assembly (500) comprises a main housing (100) and a mode dial (300) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the fixing member is a bracket, the mode dial (300) is rotatably fixed to the main housing (100), the first side (351) is directed towards the main housing (100), and the second side (352) is directed towards the bracket.

11. The mode dial assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that a surface of the bracket opposite the second side (352) is provided with a circular track (402), each of the protrusions (321, 322, 323) sliding along the circular track (402).

12. A car air conditioning system, characterized in that it comprises a mode dial assembly (500) according to claim 9 or 10.