DE102007013432B4 - Warm air duct for an air conditioner of a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Warm air duct for an air conditioner (1) of a motor vehicle, which can have various air outlets (5, 6, 7, 8, 9), the warm air duct (2) having at least one warm air inlet opening (4) through which warm air can be received, and at least one Warm air duct outlet opening (12), via which hot air can be released to the air outlets (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) of the air conditioner, wherein at least one separating web (3) is arranged above the at least one warm air duct outlet opening (12) in such a way that the warm air duct outlet opening (12) is divided into at least a first outlet opening area (12.1) and a second outlet opening area (12.2), and that warm air is received in the area of a heat exchanger via at least one warm air inlet opening (4) of the warm air duct (2) and via the individual outlet opening areas ( 12.1, 12.2) leaves the warm air duct (2), whereby the warm air that enters the warm air duct (2) via the warm air duct outlet left opening (12), is divided into at least two hot air partial flows (10, 11), which supply the associated air outlets (5, 6, 7) of the air conditioning unit (1) with hot air and that a baffle plate is located in front of the hot air duct outlet opening (15), which is shaped like a quarter of a cylindrical surface in order to branch off warm air from the inside of the warm air duct (2) and to direct it to the air outlet (9) in the direction of the side of the dashboard and the warm air duct (2) into the housing of the air conditioning unit (1 ) is used so that the edge of the duct that is still missing is formed by side walls and separators (3) of the air conditioning unit (1).

Description

The invention relates to a hot air duct for an air conditioner of a motor vehicle having different air outlets.

Due to customer requirements, automobile manufacturers often specify the function of some air conditioning units for motor vehicles in such a way that a low temperature stratification, that is to say only a small temperature difference between the individual air outlets of the air conditioning unit, has to be achieved. This means that a good mixing of hot and cold air downstream of the mixing door, if the air conditioner for cost reasons, only a single mixing door is used, must be done within the mixing chamber. Since the air outlets for defrosting air, footwell and air in the direction of the instrument panel are distributed spatially far apart around the mixing room in some air conditioners, an improvement in the temperature distribution is often achieved only by introducing one or more air baffles.

Therefore, today primarily a channel is used, which is either attached to a mixing door and thus connected with this rotatable or fixed to the housing of the air conditioner.

After DE 101 25 168 A1 is a device for controlling flowing media, in particular air conditioner for a motor vehicle, known which has a plurality of channels and a pivotable mixing flap, wherein a support for the mixing flap is provided, which is supported with end faces on adjacent walls.

The DE 35 29 940 C2 discloses a heating and air conditioning system for motor vehicles with a pivotable mixing air damper.

In the GB 1 091 736 A a heating system for a motor vehicle is described in which hot air is passed from a heater by a fan to two outlet nozzles in the cockpit. The hot air is passed through a duct system in which a single outlet tube bifurcates symmetrically into two tubes that extend to the two different outlet nozzles.

The DE 196 49 512 A1 describes a heating or air conditioning system for a vehicle in which a channel extension is provided for guiding a hot air flow to a defroster outlet opening, which extends from the end region of a hot air duct into a region of the defroster outlet opening. Closing the defrost flap also closes the outlet of the channel extension at the same time.

From the JP 2001-088 532 A For example, there is known an apparatus for mixing cold and warm air within an air distribution system in a cockpit, wherein the mixing takes place in a channel with alternating layers of cold and warm air.

The basic principle according to the teachings of the abovementioned prior art documents is in each case that warm air is tapped in a region above a heat exchanger and conducted by means of a hot air duct in the direction of the defrosting air outlets which are located in the front part of the air conditioner. Usually, the inlet of the hot air duct is located below one of the air outlets to the footwell of the passenger compartment. This lowers the temperature of the corresponding outlet to the footwell and increases that of the defroster air outlet, below which the warm air duct ends. The temperature stratification between footwell and defroster air outlets is enhanced by incorporation of this type of warm air duct.

Since the warm air flowing inside the hot air duct is not affected by the cold air outside the duct, the hot air duct is an effective method for improving the temperature stratification. With appropriate shaping of the hot air duct, the pressure loss and noise level of the air conditioner are only slightly increased or even lowered.

On the other hand, if a low temperature stratification is required by the automobile manufacturer in the entire travel range of the mixing door for the air conditioner, a satisfactory solution can not be achieved with a hot air duct which picks up warm air below a footwell air outlet and conducts only in the direction of the defrosting duct. Neither the amount of warm air reaching the defroster air outlet nor the direction in which the air is distributed after leaving the hot air duct can be controlled. The temperature of the air towards the dashboard can not be influenced by this type of hot air duct.

Often it is necessary to further improve the temperature stratification introduce baffles, in particular to influence the temperature of the air in the direction of the dashboard and footwell. Depending on the size and arrangement of these baffles, the pressure loss and the noise level of the air conditioner is significantly increased.

The object of the invention is to provide a new design for a warm air duct, by which, on the one hand, it is to be ensured that the quantity and direction of the warm air leaving the hot air duct can be selectively adjusted. Furthermore, with the invention, not only the temperature of the air to Entfrostungsluft- and Fußraumluftauslass but also the temperature of the air to the dashboard air outlet should be influenced.

The solution of the object of the invention consists in a hot air duct for an air conditioner of a motor vehicle having different air outlets, wherein the hot air duct at least one hot air inlet opening, can be taken on the hot air, and at least one hot air duct outlet opening are discharged via the hot air to the air outlets of the air conditioner can, includes. According to the invention, at least one divider between two outlets of the air conditioner is arranged above the at least one hot air duct exit opening, in such a way that the hot air duct exit opening is divided at least into a first exit opening area and a second exit opening area. Warm air is received in the region of a heat exchanger, usually above it, via the at least one hot air inlet opening of the hot air duct. The warm air leaves the hot air duct via said individual outlet opening areas of the hot air duct outlet opening. Each outlet opening area is assigned in each case an air outlet of the air conditioner. Thus, the hot air leaving the hot air duct via the hot air duct outlet opening, divided into at least two hot air partial flows, each emanating from an outlet opening area. About the outlet openings, these each associated air outlets of the air conditioner can be specifically supplied with hot air.

The concept of the invention is that in an air conditioner with different air outlets, for example, each two delimited air outlets for defrost air and air to the dashboard with a complex design of the hot air duct, with two or more outlet openings of the air, as many air outlets of the air conditioner, such as the defrosting air outlet, the side window dehumidifying air outlet and the outlets in the direction of the dashboard for passenger air in the middle and on the side, separately supplied each with a certain amount of warm air and thus a different mixing temperature for each of these air outlets can be adjusted. In this case, both the minimum number and the position of the hot air duct outlet openings with respect to the air outlets of the air conditioner, as well as the position of the channel within the housing of the air conditioner essential features of the invention. The temperature distribution at the air outlets of air conditioners in motor vehicles is through the hot air duct according to the invention in a large swivel range of the mixing door significantly improved, whereby pressure loss and noise behavior of the air conditioner are not adversely affected.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the warm air duct accesses the warm air via its hot air inlet opening above a heat exchanger in the vicinity of the Fußraumluftauslässe, while the hot air duct outlet opening directly below the Entfrostungsluftauslasses- and at least one of the air outlets leading to the dashboard. In this way, different warm air partial flows are routed to the defroster air outlet and to at least one of the air outlets towards the dashboard. Preferably, a hot air partial stream exiting via the hot air duct outlet opening supplies the air outlet in the direction of the center of the dashboard with hot air.

In a further embodiment, the hot air duct, in addition to the hot air duct outlet opening, which is located below the divider, on another separate hot air duct outlet opening, which directs hot air in the form of another hot air partial flow to an air outlet for side window dehumidification. According to a further advantageous embodiment, a further separate warm air duct outlet opening directs hot air in the form of a corresponding warm air partial flow to the air outlet in the direction of the side of the dashboard.

For the arrangement of the hot air duct, there are two design options. In the first embodiment, the hot air duct, seen from the manufacturing side, laterally demoulded and is inserted into the housing of the air conditioner, that the still missing boundary of the channel is formed by side walls and partitions of the air conditioner. Alternatively, the hot air duct can be located freely in the mixing chamber of the air conditioner and must in this case manufacturing technology z. B. are produced as blow molding.

In both embodiments, there are a minimum number of hot air duct outlet openings in the warm air duct, which supply as many air outlets of the air conditioner with additional warm air. An increase in the number of hot air duct outlet openings per outlet of the air conditioner is also possible. The invention is conceivable in many different embodiments with respect to the shape of the hot air duct or design of the hot air duct outlet openings, such as the number of kinks or deflections, and is therefore not intended to be limited to a specific shape or design.

Preferably, the outlet opening areas, which are located below the separating web, formed as thin slits and directed vertically upwards, so that the hot air leaving the hot air duct, is aligned almost parallel to the cold air flow.

In contrast, the hot air duct outlet opening, is passed through the hot air to the air outlet for side window dehumidification, in a side wall of the hot air duct and is compared to the hot air duct outlet opening, which is positioned below the divider, preferably aligned at right angles.

In front of the hot air duct outlet opening, is passed through the hot air in the direction of the side of the dashboard, preferably a baffle plate, which is shaped as a quarter of a cylindrical surface. With the help of this baffle hot air is diverted from the interior of the hot air duct and directed to the air outlet in the direction of the side of the dashboard.

The targeted temperature distribution between the individual air outlets of the air conditioner is preferably adjusted by adjusting the size of the outlet openings of the hot air duct.

Technical advantages with the invention over the prior art are that a temperature distribution of an air conditioner for the automotive sector, for which a small temperature difference between the air outlets is required, can be achieved easier and more targeted. The fact that the hot air duct ends directly below the divider between Entfrostungsluftauslass and air outlet in the direction of the dashboard, there is a defined distribution of the amount of hot air between the two air outlets of the air conditioner. Because of the short distance between the hot air duct vents and the two aforementioned air conditioning air outlets, the warm air, after leaving the hot air duct, will no longer be affected by any cross-flow of cold air coming from the evaporator. With aerodynamic design, the pressure loss and noise level of the air conditioner can be reduced compared to the version with air baffles.

With the solution according to the invention, a reduction of the noise level of an air conditioning system for the automotive sector can be achieved.

Another advantage results from the fact that the temperature distribution between the individual air outlets of the air conditioner can be adjusted very targeted and quite simply by adjusting the size of the outlet openings of the hot air duct.

With regard to the static state and the functional sequence, there is no difference for the warm air duct.

Further details, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

1 : the warm air duct for improving the temperature distribution at the air outlets of the air conditioner;

1a a section through the mixing chamber, just above the mixing door of an air conditioner;

1b a plan view of the air outlet of the air conditioner for the first variant of the first embodiment of the hot air duct;

2 a first variant of the first embodiment of the hot air duct;

2a a section through the mixing chamber, just above the mixing door of the air conditioner for the first variant of the first embodiment of the hot air duct;

2 B : the top view of the air outlet region of the air conditioner for the first variant of the first embodiment of the hot air duct;

3 a second variant of the first embodiment of the hot air duct;

3a a section through the mixing chamber, just above the mixing door of the air conditioner for the second variant of the first embodiment of the hot air duct;

3b : the plan view of the air outlet of the air conditioner for the second variant of the first embodiment of the hot air duct;

4 a third variant of the first embodiment of the hot air duct;

4a a section through the mixing chamber, just above the mixing door of the air conditioner for the third variant of the first embodiment of the hot air duct;

4b : the plan view of the air outlet of the air conditioner for the third variant of the first embodiment of the hot air duct;

5 a second embodiment of the device;

5a a section through the mixing chamber, just above the mixing door of the air conditioner for the second embodiment of the hot air duct and

5b : The plan view of the air outlet of the air conditioner for the second embodiment of the hot air duct.

According to the 1 to 4 becomes the hot air duct 2 with the entrance opening 4 and one or more hot air duct outlet openings preferably laterally in the air conditioner 1 integrated. This forms areas of the side wall of the air conditioner 1 and the divider 3 between two outlets of the air conditioner, the missing boundaries of the hot air duct. Due to pressure and speed differences warm air flows at the inlet opening 4 in the warm air duct 2 enters and, guided by the wall, at one or more hot air duct outlet openings below the air outlets 5 . 6 out again. Each additional kink in the warm air duct, as well as any cross-sectional change increases the flow resistance of the hot air duct. The warm air is downstream of a heat exchanger, which is not shown here, for. B. in the vicinity of the air outlets to the footwell, which is also not shown, tapped, which is why the mixing temperature of the air in the air outlets reduced to the footwell and, however, increased everywhere where warm air the hot air duct 2 can leave. As the air speed near the inlet 4 in the warm air duct 2 is relatively constant, is about the size of the cross-sectional area of this hot air duct inlet opening 4 , which can be influenced by the mixing door, set the amount of hot air to be transported. According to 1 is the warm air, which is the hot air duct 2 leaves, through the divider 3 in two streams 10 . 11 divided up. A warm air partial flow 10 Passes warm air to a general defroster air outlet 5 of the air conditioner 1 and the other warm air part stream 11 to a general air outlet 6 towards the dashboard of the vehicle. About the exact positioning of the outlet 12 of the hot air duct 2 with respect to the divider 3 can the amount of hot air, which is the two air outlets 5 . 6 of the air conditioner 1 should be discontinued. In a first variant according to 2 are the air outlets of the air conditioner 1 further differentiated. The defrosting air outlet 5 and the dashboard air outlet are each divided into two areas, which may need to have different mixed air temperatures depending on the specification of the vehicle manufacturer. In the first variant of a first embodiment of the hot air duct 2 according to 2 become a defrosting air outlet 5 and an air outlet 7 supplied to the middle of the dashboard with additional warm air. Again, the divider divides 3 according to its position relative to the hot air duct outlet opening 12 the exiting hot air flow in two warm air streams 10 . 11 through the hot air duct outlet openings 12.1 and 12.2 on, thus influencing the temperature distribution at both air outlets 5 . 7 of the air conditioner 1 can be taken. The second variant of the first embodiment of the hot air duct 2 , as in 3 shows an extension of the first variant of the first embodiment 2 dar. Next to the defrost air outlet 5 and the air outlet 7 towards the middle of the dashboard supplies the hot air duct 2 via a third hot air duct outlet opening 13 in addition an air outlet 8th for side window dehumidification with a warm air partial flow 14 , The cross-sectional area of the hot air duct outlet opening 13 in the hot air duct 2 regulates the warm air partial flow 14 through this hot air duct outlet opening 13 , A third variant of the first embodiment of the hot air duct 2 is in 4 and shows an extension of the second variant according to 3 dar. A fourth hot air duct outlet opening 15 of the hot air duct 2 conducts warm air in the form of the warm air flow 16 to the air outlet 9 towards the side of the dashboard. The size and location of this hot air duct outlet opening 15 in the hot air duct 2 affects the amount of hot air that is at this air outlet 9 of the air conditioner 1 additionally through the warm air duct 2 provided.

In the second embodiment of the hot air duct 2 represented in 5 , warm air is downstream of the heat exchanger at the warm air inlet opening 4 tapped and over a warm air duct 2 , which is shaped like a kind of tower, across the mixing room directly to the air outlets 5 . 6 of the air conditioner 1 directed. The advantage here is the low flow resistance of the hot air duct 2 , as there are no strong kinks in the course of the hot air duct. It is only partially worked with a cross-sectional constriction and a subsequent extension to a compromise between the flow resistance of the cold air outside the hot air duct 2 and the warm air inside the warm air duct 2 to find. It goes without saying that the hot air duct in the second embodiment according to 5 after also at least one hot air duct inlet opening 4 and a hot air duct exit opening 12 must own. Here is the number of air outlets of the air conditioner 1 , the hot air duct 2 supplied with hot air, and the number of hot air duct outlet openings, each serving an air outlet of the air conditioner, variable. According to 5b becomes the warm air duct exit opening 12 through two dividers 3 . 17 divided into four different hot air duct outlet openings. Each of these hot air duct outlet openings each serve one of a total of four air outlets, namely the defroster air outlet 5 , the air outlet 7 towards the center of the dashboard, the air outlet 8th for side window dehumidification and the air outlet 9 towards the side of the dashboard with warm air. This second embodiment of the hot air duct 2 according to 5 Can also be used in so-called multi-zone air conditioners by placing one or two halves of the hot air duct 2 from one or both sides of the partition wall or a plurality of partitions, which divides the air conditioner into different temperature-controlled zones attached.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

air conditioning

2

Warm air duct

3

divider

4

Warm air inlet opening

5

defroster

6

General air outlet towards the dashboard

7

Air outlet towards the center of the dashboard

8th

Air outlet for side window dehumidification

9

Air outlet towards the side of the dashboard

10

Warm air sub

11

Warm air sub

12

Warm air duct outlet opening

12.1

Exit orifice area

12.2

Exit orifice area

13

Warm air duct outlet opening

14

Warm air sub

15

Warm air duct outlet opening

16

Warm air sub

17

divider

Claims (9)

Warm air duct for an air conditioner ( 1 ) of a motor vehicle having different air outlets ( 5 . 6 . 7 . 8th . 9 ), wherein the hot air duct ( 2 ) at least one hot air inlet opening ( 4 ), can be taken over the hot air, and at least one hot air duct outlet opening ( 12 ), via the hot air to the air outlets ( 5 . 6 . 7 . 8th . 9 ) of the air conditioning unit, comprises, wherein at least one separating web ( 3 ) above the at least one hot air duct outlet opening ( 12 ) is arranged such that the hot air duct outlet opening ( 12 ) at least in a first outlet opening area ( 12.1 ) and a second outlet opening area ( 12.2 ) and that at least one hot air inlet opening ( 4 ) of the hot air duct ( 2 ) Warm air is received in the area of a heat exchanger and via the individual outlet opening areas ( 12.1 . 12.2 ) the warm air duct ( 2 ), whereby the hot air, the hot air duct ( 2 ) via the hot air duct outlet opening ( 12 ), in at least two hot air partial flows ( 10 . 11 ), the associated air outlets ( 5 . 6 . 7 ) of the air conditioner ( 1 ) and that in front of the hot air duct outlet ( 15 ) is a baffle formed as a quarter of a cylindrical surface to warm air from the interior of the hot air duct ( 2 ) and divert it to the air outlet ( 9 ) in the direction of the side of the dashboard and the hot air duct ( 2 ) so in the housing of the air conditioner ( 1 ) is inserted, that the still missing boundary of the channel by sidewalls and partitions ( 3 ) of the air conditioner ( 1 ) is formed. Warm-air duct according to claim 1, characterized in that the warm air duct ( 2 ) different hot air partial flows ( 10 . 11 ) each to at least one Entfrostungsluftauslass ( 5 ) and to at least one of the air outlets ( 6 . 7 . 9 ) in the direction of the dashboard. Warm air duct according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the outlet opening areas ( 12.1 . 12.2 ) located below the separating web ( 3 ) are formed as thin slits and are directed vertically upwards, so that the hot air leaving the hot air duct, is aligned almost parallel to the cold air flow. Warm air duct according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a via the hot air duct outlet opening ( 12 ) exiting warm air partial flow ( 11 ) the air outlet ( 7 ) supplied with warm air in the direction of the center of the dashboard. Warm air duct according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that via a hot air duct outlet opening ( 13 ) Hot air in the form of a warm air partial flow ( 14 ) to an air outlet ( 8th ) is led to the side window dehumidification. Warm air duct according to claim 5, characterized in that the hot air duct outlet opening ( 13 ), via the hot air to the air outlet ( 8th ) is led to the side window dehumidification, opposite the hot air duct outlet opening ( 12 ) located below the separating web ( 13 ) is aligned at right angles. Warm air duct according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that via a hot air duct outlet opening ( 15 ) Warm air in the form of the hot air partial flow ( 16 ) to the air outlet ( 9 ) is directed towards the side of the dashboard. Warm air duct according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the hot air duct ( 2 ) freely in the mixing chamber of the air conditioner ( 1 ) lies. Warm air duct according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the hot air duct ( 2 ) is formed as a blow molding.

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