JP2001241413A - Case coupling structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a case coupling structure whereby a split case body can certainly be precluded from deformation when a coupling member such as a spring clip is to be mounted using a smaller space than conventional. SOLUTION: Projections 24 and 25 protruding outward are formed on the outer surfaces of the coupling end faces 16a and 17a of a first 16 and a second half 17 of a split case body, and a boss 28 is formed in such a way as protruding from either of the projections 24 and 25 to the other, while a fitting hole 29 to admit fitting of the boss part 28 is formed in the other projection, and a spring clip 18 to couple together the two case body halves 16 and 17 is mounted on the projections 24 and 25 in the condition that the boss part 28 is fitted in the hole 29.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a case connecting structure formed by integrally connecting a plurality of divided case bodies, and is suitably applied to, for example, a case of a vehicle air conditioner. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, cases such as a cooler unit, a heater unit, a blower unit and the like constituting an indoor unit of a vehicle air conditioner usually have a structure in which a plurality of divided resin cases are integrally connected. I have.

[0003] Specifically, on the outer surface side of the coupling end surfaces of the plurality of split case bodies, outwardly projecting projections for clip locking are formed at a plurality of locations at predetermined intervals, and
By attaching a spring clip having a C-shaped cross section made of a metal spring material to the projecting portion of the split case body while elastically expanding the spring clip, the elastic force of the spring clip is applied to the joint end faces of the plurality of split case bodies. By acting, the plurality of divided case bodies are integrally connected.

Here, in order to maintain the connection state of the plurality of divided case bodies, it is necessary to apply a strong elastic force of the spring clip to the connection end face, so that when the spring clip is mounted, a large mounting load of the spring clip is applied to the connection end face. Join the department. For this reason, the strength of the joint end face portion is insufficient, and the split case body may be deformed. Therefore, conventionally, a fitting portion of a cylindrical boss portion is set as a coupling end surface adjacent to a clip locking projection, and positioning of the split case body is performed by the fitting portion of the boss portion, and at the same time, the coupling end surface is set. In order to increase the strength of the portion, deformation of the split case body is prevented.

[0005]

However, the indoor unit of the vehicle air conditioner is disposed in a narrow space in the vehicle interior such as the inside of the instrument panel, and various devices are disposed around the case. In some cases, the gap between these peripheral devices and the indoor unit case is restricted to a very small size. As a result, there may be a case where the fitting portion of the cylindrical boss cannot be set adjacent to the clip locking projection, and in this case, the problem of deformation of the divided case due to the insufficient strength occurs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, the present invention is directed to preventing deformation of a split case body when a connecting member such as a spring clip is mounted.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a case coupling structure that can reliably prevent a space in a space smaller than a conventional structure.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, the outer surfaces of the coupling end faces (16a, 17a) of the first and second split case bodies (16, 17) are provided. Side, projecting portions (2
4, 25), a boss (28) is formed so as to protrude from one of the two protruding portions (24, 25) toward the other, and further, a boss portion (24, 25) is formed. A fitting hole (29) into which the boss (28) is fitted is formed on the other side, and the first projecting portions (24, 25) are inserted into the two projecting portions (24, 25) with the boss (28) fitted into the fitting hole (29). And a connecting member (18) for integrally connecting the second case bodies (16, 17).

According to this, since the boss portion (28) and the fitting hole (29) are formed in the two projecting portions (24, 25) for mounting the coupling member (18), this fitting is performed. By the structure, the strength in the assembled state of the two protruding portions (24, 25) can be improved. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the split case body from being deformed by the mounting load when the coupling member (18) is mounted.

Further, even when various devices are arranged around the case and the gap between these peripheral devices and the case is restricted to a very small size, the protrusion for mounting the coupling member ( 24, 25), the fitting structure of the boss (28) and the fitting hole (29) is formed within the range of formation of the protruding portions (24, 25), and the divided case body is formed. Can be prevented.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first and the second
The split case bodies (16, 17) of the
5) can be integrally molded with resin.

By the way, the first and second divided case bodies (1
In the case where 6 and 17) are integrally formed of resin, the forming portions of the projecting portions (24 and 25) for attaching the coupling members are thicker than other portions, and dimensional variations due to resin molding occur. It's easy to do. However, the boss (28) and the fitting hole (29)
Protrusions (24, 25) for mounting the coupling member
When the boss (28) and the fitting hole (29) are fitted, the two split case bodies (16, 1) are formed.
At the same time as performing the positioning at the time of the assembling of 7), the both protruding portions (24, 25), which are likely to have dimensional variations, can be easily butted against the proper positions, and the assembling workability can be improved.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the connecting member can be constituted by a spring clip (2) made of a metal spring material.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, both connecting end faces (1
6a, 17a), a band-shaped convex portion (31) protruding toward the other end surface side is formed, and both coupling end surfaces (16a, 17a) are formed.
17a), a band-shaped groove (32) into which the band-shaped protrusion (31) is fitted is formed, and the boss (28) is formed of the band-shaped protrusion (31) of the both protrusions (24, 25). Is formed on the side where the protrusions are formed, and the fitting holes (29) are formed in the two projecting portions (24, 25).
Of the above, it is characterized in that it is formed on the side where the band-shaped concave groove (32) is formed.

According to this, both the boss portion (28) and the band-shaped convex portion (31) are formed on one of the two connection end surfaces (16a, 17a), and the fitting hole (29) and the band-shaped concave groove are formed. Both (32) are formed on the other side of both coupling end faces (16a, 17a). Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the height (h3) of the protrusions (24, 25) on the side where the boss portion (28) and the band-shaped convex portion (31) are formed is adjusted to the fitting hole (2).
9) and the projecting portion (2) on the side where the band-shaped groove (32) is formed.
4, 25) can be lower than the height (h4).

Thus, the total height (h5 = h3 + h4) of the two projecting portions (24, 25) can be increased by the conventional projecting portion having no fitting structure between the boss portion (28) and the fitting hole (29). The boss (28) according to the present invention can be designed to have the same height.
Protrusions (24, 24) having a fitting structure of the fitting hole (29) and the fitting hole (29).
25), a coupling member having the same dimensions as the conventional one can be commonly used.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the boss (2)
8) has a diameter larger than the width of the band-shaped projection (31), and can be formed in a columnar shape having a height dimension higher than that of the band-shaped projection (32). By setting such a dimensional relationship, the effect of improving the strength by the fitting structure between the boss portion (28) and the fitting hole (29) can be satisfactorily exhibited.

The reference numerals in parentheses of the above-mentioned means indicate the correspondence with specific means described in the embodiments described later.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is an example applied to a case connection structure of a heater unit of a vehicle air conditioner. FIG. 1 is a right side view of a lower portion of a heater unit 10 of a vehicle air conditioner, and arrows in the drawing indicate the vertical and vertical directions when the vehicle is mounted.

As is well known, the heater unit 10 includes a hot water heating heat exchanger 1 in a case 11 forming an air passage.
2 is built in, and the heat exchanger 12 heats air. In the case 11, a temperature adjusting air mix door, a blowing mode switching door, and the like, which are not shown, are incorporated. In addition, the case 11 has a face, a foot, and a blowout opening for a defroster which are opened and closed by a blowout mode switching door.

FIG. 1 shows the front-seat side foot openings 13 and 14 among these outlets. Since the heater unit 10 in FIG. 1 is for a left-hand drive vehicle, the foot outlets 13 and 14 in FIG. 1 are located on the front passenger seat side. FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the main part of FIG.
Is open.

The case 11 has two divided case bodies 16 divided at the position of the dividing line A shown in FIG.
17. This split case body 16, 1
7 is a resin material having a certain degree of elasticity and excellent in strength, such as polypropylene, which is formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section,
The end portions of the U-shaped cross section are mutually connected end surfaces 16a, 17a.
Becomes

End face 1 where split case bodies 16 and 17 are connected to each other
At 6a and 17a, connecting portions 19 to 22 (FIG. 1) using clips 18 are set at a plurality of locations at predetermined intervals. Since the configuration according to the present invention is employed for the connecting portion 19 located on the bottom surface of the case 10 among the connecting portions 19 to 22, the specific configuration of the connecting portion 19 will be described in detail below.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the connecting portion 19, and reference numeral 23 denotes a space inside the case 11. Projections 24 and 25 for attaching spring clips are integrally formed on the outer surfaces of the coupling end surfaces 16a and 17a of the divided case bodies 16 and 17 so as to project outward. The spring clip 18 is a connecting member made of a metal spring material (spring steel or the like), has a substantially C-shaped cross section, and has curved engagement portions 18 at both ends.
a, 18b are provided with protrusions 26, 27
4 and 25 respectively. Here, the concave portion 26,
27 has the same shape in this example.

When the clip 18 is mounted on the protruding portions 24 and 25 as shown in FIG. 3, the elastic force of the spring clip 18 acts in a direction to press the coupling end surfaces 16a and 17a against each other.

Next, FIG. 4 to FIG.
This shows a specific shape of the protruding portion 24 on the sixth side, and a cylindrical boss portion 28 is formed on the protruding portion 24 so as to protrude from the coupling end face 16a to the other protruding portion 25 side. The coupling end face 17a of the other protruding portion 25 is provided with a circular fitting hole 29 having a depth capable of fitting the boss portion 28 as shown in FIG.

A male / female fitting portion 30 is formed adjacent to each of the connecting portions 19 to 22 so as to improve the sealing property between the connecting end surfaces 16a and 17a. This male and female fitting part 3
Numeral 0 extends in a strip shape over the entire length of the required sealing portion of the coupling end surfaces 16a and 17a. Specifically, a band-shaped convex portion 31 protruding toward the other coupling end surface is formed on the coupling end surface 16a of the two coupling end surfaces 16a and 17a on which the boss portion 28 is formed. Then, a band-shaped concave groove 32 into which the band-shaped convex portion 31 is fitted is formed on the coupling end face 17a on the side where the fitting hole 29 is formed. This male and female fitting part 3
In order to form the first portion 0, thick portions 33, 34 extending in a band shape are formed on the outer surfaces of the two connection end surfaces 16a, 17a.

As shown in FIG. 6, the boss portion 28 has a diameter D sufficiently larger than the width W of the band-shaped convex portion 31 and has a height h2 higher than the height h1 of the band-shaped convex portion 31. It is formed in. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the diameter D of the boss portion 28 is twice or more the width W of the band-shaped convex portion 31.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 35 denotes an airbag electronic control unit (ECU) for automatically controlling the inflation operation of an occupant protection airbag (not shown), which has a box-like outer shape. I have. In this example, the airbag electronic control device 35 is arranged at a position immediately below the bottom surface of the case 11 of the heater unit 10 and at a position adjacent to the coupling portion 18 and is fixed to the vehicle floor surface.

Next, the method of assembling the two divided case members 16 and 17 in the above configuration will be described. First, the boss 28 on one divided case member 16 is first fitted to the other divided case member 17 side. The two divided case bodies 16 and 17 are fitted into the holes 29 and positioned at the time of assembly. Then, the band-shaped convex portion 31 is fitted into the band-shaped concave groove 32 while the fitting of the boss portion 28 into the fitting hole 29 is advanced.

The operation of fitting the boss 28 and the band-shaped projection 31 ends when the two connecting end surfaces 16a, 17a come into contact with each other. Next, the curved locking portions 18a, 18b at both ends of the spring clip 18 are attached to the concave portions 26, 27 of the projecting portions 24, 25 of both the coupling end surfaces 16a, 17a while elastically expanding. As a result, the elastic force of the spring clip 18 acts in a direction in which the two coupling end surfaces 16a, 17a are pressed against each other, and the two coupling end surfaces 16a, 17a can be coupled.

The other connecting portions 20 to 22 other than the connecting portion 19 shown in FIG.
Can be attached to the protruding portions of both connecting end faces 16a, 17a to connect between both connecting end faces 16a, 17a.

When the assembling operation is completed, a gap between the tip of the boss 28 and the bottom of the fitting hole 29 must be 0.5.
The dimension is set so that a minute gap (see FIG. 3) of about mm is formed, and the tolerance of the height dimension of the strip-shaped convex portion 31 is set to the minus side, and the depth dimension of the strip-shaped concave groove 32 is set. The tolerance is set on the plus side so that the tip of the band-shaped convex portion 31 and the bottom of the band-shaped concave groove 32 do not come into contact with each other, so that the two connecting end surfaces 16a and 17a can be securely brought into close contact. In addition, by forming the male-female fitting shape by the band-shaped convex portion 31 and the band-shaped concave groove 32, the sealing property of the joint surface between the two divided case bodies 16, 17 can be ensured well.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the electronic control unit 35 for the airbag is disposed immediately below the bottom surface of the heater unit 10 and adjacent to the connecting portion 18, the projections 24 and 25 for attaching the spring clips are provided. Separately from the boss 28 and the fitting hole 2
It is not possible to set a fitting structure with 9 in terms of space. However, according to the present embodiment, the fitting structure between the boss portion 28 and the fitting hole 29 is changed to the protrusion 2 for attaching the spring clip.
The fitting structure can be integrated with the protruding portions 24 and 25 by being provided within the formation range of 4 and 25. The strength of the spring clip mounting portion can be increased by this fitting structure.
6, 17 can be sufficiently prevented from being deformed.

Also, a projection 24 for attaching a spring clip,
Since the formation portion of the protrusion 25 is thicker than the other portions, dimensional variation due to resin molding is likely to occur at the portion of the protrusion. However, the boss 28 and the fitting hole 29
Projections 24, 25 for attaching spring clips
The boss 28 and the fitting hole 29
When the fitting is performed, the positioning at the time of assembling the two split case bodies 16 and 17 can be performed, and at the same time, the both protruding portions 24 and 25 where the dimensional variation easily occurs can be easily butted to the regular positions. Assembly workability can be improved.

Further, both the boss 28 and the band-shaped convex portion 31 are formed on one coupling end surface 16a side, and the fitting hole 29 and the band-shaped concave groove 32 are both formed on the other coupling end surface 17a side. As shown in FIG. 3, the boss portion 28 and the band-shaped convex portion 3 are formed.
The height h3 of the protruding portion 24 on the side where the
9 and the height h of the protruding portion 25 on the side where the band-shaped groove 32 is formed.
It can be lower than 4.

As a result, the total height h5 (= h3 + h4) of the two projecting portions 24 and 25 is made equal to the total height of the conventional two projecting portions having no fitting structure between the boss portion 28 and the fitting hole 29. Since it can be designed, the spring clip 18 having the same size as the conventional one can be commonly used for both the protruding portions 24 and 25 having the fitting structure of the boss portion 28 and the fitting hole 29 according to the present embodiment.

(Other Embodiments) In the above-described embodiment, the connection structure of the divided case bodies 16 and 17 of the heater unit 10 of the vehicle air conditioner has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to a combined structure of a split case body of a cooler unit and a blower unit of a vehicle air conditioner. In addition, the present invention can be applied to a connection structure of a case other than a vehicle air conditioner.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic right side view of a lower part of a heater unit of a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a main part of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the split case body coupling portion of FIGS.

4 is a main part top view of a coupling end face of one of the split case bodies in the coupling section of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front view of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the other split case body in the connecting portion of FIG. 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Heater unit, 11 ... Case, 16, 17 ... Split case body, 16a, 17a ... Connection end surface, 18 ... Spring clip (connection member), 28 ... Boss part, 29 ... Fitting hole, 3
Reference numeral 1 denotes a band-shaped convex portion, and 32 denotes a band-shaped concave groove.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 3J001 FA15 GA06 JC02 JC06 JC12 JD36 KB01 3J022 DA15 EA12 EB04 FA01 FB08 FB12 HB02 3L011 BP01

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A first case body (16) having a coupling end face (16a), and a coupling end face (16a) of the first split case body (16).
And a second divided case body (17) having a coupling end face (17a) corresponding to the first and second divided case bodies (16, 17a). 17), wherein the first and second split case bodies (16, 17) are formed so as to protrude outward on the outer surfaces of the coupling end faces (16a, 17a). A projection (24, 25), a boss (28) formed to project from one of the two projections (24, 25) toward the other, and a projection (24, 25). 25) and the boss (2)
8) with a fitting hole (29) formed so as to be fitted therein, and with the boss portion (28) fitted in the fitting hole (29), the both protruding portions (24, 25). A case connecting structure, wherein a connecting member (18) for integrally connecting the first and second divided case bodies (16, 17) is attached to the case. 2. The first and second split case bodies (16,
17) The case coupling structure according to claim 1, wherein the projections (17) are integrally formed of resin including the projecting portions (24, 25). 3. The case connecting structure according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member is a spring clip made of a metal spring material. 4. A belt-like projection (3) protruding toward the other end face on one of the two connection end faces (16a, 17a).
1) is formed, and a band-shaped concave groove (32) into which the band-shaped convex portion (31) is fitted is formed in the other of the two coupling end surfaces (16a, 17a). The boss portion (28) The projections (24, 25) are formed on the side where the band-shaped projections (31) are formed, and the fitting holes (29) are formed on the projections (24, 25).
The case coupling structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the case is formed on a side where the band-shaped concave groove (32) is formed. 5. The boss portion (28) is provided with the band-shaped convex portion (3).
1) having a diameter larger than the width, and the band-shaped convex portion (3)
1) The case connection structure according to claim 4, wherein the case connection structure has a column shape having a higher height dimension.