JP2004068912A

JP2004068912A - Piping cap for vehicular air conditioner

Info

Publication number: JP2004068912A
Application number: JP2002228969A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Toshiki Hakata; 伯方　俊樹; Shinji Yonehara; 米原　真司; Tadashi Okamoto; 岡本　忠; Kazuhiro Yamamoto; 山本　和弘
Original assignee: Japan Climate Systems Corp
Current assignee: Japan Climate Systems Corp
Priority date: 2002-08-06
Filing date: 2002-08-06
Publication date: 2004-03-04
Anticipated expiration: 2022-08-06
Also published as: JP4190228B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To especially provide a cap structure capable of being shared in regard to a plurality of opening portions having slight inner diameter difference or outer diameter difference, by providing a cap structure enabling sharing of a cap for temporary fixing. <P>SOLUTION: The piping cap is equipped with a cylindrical portion 11 locking to a small diameter opening. At an end portion of the cylindrical portion 11, a locking portion 15 comprising a first extending portion 16 extending outward in a radial direction of the cylindrical portion 11, and a second extending portion 17 extending from a tip end portion of the first extending portion in a longitudinal direction of the cylindrical portion 11 while spacing from the cylindrical portion 11 is provided. The locking portion 15 covers a large diameter opening portion, and is temporary fixed to the large diameter opening portion by an inner diameter of the locking portion 15. Therefore, the cylindrical portion 11 can be inserted and fitted in the small diameter opening portion to be locked, and the large diameter opening portion can be also locked. Consequently, the cap can be shared in regard to the opening portions having slight diameter differences. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、車両用空調装置の配管キャップに関し、特に、空調ユニット内を車両に組み付ける前に、空調ユニット内の熱交換器の導入配管及び導出配管の開口部を仮りに塞いでおくためのキャップに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
一般的に、特開２０００−２５４４７号公報、実開平０６−７１２２２号公報や特開平０８−１５６５７０号公報に開示されるように、インストルメントパネル内において車幅方向略中央部に空調ユニットを配設し、その助手席側に送風ユニットを配設して、この空調ユニットのケース内に冷却用熱交換器及び加熱用熱交換器を収容した車両用空調装置が知られている。
【０００３】
このような空調装置においては、冷却用熱交換器や加熱用熱交換器に流体を導入・導出する配管がそれぞれ接続されており、空調ユニットをインストルメントパネルの所定位置にセットした際に、該配管をインストルメントパネルからエンジンルーム側に飛び出させ、エンジンルーム側の配管と接続するようになっている。
【０００４】
上記のように空調ユニットを車両に組み付ける前には、空調ユニットは単体として維持されるので、配管の開口部が開放した状態となっている。そのために、この開口部からゴミなどが侵入する恐れがある。
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
そのために、従来では、空調ユニットの熱交換器に接続された配管の上記開口部を仮に塞ぐために、仮止めキャップが係合されている。この開口部は冷却用熱交換器及び加熱用熱交換器を備えるものでは、導入配管及び導出配管をそれぞれが有するために、計４ヶ所仮止めキャップを係止する必要がある。
【０００６】
各開口部の径はそれぞれ、要求に基づいて設定されるために、必ずしも同じ径ではなく、それぞれに相応しいキャップを用意し、仮止めする必要がある。特に、冷却用熱交換器の冷媒の導入配管と導出配管及び加熱用熱交換器の配管とは、僅かな径の差であり、誤組付の可能性があった。そのために、意図的に外形の似てないものを用意するなどして、組付ミスを防止するようにしていた。それでも、確実に誤組付を防止することは出来なかった。そのうえ、別々の形状のキャップを用意する必要があり、組付作業性が悪く、且つ部品コストアップになっていた。
【０００７】
本発明は斯かる諸点に鑑みてなされたものであり、その目的とするところは、仮止めのためのキャップの共用化を図るキャップ構造を提供することにある。特に、僅かな内径差或は外径差を有する複数の開口部に対して、共用化できるキャップ構造を提供することにある
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
前記目的を達成するために、本発明の解決手段では、上記配管の近似した径の複数の開口部に対して、キャップを共用化するために、両配管の内外径の差に着目し、小径の開口部の内径もしくは外径と大径の開口部の外径に係止するキャップ構造としたものである。
【０００９】
請求項１の発明では、車両のインストルメントパネル内に配設された空調ユニットと、該空調ユニットの空調ケース内に配設された熱交換器を備え、熱交換器を通過させて調和空気とするようにした車両用空調装置において、
該熱交換器に導入配管と導出配管とが接続され、
該導入配管と該導出配管とが該空調ケースから突出して配設され、
該空調ユニットを車両に組み付ける前に、該導入配管と該導出配管の異径の開口部にそれぞれ仮止め用の配管キャップが係合され、
該配管キャップが、両開口部のうち小径の開口部に挿嵌される筒状部とを備え、
該筒状部の端部に、該筒状部の半径方向外側に伸びる第１延出部と、該延出部の先端から該筒状部と間隔を開けて該筒状部の長手方向に伸びる第２延出部を備える係止部を設け、
該係止部が、両開口部のうち大径の開口部に被され、該係止部の内径で該大径の開口部に仮止めされるようになっている構成である。
【００１０】
この構成によれば、小径の開口部の内径もしくは外径に筒状部を挿嵌して係止できるとともに、大径の開口部の外径に係止部を係止できるので、僅かな径の差の開口部に対してキャップを共用化できる。また、誤組付の心配も無くなる。
【００１１】
請求項２の発明では、車両のインストルメントパネル内に配設された空調ユニットと、該空調ユニットの空調ケース内に配設された冷却用熱交換器及び加熱用熱交換器を備え、該冷却用熱交換器及び該加熱用熱交換器を通過させて調和空気とするようにした車両用空調装置において、
該冷却用熱交換器及び該加熱用熱交換器にそれぞれ導入配管と導出配管とが接続され、
該導入配管と該導出配管とが該空調ケースから突出して配設され、
該空調ユニットを車両に組み付ける前に、該導入配管と該導出配管の開口部にそれぞれ仮止め用の配管キャップが係合され、
該配管キャップが、上記開口部のうち、異径であるが近似した径を有する２つの開口部に対して、一方の小径開口部に挿嵌される筒状部を備え、
該筒状部の端部に、該筒状部の半径方向外側に伸びる第１延出部と、該延出部の先端から該筒状部と間隔を開けて該筒状部の長手方向に伸びる第２延出部を備える係止部を備え、
該係止部が、他方の大径の開口部に被され、該係止部の内径で該他方の大径の開口部に仮止めされるようになっている構成である。
この構成では、冷却用熱交換器及び加熱用熱交換器のそれぞれの導入配管及び導出配管の開口部において、内径もしくは外径が近似した開口部に対して仮止め用キャップを共用化できるとともに、誤組付を防止できる。即ち、内径もしくは外径が近似した開口部であれば、冷媒配管の導入配管と導出配管の開口部、加熱配管の導入配管と導出配管の開口部、冷媒配管の開口部と加熱配管の開口部等で組み合わせて共用化することができる。
【００１２】
請求項３の発明は、請求項１または２に記載の車両用空調装置の配管キャップにおいて、該係止部の内壁部に、該筒状部方向に突出する突起部を設け、該突起部によって、該配管キャップが該大径の開口部の外周に係止される構成である。
この構成では、該突起部によって該他方の開口部の外周に確実に係止され、係止状態が維持される。
【００１３】
請求項４の発明は、請求項１ないし３のいずれかに記載の車両用空調装置の配管キャップにおいて、該筒状部の外径が、先端のほうで小径になるように略テーパー状に形成されているので、該筒状部を該開口部内部に挿入し易い。
【００１４】
請求項５の発明は、請求項１ないし４のいずれかに記載の車両用空調装置の配管キャップにおいて、該筒状部は、挿嵌時に該小径の開口部に接合する第１辺部と、該第１辺部より僅かに異径で、該小径の開口部との間に隙間を有する第２辺部とを円周方向に交互に複数有するので、該小径の開口部に確実に係止され、係止状態が維持される。
【００１５】
請求項６の発明は、請求項１ないし５のいずれかに記載の車両用空調装置の配管キャップにおいて、該係止部の該第１延出部の該筒状部と反対側に把持部が一体に設けられているので、この把持部を掴んでキャップの係止、取外し作業を行うことができ、作業が容易である。
【００１６】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施形態を図面に基づいて説明する。
図１は空調装置の空調ユニット２の斜視図を示す。この空調ユニット２は、空調ケース３の内部にエバポレータ（冷却用熱交換器）４及びヒータコア（加熱用熱交換器）５が配設されたものであり、図示しない送風ユニットから送給される空調用の空気をエバポレータ４により冷却し、その後、必要に応じてヒータコア５により加熱して、所要の温度及び湿度状態の調和空気を生成するものである。従って、この空調装置は、空調ユニット２と送風ユニットとからなる。
【００１７】
そして、前記のようにして生成された調和空気は、自動車の乗員により設定される吹出モードに応じて、空調ユニット２の上面の車両前部に設けられ且つデフロスタとダクトを介して接続されたデフロスタ導出口２３、空調ユニット２の上面の車両後部に設けられ且つベンチレータとダクトを介して接続されたベント導出口２４、及び、空調ユニット２の下部に設けられ且つ前席及び後部車室に調和空気を送給するための室内導出口２５から選択的に吹き出すようになっている。
【００１８】
本発明の実施形態に係わる空調ユニット２を説明する。ヒータコア５は、エバポレータ４を通過した空気を加熱する加熱用の熱交換器であり、略垂直に配設されたエバポレータ４の車体後方・下方位置に傾斜して配設されている。ヒータコア５への高温エンジン冷却水の導入用及び導出用配管を構成するヒータ配管８ａ、８ｂがヒータコア５に接続されている。各ヒータ配管８ａ、８ｂは空調ユニット２の空調ケース３における右側壁３ａから空調ケース３外方へ延出した後、略直角に折り曲げられて車体前方へ斜め上方に向かって延び、さらに空調ケース３の前壁３ｃを横切るように車体横方向に延びて、前壁３ｃの助手席側の端部で支持され、さらに前方に延びて設けられている。
【００１９】
符号２９はエバポレータ４の側面部に取り付けられた膨張弁であり、この膨張弁２９にクーラ配管６ａ、６ｂが連結されている。クーラ配管６ａ、６ｂは、膨張弁２９の上面から上方に延出した後、略直角に折り曲げられて車体前方へに向かって延び、支持部２１で支持されている。空調ユニット２を車両に組み付ける際に、上記クーラ配管６ａ、６ｂ及びヒータ配管８ａ、８ｂの先端が、ダッシュパネルＤからエンジンルーム側に突出して配設される。
【００２０】
空調ユニット２は、車両に組みつけられる前は、車両とは別にユニットとして取り扱われる。そのために、図２に示すように、車両に組み付ける前には、エバポレータ４に接続されたクーラ配管６ａ、６ｂ及びヒータコア５に接続されたヒータ配管８ａ、８ｂの先端の開口部７ａ、７ｂ、９ａ、９ｂに、配管キャップ１０（１０ａ、１０ｂ）が仮付けされ、各開口部からゴミ等が侵入することを防止するようになっている。この実施例では、ヒータコア５の導入配管８ａ及び導出配管８ｂの開口部９ａ及び開口部９ｂは同一内径・外径であり、エバポレータ４の導出配管６ｂの開口部７ｂより僅かに小さい径となっている。実際には、図３〜図５に示すように、ヒータ配管８ａ（８ｂ）の開口部９ａ（９ｂ）は先端が内側に狭まった形状となっており、逆にクーラ配管６ａ（６ｂ）の開口部７ａ（７ｂ）の先端は外に膨らんでいる。そのために、この実施例では、配管キャップ１０は、ヒータ配管８ａ（８ｂ）の開口部９ａ（９ｂ）では外径に挿嵌され、クーラ配管６ａ（６ｂ）の開口部７ａ（７ｂ）でも外径に被されている。実際には、開口部７ｂの外径と開口部９ａ、９ｂの外径の差が０．３〜２．０ｍｍぐらいである。これらの開口部７ｂ、９ａ、９ｂに共通の配管キャップ１０ａが仮付けされている。
また、クーラ配管４の導入配管６ａの開口部７ａの外径は小さく、この開口部７ａには別の配管キャップ１０ｂが仮付けされている。
【００２１】
配管キャップ１０の構造を説明する。配管キャップ１０ａは、図６ないし図９に示すように、開口部９ａ、９ｂに挿入される筒状部１１を備える。この筒状部１１の端部に係止部１５が一体に形成されている。この係止部１５は、筒状部１１の半径方向外側に伸びる第１延出部１６と、延出部１６の先端から筒状部１１と間隔を開けて筒状部１１の長手方向に伸びる第２延出部１７を備える。第２延出部１７の内壁に内方に突出する突起部１８が複数箇所設けられている。
筒状部１１は、図８に示すように、先端側にテーパー部１２を備える。このテーパー部１２を備えることにより、成形性が良く、高精度に成形できる。それとともに、筒状部１１が開口部７ｂに挿入されることによって、第２延出部１７が開口部７ｂの外側に被せられる際の案内として機能するので、組付易くなっている。
また、筒状部１１が、図９に示すように、開口部９ａ、９ｂの外径に係止する第２辺部１４と、第２辺部１４より僅かに大径で、開口部９ａ、９ｂの外径と少し隙間を有する第１辺部１３とを円周方向に交互に複数有するので、第２辺部１４で確実に開口部９ａ、９ｂの外径に挿嵌され、仮止め状態を維持できる。
図６における符号２０は、第１延出部１６に一体に設けた把持部である。この把持部２０を持って、開口部にキャップ１０を係止・或は取外しする。更に、この把持部２０は先端が尖がった角錐形状となっており、空調ユニット２を車体に組付、配管の開口部７ａ、７ｂ、９ａ及び９ｂをダッシュパネルＤからエンジンルーム側に突出させる際に、ダッシュパネルＤに開口した孔に挿入されやすくなっている。
【００２２】
次に配管キャップ１０ａの仮止め作業を説明する。配管キャップ１０ａをヒータ配管８ａ、８ｂの開口部９ａ、９ｂに係止する際には、開口部９ａ、９ｂの外側に筒状部１１を挿嵌し、筒状部１１の第２辺部１４の内径によって仮止め保持する。配管キャップ１０ａをクーラ配管６ｂの開口部７ｂに係止する際には、筒状部１１を開口部７ｂ内に挿入する。そのとき、両者間には隙間があるので、筒状部１１では、配管キャップ１０ａは保持されない。配管キャップ１０ａの第２延出部１４の突起部１８が開口部７ｂの外周に当接することで、配管キャップ１０は開口部７ｂに保持される。なお、本実施例のように、開口部７ｂの先端がストレートでなく、拡径される等によって、外に広がった鍔のようなものを一体に形成した場合には、突起部１８が開口部７ｂの外周に密着しなくても良く、突起部１８が鍔に引っかかって抜けなくなっている構造であっても良い。
【００２３】
また、配管キャップ１０ｂは、上記配管キャップ１０ａと同様な構成を備えている。具体的には、図１０及び図１１に示すように、配管キャップ１１０ｂ、筒状部１１１及び係止部１１５を備え、第２延出部１１７の内周側に突起部１１８を備え、把持部２００を備える。筒状部１１１が開口部７ａ内に挿入され、筒状部１１１と突起部１１８との間にクーラ配管６ａが支持された状態となる。
【００２４】
ヒータ配管用カバー部材３３の上部に略円弧状のリブからなる保護部材３４が、一体に形成されている。この保護部材３４の直ぐ上方にリンク部材２６が配設されている。このリンク部材２６は、冷却用熱交換器４からの空気が加熱用熱交換器５を経由するものと経由しないものとの切替、混合を制御するダンパー（図示せず）の操作を行なうものである。
【００２５】
このリンク部材２６は、リンク部材２７を介してリンク部材２８に連結されている。リンク部材２８は、空調ユニット内に配設された複数のダンパー（図示せず）の作動を制御するものである。
【００２６】
膨張弁２９の周囲を覆うカバー部材３０が、空調ケース３にネジ止めされ、図示してないが、このカバー部材３０に膨張弁蓋部材が被されるようになっている。
【００２７】
ヒータ配管用カバー部材３３に一体に保護部材３４が設けられており、この保護部材３４が損傷した場合、空調ケース３を分解することなく、ヒータ配管用カバー部材３３を交換することで対応でき、交換効率及びコスト上も大きなメリットを有する。
【００２８】
上記実施例では、配管キャップ１０ａの筒状部１１は、ヒータ配管８ａ（８ｂ）の外側に挿嵌されるようになっている。筒状部１１をヒータ配管８ａに外嵌合することによって、筒状部１１の径を大きく形成できるので、筒状部１１によるヒータ配管８ａの支持が安定し、ガタツキが少なくて済む。
しかし、ヒータ配管８ａ（８ｂ）の開口部９ａ（９ｂ）の外径とクーラ配管６ｂの開口部７ｂの外径との隙間に十分な寸法余裕がない場合には、筒状部１１がヒータ配管８ａ（８ｂ）の内側に挿嵌されるようにしてもよい。この場合には、筒状部１１の第１辺部１３がヒータ配管８ａ（８ｂ）の内側に接合して支持する。この際に、例えば、第１辺部１３と第２辺部１４との境にスリットを設け、第１辺部１３に半径方向の弾力性を設けるとよりしっかり支持できる。特に、上記実施例のようにヒータ配管８ａ（８ｂ）の先端が内側に狭まった形状の場合には、好都合である。
【００２９】
上記実施例では、配管キャップ１０ｂは開口部７ａのみに使用したが、配管キャップ１０ａと同様に、別の開口部にも共用化できるようにしても良い。
【００３０】
【本発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明では、空調ユニットを車両に組み付ける前に、熱交換器の導入配管と導出配管の異径の開口部にそれぞれ仮止め用の配管キャップが係合され、この配管キャップが、両開口部の小径の開口部に挿嵌される筒状部を備え、筒状部の端部に、筒状部の半径方向外側に伸びる第１延出部と、延出部の先端から筒状部と間隔を開けて筒状部の長手方向に伸びる第２延出部とを備える係止部を設け、係止部が大径の開口部に被され、係止部の内径で大径の開口部に仮止めされるようになっているので、小径の開口部に筒状部を挿嵌合して係止できるとともに、大径の開口部の係止部を係止できるので、僅かな径の差の開口部に対してキャップを共用化できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施形態に係わる空調装置の空調ユニットを斜め後方からみた斜視図を示す。
【図２】図１に示す空調ユニットの側面図を示す。
【図３】図２の空調ユニットに組みつけられるクーラ配管を示す図である。
【図４】図２の空調ユニットに組みつけられるヒータ配管を示す図である。
【図５】図４のＡ部の部分拡大図を示す。
【図６】本発明の第１実施形態に係わる配管キャップを示す。
【図７】図６のＢ部の部分拡大図を示す。
【図８】図６のＣ部の部分拡大図を示す。
【図９】図７におけるＤ−Ｄ線断面図である。
【図１０】本発明の他の配管キャップを示す。
【図１１】図１０の要部拡大図を示す。
【符号の説明】
１　　車両用空調装置
２　　空調ユニット
３　　空調ケース
４　　冷却用熱交換器
６ａ　　導入配管
７ａ　　開口部
６ｂ　　導出配管
７ｂ　　開口部
５　　加熱用熱交換器
８ａ　　導入配管
９ａ　　開口部
８ｂ　　導出配管
９ｂ　　開口部
１０　　配管キャップ
１１　　筒状部
１２　　　テーパー部
１３　　　第１辺部
１４　　　第２辺部
１５　　係止部
１６　　　第１延出部
１７　　　第２延出部
１８　　突起部
２０　　把持部[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a pipe cap of a vehicle air conditioner, and in particular, a cap for temporarily closing an opening of an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe of a heat exchanger in an air conditioning unit before assembling the inside of the air conditioning unit to a vehicle. About.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Generally, as disclosed in JP-A-2000-25447, JP-A-06-71222 and JP-A-08-156570, an air-conditioning unit is arranged at a substantially central portion in a vehicle width direction in an instrument panel. There is known a vehicle air conditioner in which a ventilation unit is disposed on the passenger seat side and a cooling heat exchanger and a heating heat exchanger are accommodated in a case of the air conditioning unit.
[0003]
In such an air conditioner, pipes for introducing and leading a fluid to the cooling heat exchanger and the heating heat exchanger are connected to each other, and when the air conditioning unit is set at a predetermined position on the instrument panel, the pipe is connected to the pipe. The piping protrudes from the instrument panel to the engine room side and is connected to the engine room side piping.
[0004]
Before the air conditioning unit is assembled to the vehicle as described above, the air conditioning unit is maintained as a single unit, so that the opening of the pipe is open. Therefore, dust or the like may enter through the opening.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Therefore, conventionally, a temporary fixing cap has been engaged to temporarily close the opening of the pipe connected to the heat exchanger of the air conditioning unit. If the opening is provided with a heat exchanger for cooling and a heat exchanger for heating, each of the openings has an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe, so that a total of four temporary fixing caps need to be locked.
[0006]
Since the diameter of each opening is set based on the requirement, it is not necessarily the same diameter, and it is necessary to prepare a cap suitable for each and temporarily fix it. In particular, there is a slight difference in diameter between the refrigerant inlet pipe and the outlet pipe of the cooling heat exchanger and the pipe of the heating heat exchanger, and there is a possibility of erroneous assembly. For this purpose, an assembly error is prevented by, for example, intentionally preparing a device having a similar external shape. Nevertheless, it was not possible to reliably prevent misassembly. In addition, it is necessary to prepare caps of different shapes, so that the assembling workability is poor and the cost of parts is increased.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of such points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cap structure for sharing a cap for temporary fixing. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cap structure that can be shared for a plurality of openings having a slight difference in inner diameter or outer diameter.
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the solution of the present invention focuses on the difference between the inner and outer diameters of both pipes in order to share a cap for a plurality of openings having an approximate diameter of the pipe, And a cap structure for locking the inner or outer diameter of the opening and the outer diameter of the large opening.
[0009]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the air conditioner includes an air conditioning unit disposed in an instrument panel of a vehicle, and a heat exchanger disposed in an air conditioning case of the air conditioning unit. In an air conditioner for a vehicle,
An inlet pipe and an outlet pipe are connected to the heat exchanger,
The inlet pipe and the outlet pipe are disposed so as to protrude from the air conditioning case,
Before assembling the air conditioning unit to a vehicle, pipe caps for temporary fixing are respectively engaged with openings of different diameters of the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe,
The pipe cap includes a tubular portion that is inserted into a small-diameter opening of the two openings,
A first extending portion extending radially outward of the cylindrical portion at an end of the cylindrical portion; and a longitudinal direction of the cylindrical portion spaced from the distal end of the extending portion with the cylindrical portion. Providing a locking portion having a second extending portion that extends;
The locking portion covers the large-diameter opening of the two opening portions, and is temporarily fixed to the large-diameter opening at the inner diameter of the locking portion.
[0010]
According to this configuration, the cylindrical portion can be inserted and locked into the inner or outer diameter of the small-diameter opening, and the locking portion can be locked to the outer diameter of the large-diameter opening. The cap can be used in common for the opening having the difference of. In addition, there is no need to worry about erroneous assembly.
[0011]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioning unit disposed in an instrument panel of a vehicle, a cooling heat exchanger and a heating heat exchanger disposed in an air conditioning case of the air conditioning unit, An air conditioner for a vehicle that passes through the heat exchanger for heating and the heat exchanger for heating to form conditioned air,
An inlet pipe and an outlet pipe are connected to the cooling heat exchanger and the heating heat exchanger, respectively.
The inlet pipe and the outlet pipe are disposed so as to protrude from the air conditioning case,
Before assembling the air conditioning unit to a vehicle, pipe caps for temporary fixing are respectively engaged with openings of the introduction pipe and the extraction pipe,
The pipe cap includes a tubular portion that is inserted into one of the small-diameter openings with respect to two openings having different diameters but similar diameters among the openings.
A first extending portion extending radially outward of the cylindrical portion at an end of the cylindrical portion; and a longitudinal direction of the cylindrical portion spaced from the distal end of the extending portion with the cylindrical portion. A locking portion having a second extending portion that extends,
The locking portion is covered with the other large-diameter opening, and is temporarily fixed to the other large-diameter opening at the inner diameter of the locking portion.
In this configuration, at the openings of the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe of the cooling heat exchanger and the heating heat exchanger, the cap for the temporary fixing can be shared with the opening whose inner diameter or outer diameter is approximated, Misassembly can be prevented. That is, as long as the opening has an approximate inner or outer diameter, the opening of the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe of the refrigerant pipe, the opening of the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe of the heating pipe, the opening of the refrigerant pipe and the opening of the heating pipe. Can be shared in combination.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the pipe cap of the air conditioner for a vehicle according to the first or second aspect, a projection is provided on an inner wall portion of the locking portion so as to project in a direction of the cylindrical portion. The pipe cap is locked on the outer periphery of the large-diameter opening.
With this configuration, the projection is securely locked to the outer periphery of the other opening, and the locked state is maintained.
[0013]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the pipe cap of the vehicle air conditioner according to any one of the first to third aspects, the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion is formed in a substantially tapered shape so that the outer diameter becomes smaller at the tip end. Therefore, it is easy to insert the cylindrical portion into the opening.
[0014]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the pipe cap of the air conditioner for a vehicle according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the tubular portion is joined to the small-diameter opening at the time of insertion. A plurality of second side portions having a slightly different diameter from the first side portion and having a gap between the first side portion and the small diameter opening portion are alternately provided in the circumferential direction, so that the second side portion is securely locked to the small diameter opening portion. And the locked state is maintained.
[0015]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the pipe cap for a vehicle air conditioner according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, a gripping portion is provided on a side of the first extending portion of the locking portion opposite to the cylindrical portion. Since they are provided integrally, the cap can be locked and removed by grasping the grip portion, and the work is easy.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an air conditioning unit 2 of the air conditioner. The air conditioning unit 2 has an evaporator (cooling heat exchanger) 4 and a heater core (heating heat exchanger) 5 disposed inside an air conditioning case 3, and air conditioning supplied from a blower unit (not shown). The working air is cooled by the evaporator 4 and then, if necessary, heated by the heater core 5 to generate conditioned air of a required temperature and humidity. Therefore, this air conditioner includes the air conditioning unit 2 and the blower unit.
[0017]
The conditioned air generated as described above is provided on the upper surface of the air conditioning unit 2 at the front of the vehicle and connected to the defroster via a duct in accordance with the blowing mode set by the vehicle occupant. An outlet 23, a vent outlet 24 provided at the rear of the vehicle on the upper surface of the air conditioning unit 2 and connected to the ventilator via a duct, and conditioned air provided at a lower portion of the air conditioning unit 2 and provided to the front seat and the rear cabin. Is selectively blown out from an indoor outlet 25 for feeding the air.
[0018]
An air conditioning unit 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The heater core 5 is a heat exchanger for heating the air that has passed through the evaporator 4, and is disposed obliquely at a position rearward and below the vehicle body of the evaporator 4 that is disposed substantially vertically. The heater cores 5 are connected to heater pipes 8 a and 8 b constituting pipes for introducing and leading out the high-temperature engine cooling water to the heater core 5. Each of the heater pipes 8a and 8b extends outward from the right side wall 3a of the air conditioning case 3 of the air conditioning unit 2 to the outside of the air conditioning case 3, is bent at a substantially right angle, and extends obliquely upward toward the front of the vehicle body. The front wall 3c extends laterally across the front wall 3c, is supported by the end of the front wall 3c on the passenger seat side, and further extends forward.
[0019]
Reference numeral 29 denotes an expansion valve attached to the side surface of the evaporator 4, and the expansion valves 29 are connected to the cooler pipes 6a and 6b. The cooler pipes 6 a and 6 b extend upward from the upper surface of the expansion valve 29, are then bent at substantially right angles, extend toward the front of the vehicle body, and are supported by the support 21. When assembling the air conditioning unit 2 to the vehicle, the ends of the cooler pipes 6a, 6b and the heater pipes 8a, 8b are disposed so as to protrude from the dash panel D toward the engine room.
[0020]
Before being installed in a vehicle, the air conditioning unit 2 is handled as a unit separately from the vehicle. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 2, before assembling to the vehicle, openings 7a, 7b, 9a at the tips of cooler pipes 6a, 6b connected to the evaporator 4 and heater pipes 8a, 8b connected to the heater core 5 are provided. , 9b are temporarily attached with pipe caps 10 (10a, 10b) so as to prevent dust or the like from entering through the openings. In this embodiment, the opening 9a and the opening 9b of the inlet pipe 8a and the outlet pipe 8b of the heater core 5 have the same inner diameter and outer diameter, and have a slightly smaller diameter than the opening 7b of the outlet pipe 6b of the evaporator 4. I have. Actually, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the opening 9 a (9 b) of the heater pipe 8 a (8 b) has a shape whose tip is narrowed inward, and conversely, the opening of the cooler pipe 6 a (6 b). The tip of the portion 7a (7b) bulges outward. For this reason, in this embodiment, the pipe cap 10 is inserted into the outer diameter at the opening 9a (9b) of the heater pipe 8a (8b), and the outer diameter is also inserted at the opening 7a (7b) of the cooler pipe 6a (6b). Has been covered. Actually, the difference between the outer diameter of the opening 7b and the outer diameter of the openings 9a and 9b is about 0.3 to 2.0 mm. A common pipe cap 10a is temporarily attached to these openings 7b, 9a, 9b.
The outside diameter of the opening 7a of the introduction pipe 6a of the cooler pipe 4 is small, and another pipe cap 10b is temporarily attached to the opening 7a.
[0021]
The structure of the piping cap 10 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the pipe cap 10a includes a tubular portion 11 inserted into the openings 9a and 9b. An engaging portion 15 is integrally formed at an end of the cylindrical portion 11. The engaging portion 15 extends in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical portion 11 at a distance from the distal end of the first extending portion 16 extending from the distal end of the extending portion 16 to the cylindrical portion 11. A second extension 17 is provided. A plurality of protrusions 18 are provided on the inner wall of the second extension 17 so as to protrude inward.
As shown in FIG. 8, the cylindrical portion 11 includes a tapered portion 12 on the distal end side. By providing the tapered portion 12, molding is excellent and molding can be performed with high accuracy. At the same time, when the cylindrical portion 11 is inserted into the opening 7b, the second extending portion 17 functions as a guide when it is put on the outside of the opening 7b, thereby facilitating assembly.
Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the cylindrical portion 11 has a second side portion 14 that is engaged with the outer diameter of the openings 9 a and 9 b, and a diameter slightly larger than the second side portion 14, and Since the outer side of the opening 9a, 9b is securely inserted in the outer side of the opening 9a, 9b at the second side 14, since the outer diameter of the opening 9a and the first side 13 having a slight gap are alternately provided in the circumferential direction. Can be maintained.
Reference numeral 20 in FIG. 6 denotes a grip unit provided integrally with the first extension unit 16. With the grip 20 held, the cap 10 is locked or removed from the opening. Further, the grip portion 20 has a pyramid shape with a pointed tip, and the air conditioning unit 2 is assembled to the vehicle body, and the openings 7a, 7b, 9a, and 9b of the pipe project from the dash panel D toward the engine room. At this time, it is easy to be inserted into the hole opened in the dash panel D.
[0022]
Next, the temporary fixing operation of the pipe cap 10a will be described. When the pipe cap 10a is engaged with the openings 9a and 9b of the heater pipes 8a and 8b, the tubular part 11 is inserted into the outside of the openings 9a and 9b, and the second side 14 of the tubular part 11 is fitted. Temporarily hold by the inner diameter of When locking the pipe cap 10a in the opening 7b of the cooler pipe 6b, the tubular part 11 is inserted into the opening 7b. At this time, since there is a gap between the two, the pipe cap 10a is not held in the tubular portion 11. The pipe cap 10 is held in the opening 7b by the projection 18 of the second extension 14 of the pipe cap 10a abutting on the outer periphery of the opening 7b. When the tip of the opening 7b is not straight, but is formed integrally with a flange or the like that is widened by expanding the diameter, as in the present embodiment, the protrusion 18 is formed in the opening 7b. The structure may not be in close contact with the outer periphery of the protrusion 7b, and the protrusion 18 may be caught by the flange and cannot be removed.
[0023]
The piping cap 10b has the same configuration as the piping cap 10a. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a pipe cap 110 b, a tubular part 111 and a locking part 115 are provided, a protrusion 118 is provided on the inner peripheral side of the second extension 117, and a grip part is provided. 200. The tubular portion 111 is inserted into the opening 7a, and the cooler pipe 6a is supported between the tubular portion 111 and the protrusion 118.
[0024]
A protection member 34 made of a substantially arc-shaped rib is integrally formed on the upper part of the heater pipe cover member 33. The link member 26 is disposed immediately above the protection member 34. The link member 26 operates a damper (not shown) for controlling switching and mixing of the air from the cooling heat exchanger 4 through and not through the heating heat exchanger 5. is there.
[0025]
This link member 26 is connected to a link member 28 via a link member 27. The link member 28 controls the operation of a plurality of dampers (not shown) provided in the air conditioning unit.
[0026]
A cover member 30 that covers the periphery of the expansion valve 29 is screwed to the air-conditioning case 3, and although not shown, the cover member 30 is covered with an expansion valve cover member.
[0027]
A protection member 34 is provided integrally with the heater pipe cover member 33. If the protection member 34 is damaged, it can be dealt with by replacing the heater pipe cover member 33 without disassembling the air-conditioning case 3, It has great advantages in terms of exchange efficiency and cost.
[0028]
In the above embodiment, the tubular portion 11 of the pipe cap 10a is inserted and fitted outside the heater pipe 8a (8b). By externally fitting the tubular portion 11 to the heater pipe 8a, the diameter of the tubular portion 11 can be increased, so that the support of the heater pipe 8a by the tubular portion 11 is stabilized, and rattling is reduced.
However, when there is not enough dimensional margin in the gap between the outer diameter of the opening 9a (9b) of the heater pipe 8a (8b) and the outer diameter of the opening 7b of the cooler pipe 6b, the cylindrical portion 11 is It may be inserted and fitted inside 8a (8b). In this case, the first side portion 13 of the tubular portion 11 is joined and supported inside the heater pipe 8a (8b). At this time, for example, if a slit is provided at the boundary between the first side 13 and the second side 14 and the first side 13 is provided with elasticity in the radial direction, it can be more firmly supported. In particular, it is convenient when the tip of the heater pipe 8a (8b) is narrowed inward as in the above embodiment.
[0029]
In the above embodiment, the pipe cap 10b is used only for the opening 7a. However, the pipe cap 10b may be shared with another opening like the pipe cap 10a.
[0030]
[Effects of the present invention]
As described above, in the present invention, before assembling the air conditioning unit to the vehicle, pipe caps for temporary fixing are respectively engaged with openings of different diameters of the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe of the heat exchanger. Has a cylindrical portion that is inserted into the small-diameter openings of both the openings, a first extending portion extending radially outward of the cylindrical portion at an end of the cylindrical portion, and a tip of the extending portion. And a second extending portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical portion at an interval from the cylindrical portion. The locking portion is provided, and the locking portion is covered by the large-diameter opening. Since it is temporarily fixed to the large-diameter opening, the cylindrical portion can be inserted and fitted into the small-diameter opening and locked, and the locking portion of the large-diameter opening can be locked. The cap can be used in common for openings having a slight difference in diameter.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air conditioning unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed obliquely from behind.
FIG. 2 shows a side view of the air conditioning unit shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a view showing a cooler pipe assembled to the air conditioning unit of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a heater pipe assembled in the air conditioning unit of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of a portion A in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 shows a pipe cap according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged view of a portion B in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged view of a portion C in FIG. 6;
9 is a sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 7;
FIG. 10 shows another piping cap of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 10;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle air conditioner 2 Air conditioning unit 3 Air conditioning case 4 Cooling heat exchanger 6a Introducing pipe 7a Opening 6b Outgoing pipe 7b Opening 5 Heating heat exchanger 8a Introducing pipe 9a Opening 8b Outgoing pipe 9b Opening 10 Pipe cap Reference Signs List 11 cylindrical portion 12 tapered portion 13 first side portion 14 second side portion 15 locking portion 16 first extension portion 17 second extension portion 18 protrusion 20 gripping portion

Claims

A vehicle air conditioner comprising: an air conditioning unit disposed in an instrument panel of a vehicle; and a heat exchanger disposed in an air conditioning case of the air conditioning unit, wherein the air is passed through the heat exchanger to form conditioned air. In the device,
An inlet pipe and an outlet pipe are connected to the heat exchanger,
The inlet pipe and the outlet pipe are disposed so as to protrude from the air conditioning case,
Before assembling the air conditioning unit to a vehicle, pipe caps for temporary fixing are respectively engaged with openings of different diameters of the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe,
The pipe cap includes a cylindrical portion that is inserted into the small-diameter opening of the two openings,
A first extending portion extending radially outward of the cylindrical portion at an end of the cylindrical portion; and a longitudinal direction of the cylindrical portion spaced from the distal end of the extending portion with the cylindrical portion. A locking portion having a second extending portion that extends,
The vehicle is characterized in that the locking portion is covered by a large-diameter opening of the two openings, and is temporarily fixed to the large-diameter opening at the inner diameter of the locking portion. Air conditioner piping cap.

An air conditioning unit disposed in an instrument panel of the vehicle; a cooling heat exchanger and a heating heat exchanger disposed in an air conditioning case of the air conditioning unit; the cooling heat exchanger and the heating; In a vehicle air conditioner that passes through a heat exchanger for conditioned air,
An inlet pipe and an outlet pipe are connected to the cooling heat exchanger and the heating heat exchanger, respectively.
The inlet pipe and the outlet pipe are disposed so as to protrude from the air conditioning case,
Before assembling the air conditioning unit to a vehicle, pipe caps for temporary fixing are respectively engaged with openings of the introduction pipe and the extraction pipe,
The pipe cap includes a tubular portion that is inserted into one of the small-diameter openings with respect to two openings having different diameters but similar diameters among the openings.
A first extending portion extending radially outward of the cylindrical portion at an end of the cylindrical portion; and a longitudinal direction of the cylindrical portion spaced from the distal end of the extending portion with the cylindrical portion. A locking portion having a second extending portion that extends,
The air conditioner for a vehicle, wherein the locking portion is covered by the other large-diameter opening, and is temporarily fixed to the other large-diameter opening at the inner diameter of the locking portion. Equipment piping cap.

3. The piping cap for a vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein a projection projecting in a direction of the cylindrical portion is provided on an inner wall portion of the locking portion, and the projection cap causes the piping cap to be enlarged. A pipe cap for an air conditioner for a vehicle, wherein the pipe cap is locked to an outer periphery of an opening having a diameter.

4. The air conditioning system for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of the tubular portion is formed in a substantially tapered shape with a smaller diameter at the tip. Equipment piping cap.

The pipe cap of the air conditioner for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the tubular portion has a first side joined to the small-diameter opening at the time of insertion, and the first side is slightly smaller than the first side. A pipe cap for a vehicle air conditioner, comprising a plurality of second side portions having different diameters and having a gap between the small diameter opening portion and the second side portion in the circumferential direction.

The pipe cap of a vehicle air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a grip portion is integrally provided on a side of the locking portion opposite to the cylindrical portion of the first extension portion. Characteristic piping cap for vehicle air conditioners.