JP2005014706A - Air conditioner for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner for a vehicle allowing improvement of insertion assemblability when inserting and arranging a heat exchanger within an air conditioning case. <P>SOLUTION: A side part 32a of a sealing part 32 extended at a peripheral edge part of an evaporator 20 is formed to be inclined. An inclined surface 16 corresponding to the side part 32a is formed in a lower case 12. The sealing part 32 therefore does not generate large frictional resistance by closely adhering to an internal surface of the lower case 12 before the evaporator 20 reaches a prescribed assembling position within the lower case 12. As a result, the evaporator 20 can be easily assembled. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioner, and more particularly to a seal structure between an air conditioning case and a heat exchanger.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a conventional technique, for example, a cooler case that is an air conditioning case is divided and formed into an upper case and a lower case, and an evaporator that is a heat exchanger for cooling is inserted into the lower case and disposed at a predetermined position, and then the upper case and One that assembles the lower case is known (see Patent Document 1 below). In this way, the evaporator housed in the cooler case has a seal member extending at the peripheral edge so as to prevent the air flowing through the cooler case from leaking between the evaporator and the cooler case. It has been known.
[0003]
For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a seal portion 132 made of elastic elastomer is formed in an annular shape on the outer periphery of the substantially rectangular rectangular evaporator 120, and this is inserted into the arrangement space 115 of the lower case 112. Then, there is a vehicle air conditioner for assembling an upper case (not shown). The width of the space 115 of the lower case 112 in the front and back direction is formed to be slightly smaller than the width of the ends of the seal portions 132 on both side surfaces with respect to the insertion direction of the evaporator 120, and the evaporator 132 is elastically deformed by elastically deforming the seal portion 132. A seal structure is formed between 120 and the cooler case (lower case 112).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-4-108026
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional vehicle air conditioner, since the seal portion 132 is elastically deformed from when the evaporator 120 starts to be inserted into the arrangement space 115 of the lower case 112, the seal portion 132 and the inner surface of the lower case 112 A large frictional resistance is generated during this period. Therefore, there exists a problem that the insertion assembly property of the evaporator 120 deteriorates.
[0006]
This invention is made | formed in view of the said point, and it aims at providing the vehicle air conditioner which can improve the insertion assembly | attachment property when inserting and arrange | positioning a heat exchanger in an air-conditioning case.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, in the invention described in claim 1,
An air conditioning case (10) for circulating air therein;
A heat exchanger (20) which is inserted into the air conditioning case (10) and arranged at a predetermined position, and cools or heats the air flowing through the air conditioning case (10);
A seal member that extends to the periphery of the heat exchanger (20) and seals between the heat exchanger (20) and the air conditioning case (10) when the heat exchanger (20) cools or heats the air. (32) A vehicle air conditioner comprising:
The seal member (32) is characterized in that it is in a non-contact state with the air conditioning case (10) except when the heat exchanger (20) is arranged at the predetermined position and in the vicinity thereof.
[0008]
According to this, even if the heat exchanger (20) is inserted into the air conditioning case (10), before reaching the vicinity of the predetermined position, the seal member (32) at the peripheral portion of the heat exchanger (20) is (10) There is no close contact. Therefore, a large frictional resistance does not occur during insertion. In this way, it is possible to improve the insertability when the heat exchanger (20) is inserted and arranged in the air conditioning case (10).
[0009]
In the invention according to claim 2,
Of the sealing member (32), the part (32a) located on the side in the insertion direction side of the heat exchanger (20) into the air conditioning case (10) is inclined and extended with respect to the insertion direction, In the air conditioning case (10), an inclined surface (16) corresponding to the inclination of the seal member (32) is formed,
The seal member (32) is in a non-contact state with the inclined surface (16) of the air-conditioning case (10) except when the heat exchanger (20) is disposed at and near the predetermined position. Yes.
[0010]
According to this, the heat exchanger (20) is arranged at the predetermined position and its vicinity by a simple configuration in which the seal member (32) is formed to be inclined and the inclined surface (16) is formed on the air conditioning case (10). The sealing member (32) can be brought into close contact with the air conditioning case (10) only when it is disposed on the air conditioning case.
[0011]
The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the seal member (32) is arranged upstream of the inclined surface (16) through the heat exchanger (20) at the predetermined position. Yes.
[0012]
According to this, when air flows through the air conditioning case (10) and passes through the heat exchanger (20), the sealing member (32) is pressed against the inclined surface (16) by the wind pressure. That is, it is possible to form a self-sealing structure in which the higher the wind pressure is, the greater the adhesion of the sealing member (32) to the inclined surface (16). Therefore, it is possible to improve the sealing performance between the heat exchanger (20) and the air conditioning case (10).
[0013]
In addition, the code | symbol in the parenthesis attached | subjected to each said means is an example which shows a corresponding relationship with the specific means as described in embodiment mentioned later.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0015]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic structure of a cooler case in which an evaporator, which is a heat exchanger for cooling, is housed in an air conditioning case constituting an air conditioning unit of a vehicle air conditioner. On the other hand, FIG. 2 is a figure which shows schematic structure of the evaporator arrange | positioned in an air conditioning unit, (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 1, the cooler case 10 is divided into two parts, an upper case 11 and a lower case 12 made of resin (in this example, made of polypropylene). An inlet 13 for introducing air sent out by a blower unit (not shown) is formed on the right side of the cooler case 10 in the figure. On the left side of the cooler case 10 in the figure, heating means (not shown) An outlet 14 for leading out air is formed on the downstream side where the air distribution means is provided.
[0017]
Between the inlet 13 and the outlet 14 in the cooler case 10, an arrangement space 15 for arranging an evaporator 20 described later is formed. The side part of the part which forms the arrangement | positioning space 15 of the cooler case 10 has a structure which has a level | step difference in the width direction (paper surface front-back direction). The stepped portion of the lower case 12 is formed with an inclined surface 16 that is inclined rearward (downstream of the air flow) with respect to the vertical direction in the drawing (the insertion direction of an evaporator 20 described later).
[0018]
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the inclined surface 16 is formed as a surface facing the upstream side (right side in the drawing) of the air flow in the cooler case 10, and the air flow toward the lower side in the drawing. It is inclined so as to be located on the upstream side. The cooler case 10 corresponds to the air conditioning case of the present invention in the present embodiment.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 2, an evaporator 20 that is a heat exchanger of the present embodiment is a well-known component that includes a core portion 21 made of an aluminum material and a header tank 22, and is a low-pressure refrigerant of a refrigeration cycle. It is a heat exchanger for cooling which cools blowing air by evaporating and absorbing heat from blowing air. Although illustration of a specific structure is omitted, the core portion 21 is configured by alternately laminating a plurality of tubes and fins extending in the vertical direction in the drawing. Header tanks 22 communicating with the tubes of the core portion 21 are disposed at both ends in the vertical direction of the core portion 21 in the drawing. Note that illustration of piping members and the like connected to the header tank 22 is omitted.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 2A, a cover member 30 is disposed on the outer periphery of the evaporator 20. The cover member 30 is made of an elastic material (in this example, polypropylene / EPDM elastomer), and is provided integrally with a main body portion 31 that is mounted so as to surround the core portion 21 and an outer surface of the main body portion 31. A lip-shaped seal portion 32 for forming a seal structure with the case 10 is formed.
[0021]
The body part 31 of the cover member 30 is disposed on the outer peripheral part of the upper and lower header tanks 22 and the left and right side parts of the core part 21 in FIG. On the other hand, the seal portion 32 protrudes in an annular shape over the upper surface and side surfaces of the main body portion 31 and the air flow upstream surface of the lower header tank 22 (see FIG. 2B).
[0022]
The evaporator 20 is inserted into the arrangement space 15 of the cooler case 10 in the extending downward direction of the core portion 21 (downward in FIG. 2), and of the seal portion 32, the side surface of the main body portion 31. The side portion 32a (the portion located on the side in the insertion direction side of the evaporator 20 in the arrangement space 15 of the evaporator 20) formed on the side of the evaporator 20 is inclined and extended with respect to the insertion direction. The side part 32a is inclined so that the lower side (insertion direction side) is the right side (upstream side of the air flow) in FIG.
[0023]
That is, the side portion 32 a of the seal portion 32 is formed to be inclined corresponding to the inclined surface 16 of the lower case 12. In addition, the width | variety between both front-end | tip parts of the side part 32a of the seal | sticker part 32 (width | variety of both ends of Fig.2 (a)) is larger than the width | variety of the air flow upstream side from the inclined surface 16 of the arrangement | positioning space 15 of the lower case 12. It is small and larger than the downstream width. Here, the seal portion 32 of the cover member 30 is a seal member in the present embodiment that is extended to the peripheral portion of the evaporator 20.
[0024]
Next, a method for assembling the evaporator 20 in the cooler case 10 will be described.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 3, first, the evaporator 20 fitted with the cover member 30 is inserted in the extending direction of the core portion 21 of the evaporator 20 from the opening on the upper side of the arrangement space 15 of the lower case 12. The insertion operation is continued until the lower surface of the evaporator 20 (substantially the lower surface of the cover member 30) contacts the bottom surface of the arrangement space 15. The position where the lower surface of the evaporator 20 is in contact with the bottom surface of the arrangement space 15 is a predetermined position in the present embodiment.
[0026]
The widths of both end portions of the side portions 32a of the seal portion 32 are smaller than the width on the upstream side of the air flow from the inclined surface 16 of the arrangement space 15 of the lower case 12, and larger than the width on the downstream side. Further, the side portion 32 a of the seal portion 32 is formed to be inclined corresponding to the inclined surface 16 of the lower case 12.
[0027]
Therefore, until the lower surface of the evaporator 20 comes into contact with the bottom surface of the arrangement space 15, the seal portion 32 does not generate a large frictional resistance even though it slightly contacts the inner surface of the lower case 12. On the other hand, when the evaporator 20 reaches a predetermined position in the lower case 12, the side portion 32a of the seal portion 32 is in close contact with the inclined surface 16 as shown in the cross-sectional view of the main part in FIG. Form. Incidentally, FIG. 4 shows a state in which the evaporator 20 has reached a predetermined position in the cross section taken along line AA shown in FIG.
[0028]
After the evaporator 20 is inserted and assembled at a predetermined position of the lower case 12, the upper case 11 is mounted from above and the upper case 11 and the lower case 12 are joined together. In this way, the evaporator 20 is stored in the cooler case 10.
[0029]
According to the configuration and the assembling operation described above, the seal portion 32 of the cover member 30 is in a non-contact state with the inner surface of the lower case 12 before the evaporator 20 reaches the predetermined assembling position in the lower case 12. A large frictional resistance is not generated by being in close contact with the inner surface of the lower case 12. Therefore, the evaporator 20 can be easily assembled. Further, it is possible to prevent the lip-shaped seal portion 32 from being twisted due to frictional resistance and causing a seal failure.
[0030]
These effects can be obtained by a simple configuration in which the side portion 32a of the seal portion 32 is formed to be inclined and the inclined surface 16 corresponding to the side portion 32a is formed in the lower case 12.
[0031]
Furthermore, the seal member 32 is disposed on the upstream side of the air flow with respect to the other side portion that is in close contact with the inclined surface 16 or the like when assembled at a predetermined position. Therefore, when air flows through the cooler case 10 and passes through the evaporator 20, the seal portion 32 is pressed against the inclined surface 16 or the like by the wind pressure. In this way, the gap between the evaporator 20 and the cooler case 10 can be reliably sealed.
[0032]
(Other embodiments)
In the above embodiment, the side portion 32a of the seal portion 32 is formed to be inclined, and the inclined surface 16 corresponding to the side portion 32a is formed on the lower case 12, but as shown in FIG. The upper case 11 may also be formed with an inclined surface, and the seal portion 32 may be formed to be inclined corresponding to the inclined surface of the upper case 11 as shown in FIG. According to this, the evaporator 20 can be assembled more easily than the one embodiment.
[0033]
In the above-described embodiment, the inclined surface 16 is formed on the lower case 12 of the cooler case 10 as a surface facing the upstream side of the air flow. However, the seal 20 is sealed only when the evaporator 20 is disposed at a predetermined assembly position. What is necessary is just to incline so that a member may closely_contact | adhere with a cooler case. For example, as shown in FIG. 7 showing the configuration viewed from the upstream side of the air flow, the inner surface of the lower case 212 is formed to have a narrower width toward the lower side to form an inclined surface 216 facing inward, and the seal of the cover member 230 The side part 232 a of the part 232 may be inclined corresponding to the inclined surface 216. However, the configuration of the above embodiment is more advantageous than the configuration illustrated in FIG. 7 in terms of the physique of the air conditioning unit and the ease of forming the self-sealing structure.
[0034]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, before the evaporator 20 reaches the predetermined assembly position in the air conditioning case 10, the seal portion 32 of the cover member 30 is in a non-contact state with respect to the inner surface of the air conditioning case 10. The seal portion 32 is in close contact with the inner surface of the air conditioning case 10 only at the position, but before the evaporator 20 reaches the vicinity of a predetermined assembly position in the air conditioning case 10, the seal portion 32 of the cover member 30 is It may be in a non-contact state with respect to the inner surface of the air conditioning case 10, and the seal portion 32 may come into contact with the inner surface of the air conditioning case 10 slightly before reaching the predetermined position.
[0035]
Moreover, in the said one Embodiment, although the evaporator 20 was inserted and arrange | positioned in the cooler case 10, this invention is applicable if a heat exchanger is inserted in an air-conditioning case. For example, a heater core or the like may be inserted in the air conditioning case.
[0036]
Moreover, in the said one Embodiment, although the evaporator 20 was inserted and assembled from the upper side, you may insert from another direction. For example, it may be inserted and assembled from the side.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a cooler case of a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2A and 2B are diagrams showing a schematic configuration of an evaporator of a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 2A is a front view and FIG. 2B is a side view.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a method for assembling an evaporator in a cooler case according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a view showing a state where an evaporator has reached a predetermined assembly position in the AA cross section shown in FIG. 3; FIG.
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a cooler case of a vehicle air conditioner according to another embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of an evaporator of a vehicle air conditioner according to another embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a method of assembling an evaporator in a cooler case according to another embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a method of assembling an evaporator in a conventional cooler case.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Cooler case (air conditioning case)
11 Upper case 12 Lower case 15 Installation space 16 Inclined surface 20 Evaporator (heat exchanger)
30 Cover member 32 Seal part (seal member)
32a Side

Claims (3)

An air conditioning case (10) for circulating air therein;
A heat exchanger (20) that is inserted into the air conditioning case (10) and disposed at a predetermined position, and cools or heats the air flowing through the air conditioning case (10);
It is extended in the peripheral part of the said heat exchanger (20), and when the said heat exchanger (20) cools or heats the said air, between the said heat exchanger (20) and the said air-conditioning case (10) A vehicle air conditioner comprising a seal member (32) for sealing
The seal member (32) is in a non-contact state with the air conditioning case (10) except when the heat exchanger (20) is disposed at and near the predetermined position. Air conditioner. Of the seal member (32), a part (32a) located on the side in the insertion direction side of the heat exchanger (20) into the air conditioning case (10) extends inclining with respect to the insertion direction. As
In the air conditioning case (10), an inclined surface (16) corresponding to the inclination of the seal member (32) is formed,
The seal member (32) is in a non-contact state with the inclined surface (16) of the air conditioning case (10) except when the heat exchanger (20) is disposed at and near the predetermined position. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1. The said sealing member (32) is arrange | positioned in the said predetermined position in the said air flow upstream which passes the said heat exchanger (20) rather than the said inclined surface (16). Vehicle air conditioner.

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