JP2007062413A - Unit connecting structure - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve assemblability when connecting units to each other in an air conditioner for a vehicle, and to prevent play by surely and strongly connecting the units to each other. <P>SOLUTION: This air conditioner is provided with a first connecting part 72 provided in an air blower unit 56 mounted with an air blower and a second connecting part 74 provided in a connecting unit 58 for connecting the air blower unit 56 and a temperature adjusting unit. In the first connecting part 72, a fitting projecting part 78 having a cylindrical part 80 and a plurality of blade parts 82 projecting in the radial outward direction in relation to the cylindrical part 80 is formed. The fitting projecting part 78 is inserted into a fitting hole 90 of the second connecting part 74. Outer edge parts of the blade parts 82 are formed into tapered shapes toward the distal ends. Also a groove part 94 of the fitting hole 90 inserted with the blade parts 82 therein is correspondingly formed into a tapered shape. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a unit connection structure that enables connection between a plurality of units used in a vehicle air conditioner.

  Conventionally, an air conditioner mounted on a vehicle includes, for example, a blower unit including a fan that sends inside air or outside air into the vehicle, and a heat exchanger unit that includes a heater core capable of heating air supplied from the blower unit. And a cooler unit having an evaporator capable of cooling the air, and an intake unit for guiding the air into the vehicle. Each of these units is formed separately, and the units are connected to each other by being connected through an opening.

  In such an air conditioner, a structure using a fastener such as a bolt or a nut is generally known as a connection structure for connecting the units to each other. In this case, since it is necessary to consider workability when the fastener is tightened with a tool or the like, the arrangement of the fastener is restricted, and the shape of the portion to be connected by the fastener is complicated. There is a problem of becoming.

  In view of the above-described problem, Patent Document 1 discloses an air conditioner having a connection structure that can easily connect units to each other.

  In Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 21, an air conditioner 1 includes a blower casing 2 and a duct 3, and the blower casing 2 has a rectangular opening portion 4 on the duct 3 side. An L-shaped projecting portion 5 projecting in a substantially L-shaped cross section is formed, and a screwing portion 6 substantially perpendicular to the opening direction of the opening 4 is formed on the upper portion of the L-shaped projecting portion 5. The Further, a locking wall 7 protruding in a substantially horizontal direction is formed at the lower part of the L-shaped protruding portion 5.

  On the other hand, the duct 3 is formed with an L-shaped projecting portion 9 projecting in a substantially L-shaped cross section toward the blower casing 2 side at an opening portion 8 opened in a rectangular shape. On the inner wall surface of the L-shaped projecting portion 9, a seal material 10 a is attached to a portion that comes into contact when the blower casing 2 is connected. Similarly, the outer peripheral surface of the duct 3 also comes into contact with the blower casing 2. The sealing material 10b is attached to the part.

  The blower casing 2 and the duct 3 are connected so that the L-shaped projecting portions 5 and 9 are in contact with each other, and the locking wall 7 is engaged with the groove portion 11 formed in the lower portion of the duct 3. In this state, the duct 3 is rotated in a direction to approach the blower casing 2, and the fixing portion 12 formed on the upper portion of the duct 3 and the screwing portion 6 of the blower casing 2 are connected by the screw member 13. . At this time, the sealing materials 10 a and 10 b attached to the duct 3 are held by contacting the blower casing 2.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 22, as the air conditioner 20 having another connection structure, the projecting portions 23 a and 23 b projecting in an L shape so as to face each other at the ends of the intake unit 21 and the heater unit 22. Each of the projecting portions 23a and 23b is provided with a guide pin 25 on a projecting piece 24 projecting to the upper side and the lower side. A cooler unit 26 is connected between the intake unit 21 and the heater unit 22, and a protruding portion 27 protruding toward the intake unit 21 and the heater unit 22 is formed at an end of the cooler unit 26. The cooler unit 26 is provided with a concave fitting portion 28 at a portion facing the guide pin 25 when connected to the intake unit 21 and the heater unit 22.

  When the intake unit 21, the heater unit 22, and the cooler unit 26 are integrally connected, the intake unit 21 and the heater unit 22 are displaced substantially horizontally toward the opening of the cooler unit 26, and the cooler unit The projecting portions 27 of the 26 are engaged with the projecting portions 23 a and 23 b of the intake unit 21 and the heater unit 22, respectively, and the guide pin 25 is engaged with the fitting portion 28. At this time, the sealing material 29 attached to the openings of the intake unit 21 and the heater unit 22 abuts against the end of the cooler unit 26 (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 64-49409 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-1000064

  By the way, in the prior art which concerns on patent document 2, when connecting the intake unit 21 and the heater unit 22 with respect to the cooler unit 26, it is necessary to move this intake unit 21 and the heater unit 22 to a substantially horizontal direction. At that time, since the sealing material 29 attached to the intake unit 21 and the heater unit 22 protrudes from the wall surface of the opening, the end of the cooler unit 26 is displaced while contacting the sealing material 29. Will be linked. As a result, there is a concern that the sealing material 29 is pressed by the end of the cooler unit 26 when the units are connected, and the sealing material 29 is peeled off from the wall surface, and the durability of the sealing material 29 is reduced. There is a problem of doing.

  In addition, when the units are connected to each other, it is necessary to carefully perform the assembling work in consideration of the contact between the sealing material 29 and the end of the cooler unit 26, and the assembling work of the air conditioner 20 is complicated. As a result, the assembly workability is lowered.

  On the other hand, in the connection structure in the air conditioner 1 of Patent Document 1, the locking wall 7 on the lower end side of the blower casing 2 is not completely fixed simply by being engaged in the groove 11 of the duct 3. In other words, the blower casing 2 and the duct 3 are fixed only by the screwing portion 6 and the screw member 13 fastened to the screwing portion 6. Therefore, rattling may occur between the blower casing 2 and the duct 3 via the locking wall 7 and the groove 11, and vibration may occur when the vehicle on which the air conditioner 1 is mounted travels. Concerned.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned various problems, and improves the assembly workability when connecting a plurality of units to each other, and also reliably connects the units to each other. An object of the present invention is to provide a unit connection structure that can be prevented.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, in a plurality of units constituting a vehicle air conditioner, the unit in which air is introduced and led out and a sealing member for maintaining airtightness between the units is mounted. A unit connecting structure for connecting openings of
A first connecting portion provided in one unit, protruding to the other unit connected to the one unit, and having a fitting portion gradually tapered toward the other unit; ,
A second connecting portion that is provided in the other unit and has a fitting hole that is gradually tapered toward the direction away from the fitting portion and into which the fitting portion is fitted;
With
By fitting the fitting portion into the fitting hole, one and the other unit are connected to each other via the opening via the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion. And

  According to the present invention, the first connecting portion is provided in one unit, the second connecting portion is provided in the other unit connected to the one unit, and the fitting portion of the first connecting portion is set as the second connecting portion. The one unit and the other unit are connected by being fitted to the fitting hole of the connecting portion. At this time, the fitting portion is gradually protruded toward the other unit side so as to be gradually tapered, and the fitting hole is gradually moved away from the fitting portion corresponding to the fitting portion. When the fitting portion is inserted into the fitting hole, a gap is generated between the fitting portion and the fitting hole. It can be easily inserted. On the contrary, the gap generated between the fitting portion and the fitting hole is gradually increased by displacing the fitting portion fitted in the fitting hole in a direction away from the fitting hole. Can be easily removed.

  Therefore, both the assembly and removal of the first connecting part and the second connecting part can be easily performed. Therefore, it is possible to improve the assembly workability and the maintainability when assembling one unit and the other unit.

  Further, by displacing the fitting portion along the inner wall surface of the fitting hole, the gap generated between the fitting portion and the fitting hole is gradually reduced, and can be brought into a fitted state. There is no rattling between the one unit and the other unit via the first and second connecting portions, the positioning of both units is ensured, and the both units are securely and firmly connected. be able to.

  Further, when the fitting portion is fitted into the fitting hole, the fitting portion and the fitting hole are fitted while approaching in a state inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the axis, so that one unit And the opening in the other unit are in contact with each other in an oblique direction. For this reason, the opening of the other unit abuts against the seal member attached to the opening of one unit from an oblique direction, so that the opening of the seal member is substantially parallel to the seal member from the opening. The pressing force is not applied from any direction, the sealing member is prevented from peeling off from the unit, and the load on the sealing member from the opening is reduced, so that the durability is improved. Can do.

  Furthermore, the fitting portion includes a cylindrical portion that is formed substantially in the center and extends in the axial direction, and a blade portion that protrudes radially outward from the peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion. It is good to provide the hole part by which the said cylindrical part is fitted, and the groove part by which the said blade | wing part is fitted. Thereby, when the fitting part is fitted into the fitting hole, the peripheral surface of the cylindrical part and the side surface of the blade part in the fitting part can be brought into contact with the inner wall surface of the fitting hole. Therefore, by increasing the contact area between the fitting portion and the fitting hole, the fitting portion and the fitting hole are fitted compared to the case where the fitting portion is not provided with a cylindrical portion and a blade portion. The holding force at the time of making it increase can be connected more firmly with the 1st connection part and the 2nd connection part.

  Furthermore, the fitting portion is provided with a flange portion inclined at a predetermined angle from the tip portion on the fitting hole side toward the opening portion side of the unit, so that the fitting portion becomes a fitting hole through the flange portion. When making it fit, one unit which has this fitting part can be made to approach from the slanting direction along the inclination-angle of the said collar part with respect to the other unit. Therefore, the units are not displaced in the substantially horizontal direction and connected as in the conventional connection structure, and are attached to one unit when connecting the units via the first and second connection parts. It is possible to reliably prevent the other unit from coming into contact with the sealing member in a direction parallel to the mounting surface of the sealing member, thereby improving the durability of the sealing member and preventing the sealing member from peeling off. be able to.

  Furthermore, the fitting portion includes a protruding portion having a substantially rectangular cross section protruding in the axial direction, and a blade portion protruding in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial line from the side surface of the protruding portion. It is good to provide the hole part by which the said protrusion part is fitted, and the groove part by which the said blade | wing part is fitted. Thus, when the fitting portion is fitted into the fitting hole, it is possible to ensure a large contact area between the side surface of the protruding portion and the side surface of the blade portion and the inner wall surface of the fitting hole in the fitting portion. Therefore, compared with the case where the fitting portion is not provided with a protruding portion and a blade portion, the holding force when the fitting portion and the fitting hole are fitted is increased, and the first connecting portion and the first connecting portion are increased. It becomes possible to connect two connection parts more firmly.

  According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

  That is, the fitting portion of the first connecting portion protrudes gradually toward the other unit side, and the fitting hole of the second connecting portion corresponds to the fitting portion. By gradually tapering in a direction away from the part, when the fitting part is fitted into the fitting hole and when the fitting part is detached from the fitting hole, the fitting part and the fitting hole Since a gap can be generated between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion through the fitting portion and the fitting hole, both the assembly and the detachment can be easily performed. Assembling workability when assembling the unit and the other unit can be improved.

  In addition, since the first and second connecting portions can be connected in a fitted state via the fitting portion and the fitting hole, rattling does not occur between one unit and the other unit. Positioning between the units is ensured, and the units can be securely and firmly connected to each other.

  A preferred embodiment of a unit connection structure according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, the vehicle air conditioner to which the unit connection structure is applied will be described.

  The vehicle air conditioner 52 to which the unit connection structure 50 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied includes a blower unit 56 to which a blower 54 that takes in air and blows air is mounted, and the introduced air. A temperature adjustment unit (not shown) having a heat exchanger for heating and a cooler for cooling the air is connected between the blower unit 56 and the temperature adjustment unit, and the temperature of the air from the blower unit 56 is increased. And a connecting unit 58 that circulates to the adjusting unit.

  The blower unit 56 includes a first casing 60 formed from a resin material in a substantially rectangular shape, and a blower 54 disposed at a substantially central portion of the first casing 60.

  A blower 54 is attached to the first casing 60 through a substantially central attachment hole 62, and a spiral passage 64 is formed so as to gradually widen in the radial direction around the blower 54. And the 1st duct (opening part) 66 of the cross-sectional substantially rectangular shape opened to the connection unit 58 side is formed in the edge part of the channel | path 64 (refer FIG. 3). That is, the air discharged under the rotating action of the blower 54 flows along the spiral passage 64 and is led out to the connection unit 58 side through the first duct 66.

  A first protrusion 68 having a substantially L-shaped cross section protrudes from the opening of the first duct 66 by a predetermined length toward the connection unit 58 side. The first protrusions 68 are formed on the lower side and the side of the first duct 66 that are two of the four sides of the first duct 66, and are substantially flush with the inner wall surface of the first duct 66. Formed to be.

  Further, seal members 70 a and 70 b are attached to the first duct 66 so as to cover the periphery of the first duct 66. The seal members 70a and 70b are formed of an elastic material such as urethane with a predetermined thickness, for example, and one seal member 70a is attached to the outer periphery of the first duct 66, and the other seal member 70b is Attached along the inner peripheral surface of the first protrusion 68. That is, the seal member 70b is mounted so as to be on the inner peripheral side of the first duct 66 with respect to the first projecting portion 68 so as to be substantially L-shaped, and the seal member 70a is substantially L-shaped. Are mounted on the outer peripheral side of the first duct 66 other than the first projecting portion 68 and project by a predetermined length from the outer peripheral surface of the first duct 66 and the inner peripheral surface of the first projecting portion 68. Instead of providing the above-described seal members 70a and 70b, a single seal member formed integrally with the seal members 70a and 70b may be provided.

  A first connecting portion 72 is provided on the side of the first duct 66 with respect to the outer surface of the first casing 60. The first connecting portion 72 is connected to a second connecting portion 74 (described later) in the connecting unit 58 and functions as a part of the unit connecting structure 50.

  The first connecting portion 72 is formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section, and has an arm portion 76 erected substantially vertically upward from a side portion of the first duct 66, and the first duct 66 from the upper end of the arm portion 76. And a fitting convex portion (fitting portion) 78 projecting in a substantially horizontal direction toward the side.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the fitting convex portion 78 protrudes in a radially outward direction with the cylindrical portion 80 formed substantially in the center along the axial direction and the cylindrical portion 80 as a center. The blade portion 82 includes a plurality of (for example, four) blade portions 82, and the blade portions 82 are formed in a tapered shape so that the width gradually decreases toward the tip end along the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 80. Yes.

  In other words, as shown in FIG. 6, four blade portions 82 are provided in a substantially cross shape so as to be spaced apart from each other by about 90 ° around the cylindrical portion 80, and are separated from the arm portion 76. Accordingly, the width gradually decreases toward the center of the cylindrical portion 80. In the blade portion 82, for example, an inclination angle θ1 with respect to the axis L1 of the cylindrical portion 80 is set to about 3 ° (see FIG. 5). The inclination angle θ1 is not particularly limited to this angle.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connecting unit 58 includes a second casing 84 formed in a hollow shape from a resin material, and the second casing 84 includes a first duct 66 of the blower unit 56 and the second casing 84. A second duct (opening) 86 to be connected and a second connecting portion 74 provided on a side portion of the second duct 86 and connected to the first connecting portion 72 of the connecting unit 58 are provided. The connecting unit 58 is connected to the temperature adjustment unit through a third duct (not shown), and distributes air introduced from the blower unit 56 to the temperature adjustment unit.

  The second duct 86 is opened to have a substantially rectangular cross section toward the blower unit 56, and the opening shape is formed substantially the same as the opening shape of the first duct 66. A second protrusion 88 having a substantially L-shaped cross section protrudes from the opening of the second duct 86 by a predetermined length toward the blower unit 56. The second protrusions 88 are formed on the upper side and the side of the second duct 86, which are two of the four sides of the second duct 86, and are substantially flush with the inner wall surface of the second duct 86. Formed as follows.

  That is, the second projecting portion 88 is formed at a position that does not overlap with the first projecting portion 68 when the blower unit 56 and the connecting unit 58 are coupled, and the first projecting portion 68 and the second projecting portion. When the first projection 66 and the second projection 88 are engaged, the first duct 66 and the second duct 86 are connected to each other. At this time, the seal member 70 b mounted on the inner peripheral surface of the first protrusion 68 is sandwiched between the outer peripheral surface of the second duct 86 and the seal member mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the first duct 66. 70 a is sandwiched between the inner peripheral surface of the second protrusion 88.

  In addition, a second connecting portion 74 is provided on the outer surface of the second casing 84 at a position near the second duct 86. The second connecting portion 74 functions as a part of the unit connecting structure 50 that is connected to the first connecting portion 72 of the blower unit 56. The second connecting portion 74 is provided in a substantially rectangular cross section so as to protrude from the outer surface toward the blower unit 56, and has a fitting hole 90 recessed in a substantially horizontal direction therein. The fitting hole 90 opens in the opposite direction to the second duct 86 side, and is formed in a bottomed shape with a substantially cross-shaped cross section corresponding to the shape of the fitting convex portion 78 of the first connecting portion 72. . The second connecting portion 74 includes a hole portion 92 formed at a substantially central portion and a plurality of groove portions 94 that are recessed so as to protrude radially outward with the hole portion 92 as a center (FIGS. 4 and 7). reference). That is, when the first and second connecting portions 72 and 74 are connected and the fitting convex portion 78 is inserted into the fitting hole 90, the cylindrical portion 80 of the fitting convex portion 78 is inserted into the hole portion 92. At the same time, the plurality of blade portions 82 are respectively inserted into the groove portions 94.

  Since the inner peripheral diameter of the hole portion 92 is set to be substantially equal to the outer peripheral diameter of the cylindrical portion 80, the cylindrical portion 80 is inserted into the hole portion 92, so that the inner peripheral surface of the hole portion 92 is The outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 80 is in surface contact.

  The inner wall surface of the groove 94 is formed in a taper shape so as to gradually taper from the opening side into which the fitting convex portion 78 is inserted toward the bottom 90a (see FIG. 8) side. In other words, the protruding amount of the groove portion 94 in the radially outward direction with respect to the hole portion 92 is set to be approximately equal to the protruding amount of the blade portion 82 in the radially outward direction with respect to the cylindrical portion 80 in the first connecting portion 72. That is, the shape of the groove portion 94 is formed corresponding to the shape of the blade portion 82 formed in a tapered shape.

  For example, the inner wall surface of the groove portion 94 is set to have an inclination angle θ2 of about 3 ° with respect to the axis L2 of the hole portion 92 and is set substantially equal to the inclination angle θ1 of the blade portion 82 (θ2≈θ1). The inclination angle θ2 is not particularly limited to this angle. If the inclination angle θ2 and the inclination angle θ1 of the blade portion 82 are set to be approximately the same, the inclination angle θ2 is limited to the size. is not.

  Furthermore, the length along the axial direction of the fitting hole 90 may be formed slightly longer than the length along the axial direction of the fitting convex portion 78 inserted into the fitting hole 90.

  The vehicle air conditioner 52 to which the unit connection structure 50 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied is basically configured as described above. Next, the unit connection structure 50 is A case where the blower unit 56 and the connection unit 58 are connected via each other will be described.

  First, the blower unit 56 and the connection unit 58 are arranged at a predetermined interval so that the first duct 66 of the blower unit 56 and the second duct 86 of the connection unit 58 face each other, and the blower unit 56 is substantially horizontal. While maintaining the state, the connecting unit 58 is inclined so that the axis L2 of the fitting hole 90 in the second connecting portion 74 is inclined by a predetermined angle (see FIG. 9). Then, the second connecting portion 74 of the connecting unit 58 is approached obliquely downward toward the first connecting portion 72 of the blower unit 56, and the connecting unit 58 is rotated so that the second connecting portion 74 is substantially horizontal. The first connecting portion 72 is inserted through the fitting convex portion 78. Thereby, the blade portion 82 of the fitting convex portion 78 is inserted into the groove portion 94 of the fitting hole 90 from the tip thereof, and the cylindrical portion 80 is inserted into the hole portion 92.

  At this time, the blade portion 82 is formed so as to gradually become narrower toward the tip side separated from the arm portion 76, and the groove portion 94 into which the blade portion 82 is inserted is also the bottom portion 90 a of the fitting hole 90. Since it is formed in a tapered shape toward the side, the fitting convex portion 78 is gradually displaced along the groove portion 94 toward the axial center of the hole portion 92. In addition, since the fitting hole 90 is formed in the shape which the opening part side in which the fitting convex part 78 is inserted opened more largely, the insertion of the said fitting convex part 78 is easy.

  Then, the blower unit 56 approaches the connection unit 58 side having the second connection portion 74 from an oblique direction at a predetermined angle via the first connection portion 72 having the fitting convex portion 78, and the first One duct 66 and the second duct 86 of the connecting unit 58 are engaged with each other via the first and second protrusions 68 and 88. Moreover, since the fitting convex part 78 and the fitting hole 90 are formed in substantially the same shape, the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical part 80 in the fitting convex part 78 and the inner peripheral surface of the hole part 92 in the fitting hole 90 Are in surface contact, and the side surface of the blade portion 82 and the inner wall surface of the groove portion 94 are in surface contact.

  The second projecting portion 88 of the second duct 86 is brought into contact with the seal member 70a mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the first duct 66 from the oblique direction under the displacement action of the connection unit 58, and the first The outer peripheral surface of the second duct 86 comes into contact with the seal member 70b attached to the first projecting portion 68 of the duct 66 in an oblique direction, and the seal members 70a and 70b are connected to the first duct 66 and the second duct. It is sandwiched between the duct 86. Since the seal members 70a and 70b are made of an elastic material, the seal members 70a and 70b are held in a state of being pressed against each other between the first and second ducts 66 and 86. That is, the sealing members 70a and 70b are held between the first duct 66 and the second duct 86, so that the airtightness in the first and second ducts 66 and 86 is maintained.

  In other words, since the second duct 86 comes into contact with the mounting surfaces 70c of the seal members 70a and 70b from a predetermined angle direction, the seal members 70a and 70b are connected to the seal members 70a and 70b. It is not pressed in a direction substantially parallel to the mounting surface 70c. Therefore, no pressing force is applied to the seal members 70a and 70b in the direction in which the seal members 70a and 70b are peeled from the mounting surface 70c, and the load from the second duct 86 on the seal members 70a and 70b is reduced.

  On the other hand, when the fan unit 56 and the connecting unit 58 connected via the first and second connecting portions 72 and 74 are detached, the fan unit 56 and the connecting unit 58 are separated from each other, contrary to the above. By moving in the direction to be moved, the fitting convex part 78 of the first connecting part 72 is detached from the fitting hole 90 of the second connecting part 74, and the blower unit 56 and the connecting unit 58 are detached. At this time, since the fitting hole 90 is formed in a tapered shape so as to gradually widen toward the opening, the fitting convex part 78 inserted into the fitting hole 90 can be easily detached. Thus, the detachability of the first and second connecting parts 72 and 74 is improved.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the first connecting portion 72 having the cylindrical portion 80 and the plurality of blade portions 82 around the cylindrical portion 80 in the vicinity of the first duct 66 in the blower unit 56. And a second connecting portion 74 is provided in the vicinity of the second duct 86 of the connecting unit 58 connected to the blower unit 56. And the blade part 82 of the 1st connection part 72 is formed in the taper shape which becomes gradually narrow toward the front-end | tip, and the groove part 94 of the fitting hole 90 in which this blade part 82 is inserted is the same. When the fitting projection 78 is inserted into the fitting hole 90 by forming the taper gradually toward the bottom 90 a, the tapered fitting projection 78 and the fitting hole 90 are inserted. Therefore, the fitting projection 78 can be inserted and fitted into the fitting hole 90 with a margin. Therefore, in the unit connection structure 50, the workability of assembling the blower unit 56 and the connection unit 58 can be improved as compared with the conventional connection structure in which the units are connected to each other via a fastener or the like.

  On the contrary, when the blower unit 56 and the connecting unit 58 are detached, the fitting convex portion 78 of the first connecting portion 72 is displaced in a direction away from the second connecting portion 74, so that the fitting is performed. Since the gap generated between the convex portion 78 and the fitting hole 90 gradually increases, the first connecting portion 72 and the second connecting portion 74 can be easily detached.

  In this way, the blower unit 56 and the connection unit 58 can be easily connected and detached through the first and second connection portions 72 and 74 without using a fastener or the like.

  Further, by displacing the blade portion 82 of the fitting convex portion 78 along the groove portion 94 of the fitting hole 90, the gap generated between the fitting convex portion 78 and the fitting hole 90 is gradually reduced. Since it can finally be in a fitted state, the relative positioning without the occurrence of rattling between the blower unit 56 and the connecting unit 58 via the first and second connecting portions 72 and 74. Can be performed easily and reliably. As a result, the blower unit 56 and the connecting unit 58 can be reliably and firmly connected.

  Furthermore, when connecting the blower unit 56 and the connecting unit 58 via the first and second connecting portions 72 and 74, the first duct 66 of the blower unit 56 to which the seal members 70a and 70b are attached is inclined. The second duct 86 of the connecting unit 58 can be brought into contact with the direction from the direction, and the seal members 70 a and 70 b can be sandwiched between the first duct 66 and the second duct 86. Therefore, as compared with the conventional connection structure in which the other unit is displaced substantially horizontally with respect to the end of the one unit on which the sealing material is mounted, and the units are connected to each other, the second duct 86 to the sealing member 70a. , 70 b is not applied in a direction substantially parallel to the mounting surface 70 c of the seal members 70 a, 70 b, so that the seal members 70 a, 70 b are prevented from being peeled off from the first duct 66. Since the load on the seal members 70a and 70b is reduced, the durability can be improved.

  Furthermore, the fitting convex part 78 of the first connecting part 72 is a combination of a cylindrical part 80 formed substantially at the center thereof and a plurality of blade parts 82 projecting radially outward from the cylindrical part 80 as a center. Compared with the case where a fitting convex part is comprised only from either the said cylindrical part 80 or the blade | wing part 82 by setting it as a structure, the contact between the said fitting convex part 78 and the fitting hole 90 is carried out. Since the area can be increased, it is possible to increase the holding force due to the fitting of the first and second connecting portions 72 and 74 and to connect them more firmly.

  Further, by setting both the inclination angle θ1 of the blade portion 82 in the first connection portion 72 and the inclination angle θ2 of the groove portion 94 in the fitting hole 90 of the second connection portion 74, the first and second connection portions 72 are set large. , 74, when connecting the first duct 66 and the second duct 86, the second duct 86 is brought into contact with the sealing members 70a, 70b of the first duct 66 from an oblique direction inclined at a predetermined angle. Can be made. That is, the second duct 86 can be more reliably prevented from coming into contact with the seal members 70a and 70b from a substantially horizontal direction.

  Therefore, by setting the inclination angle θ1 of the blade portion 82 and the inclination angle θ2 of the groove portion 94 to be large, the separation of the seal members 70a and 70b is further prevented, and the durability of the seal members 70a and 70b is improved. It is possible.

  Next, the unit connection structure 100 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment is shown in FIGS. In addition, the same referential mark is attached | subjected to the component same as the unit connection structure 50 which concerns on 1st Embodiment mentioned above, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the unit connection structure 100 according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, a plurality of (for example, four) first to first fitting protrusions 104 of the first connection portion 102 are provided. Four blade portions 106a to 106d are provided, and a pair of flange portions 108a and 108b that are gradually inclined from the tips of the third and fourth blade portions 106c and 106d toward the arm portion 76 are formed respectively. In the first embodiment, inclined grooves 114a and 114b corresponding to the flange portions 108a and 108b are formed in the fitting holes 112 of the second connecting portion 110 into which the fitting convex portion 104 is inserted, respectively. This is different from the unit connection structure 50 according to FIG.

  The first blade portion 106 a protrudes vertically upward with the cylindrical portion 80 as the center, the second blade portion 106 b protrudes vertically downward, and the third and fourth blade portions 106 c and 106 d have the cylindrical portion 80 as the center. Each protrudes in a substantially horizontal direction.

  Similar to the unit connection structure 50 according to the first embodiment, the first blade portion 106a is formed in a tapered shape so that the width gradually decreases from the arm portion 76 side toward the tip end side.

  Further, the second blade portion 106b is formed to be inclined from the tip thereof toward the arm portion 76, and as shown in FIG. 14, the inclination angle θ3 is equal to the inclination angle θ1 of the first blade portion 106a (FIG. 5). (Refer to the above) (θ3> θ1). In other words, the second blade portion 106b is formed so as to gradually widen downward.

  Further, the third and fourth blade portions 106c and 106d are formed so as to gradually become narrower from the arm portion 76 side toward the distal end side, similarly to the first blade portion 106a. As shown in FIG. 12, flanges 108a and 108b extending downward in the vertical direction are formed on the outer edge portions along the axial direction of the third and fourth blade portions 106c and 106d, respectively. .

  The flanges 108a and 108b are formed to be inclined from the tip ends of the third and fourth blade parts 106c and 106d toward the arm part 76, and as shown in FIG. 14, the flanges 108a and 108b The inclination angle θ4 is set to about 26 ° with respect to the axis L1 of the cylindrical portion 80, for example. That is, the inclination angle θ4 is set to be substantially equal to or smaller than the inclination angle θ3 of the second blade portion 106b (θ4 ≦ θ3).

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13, the fitting hole 112 of the second connection part 110 is inserted with the first groove part 113a into which the first blade part 106a of the first connection part 102 is inserted and the second blade part 106b. The second groove 113b and the third and fourth grooves 113c and 113d are formed.

  The first groove 113a is inclined at an inclination angle θ1 corresponding to the first blade portion 106a, and the second groove 113b is inclined at an inclination angle θ3 corresponding to the second blade portion 106b.

  The third and fourth groove portions 113c and 113d are formed to be inclined at an inclination angle corresponding to the third and fourth blade portions 106c and 106d, and the inclined grooves 114a and 114b are formed vertically downward from the outer edge portion thereof. Each is formed.

  With this configuration, in the unit connection structure 100 according to the second embodiment, the fitting projection 104 in the first connection portion 102 has an inclination angle that is greater than that of the first blade portion 106a protruding vertically upward. The second blade portion 106b and the flange portions 108a and 108b which are set to be large are provided so as to extend vertically downward. Therefore, by inserting the second blade portion 106b and the flange portions 108a and 108b along the fitting hole 112 of the second connecting portion 110, the first connecting portion 102 is inserted into the second connecting portion 110 from obliquely below. Therefore, the second duct 86 of the connecting unit 58 is engaged with the first duct 66 of the blower unit 56 so as to come into contact with the diagonally downward direction. As a result, the end portion of the second duct 86 is brought into contact with the sealing member 70a, 70b mounted on the first duct 66 from an oblique direction with a larger inclination angle with respect to the mounting surface 70c of the sealing member 70a, 70b. Can be made.

  Thus, when the blower unit 56 and the connecting unit 58 are connected via the first and second ducts 66 and 86, it is ensured that the second duct 86 comes into contact with the seal members 70a and 70b from a substantially parallel direction. Therefore, it is possible to improve the durability of the seal members 70a and 70b and prevent the seal members 70a and 70b from peeling off.

  Next, a unit connection structure 150 according to a third embodiment is shown in FIGS. In addition, the same referential mark is attached | subjected to the component same as the unit connection structure 50 and 100 which concerns on 1st and 2nd embodiment mentioned above, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the unit connection structure 150 according to the third embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the fitting convex portion 154 of the first connection portion 152 is formed in a substantially rectangular cross section and is formed from the arm portion 76. A protrusion 156 that protrudes and a blade part 158 that extends vertically upward from the upper surface of the protrusion 156, and as shown in FIG. 19, the fitting protrusion 154 is inserted into the second part. This is different from the unit connection structures 50 and 100 according to the first and second embodiments in that a groove portion 164 corresponding to the blade portion 158 is formed in the fitting hole 162 of the connection portion 160.

  The protruding portion 156 is formed in a tapered shape in which an upper surface 156a provided with the blade portion 158 and a pair of side surfaces 156b substantially orthogonal to the upper surface 156a gradually taper in a direction away from the arm portion 76. The inclination angle of the upper surface 156a and the side surface 156b with respect to the axis of the protrusion 156 is formed substantially the same. In addition, the position and quantity of the blade | wing part 158 provided in the protrusion part 156 are not limited to this case, For example, you may make it provide a some blade | wing part in a substantially horizontal direction with respect to a protrusion part.

  In addition, the lower surface 156c of the protruding portion 156 is formed in a tapered shape that gradually tapers in a direction away from the arm portion 76, as in the case of the upper surface 156a and the side surface 156b (see FIG. 20). Is set larger than the upper surface 156a and the side surface 156b.

  The fitting hole 162 is formed so that the inner wall surface is gradually tapered from the opening side corresponding to the fitting convex portion 154, and the inclination angle thereof is relative to the axes of the upper surface 156 a, the side surface 156 b, and the lower surface 156 c of the protruding portion 156. It is formed substantially the same as the inclination angle. That is, in the fitting hole 162, the inner wall surface corresponding to the lower surface 156c of the projecting portion 156 is formed with a larger inclination angle than the inner wall surfaces corresponding to the upper surface 156a and the side surface 156b.

  With this configuration, in the unit connection structure 150 according to the third embodiment, the fitting convex portion 154 of the first connecting portion 152 is fitted into the fitting hole 162 of the second connecting portion 160. At this time, the upper surface 156a, the side surface 156b, and the lower surface 156c of the fitting convex portion 154 are brought into contact with the inner wall surface of the fitting hole 162, and the blade portion 158 is fitted into the groove portion 164.

  At this time, since the inclination angle of the lower surface 156c of the fitting convex portion 154 is larger than the upper surface 156a and the side surface 156b of the fitting convex portion 154, the fitting convex portion 154 is inserted into the fitting hole 162. Thus, the first connecting portion 152 is inserted into the second connecting portion 160 obliquely from below. Therefore, the second duct 86 of the connecting unit 58 can be engaged with the first duct 66 of the blower unit 56 so as to contact obliquely from below, and when the blower unit 56 and the connecting unit 58 are connected, a seal is provided. It is possible to reliably prevent the second duct 86 from coming into contact with the members 70a and 70b from a substantially parallel direction.

  Further, the protrusion 156 having a flat upper surface 156a, side surface 156b, and lower surface 156c is provided on the fitting convex portion 154, and the inner wall surface shape of the fitting hole 162 into which the fitting convex portion 154 is fitted. By making the shape correspond to the shape of the protruding portion 156, the contact area when the fitting convex portion 154 and the fitting hole 162 are fitted can be increased. In other words, since the fitting convex part 154 and the fitting hole 162 can be brought into surface contact with each other, the first and second connecting parts 152 and 160 can be fitted more reliably.

  Furthermore, since the shape of the fitting convex part 154 and the fitting hole 162 can be simplified as compared with the unit connecting structures 50 and 100 in the first and second embodiments described above, for example, Manufacturability when the second connecting portions 152 and 160 are manufactured by molding or the like can be improved.

  In the unit connection structures 50 and 100 according to the first and second embodiments described above, the shapes of the fitting convex portions 78 and 104 and the fitting holes 90 and 112 are formed in a substantially cross-shaped cross section. In the unit connection structure 150 according to the third embodiment, the case where the fitting protrusions 154 and the fitting holes 162 are formed in a substantially rectangular shape has been described. Instead, any shape may be used as long as the contact area is within a predetermined range when the fitting convex portions 78, 104, 154 are inserted into the fitting holes 90, 112, 162. In other words, by setting the contact area to be larger, the blower unit 56 and the connection unit 58 are more firmly connected via the first connection parts 72, 102, 152 and the second connection parts 74, 110, 160. Although it is possible, it becomes difficult to detach the blower unit 56 and the connecting unit 58. Therefore, it is possible to strengthen the connection between the first connection parts 72, 102, 152 and the second connection parts 74, 110, 160, and the first and second connection parts 72, 74, 102, 110. The desired contact area is set in consideration of the detachability with

  The unit connection structures 50, 100, 150 may be used for connection between the connection unit 58 and the temperature adjustment unit (not shown) in the vehicle air conditioner 52.

  The unit connection structure according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various configurations can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention.

1 is a partially omitted schematic plan view of a vehicle air conditioner to which a unit connection structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a partially-omission disassembled perspective view which shows the state which mutually expanded the 1st duct and the 2nd duct in the air blower unit and connection unit of FIG. It is the single-piece | unit side view which looked at the air blower unit of FIG. 1 from the 1st duct side. It is an expansion perspective view which shows the state which the 1st connection part and the 2nd connection part in the unit connection structure of FIG. 1 separated. It is an enlarged side view in the 1st connection part of FIG. It is the enlarged front view which looked at the 1st connection part of Drawing 4 from the fitting convex part side. It is the enlarged front view which looked at the 2nd connection part of FIG. 4 from the opening side of the fitting hole. FIG. 5 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the first connection portion and the second connection portion are connected in the unit connection structure of FIG. 4. It is an enlarged side view which shows the state before the unit connection structure in which the 1st connection part in a fan unit and the 2nd connection part in a connection unit opposingly arranged are connected. FIG. 10 is an enlarged side view showing a state in which the fitting protrusions of the first connecting part are inserted into the fitting holes of the second connecting part and connected to each other in the unit connecting structure of FIG. 9. It is an expansion perspective view which shows the state which the 1st connection part and the 2nd connection part spaced apart in the unit connection structure which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the enlarged front view which looked at the 1st connection part of FIG. 11 from the fitting convex part side. It is the enlarged front view which looked at the 2nd connection part of FIG. 11 from the opening side of the fitting hole. FIG. 12 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are connected in the unit connecting structure of FIG. 11. It is an enlarged side view which shows the state before the unit connection structure in which the 1st connection part in a fan unit and the 2nd connection part in a connection unit opposingly arranged are connected. FIG. 16 is an enlarged side view showing a state in which the fitting protrusions of the first connecting part are inserted into the fitting holes of the second connecting part and connected to each other in the unit connecting structure of FIG. 15. It is an expansion perspective view which shows the state which the 1st connection part and the 2nd connection part spaced apart in the unit connection structure which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is the enlarged front view which looked at the 1st connection part of FIG. 17 from the fitting convex part side. It is the enlarged front view which looked at the 2nd connection part of FIG. 17 from the opening side of the fitting hole. FIG. 18 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are connected in the unit connecting structure of FIG. 17. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the air conditioner to which the connection structure which concerns on a prior art was applied. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the air conditioner to which the connection structure which concerns on another prior art was applied.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50, 100, 150 ... Unit connection structure 52 ... Vehicle air conditioner 56 ... Blower unit 58 ... Connection unit 66 ... 1st duct 68 ... 1st protrusion part 70a, 70b ... Seal member 72, 102, 152 ... 1st connection Part 74, 110, 160 ... 2nd connection part 78, 104, 154 ... fitting convex part 80 ... cylindrical part 82, 158 ... blade | wing part 86 ... 2nd duct 88 ... 2nd protrusion part 90, 112, 162 ... fitting Hole 92 ... Hole 94, 164 ... Groove 106a-106d ... First to fourth blades 108a, 108b ... Gutter 114a, 114b ... Inclined groove

Claims (4)

In a plurality of units constituting a vehicle air conditioner, air is introduced and led out, and a unit connection structure that connects openings of the units to which a seal member that holds airtightness between the units is mounted is connected. ,
A first connecting portion provided in one unit, protruding to the other unit connected to the one unit, and having a fitting portion gradually tapered toward the other unit; ,
A second connecting portion that is provided in the other unit and has a fitting hole that is gradually tapered toward the direction away from the fitting portion and into which the fitting portion is fitted;
With
By fitting the fitting portion into the fitting hole, one and the other unit are connected to each other via the opening via the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion. Unit connection structure. In the unit connection structure according to claim 1,
The fitting portion includes a cylindrical portion that is formed substantially in the center and extends in the axial direction, and a blade portion that protrudes radially outward from a peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion, and the fitting hole includes the cylindrical portion. A unit connection structure comprising: a hole portion into which a portion is fitted, and a groove portion into which the blade portion is fitted. In the unit connection structure according to claim 1 or 2,
The unit connecting structure, wherein the fitting portion includes a flange portion inclined at a predetermined angle from a tip portion on the fitting hole side toward the opening portion side of the unit. In the unit connection structure according to claim 1,
The fitting portion includes a protruding portion having a substantially rectangular cross section protruding in the axial direction, and a blade portion protruding in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial line from a side surface of the protruding portion. A unit connection structure comprising a hole portion into which a protruding portion is fitted and a groove portion into which the blade portion is fitted.

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