JP3583749B2

JP3583749B2 - Condensate discharge structure for vehicle air conditioner

Info

Publication number: JP3583749B2
Application number: JP2001341764A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 和弘山本; 謙一郎東; 博道永田; 成貫田村
Original assignee: Japan Climate Systems Corp
Current assignee: Japan Climate Systems Corp
Priority date: 2001-11-07
Filing date: 2001-11-07
Publication date: 2004-11-04
Anticipated expiration: 2021-11-07
Also published as: JP2003136949A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、車体の上側に設けられたユニット内の蒸発器で発生する凝縮水を車体の下側に排出するようにした車両用空調装置の凝縮水排出構造に関する技術分野に属する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
一般に、車両用空調装置は、内部にエバポレータ（蒸発器）やヒータコア等の熱交換器を有しかつこの熱交換器により調和空気を生成するユニットを備えており、このユニットはインストルメントパネル内に配設されている。このユニットの車両前側には、エンジンルームと車室とを仕切るダッシュパネル（車体）が設けられており、このダッシュパネルの上部は、通常、略上下方向に延びており、下部は、上面の高さ位置が車両前方に向かって高くなるように斜めに形成されている。そして、上記ユニットは、このダッシュパネル下部の上側に位置している。
【０００３】
一方、上記ユニットの底壁部には、上記エバポレータで発生する凝縮水をユニット外部に排出するための排出口が設けられている。この排出口は、通常、底壁部から管状に突出する管状突出部の先端に設けられており、排出口から凝縮水が重力により落下してユニット外部に排出されることになる。上記管状突出部の先端部は、通常、上記ダッシュパネル下部に上下に貫通するように設けたドレンホースの一端部に接続されており、上記排出口からユニット外部に排出された凝縮水は、そのドレンホースの他端部よりダッシュパネル下部の下側に排出されるようになっている。上記ドレンホースは、ダッシュパネル下部に形成した貫通孔に取付固定されたゴム部材（グロメットと称する）を介してダッシュパネル下部に取り付けられており、このゴム部材がドレンホースと貫通孔との間をシールすることで、車室内に水やゴミ等が入らないようになっている。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、上記従来の凝縮水排出構造では、ドレンホースが別途に必要になるとともに、ユニットを車体等に組み付けるときに、ユニットの排出口をドレンホースの端部に接続する必要があり、この接続は、管状突出部をドレンホースの端部に差し込む等して行うので、手作業となって手間がかかる。このため、部品コストや組立コストが増大してしまうという問題がある。
【０００５】
本発明は斯かる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、上記のように、車体の上側に設けられたユニット内の蒸発器で発生する凝縮水を車体の下側に排出する場合に、その構成を改良することによって、凝縮水排出部のシール性能を良好に維持しつつ、部品コストや組立コストを低減することにある。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記の目的を達成するために、この発明では、車体の上側に位置するユニットにおける凝縮水の排出口周囲に、車体の上面に略沿った形状をなすシール面を形成し、このシール面に、該シール面と車体の上面との間をシールするシール部材を設けるとともに、このシール部材に設けた前側延長部を、シール面の車両前側に該シール面に連なりかつシール面に対して車体の上面と反対側に傾くように形成された傾斜面に略沿うように構成するか、若しくは、車体の上面における貫通孔よりも車両前側部分に、下側に凹む凹部を形成するか、又は、シール面に、該シール面に対し略垂直に延びるリブを形成するようにした。
【０００７】
具体的には、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設けられ、内部に少なくとも蒸発器を有するユニットを備え、該ユニットが、上面の高さ位置が車両前方に向かって高くなるように斜めに形成された車体の上側に位置しており、上記蒸発器で発生する凝縮水を該車体の下側に排出するようにした車両用空調装置の凝縮水排出構造を対象とする。
【０００８】
そして、上記ユニットの底壁部に、上記凝縮水をユニット外部に排出するための排出口が設けられ、上記排出口の周囲に、上記車体の上面に略沿った形状をなすシール面が形成され、上記車体における上記排出口に対応する部分に、該排出口からの凝縮水を該車体の下側に排出するための貫通孔が形成されており、上記シール面に、該シール面と上記車体の上面との間をシールするシール部材が設けられ、上記シール面の車両前側に、該シール面に連なりかつシール面に対して車体の上面と反対側に傾く傾斜面が形成され、上記シール部材は、上記シール面の車両前側端よりも車両前側に延長された前側延長部を有し、上記シール部材の前側延長部は、上記傾斜面に略沿うように構成されているものとする。
【０００９】
上記の構成により、ユニット内の凝縮水は重力により排出口及び車体の貫通孔を通って車体の下側に排出される。この結果、ドレンホース等の部品は不要になるとともに、ユニットを車体等に組み付けるときに、排出口をドレンホース等に接続する必要もなく、単に組み付けるだけで排出口を貫通孔に対応する部分に位置させることができる。一方、排出口周囲のシール面には、該シール面と車体の上面との間をシールするシール部材が設けられているので、貫通孔に水やゴミ等が入っても、シール部材の存在により水やゴミ等が車室内にまで入ってくることはない。そして、このシール部材は、車体の上面に略沿った形状をなすシール面に設けられているので、車体の上面が斜めであっても、シール部材をどの部分においても均一に圧縮することができ、シール性能は十分に確保することができる。よって、凝縮水排出部のシール性能を良好に維持しつつ、部品コストや組立コストを低減することができる。
【００１０】
ところで、シール部材をシール面に取り付けた状態でユニットを組付位置の後方から車両前方に移動させて組み付ける場合に、組付前ではシール部材の厚みが圧縮前で比較的大きいので、組付位置よりも手前で車体に当接し、そこから、さらにユニットを車両前方に移動させると、車体の上面が車両前側ほど高くなっているとともに、シール部材の車両前端部が角張る等しているために、その車両前端部が車体に引っかかってシール面から剥がれることが多く、このため、シール部材をそのままシール面に貼り付ける等するだけでは、シール不良を招いてしまう可能性がある。しかし、この発明では、シール部材に前側延長部が設けられて、この前側延長部が、シール面に対して車体の上面と反対側に傾く傾斜面に略沿うように構成されているので、ユニットの組付時においてシール部材の前側延長部は車体に当接することがなく、前側延長部よりも車両後側部分が車体に当接しても、その部分は車体に引っかかるような形状とはならないので、シール部材がシール面から剥がれることはない。よって、ユニットの組付時に生じるシール部材の不具合を防止して、良好なシール性能を確実に維持することができる。
【００１１】
請求項２の発明では、請求項１の発明において、シール部材の前側延長部は、傾斜面に貼り付けられることで該傾斜面に略沿っているものとする。
【００１２】
また、請求項３の発明では、請求項１の発明において、シール部材の前側延長部は、傾斜面と該傾斜面に対向するように設けた対向部材との間に差し込まれることで該傾斜面に略沿っているものとする。
【００１３】
これらの発明により、前側延長部を容易に傾斜面に略沿うようにすることができる。
【００１４】
請求項４の発明では、車両のインストルメントパネル内に設けられ、内部に少なくとも蒸発器を有するユニットを備え、該ユニットが、上面の高さ位置が車両前方に向かって高くなるように斜めに形成された車体の上側に位置しており、上記蒸発器で発生する凝縮水を該車体の下側に排出するようにした車両用空調装置の凝縮水排出構造を対象として、上記ユニットの底壁部に、上記凝縮水をユニット外部に排出するための排出口が設けられ、上記排出口の周囲に、上記車体の上面に略沿った形状をなすシール面が形成され、上記車体における上記排出口に対応する部分に、該排出口からの凝縮水を該車体の下側に排出するための貫通孔が形成されており、上記シール面に、該シール面と上記車体の上面との間をシールするシール部材が設けられ、上記車体の上面における貫通孔よりも車両前側部分に、下側に凹む凹部が形成されているものとする。
【００１５】
こうすることで、請求項１の発明のようにシール部材に前側延長部を設けなくてシール部材の車両前端部が角張る等していたとしても、ユニット組付時にその車両前端部が当接する部分ないしその近傍に凹部を形成しておくことで、車両前端部が車体に引っかかり難くなり、シール部材がシール面から剥がれるのを抑制することができる。よって、請求項１の発明と同様の作用効果が得られる。
【００１６】
請求項５の発明では、車両のインストルメントパネル内に設けられ、内部に少なくとも蒸発器を有するユニットを備え、該ユニットが、上面の高さ位置が車両前方に向かって高くなるように斜めに形成された車体の上側に位置しており、上記蒸発器で発生する凝縮水を該車体の下側に排出するようにした車両用空調装置の凝縮水排出構造を対象として、上記ユニットの底壁部に、上記凝縮水をユニット外部に排出するための排出口が設けられ、上記排出口の周囲に、上記車体の上面に略沿った形状をなすシール面が形成され、上記車体における上記排出口に対応する部分に、該排出口からの凝縮水を該車体の下側に排出するための貫通孔が形成されており、上記シール面に、該シール面と上記車体の上面との間をシールするシール部材が設けられているとともに、該シール面に対し略垂直に延びるリブが形成されているものとする。
【００１７】
すなわち、排出口は、通常、シール面よりも鉛直下方に突出する管状突出部の先端に設けられるので、シール部材に管状突出部が嵌合する嵌合孔を開けてその嵌合により位置決めすることが考えられるが、その嵌合孔は、通常、シール部材の厚み方向両面に垂直に開けられるとともに、管状突出部がシール面と垂直になっているとは限らないので、シール面にシール部材を取り付けた状態では、管状突出部の外側面が嵌合孔の内面に沿わず、このため、管状突出部と嵌合孔との嵌合により正確な位置決めを行うことは困難である。しかし、この発明では、シール面に、該シール面に対し略垂直に延びるリブが形成されているので、このリブにより、管状突出部の有無や突出方向に関係なく正確な位置決めを行うことができる。
【００１８】
【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は本発明の実施形態に係る凝縮水排出構造が適用された車両用空調装置１を示し、この空調装置１は、自動車の車室内前部に設けたインストルメントパネル（図示せず）内に配設されている。尚、この自動車は、運転席及び助手席がそれぞれ車両右側及び車両左側（以下、車両右側及び車両左側を、それぞれ単に右側及び左側という）に設けられた、いわゆる右ハンドル車である。
【００１９】
上記空調装置１は、空調ユニット２と送風ユニット３とを備えており、この空調ユニット２は、上記インストルメントパネル内の車幅方向略中央部（インストルメントパネルのセンターコンソール部の車両前側）に配置されている一方、送風ユニット３は、空調ユニット２の助手席側（左側）であって助手席前方位置に配置されている。
【００２０】
上記空調ユニット２の車両前側には、図２に示すように、エンジンルームと車室とを仕切るダッシュパネル６１が設けられており、このダッシュパネル６１の上部は、略上下方向に延びており、下部は、上面の高さ位置が車両前方に向かって高くなるように斜めに形成されている（以下、ダッシュパネル６１の上部を鉛直部６１ａといい、下部を傾斜部６１ｂという）。このダッシュパネル６１の傾斜部６１ｂが、本発明において、上面の高さ位置が車両前方に向かって高くなるように斜めに形成された車体に相当する。
【００２１】
そして、上記空調ユニット２は、上記ダッシュパネル６１の傾斜部６１ｂの上側に位置していて、ダッシュパネル６１の鉛直部６１ａに固定されているとともに、インストルメントパネル内において車幅方向に延びるインストルメントパネル補強用のインストルメントパネルメンバー（図示せず）にも取付固定されている。
【００２２】
上記空調ユニット２は、内部にエバポレータ５（蒸発器：冷却用熱交換器）及びヒータコア６（加熱用熱交換器）を有していて、これら両熱交換器により調和空気を生成するようになっている。一方、上記送風ユニット３は、内部に送風機を有していて、この送風機により、外気取入口１１より車室外の空気を内部に取り入れるか又は内気取入口１２より車室内の空気を内部に取り入れて上記空調ユニット２へ調和空気生成用の空気を送るようになっている。すなわち、送風ユニット３の右側の側面の車両前部には吹出口（図示せず）が設けられている一方、空調ユニット２の左側の側面の車両前部には、該空調ユニット２内へ調和空気生成用の空気を導入するための導入口７（図２参照）が設けられており、これら送風ユニット３の吹出口と空調ユニット２の導入口７とが接続されている。この導入口７より空調ユニット２内に導入された空気は、エバポレータ５を通過することにより冷却され、この冷却された空気の一部がヒータコア６を通過することにより加熱され、残りの空気はヒータコア６をバイパスするようになっている。このヒータコア６を通過させる空気量とバイパスさせる空気量との割合は、エアミックスダンパ８により調整されるようになっている。そして、上記ヒータコア６を通過した空気とバイパスした空気とが混合されて所望の温度の調和空気とされ、この調和空気が、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か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１３、空調ユニット２の上面の車両後部に設けられか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１４、及び、空調ユニット２の下部に設けられかつ調和空気を乗員の足元に吹き出すようにしたフット導出口１５から選択的に吹き出すようになっている。この吹出モードに応じた調和空気の吹出方向は、３つの吹出方向切替ダンパ９により調整されるようになっている。尚、図２中、５ａ，５ｂは、エバポレータ５に対し冷媒をそれぞれ導入及び導出するためのクーラパイプである。
【００２３】
上記空調ユニット２の底壁部における上記エバポレータ５下側に相当する部分には、上記エバポレータ５で発生する凝縮水を空調ユニット２外部に排出するための排出口４１が設けられ、この排出口４１の周囲には、上記ダッシュパネル６１の傾斜部６１ｂの上面に対向するシール面４２が形成されている。このシール面４２は、上記傾斜部６１ｂの上面に略沿った（平行）形状をなしていて、その高さ位置が車両前側ほど高くなっている。
【００２４】
上記排出口４１は、図３及び図４に拡大して示すように、上記シール面４２から鉛直下方に突出する管状突出部４３の先端に設けられていて、空調ユニット２内部と連通しており、この排出口４１から上記凝縮水が重力により落下して空調ユニット２外部に排出されるようになっている（凝縮水の流れについては、図２の矢印参照）。尚、エバポレータ５は、凝縮水が下側に流れ易くなるように上下に立てられた状態で配置されている。
【００２５】
上記シール面４２における上記管状突出部４３の車両後側には、該シール面４２に対し略垂直に延びるリブ４５が管状突出部４３と一体形成されている。このリブ４５は、上記管状突出部４３とともに、後述のシール部材５１の位置決めを行うものである。
【００２６】
上記ダッシュパネル６１の傾斜部６１ｂにおける上記排出口４１（管状突出部４３）に対応する部分には、排出口４１から空調ユニット２外部に排出される凝縮水を傾斜部６１ｂの下側に排出するための貫通孔６１ｃが形成され、この貫通孔６１ｃ内に、上記管状突出部４３の先端部が入り込んでいる。尚、上記空調ユニット２は、後述の如くインストルメントパネルに取り付けた状態でダッシュパネル６１の鉛直部６１ａの車両後側から車両前方に移動させることにより該鉛直部６１ａに組み付けられるが、その車両前方への移動だけで管状突出部４３の先端部が貫通孔６１ｃ内に入るように貫通孔６１ｃの大きさが設定されている。
【００２７】
上記空調ユニット２のシール面４２には、該シール面４２と上記ダッシュパネル６１の傾斜部６１ｂの上面との間をシールするシール部材５１が接着により貼り付けられている。このシール部材５１は、シール面４２に接着される第１層５１ａと傾斜部６１ｂの上面に当接する第２層５１ｂとが厚み方向に積層されてなり、この第１層５１ａは比較的硬いゴム系材料（例えばＥＰＤＭ）からなり、第２層５１ｂは第１層５１ａよりも硬さが小さいゴム系材料（例えばウレタン）からなっている。そして、空調ユニット２が鉛直部６１ａに組み付けられた状態では、第２層５１ｂが厚み方向に圧縮されてシール面４２と傾斜部６１ｂの上面との間をシールするようになっている（図３に圧縮前の形状を二点鎖線で示す）。
【００２８】
上記シール部材５１の第２層５１ｂは、上記シール面４２の車両前側端（第１層５１ｂの車両前側端）よりも車両前側に延長された前側延長部５１ｃを有し、この前側延長部５１ｃは上側に曲げられている。すなわち、上記シール面４２の車両前側には、該シール面４２に連なりかつシール面４２に対してダッシュパネル６１の傾斜部６１ｂの上面と反対側（上側）に傾く傾斜面４６（この実施形態では、傾斜面４６が略鉛直方向に延びるようにシール面４２と傾斜面４６とのなす角度が設定されているが、この角度はどのような値であってもよい）が形成されており、上記シール部材５１の前側延長部５１ｃは、この傾斜面４６に接着により貼り付けられることで該傾斜面４６に略沿うようになされている。
【００２９】
上記シール部材５１の第１層５１ａは、上記第２層５１ｂにおけるダッシュパネル６１の傾斜部６１ｂの上面に当接する車体当接部５１ｄの周縁よりも外側（この実施形態では、車幅方向両側及び車両後側）に、傾斜部６１ｂの上面に対し離れた状態で略平行に延びる延出部５１ｅを有している。この延出部５１ｅは、傾斜部６１ｂの上面において上記シール部材５１の車体当接部５１ｄに対し所定間隔をあけて設けたインシュレータ６３の上面に当接している。すなわち、このインシュレータ６３は、シール部材５１の車体当接部５１ｄの車幅方向両側及び車両後側に配設されていて、シール面４２に垂直な方向から見て略Ｕ字状をなしており、シール部材５１の車体当接部５１ｄの周縁との間隔は車幅方向両側よりも車両後側の方が大きく設定されている。これは、空調ユニット２をインストルメントパネルに取り付けた状態で車両前方に移動させてダッシュパネル６１の鉛直部６１ａに組み付ける際に、シール部材５１の車体当接部５１ｄとインシュレータ６３との干渉を防止するためであり、車両後側については、車体当接部５１ｄの移動軌跡（図３の一点鎖線参照）上から外れるだけの所定間隔をあけている。また、車幅方向両側については、組付誤差等を考慮して所定間隔が設定されている。
【００３０】
上記シール部材５１の略中央部には、上記管状突出部４３及びリブ４５が嵌合する位置決め用の長孔５１ｆがシール部材５１の厚み方向両面に垂直に開けられている。すなわち、車幅方向については、管状突出部４３と長孔５１ｆとの嵌合によりシール部材５１の位置決めを行っているが、車両前後方向については、管状突出部４３及びリブ４５の両方と長孔５１ｆとの嵌合により位置決めを行っている。これは、車両前後方向について管状突出部４３と長孔５１ｆとの嵌合だけで位置決めを行うと、管状突出部４３がシール面４２に垂直に延びていないので、管状突出部４３の外側面の車両前後部分が長孔５１ｆの内面に沿わずに、正確な位置決めを行うことが困難であるからであり、長孔５１ｆの内面に沿うようにシール面４２に垂直なリブ４５を形成してこのリブ４５を位置決めに利用している。尚、この実施形態では、型抜き等の観点から、リブ４５を管状突出部４３の車両後側にしか設けていないが、車両後側にも設けるようにしてもよく、リブ４５と一体に設けないで、リブ４５とは離れた箇所に設けるようにしてもよい。
【００３１】
上記空調装置１の自動車への組付手順としては、先ず、インストルメントパネル内のインストルメントパネルメンバーに空調ユニット２及び送風ユニット３を取り付けるとともに、他の必要な部品を組み付けてインストルメントパネルモジュールを完成させる。尚、空調ユニット２のシール面４２には、インストルメントパネルメンバーへの取付前又は後に、シール部材５１を貼り付ける。
【００３２】
次いで、上記インストルメントパネルモジュール（空調ユニット２）を、ダッシュパネル６１の鉛直部６１ａの車両後側から車両前方に移動させて該鉛直部６１ａに組み付ける。このとき、シール部材５１が、この実施形態のように傾斜面４６に貼り付けられた前側延長部５１ｃを有していない場合、組付前ではシール部材５１の厚みが圧縮前で比較的大きいので、組付位置よりも手前で傾斜部６１ｂに当接し、そこから、さらに空調ユニット２を車両前方に移動させると、傾斜部６１ｂの上面が車両前側ほど高くなっているとともに、シール部材５１の車両前端部が角張る等しているので、その車両前端部が傾斜部６１ｂに引っかかって第２層５１ｂが正しく圧縮されず、これにより、シール部材５の車両前端部がシール面４２から剥がれてしまう。しかし、この実施形態では、シール部材５１が、シール面４２に対して傾斜部６１ｂの上面と反対側に傾く傾斜面４６に略沿うように貼り付けられた前側延長部５１ｃを有しているので、その前側延長部５１ｃは傾斜部６１ｂに当接することがなく、前側延長部５１ｃよりも車両後側部分が傾斜部６１ｂに当接しても、その部分は円弧状になっているので、傾斜部６１ｂに引っかかることはなく、第２層５１ｂが確実に圧縮される。よって、組付時にシール部材５１がシール面４２から剥がれることはない。
【００３３】
また、インシュレータ６３がシール部材５１の車体当接部５１ｄに対し所定間隔をあけて設けられているので、上述の如く、組付時に、シール部材５１の車体当接部５１ｄがインシュレータ６３に接触することもない。
【００３４】
こうして空調ユニット２がダッシュパネル６１の鉛直部６１ａに組み付けられた状態では、シール部材５１の第２層５１ｂが圧縮されるとともに、延出部５１ｅがインシュレータ６３の上面に当接する。また、管状突出部４３がダッシュパネル６１の傾斜部６１ｂの貫通孔６１ｃ内に位置する。
【００３５】
したがって、上記実施形態では、従来使用していたドレンホース等の部品は不要になるとともに、空調ユニット２をダッシュパネル６１の鉛直部６１ａに組み付けるときに、管状突出部４３をドレンホース等に接続する必要もなく、単に組み付けるだけで管状突出部４３を傾斜部６１ｂの貫通孔６１内に位置させることができる。そして、管状突出部４３周囲のシール面４２には、該シール面４２と傾斜部６１ｂの上面との間をシールするシール部材５１が設けられているとともに、そのシール面５１が傾斜部６１ｂと略平行に形成されているので、シール部材５１の第２層５１ｂが全体に均一に圧縮され、これによりシール性能を十分に確保することができる。この結果、傾斜部６１ｂの貫通孔６１ｃに水やゴミ等が入っても、シール部材５１により車室内にまで入ってくるのを防止することができる。しかも、シール部材５１に、傾斜面４６に沿うようになされた前側延長部５１ｃが設けられているので、空調ユニット２の組付時にシール部材５１が剥がれる等してシール不良が生じることもない。よって、凝縮水排出部のシール性能を良好に維持しつつ、部品コストや組立コストの低減化を図ることができる。
【００３６】
また、シール部材５１の車体当接部５１ｄの車両前側を除く周囲にインシュレータ６３が設けられ、このインシュレータ６３が車体当接部５１ｄから離れて配置されているので、組付時におけるシール部材５１の車体当接部５１ｄとインシュレータ６３との接触に伴うシール不良を防止することができる。そして、このようにインシュレータ６３が車体当接部５１ｄから離れて配置されていても、シール部材５１にインシュレータ６３の上面に当接する延長部５１ｅが設けられているので、インシュレータ６３及びシール部材５１により遮音性能や断熱性能を向上させることができ、エンジンルームのエンジン音や熱の車室内への伝達を抑制することができる。
【００３７】
尚、上記実施形態では、シール部材５１の前側延長部５１ｃを傾斜面４６に接着により貼り付けることで該傾斜面４６に略沿わせるようにしたが、図５に示すように、前側延長部５１ｃを、傾斜面４６と該傾斜面４６に対向するように設けた対向部材４７（対向部材４７の上端部は傾斜面４６の上部に取り付けられている）との間に厚み方向に圧縮して差し込むことで傾斜面４６に略沿わせるようにしてもよい。こうすれば、前側延長部５１ｃの接着は不要となるが、接着と併用してもよい。また、図６及び図７に示すように、傾斜面４６に突起部４８を形成しておき、その突起部４８に、前側延長部５１ｃに設けた凹状係合部５１ｇと係合させて保持することで、前側延長部５１ｃを傾斜面４６に略沿わせるようにしてもよい。
【００３８】
また、上記実施形態では、空調ユニット２の組付時にシール部材５１がシール面４２から剥がれないように前側延長部５１ｃを設けたが、このような前側延長部５１ｃをシール部材５１に設けなくてもシール面４２から剥がれないようにすることができる。すなわち、図８に示すように、傾斜部６１ｂの上面における貫通孔６１ｃよりも車両前側部分に、下側に凹む凹部６１ｄを形成すればよい。この凹部６１ｄは、該凹部６１ｄがない場合に空調ユニット２の組付時においてシール部材５１の車両前側端部が当接する部分ないしその近傍に形成する。こうすれば、組付時にシール部材５１の車両前側端部が傾斜部６１ｂに引っかかることはない。
【００３９】
さらに、上記実施形態では、シール部材５１を２層構造にしたが、第２層５１ｂと同様の材料からなる１層構造であってもよく、第２層５１ｂの傾斜部６１ｂ側の面に、第１層５１ａと同様の材料からなる第３層を設けた３層構造であってもよい。
【００４０】
加えて、上記実施形態では、シール部材５１の第１層５１ａをシール面４２に接着するようにしたが、例えば図９に示すように、第１層５１ａに複数の孔５１ｈを形成するとともに、この各孔５１ｈ内に突出して嵌合する部分の先端面にシール面４２を形成して、このシール面４２に第２層５１ｂの上面を接着するようにしてもよい。
【００４１】
さらにまた、上記実施形態では、排出口４１を、シール面４２から鉛直下方に突出する管状突出部４３の先端に設けたが、管状突出部４３はなくてシール面４２と同じ面に排出口４１を設けるようにしてもよい。また、管状突出部４３を設ける場合でも、鉛直下方に延びるように形成する必要はなく、例えばシール面４２に垂直に延びるように形成してもよい。
【００４２】
また、上記実施形態では、予め空調ユニット２及び送風ユニット３をインストルメントパネルに取り付けてモジュール化し、このモジュールをダッシュパネル６１の鉛直部６１ａに取り付けるようにしたが、空調ユニット２及び送風ユニット３をインストルメントパネルとは別個に鉛直部６１ａに取り付ける場合であっても本発明を適用することができる。
【００４３】
さらに、空調ユニット２と送風ユニット３とを備えたものとして説明したが、両ユニット２，３が一体となったような１つのユニット（内部に、送風機や熱交換器等を有する）に対しても、本発明を適用することができる。
【００４４】
加えて、上記実施形態では、空調装置１を右ハンドル車に搭載したが、左ハンドル車に搭載するようにしてもよい。この場合、空調装置１は上記実施形態のものと左右がほぼ逆の関係になるように構成すればよい。
【００４５】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明の車両用空調装置の凝縮水排出構造によると、上面の高さ位置が車両前方に向かって高くなるように斜めに形成された車体の上側に位置するユニットにおける凝縮水の排出口周囲に、車体の上面に略沿った形状をなすシール面を形成し、このシール面に、該シール面と車体の上面との間をシールするシール部材を設けるとともに、このシール部材に設けた前側延長部を、シール面の車両前側に該シール面に連なりかつシール面に対して車体の上面と反対側に傾くように形成された傾斜面に略沿うように構成するか、若しくは、車体の上面における貫通孔よりも車両前側部分に、下側に凹む凹部を形成するか、又は、シール面に、該シール面に対し略垂直に延びるリブを形成するようにしたことにより、凝縮水排出部のシール性能を良好に維持しつつ、部品コストや組立コストの低減化を図ることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施形態に係る車両用空調装置を示す斜視図である。
【図２】空調ユニットの内部を示す縦断面図である。
【図３】凝縮水の排出口近傍を拡大して示す断面図である。
【図４】図３のIV方向から見た、ダッシュパネルの傾斜部を省略した図である。
【図５】シール部材の前側延長部を傾斜面に略沿わせるための他の形態を示す図３相当図である。
【図６】シール部材の前側延長部を傾斜面に略沿わせるためのさらに別の形態を示す図３相当図である。
【図７】シール部材の前側延長部を傾斜面に略沿わせるためのさらに別の形態を示す図３相当図である。
【図８】シール部材に前側延長部を設ける代わりに、ダッシュパネルの傾斜部に凹部を形成してシール部材の剥がれを防止する形態を示す図３相当図である。
【図９】シール部材とシール面との接着構成を異ならせた他の形態を示す図３相当図である。
【符号の説明】
１車両用空調装置
２空調ユニット
５エバポレータ（蒸発器）
４１排出口
４２シール面
４５リブ
４６傾斜面
４７対向部材
５１シール部材
５１ｃ前側延長部
５１ｄ車体当接部
５１ｅ延出部
６１ｂダッシュパネルの傾斜部（車体）
６１ｃ貫通孔
６１ｄ凹部
６３インシュレータ[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention belongs to a technical field related to a condensed water discharging structure of a vehicle air conditioner configured to discharge condensed water generated in an evaporator in a unit provided on an upper side of a vehicle body to a lower side of the vehicle body.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, an air conditioner for a vehicle has a heat exchanger such as an evaporator (evaporator) and a heater core therein and a unit for generating conditioned air by the heat exchanger. This unit is installed in an instrument panel. It is arranged. A dash panel (vehicle body) that separates an engine room and a vehicle compartment is provided on the front side of the vehicle of the unit, and an upper portion of the dash panel generally extends substantially vertically, and a lower portion has a height of an upper surface. It is formed diagonally so that the height is higher toward the front of the vehicle. The unit is located above the lower part of the dash panel.
[0003]
On the other hand, a discharge port for discharging condensed water generated by the evaporator to the outside of the unit is provided in a bottom wall portion of the unit. This outlet is usually provided at the tip of a tubular projection that projects tubularly from the bottom wall, and condensed water falls from the outlet by gravity and is discharged to the outside of the unit. The distal end of the tubular projection is usually connected to one end of a drain hose provided to penetrate vertically below the dash panel, and condensed water discharged to the outside of the unit from the discharge port is provided. The other end of the drain hose is discharged to the lower side of the lower part of the dash panel. The drain hose is attached to the lower part of the dash panel via a rubber member (referred to as a grommet) attached to and fixed to a through hole formed in the lower part of the dash panel, and the rubber member connects between the drain hose and the through hole. Sealing prevents water, dust and the like from entering the vehicle interior.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-mentioned conventional condensed water discharge structure, a drain hose is separately required, and when the unit is assembled to a vehicle body or the like, it is necessary to connect a discharge port of the unit to an end of the drain hose. This is done by inserting the tubular projection into the end of the drain hose, etc., which is a manual operation and takes time. For this reason, there is a problem that component costs and assembly costs increase.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and an object thereof is to condense water generated in an evaporator in a unit provided on the upper side of a vehicle body as described above. An object of the present invention is to reduce the component cost and the assembly cost while improving the sealing performance of the condensed water discharge portion by improving the configuration when discharging the condensed water.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a sealing surface having a shape substantially along the upper surface of the vehicle body is formed around a discharge port of condensed water in a unit located on the upper side of the vehicle body. Providing a seal member for sealing between the seal surface and the upper surface of the vehicle body;At the same time, the front extension portion provided on the seal member is formed so as to be substantially along an inclined surface formed on the vehicle front side of the seal surface so as to be continuous with the seal surface and inclined to the side opposite to the upper surface of the vehicle body with respect to the seal surface. The upper surface of the vehicle body is formed with a concave portion that is recessed downward in a portion on the vehicle front side with respect to the through hole, or a rib that extends substantially perpendicular to the seal surface is formed in the seal surface.I did it.
[0007]
More specifically, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a unit is provided in an instrument panel of a vehicle and has at least an evaporator therein, and the unit has an upper surface whose height position is higher toward the front of the vehicle. A condensed water discharge structure of a vehicle air conditioner, which is located above a vehicle body formed obliquely as described above and discharges condensed water generated in the evaporator to a lower side of the vehicle body.
[0008]
A discharge port for discharging the condensed water to the outside of the unit is provided on a bottom wall of the unit, and a seal surface having a shape substantially along the upper surface of the vehicle body is formed around the discharge port. A through-hole for discharging condensed water from the discharge port to a lower side of the vehicle body is formed in a portion corresponding to the discharge port in the vehicle body; A sealing member for sealing between the upper surface ofAn inclined surface is formed on the vehicle front side of the seal surface and is continuous with the seal surface and is inclined to the side opposite to the upper surface of the vehicle body with respect to the seal surface. The seal member is located on the vehicle front side of the vehicle front end of the seal surface. Has a front extension extended toUpThe front extension of the seal member is configured to substantially follow the inclined surface.Shall be.
[0009]
With the above configuration, the condensed water in the unit is discharged to the lower side of the vehicle body through the discharge port and the through hole of the vehicle body by gravity. As a result, components such as a drain hose become unnecessary, and when assembling the unit to a vehicle body or the like, there is no need to connect the outlet to a drain hose or the like. Can be located. On the other hand, since a seal member for sealing between the seal surface and the upper surface of the vehicle body is provided on the seal surface around the outlet, even if water or dust enters the through hole, the presence of the seal member causes Water and garbage do not enter the cabin. Since the seal member is provided on the seal surface having a shape substantially along the upper surface of the vehicle body, the seal member can be uniformly compressed at any portion even when the upper surface of the vehicle body is oblique. , Sealing performance can be sufficiently ensured. Therefore, it is possible to reduce component costs and assembly costs while maintaining good sealing performance of the condensed water discharge portion.
[0010]
by the wayWhen the unit is moved from the rear of the assembly position to the front of the vehicle with the seal member attached to the seal surface and assembled, the thickness of the seal member before assembly is relatively large before compression. Also, when the unit is moved toward the front of the vehicle from there, the upper surface of the vehicle body is higher toward the front of the vehicle, and the front end of the seal member is angular, etc. In many cases, the front end of the vehicle is caught on the vehicle body and peels off from the sealing surface. Therefore, if the sealing member is simply adhered to the sealing surface as it is, a sealing failure may be caused. However, in the present invention, the front extension is provided on the seal member, and the front extension is configured to substantially follow the inclined surface inclined to the opposite side to the upper surface of the vehicle body with respect to the seal surface. At the time of assembly, the front extension of the seal member does not contact the vehicle body, and even if the rear part of the vehicle contacts the vehicle body more than the front extension, that part does not have a shape that will catch on the vehicle body In addition, the sealing member does not peel off from the sealing surface. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the failure of the seal member occurring at the time of assembling the unit, and to reliably maintain good sealing performance.
[0011]
Claim2In the invention of the claim,1In the present invention, the front extension of the seal member is attached to the inclined surface so as to be substantially along the inclined surface.
[0012]
Claims3In the invention of the claim,1In the present invention, the front extension of the seal member is inserted between the inclined surface and an opposing member provided so as to oppose the inclined surface, and substantially extends along the inclined surface.
[0013]
According to these inventions, the front extension can be easily made to substantially follow the inclined surface.
[0014]
Claim4In the invention ofIt is provided in the instrument panel of the vehicle and has at least A unit having an evaporator, wherein the unit is located above a vehicle body that is formed obliquely so that the height position of the upper surface becomes higher toward the front of the vehicle, and condensed water generated by the evaporator is provided. An outlet for discharging the condensed water to the outside of the unit is provided in a bottom wall portion of the unit for a condensed water discharge structure of a vehicle air conditioner configured to discharge the condensed water to a lower side of the vehicle body, A seal surface having a shape substantially along the upper surface of the vehicle body is formed around the discharge port, and condensed water from the discharge port is discharged to a lower side of the vehicle body in a portion of the vehicle body corresponding to the discharge port. And a sealing member for sealing between the sealing surface and the upper surface of the vehicle body is provided on the sealing surface.It is assumed that a recessed portion that is recessed downward is formed in a portion of the upper surface of the vehicle body on the vehicle front side with respect to the through hole.
[0015]
By doing so, the claim1Even when the seal member is not provided with the front extension portion as in the invention of the invention, the vehicle front end portion of the seal member is angular, etc., but a concave portion is formed in a portion where the vehicle front end portion abuts at the time of unit assembly or in the vicinity thereof. By doing so, it becomes difficult for the front end of the vehicle to be caught by the vehicle body, and it is possible to prevent the seal member from peeling off from the seal surface. Therefore, the claim1The same operation and effect as those of the invention described above can be obtained.
[0016]
Claim5In the invention ofA unit provided in an instrument panel of the vehicle and having at least an evaporator therein, wherein the unit is located on an upper side of a vehicle body formed obliquely so that a height position of an upper surface becomes higher toward a front of the vehicle. The condensed water generated in the evaporator is discharged to the lower side of the vehicle body. The condensed water is discharged to the bottom wall of the unit. A discharge port for discharging to the outside is provided, and a seal surface having a shape substantially along the upper surface of the vehicle body is formed around the discharge port, and the discharge port is provided in a portion of the vehicle body corresponding to the discharge port. A through-hole for discharging condensed water from an outlet to the lower side of the vehicle body is formed, and a seal member for sealing between the seal surface and the upper surface of the vehicle body is provided on the seal surface. WithA rib extending substantially perpendicular to the sealing surface is formed.
[0017]
That is, since the discharge port is usually provided at the tip of the tubular protrusion projecting vertically below the sealing surface, a fitting hole for fitting the tubular protrusion into the seal member is opened, and positioning is performed by the fitting. However, the fitting hole is usually formed vertically on both sides in the thickness direction of the seal member, and the tubular protrusion is not necessarily perpendicular to the seal surface. In the attached state, the outer surface of the tubular protrusion does not follow the inner surface of the fitting hole, and therefore, it is difficult to perform accurate positioning by fitting the tubular protrusion with the fitting hole. However, in the present invention, the rib is formed on the seal surface so as to extend substantially perpendicularly to the seal surface, so that accurate positioning can be performed by the rib regardless of the presence or absence of the tubular protrusion and the protrusion direction. .
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an air conditioner 1 for a vehicle to which a condensed water discharge structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. The air conditioner 1 is provided in an instrument panel (not shown) provided in a front part of a passenger compartment of an automobile. It is arranged in. This vehicle is a so-called right-hand drive vehicle in which a driver's seat and a passenger's seat are provided on the right side and left side of the vehicle, respectively (hereinafter, the right side and left side of the vehicle are simply referred to as right side and left side, respectively).
[0019]
The air conditioner 1 includes an air conditioner unit 2 and a blower unit 3. The air conditioner unit 2 is provided at a substantially central portion of the instrument panel in the vehicle width direction (a front side of a center console portion of the instrument panel). On the other hand, the blower unit 3 is arranged on the passenger seat side (left side) of the air conditioning unit 2 and at the front position of the passenger seat.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 2, a dash panel 61 that separates an engine room and a vehicle compartment is provided on the front side of the air conditioning unit 2, and an upper portion of the dash panel 61 extends substantially vertically. The lower portion is formed diagonally so that the height position of the upper surface becomes higher toward the front of the vehicle (hereinafter, the upper portion of the dash panel 61 is referred to as a vertical portion 61a, and the lower portion is referred to as an inclined portion 61b). In the present invention, the inclined portion 61b of the dash panel 61 corresponds to a vehicle body formed obliquely so that the height position of the upper surface becomes higher toward the front of the vehicle.
[0021]
The air conditioning unit 2 is located above the inclined portion 61b of the dash panel 61, is fixed to the vertical portion 61a of the dash panel 61, and extends in the instrument panel in the vehicle width direction. It is also attached and fixed to an instrument panel member (not shown) for panel reinforcement.
[0022]
The air conditioning unit 2 has an evaporator 5 (evaporator: heat exchanger for cooling) and a heater core 6 (heat exchanger for heating) therein, and both of these heat exchangers generate conditioned air. ing. On the other hand, the blower unit 3 has a blower inside, and the blower blows air outside the vehicle compartment through the outside air intake 11 or air inside the vehicle compartment through the inside air intake 12. Air for generating conditioned air is sent to the air conditioning unit 2. That is, an air outlet (not shown) is provided on the right side of the air blowing unit 3 at the front of the vehicle, while the left side of the air conditioning unit 2 is provided with the air conditioning unit 2 at the front of the vehicle. An inlet 7 (see FIG. 2) for introducing air for air generation is provided, and the outlet of the blower unit 3 and the inlet 7 of the air conditioning unit 2 are connected. The air introduced into the air conditioning unit 2 from the inlet 7 is cooled by passing through the evaporator 5, a part of the cooled air is heated by passing through the heater core 6, and the remaining air is heated by the heater core 6. 6 is bypassed. The ratio between the amount of air passing through the heater core 6 and the amount of air bypassed is adjusted by the air mix damper 8. The air passing through the heater core 6 and the bypassed air are mixed to form conditioned air having a desired temperature, and the conditioned air is supplied to the upper surface of the air conditioning unit 2 in accordance with a blowing mode set by a vehicle occupant. A defroster outlet 13 provided at the front of the vehicle and connected to the defroster via a duct; a vent outlet 14 provided at the rear of the vehicle on the upper surface of the air conditioning unit 2 and connected to the ventilator via the duct; The conditioned air is selectively blown out from a foot outlet 15 provided below the air conditioning unit 2 and configured to blow out conditioned air to the feet of the occupant. The blowing direction of the conditioned air according to the blowing mode is adjusted by three blowing direction switching dampers 9. In FIG. 2, 5a and 5b are cooler pipes for introducing and discharging the refrigerant to and from the evaporator 5, respectively.
[0023]
A discharge port 41 for discharging condensed water generated in the evaporator 5 to the outside of the air conditioning unit 2 is provided in a portion corresponding to a lower side of the evaporator 5 in a bottom wall portion of the air conditioning unit 2. Is formed around the upper surface of the inclined portion 61b of the dash panel 61. The sealing surface 42 has a substantially parallel (parallel) shape along the upper surface of the inclined portion 61b, and its height position is higher toward the front of the vehicle.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 in an enlarged manner, the discharge port 41 is provided at a distal end of a tubular protrusion 43 projecting vertically downward from the seal surface 42 and communicates with the inside of the air conditioning unit 2. The condensed water falls from the outlet 41 by gravity and is discharged to the outside of the air conditioning unit 2 (for the flow of the condensed water, see the arrow in FIG. 2). The evaporator 5 is arranged upright so that the condensed water can easily flow downward.
[0025]
A rib 45 extending substantially perpendicular to the seal surface 42 is formed integrally with the tubular protrusion 43 on the rear side of the tubular protrusion 43 on the seal surface 42. The rib 45, together with the tubular projection 43, positions a seal member 51 described later.
[0026]
The portion of the dash panel 61 corresponding to the outlet 41 (the tubular protrusion 43) in the inclined portion 61b discharges condensed water discharged from the outlet 41 to the outside of the air conditioning unit 2 below the inclined portion 61b. A through hole 61c is formed, and the tip of the tubular protrusion 43 enters into the through hole 61c. The air conditioning unit 2 is assembled to the vertical portion 61a by moving the air conditioning unit 2 from the rear of the vertical portion 61a of the dash panel 61 to the front of the vehicle in a state where the air conditioning unit 2 is attached to the instrument panel as described later. The size of the through-hole 61c is set so that the tip of the tubular projection 43 enters the through-hole 61c only by the movement of the through-hole 61c.
[0027]
A seal member 51 for sealing between the seal surface 42 and the upper surface of the inclined portion 61b of the dash panel 61 is attached to the seal surface 42 of the air conditioning unit 2 by bonding. The sealing member 51 is formed by laminating a first layer 51a adhered to the sealing surface 42 and a second layer 51b abutting on the upper surface of the inclined portion 61b in a thickness direction, and the first layer 51a is made of a relatively hard rubber. The second layer 51b is made of a rubber material (for example, urethane) having a lower hardness than the first layer 51a. Then, when the air conditioning unit 2 is assembled to the vertical portion 61a, the second layer 51b is compressed in the thickness direction to seal between the sealing surface 42 and the upper surface of the inclined portion 61b (FIG. 3). The shape before compression is shown by a two-dot chain line).
[0028]
The second layer 51b of the seal member 51 has a front extension 51c that extends to the vehicle front side from the vehicle front end of the seal surface 42 (the vehicle front end of the first layer 51b), and this front extension 51c Is bent upward. That is, on the vehicle front side of the seal surface 42, an inclined surface 46 (in this embodiment, continuous with the seal surface 42 and inclined to the opposite side (upper side) to the upper surface of the inclined portion 61b of the dash panel 61 with respect to the seal surface 42. The angle formed between the sealing surface 42 and the inclined surface 46 is set so that the inclined surface 46 extends substantially in the vertical direction. However, the angle may be any value.) The front extension portion 51c of the seal member 51 is adhered to the inclined surface 46 by bonding so as to substantially follow the inclined surface 46.
[0029]
The first layer 51a of the seal member 51 is located outside the periphery of the vehicle body contact portion 51d that contacts the upper surface of the inclined portion 61b of the dash panel 61 in the second layer 51b (in this embodiment, both sides in the vehicle width direction and On the rear side of the vehicle), there is provided an extension 51e extending substantially in parallel with the upper surface of the inclined portion 61b. The extending portion 51e is in contact with the upper surface of the insulator 63 provided at a predetermined interval from the vehicle body contact portion 51d of the seal member 51 on the upper surface of the inclined portion 61b. That is, the insulator 63 is disposed on both sides in the vehicle width direction and the rear side of the vehicle body contact portion 51d of the seal member 51, and has a substantially U-shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the seal surface 42. The distance between the seal member 51 and the periphery of the vehicle body contact portion 51d is set to be larger on the rear side of the vehicle than on both sides in the vehicle width direction. This prevents interference between the insulator 63 and the vehicle body contact portion 51d of the seal member 51 when the air conditioning unit 2 is moved to the front of the vehicle with the air conditioning unit 2 attached to the instrument panel and assembled to the vertical portion 61a of the dash panel 61. For this reason, on the rear side of the vehicle, a predetermined interval is provided so as to be off the movement locus of the vehicle body contact portion 51d (see the dashed line in FIG. 3). Further, a predetermined interval is set on both sides in the vehicle width direction in consideration of an assembly error and the like.
[0030]
At a substantially central portion of the seal member 51, a positioning long hole 51f into which the tubular protrusion 43 and the rib 45 are fitted is formed vertically on both sides in the thickness direction of the seal member 51. That is, in the vehicle width direction, the positioning of the seal member 51 is performed by fitting the tubular projection 43 and the elongated hole 51f, but in the vehicle longitudinal direction, both the tubular projection 43 and the rib 45 and the elongated hole are fitted. Positioning is performed by fitting with 51f. This is because if positioning is performed only by fitting the tubular protrusion 43 and the long hole 51f in the vehicle front-rear direction, the tubular protrusion 43 does not extend perpendicularly to the sealing surface 42. This is because it is difficult to perform accurate positioning because the front and rear portions of the vehicle do not follow the inner surface of the long hole 51f, and a rib 45 perpendicular to the sealing surface 42 is formed along the inner surface of the long hole 51f. The rib 45 is used for positioning. In this embodiment, the rib 45 is provided only on the vehicle rear side of the tubular projecting portion 43 from the viewpoint of die-cutting or the like. However, the rib 45 may be provided on the vehicle rear side, or provided integrally with the rib 45. Instead, it may be provided at a location remote from the rib 45.
[0031]
As a procedure for assembling the air conditioner 1 to a car, first, the air conditioner unit 2 and the blower unit 3 are attached to an instrument panel member in the instrument panel, and other necessary parts are assembled to attach the instrument panel module. Finalize. Note that a seal member 51 is attached to the seal surface 42 of the air conditioning unit 2 before or after attachment to the instrument panel member.
[0032]
Next, the instrument panel module (air conditioning unit 2) is moved from the vehicle rear side of the vertical portion 61a of the dash panel 61 to the front of the vehicle, and is assembled to the vertical portion 61a. At this time, if the seal member 51 does not have the front extension portion 51c attached to the inclined surface 46 as in this embodiment, the thickness of the seal member 51 before assembly is relatively large before compression because it is not assembled. When the air conditioning unit 2 is further moved toward the front of the vehicle from the abutment position before the assembling position and the air conditioning unit 2 is further moved forward, the upper surface of the inclined portion 61b becomes higher toward the front of the vehicle, and the sealing member 51 is mounted on the vehicle. Since the front end portion is angular, the vehicle front end portion is caught by the inclined portion 61b, and the second layer 51b is not properly compressed, whereby the vehicle front end portion of the seal member 5 is peeled off from the seal surface. . However, in this embodiment, the seal member 51 has the front extension portion 51c attached substantially along the inclined surface 46 inclined to the side opposite to the upper surface of the inclined portion 61b with respect to the seal surface 42. The front extension portion 51c does not contact the inclined portion 61b. Even if the vehicle rear side portion of the front extension portion 51c contacts the inclined portion 61b, the portion is formed in an arc shape. The second layer 51b is reliably compressed without being caught on the first layer 61b. Therefore, the seal member 51 does not peel off from the seal surface 42 during assembly.
[0033]
Further, since the insulator 63 is provided at a predetermined distance from the vehicle body contact portion 51d of the seal member 51, the vehicle body contact portion 51d of the seal member 51 comes into contact with the insulator 63 during assembly as described above. Not even.
[0034]
When the air conditioning unit 2 is assembled to the vertical portion 61a of the dash panel 61 in this manner, the second layer 51b of the seal member 51 is compressed, and the extension portion 51e contacts the upper surface of the insulator 63. The tubular projection 43 is located in the through hole 61c of the inclined portion 61b of the dash panel 61.
[0035]
Therefore, in the above-described embodiment, components such as a drain hose used conventionally are not required, and when the air conditioning unit 2 is assembled to the vertical portion 61a of the dash panel 61, the tubular projection 43 is connected to the drain hose or the like. It is not necessary, and the tubular protrusion 43 can be located in the through hole 61 of the inclined portion 61b simply by assembling. A seal member 51 for sealing between the seal surface 42 and the upper surface of the inclined portion 61b is provided on the seal surface 42 around the tubular protrusion 43, and the seal surface 51 is substantially the same as the inclined portion 61b. Since they are formed in parallel, the second layer 51b of the seal member 51 is uniformly compressed as a whole, and thereby sufficient sealing performance can be ensured. As a result, even if water, dust, or the like enters the through hole 61c of the inclined portion 61b, it is possible to prevent the seal member 51 from entering the vehicle interior. In addition, since the seal member 51 is provided with the front extension portion 51c extending along the inclined surface 46, the seal member 51 does not peel off when the air-conditioning unit 2 is assembled, so that a seal failure does not occur. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the cost of parts and the cost of assembly while maintaining good sealing performance of the condensed water discharge section.
[0036]
Also, an insulator 63 is provided around the vehicle body contact portion 51d of the seal member 51 except for the front side of the vehicle, and since the insulator 63 is disposed away from the vehicle body contact portion 51d, the insulator 63 is Insufficient sealing due to contact between the vehicle body contact portion 51d and the insulator 63 can be prevented. Even if the insulator 63 is disposed apart from the vehicle body contact portion 51d in this way, since the seal member 51 is provided with the extension 51e that contacts the upper surface of the insulator 63, the insulator 63 and the seal member 51 Sound insulation performance and heat insulation performance can be improved, and transmission of engine noise and heat in the engine room to the vehicle interior can be suppressed.
[0037]
In the above embodiment, the front extension portion 51c of the seal member 51 is adhered to the inclined surface 46 by bonding so as to be substantially along the inclined surface 46. However, as shown in FIG. Is compressed and inserted in the thickness direction between the inclined surface 46 and an opposing member 47 (the upper end of the opposing member 47 is attached to the upper portion of the inclined surface 46) provided so as to oppose the inclined surface 46. This may be made to substantially follow the inclined surface 46. In this case, the bonding of the front extension portion 51c becomes unnecessary, but may be used together with the bonding. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a projection 48 is formed on the inclined surface 46, and the projection 48 is held by engaging with the concave engagement portion 51g provided on the front extension portion 51c. Thus, the front extension portion 51c may be substantially along the inclined surface 46.
[0038]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the front extension portion 51c is provided so that the seal member 51 does not peel off from the seal surface 42 when the air conditioning unit 2 is assembled. However, such a front extension portion 51c is not provided on the seal member 51. Can also be prevented from peeling off from the sealing surface 42. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, a concave portion 61d that is recessed downward may be formed in a portion of the upper surface of the inclined portion 61b on the vehicle front side with respect to the through hole 61c. The recess 61d is formed at or near the portion where the front end of the seal member 51 contacts the vehicle when the air conditioning unit 2 is assembled when the recess 61d is not provided. In this case, the front end of the seal member 51 on the vehicle does not catch on the inclined portion 61b during assembly.
[0039]
Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the seal member 51 has a two-layer structure, but may have a one-layer structure made of the same material as the second layer 51b. It may have a three-layer structure in which a third layer made of the same material as the first layer 51a is provided.
[0040]
In addition, in the above embodiment, the first layer 51a of the sealing member 51 is bonded to the sealing surface 42. However, as shown in FIG. 9, for example, a plurality of holes 51h are formed in the first layer 51a, A sealing surface 42 may be formed at the tip end surface of a portion that protrudes and fits into each hole 51h, and the upper surface of the second layer 51b may be bonded to the sealing surface 42.
[0041]
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the outlet 41 is provided at the tip of the tubular protrusion 43 projecting vertically downward from the seal surface 42. However, the outlet 41 is provided on the same surface as the seal surface 42 without the tubular protrusion 43. May be provided. Further, even when the tubular projecting portion 43 is provided, it is not necessary to form it so as to extend vertically downward, and it may be formed to extend perpendicular to the sealing surface 42, for example.
[0042]
In the above embodiment, the air conditioning unit 2 and the blowing unit 3 are attached to the instrument panel in advance to make a module, and this module is attached to the vertical portion 61a of the dash panel 61. The present invention can be applied to a case where it is attached to the vertical portion 61a separately from the instrument panel.
[0043]
Furthermore, the air conditioning unit 2 and the blowing unit 3 have been described as being provided. However, for one unit in which the two units 2 and 3 are integrated (having a blower, a heat exchanger, and the like inside). Also, the present invention can be applied.
[0044]
In addition, in the above embodiment, the air conditioner 1 is mounted on a right-hand drive vehicle, but may be mounted on a left-hand drive vehicle. In this case, the air conditioner 1 may be configured so that the left and right sides of the air conditioner are substantially opposite to those of the above embodiment.
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the condensed water discharging structure of the vehicle air conditioner of the present invention, the condensation in the unit located on the upper side of the vehicle body, which is formed obliquely so that the height position of the upper surface becomes higher toward the front of the vehicle. A seal surface having a shape substantially along the upper surface of the vehicle body is formed around the water discharge port, and a seal member for sealing between the seal surface and the upper surface of the vehicle body is provided on the seal surface.At the same time, the front extension portion provided on the seal member is formed so as to be substantially along an inclined surface formed on the vehicle front side of the seal surface so as to be continuous with the seal surface and inclined to the side opposite to the upper surface of the vehicle body with respect to the seal surface. The upper surface of the vehicle body is formed with a concave portion that is recessed downward in a portion on the vehicle front side with respect to the through hole, or a rib that extends substantially perpendicular to the seal surface is formed in the seal surface.By doing so, it is possible to reduce the cost of parts and the cost of assembly while maintaining good sealing performance of the condensed water discharge section.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the inside of the air conditioning unit.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing the vicinity of an outlet of condensed water.
FIG. 4 is a view in which an inclined portion of a dash panel is omitted when viewed from a direction IV in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3, showing another mode for making the front extension of the seal member substantially along the inclined surface.
FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3, showing still another mode for making the front extension of the seal member substantially along the inclined surface.
FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3, showing still another embodiment for making the front extension of the seal member substantially along the inclined surface.
FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3 showing a form in which a concave portion is formed in an inclined portion of a dash panel to prevent peeling of the seal member, instead of providing a front extension portion in the seal member.
FIG. 9 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3, showing another embodiment in which the bonding configuration between the sealing member and the sealing surface is different.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Vehicle air conditioner
2 Air conditioning unit
5 Evaporator (evaporator)
41 outlet
42 Seal surface
45 ribs
46 slope
47 Opposing member
51 Sealing member
51c Front extension
51d Body contact part
51e extension
61b Inclined part of dash panel (body)
61c through hole
61d recess
63 insulator

Claims

A unit provided in an instrument panel of the vehicle and having at least an evaporator therein, wherein the unit is located on an upper side of a vehicle body formed obliquely so that a height position of an upper surface becomes higher toward a front of the vehicle. A condensed water discharge structure of a vehicle air conditioner configured to discharge condensed water generated in the evaporator to a lower side of the vehicle body,
An outlet for discharging the condensed water to the outside of the unit is provided on a bottom wall portion of the unit,
Around the discharge port, a seal surface having a shape substantially along the upper surface of the vehicle body is formed,
A through hole for discharging condensed water from the outlet to the lower side of the vehicle body is formed in a portion corresponding to the outlet in the vehicle body,
A seal member that seals between the seal surface and the upper surface of the vehicle body is provided on the seal surface ,
On the vehicle front side of the seal surface, an inclined surface is formed which is continuous with the seal surface and is inclined to the opposite side to the upper surface of the vehicle body with respect to the seal surface,
The seal member has a front extension that extends toward the vehicle front side from the vehicle front end of the seal surface,
A condensed water discharge structure for a vehicle air conditioner , wherein a front extension of the seal member is configured to substantially extend along the inclined surface .

The condensed water discharge structure for a vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1,
A condensed water discharge structure for a vehicle air conditioner , wherein the front extension of the seal member is attached to the inclined surface so as to substantially extend along the inclined surface .

The condensed water discharge structure for a vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1 ,
A condensate for a vehicle air conditioner , wherein the front extension of the seal member is inserted substantially between the inclined surface and an opposing member provided so as to oppose the inclined surface to substantially extend along the inclined surface. Water discharge structure.

A unit provided in an instrument panel of the vehicle and having at least an evaporator therein, wherein the unit is located on an upper side of a vehicle body formed obliquely so that a height position of an upper surface becomes higher toward a front of the vehicle. A condensed water discharge structure of a vehicle air conditioner configured to discharge condensed water generated in the evaporator to a lower side of the vehicle body,
An outlet for discharging the condensed water to the outside of the unit is provided on a bottom wall portion of the unit,
Around the discharge port, a seal surface having a shape substantially along the upper surface of the vehicle body is formed,
A through hole for discharging condensed water from the outlet to the lower side of the vehicle body is formed in a portion corresponding to the outlet in the vehicle body,
A seal member that seals between the seal surface and the upper surface of the vehicle body is provided on the seal surface,
A condensed water discharge structure for an air conditioner for a vehicle , wherein a concave portion that is recessed downward is formed in a portion of the upper surface of the vehicle body on the front side of the through hole with respect to the vehicle.

A unit provided in an instrument panel of the vehicle and having at least an evaporator therein, wherein the unit is located on an upper side of a vehicle body formed obliquely so that a height position of an upper surface becomes higher toward a front of the vehicle. A condensed water discharge structure of a vehicle air conditioner configured to discharge condensed water generated in the evaporator to a lower side of the vehicle body,
An outlet for discharging the condensed water to the outside of the unit is provided on a bottom wall portion of the unit,
Around the discharge port, a seal surface having a shape substantially along the upper surface of the vehicle body is formed,
A through hole for discharging condensed water from the outlet to the lower side of the vehicle body is formed in a portion corresponding to the outlet in the vehicle body,
Vehicle to the sealing surface, with the seal member for sealing between the upper surface of the sealing surface and the body are al provided, wherein the ribs extending substantially perpendicular to the sealing surface is formed Condensate discharge structure of air conditioner for automobile.