JP3743114B2

JP3743114B2 - Piping assembly structure for vehicle air conditioner

Info

Publication number: JP3743114B2
Application number: JP11965297A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 家睦御喜田
Original assignee: Denso Corp
Current assignee: Denso Corp
Priority date: 1997-05-09
Filing date: 1997-05-09
Publication date: 2006-02-08
Anticipated expiration: 2017-05-09
Also published as: JPH10309928A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、車両用空調装置のケースに配管を組付ける車両用空調装置の配管組付構造に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来より、内外気を切替導入する内外気切替導入部をクーラケースに一体化させて空調装置の小型化を図ったものが用いられている。このクーラケースは２つのケース部に分割可能となっており、この２つのケース部の分割面のうち互いに当接する部位により、蒸発器の入口、出口に連通する入口、出口冷媒配管を挟み込んで固定している。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ところで、上記従来技術では、上記当接する部位に入口、出口冷媒配管を取り出す取出口を形成する分だけ、この当接する部位の長さ方向に関してクーラケースが大型となっていた。
これに対して本発明者は、入口、出口冷媒配管を上記当接する部位から取り出すことをやめて、内気、外気導入口の縁部近傍の壁面から取り出すことにより、上記当接する部位の長さ方向に関するクーラケースの小型化を図ることを見出した。
【０００４】
この場合、内気、外気導入口の縁部近傍の壁面に貫通孔を形成し、この貫通孔に冷媒配管を貫通させて取り出すことにより冷媒配管をケースに組付けることが考えられるが、２つのケース部の分割面のうち互いに当接する部位により冷媒配管を挟み込んで固定する場合に比べて、冷媒配管の組付作業が面倒である、といった問題がある。
【０００５】
本発明は上記問題に鑑みてなされたもので、２つのケース部に分割可能で、これらケース部にまたがるように空気流通用の開口部を設けた車両用空調装置のケースにおいて、この開口部の縁部近傍の壁面に配管を組付ける組付作業を容易にすることを目的とする。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するために、請求項１ないし４に記載の発明では、少なくとも２つのケース部（２１、２２）に分割可能で、これらケース部（２１、２２）にまたがるように空気流通用の開口部（２ａ、２ｂ、２ｃ）が形成された車両用空調装置のケース（２）において、２つのケース部（２１、２２）の一方のケース部（２２）のうち、開口部（２ａ、２ｂ、２ｃ）の縁部（２５）近傍の壁面に、配管（３１０、３２０）を組付ける車両用空調装置の配管組付構造であって、
一方のケース部（２２）のうち開口部（２ａ、２ｂ、２ｃ）の縁部（２５）の所定部位から縁部（２５）近傍の壁面にかけて切欠部（５）を形成し、この切欠部（５）に対応した形状の蓋部（４）を、開口部（２ａ、２ｂ、２ｃ）から切欠部（５）内へ移動させることにより、蓋部（４）を一方のケース部（２２）に装着し、切欠部（５）の縁部（５１、５２、５３）と蓋部（４）の端部（４１、４２、４３、４４）との間に配管（３１０、３２０）を挟み込んで固定することを特徴としている。
【０００７】
このような手段によれば、開口部（２ａ、２ｂ、２ｃ）のスペースを利用して蓋部（４）を切欠部（５）内へ移動させて装着することができ、この装着時に、配管（３１０、３２０）を切欠部（５）の縁部（５１、５２、５３）と蓋部（４）の端部（４１、４２、４３、４４）との間に挟み込んで固定できる。よって、壁面に貫通孔を形成し、この貫通孔に配管を貫通させて取り出す場合に比べて配管の組付作業が容易である。
【０００８】
また、請求項２に記載の発明では、切欠部（５）の縁部（５１、５２、５３）のうち、蓋部（４）の移動方向に略対向する縁部（５１）に、配管（３１０、３２０）の一半面を保持する第１保持部（５１１、５１２）を形成し、蓋部（４）の端部（４１、４２、４３、４４）のうち、第１保持部（５１１、５１２）に対向する端部（４２）に、配管（３１０、３２０）の他半面を保持する第２保持部（４２１、４２２）を形成している。このようにして、本発明を良好に実施できる。
【０００９】
また、請求項３に記載の発明では、蓋部（４）の端部（４１、４２、４３、４４）のうち蓋部（４）の移動方向に略平行な端部（４３、４４）と、切欠部（５）の縁部（５１、５２、５３）のうち蓋部（４）の移動方向に略平行な縁部（５２、５３）とを、凹凸形状（４３ａ、４４ａ、５２ａ、５３ａ）で嵌合させてある。
【００１０】
従って、この凹凸形状に沿って蓋部（４）を切欠部（５）内に移動させることにより、一方のケース部（２２）に蓋部（４）をスムースに装着できる。また、凹凸形状で嵌合しているので、この嵌合部からケース（２）内の風が漏れることを抑制できるとともに、蓋部（４）の装着状態において蓋部（４）の外れを抑制できる。
【００１１】
また、請求項４に記載の発明では、蓋部（４）を、一方のケース部（２２）に、弾性的な係止構造（２２１、２２２、４３ｂ、４４ｂ）で脱着可能に装着しているので、蓋部（４）を一方のケース部（２２）にワンタッチで装着できる。
【００１２】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明を図に示す実施形態について説明する。
図１は、車両用空調装置のクーラユニット１を示している。このクーラユニット１は、ポリプロピレンのような弾性を有する樹脂材料からなるクーラケース２の内部に蒸発器３を収容したものであり、さらに、内外気切替部１０を備えている。クーラケース２は、上ケース部２１および下ケース部２２に分割可能であり、その分割面２１ａ、２２ａのうち互いに当接する部位には、それぞれケース部２１、２２外方へ突出する帯状突出部２１０、２２０が一体成形されており、この帯状突出部２１０、２２０同志を図示しない締結手段（例えばＣクリップ等）にて締結することにより、両ケース部２１、２２が組付けられる。
【００１３】
クーラケース２には、両ケース部２１、２２にまたがるように、外気吸込口２ａ、内気吸込口２ｂ、および、図示しないヒータユニットとの連通口２ｃが形成されている。外気吸込口２ａおよび内気吸込口２ｂの高さは、クーラケース２の高さよりも小さく形成されており、クーラケース２の上面部２ｅ寄りに配置されている。よって、外気吸込口２ａおよび内気吸込口２ｂの下縁部２５とクーラケース２の底面部２ｄとの間にはある程度の距離がある。
【００１４】
クーラケース２の内部には、外気吸込口２ａおよび内気吸込口２ｂの開口面積を調整する内外気切替ドア１２が配設されている。この内外気切替ドア１２の大きさは、外気吸込口２ａおよび内気吸込口２ｂを閉塞可能な大きさであり、この内外気切替ドア１２の下端部（図示せず）とクーラケース２の底面部２ｄとの間にはある程度の空間がある。
【００１５】
そして、ヒータユニット内に配設された図示しない送風手段により、外気、内気吸込口２ａ、２ｂから連通口２ｂにかけて空気が送風され、この送風経路の全面を塞ぐように蒸発器３が配置されている。蒸発器３の全周とクーラケース２との間には風漏れ防止のパッキン３０が設けてある。
蒸発器３の上方（図１（ｂ）中紙面手前側）の角部には、冷媒入口３ａおよび冷媒出口３ｂが設けられており、膨張弁１１の冷媒出口および冷媒入口が連結されている。膨張弁１１は、蒸発器３を出る冷媒ガスを過熱蒸気とし、その時の冷媒蒸気と飽和蒸気との温度差（過熱度）が一定となるように冷媒流量を調整するものである。
【００１６】
なお、膨張弁１１および蒸発器３は周知の冷凍サイクルを構成している。この冷凍サイクルとは、冷媒ガスを圧縮機（図示せず）にて圧縮して凝縮器（図示せず）に送り込み、凝縮器で強制冷却して液化し、この液化した冷媒を膨張弁１１で急激に膨張させて霧状とし、この霧状の冷媒をエバポレータにより蒸発させてガス状とし、再び圧縮機に吸い込ませるものである。そして、蒸発器における冷媒が吸熱することにより、蒸発器を通過する空気が冷却され、この冷却された空気により車室内の冷房を行なっている。また、圧縮機は、車両エンジンにて駆動されるものである。
【００１７】
そして、膨張弁１１の冷媒入口および冷媒出口には、入口冷媒配管３１および出口冷媒配管３２の一端が連結されている。この入口冷媒配管３１の他端は上記凝縮器の冷媒出口に連結しており、出口冷媒配管３２の他端は上記圧縮機の吸込口に連結している。
これら入口、出口冷媒配管３１、３２は、その一端（膨張弁１１側端部）から内外気切替ドア１２の回動経路近傍まで水平に延びており、この回動経路近傍において下方（図１（ｂ）中紙面奥側）へ屈曲してクーラケース２の底面部２ｄ（図１（ａ）参照）まで延びている。さらに、この底面部２ｄにおいて屈曲し、この底面部２ｄ（図１（ａ）参照）と内外気切替ドア１２の下端部との間の空間を通り、クーラケース２のうち、外気吸込口２ａの下縁部２５とクーラケース２の底面部２ｄとの間の壁部から取り出されている。
【００１８】
これら冷媒配管３１、３２は、図２（ａ）に示すように、金属製（例えばアルミニウム）からなる金属パイプ３１０、３２０の外周部に、弾性断熱材料（例えばＥＰＤＭ）からなる断熱パイプ３１１、３２１を気密に設けて構成されている。
外気吸込口２ａの下縁部２５には、略矩形状の切欠部５が形成されている。また、ケース部２２には、切欠部５を覆う蓋部４が脱着可能に設けられている。この蓋部４は、外気吸込口２ａから切欠部５内へ移動させることにより、ケース部２２に装着される。つまり、蓋部４が外気吸込口２ａから切欠部５内へ移動可能となるように、切欠部５が形成されている。なお、蓋部４をケース部２２に装着した状態では、蓋部４の上端部４１により外気吸込口２ａの下縁部２５が構成される。
【００１９】
そして、図３（ａ）に示すように、切欠部５の縁部（下縁部５１、側縁部５２、５３）のうち、蓋部４の移動方向（装着方向）に略対向する縁部（つまり、下縁部５１）と、蓋部４の端部（上端部４１、下端部４２、側端部４３、４４）のうち、切欠部５の下縁部５１に対向する端部（つまり、下端部４２）との間から、入口、出口冷媒配管３１、３２が取り出されている。
【００２０】
切欠部５の下縁部５１には、入口、出口冷媒配管３１、３２の下半面（つまり、一半面）を覆う第１保持部５１１、５１２が一体に形成され、蓋部４の下端部４２には、入口、出口冷媒配管３１、３２の上半面（つまり、他半面）を覆う第２保持部４２１、４２２が一体に形成されている。
そして、図３（ｃ）に示すように、保持部４２１、４２２、５１１、５１２は、冷媒配管３１、３２に接する先端部に向かうに連れて、肉厚が徐々に薄くなるように構成されている。この結果、保持部４２１、５１１、４２２、４１２の先端部と断熱パイプ３１１、３２１との接触面積が小さくなり、断熱パイプ３１１、３２１が圧縮されることによる反発力の総和が小さくなる。よって、蓋部４とケース部２２とを外す方向の力が小さくなるので、蓋部４とケース部２２との間の風漏れを抑制できる。
【００２１】
また、保持部４２１、５１１、４２２、４１２の先端部は丸みを持った形状となっているので、保持部４２１、５１１、４２２、４１２の先端部により断熱パイプ３１１、３２１を損傷することはない。
また、図２（ｂ）に示すように、蓋部４の側端部４３、４４（蓋部４の移動方向に略平行な端部）には、この長手方向に沿って、溝部４３ａ、４４ａが形成されている。また、図２（ｃ）に示すように、切欠部５の側縁部５２、５３（蓋部４の移動方向に略平行な縁部）には、溝部４３ａ、４４ａに嵌合する突起部５２ａ、５３ａが長手方向に沿って形成されている。この溝部４３ａ、４４ａおよび突起部５２ａ、５３ａにより、蓋部４の側端部４３、４４と切欠部５の側縁部５２、５３とが凹凸形状で嵌合することになる。
【００２２】
そして、蓋部４の上端部４１の両側には、蓋部４をケース部２２に脱着可能に装着するための装着部４３０、４４０が一体に形成されている。この装着部４３０、４４０は、ケース部２２に重なるように配置され、矩形状の孔部４３ｂ、４４ｂが形成されている。
そして、ケース部２２に蓋部４を装着した状態において、ケース部２２のうち孔部４３ｂ、４４ｂに対向する部位には、孔部４３ｂ、４４ｂに係止する係止爪部２２１、２２２が一体に形成されている。孔部４３ｂと係止爪部２２１との係止構造を図３（ｂ）に示す（孔部４３ｂと係止爪部２２１との係止構造も同様である）。
【００２３】
次に、クーラユニット１の組付方法を説明する。
まず、クーラケース２のケース部２１、２２を分割した状態において、冷媒配管３１、３２および膨張弁１１が一体に装着された蒸発器３を所定の位置に配置する。これにより、図２（ａ）に示すように、冷媒配管３１、３２が第１保持部５１１、５１２に配置される。
【００２４】
その後、切欠部５の側縁部５２、５３の突起部５２ａ、５３ａと、蓋部４の側端部４３、４４の溝部４３ａ、４４ａとを嵌合させながら、蓋部４を外気導入口２ａから切欠部５内へ移動させ、最後に、蓋部４の装着部４３０、４４０の孔部４３ｂ、４４ｂと、ケース部２２の係止爪部２２１、２２２とを弾性的に変形させつつ係止させることにより、蓋部４がケース部２２にワンタッチで装着される。その後、内外気切替ドア１２を装着しつつ、ケース部２１、２２を組付ける。これにより、図３（ａ）に示すように、冷媒配管３１、３２が第２保持部４２１、４２２に配置される。
【００２５】
本実施形態によれば、外気導入口２ａのスペースを利用して蓋部４を切欠部５内へ移動させて装着することができ、この装着時に、冷媒配管３１０、３２０を切欠部５の下縁部５１と蓋部４の下端部４２との間に挟み込んで固定できる。よって、冷媒配管３１０、３２０の組付作業が容易である。
また、溝部４３ａ、４４ａと突起部５２ａ、５３ａとの嵌合（凹凸形状の嵌合）により、蓋部４をケース部２２にスムースに装着できる。また、溝部４３ａ、４４ａと突起部５２ａ、５３ａとが嵌合しているので、この嵌合部からケース２内の風が漏れることを抑制できるとともに、蓋部４の装着状態において蓋部４の外れを抑制できる。
【００２６】
（他の実施形態）
なお、本実施形態では、孔部４３ｂ、４４ｂと係止爪部２２１、２２２との係止構造により、蓋部４をケース部２２に脱着可能としていたが、他の種々の係止構造を採用してもよいし、さらに、他の種々の締結手段（例えばネジ結合等）を採用してもよい。
【００２７】
また、第１保持部５１１、５１２、第２保持部４２１、４２２と冷媒配管３１０、３２０とを接着剤にて固定してもよい。このとき、下方にたれる未乾燥状態の接着剤を受ける受け部を、第１保持部５１１、５１２の下方近傍に一体に設けてもよい。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】（ａ）は本発明の実施形態に係わるクーラユニットの概略的な斜視図、（ｂ）はクーラユニットの概略的な上面図である。
【図２】（ａ）はクーラケースの下ケース部から蓋部を外した状態における下ケース部の正面図、（ｂ）は（ａ）における蓋部のＥ矢視図、（ｃ）は（ａ）のＢ−Ｂ断面図である。
【図３】（ａ）はクーラケースの下ケース部に蓋部を装着した状態における下ケース部の正面図、（ｂ）は（ａ）のＣ−Ｃ断面図、（ｃ）は冷媒配管近傍の断面図である。
【符号の説明】
２…クーラケース、２１、２２…上、下ケース部、
２ａ…外気吸込口（開口部）、２５…外気吸込口の下縁部（開口部の縁部）、
３１０、３２０…入口、出口冷媒配管、５…切欠部、４…蓋部、
５１…切欠部の下縁部（切欠部の縁部）、４２…蓋部の下端部（蓋部の端部）。[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a pipe assembly structure for a vehicle air conditioner in which a pipe is assembled to a case of the vehicle air conditioner.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an air conditioner that has a downsized air conditioner by integrating an inside / outside air switching introduction unit that switches in and out the inside / outside air is used. The cooler case can be divided into two case parts, and the inlet of the evaporator, the inlet communicating with the outlet, and the outlet refrigerant pipe are sandwiched and fixed by the parts of the split surfaces of the two case parts that contact each other. is doing.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the said prior art, the cooler case became large about the length direction of this contact | abutting part by the part which forms the extraction port which takes out an inlet_port | entrance and exit refrigerant | coolant piping in the said contact | abutting site | part.
On the other hand, the present inventor stops taking out the inlet and outlet refrigerant pipes from the abutting parts, and removes them from the wall surface in the vicinity of the edge of the inside air / outside air inlet port, thereby relating to the length direction of the abutting parts. It was found that the cooler case was downsized.
[0004]
In this case, it is conceivable that a through-hole is formed in the wall surface near the edge of the inside air / outside air inlet, and the refrigerant pipe is assembled into the case by passing the through-hole through the refrigerant pipe. There is a problem that the work of assembling the refrigerant pipe is troublesome as compared with the case where the refrigerant pipe is sandwiched and fixed by the parts that are in contact with each other among the divided surfaces of the parts.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. In a case of a vehicle air conditioner that can be divided into two case portions and that has an opening for air circulation so as to straddle these case portions, The purpose is to facilitate the assembly work of assembling the pipe on the wall surface in the vicinity of the edge.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, it is possible to divide into at least two case portions (21, 22), and for air circulation so as to straddle these case portions (21, 22). In the case (2) of the vehicle air conditioner in which the openings (2a, 2b, 2c) are formed, the opening (2a, 2b) of the one case part (22) of the two case parts (21, 22). 2c) is a pipe assembly structure for a vehicle air conditioner in which pipes (310, 320) are assembled to a wall surface in the vicinity of the edge (25) of 2c),
In one case portion (22), a notch (5) is formed from a predetermined portion of the edge (25) of the opening (2a, 2b, 2c) to a wall surface in the vicinity of the edge (25). 5), the lid (4) having the shape corresponding to 5) is moved from the opening (2a, 2b, 2c) into the notch (5), whereby the lid (4) is moved to one case portion (22). Attach and fix the pipe (310, 320) between the edge (51, 52, 53) of the notch (5) and the end (41, 42, 43, 44) of the lid (4). It is characterized by doing.
[0007]
According to such means, the lid (4) can be moved into the notch (5) by using the space of the opening (2a, 2b, 2c), and the piping can be installed at the time of mounting. (310, 320) can be sandwiched and fixed between the edges (51, 52, 53) of the notch (5) and the ends (41, 42, 43, 44) of the lid (4). Therefore, the assembling work of the pipe is easier than the case where a through hole is formed in the wall surface and the pipe is taken out through the through hole.
[0008]
Moreover, in invention of Claim 2, pipe | tube (in the edge part (51) among the edge parts (51, 52, 53) of a notch part (5), substantially facing the moving direction of a cover part (4) ( 310, 320) forming a first holding part (511, 512) for holding one half surface, and among the end parts (41, 42, 43, 44) of the lid part (4), the first holding part (511, 320) is formed. The second holding portions (421, 422) for holding the other half surface of the pipes (310, 320) are formed on the end portion (42) facing to 512). In this way, the present invention can be carried out satisfactorily.
[0009]
Moreover, in invention of Claim 3, the edge part (43, 44) substantially parallel to the moving direction of a cover part (4) among the edge parts (41, 42, 43, 44) of a cover part (4) and Of the edge portions (51, 52, 53) of the cutout portion (5), the edge portions (52, 53) substantially parallel to the moving direction of the lid portion (4) are formed into the concave and convex shapes (43a, 44a, 52a, 53a). ).
[0010]
Therefore, the lid (4) can be smoothly attached to one case portion (22) by moving the lid (4) into the notch (5) along the uneven shape. Moreover, since it fits in uneven | corrugated shape, while being able to suppress that the wind in case (2) leaks from this fitting part, in the mounting state of a cover part (4), the removal of a cover part (4) is suppressed. it can.
[0011]
In the invention according to claim 4, the lid portion (4) is detachably attached to one case portion (22) by an elastic locking structure (221, 222, 43b, 44b). Therefore, the cover part (4) can be attached to the one case part (22) with one touch.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments shown in the drawings will be described below.
FIG. 1 shows a cooler unit 1 of a vehicle air conditioner. The cooler unit 1 includes an evaporator 3 housed in a cooler case 2 made of a resin material having elasticity such as polypropylene, and further includes an inside / outside air switching unit 10. The cooler case 2 can be divided into an upper case portion 21 and a lower case portion 22, and belt-like protruding portions 210 that protrude outward from the case portions 21, 22 respectively at portions of the divided surfaces 21 a, 22 a that abut each other. , 220 are integrally formed, and the case portions 21 and 22 are assembled by fastening the belt-like protrusions 210 and 220 with fastening means (not shown) such as a C clip.
[0013]
The cooler case 2 is formed with an outside air suction port 2a, an inside air suction port 2b, and a communication port 2c with a heater unit (not shown) so as to straddle both case portions 21 and 22. The height of the outside air inlet 2a and the inside air inlet 2b is formed to be smaller than the height of the cooler case 2 and is disposed closer to the upper surface portion 2e of the cooler case 2. Therefore, there is a certain distance between the lower edge portion 25 of the outside air inlet 2 a and the inside air inlet 2 b and the bottom surface portion 2 d of the cooler case 2.
[0014]
Inside the cooler case 2, an inside / outside air switching door 12 for adjusting the opening area of the outside air inlet 2a and the inside air inlet 2b is disposed. The size of the inside / outside air switching door 12 is large enough to close the outside air suction port 2a and the inside air suction port 2b. The lower end portion (not shown) of the inside / outside air switching door 12 and the bottom surface portion of the cooler case 2 There is a certain amount of space between 2d.
[0015]
Then, air is blown from outside air and the inside air suction ports 2a and 2b to the communication port 2b by a blowing means (not shown) arranged in the heater unit, and the evaporator 3 is arranged so as to block the entire surface of the blowing path. Yes. Between the entire circumference of the evaporator 3 and the cooler case 2, a packing 30 for preventing air leakage is provided.
A refrigerant inlet 3a and a refrigerant outlet 3b are provided above the evaporator 3 (on the front side in FIG. 1B), and the refrigerant outlet and the refrigerant inlet of the expansion valve 11 are connected to each other. The expansion valve 11 uses the refrigerant gas exiting the evaporator 3 as superheated steam, and adjusts the refrigerant flow rate so that the temperature difference (superheat degree) between the refrigerant vapor and saturated steam at that time becomes constant.
[0016]
The expansion valve 11 and the evaporator 3 constitute a well-known refrigeration cycle. In this refrigeration cycle, refrigerant gas is compressed by a compressor (not shown), sent to a condenser (not shown), forcibly cooled by the condenser and liquefied, and the liquefied refrigerant is expanded by the expansion valve 11. It is rapidly expanded to form a mist, and this mist-like refrigerant is evaporated by an evaporator to form a gas, which is again sucked into the compressor. And the refrigerant | coolant in an evaporator absorbs heat, the air which passes an evaporator is cooled, and the vehicle interior is cooled with this cooled air. The compressor is driven by a vehicle engine.
[0017]
One end of an inlet refrigerant pipe 31 and an outlet refrigerant pipe 32 is connected to the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet of the expansion valve 11. The other end of the inlet refrigerant pipe 31 is connected to the refrigerant outlet of the condenser, and the other end of the outlet refrigerant pipe 32 is connected to the suction port of the compressor.
These inlet and outlet refrigerant pipes 31 and 32 extend horizontally from one end (end portion on the expansion valve 11 side) to the vicinity of the rotation path of the inside / outside air switching door 12, and below (in FIG. 1 ( b) It bends to the back side of the middle paper surface and extends to the bottom surface portion 2d of the cooler case 2 (see FIG. 1A). Furthermore, it bends in this bottom face part 2d, passes through the space between this bottom face part 2d (see FIG. 1 (a)) and the lower end part of the inside / outside air switching door 12, and in the cooler case 2, the outside air inlet 2a It is taken out from the wall portion between the lower edge portion 25 and the bottom surface portion 2 d of the cooler case 2.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 2A, these refrigerant pipes 31 and 32 are provided on the outer peripheral portions of metal pipes 310 and 320 made of metal (for example, aluminum), and heat insulation pipes 311 and 321 made of an elastic heat insulating material (for example, EPDM). Is configured to be airtight.
A substantially rectangular cutout 5 is formed at the lower edge 25 of the outside air inlet 2a. Moreover, the cover part 4 which covers the notch part 5 is provided in the case part 22 so that attachment or detachment is possible. The lid portion 4 is attached to the case portion 22 by being moved into the cutout portion 5 from the outside air suction port 2a. That is, the notch 5 is formed so that the lid 4 can be moved from the outside air inlet 2a into the notch 5. In the state where the lid portion 4 is attached to the case portion 22, the lower edge portion 25 of the outside air inlet 2 a is configured by the upper end portion 41 of the lid portion 4.
[0019]
And as shown to Fig.3 (a), the edge part substantially opposed to the moving direction (mounting direction) of the cover part 4 among the edge parts (the lower edge part 51, the side edge parts 52 and 53) of the notch part 5. As shown in FIG. (That is, the lower edge portion 51) and the end portion (that is, the upper end portion 41, the lower end portion 42, the side end portions 43 and 44) of the lid portion 4 that faces the lower edge portion 51 of the notch portion 5 (that is, The inlet and outlet refrigerant pipes 31 and 32 are taken out from between the lower end 42).
[0020]
First holding portions 511 and 512 that cover the lower half surfaces (that is, one half surface) of the inlet and outlet refrigerant pipes 31 and 32 are integrally formed on the lower edge portion 51 of the notch portion 5, and the lower end portion 42 of the lid portion 4. Are integrally formed with second holding portions 421 and 422 that cover upper half surfaces (that is, other half surfaces) of the inlet and outlet refrigerant pipes 31 and 32.
And as shown in FIG.3 (c), the holding | maintenance part 421,422,511,512 is comprised so that thickness may become thin gradually as it goes to the front-end | tip part which contact | connects refrigerant | coolant piping 31 and 32. As shown in FIG. Yes. As a result, the contact area between the tip portions of the holding portions 421, 511, 422, and 412 and the heat insulating pipes 311 and 321 is reduced, and the total repulsive force due to the compression of the heat insulating pipes 311 and 321 is reduced. Therefore, since the force in the direction of removing the lid portion 4 and the case portion 22 is reduced, wind leakage between the lid portion 4 and the case portion 22 can be suppressed.
[0021]
In addition, since the tip portions of the holding portions 421, 511, 422, and 412 have a rounded shape, the heat insulating pipes 311 and 321 are not damaged by the tip portions of the holding portions 421, 511, 422, and 412. .
Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, the side ends 43 and 44 of the lid 4 (ends substantially parallel to the moving direction of the lid 4) have grooves 43a and 44a along the longitudinal direction. Is formed. Moreover, as shown in FIG.2 (c), the side edge parts 52 and 53 (edge part substantially parallel to the moving direction of the cover part 4) of the notch part 5 are the protrusion parts 52a fitted to the groove parts 43a and 44a. 53a are formed along the longitudinal direction. By the grooves 43a and 44a and the protrusions 52a and 53a, the side end portions 43 and 44 of the lid portion 4 and the side edge portions 52 and 53 of the notch portion 5 are fitted in an uneven shape.
[0022]
Further, on both sides of the upper end portion 41 of the lid portion 4, mounting portions 430 and 440 for detachably mounting the lid portion 4 to the case portion 22 are integrally formed. The mounting portions 430 and 440 are disposed so as to overlap the case portion 22, and rectangular holes 43b and 44b are formed.
When the lid portion 4 is attached to the case portion 22, locking claw portions 221 and 222 that are locked to the hole portions 43 b and 44 b are integrally formed in the portion of the case portion 22 that faces the hole portions 43 b and 44 b. Is formed. FIG. 3B shows a locking structure between the hole 43b and the locking claw 221 (the locking structure between the hole 43b and the locking claw 221 is the same).
[0023]
Next, a method for assembling the cooler unit 1 will be described.
First, in a state where the case portions 21 and 22 of the cooler case 2 are divided, the evaporator 3 in which the refrigerant pipes 31 and 32 and the expansion valve 11 are integrally mounted is disposed at a predetermined position. Thereby, as shown to Fig.2 (a), the refrigerant | coolant piping 31 and 32 is arrange | positioned at the 1st holding | maintenance part 511,512.
[0024]
Thereafter, the lid 4 is connected to the outside air inlet 2a while the projections 52a and 53a of the side edges 52 and 53 of the notch 5 and the grooves 43a and 44a of the side ends 43 and 44 of the lid 4 are fitted. Is moved into the notch 5 and finally the holes 43b and 44b of the mounting portions 430 and 440 of the lid 4 and the locking claws 221 and 222 of the case 22 are elastically deformed and locked. By doing so, the lid portion 4 is attached to the case portion 22 with one touch. Thereafter, the case portions 21 and 22 are assembled while the inside / outside air switching door 12 is mounted. Thereby, as shown to Fig.3 (a), the refrigerant | coolant piping 31, 32 is arrange | positioned at the 2nd holding | maintenance part 421,422.
[0025]
According to the present embodiment, the lid portion 4 can be moved into the notch portion 5 by using the space of the outside air inlet 2a, and the refrigerant pipes 310 and 320 are placed under the notch portion 5 at the time of attachment. It can be fixed by being sandwiched between the edge portion 51 and the lower end portion 42 of the lid portion 4. Therefore, the assembling work of the refrigerant pipes 310 and 320 is easy.
Further, the lid portion 4 can be smoothly attached to the case portion 22 by fitting the groove portions 43a, 44a and the projecting portions 52a, 53a (fitting of the concavo-convex shape). Moreover, since the groove parts 43a and 44a and the projection parts 52a and 53a are fitted, it is possible to prevent the wind in the case 2 from leaking from the fitting parts, and the lid part 4 can be prevented from being attached when the lid part 4 is mounted. Detachment can be suppressed.
[0026]
(Other embodiments)
In this embodiment, the lid portion 4 can be attached to and detached from the case portion 22 by the locking structure of the hole portions 43b and 44b and the locking claw portions 221 and 222, but other various locking structures are adopted. Alternatively, various other fastening means (for example, screw coupling) may be employed.
[0027]
Moreover, you may fix the 1st holding | maintenance part 511,512, the 2nd holding | maintenance part 421,422, and the refrigerant | coolant piping 310,320 with an adhesive agent. At this time, a receiving portion that receives the undried adhesive that drips downward may be integrally provided in the vicinity of the lower portion of the first holding portions 511 and 512.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1A is a schematic perspective view of a cooler unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a schematic top view of the cooler unit.
2A is a front view of the lower case portion in a state where the lid portion is removed from the lower case portion of the cooler case, FIG. 2B is a view taken along the arrow E of FIG. 2A, and FIG. It is BB sectional drawing of a).
3A is a front view of the lower case portion in a state where a lid portion is attached to the lower case portion of the cooler case, FIG. 3B is a sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 3A, and FIG. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 ... Cooler case, 21, 22 ... Upper, lower case part,
2a ... Outside air inlet (opening), 25 ... Lower edge of outside air inlet (edge of opening),
310, 320 ... Inlet and outlet refrigerant piping, 5 ... Notch, 4 ... Cover,
51 ... Lower edge of the notch (edge of the notch), 42 ... Lower end of the lid (end of the lid).

Claims

A vehicle air conditioner case that can be divided into at least two case portions (21, 22) and has air circulation openings (2a, 2b, 2c) formed across the case portions (21, 22). In (2), pipe (310) is provided on the wall surface in the vicinity of the edge (25) of the opening (2a, 2b, 2c) of one case (22) of the two case parts (21, 22). 320), a piping assembly structure for a vehicle air conditioner,
A notch (5) is formed from a predetermined part of the edge (25) of the opening (2a, 2b, 2c) to a wall surface in the vicinity of the edge (25) of the one case (22),
By moving the lid (4) having a shape corresponding to the notch (5) from the opening (2a, 2b, 2c) into the notch (5), the lid (4) is moved into the notch (5). Attach to one case part (22)
The pipe (310, 320) is sandwiched and fixed between the edge (51, 52, 53) of the notch (5) and the end (41, 42, 43, 44) of the lid (4). A piping assembly structure for a vehicle air conditioner.

Of the edges (51, 52, 53) of the notch (5), one edge of the pipe (310, 320) is attached to the edge (51) that is substantially opposite to the moving direction of the lid (4). Forming a first holding portion (511, 512) to hold;
Of the end portions (41, 42, 43, 44) of the lid portion (4), the end portion (42) facing the first holding portion (511, 512) is connected to the pipe (310, 320). The pipe assembly structure for a vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein a second holding portion (421, 422) for holding the half surface is formed.

Of the end portions (41, 42, 43, 44) of the lid portion (4), the end portions (43, 44) substantially parallel to the moving direction of the lid portion (4) and the edge of the notch portion (5) Of the portions (51, 52, 53), the edge portions (52, 53) substantially parallel to the moving direction of the lid portion (4) are fitted in an uneven shape (43a, 44a, 52a, 53a). The piping assembly structure for a vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2.

The said cover part (4) is attached to said one case part (22) so that attachment or detachment is possible by an elastic locking structure (221, 222, 43b, 44b). The piping assembly structure of the vehicle air conditioner as described in any one of these.