JP4591805B2

JP4591805B2 - Case extension member

Info

Publication number: JP4591805B2
Application number: JP2001079687A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 大助荒木
Original assignee: Valeo Thermal Systems Japan Corp
Current assignee: Valeo Thermal Systems Japan Corp
Priority date: 2001-03-21
Filing date: 2001-03-21
Publication date: 2010-12-01
Anticipated expiration: 2021-03-21
Also published as: JP2002274152A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は、空調ケース、特に自動車用の空調ユニットの空調ケースの改良に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
４輪自動車は、いわゆるリッターカーと称される普通自動車や軽自動車等といった車種によって車両の走行方向と交差する方向となる横幅の最大値が定められている関係上、車室内空間の容積も車種によって差異を有するので、自動車に搭載される空調ユニットに必要とされる空調能力も車種ごとに異なる。
【０００３】
一方で、空調ユニットは、特開平１１−２９１７４３号公報に示されるように、１の空調ケースに、ブロワ、エバポレータ、ヒータコア、その他の空調機器を内蔵する一体型空調ユニットが開発されている。そして、このような一体型空調ユニットでは、前述の空調部品を着脱自在としメンテナンスを容易にするために、空調ケースは、左右一対のケース部材となるように縦割り分割されたものとなっている。このような構成の空調ケースでは、ブロワのインペラの軸方向に沿った側の寸法や、熱交換器の通風方向と対峙する側面の面積は、各ケース部材の分割面と直角になる方向の寸法を変えることによって調整することができる。
【０００４】
このため、従来においては、各車種の空調ユニットの搭載スペース内で各車種で必要とされる空調能力が得られるように、ケース部材の外形寸法の設計を前記車種に応じて行い、軽自動車には相対的に外形寸法の小さなケース部材を、普通自動車には相対的に外形寸法の大きなケース部材を用いていた。
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
これに対し、近年において自動車の空調ユニットのコスト削減のために、あらゆる空調ユニットの構成部品の共通化が図られており、上述のように車種ごとに外形寸法が異ならざるを得ない空調ケースに対しても、各車種で部品の共通化を要請されることとなった。
【０００６】
この場合に、先述の公報に示す縦割りされたケース部材同士を単に接合する構造のままで、ケース部材を異なる車種間において共通化したのでは、軽自動車用の空調ケースを普通自動車用として利用することも考えられる。しかし、この場合には、普通自動車用の空調ユニットとしては、空調能力が相対的に低減するという不具合が生ずる。
【０００７】
そこで、この発明においては、車種に応じた空調能力を得つつ、軽自動車と普通自動車との異なる車種でも共通のケース部材を用いることを可能としたケース伸長部材、このケース伸長部材を用いた空調ケース及びこの空調ケースの組立方法を提供することを目的とする。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
しかして、この発明に係るケース伸長部材は、空調部品を内蔵できるように２以上に分割された複数のケース部材から成る空調ケースに対し、前記分割された各ケース部材の分割面間に１又は２以上介在させることにより、前記空調ケースの一方のケース部材の分割面と他方のケース部材の分割面との間隔を調整可能としたケース伸長部材において、仕切り部で仕切ることでケース部材同士の突当方向と異なる方向に延び又は複数の流路に分岐した空気通路が内部に画成された空調ケースに対し、この空調ケースを構成するケース部材間に介在した場合に、前記仕切り部の分割面と突当する仕切り部を有すると共に、この仕切り部の形状を保持するために支柱部が配されていることを特徴とする（請求項１）。
【０００９】
また、この発明に係るケース伸長部材は、空調部品を内蔵できるように２以上に分割された複数のケース部材から成る空調ケースに対し、前記分割された各ケース部材の分割面間に１又は２以上介在させることにより、前記空調ケースの一方のケース部材の分割面と他方のケース部材の分割面との間隔を調整可能としたケース伸長部材において、内蔵する空調機器を設置するための設置部が内部に画成されると共に、この設置部を２分する方向に分割されたケース部材を有する空調ケースに対し、この空調ケースを構成するケース部材間に介在した場合に、前記設置部の分割面と突当する設置部を有すると共に、この設置部の形状を保持するために支柱部が配されていることを特徴とする（請求項２）。
【００１０】
更に、この発明に係るケース伸長部材は、空調部品を内蔵できるように２以上に分割された複数のケース部材から成る空調ケースに対し、前記分割された各ケース部材の分割面間に１又は２以上介在させることにより、前記空調ケースの一方のケース部材の分割面と他方のケース部材の分割面との間隔を調整可能としたケース伸長部材において、空気の流路を開閉しまた分岐するためのドアを設置するための軸シート部が内部に画成されると共に、この軸シート部を２分する方向に分割されたケース部材を有する空調ケースに対し、この空調ケースを構成するケース部材間に介在した場合に、前記軸シート部の分割面と突当する軸シート部を有すると共に、この軸シート部の形状を保持するために支柱部が配されていることを特徴とする（請求項３）。
【００１５】
尚、空調部品としては、例えば、ブロワ、エバポレータ、ヒータコアやエアミックスドア、吹出モードドアが該当する。また、空調ケースも、前記空調部品の全てを内蔵した一体型空調ユニット用のユニットケース、ブロワを主に内蔵したブロワケース、エバポレータを主に内蔵したクーリングケース、ヒータユニットを主に内蔵したヒータケース等が挙げられる。
【００１６】
以上によれば、軽自動車の空調ユニットでは、ケース伸長部材を介在させずにケース部材同士を直接に接合し、普通自動車ではケース部材間に１つのケース伸長部材を介在させて接合することにより、空調ケースのケース部材とケース部材とを接合させる方向の幅を変動させ、これに伴い空調ケース内に内蔵される空調部品のケース部材とケース部材とを接合させる方向の幅も変動させることができる一方で、軽自動車の空調ユニットと普通自動車の空調ユニットとでケース部材は共通のものを用いることが可能である。
【００１７】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、この発明の実施の形態を図面により説明する。
【００１８】
図１から図９において、この発明に係る空調ケース１の実施形態の一例が示されている。この空調ケース１は、オールインワンタイプの一体型空調ユニットに用いられるもので、図示しない空調に必要な空調部品の略全てを内蔵可能な構造になっている。すなわち、この空調ケース１は、図５又は図７に示されるように、ブロワを内蔵する送風部３、エバポレータを内蔵する冷却部９、ヒータコアを内蔵する加熱部１６、吹出口２１、２２、２３及び、この吹出口２１、２２、２３へ空気を案内する通路２４、２５、２６を備えたものである。
【００１９】
そして、この空調ケース１は、図１に示される合成樹脂製のケース部材４１、図２に示される合成樹脂製のケース部材４２及び、必要に応じて用いられる図３に示される合成樹脂製のケース伸長部材４３から形成されている。
【００２０】
このうち、ケース部材４１、４２は、ブロワの軸方向に沿うと共にエバポレータ又はヒータコアの通風方向側面に沿うように形成された環状の外壁４１Ａ、４２Ａと、ブロワの径方向に沿うと共にエバポレータ又はヒータコアの通風方向側面とは直交するように形成され、前記外壁４１Ａ又は４２Ａの一方開口を閉塞する外壁４１Ｂ、４２Ｂとで外枠が構成されている。
【００２１】
そして、ケース部材４１、４２は、送風部３と冷却部９、加熱部１６又は通路２２との境界を画成するために、ブロワの略周縁に沿って略円弧状に延びる仕切り部５が形成されていると共に、この仕切り部５は、先端が外壁４１Ａ、４２Ａの内周面に達せず幾分の隙間を有することで、冷却部９と送風部３を連通する送風口を成す送風口形成部６が形成されている。また、外壁４１Ｂ、４２Ｂの仕切り部５の内周側となる部位には、ブロワを着脱するため又は空気を取り入れるための円孔４が形成されている。
【００２２】
また、ケース部材４１、４２は、冷却部８内にエバポレータを確実に設置することで内蔵するために、エバポレータのブロワ側端部を保持する設置部１０が前記仕切り部５に形成されていると共に、エバポレータの反ブロワ側端部を保持する設置部１１が外壁４１Ａ、４２Ａの前記設置部１０と対向する部位に形成されている。そして、ケース部材４１、４２は、冷却部９と加熱部１６との境界を画成して、エバポレータを通過した空気がヒータコアに短絡するのを防止するために仕切り部１７が形成されている。この仕切り部１７は、ブロワ側端が仕切り部５まで達せずに仕切り部５との間に通路が形成され、この通路の端と端との間を回動範囲とするエアミックスドアの回転軸が回動可能にシートされる軸シート部１８が形成されている。また、外壁４１Ａ、４２Ａの内面にヒータコアの端部を保持するための設置部１９が設けられている。
【００２３】
更にまた、ケース部材４１、４２は、ヒータコアの反エバポレータ側に仕切り部２７を設けることで、フット吹出口２１へ空気を案内する通路２３を形成する通路形成部２８が形成されていると共に、この通路形成部２８の外壁４１Ｂ側面には、フット吹出口２１が形成されている。そして、ケース部材４１、４２は、３つの並行なプレート部２９Ａ、２９Ｂ，２９Ｃとこのプレート部２９Ａ、２９Ｂ、２９Ｃの端部と連接するプレート部２９Ｄからなるベント吹出口及びデフ吹出口形成部２９が形成されている。また、通路２４、２５、２６に送風する空気を適宜選択する吹出ドアの回転軸を回動可能にシートするものとして、軸シート部３１が外壁４１Ａ、４２Ａの仕切り部２７近傍に、軸シート部３２がベント吹出口及びデフ吹出口形成部２９のプレート部２９Ｂに形成されている。
【００２４】
これに対し、ケース伸長部材４３は、図３に示すように、仕切り部５、送風口形成部６、仕切り部１７、２７、通路形成部２８、設置部１０、１１、１９、及び軸シート部１８、３１、３２が形成されている点では、ケース部材４１、４２と共通する一方で、ケース部材４１、４２の双方と接合するために、前記外壁４１Ａ及び４２Ａの切断面と突当する突当面を備えた円弧状の外壁４３Ａのみで外枠を形成している。そして、ベント吹出口及びデフ吹出口形成部２９は、ケース部材４１、４２のベント吹出口及びデフ吹出口形成部２９の切断面と突当してデフ吹出口２２及びベント吹出口２３を形成可能なように、両端に突当面を有する３つの並行なプレート部２９Ａ、２９Ｂ，２９Ｃが形成されている。
【００２５】
そして、このケース伸長部材４３は、図３に示されるように、その形状を保持するために複数の支柱部３５が用いられている。すなわち、通風口形成部６の外壁４３Ａと仕切り部５との間隔を保持するために、外壁４３Ａと仕切り部５との間に支柱部３５Ａが架設されている。また、エアミックスドアを取り付けた際に適宜な回動範囲を確保するために、仕切り部５と仕切り部１７との間に円弧状の支持部３５Ｂが架設され、仕切り部１７と軸シート部１８との間に直線状の支持部３５Ｃが架設され、仕切り部５、軸シート部１８、及び仕切り部２７間を結ぶ支持部３５Ｄが架設されていると共に、軸シート部１８と仕切り部２７との間に直線状の支柱部３５Ｅが架設されている。更に、通路２４の仕切り部２７と外壁４３Ａとの間隔を保持するために、内部が空洞の四角形状の支持部３５Ｆが通路形成部２８の外壁４３Ａとの間に架設され、通路２５、２６の仕切り部２７と外壁４３Ａとの間隔を保持するために、支柱部３５Ｇが仕切り部２７と外壁４３Ａとの間に架設されている。更に、ヒータコアの設置部１９の仕切り部１７と外壁４３Ａとの間隔を保持するために、仕切り部１７、外壁４３Ａの底部側の角部にそれぞれ三角形状の支柱部３５Ｈ、３５Ｉが配されている。これらの支柱部３５を用いることにより、仕切り部５等の形状を保持すると共に、金型に樹脂材を注入してケース伸長部材４３を成形する際に、支柱部３５が供給通路となってケース伸長部材４３の細部にまで樹脂材が行き渡り、ケース伸長部材４３の成形を確実且つ簡易に行うことができる。
【００２６】
そして、これらの支柱部３５は、通風方向に沿った側の厚みが薄い形状に形成されている。この場合、支柱部３５は、両端近傍が細く中央が両端に比し相対的に太い、例えば飛行機の翼等のような流線形状になっているのが望ましい。このような構成を採択することにより、支柱部３５が通風抵抗とならず、エアガイドとしての役割を果たすことができる。
【００２７】
しかるに、以上のケース部材４１、４２及びケース伸長部材４３の構成にれば、この空調ケース１は、相対的に低い空調能力で足りる軽自動車と、相対的に高い空調能力を必要とするリッターカー等と称される普通自動車との双方に対し、ケース部材４１、４２を必須部材としつつ、ケース部材４１、４２間に介在させるケース伸長部材４３の数を、所定の数値範囲（例えば０以上２以下）で調整することにより対応することができる。
【００２８】
すなわち、ケース部材４１、４２の接合方向に沿った側の幅を、軽自動車用の空調部品を内蔵するに適した寸法とし、これに伴い、軽自動車用の空調ケースを組み立てる場合には、図４に示されるようにケース部材４１とケース部材４２とを直接に接合して図５に示すケース伸長部材４３の介在数０の空調ケース１とする。これに対し、普通自動車の空調ケースを組み立てる場合には、図６に示されるように、ケース部材４１とケース部材４２とを間にケース伸長部材４３を介在しつつ接合して図６に示すケース伸長部材４３の介在数が例えば１の空調ケース１とする。これにより、空調ケース１のケース部材４１、４２の接合方向に沿った側の幅は、ケース伸長部材４３の外壁４３Ａの幅程伸長したため、軽自動車に搭載される空調部品に比しケース伸長部材４３の外壁４３Ａと同じ幅程大きくなったものを搭載することができる。
【００２９】
そして、空調ケース１のケース部材４１、４２の接合方向に沿った側の幅は、ケース伸長部材４３の外壁４３Ａの幅又はケース伸長部材の数を変えることによって自在に変動させることができる。
【００３０】
すなわち、１のケース伸長部材を介在させる場合に、ケース伸長部材の外壁４３Ａの幅が１０ｍｍであれば、空調ケース１に内蔵する空調部材の幅を１０ｍｍ程大きくすることができるのに対し、ケース伸長部材の外壁４３Ａの幅が１５ｍｍであれば、空調ケース１に内蔵する空調部材の幅を１５ｍｍ程大きくすることができる。また、２つのケース伸長部材を介在させる場合に、外壁４３Ａの幅が１０ｍｍのケース伸長部材を２つ介在させる場合には、空調ケース１に内蔵する空調部材の幅を２０ｍｍ程大きくすることができ、外壁４３Ａの幅が１５ｍｍのケース伸長部材を２つ介在させる場合には、空調ケース１に内蔵する空調部材の幅を３０ｍｍ程大きくすることができる。更に、外壁４３Ａの幅が１０ｍｍのケース伸長部材と外壁４３Ａの幅が１５ｍｍのケース伸長部材とを介在させる場合には、空調ケース１に内蔵する空調部材の幅を２５ｍｍ程大きくすることができる。しかるに、普通自動車でも必要とされる空調能力が車両ごとに変わる場合でも、最適な空調能力を発揮することができる空調部品を内蔵することが可能な幅の空調ケース１を用意することができる。
【００３１】
ところで、ケース部材４１、４２及びケース伸長部材４３を接合するための手段であるが、図８又は図９に示すように、例えばケース部材４１の分割面に凸部４５を形成し、ケース部材４２の分割面に凹部４６を形成し、このケース部材４１とケース部材４２とが凸部４５と凹部４６とを係合することで接合可能となっている場合に、ケース伸長部材４３のケース部材４１の分割面と突当する突当面には凹部４６を形成し、ケース部材４２の分割面と突当する突当面には凸部４５を形成し、ケース伸長部材４３とケース部材４１、４２とがこの凸部４５と凹部４６との係合により接合可能することが考えられる。
【００３２】
そして、このケース部材４１、４２、ケース伸長部材４３の接合を気密性良くし、脱落を防止するために、図８に示されるように、ケース部材４１、４２、ケース伸長部材４３の外壁４１Ａ、４２Ａ、４３Ａに、これらの部材４１、４２、４３を接合する方向において同軸上に延びる貫通孔４８を有する突起部４７を形成し、ケース部材４１、４２、ケース伸長部材４３を接合した後、連通した状態の貫通孔４８に、これら貫通孔４８の軸方向に沿った側の寸法と略同じ長さのボルト等の固定具４９を挿通させて固着するようにしても良い。
【００３３】
また、図９に示されるように、ケース部材４１の外壁４１Ａの分割面近傍に突起部５０を形成し、ケース部材４２の外壁４２Ａにヒンジ５１を形成すると共に、ヒンジ５１には、前記突起部５０に外挿する複数の貫通孔５３、５４を設けたものとなっている。このうち、貫通孔５３は、ケース部材４１とケース部材４２とを直接に接合した際に、突起部５０に外挿する位置に形成されており、貫通孔５４は、前記貫通孔５３に対しケース伸長部材４３の接合方向幅と略同じ間隔を空けて形成されている。
【００３４】
このような構成によれば、軽自動車用の空調ケース１を構成するためにケース部材４１、４２を直接に接合する場合には、突起部５０にヒンジ５１の貫通孔５３を外挿することで、ケース部材４１、４２同士を気密性・水密性良く接合することができる。また、普通自動車の空調ケース１を構成するためにケース部材４１、４２間にケース伸長部材４３を１つ介在して接合する場合には、突起部５０にヒンジ５１の貫通孔５４を外挿することで、ケース部材４１、４２とケース伸長部材４３とが気密性・水密性良く接合することができる。尚、２以上のケース伸長部材４３を介在させる場合には、図示しないが、ヒンジ５１を延長し、貫通孔５３と貫通孔５４との間隔と同じ間隔で介在させるケース伸長部材４３の数に合わせて貫通孔を設けるようにすれば良い。
【００３５】
また、空調ケース１は、ケース部材４１とケース部材４２とが縦割りに２分割されるものを示したがこの構成に限定されず、図示しないが、３以上のケース部材４２に分割される構成の空調ケース１でもこの発明を用いることができ、内蔵される空調部品が水平方向に並列に配置されているために、ケース部材とケース部材とが水平方向に対し上下に分割される構成の空調ケース１でもこの発明を用いることができる。このように、ケース部材とケース部材とが水平方向に対し上下に分割される構成では、ケース伸長部材をケース部材間に介在させたときには、エバポレレータ、ヒータコア等の空調部材は、通風方向に対し上下方向の寸法をケース伸長部材の幅に応じて変動することができるので、車種に応じて空調能力を異ならせることも可能である。
【００３６】
更に、空調ケース１は、空調部品の略全部が内蔵されるオールインワンタイプの一体型空調ユニット用のものを示して説明してきたが、このような一体型空調ユニット用のものに限定されず、ブロワを主に内蔵するブロワユニットの空調ケース、エバポレータを主に内蔵するクーリングユニットの空調ケース、ヒータコア、吹出モードドアを主に内蔵するヒータユニットの空調ケース等に対してもこの発明を用いることができる。
【００３７】
そして、ブロワユニットの空調ケースとなる場合には、ケース伸長部材の介在する個数又はケース部材と当接する方向に沿った側の幅寸法を変えることで、ブロワのインペラの軸方向に沿った側の寸法を調整し、ブロアの空気の吸入量を変えることができる。また、クーリングユニットの空調ケースとなる場合には、ケース伸長部材の介在する個数又はケース部材と当接する方向に沿った側の幅寸法を変えることで、エバポレータの通風方向と対峙する面のうち水平方向側又は上下方向側の寸法を調整し、エバポレータの冷却能力を変えることができる。更に、ヒータユニットの空調ケースとなる場合には、ケース伸長部材の介在する個数又はケース部材と当接する方向に沿った側の幅寸法を変えることで、ヒータコアの通風方向と対峙する面のうち水平方向側又は上下方向側の寸法を調整し、ヒータコアの加熱能力を変えることができる。
【００３８】
最後に、ヒータユニットのエアミックスドア、吹出モードドアの回転軸に対し軸方向幅又は径方向も、ケース伸長部材の介在する個数又はケース部材と当接する方向に沿った側の幅寸法を変えることで、変えることができる。
【００３９】
【発明の効果】
以上のように、この発明によれば、軽自動車の空調ユニットでは、ケース伸長部材を介在させずにケース部材同士を直接に接合し、普通自動車ではケース部材間に１つのケース伸長部材を介在させて接合することにより、空調ケースのケース部材とケース部材とを接合させる方向の幅を変動させ、これに伴い空調ケース内に内蔵される空調部品のケース部材とケース部材とを接合させる方向の幅も変動させることができる一方で、軽自動車の空調ユニットと普通自動車の空調ユニットとでケース部材は共通のものを用いることが可能であるため、全体的に見て部品点数が削減し、これに伴い、ケース部材の製造のための金型数も削減され、製造ラインも簡略化することができるので、コスト削減を図ることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】図１は、空調ケースを構成する一方のケース部材の構成を示す斜視図である。
【図２】図２は、空調ケースを構成する他方のケース部材の構成を示す斜視図である。
【図３】図３は、この発明に係るケース伸長部材の構成を示す斜視図である。
【図４】図４は、軽自動車用の空調ケースを構成するためにケース部材を直接に接合する工程を示す斜視図である。
【図５】図５は、ケース部材を直接に接合することで組み立てられた軽自動車用の空調ケースの外形を示す斜視図である。
【図６】図６は、普通自動車の空調ケースを構成するためにケース部材を間にケース伸長部材を介在して接合する工程を示す斜視図である。
【図７】図７は、ケース部材を間にケース伸長部材を介在して接合することで組み立てられた普通自動車用の空調ケースの外形を示す斜視図である。
【図８】図８は、ケース部材、ケース伸長部材、及びケース部材の３つの部材を接合するための構成を示す部分拡大図である。
【図９】図９は、ケース部材、ケース伸長部材、及びケース部材の３つの部材を接合するための構成として他の実施形態を示す部分拡大図であり、図９Ａはケース部材を直接に接合する場合を、図９Ｂは間にケース伸長部材を介在してケース部材を接合する場合を示している。
【符号の説明】
１空調ケース
５仕切り部
１０設置部
１７仕切り部
１８軸シート部
１９設置部
２７仕切り部
３１軸シート部
３２軸シート部
３５支柱部
４１ケース部材
４２ケース部材
４３ケース伸長部材
４５凸部
４６凹部
４７突起部
４８貫通孔
５０突起部
５１ヒンジ
５３貫通孔
５４貫通孔[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improvement of an air conditioning case, in particular, an air conditioning case of an air conditioning unit for automobiles.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A four-wheeled vehicle has a maximum width in the direction that intersects the traveling direction of the vehicle depending on the vehicle type, such as a so-called litter car, such as an ordinary vehicle or a light vehicle. Therefore, the air-conditioning capacity required for the air-conditioning unit mounted on the automobile also differs for each vehicle type.
[0003]
On the other hand, as an air conditioning unit, as disclosed in JP-A-11-291743, an integrated air conditioning unit in which a blower, an evaporator, a heater core, and other air conditioning devices are built in one air conditioning case has been developed. In such an integrated air conditioning unit, the air conditioning case is vertically divided so as to be a pair of left and right case members in order to make the aforementioned air conditioning components detachable and facilitate maintenance. . In the air conditioning case having such a configuration, the dimension of the side along the axial direction of the blower impeller and the area of the side facing the ventilation direction of the heat exchanger is a dimension in a direction perpendicular to the dividing surface of each case member. Can be adjusted by changing
[0004]
For this reason, conventionally, the outer dimensions of the case members are designed according to the vehicle type so that the air conditioning capacity required for each vehicle type can be obtained within the mounting space of the air conditioning unit for each vehicle type. Used a case member having a relatively small external dimension, and a case member having a relatively large external dimension was used for an ordinary automobile.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
On the other hand, in recent years, in order to reduce the cost of air conditioning units for automobiles, the components of all air conditioning units have been made common, and as described above, the air conditioning case must have different external dimensions for each vehicle type. On the other hand, it was requested to share parts in each car model.
[0006]
In this case, with the structure in which the vertically divided case members shown in the above-mentioned publication are simply joined together, the case member is shared between different vehicle types. It is also possible to do. However, in this case, the air conditioning unit for ordinary automobiles has a problem that the air conditioning capacity is relatively reduced.
[0007]
Therefore, in the present invention, a case elongating member capable of using a common case member even in different vehicle types of light vehicles and ordinary vehicles while obtaining air conditioning capability according to the vehicle type, and air conditioning using the case elongating member An object is to provide a case and a method for assembling the air conditioning case.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Thus, the case elongating member according to the present invention is configured such that an air conditioning case composed of a plurality of case members divided into two or more so as to incorporate an air conditioning component is 1 or between the divided surfaces of the divided case members. In the case elongating member that can adjust the distance between the dividing surface of one case member of the air conditioning case and the dividing surface of the other case member by interposing two or more, the protrusions of the case members are separated by partitioning the partitioning portion. When the air passage that extends in a direction different from this direction or has an air passage that is branched into a plurality of flow paths is defined between the case members constituting the air conditioning case, the dividing surface of the partition portion And a support column part is provided to maintain the shape of the partition part (claim 1).
[0009]
In addition, the case extending member according to the present invention has 1 or 2 between the divided surfaces of each of the divided case members with respect to the air conditioner case composed of a plurality of case members divided into two or more so that the air conditioning component can be incorporated. In the case elongating member that can adjust the distance between the dividing surface of one case member of the air conditioning case and the dividing surface of the other case member by interposing the above, an installation unit for installing the built-in air conditioning equipment When the air conditioning case having a case member defined in the interior and divided in a direction that bisects the installation portion is interposed between the case members constituting the air conditioning case, the dividing surface of the installation portion And a support column part is arranged to maintain the shape of the installation part (claim 2).
[0010]
Furthermore, the case elongating member according to the present invention is an air conditioning case composed of a plurality of case members divided into two or more so that an air conditioning component can be incorporated, and 1 or 2 between the divided surfaces of the divided case members. In the case elongating member that can adjust the distance between the dividing surface of one case member of the air conditioning case and the dividing surface of the other case member by interposing the above, the air flow path is opened and closed and branched. A shaft seat portion for installing the door is defined inside, and an air conditioning case having a case member divided in a direction that bisects the shaft seat portion is provided between the case members constituting the air conditioning case. A shaft sheet part that abuts against the split surface of the shaft sheet part when interposed is provided, and a column part is disposed to maintain the shape of the shaft sheet part (see below). Section 3).
[0015]
In addition, as an air-conditioning component, a blower, an evaporator, a heater core, an air mix door, and a blowing mode door correspond, for example. The air-conditioning case also includes a unit case for an integrated air-conditioning unit that incorporates all of the air-conditioning parts, a blower case that mainly contains a blower, a cooling case that mainly contains an evaporator, and a heater case that mainly contains a heater unit. Etc.
[0016]
According to the above, in an air conditioning unit of a mini vehicle, case members are directly joined without interposing a case extending member, and in a normal automobile, by joining one case extending member between case members, The width in the direction in which the case member of the air conditioning case is joined can be changed, and the width in the direction in which the case member of the air conditioning component incorporated in the air conditioning case is joined can be changed accordingly. On the other hand, it is possible to use the same case member for the air conditioning unit of the light vehicle and the air conditioning unit of the ordinary vehicle.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0018]
1 to 9 show an example of an embodiment of an air conditioning case 1 according to the present invention. This air conditioning case 1 is used for an all-in-one type integrated air conditioning unit, and has a structure in which substantially all of the air conditioning components necessary for air conditioning (not shown) can be incorporated. That is, as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 7, the air conditioning case 1 includes a blower 3 incorporating a blower, a cooling unit 9 incorporating an evaporator, a heating unit 16 incorporating a heater core, and air outlets 21, 22, 23. And the passage 24,25,26 which guides air to this blower outlet 21,22,23 is provided.
[0019]
This air conditioning case 1 is made of a synthetic resin case member 41 shown in FIG. 1, a synthetic resin case member 42 shown in FIG. 2, and a synthetic resin case shown in FIG. The case extending member 43 is formed.
[0020]
Among them, the case members 41 and 42 are annular outer walls 41A and 42A formed along the axial direction of the blower and along the ventilation direction side surface of the evaporator or heater core, and the radial direction of the blower and the evaporator or heater core. An outer frame is formed by outer walls 41B and 42B that are formed so as to be orthogonal to the side surface in the ventilation direction and close one opening of the outer wall 41A or 42A.
[0021]
The case members 41 and 42 are formed with a partition portion 5 extending in a substantially arc shape along a substantially peripheral edge of the blower in order to define a boundary between the air blowing portion 3 and the cooling portion 9, the heating portion 16 or the passage 22. In addition, the partition portion 5 is formed with a blower port that forms a blower port that communicates the cooling unit 9 and the blower unit 3 with the front end thereof not reaching the inner peripheral surfaces of the outer walls 41A and 42A and having some clearance. Part 6 is formed. In addition, a circular hole 4 for attaching / detaching a blower or taking in air is formed in a portion of the outer wall 41B, 42B on the inner peripheral side of the partition portion 5.
[0022]
In addition, since the case members 41 and 42 are built in the cooling unit 8 by securely installing the evaporator, the installation unit 10 that holds the blower side end of the evaporator is formed in the partition unit 5. The installation portion 11 that holds the end on the side opposite to the blower of the evaporator is formed at a portion of the outer walls 41A and 42A that faces the installation portion 10. The case members 41 and 42 define a boundary between the cooling unit 9 and the heating unit 16, and the partition portion 17 is formed to prevent the air that has passed through the evaporator from being short-circuited to the heater core. The partition portion 17 has a passage formed between the blower side end and the partition portion 5 without reaching the partition portion 5, and the rotation shaft of the air mix door having a rotation range between the ends of the passage. A shaft sheet portion 18 is formed on which is pivotably seated. Moreover, the installation part 19 for hold | maintaining the edge part of a heater core is provided in the inner surface of outer wall 41A, 42A.
[0023]
Furthermore, the case members 41, 42 are provided with a partition portion 27 on the side opposite to the evaporator of the heater core, thereby forming a passage forming portion 28 that forms a passage 23 for guiding air to the foot outlet 21. A foot outlet 21 is formed on the side surface of the outer wall 41 B of the passage forming portion 28. The case members 41 and 42 include three parallel plate portions 29A, 29B, and 29C and a vent outlet and a differential outlet formation portion 29 including a plate portion 29D that is connected to the end portions of the plate portions 29A, 29B, and 29C. Is formed. In addition, the shaft sheet portion 31 is disposed in the vicinity of the partition portion 27 of the outer walls 41A and 42A, so that the rotation shaft of the blowout door that appropriately selects the air to be blown into the passages 24, 25, and 26 is rotatably seated. 32 is formed in the plate part 29 B of the vent outlet and differential outlet forming part 29.
[0024]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the case extending member 43 includes a partition part 5, a blower port forming part 6, partition parts 17 and 27, a passage forming part 28, installation parts 10, 11 and 19, and a shaft sheet part. 18, 31, and 32 are the same as the case members 41 and 42, but in order to join both the case members 41 and 42, the protrusions that abut against the cut surfaces of the outer walls 41 A and 42 A. The outer frame is formed only by the arc-shaped outer wall 43A provided with the present surface. And the vent blower outlet and differential blower outlet formation part 29 can contact | abut with the cut surface of the vent blower outlet and differential blower outlet formation part 29 of case members 41 and 42, and can form the differential blower outlet 22 and the vent blower outlet 23 As shown, three parallel plate portions 29A, 29B, and 29C having abutting surfaces at both ends are formed.
[0025]
And as this case extending | stretching member 43 is shown by FIG. 3, in order to hold | maintain the shape, the some support | pillar part 35 is used. That is, in order to maintain the space between the outer wall 43 A of the vent hole forming portion 6 and the partition portion 5, the support column portion 35 A is provided between the outer wall 43 A and the partition portion 5. Further, in order to secure an appropriate rotation range when the air mix door is attached, an arcuate support portion 35B is installed between the partition portion 5 and the partition portion 17, and the partition portion 17 and the shaft seat portion 18 are provided. A linear support portion 35C is installed between the partition portion 5, the shaft sheet portion 18, and a support portion 35D that connects the partition portion 27, and the shaft sheet portion 18 and the partition portion 27 are connected to each other. A linear support 35E is installed between the two. Further, in order to maintain the space between the partition portion 27 of the passage 24 and the outer wall 43A, a rectangular support portion 35F having a hollow inside is provided between the outer wall 43A of the passage forming portion 28 and the passages 25, 26. In order to maintain the space between the partition portion 27 and the outer wall 43A, a support column portion 35G is provided between the partition portion 27 and the outer wall 43A. Further, in order to maintain the space between the partition portion 17 of the heater core installation portion 19 and the outer wall 43A, triangular support portions 35H and 35I are arranged at the corners on the bottom side of the partition portion 17 and the outer wall 43A, respectively. . By using these support portions 35, the shape of the partition portion 5 and the like is maintained, and when the case extending member 43 is molded by injecting a resin material into the mold, the support portions 35 serve as supply passages. The resin material spreads to the details of the extending member 43, and the case extending member 43 can be molded reliably and easily.
[0026]
And these support | pillar parts 35 are formed in the shape where the thickness of the side along a ventilation direction is thin. In this case, it is desirable that the column portion 35 has a streamline shape such as a wing of an airplane, for example, in which the vicinity of both ends is thin and the center is relatively thicker than both ends. By adopting such a configuration, the support column 35 does not have ventilation resistance and can serve as an air guide.
[0027]
However, with the configuration of the case members 41 and 42 and the case extension member 43 described above, the air conditioning case 1 includes a light vehicle that requires a relatively low air conditioning capability and a liter car that requires a relatively high air conditioning capability. The number of the case extending members 43 interposed between the case members 41 and 42 is set to a predetermined numerical range (for example, 0 or more and 2 or more, for example). This can be dealt with by adjusting in the following).
[0028]
That is, when the width of the side along the joining direction of the case members 41 and 42 is set to a size suitable for incorporating an air conditioning component for a light vehicle, and when an air conditioning case for a light vehicle is assembled accordingly, As shown in FIG. 4, the case member 41 and the case member 42 are directly joined to form an air conditioning case 1 having zero intervening number of case extending members 43 shown in FIG. On the other hand, when assembling an air conditioning case for an ordinary automobile, as shown in FIG. 6, the case member 41 and the case member 42 are joined with the case extending member 43 interposed therebetween, as shown in FIG. Assume that the number of interposed extending members 43 is 1, for example, an air conditioning case 1. As a result, the width of the air conditioning case 1 on the side along the joining direction of the case members 41 and 42 has increased by the width of the outer wall 43A of the case extending member 43. 43 having the same width as the outer wall 43A of 43 can be mounted.
[0029]
And the width | variety of the side along the joining direction of case members 41 and 42 of the air-conditioning case 1 can be changed freely by changing the width | variety of the outer wall 43A of the case expansion | extension member 43, or the number of case expansion | extension members.
[0030]
That is, when one case extending member is interposed, if the width of the outer wall 43A of the case extending member is 10 mm, the width of the air conditioning member built in the air conditioning case 1 can be increased by about 10 mm. If the width of the outer wall 43A of the extending member is 15 mm, the width of the air conditioning member built in the air conditioning case 1 can be increased by about 15 mm. In addition, when two case extending members are interposed, and two case extending members having a width of the outer wall 43A of 10 mm are interposed, the width of the air conditioning member incorporated in the air conditioning case 1 can be increased by about 20 mm. When two case extending members having a width of the outer wall 43A of 15 mm are interposed, the width of the air conditioning member built in the air conditioning case 1 can be increased by about 30 mm. Furthermore, when a case extending member having a width of the outer wall 43A of 10 mm and a case extending member having a width of the outer wall 43A of 15 mm are interposed, the width of the air conditioning member incorporated in the air conditioning case 1 can be increased by about 25 mm. However, even when the air conditioning capability required for ordinary vehicles varies from vehicle to vehicle, it is possible to prepare an air conditioning case 1 having a width capable of incorporating an air conditioning component capable of exhibiting optimum air conditioning capability.
[0031]
By the way, although it is means for joining the case members 41 and 42 and the case extension member 43, as shown in FIG. 8 or FIG. The case member 41 of the case extension member 43 is formed when the recess 46 is formed on the split surface and the case member 41 and the case member 42 can be joined by engaging the protrusion 45 and the recess 46. A concave portion 46 is formed on the abutting surface that abuts against the divided surface of the first member, and a convex portion 45 is formed on the abutting surface that abuts on the divided surface of the case member 42. It can be considered that the protrusion 45 and the recess 46 can be joined by engagement.
[0032]
Then, in order to improve the airtightness of the joining of the case members 41 and 42 and the case extension member 43 and prevent the dropout, as shown in FIG. 8, the case members 41 and 42, the outer wall 41A of the case extension member 43, 42A, 43A is formed with a protrusion 47 having a through hole 48 extending coaxially in the direction in which these members 41, 42, 43 are joined, and the case members 41, 42, the case extension member 43 are joined, and then communicated. A fixing tool 49 such as a bolt having a length substantially the same as the dimension along the axial direction of the through holes 48 may be inserted into and fixed to the through holes 48 in the above state.
[0033]
Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a protrusion 50 is formed in the vicinity of the dividing surface of the outer wall 41 A of the case member 41, and a hinge 51 is formed on the outer wall 42 A of the case member 42. A plurality of through holes 53 and 54 to be extrapolated to 50 are provided. Among these, the through hole 53 is formed at a position to be extrapolated to the protrusion 50 when the case member 41 and the case member 42 are directly joined, and the through hole 54 is formed in the case with respect to the through hole 53. The elongated members 43 are formed at substantially the same interval as the width in the joining direction.
[0034]
According to such a configuration, when the case members 41 and 42 are directly joined to form the air conditioning case 1 for a light vehicle, the through hole 53 of the hinge 51 is extrapolated to the protruding portion 50. The case members 41 and 42 can be joined with good airtightness and watertightness. Further, when one case extending member 43 is interposed between the case members 41 and 42 in order to form the air conditioning case 1 of an ordinary automobile, the through hole 54 of the hinge 51 is extrapolated to the protruding portion 50. Thus, the case members 41 and 42 and the case extension member 43 can be joined with good airtightness and watertightness. When two or more case extending members 43 are interposed, although not shown, the hinge 51 is extended to match the number of case extending members 43 interposed at the same interval as the interval between the through hole 53 and the through hole 54. It is sufficient to provide a through hole.
[0035]
Moreover, although the air-conditioning case 1 showed what divided the case member 41 and the case member 42 into 2 parts vertically, it is not limited to this structure, Although not shown in figure, the structure divided | segmented into three or more case members 42 The present invention can also be used in the air conditioning case 1, and since the built-in air conditioning components are arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction, the case member and the case member are divided into upper and lower parts in the horizontal direction. The present invention can also be used in case 1. As described above, in the configuration in which the case member and the case member are vertically divided with respect to the horizontal direction, when the case extending member is interposed between the case members, the air-conditioning members such as the evaporator and the heater core are vertically moved with respect to the ventilation direction. Since the dimension in the direction can be changed according to the width of the case extending member, the air conditioning capability can be varied depending on the vehicle type.
[0036]
Further, the air conditioning case 1 has been described for an all-in-one type integrated air conditioning unit in which substantially all of the air conditioning components are built. However, the air conditioning case 1 is not limited to such an integrated air conditioning unit. The present invention can also be used for an air conditioning case for a blower unit that mainly incorporates an air conditioning case, a cooling unit air conditioning case that mainly incorporates an evaporator, a heater core, an air conditioning case for a heater unit that mainly incorporates a blowing mode door, and the like. .
[0037]
And when it becomes an air-conditioning case of a blower unit, the width of the side along the axial direction of the impeller of the blower can be changed by changing the number of case extending members or the width of the side along the direction of contact with the case member. The size can be adjusted to change the amount of blower air. Further, in the case of an air conditioning case for a cooling unit, by changing the number of case extending members or the width dimension of the side along the direction in contact with the case member, the horizontal surface of the surface facing the ventilation direction of the evaporator can be changed. The cooling capacity of the evaporator can be changed by adjusting the dimension on the direction side or the vertical side. Furthermore, in the case of an air conditioning case for a heater unit, by changing the number of case extending members or the width dimension of the side along the direction in contact with the case member, the horizontal surface of the surfaces facing the ventilation direction of the heater core can be changed. The heating capacity of the heater core can be changed by adjusting the direction side or vertical dimension.
[0038]
Finally, the axial width or radial direction of the air mixing door of the heater unit and the blow mode door is also changed in the axial width or radial direction by changing the number of case extending members or the width of the side along the direction contacting the case member. And you can change it.
[0039]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in an air conditioning unit of a light vehicle, case members are directly joined without interposing a case extending member, and in a normal vehicle, one case extending member is interposed between case members. The width in the direction in which the case member of the air-conditioning case is joined is changed, and the width in the direction in which the case member of the air-conditioning component incorporated in the air-conditioning case is joined accordingly. However, since the same case member can be used for the air conditioning unit of the mini vehicle and the air conditioning unit of the ordinary vehicle, the overall number of parts is reduced. Accordingly, the number of molds for manufacturing the case member is reduced, and the manufacturing line can be simplified, so that the cost can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of one case member constituting an air conditioning case.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of the other case member constituting the air conditioning case.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a case elongating member according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a process of directly joining case members to form an air conditioning case for a light vehicle.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an outer shape of an air conditioning case for a mini vehicle assembled by directly joining case members.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a process of joining a case member with a case extending member interposed therebetween in order to constitute an air conditioning case of a normal automobile.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an outer shape of an air conditioning case for a normal automobile assembled by joining case members with a case extending member interposed therebetween.
FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged view showing a configuration for joining three members, a case member, a case extension member, and a case member.
FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged view showing another embodiment as a configuration for joining three members, a case member, a case extension member, and a case member, and FIG. 9A directly joins the case member. FIG. 9B shows a case where the case member is joined with a case extending member interposed therebetween.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air-conditioning case 5 Partition part 10 Installation part 17 Partition part 18 Axis sheet part 19 Installation part 27 Partition part 31 Axle sheet part 32 Axle sheet part 35 Strut part 41 Case member 42 Case member 43 Case extension member 45 Convex part 46 Concave part 47 Protrusion Portion 48 Through-hole 50 Projection 51 Hinge 53 Through-hole 54 Through-hole

Claims

One or two or more of the air-conditioning cases can be provided by interposing one or more air-conditioning cases composed of a plurality of case members divided into two or more so as to incorporate air-conditioning parts between the divided surfaces of the divided case members. In the case extension member which made it possible to adjust the interval between the split surface of the case member and the split surface of the other case member,
For an air conditioning case in which an air passage that extends in a direction different from the abutting direction of the case members or branches into a plurality of flow paths is defined inside by partitioning with a partition part, between the case members constituting this air conditioning case A case elongating member having a partition portion that abuts against the dividing surface of the partition portion when interposed, and a support column portion disposed to maintain the shape of the partition portion.

One or two or more of the air-conditioning cases can be provided by interposing one or more air-conditioning cases composed of a plurality of case members divided into two or more so as to incorporate air-conditioning parts between the divided surfaces of the divided case members. In the case extension member which made it possible to adjust the interval between the split surface of the case member and the split surface of the other case member,
An installation section for installing the built-in air conditioning equipment is defined inside, and an air conditioning case having a case member divided in a direction that bisects the installation section is provided between the case members constituting the air conditioning case. A case elongating member having an installation part that abuts against a split surface of the installation part when the medium is interposed, and a column part is arranged to maintain the shape of the installation part.

One or two or more of the air-conditioning cases can be provided by interposing one or more air-conditioning cases composed of a plurality of case members divided into two or more so as to incorporate air-conditioning parts between the divided surfaces of the divided case members. In the case extension member which made it possible to adjust the interval between the split surface of the case member and the split surface of the other case member,
An air-conditioning case having a shaft member for installing a door for opening and closing and branching an air flow path and having a case member divided in a direction dividing the shaft sheet into two On the other hand, when it is interposed between the case members constituting the air conditioning case, it has a shaft sheet portion that abuts against the split surface of the shaft sheet portion, and a support column is arranged to maintain the shape of the shaft sheet portion. A case elongating member characterized by being made.