JP6757675B2 - Vehicle air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioner that is mounted on a vehicle and whose temperature has been adjusted by a heat exchanger to be blown into the vehicle interior to adjust the temperature inside the vehicle interior.

Conventionally, a vehicle air conditioner mounted on a vehicle has an air conditioner case in which an evaporator and a heater core are housed, and a plurality of air conditioners are mixed in a desired mixing ratio by operating a damper in the air conditioner case. The temperature and humidity inside the vehicle are adjusted by blowing air from the air outlet into the vehicle interior.

As a case fastening structure used for this air conditioning case, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a locking frame provided on the outer peripheral edge of the opening end of the first case and an opening end of the second case. It has a locking projection provided on the outer peripheral edge, and the locking projection is inserted into and engaged with the inside of the locking frame to form an open end of the first case and an open end of the second case. Are connected to each other in a state of being in contact with each other to form an air conditioning case.

JP-A-2007-14507

However, in the fastening structure of Patent Document 1 described above, when the locking frame is engaged with the locking projection and the first case and the second case are fastened, the operator engages with the locking frame and the locking projection. There is a problem that it is difficult to confirm the engaged state of the above, which leads to an increase in assembly man-hours. Further, for the purpose of facilitating the engagement between the locking frame and the locking projection, the clearance between the locking projection and the locking frame is set to be large, but the engagement state is loose due to this clearance. As a result, air may leak from between the first case and the second case.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and provides a vehicle air conditioner capable of reliably assembling cases to each other and at the same time easily and surely confirming the connected state. With the goal.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is in a vehicle air conditioner having an air conditioner case including a first case in which air flows inside and a second case connected to the first case.
A locking projection provided on the outer peripheral edge of the opening end of the first case,
A locking frame provided on the outer peripheral edge of the opening end of the second case and having a hole for engaging the locking projection, and a locking frame.
With
The locking frame protrudes toward the first case with respect to the outer peripheral edge, and is provided so as to be tiltable with respect to the outer peripheral edge.
A first convex portion protruding toward the first case side is formed at the tip of the locking frame, and a second convex portion protruding toward the second case side is formed on the side surface of the first case facing the tip. when the locking projection is engaged into the hole of the engaging frame, the first protrusion and the second protrusion is characterized that you have to confront in a straight line.

According to the present invention, the first case of the air conditioner case constituting the air conditioner for a vehicle is provided with a locking projection on the outer peripheral edge of the open end portion, and the open end of the second case connected to the first case. A locking frame having a hole in which the locking projection is engaged is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the portion, and the locking frame projects toward the first case with respect to the outer peripheral edge and is on the outer peripheral edge. On the other hand, it is provided so as to be tiltable, and a first convex portion protruding toward the first case is formed at the tip of the locking frame, and a first convex portion protruding toward the second case is formed on the side surface of the first case facing the tip. second convex portion is formed, when the locking projection is engaged into the hole of the locking frame, the first protrusion and the second protrusion is Ru are arranged so as to face in a straight line.

Therefore, when connecting the first case and the second case, the tip of the locking frame is separated from the second case by moving so as to insert the locking projection toward the hole of the locking frame. When it is pushed up, it tilts, and when the locking protrusion is inserted into the hole, the tip recoils and approaches the side surface side of the first case, and it becomes the first convex portion and the first case provided in the locking frame. A contact sound is generated when the second convex portion provided is arranged so as to face each other in a straight line and comes into contact with each other.

As a result, the first case and the second case can be reliably connected by the locking frame and the locking projection, and the first convex portion and the second convex portion are engaged by the contact sound generated when the two are connected. The state can be easily and surely confirmed without visually recognizing it.

Further, the first and second convex portions may be formed so as to stand upright with respect to the locking frame and the side surface.

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

That is, a locking projection is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the opening end of the first case, and a hole for engaging the locking projection is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the opening end of the second case connected to the first case. The locking frame is formed, and the locking frame is provided so as to project toward the first case with respect to the outer peripheral edge and tiltably with respect to the outer peripheral edge, and the first case is provided at the tip of the locking frame. A first convex portion protruding toward the side is formed, and a second convex portion protruding toward the second case side is formed on the side surface of the first case facing the tip. As a result , when the locking projections are engaged so as to be inserted into the holes of the locking frame, the first convex portion and the second convex portion come into contact with each other to generate a contact sound. As a result, the first case and the second case can be reliably connected by the locking frame and the locking projection, and the first convex portion and the second convex portion are engaged by the contact sound generated when connecting the two cases. The state can be easily and surely confirmed without visually recognizing it.

It is an overall front view of the vehicle air conditioner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IIA-IIA of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing a state before the locking frame and the locking projection shown in FIG. 2A are engaged. 2C is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing a state immediately after the locking frame is engaged with the locking projection of FIG. 2B.

A preferred embodiment of the vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 indicates a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle air conditioner 10 includes an air conditioner case 12 that constitutes each air passage, a blower 14 that is arranged inside the air conditioner case 12, and an evaporator 16 that cools the air. A heater core 18 for heating the air, and a damper mechanism 20 for switching the flow of air flowing through each of the passages.

The air conditioning case 12 includes, for example, a set of divided cases (first case, second case) 22a and 22b that can be divided in the width direction, and a lower case (first case, first case) provided below the divided cases 22a and 22b. The second case) 24 is formed, and an air outlet 26 for blowing air to the vicinity of the occupant's face or the front window is formed above the divided cases 22a and 22b (in the direction of arrow A).

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, a first flange portion 28 widened outward is formed at the open lower end portion (open end portion) of the divided cases 22a and 22b, and the first flange portion 28 is formed over the entire circumference. A plurality of locking frames 30 projecting downward (in the direction of arrow B) from one flange 28 are formed.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 2C, a plurality of locking frames 30 are formed, for example, in a U-shaped cross section, and are provided so as to be separated from each other along the first flange portion 28. The locking frame 30 includes a pair of arm portions 32a and 32b extending downward (in the direction of arrow B), a connecting portion (tip) 34 connecting the tips of the arm portions 32a and 32b, and the arm portion. It has holes 36 surrounded by 32a and 32b and a connecting portion 34. The arm portions 32a and 32b are formed so as to project in a direction away from the split cases 22a and 22b (in the direction of arrow C1 in FIG. 2A) and then extend downward (in the direction of arrow B). One arm portion 32a and the other arm portion 32b are provided at predetermined intervals along the extending direction of the first flange portion 28 (see FIG. 1).

The connecting portion 34 is formed so as to be orthogonal to the extending direction of the arm portions 32a and 32b, and is formed thicker on the split cases 22a and 22b side (in FIG. 2A, in the direction of arrow C2) with respect to the arm portions 32a and 32b. Has been done. Further, on the side surface of the connecting portion 34 on the split case 22a, 22b side, a first convex portion 38 projecting toward the split case 22a, 22b side (arrow C2 direction) is formed, and the first convex portion 38 is formed. Is formed substantially parallel to the connecting portion 34 and having a rectangular cross section.

The locking frame 30 is connected so that the upper ends of the arm portions 32a and 32b are orthogonal to the first flange portion 28, and is tilted by a predetermined angle with the upper end portion as a base point as shown in FIG. 2B. The holes 36, which are freely provided and formed inside the arm portions 32a and 32b and the connecting portion 34, are formed in a substantially rectangular shape that is long downward.

As shown in FIG. 1, at the open upper end portion (open end portion) of the lower case 24, a second flange portion 40 widened outward is formed over the entire circumference, and the lower case 24 is divided into the split cases 22a and 22b. The second flange portion 40 is provided so as to come into contact with the first flange portion 28 of the split cases 22a and 22b when assembled to.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 2C, the second flange portion 40 is formed with a locking projection 42 that further protrudes outward, and the locking projections 42 are formed along the second flange portion 40 with each other. A plurality of cases are provided so as to be separated by a predetermined interval, and when the lower case 24 is attached to the divided cases 22a and 22b, they are arranged at positions facing the locking frame 30.

Further, the locking projection 42 is formed in a rectangular cross section corresponding to the hole 36 of the locking frame 30, and a second convex portion 44 protruding from the side wall of the lower case 24 by a predetermined height is formed below the locking projection 42. Rectangle. The second convex portion 44 extends substantially parallel to the second flange portion 40 by a predetermined length, and faces the first convex portion 38 when the locking frame 30 is engaged with the locking projection 42. It is provided at a position where it can be contacted.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, the locking projection 42 is inserted into the hole 36 of the locking frame 30 in the vertical direction (arrows A and B) of the locking frame 30. The movement of is restricted and connected.

As shown in FIG. 1, the blower 14 is, for example, a centrifugal fan including a rotary fan 46 having a plurality of fins and a drive motor 48, and the drive motor 48 rotates based on a control signal from a controller (not shown). By driving, the rotary fan 46 is integrally rotated, and the air taken in from the inside / outside air switching unit (not shown) is supplied to the passage formed in the air conditioning case 12.

The evaporator 16 is housed in a position below the blower 14 in the air conditioning case 12, and is provided so as to straddle the two divided cases 22a and 22b. Then, heat exchange is performed between the air passing through the evaporator 16 and the refrigerant circulating inside, and the cooled air is supplied to the downstream side of the evaporator 16.

The heater core 18 is housed in the air conditioning case 12 at a position downstream of the evaporator 16 and is provided so as to straddle the two divided cases 22a and 22b. Then, in the heater core 18, the heated air is supplied to the downstream side by exchanging heat between the hot water circulating inside and the passing air.

The damper mechanism 20 includes an air mix damper 50 provided between the evaporator 16 and the heater core 18 and a switching damper 52 for switching the ventilation state of the air outlet 26, and the air mix damper 50 is driven by an actuator (not shown). By sliding along the guide means, the mixing ratio of the air cooled by the evaporator 16 (cold air) and the air heated by the heater core 18 (warm air) is adjusted and blown to the downstream side, and the switching damper is used. The air blown to the vicinity of the occupant's face and the front window is switched under the switching action of 52.

The vehicle air conditioner 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention is basically configured as described above, and the case where the lower case 24 is assembled to the divided cases 22a and 22b is described in FIGS. 2A to 2A. This will be described with reference to FIG. 2C.

First, in a state where a set of split cases 22a and 22b are assembled, the opened lower end portion thereof is brought close to the opened upper end portion of the lower case 24, and the first flange portion 28 of the split cases 22a and 22b and the said Assemble the lower case 24 so as to bring it into contact with the second flange portion 40.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 2B, the locking projection 42 provided at the upper end of the lower case 24 comes into contact with the connecting portion 34 of the locking frame 30, and the arm portions 32a and 32b of the locking frame 30 are brought into contact with each other. It is inserted by further moving toward the hole 36 side (arrow A direction) while tilting in the direction away from the split cases 22a and 22b (arrow C1 direction) with the portion supported by the flange 28 as the base point. ..

At this time, as shown in FIG. 2C, when the locking projection 42 is inserted into the hole portion 36, the connecting portion 34 returns to the side wall side (arrow C2 direction) of the split cases 22a and 22b again. Then, the connecting portion 34 moves from the predetermined position shown in FIG. 2A to the split cases 22a and 22b, and the first convex portion 38 comes into contact with the second convex portion 44 of the lower case 24, and a contact sound is generated. appear. By confirming this contact sound by the operator performing the assembling work, for example, it can be confirmed that the locking frame 30 is securely engaged with the locking projection 42 without being visually recognized by the operator.

Then, as shown in FIG. 2A, the arm portions 32a and 32b of the locking frame 30 are in a state of being substantially parallel to the side surfaces of the split cases 22a and 22b, so that they are locked in the hole portion 36 of the locking frame 30. The protrusions 42 are inserted and engaged, and the split cases 22a and 22b and the lower case 24 are connected to each other in an assembled state.

Further, in the engaged state between the locking frame 30 and the locking projection 42 shown in FIG. 2A, the first convex portion 38 and the second convex portion 44 are separated from each other by a predetermined interval and face each other in a straight line. When the operator looks and confirms along the side walls of the split cases 22a and 22b and the lower case 24, the engaged state is simply confirmed by confirming the relative positional relationship between the first convex portion 38 and the second convex portion 44. Can be easily and surely confirmed.

The first and second convex portions 38 and 44 are not limited to the cases where they are provided on the locking frame 30 and the locking projection 42, respectively, as described above. It may be provided only on one of the stop protrusions 42.

Next, the operation of the vehicle air conditioner 10 in which the split cases 22a and 22b and the lower case 24 are assembled as described above will be described.

First, an occupant (not shown) operates an operation lever arranged in the vehicle interior of the vehicle on which the vehicle air conditioner 10 is mounted, and an actuator (not shown) is driven in response to the operation of the operation lever to drive an air mix damper. The 50 slides and displaces to the front side or the rear side of the vehicle by a predetermined distance along a guide means (not shown).

At the same time, based on a control signal from a controller (not shown), the drive motor 48 of the blower 14 is rotationally driven to rotate the rotary fan 46, and the air taken into the air conditioning case 12 through the inside / outside air switching unit (not shown) is described above. It is sent from the blower 14. Then, the air flows downward through the passage in the air conditioning case 12, is cooled by passing through the evaporator 16, and then is mixed with the air passing through the heater core 18 to be adjusted to a desired temperature. , The air is blown into the vehicle interior through the air outlet 26.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in the air-conditioning case 12 constituting the vehicle air-conditioning device 10, the lower case 24 is freely connected to the lower part of the set of split cases 22a and 22b having the air outlet 26. The lower ends of the divided cases 22a and 22b have a plurality of locking frames 30 protruding downward, while the upper ends of the lower case 24 have a plurality of engaging frames 30 that can be engaged with the locking frames 30. Locking projection 42 is formed. Then, when the lower case 24 is connected to the lower portions of the split cases 22a and 22b, the locking projection 42 abuts on the connecting portion 34 of the locking frame 30 and tilts, and the locking frame 30 gets over the connecting portion 34. The first convex portion 38 formed in the connecting portion 34 comes into contact with the second convex portion 44 formed below the locking projection 42 in the lower case 24 when the first convex portion 38 is inserted into the hole 36. Contact noise is generated.

As a result, when the split cases 22a and 22b and the lower case 24 are assembled, the operator confirms the contact sound between the first convex portion 38 and the second convex portion 44, so that the locking frame 30 and the locking projection 42 Can be easily and surely confirmed without visually recognizing that the is engaged.

The locking frame 30 can also be visually recognized by the operator that the first convex portion 38 and the second convex portion 44 are arranged in a straight line so as to face each other, as shown in FIG. 2A. It can be easily confirmed that the locking projection 42 and the locking projection 42 are securely engaged.

Further, as described above, the engagement state between the locking frame 30 and the locking projection 42 can be easily and surely confirmed, so that the locking frame 30 and the locking projection 42 can be made larger. It is not necessary to provide a gap, and the locking frame 30 and the locking projection 42 can be fastened with high accuracy, and accordingly, the split cases 22a and 22b and the lower case 24 are securely connected. , It is possible to surely prevent the leakage of air between the two.

Furthermore, since the first and second convex portions 38 and 44 can be formed at the same time when the split cases 22a and 22b and the lower case 24 are molded, they are suitable without increasing the manufacturing cost.

Further, the case is not limited to the case where the locking frame 30 is provided in the divided cases 22a and 22b and the locking projection 42 is provided in the lower case 24, and the locking frame 30 is locked in the lower case 24. The protrusions 42 may be provided on the divided cases 22a and 22b, or may be used, for example, for fastening the case of the blower unit connected to the air conditioning case 12 instead of the air conditioning case 12.

It should be noted that the vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and of course, various configurations can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention.

10 ... Vehicle air conditioner 12 ... Air conditioning case 22a, 22b ... Split case 24 ... Lower case 28 ... First flange 30 ... Locking frame 32a, 32b ... Arm 34 ... Connection 36 ... Hole 38 ... First convex 40 ... 2nd flange 42 ... Locking protrusion 44 ... 2nd convex

Claims (2)

In a vehicle air conditioner having an air conditioner case including a first case through which air flows inside and a second case connected to the first case.
A locking projection provided on the outer peripheral edge of the opening end of the first case,
A locking frame provided on the outer peripheral edge of the opening end of the second case and having a hole for engaging the locking projection, and a locking frame.
With
The locking frame projects toward the first case with respect to the outer peripheral edge, and is provided so as to be tiltable with respect to the outer peripheral edge.
A first convex portion protruding toward the first case side is formed at the tip of the locking frame, and a second convex portion protruding toward the second case side is formed on the side surface of the first case facing the tip. There is formed, when the locking projection into the hole of said locking frames is engaged, the vehicle in which the first protrusion and the second protrusion is characterized that you have to confront in a straight line Air conditioner. In the vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1,
A vehicle air conditioner characterized in that the first and second convex portions are formed so as to stand upright with respect to the locking frame and the side surface.

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