WO2002096684A1

WO2002096684A1 - Air conditioning apparatus of a car

Info

Publication number: WO2002096684A1
Application number: PCT/KR2001/001618
Authority: WO
Inventors: Min-Chul Chae
Original assignee: Min-Chul Chae
Priority date: 2001-05-26
Filing date: 2001-09-26
Publication date: 2002-12-05

Abstract

Disclosed is an air conditioning apparatus for an automobile. The apparatus comprises a first hose connection section for connecting a rear end of a hose to an air vent grill of the automobile; and a second hose connection section for connecting a front end of the hose to an air conditioning target, whereby conditioning air discharged through the air vent grill toward a passenger compartment can be supplied into the air conditioning target through the hose.

Description

AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS OF A CAR

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an air conditioning apparatus for an automobile. More particularly, the present invention relates to an air conditioning apparatus for an automobile, which guides and supplies conditioning air discharged through an air vent grill toward a passenger compartment, into a specified air conditioning target so that the specified air conditioning target properly performs its function, thereby eliminating a need for the conventional complicated arrangement for supplying conditioning air into the specified air conditioning target, whereby it is possible to simplify a construction of the air conditioning apparatus, widen a conditioning air application range, and reduce a manufacturing cost.

Background Art

As well known in the art, automobiles have their respective air conditioners for cooling and heating passenger compartments defined therein. To this end, air vent grills are installed at several places inside the passenger compartment so that conditioning air produced by the air conditioner can be discharged through the air vent grills . In the conventional art, conditioning air only performs a simple function of cooling and heating a passenger compartment of an automobile. These days, as functionality of the automobile is diversified, conditioning air is used not only for cooling and heating the passenger compartment but also for rendering convenience to an occupant of the automobile.

For example, an automobile equipped with a cooling and heating box, which uses conditioning air produced in the air conditioner, is disclosed in the art. The cooling and heating box for an automobile is securely mounted to a console box or disposed in a trunk room. This cooling and heating box does not use conditioning air discharged through an air vent grill and instead, is directly connected via a duct to an air conditioner body so as to perform its function using conditioning air supplied through the duct. By this fact, it is impossible to carry the cooling and heating box, and bothersomeness and inconvenience may be caused upon using the cooling and heating box.

Also, since the cooling and heating box is securely mounted to the console box or disposed in the trunk room by partially modifying an interior design of the automobile, due to difficulties of modification work and a cost incurred thereby, the cooling and heating box can only be limitedly installed on a deluxe car.

Meanwhile, in order to prevent the buttocks of an occupant from becoming wetted with perspiration in summer, a cushion made by connecting bamboo pieces one with another or a rush mat is generally laid on a seat. However, this cushion or rush mat cannot adequately perform its function. In this regard, if conditioning air discharged through an air vent grill passes through the cushion or mat, effectiveness of the cushion or mat can be increased. Therefore, if conditioning air discharged through the air vent grill is guided into a portable heat-insulated box or a ventilative cushion, the box can perform a cooling and heating function and the ventilative cushion can perform a ventilating function, whereby a conditioning air application range can be widened, and an improved effect can be obtained.

Disclosure of the Invention

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in an effort to solve the problems occurring in the related art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning apparatus for an automobile, which guides and supplies conditioning air discharged through an air vent grill toward a passenger compartment, into a specified air conditioning target so that the specified air conditioning target properly performs its function, thereby eliminating a need for the conventional complicated arrangement for supplying conditioning air into the specified air conditioning target, whereby it is possible to simplify a construction of the air conditioning apparatus, widen a conditioning air application range, and reduce a manufacturing cost .

Another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning apparatus for an automobile, which guides and supplies conditioning air discharged through an air vent grill toward a passenger compartment, into a specified air conditioning target so that there is no leakage of conditioning air, and which allows a hose to be easily connected to the air vent grill. Another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning apparatus for an automobile, which allows a hose to be easily connected to a specified air conditioning target so that conditioning air discharged through an air vent grill toward a passenger compartment is reliably guided and supplied into the specified air conditioning target.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning apparatus for an automobile, which guides and supplies conditioning air discharged through an air vent grill toward a passenger compartment, into a heat-insulated box so that contents of the heat- insulated box is cooled or heated by the conditioning air and the heat-insulated box can be carried with the contents cooled or heated. Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning apparatus for an automobile, which guides and supplies conditioning air discharged through an air vent grill toward a passenger compartment, into a ventilative cushion so that ventilation effect of the cushion can be maximized.

In order to achieve the above objects, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioning apparatus for an automobile, comprising: a first hose connection section for connecting a rear end of a hose to an air vent grill of the automobile; and a second hose connection section for connecting a front end of the hose to an air conditioning target, whereby conditioning air discharged through the air vent grill toward a passenger compartment can be supplied into the air conditioning target through the hose.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the first hose connection section comprises: a connector fastened to the air vent grill by a hook member and defined at a center portion thereof with a first through-hole; a sealing rubber positioned behind the connector, the sealing rubber having a rear end which defines an opening and a front end which is defined at a center portion thereof with an air supply hole communicated with the first through-hole of the connector; and a first elbow having a rear end which defines a first inlet and to which the connector is detachably fastened, and a front end which defines a first outlet and is defined around the first outlet with a first hose insertion groove.

According to another aspect of the present invention, front, rear and intermediate outward flanges are formed on a circumferential outer surface of the connector in a manner such that a first fitting groove is defined between the rear and intermediate outward flanges and a second fitting groove is defined between the front and intermediate outward flanges; at least two first wing insertion grooves are defined in the front outward flange; and first coupling wings are inward projectedly formed at the rear end of the first elbow, which defines the first inlet, in a manner such that the first coupling wings can be fitted into the second fitting groove after being inserted through the first wing insertion grooves, respectively.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a circumferential surface of the front end of the first elbow, which defines the first hose insertion groove and is brought into contact with the hose, is tapered downward toward one direction.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the hook member comprises a separate body which is formed at a rear end thereof with a hook part and at a front end thereof with at least one fastening lip supported by a connection rod; and a support part is integrally formed with the connector in a manner such that it extends across the first through-hole defined through the connector, the support part being defined at a middle portion thereof with a lip insertion hole through which the fastening lip of the hook member can be inserted and at both sides of the lip insertion hole with slots along which the connection rod of the hook member can be moved, the lip insertion hole and the slots being communicated with each other.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a plurality of fastening lips are formed on the front end of the hook member in a manner such that they are spaced apart one from another on the connection rod. According to another aspect of the present invention, a first inward flange is formed at the front end of the sealing rubber, which is defined with the air supply hole, in a manner such that the first inward flange is fitted into the first fitting groove of the connector. According to another aspect of the present invention, the second hose connection section comprises: a ring member defined at a center portion thereof with a second through- hole and at a circumferential inner surface thereof with at least two hook insertion grooves; a clamping member positioned behind the ring member and having a short pipe- shaped configuration, the clamping member being formed on an axial middle portion of a circumferential outer surface thereof with a first outward flange, on a front end thereof with hooks which integrally project to be inserted into the hook insertion grooves of the ring member, and on a circumferential inner surface thereof with a second inward flange which in turn is defined with at least two second wing insertion grooves; and a second elbow having a rear end which defines a second inlet and is defined around the second inlet with a second hose insertion groove, and a front end which defines a second outlet and is coupled to the clamping member, the second inlet and outlet being arranged to define a predetermined angle therebetween, the second elbow further having second coupling wings which are outward projectedly formed at the front end of the second elbow, defining the second outlet, in a manner such that they can be inserted through the second wing insertion grooves, respectively, to be locked against the second inward flange, and a second outward flange which is formed on a circumferential outer surface adjacent to the front end of the second elbow.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the air conditioning target comprises a heat-insulated box, a side wall of the heat -insulated box is defined with an inlet hole to which the hose is connected and an outlet hole which is positioned on the same plane as the inlet hole, in a manner such that the inlet hole and the outlet hole can be opened and closed by a cover to which a fastener is attached. According to another aspect of the present invention, the air conditioning target comprises a seat frame which is formed and defined with a plurality of support protrusions and a plurality of ventilation holes, a concentrated ventilation space which is opened at an upper end thereof is defined on an upper surface of the seat frame by a partitioning member which is erected on the upper surface of the seat frame, an assembling part is formed on a side wall part of the seat frame so that the second hose connection section can be connected to the assembling part, and the assembling part is communicated with the concentrated ventilation space via an air inflow passage.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the plurality of support protrusions have the same diameter . According to still another aspect of the present invention, support protrusions which are formed on a center portion of the seat frame, have a height greater than that of support protrusions which are formed on a marginal portion of the seat frame. According to yet still another aspect of the present invention, a communication passage is defined on the seat frame in a manner such that it is communicated with the concentrated ventilation space and oppositely arranged with respect to the air inflow passage, the communication passage capable of being closed by a closure member.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The above objects, and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent after a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a construction of an air conditioning apparatus for an automobile in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIGs. 2a and 2b illustrate a structure of a first hose connection section constituting the air conditioning apparatus according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 2a is an exploded perspective view and FIG. 2b is a cross- sectional view showing an assembled state of the first hose connection section;

FIGs . 3a and 3b illustrate a structure of a second hose connection section constituting the air conditioning apparatus according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 3a is an exploded perspective view and FIG. 3b is a cross- sectional view showing an assembled state of the second hose connection section;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a first air conditioning target according to the present invention; FIGs. 5a and 5b illustrate a second air conditioning target according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 5a is a perspective view and FIG. 5b is a cross-sectional view showing an assembled state of the second air conditioning target; and FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a third air conditioning target according to the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a construction of an air conditioning apparatus for an automobile in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioning apparatus for an automobile according to the present invention includes an air conditioning target 2. The air conditioning target 2 is connected to a grill 100 via a hose 1. Conditioning air which is discharged through the grill 100 is guided and supplied into the air conditioning target 2 through the hose 1. The air conditioning target 2 is configured in a manner such that it performs its function with the aid of the supplied conditioning air. A rear end of the hose 1 is connected to the grill 100 by the medium of a first hose connection section 3, and a front end of the hose 1 is connected to the air conditioning target 2 by the medium of the second hose connection section 4.

FIGs. 2a and 2b illustrate a structure of the first hose connection section constituting the air conditioning apparatus according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 2a is an exploded perspective view, and FIG. 2b is a cross- sectional view showing an assembled state of the first hose connection section.

As shown in FIGs. 2a and 2b, the first hose connection section 3 of the present invention comprises a sealing rubber 31 made of soft rubber, a connector 32 fastened to the grill 100 by a hook member 33, and a first elbow 34 for connecting the hose 1 to the connector 32.

The sealing rubber 31 has a rear end which defines an opening 311 and a front end which is defined at a center portion thereof with an air supply hole 312. The opening 311 has an area capable of accommodating the entire grill 100. A first inward flange 313 is formed at the front end of the sealing rubber 31, which is defined with the air supply hole 312, in a manner such that the first inward flange 313 can be fitted into a first fitting groove 322A defined in the connector 32 as will be described later in detail .

The connector 32 has a circular ring-shaped configuration and is defined at a center portion thereof with a first through-hole 32A. Front, rear and intermediate outward flanges 321, 322 and 323 are formed on a circumferential outer surface of the connector 32 in a manner such that the first fitting groove 322A is defined between the rear and intermediate outward flanges 322 and 323 and a second fitting groove 323A is defined between the front and intermediate outward flanges 321 and 323. At least two first wing insertion grooves 321A are defined in the front outward flange 321 in a manner such that first coupling wings 343 of the first elbow 34 as will be described below can be fitted into the second fitting groove 323A after being inserted through the first wing insertion grooves 321A, respectively.

A support part 324 is integrally formed with the connector 32 in a manner such that it extends across the first through-hole 32A defined through the connector 32, whereby the connector 32 can be fastened to the grill 100 using the hook member 33. The support part 324 is defined at a middle portion thereof with a lip insertion hole 324A and at both sides of the lip insertion hole 324A with slots 324B, so that the lip insertion hole 324A and the slots 324B are communicated with each other.

The hook member 33 is composed of a separate body which is formed at a rear end thereof with a hook part 331 and at a front end thereof with a plurality of fastening lips 333 which are supported by a connection rod 332. The plurality of fastening lips 333 are spaced apart one from another by a predetermined distance. Each fastening lip 333 is formed to have a size which is slightly smaller than that of the lip insertion hole 324A of the support part 324 and is larger than that of the slots 324B. The connection rod 332 is formed to have a size which is slightly smaller than that of the slots 324B.

The first elbow 34 has a rear end which defines a first inlet 341 and a front end which defines a first outlet 342. The first inlet 341 and the first outlet 342 are arranged perpendicularly to each other. The first coupling wings 343 are inward projectedly formed at the rear end of the first elbow 34, which defines the first inlet 341, in a manner such that the first coupling wings 343 can be fitted into the second fitting groove 323A after being inserted through the first wing insertion grooves 321A defined in the front flange 321 of the connector 32, respectively. Also, the front end of the first elbow 42 is defined around the first outlet 342 with a first hose insertion groove 344. A circumferential surface 344A of the front end of the first elbow 34, which defines the first hose insertion groove 344 and is brought into contact with the hose 1, is tapered downward toward one direction, so that the hose 1 can be press-fitted into the first hose insertion groove 344.

Hereafter, an assembling procedure of the first hose connection section according to the present invention, constructed as mentioned above, will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2b.

First, after at least one of the fastening lips 333 of the hook member 33 is inserted through the lip insertion hole 324A which is defined in the support part 324 of the connector 32, by moving the hook member 33 along one of the slots 324B (see FIG. 2a) , the first inward flange 313 of the sealing rubber 31 is fitted into the first fitting groove 322A of the connector 32. Thereupon, by engaging the hook part 331 of the hook member 33 which is coupled to the connector 32, to the grill 100, the connector 32 is fastened with respect to the grill 100.

Next, by inserting the first coupling wings 343 of the first elbow 34 into the wing insertion grooves 321A (see FIG. 2a) of the connector 32 and then rotating the first coupling wings 343 of the first elbow 34, the first elbow 34 can be fittedly coupled to the connector 32. By press-fitting the hose 1 into the first hose insertion groove 344 of the first elbow 34, assembly of the first hose connection section 3 is completed. In the first hose connection section 3 according to the present invention, assembled in the above-described way, due to the presence of the sealing rubber 31, conditioning air which is discharged through the grill 100 can be supplied without leakage through the hose 1 by way of the first elbow 34. Also, since the hook member 33 is formed to have the plurality of fastening lips 333, the first hose connection section 3 can be fastened with respect to the grill 100 irrespective of a kind of an automobile . Further, because the front end of the first elbow 34, which defines the first hose insertion groove 344, has the tapered circumferential surface 344A to ensure that the hose 1 is press-fitted into the first hose insertion groove 344, secure connection of the hose 1 with respect to the grill 100 can be guaranteed.

On the other hand, the first hose connection section 3 can be shaped in the form of a wristlet in a manner such that it can be commonly and easily connected to a grill having no projected part, as installed on a dash board in front of a driver's seat of an automobile and another grill having a projected part, as installed below a seat. In the latter case, the first hose connection section 3 can be fitted around the projected part of the grill.

Concretely speaking, it can be envisaged that a tubular envelope opened at both ends thereof is prepared, one end of the tubular envelope is connected with the hose, and the other end of the tubular envelope has an elastic band which prevents the tubular envelope fitted around the projected part from being released. FIGs. 3a and 3b illustrate a structure of the second hose connection section constituting the air conditioning apparatus according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 3a is an exploded perspective view and FIG. 3b is a cross- sectional view showing an assembled state of the second hose connection section. As shown in FIGs. 3a and 3b, the second hose connection section 4 of the present invention comprises a ring member 41 placed on an outer surface of the air conditioning target 2 around an assembling hole 2A which is defined through the air conditioning target 2, a clamping member 42 coupled to the ring member 41 to fixedly hold the ring member 41 on the outer surface of the air conditioning target 2 around the assembling hole 2A, and a second elbow 43 rotatably coupled to the clamping member 42 and having connected therewith the hose 1.

The ring member 41 is defined at a center portion thereof with a second through-hole 411 and at a circumferential inner surface thereof with at least two hook insertion grooves 412. The clamping member 42 is positioned behind the ring member 41 and has a short pipe-shaped configuration. The clamping member 42 is formed on an axial middle portion of a circumferential outer surface thereof with a first outward flange 421, and on a front end thereof with hooks 422 which integrally project to be inserted into the hook insertion grooves 412 of the ring member 41. The clamping member 42 is further formed on a circumferential inner surface thereof with a second inward flange 423 which in turn is defined with at least two second wing insertion grooves 424. The second elbow 43 has a rear end which defines a second inlet 431 and is defined around the second inlet 431 with a second hose insertion groove 433, and a front end which defines a second outlet 432 and is coupled to the clamping member 42. The second inlet 431 and outlet 432 are arranged to define a predetermined angle therebetween. The second elbow 43 further has second coupling wings 434 which are outward projectedly formed at the front end of the second elbow 43, defining the second outlet 432, in a manner such that they can be inserted through the second wing insertion grooves 424 of the clamping member 42, respectively, to be locked against the second inward flange 423, and a second outward flange 435 which is integrally formed on a circumferential outer surface adjacent to the front end of the second elbow 43.

Hereinafter, an assembling procedure of the second hose connection section according to the present invention, constructed as mentioned above, will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3b. First, the ring member 41 is positioned around the assembling hole 2A of the air conditioning target 2. Then, by inserting the hooks 422 of the clamping member 42 through the hook insertion grooves 412 of the ring member 41, as the hooks 422 pass through the assembling hole 2A and are snap-fitted onto an inner surface of the air conditioning target 2, the ring member 41 and the clamping member 42 are fastened to the air conditioning target 2 around the assembling hole 2A.

Thereupon, by inserting the coupling wings 434 formed on the front end of the second elbow 43, defining the second outlet 432, into the wing insertion grooves 424 defined in the second inward flange 423 of the clamping member 42 and then, rotating the clamping member 42, the coupling wings 434 of the second elbow 43 are fittedly coupled with the second inward flange 423 of the clamping member 42. Due to a separation between the second inward flange 423 and the second outward flange 435, the second elbow 43 can be freely rotated in a state wherein it is clamped by the clamping member 42 with respect to the air conditioning target 2.

Thereafter, by press-fitting the hose 1 into the second hose insertion groove 433 of the second elbow 43, assembly of the second hose connection section 4 is completed. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a first air conditioning target according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the first air conditioning target of the present invention comprises a heat-insulated box 21. The heat-insulated box 21 has a side wall. The side wall is defined with an inlet hole 214 to which the hose 1 (see FIG. 3b) is connected and an outlet hole 215 which is positioned below and on the same plane as the inlet hole 214. After conditioning air supplied through the inlet hole 214 into the heat-insulated box 21 is circulated, it is discharged to the outside through the outlet hole 215. At this time, an inflow rate of the conditioning air must be greater than a discharge rate, and to this end, the outlet hole 215 is defined to have a smaller diameter than the inlet hole 214. Upon carrying the heat-insulated box 21 with the hose

1 disconnected therefrom, in order to ensure that a cooled or heated status of the box 21, which is effected by the conditioning air circulated through the inlet hole 214 and the outlet hole 215, is continuously maintained, a cover 212, which has a length and an area capable of covering both of the inlet hole 214 and the outlet hole 215, is provided. Fastening means 211 is installed on the cover 212 and the side wall of the heat-insulated box 21 in a manner such that the inlet hole 214 and the outlet hole 215 can be opened and closed by the cover 212.

The fastening means 211 comprises a Velcro-brand hook and loop fastener strip 213 and a complementary Velcro- brand hook and loop fastener strip 213A. The Velcro-brand hook and loop fastener strip 213 is attached to an inner surface of the cover 212, and the complementary Velcro- brand hook and loop fastener strip 213A is attached to the side wall of the heat-insulated box 21 around the outlet hole 215. By engagement between the Velcro-brand hook and loop fastener strip 213 and the complementary Velcro-brand hook and loop fastener strip 213A, a closed status of the inlet hole 214 and the outlet hole 215 of the heat- insulated box 21 can be maintained.

FIGs. 5a and 5b illustrate a second air conditioning target according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 5a is a perspective view and FIG. 5b is a cross-sectional view showing an assembled state of the second air conditioning target .

As shown in FIGs. 5a and 5b, the second air conditioning target of the present invention comprises a seat frame 22 which has an area corresponding to that of the conventional seat cushion. The seat frame 22 is formed with a plurality of support protrusions 221 which project upward, and is defined between the support protrusions 221 with a plurality of ventilation holes 222, respectively, which extend through the seat frame 22.

An assembling part 220 is formed on a side wall portion of the seat frame 22 so that the second hose connection section 4 can be connected to the assembling part 220. A concentrated ventilation space 223, which is opened at an upper end thereof and has a predetermined area, is defined on an upper surface of the seat frame 22. At this time, the concentrated ventilation space 223 is delimited by a circular partitioning member 223A which is erected on the upper surface of the seat frame 22. A portion of the circular partitioning member 223A is opened. Therefore, by the presence of the circular partitioning member 223A, only an upper end of the concentrated ventilation space 223 remains fully opened.

The assembling part 220 is communicated with the concentrated ventilation space 223 via an air inflow passage 223B. The air inflow passage 223B has a configuration of a tube both ends of which respectively form an entrance and an exit .

FIG. 5b is a cross-sectional view showing an assembled state of the second air conditioning target shown in FIG. 5a.

As can be readily seen from FIG. 5b, cushioning elements 200 and 200A are placed over and under the seat frame 22. The cushioning elements 200 and 200A are protected by a ventilation cover 300 made of rush, hump, or the like. As described above, the second hose connection section 4 is connected and assembled to the assembling part 220 of the seat frame 22.

After assembly of the seat frame 22 is completed, if a driver seats on the seat frame 22, the plurality of support protrusions 221 of the seat frame 22 bear a load applied thereto by a weight of the driver, and conditioning air discharged through the grill of the automobile flows toward the air inflow passage 223B through the hose 1 which is connected with the assembling part 220 by the second hose connection section 4. Inflow of conditioning air is mainly discharged toward the buttocks of the driver through the concentrated ventilation space 223 which is delimited by the circular partitioning member 223A and fully opened only at an upper end thereof, whereby active ventilation is effected.

At this time, since sideward discharge of conditioning air flowing into the concentrated ventilation space 223 is prevented by the presence of the circular partitioning member 223A, a blowing pressure is increased, and thereby, conditioning air is concentratedly blown and discharged toward the buttocks of the driver through the concentrated ventilation space 223, whereby a sufficient ventilation effect is rendered to the driver. In the meanwhile, the plurality of support protrusions 221 have the same diameter. Also, in order to ensure that the buttocks of the driver are brought into close contact with the seat frame 22, the support protrusions 221 which are formed on a center portion of the seat frame 22, have a height greater than that of the support protrusions 221 which are formed on a marginal portion of the seat frame 22.

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a third air conditioning target according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the third air conditioning target of the present invention comprises a combination of the seat frame constituting the second air conditioning target and a seat back 23. In this case, as means for supplying conditioning air into the seat back 23, a communication passage 231 is defined on the seat frame 22 in a manner such that it is communicated with the concentrated ventilation space 223 and oppositely arranged with respect to the air inflow passage 223B. When the seat frame 22 is solely used, the communication passage 231 can be closed by a closure member 232. When the seat frame 22 and the seat back 23 are used together, by removing the closure member 232 from the communication passage 231, conditioning air can be supplied into the seat back 23 through the communication passage 231.

Industrial Applicability

As apparent from the above descriptions, the air conditioning apparatus for an automobile according to the present invention provides advantages as described below.

Since conditioning air discharged through an air vent grill toward a passenger compartment is guided and supplied into a specified air conditioning target so that the specified air conditioning target properly performs its function, a need for the conventional complicated arrangement for supplying conditioning air into the specified air conditioning target is eliminated, whereby it is possible to simplify a construction of the air conditioning apparatus, widen a conditioning air application range, and reduce a manufacturing cost. Also, due to the provision of a first hose connection section for airtightly sealing an output-side end of the air vent grill by means of a sealing rubber, conditioning air discharged through the air vent grill can be guided and supplied into the specified air conditioning target so that there is no leakage of conditioning air, and a hose can be easily connected to the air vent grill .

Further, due to the provision of a second hose connection section, the hose can be easily connected to the specified air conditioning target so that conditioning air discharged through the air vent grill toward the passenger compartment is reliably guided and supplied into the specified air conditioning target.

Moreover, by the fact that the specified air conditioning target comprises a heat-insulated box which is connected with the air vent grill via the hose, contents of the heat-insulated box can be cooled or heated by the conditioning air discharged through the air vent grill, and the heat-insulated box can be carried with the contents cooled or heated, whereby user convenience is improved.

Furthermore, by the fact that the specified air conditioning target comprises a ventilative cushion which is connected with the air vent grill via the hose, ventilation effect of the cushion can be maximized by the conditioning air guided and supplied through the hose.

Claims

1. An air conditioning apparatus for an automobile, comprising: a first hose connection section for connecting a rear end of a hose to an air vent grill of the automobile; and a second hose connection section for connecting a front end of the hose to an air conditioning target, whereby conditioning air discharged through the air vent grill toward a passenger compartment can be supplied into the air conditioning target through the hose.

2. The air conditioning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first hose connection section comprises : a connector fastened to the air vent grill by a hook member and defined at a center portion thereof with a first throug -ho1e; a sealing rubber positioned behind the connector, the sealing rubber having a rear end which defines an opening and a front end which is defined at a center portion thereof with an air supply hole communicated with the first through-hole of the connector; and a first elbow having a rear end which defines a first inlet and to which the connector is detachably fastened, and a front end which defines a first outlet and is defined around the first outlet with a first hose insertion groove.

3. The air conditioning apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein front, rear and intermediate outward flanges are formed on a circumferential outer surface of the connector in a manner such that a first fitting groove is defined between the rear and intermediate outward flanges and a second fitting groove is defined between the front and intermediate outward flanges; at least two first wing insertion grooves are defined in the front outward flange; and first coupling wings are inward projectedly formed at the rear end of the first elbow, which defines the first inlet, in a manner such that the first coupling wings can be fitted into the second fitting groove after being inserted through the first wing insertion grooves, respectively.

4. The air conditioning apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein a circumferential surface of the front end of the first elbow, which defines the first hose insertion

- groove and is brought into contact with the hose, is tapered downward toward one direction.

5. The air conditioning apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the hook member comprises a separate body which is formed at a rear end thereof with a hook part and at a front end thereof with at least one fastening lip supported by a connection rod; and a support part is integrally formed with the connector in a manner such that it extends across the first through-hole defined through the connector, the support part being defined at a middle portion thereof with a lip insertion hole through which the fastening lip of the hook member can be inserted and at both sides of the lip insertion hole with slots along which the connection rod of the hook member can be moved, the lip insertion hole and the slots being communicated with each other.

6. The air conditioning apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein a plurality of fastening lips are formed on the front end of the hook member in a manner such that they are spaced apart one from another on the connection rod.

7. The air conditioning apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein a first inward flange is formed at the front end of the sealing rubber, which is defined with the air supply hole, in a manner such that the first inward flange is fitted into the first fitting groove of the connector.

8. The air conditioning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second hose connection section comprises : a ring member defined at a center portion thereof with a second through-hole and at a circumferential inner surface thereof with at least two hook insertion grooves; a clamping member positioned behind the ring member and having a short pipe-shaped configuration, the clamping member being formed on an axial middle portion of a circumferential outer surface thereof with a first outward flange, on a front end thereof with hooks which integrally project to be inserted into the hook insertion grooves of the ring member, and on a circumferential inner surface thereof with a second inward flange which in turn is defined with at least two second wing insertion grooves; and a second elbow having a rear end which defines a second inlet and is defined around the second inlet with a second hose insertion groove, and a front end which defines a second outlet and is coupled to the clamping member, the second inlet and outlet being arranged to define a predetermined angle therebetween, the second elbow further having second coupling wings which are outward projectedly formed at the front end of the second elbow, defining the second outlet, in a manner such that they can be inserted through the second wing insertion grooves, respectively, to be locked against the second inward flange, and a second outward flange which is formed on a circumferential outer surface adjacent to the front end of the second elbow.

9. The air conditioning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air conditioning target comprises a heat-insulated box, a side wall of the heat-insulated box is defined with an inlet hole to which the hose is connected and an outlet hole which is positioned on the same plane as the inlet hole, in a manner such that the inlet hole and the outlet hole can be opened and closed by a cover to which a fastener is attached.

10. The air conditioning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air conditioning target comprises a seat frame which is formed and defined with a plurality of support protrusions and a plurality of ventilation holes, a concentrated ventilation space which is opened at an upper end thereof is defined on an upper surface of the seat frame by a partitioning member which is erected on the upper surface of the seat frame, an assembling part is formed on a side wall part of the seat frame so that the second hose connection section can be connected to the assembling part, and the assembling part is communicated with the concentrated ventilation space via an air inflow passage .

11. The air conditioning apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the plurality of support protrusions have the same diameter.

12. The air conditioning apparatus as claimed in claims 10 or 11, wherein support protrusions which are formed on a center portion of the seat frame, have a height greater than that of support protrusions which are formed on a marginal portion of the seat frame.

13. The air conditioning apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein a communication passage is defined on the seat frame in a manner such that it is communicated with the concentrated ventilation space and oppositely arranged with respect to the air inflow passage, the communication passage capable of being closed by a closure member.