Duct Equipment

Abstract

To provide a duct device which takes into consideration the number of components and assembly man-hours while having a functional member and a seal member.SOLUTION: A duct device is formed of a first cylindrical member and a second cylindrical member joined at a joining part. A two-color molding is provided in the joining part, the two-color molding being structured by integral molding of a functional member and a seal member which is softer than the functional member. The seal member is formed around the functional member, and configured to seal a clearance at the joining part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a duct system configured by joining two cylindrical members. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is a duct device for blowing conditioned air, which is configured by joining two cylindrical members. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that a straightening grid is provided as a functional member that exerts a predetermined function at the joint (fitting portion) of a ventilation duct and an outlet duct in a vehicle air conditioner. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-215533 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a duct system constructed by joining two cylindrical members in this way, it is preferable to provide a sealing member for sealing the gap at the joint to prevent air from leaking out from the joint between the two cylindrical members. However, providing a sealing member in addition to the functional member as disclosed in Patent Document 1 in the duct system increases the number of parts and the number of assembly steps.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and provides a duct system that includes a functional member and a sealing member, while also taking into consideration the number of parts and the number of assembly steps. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the present invention, there is provided a duct device constructed by joining a first tubular member and a second tubular member at a joint, wherein a two-color molded body is provided at the joint, and the two-color molded body is constructed by integrally molding a functional member and a sealing member that is softer than the functional member, and the sealing member is molded around the functional member and configured to seal gaps at the joint.

[0007] According to the present invention, by providing the functional member and the sealing member as a two-color molded body at the joint, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and the number of assembly steps.

[0008] Various embodiments of the present invention will be described below. The embodiments described below can be combined with each other.

[0009] Preferably, the functional member is a flow straightening member.

[0010] Preferably, the functional member has a mesh structure.

[0011] Preferably, the second tubular member is configured to be joined to the first tubular member by inserting one end thereof into the interior of the first tubular member, and the sealing member has at least one of the following configurations (1) and (2). (1) A fin is provided circumferentially between an inner peripheral surface of the first cylindrical member and an outer peripheral surface of the second cylindrical member. (2) A mounting portion that is attached to the one end of the second cylindrical member.

[0012] Preferably, the functional member is made of polypropylene and the sealing member is made of an elastomer.

[0013] Preferably, the first tubular member is an air conditioning duct connected to a vehicle air conditioning system, and the second tubular member is a register. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a duct system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the duct system 1 of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the duct system 1 of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the duct system 1 of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing the two-color molded body 4 of the duct system 1 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5B is a front view of the two-color molded body 4. As shown in FIG. [Figure 6] 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 5B. [Figure 7] 7A is a rear perspective view showing the state before the two-color molded body 4 is attached to the register 3 of the duct device 1 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 7B is a rear perspective view showing the state after the two-color molded body 4 is attached from the state of FIG. 7A. [Figure 8] FIG. 3 is an end view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the X portion of FIG. 8. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. Various features shown in the following embodiments can be combined with each other. Also, each feature can be an invention independently.

[0016] 1. Duct equipment 1 configuration A duct device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is used as an air conditioning system for an automobile. As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the duct device 1 includes an air conditioning duct 2 connected to an air conditioning system for a vehicle, a register 3, and a two-color molded body 4. The register 3 is a member for blowing out the conditioned air sent through the air conditioning duct 2 into the vehicle interior, and is incorporated in the instrument panel. The register 3 is provided with a group of fins for adjusting the wind direction, a damper for adjusting the wind volume, and the like, but these are not described in this specification as they are conventionally known, and only the configuration of the connection part of the register 3 with the air conditioning duct 2 is illustrated and described. In each figure, the shape of the register 3 is shown in a simplified form. The configuration of the two-color molded body 4 will be described later.

[0017] As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the duct system 1 of this embodiment is composed of two cylindrical parts, a left duct system 1L and a right duct system 1R. The left duct system 1L and the right duct system 1R each have separate flow paths through which conditioned air flows. In this embodiment, the left duct system 1L and the right duct system 1R are each an example of a "duct system."

[0018] In the description of this specification, as shown in Fig. 1, the air conditioning duct 2 side of the duct device 1, i.e., the front direction of the vehicle, is defined as the front, and the register 3 side, i.e., the rear direction of the vehicle (toward the passenger compartment), is defined as the rear. According to this definition, the conditioned air blown from the vehicle air conditioner flows from the front to the rear. Also, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the left and right sides as viewed from the register 3 side, i.e., the left and right sides in the front view of Fig. 2, are defined as the left and right sides, respectively.

[0019] As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the air conditioning duct 2 includes a left air conditioning duct 2L constituting the left duct device 1L, and a right air conditioning duct 2R constituting the right duct device 1R. In the air conditioning duct 2, the left air conditioning duct 2L and the right air conditioning duct 2R are each formed in a cylindrical shape. Moreover, the air conditioning duct 2 is integrally formed by connecting the outer surfaces of the left air conditioning duct 2L and the right air conditioning duct 2R to each other. The left air conditioning duct 2L and the right air conditioning duct 2R are each an example of a "first cylindrical member".

[0020] The register 3 includes a left register 3L constituting the left duct device 1L, and a right register 3R constituting the right duct device 1R. In the register 3, the left register 3L and the right register 3R are each formed in a cylindrical shape. Although not shown in each drawing, the register 3 is integrally molded with the outer surfaces of the left register 3L and the right register 3R connected to each other. The left register 3L and the right register 3R are each an example of a "second cylindrical member."

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the left air-conditioning duct 2L and the left register 3L are joined at a left joint 5L, and the right air-conditioning duct 2R and the right register 3R are joined at a right joint 5R.

[0022] In this embodiment, the left duct device 1L and the right duct device 1R are provided with a two-color molded body 4 at the left joint 5L and the right joint 5R, respectively. However, in each of Figs. 1 to 3 and 7A and 7B, for comparison, the two-color molded body 4 provided at the left joint 5L of the left duct device 1L is omitted, and only the two-color molded body 4 provided at the right joint 5R of the right duct device 1R is shown.

[0023] As described above, in the duct system 1 of this embodiment, the left duct system 1L as a duct system is composed of the left air conditioning duct 2L as a first cylindrical member, the left register 3L as a second cylindrical member, and a two-color molded body (not shown) as a functional member. The right duct system 1R as a duct system is composed of the right air conditioning duct 2R as a first cylindrical member, the right register 3R as a second cylindrical member, and a two-color molded body 4. Hereinafter, the configuration of the two-color molded body 4 will be specifically described with reference to Figs. 5A and 5B.

[0024] 2. Configuration of two-color molded body 4 As shown in Figs. 5A to 6, the two-color molded body 4 of this embodiment is composed of a straightening member 41 as a functional member and a sealing member 42. The straightening member 41 is formed in a substantially rectangular thin plate shape and has a mesh structure consisting of an outer frame portion 41a and a mesh portion 41b. The size of one grid of the mesh structure is preferably 0.5 mm to 10 mm, more preferably 1 mm to 4 mm. In addition, when emphasis is placed on straightening performance, it is also preferable that the size of one grid of the mesh structure is 1 mm or less. Specifically, the size of one grid of the mesh structure is, for example, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0, 9.5, or 10 mm, and may be within a range between any two of the numerical values ​​exemplified here. The shape of each grid of the mesh is, for example, a rectangle, but it is also possible for each grid to have a polygonal shape such as a honeycomb structure, or a shape that combines multiple types of polygons.

[0025] The seal member 42 is molded around the rectifying member 41, specifically, around the entire circumference of the outer frame portion 41a of the rectifying member 41. The seal member 42 is configured to seal the gaps at the left joint portion 5L and the right joint portion 5R where the two-color molded body 4 is provided, that is, between the inner peripheral surface of the left air-conditioning duct 2L and the outer peripheral surface of the left register 3L, and between the inner peripheral surface of the right air-conditioning duct 2R and the outer peripheral surface of the right register 3R. In order to seal the gaps at the left joint portion 5L and the right joint portion 5R, the seal member 42 of this embodiment is provided with pleated fins 42a along the circumferential direction. The seal member 42 also includes a cylindrical mounting portion 42b formed along the circumferential direction in order to be mounted on one end portion 3L1, 3R1 (see FIG. 7A) of the left register 3L and the right register 3R.

[0026] The two-color molded body 4 having such a structure is manufactured by two-color molding of the flow straightening member 41 and the seal member 42. Here, two-color molding is a molding method in which two different types of resin are sequentially injected into a mold from an injection nozzle to obtain a molded product formed from multiple resins. In this embodiment, the flow straightening member 41 is made of polypropylene, and the seal member 42 is made of an elastomer that is softer than the flow straightening member 41.

[0027] In a specific method for manufacturing the two-color molded body 4 of this embodiment, first, polypropylene is injection molded into the shape of the rectifying member 41 using a mold for polypropylene. Then, the molded rectifying member 41 is set in a mold for elastomer, and the elastomer is injection molded into the shape of the sealing member 42. By such two-color molding, the two-color molded body 4 can be manufactured inexpensively and in large quantities, and it is possible to improve production costs and production efficiency. Note that the materials of the rectifying member 41 and the sealing member 42 are not limited to those mentioned above, and any resin that can be injection molded can be used. However, it is preferable that the material of the sealing member 42 is softer and more flexible than the material of the rectifying member 41 in order to improve sealing properties.

[0028] 3. Assembly configuration of duct device 1 Next, the assembly configuration of the duct system 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to Figures 7A to 9. Figure 8 is an end view taken along line BB in Figure 2, showing the flow path of the right duct system 1R of the duct system 1 assembled as described above. Figure 9 is an enlarged view of part X in Figure 8, showing the structure of the right joint 5R.

[0029] To assemble the duct device 1, first, as shown in Figs. 7A and 7B, the two-color molded body 4 is attached to one end 3L1, 3R1 of the left register 3L and the right register 3R of the register 3 (the two-color molded body 4 attached to the left register 3L is omitted in Fig. 7A). At this time, as also shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the one end 3L1, 3R1 is inserted into the mounting portion 42b of the seal member 42. Here, as shown in Figs. 6 and 9, the mounting portion 42b includes a cylindrical portion 42b1 and an abutment portion 42b2 extending inward from the front end of the cylindrical portion 42b1. Therefore, the one end 3L1, 3R1 of the left register 3L and the right register 3R inserted into the cylindrical portion 42b1 abuts against the abutment portion 42b2, and the two-color molded body 4 is fixed by the elasticity of the mounting portion 42b.

[0030] Next, as shown in Fig. 7B and Fig. 4, the register 3 with the two-color molded body 4 attached thereto is inserted into the air-conditioning duct 2. At this time, at the left joint 5L of the left duct device 1L, one end 3L1 of the left register 3L is inserted into the inside of the left air-conditioning duct 2L, thereby joining the left air-conditioning duct 2L and the left register 3L. Also, as shown in Fig. 8, at the right joint 5R of the right duct device 1R, one end 3R1 of the right register 3R is inserted into the inside of the right air-conditioning duct 2R, thereby joining the right air-conditioning duct 2R and the right register 3R.

[0031] The air conditioning duct 2 and the register 3 are joined by press-fitting via the seal member 42. However, the air conditioning duct 2 and the register 3 may be joined by engaging an engaging portion and an engaged portion (not shown) or by using an adhesive.

[0032] In the state where the duct device 1 is assembled, in the right duct device 1R, as shown in FIG. 8, the straightening member 41 (mesh portion 41b) of the two-color molded body 4 is disposed on the flow path of the right duct device 1R formed by the right air-conditioning duct 2R and the right register 3R. Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the fin 42a of the sealing member 42 of the two-color molded body 4 is configured to extend toward the rear while spreading outward, and as shown in FIG. 9, it is deformed inward by being sandwiched between the inner peripheral surface of the right air-conditioning duct 2R and the outer peripheral surface of the right register 3R. And, since the fin 42a is made of elastomer and has elasticity, it is possible to seal the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the right air-conditioning duct 2R and the outer peripheral surface of the right register 3R. The configuration of the left joint portion 5L of the left duct device 1L is the same as that of the right joint portion 5R.

[0033] 4. Effects The duct system 1 (left duct system 1L and right duct system 1R) as described above is configured such that the two-color molded body 4, in which the rectifying member 41 and the sealing member 42 are integrally molded, is provided at the left joint 5L and the right joint 5R. With this configuration, the rectifying member 41 of the two-color molded body 4 rectifies the air-conditioning air flowing through the duct system 1 (left duct system 1L and right duct system 1R), thereby making it possible to suppress vibration and noise of the duct system 1. In addition, the sealing member 42 of the two-color molded body 4 seals the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the right air-conditioning duct 2R and the outer peripheral surface of the right register 3R, and the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the left air-conditioning duct 2L and the outer peripheral surface of the left register 3L, thereby making it possible to suppress the escape of the air-conditioning air. Furthermore, by suppressing the escape of the air-conditioning air, cold air does not hit the back side of the instrument panel, making it possible to suppress condensation.

[0034] Furthermore, since the flow rectifying member 41 and the sealing member 42 having the above-mentioned effects are integrally molded as the two-color molded body 4 by two-color molding, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and the assembly man-hours.

[0035] 5. Variations The present invention can also be implemented in the following aspects. In the above embodiment, the two-color molded body 4 has a substantially rectangular plate shape, but the shape of the two-color molded body 4 may be any shape depending on the cross-sectional shape of the duct device. In the above embodiment, the two-color molded body 4 includes the flow straightening member 41 as a functional member. However, the functional member of the two-color molded body 4 may have other functions. For example, the functional member may be a sensor such as a flow meter or a thermometer that measures the flow speed of the air conditioning air, or may be a holding member that holds a sensor or the like in the duct device. In the above embodiment, the rectifying member 41 has a mesh structure, but the rectifying member 41 may also have a plate-shaped rectifying plate. In the above embodiment, the seal member 42 of the two-color molded body 4 is configured to extend rearward while spreading outward, as shown in Fig. 6. However, the seal member 42 may have any shape as long as it is capable of sealing the joints 5L and 5R. In the above embodiment, the sealing member 42 of the two-color molded body 4 has the mounting portion 42b for mounting to the ends 3L1, 3R1 (see FIG. 7A) of the left register 3L and the right register 3R. However, as long as it is possible to fix to the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the right air-conditioning duct 2R and the outer circumferential surface of the right register 3R and the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the left air-conditioning duct 2L and the outer circumferential surface of the left register 3L and seal these gaps, the sealing member 42 does not have to have the mounting portion 42b. In the above embodiment, the duct system 1 is used as an air conditioning system for an automobile, and includes an air conditioning duct as the first cylindrical member and a register 3 as the second cylindrical member. However, the present invention can also be applied to a duct system 1 that is not an air conditioning system for an automobile. In other words, the present invention can be applied to various duct systems 1 that are configured by joining a cylindrical first cylindrical member and a cylindrical second cylindrical member at a joint. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1: Duct equipment 1L: Left side duct device 1R: Right side duct device 2: Air conditioning duct 2L: Left air conditioning duct (first cylindrical member) 2R: Right air conditioning duct (first cylindrical member) 3: Register 3L: Left register (second cylindrical member) 3L1: One end 3R: Right register (second cylindrical member) 3R1: One end 4: Two-color molded body 5L:Left side joint 5R: Right side joint 41: Straightening components (functional components) 41a: Outer frame 41b: Mesh section 42: Sealing material 42a: Finn 42b: Mounting part 42b1: Cylindrical part 42b2: Contact part

Claims

1. A duct device configured by joining a first cylindrical member and a second cylindrical member at a joint, the second tubular member is configured to be joined to the first tubular member by inserting one end of the second tubular member into the first tubular member, A two-color molded body is provided at the joint, the two-color molded body is configured by integrally molding a functional member and a sealing member that is softer than the functional member, The sealing member is molded around the functional member and has fins arranged circumferentially between the inner surface of the first cylindrical member and the outer surface of the second cylindrical member, and is configured to seal the gap at the joint.

2. The duct system according to claim 1, The duct apparatus, wherein the functional member is a straightening member.

3. The duct system according to claim 1 or 2, The duct apparatus, wherein the functional member has a mesh structure.

4. The duct system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the second tubular member is configured to be joined to the first tubular member by inserting one end of the second tubular member into the first tubular member, The duct device, wherein the sealing member has a mounting portion that is mounted to the one end of the second cylindrical member.

5. The duct system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The duct apparatus, wherein the functional member is made of polypropylene and the sealing member is made of elastomer.

6. The duct system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The duct apparatus, wherein the first cylindrical member is an air conditioning duct connected to a vehicle air conditioning system, and the second cylindrical member is a register.

7. The duct system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The fins extend toward the second cylindrical member while spreading outward.

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