Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems

Abstract

A heating, ventilation and air conditioning system having means for distributing conditioned air to central and side vents comprises a housing configured by assembling first and second housing portions, at least one partition plate and at least one shaft. The partition plate configures the central and side vent passages. The shaft passes through the partition plate and is mounted within the central and side vent passages for supporting baffles thereon. The shaft is formed with at least one portion for receiving the shaft in an opening configured on the partition plate. The shaft also includes ribs for facilitating mounting the shaft together with the baffles on the respective partition plates in only a predetermined configuration and also for limiting angular movement of the shaft. The shaft includes sealing elements for preventing leakage from and / or between the central and side vent passages.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, and more particularly to a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system for a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Conventional heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, hereinafter referred to as HVAC systems, include an air distribution module for distributing air to at least one central vent and at least one side vent. Typically, the HVAC system includes at least one pair of side vents and at least one pair of central vents. The side vents are arranged on the sides of the instrument panel and guide the conditioned air to the sides of the vehicle, particularly the driver's seat and the co-pilot seat. The central vent is arranged at the center of the instrument panel and guides the conditioned air to the center of the vehicle and between the driver's seat and the co-pilot seat and the rear of the vehicle. The HVAC system includes at least one side ventilation channel corresponding to the side vents and at least one central ventilation channel corresponding to the central vents. In particular, the side vent channels are connected to the side vents via ducts to supply conditioned air to the side vents. Similarly, the central ventilation channel is connected to the central vents via ducts to supply conditioned air to the central vents. The side vent channels need to be always open to supply conditioned air to the side vents, while the central ventilation channel needs to be closed during a few operating modes of the vehicle HVAC system. In order to achieve such independent opening and closing of the side ventilation channels and the central ventilation channel, the walls defining each ventilation channel form a separate ventilation channel, and a baffle mounted on a shaft supported between the walls operates in the separate ventilation channel for opening and closing the ventilation channel. In addition, air leakage between the ventilation channels is undesirable because leakage between the ventilation channels will defeat the purpose of configuring the separate ventilation channels. More specifically, in the case where the central ventilation channel needs to be closed and the side ventilation channels need to be opened, conditioned air leaking from the side vents into the central ventilation channel will result in uncontrolled air distribution, which is undesirable.

[0003] In addition, if Figure 1aAs shown, a conventional HVAC system 1 uses a single shaft 2 on which a single baffle 3 is mounted. The shaft and baffle assembly are supported between the side walls 1a and 1b and the partition walls 5a and 5b. The shaft and baffle assembly extends through the separated ventilation channels 4a, 4b and 4c and moves angularly in the ventilation channels 4a, 4b and 4c to facilitate the opening and closing of the ventilation channels 4a, 4b and 4c. This configuration of the HVAC system 1 is simple in structure and inexpensive. However, this configuration of the HVAC system cannot prevent leakage from the central ventilation channel 4b or between the central ventilation channel 4b and the side ventilation channels 4a and 4b, and therefore cannot control the air distribution in the ventilation channels 4a, 4b and 4c. In addition, this configuration cannot ensure that the shaft and baffle assembly are only installed in the corresponding ventilation channels 4a, 4b and 4c in a specific desired configuration or orientation and leads to incorrect assembly. Moreover, this configuration cannot limit the angular movement of the shaft and baffle assembly. The uncontrolled angular movement of the shaft and baffle assembly leads to uncontrolled air distribution, which is undesirable.

[0004] In addition, if Figure 1b As shown, another conventional HVAC system 11 uses individual shafts 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d, wherein each individual shaft 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d is supported between side walls 11a, 11b and partition walls 15a, 15b, and 15c defining ventilation passages 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d. Although such a configuration of a plurality of shafts 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d and corresponding baffles 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d mounted thereon prevents leakage from adjacent ventilation passages or therebetween, such a configuration is expensive and cannot ensure that the plurality of shafts 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d together with the baffles 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d mounted thereon are only mounted in the corresponding ventilation passages 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d in a specific desired configuration or orientation to prevent incorrect assembly. Furthermore, this configuration cannot determine the angular movement of the shafts 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d together with the baffles 13a, 13b, 13c and 13d mounted thereon. If any arrangement is provided for mounting the shafts 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d together with the baffles 13a, 13b, 13c and 13d only in a predetermined configuration or for defining the angular movement of the shafts 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d, such arrangement is bulky, expensive, inefficient and unreliable. Furthermore, with this configuration of the HVAC system, the number of components increases, such as more shafts are required to mount the baffles 13a, 13b, 13c and 13d in each ventilation channel 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d, respectively, thereby increasing inventory, related inventory costs, assembly time, manufacturing / assembly steps, manufacturing costs involved in manufacturing / assembly of the HVAC system and also reducing the reliability of the HVAC system.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for an HVAC system configured with separate ventilation ducts that is capable of controlling the distribution of air to the vents to provide improved temperature / air flow control within the vehicle cabin. Furthermore, there is a need for an HVAC system that prevents leakage from adjacent ventilation ducts or between them. In addition, there is a need for an HVAC system that ensures that at least one shaft together with at least one baffle mounted thereon is installed and assembled within the ventilation duct only in a specific required configuration, thereby preventing incorrect or improper assembly. In addition, there is a need for an HVAC system that limits the angular movement of at least one shaft together with at least one baffle mounted thereon within the ventilation duct to achieve improved control of the movement of the baffle and improved air distribution. Still further, there is a need for an HVAC system that involves a relatively small number of components, thereby reducing inventory, related inventory costs, assembly time, manufacturing / assembly steps, and manufacturing costs involved in the manufacture / assembly of the HVAC system. Summary of the invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an HVAC system that is configured with separate ventilation channels and that eliminates the disadvantages associated with conventional HVAC systems.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide an HVAC system configured with individual vent passages that prevents leakage from adjacent vent passages or between them.

[0008] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an HVAC system configured with individual ventilation ducts that ensures that at least one shaft together with at least one baffle mounted thereon is assembled in a specific desired configuration relative to the corresponding ventilation duct, thereby preventing erroneous or incorrect assembly.

[0009] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an HVAC system configured with separate ventilation ducts which limits the angular movement of at least one shaft together with at least one baffle mounted thereon within the ventilation duct to achieve improved control of the baffle movement and improved air distribution.

[0010] Still another object of the present invention is to provide an HVAC system configured with separate ventilation ducts, which is easy to assemble and disassemble for maintenance, and is reliable, energy-efficient, and inexpensive.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an HVAC system that involves a relatively small number of components, thereby reducing inventory, associated inventory costs, assembly time, manufacturing / assembly steps, and manufacturing costs involved in the manufacture / assembly of the HVAC system.

[0012] In this specification, some elements or parameters may be indexed, such as the first element and the second element. In this case, unless otherwise specified, the index is used only to distinguish and name similar but not identical elements. No precedence should be inferred from such an index, as the terms can be switched without betraying the invention. In addition, the index does not imply any order in which the elements of the invention may be installed or used.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system is disclosed. The heating, ventilation and air conditioning system includes a housing, at least one partition plate and at least one shaft. The housing is configured by assembling a first housing portion and a second housing portion. At least one partition plate is disposed in the housing and configured to define at least two ventilation channels. At least one shaft passes through at least one partition plate and is mounted in at least two ventilation channels for supporting at least one baffle thereon. At least one shaft is formed with at least one portion for receiving at least one shaft in an opening formed on a corresponding partition plate. At least one shaft also includes ribs that facilitate mounting at least one shaft together with at least one baffle mounted thereon in an opening formed on a corresponding partition plate in a predetermined configuration only, and also limit the angular movement of at least one shaft. At least one shaft also includes a sealing element configured thereon for preventing leakage between the two ventilation channels.

[0014] Specifically, at least one partition plate together with at least one of the side walls and the intermediate wall of the housing configures at least one central ventilation channel and at least one side ventilation channel adjacent to the at least one central ventilation channel.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the invention, an intermediate wall is arranged between the first shell part and the second shell part, and at least one partition plate is arranged on either side of the intermediate wall to configure at least one central ventilation channel between the intermediate wall and the corresponding partition plate.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the invention, at least one partition plate extends from the ventilation door seat to the ventilation outlet.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one shaft comprises a cylindrical sealing cover which covers the opening and defines and maintains the position of at least one shaft and at least one baffle mounted on the shaft relative to the corresponding partition plate.

[0018] Typically, at least one shaft includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion with the baffle mounted thereon is disposed in at least one side ventilation channel, and the second portion with at least one baffle mounted thereon is adapted to be disposed in at least one central ventilation channel adjacent to the side ventilation channel.

[0019] Specifically, at least one portion has an elliptical cross section, is disposed between a first portion and a second portion of at least one shaft, and is received in an opening configured on a corresponding partition plate.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the ribs are arranged on at least one portion.

[0021] Specifically, the opening of the aperture makes an angle of less than 180 degrees with the center of the aperture.

[0022] Typically, the shaft also includes an end portion having a profile that facilitates mounting the shaft, with the baffle mounted thereon, on any one of the side walls and the intermediate wall in only a predetermined configuration. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Other features, details and advantages of the present invention can be inferred from the following description of the invention. A more complete understanding of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be more readily appreciated by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1a An isometric view of a conventional HVAC system is shown;

[0025] Figure 1b An isometric view of another conventional HVAC system is shown;

[0026] Figure 2 An isometric view of an HVAC system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0027] Figure 3a The embodiment of the present invention is shown Figure 2 A front view of the assembly between the shaft and a pair of baffles;

[0028] Figure 3b Shown along Figure 3a A sectional view of the assembly along the section line AA', showing a cross section of the shaft along the section line AA';

[0029] Figure 3c Shows Figure 3a a side view of an assembly of showing a profile configured on the end of the shaft to facilitate mounting the shaft in a predetermined configuration, solely for the purpose of avoiding incorrect assembly;

[0030] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention showing an assembly of a shaft received within an opening configured in a separator plate; and

[0031] Figure 5Another cross-sectional view of an assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown showing a portion of a shaft having an elliptical cross-section received within an aperture configured in a separator plate, wherein angular movement of the shaft in the aperture is limited by ribs formed on the shaft. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] It must be noted that the drawings disclose the invention in sufficient detail to be implemented, said drawings helping to better define the invention when necessary. However, the invention should not be limited to the embodiments disclosed in the specification.

[0033] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an HVAC system is disclosed, which is configured with a device for distributing conditioned air to at least one central vent and at least one side vent disposed on a vehicle dashboard. The HVAC system includes a housing, at least one partition plate, and at least one shaft. The partition plate configures a central ventilation channel and a side ventilation channel. The HVAC system of the present invention is intended to provide an effective seal between ventilation channels, facilitate the assembly of at least one shaft with a baffle mounted thereon in the ventilation channel, and prevent the wrong assembly of at least one shaft together with a baffle mounted thereon in the ventilation channel by providing a poka-yoke feature. In particular, the shaft passes through the partition plate and is mounted in the central and side ventilation channels for supporting the baffle thereon. The shaft is formed with at least one portion to facilitate accommodating the shaft in an opening configured on the partition plate. The shaft also includes ribs that facilitate mounting the shaft together with the baffle on the corresponding partition plate only in a predetermined configuration, and also limit the angular movement of the shaft and the baffle mounted thereon. The shaft includes a sealing element for preventing leakage from the central and side ventilation channels and / or between them. However, although the HVAC system of the present disclosure is for cabin air conditioning of a vehicle, the HVAC system is also applicable to other non-vehicle applications and is not limited to cabin air conditioning.

[0034] Figure 1a and Figure 1b A conventional HVAC system is shown, which is configured with a device for distributing conditioned air to at least one central vent and at least one side vent disposed on a vehicle dashboard. Some prior art HVAC systems, such as Figure 1aAs shown, a single shaft 2 is used, on which a single baffle 3 is mounted and arranged in ventilation channels 4a, 4b and 4c. The shaft and baffle assembly is supported between the side walls 1a, 1b and the partition walls 5a, 5b, but leakage from the central ventilation channel 4b and between the central ventilation channel 4b and the adjacent side ventilation channels 4a and 4c cannot be prevented, and therefore the air distribution in the ventilation channels 4a, 4b and 4c cannot be controlled. In addition, this configuration cannot ensure that the shaft and baffle assembly is only installed in the corresponding ventilation channels 4a, 4b and 4c in a specific desired configuration or orientation. Moreover, this configuration cannot limit the angular movement of the shaft and baffle assembly in the ventilation channels 4a, 4b and 4c.

[0035] Other existing technologies, such as Figure 1b In the HVAC system 11 shown in FIG. 1 , each shaft 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d and the corresponding baffles 13a, 13b, 13c and 13d mounted thereon are arranged in the corresponding ventilation passages 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d. This configuration prevents leakage from adjacent ventilation passages or between them, however, this configuration is expensive and cannot ensure that the shafts 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d together with the baffles 13a, 13b, 13c and 13d mounted thereon are only mounted in a specific desired configuration or orientation relative to the corresponding ventilation passages 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d. Moreover, this configuration cannot determine the angular movement of the shafts 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d together with the baffles 13a, 13b, 13c and 13d mounted thereon. Furthermore, with this configuration of the HVAC system 11, the number of components increases, such as more shafts are required to install the baffles in each ventilation channel 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d, thereby increasing inventory, related inventory costs, assembly time, manufacturing / assembly steps, manufacturing costs involved in the manufacture / assembly of the HVAC system, and also reducing the reliability of the HVAC system.

[0036] Figure 2An isometric view of an HVAC system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The HVAC system 100 includes a housing 10, at least one partition 20a, 20b and at least one shaft 50a, 50b on which a baffle 60 is mounted. The HVAC system 100 of the present invention not only prevents leakage from adjacent ventilation channels (e.g., central ventilation channel 30a and side ventilation channel 40a) or between them, but also ensures that at least one shaft, such as shaft 50a, together with the baffle 60 mounted thereon, is installed in the central ventilation channel 30a and the side ventilation channel 40a in a specific desired configuration or orientation to prevent its incorrect assembly. Moreover, the HVAC system 100 of the present invention limits the angular movement of at least one shaft, such as shaft 50a, together with the baffle 60 mounted thereon, to achieve improved control of the movement of the baffle, thereby achieving improved flow control. In addition, the HVAC system of the present invention also includes an additional sealing element for configuring a seal between adjacent ventilation channels.

[0037] The housing 10 is configured by assembling a first housing portion 10a and a second housing portion 10b. The first housing portion 10a and the second housing portion 10b include complementary engagement elements 19a, 19b configured thereon. In particular, the first housing portion 10a includes a first engagement element 19a configured along its engagement edge. Similarly, the second housing portion 10b includes a second engagement element 19b configured along its engagement edge, wherein the second engagement element 19b is complementary to the first engagement element 19a. The first engagement element engages with the complementary second engagement element to facilitate engagement between the first housing portion 10a and the second housing portion 10b to configure the housing 10. This modular configuration of the housing 10 provides access to the interior of the housing 10 to maintain and replace the elements disposed in the housing 10 when necessary, and therefore, this configuration of the housing 10 provides easy maintenance. This modular configuration of the housing 10 also facilitates the assembly of the shaft 50a, 50b and the baffle 60 mounted thereon in the corresponding central ventilation passage 30a, 30b and the side ventilation passage 40a, 40b. The housing 10 is made of a plastic material and is manufactured by a molding process. However, the present invention is not limited to any specific configuration of the housing 10 or any specific material or process for configuring the housing 10, as long as the housing 10 can be easily manufactured.

[0038] At least one partition plate 20a, 20b disposed in the housing 10 is configured to define at least two ventilation channels 30a, 30b, 40a, 40b. According to one embodiment, at least one partition plate 20a, 20b together with at least one of the side walls 10c, 10d of the housing 10 and the intermediate wall 25 configure at least one central ventilation channel 30a, 30b and at least one side ventilation channel 40a, 40b adjacent to the at least one central ventilation channel 30a, 30b. According to one embodiment of the present invention, at least one partition plate 20a, 20b extends from the ventilation door seat 22a to the ventilation outlet 24a, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown. The central ventilation passages 30a, 30b are arranged between the side ventilation passages 40a, 40b. In particular, the side ventilation passages 40a are arranged near the central ventilation passage 30a. Similarly, the side ventilation passages 40b are arranged near the central ventilation passage 30b. At least one partition plate 20a, 20b is arranged on either side of the middle wall 25 to configure at least one central ventilation passage 30a, 30b between the middle wall 25 and the corresponding partition plates 20a, 20b. More specifically, the central ventilation passage 30a is arranged between the middle wall 25 and the partition plate 20a. Similarly, the central ventilation passage 30b is arranged between the middle wall 25 and the partition plate 20b. Although the following description and the accompanying drawings explain the configuration and operation of the HVAC system 100 of the present invention 10, it has two central vents 30a, 30b, two side vents 40a, 40b, and two shafts 50a and 50b on which baffles 60 are mounted to supply conditioned air to the two side vents and the two central vents. However, the HVAC system 100 of the present invention may have any number of central ventilation channels, side ventilation channels, and shafts on which baffles are mounted, such as additional ventilation channels, to supply conditioned air to additional vents configured in the HVAC system for rear seat occupants. In particular, the HVAC system 100 of the present invention is not limited to having two central ventilation channels, two side ventilation channels, and only two shafts with baffles mounted thereon. The number of partitions 20a, 20b and the arrangement of the partitions 20a, 20b relative to the intermediate wall 25 define the number of central ventilation channels and side ventilation channels of the HVAC system 100.

[0039] At least one shaft 50a, 50b passes through and is supported by at least one partition plate 20a, 20b. At least one baffle 60 is mounted on at least one shaft 50a, such as Figure 3a-3cAs shown. Referring to Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings, a front view of the assembly between the shaft 50a and a pair of baffles 60 is shown. At least one shaft 50a, 50b on which the baffle 60 is mounted is arranged in at least one central ventilation channel 30a, 30b and at least one side ventilation channel 40a, 40b. More specifically, the shaft 50a passes through and is supported by the partition plate 20a. The shaft 50a on which the baffle 60 is mounted is arranged in the central ventilation channel 30a and the side ventilation channel 40a adjacent to the central ventilation channel 30a. The shaft 50a on which the baffle 60 is mounted moves angularly in at least one central ventilation channel 30a and at least one side ventilation channel 40a to limit the opening and closing of the central ventilation channel 30a and the side ventilation channel 40a. Similarly, the shaft 50b passes through and is supported by the partition plate 20b. The shaft 50b on which the baffle 60 is mounted is arranged in the central ventilation channel 30b and the side ventilation channel 40b adjacent to the central ventilation channel 30b. The shaft 50b on which the baffle 60 is mounted moves angularly in at least one central ventilation passage 30b and at least one side ventilation passage 40b to define the opening and closing of the central ventilation passage 30b and the side ventilation passage 40b. Since the shaft 50a on which the baffle 60 is mounted and the shaft 50b are similar in function and structure, and since the central ventilation passage 30a, the side ventilation passage 40a and the partition plate 20a receiving the shaft 50a are similar in function and structure to the central ventilation passage 30b, the side ventilation passage 40b and the partition plate 20b receiving the shaft 50b, only the shaft 50a and the device for receiving the shaft 50a in the central ventilation passage 30a, the side ventilation passage 40a and the partition plate 20a are described in the following description and shown in the drawings.

[0040] At least one shaft 50a (also referred to as the first shaft 50a) is formed with at least one portion 50c so as to facilitate receiving the at least one shaft 50a in the opening 29a configured on the corresponding partition plate 20a. The cross section of the at least one portion 50c is elliptical. Figure 3b , a cross-sectional view of the assembly between the shaft 50a and the baffle 60 is depicted along the section line AA'. More specifically, Figure 3b An elliptical cross-section of a portion 50c of the shaft 50a and a rib 52a disposed on the portion 50c of the shaft 50a is depicted. Figure 4 A schematic diagram depicting the assembly of a shaft 50a received within an aperture 29a provided on a divider plate 20a is shown. Figure 5Another side view of the assembly of the shaft 50a and the partition plate 20a is shown, particularly the portion 50c of the shaft 50a received in the opening 29a provided on the partition plate 20a, wherein the portion 50c of the shaft 50a has an elliptical cross-section to facilitate receiving the shaft 50a with the baffle 60 mounted thereon in the opening 29a provided on the partition plate 20a. Also shown is a rib 52a provided on the portion 50c of the first shaft 50, which interacts with the opening of the opening 29a provided on the partition plate 20a to limit the angular movement of the shaft 50a with the baffle 60 mounted thereon. However, the present invention is not limited to any particular shape configuration of the portion 50c, as long as the portion 50c facilitates receiving the shaft 50a in the opening 29a provided on the corresponding partition plate 20a. The rib 52a provided on at least one shaft 50a facilitates mounting the at least one shaft 50a together with the at least one baffle 60 mounted thereon to the corresponding partition plate 20a in only a desired predetermined configuration. With this configuration of the rib 52a configured on at least one shaft 50a, the shaft 50a cannot be assembled in the opening 29a configured on the partition plate 20a if inserted incorrectly. The rib 52a also maintains a safety gap between the shaft 50a and the opening 29a. The rib 52a is configured on at least one shaft 50a, particularly on a portion 50c of at least one shaft 50a, and also limits the angular movement of the at least one shaft 50a. However, the present invention is not limited to any particular configuration of the rib 52a, as long as the rib 52a facilitates the installation of the shaft-baffle assembly in a predetermined configuration relative to the corresponding partition plate 20a to prevent incorrect assembly, and as long as the rib 52a limits the angular movement of the at least one shaft 50a to provide improved control of the baffle movement and improved flow control. More specifically, the angular movement of the shaft 50a is limited by the opening of the opening 29a, more specifically, by the angular movement of the rib 52a configured on the portion 50c of the shaft 50a along the opening of the opening 29a. Based on the desired angular movement of at least one shaft 50a, the opening of the aperture 29a is defined. The opening of the aperture 29a is at an angle less than 180 degrees from the center of the aperture 29a. The shaft 50a also includes an end 50e having a profile that is received in a complementary hole configured in either of the side wall 10c and the intermediate wall 25, so as to facilitate the installation of the shaft 50a, together with the baffle 60 mounted thereon, on either of the side wall 10c and the intermediate wall 25 in only a predetermined configuration.

[0041] Again, refer to the attached drawings Figure 3a-3c, the shaft 50a generally includes a first portion 50aa and a second portion 50ab. The first portion 50aa on which the baffle 60 is mounted is disposed in at least one side ventilation channel 40a, and the second portion 50ab on which the at least one baffle 60 is mounted is disposed in at least one central ventilation channel 30a adjacent to the side ventilation channel 40a. At least one portion 50c of the elliptical cross-section is disposed between the first portion 50aa and the second portion 50ab and is accommodated in an opening 29a configured on the corresponding partition plate 20a. The baffles 60 mounted on the portions 50aa and 50ab respectively disposed inside the side ventilation channel 40a and the adjacent central ventilation channel 30a may have the same size and configuration or different sizes and configurations.

[0042] The shaft 50a also includes a sealing element disposed thereon for preventing leakage between the central ventilation passage 30a and the adjacent side ventilation passage 40a. Figure 3a-3c , the shaft 50a includes a cylindrical sealing cover or sealing element 54a, which covers the opening 29a formed on the partition plate 20a to prevent leakage between the central ventilation channel 30a and the adjacent side ventilation channel 40a. More specifically, the cylindrical sealing element 54a covers the gap between the shaft 50a and the opening 29a configured on the partition plate 20a to prevent any leakage from the gap. The cylindrical sealing element 54a also holds the baffle 60 on the shaft 50a for pre-assembly. The cylindrical sealing cover 54a also defines and maintains the position of the shaft 50a and at least one baffle 60a mounted on the shaft 50a relative to the corresponding partition plate 20a. However, the present invention is not limited to any specific configuration of the sealing cover 54a, as long as the sealing cover 54a is able to cover the opening 29a formed on the partition plate 20a through which the shaft 50a passes to prevent leakage between the central ventilation channel 30a and the adjacent side ventilation channel 40a.

[0043] A similar shaft 50b (referred to as the second shaft 50b) passes through the partition plate 20b and is installed in the central ventilation channel 30b and the adjacent side ventilation channel 40b. Similar to the shaft 50a, the shaft 50b is configured with a baffle 60 installed thereon and moves angularly in the central ventilation channel 30b and the adjacent side ventilation channel 40b to define the opening and closing configuration of the central ventilation channel 30b and the adjacent side ventilation channel 40b. The shaft 50b is also configured with a sealing element 54b for preventing leakage between the central ventilation channel 30b and the adjacent side ventilation channel 40b. The shaft 50b is formed with at least one portion 50d so as to receive the shaft 50b in the opening 29b configured on the corresponding partition plate 20b. The portion 50d of the shaft 50b is also configured with a rib 52b. The rib 52b facilitates the installation of at least one shaft 50b together with at least one baffle 60 installed thereon on the corresponding partition plate 20b only in a predetermined configuration. The rib 52b also limits the angular movement of the shaft 50b. The shaft 50b also includes an end 50f having a profile that facilitates mounting the shaft 50b with the baffle 60 mounted thereon on either of the side wall 10d and the intermediate wall 25 in a predetermined configuration only. For the sake of brevity of this document, details regarding the portions 50ba and 50bb of the shaft 50b and the different possible variations in which the shaft 50b may be received in the central ventilation channel 30b and the side ventilation channels 30b are not disclosed in detail in this document, wherein the second portion 50bb is received in the central ventilation channel 30b and the first portion 50ba is received in the adjacent side ventilation channel 40b.

[0044] A method of assembling an HVAC system according to an embodiment of the present invention is also disclosed. The method includes the following steps: assembling a first shaft having a baffle mounted thereon in a first housing, wherein a portion of the shaft having at least one rib configured thereon is accommodated in an opening formed on a partition plate disposed in the first housing so as to facilitate the shaft to be installed together with the baffle mounted thereon in a predetermined configuration only, thereafter assembling a second shaft having a baffle mounted thereon in a second housing, wherein a portion of the second shaft having at least one rib configured thereon is accommodated in an opening formed on a partition plate disposed in the second housing so as to facilitate the second shaft to be installed together with the baffle mounted thereon in a predetermined configuration only. Thereafter, assembling an intermediate wall to a profile configured on an end of either one of the first shaft and the second shaft to close an open end of either one of the first housing and the second housing, respectively. Finally, assembling the first housing to the second housing so that the intermediate wall is disposed between the first housing and the second housing so as to configure a central ventilation channel between the intermediate wall and the partition plates disposed in the first housing and the second housing, respectively.

[0045] A person skilled in the art may make several modifications and improvements to the HVAC system 100 as defined above, and these modifications and improvements will still be considered to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as long as the system includes a housing, at least one partition plate and at least one shaft. The housing is configured by assembling a first housing portion and a second housing portion. At least one partition plate is disposed in the housing. At least one partition plate, together with at least one of the side walls and the intermediate wall of the housing, configures at least one central ventilation channel and at least one side ventilation channel adjacent to the at least one central ventilation channel. At least one shaft passes through at least one partition plate and is installed in at least one of the central ventilation channel and the adjacent side ventilation channel for supporting at least one baffle thereon. At least one shaft is formed with at least one portion so as to receive at least one shaft in an opening configured on a corresponding partition plate. At least one shaft also includes ribs, which facilitate the installation of at least one shaft on the corresponding partition plate only in a predetermined configuration together with at least one baffle mounted thereon, and also limit the angular movement of at least one shaft. At least one shaft also includes a sealing element configured thereon for preventing leakage between the central ventilation channel and the adjacent side ventilation channel.

[0046] In any case, the present invention cannot and should not be limited to the embodiments specifically described in this document, as other embodiments are possible. The present invention shall extend to any equivalent means and any combination of means operating technically.

Claims

1. A heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (100), comprising: A housing (10) configured by assembling a first housing portion (10a) and a second housing portion (10b); At least one partition plate (20a, 20b) is arranged in the housing (10), which is configured to define at least two ventilation channels (30a, 30b, 40a, 40b), at least one shaft (50a, 50b) is suitable for passing through the at least one partition plate (20a, 20b) and being installed in the at least two ventilation channels (30a, 30b, 40a, 40b), and is used to support at least one baffle (60) thereon, the at least one shaft (50a, 50b) is formed with at least one portion (50c, 50d), which is suitable for facilitating the at least one shaft (50a, 50b) to be received in an opening (29a, 29b) formed on the corresponding partition plate (20a, 20b), and the at least one shaft (50a, 50b) further includes: Ribs (52a, 52b) adapted to conveniently mount at least one shaft (50a, 50b) together with at least one baffle (60) mounted thereon in an opening (29a, 29b) formed on a corresponding partition plate (20a, 20b) only in a predetermined configuration, and angular movement of the ribs (52a, 52b) along the opening of the opening (29a, 29b) also limits angular movement of at least the shaft (50a, 50b); and A sealing element (54a, 54b) arranged thereon is used to prevent leakage between the two ventilation passages (30a, 30b, 40a, 40b), an intermediate wall (25) disposed between the first shell portion (10a) and the second shell portion (10b), the at least one partition plate (20a, 20b) being disposed on either side of the intermediate wall (25) so as to configure at least one central ventilation channel (30a, 30b) between the intermediate wall (25) and the corresponding partition plate (20a, 20b), and at least one side ventilation channel (40a, 40b) adjacent to the at least one central ventilation channel (30a, 30b) being configured between at least one of the side walls (10c, 10d) of the shell (10) and the corresponding partition plate (20a, 20b), The at least one shaft (50a, 50b) comprises a first portion (50aa, 50ba) and a second portion (50ab, 50bb), wherein the first portion (50aa, 50ba) on which the baffle (60) is mounted is suitable for being arranged in at least one side ventilation channel (40a, 40b), and the second portion (50ab, 50bb) on which the at least one baffle (60) is mounted is suitable for being arranged in at least one central ventilation channel (30a, 30b) adjacent to the side ventilation channel, and The at least one portion (50c, 50d) has an elliptical cross section, is disposed between a first portion (50aa, 50ba) and a second portion (50ab, 50bb) of the at least one shaft (50a, 50b), and is accommodated in an opening (29a, 29b) configured on a corresponding partition plate (20a, 20b).

2. The heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (100) of claim 1, wherein: The at least one shaft (50a, 50b) comprises a cylindrical sealing cover which is adapted to cover the opening (29a, 29b) and define and maintain the position of the at least one shaft (50a, 50b) and at least one baffle (60) mounted on the shaft (50a, 50b) relative to the corresponding partition plate (20a, 20b).

3. The heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The rib (52a, 52b) is arranged on the at least one portion (50c, 50d).

4. The heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The opening of the opening (29a, 29b) forms an angle of less than 180 degrees with the center of the opening (29a, 29b).

5. The heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The shaft (50a, 50b) further comprises end portions (50e, 50f) having a profile adapted to facilitate mounting of the shaft (50a, 50b) with the baffle (60) mounted thereon on any one of the side walls (10c, 10d) and the intermediate wall (25) in only a predetermined configuration.

6. A method of assembling a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (100), the method comprising the following steps: Assembling a first shaft (50a) with a baffle (60) mounted thereon in a first housing portion (10a), wherein a portion (50c) of the first shaft (50a) with at least one rib (52a) disposed thereon is received in an opening (29a) so that the first shaft (50a) together with the baffle (60) mounted thereon can be mounted only in a predetermined configuration, the opening (29a) being formed on a partition plate (20a) disposed in the first housing portion (10a), and angular movement of the at least one rib (52a) along the opening of the opening (29a) also restricts angular movement of the first shaft (50a); Assembling a second shaft (50b) having a baffle (60) mounted thereon in a second housing portion (10b), wherein a portion (50d) of the second shaft (50b) having at least one rib (52b) disposed thereon is received in an opening (29b) so that the second shaft (50b) together with the baffle (60) mounted thereon can be mounted only in a predetermined configuration, the opening (29b) being formed on a partition plate (20b) disposed in the second housing portion (10b), and angular movement of the at least one rib (52b) along the opening of the opening (29b) also restricts angular movement of the second shaft (50b); Assembling an intermediate wall (25) to a profile disposed on an end (50e, 50f) of either the first shaft (50a) or the second shaft (50b) to close an open end of either the first housing portion (10a) or the second housing portion (10b); and The first shell part (10a) is assembled to the second shell part (10b) so that an intermediate wall (25) is arranged between the first shell part (10a) and the second shell part (10b) to configure a central ventilation channel (30a, 30b) between the intermediate wall (25) and partition plates (20a, 20b) respectively arranged in the first shell part (10a) and the second shell part (10b).

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