Air intake structures, HVAC systems, and vehicles

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an air intake structure, an HVAC system and a vehicle. The air intake structure includes a firewall and a blower arranged on the firewall; the blower includes a first air inlet; the air intake structure also includes a cover and an air intake channel located between the blower and the cover; the cover includes a second air inlet; the cover is installed on the firewall and cooperates with the firewall to surround the blower; the air intake channel is connected to the first air inlet and the second air inlet respectively. The air intake structure in the present disclosure uses a cover to surround the blower, and directly uses the gap formed between the cover and the blower as the air intake duct. The overall shape is more like a cube, so that the maximum cross-sectional area of ​​the air intake channel meets the industry standard of 20,000 cm 2 On the basis of this, the space occupied by the overall air intake structure is more compact and the efficiency is higher.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of mechanical transmission technology, and more particularly to an air intake structure, an HVAC system, and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] With the increasing popularity of automobiles, people have begun to place higher demands on vehicle comfort. Car air conditioning has become an essential feature of vehicles, and the HVAC assembly is a crucial component of the entire vehicle air conditioning system. The compactness and efficiency of the HVAC assembly play a crucial role in the overall vehicle's space layout and comfort performance.

[0003] The prior art discloses an HVAC assembly structure for a heat pump automotive air conditioner, comprising an air intake assembly, a defrost outlet assembly, a face outlet assembly, a foot outlet assembly, a blower assembly, a control assembly, and an indoor condenser. The air intake end of the air intake assembly is connected to the blower assembly, and the air outlet end of the air intake assembly is connected to the defrost outlet assembly, the face outlet assembly, and the foot outlet assembly via air ducts. An air PTC is provided on one side of the indoor condenser, and an evaporator core is spaced apart on the other side of the indoor condenser. The indoor condenser and the air PTC evaporator core are integrated within the same cavity. This technology, by adding an indoor condenser, can effectively save energy consumption for the entire vehicle, achieving energy conservation and emission reduction. Air intake and air outlet are controlled by controlling the damper, and the technology has promising application prospects.

[0004] However, the HVAC assembly structure in the above-mentioned technology has defects such as insufficient space, low efficiency and high wind resistance. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present disclosure provides an air intake structure, an HVAC system, and a vehicle to solve at least some of the problems in the related art.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, an air intake structure is proposed, comprising a firewall and a blower arranged on the firewall; the blower includes a first air inlet; the air intake structure also includes a cover body and an air intake channel located between the blower and the cover body; the cover body includes a second air inlet; the cover body is installed on the firewall and cooperates with the firewall to surround the blower; the air intake channel is respectively connected to the first air inlet and the second air inlet.

[0007] Optionally, the air intake direction of the first air inlet includes a first direction; the air intake direction of the second air inlet includes a second direction; and the first direction and the second direction are arranged oppositely.

[0008] Optionally, the second direction includes the direction of gravity.

[0009] Optionally, the cover body includes a top wall; and the second air inlet is arranged on the top wall.

[0010] Optionally, the cover body includes a first surface and a second surface; the first surface faces the first air inlet; the second surface is connected to the first surface and forms an obtuse angle with the first surface.

[0011] Optionally, the obtuse angle ranges from 120° to 150°.

[0012] Optionally, the blower further includes a first air outlet connected to the first air inlet; the air inlet structure further includes an air outlet pipe connected to the first air outlet; and the second air inlet faces the air outlet pipe.

[0013] Optionally, the blower includes a first end face facing the second air inlet; the air outlet pipe includes a second end face facing the second air inlet; and the area of ​​the first end face is greater than the area of ​​the second end face.

[0014] Optionally, the blower also includes a raised portion arranged on the first end face; the raised portion also includes a third end face and a guide wall formed in a circle; the guide wall is connected and arranged between the first end face and the third end face; along the direction from the third end face to the first end face, the guide wall gradually tilts toward the center of the first end face toward the edge of the first end face.

[0015] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, an HVAC system is provided, comprising an air splitter and the air intake structure as described above; the air splitter is disposed on the firewall, and is located on opposite sides of the firewall with the cover.

[0016] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle is provided, comprising an installation cavity; the HVAC system as described above is disposed in the installation cavity.

[0017] The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure may have the following beneficial effects:

[0018] The cover, in conjunction with the firewall, completely encloses the blower, preventing it from direct contact with the outside world and significantly enhancing its waterproof performance. Furthermore, when the blower is operating, the cover also largely isolates the blower's noise, thereby enhancing the vehicle's overall NVH performance.

[0019] The air intake structure of the present invention uses a cover to surround the blower, and directly uses the gap formed between the cover and the blower as the air intake duct. The overall shape is more like a cube, so that the maximum cross-sectional area of ​​the air intake duct reaches 20,000 cm2 as required by the industry standard. 2On the basis of this, the space occupied by the overall air intake structure is more compact and the efficiency is higher.

[0020] It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an HVAC system in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 ;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an HVAC system in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 ;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an HVAC system in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 .

[0025] Explanation of the accompanying drawings: 1. Firewall; 2. Blower; 20. First air inlet; 3. Cover body; 4. Air inlet channel; 30. Second air inlet; 31. Top wall; 32. First surface; 33. Second surface; 6. Air outlet pipe; 210. First end face; 220. Second end face; 211. Raised portion; 5. Air distributor; 34. Side wall. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein, with examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, when referring to the drawings, identical numerals in different figures represent identical or similar elements, unless otherwise indicated. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments are not intended to represent all possible embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatus and methods consistent with certain aspects of the present disclosure, as detailed in the appended claims.

[0027] The terms used in this disclosure are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the disclosure. Unless otherwise defined, technical or scientific terms used in this disclosure should have the ordinary meaning understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The terms "first," "second," and similar words used in this disclosure and the claims do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but are simply used to distinguish different components. Similarly, terms such as "a" or "an" do not denote a limitation on quantity, but rather indicate the presence of one. "Multiple" or "several" means two or more. Unless otherwise indicated, terms such as "front," "rear," "lower," and / or "upper" are for convenience only and are not intended to limit to a single position or spatial orientation. Terms such as "include" or "comprising" mean that the elements or objects listed before "include" or "comprising" include the elements or objects listed after "include" or "comprising" and their equivalents, and do not exclude other elements or objects. Terms such as "connected" or "connected" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections and can include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect.

[0028] The terms used in this disclosure are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the disclosure. As used in this disclosure and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," "the," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and / or" as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0029] like Figure 1-3 The HVAC system shown includes an air intake structure and an air distributor 5. The air intake structure comprises a firewall 1, a hood 3 mounted on the firewall 1, and a blower 2. The hood 3 and blower 2 are both located on one side of the firewall 1. The air distributor 5 is mounted on the other side of the firewall 1 and is connected to the blower 2.

[0030] Firewall 1 is a layer of metal plate between the engine and the cabin. This plate is covered with heat-insulating material. In the event of an engine fire, this plate can be used to separate passengers from the engine. Firewall 1 not only protects passengers but also allows the driver to maintain control of the engine. New energy vehicles, while no longer equipped with an engine, still have firewall 1, with housing 3 and blower 2 located within the cavity originally used to house the engine.

[0031] like Figure 1As shown, the air separator 5 includes two air outlets. One of the air outlets faces obliquely upward, and is mainly used to blow towards the face of the passenger in the passenger compartment. The other air outlet faces obliquely downward, and is mainly used to blow towards the feet of the passenger in the passenger compartment. The function of the air separator 5 in the present disclosure is mainly to distribute the air volume transmitted from the air intake structure. Among them, the air separator 5 can distribute all the air volume to the air outlet for blowing the face, or it can distribute all the air volume to the air outlet for blowing the feet, and it can also adjust the air volume of the two air outlets in real time according to demand. Of course, in other embodiments, the air separator 5 may also include multiple air outlets. The present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0032] like Figure 3 As shown, the cover 3 is mounted on the firewall 1 and cooperates with the firewall 1 to enclose the blower 2. The cover 3 in the present disclosure cooperates with the firewall 1 to completely enclose the blower 2, preventing direct contact between the blower 2 and the outside world, greatly enhancing the blower 2's waterproof performance. Furthermore, when the blower 2 is in operation, the cover 3 also largely isolates the blower 2's noise, thereby enhancing the vehicle's overall NVH performance.

[0033] The air intake structure further includes an air intake passage 4 located between the blower 2 and the housing 3. The blower 2 includes a first air intake port 20. The housing 3 includes a second air intake port 30. The air intake passage 4 is in communication with the first air intake port 20 and the second air intake port 30, respectively.

[0034] The air intake structure of the present disclosure uses a cover 3 to surround the blower 2, and directly uses the gap formed between the cover 3 and the blower 2 as the air intake duct. The overall shape is more like a cube, so that the maximum cross-sectional area of ​​the air intake channel 4 reaches 20,000 cm2 as required by the industry standard. 2 On the basis of this, the space occupied by the overall air intake structure is more compact and the efficiency is higher.

[0035] It should be noted that the blower 2 in the present disclosure can be located in the center of the housing 3, so that the air inlet passage 4 is formed by the six-sided gap between the blower 2 and the housing 3. The blower 2 can also be attached to one side of the housing 3, so that the air inlet passage 4 is formed by the five-sided gap between the blower 2 and the housing 3. The present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0036] In some embodiments, the air intake direction of the first air inlet 20 includes a first direction. The air intake direction of the second air inlet 30 includes a second direction. The first direction and the second direction are oppositely arranged. In this way, the gas in the air intake channel 4, when moving from the second air inlet 30 to the first air inlet 20, must move from one side of the cover body 3 to the other opposite side, so that the gas in the air intake channel 4 can completely fill the entire cover body 3 space, thereby improving the space utilization rate in the cover body 3, thereby improving the air intake efficiency of the gas. At the same time, it also makes the maximum cross-sectional area of ​​the air intake channel 4 reach the theoretical maximum value, so that the maximum cross-sectional area of ​​the air intake channel 4 reaches 20000cm3 as required by the industry standard. 2 On the basis of the overall space occupied by the air intake structure is more compact.

[0037] As an optional embodiment, the housing 3 includes a top wall 31. A second air inlet 30 is disposed on the top wall 31. The second air inlet 30 on the housing 3 is primarily used to interface with the air duct within the vehicle. Disposing the second air inlet 30 on the top wall 31 of the housing 3 facilitates its connection with the air duct within the vehicle, thereby reducing the total length of the air duct within the vehicle. This reduces the space occupied by the air duct, reduces the weight of the vehicle, and saves costs.

[0038] In the above embodiment, the air intake direction of the second air inlet 30 is mainly in the direction of gravity, and the air intake direction of the first air inlet 20 of the blower 2 is mainly in the direction opposite to the direction of gravity. Figure 1 As shown, when the gas comes in from the second air inlet 30, the gas directly moves downward through the gap between the blower 2 and the cover body 3, that is, the air inlet channel 4, until it reaches the gap between the lower end surface of the blower 2 and the bottom wall of the cover body 3, and is then sucked into the blower 2.

[0039] It should be noted that the gas entering from the second air inlet 30 is generally mixed with moisture. Furthermore, as the gas enters the first air inlet 20 from the second air inlet 30 located on the top wall 31 of the cover 3, it undergoes a flipping movement. During this flipping process, the moisture contained in the gas cannot be sucked into the blower 2 due to its heavy weight, and instead falls directly onto the bottom wall of the cover 3. The gas, however, is sucked into the blower 2 due to its light density, thereby achieving the effect of water separation. The term moisture used herein encompasses any form of liquid or vapor entrained in the gas, and does not only refer to water entrained in the gas.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the air intake structure further includes a drain port, which is provided on the bottom wall of the housing 3 to discharge the water separated from the gas.

[0041] As an optional embodiment, the cover body 3 includes a side wall 34. The second air inlet 30 is provided on the side wall 34. The air intake direction of the second air inlet 30 is mainly in the horizontal direction, and the air intake direction of the first air inlet 20 of the blower 2 is mainly in the horizontal direction opposite to the air intake direction of the second air inlet 30. When the gas enters from the second air inlet 30, the gas diffuses along the gap between the side of the blower 2 and the side wall 34 of the cover body 3, and fills the entire gap between the cover body 3 and the blower 2, that is, it moves along the air intake channel 4 until it moves to the gap between the other side wall 34 opposite to the cover body 3 and the blower 2, and is then sucked into the blower 2.

[0042] As an optional embodiment, the cover body 3 includes a bottom wall. The second air inlet 30 is provided on the bottom wall. The air intake direction of the second air inlet 30 mainly points in the direction opposite to the direction of gravity, and the air intake direction of the first air inlet 20 of the blower 2 mainly points in the direction of gravity. When the gas enters from the second air inlet 30, the gas directly passes through the gap between the blower 2 and the cover body 3, that is, the air intake channel 4 and moves upward, that is, moves along the air intake channel 4 until it reaches the gap between the upper end surface of the blower 2 and the top wall 31 of the cover body 3, and is then sucked into the blower 2.

[0043] In some embodiments, the blower 2 further includes a raised portion 211 provided on the first end face 210. The raised portion 211 further includes a third end face and a guide wall formed in a circle. The guide wall is connected and provided between the first end face 210 and the third end face. Along the direction from the third end face to the first end face 210, the guide wall gradually tilts toward the center of the first end face 210 and toward the edge of the first end face 210. After the gas in the present disclosure enters the air inlet channel 4 from the second air inlet 30, most of the gas first contacts the guide wall of the raised portion 211, and gradually diffuses to the surroundings under the action of the guide wall, thereby effectively reducing the energy loss of the gas after entering the air inlet channel from the second air inlet 30 and reducing the wind resistance.

[0044] In some embodiments, the housing 3 includes a first surface 32 and a second surface 33. The first surface 32 faces the first air inlet 20. The second surface 33 is connected to the first surface 32 and forms an angle with the first surface 32. The angle ranges from 120° to 150°. This arrangement allows the second surface 33 to guide the air within the air inlet passage 4, reducing wind resistance.

[0045] It should be noted that the first surface 32 is located at different positions on the cover body 3 depending on the location of the second air inlet 30. For example, when the second air inlet 30 is located on the top wall 31, the first surface 32 is located on the bottom wall. When the second air inlet 30 is located on the side wall 34, the first surface 32 is located on the other opposite side wall 34 of the cover body 3. When the second air inlet 30 is located on the bottom wall, the first surface 32 is located on the top wall 31.

[0046] In some embodiments, the blower 2 further includes a first air outlet connected to the first air inlet 20. The air intake structure further includes an air outlet pipe 6. One end of the air outlet pipe 6 is connected to the first air outlet, and the other end of the air outlet pipe 6 is connected to the air separator 5, so that the gas inhaled by the blower 2 can be sent to the air separator 5, and the second air inlet 30 faces the air outlet pipe 6. After the gas enters the air inlet channel 4 from the second air inlet 30, it is directly blown toward the air outlet pipe 6. The cross-sectional area of ​​the air outlet pipe 6 is generally smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the blower 2. That is, compared with the second air inlet 30 facing the blower 2, the gas in the above embodiment can be less blocked, thereby reducing the wind resistance in the air inlet channel 4.

[0047] It should be noted that the air outlet pipe 6 in the present disclosure includes a round pipe, a square pipe or other special-shaped pipes, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0048] As an optional embodiment, when the air outlet pipe 6 is a square tube: the blower 2 includes a first end surface 210 facing the second air inlet 30. The air outlet pipe 6 includes a second end surface 220 facing the second air inlet 30. The area of ​​the first end surface 210 is larger than the area of ​​the second end surface 220. After the gas enters the air inlet passage 4 from the second air inlet 30, it is directly blown toward the air outlet pipe 6. The area of ​​the first end surface 210 is larger than the area of ​​the second end surface 220. That is, compared with the second air inlet 30 facing the blower 2, the gas in the above embodiment can be less blocked, thereby reducing the wind resistance in the air inlet passage 4.

[0049] The present disclosure further provides a vehicle, comprising an installation cavity, wherein the HVAC system as described above is disposed in the installation cavity.

[0050] Those skilled in the art will readily recognize other embodiments of the present disclosure after considering the specification and practicing the technical solutions disclosed herein. This disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present disclosure that follow the general principles of the present disclosure and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The description and examples are to be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the present disclosure being indicated by the following claims.

[0051] It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the exact structures that have been described above and shown in the drawings, and that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the present disclosure is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An air intake structure, comprising a firewall and a blower disposed on the firewall; the blower comprises a first air intake; characterized in that: The air intake structure further includes a cover and an air intake passage located between the blower and the cover; the cover includes a second air intake port; the cover is mounted on the firewall and cooperates with the firewall to surround the blower; the air intake passage is communicated with the first air intake port and the second air intake port respectively; The blower further includes a first air outlet connected to the first air inlet; the air inlet structure further includes an air outlet pipe connected to the first air outlet; the second air inlet faces the air outlet pipe; The blower includes a first end surface facing the second air inlet; the air outlet pipe includes a second end surface facing the second air inlet; the area of ​​the first end surface is larger than the area of ​​the second end surface; The blower also includes a raised portion arranged on the first end face; the raised portion also includes a third end face and a guide wall formed in a circle; the guide wall is connected and arranged between the first end face and the third end face; along the direction from the third end face to the first end face, the guide wall gradually tilts along the direction from the center of the first end face to the edge of the first end face.

2. The air intake structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air intake direction of the first air inlet includes a first direction; the air intake direction of the second air inlet includes a second direction; the first direction and the second direction are oppositely arranged.

3. The air intake structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second direction includes a direction of gravity.

4. The air intake structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cover body includes a top wall; the second air inlet is arranged on the top wall.

5. The air intake structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cover body includes a first surface and a second surface; the first surface faces the first air inlet; the second surface is connected to the first surface and forms an obtuse angle with the first surface.

6. The air intake structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The obtuse angle ranges from 120° to 150°.

7. An HVAC system, characterized in that: The HVAC system includes an air separator and an air intake structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6; the air separator is arranged on the firewall, and is located on two opposite sides of the firewall with the cover.

8. A vehicle, characterized in that: The vehicle includes an installation cavity; the HVAC system as claimed in claim 7 is arranged in the installation cavity.

Images