Modules for air conditioning systems

Abstract

The invention relates to a module (1) for an air conditioning system (2) of a motor vehicle (3), comprising a first air intake housing (4) and a first distributor housing (6) for installation in a left wheel housing of the motor vehicle (3), a second air intake housing (5) and a second distributor housing (7) for installation in a right wheel housing of the motor vehicle (3), an evaporator (8) for installation in the first and / or second air intake housing (4, 5), the evaporator having a filter, an air distribution device (9) for installation in the first and / or second distributor housing (6, 7), and a fan-heating device assembly (10) having a fan (11), a heating device (12) and a temperature mixing door (13), which can be connected to the first or second air intake housing (4, 5) and the first or second distributor housing (6, 7). A significant reduction in the number of parts can thereby be achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a module for an air-conditioning system of a motor vehicle, an air-conditioning system assembled from such a module, and a motor vehicle having such an air-conditioning system. Background Art

[0002] In particular, air conditioning systems arranged at the rear end or at or in the rear wheel housing of a motor vehicle require different designs depending on whether they are installed at the right or left wheel housing of the motor vehicle. Since the installation space available on both sides is relatively small and the system is designed asymmetrically, the installed air conditioning system itself must be adapted in a complex manner in terms of subassemblies for the respective left or right installation.

[0003] This side-specific design of the air conditioning system requires a greater variety of parts and the associated higher storage and logistics costs, as well as increased installation effort, which in turn is reflected in increased production costs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention is therefore directed to the problem of proposing a module for an air-conditioning system of a motor vehicle, which module enables the production of an air-conditioning system that at least partially overcomes the disadvantages known from the prior art.

[0005] The present invention is based on the following general concept: to provide a module for an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle, particularly an air conditioning system that can be installed in the rear wheelhouse of a motor vehicle. The module comprises as many components as possible for both right-side installation (i.e., installation in the right rear wheelhouse) and left-side installation (i.e., installation in the left rear wheelhouse). The module system according to the present invention comprises a first air intake housing for installation in the left wheelhouse of a motor vehicle and a second air intake housing for installation in the right wheelhouse. Furthermore, the module comprises a first distributor housing for installation in the left wheelhouse of a motor vehicle and a second distributor housing for installation in the right wheelhouse of a motor vehicle. An evaporator with a filter is provided for installation in the first and / or second air intake housings, allowing the evaporator to be used in both installation positions, regardless of whether it is intended for left or right installation. The filter is located upstream of the evaporator. Similarly, an air distribution device is provided, which is designed for installation in the first and / or second distributor housings. Furthermore, a fan heater assembly is provided, which includes a fan, a heater, and a temperature blending door. This assembly can be connected to either the first or second air intake housing, and to both the first and second distributor housings. Consequently, the fan heater assembly is only required once and can be installed selectively in either the right or left wheelhouse. The module according to the present invention allows for the installation of at least the evaporator with filter, the air distribution system, and the fan heater assembly, regardless of the subsequent installation location. Instead of having to provide two separate parts for these components, only one is required. This allows for relatively large component volumes for both the left-hand and right-hand rear air conditioning systems.

[0006] In practice, the fan is suspended in the fan heater assembly when installed (i.e., when the air conditioning system is installed in a motor vehicle). This allows for optimal use of the installation space. Fans are so-called suspended / horizontal fans, whose axis of rotation is oriented in the z-direction, with the fan impeller pointing downwards, and are arranged below the motor.

[0007] In another advantageous embodiment of the module according to the invention, the first or second air intake housing can be connected to the fan heater assembly at different rotational angles. This can be accomplished, for example, via a round flange connection that eliminates the need for specific alignment of the first or second air intake housing with the fan heater assembly. Furthermore, the rotationally independent arrangement allows for compensation of production-related and / or assembly-related tolerances, which simplifies the installation of the air conditioning system in the motor vehicle.

[0008] In another advantageous embodiment of the module according to the invention, the air distribution device contained therein has at least a first door and a second door, which are connected to respectively associated air outlet ducts. For example, the first door enables air to flow out of the footwell of a motor vehicle, while the second door and the second air outlet duct enable air to flow out through the roof. Of course, it is also conceivable to provide additional doors for further air outlet ducts.

[0009] The present invention is also based on the following general concept: an air conditioning system is proposed, which is assembled from the modules described in the preceding paragraphs. When the air conditioning system is in the installed state (i.e., when installed in a motor vehicle), the heating device is arranged upright and laterally downstream next to the fan in the fan heater assembly. The evaporator (if present) can be arranged upright on the air intake side, below the fan and the fan heater assembly. This allows for a particularly compact and space-saving design. In this case, the fan heater assembly is designed so that the housings for specific sides (i.e., the air intake housing and the distributor housing) can be directly connected without the need for adapters. This reduces installation work and installation costs, as well as the expenditure on storage and logistics costs. In addition, in the air conditioning system according to the present invention, the air distribution device and the first distributor housing or the second distributor housing are arranged downstream next to the heating device. This allows for a space-optimized arrangement in the area of ​​the rear wheelhouse of the motor vehicle, regardless of whether it is the left or right rear wheelhouse.

[0010] In practice, when the air conditioning system is installed and installed, the evaporator and fan are arranged in the yz plane, the heater and temperature mixing door are arranged in the xy plane, and the air distribution system is arranged in the xz plane. Here, x denotes the longitudinal direction, particularly also the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, y denotes the transverse direction, particularly also the transverse direction of the vehicle, and z denotes the height direction. The orthogonal orientation of the air distribution system and the heater or temperature mixing door allows for a particularly compact design. Furthermore, the interfaces in the fan-heater assembly in the z direction (i.e., in the height direction) enable the installation of the same component on both the left and right sides of the vehicle. Furthermore, the separation into these three planes allows the use of the same fan-heater assembly in both the left and right halves of the vehicle (i.e., in the left and right rear wheel arches, in the specific case). Furthermore, the evaporator with filter can be used on both sides by rotating it 180°. Only the air intake housing and the distributor housing still need to be designed for specific sides. However, compared to previously known air conditioning systems, which themselves had to be designed for specific sides down to the smallest subassemblies, this results in a significant reduction in the number of parts, the number of tools, and therefore the development effort. Since the number of components used on both sides (e.g., the evaporator, air distribution system, and fan heater assembly) is higher, higher unit quantities and therefore lower unit costs can be achieved for these components.

[0011] In an advantageous refinement of the air-conditioning system according to the invention, the temperature blending door can be rotated about a vertical axis (z-axis), while the first and second doors of the air distribution system can be rotated about a horizontal axis. This orthogonal orientation, in turn, allows for a particularly compact design and simplified assembly, particularly with regard to automated installation. The doors can also be used on both the left and right sides, resulting in lower storage and logistics costs and a simpler design for automated door installation (robotics) due to the identical component design.

[0012] The present invention is also based on the general idea of ​​equipping a motor vehicle with an air conditioning system according to the preceding paragraph, thereby transferring the advantages mentioned with respect to the air conditioning system to the motor vehicle. In particular, it is proposed that the number of parts required to manufacture the motor vehicle is reduced, resulting in lower storage and logistics costs.

[0013] Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the drawings and the associated description of the figures with reference to the drawings.

[0014] It goes without saying that the features described above and those still to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively indicated combination but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of the present invention. The components of a superordinate unit described above and below (i.e., for example, individually indicated devices, apparatuses, or arrangements) can form individual components or parts of this unit or integral regions or sections of this unit, even if this is shown differently in the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein identical reference numerals designate identical or similar or functionally identical components.

[0016] Schematically shown respectively:

[0017] Figure 1 A view showing an air conditioning system according to the invention assembled from modules according to the invention,

[0018] Figure 2 Shown as Figure 1 but shown from a different perspective,

[0019] Figure 3 shows a view of the air conditioning system according to the present invention in the x-direction,

[0020] Figure 4 shows a view of the air conditioning system according to the present invention in the z direction,

[0021] Figure 5 shows a view of the air conditioning system according to the present invention in the y direction,

[0022] Figure 6 A module according to the invention is shown for such an air-conditioning system according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] according to Figure 6 , for motor vehicles 3 according to Figures 1 to 5The module 1 according to the invention of the air-conditioning system 2 shown has: a first air intake housing 4 for installation in the left wheel housing of the motor vehicle 3, in particular the left rear wheel housing; a second air intake housing 5 for installation in the right wheel housing of the motor vehicle 3, in particular the right rear wheel housing; a first distributor housing 6 for installation in turn in the left rear wheel housing of the motor vehicle 3; and a second distributor housing 7 for installation in the right rear wheel housing of the motor vehicle 3. In addition, the module 1 according to the invention also includes: an evaporator 8 with a filter for installation in the first air intake housing 4 and / or the second air intake housing 5; and an air distribution device 9 for installation in the first distributor housing 6 and / or the second distributor housing 7. The arrangement of the filter upstream of the evaporator 8 can bring acoustic advantages by reducing the intake noise. Another component in the module 1 according to the invention is a fan heating device assembly 10, which has a fan 11, a heating device 12 and a temperature mixing door 13 (see in particular). Figure 4 ).

[0024] The module 1 according to the invention now makes it possible to use a large number of identical parts for both applications (i.e., evaporator 8, air distribution system 9, and fan heater assembly 10), regardless of the selected installation location (i.e., regardless of whether the air conditioning system 2 is installed in the left or right wheelhouse of the motor vehicle 3). Previously, these components 8, 9, 10 had to be designed for a specific side, which resulted in a doubling of the number of parts, at least in this area, and thus increased storage and logistics costs as well as installation costs.

[0025] The filter and the evaporator 8 belong to both (left and right) embodiments of the air-conditioning system 2. In principle, it is also possible to omit the evaporator 8 and / or the filter or to use the filter and the evaporator 8 for a low-cost air-conditioning system 2, for example.

[0026] With the module 1 according to the invention, only the side-specific air intake housing 4 , 5 and the side-specific distributor housing 6 , 7 need to be considered for installation in the left or right wheelhouse of the motor vehicle 3 .

[0027] In addition to reducing the number of parts, the number of tools is also reduced, which reduces development effort and makes the left and right sides functionally identical. Since the evaporator 8 is designed identically on both sides without modifications or side-specific features, the air distributor 9, which can also be used on both sides, and the fan heater assembly 10, which can also be used on both sides, can be manufactured for both applications, resulting in higher unit quantities and lower unit costs.

[0028] If you observe Figures 1 to 3 and Figure 5, it can be seen that the fan 11 is suspended in the fan heater assembly 10 in the installed state. This allows for optimal use of the installation space, especially the installation space in the wheel arch area. Here, the evaporator 8 is arranged on the air intake side of the fan 11, thereby creating space for a temperature mixing door 13 with corresponding movement devices and actuators to mix warm air and cold air together. By arranging the evaporator 8 upstream of the fan 11, contamination of the evaporator 8 due to copper wear of the brushed fan motor used is eliminated. If the evaporator 8 and the heating body are also located in the distribution housing 6, 7 or both are located in the fan heater assembly (10), there is no more space for the design of the temperature mixing door so that the air conditioning system 2 regulated on the air side can be designed. Therefore, a tail system regulated on the water side must be provided.

[0029] The first air inlet housing 4 and the second air inlet housing 5 can be connected to the housing of the fan heater assembly 10 at different rotational angles, for example using a circular flange connection 14 (see Figure 3 ). In this way, in particular production-related and assembly-related tolerances can be compensated.

[0030] The air distribution device 9 can have at least a first door 15 and a second door 16, which are connected to respectively associated air outflow ducts 17, 18. The air outflow duct 17 leads, for example, into the footwell of the motor vehicle 3, while the air outflow duct 18 leads to the roof area and thus enables air conditioning of the rear passengers near their heads.

[0031] If the observation Figures 1 to 5 The air conditioning system 2 shown in the installed state, which is assembled from the modules 1 according to the present invention, shows that the evaporator 8 is arranged vertically on the air intake side, below the fan 11 and the fan-heating assembly 10. At the same time, the heating device 12 is arranged vertically and laterally downstream of the fan 11 in the fan-heating assembly 10, while the air distribution device 9 and the first and second distributor housings 6 and 7 are arranged laterally downstream of the heating device 12. In this case, downstream always refers to downstream in the flow direction 20 of the air flow generated by the fan 11.

[0032] Furthermore, when the air conditioning system 2 is installed and mounted in the motor vehicle 3, the evaporator 8 and the fan 11 are also arranged in the yz plane, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 The heating device 12 and the temperature mixing door 13 are arranged in the xy plane, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown, the air distribution device 9 is arranged in the xz plane, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 shown.

[0033] In addition, two screwing points 19 are provided on the housing of the fan heater assembly 10 , one of which is used, depending on the respective application in the left or right rear wheel arch of the motor vehicle 3 , to fix the fan heater assembly 10 and thus to fix the air conditioning system 2 to the motor vehicle 3 .

[0034] If you observe Figure 4 , it can be seen that the temperature mixing door 13 is rotatably arranged around a vertical axis (ie, in this case, around an axis extending orthogonally to the drawing plane, i.e., the z-axis). In contrast, the first door 15 and the second door 16 are rotatably arranged around a horizontal axis (ie, according to the z-axis). Figure 5 For example, it is arranged around an axis extending in the y direction, ie in the transverse direction of the vehicle and also oriented orthogonally to the drawing plane). Figure 4 The heating device 12 is again installed obliquely in the x and y directions, which provides optimal installation space utilization and enables the creation of separate cold and warm air paths in order to ensure the functionality of the air conditioning implementation 2 in terms of, for example, desired air temperature, air volume, acoustics, etc.

[0035] In general, the different arrangements of the individual components in different planes (i.e., the evaporator 8 and fan 11 are arranged in the yz plane, the heater 12 and the temperature mixing door 13 for temperature mixing are arranged in the xy plane, and the air distribution device 9 is arranged in the xz plane) allow the air conditioning system 2 to be separated into individual components, with only a few of these components (i.e., the air intake housings 4 and 5 and the distributor housings 6 and 7) having to be configured for a specific side, while the majority of the components (i.e., the evaporator 8, the air distribution device 9, and the fan-heater assembly 10 including the fan 11, the heater 12, and the temperature mixing door 13) can be configured identically for both sides. This results in a significant reduction in the number of parts and a significant reduction in the manufacturing costs of the air conditioning system 2.

Claims

1. A module (1) for an air conditioning system (2) of a motor vehicle (3), - having a first air intake housing (4) for installation in the left wheel housing of the motor vehicle (3), - having a second air intake housing (5) for installation in the right wheel housing of the motor vehicle (3), - having a first distributor housing (6) for installation in the left wheel housing of the motor vehicle (3), - having a second distributor housing (7) for installation in the right wheel housing of the motor vehicle (3), - an evaporator (8) with a filter for installation in the first air inlet housing (4) and / or the second air inlet housing (5), so that the evaporator (8) can be used in two installation positions, regardless of whether it is for the left side or for the right side, - having an air distribution device (9) for installation in the first distributor housing (6) and / or the second distributor housing (7), a fan heater assembly (10), which comprises a fan (11), a heater (12) and a temperature blending door (13), and is connectable to the first air intake housing (4) or the second air intake housing (5) and the first distributor housing (6) or the second distributor housing (7), -in, The first air inlet housing (4) or the second air inlet housing (5) can be connected to the fan heating device assembly (10) at different rotation angle positions.

2. The module according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The fan (11) is arranged in a suspended manner in the fan heater assembly (10) when installed.

3. The module according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The air distribution device (9) has at least a first door (15) and a second door (16), which are connected to respectively associated air outflow channels (17, 18).

4. An air conditioning system (2) assembled from modules (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the installed state: - the heating device (12) is arranged upright and laterally downstream of the fan (11) in the fan heater assembly (10), The air distribution device (9) and the first distributor housing (6) or the second distributor housing (7) are arranged laterally downstream of the heating device (12).

5. The air conditioning system according to claim 4, It is characterized in that When the air conditioning system (2) is installed and loaded, - the evaporator (8) and the fan (11) are arranged in the yz plane, - the heating device (12) and the temperature mixing door (13) are arranged in the xy plane, - The air distribution device (9) is arranged in the xz plane, wherein x=longitudinal direction, y=transverse direction and z=height direction.

6. The air conditioning system according to claim 5, It is characterized in that In case of air conditioning system (2) installation, - the temperature mixing door (13) is rotatable about a vertical axis, - The first door (15) and the second door (16) are rotatable around a horizontal axis.

7. The air conditioning system according to claim 5 or 6, It is characterized in that When the air conditioning system (2) is installed and mounted, the heating device (12) is oriented obliquely to the x-axis and obliquely to the y-axis.

8. The air conditioning system (2) according to claim 5 or 6, It is characterized in that The evaporator (8) is arranged upright on the air intake side, below the fan (11) and the fan heating device assembly (10).

9. A motor vehicle (3) having an air conditioning system (2) according to one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the air conditioning system (2) is installed in the right rear wheel housing or the left rear wheel housing.

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