Heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system

Abstract

A heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system (10) for a motor vehicle comprises a fresh air inlet (14), a moveably mounted valve flap (18) which is assigned to the fresh air inlet (14) and which, in a closed position, blocks the flow of air through the fresh air inlet (14) and, in an open position, allows the flow of air through the fresh air inlet (14), and a drain channel (34) which extends at least partially along a lower edge of the fresh air inlet (14) on an outer face of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system for motor vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] Heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning systems are designed to generate one or more temperature-controlled airflows. In motor vehicles, such systems are used for ventilation and air conditioning within the vehicle interior.

[0003] To this end, firstly, an airflow is drawn in through a fresh air inlet using a fan, and then the temperature of this airflow can be controlled using an evaporator and a heating device.

[0004] When fresh air is drawn in, not only air but also water may be drawn in, such as during rain or washing. Furthermore, when the fresh air inlet is open, water may enter the heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning systems even if the fan is not running.

[0005] This creates a risk of water entering the fan or the filter located upstream of the evaporator, which could adversely affect the operation of the heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning system. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, the purpose of this invention is to prevent water from entering heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning systems.

[0007] According to the invention, this objective is achieved by a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system for a motor vehicle, the system having: a fresh air inlet; a movably mounted valve flap assigned to the fresh air inlet, which blocks airflow through the fresh air inlet in a closed position and allows airflow through the fresh air inlet in an open position; and a drainage channel extending at least partially along the lower edge of the fresh air inlet on the outside of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system.

[0008] The term "lower edge" refers to the installation status of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in a motor vehicle.

[0009] The drainage channel allows water to be expelled from the fresh air inlet environment before it can enter the fresh air inlet. Particularly advantageous is that water accumulating in front of the valve disc when it is closed can be removed very quickly, or relatively large amounts of water can be prevented from accumulating in front of the valve disc altogether. When the valve disc is open, accumulated water may flow into the heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning systems / filters.

[0010] It also avoids the following situation: water remaining on the seals leading to the interior or engine compartment for an extended period of time, and water potentially entering from that location.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning system includes a filter arranged in a filter housing downstream of a fresh air inlet, wherein a drainage channel is at least partially formed within the filter housing. This makes the heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning system particularly compact and reduces the number of components.

[0012] The drainage channel can begin at a portion extending from the outside of the heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning system into the interior of the system and further extend to the condensate outlet. This ensures that water is not distributed in an uncontrolled manner, but is guided in a controlled manner through the drainage channel to the condensate outlet and reliably discharged from the heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning system.

[0013] Preferably, the drainage channels within the heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning system are fluidly separated from the air ducts of the same system. This has the advantage that air or water entering the heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning system through the openings in the drainage channels will not flow through the system but will be expelled as quickly as possible. In particular, the openings of the drainage channels leading to the interior must not be closed, so that even with the valves closed, small amounts of water or air can always enter the heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning system via the drainage channels. Due to the fluid separation, the operation of the heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning system is unaffected by the water or air entering through the drainage channels.

[0014] The fresh air inlet is, for example, surrounded by an air inlet flange that covers the drainage channel, wherein a groove is formed in the air inlet flange, and the inlet opening of the drainage channel is located in the groove. By covering the drainage channel, the advantage of retaining relatively large dust particles, especially leaves, in the groove is achieved. This prevents the drainage channel from becoming clogged.

[0015] Preferably, the cross-section of the gutters gradually narrows towards the inlet opening, particularly in the form of a funnel. This allows water to be collected particularly well in the drainage channel.

[0016] According to one embodiment, another drainage channel within the heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning system extends along the lower edge of the fresh air inlet. This means that water entering via the fresh air inlet can be quickly removed despite the presence of an external drainage channel. In particular, this prevents water from penetrating deeper into the heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning system and reaching the filter.

[0017] For example, the two drainage channels extend in parallel at least in some sections.

[0018] For example, downstream of the opening in the drainage channel leading to the interior, two drainage channels are connected as a common channel. In other words, the second drainage channel can be opened after the first drainage channel. This also facilitates the compact design of heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning systems, as only one drainage channel is needed in at least some sections.

[0019] An additional air inlet can be provided within the vehicle interior, which is also equipped with a movably mounted valve that blocks airflow through the air inlet in a closed position and allows airflow through the air inlet in an open position. This additional air inlet is used for recirculation of air from within the vehicle and is, for example, located in a footwell space.

[0020] Preferably, within the heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning system, a web is provided between a fresh air inlet and another air inlet, which restricts direct airflow from the fresh air inlet to the other air inlet. This web prevents fresh air entering through the fresh air inlet from flowing directly into the vehicle interior through the other air inlet without first being air-conditioned within the heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning system. This is especially important in low external temperatures; for example, if cold fresh air flows into the footwell, passengers will feel uncomfortable. Specifically, the increased flow resistance from the fresh air inlet to the other air inlet is achieved through this web.

[0021] In addition, the web can prevent water from seeping in and flowing directly into the footrest space.

[0022] This additional drainage channel is specifically formed in the web, and multiple ribs are formed within the drainage channel. The ribs ensure increased flow resistance. In other words, the ribs have a throttling effect and ensure increased back pressure. Without the ribs, even with the web, a certain amount of air might flow into the footrest space due to the air pressure formed in front of the valve disc.

[0023] The ribs are designed to allow water to flow out unimpeded through the drainage channels.

[0024] Air ducts can extend from the air inlet to the evaporator of the heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning system. This allows for air conditioning of the air flowing through the fresh air valve. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Further advantages and features of the invention can be found in the following description and the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0026] Figure 1 A portion of a heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning system according to the present invention is shown.

[0027] Figure 2The schematic illustration shows the installation space environment. Figure 1 Heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning systems,

[0028] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 Perspective cross-sectional view of the central heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system.

[0029] Figure 4 It shows Figure 1 Interior view of the central heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system.

[0030] Figure 5 It shows Figure 1 The cross-section of the filter housing in a central heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning system.

[0031] Figure 6 The outlet opening at the bottom of the filter housing is shown.

[0032] Figure 7 A portion of the drainage channel is shown.

[0033] Figure 8 It shows Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the area containing the drainage channels of the central heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system, and

[0034] Figure 9 It shows Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the area where the central heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system's fresh air inlet is located. Detailed Implementation

[0035] Figure 1 A heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system 10 for a motor vehicle is shown, wherein the air guiding unit of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system 10 is not shown.

[0036] exist Figure 2 In the diagram, the heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning system 10 is shown in an installed state within a vehicle environment, wherein... Figure 2 The heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system 10 is mostly shielded by the end wall 12, which is located in... Figure 2 It is illustrated schematically. Figure 2 Only the fresh air inlet 14 of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system 10 can be seen.

[0037] At the fresh air inlet 14, there is at least a partially grid-shaped cover 16, which is used to keep large particles of dirt, such as leaves, away from the fresh air inlet 14.

[0038] The fresh air inlet 14 is also surrounded by a frame 111. The frame 111 is specifically used for aligning the cover 16.

[0039] like Figure 1 As shown, the fresh air inlet is equipped with a movable valve 18, which prevents airflow through the fresh air inlet 14 in the closed position and allows airflow through the fresh air inlet 14 in the open position.

[0040] Fresh air is provided by fan 20 (see Figure 3 It was inhaled.

[0041] Air duct 22 extends from fresh air inlet 14 to the evaporator of heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning system 10. The evaporator is located in... Figure 1 It is shielded by the evaporator casing 24.

[0042] Air duct 22 is formed, in particular, by different housing walls of the heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning system 10. For illustrative purposes, the path of air duct 22 is shown in... Figure 1 It is roughly schematically shown in the middle using dashed lines.

[0043] In addition to the fresh air inlet 14, another air inlet 26 is provided, which is located inside the vehicle, particularly in the footwell.

[0044] Air inlet 26 is also provided with a movable valve disc 28, which blocks airflow through air inlet 26 in the closed position and allows airflow through air inlet 26 in the open position.

[0045] exist Figure 3 The filter 30, which is shown transparently in the middle, is arranged downstream of the fresh air inlet 14 and upstream of the evaporator.

[0046] The filter 30 is housed in the filter housing 32.

[0047] Filter 30 is used to purify fresh air before it enters the vehicle interior.

[0048] However, not only should dirt be prevented from entering, but water should also be prevented from entering the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning systems.

[0049] For example, if valve 18 opens during rain or a car wash, water can enter. Additionally, when valve 18 is closed, water may accumulate in front of valve 18, and when valve 18 opens, water may flow into the vehicle's interior.

[0050] To avoid this situation, there is a drainage channel 34 that extends at least partially along the lower edge of the fresh air inlet 14 on the outside of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system 10.

[0051] exist Figure 3 A portion of the drainage channel 34 can be seen in the figure, which shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system 10.

[0052] The drainage channel 34 extends across the entire width of the fresh air inlet 14.

[0053] Specifically, the drainage channel 34 is directly adjacent to the fresh air inlet 14.

[0054] The drainage channel 34 is segmented within the filter housing 32.

[0055] An air inlet flange 17 surrounding the fresh air inlet 14 covers the drainage channel 34 in the area along the fresh air inlet 14.

[0056] A gutter 36 is formed in the air inlet flange 17, and an inlet opening 38 leading to the drainage channel 34 is provided in the gutter 36.

[0057] The air inlet flange 17 thus forms a cover for the drainage channel 34 without obstructing drainage.

[0058] The eaves groove 36 gradually narrows towards the drainage channel 34.

[0059] The web 40 is located inside the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system 10, between the fresh air inlet 14 and another air inlet 26, and restricts the direct airflow from the fresh air inlet 14 to the other air inlet 26.

[0060] Figure 4 An interior view of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system 10 in the air inlet 14, 26 areas is shown.

[0061] In this view, another drainage channel 42 can be seen extending along the lower edge of the fresh air inlet 14 inside the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system 10.

[0062] The other drainage channel 42 is formed in the web 40, which contributes to the compact design.

[0063] Multiple ribs 44 may optionally be formed in the drainage channel 42 or the web 40.

[0064] In the exemplary embodiment shown, rib 44 is serrated. However, other shapes are also conceivable.

[0065] Rib 44 ensures increased flow resistance between fresh air inlet 14 and another air inlet 26, making airflow from fresh air inlet 14 to another air inlet 26 difficult.

[0066] Below, refer to Figures 4 to 7 The paths of drainage channels 34 and 42 are described in more detail.

[0067] The first drainage channel 34 begins from a portion extending on the outside of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system 10 and leads into the interior of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system 10.

[0068] More specifically, a portion of the drain channel 34 is formed by a circumferentially enclosed channel 46 within the filter housing 32. This is in Figure 5 As can be seen in the figure, the cross-section through the filter housing 32 is shown, thus revealing the interior of the chassis 50 of the filter housing 32.

[0069] Channel 46 has an outlet opening 48 leading to the chassis 50 of filter housing 32.

[0070] In chassis 50, drainage channel 34 extends to outlet opening 52 in chassis 50.

[0071] A partition wall 54 is formed in the chassis 50, which defines the drainage channel 34.

[0072] The partition wall 54 divides the outlet opening 52 into two zones, in which the drainage channel 34 is allocated to only one zone, and the other zone is allocated to the air duct 22 of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system 10, i.e., to the drainage channel 42.

[0073] The subdivision of partition wall 54 to outlet opening 52 in Figure 6 It is especially clearly visible in the middle.

[0074] With the help of partition wall 54, circumferentially enclosed channel 46 and filter 30, the drainage channel 34 inside the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system 10 is fluidly separated from the air duct 22 of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system 10.

[0075] Pipeline 56 (see outlet opening 52) is connected to outlet opening 52. Figure 7 Drainage channels 34 and 42 are joined in pipeline 56, and pipeline 56 extends to condensate outlet 58.

[0076] The condensate outlet 58 is preferably formed at the bottom of the evaporator shell 24. Figure 7 In the diagram, condensate outlet 58 is shown as an example. However, condensate outlet 58 does not necessarily need to be located in... Figure 7 The location is shown. Typically, the condensate outlet 58 is positioned at the lowest point in the evaporator housing 24 during installation, allowing water to flow out particularly well.

[0077] Another drainage channel 42 extends downward from the fresh air inlet 14 on the filter housing 32, particularly along the outer side of the channel 46.

[0078] Figure 8 The cross-sectional view illustrates the situation to be avoided according to the present invention.

[0079] More specifically, Figure 8 The following state is shown for the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system 10: the fresh air inlet 14 is completely closed by the valve flap 18, and water has accumulated in the area in front of the fresh air inlet 14.

[0080] As a result, water remains on seal 60, which seals the interior from the exterior. If this condition persists for a relatively long period, there is still a risk of water entering the interior despite the presence of seal 60.

[0081] Furthermore, when valve 18 is opened, water will flow into the interior of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system 10, which is also disadvantageous.

[0082] The presence of drainage channel 34 can prevent this situation.

[0083] Figure 9 The diagram further illustrates how the flow resistance is increased by the web 40 when valve discs 18 and 28 are open.

Claims

1. A heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising: a fresh air inlet (14); a first valve flap (18) movably mounted thereon, the first valve flap (18) being assigned to the fresh air inlet (14) to block airflow through the fresh air inlet (14) in a closed position and to allow airflow through the fresh air inlet (14) in an open position; and a drain passage (34) extending at least partially on the outside of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system (10) along the lower edge of the fresh air inlet (14), wherein another drain passage (42) within the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system (10) extends along the lower edge of the fresh air inlet (14), characterized in that, Another air inlet (26) is provided inside the vehicle, wherein the other air inlet (26) is also provided with a movably mounted second valve (28), the second valve (28) blocking airflow through the other air inlet (26) in a closed position and allowing airflow through the other air inlet (26) in an open position, wherein a web (40) is provided inside the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system (10) between the fresh air inlet (14) and the other air inlet (26), the web (40) restricting direct airflow from the fresh air inlet (14) to the other air inlet (26), wherein another drain channel (42) is formed in the web (40), and a plurality of ribs (44) are formed in the other drain channel (42).

2. The heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning system (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system (10) includes a filter (30) arranged in a filter housing (32) downstream of the fresh air inlet (14), wherein the drain passage (34) is at least partially formed in the filter housing (32).

3. The heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning system (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drainage channel (34) begins at a portion extending from the outside of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system (10) into the interior of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system (10) and extends further to the condensate outlet (58).

4. The heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning system (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The drainage channel (34) inside the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system (10) is fluidly separated from the air duct (22) of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system (10).

5. The heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning system (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fresh air inlet (14) is surrounded by an air inlet flange (17) covering the drainage channel (34), wherein a groove (36) is formed in the air inlet flange (17), and an inlet opening (38) leading to the drainage channel (34) is provided in the groove (36).

6. The heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning system (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The cross-section of the eaves groove (36) gradually narrows toward the entrance opening (38).

7. The heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that, An air duct (22) extends from the fresh air inlet (14) to the evaporator of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system (10).

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