Cover structure for vehicle air-conditioning device

Abstract

A cover structure (10) for a vehicle air-conditioning device (20) is provided with: a partition wall (18) which partitions the inside and outside of a vehicle cabin (16) in which an occupant is seated, and which has an opening (30) in which the vehicle air-conditioning device (20) provided across the inside and outside of the vehicle cabin (16) is disposed; and a cover member (22) that covers at least a portion of the vehicle air-conditioning device (20) provided outside the vehicle cabin and the opening (30), the cover structure (10) of the vehicle air-conditioning device (20) being provided with a damping member that is provided inside the cover member (22) and attenuates sound, the damping member being configured from a plurality of constituent members (150, 200, 320, 500) that form the damping member in a combined state in contact with each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cover structure for a vehicle air conditioner. Background Art

[0002] In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. JP2019-202755A, a vehicle air conditioner is disclosed. In order to expand the space inside the vehicle compartment, a part of the vehicle air conditioner is arranged in the engine compartment, and a cover member is used to cover the component. Summary of the Invention

[0003] However, for a vehicle air conditioner, in order to suck air inside the vehicle compartment or supply conditioned air to the vehicle compartment, it is necessary to arrange a part of the vehicle air conditioner inside the vehicle compartment. Therefore, it is necessary to form an opening of a predetermined size in a partition wall such as a firewall or a lower member of a front bulkhead arranged between the engine compartment and the vehicle compartment.

[0004] On the other hand, an engine compartment or the like constituting a drive source chamber is provided outside the vehicle compartment. In this engine compartment, there are noise sources such as an engine, a transmission, an electric motor, an inverter, or a DC converter. There is a concern that external noise of the vehicle including noise generated by various components of the vehicle outside the vehicle compartment such as this example and noise transmitted from the outside of the vehicle to the inside of the vehicle such as road noise enters the vehicle compartment through the opening formed in the partition wall.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to suppress the intrusion of external noise of the vehicle compartment into the vehicle compartment through the opening compared with the case where an opening for a vehicle air conditioner formed in a partition wall separating the inside and outside of the vehicle compartment is covered with a resin cover formed of a single material.

[0006] According to the solution of the present invention, a cover structure for a vehicle air conditioner includes: a partition wall that separates the inside and outside of a vehicle compartment in which an occupant rides and has an opening, and a vehicle air conditioner arranged across the inside and outside of the vehicle compartment is arranged in the opening; and a cover member that covers at least a part of the vehicle air conditioner arranged outside the vehicle compartment and the opening. The cover structure for the vehicle air conditioner includes a damping member provided inside the cover member and attenuating sound, and the damping member is composed of a plurality of constituent members that form the damping member in a state of being combined in contact with each other.

[0007] In the above-described solution, a sound attenuation member for attenuating sound is provided inside a cover member that covers at least a part of a vehicle air conditioner device and an opening portion provided outside the vehicle compartment. The sound attenuation member is composed of a plurality of constituent members that form the sound attenuation member in a state of being combined in contact with each other. Therefore, even when the inner side of the cover member is formed in a surface shape having a curved surface or uneven surfaces, etc., the plurality of constituent members can be arranged in contact with each other at corresponding portions according to the surface shape of the inner side of the cover member.

[0008] Therefore, compared with the case where an opening portion for a vehicle air conditioner device formed in a partition wall separating the inside and outside of the vehicle compartment is covered with a resin cover formed of a single material, it is possible to suppress the intrusion of external noise of the vehicle compartment into the vehicle compartment through the opening portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 FIG. is an exploded perspective view of a main part of a vehicle to which a cover structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0010] Figure 2 FIG. is a perspective view showing a cover member.

[0011] Figure 3 FIG. is a bottom view showing a lid portion of the cover member.

[0012] Figure 4 FIG. is a rear view showing a cover main body of the cover member.

[0013] Figure 5 FIG. is Figure 4 a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V in

[0014] Figure 6 FIG. is an explanatory view showing a state of observing a left side wall surface of the cover main body from the inside.

[0015] Figure 7 FIG. is a perspective view showing an upper end portion of a left side wall constituent member.

[0016] Figure 8 FIG. is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a portion where a pipe penetrates the cover member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, a vehicle 12 having a cover structure 10 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "cover structure 10") of a vehicle air conditioner device 20 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "air conditioner device 20") according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] First, with reference to Figure 1 the overall structure of the vehicle 12 will be described. Figure 1 FIG. is an exploded perspective view of a main part of a vehicle 12 having a cover structure 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 1In this case, the X-axis is the vehicle length direction (front-rear direction), the Y-axis is the vehicle width direction (left-right direction), and the Z-axis is the vehicle height direction (up-down direction). The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are mutually orthogonal.

[0019] As Figure 1 shown, the vehicle 12 has an engine room 14 (a motor room in the case of an electric vehicle) as a drive source room, a passenger compartment 16, a partition 18, a vehicle air conditioner 20 (hereinafter simply referred to as "air conditioner 20"), and a cover member 22.

[0020] The engine room 14 is provided at the front of the vehicle 12. An engine (not shown) or a motor (not shown) etc. as a drive source for driving drive wheels (not shown) of the vehicle 12 is housed in the engine room 14.

[0021] The passenger compartment 16 is provided behind the engine room 14 of the vehicle. That is, the engine room 14 and the passenger compartment 16 are arranged in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 12. An occupant rides in the passenger compartment 16.

[0022] The partition 18 separates the engine room 14 and the passenger compartment 16. That is, the partition 18 separates the inside and outside of the passenger compartment 16. The partition 18 prevents noise inside the engine room 14 or noise outside the vehicle 12 from invading into the passenger compartment 16. An opening 30 is provided in the partition 18.

[0023] The air conditioner 20 has an HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) unit 40 and a refrigeration cycle circuit (not shown).

[0024] The HVAC unit 40 is a unit through which air for air conditioning passes. The HVAC unit 40 has a housing 42, an air conditioner main body 44, an internal air-external air switching device 46, and a blower 48 having a blower motor BM as a motor.

[0025] In a general air conditioner, all the constituent parts of the HVAC unit 40 are arranged in the front part inside the passenger compartment 16 (the rear part of the partition 18) and are covered from above by an instrument panel (not shown), so as to be hidden and invisible from the perspective of an occupant inside the passenger compartment 16.

[0026] In contrast, in the air conditioner 20 of the embodiment of the present invention, the HVAC unit 40 is separately arranged in the engine room 14 and the passenger compartment 16 and is connected through the opening 30 of the partition 18.

[0027] Specifically described, in the air conditioner 20, a blower 48 and an evaporator of the refrigeration cycle circuit, a heating device for heating, etc. (not shown) are provided in the engine compartment 14, and other components such as an internal air / external air switching device 46 are provided in the passenger compartment 16.

[0028] Thus, a part of the air conditioner 20 disposed in the passenger compartment 16 protrudes into the engine compartment 14 through the opening 30 of the partition 18, and a part of the components of the air conditioner 20 is disposed in the engine compartment 14, thereby increasing the space in the passenger compartment 16.

[0029] The housing 42 houses the blower 48 and the evaporator, etc. (not shown). The housing 42 defines an internal space through which air for air conditioning passes.

[0030] The blower 48 disposed in the engine compartment 14 is driven by a blower motor BM to rotate. The blower 48 sucks the air in the passenger compartment 16 and the external air into the HVAC unit 40.

[0031] The air conditioner main body 44 has a front side portion 44a and a rear side portion 44b. The front side portion 44a is disposed in the engine compartment 14. An evaporator (not shown) is housed in the front side portion 44a. The rear side portion 44b is housed in the passenger compartment 16. A blowout port switching device (not shown) for switching from which blowout port in the passenger compartment 16 the air is blown out is provided in the rear side portion 44b.

[0032] The internal air / external air switching device 46 has an internal air suction port 46a, an external air suction port 46b, and a filter 46c. The air in the passenger compartment 16 is sucked from the internal air suction port 46a. The air outside the vehicle 12 (external air) is sucked from the external air suction port 46b. The internal air / external air switching device 46 switches which suction port to suck air from, the internal air suction port 46a or the external air suction port 46b.

[0033] The filter 46c is detachably installed in the internal air / external air switching device 46. The filter 46c removes minute substances from the air sucked by the blower 48 into the HVAC unit 40 and purifies the air.

[0034] Briefly describe the heat exchange performed by the air conditioner 20.

[0035] The aforementioned refrigeration cycle circuit (not shown) includes a compressor (not shown), a condenser (not shown), an expansion valve (not shown), an evaporator (not shown), a heater (not shown), etc. In the refrigeration cycle circuit, the compressor compresses the gaseous refrigerant to achieve high temperature and high pressure. The condenser condenses and liquefies the refrigerant through heat exchange with external air. The expansion valve decompresses and expands the liquid-phase refrigerant. The evaporator evaporates the refrigerant through heat exchange with the air for air conditioning.

[0036] The evaporator (not shown) is provided in the HVAC unit 40 and cools and dehumidifies the air supplied to the passenger compartment 16 through heat exchange between the air supplied to the passenger compartment 16 and the refrigerant.

[0037] (Cover member)

[0038] The cover member 22 is provided in the engine compartment 14 and mounted on the partition wall 18. The cover member 22 is mounted from the front of the vehicle toward the rear of the vehicle with respect to the passenger compartment 16.

[0039] A sound insulation member 70 (see Figure 3 and Figure 4 ) is provided along the inner surface of the cover member 22 as an example of an attenuation member. The sound insulation member 70 has at least one of a sound blocking function for blocking sound and a sound absorption function for absorbing sound. Here, the sound insulation member 70 has both a sound blocking function and a sound absorption function to attenuate sound. The sound insulation member 70 is made of, for example, foamed polyurethane, foamed rubber, etc. In addition, the sound insulation member 70 may also have a structure with an air layer inside. In addition, it may also be a structure with an uneven surface. Regarding the sound insulation member 70, the above-exemplified materials, structures, shapes, and others are appropriately selected in consideration of the degree of intrusion of external noise into the passenger compartment that is to be suppressed and other required specifications to form the sound insulation member 70. As another example of the attenuation member, a vibration damping member for suppressing vibration may be provided along the inner surface of the cover member 22. In this case, it may also be that the attenuation member has at least one of the above-mentioned sound blocking function and sound absorption function in addition to the vibration damping function for suppressing vibration.

[0040] The sound insulation member 70 is composed of a plurality of constituent members 72, 150, 200, 320, 500 (see Figure 3 and Figure 4 ) that are divided into a plurality. In the combined state 600 in which the constituent members 150, 200, 320, 500 are combined in contact with each other, the sound insulation member 70 provided along the inner surface of the cover body 50 of the cover member 22 is formed by the constituent members 150, 200, 320, 500. In addition, the sound insulation member 70 provided along the inner surface of the cover portion 52 of the cover member 22 is formed by the constituent member 72.

[0041] The cover member 22 covers so as to hide a part of the components of the air conditioner 20 that project into the engine compartment 14, such as the blower 48 or the evaporator (not shown), and the opening 30 of the partition wall 18. The cover member 22 prevents noise inside the engine compartment 14 or outside the vehicle 12 from entering the passenger compartment 16 through the opening 30.

[0042] As described above, the cover member 22 has a cover body 50 and a lid portion 52. The cover body 50 forms an upwardly open storage space 54 together with the partition wall 18 when installed on the partition wall 18. The lid portion 52 is detachably installed on the cover body 50 to close the upper opening 50a of the cover body 50. The opening 30 is provided in the partition wall 18, and when the lid portion 52 is installed on the cover member 22, the engine compartment 14 and the passenger compartment 16 are completely separated by the partition wall 18, the cover body 50, and the lid portion 52. In addition, the cover body 50 may be directly installed on the partition wall 18 or may be installed on the partition wall 18 with other members interposed therebetween, as long as the engine compartment 14 and the passenger compartment 16 are completely separated, and it may be in any form.

[0043] If the lid portion 52 is removed from the cover body 50 installed on the partition wall 18, the blower 48 can be accessed from the upper opening 50a of the cover body 50, so that the operator can easily perform maintenance on the blower 48.

[0044] Next, refer to Figures 2 to 8 Specifically, the cover member 22 will be described. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the cover member 22. In addition, in Figure 2 the state where the sound insulation member 70 is removed is shown. Figure 3 is a bottom view showing the lid portion 52 of the cover member 22. Figure 4 is a rear view showing the cover body 50 of the cover member 22. Figure 5 is Figure 4 a sectional view taken along the line V-V in Figure 6 is an explanatory view showing the state of observing the left side wall surface 82 of the cover body 50 from the inside. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the upper end portion of the left side wall constituting member 200. Figure 8 is a sectional view showing the main part of the portion where the pipe penetrates the cover member 22.

[0045] (Lid portion)

[0046] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the lid portion 52 is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin plate. The lid portion 52 is formed in a horizontally long shape. The lid portion 52 has an inclined portion 52a that is inclined so as to become lower toward the front of the vehicle (refer to Figure 1)。In addition, the lid portion 52 is formed in a shape that avoids interference with the structures arranged in the engine compartment 14.

[0047] As Figure 3 shown, a standing wall 60 that extends in the thickness direction of the lid portion 52 from the inner surface is formed at the peripheral edge of the lid portion 52. A flat surface 62 extends inward from the top end of the standing wall 60. A plurality of tongues 64 extend from the outer surface at the end of the standing wall 60. Through holes 66 are formed in each of the tongues 64.

[0048] (Lid-side constituent member)

[0049] A lid-side constituent member 72 that constitutes a sound insulation member 70 is provided on the lid portion 52.

[0050] The lid-side constituent member 72 has a shape corresponding to the inner surface of the lid portion 52, and the lid-side constituent member 72 is in close contact with the inner surface of the lid portion 52.

[0051] The lid-side constituent member 72 has a predetermined thickness. The lid-side constituent member 72 includes a wall portion 74 that extends along the standing wall 60 of the lid portion 52. The wall portion 74 is arranged along the standing wall 60 of the lid portion 52 and reaches the lower part of the flat surface 62.

[0052] (Hood main body)

[0053] As Figure 2 and Figure 4 shown, the hood main body 50 is formed of, for example, synthetic resin. The hood main body 50 has a horizontally long bottom surface 80, and a left side wall surface 82 that extends upward from the left edge of the bottom surface 80. The hood main body 50 has a right side wall surface 84 that extends upward from the right edge of the bottom surface 80, and a front wall surface 86 that is connected to the left side wall surface 82 and the right side wall surface 84 and whose lower edge is connected to the bottom surface 80.

[0054] Concavities and convexities for avoiding interference with the structures arranged in the engine compartment 14 are formed on the bottom surface 80, the left side wall surface 82, the right side wall surface 84, and the front wall surface 86 of the hood main body 50.

[0055] As Figure 4 shown, at the upper edge of the hood main body 50, lid fixing pieces 88 that extend from the outer surface are provided at positions corresponding to the tongues 64 of the lid portion 52. Fixing holes 90 are formed in each of the lid fixing pieces 88.

[0056] Thus, the hood main body 50 is configured such that, in a state where the upper part of the hood main body 50 is covered with the lid portion 52, bolts passing through the through holes 66 of the tongues 64 in the lid portion 52 and the fixing holes 90 of the lid fixing pieces 88 are fastened with nuts, whereby the lid portion 52 can be fixed.

[0057] At the rear edge of the cover body 50, main body fixing pieces 100 protruding from the outer surface are provided at multiple positions. Through holes 102 are formed in each of the main body fixing pieces 100. Thus, the cover body 50 is configured to be fixed to the partition wall 18 by screws passing through the through holes 102 of the main body fixing pieces 100.

[0058] (Front wall surface)

[0059] As Figure 2 shown, a first front wall convex portion 110 and a second front wall convex portion 112 protruding inward are formed on the front wall surface 86 to avoid interference with the structures arranged in the engine compartment 14. The end faces of the first front wall convex portion 110 and the second front wall convex portion 112 are flat. The second front wall convex portion 112 protrudes inward more than the first front wall convex portion 110.

[0060] A flat first inclined surface 116 is formed between the general surface 114 (the portion other than the first front wall convex portion 110 and the second front wall convex portion 112) of the front wall surface 86 and the first convex surface 110a of the first front wall convex portion 110. A flat second inclined surface 118 is formed between the first convex surface 110a and the second convex surface 112a of the second front wall convex portion 112.

[0061] As Figure 3 shown, a wiring hole 120 through which the wiring of the blower motor BM of the blower 48 passes is formed at the central portion of the upper edge in the front wall surface 86. A wiring hole flange 122 protruding from the opening edge portion of the wiring hole 120 is formed on the inner surface of the front wall surface 86.

[0062] A longitudinal hole 124 and a transverse hole 126 through which a refrigerant pipe for allowing the refrigerant to flow through are formed at the side portion of the wiring hole 120 in the front wall surface 86. A longitudinal hole flange 128 protruding from the opening edge portion of the longitudinal hole 124 is formed on the inner surface of the front wall surface 86. In addition, a transverse hole flange 130 protruding from the opening edge portion of the transverse hole 126 is formed on the inner surface of the front wall surface 86.

[0063] In the front wall surface 86, a second front wall convex portion 112 (refer to Figure 2 ) formed at a position close to the left side wall surface 82 is formed with a heater hole 132 through which a heater pipe passes. A heater hole flange 134 protruding from the opening edge portion of the heater hole 132 is formed on the inner surface of the front wall surface 86.

[0064] In the front wall surface 86, a first front wall convex portion 110 (refer to Figure 2 ) formed at a position close to the bottom surface 80 is formed with drain holes 136, 138 through which drain pipes pass. Drain hole flanges 140, 142 protruding from the opening edge portions of the respective drain holes 136, 138 are formed on the inner surface of the front wall surface 86.

[0065] Moreover, a front wall flange portion 144 extending from the inner surface is formed at the upper edge of the front wall surface 86.

[0066] (Front wall constituent member)

[0067] A front wall constituent member 150 constituting the sound insulation member 70 is provided on the front wall surface 86.

[0068] The front wall constituent member 150 has a shape corresponding to the unevenness of the inner surface of the front wall surface 86 and is in close contact with the inner surface of the front wall surface 86.

[0069] Specifically, the front wall constituent member 150 has a flat general portion 162 that is in close contact with the general surface 114 of the front wall surface 86 (see Figure 2 ), and a flat first inclined portion 164 that is in close contact with the first inclined surface 116 of the front wall surface 86 (see Figure 2 ). In addition, the front wall constituent member 150 has a flat first convex portion 166 that is in close contact with the first convex surface 110a of the first front wall convex portion 110 of the front wall surface 86 (see Figure 2 ), and a flat second inclined portion 168 that is in close contact with the second inclined surface 118 of the front wall surface 86 (see Figure 2 ). Furthermore, the front wall constituent member 150 has a flat second convex portion 169 that is in close contact with the second convex surface 112a of the second front wall convex portion 112 of the front wall surface 86 (see Figure 2 ).

[0070] The upper edge of the front wall constituent member 150 has a shape along the front wall flange portion 144. The lower edge of the front wall constituent member 150 has a shape along the bottom surface 80. Thus, the vertical movement of the front wall constituent member 150 is restricted by the front wall flange portion 144 and the bottom surface 80.

[0071] The left edge of the front wall constituent member 150 has a shape along the left side wall surface 82. The right edge of the front wall constituent member 150 has a shape along the right side wall surface 84. Thus, the horizontal movement of the front wall constituent member 150 is restricted by the left side wall surface 82 and the right side wall surface 84.

[0072] The front wall constituent member 150 is formed to have a predetermined thickness, and the thickness dimension of the upper end portion of the mounting cover portion 52 is thicker than other portions.

[0073] The front wall constituent member 150 forms a wiring opening portion 152 at a portion corresponding to the wiring hole 120. The opening edge portion of the wiring opening portion 152 surrounds the wiring hole flange 122 of the front wall surface 86.

[0074] The front wall forming member 150 is formed with refrigerant openings 154 at positions corresponding to the longitudinal hole 124 and the transverse hole 126. The opening edge portion of the refrigerant opening 154 surrounds the longitudinal hole flange 128 and the transverse hole flange 130.

[0075] In addition, the front wall forming member 150 is formed with heater openings 156 at positions corresponding to the heater holes 132. The opening edge portion of the heater opening 156 surrounds the heater hole flange 134.

[0076] The front wall forming member 150 is formed with drain openings 158, 160 at positions corresponding to the respective drain holes 136, 138. The drain openings 158, 160 surround the respective drain hole flanges 140, 142.

[0077] Moreover, in a state where the cover body 50 is installed on the partition wall 18, the thickness dimension of the proximity portion KB of the front wall forming member 150, which is disposed near the blower motor BM of the motor of the blower 48 in the air conditioner 20, is formed thicker than other portions.

[0078] The right edge of the front wall forming member 150 has a first front surface straight portion 170 that extends linearly from the upper edge side, a second front surface straight portion 172 that extends linearly from the first front surface straight portion 170 in an inclined direction, and a third front surface straight portion 174 that extends linearly downward from the second front surface straight portion 172.

[0079] In the front wall forming member 150, the left edge disposed on the left side wall surface 82 side is formed in a straight line shape along the left side wall surface 82 (illustration omitted). In the front wall forming member 150, the upper edge disposed on the front wall flange portion 144 side is formed in a straight line shape along the front wall flange portion 144 (illustration omitted).

[0080] (Left side wall surface)

[0081] A left wall flange portion 190 that protrudes from the inner surface is formed at the upper edge of the left side wall surface 82. The left wall flange portion 190 is continuous with the front wall flange portion 144. A left wall rear flange portion 192 that protrudes from the inner surface is formed at the rear edge of the left side wall surface 82.

[0082] A rectangular left seal 194 is provided at the upper end portion of the left wall rear flange portion 192. The left seal 194 is a sponge-like member and is formed of, for example, foamed EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer). The left seal 194 is in close contact with the cover portion 52 installed on the cover body 50 and the partition wall 18 that fixes the cover body 50.

[0083] (Left side wall forming member)

[0084] On the left side wall surface 82, there is provided a left side wall constituting member 200 that forms a sound insulation member 70.

[0085] The left side wall constituting member 200 has a shape corresponding to the inner surface of the left side wall surface 82 and is in close contact with the inner surface of the left side wall surface 82.

[0086] The upper edge of the left side wall constituting member 200 is formed in a straight line along the left wall flange portion 190. The lower edge of the left side wall constituting member 200 is formed in a straight line along the bottom surface 80. Thus, the left side wall constituting member 200 is restricted from moving in the up and down directions by the left wall flange portion 190 and the bottom surface 80.

[0087] The front edge of the left side wall constituting member 200 is formed in a shape along the surface of the front wall constituting member 150. The front edge of the left side wall constituting member 200 is composed of a plurality of straight portions (not shown in the figure) that are formed in a straight line and are consistent with the surface shape of the front wall constituting member 150.

[0088] The rear edge of the left side wall constituting member 200 is formed in a straight line along the left wall rear flange portion 192. Thus, the left side wall constituting member 200 is restricted from moving in the front and rear directions by the front wall constituting member 150 and the left wall rear flange portion 192.

[0089] The left side wall constituting member 200 has a predetermined thickness. The left side wall constituting member 200 is formed such that the thickness dimension of the upper end portion of the mounting cover portion 52 is thicker than other portions.

[0090] (Right side wall surface)

[0091] On the upper edge of the right side wall surface 84, there is formed a right wall flange portion 300 that extends out from the inner surface. The right wall flange portion 300 is continuous with the front wall flange portion 144. Thus, the front wall flange portion 144, the left wall flange portion 190, and the right wall flange portion 300 are continuously formed on the upper edge of the cover body 50.

[0092] In addition, on the rear edge of the right side wall surface 84, there is formed a right wall rear flange portion 302 that extends out from the inner surface.

[0093] At the upper end portion of the right wall rear flange portion 302, there is provided a rectangular right seal 304. The right seal 304 is a sponge-like member and is formed of, for example, foamed EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer). This right seal 304 is in close contact with the cover portion 52 mounted on the cover body 50 and the partition wall 18 that fixes the cover body 50.

[0094] As Figure 2 shown, on the lower portion of the right side wall surface 84, there are formed a bottom side inclined surface 310 that gently slopes downward as it approaches the bottom surface 80 and a front side inclined surface 312 that gently slopes upward as it moves from the bottom side inclined surface 310 toward the front wall surface 86.

[0095] (Right side wall forming member)

[0096] As Figure 4 shown, a right side wall forming member 320 that constitutes a sound insulation member 70 is provided on the right side wall surface 84.

[0097] The right side wall forming member 320 has a shape corresponding to the inner surface of the right side wall surface 84 and is in close contact with the inner surface of the right side wall surface 84.

[0098] Specifically described, the lower part of the right side wall forming member 320 has a bottom side inclined portion 322, and the bottom side inclined portion 322 is formed to follow the bottom side inclined surface 310 (refer to Figure 2 ) of the right side wall surface 84 and is in close contact with the bottom side inclined surface 310. The edge portion 322a of the bottom side inclined portion 322 is formed in a straight line. In addition, the lower part of the right side wall forming member 320 has a front side inclined portion 324, and the front side inclined portion 324 is formed to follow the front side inclined surface 312 (refer to Figure 2 ) of the right side wall surface 84 and is in close contact with the front side inclined surface 312.

[0099] The right side wall forming member 320 has a predetermined thickness. The right side wall forming member 320 is formed such that the thickness dimension of the upper end portion of the mounting cover portion 52 is thicker than other portions.

[0100] In this way, the upper end portions of the front wall forming member 150, the left side wall forming member 200, and the right side wall forming member 320 where engine sound is likely to invade and approach the occupants in the passenger compartment 16 are formed with thick walls, improving the sound insulation effect.

[0101] The upper edge of the right side wall forming member 320 is formed in a straight line along the right wall flange portion 300. The upper edge of the right side wall forming member 320 overlaps with the right wall flange portion 300. The bottom side inclined portion 322 at the lower part of the right side wall forming member 320 is in close contact with the bottom side inclined surface 310 (refer to Figure 2 ).

[0102] In addition, the front side inclined portion 324 at the lower part of the right side wall forming member 320 is in close contact with the front side inclined surface 312 (refer to Figure 2 ). Thus, the right side wall forming member 320 is restricted from moving in the vertical direction by the right wall flange portion 300 and the bottom side inclined surface 310.

[0103] The front edge of the right side wall forming member 320 has a first left wall surface straight portion 330 extending linearly from the upper edge side, a second left wall surface straight portion 332 extending linearly from the first left wall surface straight portion 330 in an inclined direction, and a third left wall surface straight portion 334 extending linearly downward from the second left wall surface straight portion 332.

[0104] The first left wall surface straight portion 330 is provided at a position corresponding to the first front surface straight portion 170 of the front wall forming member 150, and the first left wall surface straight portion 330 overlaps along the first front surface straight portion 170. The second left wall surface straight portion 332 is provided at a position corresponding to the second front surface straight portion 172 of the front wall forming member 150, and the second left wall surface straight portion 332 overlaps along the second front surface straight portion 172. The third left wall surface straight portion 334 is provided at a position corresponding to the third front surface straight portion 174 of the front wall forming member 150, and the third left wall surface straight portion 334 overlaps along the third front surface straight portion 174.

[0105] The rear edge of the right side wall forming member 320 is formed in a straight line shape along the right wall rear flange portion 302. The rear edge of the right side wall forming member 320 overlaps with the right wall rear flange portion 302.

[0106] Thus, the right side wall forming member 320 is restricted from moving in the front-rear direction by the respective front surface straight portions 170, 172, 174 of the front wall forming member 150 and the right wall rear flange portion 302.

[0107] (Bottom surface)

[0108] On the bottom surface 80, a first bottom surface convex portion 400 and a second bottom surface convex portion 402 protruding inward are formed (refer to Figure 2 ) to avoid interference with the structures arranged in the engine compartment 14.

[0109] On the rear edge of the bottom surface 80, a bottom surface rear flange portion 404 protruding from the inner surface is formed. The bottom surface rear flange portion 404 is continuous with the left wall rear flange portion 192 and the right wall rear flange portion 302. Thus, the left wall rear flange portion 192, the bottom surface rear flange portion 404, and the right wall rear flange portion 302 are continuously formed on the rear edge of the hood main body 50.

[0110] (Bottom surface forming member)

[0111] On the bottom surface 80, a bottom surface forming member 500 constituting the sound insulation member 70 is provided.

[0112] The bottom surface forming member 500 has a shape corresponding to the bottom surface 80 having irregularities and is in close contact with the inner surface of the bottom surface 80. The bottom surface forming member 500 has a predetermined thickness.

[0113] The left edge of the bottom surface forming member 500 is formed in a straight line shape along the surface of the left side wall forming member 200. The left edge of the bottom surface forming member 500 overlaps with the left side wall forming member 200.

[0114] The right edge 500a of the bottom surface forming member 500 is formed as a straight line along the edge portion 322a of the bottom inclined portion 322 of the right side wall forming member 320. The right edge 500a of the bottom surface forming member 500 overlaps with the edge portion 322a of the bottom inclined portion 322 of the right side wall forming member 320.

[0115] Thus, the left and right direction movement of the bottom surface forming member 500 is restricted by the left side wall forming member 200 and the edge portion 322a of the bottom inclined portion 322 of the right side wall forming member 320.

[0116] The front edge of the bottom surface forming member 500 has a portion corresponding to the general portion 162 of the front wall forming member 150, a portion corresponding to the first convex portion 166 of the front wall forming member 150, and a portion corresponding to the second convex portion 169 of the front wall forming member 150.

[0117] The first bottom surface straight portion 502 of the front edge of the bottom surface forming member 500, which corresponds to the general portion 162 of the front wall forming member 150, is formed in a straight line, and the first bottom surface straight portion 502 overlaps with the general portion 162 of the front wall forming member 150. The second bottom surface straight portion 504 of the front edge of the bottom surface forming member 500, which corresponds to the first inclined portion 164 of the front wall forming member 150, is formed in a straight line, and the second bottom surface straight portion 504 overlaps with the first inclined portion 164 of the front wall forming member 150.

[0118] The third bottom surface straight portion 506 of the front edge of the bottom surface forming member 500, which corresponds to the first convex portion 166 of the front wall forming member 150, is formed in a straight line, and the third bottom surface straight portion 506 overlaps with the first convex portion 166 of the front wall forming member 150. The fourth bottom surface straight portion 508 of the front edge of the bottom surface forming member 500, which corresponds to the second inclined portion 168 of the front wall forming member 150, is formed in a straight line, and the fourth bottom surface straight portion 508 overlaps with the second inclined portion 168 of the front wall forming member 150 (illustration omitted).

[0119] The fifth bottom surface straight portion 509 of the front edge of the bottom surface forming member 500, which corresponds to the second convex portion 169 of the front wall forming member 150, is formed in a straight line, and the fifth bottom surface straight portion 509 overlaps with the second convex portion 169 of the front wall forming member 150.

[0120] The rear edge of the bottom surface forming member 500 is formed as a straight line along the bottom surface rear convex flange portion 404. The rear edge of the bottom surface forming member 500 overlaps with the bottom surface rear convex flange portion 404. Thus, the front and rear direction movement of the bottom surface forming member 500 is restricted by the front wall forming member 150 and the bottom surface rear convex flange portion 404.

[0121] In this way, the edge portions of the respective constituent members 150, 200, 320, 500 that come into contact with other adjacent constituent members (150, 200, 320, 500) are formed in a straight line. Further, in the combined state 600 in which the respective constituent members 150, 200, 320, 500 are combined, one adjacent constituent member (150, 200, 320, 500) and the other constituent member (150, 200, 320, 500) are configured such that their end portions overlap each other.

[0122] (Cover strip)

[0123] At the upper edge of the cover main body 50, a cover strip 610 that closely adheres to the flat surface 62 of the cover portion 52 is provided over the front wall flange portion 144, the left wall flange portion 190, and the right wall flange portion 300 (see Figure 5 )(illustration omitted). Further, at the rear edge of the cover main body 50, a cover strip 610 that closely adheres to the partition wall 18 is provided over the left wall rear flange portion 192, the bottom rear flange portion 404, and the right wall rear flange portion 302 (illustration omitted).

[0124] Thereby, in the state where the cover portion 52 is attached to the cover main body 50, intrusion of sound into the storage space 54 formed inside the cover main body 50 can be suppressed, and airtightness and liquid tightness of the storage space 54 can be ensured.

[0125] As Figure 5 shown, the state where the cover strip 610 is provided on the left wall flange portion 190 of the cover main body 50 is taken as an example and specifically described. In addition, the cover strip 610 is also provided in the same manner as the following description in other portions.

[0126] As Figure 5 shown, in the left wall flange portion 190 of the cover main body 50, clip insertion holes 620 are provided at a plurality of positions. The hook portions 622a at the tip ends of the clips 622 provided on the cover strip 610 are inserted into and locked to the respective clip insertion holes 620.

[0127] The cover strip 610 is made of, for example, a rubber material. The cross section of the cover strip 610 is formed in a hollow triangular shape. An extension piece 624 that extends substantially perpendicular to the inclined surface is formed on one inclined surface of the cover strip 610.

[0128] For the cover strip 610, in the fixed state, the top portion 626 protrudes upward. In this fixed state, the extension piece 624 extends obliquely outward as it extends in the protruding direction of the top portion 626.

[0129] As Figure 5 and Figure 7As shown, a groove portion 628 for disposing the tip of the clip 622 is formed in the end face 200a of the left side wall constituting member 200 which is disposed below the left wall flange portion 190 and is formed with a thick wall. Further, in the end face 200a of the left side wall constituting member 200, a high portion 630 higher than the groove portion 628 is provided on the left side wall surface 82 side with respect to the groove portion 628 (refer to Figure 5 and Figure 7 ).

[0130] As Figure 5 shown, the high portion 630 is disposed between the tip of the clip 622 and the left side wall surface 82 in a state where the left side wall constituting member 200 is disposed along the inner surface of the left side wall surface 82. Thus, by the tip of the clip 622 abutting against the high portion 630, it is possible to suppress the left side wall constituting member 200 disposed along the left side wall surface 82 from tipping over.

[0131] Thus, at the upper end portion of the left side wall surface 82 which is the end portion of the cover main body 50 surrounding a part of the upper opening portion 50a, a clip 622 as a support member is provided, and the clip 622 supports the end portion of the left side wall constituting member 200 along the left side wall surface 82 of the cover main body 50.

[0132] (Installation order)

[0133] When installing the sound insulation member 70 on the cover main body 50, the operator first installs the front wall constituting member 150 constituting the sound insulation member 70 on the inner surface of the front wall surface 86. Thus, the front wall constituting member 150 is restricted from moving in the vertical direction by the front wall flange portion 144 and the bottom surface 80, and is restricted from moving in the left - right direction by the left side wall surface 82 and the right side wall surface 84. Further, the front wall constituting member 150 is prevented from tipping over by the clip 622.

[0134] Then, the operator installs the left side wall constituting member 200 constituting the sound insulation member 70 on the inner surface of the left side wall surface 82, and the up - down movement of the left side wall constituting member 200 is restricted by the left wall flange portion 190 and the bottom surface 80. Further, the left side wall constituting member 200 is prevented from tipping over by the clip 622.

[0135] At this time, the operator suppresses the left edge portion of the front wall constituting member 150 from tipping over by overlapping and pressing the end face of the front edge of the left side wall constituting member 200 with the surface of the front wall constituting member 150.

[0136] Next, the operator installs the right side wall constituting member 320 constituting the sound insulation member 70 on the inner surface of the right side wall surface 84, and the up - down movement of the right side wall constituting member 320 is restricted by the right wall flange portion 300 and the bottom inclined surface 310. Further, the operator uses the clip 622 to suppress the right side wall constituting member 320 from tipping over.

[0137] At this time, the operator suppresses the tipping of the right edge portion of the front wall forming member 150 by overlapping and pressing the end surface of the front edge of the right side wall forming member 320 against the surface of the front wall forming member 150.

[0138] Then, the operator installs the bottom surface forming member 500 constituting the sound insulation member 70 on the inner surface of the bottom surface 80.

[0139] At this time, the operator restricts the movement of the lower end portion of the left side wall forming member 200 by overlapping and pressing the end surface of the left edge of the bottom surface forming member 500 against the surface of the left side wall forming member 200. In addition, the operator restricts the movement of the lower end portion of the right side wall forming member 320 by overlapping and pressing the end surface of the right edge 500a of the bottom surface forming member 500 against the surface of the right side wall forming member 320. Furthermore, the operator restricts the movement of the lower end portion of the front wall forming member 150 by overlapping and pressing the end surface of the front edge of the bottom surface forming member 500 against the surface of the front wall forming member 150.

[0140] Then, when installing the cover main body 50 on the partition wall 18, the operator passes the wiring, refrigerant pipes, heater pipes, drain pipes, etc. connected to the air conditioner 20 through the holes 120, 124, 126, 132, 136, 138 formed in the cover main body 50.

[0141] As Figure 8 shown, the case where the refrigerant pipe 700 passes through the longitudinal hole 124 of the front wall surface 86 is taken as an example for explanation.

[0142] A sealing member 702 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the refrigerant pipe 700 passing through the longitudinal hole 124. The sealing member 702 closely adheres to the longitudinal hole flange 128 extending from the opening edge portion of the longitudinal hole 124 and the portion of the front wall forming member 150 surrounding the longitudinal hole flange 128.

[0143] The sealing member 702 is formed of foamed PE (polyethylene) and foamed EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber). By closely adhering the sealing member 702 to the longitudinal hole flange 128 and the front wall forming member 150, sound insulation, liquid tightness, and air tightness are ensured.

[0144] According to the above embodiment, the following effects are achieved.

[0145] The cover structure 10 of the vehicle air conditioner 20 includes: a partition wall 18 that separates the passenger compartment 16 where the occupants are seated from the outside of the passenger compartment 16 and has an opening 30, and the vehicle air conditioner 20 disposed across the inside and outside of the passenger compartment 16 is arranged in this opening 30; and a cover member 22 that covers at least a part of the vehicle air conditioner 20 and the opening 30 provided on the outside of the passenger compartment 16. The cover structure 10 of the vehicle air conditioner 20 includes a damping member provided inside the cover member 22 for damping sound, and the damping member is composed of a plurality of constituent members 150, 200, 320, 500 that form the damping member in a state of being combined in contact with each other.

[0146] In this structure, a damping member for damping sound is provided inside the cover member 22 that covers at least a part of the vehicle air conditioner 20 and the opening 30 provided on the outside of the passenger compartment 16. The damping member is composed of each of the plurality of divided constituent members 150, 200, 320, 500. Therefore, even when the inner side of the cover member 22 is formed into a surface shape such as a curved surface or a stepped surface, the plurality of constituent members 150, 200, 320, 500 can be arranged in contact with each other at corresponding positions according to the surface shape of the inner side of the cover member 22.

[0147] Thus, for the cover structure 10 of the vehicle air conditioner 20, compared with the case where the opening 30 for the vehicle air conditioner 20 formed by the partition wall 18 that separates the inside and outside of the passenger compartment is covered with a resin cover formed of a single material, the intrusion of external noise from the opening into the passenger compartment 16 can be suppressed.

[0148] Accordingly, compared with the case where the opening is covered with a resin cover formed of a single material, the intrusion of external noise from the outside of the vehicle into the vehicle interior, such as noise generated by various vehicle components outside the vehicle including, for example, the engine, transmission in the engine compartment 14, or the motor, inverter, DC converter of an electric vehicle, and road noise, into the passenger compartment 16 can be suppressed.

[0149] Moreover, in the present embodiment, a sound insulation member 70 as an example of the damping member has a sound blocking function for blocking sound and a sound absorption function for absorbing sound. Therefore, the intrusion of external noise into the passenger compartment 16 can be suppressed by the sound blocking function of the sound insulation member 70, and the sound generated by the motor or the like inside the cover member 22 can be absorbed by the sound absorption function to suppress the intrusion of the sound into the passenger compartment 16.

[0150] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, each constituent member 72, 150, 200, 320, 500 of the sound insulation member 70, which is an example of an attenuation member, can be arranged without gaps and in close contact with the inner surface of the cover member 22. Therefore, even when the wall thickness of the cover member 22 is thinned for weight reduction, the cover member 22 can be used to obtain a noise intrusion suppression effect of suppressing noise from intruding into the vehicle compartment 16.

[0151] In addition, the edge portions of the respective constituent members 150, 200, 320, 500 that contact other adjacent constituent members (70, 150, 200, 320, 500) are formed in a straight line shape.

[0152] In this structure, compared with the case where the edge portions in contact with adjacent constituent members (150, 200, 320, 500) are formed by complex curves, the structure of each of the constituent members 150, 200, 320, 500 can be simplified. In addition, the assembly work of adjacent constituent members (150, 200, 320, 500) with each other becomes easier.

[0153] In addition, in the combined state 600, the ends of one adjacent constituent member (150, 200, 320, 500) and another adjacent constituent member (150, 200, 320, 500) overlap each other.

[0154] In this structure, since the ends of adjacent constituent members (150, 200, 320, 500) overlap each other, compared with the case where a gap is formed between the ends of adjacent constituent members (150, 200, 320, 500), sound leakage can be suppressed.

[0155] In addition, the cover member 22 includes: a cover main body 50 that forms a storage space 54 with an upper opening in a state of covering at least a part of the vehicle air conditioner 20 and the opening 30; and a cover portion 52 that closes the upper opening portion 50a of the cover main body 50. A clip 622 serving as a support member is provided at an end portion of the cover main body 50 that partially surrounds the upper opening portion 50a, and the clip 622 supports the end portions of the respective constituent members 150, 200, 320 along the side wall surfaces (82, 84, 86) of the cover main body 50.

[0156] In this structure, a clip 622 that supports the end portions of the respective constituent members 150, 200, 320 along the side wall surfaces (82, 84, 86) of the cover main body 50 is provided at the end portion of the cover main body 50. Therefore, the clip 622 can be used to suppress the tipping of the respective constituent members 150, 200, 320 arranged along the side wall surfaces (82, 84, 86).

[0157] Here, in the case of the engine room 14, due to the arrangement of the hood member 22, the intrusion of sound from the upper side of the hood member 22 tends to increase, and the upper sides of the constituent members 150, 200, and 320 of the sound insulation member 70 are formed as thick walls.

[0158] Moreover, clips 622 that support the ends of the constituent members 150, 200, and 320 are provided at the end of the hood main body 50 that partially surrounds the upper opening 50a. Therefore, the support positions of the clips 622 can be set at the ends of the constituent members 150, 200, and 320 that are formed as thick walls. As a result, compared with the case where the clips 622 support the thin-walled ends of the constituent members, the structure of the support structure becomes easier.

[0159] In addition, the hood member 22 includes: a hood main body 50 that forms an upwardly open storage space 54 together with the partition wall 18; and a lid portion 52 that closes the upper opening 50a of the hood main body 50. Therefore, if the lid portion 52 is opened to open the upper opening 50a, maintenance of the vehicle air conditioner 20 can be performed.

[0160] In addition, a blower motor BM, which is a motor of the blower 48 of the vehicle air conditioner 20, is provided in a part of the vehicle air conditioner 20 disposed outside the passenger compartment 16. For the sound insulation member 70 provided on the hood member 22, the thickness dimension of the portion (KB) disposed near the blower motor BM is thicker than other parts.

[0161] In this structure, there is a concern that the blower motor BM, which is a motor of the blower 48, generates noise during operation and the generated noise intrudes into the passenger compartment 16. Then, by making the thickness dimension of the portion (KB) of the sound insulation member 70 disposed near the blower motor BM thicker than other parts, the intrusion of the noise generated by the blower motor BM into the passenger compartment 16 can be reduced.

[0162] In particular, in the case of the sound insulation member 70 having a sound absorption function, the absorption capacity for the noise generated by the blower motor BM can be improved.

[0163] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the above embodiments only show a part of the application examples of the present invention and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention to the specific structures of the above embodiments.

[0164] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-199523 filed with the Japan Patent Office on December 14, 2022, and the entire contents of this application are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A cover structure for a vehicle air conditioner, comprising: a partition wall that separates the interior and exterior of the passenger compartment where the occupants are seated and has an opening, and a vehicle air conditioner disposed across the interior and exterior of the passenger compartment is arranged in this opening; and a cover member that covers at least a part of the vehicle air conditioner and the opening provided on the exterior of the passenger compartment. Among them, the cover structure of the vehicle air conditioner is provided with a damping member on the inner side of the cover member for attenuating sound, the damping member is composed of a plurality of constituent members that form the damping member in a state of being combined in contact with each other.

2. The cover structure of the vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein, the edge portion of the constituent member that contacts another adjacent constituent member is formed in a straight line.

3. The cover structure of the vehicle air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein, in the combined state, the ends of one adjacent constituent member and another adjacent constituent member overlap each other.

4. The cover structure of the vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein, the cover member has: a cover main body that forms a storage space with an upper opening in a state of covering at least a part of the vehicle air conditioner and the opening; and a cover portion that closes the opening at the upper part of the cover main body, a support member that supports the end portion of the constituent member along the side wall surface of the cover main body is provided at the end portion of the cover main body that surrounds a part of the upper opening.

5. The cover structure of the vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein, the part of the vehicle air conditioner disposed outside the passenger compartment is the motor of the blower, the thickness of the part of the damping member provided on the cover member and disposed near the motor is thicker than other parts.

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