Hvac assembly for a vehicle and vehicle

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of vehicles, and discloses an HVAC assembly for a vehicle and the vehicle, the HVAC assembly comprising an air conditioner box, a first flow channel and a warm air core body; the air conditioner box has an air duct inside, and the air conditioner box comprises a first side wall; the first flow channel is arranged on the first side wall, the first flow channel is used for circulating cooling liquid, and the first flow channel has a first end and a second end along the length direction of the first flow channel; the warm air core body is arranged on the air conditioner box and at least partially located in the air duct, the inlet of the warm air core body is communicated with the first end of the first flow channel, and the outlet of the warm air core body is communicated with the second end of the first flow channel. The HVAC assembly disclosed by the application improves the integration degree.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of vehicle technology, and more particularly to an HVAC assembly for a vehicle and the vehicle itself. Background Technology

[0002] In existing technologies, components such as the heater core, water pump, and water valve, as part of the thermal management system, need to be connected by pipes to form a water circulation loop, which occupies a lot of interior space. This results in a large amount of space being occupied in the front compartment of the vehicle, which seriously restricts the compact development of the overall vehicle layout. This contradiction is particularly prominent in new energy vehicles where space layout is more demanding. Therefore, how to improve the integration of the HVAC assembly is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides an HVAC assembly for a vehicle and a vehicle, wherein the HVAC assembly according to this application improves integration.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the main technical solutions adopted in this application include:

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide an HVAC assembly for a vehicle, including an air conditioning unit, a first flow channel, and a heater core; the air conditioning unit has an air duct inside and includes a first sidewall; the first flow channel is disposed on the first sidewall and is used for circulating coolant, and along the length direction of the first flow channel, the first flow channel has a first end and a second end; the heater core is disposed in the air conditioning unit and is at least partially located in the air duct, the inlet of the heater core is connected to the first end of the first flow channel, and the outlet of the heater core is connected to the second end of the first flow channel.

[0006] According to the HVAC assembly for vehicles proposed in the first aspect of this application, there is no need to set up separate coolant pipe supports and external pipes, which greatly simplifies the overall structure of the HVAC assembly, reduces the number of parts and assembly processes, and significantly improves the integration of the HVAC assembly. The inlet and outlet of the heater core are directly connected to both ends of the flow channel, which shortens the transmission path of the coolant, helps to reduce the number of pipe bends and joints, reduces the risk of coolant leakage, and helps to reduce heat loss along the pipe, which helps to improve the heat exchange efficiency of the heater core and ensure the heating efficiency in the vehicle. The flow channel is arranged along the length of the side wall and forms an integrated connection with the heater core, making full use of the idle side wall space of the air conditioning unit, reducing the space occupied by external pipes in the front engine compartment, and improving the compactness of the HVAC assembly.

[0007] Optionally, the first sidewall includes a body portion and a first pipe portion, the first pipe portion having a first flow channel, and the first pipe portion being located on the side of the body portion away from the air channel.

[0008] In the above scheme, the first pipe section encloses the first flow channel, and the main body section encloses the air outlet channel. The first pipe section is located on the side of the main body section away from the air outlet channel, which can avoid the flow channel from contacting the airflow inside the air outlet channel, reduce the impact on the air outlet channel inside the main body section, prevent the flow channel surface temperature from interfering with the heat exchange efficiency of the airflow inside the air outlet channel, and isolate the impact of the temperature conduction of the coolant inside the flow channel on the air outlet channel sealing structure, ensuring the airtightness and heat preservation effect of the air outlet channel. This arrangement further improves the compactness of the internal space of the HVAC assembly.

[0009] Optionally, the first tube section is integrally formed with the body section.

[0010] The above solution further reduces the risk of coolant leakage, while avoiding problems such as loose joints and abnormal noises caused by vibration in the split structure. It significantly improves the sealing reliability and structural stability of the first flow channel and the side wall of the air conditioning unit. At the same time, the structure does not require additional pre-reserved assembly space, which can further optimize the structural compactness of the side wall of the air conditioning unit, making it easy to arrange in the small space of the whole vehicle, which helps to reduce the space occupied by the passenger compartment and helps to shorten the body.

[0011] Optionally, the first pipe section includes a first section, a second section, and a third section. The HVAC assembly also includes a water valve and a first water pump. Both the water valve and the first water pump are located on the first side wall. The inlet of the water valve is connected to one side of the third section, and the outlet of the water valve is connected to one side of the first section. The inlet of the first water pump is connected to the other side of the first section, and the outlet of the first water pump is connected to one side of the second section. A first end is provided on the other side of the second section, and a second end is provided on the other side of the third section.

[0012] In the above solution, the water valve and the first water pump are directly integrated into the first sidewall, forming a thermal circulation loop with the segmented first flow channel. This eliminates the need for separate valves, pump mounting brackets, and external piping, significantly reducing the number of components and pipe joints. This simplifies the overall structure of the HVAC assembly, effectively saves space in the engine compartment or passenger compartment, improves vehicle space utilization, achieves a compact vehicle structure, and enhances the integration of the HVAC assembly. Furthermore, the first water pump and water valve, as core functional components, are directly mounted and sealed to the first sidewall. Their inlets and outlets are aligned and connected to the inlet and outlet of the first flow channel, achieving pipe-free integration while improving connection reliability.

[0013] Optionally, the HVAC assembly includes a first sub-section, a second sub-section, and a second water pump. The second water pump is disposed on the first side wall. One side of the first sub-section is connected to the inlet of the second water pump, and the other side of the first sub-section is connected to the second end. One side of the second sub-section is connected to the outlet of the second water pump, and the other side of the second sub-section is connected to the inlet of a water valve.

[0014] In the above scheme, an additional thermal management loop can be formed, and the second water pump can pump the coolant from the second end into the first sub-section. In other words, the newly added first and second sub-sections, as extensions of the original first flow channel, can flexibly connect to other thermal management components of the vehicle (such as the battery cooling loop and the motor waste heat recovery loop), achieving efficient utilization of waste heat. This helps reduce the energy consumption of the heat pump or PTC heater and improve the overall energy utilization rate of the vehicle. At the same time, the second water pump, the first sub-section, and the second sub-section are all integrated into the first side wall of the air conditioning unit, eliminating the need for additional brackets or external pipelines. This further reduces the space occupancy of the HVAC assembly, further reducing the space occupied by the front engine compartment or passenger compartment, and further improving the integration of the HVAC assembly, making the structure of the HVAC assembly more compact.

[0015] Optionally, at least one of the first sub-segment, the second sub-segment, the first segment, and the second segment is provided with an external interface that can be selectively connected to an external device.

[0016] In the above solution, the external interface can be flexibly connected to other thermal management components of the vehicle (such as battery cooling circuit, motor waste heat recovery circuit, heat pump system circuit, etc.), which further improves the integration of the thermal management system, helps to reduce the space occupied in the vehicle interior, and helps to achieve a compact vehicle design.

[0017] Optionally, the external interface includes a first interface, a second interface, and a third interface. The first interface is located in the first segment and can be selectively connected to the condenser. The second interface is located in the second segment and can be selectively connected to the low-temperature radiator. The third interface is located in the second segment and can be selectively connected to the battery cooler.

[0018] In the above solution, multiple third interfaces are directly installed on the first sidewall of the HVAC system, eliminating the need for additional connecting pipes or brackets. This further reduces the space occupied in the front engine compartment, resulting in a more compact vehicle internal structure that can meet the thermal management requirements of various components.

[0019] Optionally, the HVAC assembly also includes a pressure plate, one side of which is disposed on the first pipe section and the other side of which is mounted on the body section. The pressure plate is adapted to press the first end against the inlet of the heater core, or the pressure plate is adapted to press the second end against the outlet of the heater core.

[0020] In the above scheme, the pressure plate can use mechanical clamping force to tightly fit the first end and the second end of the first flow channel to the inlet and outlet of the heater core, forming a rigid clamping and sealing structure. This can effectively offset the changes in connection gap caused by vehicle driving vibration and thermal expansion and contraction, help reduce the occurrence of coolant leakage problems, and ensure the stability of the heating circulation loop.

[0021] Optionally, the pressure plate and the first tube are integrally formed.

[0022] In the above solution, the one-piece molding structure eliminates the assembly interface between the pressure plate and the first pipe, fundamentally avoiding the risk of loosening of the connection caused by vibration and thermal expansion and contraction in the split structure. This allows the clamping force of the pressure plate to act more stably on the mating surface between the first flow channel port and the heater core, greatly improving the sealing performance, reducing the risk of coolant leakage, and eliminating the need for additional pre-reserved assembly space, which can further optimize the compactness of the side wall of the air conditioning unit.

[0023] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a vehicle including an HVAC assembly according to any of the embodiments.

[0024] The vehicle according to the second aspect of the present application, having the HVAC assembly of any embodiment, improves the integration of the HVAC assembly, reduces the space occupied in the vehicle interior, and contributes to the miniaturization design of the vehicle. Attached Figure Description

[0025] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the specific embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of some embodiments of this application;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the pressure plate in some embodiments of this application.

[0028] [Explanation of Labels in the Attached Image]

[0029] 100. Air conditioning unit; 101. First side wall; 101a. Main body; 101b. First duct section; 102. Air duct;

[0030] 110. First paragraph; 120. Second paragraph; 130. Third paragraph;

[0031] 200. External interface; 210. First interface; 220. Second interface; 230. Third interface;

[0032] 300, First sub-segment; 400, Second sub-segment;

[0033] 500. Warm air core;

[0034] 600. Water valve;

[0035] 700. First water pump;

[0036] 800. Second water pump;

[0037] 900, pressure plate; 901, sealing joint. Detailed Implementation

[0038] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0039] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this application have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains; the terminology used in the description of this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the application; the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, in the description, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. The terms "first," "second," etc., in the description, claims, or accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order or hierarchy.

[0040] In this application, the reference to "embodiment" means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a mutually exclusive, independent, or alternative embodiment. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described in this application can be combined with other embodiments.

[0041] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "attachment" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0042] In this application, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, in this application, the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0043] In this application, "multiple" refers to two or more (including two), similarly, "multiple sets" refers to two or more (including two sets), and "multiple pieces" refers to two or more (including two pieces).

[0044] In existing technologies, components such as the heater core, water pump, and water valve are part of a thermal management system and need to be connected by pipes to form a water circulation loop. In related technologies, the components in the water circulation loop are arranged in a decentralized manner, with core components such as the heater core, water pump, and water valve existing as independent units and connected by a complex external piping network.

[0045] Due to the loose layout of the components and the lack of unified planning, the entire water circulation system is scattered in the limited space of the car's front compartment. A large number of pipes directly occupy the space around the drive motor, which directly hinders the process of making the vehicle design more compact and lightweight.

[0046] Furthermore, this architecture, which relies heavily on external connections, inevitably leads to a decrease in system reliability. Every pipe joint is a potential point of coolant leakage, and the continuous vibration and thermal cycling loads during vehicle operation accelerate the aging of seals and pipe fatigue, significantly increasing the probability of leakage. At the same time, the lengthy pipe layout increases fluid resistance, causing the water pump to consume more energy to drive coolant circulation. This not only reduces the system's heat exchange efficiency but may also generate additional operating noise.

[0047] From a manufacturing perspective, workers need to locate and fix multiple independent components, then connect multiple pipelines sequentially and ensure the tightening torque of each joint, which greatly restricts production efficiency. Moreover, during later maintenance, replacing any component may involve disassembling multiple adjacent pipelines. The narrow operating space and complex procedures directly increase the cost and difficulty of later maintenance.

[0048] Therefore, improving the integration level of HVAC assemblies is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved.

[0049] In view of this, in order to improve the integration of the HVAC assembly, this application provides an HVAC assembly for a vehicle. A first flow channel is disposed on a first sidewall 101 for circulating coolant. Along the length of the first flow channel, it has a first end and a second end. A heater core 500 is disposed in the air conditioning unit 100 and at least partially located in the air duct 102. The inlet of the heater core 500 is connected to the first end of the first flow channel, and the outlet of the heater core 500 is connected to the second end of the first flow channel. This eliminates the need for separate coolant piping supports and external piping, significantly simplifying the overall structure of the HVAC assembly and reducing... The reduced number of parts and assembly steps significantly improves the integration of the HVAC assembly. The direct connection between the inlet and outlet of the heater core 500 and the two ends of the flow channel shortens the coolant transmission path, helps reduce the number of pipe bends and joints, reduces the risk of coolant leakage, and also helps reduce heat loss along the pipes, thus improving the heat exchange efficiency of the heater core 500 and ensuring the heating efficiency inside the vehicle. The flow channel is arranged along the length of the side wall and forms an integrated connection with the heater core 500, making full use of the unused side wall space of the air conditioning unit 100, reducing the space occupied by external pipes in the front engine compartment, and improving the compactness of the HVAC assembly.

[0050] The following is based on the appendix Figure 1 - Appendix Figure 2 This application describes an HVAC assembly for a vehicle proposed in an embodiment.

[0051] An HVAC assembly for a vehicle according to a first aspect embodiment of this application includes an air conditioning unit 100, a first flow channel, and a heater core 500.

[0052] The air conditioning unit 100 has an air duct 102 inside and includes a first side wall 101. Specifically, the air duct 102 is enclosed inside the air conditioning unit 100. The first side wall 101 can be a side wall of the air conditioning unit 100 along the left and right direction of the vehicle. At the same time, the air conditioning unit 100 can be at least partially installed in the passenger compartment. That is to say, the air conditioning unit 100 can be partially installed in the passenger compartment and partially installed in the front engine compartment, or the air conditioning unit 100 can be entirely installed in the passenger compartment.

[0053] The first flow channel is disposed on the first sidewall 101. The first flow channel is used for the flow of coolant. Along the length of the first flow channel, the first flow channel has a first end and a second end. It can be understood that the first flow channel can be part of a thermal management circuit, especially a water circulation circuit. One of the first end and the second end can be used as a coolant outlet and the other can be used as a coolant inlet. The first sidewall 101 can provide installation space. The first flow channel is supported by the first sidewall 101, so that the first flow channel and the first sidewall 101 are integrated together, thereby reducing the independent pipes in the water circulation circuit and reducing the space occupied by independent pipes in the vehicle interior.

[0054] With this configuration, the inlet and outlet of the flow channel plate are connected to the outlet and inlet of the heater core 500, respectively, forming a complete coolant circulation loop. Ultimately, this modular design replaces all independent components and external connecting pipes in the traditional system, eliminating the need for additional independent pipes or fixed structures. This achieves integrated design of the flow channel and the air conditioning unit 100, significantly simplifying the overall structure of the HVAC assembly, reducing the number of parts and assembly steps, and significantly improving the integration of the HVAC assembly.

[0055] Meanwhile, the first flow channel, as a component of the water circulation loop, is integrated with the first side wall 101, replacing the traditional independent coolant pipeline. This reduces the number of independent pipelines and bends, which not only reduces the probability of coolant leakage but also reduces heat loss along the pipeline, thus helping to improve the heat exchange efficiency of the heater core 500.

[0056] In addition, eliminating the independent coolant pipeline can effectively reduce the space occupied by the front engine compartment or passenger compartment. On the one hand, it helps to expand the passenger compartment space in the front and rear directions of the vehicle, and on the other hand, it helps to make the vehicle smaller.

[0057] The warm air core 500 is disposed in the air conditioning unit 100 and is at least partially located in the air duct 102. The inlet of the warm air core 500 is connected to the first end of the first flow channel, and the outlet of the warm air core 500 is connected to the second end of the first flow channel.

[0058] With this configuration, the heater core 500 can directly exchange heat with the airflow in the air duct 102, reducing heat loss during the transfer process, improving heating response speed and heat exchange efficiency, and quickly raising the temperature inside the vehicle to optimize driving comfort.

[0059] The inlet and outlet of the heater core 500 are directly connected to both ends of the first flow channel, eliminating the need for independent piping in traditional designs. This reduces the number of pipe joints and the required layout space, lowering the risk of coolant leakage. It also simplifies assembly processes and improves the integration and compactness of the HVAC assembly. By fully utilizing the unused space on the side of the air conditioning unit 100, the space occupied by piping in the front engine compartment or passenger compartment is reduced, resulting in a more compact overall vehicle space.

[0060] In other embodiments, please refer to Figure 1 The first sidewall 101 includes a body portion 101a and a first pipe portion 101b. The first pipe portion 101b has a first flow channel and is located on the side of the body portion 101a away from the air duct 102.

[0061] In the above scheme, the first pipe section 101b surrounds the first flow channel, and the main body section 101a surrounds the air duct 102. The first pipe section 101b is located on the side of the main body section 101a away from the air duct 102, which can avoid the flow channel from contacting the airflow in the air duct 102, reduce the impact on the air duct 102 inside the main body section 101a, prevent the surface temperature of the flow channel from interfering with the heat exchange efficiency of the airflow in the air duct 102, and isolate the effect of the temperature conduction of the coolant in the flow channel on the sealing structure of the air duct 102, thus ensuring the airtightness and heat preservation effect of the air duct 102. This arrangement further improves the compactness of the internal space of the HVAC assembly.

[0062] Specifically, depending on actual needs, a first pipe section 101b of different lengths can be provided on the side of the main body 101a away from the air duct 102. It can be understood that the first pipe section 101b can be a continuous section of pipe or multiple sections of pipe connected together. That is to say, the first pipe section 101b can include multiple sections of pipe. The multiple sections of pipe can be directly connected or connected through other components in the water circulation loop, so as to make full use of the side space of the first side wall 101.

[0063] Meanwhile, the inner diameter of the first pipe section 101b can be the same everywhere. When the first pipe section 101b includes multiple pipe segments, the inner diameters of the multiple pipe segments can be the same. In addition, the inner diameters of the multiple pipe segments can be different. That is to say, the inner diameters of the multiple pipe segments can be different at different points in the water circulation loop. With this setting, the heat exchange efficiency of the coolant can be adjusted as needed. For example, to increase the coolant circulation flow rate to enhance the heat exchange efficiency, the pipe diameter of the first pipe section 101b can be increased to reduce the coolant flow resistance and ensure that more coolant flows through the heater core 500 per unit time, quickly increasing the airflow temperature in the air duct 102. Alternatively, the pipe diameter can be reduced to reduce the space occupied by the first pipe section 101b while meeting the basic heat exchange requirements, making it suitable for the narrow arrangement area on the side wall of the air conditioning unit 100.

[0064] By changing the diameter of the first pipe section 101b, the utilization rate of the side wall space of the air conditioning unit 100 can be further improved, and the heat exchange efficiency of the water circulation circuit can be adjusted. When the coolant interface of the vehicle thermal management circuit is located at the far end of the front engine compartment, the length of the first pipe section 101b can be extended to ensure that the two ends of the first flow channel can be accurately connected to the inlet and outlet of the heater core 500, avoiding the need for additional transfer pipes; if the space around the air conditioning unit 100 is limited, or the inlet and outlet of the heater core 500 are close to the side wall body section 101a, the length of the first pipe section 101b can be shortened to reduce the exposed size of the pipe and prevent interference with surrounding components (such as wiring harnesses and pipes).

[0065] Meanwhile, if there are other components (such as compressor brackets or sensors) around the side wall of the air conditioning unit 100, the flow channel of the first pipe section 101b can be designed to be bent (such as L-shaped or U-shaped) to bypass the interference components without changing the structure of the main body section 101a and the air duct 102, thereby further improving the space utilization rate.

[0066] In a specific embodiment, if the heater core 500 is a multi-channel heat exchange structure, the first flow channel can be designed with a branching direction to distribute the coolant evenly to each channel of the heater core 500, thereby improving the overall heat exchange efficiency and reducing the layout of external pipelines, which greatly reduces the space occupied and the number of interfaces.

[0067] In other embodiments, please refer to Figure 1 The first pipe section 101b is integrally formed with the main body section 101a. This design further reduces the risk of coolant leakage and avoids problems such as loose joints and abnormal noises caused by vibration in a split structure, significantly improving the sealing reliability and structural stability of the first flow channel and the side wall of the air conditioning unit 100.

[0068] Compared to modular assembly, the one-piece molding process eliminates the need for positioning, docking, and fastening of the tube section and the main body 101a, reduces the use of auxiliary parts such as fasteners and seals, simplifies the production process, significantly improves the assembly efficiency of the HVAC assembly, and reduces labor and material costs.

[0069] The integrated structure makes the first tube 101b and the main body 101a form a unified force-bearing whole, which can more evenly distribute the stress generated by vehicle driving vibration and thermal expansion and contraction, avoid structural deformation or cracking caused by local stress concentration, and strengthen the overall rigidity of the side wall of the air conditioning box 100.

[0070] In addition, the one-piece molding design can precisely control the flow channel size, direction and relative position of the first tube 101b with the main body 101a, ensuring the docking accuracy of the first flow channel with the inlet and outlet of the heater core 500, and improving the stability of coolant circulation and heat exchange efficiency.

[0071] Meanwhile, this structure does not require additional pre-reserved assembly space, which can further optimize the structural compactness of the side wall of the air conditioning unit 100, making it easier to arrange in the small space of the whole vehicle, helping to reduce the space occupied by the passenger compartment, helping to shorten the body, and the molded production of the one-piece component facilitates standardized and mass production, improves product consistency, and reduces the difficulty of component matching for later maintenance.

[0072] In a specific embodiment, the first tube 101b is manufactured by injection molding or extrusion process. That is, the first flow channel can be part of the side wall of the air conditioning unit 100, forming a composite structure with liquid flow channel function, thereby improving the compactness of the structure of the first tube 101b and the first side wall 101.

[0073] In other embodiments, please refer to Figure 1 The first pipe section 101b includes a first section 110, a second section 120, and a third section 130. The HVAC assembly also includes a water valve 600 and a first water pump 700. The water valve 600 and the first water pump 700 are both located on the first side wall 101. The inlet of the water valve 600 is connected to one side of the third section 130, and the outlet of the water valve 600 is connected to one side of the first section 110. The inlet of the first water pump 700 is connected to the other side of the second section 120, and the outlet of the first water pump 700 is connected to one side of the first section 110. A first end is provided on the other side of the first section 110, and a second end is provided on the other side of the third section 130.

[0074] In the above solution, the water valve 600 and the first water pump 700 are directly integrated into the first side wall 101, forming a thermal circulation loop with the segmented first flow channel. There is no need to set up separate valves, pump mounting brackets and external pipelines, which greatly reduces the number of parts and pipeline joints. This simplifies the overall structure of the HVAC assembly, effectively saves the layout space of the front engine compartment or passenger compartment, helps to improve the utilization rate of vehicle space, realizes the compact design of vehicle structure, and improves the integration of the HVAC assembly.

[0075] Meanwhile, the integrated layout shortens the transmission path of coolant between valves, pumps, and flow channels, reducing heat loss along the pipeline and improving heating response speed.

[0076] Furthermore, the first water pump 700 and water valve 600, as core functional components, are directly installed and sealed to the first side wall 101. Their inlets and outlets are aligned and connected with the outlet and inlet of the first flow channel, achieving tubeless integration while also improving the reliability of the connection.

[0077] In other embodiments, please refer to Figure 1The HVAC assembly includes a first sub-section 300, a second sub-section 400, and a second water pump 800. The second water pump 800 is disposed on the first side wall 101. One side of the first sub-section 300 is connected to the inlet of the second water pump 800, and the other side of the first sub-section 300 is connected to the second end. One side of the second sub-section 400 is connected to the outlet of the second water pump 800, and the other side of the second sub-section 400 is connected to the inlet of the water valve 600.

[0078] In the above scheme, the first sub-segment 300, the second sub-segment 400, and the second water pump 800 can form another thermal management circuit. The second water pump 800 can pump the coolant from the second end into the first sub-segment 300. In other words, the newly added first sub-segment 300 and second sub-segment 400, as extensions of the original first flow channel, can flexibly connect to other thermal management components of the vehicle (such as the battery cooling circuit and the motor waste heat recovery circuit) to achieve efficient utilization of waste heat. For example, the waste heat generated by the battery and motor can be introduced into the HVAC heating circuit to reduce the energy consumption of the heat pump or PTC heater and improve the overall energy utilization rate of the vehicle.

[0079] Meanwhile, the second water pump 800, the first sub-section 300, and the second sub-section 400 are all integrated into the first side wall 101 of the air conditioning unit 100, eliminating the need for additional brackets or external pipelines. This further reduces the space occupancy of the HVAC assembly, thereby reducing the space occupied by the front engine compartment or passenger compartment and further improving the integration of the HVAC assembly, making the structure of the HVAC assembly more compact.

[0080] In other words, the first sidewall 101 can integrate multiple coolant circulation loops and perform thermal management on different components respectively.

[0081] In other embodiments, please refer to Figure 1 At least one of the first sub-segment 300, the second sub-segment 400, the first segment 110, and the second segment 120 is provided with an external interface 200 that can be selectively connected to an external device.

[0082] In the above solution, the external interface 200 can be flexibly connected to other thermal management components of the vehicle (such as battery cooling circuit, motor waste heat recovery circuit, heat pump system circuit, etc.), which further improves the integration of the thermal management system, helps to reduce the space occupied in the vehicle interior, and helps to achieve a compact vehicle design.

[0083] For example, in the operation of new energy vehicles, the waste heat generated by the battery and motor can be introduced into the HVAC circulation loop through the external interface 200 to replace part of the heating demand of the PTC heater, thereby significantly reducing the energy consumption of the whole vehicle. In the summer cooling operation, the waste heat of the air conditioning system can also be exported to other heat-requiring components through the interface, thereby improving the energy utilization efficiency of the whole vehicle.

[0084] Furthermore, the standardized external interface 200 can serve as a universal expansion module for the HVAC assembly. The same HVAC structure requires no major modifications; simply by varying the external configuration of the interface, it can be adapted to the thermal management solutions of different vehicle models (such as pure electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and gasoline vehicles), significantly improving the product's versatility. In addition, the pre-designed interface avoids the need for secondary modifications to the sidewalls and flow channels of the air conditioning unit 100 to add new functions, reducing the cost of mold development and structural optimization, and shortening the development cycle of new vehicle models.

[0085] In other embodiments, please refer to Figure 1 The external interface 200 includes a first interface 210, a second interface 220 and a third interface 230. The first interface 210 is located in the first segment 110 and can be selectively connected to the condenser. The first interface 210 connects to the condenser and can realize the exchange of waste heat between the air conditioning cooling and heating circuits. For example, the waste heat generated by the condenser can be introduced into the HVAC heating circuit through this interface, which helps to reduce the energy consumption of the whole vehicle and ensure the heating effect inside the vehicle.

[0086] The second interface 220 is located in the second sub-segment 400 and can be selectively connected to the low-temperature radiator. The second interface 220 is connected to the low-temperature radiator. When the temperature of the coolant in the heating circuit is too high, the low-temperature radiator can quickly dissipate heat through the interface. When the temperature is too low, the radiator path can be cut off to reduce heat loss and ensure heating efficiency.

[0087] The third interface 230 is located in the second section 120 and can be selectively connected to the battery cooler. The third interface 230 connects to the battery cooler, and the waste heat generated by the battery operation can be introduced into the circuit of the heater core 500 through this interface to replace part of the heating energy and greatly improve the energy utilization rate. When the battery is in a high-temperature operating condition and needs to be cooled, the coolant flow direction can be adjusted through the interface to prioritize the battery heat dissipation needs, while taking into account both cabin comfort and battery safety life.

[0088] In the above scheme, multiple external interfaces 200 are directly set on the first side wall 101 of HVAC without the need for additional transfer pipes or brackets, further reducing the space occupancy of the front engine compartment and making the vehicle's internal structure more compact, which can meet the thermal management needs of various components.

[0089] In other embodiments, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The HVAC assembly also includes a pressure plate 900, one side of which is disposed on the first pipe section 101b and the other side of which is mounted on the body section 101a. The pressure plate 900 is adapted to press the first end against the inlet of the heater core 500, or the pressure plate 900 is adapted to press the second end against the outlet of the heater core 500.

[0090] In the above scheme, the pressure plate 900 can use mechanical clamping force to tightly fit the first end and the second end of the first flow channel to the inlet and outlet of the heater core 500, forming a rigid clamping and sealing structure. This can effectively offset the changes in connection gap caused by vehicle driving vibration and thermal expansion and contraction, help reduce the occurrence of coolant leakage problems, and ensure the stability of the heating circulation circuit.

[0091] Meanwhile, the pressure plate 900 can limit the port of the first flow channel and the interface of the warm air core 500, avoiding problems such as port misalignment or displacement during assembly, ensuring the coaxiality and fit of the two, and improving the assembly consistency during mass production; at the same time, the clamping force of the pressure plate 900 is evenly applied to the connecting surface, avoiding port deformation or damage caused by excessive local pressure, and extending the service life of the components.

[0092] In addition, the pressure plate 900 combines the connection structure between the first pipe section 101b and the body section 101a and the sealing structure of the flow channel port to form an integrated stress support, which can disperse the stress generated by the first pipe section 101b due to coolant pressure and vibration, avoid fatigue cracking at the connection between the first pipe section 101b and the body section 101a, and improve the strength of the connection.

[0093] In other embodiments, please refer to Figure 1 The pressure plate 900 and the first tube 101b are integrally formed.

[0094] In the above solution, the one-piece molding structure eliminates the assembly interface between the pressure plate 900 and the first tube 101b, fundamentally avoiding the risk of loosening of the connection caused by vibration and thermal expansion and contraction of the split structure. This allows the clamping force of the pressure plate 900 to act more stably on the mating surface between the first flow channel port and the heater core 500, greatly improving the sealing performance and reducing the risk of coolant leakage.

[0095] Meanwhile, the integrated structure makes the pressure plate 900 and the first pipe section 101b form a unified force-bearing whole, which can more evenly distribute the coolant pressure and the stress generated by vehicle driving vibration, avoid pipe deformation or pressure plate 900 breakage caused by local stress concentration, and strengthen the connection rigidity of the first pipe section 101b with the body section 101a and heater core 500 interface.

[0096] Compared to separate assembly, the one-piece molding process eliminates the need for positioning, docking, and fastening of the pressure plate 900 and the first tube 101b, reduces the use of auxiliary parts such as fasteners and seals, simplifies the production process, significantly improves the assembly efficiency of the HVAC assembly, and reduces labor and material costs. In addition, the molded production of one-piece components facilitates standardized and mass production, improves product consistency, and eliminates the need for additional pre-reserved assembly space, which can further optimize the compactness of the side wall of the air conditioning unit 100.

[0097] In a specific embodiment, the first end and the second end can respectively extend into the pressure plate 900 and be integrally formed with the pressure plate 900. The pressure plate 900 has a sealing joint 901, and part of the sealing joint 901 extends into the warm air core 500.

[0098] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a vehicle including an HVAC assembly according to any of the embodiments.

[0099] The vehicle according to the second aspect of the present application, having the HVAC assembly of any embodiment, improves the integration of the HVAC assembly, reduces the space occupied in the vehicle interior, and contributes to the miniaturization design of the vehicle.

[0100] It should also be noted that the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0101] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to mutually. Each embodiment focuses on describing the differences from other embodiments. In particular, the system embodiments are basically similar to the method embodiments, so the description is relatively simple; relevant parts can be referred to the descriptions in the method embodiments.

[0102] The above description is merely an embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principle of this application should be included within the scope of the claims of this application.

[0103] Although embodiments of this application have been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of this application, and such modifications and variations all fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An HVAC assembly for a vehicle, characterized in that, include: An air conditioning unit (100) has an internal air duct (102) and the air conditioning unit (100) includes a first side wall (101). A first flow channel is disposed on the first sidewall (101). The first flow channel is used to circulate coolant. Along the length direction of the first flow channel, the first flow channel has a first end and a second end. A warm air core (500) is disposed in the air conditioning unit (100) and at least partially located in the air duct (102). The inlet of the warm air core (500) is connected to the first end of the first flow channel, and the outlet of the warm air core (500) is connected to the second end of the first flow channel. The first sidewall (101) includes a body portion (101a) and a first pipe portion (101b), the first pipe portion (101b) having the first flow channel, the first pipe portion (101b) being integrally formed with the body portion (101a), the HVAC assembly further including a water valve (600) and a first water pump (700), the water valve (600) and the first water pump (700) being disposed on the first sidewall (101).

2. The HVAC assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first pipe section (101b) is located on the side of the main body section (101a) away from the air duct (102).

3. The HVAC assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first pipe section (101b) includes a first section (110), a second section (120) and a third section (130). The inlet of the water valve (600) is connected to one side of the third section (130), the outlet of the water valve (600) is connected to one side of the first section (110), the inlet of the first water pump (700) is connected to the other side of the first section (110), the outlet of the first water pump (700) is connected to one side of the second section (120), the first end is provided on the other side of the second section (120), and the second end is provided on the other side of the third section (130).

4. The HVAC assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, The HVAC assembly includes a first sub-section (300), a second sub-section (400), and a second water pump (800). The second water pump (800) is disposed on the first sidewall (101). One side of the first sub-section (300) is connected to the inlet of the second water pump (800), and the other side of the first sub-section (300) is connected to the second end. One side of the second sub-section (400) is connected to the outlet of the second water pump (800), and the other side of the second sub-section (400) is connected to the inlet of the water valve (600).

5. The HVAC assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, At least one of the first sub-segment (300), the second sub-segment (400), the first segment (110), and the second segment (120) is provided with an external interface (200) that can be selectively connected to an external device.

6. The HVAC assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that, The external interface (200) includes a first interface (210), a second interface (220) and a third interface (230). The first interface (210) is located in the first segment (110) and can be selectively connected to the condenser. The second interface (220) is located in the second sub-segment (400) and can be selectively connected to the low-temperature radiator. The third interface (230) is located in the second segment (120) and can be selectively connected to the battery cooler.

7. The HVAC assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The HVAC assembly also includes a pressure plate (900), one side of which is disposed on the first pipe section (101b) and the other side of which is mounted on the body section (101a). The pressure plate (900) is adapted to press the first end against the inlet of the heater core (500) or the pressure plate (900) is adapted to press the second end against the outlet of the heater core (500).

8. The HVAC assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that, The pressure plate (900) and the first tube (101b) are integrally formed.

9. A vehicle, characterized in that, Includes the HVAC assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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