Air channeling prevention structure for automobile air conditioner and air bellow assembly with air channeling prevention structure

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of automobile air conditioners, in particular to an air channeling prevention structure for an automobile air conditioner and an air bellow assembly with the air channeling prevention structure. The air channeling prevention structure comprises a partition plate connected to the air bellow shell. A sealing mechanism is arranged on the partition plate; the sealing mechanism comprises a sealing felt; the sealing felt is connected to the partition plate; a reliable'sealing rib wall 'is formed through the cooperative use and combination of the partition plate and the sealing felt; the outer circulation air inlet duct and the inner circulation air inlet duct are physically and completely separated by the wall; air can only pass through a designated air inlet channel opened on the inner side by the inner and outer circulation air door, is sucked by the air blower and finally is fed into the HVAC box body for temperature adjustment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automotive air conditioning, specifically to an anti-slip structure for automotive air conditioning and an air box assembly having the anti-slip structure. Background Technology

[0002] The main purpose of car air conditioning is to control the temperature, humidity, and air cleanliness inside the car, providing passengers with the best riding experience and reducing travel fatigue. Car air conditioning generally includes a cooling device, a heating device, and a ventilation device.

[0003] The ventilation system primarily controls the air circulation inside and outside the car. Internal circulation means the air inside the car circulates only within the vehicle, without external air participating. It has the advantage of rapid cooling or heating, but the disadvantage is that the air inside the car doesn't refresh for a long time, resulting in low oxygen levels, which is detrimental to health. External circulation involves outside air circulating inside the car, with a blower drawing air in from outside. The advantage is that the oxygen content inside the car is the same as outside, but the cooling or heating speed is affected and may be slower.

[0004] To balance the advantages and disadvantages of internal and external circulation modes, most commonly used automotive air conditioning systems have a circulation damper with two positions, allowing users to switch between internal and external circulation by operating this damper. However, when the circulation damper is in the middle position, a drawback exists: during vehicle operation, due to the high speed, the fresh air supplied by the external circulation, under considerable pressure, causes a significant portion of the fresh air to directly enter the vehicle through the internal circulation air intake via the outside of the circulation damper, without being drawn into the air conditioning unit by the blower, resulting in cross-ventilation.

[0005] However, the problem of wind leakage will bring a series of negative impacts:

[0006] This affects the overall airflow of the air conditioner, thereby reducing the cooling or heating effect and decreasing the comfort of the car.

[0007] When the air is in recirculation mode, the intrusion of hot or cold air from outside will increase the heat load on the air conditioning system, resulting in a decrease in cooling or heating efficiency. The interior temperature will be difficult to reach the set value quickly, prolonging the period of discomfort.

[0008] Impact on air quality: When the internal air circulation system is needed to block external exhaust fumes, dust, or odors, the forced airflow can allow some unfiltered polluted external air to enter the vehicle, damaging the air quality inside.

[0009] Existing patent CN 216886163 U discloses a parking air conditioner internal and external circulation switching device; however, it does not consider the problem of air leakage.

[0010] Therefore, in order to improve or solve at least one of the above-mentioned technical problems, it is necessary to optimize the existing air conditioning box structure. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The purpose of this invention is to provide a method that can reduce or avoid the problem of air leakage when switching between internal and external air circulation in an air conditioning unit.

[0012] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0013] An anti-airflow structure for automotive air conditioning, the anti-airflow structure being able to press against the internal and external air circulation dampers; the anti-airflow structure includes a partition connected to the air box housing; the partition is provided with a sealing mechanism.

[0014] The sealing mechanism includes a sealing felt; the sealing felt is connected to the partition.

[0015] The sealing felt is connected to the partition plate via a connecting mechanism, the connecting mechanism including an embedding groove provided on the partition plate; the sealing felt is embedded in the embedding groove of the partition plate.

[0016] The partition includes a base plate; a side plate is provided on each of the opposite sides of the base plate; the partition is connected to the air box shell through a side plate.

[0017] The partition and the air box shell are an integral structure.

[0018] The side plate and the base plate are arranged intersectingly; the side plate has a flange at the end away from the base plate; the vertical cross section of the partition is in the shape of an inverted "V".

[0019] A bellows assembly includes a bellows housing; the bellows housing is provided with an internal circulation air inlet and an external circulation air outlet; an internal circulation damper is provided inside the bellows housing; the internal circulation damper can control the opening and closing of the internal circulation air inlet and the external circulation air outlet; and the anti-wind-flow structure is provided at the edge of the internal circulation air inlet.

[0020] The anti-wind-flow structure is arranged on the side of the internal circulation air inlet near the external circulation air inlet.

[0021] The internal circulation damper includes an arc-shaped damper frame; the outer surface of the arc-shaped damper frame is arc-shaped; the anti-slip structure can press against the outer surface of the internal circulation damper.

[0022] The arc-shaped damper frame has lateral flanges on both sides; the partition can press against the lateral flanges.

[0023] The advantages of this invention are:

[0024] This invention discloses an anti-airflow structure for automotive air conditioning and an air box assembly having the anti-airflow structure.

[0025] This invention uses a combination of partitions and sealing felt to form a reliable "sealing rib wall"; this wall physically isolates the external circulation air intake duct from the internal circulation air intake duct; air can only be drawn in by the blower through a designated air intake duct opened on the inside by the internal and external circulation dampers (for example, when external circulation is needed, the external circulation duct is opened and the internal circulation duct is closed), and finally sent into the HVAC enclosure for temperature regulation; the anti-airflow structure disclosed in this invention achieves efficient sealing through simple mechanical design: it prevents accidental mixing of air inside and outside the vehicle from the source, ensuring the purity of the air intake of the air conditioning system in any mode. Attached Figure Description

[0026] The following is a brief explanation of the contents of each of the accompanying drawings and the markings in the drawings:

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the air box assembly during external circulation of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the air box assembly during air mixing according to the present invention.

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the bellows assembly during internal circulation in this invention.

[0030] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure when the sealing mechanism is connected to the internal and external circulation dampers in this invention.

[0031] The markings in the above figures are all:

[0032] 1-1. Anti-airflow effect: 1. Air box housing, 2. Blower. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and the description of the preferred embodiments.

[0034] An anti-airflow structure 1-1 for automotive air conditioning is disclosed. The anti-airflow structure 1-1 can press against the internal and external circulation dampers 3. The anti-airflow structure 1-1 includes a partition 10 connected to the air box housing 1. The partition 10 is provided with a sealing mechanism, which includes a sealing felt 4 connected to the partition 10. This invention forms a reliable "sealing rib wall" through the combined use of the partition 10 and the sealing felt 4. This wall physically isolates the external circulation air intake duct 7 from the internal circulation air intake duct 8. Air can only be drawn in by the blower 2 through the designated air intake duct opened on the inside by the internal and external circulation dampers 3 (e.g., when external circulation is needed, the external circulation duct is opened and the internal circulation duct is closed), and finally sent into the HVAC enclosure for temperature regulation. The anti-airflow structure 1-1 disclosed in this invention achieves efficient sealing through simple mechanical design: preventing accidental mixing of air inside and outside the vehicle from the source, ensuring the purity of the air intake in any mode of the air conditioning system.

[0035] In this invention, the sealing mechanism mainly includes a partition plate 10 and a sealing felt 4. The partition plate 10 serves as the mounting base, which facilitates the installation and placement of the sealing felt 4. The sealing felt 4 can adhere to the outer surface of the inner and outer circulation damper 3, thus playing a good role in isolation and blocking.

[0036] In addition, the felt material itself is soft and has compression resilience, which can perfectly fill the gap between the sealing mechanism and the internal and external circulation dampers 3, adapt to the manufacturing tolerances and movement trajectory of the damper surface, and achieve a "leak-free" seal.

[0037] In this invention, the sealing felt 4 is connected to the partition 10 via a connecting mechanism. The connection mechanism facilitates the installation of the sealing felt 4 on the partition 10.

[0038] Specifically, the connecting mechanism in this invention includes an embedded groove 103 disposed on the partition 10; the sealing felt 4 is embedded in the embedded groove 103 of the partition 10; the sealing felt 4 and the embedded groove 103 can be connected by an interference fit, or a protrusion can be provided on the embedded groove 103 to achieve compression and fixation of the sealing felt 4 in the embedded groove 103.

[0039] Furthermore, in this invention, the partition 10 includes a base plate 101; the base plate 101 has a side plate 102 on each of its opposite sides; the partition 10 is connected to the bellows housing 1 via a side plate 102; the base plate 101 acts as a connecting plate, facilitating the installation and fixing of the sealing felt 4 on the partition 10; while the side plate 102 primarily functions as a connector, facilitating the connection between the partition 10 and the bellows housing 1; in addition, the side plate 102 can also fit against the lateral flange in the internal and external circulation damper 3, achieving a contact sealing effect; at the same time, it can limit the stopping position of the internal and external circulation damper 3.

[0040] In addition, the partition 10 is essentially connected at one end and freely arranged at the other end, in which case the partition 10 also has a good buffering and limiting function.

[0041] In this invention, the partition 10 and the bellows housing 1 are an integral structure; the integral design of the partition 10 and the bellows housing 1 facilitates the connection between the partition 10 and the bellows housing 1, and avoids the trouble of assembling the partition 10 and the bellows housing 1 when they are two parts.

[0042] In this invention, the side plate 102 and the base plate 101 are arranged intersectingly; the side plate 102 is provided with a flange plate 104 at the end away from the base plate 101; the vertical cross section of the partition 10 is inverted V-shape; based on this design, the side of the partition 10 is set at an angle; it is convenient to fit and limit the side flange on the internal and external circulation damper 3; the flange plate 104 plays a good bridging and limiting role.

[0043] A bellows assembly includes a bellows housing 1; the bellows housing 1 is provided with an internal circulation air inlet 5 and an external circulation air outlet; an internal circulation damper is provided inside the bellows housing 1; the internal circulation damper can control the opening and closing of the internal circulation air inlet 5 and the external circulation air outlet; the anti-slip structure 1-1 is provided at the edge of the internal circulation air inlet 5; in this invention, the bellows housing 1 is the main structure of the bellows assembly; and provides a foundation for the installation and fixing of other components (damper, motor, anti-slip structure 1-1, etc.).

[0044] The internal cavity of the bellows housing 1 is designed with a specific shape to form the path of air flow; the bellows housing 1 connects the internal circulation air inlet 5, the external circulation air inlet 6 and the inlet of the blower 2 to guide the airflow in an orderly manner.

[0045] Internal circulation air inlet 5: Responsible for introducing air into the vehicle; when internal circulation is turned on, it is the only airflow inlet, enabling the air conditioning system to circulate the air inside the vehicle.

[0046] The external air intake 6 is responsible for introducing fresh air from outside the vehicle; when the external air circulation is turned on, it is the only airflow inlet used to refresh the air inside the vehicle, prevent excessive carbon dioxide concentration, and introduce fresh air.

[0047] The internal circulation damper controls the opening and closing of two air inlets simultaneously by rotating at a specific angle.

[0048] Internal circulation mode: The damper closes the external circulation air inlet 6 and opens the internal circulation air inlet 5 at the same time.

[0049] External circulation mode: The damper closes the internal circulation air inlet 5 and opens the external circulation air inlet 6 at the same time.

[0050] The internal recirculation damper is a key component that determines whether the air conditioning system processes air from inside or outside the vehicle.

[0051] In this invention, the anti-airflow structure 1-1 is arranged on the side of the internal circulation air inlet 5 near the external circulation air inlet; the anti-airflow structure 1-1 is arranged at the edge of the internal circulation air inlet 5, near the side of the external circulation air inlet 6; a physical barrier is established; when the internal circulation damper is in internal circulation or external circulation state, it ensures that air can only enter from the opened air inlet, and absolutely prevents air from "leaking" or "flowing" to the other side from the closed air inlet side through the gap between the internal circulation damper and the air box housing 1.

[0052] Furthermore, the internal circulation damper in this invention includes an arc-shaped damper frame; the outer surface of the arc-shaped damper frame is arc-shaped; the anti-airflow structure 1-1 can press against the outer surface of the internal circulation damper; the outer surface of the internal circulation damper is arc-shaped, which means that when it rotates, the contact line between it and the sealing felt 4 on the anti-airflow structure 1-1 is continuous and smoothly changing; the arc-shaped design ensures that the surface of the internal circulation damper can maintain a stable contact relationship with the sealing felt 4 throughout the entire movement stroke.

[0053] In addition, the arc-shaped damper frame described in this invention has lateral flanges on both sides; the partition 10 can press against the lateral flanges; the lateral flanges are structures extending from the two side edges of the arc-shaped damper frame; the side plates 102 on both sides of the partition 10 are designed to cooperate with the lateral flanges of the internal circulation damper; the advantage is that it completely blocks the lateral leakage path; at the same time, after the internal circulation damper is rotated into place, it can cooperate with the partition 10 to achieve a good fit and seal.

[0054] In addition, the lateral flange in this invention can also enhance the rigidity of the internal circulation damper; the lateral flange structure is like adding a "reinforcing rib" to the internal circulation damper.

[0055] The outer side of the arc-shaped damper and the sealing felt 4 on the partition 10 form the main sealing surface, which is responsible for isolating most of the frontal airflow.

[0056] Side auxiliary seal: The side flange of the damper and the side structure of the partition 10 form a side sealing surface, which is responsible for blocking the air flowing around from the side.

[0057] Example 1:

[0058] An anti-airflow structure 1-1 for automotive air conditioning includes a wind box housing 1, a blower 2, internal and external circulation dampers 3, a sealing felt 4, an internal circulation air inlet 5, an external circulation air inlet 6, an external circulation air inlet duct 7, and an internal circulation air inlet duct 8. The blower 2 has a filter core 9 at its air inlet. The wind box housing 1 is connected to a partition 10, and a sealing felt 4 is installed in the middle of the partition 10. The sealing felt 4 contacts the outer surface of the internal and external circulation dampers 3 to form a sealing wall. Fresh air cannot flow between the inside and outside of the internal and external circulation dampers 3, and can only be drawn into the HVAC housing by the blower 2 through the air inlet duct inside the internal and external circulation dampers 3.

[0059] The sealing felt 4 is distributed in the middle of the inner and outer circulation dampers 3 and is tightly attached to the surface of the inner and outer circulation dampers 3 to form a sealing rib wall, which separates the inner and outer air intake channels and prevents them from communicating with each other.

[0060] The internal and external circulation damper 3 adopts an arc-shaped damper with an arched structure on the back. During the rotation of the internal and external circulation damper 3, it will fit well with the sealing felt 4 and perfectly combine to form a sealing rib wall.

[0061] Example 2:

[0062] This embodiment provides an anti-airflow structure 1-1 for automotive air conditioning and an air box assembly including the structure. The core of the anti-airflow structure 1-1 is to construct a reliable "sealing rib wall", which is composed of a partition 10 and a sealing felt 4, physically isolating the external circulation air intake duct 7 from the internal circulation air intake duct 8.

[0063] Its basic principle is: by using this sealing structure to press against the outside of the internal and external circulation damper 3, it prevents the accidental mixing of air from inside and outside the vehicle (i.e., "air leakage") on the outside of the damper. This ensures that air can only be drawn in by the blower 2 through the designated air intake duct opened on the inside by the internal and external circulation damper 3, and finally sent into the HVAC enclosure for temperature regulation, thus ensuring the purity of the air intake and the operating efficiency of the air conditioning system in any mode.

[0064] The partition 10 is connected to the bellows housing 1. In a preferred embodiment, the partition 10 and the bellows housing 1 can be a single integrated structure (e.g., formed in one piece by injection molding). This design simplifies the assembly process, avoids assembly errors and leaks that may occur with separate connections, and enhances the overall structural integrity.

[0065] Specific structure: The partition 10 includes a base plate 101. A side plate 102 extends from each of the opposite sides of the base plate 101. The partition 10 is connected to the air box housing 1 via one of the side plates 102. Furthermore, a flange plate 104 is provided at the end of the side plate 102 away from the base plate 101. Thus, the vertical cross-section of the partition 10 is inverted V-shape.

[0066] The base plate 101 serves as the main mounting surface and is used to support the sealing mechanism.

[0067] The side plate 102 and the flange plate 104 work together to fit against the side flange on the internal circulation damper. This not only achieves lateral contact sealing, eliminating the path for air to flow around the side of the damper, but also physically limits the rotation stop position of the internal circulation damper.

[0068] Buffering effect: Since one end of the partition 10 is connected to the air box housing 1 and the other end is a free end, it has a certain elasticity and can play a good buffering and limiting role when the internal circulation damper is in operation.

[0069] The sealing mechanism mainly includes sealing felt 4.

[0070] The sealing felt 4 can fit tightly against the outer surface of the internal circulation damper. The felt material itself is soft and has excellent compression resilience, which can perfectly fill the micro gap between it and the damper surface, adapt to the manufacturing tolerance and movement trajectory of the damper, thereby achieving a dynamic "leak-free" seal and playing an excellent role in isolation and blocking.

[0071] To facilitate and reliably fix the sealing felt 4 to the partition 10, a specialized connecting mechanism is provided. This connecting mechanism includes an embedded groove 103 formed in the base plate 101 of the partition 10. The sealing felt 4 is embedded in the groove by an interference fit. As an option to enhance fixation, protrusions (such as barbs, ribs, etc.) can also be provided in the embedded groove 103 to achieve compression fixation of the sealing felt 4. This mechanical fixing method is more resistant to vibration and high and low temperature changes than traditional adhesive bonding, provides reliable connection, and is easy to assemble.

[0072] A bellows assembly includes a bellows housing 1, an internal circulation air inlet 5, an external circulation air inlet 6, an internal circulation damper, and the aforementioned anti-airflow structure 1-1.

[0073] The air box housing 1 serves as the main body of the assembly, providing a mounting base for all other components. Its internal cavity is designed with a specific shape to form an airflow path connecting the internal and external circulation air inlets 6 with the blower inlet 2, guiding the airflow in an orderly manner.

[0074] Air inlet:

[0075] Internal circulation air intake 5: Responsible for introducing air from inside the vehicle. When the internal circulation mode is activated, it is the only airflow inlet.

[0076] External air intake 6: Responsible for introducing fresh air from outside the vehicle. When the external air circulation mode is activated, it is the only airflow inlet.

[0077] Internal circulation damper: Core function: As an actuator for airflow mode, it controls the opening and closing of two air inlets by rotating at a specific angle, thereby determining the source of air processed by the air conditioning system.

[0078] Specific structure: The internal circulation damper includes an arc-shaped damper frame. The outer surface of the damper frame is arc-shaped. This design ensures that it maintains continuous and smooth linear contact with the sealing felt 4 on the anti-airflow structure 1-1 during rotation, reducing friction and ensuring stable sealing force. In addition, lateral flanges are provided on opposite sides of the arc-shaped damper frame.

[0079] Arrangement and coordination of anti-wind slippage structure 1-1:

[0080] The anti-wind-flow structure 1-1 is precisely positioned at the edge of the internal circulation air inlet 5, and close to the side of the external circulation air inlet 6. This location is the intersection of the internal and external circulation air ducts, and is also the area with the highest risk of wind-flow.

[0081] Collaborative sealing mechanism:

[0082] Main sealing surface: The sealing felt 4 on the anti-airflow structure 1-1 continuously presses against the outer arc surface of the arc-shaped damper frame to form the main sealing surface, which isolates most of the airflow from the front.

[0083] Lateral sealing surface: The side plate 102 and the flange plate 104 of the inverted V-shaped partition 10 fit together with the side flange of the damper to form a lateral sealing surface, which completely blocks the path of air flowing from the side of the damper in the thickness direction.

[0084] Enhanced rigidity: The lateral flanges on the damper also act as reinforcing ribs, enhancing the rigidity of the damper body and making it less prone to deformation under negative pressure.

[0085] Obviously, the specific implementation of this invention is not limited to the above-described methods. Any non-substantial improvements made using the inventive concept and technical solution of this invention are within the protection scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A structure for preventing air leakage in automotive air conditioning, characterized in that, The anti-air-leakage structure can abut against the inner and outer circulation air doors; the anti-air-leakage structure comprises a partition plate connected to the air bellow shell; the partition plate is provided with a sealing mechanism.

2. The anti-sneak flow structure for an automobile air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein The sealing mechanism comprises sealing felt; the sealing felt is connected to the partition plate.

3. The anti-sneak flow structure for an automobile air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein The sealing felt is connected to the partition plate through a connecting mechanism; the connecting mechanism comprises an embedded groove provided on the partition plate; the sealing felt is embedded in the embedded groove of the partition plate.

4. The anti-sneak flow structure for an automobile air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, The partition plate comprises a base plate; opposite sides of the base plate are respectively provided with a lateral plate; the partition plate is connected to the air bellow shell through a lateral plate.

5. The anti-surge structure for an automobile air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein The partition plate and the air bellow shell are in an integrated structure.

6. The anti-surge structure for an automobile air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein The lateral plate and the base plate are arranged in an intersecting manner; the lateral plate is provided with a flange plate at an end away from the base plate; the partition plate is in an inverted letter "U" shape in vertical section.

7. A windbox assembly, characterized by, The air bellow shell is provided with an inner circulation air inlet and an outer circulation air inlet; the air bellow shell is provided with an inner circulation air door; the inner circulation air door can control the opening and closing of the inner circulation air inlet and the outer circulation air inlet; the inner circulation air inlet is provided with the anti-air-leakage structure as claimed in any one of claims 1-6.

8. A bellow assembly according to claim 7, wherein, The anti-air-leakage structure is arranged on the side of the inner circulation air inlet close to the outer circulation air inlet.

9. A windbox assembly according to claim 7, wherein, The inner circulation air door comprises an arc-shaped door frame; the outer side of the arc-shaped door frame is arc-shaped; the anti-air-leakage structure can abut against the outer side of the inner circulation air door.

10. A windbox assembly according to claim 8, wherein, The arc-shaped door frame is provided with lateral flanges on opposite sides; the partition plate can abut against the lateral flanges.

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