Air duct system for a motor vehicle

Abstract

Air guidance system for a vehicle, comprising at least two air guidance channels (1, 2) produced by a blow molding process or a 2-plate thermoforming process, wherein the air ducts (1, 2) overlap in a common connection area (3) such that a first connection section (4) of the first air duct (1) is enclosed by a second connection section (5) of the second air duct (2) and, wherein the connecting sections (4, 5) have corresponding polygonal cross-sections, and wherein the connecting sections (4, 5) are detachably connected to each other via at least one locking connection (6) provided in the connecting area (3), wherein the locking connection (6) is formed from a locking element (7) formed in the first connection section (4) and a counter-locking element (8) formed in the second connection section (5), wherein the connecting sections (4, 5) have corresponding polygonal cross-sections with at least two corners (9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b), wherein the locking element (7) and the counter-locking element (8) are each arranged on at least one of the respective adjacent corners (9a, 9b, 10a, 10b) of the connecting sections (4, 5), characterized by the fact that in the common connection area (3) at least one additional stop system (13) is provided, consisting of a stop element (14) formed in the first connection section (4) and a counter-stop element (15) formed in the second connection section (5), wherein the stop element (14) and the counter-stop element (15) are also arranged on at least one of the respective adjacent corners (11a, 11b, 12a, 12b) of the connecting sections (4, 5), wherein the locking connection (6) and the stop system (13) are coordinated such that, after the locking connection (6) has engaged, the stop element (14) and the counter-stop element (15) define a final position of the locking connection (6) in order to prevent the locking connection (6) from over-engaging.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an air guidance system for a vehicle, comprising at least two air guidance ducts manufactured by a blow molding process or a two-plate thermoforming process, wherein the air guidance ducts overlap in a common connection area such that a first connection section of the first air guidance duct is enclosed by a second connection section of the second air guidance duct, and wherein the connection sections have corresponding polygonal cross-sections, and wherein the connection sections are detachably connected to one another by means of at least one snap connection provided in the connection area, wherein the snap connection is formed from a snap element formed in the first connection section and a counter-snap element formed in the second connection section, wherein the connection sections have corresponding polygonal cross-sections with at least two corners each.wherein the locking element and the counter-locking element are each arranged on at least one of the respective adjacent corners of the connecting sections.

[0002] A generic air guidance system is disclosed in publication EP 3 034 337 B1.

[0003] A disadvantage of a state-of-the-art air duct system is that sometimes very high forces are required to engage the locking elements and their corresponding counterparts. While this is advantageous in that the disassembly forces, and thus the connection strength, are correspondingly high, it can happen, particularly during manual assembly of the air duct system, that the installer overestimates the required assembly forces and pushes the air ducts together so far that the locking connection is over-engaged – that is, initially engaging correctly in the joining direction, but then the air ducts are pushed further into each other to such an extent that the locking connection is released again.

[0004] The object of the invention is therefore to create an air guidance system for a vehicle which, compared to the prior art, ensures a more secure assembly of the connecting sections.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention by an air guidance system for a vehicle, comprising at least two air guidance channels produced in a blow molding process or a 2-plate thermoforming process, wherein the air guidance channels overlap in a common connection area such that a first connection section of the first air guidance channel is enclosed by a second connection section of the second air guidance channel, and wherein the connection sections have corresponding polygonal cross-sections, and wherein the connection sections are detachably connected to each other via at least one snap connection provided in the connection area, wherein the snap connection is formed from a snap element formed in the first connection section and a counter-snap element formed in the second connection section.wherein the connecting sections have corresponding polygonal cross-sections with at least two corners each, wherein the locking element and the counter-locking element are each arranged on at least one of the respective adjacent corners of the connecting sections, wherein at least one stop system is additionally provided in the common connecting area, comprising a stop element formed in the first connecting section and a counter-stop element formed in the second connecting section, wherein the stop element and the counter-stop element are also arranged on at least one of the respective adjacent corners of the connecting sections, wherein the locking connection and the stop system are coordinated such that, after the locking connection has engaged, the stop element and the counter-stop element define a defined end position of the locking connection.to prevent the locking connection from over-locking.

[0006] According to the invention, it was recognized that providing a stop system on at least one of the respective adjacent corners of the connecting sections at the moment of engagement of the at least one locking connection creates additional resistance against over-engaging this locking connection.

[0007] The counter stop element can be designed in particular as a local indentation of the outer surface of the second connecting section in the area of ​​the respective corner, and the stop element as a step back to the original height of the corner following a flattened area of ​​the respective corner of the first connecting section.

[0008] The respective locking element and counter-locking element, as well as the stop element and counter-stop element, can preferably be formed integrally with the corresponding connecting sections. This means that the locking element and the stop element are formed integrally with the first connecting section, and the counter-locking element and the counter-stop element are formed integrally with the second connecting section.

[0009] The shaping process takes place particularly during the production of the air ducts using the blow molding process or the 2-plate thermoforming process.

[0010] The locking element can be formed, in particular, by a local indentation or a local protrusion on the outer surface of the first connecting section. The counter-locking element can be formed, in particular, by a local protrusion or a local indentation on the inner surface of the second connecting section. The indentation and / or the protrusion can each be linear. In this context, linear means that the base of the indentation or the saddle of the protrusion forms a line. The indentation and / or the protrusion is / are preferably formed directly on the respective corner of the connecting sections.

[0011] The linear indentation and / or the linear protrusion is / are preferably oriented parallel to the opening edge of the corresponding connecting section.

[0012] To simplify the connection of the air ducts, the opening edge of the outer second air duct and / or the opening edge of the inner first air duct can have an insertion ramp, at least in sections. A longitudinal section of the insertion ramp preferably shows at least two different slopes. Preferably, the slope decreases in the assembly direction, so that with increasing overlap of the connection sections, the otherwise increasing forces / friction are compensated by the reduced slope of the insertion ramp, resulting in a largely constant assembly force. The insertion ramp can have a decreasing slope in individual sections, continuously, or following a curved path in the assembly direction.

[0013] The air ducts are preferably made of a thermoplastic material. Polyolefins, especially polypropylene and polyethylene (LDPE, HDPE), have proven particularly suitable for this purpose.

[0014] The connecting sections can have corresponding polygonal cross-sections with four corners each, wherein the locking element and the counter-locking element are each arranged on at least two of the respective adjacent corners of the connecting sections, these corners being diagonally opposite each other.

[0015] Part of the invention further comprises a ventilation, heating or air conditioning system of a vehicle with at least one blower, at least one airflow control element and optionally at least one heat exchanger, wherein the system has at least one air guidance system as described above, in particular an air guidance system according to one of claims 1 to 9.

[0016] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following drawings, which merely illustrate exemplary embodiments.

[0017] They show: Fig. 1 a three-dimensional partial view of an air duct system before its assembly; Fig. 2 a three-dimensional partial view of the air distribution system Fig. 1 after its assembly; Fig. 3 a three-dimensional partial view of the air distribution system Fig. 1 before its assembly from a different perspective; Fig. 4 a three-dimensional partial view of the air distribution system Fig. 1 after its assembly from a different perspective; Fig. 5 a longitudinal section view through the connection area of ​​the air duct system according to the section line AA from Fig. 2; Fig. 6 a longitudinal section view through the connection area of ​​the air duct system according to section line BB from Fig. 4.

[0018] Identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0019] The following figures show an air guidance system for a vehicle, comprising at least two air guidance channels 1, 2 produced in a blow molding process or a 2-plate thermoforming process.

[0020] The air ducts 1, 2 overlap in a common connection area 3 such that a first connection section 4 of the first air duct 1 is enclosed by a second connection section 5 of the second air duct 2 (cf. Fig. 2, Fig. 4 as well Fig. 5 and Fig. 6).

[0021] The connecting sections 4 and 5 had corresponding polygonal cross-sections, as for example in the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 3 shows the two air ducts before they are connected.

[0022] The connecting sections 4, 5 are detachably connected to each other via at least one locking connection 6 provided in the connecting area 3 (see Fig. 4 and Fig. 6), wherein the locking connection 6 is formed from a locking element 7 formed in the first connecting section 4 and a counter-locking element 8 formed in the second connecting section 5. The connecting sections 4, 5 have corresponding polygonal cross-sections with at least two corners 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, wherein the locking element 7 and the counter-locking element 8 are each arranged on at least one of the respective adjacent corners 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b of the connecting sections 4, 5.

[0023] In the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 5 shows that in the common connection area 3, at least one additional stop system 13 is provided, consisting of a stop element 14 formed in the first connection section 4 and a counter-stop element 15 formed in the second connection section 5. The stop element 14 and the counter-stop element 15 are also arranged on at least one of the respective adjacent corners 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b of the connection sections 4, 5, wherein the locking connection 6 and the stop system 13 are coordinated such that, after the locking connection 6 has engaged, the stop element 14 and the counter-stop element 15 define a specific end position of the locking connection 6 in order to prevent the locking connection 6 from over-engaging.The counter stop element 15 is designed as a local indentation of the outer surface 16 of the second connecting section 5 in the area of ​​the respective corner 11b, 12b, and the stop element 14 as a setback 18 to the original height of the corner 11a, 12a adjoining a flattened area 17 of the respective corner 11a, 12a of the first connecting section 4.

[0024] In the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 shows that the respective locking element 7 and the respective counter-locking element 8, as well as the stop element 14 and the counter-stop element 15 are formed in one piece with the corresponding connecting sections 4, 5.

[0025] The Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. Figure 6 most clearly shows that the locking element 7 is formed by a local indentation 19 of the outer surface 20 of the first connecting section 4, and the counter-locking element 8 by a local protrusion 21 of the inner surface 22 of the second connecting section 5. The indentation 19 and the protrusion 21 are linear. The linear indentation 19 and the linear protrusion 21 are oriented parallel to the opening edge 23, 24 of the corresponding connecting section 4, 5.

[0026] To simplify the connection of the air ducts 1, 2, the opening edge 23 of the outer second air duct 2 and the opening edge 24 of the inner first air duct 1 have at least a section of an insertion ramp 25.

[0027] Both air ducts 1, 2 are made of a thermoplastic material.

[0028] In Fig.Figure 3 shows that the connecting sections 4, 5 have corresponding polygonal cross-sections with four corners 9a (hidden), 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, wherein the locking element 7 and the counter-locking element 8 are each arranged on at least two of the respective adjacent corners 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b of the connecting sections 4, 5, wherein these corners 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b are diagonally opposite each other.

[0029] A ventilation, heating or air conditioning system of a vehicle, known per se, with at least one blower, at least one airflow control element and possibly at least one heat exchanger, may have an air distribution system as described above. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 3 034 337 B1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Air duct system for a vehicle, comprising at least two air ducts (1, 2) produced in a blow molding process or 2-plate thermoforming process, wherein the air ducts (1, 2) overlap in a common connecting region (3) such that a first connecting section (4) of the first air duct (1) is enclosed by a second connecting section (5) of the second air duct (2) and, wherein the connecting sections (4, 5) have corresponding polygonal cross-sections, and wherein the connecting sections (4, 5) are detachably connected to one another via at least one locking connection (6) provided in the connecting region (3), wherein the locking connection (6) is formed from a locking element (7) formed in the first connecting section (4) and a counter-locking element (8) formed in the second connecting section (5), wherein the connecting sections (4, 5) have corresponding polygonal cross-sections each having at least two corners (9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b), wherein the locking element (7) and the counter-locking element (8) are each arranged on at least one of the respective, adjacent corners (9a, 9b, 10a, 10b) of the connecting sections (4, 5), characterized by , that in the common connecting area (3) at least one stop system (13) is additionally provided, comprising a stop element (14) formed in the first connecting section (4) and a counter-stop element (15) formed in the second connecting section (5), wherein the stop element (14) and the counter-stop element (15) are also arranged on at least one of the respective, mutually abutting corners (11a, 11b, 12a, 12b) of the connecting sections (4, 5), wherein the latching connection (6) and the stop system (13) are coordinated with one another such that after the latching connection (6) has latched in, the stop element (14) and the counter-stop element (15) predetermine a defined end position of the latching connection (6) in order to prevent the latching connection (6) from over-latching. [2] Air guidance system according to claim 1, characterized by that the counter-stop element (15) is designed as a local indentation of the outer surface (16) of the second connecting section (5) in the region of the respective corner (11b, 12b), and the stop element (14) is designed as a recess (18) adjoining a flattened region (17) of the respective corner (11a, 12a) of the first connecting section (4) to the original height of the corner (11a, 12a). [3] Air guidance system according to claim 1, characterized by that the respective locking element (7) and the respective counter-locking element (8), as well as the stop element (14) and the counter-stop element (15) are formed in one piece with the corresponding connecting sections (4, 5). [4] Air guidance system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the locking element (7) is formed by a local indentation (19) or a local bulge of the outer surface (20) of the first connecting section (4) and the counter-locking element (8) is formed by a local bulge (21) or a local indentation of the inner surface (22) of the second connecting section (5). [5] Air guidance system according to claim 4, characterized by that the indentation (19) and / or the bulge (21) is / are linear. [6] Air guidance system according to claim 5, characterized bythat the linear indentation (19) and / or the linear protrusion (21) is / are oriented parallel to the opening edge (23, 24) of the corresponding connecting section (4, 5). [7] Air guidance system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that, to simplify the connection of the air ducts (1, 2), the opening edge (23) of the outer second air duct (2) and / or the opening edge (24) of the inner first air duct (1) has / have an insertion bevel (25) at least in sections. [8] Air guidance system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the air ducts (1, 2) are formed from a thermoplastic material. [9] Air guidance system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the connecting sections (4, 5) have corresponding polygonal cross-sections, each with four corners (9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b), wherein the locking element (7) and the counter-locking element (8) are each arranged on at least two of the respective, adjacent corners (9a, 9b, 10a, 10b) of the connecting sections (4, 5), wherein these corners (9a, 9b, 10a, 10b) are diagonally opposite one another. [10] Ventilation, heating or air conditioning system of a vehicle with at least one fan, at least one air flow control element and optionally at least one heat exchanger, characterized by that the system has at least one air guidance system according to one of the preceding claims.

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