Vehicular air conditioning duct

Abstract

To provide a vehicular air conditioning duct which can avoid dew condensation water from dropping on a water exposure avoiding part while reducing costs.SOLUTION: A vehicular air conditioning duct 100 according to the invention includes a passage 110 which guides conditioned air into a passenger compartment. A side wall 116 forming the passage has: a substantially flat reference part 122 which is located above a predetermined water exposure avoiding part 113; and a first inclined part 124 which is continuous with the reference part, inclines so as to move away farther from the reference part in a downward direction, and further inclines so as to move closer to the reference part in one direction along a horizontal direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle air-conditioning duct.

Background Art

[0002] Vehicles such as automobiles have an air-conditioning duct for sending the conditioned air blown out from an air-conditioning unit (HVAC) into the vehicle interior. The air-conditioning duct generally includes a flow path for flowing the conditioned air in a horizontal direction. The air-conditioning duct has layout constraints, for example, to avoid interference with peripheral components. Therefore, when there are predetermined electrical components arranged below the horizontal flow path as described above, this is often the case.

[0003] The vertical wall constituting the flow path of the air-conditioning duct is likely to generate a temperature difference between the inner surface in contact with the conditioned air and the outer surface not in contact with the conditioned air. Dew condensation water may occur on the outer surface and drip, and may wet the electrical components arranged below the flow path. If the electrical components get wet, it may cause a failure.

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes an air-conditioning device for a vehicle in which electronic components are arranged below the corners of an air-conditioning duct having a rectangular frame shape. This air-conditioning duct has a plurality of ribs. The plurality of ribs are provided so as to incline downward across two adjacent side surfaces that intersect at a corner located above the electronic components.

[0005] In the air-conditioning duct of Patent Document 1, when the dew condensation water reaches the ribs, not only is it retained on the ribs, but when the amount of dew condensation water reaches a certain amount, the dew condensation water is drained from the end of the ribs at a location horizontally away from the electronic components. Therefore, it is said that the dripping of dew condensation water onto the electronic components can be reliably prevented.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0007] However, in air conditioning ducts like the one described in Patent Document 1, some of the condensation water that flows downward toward the ribs and reaches the ribs may, due to vehicle vibrations or inertia during vehicle speed changes, overflow the ribs and fall downwards, potentially wetting parts that should not be exposed to water, such as electrical components.

[0008] On the other hand, a configuration could be considered in which the outer surface of the air conditioning duct's flow path is covered with a water-absorbing material to absorb the condensation flowing downwards and prevent it from dripping onto the water-avoided area. However, adopting such a configuration would increase costs.

[0009] In view of these problems, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle air conditioning duct that can prevent condensation from dripping onto the water-avoided area while keeping costs down. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To solve the above problems, a typical configuration of a vehicle air conditioning duct according to the present invention is a vehicle air conditioning duct including a flow path for guiding conditioned air into the vehicle interior, characterized in that the first side wall constituting the flow path has a substantially flat reference portion located above a predetermined water-avoidance portion, and a first inclined portion that is continuous with the reference portion and slopes away from the reference portion as it goes downward, and is further inclined as it goes in one direction along the horizontal direction and approaches the reference portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle air conditioning duct that can prevent condensation from dripping onto the water-avoided area while keeping costs down. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1]This figure shows a schematic configuration of a vehicle air conditioning duct according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows the vehicle air conditioning duct from Figure 1 viewed from a different direction. [Figure 3] This figure shows a magnified view of a portion of the vehicle's air conditioning duct from Figure 2(a), along with the electrical components. [Figure 4] This figure shows the vehicle air conditioning duct from Figure 1 viewed from yet another direction. [Figure 5] This figure shows the vehicle air conditioning duct from Figure 3, viewed from a different direction. [Figure 6] Figure 1(b) shows the flow of condensation water in a vehicle air conditioning duct. [Figure 7] Figure 4 shows the flow of condensation water in a vehicle air conditioning duct. [Figure 8] This figure shows a modified example of the vehicle air conditioning duct shown in Figure 3. [Figure 9] This figure shows another modified example of the vehicle air conditioning duct shown in Figure 3. [Figure 10] This figure shows a modified example of the vehicle air conditioning duct shown in Figure 2(a). [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] A typical configuration of a vehicle air conditioning duct according to one embodiment of the present invention is a vehicle air conditioning duct including a flow path for guiding conditioned air into the vehicle interior, characterized in that the first side wall constituting the flow path has a substantially flat reference portion located above a predetermined water-avoidance portion, and a first inclined portion that is continuous with the reference portion and slopes away from the reference portion as it goes downward, and is further inclined as it goes in one direction along the horizontal direction and approaches the reference portion.

[0014] Here, the first side wall of the air conditioning duct forms a flow path for the conditioned air, making it prone to temperature differences between the inner surface in contact with the conditioned air and the outer surface not in contact with the conditioned air. As a result, condensation may form on the outer surface of the first side wall of the air conditioning duct and drip down, potentially wetting a designated water-repellent area located below the first side wall.

[0015] Therefore, in the above configuration, a first inclined portion is provided on the first side wall, and this is inclined, for example, backward so as to move away from a reference portion located above the water-repellent portion as it goes downward, and further inclined, for example, forward so as to approach the reference portion as it goes in one direction (for example, the right side) along the horizontal direction.

[0016] As a result, when the condensed water generated on the outer surface of the first side wall flows downward, the condensed water is guided along the first inclined portion so as to move away from the water-repellent portion. Therefore, according to the above configuration, it is possible to avoid the condensed water from dripping onto the water-repellent portion located below the first side wall. Further, since the first inclined portion is formed on the first side wall, there is no need to add other parts, and the cost can be suppressed.

[0017] The above-mentioned first side wall may further have a first rib located below the first inclined portion and protruding from the reference portion in the horizontal direction.

[0018] As a result, even when a part of the condensed water generated on the outer surface of the first side wall reaches the first rib from the first inclined portion, the first rib can receive a part of the condensed water. For this reason, it is possible to sufficiently avoid the condensed water from dripping onto the water-repellent portion.

[0019] The above-mentioned first side wall further has a second inclined portion that is continuous with the reference portion and is inclined so as to move away from the reference portion as it goes downward, and the second inclined portion is further inclined so as to approach the reference portion as it goes in the other direction along the horizontal direction, and the second inclined portion is preferably adjacent to the first inclined portion along the flow of the air-conditioning wind.

[0020] Thus, the second inclined portion of the first side wall is inclined, for example, towards the rear, so that it moves away from the reference portion of the first side wall as it goes downwards, and further inclined, for example, towards the front, so that it moves closer to the reference portion as it goes in another direction along the horizontal (for example, to the left). Since this second inclined portion is positioned adjacent to the first inclined portion along the horizontal, condensation water generated on the outer surface of the first side wall is not only guided in one direction along the horizontal along the first inclined portion of the first side wall, but also in another direction along the horizontal along the second inclined portion. This prevents some of the condensation water from overflowing the first or second inclined portion and dripping downwards.

[0021] The first rib described above should ideally be sloped downwards as it moves away from the water-avoidance area.

[0022] As a result, the condensation water caught by the first rib is guided away from the water-avoidance area along the slope of the first rib. Therefore, even if some of the condensation water overflows the first rib, it will drip downwards at a position away from the water-avoidance area, making it less likely for the water-avoidance area to get wet.

[0023] The upper edge of the first inclined section described above should be sloped downwards as it moves away from the water-avoidance section.

[0024] This allows condensation water generated on the outer surface of the first side wall to be guided along the upper edge of the first inclined section to a position away from the water-avoidance section. Therefore, dripping of condensation water onto the water-avoidance section can be more effectively prevented.

[0025] The first inclined portion described above may have a first inclined surface that forms a first inclination angle with respect to the surface direction of the reference portion, and a second inclined surface that forms a second inclination angle different from the first inclination angle with respect to the surface direction of the reference portion.

[0026] Since the first inclined section has two inclined surfaces that are inclined at different angles, it becomes easier to adjust the flow path of condensation water flowing through the first inclined section, and it is possible to more effectively avoid condensation water dripping onto the water-avoidance section.

[0027] The first inclination angle described above should be greater than the second inclination angle, and the first inclined surface should be positioned in a direction other than the second inclined surface, which is more horizontal.

[0028] In the first inclined section, the larger the angle of inclination of the inclined surface with respect to the surface direction of the reference section of the first side wall, the easier it is for condensation water to flow in one direction along the horizontal (for example, to the right). For this reason, in the above configuration, the first inclined surface with a large angle of inclination is positioned in a direction other than the second inclined surface, along the horizontal (for example, to the left). As a result, the condensation water first flows downward through the first inclined surface, flowing sufficiently in one direction along the horizontal, and then flows downward through the second inclined surface, flowing in one direction along the horizontal. Therefore, the condensation water can be made to flow in a way that avoids the water-avoidance section.

[0029] The first rib described above should extend in one direction along the horizontal direction, more so than the first inclined section, and should taper towards the base section as it extends in that direction.

[0030] In this way, because the first rib extends in one direction along the horizontal and tapers to a point, when condensation flows down the first inclined section and is received by the first rib, the water is easily drained at the tapered end of the first rib in one direction, and the condensation can be drained at a position away from the water-avoidance section.

[0031] The above-described vehicle air conditioning duct may further include a water-absorbing member positioned below the first rib of the first side wall.

[0032] As a result, even if some of the condensation flows downward over the first rib due to vehicle vibration or inertia during vehicle speed displacement, the condensation can be absorbed by the water-absorbing member. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent condensation from dripping onto the water-repellent area.

[0033] The second side wall, which constitutes the above flow path and faces the first side wall, preferably has a stepped portion that faces the first inclined portion of the first side wall and is recessed in the same direction as the first inclined portion moves away from the reference portion.

[0034] Here, the first inclined portion is inclined, for example, towards the rear, so that it moves away from the reference portion of the first side wall as it goes downwards. As a result, if the first inclined portion is integrally molded to the first side wall, the inner surface of the first side wall will conform to the shape of the first inclined portion, which will change the width of the air conditioning airflow path. Therefore, in the above configuration, by forming a stepped portion on the second side wall facing the first side wall that is recessed in the same direction (for example, towards the rear) as the first inclined portion moves away from the reference portion of the first side wall, it is possible to suppress the change in the width of the air conditioning airflow path. The stepped portion can also receive condensation water that is generated on the outer surface of the second side wall.

[0035] The second side wall described above further has a second rib located below the stepped portion and projecting horizontally to the opposite side from the first rib, and the second rib is preferably inclined to descend as it moves away from the water-avoidance portion.

[0036] As a result, even if some of the condensation water generated on the outer surface of the second side wall flows over the stepped section and onto the second rib, the condensation water is caught by the second rib and further guided away from the water-avoidance section along the slope of the second rib. Therefore, the condensation water drips downward at a position away from the water-avoidance section, making it less likely for the water-avoidance section to get wet. [Examples]

[0037] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values ​​shown in these embodiments are merely illustrative to facilitate understanding of the invention and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanations, and elements not directly related to the present invention are omitted from the illustrations.

[0038] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of a vehicle air conditioning duct 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1(a) is a perspective view of the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 as seen from the front. Figure 1(b) is a top view of a part of the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 in Figure 1(a). Figure 2 is a diagram showing the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 in Figure 1 as seen from other directions. Figure 2(a) is a rear view of the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 in Figure 1(a). Figure 2(b) is a perspective view showing the main part of the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 in Figure 2(a) as seen from diagonally below. In the following figures, the front-rear direction of the vehicle is indicated by the arrows Front and Back, the left and right directions in the vehicle width direction are indicated by the arrows Left and Right, and the up-down direction of the vehicle is indicated by the arrows Up and Down.

[0039] The vehicle air conditioning duct 100 is located, for example, on the back side (front side) of the instrument panel and includes an intake port 102 that opens downward as shown in Figure 1(a), and an exhaust port 104 that opens towards the rear side, i.e., towards the center of the passenger compartment (see Figure 2(a)). The intake port 102 takes in conditioned air blown out from an air conditioning unit (not shown). The exhaust port 104 sends the conditioned air taken in from the intake port 102 to the center of the passenger compartment.

[0040] The vehicle air conditioning duct 100 also includes exhaust ports 106 and 108 that open toward the right and left sides of the passenger compartment, respectively, and airflow channels 110 and 112 that direct the conditioned airflow, for example, in a horizontal direction. The exhaust ports 106 and 108 send the conditioned air, which is drawn in from the intake port 102 and passes through the airflow channels 110 and 112, to the right and left sides of the passenger compartment. In this way, the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 guides the conditioned air blown out from the air conditioning unit into the passenger compartment.

[0041] Here, the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 has layout constraints, for example, to avoid interference with surrounding parts. For this reason, a predetermined water-repellent section 113 (see Figure 3), which is undesirable to be exposed to water, is often located below the flow path 110 of the vehicle air conditioning duct 110. Here, an electrical component is given as an example of the water-repellent section 113, but it is not limited to this, and also includes on-board components that are undesirable to be exposed to water, such as mechanical components, communication openings and holes that communicate with the housing space that houses these on-board components and electrical components, and even some of the elements that make up the electrical component, such as the connection terminal 154 shown in Figure 3.

[0042] As shown in Figure 1(b), the flow path 110 is composed of an upper wall 114, a rear side wall 116, a front side wall 118 facing the side wall 116, and a lower wall 120 (see Figure 2). Although the side walls 116 and 118 are substantially vertical walls in this case, they are not limited to vertical walls as long as they form a predetermined flow path. Since the side wall 116 constitutes the flow path 110 for air conditioning air, a temperature difference is likely to occur between the inner surface that is in contact with the air conditioning air and the outer surface that is not in contact with the air conditioning air. As a result, in the vehicle air conditioning duct 100, condensation may form on the outer surface of the side wall 116 and drip down, potentially wetting the water-repellent section 113 located below the side wall 116.

[0043] Therefore, the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 employs a configuration that prevents condensation water generated on the outer surface of the side wall 116 from dripping onto the water-repellent section 113 located below the side wall 116. Specifically, the side wall 116 comprises a substantially flat reference section 122 (see Figure 2) located above the water-repellent section 113, a first inclined section 124, a second inclined section 126, and a rib 128.

[0044] The vehicle air conditioning duct 100 also includes a water-absorbing member 130 positioned below the rib 128, as shown in Figure 2(b). The water-absorbing member 130 covers the lower wall 120 that constitutes the flow path 110 and reaches the side wall 118, as shown in Figure 1. The side wall 118 has a stepped portion 132 and a rib 134 located below the stepped portion 132.

[0045] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 in Figure 2(a), showing it together with the electrical components 113. Figure 4 is a view of the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 in Figure 1 from yet another direction. Figure 4(a) is a cross-sectional view AA of the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 in Figure 3. Figure 4(b) is a view of the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 in Figure 4(a) from the front.

[0046] The first inclined portion 124 and the second inclined portion 126 of the side wall 116 are adjacent to each other along the direction in which the air-conditioned air flows through the flow path 110 shown in Figure 3 (in this case, the left-right direction). As shown in Figure 4(a), the first inclined portion 124 is continuous with the reference portion 122 of the side wall 116 and is inclined to the rear at an angle θa with respect to the vertical direction, so that as you go from top to bottom, it moves further away from the reference portion 122 which is located above the water-avoidance portion 113. Furthermore, the rib 128 is located below the first inclined portion 124 and protrudes horizontally to the rear from the reference portion 122.

[0047] By integrally molding the first inclined portion 124 to the side wall 116 in this way, the inner surface of the side wall 116 takes on a shape that conforms to the first inclined portion 124, which changes the width of the flow path 110 shown in Figure 4(a).

[0048] In contrast, the stepped portion 132 of the side wall 118 facing the side wall 116 is recessed in the same direction as the first inclined portion 124 moving away from the reference portion 122, i.e., towards the rear, as shown in Figure 4(a). Therefore, the stepped portion 132 of the side wall 118 can suppress changes in the width of the air conditioning airflow path 110. Furthermore, the stepped portion 132 can also receive condensation water generated on the outer surface of the side wall 118.

[0049] Furthermore, the rib 134 of the side wall 118 is located below the stepped portion 132, as shown in Figure 4(a), and protrudes horizontally to the opposite side from the rib 128, i.e., to the front. In addition, as shown in Figure 4(b), the rib 134 is inclined to descend as it moves away from the water-avoiding portion 113 (see Figure 3) (in this case, to the left).

[0050] As a result, even if some of the condensation water generated on the outer surface of the side wall 118 flows over the stepped portion 132 and onto the rib 134, the condensation water is caught by the rib 134 and further guided away from the water-repellent portion 113 along the slope of the rib 134. Therefore, the condensation water drips downward at a position away from the water-repellent portion 113, making it less likely for the water-repellent portion 113 to get wet.

[0051] Figure 5 shows the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 from Figure 3 viewed from a different direction. Figure 5(a) shows the side wall 116 from Figure 3 viewed from above. Figure 5(b) is a cross-sectional view BB of the side wall 116 from Figure 5(a).

[0052] As shown in Figure 3, the first inclined portion 124 of the side wall 116 has adjacent first inclined surfaces 136 and second inclined surfaces 138 along the direction in which the air conditioning air flows. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4(a), the first inclined portion 124 is not only inclined backward at an angle θa so that it moves further away from the reference portion 122 of the side wall 116 as it goes downward, but also inclined forward so that it moves closer to the reference portion 122 as it goes in one direction along the horizontal (in this case, to the right), as shown in Figure 5(a).

[0053] The first inclined surface 136 is positioned in a direction opposite to the horizontal (in this case, to the left) compared to the second inclined surface 138. Furthermore, the first inclined surface 136 forms a first inclination angle θb with respect to auxiliary line C, which is parallel to the plane direction of the reference section 122 shown in Figure 5(b), as shown by auxiliary line D. In addition, the second inclined surface 138 forms a second inclination angle θc with respect to auxiliary line E, which is parallel to the plane direction of the reference section 122 shown in Figure 5(b). Moreover, the first inclination angle θb of the first inclined surface 136 is greater than the second inclination angle θc of the second inclined surface 138.

[0054] Here, on the first inclined surface 136 and the second inclined surface 138, the larger the inclination angle of the reference section 122 with respect to the surface direction, the easier it is for condensation water to flow in one direction along the horizontal (in this case, to the right). Therefore, on the first inclined section 124, the first inclined surface 136, which has a large inclination angle of the reference section 122 with respect to the surface direction, is positioned in a different direction along the horizontal (in this case, to the left) than the second inclined surface 138.

[0055] In this way, the condensed water flows downward along the first inclined surface 136, tilted to the right at an angle θd with respect to the vertical direction, as shown in the flow path F of Figure 3. Subsequently, the condensed water flows downward along the second inclined surface 138, tilted to the right at an angle θe with respect to the vertical direction, as shown in the flow path G.

[0056] Furthermore, the inclination angles θd and θe of the flow paths F and G are proportional to the first inclination angle θb and the second inclination angle θc shown in Figure 5(b), and the larger the first inclination angle θb and the second inclination angle θc, the larger the inclination angles θd and θe become. For this reason, the inclination angle θd of the flow path F is larger than the inclination angle θe of the flow path G. As a result, the condensed water flows sufficiently to the right and downward through the flow path F, and then flows further to the right and downward through the flow path G. In this way, the first inclined section 124 can be easily adjusted to control the flow paths F and G of the condensed water by adjusting the first inclination angle θb and the second inclination angle θc.

[0057] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the first upper edge 140 of the first inclined surface 136 and the second upper edge 142 of the second inclined surface 138 are inclined downwards as they move to the right, away from the water-avoidance section 113. Therefore, the condensed water flows along the first upper edge 140 of the first inclined surface 136, as shown in flow path H, and then flows along the second upper edge 142 of the second inclined surface 138, as shown in flow path I, thereby being guided to a position away from the water-avoidance section 113. As shown in Figure 3, once the condensed water crosses the second upper edge 142 of the second inclined surface 138, it flows downwards while moving to the right parallel to flow path G, as shown in flow path J.

[0058] Furthermore, the condensed water reaches the rib 128 through the flow paths G, J, and I, respectively. The rib 128 is inclined to descend as it moves to the right, away from the water-avoidance section 113. The rib 128 has a first portion 144 located below the first inclined surface 136, a second portion 146 located below the second inclined surface 138, and an end portion 148 that is continuous with the second portion 146.

[0059] As shown in Figure 3, the rib 128 extends in one direction (to the right in this case) along the horizontal direction, more so than the first inclined portion 124. Furthermore, the right end 148 of the rib 128 tapers towards the right as it approaches the reference portion 122, and is also notched.

[0060] Therefore, when condensation water flows along the first inclined section 124 and reaches and is received by the rib 128, it is guided to the right, away from the water-avoidance section 113, along the inclination of the second portion 146 of the rib 128 as shown in the flow path K. The condensation water is then easily drained at the tapered and notched end 148 of the rib 128 and drained away at a position away from the water-avoidance section 113 as shown by arrow L.

[0061] Even if some of the condensed water flows downward over the second portion 146 of the rib 128 due to vehicle vibration or inertia during vehicle speed displacement (see arrows M and N), the condensed water will be absorbed by the water-absorbing member 130.

[0062] On the other hand, the second inclined portion 126 of the side wall 116 has a structure symmetrical to the first inclined portion 124 and has the same function as the first inclined portion 124. That is, the second inclined portion 126 is continuous with the reference portion 122 and inclins to the rear at an inclination angle θa (see Figure 4(a)) as it goes downward, so as it goes further away from the reference portion 122 which is located above the water-avoidance portion 113. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5(b), it inclins to the front as it goes in the other direction along the air conditioning flow (in this case to the left), so as it goes closer to the reference portion 122.

[0063] Furthermore, since the first inclined section 124 and the second inclined section 126 are arranged adjacent to each other along the horizontal direction, condensation water generated on the outer surface of the side wall 116 is not only guided to the right side along the first inclined section 124 along the horizontal direction, but also to the left side along the second inclined section 126 along the horizontal direction. Also, as shown in Figure 3, a rib 128 is positioned below the second inclined section 126. Further below the rib 128, a water-absorbing member 130 is positioned.

[0064] Therefore, with the vehicle air conditioning duct 100, the first inclined portion 124, the second inclined portion 126, the rib 128, and the water-absorbing member 130 can reliably prevent condensation water generated on the outer surface of the side wall 116 from dripping onto the water-avoiding portion 113 located below the side wall 116.

[0065] Furthermore, in the vehicle air conditioning duct 100, the first inclined section 124, the second inclined section 126, and the rib 128 are integrally molded into the side wall 116, thereby increasing the rigidity of the duct body. As a result, the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 can suppress deformation during product transportation, improve workability during assembly, and further improve NVH by suppressing vibration of each wall constituting the flow path 110 due to the pulsation of the air conditioning air flowing through the flow path 110. NVH refers to Noise, Vibration, and Harshness. In addition, because the first inclined section 124, the second inclined section 126, and the rib 128 are integrally molded into the side wall 116, burr cutting after blow molding is easier, reducing the number of work steps.

[0066] Furthermore, in the vehicle air conditioning duct 100, instead of covering all the outer surfaces of each wall constituting the flow path 110 with the water-absorbing member, only the lower wall 120 is covered with the water-absorbing member 130, thus reducing costs. As another modification, the water-absorbing member 130 may be omitted to further reduce costs.

[0067] In the above-described vehicle air conditioning duct 100, measures were taken to prevent condensation from dripping onto the water-avoidance section 113. However, the water-avoidance section 113 is not the only option; it could also be an opening or hole formed in an in-vehicle component that should be protected from condensation, or in a vehicle body component (such as a floor panel) that communicates vertically with the space where these components are located.

[0068] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the water-repellent section 113 includes a first water-repellent section 150, which is an electrical component, a second water-repellent section 152, which is a different electrical component from the first water-repellent section 150, and two electrical connection parts (connection terminals 154) that connect the first water-repellent section 150 to the other electrical components. These connection terminals 154 are the parts of the water-repellent section 113 that most need to be protected from water (water-repellent section). For this reason, the connection terminals 154 are positioned between arrows O and P in Figure 3, that is, within the left-right range between the first inclined surface 136 of the first inclined section 124 and the part of the second inclined section 126 corresponding to the first inclined surface 136. At this time, the inclination angle θd of the flow path F shown in Figure 3 should be set so that condensation water flows to a position away from the connection terminals 154. This makes it possible to suppress the intrusion of condensation water into the connection terminals 154.

[0069] Furthermore, the first water-avoidance section 150 may be positioned between arrows O and P in Figure 3, or a part of it may be positioned below the second inclined surface 138 of the first inclined section 124 and the portion of the second inclined section 126 corresponding to the second inclined surface 138, rather than between arrows O and P as shown in the figure. In this case, the inclination angle θe of the flow path G shown in Figure 3 should be set so that the condensation water flows to a position away from the first water-avoidance section 150. This makes it possible to suppress the intrusion of condensation water into the first water-avoidance section 150.

[0070] Furthermore, the rib 128 extends to the right of not only the first inclined section 124 but also the second water-avoidance section 152, and is inclined downwards as it moves to the right away from the water-avoidance section 113. As a result, condensation water flowing along the rib 128 can be drained from the right end 148 at a position where the second water-avoidance section 152 is not exposed to water (see arrow L).

[0071] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the water-absorbing member 130 extends even further to the right than the right end 148 of the rib 128. Therefore, even if condensation flows over the rib 128 and downwards, the water-absorbing member 130 can reliably absorb the condensation and reliably prevent it from dripping onto the water-avoidance section 113.

[0072] Furthermore, in the vehicle air conditioning duct 100, the first inclined section 124 and the second inclined section 126 can support the condensation water from below, so the condensation water can be gently guided toward the rib 128, making it less likely for the condensation water to overflow the rib 128 and fall downwards.

[0073] Figure 6 shows the flow of condensation water in the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 shown in Figure 1(b). Figure 7 shows the flow of condensation water in the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 shown in Figure 4. Figures 6 and 7 are reproductions of the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 from Figure 1(b) and Figure 4, respectively, with arrows indicating the respective flow paths of the condensation water: Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, and Rg.

[0074] In the vehicle air conditioning duct 100, the side wall 118 constituting the flow path 110 has a rib 134, a stepped portion 132, an upper side wall 118a, and a lower side wall 118b. As shown in Figure 7(b), the rib 134 is located above the water-repellent portion 113 and extends horizontally. The stepped portion 132 is located above the rib 134 and is formed to follow the rib 134. The stepped portion 132 also has an inclined portion 132a. As enclosed by the dotted line in Figure 7(b), the inclined portion 132a slopes downward from one side to the other in the longitudinal direction in which the rib 134 extends.

[0075] The upper part 118a of the side wall extends upward from the stepped portion 132, as shown in Figure 7(a), and is further connected to the upper wall 114 that constitutes the flow path 110. The lower part 118b of the side wall has its upper end 118c connected to the stepped portion 132, as shown in Figure 7(b), and extends downward from the stepped portion 132. The rib 134 is provided on the lower part 118b of the side wall.

[0076] Furthermore, the inclined portion 132a has a groove portion 132b. The groove portion 132b extends in an intersecting direction (in this case, the front-to-back direction) that intersects with the longitudinal direction of the rib 134. In addition, one end portion 132c of the groove portion 132b, located on the rib 134 side along the intersecting direction, extends to a position away from the water-avoiding portion 113 in the longitudinal direction of the rib 134, as shown in Figure 7(b). Note that in this case, the left-to-right direction is the longitudinal direction of the rib 134, but if the side wall 118 and rib 1134 extend in the front-to-back direction, then the front-to-back direction will be the longitudinal direction.

[0077] One end 132c of the groove 132b reaches the lower part 118b of the side wall. The other end 132d of the groove 132b, along the intersecting direction, is located at the upper part 118b of the side wall. In this way, the groove 132b is formed from the upper part 118b of the side wall to the stepped portion 132 and further reaches the lower part 118b of the side wall. Also, as shown in Figure 6, the other end 132d of the groove 132b is located closer to the rib 134 than the one end 132c. The shape of the groove 132b may be any suitable curved shape, such as a V-shape or a dish shape.

[0078] The water-absorbing member 130 is positioned on the lower wall 120 (see Figure 7(a)) that constitutes the flow path 110. Furthermore, the water-absorbing member 130 has an extension portion 130a enclosed by a dotted line in Figure 7(b). The extension portion 130a extends along the longitudinal direction of the rib 134 and is located below the rib 134. Also, one end portion 132c of the groove portion 132b is located in a position that does not overlap with the extension portion 130a in the vertical direction.

[0079] Furthermore, a rib 128 extending in the longitudinal direction of the rib 134 is formed on the side wall 116 that constitutes the flow path 110 and faces the side wall 118. The groove 132b is provided in a position that overlaps with the rib 128 in the intersecting direction, as shown in Figure 6.

[0080] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7(b), the upper wall 114 constituting the flow path 110 has an upper wall inclined portion 114a. The upper wall inclined portion 114a is inclined downward from the other side in the longitudinal direction of the rib 134 toward the one side. Of the inclined portion 132a, one end 132e along the longitudinal direction of the rib 134 is connected to the side surface 114b in the direction intersecting the upper wall inclined portion 114a.

[0081] In this vehicle air conditioning duct 100, the rib 134 of the side wall 118 is positioned above the water-repellent portion 113, and a stepped portion 132 with an inclined portion 132a is formed above the rib 134. The inclined portion 132a is inclined downward from one side (for example, the right side) to the other side (for example, the left side) in the longitudinal direction of the rib 134.

[0082] As a result, when condensation water generated on the outer surfaces of the upper wall 114 and side walls 118 flows downward, the condensation water is guided away from the water-avoidance section 113 along the inclined portion 132a of the stepped section 132 located above the rib 134, as shown in the flow path Rb which branches off from the flow path Ra. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation where condensation water reaches the rib 134 from the inclined portion 132a of the stepped section 132 and then flows over the rib 134 and drips downward.

[0083] Furthermore, the condensation water that reaches the rib 134 is guided away from the water-avoidance section 113 along the slope of the rib 134, as shown in the flow path Rf in Figure 7(b). As a result, the condensation water drips downward at a position away from the water-avoidance section 113, making it less likely for the water-avoidance section 113 to get wet.

[0084] Therefore, the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 makes it possible to prevent condensation from dripping onto the water-repellent portion 113 located below the rib 134 of the side wall 118. The stepped portion 132 may have a two-stage shape, for example, by the inclination of the upper part 118a of the side wall that extends in the vertical direction.

[0085] Furthermore, one end 132c of the groove 132b extends to a position away from the water-avoidance section 113 in the longitudinal direction of the rib 134. Therefore, condensation water generated or guided to the inclined section 132a can be guided to a position away from the water-avoidance section 113 along the groove 132b, which extends in a cross direction (for example, in the front-to-back direction), as shown in the flow path Rd that branches off from the flow path Ra. This effectively prevents condensation water from dripping onto the water-avoidance section 113.

[0086] Furthermore, since one end 132c of the groove 132b reaches the lower part 118b of the side wall, condensation can be guided from the end 132c of the groove 132b to the lower part 118b of the side wall. This makes it easier to guide the condensation to a position away from the water-avoidance section 113, thus effectively preventing condensation from dripping onto the water-avoidance section 113.

[0087] Furthermore, since one end 132c of the groove 132b is positioned so as not to overlap with the extension 130a of the water-absorbing member 130 in the vertical direction, it is possible to suppress the condensation water drained from the end 132c of the groove 132b from falling onto the extension 130a of the water-absorbing member 130. This prevents the water-absorbing capacity of the extension 130a of the water-absorbing member 130 from becoming saturated, thereby preventing condensation water from dripping from the extension 130a onto the water-avoidance portion 113.

[0088] Furthermore, a groove 132b is formed extending from the upper part 118a of the side wall to the stepped portion 132. As a result, condensation water generated on the upper wall 114 is guided from the upper part 118a of the side wall to the stepped portion 132 via the groove 132b, and is then drained from one end 132c of the groove 132b, which extends to a position away from the water-avoidance portion 113.

[0089] Therefore, condensation water generated on the upper wall 114 can be drained to a location away from the water-avoidance section 113, and it is possible to prevent the condensation water from being guided from the upper wall 114 to the rib 134 via the stepped section 132.

[0090] Furthermore, the other end 132d of the groove 132b is positioned closer to the rib 134 than the one end 132c. This prevents condensation water from flowing from the upper wall 114 or the stepped portion 132 toward the rib 134 when guided from the other end 132d toward the one end 132c.

[0091] Furthermore, the groove 132b is positioned to overlap with the rib 128 formed on the side wall 116 facing the side wall 118 in a direction that intersects with it (in this case, the front-to-back direction). This allows condensation water generated on the upper wall 114 to be drained along the groove 132b, thereby preventing the condensation water from being guided to the rib 128 via the side wall 116, as shown in the flow path Rc (see Figure 6) that branches off from the flow path Ra.

[0092] Furthermore, the condensation water guided along the inclination of the upper wall inclined portion 114a shown in Figure 7(b) tends to flow in the direction of the inclination, as shown in the flow path Rg, and does not flow easily in the direction intersecting the inclination direction, as shown in the flow path Re. For this reason, by connecting one end 132e of the inclined portion 132a to the side surface 114b of the upper wall inclined portion 114a in a direction intersecting the inclination direction of the upper wall inclined portion 114a, it is possible to suppress the guidance of condensation water from the upper wall inclined portion 114a to the inclined portion 132a.

[0093] Here, the water-repellent section 113 is positioned below the lower wall 120 that constitutes the flow path 110, but it is not necessarily required to be positioned below the lower wall 120; it is sufficient if it is positioned at least below the first inclined section 124 or below the ribs 128 and 134. The various ribs 128 and 134, the first inclined section 124, and the second inclined section 126 are integrally molded with the side walls 116 and 118 that constitute the flow path 110, but this is not limited to this, and they may be fixed to the side walls 116 and 118 by welding or the like after the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 is molded.

[0094] Furthermore, the groove 132b shown in Figures 6 and 7 may be omitted. The water-absorbing member 130 may also be omitted depending on the position of the water-avoidance section 113. In addition, the water-absorbing member 130 may be placed in the water-avoidance section 113, or between the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 and the water-avoidance section 113, rather than being placed in the vehicle air conditioning duct 100.

[0095] In this embodiment, the configurations mainly shown in Figures 1 to 5 and the configurations mainly shown in Figures 6 and 7 have been described as being implementable in the vehicle air conditioning duct 100. However, the invention is not limited to these configurations, and depending on the arrangement of the water-repellent section 113, only one of these configurations may be adopted and implemented in the vehicle air conditioning duct 100.

[0096] Figure 8 shows a modified example of the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 of Figure 3. The modified vehicle air conditioning duct 100A has adjacent first inclined portion 124A and second inclined portion 126A, as shown in Figure 8(a), and a rib 128A is further positioned below the first inclined portion 124A and the second inclined portion 126A. In the rib 128A, the first portion 144A located below the first inclined surface 136A is inclined upward as it moves to the left relative to the second portion 146 located below the second inclined surface 138A, thereby forming a stepped shape.

[0097] As a result, with the vehicle air conditioning duct 100A, not only condensation water generated above the first inclined surface 136A, but also condensation water generated on the surface of the first inclined surface 136A can flow along the first inclined surface 136A and, even if it reaches the rib 128A, the condensation water can be guided away from the connection terminal 154 of the water-avoidance section 133 shown in Figure 3, along the stepped shape of the rib 128A. Therefore, the intrusion of condensation water into the connection terminal 154 can be more reliably prevented.

[0098] A modified example, the vehicle air conditioning duct 100B, has adjacent first inclined section 124B and second inclined section 126B, as shown in Figure 8(b). The first inclined section 124B has an upper edge 156 that is not inclined and is horizontal, and is further inclined forward at a constant angle so as it moves in one direction along the horizontal (to the right in this case) it approaches the reference section 122. That is, unlike the first inclined section 124 shown in Figure 5(b), the angle of inclination does not change from the first angle of inclination θb to the second angle of inclination θc while approaching the reference section 122. Similarly, the second inclined section 126B has an upper edge 158 that is not inclined and is horizontal, and is further inclined forward at a constant angle so as it moves in the other direction along the horizontal (to the left in this case) it approaches the reference section 122.

[0099] With such a vehicle air conditioning duct 100B, the structure can be simplified, and furthermore, by guiding the condensed water horizontally along the first inclined section 124B and the second inclined section 126B to the right and left sides, it is possible to prevent the condensed water from dripping onto the water avoidance section 113.

[0100] Figure 9 shows another modified example of the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 of Figure 3. The modified vehicle air conditioning duct 100C has a first inclined portion 124C and a rib 128B, as shown in Figure 9(a), and does not have the second inclined portion 126.

[0101] Furthermore, the first inclined portion 124C has an upper edge 160 that is not inclined and is horizontal, and as shown in Figure 9(b), it is inclined forward at a constant angle so that it approaches the reference portion 122 as it moves in one direction along the horizontal direction (in this case, to the right).

[0102] Even with such a vehicle air conditioning duct 100C, by arranging a first inclined section 124C above the water-avoidance section 113, and further arranging a rib 128B below the first inclined section 124C that slopes downward as it moves away from the water-avoidance section 113, it is possible to prevent condensation from dripping onto the water-avoidance section 113.

[0103] As another variation, the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 may adopt a configuration in which the first inclined portion 124 and the second inclined portion 126 are not inclined in the vertical direction, nor are they inclined in the horizontal direction, but protrude from the reference portion 122 of the side wall 116. In this configuration, the upper edges of the first inclined portion 124 and the second inclined portion 126 will protrude from the reference portion 122. Furthermore, a rib 128 may be placed below the first inclined portion 124 and the second inclined portion 126.

[0104] In this modified design, condensation can be guided along the upper edges of the first inclined section 124 and the second inclined section 126 to a position away from the water-avoidance section 113, and further, condensation that reaches the rib 128 can be guided along the inclination of the rib 128 away from the water-avoidance section 113. Therefore, even with this modified design, it is possible to prevent condensation from dripping onto the water-avoidance section 113.

[0105] In the above-mentioned vehicle ducts 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C, the flow path 110 was arranged so that it extended in the left-right direction, with one direction along the horizontal being the right side and the other direction being the left side. However, this is not the only option. In other words, the vehicle ducts 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C may be arranged so that the flow path 110 extends in the front-rear direction, in which case the direction along the horizontal direction becomes the front-rear direction. With each of the above configurations, it is possible to prevent condensation from dripping onto the water-repellent section 113.

[0106] Figure 10 shows a modified example of the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 shown in Figure 2(a). The modified vehicle air conditioning duct 100D shown in Figure 10(a) has a side wall 116A that constitutes a flow path 110A through which conditioned air flows in the vertical direction. This side wall 116A has adjacent first inclined section 124 and second inclined section 126, and a rib 128 is further positioned below the first inclined section 124 and the second inclined section 126.

[0107] Therefore, with the vehicle air conditioning duct 100D, condensation water can be guided horizontally to the right and left sides along the first inclined section 124 and the second inclined section 126 located on the side wall 116A of the flow path 110A through which the air conditioning air flows vertically, thereby preventing condensation water from dripping onto the water-avoidance section 113. Furthermore, condensation water that reaches the rib 128 can be guided away from the water-avoidance section 113 along the inclination of the rib 128. Therefore, even with this modification, condensation water can be prevented from dripping onto the water-avoidance section 113.

[0108] A modified example, the vehicle air conditioning duct 100E shown in Figure 10(b), has a side wall 116B that constitutes a flow path 110B through which conditioned air flows horizontally. This flow path 110B is rhomboid in shape, and the side wall 116B is inclined towards the rear as it goes downwards. Such a side wall 116B has adjacent first inclined section 124 and second inclined section 126, and a rib 128 is further positioned below the first inclined section 124 and the second inclined section 126.

[0109] Therefore, with the vehicle air conditioning duct 100E, condensation water can be guided horizontally to the right and left sides along the first inclined section 124 and the second inclined section 126 located on the inclined side wall 116B of the flow path 110B through which the air conditioning air flows horizontally, thereby preventing condensation water from dripping onto the water-avoidance section 113. Furthermore, condensation water that reaches the rib 128 can be guided away from the water-avoidance section 113 along the inclination of the rib 128. Therefore, even with this modification, condensation water can be prevented from dripping onto the water-avoidance section 113.

[0110] The modified vehicle air conditioning duct 100F shown in Figure 10(c) differs from the vehicle air conditioning duct 100E in Figure 10(b) in that a recessed portion 129 is located below the first inclined portion 124 and the second inclined portion 126 located on the side wall 116B, instead of the rib 128 shown in Figure 10(b). The recessed portion 129 is a groove recessed inside the flow path 110B. As shown in the figure, the recessed portion 129 is longer horizontally on the right and left sides than the first inclined portion 124 and the second inclined portion 126.

[0111] Therefore, with the vehicle air conditioning duct 100F, condensation water can be guided horizontally to the right and left sides along the first inclined section 124 and the second inclined section 126 located on the inclined side wall 116B of the flow path 110B through which the air conditioning air flows horizontally, thereby preventing condensation water from dripping onto the water-avoidance section 113. Furthermore, condensation water that reaches the recessed section 129 can be guided along the recessed section 129 away from the water-avoidance section 113. Thus, even with this modification, condensation water can be prevented from dripping onto the water-avoidance section 113.

[0112] Furthermore, the vehicle air conditioning duct 100F has a recessed portion 129 in the side wall 116B instead of the rib 128 that protrudes to the outside of the flow path 110B shown in Figure 10(b), which helps to prevent interference with other in-vehicle components such as the instrument panel.

[0113] Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications or alterations can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and these will naturally also fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0114] This invention can be used in vehicle air conditioning ducts. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0115] 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 100E, 100F...Vehicle air conditioning duct, 102...Intake port, 104, 106, 108...Exhaust port, 110, 110A, 110B, 112...Flow path, 113...Water avoidance section, 114...Upper wall, 114a...Upper wall inclined section, 114b...Side of upper wall inclined section, 11 6, 116A, 116B...side wall (first side wall), 118...side wall (second side wall), 118a...upper part of side wall, 118b...lower part of side wall, 118c...upper end of lower part of side wall, 120...bottom wall, 122...reference section, 124, 124A, 124B, 124C...first inclined section, 126, 126A, 126B...second inclined section, 128, 1 28A, 128B...Rib (first rib), 129...Recess, 130...Water-absorbing member, 130a...Extension, 132...Step, 132a...Inclined section, 132b...Groove, 132c...One end of groove, 132d...Other end of groove, 132e...One end of inclined section, 134...Rib (second rib), 136, 136A...First inclined surface, 138, 138A...Second inclined surface, 140...First upper edge, 142...Second upper edge, 144, 144A...First part, 146...Second part, 148...End of first rib, 150...First water-avoidance part, 152...Second water-avoidance part, 154...Connecting terminal, 156, 160...Upper edge of first inclined section, 158...Upper edge of second inclined section

Claims

1. In a vehicle air conditioning duct including a flow path for guiding conditioned air into a vehicle compartment, The first side wall constituting the flow path is A substantially flat reference portion located above the predetermined water exposure avoidance portion; a first inclined portion that is continuous with the reference portion and inclined so as to move away from the reference portion as it extends downward, and that is further inclined so as to move closer to the reference portion as it extends in one direction along the horizontal direction.

2. 2. The air conditioning duct for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the first side wall further includes a first rib located below the first inclined portion and protruding from the reference portion in the horizontal direction.

3. the first side wall further has a second inclined portion that is continuous with the reference portion and inclined downward so as to move away from the reference portion, and that is further inclined so as to move closer to the reference portion in another direction along the horizontal direction, 3. The vehicle air conditioning duct according to claim 1, wherein the second inclined portion is adjacent to the first inclined portion along the horizontal direction.

4. 4. The air conditioning duct for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the first rib is inclined so as to descend as it becomes farther from the water exposure prevention portion.

5. 5. The vehicle air conditioning duct according to claim 1, wherein an upper edge of the first inclined portion is inclined so as to descend as it becomes farther from the water exposure prevention portion.

6. The first inclined portion is a first inclined surface that forms a first inclination angle with respect to a surface direction of the reference portion; The vehicle air conditioning duct according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a second inclined surface that forms a second inclination angle with respect to a surface direction of the reference portion, the second inclination angle being different from the first inclination angle.

7. The first tilt angle is greater than the second tilt angle, The vehicle air conditioning duct according to claim 6, wherein the first inclined surface is disposed in another direction along the horizontal direction than the second inclined surface.

8. The vehicle air conditioning duct according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the first rib extends in one direction along the horizontal direction further than the first inclined portion and tapers toward the reference portion as it extends in the one direction.

9. 9. The vehicle air conditioning duct according to claim 2, further comprising a water absorbing member disposed below the first rib of the first side wall.

10. 10. The vehicle air conditioning duct according to claim 1, wherein a second side wall that constitutes the flow path and faces the first side wall has a step portion that faces a first inclined portion of the first side wall and is recessed in the same direction as the first inclined portion moves away from the reference portion.

11. the second side wall further includes a second rib located below the step portion and protruding in the horizontal direction opposite to the first rib, The air conditioning duct for a vehicle according to claim 10, wherein the second rib is inclined so as to descend as it becomes farther from the water exposure prevention portion.

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