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 118 forming the passage has: a rib 134 located above a predetermined water exposure avoiding part 113 and extending in a horizontal direction; and a step part 132 located above the rib and formed along the rib. The step part has an inclined part 132a which inclines downward from one longitudinal side to the other side where the rib extends.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioning duct for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Vehicles such as automobiles are equipped with air conditioning ducts that deliver conditioned air from an air conditioning unit (HVAC) into the vehicle interior. Air conditioning ducts generally include a flow path that directs the conditioned air in a horizontal direction. Air conditioning ducts are subject to layout restrictions, for example, to avoid interference with surrounding components, and as a result, certain electrical components are often located below the horizontal flow path.

[0003] The vertical walls that make up the air flow path of an air conditioning duct are prone to temperature differences between the inner surface that comes into contact with the conditioned air and the outer surface that does not, which can cause condensation to form on the outer surface and drip down, wetting electrical components located below the flow path. Wetting electrical components can cause malfunctions.

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle air conditioning device in which electronic components are arranged below the corners of a rectangular frame-shaped air conditioning duct. The air conditioning duct includes multiple ribs. The multiple ribs are provided so as to slope downward across two adjacent side surfaces that intersect at the corner located above the electronic components.

[0005] In the air conditioning duct of Patent Document 1, when condensation water reaches the ribs, not only is it retained on the ribs, but when the amount of condensation water reaches a certain level, it is drained from the end of the ribs at a point horizontally away from the electronic components, thereby reliably preventing condensation water from dripping onto the electronic components. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-60275 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in an air conditioning duct such as that described in Patent Document 1, some of the condensation water that flows downward toward the ribs and reaches the ribs may, due to vehicle vibration or inertia when the vehicle speed changes, overcome the ribs and fall downward, potentially wetting areas that should not be exposed to water, such as electrical components.

[0008] On the other hand, it is also possible to cover the outer surface of the air conditioning duct flow path with a water-absorbing material to absorb the condensation water flowing downward and prevent the condensation water from dripping onto the water-protection part, but adopting such a configuration increases costs.

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

[0010] In order 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 that guides air conditioning air into the vehicle cabin, wherein a first side wall constituting the flow path has a first rib located above a predetermined water exposure prevention portion and extending horizontally, and a step portion located above the first rib and formed along the first rib, and the step portion has an inclined portion that slopes downward from one side to the other side in the longitudinal direction in which the first rib extends. [Effects of the Invention]

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

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle air conditioning duct according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is a view showing the vehicle air conditioning duct of FIG. 1 as viewed from another direction. [Figure 3] 2(a) is an enlarged view showing a part of the vehicle air conditioning duct together with electrical equipment. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a view showing the vehicle air conditioning duct of FIG. 1 as viewed from still another direction. FIG. [Figure 5] 4 is a diagram showing the vehicle air conditioning duct of FIG. 3 as viewed from another direction. [Figure 6] 1(b) is a diagram showing the flow of condensed water in the vehicle air conditioning duct of FIG. [Figure 7] 5 is a diagram showing the flow of condensed water in the vehicle air conditioning duct of FIG. 4. [Figure 8] 4 is a diagram showing a modified example of the vehicle air conditioning duct of FIG. 3. [Figure 9] 4 is a diagram showing another modified example of the vehicle air conditioning duct of FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a modified example of the vehicle air conditioning duct of FIG. 2(a). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF 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 that guides conditioned air into the vehicle cabin, wherein a first side wall constituting the flow path has a first rib located above a predetermined water exposure prevention portion and extending horizontally, and a step portion located above the first rib and formed along the first rib, and the step portion has an inclined portion that slopes downward from one side to the other side in the longitudinal direction in which the first rib extends.

[0014] Here, the first side wall of the air conditioning duct forms a flow path for the conditioned air, and so a temperature difference is likely to occur between the inner surface that comes into contact with the conditioned air and the outer surface that does not come into 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, causing water droplets to drip and wet a predetermined water exposure prevention portion located below the first side wall.

[0015] Therefore, in the above-described configuration, the first rib of the first side wall is positioned above the water-prevention portion, and a step portion having an inclined portion is formed above the first rib. The inclined portion is inclined downward from one side (e.g., the right side) to the other side (e.g., the left side) in the longitudinal direction of the first rib.

[0016] As a result, when condensation water generated on the outer surface of the first side wall of the air conditioning duct flows downward, the condensation water is guided away from the water exposure prevention portion along the inclined portion of the step portion located above the first rib. This prevents the condensation water from reaching the first rib from the inclined portion of the step portion and then dripping downward over the first rib. Therefore, with the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the condensation water from dripping onto the water exposure prevention portion located below the first rib of the first side wall.

[0017] The inclined portion has a groove extending in a transverse direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the first rib, and one end of the groove located on the first rib side along the transverse direction preferably extends from the water exposure avoidance portion to a position away from the longitudinal direction of the first rib.

[0018] This allows condensation water that has been generated or guided to the inclined portion to be guided along the groove portion extending in the intersecting direction (for example, the front-to-back direction) to a position away from the water exposure avoidance portion, thereby fully preventing condensation water from dripping onto the water exposure avoidance portion.

[0019] The first side wall may have a lower side wall portion extending downward from the step portion, the first rib may be provided on the lower side wall portion, and one end of the groove may reach the lower side wall portion.

[0020] As a result, when condensed water is guided from one end of the groove portion to the lower part of the side wall, it becomes easier to guide the condensed water to a position away from the water exposure avoidance portion, thereby fully preventing the condensed water from dripping onto the water exposure avoidance portion.

[0021] The above-mentioned vehicle air conditioning duct may further include a water-absorbing member arranged on the lower wall that forms the flow path, and the water-absorbing member may have an extension that extends along the longitudinal direction of the first rib and is located below the first rib, and one end of the groove may be located in a position that does not overlap with the extension in the vertical direction.

[0022] This prevents condensation water draining from one end of the groove from reaching the extension of the water-absorbing member, thereby preventing the water absorption capacity of the extension of the water-absorbing member from reaching saturation, and preventing condensation water from dripping from the extension onto the water-exposure prevention section.

[0023] The first side wall has an upper side wall portion extending upward from the step portion, the upper side wall portion being connected to the upper wall that forms the flow path, and the groove portion is preferably formed from the upper side wall portion to the step portion.

[0024] As a result, condensation water generated on the upper wall is guided from the upper part of the side wall to the step portion through the groove portion, and is then drained from one end of the groove portion that extends to a position away from the water exposure prevention portion. This allows condensation water generated on the upper wall to be drained to a position away from the water exposure prevention portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent condensation water from being guided from the upper wall to the first rib via the step portion.

[0025] The other end of the groove along the intersecting direction is preferably located at the upper part of the side wall and closer to the first rib than the one end.

[0026] In this way, the other end of the groove portion, which is located at the top of the side wall, is located closer to the first rib than the one end, so that condensed water can be prevented from flowing from the upper wall or step portion toward the first rib.

[0027] A second rib extending in the longitudinal direction of the first rib is formed on a second side wall that constitutes the above-mentioned flow path and faces the first side wall, and the groove portion is preferably provided at a position that overlaps with the second rib in the intersecting direction.

[0028] This allows condensation water generated on the upper wall to be drained along the groove, thereby preventing the condensation water from being guided to the second rib via the second side wall.

[0029] The upper wall constituting the above-mentioned flow path has an upper wall inclined portion that slopes downward from the other side of the first rib to one side in the longitudinal direction, and one end of the inclined portion along the longitudinal direction of the first rib is connected to the side surface in the intersecting direction of the upper wall inclined portion.

[0030] As a result, condensation water guided along the slope of the upper wall sloped portion of the upper wall flows easily in the direction of the slope and is less likely to flow in a direction intersecting the direction of the slope. Therefore, by connecting one end of the sloped portion of the step portion to the upper wall sloped portion in a direction intersecting the direction of the slope of the upper wall sloped portion, it is possible to prevent condensation water from being guided from the upper wall sloped portion to the sloped portion. [Example]

[0031] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dimensions, materials, and other specific values ​​shown in these embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention and, unless otherwise specified, do not limit the present invention. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanation, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle air conditioning duct 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view of the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 as seen from the front. FIG. 1(b) is a top view of a portion of the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 of FIG. 1(a). FIG. 2 is a view showing the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 of FIG. 1 as seen from another direction. FIG. 2(a) is a rear view of the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 of FIG. 1(a). FIG. 2(b) is a perspective view showing a state where a main portion of the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 of FIG. 2(a) is viewed from diagonally below. In the following drawings, the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle is indicated by arrows "Front" and "Back," the left and right directions of the vehicle width are indicated by arrows "Left" and "Right," and the up-down direction of the vehicle is indicated by arrows "Up" and "Down."

[0033] The vehicle air conditioning duct 100 is disposed, for example, on the rear side (front side) of the instrument panel, and includes an intake port 102 that opens downward as shown in FIG. 1(a) and an exhaust port 104 (see FIG. 2(a)) that opens toward the rear side, i.e., toward the center of the passenger compartment. 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.

[0034] Vehicle air conditioning duct 100 also includes exhaust ports 106, 108 that open toward the right and left sides of the vehicle cabin, respectively, and flow paths 110, 112 that allow conditioned air to flow, for example, horizontally. Exhaust ports 106, 108 send the conditioned air that is taken in through intake port 102 and passes through flow paths 110, 112 to the right and left sides of the vehicle cabin. In this way, vehicle air conditioning duct 100 guides the conditioned air blown out from the air conditioning unit into the vehicle cabin.

[0035] Here, the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 has layout constraints, for example, to avoid interference with surrounding components. For this reason, a predetermined water exposure prevention portion 113 (see FIG. 3 ), which is undesirable for exposure to water, is often arranged in the vehicle air conditioning duct 110, for example, below the flow path 110. Note that while an electrical component is exemplified as the water exposure prevention portion 113 here, it is not limited to this and may also include on-board components such as mechanical components that are undesirable for exposure to water, communication ports or communication holes that communicate with the accommodation spaces that accommodate these on-board components and electrical components, and even some of the elements that make up the electrical components, such as the connection terminal 154 shown in FIG. 3 .

[0036] As shown in FIG. 1(b), the flow path 110 is composed of an upper wall 114, a side wall 116 located at the rear, a side wall 118 located at the front and facing the side wall 116, and a lower wall 120 (see FIG. 2). Note that the side walls 116 and 118 are essentially vertical walls here, but are not limited to vertical walls as long as they form a predetermined flow path. Because the side wall 116 forms the flow path 110 for the conditioned air, a temperature difference is likely to occur between the inner surface that contacts the conditioned air and the outer surface that does not contact the conditioned air. As a result, in the vehicle air conditioning duct 100, condensation water may form on the outer surface of the side wall 116 and drip, potentially wetting the water exposure prevention portion 113 located below the side wall 116.

[0037] Therefore, the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 employs a configuration that can prevent condensation water generated on the outer surface of the side wall 116 from dripping onto the water exposure prevention portion 113 located below the side wall 116. That is, the side wall 116 includes a substantially flat reference portion 122 (see FIG. 2) located above the water exposure prevention portion 113, a first inclined portion 124, a second inclined portion 126, and a rib 128.

[0038] The vehicle air conditioning duct 100 further includes a water-absorbing member 130 disposed below the rib 128 as shown in Figure 2(b). The water-absorbing member 130 covers the bottom 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 step portion 132 and a rib 134 located below the step portion 132.

[0039] Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 of Fig. 2(a) together with electrical equipment 113. Fig. 4 is a view showing the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 of Fig. 1 as viewed from yet another direction. Fig. 4(a) is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 of Fig. 3 taken along line AA. Fig. 4(b) is a view showing the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 of Fig. 4(a) as viewed from the front.

[0040] The first inclined portion 124 and the second inclined portion 126 of the side wall 116 are adjacent to each other along the direction (here, the left-right direction) in which the conditioned air flows through the flow path 110 shown in Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 4(a), the first inclined portion 124 is continuous with the reference portion 122 of the side wall 116 and is inclined rearward at an inclination angle θa with respect to the up-down direction so that the first inclined portion 124 becomes farther away from the reference portion 122 located above the water exposure avoidance portion 113 as it extends from top to bottom. Furthermore, the rib 128 is located below the first inclined portion 124 and protrudes rearward from the reference portion 122 in the horizontal direction.

[0041] In this way, by integrally molding the first inclined portion 124 with the side wall 116 and making the inner surface of the side wall 116 shaped to conform to the first inclined portion 124, the width of the flow path 110 shown in Figure 4(a) changes.

[0042] In contrast, the step 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., toward the rear, as shown in Figure 4(a). Therefore, the step portion 132 of the side wall 118 can suppress changes in the width of the flow path 110 for the air-conditioning air. Furthermore, the step portion 132 can also catch condensation water that occurs on the outer surface of the side wall 118.

[0043] As shown in Figure 4(a), the rib 134 of the side wall 118 is located below the step 132 and protrudes horizontally toward the front, i.e., opposite the rib 128. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4(b), the rib 134 is inclined downward as it moves away from the water exposure prevention portion 113 (see Figure 3) (to the left in this case).

[0044] As a result, even if some of the condensation water generated on the outer surface of the side wall 118 flows over the step portion 132 and onto the rib 134, the condensation water is received by the rib 134 and further guided in a direction away from the water exposure avoidance portion 113 along the slope of the rib 134. Therefore, the condensation water drips downward at a position away from the water exposure avoidance portion 113, making it difficult for the water exposure avoidance portion 113 to get wet.

[0045] Figure 5 is a diagram showing the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 of Figure 3 as viewed from another direction. Figure 5(a) is a diagram showing the side wall 116 of Figure 3 as viewed from above. Figure 5(b) is a BB cross-sectional view of the side wall 116 of Figure 5(a).

[0046] The first inclined portion 124 of the side wall 116 has a first inclined surface 136 and a second inclined surface 138 adjacent to each other along the direction of the air-conditioning airflow, as shown in Fig. 3. The first inclined portion 124 is not only inclined rearward at an inclination angle θa so as to move away from the reference portion 122 of the side wall 116 as it extends downward, as shown in Fig. 4(a), but also inclined forward so as to move closer to the reference portion 122 as it extends in one horizontal direction (here, the right side), as shown in Fig. 5(a).

[0047] The first inclined surface 136 is disposed in another direction (here, to the left) along the horizontal direction than the second inclined surface 138. The first inclined surface 136 forms a first inclination angle θb, as shown by auxiliary line D, with respect to auxiliary line C that is parallel to the surface direction of the reference portion 122 shown in FIG. 5(b). The second inclined surface 138 forms a second inclination angle θc with respect to auxiliary line E that is parallel to the surface direction of the reference portion 122 shown in FIG. 5(b). The first inclined angle θb of the first inclined surface 136 is larger than the second inclined angle θc of the second inclined surface 138.

[0048] Here, the greater the inclination angle of first inclined surface 136 and second inclined surface 138 relative to the surface direction of reference portion 122, the more easily condensed water flows in one direction along the horizontal direction (here, the right side). Therefore, in first inclined portion 124, first inclined surface 136, which has a larger inclination angle relative to the surface direction of reference portion 122, is arranged in the other direction along the horizontal direction (here, the left side) than second inclined surface 138.

[0049] In this way, the condensed water flows downward while inclining to the right at an inclination angle θd with respect to the vertical direction along the first inclined surface 136, as shown by flow path F in Fig. 3. Then, the condensed water flows downward while inclining to the right at an inclination angle θe with respect to the vertical direction along the second inclined surface 138, as shown by flow path G.

[0050] The inclination angles θd and θe of flow paths F and G are proportional to the first inclination angle θb and the second inclination angle θc shown in FIG. 5(b), and the inclination angles θd and θe increase as the first inclination angle θb and the second inclination angle θc increase. Therefore, the inclination angle θd of flow path F is greater than the inclination angle θe of flow path G. As a result, the condensed water flows downward while flowing sufficiently to the right along flow path F, and then flows downward while flowing further to the right along flow path G. In this way, the first inclined portion 124 can easily adjust the flow paths F and G of the condensed water by adjusting the first inclination angle θb and the second inclination angle θc.

[0051] 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 downward as they move further away from the water exposure avoidance portion 113 and toward the right. Therefore, the condensed water flows along the first upper edge 140 of the first inclined surface 136 as shown by flow path H, and then flows along the second upper edge 142 of the second inclined surface 138 as shown by flow path I, thereby being guided to a position away from the water exposure avoidance portion 113. Note that, as shown in FIG. 3, once the condensed water gets over the second upper edge 142 of the second inclined surface 138, it flows downward while moving toward the right in parallel with flow path G as shown by flow path J.

[0052] The condensed water then passes through flow paths G, J, and I to reach rib 128. Rib 128 is inclined downward as it moves away from water exposure avoidance portion 113 and toward the right. Rib 128 has a first portion 144 located below first inclined surface 136, a second portion 146 located below second inclined surface 138, and an end portion 148 continuous with second portion 146.

[0053] 3, the rib 128 extends in one horizontal direction (here, to the right) beyond the first inclined portion 124. In addition, a right end 148 of the rib 128 tapers toward the reference portion 122 as it moves toward the right, and is further cut out.

[0054] Therefore, when the condensed water flows along first inclined portion 124 and reaches and is received by rib 128, it is guided to the right, away from water exposure avoidance portion 113, along the inclination of second portion 146 of rib 128, as shown by flow path K. The condensed water is then easily drained by tapered, notched end portion 148 of rib 128, and is discharged at a position away from water exposure avoidance portion 113, as shown by arrow L.

[0055] Even if some of the condensed water flows downward over the second portion 146 of the rib 128 due to vehicle vibration or inertia when the vehicle speed changes (see arrows M and N), the condensed water is absorbed by the water-absorbing member 130.

[0056] 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 inclined rearward at an inclination angle θa (see FIG. 4(a)) so as to move downward and away from the reference portion 122 located above the water exposure avoidance portion 113, and further inclined forward so as to move closer to the reference portion 122 in the other direction (here, leftward) along the air flow, as shown in FIG. 5(b).

[0057] Furthermore, because the first inclined portion 124 and the second inclined portion 126 are arranged adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction, condensation water generated on the outer surface of the side wall 116 is not only guided to the right side in the horizontal direction along the first inclined portion 124, but also to the left side in the horizontal direction along the second inclined portion 126. Also, as shown in Figure 3, a rib 128 is arranged below the second inclined portion 126. Furthermore, a water-absorbing member 130 is arranged below the rib 128.

[0058] Therefore, according to 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 formed on the outer surface of the side wall 116 from dripping onto the water-protection portion 113 located below the side wall 116.

[0059] Furthermore, in the vehicle air conditioning duct 100, the first inclined portion 124, the second inclined portion 126, and the rib 128 are integrally molded with the side wall 116, thereby increasing the rigidity of the duct body. Therefore, the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 can suppress deformation during product transportation, improve workability during assembly, and further improve NVH by suppressing vibration of the walls that make up the flow path 110 due to pulsation of the air conditioning air flowing through the flow path 110. NVH stands for noise, vibration, and harshness. Furthermore, because the first inclined portion 124, the second inclined portion 126, and the rib 128 are integrally molded with the side wall 116, burr removal after blow molding is facilitated, reducing the number of work steps.

[0060] Furthermore, in the vehicle air conditioning duct 100, instead of covering all of the outer surfaces of the walls that make up the flow path 110 with a water-absorbing member, only the bottom wall 120 is covered with the water-absorbing member 130, which also helps reduce costs. As a modified example, the water-absorbing member 130 may not be provided, thereby further reducing costs.

[0061] In the above-mentioned vehicle air conditioning duct 100, the dripping of condensation water onto the water exposure prevention section 113 is prevented, but this is not limited to the water exposure prevention section 113, and may also be an in-vehicle component that should be prevented from receiving condensation water, or an opening or hole formed in a vehicle body component (such as a floor panel) that communicates in the vertical direction with the space in which these components are arranged.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 3, the water exposure avoidance unit 113 includes a first water exposure avoidance unit 150, which is an electrical component; a second water exposure avoidance unit 152, which is an electrical component different from the first water exposure avoidance unit 150; and two electrical connection units (connection terminals 154) that connect the first water exposure avoidance unit 150 to other electrical components. The connection terminal 154 is the portion of the water exposure avoidance unit 113 that is most likely to be protected from water exposure (the water exposure avoidance unit). For this reason, the connection terminal 154 is disposed between the arrows O and P in FIG. 3, i.e., within the left-right range of the first inclined surface 136 of the first inclined portion 124 and the portion of the second inclined portion 126 corresponding to the first inclined surface 136. In this case, the inclination angle θd of the flow path F shown in FIG. 3 may be set so that the condensed water flows to a position away from the connection terminal 154. This prevents the condensed water from entering the connection terminal 154.

[0063] 3, or a portion of the first water exposure avoidance portion 150 may be disposed below the second inclined surface 138 of the first inclined portion 124 and the portion of the second inclined portion 126 corresponding to the second inclined surface 138, rather than between the arrows O and P as shown. In this case, the inclination angle θe of the flow path G shown in FIG. 3 may be set so that the condensed water flows to a position away from the first water exposure avoidance portion 150. This makes it possible to prevent the condensed water from entering the first water exposure avoidance portion 150.

[0064] Furthermore, rib 128 extends not only to the right of first inclined portion 124 but also to the right of second water exposure avoidance portion 152, and is inclined downward as it moves further away from water exposure avoidance portion 113 and toward the right. Therefore, condensed water flowing along rib 128 can be drained from right end 148 to a position where second water exposure avoidance portion 152 will not be wet (see arrow L).

[0065] 3, the water-absorbing member 130 extends further to the right than the right end 148 of the rib 128. Therefore, even if the condensed water flows downward over the rib 128, the water-absorbing member 130 can reliably absorb the condensed water and reliably prevent it from dripping onto the water exposure prevention portion 113.

[0066] Furthermore, in the vehicle air conditioning duct 100, the first inclined portion 124 and the second inclined portion 126 can support the condensed water from below, so that the condensed water can be gently guided toward the rib 128, making it less likely that the condensed water will climb over the rib 128 and fall downward.

[0067] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the flow of condensation water in the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 of Fig. 1(b). Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the flow of condensation water in the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 of Fig. 4. Figs. 6 and 7 respectively show the vehicle air conditioning ducts 100 of Fig. 1(b) and Fig. 4, with arrows indicating the flow paths Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, and Rg of the condensation water.

[0068] In the vehicle air conditioning duct 100, the side wall 118 that constitutes the flow path 110 has a rib 134, a step portion 132, a side wall upper portion 118a, and a side wall lower portion 118b. As shown in FIG. 7(b), the rib 134 is located above the water exposure prevention portion 113 and extends horizontally. The step portion 132 is located above the rib 134 and is formed to follow the rib 134. The step portion 132 also has an inclined portion 132a. As surrounded by a dotted line in FIG. 7(b), the inclined portion 132a is inclined downward from one side to the other in the longitudinal direction in which the rib 134 extends.

[0069] As shown in Figure 7(a), the side wall upper portion 118a extends upward from the step portion 132 and is further connected to the upper wall 114 that constitutes the flow path 110. The side wall lower portion 118b has its upper end 118c, shown in Figure 7(b), connected to the step portion 132 and further extends downward from the step portion 132. In addition, a rib 134 is provided on the side wall lower portion 118b.

[0070] The inclined portion 132a also has a groove 132b. The groove 132b extends in an intersecting direction (here, the front-rear direction) that intersects with the longitudinal direction of the rib 134. One end 132c of the groove 132b, which is located on the rib 134 side along the intersecting direction, extends from the water exposure avoidance portion 113 to a position away from the longitudinal direction of the rib 134, as shown in FIG. 7(b). Note that the longitudinal direction of the rib 134 here is the left-right direction, but if the side wall 118 and the rib 1134 extended in the front-rear direction, the longitudinal direction would be the front-rear direction.

[0071] One end 132c of groove 132b reaches the sidewall lower portion 118b. The other end 132d of groove 132b along the intersecting direction is located at the sidewall upper portion 118b. In this way, groove 132b is formed from the sidewall upper portion 118b to the step portion 132 and further reaches the sidewall lower portion 118b. As shown in FIG. 6, the other end 132d of groove 132b is located closer to the rib 134 than one end 132c. The shape of groove 132b may be any appropriate curved valley shape, such as a V-shape or a dish shape.

[0072] The water-absorbing member 130 is disposed on the lower wall 120 (see FIG. 7(a)) that constitutes the flow path 110. The water-absorbing member 130 further has an extension 130a surrounded by a dotted line in FIG. 7(b). The extension 130a extends along the longitudinal direction of the rib 134 and is located below the rib 134. Furthermore, one end 132c of the groove 132b is located in a position that does not overlap with the extension 130a in the vertical direction.

[0073] 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 portion 132b is provided at a position that overlaps with the rib 128 in the intersecting direction, as shown in FIG.

[0074] 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 to one side in the longitudinal direction of the rib 134. One end portion 132e of the inclined portion 132a along the longitudinal direction of the rib 134 is connected to a side surface 114b in the intersecting direction of the upper wall inclined portion 114a.

[0075] In this way, in the vehicle air conditioning duct 100, the rib 134 of the side wall 118 is positioned above the water exposure avoidance portion 113, and further, a step portion 132 having 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.

[0076] As a result, when condensation water generated on the outer surfaces of the upper wall 114 and the side wall 118 flows downward, the condensation water is guided away from the water exposure prevention section 113 along the inclined portion 132a of the step section 132 located above the rib 134, as shown by the flow path Rb branching off from the flow path Ra. This makes it possible to prevent the condensation water from reaching the rib 134 from the inclined portion 132a of the step section 132, and then climbing over the rib 134 to drip downward.

[0077] Furthermore, the condensed water that reaches the ribs 134 is guided in a direction away from the water exposure avoidance portion 113 along the slope of the ribs 134, as shown by the flow path Rf in Fig. 7(b). Therefore, the condensed water drips downward at a position away from the water exposure avoidance portion 113, making it difficult for the water exposure avoidance portion 113 to get wet.

[0078] Therefore, the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 can prevent condensation water from dripping onto the water exposure prevention portion 113 located below the rib 134 of the side wall 118. The step portion 132 may have a two-step shape, for example, by sloping the upper portion 118a of the side wall extending in the vertical direction.

[0079] Furthermore, one end 132c of groove 132b extends to a position away from water exposure avoidance portion 113 in the longitudinal direction of rib 134. Therefore, condensation water generated or guided to inclined portion 132a can be guided along groove 132b extending in the intersecting direction (for example, the front-to-rear direction) to a position away from water exposure avoidance portion 113, as shown by flow path Rd branching off from flow path Ra. This makes it possible to sufficiently prevent condensation water from dripping onto water exposure avoidance portion 113.

[0080] Furthermore, one end 132c of groove 132b reaches sidewall lower portion 118b, so condensed water can be guided from one end 132c of groove 132b to sidewall lower portion 118b. This makes it easier to guide condensed water to a position away from water exposure avoidance portion 113, and therefore it is possible to sufficiently prevent condensed water from dripping onto water exposure avoidance portion 113.

[0081] Furthermore, because one end 132c of groove 132b is located at a position that does not overlap in the vertical direction with extension 130a of water absorbent member 130, it is possible to prevent condensation water drained from one end 132c of groove 132b from contacting extension 130a of water absorbent member 130. This prevents the water absorption capacity of extension 130a of water absorbent member 130 from becoming saturated, and prevents condensation water from dripping from extension 130a onto water contact avoidance portion 113.

[0082] Further, groove portion 132b is formed from side wall upper portion 118a to step portion 132. As a result, condensation water generated on upper wall 114 is guided from side wall upper portion 118a to step portion 132 via groove portion 132b, and is further drained from one end portion 132c of groove portion 132b that extends to a position away from water exposure prevention portion 113.

[0083] As a result, condensation water that forms on the upper wall 114 can be drained to a position away from the water exposure prevention section 113, and the condensation water can be prevented from being guided from the upper wall 114 to the rib 134 via the step section 132.

[0084] Also, the other end 132d of the groove 132b is located closer to the rib 134 than the one end 132c. This makes it possible to prevent the condensed water from flowing from the upper wall 114 or the step 132 toward the rib 134 when the condensed water is guided from the other end 132d toward the one end 132c.

[0085] Furthermore, groove 132b is provided at a position overlapping in the intersecting direction (front-to-back direction in this case) with rib 128 formed on side wall 116 facing side wall 118. This allows condensation water generated on upper wall 114 to be drained along groove 132b, and therefore prevents the condensation water from being guided to rib 128 via side wall 116, as shown by flow path Rc (see FIG. 6) branching off from flow path Ra.

[0086] 7(b), condensed water guided along the slope of upper wall sloped portion 114a of upper wall 114 tends to flow in the slope direction as indicated by flow path Rg, but does not easily flow in a direction intersecting the slope direction as indicated by flow path Re. Therefore, by connecting one end 132e of sloped portion 132a to side surface 114b of upper wall sloped portion 114a in a direction intersecting the slope direction of upper wall sloped portion 114a, it is possible to prevent condensed water from being guided from upper wall sloped portion 114a to sloped portion 132a.

[0087] Here, the water damage prevention portion 113 is disposed below the bottom wall 120 that constitutes the flow path 110, but it does not necessarily have to be disposed below the bottom wall 120, and it is sufficient that it is disposed at least below the first inclined portion 124 or below the ribs 128, 134. The various ribs 128, 134, the first inclined portion 124, and the second inclined portion 126 are molded integrally with the side walls 116, 118 that constitute the flow path 110, respectively, but this is not limiting, and they may be fixed to the side walls 116, 118 by welding or the like after the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 has been molded.

[0088] 6 and 7 may be omitted. The water absorbing member 130 may be omitted depending on the position of the water exposure avoidance portion 113. The water absorbing member 130 may be arranged in the water exposure avoidance portion 113 or between the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 and the water exposure avoidance portion 113, rather than in the vehicle air conditioning duct 100.

[0089] In this embodiment, it has been explained that both the configurations mainly shown in Figures 1 to 5 and the configurations mainly shown in Figures 6 and 7 can be implemented in the vehicle air conditioning duct 100, but this is not limited to this, and depending on the arrangement of the water exposure prevention section 113, only one of the configurations may be adopted and implemented in the vehicle air conditioning duct 100.

[0090] Figure 8 is a diagram showing a modified example of the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 of Figure 3. As shown in Figure 8(a), the modified vehicle air conditioning duct 100A has adjacent first and second inclined portions 124A and 126A, and further has a rib 128A disposed below the first and second inclined portions 124A and 126A. In the rib 128A, a first portion 144A located below a first inclined surface 136A is inclined upward as it moves toward the left relative to a second portion 146 located below a second inclined surface 138A, thereby forming a stepped shape.

[0091] As a result, with vehicle air-conditioning duct 100A, not only condensation water generated above first inclined surface 136A but also condensation water generated on the surface of first inclined surface 136A flows along first inclined surface 136A, and even if it reaches rib 128A, the condensation water can be guided in a direction away from connection terminal 154 of water exposure avoidance portion 133 shown in Fig. 3 along the stepped shape of rib 128A. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent condensation water from entering connection terminal 154.

[0092] A modified vehicle air conditioning duct 100B has adjacent first and second inclined portions 124B and 126B as shown in FIG. 8(b). The upper edge 156 of the first inclined portion 124B is horizontal and not inclined, and is inclined forward at a constant inclination angle so as to approach the reference portion 122 in one horizontal direction (here, the right side). In other words, unlike the first inclined portion 124 shown in FIG. 5(b), the inclination angle does not change from the first inclination angle θb to the second inclination angle θc as it approaches the reference portion 122. Similarly, the second inclined portion 126B has an upper edge 158 that is horizontal and not inclined, and is inclined forward at a constant inclination angle so as to approach the reference portion 122 in the other horizontal direction (here, the left side).

[0093] Such a vehicle air conditioning duct 100B can simplify the structure, and furthermore, by directing the condensed water horizontally to the right and left sides along the first inclined portion 124B and the second inclined portion 126B, it is possible to prevent the condensed water from dripping onto the water exposure avoidance portion 113.

[0094] Figure 9 is a diagram showing another modified example of the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 of Figure 3. As shown in Figure 9(a), the modified vehicle air conditioning duct 100C has a first inclined portion 124C and a rib 128B, but does not have the second inclined portion 126 described above.

[0095] Furthermore, the upper edge 160 of the first inclined portion 124C is horizontal and not inclined, and as shown in Figure 9(b), it is inclined forward at a certain angle so that it approaches the reference portion 122 as it moves in one direction along the horizontal direction (here, the right side).

[0096] Even with such a vehicle air conditioning duct 100C, by arranging a first inclined portion 124C above the water exposure avoidance portion 113 and further arranging a rib 128B below the first inclined portion 124C that is inclined so as to descend as it moves away from the water exposure avoidance portion 113, it is possible to prevent condensation water from dripping onto the water exposure avoidance portion 113.

[0097] As yet another modification, the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 may employ 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 rather protrude from the reference portion 122 of the side wall 116. According to this configuration, the upper edges of the first inclined portion 124 and the second inclined portion 126 protrude from the reference portion 122. A rib 128 may be disposed below the first inclined portion 124 and the second inclined portion 126.

[0098] In this modified example, the condensed water can be guided along the upper edges of first inclined portion 124 and second inclined portion 126 to a position away from water exposure avoidance portion 113, and further, the condensed water that has reached rib 128 can be guided in a direction away from water exposure avoidance portion 113 along the inclination of rib 128. Therefore, this modified example also makes it possible to prevent condensed water from dripping onto water exposure avoidance portion 113.

[0099] In the above-described vehicle ducts 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C, the flow path 110 is arranged to extend in the left-right direction, so that one horizontal direction is defined as the right side and the other horizontal direction is defined as the left side. However, this is not limited to this. That is, 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 horizontal direction is defined as the front-rear direction. Furthermore, the above-described configurations can prevent condensation water from dripping onto the water exposure prevention portion 113.

[0100] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of the vehicle air conditioning duct 100 shown in Fig. 2(a). The modified vehicle air conditioning duct 100D shown in Fig. 10(a) has a side wall 116A that forms a flow path 110A through which conditioned air flows in the vertical direction. This side wall 116A has adjacent first and second inclined portions 124 and 126, and further has ribs 128 arranged below the first and second inclined portions 124 and 126.

[0101] Therefore, with vehicle air conditioning duct 100D, condensed water is guided horizontally to the right and left sides along first inclined portion 124 and second inclined portion 126 arranged on side wall 116A of flow path 110A through which conditioned air flows in the vertical direction, thereby preventing condensed water from dripping onto water exposure avoidance portion 113. Furthermore, condensed water that reaches rib 128 can be guided in a direction away from water exposure avoidance portion 113 along the inclination of rib 128. Therefore, with this modified example as well, condensed water can be prevented from dripping onto water exposure avoidance portion 113.

[0102] 10(b), a modified vehicle air conditioning duct 100E has a sidewall 116B that defines a flow path 110B through which conditioned air flows horizontally. This flow path 110B is shaped like a diamond, with the sidewall 116B inclined more rearward as it extends downward. This sidewall 116B has adjacent first and second inclined portions 124 and 126, and ribs 128 are disposed below the first and second inclined portions 124 and 126.

[0103] Therefore, with vehicle air conditioning duct 100E, condensed water is guided horizontally to the right and left sides along first inclined portion 124 and second inclined portion 126, which are arranged on inclined side wall 116B of flow path 110B through which conditioned air flows horizontally, thereby preventing condensed water from dripping onto water exposure avoidance portion 113. Furthermore, condensed water that reaches rib 128 can be guided in a direction away from water exposure avoidance portion 113 along the inclination of rib 128. Therefore, with this modified example as well, condensed water can be prevented from dripping onto water exposure avoidance portion 113.

[0104] A modified vehicle air conditioning duct 100F shown in Fig. 10(c) differs from the vehicle air conditioning duct 100E of Fig. 10(b) in that, instead of the rib 128 shown in Fig. 10(b), a recessed portion 129 is arranged below the first inclined portion 124 and the second inclined portion 126 arranged on the side wall 116B. The recessed portion 129 is a groove recessed into the inside of the flow path 110B. As shown in the figure, the recessed portion 129 is longer on the right and left sides in the horizontal direction than the first inclined portion 124 and the second inclined portion 126.

[0105] Therefore, with vehicle air conditioning duct 100F, condensed water is guided horizontally to the right and left sides along first inclined portion 124 and second inclined portion 126, which are arranged on inclined side wall 116B of flow path 110B through which conditioned air flows horizontally, thereby preventing condensed water from dripping onto water exposure avoidance portion 113. Furthermore, condensed water that reaches recessed portion 129 can be guided along recessed portion 129 in a direction away from water exposure avoidance portion 113. Therefore, with this modified example as well, condensed water can be prevented from dripping onto water exposure avoidance portion 113.

[0106] Furthermore, the vehicle air conditioning duct 100F has a recessed portion 129 arranged in the side wall 116B instead of the rib 128 that protrudes outward from the flow path 110B shown in Figure 10(b), which makes it possible to prevent interference with other vehicle components such as the instrument panel.

[0107] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is clear that those skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications and alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that such modifications and alterations also fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0108] The present invention can be used in an air conditioning duct for a vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 100E, 100F... air conditioning duct for vehicle, 102... intake port, 104, 106, 108... exhaust port, 110, 110A, 110B, 112... flow path, 113... water exposure prevention portion, 114... upper wall, 114a... upper wall inclined portion, 114b... side surface of upper wall inclined portion, 11 6, 116A, 116B... side wall (second side wall), 118... side wall (first side wall), 118a... upper side wall, 118b... lower side wall, 118c... upper end of lower side wall, 120... lower wall, 122... reference portion, 124, 124A, 124B, 124C... first inclined portion, 126, 126A, 126B... second inclined portion, 128, 1 28A, 128B... rib (second rib), 129... recessed portion, 130... water absorbing member, 130a... extension portion, 132... step portion, 132a... inclined portion, 132b... groove portion, 132c... one end of groove portion, 132d... other end of groove portion, 132e... one end of inclined portion, 134... rib (first rib), 136, 136A... first inclined surface, 138, 138A... second inclined surface, 140... first upper edge, 142... second upper edge, 144, 144A... first portion, 146... second portion, 148... end of first rib, 150... first water contact avoidance portion, 152... second water contact avoidance portion, 154... connection terminal, 156, 160... upper edge of first inclined portion, 158... upper edge of second inclined portion

Claims

1. In a vehicle air conditioning duct including a flow path that guides conditioned air into a vehicle compartment, The first side wall that constitutes the flow path is a first rib located above the predetermined water exposure avoidance portion and extending horizontally; a step portion located above the first rib and formed along the first rib, The vehicle air conditioning duct, wherein the step portion has an inclined portion that slopes downward from one side to the other side in the longitudinal direction in which the first rib extends.

2. the inclined portion has a groove portion extending in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the first rib, 2. The air conditioning duct for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein one end of the groove portion located on the first rib side along the intersecting direction extends from the water exposure prevention portion to a position away from the first rib in the longitudinal direction.

3. the first sidewall has a sidewall lower portion extending downward from the step portion, The first rib is provided on a lower portion of the side wall, 3. The air conditioning duct for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the one end of the groove reaches a lower portion of the side wall.

4. The vehicle air conditioning duct further includes a water absorbing member disposed on a lower wall that forms the flow path, the water absorbing member has an extension portion that extends along the longitudinal direction of the first rib and is located below the first rib; 4. The air conditioning duct for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the one end of the groove portion is located at a position that does not overlap with the extension portion in the vertical direction.

5. the first sidewall has a sidewall upper portion extending upward from the step portion, The upper portion of the side wall is connected to an upper wall that forms the flow path, 5. The air conditioning duct for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the groove portion is formed from the upper portion of the side wall to the step portion.

6. 6. The air conditioning duct for a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the other end of the groove along the intersecting direction is located at the upper part of the side wall and is closer to the first rib than the one end.

7. a second rib extending in a longitudinal direction of the first rib is formed on a second side wall that constitutes the flow path and faces the first side wall, The air conditioning duct for a vehicle according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the groove portion is provided at a position overlapping the second rib in the cross direction.

8. an upper wall that forms the flow path has an upper wall inclined portion that inclines downward from the other side to one side in the longitudinal direction of the first rib, 7. The vehicle air conditioning duct according to claim 2, wherein one end of the inclined portion along the longitudinal direction of the first rib is connected to a side surface of the upper wall inclined portion in the intersecting direction.

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