Air conditioning device

Abstract

To provide an air conditioning device capable of stably retaining a cover on a casing.SOLUTION: An air conditioning device 1 includes a casing 3 in which an air passage is formed, and a cover 5 assembled to the casing 3. A retaining part 17 that retains a state in which the cover 5 is assembled to the casing 3 is provided on the casing 3 and the cover 5. The retaining part 17 includes: an extending portion 19 that is provided on the cover 5, extends toward the casing 3, and is arranged on the outer surface of the wall part 31 of the casing 3; and an engaging projection 21 that protrudes from the outer surface of the wall part 31 of the casing 3 toward the extending portion 19. The engaging projection 21 is provided on an elastic piece 23 that is elastically deformable through a slit 33 penetrating the wall part 31 arranged on the periphery of the engaging projection 21. The extending portion 19 includes: an engaging hole section 25 into which the engaging projection 21 is inserted; and a closing section 27 that closes the slit 33 in a state where the engaging projection 21 is inserted into the engaging hole section 25.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioner. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, an air conditioner includes an air conditioner case body as a casing in which an air passage through which air flows is formed. Also, an air conditioner is known that includes a finisher as a cover that is attached to an opening on one side of the air conditioner case body and has an outlet through which air that has flowed through the air passage is blown out (see Patent Document 1). In this air conditioner, the air conditioner case body and the finisher are provided with a holding portion that holds the finisher attached to the air conditioner case body.

[0003] The holding portion has an insertion piece as an extension portion that is provided on the finisher and extends toward the air-conditioning case body and is disposed on the outer surface of the wall of the air-conditioning case body. The holding portion also has a locking claw as an engagement protrusion that protrudes from the outer surface of the wall of the air-conditioning case body toward the insertion piece. The insertion piece is provided on the finisher so as to be elastically deformable, and has a locking hole as an engagement hole portion into which the locking claw is inserted.

[0004] In this air conditioner, when the finisher is assembled to the air conditioning case body, the leading end side of the insertion piece in the extending direction is brought into contact with the locking claw and slid, thereby elastically deforming the insertion piece. When the finisher is assembled to the air conditioning case body and the locking hole is positioned at the locking claw, the elastically deformed insertion piece is restored to its original shape and the locking claw is inserted into the locking hole. By inserting the locking claw into the locking hole, the finisher does not come off from the air conditioning case body, and the finisher can be maintained in a state assembled to the air conditioning case body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 4-78012 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the air conditioner of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the extension part arranged on the outer surface of the wall part of the casing is provided on the cover in an elastically deformable manner, so that when an external force is applied to the cover, the extension part may be elastically deformed, causing the engagement protrusion to come out of the engagement hole part, and the cover to come off from the casing.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the conventional art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner in which a cover can be stably held on a casing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The air conditioning device of this embodiment comprises a casing having an air passage formed therein through which air flows, and a cover assembled to the casing, and the casing and the cover are provided with retaining portions that maintain the cover assembled to the casing, and the retaining portion has an extension portion that is provided on one of the casing and the cover and extends toward the other and is positioned on the outer surface of the other wall portion, and an engagement protrusion that protrudes from the outer surface of the other wall portion toward the extension portion, and the engagement protrusion is provided on an elastic piece that can elastically deform via a slit that penetrates the wall portion and is arranged around the engagement protrusion, and the extension portion has an engagement hole portion into which the engagement protrusion is inserted, and a blocking portion that blocks the slit when the engagement protrusion is inserted into the engagement hole portion. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an air conditioner in which the cover can be stably held on the casing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an air conditioning device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a holding portion of the air conditioner according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a holding portion of the air conditioner according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a top view of a holding portion of the air conditioner according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] 4 is a side view of a holding portion of the air conditioning device according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the holding portion of the air conditioner according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the air conditioner according to the embodiment when the cover is being attached to the housing. FIG. [Figure 8] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the air conditioner according to the embodiment, showing a state in the process of assembling the cover to the housing. FIG. [Figure 9] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the air conditioner according to the embodiment when the cover is attached to the housing. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, the air conditioner according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0012] 1, an air conditioner 1 according to this embodiment is arranged downstream of an air flow of a blower (not shown) that adjusts the temperature of air loaded in a vehicle and sends the temperature-adjusted air, for example. The air conditioner 1 can change the direction of air flowing toward the inside of the vehicle cabin, for example.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, the air conditioner 1 includes a casing 3 and a cover 5. The casing 3 and the cover 5 include a cover 5a.

[0014] 1, the casing 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape so that an air passage (not shown) through which air flows is formed inside. An opening on one side of the casing 3 is arranged so as to communicate with an outlet through which temperature-adjusted air of the air blowing device comes out. The opening on the other side of the casing 3 is arranged, for example, in a hole formed in a panel (not shown) located on the passenger compartment side, and a cover 5 is attached to it.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 1, the cover 5 is formed in a rectangular shape larger than the opening of the casing 3. The outer peripheral side of the cover 5 is, for example, a flange portion 7 that is disposed on the periphery of the hole of the panel. The center of the cover 5 is provided with an air outlet 9 that communicates with the opening of the casing 3 and through which air that has flowed through the air passage blows out. Note that the air outlet 9 is divided into two by a partition wall 11, but it is also possible to have a single air outlet 9 without providing the partition wall 11. The air outlet 9 is provided with horizontal fins 13.

[0016] The lateral fins 13 are formed, for example, in the shape of a plate extending in the width direction of the vehicle. The lateral fins 13 are spaced apart at predetermined intervals in the height direction of the vehicle and arranged in multiple rows along the vehicle height direction. The multiple lateral fins 13 are supported by the cover 5 so as to be rotatable via shafts (not shown). The multiple lateral fins 13 can be linked together via link members (not shown). The lateral fins 13 change their inclination by rotating, and adjust the wind direction of the blown air in the vehicle height direction.

[0017] Although not shown, vertical fins are arranged upstream of the horizontal fins 13 in the air flow. The vertical fins are formed, for example, in the shape of a plate extending in the height direction of the vehicle. The vertical fins are spaced apart at predetermined intervals in the width direction of the vehicle and arranged in multiple rows along the width direction of the vehicle. The multiple vertical fins are each supported on the casing 3 so as to be rotatable via a shaft portion. The multiple vertical fins can be linked together via a link member. The vertical fins change their inclination by rotating, and adjust the wind direction of the blown air relative to the width direction of the vehicle.

[0018] One of the horizontal fins 13 is provided with an operation knob 15 that can rotate integrally with the horizontal fin 13 and can move along the length of the horizontal fin 13. The operation knob 15 is provided with an engagement portion (not shown) that engages with one of the vertical fins. The operation knob 15 can be operated, for example, by a vehicle occupant. When it is desired to adjust the wind direction in the height direction of the vehicle, the operation knob 15 is moved integrally with the horizontal fin 13 in the thickness direction of the horizontal fin 13 so as to change the inclination of the horizontal fin 13. By moving the operation knob 15 integrally with the horizontal fin 13, the inclination of the multiple horizontal fins 13 can be changed, and the wind direction in the height direction of the vehicle can be adjusted. On the other hand, when it is desired to adjust the wind direction in the width direction of the vehicle, the operation knob 15 is moved in the length direction of the horizontal fin 13 relative to the horizontal fin 13 so as to change the inclination of the vertical fin. By moving the operation knob 15 relative to the horizontal fin 13, the inclination of the multiple vertical fins can be changed via the engagement portion, and the wind direction in the width direction of the vehicle can be adjusted.

[0019] The cover 5 and the casing 3 are provided with holding portions 17 for holding the cover 5 in a state where it is assembled to the casing 3. A plurality of holding portions 17 are provided in the circumferential direction of the casing 3 and the cover 5 at positions that face each other at least in the radial direction.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, the holding portion 17 includes an extension portion 19, an engagement projection 21, an elastic piece 23, an engagement hole portion 25, a closing portion 27, and an opposing portion 29. As shown in FIG.

[0021] The extension portion 19 extends in a plate shape from the surface of the cover 5 facing the casing 3 toward the casing 3 as a single member continuous with the cover 5. The extension portion 19 is disposed on the outer surface of the wall portion 31 of the casing 3 when the cover 5 is attached to the casing 3. The extension portion 19 has sufficient rigidity not to deform even when an external force is applied to the cover 5, for example, and the extension portion 19 comes into contact with the outer surface of the wall portion 31 of the casing 3 and an external force that causes it to fall (or twist) is applied.

[0022] The engagement projection 21 protrudes from the outer surface of the wall portion 31 of the casing 3 toward the extension portion 19 as a member continuous with the casing 3. The engagement projection 21 has a front side in the assembly direction of the cover 5 to the casing 3 formed as an inclined surface. The engagement projection 21 has a rear side in the assembly direction of the cover 5 to the casing 3 formed as a vertical locking surface.

[0023] The elastic piece 23 is provided so as to be elastically deformable via a slit 33 penetrating the wall portion 31 arranged around the engaging protrusion 21. The slit 33 is arranged in a U-shape around the engaging protrusion 21. For this reason, the elastic piece 23 is provided so as to be elastically deformable in the wall portion 31, extending along the assembly direction of the cover 5 to the casing 3, with the cover 5 side as the base end and the casing 3 side as the free end. The engaging protrusion 21 is provided on the free end side of the elastic piece 23. Note that the elastic piece 23 may be elastically deformable, for example, by providing slits 33, 33 extending along the assembly direction of the cover 5 to the casing 3 on the wall portions 31 located on both sides in the width direction of the engaging protrusion 21. In this case, the center of the elastic piece 23 is elastically deformed with both sides in the extension direction of the elastic piece 23 as the base ends, so that the engaging protrusion 21 may be provided in the center of the elastic piece 23.

[0024] The engagement hole 25 is formed in the extension portion 19 at a position corresponding to the engagement protrusion 21 in a state where the cover 5 is assembled to the casing 3, penetrating the extension portion 19 so that the engagement protrusion 21 can be inserted therein. The engagement hole 25 is formed in a rectangular shape extending in the width direction of the extension portion 19, but may be any shape, such as a square shape, as long as the engagement protrusion 21 can be inserted therein. The engagement hole 25 is inserted into the engagement hole 25 in a state where the cover 5 is assembled to the casing 3. In a state where the engagement protrusion 21 is inserted into the engagement hole 25, the edge of the engagement hole 25 and the locking surface of the engagement protrusion 21 are arranged opposite to each other in the direction in which the cover 5 is removed from the casing 3. Therefore, when the cover 5 tries to be removed from the casing 3, the edge of the engagement hole 25 and the locking surface of the engagement protrusion 21 are engaged with each other. Due to the engagement between the engagement hole 25 and the engagement protrusion 21, the cover 5 does not come off from the casing 3, and the state where the cover 5 is assembled to the casing 3 can be maintained.

[0025] The blocking portion 27 is provided in the extension portion 19 at a position corresponding to the slit 33 when the cover 5 is attached to the casing 3. When the engagement projection 21 is inserted into the engagement hole portion 25, the blocking portion 27 blocks the opening of the slit 33 on the outer surface side of the wall portion 31. By blocking the slit 33 with the blocking portion 27, air flowing through the air passage does not leak from the slit 33, and air with a regulated temperature can be stably blown out from the air outlet 9, thereby maintaining air conditioning performance. Note that the sealing property may be improved by applying a sealant such as a liquid gasket to the portion of the blocking portion 27 that abuts against the opening edge of the slit 33, or by attaching a sealant such as a rubber sheet.

[0026] The facing portion 29 is provided at a position on the wall portion 31 of the casing 3 corresponding to the extension portion 19 in a state where the cover 5 is assembled to the casing 3. The facing portion 29 is formed in a frame shape that covers the outer surface of the extension portion 19 with a member that is continuous with the casing 3 so as to have a portion that is arranged opposite to a surface of the extension portion 19 on the protruding direction side (opposite the wall portion 31) of the engagement protrusion 21. The facing portion 29 may be formed in a hook shape, for example, so as to have a portion that is arranged opposite to a part of the outer surface of the extension portion 19. The facing portion 29 is arranged opposite to a surface of the extension portion 19 on the protruding direction side of the engagement protrusion 21 in a state where the engagement protrusion 21 is inserted into the engagement hole portion 25. Therefore, when the extension portion 19 tries to move in the protruding direction of the engagement protrusion 21 (direction away from the wall portion 31), it abuts against the facing portion 29. The abutment between the extension portion 19 and the facing portion 29 prevents the engagement protrusion 21 from slipping out of the engagement hole portion 25, and the state in which the engagement protrusion 21 is inserted into the engagement hole portion 25 can be maintained. The facing portion 29 has a portion that is disposed at least on the casing 3 side (opposite the cover 5) of the engagement protrusion 21 with respect to the extension direction of the extension portion 19 when the engagement protrusion 21 is inserted into the engagement hole portion 25. For example, if the facing portion 29 is disposed on the cover 5 side of the engagement protrusion 21, the facing portion 29 presses only the base portion of the extension portion 19, so that the tip side of the extension portion 19 may lift up. In contrast, by disposing the facing portion 29 on the casing 3 side of the engagement protrusion 21, the facing portion 29 can prevent the tip side of the extension portion 19 from lifting up, and the state in which the engagement protrusion 21 is inserted into the engagement hole portion 25 can be stably maintained. A confirmation hole 35 is formed in the upper surface of the facing portion 29, which is formed in a frame shape, penetrating the facing portion 29. The confirmation hole 35 is provided at a position corresponding to the engaging projection 21. Therefore, when the cover 5 is assembled to the casing 3, it is possible to visually confirm through the confirmation hole 35 whether the engaging projection 21 is inserted into the engaging hole portion 25. In addition, the confirmation hole 35 extends along the assembly direction of the cover 5 to the casing 3, and it is possible to visually confirm whether the extending portion 19 is inserted into the facing portion 29.

[0027] In such a holding portion 17, as shown in Fig. 7, when the cover 5 is assembled to the casing 3, the extension portion 19 is inserted into the opposing portion 29, and the tip of the extension portion 19 is disposed opposite the inclined surface of the engagement projection 21. As shown in Fig. 8, when the cover 5 is moved in the assembly direction relative to the casing 3, the extension portion 19 slides against the inclined surface of the engagement projection 21, and the elastic piece 23 is elastically deformed toward the inside of the casing 3. As shown in Fig. 9, when the cover 5 is assembled to the casing 3, the engagement projection 21 is disposed in the engagement hole portion 25, the elastic piece 23 is restored from the elastic deformation, and the engagement projection 21 is inserted into the engagement hole portion 25.

[0028] In such a retaining portion 17, the elastic piece 23 located on the inner side of the casing 3 than the extension portion 19 is elastically deformed, so that the engaging protrusion 21 can be inserted into the engaging hole portion 25 without elastically deforming the extension portion 19. Therefore, the extension portion 19 can be provided with a rigidity that does not cause the extension portion 19 to deform when an external force is applied to the cover 5, and it is possible to prevent the engaging protrusion 21 from coming off the engaging hole portion 25 due to the deformation of the extension portion 19. In addition, since the extension portion 19 is disposed on the outer side of the elastic piece 23 of the casing 3, a direct external force is not applied to the elastic piece 23, and it is possible to prevent the engaging protrusion 21 from coming off the engaging hole portion 25.

[0029] Such an air conditioner 1 includes a casing 3 having an air passage formed therein through which air flows, and a cover 5 attached to the casing 3. The casing 3 and the cover 5 are provided with a holding portion 17 for holding the cover 5 attached to the casing 3. The holding portion 17 further includes an extension portion 19 provided on the cover 5 and extending toward the casing 3 to be disposed on the outer surface of the wall portion 31 of the casing 3, and an engagement protrusion 21 protruding from the outer surface of the wall portion 31 of the casing 3 toward the extension portion 19. The engagement protrusion 21 is provided on an elastically deformable elastic piece 23 via a slit 33 penetrating the wall portion 31 disposed around the engagement protrusion 21. The extension portion 19 includes an engagement hole portion 25 into which the engagement protrusion 21 is inserted, and a blocking portion 27 for blocking the slit 33 when the engagement protrusion 21 is inserted into the engagement hole portion 25.

[0030] Since the elastic piece 23 located on the inner side of the casing 3 from the extension part 19 is elastically deformed, the engagement protrusion 21 can be inserted into the engagement hole 25 without elastically deforming the extension part 19. Therefore, when an external force is applied to the cover 5, the extension part 19 can be provided with a rigidity that does not deform the extension part 19, and the engagement protrusion 21 can be prevented from coming off the engagement hole 25 due to the deformation of the extension part 19. In addition, since the extension part 19 is disposed on the outer side of the casing 3 of the elastic piece 23, no direct external force is applied to the elastic piece 23, and the engagement protrusion 21 can be prevented from coming off the engagement hole 25. In addition, the slit 33 that allows the elastic piece 23 to be elastically deformed is blocked by the blocking part 27 of the extension part 19 disposed on the outer side of the casing 3, so that the air flowing through the air passage does not leak from the slit 33. Therefore, air with a stably adjusted temperature can be blown out from the air outlet 9, and the air conditioning performance can be maintained.

[0031] Therefore, in such an air conditioner 1, the engaging projections 21 can be maintained in a state inserted into the engaging holes 25, and the cover 5 can be stably held on the casing 3.

[0032] Furthermore, the casing 3 has an opposing portion 29 that is disposed opposite the surface of the extension portion 19 on the protruding direction side of the engaging projection 21 when the engaging projection 21 is inserted into the engaging hole portion 25 .

[0033] Therefore, when extension portion 19 attempts to move in the protruding direction of engagement protrusion 21, it abuts against opposing portion 29. Due to the abutment between extension portion 19 and opposing portion 29, engagement protrusion 21 will not slip out of engagement hole portion 25, and the state in which engagement protrusion 21 is inserted into engagement hole portion 25 can be maintained.

[0034] Furthermore, the facing portion 29 is disposed at least closer to the casing 3 side than the engaging projection 21 in the extending direction of the extending portion 19 .

[0035] Therefore, the facing portion 29 can prevent the tip side of the extension portion 19 from rising up, and the state in which the engagement projection 21 is inserted into the engagement hole portion 25 can be stably maintained.

[0036] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

[0037] For example, the extension is provided on the cover and the engagement protrusion is provided on the casing, but this is not limiting, and the extension may be provided on the casing and the engagement protrusion on the cover. In this case, for example, a cylindrical wall extending toward the casing may be provided on the cover, the engagement protrusion may be provided on this wall, and the extension of the casing may be disposed on the outer surface of the wall of the cover.

[0038] Further, the cover is provided with horizontal fins and the casing is provided with vertical fins, but this is not limiting, and the cover may be provided with vertical fins and the casing may be provided with horizontal fins.

[0039] In addition, the air conditioner according to the present embodiment is applied to a vehicle interior space, but is not limited thereto. For example, the structure of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment can be applied to any vehicle component having an air passage, such as another vehicle part having an air passage through which air flows, or a blower device having an air passage through which air flows, as long as the component has a member that can be assembled to the member having an air passage.

[0040] In addition, the cover is attached to an opening on one side of the casing and has an air outlet, but is not limited thereto. For example, the cover may be attached to the casing as a member provided with a branch air passage that branches the air passage of the casing, or the cover may be attached to any position on the casing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1 Air conditioner 3. Casing 5 Cover 9 Air outlet 17 Holding part 19 Extension 21 Engagement protrusion 23 Elastic piece 25 Engagement hole 27 Occlusion 29 Opposing Part 31 Wall 33 Slit

Claims

1. a casing having an air passage formed therein through which air flows; A cover assembled to the casing; Equipped with The casing and the cover are provided with a holding portion for holding the cover in a state where the cover is attached to the casing, the holding portion has an extension portion that is provided on one of the casing and the cover, extends toward the other, and is disposed on an outer surface of the other wall portion, and an engagement projection that protrudes from the outer surface of the other wall portion toward the extension portion, The engagement protrusion is provided on an elastically deformable elastic piece via a slit penetrating the wall portion disposed around the engagement protrusion, The extension portion has an engagement hole portion into which the engagement projection is inserted, and a closing portion that closes the slit when the engagement projection is inserted into the engagement hole portion.

2. The air conditioning device according to claim 1 , wherein the other of the casing and the cover has an opposing portion that is positioned opposite the surface of the engagement projection in the protruding direction relative to the extension portion when the engagement projection is inserted into the engagement hole portion.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 2 , wherein the facing portion is disposed at least on the other side of the casing and the cover relative to the engaging projection in a direction in which the extending portion extends.

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