Vehicular air-conditioning duct
The vehicle air conditioning duct addresses sealing issues by using a segmented design with joining ribs to create a continuous flat surface, enhancing the connection and seal integrity and structural strength.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024066693
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-04-17
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-29
AI Technical Summary
The existing air conditioning ducts in vehicles face issues with gaps forming between flanges at the end openings, leading to difficulties in ensuring a flat surface for connection with ventilators, which can impair the seal between the end opening and the ventilator.
A vehicle air conditioning duct design featuring a cylindrical duct body divided into multiple resin segments with joining ribs that extend to form a continuous flat surface at the outlet, increasing the contact area and allowing for gap-free connection with a connection target member, and optionally incorporating fiber-reinforced resin for enhanced rigidity and strength.
This design suppresses deterioration of the sealing performance between the outlet and the connected component, ensuring a secure and effective air flow path while providing structural integrity for supporting components like steering columns and airbags.
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Figure 2025163444000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioning duct for a vehicle. [Background technology]
[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an air conditioning duct that extends in the vehicle width direction inside the instrument panel of a vehicle. This air conditioning duct includes a side vent duct and a pair of center vent ducts. The side vent duct extends approximately horizontally from the left side ventilator to the right side ventilator. End openings that open toward the rear of the vehicle body are provided on both ends of the side vent duct. The pair of end openings are each connected to the side ventilators. The pair of center vent ducts branch off from the center of the side vent duct in the vehicle width direction and extend toward the rear of the vehicle body. The pair of center vent ducts each have an end opening at their rear end. The pair of end openings are each connected to the center ventilator.
[0003] The air conditioning duct is composed of an upper duct half and a lower duct half, both of which are injection molded. An upper flange and a lower flange are integrally formed on the upper duct half and the lower duct half, respectively. A downwardly protruding ridge is formed on the underside of the upper flange. The ridge is formed along the longitudinal direction of the side vent duct. The ridge and the upper surface of the lower flange are joined by vibration welding to obtain an air conditioning duct with a seal between the upper flange and the lower flange. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-106568 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0005] In such an air conditioning duct, the end opening is divided into a semicircular upper opening formed in the upper duct half and a semicircular lower opening formed in the lower duct half. If the upper and lower flanges extend to the upper and lower openings, gaps are likely to form between the flanges at the end opening. In this case, when connecting the end opening to a connection target component such as a ventilator, it is difficult to ensure a flat surface on which the ventilator can abut without gaps. As a result, there is a risk of impairing the seal between the end opening and the ventilator. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] Various aspects of a vehicle air conditioning duct for solving the above problems will be described. [Mode 1] A vehicle air conditioning duct comprising a cylindrical duct body extending in the vehicle width direction within an instrument panel, and a cylindrical outlet protruding radially outward from the duct body, the duct body being composed of a plurality of resin divided bodies including a first divided body and a second divided body that divide both the duct body and the outlet in the circumferential direction of the duct body, and wherein a flow path for air conditioning air is formed internally by joining joints extending along the peripheries of each of the plurality of divided bodies, and wherein a joining rib is formed on at least one of the joints of both the first divided body and the second divided body, protruding toward the other joint, and the joining rib extends to a position where an end of the joining rib in the extension direction is flush with the tip surface of the outlet.
[0007] According to the above configuration, the end of the joining rib in the extending direction and the tip surface of the outlet form a circular flat portion that extends continuously in the circumferential direction of the outlet. Therefore, for example, by connecting a connection target member such as a passenger compartment air outlet attached to an instrument panel to the outlet in a manner that abuts the flat portion, the connection target member can be connected to the outlet without any gaps. Therefore, deterioration of the sealing performance between the outlet and the connection target member can be suppressed.
[0008] [Aspect 2] The thickness of the outlet in the radial direction of the outlet is greater at the tip end of the outlet, including the tip surface, than at the base end of the outlet in the radial direction of the duct body, and the end of the joining rib has a bent portion that is bent outward in the radial direction of the outlet.A vehicle air conditioning duct as described in [Aspect 1].
[0009] According to the above configuration, the area of the tip surface of the outlet is increased. Furthermore, as the area of the tip surface of the outlet is increased, the area of the end of the joining rib that is flush with the tip surface of the outlet can be increased by forming a bent portion at the end of the joining rib. As a result, the area of the annular flat surface formed by the end of the joining rib and the tip surface of the outlet can be increased. This ensures a sufficient contact area between the outlet and the connection target component on the flat surface. Furthermore, even if a separate sealing member is interposed between the outlet and the connection target component, sufficient space for arranging the sealing member can be ensured on the flat surface. Therefore, deterioration of the sealing performance between the outlet and the connection target component can be further suppressed.
[0010] [Aspect 3] A vehicle air conditioning duct as described in [Aspect 1] or [Aspect 2], wherein the tip portion includes a flange portion extending radially outward from the opening edge portion of the outlet.
[0011] According to the above configuration, an air-conditioning duct having an outlet whose tip end is thicker than its base end can be easily realized simply by forming a flange portion on the opening edge of the outlet.
[0012] [Aspect 4] A vehicle air conditioning duct described in any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 3], wherein each of the multiple divided bodies is integrally molded from fiber-reinforced resin, and the duct body is integrally formed with reinforcing ribs protruding from the outer surface of the duct body.
[0013] The above configuration improves the rigidity and strength of the multiple segments, and ultimately the vehicle air conditioning duct, allowing the vehicle air conditioning duct to be used as a vehicle beam supporting a steering column, airbags, etc. within the instrument panel. [Effects of the Invention]
[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the sealing performance between the outlet and the member to which the outlet is connected. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle beam in one embodiment of a vehicle air conditioning duct. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle beam of FIG. 1 as viewed from the opposite side. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is a perspective view showing a part of the upper split body of the vehicle beam of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a perspective view showing a part of the lower split body of the vehicle beam of FIG. 1. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] An embodiment of a vehicle air conditioning duct will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 6. In this embodiment, the present invention is embodied as a vehicle beam (hereinafter referred to as beam 10) having the function of an air conditioning duct.
[0017] Hereinafter, the longitudinal direction of the vehicle will be referred to as the longitudinal direction, and the front and rear in the longitudinal direction will be simply referred to as the front and rear. The width direction of the vehicle will be referred to as the vehicle width direction, and the right and left sides in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the rear to the front will be simply referred to as the right and left. The vertical direction of the vehicle when the vehicle is positioned on a horizontal plane will be referred to as the vertical direction, and the upper and lower sides in the vertical direction will be simply referred to as the upper and lower.
[0018] <Beam 10> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the beam 10 supports a steering column (both not shown) and the like within the instrument panel, extends in the vehicle width direction as a whole, and both ends in the vehicle width direction are attached to front pillars 13 that form the vehicle body (see Figure 2).
[0019] The beam 10 has a beam body 30 and a peripheral portion as other components. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the beam body 30 has a duct portion 31, an inlet 32, a plurality of outlets 33, and a pair of mounting portions .
[0020] The duct portion 31 extends in the vehicle width direction and mainly constitutes the beam main body 30. The duct portion 31 has a hollow shape (see FIG. 3). More specifically, the duct portion 31 has a cylindrical shape with both ends in the vehicle width direction closed. The duct portion 31 corresponds to the duct main body according to the present invention.
[0021] The inlet 32 is cylindrical and protrudes from the center of the duct portion 31 in the vehicle width direction toward the outside in the radial direction of the duct portion 31 (forward in this embodiment). An opening 32c that opens toward the front is provided at the front end of the inlet 32 (see FIG. 2). The opening 32c has a rectangular shape that is long in the vehicle width direction. The opening 32c is connected to the air conditioning unit 11. As a result, the inlet 32 functions to guide the air for conditioning A sent from the air conditioning unit 11 into the duct portion 31.
[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, each of the outlets 33 is cylindrical and protrudes from the duct portion 31 radially outward (rearward in this embodiment). An opening 33c that opens rearward is provided at the rear end of each outlet 33. The opening 33c is square (see FIG. 1). The opening 33c is connected to the air outlet 12 that is attached to the instrument panel and blows out air-conditioning air A toward the vehicle compartment. Thus, the outlet 33 functions to guide the air-conditioning air A toward the air outlet 12. In this embodiment, two outlets 33 are provided in the center of the duct portion 31 in the vehicle width direction, and one outlet 33 is provided at each end of the duct portion 31 in the vehicle width direction, corresponding to the air outlet 12 (see FIG. 1).
[0023] Each of the outlets 33 has a flange portion 33d extending from the edge of the opening 33c toward the outside in the radial direction of the outlet 33. In a pair of outlets 33 arranged in the center of the duct portion 31, the flange portions 33d are integrally formed with each other (see FIG. 1).
[0024] 4, the thickness T1 of the distal end 33A of the outlet 33 in the radial direction is greater than the thickness T2 of the proximal end 33B of the outlet 33 in the front-rear direction (T1>T2). This causes the area of the distal end surface 33e of the outlet 33 to expand radially outward.
[0025] 1 and 2, one mounting portion 34 is provided on each end of the duct portion 31 in the vehicle width direction. Each mounting portion 34 has an upper mounting portion 34a that protrudes upward from the outer surface of the duct portion 31 and a lower mounting portion 34b that protrudes downward from the outer surface. When each mounting portion 34 is fastened to the front pillars 13 on both sides of the vehicle body, the beam main body 30, and therefore the beam 10, is fixed to the vehicle body (see FIG. 2).
[0026] The peripheral portion includes a plurality of support portions for attaching various components to the beam body 30 and a plurality of stay portions for connecting the beam body 30 to the vehicle body. The plurality of support portions include a steering support portion to which a steering column is fastened via a bracket or the like, and an airbag support portion to which an airbag device case is fastened via a bracket or the like. For example, if the vehicle is a right-hand drive vehicle, the steering support portion is integrally formed with the right side portion of the beam body 30. In this case, the airbag support portion is integrally formed with the left side portion of the beam body 30. The plurality of stay portions are, for example, integrally formed with the right side portion of the beam body 30 and fastened to a cowl panel or dash panel of the vehicle body. Note that for convenience, the peripheral portion and the portion of the beam body 30 where the peripheral portion is provided are not shown in Figures 1 and 2.
[0027] <Upper divided body 21, lower divided body 25> As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the beam 10 is made up of a plurality of divided bodies. In this embodiment, the beam 10 is made up of two divided bodies: an upper divided body 21 that forms the upper part of the beam 10, and a lower divided body 25 that forms the lower part of the beam 10. The divided bodies 21 and 25 divide the beam main body 30 into two in the circumferential direction of the duct portion 31. The upper divided body 21 and the lower divided body 25 correspond to the first divided body and the second divided body according to the present invention.
[0028] Each of the divided bodies 21, 25 is integrally molded from a resin material. From the viewpoint of improving rigidity and strength, it is preferable to use a fiber-reinforced resin as the resin material. In this embodiment, a polyamide resin containing glass fiber is used.
[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the upper split body 21 has an upper beam half body 30 a that constitutes the upper half of the beam main body 30 . The upper beam half 30a has a semi-cylindrical upper peripheral wall 31a, an upper inlet half 32a connected to the upper peripheral wall 31a and protruding forward, and a plurality of upper outlet half 33a connected to the upper peripheral wall 31a and protruding rearward. The upper beam half 30a includes a pair of upper mounting portions 34a.
[0030] The upper peripheral wall portion 31a constitutes the upper half of the duct portion 31. The upper inlet half body 32a constitutes the upper half of the inlet 32. The plurality of upper outlet half bodies 33a constitute the upper half of each of the plurality of outlets 33.
[0031] An upper joint portion 22 is provided along the periphery of the upper half body 21. More specifically, the flange-shaped upper joint portion 22 is integrally provided on the periphery of the upper peripheral wall portion 31a and on the lower end portions of the upper inlet half body 32a and the upper outlet half body 33a that are continuous with the periphery.
[0032] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the upper joint portion 22 has an upper opposing surface 23 extending along the dividing surface of the beam body 30, and an upper joint rib 24 protruding downward from the upper opposing surface 23.
[0033] 5, an end 24a of the upper joining rib 24 in the extension direction extends to a position where it is flush with the tip surface 33e of the outlet 33. The end 24a of the upper joining rib 24 is bent toward the outside in the radial direction of the outlet 33 to form a bent portion 24b. In this embodiment, a rear end surface 24c of the bent portion 24b is flush with the tip surface 33e of the outlet 33.
[0034] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6, the lower split body 25 has a lower beam half body 30b that constitutes the lower half of the beam main body 30. The lower beam half 30b has a semi-cylindrical lower peripheral wall 31b, a lower inlet half 32b connected to the lower peripheral wall 31b and protruding forward, and a plurality of lower outlet half 33b connected to the lower peripheral wall 31b and protruding rearward. The lower beam half 30b includes a pair of lower mounting portions 34b.
[0035] The lower peripheral wall portion 31b constitutes the lower half of the duct portion 31. The lower inlet half body 32b constitutes the lower half of the inlet 32. The plurality of lower outlet half bodies 33b constitute the lower half of each of the plurality of outlets 33.
[0036] A lower joint portion 26 is provided along the periphery of the lower segment 25. More specifically, the flange-shaped lower joint portion 26 is integrally provided on the periphery of the lower peripheral wall portion 31b and on the upper ends of the lower inlet half body 32b and the lower outlet half body 33b that are continuous with the periphery.
[0037] 3, 4, and 6, the lower joint portion 26 has a lower opposing surface 27 extending along the dividing surface of the beam body 30, and a lower joint rib 28 protruding upward from the lower opposing surface 27. The lower opposing surface 27 faces the upper opposing surface 23 in the up-down direction.
[0038] 6, an end 28a of the lower joining rib 28 in the extension direction extends to a position where it is flush with a tip surface 33e of the outlet 33. A bent portion 28b is formed at the end 28a of the lower joining rib 28 by bending the end 28a radially outward from the outlet 33. In this embodiment, an end surface 28c at the rear of the bent portion 28b is flush with the tip surface 33e of the outlet 33.
[0039] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the upper joining rib 24 and the lower joining rib 28 are welded together using a known welding method such as vibration welding, thereby joining the upper joining portion 22 and the lower joining portion 26, and ultimately the upper division body 21 and the lower division body 25 together. As a result, a flow path 40 is formed within the beam 10 through which the air-conditioning air A sent from the air conditioner 11 flows (see FIGS. 3 and 4). In addition, the tip end surface 33e and the end surfaces 24c and 28c form an annular flat portion 35 that extends continuously in the circumferential direction of the outlet 33 (see FIGS. 1, 5, and 6). A seal member 50, for example, is attached to the flat portion 35 (see FIG. 4).
[0040] <Upper reinforcement rib 36a, lower reinforcement rib 36b> 1 to 4, the beam body 30 has an upper reinforcing rib 36a and a lower reinforcing rib 36b. Note that the reinforcing ribs 36a and 36b are not shown in FIGS.
[0041] Upper reinforcing ribs 36a are integrally formed on the upper beam half 30a. The upper reinforcing ribs 36a protrude upward from the outer surface of the upper peripheral wall 31a and extend in a mesh pattern along the outer surface. The protruding height of the upper reinforcing ribs 36a is constant throughout their extension.
[0042] Lower reinforcing ribs 36b are integrally formed on the lower beam half 30b. The lower reinforcing ribs 36b protrude downward from the outer surface of the lower peripheral wall 31b and extend in a mesh pattern along the outer surface. The protruding height of the lower reinforcing ribs 36b is constant throughout their extension.
[0043] <Operation of this embodiment> Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. An annular flat portion 35 that extends continuously in the circumferential direction of the outlet 33 is formed by end faces 24c, 28c of the ends 24a, 28a of the joining ribs 24, 28 in the extending direction and a tip end face 33e of the outlet 33. Therefore, for example, if the air outlet 12 on the passenger compartment side attached to the instrument panel is connected to the outlet 33 in a manner that abuts against the flat portion 35, the air outlet 12 can be connected to the outlet 33 without any gaps.
[0044] <Effects of this embodiment> Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The beam 10 includes a cylindrical duct portion 31 extending in the vehicle width direction within the instrument panel, and a cylindrical outlet 33 protruding rearward from the duct portion 31. The beam 10 is composed of an upper segment 21 and a lower segment 25 made of resin, which divide both the duct portion 31 and the outlet 33 in the circumferential direction of the duct portion 31. By joining joints 22, 26 extending along the peripheries of the segments 21, 25, a flow path 40 through which the air-conditioning air A flows is formed inside the beam main body 30. Joining ribs 24, 28 are formed at both the joints 22, 26 of the upper segment 21 and the lower segment 25. The joining ribs 24, 28 extend to positions where end portions 24a, 28a in the extension direction of the joining ribs 24, 28 are flush with the tip surface 33e of the outlet 33.
[0045] This configuration provides the above-mentioned effects, and therefore, it is possible to prevent deterioration in the sealing performance between the outlet 33 and the air outlet 12 as the connection target member. (2) The thickness of the outlet 33 in the radial direction of the outlet 33 is greater at the tip end 33A including the tip surface 33e than at the base end 33B. The ends 24a, 28a of the joining ribs 24, 28 are formed with bent portions 24b, 28b that are bent outward in the radial direction of the outlet 33.
[0046] According to this configuration, the area of the tip surface 33e of the outlet 33 is increased. Furthermore, as the area of the tip surface 33e of the outlet 33 is increased, the area of the end portions 24a, 28a of the joining ribs 24, 28 that are flush with the tip surface 33e of the outlet 33 can be increased by forming bent portions 24b, 28b at the ends 24a, 28a of the joining ribs 24, 28. As a result, the area of the annular flat surface portion 35 formed by the bent portions 24b, 28b of the joining ribs 24, 28 and the tip surface 33e of the outlet 33 can be increased. This ensures a sufficient contact area between the outlet 33 and the air outlet 12 on the flat surface 35. Furthermore, even if a separate seal member 50 is interposed between the outlet 33 and the air outlet 12, the flat surface portion 35 ensures sufficient space for the seal member 50. This further reduces deterioration in the sealing performance between the outlet 33 and the air outlet 12.
[0047] (3) The tip portion 33A includes a flange portion 33d that extends from the opening edge of the outlet 33 to the outside in the radial direction of the outlet 33. With this configuration, simply by forming a flange portion 33d at the opening edge of the outlet 33, it is possible to easily realize a beam 10 having an outlet 33 in which the plate thickness T2 of the tip end 33A is greater than the plate thickness T1 of the base end 33B.
[0048] (4) Each of the divided bodies 21 and 25 is integrally molded from fiber-reinforced resin. The duct portion 31 is integrally formed with reinforcing ribs 36a and 36b that protrude from the outer surface of the duct portion 31.
[0049] This configuration improves the rigidity and strength of the multiple segments 21, 25, and ultimately the beam 10. Therefore, the beam 10 can be used as a vehicle beam that supports a steering column, airbags, etc. in an instrument panel while still functioning as an air conditioning duct.
[0050] <Example of change> This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.
[0051] The protruding height of the upper reinforcing rib 36a and the lower reinforcing rib 36b does not have to be uniform throughout the entire extension direction. The inlet 32 is not limited to one that protrudes forward from the duct portion 31, and the protruding direction may be changed as appropriate as long as it protrudes in the radial direction of the duct portion 31.
[0052] The inlet 32 is not limited to one that protrudes from the duct portion 31, but may be one that is simply constituted by the opening 32c. The shapes of the openings 32c, 33c of the inlet 32 and the outlet 33 are not limited to the shapes exemplified in this embodiment, and may be, for example, oval shapes that are long in the vehicle width direction.
[0053] The outlet 33 does not need to include the flange portion 33d as long as the thickness T1 of the tip end 33A is greater than the thickness T2 of the base end 33B. For example, as in the outlet 133 shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure 4, the thickness may increase radially outward as it extends rearward.
[0054] This configuration provides the same effect as effect (2) of this embodiment. The outlet 33 is not limited to one in which the thickness T1 of the tip end 33A is greater than the thickness T2 of the base end, and may have a constant thickness in the radial direction of the duct portion 31 (T1=T2), for example.
[0055] The outlet 33 is not limited to one that protrudes rearward from the duct portion 31, and the protruding direction may be changed as appropriate as long as it protrudes in the radial direction of the duct portion 31. The connection target member connected to the outlet 33 is not limited to the air outlet 12 exemplified in this embodiment, but may be, for example, another air conditioning duct that connects the outlet 33 and the air outlet 12 .
[0056] The sealing member 50 can be omitted. In the present embodiment, the joining ribs 24, 28 protrude from the joining portions 22, 26, respectively, but this is not limiting, and one of the joining ribs 24, 28 may be omitted. In this case, the other joining rib may be welded to the opposing surface of one of the joining portions by vibration welding or the like.
[0057] The method for joining the upper segment 21 and the lower segment 25 is not limited to welding, as exemplified in this embodiment. Any joining method can be used as long as the flow path 40 and the flat portion 35 are formed by joining the segments 21, 25 together. For example, the upper segment 21 and the lower segment 25 may be joined by fastening them at any desired locations using multiple bolts. In this case, one of the joining portions 22, 26 of the segments 21, 25 may be omitted, and a recess into which the other joining rib fits may be formed in the one joining portion, so that the joining rib and the recess fit together to seal the space between the joining portions 22, 26.
[0058] The beam 10 is not limited to being divided into the upper segment 21 and the lower segment 25 as illustrated in this embodiment. It may be divided into three or more segments in the circumferential direction of the duct portion 31 as long as both the duct portion 31 and the outlet 33 are divided in the circumferential direction of the duct portion 31.
[0059] The shape of the duct portion 31 is not limited to the cylindrical shape exemplified in this embodiment, but may be, for example, a rectangular cylindrical shape. In the present embodiment, the split bodies 21, 25 are each integrally molded from fiber-reinforced resin, but for example, the beam half bodies 30a, 30b constituting the beam main body 30 may each be integrally molded from fiber-reinforced resin, and the peripheral portion, which is the other component, may be formed separately from a metal material.
[0060] The vehicle air conditioning duct according to the present invention is not limited to the beam 10 having the functions of an air conditioning duct as exemplified in this embodiment. The present invention can also be embodied as a vehicle air conditioning duct provided separately from the beam within the instrument panel. In this case, the vehicle air conditioning duct is not limited to being made of fiber-reinforced resin as exemplified in this embodiment, and may be made of a resin material that does not contain fibers.
[0061] With this configuration, it is possible to omit the mounting portion 34 and the surrounding portion. Also, since the rigidity and strength required are not as high as in a vehicle beam, it is possible to omit the reinforcing ribs 36a, 36b.
[0062] The vehicle air conditioning duct according to the present invention is not limited to applications in right-hand drive vehicles, but may also be applied to left-hand drive vehicles. [Explanation of symbols]
[0063] A: Air conditioning air T1...plate thickness T2…Plate thickness 10...Beam 11...Air conditioner 12…Air outlet 13...Front pillar 21...Upper division body 22...Upper joint 23...Upper facing surface 24...Upper joining rib 24a...end 24b...Bending part 24c...end face 25…lower division body 26…Lower joint part 27...Lower opposing surface 28...Lower joining rib 28a...end 28b...Bending part 28c...end face 30...Beam body 30a...Upper beam half 30b...Lower beam half 31...Duct section 31a...Upper peripheral wall part 31b…Lower peripheral wall part 32...Inlet 32a...Upper inlet half 32b...Lower inlet half 32c…opening 33,133...Outlet 33A…Tip 33B…Proximal end 33a...Upper outlet half 33b...Lower outlet half 33c…Opening 33d...Flange 33e…Tip surface 34...Mounting part 34a...Upper mounting part 34b...Lower mounting part 35...Plane part 36a...Upper reinforcing rib 36b...Lower reinforcing rib 40...Flow path 50...Sealing member
Claims
1. a cylindrical duct body extending in a vehicle width direction within an instrument panel; and a cylindrical outlet protruding from the duct body toward an outer side in a radial direction of the duct body, the duct body is made up of a plurality of resin divided bodies, including a first divided body and a second divided body that divide both the duct body and the outlet in the circumferential direction of the duct body, A flow path through which air-conditioning air flows is formed inside the vehicle air-conditioning duct by joining joint portions extending along peripheral edges of each of the plurality of divided bodies, a joining rib protruding toward the other joining portion of the first divided body and the second divided body is formed on at least one of the joining portions of the first divided body and the second divided body; The joining rib extends to a position where an end portion in an extension direction of the joining rib is flush with a tip surface of the outlet. Air conditioning duct for vehicles.
2. a plate thickness of the outlet in a radial direction of the outlet is greater at a tip end portion of the outlet including the tip surface than at a base end portion of the outlet in a radial direction of the duct body, A bent portion bent outward in the radial direction of the outlet is formed at the end of the joining rib. The air conditioning duct for a vehicle according to claim 1.
3. The tip portion includes a flange portion extending from an opening edge portion of the outlet toward the outside in the radial direction of the outlet. The air conditioning duct for a vehicle according to claim 2.
4. Each of the plurality of divisions is integrally molded from fiber reinforced resin, The duct body is integrally formed with a reinforcing rib protruding from the outer surface of the duct body. The air conditioning duct for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Air-conditioning duct for vehicle
JP2004106568A