Heating ventilation and air-conditioning system

Abstract

HEATING VENTILATION AND AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM 5 A HVAC system (100) for a vehicle comprising a housing comprising at least one first outlet vent (106a, 106b) fluidically connected to at least one first fluid passage (108a, 108b) and at least one second outlet vent (110) fluidically connected to at least one second fluid passage (112); at least two spaced divider plates (114a, 114b) configured to divide 10 a volume of the housing (102) into the first fluid passage (108a, 108b) and the second fluid passage (112); and a door assembly (116) rotatably configured with the divider plates (114a, 114b) at an upstream of the first fluid passage (108a, 108b) and the second fluid passage (112) to selectively open and close inlet areas of the first fluid passage (108a, 15 108b) and the second fluid passage (112). A shaft (122) of the door assembly (116) is extended through holes (118a, 118b) of the divider plates (114a, 114b). of Abstract – FIG. 3 20

Description

[0001] TITLE

[0002] HEATING VENTILATION AND AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The present invention generally relates to climate control systems used in vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved heating ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system for the vehicles.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] As is well known that vehicles are provided with heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems to provide conditioned air in the passenger compartments for maintaining pleasant climate and enhance occupant’s comfort. Such a conventional HVAC system includes a HVAC housing having two conditioned air vents and a defrost vent. The defrost vent is fluidically connected to a defrost air passage, and the conditioned air vents are fluidically connected to conditioned air passages. Conditioned air, either hot or cold air, flow out through the conditioned air vents and circulate into the passenger cabin of the vehicle when the HVAC system operates in an air-conditioning mode. The defrost vent is provided to circulate hot air to the windshields of the vehicle when the HVAC system operates in a defrost mode. Further, a door including a defrost door panel and two vent door panels on two opposite sides of the defrost door panel is provided at an upstream of the defrost air passage and the conditioned air passages in such a way that the door panels selectively closes or opens the defrost air passage and the conditioned air passages. In air-conditioning mode, the defrost door panel closes the defrost passage and the vent door panels open the conditioned air passages to direct the conditioned air to the conditioned air vent and discharge to the passenger cabin. In defrost mode, the vent door panels closes the conditioned air passages and the defrost door panel opens the defrost passage to redirect hot air to the defrost vent and blows the hot air at the windshield.

[0007] However, in the air-conditioning mode, even though the defrost door panel closes the defrost passage, some portion of conditioned air flows into the defrost air passage, due to leakage of conditioned air through gaps and / or openings between divider walls and semi-circular plates of the door abutting the divider walls, and flow out through the defrost vent on the windshield. As the conditioned air hits on the windshield, mist formation occurs on the windshield due to temperature difference between inside and outside of the vehicle cabin. Such mist formation may leads to inadequate visibility to the driver causing discomfort while driving which in turn may results in severe vehicle accidents.

[0008] Therefore, there is need to provide a simple and efficient solution of the abovementioned problem of the conventional HVAC system of the vehicles.

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention discloses an improved and efficient heating ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system for the vehicles. The proposed HVAC system can stop leakage of the conditioned air through the defrost air passage during the air-conditioning mode or vent mode.

[0011] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the proposed HVAC system includes a housing defined by at least two casings and comprising at least one first outlet vent fluidically connected to at least one first fluid passage and at least one second outlet vent fluidically connected to at least one second fluid passage, and at least two spaced divider plates configured in the housing to divide a volume of the housing into the first fluid passage and the second fluid passage. The divider plates comprise holes along a first axis. In addition, the HVAC system includes a door assembly rotatably configured with the divider plates at an upstream of the first fluid passage and the second fluid passage to selectively open and close inlet areas of the first fluid passage and the second fluid passage. In addition, a shaft of the door assembly is extended through the holes of the divider plates.

[0012] The first fluid passage and the second fluid passage are delimited between the casings and the divider plates.

[0013] The door assembly comprises at least one first door portion and at least one second door portion detachably attached to the first door portion. The first door portion is adapted to selectively open and close the inlet area of the first fluid passage, and the second door portion is adapted to selectively open and close the inlet area of the second fluid passage.

[0014] Each of the first door portion comprises at least one first door panel coupled to at least one first shaft portion.

[0015] The first shaft portion comprises at least one first flange at a side end abutting with the respective divider plate around the corresponding hole.

[0016] The second door portion comprises at least one second door panel coupled to at least one second shaft portion.

[0017] The second shaft portion comprises one or more second flanges at side ends abutting with the respective divider plates around the corresponding holes.

[0018] The second shaft portion further comprises at least one receptacle portion on at least one side to detachably receive at least one engaging part of the first shaft portion. The engagement between the second shaft portion and the first shaft portion enables the first door portion and the second door portion to rotate with each other. The second shaft portion and the first shaft portion at the engaged condition define the shaft of the door assembly.

[0019] At least one of the divider plates comprise one or more first protruded ribs abut with the first door panel when the first door panel is moved to a closed positon to close the inlet area of the first fluid passage.

[0020] In addition, at least one of the divider plates comprise one or more second protruded ribs abut with the second door panel when the second door panel is moved to a closed positon to close the inlet area of the second fluid passage.

[0021] Besides, the second door panel comprises a coating of sealing material on at least side edge portion of the second door panel.

[0022] Further, the divider plates are coupled to each other through one or more joining bridges.

[0023] Furthermore, the divider plates comprise third flanges with sealing material at edges adjoining with the respective casings of the housing.

[0024] In accordance with another embodiment, the present invention discloses a vehicle comprising a HVAC system such as one disclosed above.

[0025] In the present description, some elements or parameters may be indexed, such as a first element and a second element. In this case, unless stated otherwise, this indexation is only meant to differentiate and name elements which are similar but not identical. No idea of priority should be inferred from such indexation, as these terms may be switched without betraying the invention. Additionally, this indexation does not imply any order in mounting or use of the elements of the invention.

[0026] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention can be inferred from the description of the invention hereunder. A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures, wherein:

[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates a HVAC system for a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of a housing with divider plates of the HVAC system of FIG. 1 ;

[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates the divider plates with a door assembly in a vent mode of the HVAC system of FIG. 1 ;

[0031] FIG. 4 illustrates the divider plates with the door assembly in a defrost mode of the HVAC system of FIG. 1 ;

[0032] FIG. 5 illustrates the divider plates and the door assembly in a ventfoot mode of the HVAC system of FIG. 1 ;

[0033] FIG. 6 illustrates the divider plates of the HVAC system of FIG. 1 ;

[0034] FIG. 7 illustrates the door assembly of the HVAC system of FIG. 1 ; and FIG. 8 illustrates exploded view of the door assembly of the HVAC system of FIG. 1.

[0035] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] It must be noted that the figures disclose the invention in a detailed enough way to be implemented, the figures helping to better define the invention if needs be. The invention should however not be limited to the embodiments disclosed in the description.

[0037] The present invention is explained in the forthcoming description and the accompanying drawings with an example of an improved, simple, efficient, economical HVAC system for the vehicles, which can stop leakage of the conditioned air through the defrost air passage during the air- conditioning mode or vent mode.

[0038] It is to be appreciated that though the embodiments of the present invention has been described with an example of HVAC for a vehicle, however the concept of present application is also applicable for any other vehicular and non-vehicular applications.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the proposed HVAC system 100 for a vehicle includes a housing 102 defined by at least two casings 104a and 104b which are coupled to each other. The housing 102 comprises a pair of first outlet vents 106a and 106b fluidically connected to respective first fluid passages 108a and 108b defined on two opposite sides in the housing 102, and a second outlet vent 110 configure between the first outlet vents 106a and 106b, and fluidically connected to a second fluid passage 112 configured between the first fluid passages 108a and 108b. In addition, two spaced divider plates 1 14a and 1 14b are configured in the housing 102 and extended along a longitudinal axis or length of the housing 102. The divider plates 114a and 1 14b divide a volume of the housing 102 into the first fluid passages 108a and 108b and the second fluid passage 1 12. For instance, the first fluid passage 108a is defined between the divider plate 1 14a and the casing 104a on one side of the housing 102, whereas another first fluid passages 108b is defined between the divider plate 1 14b and another casing 104b on the other side of the housing 102. The second fluid passage 112 is defined in the space between the divider plates 114a and 114b and the casings 104a and 104b. Besides, the divider plates 1 14a and 1 14b comprise holes 118a and 1 18b along a first axis 120 for mounting of a door assembly 116.

[0040] The door assembly 116 is rotatably configured with the divider plates 1 14a and 1 14b at an upstream of the first fluid passages 108a and 108b and the second fluid passage 1 12. The door assembly 1 16 is adapted to selectively open and close inlet areas of the first fluid passages 108a and 108b and the second fluid passage 1 12. A shaft 122 of the door assembly 116 is extended through the holes 1 18a and 118b of the divider plates 1 14a, 114b.

[0041] The divider plates 1 14a and 1 14b are coupled to each other through one or more joining bridges 150 extended between the plates 1 14a and 1 14b. The joining bridges 150 can connect the divider plates 1 14a and 1 14b at different positions along the length of the divider plates 1 14a and 1 14b. Shapes and dimensions of the joining bridges 150 can be different.

[0042] Further, the door assembly 1 16 comprises a pair of first door portions 124a and 124b, and a second door portion 126 configured between the first door portions 124a and 124b. The second door portion 126 is detachably attached to first door portions 124a and 124b. The first door portions 124a and 124b are configured on two opposite sides of the divider plates 1 14a and 1 14b at the upstream of the respective first fluid passages 108a and 108b, and the second door portion 126 is configured between the divider plates 1 14a and 1 14b at the upstream of the second fluid passage 112. The first door portions 124a and 124b are adapted to selectively open and close the inlet area of the first fluid passages 108a and 108b, and the second door portion 126 is adapted to selectively open and close the inlet area of the second fluid passage 1 12.

[0043] In addition, referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the first door portions 124a and 124b include first door panels 128a and 128b and first shaft portions 130a and 130b. The door panel 128a is coupled to the first shaft portion 130a configured on one side of the door assembly 1 16 and the other door panel 128b is coupled to other first shaft portion 130b configured on the other side opposite to the first shaft portion 130a. Besides, the second door portion 126 comprises a second door panel 134 and a second shaft portion 136 to which the second door panel 134 is secured. The second shaft portion 136 is detachably attached to the first shaft portions 130a and 130b at its opposite ends.

[0044] In an embodiment, the first shaft portion 130b is provided with an engagement portion 131 having a plurality of gear teeth for engagement with a kinematic gear mechanism (not shown). The door assembly 1 16 is operate by the kinematic gear mechanism to move the door assembly 116 in different mode positions, like a vent mode (shown in FIG. 3), a defrost mode (shown in FIG. 4), a vent-foot mode (shown in FIG. 5), and other modes (not shown) such as a foot mode, a foot-defrost mode etc. The first door portions 124a and 124b and the second door portion 126 rotate simultaneously about the first axis 120 which is extended along the length of the shaft 122 of the door assembly 1 16. In the vent mode, as shown in FIG. 3, the first door panels, also called vent door panels, 128a and 128b moves to the open position to open the first fluid passages, also called conditioned air passages, 108a and 108b to direct and / or circulate the conditioned air through the first fluid passages 108a and 108b to conditioned air vent and discharge to a passenger cabin, whereas the second door panel, also called defrost door, 134 is moved to the closed position to close the inlet area of the second fluid passage, also called defrost passage, 1 12 to prevent flow of the hot air through the second fluid passage 1 12.

[0045] In the defrost mode, as shown in FIG. 4, the first door panels128a and 128b moves to the closed position to close the first fluid passages / conditioned air passages 108a and 108b to stop flow of the conditioned air through the first fluid passages 108a and 108b, whereas the second door panel 134 is moved to the open position to open the inlet area of the second fluid passage / defrost passage 1 12 to direct and / or circulate the hot air through the second fluid passage 1 12 to defrost vent and blow out the hot air on a windshield of the vehicle.

[0046] In the vent-foot mode, as shown in FIG. 5, the first door panels128a and 128b and the second door panel 134 can move at partially open positions.

[0047] Again referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the first shaft portions 130a and 130b include corresponding first flanges 132a and 132b at a side end abutting with the respective divider plates 1 14a and 1 14b around the corresponding holes 1 18a and 1 18b. The first flanges 132a and 132b surround and / or cover the holes 1 18a and 118b to prevent leakage of the air between the first fluid passages 108a and 108b and the second fluid passage / defrost passage 1 12. Besides, the second shaft portion 136 also includes second flanges 138a and 138b at opposite side ends abutting with the respective divider plates 1 14a and 1 14b around the corresponding holes 118a and 1 18b. The second flanges 138a and 138b also surround and / or cover respective the holes 118a and 1 18b to prevent leakage of the air between the first fluid passages 108a and 108b and the second fluid passage / defrost passage 1 12.

[0048] In addition, the second shaft portion 136 comprises receptacle portions 140a and 140b on the opposite side end portions to detachably / removably receive engaging parts 142a and 142b of the first shaft portions 130a and 130b. For instance, the receptacle portions 140a and 140b of the second shaft portion 136 comprises holes with internal serrations to engage with external splines provided on the engaging parts 142a and 142b of the first shaft portions 130a and 130b. The engagement between the second shaft portions 136 with the first shaft portions 130a and 130b enables the first door portions 124a and 124b and the second door portion 126 to rotate with each other about the first axis 120. In addition, the second shaft portion 136 and the first shaft portion 130a and 130b at the engaged condition define the shaft 122 of the door assembly 1 16. While assembly, first the second shaft portions 136 is placed between the divider plates 1 14a and 1 14b and then the first shaft portions 130a and 130b are engaged to the second shaft portions 136 from the opposite sides.

[0049] Again referring to FIG. 6 to FIG.8, the divider plates 114a and 1 14b includes first protruded ribs 144 projecting towards the corresponding casings 104a and 104b. The first protruded ribs 144 abut with the first door panels 128a and 128b when the first door panels 128a and 128b are moved to the closed positon to close and / or seal the inlet area of the first fluid passages 108a and 108b. In addition, the first door panels 128a and 128b can be provided with sealing materials 109 like foam and / or rubber at the edge portion for sealing. Further, the divider plates 1 14a and 1 14b includes second protruded ribs 146 extended in the gap between the plates 114a and 1 14b. The divider plates 1 14a and 1 14b abut with the second door panel 134 when the second door panel 134 is moved to the closed positon to close and / or seal the inlet area of the second fluid passage 1 12. Besides, the second door panel 134 includes a coating 148 of sealing material, for instance foam and / or rubber, on side edge portions of the second door panel 134 for sealing. In addition, the joining bridges 150 at the inlet area of the second fluid passage 112 can act like resting surface of the second door panel 134.

[0050] Furthermore, the divider plates 1 14a and 1 14b include third flanges 154a and 154b with sealing material at edges. The third flanges 154a and 154b adjoin with the respective casings 104a and 104b of the housing 102. All the above-described embodiments are just to explain the present invention while more embodiments and combinations thereof might exist. Hence, the present invention should not be limited to the above-described embodiments alone.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A heating ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system (100) for a motor vehicle, comprising: a housing (102) defined by at least two casings (104a, 104b) and comprising at least one first outlet vent (106a, 106b) fluidically connected to at least one first fluid passage (108a, 108b) and at least one second outlet vent (1 10) fluidically connected to at least one second fluid passage (1 12); at least two spaced divider plates (1 14a, 1 14b) configured in the housing (102) to divide a volume of the housing (102) into the first fluid passage (108a, 108b) and the second fluid passage (1 12), wherein the divider plates (1 14a, 1 14b) comprise holes (1 18a, 118b) along a first axis (120); and a door assembly (1 16) rotatably configured with the divider plates (114a, 114b) at an upstream of the first fluid passage (108a, 108b) and the second fluid passage (1 12) to selectively open and close inlet areas of the first fluid passage (108a, 108b) and the second fluid passage (1 12), wherein a shaft (122) of the door assembly (116) is extended through the holes (118a, 1 18b) of the divider plates (1 14a, 1 14b).

2. The HVAC system (100) as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein the first fluid passage (108a, 108b) and the second fluid passage (1 12) are delimited between the casings (104a, 104b) and the divider plates (114a, 114b).

3. The HVAC system (100) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the door assembly (1 16) comprises at least one first door portion (124a, 124b) and at least one second door portion (126) detachably attached to the first door portion (124a, 124b), wherein the first door portion (124a, 124b) is adapted to selectively open andclose the inlet area of the first fluid passage (108a, 108b), and the second door portion (126) is adapted to selectively open and close the inlet area of the second fluid passage (1 12).

4. The HVAC system (100) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the first door portion (124a, 124b) comprises at least one first door panel (128a, 128b) coupled to at least one first shaft portion (130a, 130b).

5. The HVAC system (100) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the first shaft portion (130a, 130b) comprises at least one first flange (132a, 132b) at a side end abutting with the respective divider plate (1 14a, 1 14b) around the corresponding hole (1 18a, 118b).

6. The HVAC system (100) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the second door portion (126) comprises at least one second door panel (134) coupled to at least one second shaft portion (136).

7. The HVAC system (100) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the second shaft portion (136) comprises one or more second flanges (138a, 138b) at side ends abutting with the respective divider plates (1 14a, 1 14b) around the corresponding holes (1 18a, 118b).

8. The HVAC system (100) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the second shaft portion (136) comprises at least one receptacle portion (140a, 140b) on at least one side to detachably receive at least one engaging part (142a, 142b) of the first shaft portion (130a, 130b), the engagement between the second shaft portion (136) and the first shaft portion (130a, 130b) enables the firstdoor portion (124a, 124b) and the second door portion (126) to rotate with each other, and wherein the second shaft portion (136) and the first shaft portion (130a, 130b) at the engaged condition define the shaft (122) of the door assembly (1 16).

9. The HVAC system (100) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the divider plates (1 14a, 1 14b) comprise one or more first protruded ribs (144) abut with the first door panel (128a, 128b) when the first door panel (128a, 128b) is moved to a closed positon to close the inlet area of the first fluid passage (108a, 108b).

10. The HVAC system (100) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the divider plates (1 14a, 1 14b) comprise one or more second protruded ribs (146) abut with the second door panel (134) when the second door panel (134) is moved to a closed positon to close the inlet area of the second fluid passage (1 12).1 1.The HVAC system (100) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the second door panel (134) comprises a coating (148) of sealing material on at least side edge portion of the second door panel (134).

12. The HVAC system (100) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the divider plates (1 14a, 1 14b) are coupled to each other through one or more joining bridges (150).

13. The HVAC system (100) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the divider plates (1 14a, 1 14b) comprise third flanges (154a, 154b) with sealing material at edges adjoining with the respective casings (104a, 104b) of the housing (102).

14. A vehicle comprising a HVAC system (100) according to any of the preceding claims.5

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