Vehicle HVAC Hot Water Pipe Holder for Vibration Noise Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle air conditioning devices experience noise issues due to vibration transmission from hot water pipes, which affects cabin quietness.

Innovation Solution

A holding structure for hot water pipes that uses a holder member with a first and second holding portion, along with a fastening portion, to securely enclose the pipes, reducing vibration transmission through a gap and utilizing materials like metal for increased mass and noise reduction, and optionally incorporating sound insulating members or vibration restricting components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If hot water pipes are held by a sealing member holder, then the pipes are secured in position, but vibration from the engine room is transmitted to the vehicle air conditioning device case, causing noise in the cabin

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition stability of hot water pipesVSAvoidvibration transmission to case
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A holder member is introduced as an intermediary component between the hot water pipes and the sealing member holder. This holder member has a specific structure with holding portions that grip the pipes and a vibration restricting portion that prevents vibration transmission to the case, thus mediating between the need for secure positioning and vibration isolation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The holder member incorporates a vibration restricting portion that acts as a flexible or compliant element, allowing it to absorb and dampen vibrations from the hot water pipes before they reach the rigid case structure, reducing noise transmission to the cabin

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the holder member structure is made complex to reduce vibration, then noise reduction is improved, but manufacturing complexity and assembly difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise transmission to cabinVSAvoidholder member structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holder member integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides mechanical support for the hot water pipes through holding portions, restricts vibration transmission through a dedicated vibration restricting portion, and maintains structural integrity. This merging of functions reduces the need for multiple separate components while achieving noise reduction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The holder member is divided into distinct functional segments: holding portions for securing pipes, a vibration restricting portion for noise reduction, and connection portions for mounting. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity in manufacturing and assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively reduces noise transmission to the vehicle cabin by securely fastening and isolating the hot water pipes, enhancing quietness and reducing vibration, while allowing for dimensional variations in the pipes and holder components.

Implementation Method 1

a vibration restricting portion (80), which restricts a transmission of vibration from the second holding portion (40B) to the case (11)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration restriction: Damping

Implementation Method 2

a first elastic portion (72), which couples the first holding portion (30B) and the first fixed portion (71) and has greater elasticity than the first fixed portion (71)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3967530B1Vehicle air conditioning device hot water pipe holding structure
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 VALEO JAPAN CO LTD
  • EP3967530B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3967530B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3967530B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vehicle air conditioning device (10) includes a case (11), disposed inside a vehicle cabin (C) separated from a forward compartment (R) by a dash panel (51), in which an internal space (11a) is formed, a heater core (12) that is disposed in the internal space (lla), a hot water supply pipe (13) that can supply hot water to the heater core (12), a hot water collecting pipe (14) that can collect hot water that has passed through an interior of the heater core (12), and a holder member (20, 20B) that holds the hot water pipes (13) and (14) . The holder member (20, 20B) includes a first holding portion (30, 30B) that comes into contact with the hot water pipes (13) and (14), and a second holding portion (40, 40B) that opposes the first holding portion (30, 30B), is provided across a gap, and comes into contact with the hot water pipes (13) and (14) .