CN112443959A

CN112443959A - Heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) housing

Info

Publication number: CN112443959A
Application number: CN201910807429.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 赵维明; 鲍韬
Original assignee: Valeo Automotive Air Conditioning Hubei Co Ltd
Current assignee: Valeo Automotive Air Conditioning Hubei Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-08-29
Filing date: 2019-08-29
Publication date: 2021-03-05
Anticipated expiration: 2039-08-29
Also published as: CN112443959B

Abstract

An hvac system is provided having a first housing section adapted to be removably coupled to a second housing section. The first housing part comprises an extended guiding pin adapted to protrude into the second housing part when the first housing part is connected to the second housing part, and the closure member is formed around the guiding pin. The closure member extends along the guide pin and protrudes into the second housing part when the first housing part is connected to the second housing part. The closure member comprises a cut-out portion formed in the closure member and adapted to be displaced towards the guide pin when the closure member is inserted into the second housing part, and locking elements are formed on the periphery of the cut-out portion and adapted to be locked with the second housing part when the closure member protrudes into the second housing part.

Description

Heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) housing

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) housing, and more particularly to an assembly for connecting multiple housing sections of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) housing.

Background

Typically, a HVAC housing (hereinafter HVAC housing) can house different components of the HVAC system, such as an evaporator, a blower of different geometry and shape. To accommodate these various components, the HVAC housing must be irregularly shaped. If the HVAC housing is formed as a single part, it is cumbersome to accommodate different components of the HVAC system with a wide variety of geometries. Thus, the HVAC casing needs to be formed as multiple casing sections and coupled together to obtain the final HVAC casing. Further, conventional coupling elements may be provided in multiple housing portions of the HVAC housing to enable the multiple housing portions to be coupled together. While coupling the multiple portions of the HVAC housing, the portions will be precisely guided over each other to achieve effective coupling and sealing of the multiple housing portions of the HVAC housing. Such conventional coupling elements may include separate guide and locking structures capable of guiding and coupling multiple housing portions of an HVAC housing. However, such conventional coupling elements may perform a single function at one location, namely guiding the housing portions together at one location of the housing portions and coupling the housing portions together at another, different location of the housing portions, which increases the assembly time of the HVAC housing. If there is not enough space in the coupling element, it is not possible to achieve the function of guiding and coupling the housing parts at the same location. In the event of an insufficient coupling between the housing portions, the seal between the housing portions becomes ineffective, which results in fluid leakage from the HVAC housing. Furthermore, air leakage from the HVAC housing can result in inefficient performance of the HVAC system.

Accordingly, there is a need for a connection assembly to connect multiple housing portions of an HVAC housing. Further, there is a need for a connector that provides an effective seal between housing portions of an HVAC housing. Further, there is a need for an HVAC housing having a connection device that provides guidance and coupling of the housing portions at the same location of the housing portions.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector that connects housing portions together to form an HVAC housing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a guide pin and a locking element formed on a housing part, which is capable of simultaneously guiding and coupling a plurality of housing parts.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an HVAC system having a connection arrangement to provide an effective seal between multiple housing portions of an HVAC housing.

In this specification, some elements or parameters may be indexed, such as a first element and a second element. In this case, unless otherwise noted, the index is used only to distinguish and name similar but not identical elements. No priority should be inferred from such an index as these terms may be switched without departing from the invention. Additionally, the index does not imply any order of installing or using the elements of the invention.

In view of the foregoing, embodiments of the invention herein provide an hvac system first housing section, hereinafter first housing section, adapted to be removably connected to an hvac system second housing section, hereinafter second housing section. The first housing portion includes at least one guide pin and a closure member. At least one guide pin extends from the first housing portion, which is adapted to protrude into the second housing portion when the first housing portion is connected to the second housing portion. The closure member is formed around the at least one guide pin of the first housing part. The closure member extends along the at least one guide pin and protrudes into the second housing part when the first housing part is connected to the second housing part. The closure member further comprises at least one cut-out portion and at least one locking element. At least one cut-out portion is formed in the closure member and is adapted to be displaced towards the at least one guide pin upon insertion of the closure member into the second housing part. At least one locking element is formed on the periphery of the at least one cut-out portion and is adapted to lock with the second housing portion when the closure member protrudes into the second housing portion.

In an embodiment, the at least one cut-out portion is formed on the circumference of the closure member.

In another embodiment, the at least one guide pin has a cross-section with three wings extending radially from a center of the at least one guide pin. Furthermore, the at least one cut-out portion is displaced between two of the three wings of the at least one guide pin when the closure member is inserted into the second housing portion.

Furthermore, a reinforcement element is formed on the at least one cut-out portion on a side facing the at least one guide pin to provide reinforcement to the at least one cut-out portion when the at least one cut-out portion is displaced towards the at least one guide pin.

Typically, the closure member is shorter than the at least one guide pin.

According to another aspect, an HVAC system housing is provided. The first housing portion is detachably connected to the second housing portion. The second housing part comprises a receiving member provided with a hole to receive the at least one guide pin together with the closing member. Furthermore, the at least one locking element is snap-fit locked with the periphery of the receiving member. The at least one cut-out portion is adapted to be displaced outwardly from the at least one guide pin after the closure member is fully inserted into the second portion.

Drawings

Other features, details and advantages of the invention may be inferred from the following description of the invention. 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 drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of an HVAC housing of an HVAC system formed of one or more housing portions in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of a first housing portion and a second housing portion of the HVAC housing of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B shows a schematic view of a guide pin having a closure member with a cut-out portion formed on the first housing portion of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C shows a schematic view of a receiving member formed on the second housing portion of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2D shows a view of the guide pin surrounded by a closure member formed on the first housing portion of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A illustrates a cross-sectional view of an HVAC system according to an embodiment of the present invention with a third housing portion connected to the HVAC housing;

FIG. 3B illustrates an exploded view of the HVAC system depicting the first, second, and third housing portions of FIG. 3A; and

FIG. 3C is an assembly view of the first housing portion, wherein the second housing portion and the third housing portion form an HVAC housing.

It must be noted that the attached drawings disclose the invention in sufficient detail to enable the implementation thereof, and that these drawings help to better define the invention when necessary. However, the present invention should not be limited to the embodiments disclosed in the specification.

Detailed Description

The present invention relates to an HVAC system, hereinafter HVAC system, which may include an HVAC housing assembled from a plurality of separate housing portions. The plurality of individual housing portions of the HVAC housing may include guide pins and closure members formed on the housing portions of the HVAC housing that are adapted to couple the plurality of individual portions together. The closure member is provided with a cut-out portion which engages with the other housing portion when the guide pin formed in the housing portion and the closure member are connected to the other housing portion. Since the HVAC housing is formed of a plurality of housing parts, it is easy to accommodate different elements of the HVAC having different geometries in the HVAC housing.

While aspects as described above and below relating to coupling multiple housing portions using guide pins and closure members to form an HVAC housing can be implemented in any shape to couple multiple housing portions to form an HVAC housing, embodiments are described in the context of the following systems.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an HVAC housing 100 of an HVAC system formed from one or more individual housing portions according to an embodiment of the present invention. The HVAC housing 100 can be formed as multiple housing sections to achieve a shape as desired, and it can be any irregular shape. The HVAC housing 100 must have any irregular shape to accommodate different components, such as evaporators, blowers, and other heat exchangers. For simplicity of documentation and clarity, the HVAC housing 100 is illustrated with two housing portions coupled together to form the HVAC housing 100, however, the HVAC housing 100 is not limited to having more than two housing portions coupled together to form the HVAC housing 100. The HVAC housing 100 may include a first housing portion 102 and a second housing portion 104. The second housing portion 104 is removably connected to the first housing portion 102. In other words, the HVAC housing 100 is formed by removably connecting the first housing portion 102 with the second housing portion 104. For example, the detachably connecting means, i.e. the first housing part 102, may be disconnected from the second housing part 104 in a non-destructive manner, and the first housing 102 may be connected again to the second housing 104 as before. Furthermore, the connection and disconnection of the first housing part 102 and the second housing part 104 does not cause any damage to the housing parts. The first housing part 102 may be connected to the second housing part 104 in such a way that the first housing part 102 may be sealed with the second housing part 104 to avoid any fluid leakage at the connection between the first housing part 102 and the second housing part 104. The HVAC housing 100 can include one or more guide pins 106 and a corresponding closure member 108 formed around the one or more guide pins 106. In an embodiment, one or more guide pins 106 and a closure member 108 are formed on the first housing portion 102 and adapted to protrude into the second housing portion 104 to enable a connection between the first housing portion 102 and the second housing portion 104. For the sake of brevity and clarity of the document, the HVAC housing 100 is further described with a guide pin surrounded by a closure member, however, it is not limited to the HVAC housing 100 having more than one guide pin and closure member.

FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of the first housing portion 102 and the second housing portion 104 of the HVAC housing 100 of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The first housing portion 102 can include a guide pin 106 and a closure member 108. The guide pin 106 and the closure member 108 extend from the first housing portion 102 and are adapted to protrude into the second housing portion 104 when the first housing portion 102 is connected to the second housing portion 104. The closure member 108 is formed on the first housing portion 102 in such a way that the closure member 108 surrounds the guide pin 106. In an embodiment, the closure member 108 extends from the first housing portion 102 along with the guide pin 106. In another embodiment, the guide pin 106 and the closure member 108 extend perpendicularly from the first housing portion 102 of the HVAC housing 100. In an embodiment, the guide pin 106 and the closure member 108 are formed on a base 110 defined in the first housing portion 103. In other words, the guide pin 106 and the closure member 108 extend from a base 110 formed in the first housing portion 102.

The closure member 108 further comprises one or more cut-out portions 112, the one or more cut-out portions 112 being adapted to be displaced towards the guide pin 106 when the closure member 108 is inserted into the second housing portion 104. In one embodiment, the one or more cut-out portions 112 are formed by perpendicularly cutting the closure member 108. In another embodiment, the closure member 108 is formed in a discontinuous circular shape with some openings, and one or more cut-out portions 112 are formed on the openings in the discontinuous circular shape closure member 108. In such embodiments, the one or more cut-out portions 112 are formed as flexible walls disposed in the opening of the closure member 108. The closure member 108 further includes at least one locking element 114 formed on a periphery of each of the one or more cutout portions 112, the locking element 114 being adapted to engage the second housing portion 104 when the closure member 108 is inserted into the second housing portion 104. For the sake of brevity and clarity of the document, the closure member 108 is illustrated with one cut-out portion having one locking element, however, there is no limitation to having more than one cut-out portion in the closure member 108 that includes more than one locking element. In an embodiment, the closure member 108 is shorter than the guide pin 106, such that the guide pin 106 can guide the first housing portion 102 into the second housing portion 104, and the closure member 108 can lock the first housing portion 102 with the second housing portion 104.

The second housing part 104 further comprises a receiving member 202, the receiving member 202 being adapted to receive the guide pin 106 together with the closure member 108 when the first housing part 102 is connected to the second housing part 104. The receiving member 202 may be formed on the second housing portion 104 in such a way that the receiving member 202 is in line with the guide pin 106 and the closure member 108 formed in the first housing portion 102. Since the receiving member 202 and the guide pin 106 along with the closure member 108 are in line with each other, the guide pin 106 along with the closure member 108 of the first housing portion 102 can be easily connected to the receiving member 202 of the second housing portion 104 to assemble the HVAC housing 100. Further, the locking element 114 formed on the cutout portion 112 is adapted to engage with the receiving member 202 of the second housing portion 104 when the closure member 108 is coupled to the second housing portion 104.

Fig. 2B shows a schematic view of the guide pin 106, wherein the closure member 108 has one cut-out portion 112 formed in the first housing portion 102 of fig. 2A. The closing member 108 may be circular in shape, and the cutout portion 112 is formed on the circumference of the closing member 108. A locking element 114 is formed on the periphery of the cut-out portion 112, the cut-out portion 112 being adapted to engage with the second housing portion 104 when the closure member 108 is protruding into or inserted into the second housing portion 104. In an embodiment, the locking element 114 is a snap-fit assembly adapted to lock with the receiving member 202 of the second housing portion 104 when the closure member 108 together with the cut-out portion 112 is inserted into the second housing portion 104.

Fig. 2C shows a schematic view of the receiving member 202 formed on the second housing portion 104 of fig. 2A. The receiving member 202 comprises an aperture 204, the aperture 204 being adapted to receive the guide pin 106 of the first housing part 102 together with the closure member 108. When the closure member 108 protrudes into the aperture 204 provided in the receiving member 202 of the second housing part 104, the cut-out portion 112 formed in the closure member 108 is displaced towards the guide pin 106. At the same time, the locking elements 114 formed on the cut-out portions 112 engage with the periphery of the receiving members 202 of the second housing portion 104, thereby forming a rigid connection between the first housing portion 102 and the second housing portion 104. Receiving member 202 may include a cylindrical wall having a first end 206 and a second end 208. The guide pin 106, along with the closure member 108, passes through the first end 206 of the receiving member 202 to the second end 208 of the receiving member 202. When the guide pin 106 together with the closure member 108 passes the first end 206 of the receiving member, the cut-out portion 112 and the locking element 114 are displaced radially towards the guide pin 106, thereby enabling the guide pin 106 together with the closure member 108 to be easily inserted into the receiving member 202 of the second housing part 104. When the locking element 114 has been fully inserted through the receiving member 202, the locking element 114 protrudes from the second end 208 out of the receiving member 202. The cut-out portion 112 is displaced outwardly from the guide pin 106, thereby enabling the locking element 114 to be coupled with the second end 208 of the receiving member 202 of the second housing portion 104.

Fig. 2D shows a cross-sectional view of the guide pin 106 surrounded by the closure member 108 formed on the first housing portion 102 of fig. 2A. The guide pin 106 has a cross-section with three wings 212 extending radially from the center of the guide pin 106. In one embodiment, the three wings 212 of the guide pin 106 may be formed as three points. Further, when the closure member 108 is inserted into the receiving member 202 of the second housing portion 104, the cut-out portion 112 of the closure member 108 is displaced between two of the three wings 212 of the guide pin 106. The guide pin 106 further comprises a reinforcement element 210, the reinforcement element 210 being formed on the cut-out portion 112 on a side facing the guide pin 106 to provide reinforcement to the cut-out portion 112 when the cut-out portion 112 is displaced towards the guide pin 106.

Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate different views of an HVAC system 300 in which the HVAC housing 100 of figure 1 is installed, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The HVAC system 300 may include an HVAC housing 100 adapted to house various components such as an evaporator, a blower, and flaps, among others. The HVAC housing 100 can include a third housing portion 302 adapted to be connected to the first and

second housing portions

102, 104 at a connection point between the first housing portion 102 and the second housing portion 104. In an example, fig. 3A shows a cross-sectional view of the HVAC system 300 with the third housing portion 302 connected to the HVAC housing 100, and fig. 3B shows an exploded view of the HVAC system 300 depicting the first housing portion 102, the second housing portion 104, and the third housing portion 302. In this embodiment, the first housing portion 102 is connected to the second housing portion 104 in a straight line, and the third housing portion 302 connects the first housing portion 102 and the second housing portion 104 perpendicularly. The guide pin 106 and the closure member 108 of the first housing portion 102 are connected with the receiving member 202 of the second housing portion 104 by the third housing portion 302. Further, the third housing portion 302 may include an aperture 304 formed on the third housing portion 302 in such a manner that the aperture 304 is in line with the receiving member 202 of the second housing portion 104 to receive the guide pin 106 and the closure member 108 of the first housing portion 102.

When the guide pin 106 and the closure member 108 of the first housing portion 102 pass through the aperture 304 and the receiving member 202, the first housing portion 102, the second housing portion 104, and the third housing portion 302 are coupled together to form the HVAC housing 100. In an embodiment, the third housing portion 302 is connected between the receiving member 202 of the second housing portion 104 and the base 110 of the first housing portion 102, as shown in fig. 3A. Further, when the guide pin 106, together with the closure member 108, is passed through the aperture 304 formed in the third housing portion 302 and the receiving member 202 of the second housing portion 104, the locking element 114 engages with the receiving member 202 of the second housing portion 104, thereby locking the first, second and

third housing portions

102, 104, 302 together. Furthermore, the guide pin 106 enables guiding the first housing part 102 into the second housing part 104 and the third housing part 302. At the same time, the closure member 108 enables the first housing portion 102 to be locked with the second housing portion 104 and the third housing portion 302, as shown in fig. 3C. FIG. 3C is an assembled view of the first housing portion 102, wherein the second housing portion 104 and the third housing portion 302 form the HVAC housing 100. Because the guide pin 106 and the closure member 108 are able to guide and lock the housing portion of the HVAC housing 100, packaging of the HVAC housing in the vehicle is improved and the housing portions of the HVAC housing are effectively sealed together.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Thus, it is to be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

In no event should the invention be limited to the embodiments specifically described in this document, as other embodiments are possible. The invention shall extend to any equivalent means and any technically operating combination of means.

Claims

1. An hvac system first housing portion (102), hereinafter first housing portion, adapted to be removably connected to an hvac system second housing portion (104), hereinafter second housing portion, the first housing portion (102) comprising:

at least one guide pin (106) extending from the first housing portion (102) adapted to protrude into the second housing portion (104) when the first housing portion (102) is connected to the second housing portion (104); and

a closure member (108) formed around the at least one guide pin (106), wherein the closure member (108) extends along the at least one guide pin (106) and protrudes into the second housing part (104) when the first housing part (102) is connected to the second housing part (104), the closure member (108) comprising:

at least one cut-out portion (112) formed in the closure member (108) and adapted to be displaced towards the at least one guide pin (106) upon insertion of the closure member (108) into the second housing portion (104); and

at least one locking element (114) formed on a periphery of the at least one cut-out portion (112) and adapted to lock with the second housing portion (104) when the closure member (108) protrudes into the second housing portion (104).

2. The first housing portion (102) of claim 1, wherein the at least one cut-out portion (112) is formed on a circumference of the closure member (108).

3. The first housing portion (102) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one guide pin (106) has a cross-section with three wings (212) extending radially from a center of the at least one guide pin (106).

4. The first housing portion (102) of claim 3, wherein the at least one cut-out portion (112) is displaced between two of the three wings (212) of the at least one guide pin (106) upon insertion of the closure member (108) into the second housing portion (104).

5. The first housing part (102) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein a reinforcement element (210) is formed on the at least one cut-out portion (112) on a side facing the at least one guide pin (106) to provide reinforcement for the at least one cut-out portion (112) when the at least one cut-out portion (112) is displaced towards the at least one guide pin (106).

6. The first housing portion (102) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure member (108) is shorter than the at least one guide pin (106).

7. An hvac system housing (100) comprising a first housing part (102) according to any one of the preceding claims, and a second housing part (104), wherein the first housing part (102) is detachably connected to the second housing part (104), wherein the second housing part (104) comprises a receiving member (202), which receiving member (202) is provided with an aperture (204) to receive the at least one guide pin (106) together with the closure member (108).

8. The HVAC system housing (100) of claim 7, wherein the at least one locking element (114) snap-fit locks with a perimeter of the receiving member (202).

9. The HVAC housing (100) of claim 7, wherein the at least one cutout portion (112) is adapted to be outwardly displaced from the at least one guide pin (106) after the closure member (108) is fully inserted into the second portion (104).

10. An hvac system (300) comprising the housing (100) of one of claims 7 or 8.