阅读说明：本技术 用于车辆的空调 (Air conditioner for vehicle ) 是由 李昇镐 尹曙俊 李尚耆 金湧植 姜明勋 金应映 郭政模 于 2020-04-29 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于车辆的空调,本发明的目的是在发动机室侧安装第一空调设备,在车辆室内侧安装第二空调设备,并且在第一空调设备与第二空调设备之间安装空气引导件以引导空气的移动,从而使得可以确保车室内部空间,并且还将空气从第一空调设备侧无损失地顺利吹到第二空调设备。为实现该目的,本发明提供一种用于车辆的空调,其将冷空气或热空气供应到车辆内部以对其冷却或加热,用于车辆的空调包括：第一空调设备,其相对于前围板安装在发动机室侧,并且包括吸入内部或外部空气并将其吹到车辆室内侧的进气单元；以及第二空调设备,其相对于前围板安装在车辆室内侧,并且包括将经调节的空气排放到车辆室内侧的管道。前围板具有形成在其中的通孔,并且具有通过通孔使第一空调设备和第二空调设备彼此相连的空气引导件。(The present invention relates to an air conditioner for a vehicle, and an object of the present invention is to install a first air conditioner at an engine room side, a second air conditioner at a vehicle room side, and an air guide between the first air conditioner and the second air conditioner to guide movement of air, thereby making it possible to secure a vehicle room interior space and also smoothly blow air from the first air conditioner side to the second air conditioner without loss. To achieve the object, the present invention provides an air conditioner for a vehicle, which supplies cold air or hot air to the inside of the vehicle to cool or heat it, the air conditioner for a vehicle including: a first air conditioning device that is installed on an engine compartment side with respect to the dash panel and includes an intake unit that takes in and blows inside or outside air to a vehicle interior side; and a second air conditioning device that is mounted on the vehicle interior side with respect to the dash panel and includes a duct that discharges conditioned air to the vehicle interior side. The dash panel has a through-hole formed therein, and has an air guide connecting the first air conditioner and the second air conditioner to each other through the through-hole.)

1. An air conditioning device for a vehicle, which performs cooling or heating by supplying cold air or hot air to an interior of a vehicle compartment, comprising:

a first air conditioning device that is mounted in the engine compartment with respect to the dash panel and includes an intake unit configured to receive indoor air and outdoor air and blow it to the interior of the vehicle compartment;

a second air conditioning device that is mounted inside the vehicle compartment with respect to the dash panel and includes a duct that discharges conditioned air to the inside of the vehicle compartment; and

an air guide connecting the first air conditioner and the second air conditioner to each other through a through-hole formed in the dash panel.

2. The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first air conditioning device and the second air conditioning device are provided with a first internal flow passage and a second internal flow passage, respectively,

wherein, at the dash panel, the air guide connects the first internal flow path of the first air conditioner with the second internal flow path of the second air conditioner so that the air at the first internal flow path of the first air conditioner is guided to the second internal flow path of the second air conditioner.

3. The air conditioner as claimed in claim 2, wherein the air guide has a first side portion engaged with a peripheral portion around a first internal flow path of the first air conditioner and has a second side portion engaged with a peripheral portion around a second internal flow path of the second air conditioner, and a central portion of the air guide is provided with an air guide hole for communicating the first internal flow path of the first air conditioner with the second internal flow path of the second air conditioner.

4. The air conditioning apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:

a coupling groove formed along a circumference of the first side of the air guide; and

a coupling protrusion formed on a portion of the first air conditioning device corresponding to a periphery of the first side of the air guide,

wherein the first side portion of the air guide is engaged with the first air conditioner by the coupling of the coupling groove and the coupling protrusion.

5. The air conditioning device according to claim 4, wherein the second side portion of the air guide is inserted into a second internal flow passage of the second air conditioning equipment by passing through a through hole formed in the dash panel.

6. The air conditioning apparatus as set forth in claim 5,

wherein a third receiving groove receiving a second side portion of the air guide is formed on a peripheral portion of an inlet side of a second internal flow path of the second air conditioner,

the second side portion of the air guide is engaged with the second air conditioner when the second side portion of the air guide is received in the third receiving groove of the second air conditioner.

7. The air conditioner as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second side of the air guide and the third receiving groove of the second air conditioner are in surface contact with each other.

8. The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the air guide hole portion of the air guide is aligned with the first and second internal flow passages of the first and second air conditioners to guide the air in the first internal flow passage of the first air conditioner to the second internal flow passage of the second air conditioner when the first and second sides of the air guide are engaged with the first and second air conditioners, respectively.

9. The air conditioner apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the air guide hole portion of the air guide has a cross-sectional area that increases toward the second internal flow passage of the second air conditioner.

10. The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the air guide is configured as a separate member with respect to the first air conditioning device and the second air conditioning device, and is configured to be separated from the first air conditioning device and the second air conditioning device and replaced.

11. The air conditioning device of any one of claims 1 to 10,

wherein a first air flow passage of the first air conditioner and a second air flow passage of the second air conditioner communicate with each other through the through-hole of the dash panel,

the air conditioning apparatus further includes a sealing portion that hermetically seals a space between the dash panel and the first air conditioning device and a space between the dash panel and the second air conditioning device.

12. The air conditioning apparatus as set forth in claim 11,

wherein the first air conditioner is provided with an indoor air inlet configured to introduce air from a vehicle interior, the indoor air inlet communicating with the vehicle interior through a first through-hole formed on the dash panel, and the first air conditioner is provided with a first internal flow passage configured to blow the introduced air to a second internal flow passage of the second air conditioner, and the first internal flow passage communicating with the second internal flow passage through a second through-hole formed on the dash panel,

the sealing portion further includes:

a first sealing member sealing a space between an indoor air inlet of the intake unit and the first through hole of the dash panel; and

a second sealing member that seals a space between the first internal flow passage of the first air conditioning unit and the second through hole of the dash panel.

13. The air conditioning apparatus as set forth in claim 12,

wherein the second air conditioning unit is provided with an indoor inlet duct installed inside a vehicle compartment in alignment with an indoor air inlet duct of the first air conditioning unit with the first through-hole interposed therebetween,

the sealing portion further includes:

a third sealing member sealing a space between an indoor air inlet duct of the second air conditioning device and the first through hole of the dash panel; and

a fourth seal member that seals a space between the second internal flow passage of the second air conditioning unit and the second through hole of the dash panel.

14. The air conditioning device according to claim 13, wherein the first seal member is mounted along a peripheral portion around the indoor air inlet of the first air conditioning apparatus, and hermetically seals a space between the peripheral portion around the indoor air inlet of the first air conditioning apparatus and a corresponding peripheral portion around the first through hole of the dash panel.

15. The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the second seal member is mounted along a peripheral portion around the first internal flow passage of the first air conditioning device, and hermetically seals a space between the peripheral portion around the first internal flow passage of the first air conditioning device and a corresponding peripheral portion around the second through hole of the dash panel.

16. The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the third seal member is mounted along a peripheral portion around the indoor air inlet duct of the second air conditioning device, and hermetically seals a space between the peripheral portion around the indoor air inlet duct of the second air conditioning device and a corresponding peripheral portion around the first through hole of the dash panel.

17. The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the fourth seal member is mounted along a peripheral portion around the second internal flow passage of the second air conditioning device, and hermetically seals a space between the peripheral portion around the second internal flow passage of the second air conditioning device and a corresponding peripheral portion around the second through hole of the dash panel.

18. The air conditioner apparatus of claim 14, wherein a first receiving groove fixedly receiving the first sealing member is formed on a peripheral portion around the indoor air inlet of the first air conditioner.

19. The air conditioning unit according to claim 15, wherein a second receiving groove that fixedly receives the second sealing member is formed on a peripheral portion of the first internal flow path that surrounds the first air conditioning device.

20. The air conditioning device according to claim 19, wherein at the second through hole of the dash panel, the air guide connects the first internal flow path of the first air conditioning apparatus with the second internal flow path of the second air conditioning apparatus, and the second seal is installed in a space between the air guide of the first air conditioning apparatus and the corresponding peripheral portion around the second through hole of the dash panel and hermetically seals the space between the air guide of the first air conditioning apparatus and the second through hole.

21. The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the sealing portion inside the vehicle compartment and the sealing portion in the engine compartment are formed of different materials and different structures.

22. The air conditioning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a heat exchanger configured to cool or heat air blown out from an air intake unit of the first air conditioning device,

wherein the heat exchanger is installed in a second air conditioner inside the vehicle compartment.

23. The air conditioning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a heat exchanger configured to cool or heat air blown out from an air intake unit of the first air conditioning device,

wherein the heat exchanger is installed in a first air conditioning device of an engine compartment.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an air conditioner for a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to an air conditioner for a vehicle, in which a first air conditioner and a second air conditioner are installed in an engine compartment and a cabin interior, respectively, with an air guide installed therebetween to guide the movement of air, thereby securing a space in the cabin interior, and also smoothly blow air in the first air conditioner to the second air conditioner without loss.

Background

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the vehicle includes an air conditioner 1 for cooling or heating the interior of the vehicle compartment.

This air conditioner 1 includes an intake unit 3 configured to receive indoor air and outdoor air and blow them to the interior of the vehicle compartment, and includes a heat exchanger unit 5 configured to cool or heat the air blown to the interior of the vehicle compartment.

The air intake unit 3 is provided with an indoor air inlet and an outdoor air inlet configured to introduce indoor air and outdoor air, respectively, and is provided with a blower fan 3a configured to blow the introduced indoor air and outdoor air to the heat exchanger unit 5. Therefore, the intake unit 3 sucks indoor air and outdoor air inside and outside the vehicle compartment and blows the air to the vehicle compartment interior.

The heat exchanger unit 5 is provided with an evaporator 5a and a heater 5b, and is configured to cool or heat indoor air and outdoor air blown out from the air intake unit 3. Therefore, the interior of the vehicle compartment is cooled or heated.

Meanwhile, such an air conditioner is generally installed inside the vehicle compartment with respect to the dash panel D. At this time, the outdoor air inlet communicates with the outside of the vehicle compartment, through which outdoor air is introduced.

However, since such a conventional air conditioner has a structure provided inside the vehicle compartment with respect to the dash panel D, it is difficult to secure a space inside the vehicle compartment.

For passenger convenience, there is an increasing demand to secure the interior space of the vehicle compartment. However, the structure of the conventional air conditioner 1 installed inside the vehicle compartment has a problem that it cannot cope with securing the space inside the vehicle compartment, and has a limitation in securing the space inside the vehicle compartment due to the present problem.

The information contained in this background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and is not to be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

Disclosure of Invention

Various aspects of the present invention are directed to provide an air conditioner for a vehicle, wherein the air conditioner is configured to minimize the size of an air conditioning part provided inside a vehicle compartment by improving the arrangement structure, installation position, and the like of an air intake unit and a heat exchanger unit.

Various aspects of the present invention are directed to provide an air conditioner for a vehicle, in which the air conditioner advantageously secures a space inside a vehicle compartment, thereby increasing a space utilization rate inside the vehicle compartment, so that convenience of passengers is improved by configuring an air conditioning part installed inside the vehicle compartment to be minimized.

In various aspects of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioner for a vehicle, wherein the air conditioner performs cooling or heating by supplying cold air or hot air to an interior of a vehicle compartment, the air conditioner including: a first air conditioning device that is mounted in the engine compartment with respect to the dash panel and includes an intake unit configured to receive indoor air and outdoor air and blow it to the interior of the vehicle compartment; a second air conditioning device that is mounted inside the vehicle compartment with respect to the dash panel and includes a duct that discharges conditioned air to the inside of the vehicle compartment; and an air guide connecting the first air conditioner and the second air conditioner to each other through a through hole formed in the dash panel.

The first and second air conditioners may be provided with first and second internal flow passages, respectively, wherein at the dash panel, the air guide may connect the first internal flow passage of the first air conditioner with the second internal flow passage of the second air conditioner such that air at the first internal flow passage of the first air conditioner is guided to the second internal flow passage of the second air conditioner.

Further, the air guide may have a first side portion engaged with a peripheral portion around the first internal flow path of the first air conditioner and may have a second side portion engaged with a peripheral portion around the second internal flow path of the second air conditioner, and a central portion thereof may be provided with an air guide hole for communicating the first internal flow path of the first air conditioner with the second internal flow path of the second air conditioner.

Further, the air conditioner may further include a coupling groove formed along a circumference of the first side of the air guide, and a coupling protrusion formed on a portion of the first air-conditioning apparatus corresponding to the circumference of the first side of the air guide, wherein the first side of the air guide may be engaged with the first air-conditioning apparatus by the coupling of the coupling groove and the coupling protrusion.

Further, the second side portion of the air guide may have a structure in which the second side portion of the air guide is inserted into the second internal flow path of the second air conditioning equipment by passing through a through-hole formed in the dash panel.

According to the air conditioner of the present invention, since the air conditioner has a structure in which the air intake unit is provided in the engine compartment and the heat exchanger unit is provided inside the vehicle compartment, the air conditioning part provided inside the vehicle compartment can be minimized.

Further, since the structure is configured to minimize the air conditioning part provided inside the vehicle compartment, the space inside the vehicle compartment is advantageously secured, so that the convenience of passengers can be significantly improved by increasing the space utilization ratio inside the vehicle compartment.

Further, in this structure, an air guide is installed between the intake unit and the heat exchanger unit, and air blown out of the intake unit is guided to the heat exchanger unit through the air guide. Therefore, although the air intake unit and the heat exchanger unit are installed in the engine compartment and the cabin interior, respectively, and are disposed in different spaces, respectively, the air of the air intake unit can be blown to the heat exchanger unit without loss.

Further, in this structure, the intake unit and the heat exchanger unit are mounted inside the engine compartment and the vehicle compartment, respectively, with the dash panel interposed therebetween, and the first air flow passage between the through hole of the dash panel and the intake unit and the second air flow passage between the through hole of the dash panel and the heat exchanger unit are sealed by the sealing portions. Therefore, although the air intake unit and the heat exchanger unit are installed inside the engine compartment and the vehicle compartment, respectively, and are provided in separate spaces, respectively, it is possible to blow air of the air intake unit to the heat exchanger unit without loss.

Further, although the air intake unit and the heat exchanger unit are provided in separate spaces, respectively, the air of the air intake unit may be blown to the heat exchanger unit without loss. Therefore, it is possible to achieve both securing of the space inside the vehicle compartment and improvement of the cooling and heating performance.

Other features and advantages of the methods and apparatus of the present invention will be apparent from, or are set forth in more detail in, the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and the following detailed description of the embodiments, which together serve to explain certain principles of the present invention.

Drawings

Fig. 1 schematically shows a side view of a conventional air conditioner for a vehicle.

Fig. 2 exemplarily shows a plan cross-sectional view of a conventional air conditioner for a vehicle.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view exemplarily showing a configuration of an air conditioner for a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the assembled state of fig. 3, illustrating a configuration of an air conditioner for a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 5 exemplarily shows a cross-sectional side view of a configuration of an air conditioner for a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 6 exemplarily shows a cross-sectional side view of a sealing portion and an air guide in detail, which configure an air conditioner for a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line vii-vii in fig. 6, illustrating in detail a seal portion and an air guide configuring an air conditioner for a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an air guide configuring an air conditioner for a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention in detail.

It is to be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, showing features that are somewhat simplified to illustrate the basic principles of the invention. The particular design features of the invention as embodied herein, including, for example, particular dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment.

In the drawings, reference numerals designate identical or equivalent parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that the description is not intended to limit the invention to those exemplary embodiments. On the other hand, the present invention is intended to cover not only exemplary embodiments of the present invention, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Exemplary embodiments of an air conditioner for a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to fig. 3 and 5, the air conditioner for a vehicle includes a first air conditioner provided with an air intake unit 10, the air intake unit 10 being configured to receive indoor air and outdoor air and blow them to the interior of a vehicle compartment, and a second air conditioner in which a heat exchanger unit 20 is configured to cool or heat the air blown to the interior of the vehicle compartment.

The air intake unit 10 of the first air conditioning apparatus is mounted at the engine compartment with respect to the dash panel D, and is provided with an air intake housing 12.

An indoor air inlet 12a and an outdoor air inlet 12b are formed on the intake housing 12, and an intake valve 12c is installed between the indoor air inlet 12a and the outdoor air inlet 12 b.

The indoor air inlet 12a communicates with the vehicle interior and introduces air inside the vehicle interior into the intake housing 12. The outdoor air inlet 12b communicates with the outside of the vehicle and introduces air outside the vehicle compartment into the intake housing 12.

The indoor air inlet 12a is provided to introduce air inside the vehicle compartment through a first through hole D1 formed in the dash panel D and connected to the interior of the vehicle compartment.

Here, on a portion of the heat exchanger unit 20 inside the vehicle compartment corresponding to the indoor air inlet 12a of the intake unit 10, an indoor air inlet duct 21 is formed in alignment with the indoor air inlet 12 a.

The indoor air inlet duct 21 is aligned with the indoor air inlet 12a of the air intake unit 10 with the first through hole D1 interposed therebetween.

Such an indoor air inlet duct 21 allows the vehicle interior to communicate with the indoor air inlet 12a of the air intake unit 10. Thus, air inside the vehicle compartment is allowed to be introduced into the indoor air inlet 12a of the intake unit 10.

The intake valve 12c is a dome-shaped valve that is rotationally moved between the outdoor air inlet 12b and the indoor air inlet 12a, and selectively opens either the outdoor air inlet 12b or the indoor air inlet 12 a. Therefore, outdoor air or indoor air may be selectively introduced.

Further, a blower 14 is mounted in the intake housing 12.

The blower 14 is configured to receive indoor air or outdoor air through the outdoor air inlet 12b and the indoor air inlet 12a located thereabove, is configured to discharge the sucked indoor or outdoor air to the first internal flow path 10a, and is configured to blow the discharged indoor or outdoor air to the heat exchanger unit 20 through the first internal flow path 10 a.

Referring again to fig. 3, 4 and 5, the heat exchanger unit 20 of the second air conditioning device is mounted inside the vehicle compartment with respect to the dash panel D, and is provided with a heat exchanger case 22.

The heat exchanger case 22 is installed to correspond to the intake case 12 of the intake unit 10 with the dash panel D interposed therebetween, and the heat exchanger case 22 is provided with a second internal flow passage 20a communicating with the first internal flow passage 10a of the intake case 12.

The second internal flow path 20a communicates with the first internal flow path 10a of the intake unit 10 through the second through hole D2 of the dash panel D. Further, an evaporator 24, a heater 25, a temperature gate 26, and a plurality of mode gates 28 are installed in the second internal flow path 20a communicating with the first internal flow path 10 a.

Meanwhile, the second internal flow path 20a is linearly connected to the first internal flow path 10a of the intake unit 10.

The exhaust gas flow passage portion 10b on the downstream side of the blower 14 of the first flow passage 10a of the intake unit 10 is linearly connected to the internal flow passage portion 20b on the upstream side of the evaporator 24 of the second internal flow passage 20a of the heat exchanger unit 20.

The first internal flow path 10a of the air intake unit 10 and the second internal flow path 20a of the heat exchanger unit 20, which are connected in line with each other, allow the exhaust air of the blower 14 to be introduced into the heat exchanger unit 20 while maintaining the exhaust air to flow in a straight line.

Thus, it is allowed to smoothly maintain the flow of air from the air intake unit 10 to the heat exchanger unit 20. Therefore, the discharge air of the blower 14 can be introduced into the vehicle interior without loss.

Meanwhile, in the drawings and the description of the present invention, it is shown that the heat exchanger (the evaporator 24 and the heater 25) of the heat exchanger unit 20 is installed in the second air conditioner. However, the evaporator 24 and the heater 25 may be installed in the first air conditioner. The evaporator 24 and the heater 25 may be installed in the air intake housing 12 of the first air conditioning device.

Further, referring to fig. 3 and 5, 6 and 7, the air conditioner of the present invention includes a sealing part 30 sealing a space between the through holes D1 and D2 of the dash panel D and the first air flow path of the air intake unit 10 and a space between the through holes D1 and D2 of the dash panel D and the second air flow path of the heat exchanger unit 20.

As shown in fig. 3 and 5, 6 and 7, the sealing portion 30 includes: a first seal 32 sealing a space between the first through hole D1 of the dash panel D and the indoor air inlet 12a of the air intake unit 10; and a second seal 34 that seals a space between the second through hole D2 of the dash panel D and the second internal flow path 20a of the intake unit 10.

The first seal 32 is formed of any one of rubber, silicone, and urethane foam, and is installed in a ring shape along a peripheral portion around the indoor air inlet 12a of the air intake unit 10.

The first seal member 32 hermetically seals a space between a peripheral portion around the indoor air inlet 12a of the intake unit 10 and a corresponding peripheral portion around the first through hole D1 of the dash panel D while being in a state of being disposed between the peripheral portion and the corresponding peripheral portion.

Accordingly, air leakage is prevented from occurring at the space between the first through hole D1 of the dash panel D and the indoor air inlet 12a of the intake unit 10.

The second seal 34 is formed of any one of rubber, silicone, and urethane foam, and is installed in an annular shape along a peripheral portion around the first internal flow path 10a of the air intake unit 10.

The second seal member 34 hermetically seals a space between a peripheral portion surrounding the first internal flow passage 10a of the intake unit 10 and a corresponding peripheral portion surrounding the second through hole D2 of the dash panel D while being in a state of being disposed between the peripheral portion and the corresponding peripheral portion.

Therefore, air leakage is prevented from occurring at the space between the second through hole D2 of the dash panel D and the first internal flow path 10a of the intake unit 10.

Here, at a peripheral portion around the indoor air inlet 12a of the air intake unit 10, a first receiving groove 12a-1 fixedly receiving the first sealing member 32 is formed. Further, at a peripheral portion of the first internal flow path 10a surrounding the air intake unit 10, a second accommodation groove 10a-1 is formed that fixedly accommodates the second seal 34.

Referring again to fig. 3 and 5, and 6 and 7, the sealing part 30 includes: a third sealing member 36 sealing a space between the first through hole D1 of the dash panel D and the indoor air inlet duct 21 of the heat exchanger unit 20; and a fourth seal member 38 that seals a space between the second through hole D2 of the dash panel D and the second internal flow path 20a of the heat exchanger unit 20.

The third seal 36 is formed of any one of rubber, silicone, and urethane foam, and is installed in an annular shape along a peripheral portion of the indoor air inlet duct 21 surrounding the heat exchanger unit 20.

The third seal member 36 hermetically seals the space between the peripheral portion of the indoor air inlet duct 21 surrounding the heat exchanger unit 20 and the corresponding peripheral portion of the first through hole D1 surrounding the dash panel D while being in a state of being disposed therebetween.

Accordingly, air leakage is prevented from occurring at the space between the first through hole D1 of the dash panel D and the indoor air inlet duct 21 of the heat exchanger unit 20.

The fourth seal 38 is formed of any one of rubber, silicone, and urethane foam, and is installed in an annular shape along a peripheral portion around the second internal flow path 20a of the heat exchanger unit 20.

The fourth seal member 38 hermetically seals the space between the peripheral portion surrounding the second internal flow passage 20a of the heat exchanger unit 20 and the corresponding peripheral portion surrounding the second through hole D2 of the dash panel D while in a state of being disposed therebetween.

Therefore, air leakage is prevented from occurring at the space between the second through hole D2 of the dash panel D and the second internal flow path 20a of the heat exchanger unit 20.

Meanwhile, with respect to the dash panel D, the sealing portion 30 (the third seal 36 and the fourth seal 38) at the vehicle interior and the sealing portion 30 (the first seal 32 and the second seal 34) at the engine compartment are preferably formed of different materials and different structures.

For example, the third seal 36 and the fourth seal 38 constituting the sealing portion 30 inside the vehicle compartment are preferably formed of a sponge material, while the first seal 32 and the second seal 34 constituting the sealing portion 30 in the engine compartment are preferably formed of a rubber material.

The reason for the current configuration is as follows. That is, the first seal 32 and the second seal 34 constituting the sealing portion 30 at the engine compartment are exposed to rainwater, various foreign matters, or traveling wind, and thus the first seal 32 and the second seal 34 are preferably formed of a rubber material having excellent durability and excellent airtightness. Further, since the third seal 36 and the fourth seal 38 constituting the sealing portion 30 inside the vehicle compartment have less risk of exposure to various contaminants or traveling wind than the sealing portion 30 at the engine compartment, the third seal 36 and the fourth seal 38 may be formed of a sponge material.

Further, referring to fig. 3 and 5 to 8, the air conditioner of the present invention further includes an air guide 40 installed in a space between the first internal flow path 10a of the air intake unit 10 and the second internal flow path 20a of the heat exchanger unit 20 such that the first internal flow path 10a of the air intake unit 10 and the second internal flow path 20a of the heat exchanger unit 20 are connected to each other.

The air guide 40 guides the air at the first internal flow path 10a of the intake unit 10 to the second internal flow path 20a of the heat exchanger unit 20, and is provided at a central portion thereof with an air guide hole portion 42.

Such an air guide 40 is formed to correspond to the shapes of the first and second internal flow paths 10a and 20a of the intake unit 10 and the heat exchanger unit 20. Further, the first side portion 40a is joined to a peripheral portion of the first internal flow path 10a of the intake unit 10, and the second side portion 40b is joined to a peripheral portion of the second internal flow path 20a of the heat exchanger unit 20.

As shown in fig. 6 and 7, the first side portion 40a of the air guide 40 is engaged with the intake unit 10 by the coupling of the coupling groove 50 and the coupling protrusion 52. At this time, the coupling groove 50 is formed along the circumference of the first side portion 40a of the air guide 40, and the coupling protrusion 52 is formed on a portion of the air intake unit 10 corresponding to the coupling groove 50.

A portion of the second side portion 40b of the air guide 40 passes through the second through hole D2 of the dash panel D and is inserted into the second internal flow path 20a of the heat exchanger unit 20.

A portion of the second side portion 40b of the air guide 40 passes through the second through hole D2 of the dash panel D and is inserted into the second internal flow path 20a of the heat exchanger unit 20. At this time, a third receiving groove 60 receiving the second side portion 40b of the air guide 40 is formed at a peripheral portion of the inlet side of the second internal flow path 20a of the heat exchanger unit 20.

When the second side portion 40b of the air guide 40 is received in the third receiving groove 60 of the heat exchanger unit 20, the second side portion 40b of the air guide 40 is engaged with the peripheral portion of the second internal flow path 20a of the heat exchanger unit 20.

Here, the second side portion 40b of the air guide 40 and the third receiving groove 60 of the heat exchanger unit 20, which are engaged with each other, are formed to be in surface contact with each other.

Accordingly, the second side portion 40b of the air guide 40 and the third receiving groove 60 of the heat exchanger unit 20, which are in surface contact with each other, improve air tightness therebetween, thereby preventing air leakage therebetween.

The air passing through the air guide hole portion 42 in the central portion of the air guide 40 is prevented from leaking between the second side portion 40b of the air guide 40 and the third receiving groove 60 of the heat exchanger unit 20.

Meanwhile, when the first and second side portions 40a and 40b of the air guide 40 are engaged with the intake unit 10 and the heat exchanger unit 20, respectively, the air guide hole portions 42 of the air guide 40 are aligned with the first and second internal flow paths 10a and 20a of the intake unit 10 and the heat exchanger unit 20, respectively.

The air introducing hole portion 42 connects the first internal flow path 10a of the intake unit 10 with the second internal flow path 20a of the heat exchanger unit 20, and the air introducing hole portion 42 introduces the air at the first internal flow path 10a of the intake unit 10 to the second internal flow path 20a of the heat exchanger unit 20.

Here, the cross-sectional area of the second internal flow path 20a of the heat exchanger unit 20 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the first internal flow path 10a of the intake unit 10.

At this time, in order to smoothly connect the first internal flow path 10a of the intake unit 10 having a small cross-sectional area with the second internal flow path 20a of the heat exchanger unit 20 having a large cross-sectional area without a stepwise difference, the air guide hole portion 42 of the air guide 40 has a cross-sectional area gradually increasing from the first internal flow path 10a of the intake unit 10 to the second internal flow path 20a of the heat exchanger unit 20.

Meanwhile, the air guide 40 is configured as a separate member with respect to the intake unit 10 and the heat exchanger unit 20. Therefore, the air guide 40 may be separated and replaced from the air intake unit 10 and the heat exchanger unit 20, if necessary.

The air guide 40 may be integrally formed with any one of the intake unit 10 and the heat exchanger unit 20 as necessary. The air guide 40 may be integrally formed at a portion of the intake unit 10.

Referring again to fig. 3 and 5, 6, 7 and 8, the second seal member 34 sealing the space between the second internal flow path 20a of the intake unit 10 and the second through hole D2 of the dash panel D is preferably installed at the second side portion 40b of the air guide 40.

As shown in fig. 3 and 8, the second seal member 34 is mounted along the peripheral portion around the air guide hole portion 42 of the air guide 40, and hermetically seals a space between the peripheral portion around the air guide hole portion 42 of the air guide 40 and the corresponding peripheral portion around the second through hole D2 of the cowl D by being in close contact with the peripheral portion around the second through hole D2 of the cowl D.

According to the air conditioner of the present invention having the above configuration, since the air conditioner has a structure in which the air intake unit 10 is disposed in the engine compartment and the heat exchanger unit 20 is disposed inside the vehicle compartment, it is possible to minimize the air conditioning portion disposed inside the vehicle compartment.

Further, since the structure is configured to minimize the air conditioning part provided inside the vehicle compartment, the space inside the vehicle compartment is advantageously secured, so that the convenience of passengers can be significantly improved by increasing the space utilization ratio inside the vehicle compartment.

Further, in this structure, the intake unit 10 and the heat exchanger unit 20 are respectively mounted in the engine compartment and the vehicle interior with the dash panel D interposed therebetween, and the first air flow path between the through holes D1 and D2 of the dash panel D and the intake unit 10 and the second air flow path between the through holes D1 and D2 of the dash panel D and the heat exchanger unit 20 are sealed by the sealing portion 30.

Therefore, although the intake unit 10 and the heat exchanger unit 20 are installed in the engine compartment and the cabin interior, respectively, and are disposed in separate spaces, respectively, it is possible to blow the air of the intake unit 10 to the heat exchanger unit 20 without loss.

Further, in this structure, the air guide 40 is installed between the intake unit 10 and the heat exchanger unit 20, and the air blown out of the intake unit 10 is guided to the heat exchanger unit 20 through the air guide 40.

Therefore, although the intake unit 10 and the heat exchanger unit 20 are installed in the engine compartment and the cabin interior, respectively, and are disposed in separate spaces, respectively, it is possible to blow the air of the intake unit 10 to the heat exchanger unit 20 without loss.

Further, although the air intake unit 10 and the heat exchanger unit 20 are respectively provided in different spaces, the air of the air intake unit 10 may be blown to the heat exchanger unit 20 without loss. Therefore, it is possible to achieve both securing of the space inside the vehicle compartment and improvement of the cooling and heating performance.

For convenience in explanation and accurate definition in the appended claims, the terms "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", "upper", "lower", "upward", "downward", "front", "rear", "back", "inside", "outside", "inward", "outward", "inside", "outside", "inner", "outer", "forward" and "rearward" are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of such features as displayed in the figures. It will be further understood that the term "connected," or derivatives thereof, refers to both direct and indirect connections.

Furthermore, the term "fixedly connected" means that the fixedly connected members always rotate at the same speed. Further, the term "selectively connectable" means "selectively connectable members rotate when the selectively connectable members are not engaged with each other, respectively; the selectively connectable members rotate at the same speed when they are engaged with each other; and the selectively connectable member is stationary when at least one of the selectively connectable members is a stationary member and the remaining selectively connectable members are joined to the stationary member.

The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain certain principles of the invention and its practical application to enable others skilled in the art to make and use various exemplary embodiments of the invention and various modifications and variations thereof. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.