阅读说明：本技术 用于使hvac再循环噪音反射离开挡风玻璃的噪音衰减双壁 (Noise attenuating double wall for reflecting HVAC recirculation noise off of windshield ) 是由 大卫·拉姆利 阿方索·卡斯特罗 于 2020-04-08 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明公开了一种车辆的加热、通风和空气调节系统的壳体的噪音衰减结构,该噪音衰减结构包括双壁结构。双壁结构构造成从壳体的外表面向外延伸至加热、通风和空气调节系统的噪音路径。双壁结构具有第一壁和与第一壁间隔开的第二壁。(A noise attenuation structure of a housing of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system of a vehicle includes a double-wall structure. The double-walled structure is configured to extend outwardly from an outer surface of the housing to a noise path of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. The double wall structure has a first wall and a second wall spaced from the first wall.)

1. A noise attenuation structure of a housing of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system of a vehicle, the noise attenuation structure comprising:

a double-walled structure configured to extend outwardly from an outer surface of the housing to a noise path of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, the double-walled structure having a first wall and a second wall spaced apart from the first wall.

2. The noise attenuating structure of claim 1, wherein a noise barrier is disposed between the first wall and the second wall.

3. The noise attenuating structure of claim 2, wherein the noise barrier is formed of acoustic foam.

4. The noise attenuating structure of claim 1, wherein a plurality of ribs extend between the first wall and the second wall.

5. The noise attenuating structure of claim 1, wherein a length of each of the first and second walls is substantially equal to a length of the housing.

6. The noise attenuating structure of claim 1, wherein the noise attenuating structure is one of integrally formed with the housing and separately formed from the housing.

7. A heating, ventilation and air conditioning system for a vehicle, the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system comprising:

a blower;

an air inlet housing defining a chamber in communication with the blower; and

a noise attenuating structure disposed on an outer surface of the air inlet housing, the noise attenuating structure including a first wall and a second wall spaced apart from the first wall.

8. The heating, ventilation and air conditioning system according to claim 7, wherein the air inlet housing includes a recirculation air opening configured to receive recirculation air from a passenger compartment of the vehicle and a fresh air opening configured to receive fresh air from the environment, wherein the noise attenuation structure is disposed between the recirculation air opening and the fresh air opening.

9. The heating, ventilation and air conditioning system according to claim 8, wherein noise generated by the blower flows through a noise path extending from the blower to the chamber of the air inlet housing and from the chamber of the air inlet housing to an exterior of the air inlet housing, and wherein the noise attenuation device is disposed in the noise path.

10. The heating, ventilation and air conditioning system according to claim 7, wherein a rib extends between the first wall and the second wall.

11. The heating, ventilation and air conditioning system according to claim 7, wherein a noise barrier is disposed between the first wall and the second wall.

12. The heating, ventilation and air conditioning system according to claim 7, wherein a length of each of the first and second walls is substantially equal to a length of the air inlet housing.

13. The heating, ventilation and air conditioning system according to claim 7, wherein the noise attenuation device is one of integrally formed with the air inlet housing or separately formed from the air inlet housing.

14. An assembly of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system and an instrument panel of a vehicle, the assembly comprising:

a top shelf of the instrument panel;

an air inlet housing of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, the air inlet housing disposed below the top shelf, an outer surface of the air inlet housing spaced from the top shelf to form a gap between the outer surface of the air inlet housing and the top shelf;

a noise path that conveys noise through the noise path, the noise path extending through the air inlet housing and through the gap; and

a noise attenuating structure disposed in the gap in the noise path, the noise attenuating structure including a first wall and a second wall.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein a noise barrier is disposed below the top shelf and is engaged with the noise attenuating structure.

16. The assembly of claim 14, wherein a length of each of the first and second walls is substantially equal to a length of the air inlet housing.

17. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the noise attenuating structure extends outwardly from the outer surface of the air inlet housing, and wherein a height of each of the first and second walls is one of substantially equal to or less than a height of the gap.

18. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the air attenuation device attenuates noise propagating to an area formed below the roof rack between the noise attenuation device and a windshield.

19. The assembly of claim 14, wherein a plurality of ribs extend between the first wall and the second wall.

20. The assembly of claim 14, wherein a noise barrier is disposed between the first wall and the second wall.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to minimizing noise in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems of vehicles, and more particularly to a double wall structure of a housing of an HVAC system.

Background

Vehicles typically include an environmental control system that maintains the temperature within the passenger compartment of the vehicle at a comfortable level by providing heating, cooling, and ventilation. Comfort in the passenger compartment is maintained by an integrated mechanism known in the art as a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The HVAC system conditions air flowing therethrough and distributes the conditioned air throughout the passenger compartment.

HVAC systems typically employ a housing that includes a blower and one or more heating and cooling devices such as heat exchangers and a revolving door. The blower receives air from the environment outside the vehicle in a fresh air mode of operation of the vehicle and receives air from the vehicle interior in a recirculation mode of operation of the vehicle. Undesirable noise from the HVAC system may be generated and directed toward the passenger compartment of the vehicle. In particular, noise may be generated by the blower during a recirculation mode of operation of the vehicle.

In some applications, the HVAC system is disposed toward the front of the vehicle. The space for receiving the HVAC system and the arrangement of the HVAC system relative to other devices and structures of the vehicle may be limited based on the functional and packaging requirements of the vehicle. Due to the limited space and arrangement of HVAC systems and packaging requirements, options for modifying the arrangement of HVAC systems or adjacent components of vehicles to minimize noise in a cost effective manner are limited.

In an example according to the prior art, as shown in FIG. 1, the HVAC system 100 is disposed in a front portion 102 of a vehicle 104, the front portion 102 being between a passenger compartment 118 and a front 120 of the vehicle 104. In particular, the HVAC system 100 may be disposed below a roof rack of an instrument panel of the vehicle 104. The blower is disposed in a housing of the HVAC system 100. The housing defines a chamber for conveying air therethrough. During a recirculation mode of the vehicle 104, the blower receives air from the vehicle 104 interior through an opening formed in the housing and delivers air from the vehicle 104 interior through the HVAC system 100. The air is then directed toward a duct for delivering the air to an area of the vehicle 104, such as the passenger compartment 118 or the windshield 122, for example. Thus, the noise generated by the blower, which may be amplified by turbulent airflow and air flaps or air curtains in the HVAC system 100, propagates in a direction from the blower through an opening formed in the housing to an area or gap formed outside of the housing. The region is between a top shelf of the instrument panel, an opening of the housing, and a connector connecting a portion of the housing and a portion of the top shelf of the instrument panel. The noise then propagates from the area in a direction from the area to the windshield 122, through the top shelf of the instrument panel, and toward the passenger compartment 118.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a double wall structure in the direction of noise transmission from the HVAC system of the vehicle to the passenger compartment, wherein the double wall structure minimizes noise transmission from the HVAC system and minimizes compromise to vehicle packaging requirements and cost effectiveness.

Disclosure of Invention

In accordance with and in concordance with the present invention, a double-wall structure disposed in a direction of noise transmission from an HVAC system of a vehicle to a passenger compartment has been surprisingly discovered, wherein the double-wall structure minimizes noise transmission from the HVAC system and minimizes a compromise in vehicle packaging requirements and cost effectiveness.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a noise attenuating structure of a housing of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system of a vehicle is disclosed, the noise attenuating structure comprising a double-walled structure. The double-walled structure is configured to extend outwardly from an outer surface of the housing to a noise path of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. The double wall structure has a first wall and a second wall spaced from the first wall.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system for a vehicle includes a blower and an air inlet housing defining a chamber in communication with the blower. The noise attenuation structure is disposed on an outer surface of the air inlet housing. The noise attenuating structure includes a first wall and a second wall spaced apart from the first wall.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, an assembly of an instrument panel and a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system for a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly includes a top shelf of an instrument panel and an air inlet housing of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system disposed below the top shelf. The outer surface of the air inlet housing is spaced from the top shelf to form a gap between the outer surface of the air inlet housing and the top shelf. The noise path conveys noise through the noise path. The noise path extends through the air inlet housing and through the gap. The noise attenuating structure is disposed in the gap in the noise path. The noise attenuating structure includes a first wall and a second wall.

Drawings

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, when considered in light of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged schematic view of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system positioned in a vehicle according to the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional elevation view of an HVAC system positioned in a vehicle, wherein the cross-section is taken through a blower air inlet assembly of the HVAC system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of an air inlet housing including noise attenuation structure of a blower air inlet assembly of the HVAC system of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a portion of an air inlet housing including a noise attenuating structure of a blower air inlet assembly of an HVAC system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The following detailed description and the annexed drawings set forth and illustrate various exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description and drawings serve to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. The steps presented are exemplary in nature with respect to the methods disclosed and, thus, the order of the steps is not necessary or critical unless otherwise specified.

"a" and "an" as used herein indicate the presence of "at least one" item; where possible, there may be a plurality of such items. As used herein, "substantially" means "substantially", "largely" or "approximately" when the term will be understood by those skilled in the art based on the present disclosure. Spatially relative terms, such as "front," "rear," "interior," "exterior," "bottom," "top," "horizontal," "vertical," "upper," "lower," "side," and the like, may be used herein to facilitate description of the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Fig. 2 illustrates a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Similar to fig. 1, the HVAC system 1 is disposed in a front portion 2 of the vehicle 4, the front portion 2 being between a passenger compartment 18 and a front 20 of the vehicle 4. The HVAC system 1 is disposed below a top shelf 8 of an instrument panel 6 of the vehicle 4, the top shelf 8 of the instrument panel 6 being disposed below a front windshield 22 of the vehicle 4. Other frames, panels, or components 3 of the HVAC system 1 or vehicle 4 are disposed adjacent to the HVAC system 1 and around the HVAC system 1 to support other components of the HVAC system 1 or vehicle 4. For example, as shown, a connector 3a joining a portion of the instrument panel 6 and a portion of the HVAC system 1, a duct 3c of the HVAC system 1 or the vehicle 4, a noise barrier 3d formed of a foam material are shown as some of the components 3 of the vehicle 4. The noise barrier 3d is disposed below the top shelf 8 of the instrument panel 6, and the noise barrier 3d is configured to attenuate noise propagating through the noise barrier 3 d. The duct 3c may be, for example, an air duct for conveying air to the windshield 22 or passenger compartment 18 of the vehicle 4. It should be understood that the HVAC system 1 may be disposed elsewhere in the vehicle 4, if desired.

The HVAC system 1 includes a housing 12, the housing 12 defining a chamber 14, the chamber 14 for conveying air through the chamber 14. In the illustrated cross-section, the housing 12 is a blower inlet housing assembly that forms part of the HVAC system 1 of the vehicle 4. The housing 12 includes a blower housing 12a that receives the blower 10, an air inlet housing 12b, and a fresh air housing 12 c. The blower 10 receives air from the passenger compartment or environment through an air inlet housing 12b and delivers the air through the HVAC system 1. The HVAC system 1 operates between a fresh air mode of operation and a recirculation mode of operation. During the fresh air mode of operation, fresh air from the environment flows through the fresh air housing 12c to the air inlet housing 12b and from the air inlet housing 12b to the blower 10. During the recirculation mode, recirculated air from the passenger compartment 18 flows through the recirculated air opening 30 to the air inlet housing 12b, and from the air inlet housing 12b to the blower 10. Then, the air received by the blower 10 from the environment or the passenger compartment 18 of the vehicle 4 is distributed to the duct 3c such as an air duct by the HVAC system 1 to be distributed to an area of the vehicle 4 such as the passenger compartment 18 or the windshield 22.

The air inlet housing 12b includes a door 36 disposed therein. The door 36 is selectively rotatable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the door 36 closes the recirculation air opening 30 to prevent recirculation air from being received into the air inlet housing 12 b. In the second position, the door 36 closes the fresh air opening 38 to prevent fresh air from being received into the air inlet housing 12 b. As shown, the door 36 is in an intermediate position between the first and second positions.

Although not shown, it should be understood that the housing 12 is coupled to, or the housing 12 is integrally formed with, other housings of the HVAC system 1, such as a main housing that fluidly connects the housing 12 to the duct 3 c. Additionally, although not shown, the HVAC system 1 may include other devices or components typically included in HVAC systems, such as heat exchangers, valves, alternative doors or flaps, walls, partitions, or the like.

A noise attenuation structure 32 is disposed in the noise path of the noise 24. Noise attenuating structure 32 is configured as a double-walled structure that extends outwardly from an outer surface 34 of air inlet housing 12 b. The noise attenuating structure 32 extends into a gap 40, the gap 40 being formed between the top shelf 8 of the instrument panel 6 and the outer surface 34 of the air inlet housing 12 b. The noise attenuating structure 32 is formed adjacent to a region 26 (generally defined by a circle), which region 26 includes a connector 3a disposed below a portion of the windshield 22 and the top shelf 8 of the instrument panel 6.

During the recirculation mode of operation, blower 10 generates noise 24, which noise 24 propagates in the noise path in the direction indicated by the solid arrows. As used herein, the term "noise" refers to one or more sounds generated by operation of the vehicle 4, such as operation of the blower 10, turbulent airflow through the housing 12 of the HVAC system 1, or operation of other components of the HVAC system 1. The noise 24 is generally undesirable for passengers in the passenger compartment 18. Noise 24 propagates from blower 10 to gap 40 and to noise attenuating structure 32. The noise 24 is attenuated and dissipated by the noise attenuating structure 32. The noise 24 is blocked from propagating across the noise attenuating structure 32 to the area 26, or is blocked from propagating across the area 26 to the windshield 22 and ultimately to the passenger compartment 18.

Fig. 3 shows air inlet housing 12b, which air inlet housing 12b includes a recirculation air opening 30, a fresh air opening 38 for receiving fresh air from fresh air housing 12c, and a blower opening 42 for delivering fresh or recirculation air to blower housing 12 a. As shown, the recirculation air opening 30 is formed in an upper wall 44 of the air inlet housing 12b and is opposite the blower opening 42 formed in a lower wall 46 of the air inlet housing 12 b. The fresh air opening 38 is formed in a side wall 48 of the air inlet housing 12b and is in a position substantially orthogonal to the recirculation air opening 30 and the blower opening 42. However, it should be understood that recirculation air opening 30, fresh air opening 38, and blower opening 42 may be formed in any arrangement relative to each outer housing and relative to air inlet housing 12b as desired based on vehicle packaging requirements.

The noise attenuating structure 32 extends outwardly from the outer surface 34 of the upper wall 44 of the air inlet housing 12b, and the noise attenuating structure 32 is disposed between the recirculation air opening 30 and the fresh air opening 38. The noise attenuating structure 32 includes a first wall 50 and a second wall 52 spaced apart from the first wall 50. The walls 50, 52 extend substantially along the entire length of the air inlet housing 12b, and the lengths of the walls 50, 52 are substantially equal. However, it should be understood that the walls 50, 52 may extend less than the length of the air inlet housing 12b or greater than the length of the air inlet housing 12b, if desired. Additionally, the walls 50, 52 may extend at unequal lengths from one another.

Referring to fig. 2, the height of walls 50, 52 is less than the distance of gap 40 formed between outer surface 34 of air inlet housing 12b and top shelf 8 of instrument panel 6. In the case of a vehicle 4 comprising a noise barrier 3d, the walls 50, 52 extend into the noise barrier 3d or partially into the noise barrier 3d, wherein the height of the walls 50, 52 is slightly greater than the distance between the outer surface 34 of the air inlet housing 12b and the noise barrier 3 d. In the illustrated embodiment, the noise barrier 3d extends widthwise over the noise attenuating structure 32 and into the region 26. However, in other embodiments, the height of the walls 50, 52 may be substantially equal to the gap 40 or slightly less than the gap 40 without the noise barrier 3 d. The noise barrier 3d is configured to help attenuate noise 24 propagating through the noise barrier 3 d. It will be appreciated that the walls 50, 52 may have equal or unequal heights relative to each other, if desired, depending on the surface profile of the upper wall 44 or to avoid obstructions to the component 3 of the vehicle 4. As shown, the height direction of the air inlet case 12b is denoted by "h", the length direction of the air inlet case 12b is denoted by "l", and the width direction of the air inlet case 12b is denoted by "w".

Referring again to fig. 3, the noise attenuating structure 32 includes a plurality of ribs 54 extending between the first wall 50 and the second wall 52. The ribs 54 are configured to support the walls 50, 52 and contribute to the stability and rigidity of the walls 50, 52. The ribs 54 also provide edges for attachment to other components, such as, for example, the noise barrier 3 d. In the illustrated embodiment, eight ribs 54 are shown. However, more than eight ribs 54 or less than eight ribs 54 may extend between the walls 50, 52.

The noise attenuating structure 32 is formed from a plastic material by a molding process. However, the noise attenuating structure 32 may be formed of any material by any process as desired. The noise attenuating structure 32 is integrally formed with the air inlet housing 12 b. However, it should be understood that the noise attenuating structure 32 may be formed separately from the air inlet housing 12b and coupled to the air inlet housing 12 b.

During operation of vehicle 4, particularly during the recirculation mode of operation, noise 24 propagates in a noise path from blower 10 through air inlet housing 12b, outwardly from air inlet housing 12b through recirculation air opening 30, and to gap 40. Because the noise attenuating structure 32 is disposed in the noise path, the propagation of noise 24 through the first portion of the noise path is dissipated by the first wall 50. The second portion of the noise 24 that is not completely dissipated by the first wall 50 continues to propagate across the first wall 50 and then is dissipated by the second wall 52. Thus, noise 24 is prevented from propagating past noise attenuating structure 32 to region 26 and windshield 22, and from windshield 22 to passenger compartment 18. Thus, comfort associated with noise tolerance within the passenger compartment 18 is not compromised.

Fig. 4 illustrates a noise attenuation structure 32' of an air inlet housing 12b according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Features of the noise attenuating structure 32 'of fig. 4 that are similar to the noise attenuating structure 32 of fig. 2-3 are indicated by the same reference numerals, but for convenience the same reference numerals are primed ('). The noise attenuating structure 32 'of fig. 4 is similar to the noise attenuating structure 32 of fig. 2-3, except that the noise attenuating structure 32' of fig. 4 includes a noise barrier 56 disposed between the first wall 50 and the second wall 52.

The noise barrier 56 is formed of, for example, a noise absorbing foam material. However, the noise barrier 56 may be formed of wool, fiberglass, vinyl, plastic, glass, or any other noise absorbing, dampening, attenuating, or insulating material as desired. The noise barrier 56 is positioned between the first wall 50 'and the second wall 52'. The noise barrier 56 has a width equal to the distance between the walls 50 ', 52'. However, if desired, the noise barrier 56 may have a width that is less than the distance between the walls 50 ', 52'. The height of the noise barrier 56 is greater than the height of the walls 50 ', 52' to minimize the noise 24 propagating along the noise path above the walls 50 ', 52'. However, it should be understood that the height of the walls 50 ', 52' may be less than or equal to the height of the walls 50 ', 52'. In the illustrated embodiment, the ribs 54 are not included between the first and second walls 50 ', 52' for receiving the noise barrier 56. Thus, the noise barrier 56 provides support and rigidity to the walls 50 ', 52' by minimizing bending of the walls 50 ', 52'. As shown, a single noise barrier 56 is shown. However, the noise barrier 56 may be a plurality of layers, stacks, or piles of noise attenuating material.

It should be understood that the noise attenuating structures 32, 32' may be positioned in alternative arrangements relative to the air inlet housing 12b depending on the location of the noise path without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, more than one noise attenuating structure 32, 32' may extend from the air inlet housing 12b to block noise 24 from propagating through the noise path or to block other noise from propagating through alternative noise paths, if desired.

Advantageously, the noise 24 transmitted through the HVAC system 1 to the passenger compartment 18 is reduced by the noise attenuating structures 32, 32'. In addition to the walls 50, 50 ', 52', the space formed between the first wall 50, 50 'and the second wall 52, 52' is configured as a noise-insulating air space configured to also facilitate attenuation of noise 24 that travels through the noise path to the windshield 22 and is reflected from the windshield 22 to the passenger compartment 18.

The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims, that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined in the following claims.