AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM FOR MOTOR VEHICLES

Abstract

An air conditioning system for motor vehicles includes an air conditioner case having a drainage port, an evaporator installed within the air conditioner case, a drainage hose configured to discharge condensate water generated in the evaporator to the outside of a vehicle room, the drainage hose connected to the drainage port and drawn out to the outside of the vehicle room through a dashboard, and a connector means configured to rotatably connect the drainage hose to the drainage port of the air conditioner case so as to permit rotation of the drainage hose with respect to the drainage port when the drainage hose is twisted in an assembling process of the drainage hose.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an air conditioning system for motor vehicles. More particularly, the present invention pertains to an air conditioning system for motor vehicles which is capable of preventing a twisting phenomenon of a condensate water drainage hose in the course of assembling the condensate water drainage hose.

BACKGROUND ART

A motor vehicle is provided with an air conditioning system for cooling or heating the interior of a vehicle room. As shown in FIG. 1, an air conditioning system includes an air conditioner case 10 and an evaporator 12 installed in the air conditioner case 10. The evaporator 12 is installed in an internal passage 10a of the air conditioner case 10 and is configured to cool an air blown along the internal passage 10a. This enables a cooled air to be introduced into a vehicle room.

The air conditioning system further includes a drainage device 20 configured to discharge condensate water generated on the surface of the evaporator 12. The drainage device 20 includes a hopper-type bottom surface 22 of the air conditioner case 10 configured to receive and collect condensate water falling from the evaporator 12, a drainage port 24 configured to drain the collected condensate water falling on the bottom surface 22 to the outside, and a drainage hose 26 configured to guide and discharge the condensate water drained from the drainage port 24 to the outside of the vehicle room.

The drainage hose 26 extends to the outside of the vehicle room through a through-hole 32 of a dashboard 30. The drainage hose 26 serves to discharge the condensate water drained from the drainage port 24 to the outside of the vehicle room.

Typically, when assembling the drainage hose 26, the base end portion 26a of the drainage hose 26 is fitted to the drainage port 24 of the air conditioner case 10. The distal end portion 26b of the drainage hose 26 is inserted into the through-hole 32 of the dashboard 30 and is drawn to the outside of the dashboard 30. Finally, the distal end portion 26b of the drainage hose 26 is pulled outside the dashboard 30.

In the course of pulling and drawing out the distal end portion 26b of the drainage hose 26 outside the dashboard 30, the drainage hose 26 may be distorted and twisted. This poses a problem in that the drainage hose 26 is clogged due to the twisting phenomenon thereof.

Particularly, the twisting phenomenon of the drainage hose 26 occurs mostly inside the dashboard 30. In this case, a worker who conducts a drawing work outside the dashboard 30 cannot recognize occurrence of the twisting phenomenon of the drainage hose 26. Thus, the drainage hose 26 may be assembled in a twisted state. This leads to a problem in that poor assembly of the drainage hose 26 occurs.

Consequently, there is a possibility that the inner diameter of the drainage hose 26 is reduced or the drainage hose 26 is clogged. As a result, the condensate water is not smoothly drained and the leakage of condensate water may be generated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved

In view of the aforementioned problems inherent in the related art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an air conditioning system for motor vehicles which is capable of preventing a twisting phenomenon of a drainage hose in the course of assembling the drainage hose.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning system for motor vehicles which is configured to prevent a twisting phenomenon of a drainage hose in the course of assembling the drainage hose and which is capable of reliably preventing a clogging phenomenon of the drainage hose attributable to the twist of the drainage hose and the resultant leakage of condensate water.

Technical Solutions

In order to achieve the above objects, there is provided an air conditioning system for motor vehicles, including: an air conditioner case having a drainage port; an evaporator installed within the air conditioner case; a drainage hose configured to discharge condensate water generated in the evaporator to the outside of a vehicle room, the drainage hose connected to the drainage port and drawn out to the outside of the vehicle room through a dashboard, and a connector means configured to rotatably connect the drainage hose to the drainage port of the air conditioner case so as to permit rotation of the drainage hose with respect to the drainage port when the drainage hose is twisted in an assembling process of the drainage hose.

In the air conditioning system, the connector means may include: a rotation guiding projection formed on an outer circumferential surface of the drainage port; and a connector fixedly secured to the drainage hose and fitted to the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port so as to rotate along the rotation guiding projection.

In air conditioning system, the rotation guiding projection may protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port, the connector may include a port connection portion rotatably fitted to the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port, and the port connection portion may include a rotation guiding rail formed on an inner circumferential surface of the port connection portion and configured to engage with the rotation guiding projection of the drainage port so that the rotation guiding rail slides along a circumferential direction.

In the air conditioning system, the connector may further include an opening portion formed by cutting out a portion of the port connection portion in the vicinity of the rotation guiding rail, and the opening portion may be configured to permit elastic deformation of a portion of the port connection portion having the rotation guiding rail so that the rotation guiding rail is elastically deformed radially outward when the port connection portion of the connector is fitted to the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port.

The air conditioning system may further comprising: a sealing means configured to water-tightly seal a gap between the drainage port and the connector.

Advantageous Effects

According to the present air conditioning system for motor vehicles, the drainage hose is rotatably assembled with the air conditioner case. Thus, there is provided an effect of being able to actively cope with a situation where the drainage hose is twistingly rotated in the process of drawing out and assembling the drainage hose outside the vehicle room.

Furthermore, since it is possible to actively cope with the situation where the drainage hose is twistingly rotated in the process of drawing out and assembling the drainage hose outside the vehicle room, there is provided an effect of being able to reliably prevent a twisting phenomenon of the drainage hose which may otherwise be generated when the drainage hose is twistingly rotated in the process of assembling the drainage hose.

Furthermore, since it is possible to prevent the twisting phenomenon of the drainage hose in the process of assembling the drainage hose, there is provided an effect of being able to reliably prevent a clogging phenomenon of the drainage hose attributable to the twist of the drainage hose and the resultant leakage of condensate water.

In addition, the drainage hose is rotatably assembled with the drainage port of the air conditioner case through the connector. The connection portion between the drainage port of the air conditioner case and the connector, from which water may be leaked, is water-tightly sealed by the seal means. Thus, there is provided an effect of being able to reliably prevent leakage of water from between the drainage port of the air conditioner case and the connector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a conventional air conditioning system for motor vehicles.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating an air conditioning system for motor vehicles according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which view major characterizing parts are illustrated in an exploded state.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the air conditioning system for motor vehicles according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which view major characterizing parts are illustrated in an exploded state.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating a state in which a drainage port, a connector and a drainage hose, as major characterizing parts of the first embodiment, are exploded.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating a state in which the drainage port, the connector and the drainage hose illustrated in FIG. 2 are assembled together.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the drainage port, the connector and the drainage hose illustrated in FIG. 2 are assembled together.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating a state in which the drainage port, the connector and the drainage hose, as major characterizing parts of the first embodiment, are assembled together.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating an air conditioning system for motor vehicles according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which view a drainage port, a connector, a drainage hose and a sealing means of the drainage port and the connector, as major characterizing parts of the second embodiment, are illustrated in an exploded state.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating a state in which the drainage port, the connector, the drainage hose and the sealing means illustrated in FIG. 8 are assembled together.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view illustrating a first modification of the sealing means of the air conditioning system according to the second embodiment, in which view the drainage port, the connector, the drainage hose and the sealing means are illustrated in an exploded state.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view illustrating a state in which the drainage port, the connector, the drainage hose and the sealing means illustrated in FIG. 10 are assembled together.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view illustrating a second modification of the sealing means of the air conditioning system according to the second embodiment, in which view a drainage port, a connector, a drainage hose and a sealing means are illustrated in an exploded state.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view illustrating the second modification of the sealing means of the air conditioning system according to the second embodiment, in which view the drainage port, the connector, the drainage hose and the sealing means are illustrated in an exploded state.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view illustrating a state in which the drainage port, the connector, the drainage hose and the sealing means illustrated in FIG. 13 are assembled together.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view illustrating a third modification of the sealing means of the air conditioning system according to the second embodiment.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of an air conditioning system for motor vehicles according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Components similar to those of the related art described earlier will be designated by like reference symbols.

First Embodiment

Prior to describing features of an air conditioning system for motor vehicles according to the present invention, an air conditioning system for motor vehicles will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 2.

The air conditioning system includes an air conditioner case 10 and an evaporator 12 installed in the air conditioner case 10. The evaporator 12 is installed in an internal passage 10a of the air conditioner case 10 and is configured to cool an air blown along the internal passage 10a.

The air conditioning system further includes a drainage device 20 configured to discharge condensate water generated on the surface of the evaporator 12. The drainage device 20 includes a hopper-type bottom surface 22 of the air conditioner case 10 configured to receive and collect condensate water falling from the evaporator 12, a drainage port 24 configured to drain the collected condensate water falling on the bottom surface 22 to the outside, and a drainage hose 26 configured to guide and discharge the condensate water drained from the drainage port 24 to the outside of the vehicle room.

The drainage hose 26 extends to the outside of the vehicle room through a through-hole 32 of a dashboard 30. The drainage hose 26 serves to discharge the condensate water drained from the drainage port 24 to the outside of the vehicle room.

Typically, when assembling the drainage hose 26, the base end portion 26a of the drainage hose 26 is fitted to the drainage port 24 of the air conditioner case 10. The distal end portion 26b of the drainage hose 26 is inserted into the through-hole 32 of the dashboard 30 and is drawn to the outside of the dashboard 30. Finally, the distal end portion 26b of the drainage hose 26 is pulled outside the dashboard 30.

Next, features of the air conditioning system for motor vehicles according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7.

The air conditioning system according to the present invention includes a drainage port 24 of the drainage device 20. A rotation guiding projection 40 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24. The rotation guiding projection 40 is formed to protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24. Although a plurality of rotation guiding projections may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24, it is preferred that one rotation guiding projection is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the rotation guiding projection 40 protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24 so that the protrusion height A1 thereof becomes equal to 1.5/10 of the outer diameter A2 of the drainage port 24.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 to 7, the air conditioning system according to the present invention includes a connector 50 configured to rotatably connect the drainage hose 26 to the drainage port 24. The connector 50 is a tubular body having a bore 50a. The connector 50 includes a hose connection portion 52 formed at one end thereof and a port connection portion 54 formed at the other end thereof.

The hose connection portion 52 is fitted to a bore 26c of the drainage hose 26. A plurality of coupling projections 52a is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the hose connection portion 52. The coupling projections 52a protrude radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the hose connection portion 52. The coupling projections 52a are formed at regular intervals along the circumferential direction of the hose connection portion 52.

When the hose connection portion 52 of the connector 50 is fitted to the bore 26c of the drainage hose 26, the coupling projections 52a engage with the inner circumferential surface of the drainage hose 26, thereby increasing the coupling force between the drainage hose 26 and the hose connection portion 52. Specifically, the coupling projections 52a cut into and engage with the inner circumferential surface of the drainage hose 26 in the process of fitting the hose connection portion 52 into the bore 26c of the drainage hose 26. Thus, the coupling projections 52a enhance the coupling force between the drainage hose 26 and the hose connection portion 52. This prevents separation of the hose connection portion 52 of the connector 50 and the drainage hose 26.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 7, it is preferred that the coupling projections 52a protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the hose connection portion 52 have a triangular cross section. More preferably, the coupling projections 52a may protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the hose connection portion 52 in a right-triangular cross section.

Each of the coupling projections 52a having a right-triangular cross section includes a slant side portion 52b and a perpendicular side portion 52c. The slant side portion 52b oriented in a coupling direction in which the hose connection portion 52 is coupled to the drainage hose 26. The perpendicular side portion 52c is oriented in a direction opposite to the coupling direction.

By employing this configuration, when the connector 50 is assembled with the drainage hose 26, the coupling projections 52a smoothly slide along the inner circumferential surface of the drainage hose 26, thereby assuring smooth assembly of the connector 50 and the drainage hose 26. After the connector 50 is assembled with the drainage hose 26, the coupling projections 52a make contact with the inner circumferential surface of the drainage hose 26 with a large friction force, thereby increasing the coupling force between the connector 50 and the drainage hose 26.

In addition, it is preferred that each of the coupling projections 52a protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the hose connection portion 52 has a sharp end portion. It is also preferred that the protruding height A3 of each of the coupling projections 52a is substantially equal to ⅓ of the wall thickness A4 of the drainage hose 26.

Furthermore, it is preferred that each of the coupling projections 52a protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the hose connection portion 52 is spaced apart by a distance AS of at least 5 mm from the terminal end of the hose connection portion 52. More preferably, each of the coupling projections 52a may be spaced apart by a distance A5 of at least 5 mm from the terminal end of a contact section 22d of the hose connection portion 52 making contact with the drainage hose 26.

The coupling projections 52a are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the hose connection portion 52 at regular intervals along the circumferential direction and are arranged in a zigzag pattern along the circumferential direction.

By employing this configuration, it is possible to widen the arrangement area of the coupling projections 52a. This makes it possible to widen the friction contact area between the coupling projections 52a and the drainage hose 26 and to increase the coupling force between the coupling projections 52a and the drainage hose 26.

The reason for arranging the coupling projections 52a in the zigzag pattern is to prevent a portion of the drainage hose 26 from excessively expanding radially outward in the process of assembling the hose connection portion 52 and the drainage hose 26.

In a case where the coupling projections 52a are arranged in a line along the circumferential direction of the hose connection portion 52, a portion of the drainage hose 26 may be excessively expanded radially outward in the process of assembling the hose connection portion 52 and the drainage hose 26. This may make it difficult to assemble the hose connection portion 52 and the drainage hose 26.

If the coupling projections 52a are arranged in the zigzag pattern as in the present invention, the drainage hose 26 is sequentially expanded in the process of assembling the hose connection portion 52 and the drainage hose 26. Thus, the expansion amount of the drainage hose 26 is reduced. This makes it easy to assemble the hose connection portion 52 and the drainage hose 26. As a result, the ease of assembly of the drainage hose 26 is remarkably improved.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 to 7, the port connection portion 54 of the connector 50 is rotatably fitted to the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24. The port connection portion 54 includes a rotation guiding rail 60 formed on the inner circumferential surface thereof.

The rotation guiding rail 60 is one kind of protrusion rib protruding radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the port connection portion 54 and extending along the circumferential direction. The rotation guiding rail 60 has a substantially triangular cross section.

When the port connection portion 54 of the connector 50 is fitted to the drainage port 24, the rotation guiding rail 60 slidably engages with the rotation guiding projection 40 of the drainage port 24. The rotation guiding rail 60 slidably engaging with the rotation guiding projection 40 connects the connector 50 to the drainage port 24 so that the connector 50 can rotate with reference to the drainage port 24.

Accordingly, the connector 50 and the drainage hose 26 coupled with the connector 50 can rotate with reference to the drainage port 24. This makes it possible to cope with the twist of the drainage hose 26 which may be twistingly rotated in the process of assembling the drainage hose 26.

In particular, it is possible to actively cope with the twist of the drainage hose 26 which may be twisted in the process of drawing out the drainage hose 26 outside the vehicle room. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent a twisting phenomenon of the drainage hose 26. This makes it possible to reliably prevent a clogging phenomenon of the drainage hose 26 attributable to the twist of the drainage hose 26 and a leakage phenomenon of condensate water attributable to the clogging phenomenon of the drainage hose 26.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the rotation guiding rail 60 protrudes radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the port connection portion 54 so that the protruding height A6 thereof is larger than the protruding height A1 of the rotation guiding projection 40 with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24.

By employing this configuration, when the port connection portion 54 of the connector 50 is fitted to the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24 as illustrated in FIG. 7, a gap C is formed between the inner circumferential surface of the port connection portion 54 and the rotation guiding projection 40 of the drainage port 24 due to the difference between the protruding heights A1 and A6 of the rotation guiding rail 60 and the rotation guiding projection 40. This makes it possible to prevent direct friction contact between the rotation guiding projection 40 of the drainage port 24 and the inner circumferential surface of the port connection portion 54.

The reason for preventing the direct friction contact between the rotation guiding projection 40 of the drainage port 24 and the inner circumferential surface of the port connection portion 54 is to minimize the friction contact force between the drainage port 24 and the connector 50, thereby allowing smooth rotation of the connector 50.

It is preferred that the gap C between the rotation guiding projection 40 of the drainage port 24 and the inner circumferential surface of the port connection portion 54 of the connector 50 is equal to 1/10 of the outer diameter A2 of the drainage port 24.

In the present embodiment, the rotation guiding projection 40 is formed in the drainage port 24. The rotation guiding rail 60 is formed in the connector 50. The relative rotational movement between the drainage port 24 and the connector 50 is guided using the rotation guiding projection 40 and the rotation guiding rail 60. Alternatively, if necessary, the rotation guiding rail 60 may be formed in the drainage port 24. The rotation guiding projection 40 may be formed in the connector 50. The relative rotational movement between the drainage port 24 and the connector 50 can be guided using the rotation guiding rail 60 and the rotation guiding projection 40 thus formed.

It is preferred that the rotation guiding projection 40 is formed in the drainage port 24 and the rotation guiding rail 60 is formed in the connector 50 so that the relative rotational movement between the drainage port 24 and the connector 50 is guided by the rotation guiding projection 40 and the rotation guiding rail 60. The reason is that if he rotation guiding projection 40 is formed in the connector 50 as a rotating body, the rotation guiding projection 40 may be easily damaged or broken during the rotation of the connector 50.

By forming the rotation guiding projection 40 in the drainage port 24 as a fixed body, it is possible to suppress damage or breakage of the rotation guiding projection 40, thereby improving the durability thereof.

In the present embodiment, there has been described an example in which one rotation guiding projection 40 is formed in the drainage port 24. However, if necessary, a plurality of rotation guiding projections may be formed in the drainage port 24.

It is preferred that one rotation guiding projection 40 is formed in the drainage port 24. The reason is that as the number of rotation guiding projections increases, the contact area between the drainage port 24 and the connector 50 grows larger, eventually making it difficult for the connector 50 to rotate.

By forming one rotation guiding projection 40 in the drainage port 24, it is possible to enable smooth rotation of the connector 50 while not reducing the coupling force between the drainage port 24 and the connector 50.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 to 7, the air conditioning system of the present invention includes opening portions 70 formed in the port connection portion 54 of the connector 50. The opening portions 70 are formed to extend through the thickness of the connector 50 from the outer circumferential surface of the port connection portion 54. The opening portions 70 are formed in a pair along the circumferential direction of the port connection portion 54.

The opening portions 70 are symmetrically formed in the port connection portion 54 so as to face each other. The opening portions 70 are formed in the vicinity of the rotation guiding rail 60 of the port connection portion 54.

Since the opening portions 70 configured as above have a mutually-facing symmetrical structure, it is possible to easily secure the orientation of a mold when injection-molding the connector 50. Specifically, when injection-molding the internal parts of the port connection portion 54, for example, the rotation guiding rail 60, it is possible to easily secure the orientation of a mold for molding the rotation guiding rail 60. Accordingly, it is possible to facilitate the injection-molding of the connector 50, consequently improving the productivity of the connector 50.

In addition, since the opening portions 70 are formed in the vicinity of the rotation guiding rail 60, the region of the port connection portion 54 where the rotation guiding rail 60 is formed can be elastically deformed.

Accordingly, when the port connection portion 54 of the connector 50 is fitted to the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24, the port connection portion 54 is elastically deformed so that the port connection portion 54 of the connector 50 can be easily fitted to the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24.

In particular, when the rotation guiding rail 60 of the connector 50 is fitted to the drainage port 24 while making friction contact with the outer surface of the rotation guiding projection 40, the port connection portion 54 can be deformed radially outward in the rotation guiding rail 60. This makes it possible to improve the ease of assembly of the connector 50 with respect to the rotation guiding projection 40 of the drainage port 24. As a result, it is possible to improve the ease of assembly of the connector 50.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 to 7, the air conditioning system of the present invention includes a stopper 80 formed in the drainage port 24. The stopper 80 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7, the stopper 80 is configured such that the end portion of the connector 50 fitted to the drainage port 24 collides and interferes with the stopper 80. Specifically, the stopper 80 is disposed such that the end portion of the connector 50 fitted to the rotation guiding projection 40 of the drainage port 24 collides and interferes with the stopper 80.

When the connector 50 temporarily fitted to drainage port 24 is moved toward the stopper 80 beyond a right assembly position in an insertion direction, the stopper 80 interferes with the connector 50, thereby restraining the movement of the connector 50. Thus, the stopper 80 prevents the connector 50 from being excessively fitted to the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24 when the connector 50 is assembled with the drainage port 24. This makes it possible to prevent inaccurate assembly of the connector 50 and the resultant locking of the connector 50. Thus, the stopper 80 assists in enabling smooth rotation of the connector 50.

Next, an operation example of the air conditioning system configured as above will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7.

First, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the connector 50 is assembled with the drainage port 24 of the air conditioner case 10. In this case, the port connection portion 54 of the connector 50 is fitted to the drainage port 24 of the air conditioner case 10. Then, the rotation guiding rail 60 of the port connection portion 54 is slidably supported on the rotation guiding projection 40. The connector 50 thus assembled is rotatably connected to the drainage port 24 of the air conditioner case 10 so that the connector 50 can rotate around the drainage port 24.

After the assembly of the connector 50 with the drainage port 24 is completed, the drainage hose 26 is assembled with the connector 50. In this case, the base end portion 26a of the drainage hose 26 is fitted to the hose connection portion 52 of the connector 50. In the process of assembling the drainage hose 26 with the connector 50, the coupling projections 52a of the connector 50 cut into the inner circumferential surface of the drainage hose 26 and engage with the inner circumferential surface of the drainage hose 26. Thus, drainage hose 26 and the hose connection portion 52 of the connector 50 are assembled with a high coupling force.

After the assembly of the drainage hose 26 with the connector 50 is completed, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the terminal end portion of the drainage hose 26 is inserted into the through-hole 32 of the dashboard 30 and is drawn out to the outside of the vehicle room. Then, the drainage hose 26 is pulled outward. Thus, the drainage hose 26 kept in a slackened state within the vehicle room is stretched to the outside of the vehicle room, whereby the drainage hose 26 tensely extends from the inside of the vehicle room to the outside thereof.

If the drainage hose 26 is twisted in the process of pulling the drainage hose 26, the drainage hose 26 and the connector 50 rotate with respect to the drainage port 24 of the air conditioner case 10, thereby actively untwisting the drainage hose 26. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent a twisting phenomenon of the drainage hose 26.

According to the air conditioning system configured as above, the drainage hose 26 is rotatably assembled with the air conditioner case 10. Thus, it is possible to actively cope with a situation where the drainage hose 26 is twistingly rotated in the process of drawing out and assembling the drainage hose 26 outside the vehicle room.

Furthermore, since it is possible to actively cope with the situation where the drainage hose is twistingly rotated in the process of drawing out and assembling the drainage hose outside the vehicle room, it is possible to reliably prevent a twisting phenomenon of the drainage hose 26 which may otherwise be generated when the drainage hose 26 is twistingly rotated in the process of assembling the drainage hose 26.

In addition, since it is possible to prevent the twisting phenomenon of the drainage hose 26 in the process of assembling the drainage hose 26, it is possible to reliably prevent a clogging phenomenon of the drainage hose 26 attributable to the twist of the drainage hose 26 and the resultant leakage of condensate water.

Second Embodiment

Next, an air conditioning system for motor vehicles according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 15.

Referring first to FIGS. 8 and 9, the air conditioning system of the second embodiment is identical in basic configuration with the air conditioning system of the first embodiment described above.

The air conditioning system of the second embodiment further includes a sealing means configured to water-tightly seal a gap between the drainage port 24 of the air conditioner case 10 and the connector 50 fitted to the drainage port 24.

The sealing means includes a terminal end portion 90 of the hose connection portion 52 of the connector 50, which makes contact with the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24, and protrusion portions 92 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24 in a corresponding relationship with the terminal end portion 90 of the hose connection portion 52.

The terminal end portion 90 of the hose connection portion 52 of the connector 50 is configured to make contact with the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24 when fitting the connector 50 to the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24. The terminal end portion 90 makes contact with the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24 along the circumferential direction.

The protrusion portions 92 protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24 in a corresponding relationship with the terminal end portion 90 of the connector 50. Specifically, the protrusion portions 92 protrude in an annular shape along the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24 with which the terminal end portion 90 of the connector 50 makes contact.

The protrusion portions 92 make contact with the terminal end portion 90 of the connector 50. Thus, the protrusion portions 92 eliminates a clearance which may otherwise exist between the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24 and the terminal end portion 90 of the connector 50. Consequently, the protrusion portions 92 water-tightly seal a gap between the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24 and the terminal end portion 90 of the connector 50, thereby enhancing the water-tightness between the drainage port 24 and the connector 50. It is therefore possible to prevent condensate water from being leaked through between the drainage port 24 and the connector 50.

In this regard, the protrusion portions 92 protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24 are formed in a pair so as to interpose the terminal end portion 90 of the connector 50 therebetween. Specifically, the protrusion portions 92 are formed on the drainage port 24 at the inner side and outer side of the connector 50 with respect to the terminal end portion 90 interposed between the protrusion portions 92.

The protrusion portions 92 are arranged at the opposite sides of the terminal end portion 90 of the connector 50 so as to improve the water-tightness between the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24 and the terminal end portion 90 of the connector 50. It is therefore possible to maximize an effect of preventing leakage of condensate water through between the drainage port 24 and the connector 50.

It is preferred that the protrusion portions 92 of the drainage port 24 are burrs formed on the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24 by the terminal end portion 90 of the hose connection portion 52 when the terminal end portion 90 of the hose connection portion 52 of the connector 50 is pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24 and then the connector 50 is rotated.

When pressing the terminal end portion 90 of the connector 50 against the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24 in order to form the burrs as the protrusion portions 92, it may be possible to manually press the terminal end portion 90 of the connector 50 against the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24.

However, it is preferred that the inner diameter L2 of the terminal end portion 90 of the connector 50 is set smaller than the outer diameter L1 of the drainage port 24 so that the terminal end portion 90 of the connector 50 is naturally pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24 in the process of fitting the connector 50 to the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24.

The protrusion portions 92 of the drainage port 24 serve not only to improve the water-tightness between the drainage port 24 and the connector 50 but also to increase the coupling force of the drainage port 24 and the connector 50. Furthermore, the protrusion portions 92 serve to guide the rotational movement of the connector 50.

The protrusion portions 92 serve to additionally guide the rotational movement of the connector 50 in cooperation with the rotation guiding projection 40 and the rotation guiding rail 60 and serve to additionally couple the connector 50 with the drainage port 24. Accordingly, even when the rotation guiding projection 40 of the drainage port 24 and the rotation guiding rail 60 of the connector 50 are separated from each other, the protrusion portions 92 enable the connector 50 to smoothly rotate with respect to the drainage port 24 while maintaining the coupling of the drainage port 24 and the connector 50.

The protrusion portions 92 of the drainage port 24 may not be formed of the burrs mentioned above but may be formed of protrusion ribs integrally formed with the drainage port 24 when injection-molding the drainage port 24.

Similar to the burr-type protrusion portions 92 described above, the rib-type protrusion portions 92 protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24 and make contact with the terminal end portion 90 of the connector 50, thereby improving the water-tightness between the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24 and the terminal end portion 90 of the connector 50. This makes it possible to prevent leakage of condensate water through between the drainage port 24 and the connector 50.

Referring next to FIGS. 10 and 11, there is illustrated a first modification of the sealing means for sealing a gap between the drainage port 24 and the connector 50.

The sealing means of the first modification includes a terminal end portion 90 of the hose connection portion 52 of the connector 50, which is configured to water-tight contact with the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24. The terminal end portion 90 of the hose connection portion 52 of the connector 50 includes a freely-deformable flexural deformation portion 90a having a thickness smaller than the thickness of the remaining portion of the terminal end portion 90.

The flexural deformation portion 90a of the connector 50 is configured to make water-tight contact with the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24 when fitting the connector 50 to the drainage port 24. Specifically, the flexural deformation portion 90a makes water-tight contact with the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24 along the circumferential direction. Thus, the flexural deformation portion 90a water-tightly seals a gap between the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24 and the terminal end portion 90 of the connector 50. Accordingly, the flexural deformation portion 90a enhances the air-tightness between the drainage port 24 and the connector 50, thereby preventing leakage of condensate water through between the drainage port 24 and the connector 50.

The flexural deformation portion 90a should not apply an excessive pressing force to the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24 when making water-tight contact with the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24. The reason is that if the flexural deformation portion 90a applies an excessive pressing force to the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24, the rotation of the connector 50 may be hindered.

It is preferred that the inner diameter L3 of the flexural deformation portion 90a is set smaller than the outer diameter L1 of the drainage port 24. The reason is that if the inner diameter L3 of the flexural deformation portion 90a is smaller than the outer diameter L1 of the drainage port 24, the flexural deformation portion 90a of the connector 50 can naturally make surface-to-surface contact with the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24 in the process of fitting the connector 50 to the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24.

Referring next to FIGS. 12 to 14, there is illustrated a second modification of the sealing means for sealing a gap between the drainage port 24 and the connector 50.

The sealing means of the second modification includes an O-ring 100 installed between the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24 and the inner circumferential surface of the connector 50.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, the O-ring 100 is fitted to the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24. One side surface of the O-ring 100 is supported by a shoulder surface 24a formed on the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24 and the other side surface of the O-ring 100 elastically makes contact with a ring-holding surface 50b of the connector 50.

The O-ring 100 configured as above water-tightly seals a gap between the drainage port 24 and the connector 50, thereby enhancing the water-tightness between the drainage port 24 and the connector 50. This prevents condensate water from being leaked through between the drainage port 24 and the connector 50 when the condensate water is discharged from the drainage port 24 to the drainage hose 26.

The O-ring 100 is installed between the drainage port 24 and the connector 50 in a position corresponding to the opening portions 70 of the connector 50. This enables a worker to visually recognize the installation state of the O-ring 100 through the opening portions 70 of the connector 50. With this configuration, it is possible to inspect the assembly state, the wear state and the damage or breakage of the O-ring 100.

The shoulder surface 24a of the drainage port 24, which supports one side surface of the O-ring 100, is formed to make a right angle with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24. The shoulder surface 24a has a height B1 larger than the diameter B2 of the O-ring 100. For example, the height B1 of the shoulder surface 24a is 1.5 times as large as the diameter B2 of the O-ring 100. The reason for employing this configuration is to prevent removal of the O-ring 100 from the shoulder surface 24a of the drainage port 24.

In addition, the ring-holding surface 50b of the connector 50 making contact with the other side surface of the O-ring 100 is inclined with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24. The ring-holding surface 50b of the connector 50 inclined with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24 serves to press the O-ring 100 against the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24, thereby enhancing the air-tightness between the drainage port 24, the O-ring 100 and the connector 50.

It is preferred that the ring-holding surface 50b of the connector 50 corresponding to the shoulder surface 24a of the drainage port 24 is inclined to make a predetermined angle a with respect to the shoulder surface 24a of the drainage port 24. For example, the ring-holding surface 50b of the connector 50 may be inclined to make an angle falling within a range of about 30 to 45 degrees with respect to the shoulder surface 24a of the drainage port 24.

The reason for employing this configuration is to assure that the pressing forces applied to one side surface and the other side surface of the O-ring 100 by the drainage port 24 and the connector 50 do not act against each other. In a case where the pressing forces applied to one side surface and the other side surface of the O-ring 100 by the drainage port 24 and the connector 50 act against each other, the rotation of the connector 50 may be hindered.

Since the ring-holding surface 50b of the connector 50 is inclined with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24, the ring-holding surface 50b comes close to the shoulder surface 24a of the drainage port 24 in the portion thereof corresponding to the radial outer portion of the O-ring 100. The gap B3 between the shoulder surface 24a of the drainage port 24 and the portion of the ring-holding surface 50b closest to the shoulder surface 24a is set smaller than the diameter B2 of the O-ring 100. For example, the gap B3 may be set to become equal to ⅓ of the diameter B2 of the O-ring 100. The reason for employing this configuration is to prevent the O-ring 100 from being removed from the gap between the ring-holding surface 50b of the connector 50 and the shoulder surface 24a of the drainage port 24.

Referring next to FIG. 15, there is illustrated a third modification of the sealing means for sealing a gap between the drainage port 24 and the connector 50.

The sealing means of the third modification differs from the sealing means of the second modification in terms of the structures of the connector 50 and the drainage port 24 for installing the O-ring 100.

Specifically, in the sealing means of the second modification, the shoulder surface 24a of the drainage port 24 is formed to make a right angle with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24, and the ring-holding surface 50b of the connector 50 is inclined.

In contrast, in the sealing means of the third modification, the shoulder surface 24a of the drainage port 24 is inclined with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24, and the ring-holding surface 50b of the connector 50 makes a right angle with the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port 24.

The shoulder surface 24a of the drainage port 24 and the ring-holding surface 50b of the connector 50 employed in the sealing means of the third modification are opposite in shape and structure to those employed in the sealing means of the second modification. However, the function and operation of the shoulder surface 24a of the drainage port 24 and the ring-holding surface 50b of the connector 50 employed in the sealing means of the third modification are the same as those of the second embodiment.

According to the air conditioning system of the second embodiment configured as above, the drainage hose 26 is rotatably fitted to the drainage port 24 through the use of the connector 50. The connection region of the drainage port 24 and the connector 50, from which condensate water may be leaked, is water-tightly sealed by the sealing means. It is therefore possible to reliably prevent leakage of condensate water through between the drainage port 24 and the connector 50.

While some preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. It is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the claims.

Claims

1-35. (canceled)

36. An air conditioning system for motor vehicles, comprising: an air conditioner case having a drainage port;an evaporator installed within the air conditioner case;a drainage hose configured to discharge condensate water generated in the evaporator to an outside of a vehicle room, the drainage hose connected to the drainage port and drawn out to the outside of the vehicle room through a dashboard, anda connector means configured to rotatably connect the drainage hose to the drainage port of the air conditioner case to permit rotation of the drainage hose with respect to the drainage port when the drainage hose is twisted in an assembling process of the drainage hose.

37. The air conditioning system of claim 36, wherein the connector means includes a rotation guiding projection formed on an outer circumferential surface of the drainage port, and a connector fixedly secured to the drainage hose and fitted to the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port to rotate along the rotation guiding projection.

38. The air conditioning system of claim 37, wherein the rotation guiding projection protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port, wherein the connector includes a port connection portion rotatably fitted to the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port, and wherein the port connection portion includes a rotation guiding rail fanned on an inner circumferential surface of the port connection portion and is configured to engage with the rotation guiding projection of the drainage port so the rotation guiding rail slides along a circumferential direction.

39. The air conditioning system of claim 38, wherein the connector includes an opening portion formed by cutting out a portion of the port connection portion in the vicinity of the rotation guiding rail, and wherein the opening portion is configured to permit elastic deformation of a portion of the port connection portion having the rotation guiding rail so the rotation guiding rail is elastically deformed radially outward when the port connection portion of the connector is fitted to the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port.

40. The air conditioning system of claim 39, wherein the opening portion includes a pair of opening portions symmetrically formed in the port connection portion to face each other.

41. The air conditioning system of claim 40, wherein the rotation guiding rail is a rib protruding radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the port connection portion to have a triangular cross section and extending in a circumferential direction, and wherein a protruding height of the rotation guiding rail protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the port connection portion is set larger than a protruding height of the rotation guiding projection with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port so a gap is formed between the inner circumferential surface of the port connection portion and the rotation guiding projection of the drainage port in a process of fitting the port connection portion of the connector to the drainage port.

42. The air conditioning system of claim 37, further comprising: a stopper formed in the drainage port to interfere with the connector and restrain over-assembling of the connector when the connector fitted to the drainage port moves beyond a right assembly position in an insertion direction.

43. The air conditioning system of claim 37, wherein the connector includes a hose connection portion fitted to a bore of the drainage hose, and wherein the hose connection portion includes a plurality of coupling projections formed on an outer circumferential surface of the hose connection portion and disposed at regular intervals along a circumferential direction to engage with an inner circumferential surface of the drainage hose.

44. The air conditioning system of claim 37, further comprising: a sealing means configured to water-tightly seal a gap between the drainage port and the connector.

45. The air conditioning system of claim 44, wherein the sealing means is integrally formed with at least one of the drainage port and the connector.

46. The air conditioning system of claim 45, wherein the sealing means includes a terminal end portion of the connector extending along a circumferential direction and protrusion portions continuously formed on the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port along the circumferential direction to make contact with the terminal end portion of the connector and seal a gap between the terminal end portion of the connector and the drainage port.

47. The air conditioning system of claim 46, wherein the protrusion portions are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port at an inner side and an outer side of the connector with respect to the terminal end portion interposed between the protrusion portions.

48. The air conditioning system of claim 47, wherein the protrusion portions are burrs formed on the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port by the terminal end portion of the connector when the terminal end portion of the connector is pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port and then the connector is rotated.

49. The air conditioning system of claim 4S, wherein an inner diameter of the terminal end portion of the connector is set smaller than an outer diameter of the drainage port so the terminal end portion of the connector is pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port in a process of fitting the connector to the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port.

50. The air conditioning system of claim 47, wherein the protrusion portions are ribs integrally formed with the drainage port when injection-molding the drainage port.

51. The air conditioning system of claim 45, wherein the sealing means includes a terminal end portion of the connector water-tightly pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port to seal a gap between the connector and the drainage port.

52. The air conditioning system of claim 51, wherein the terminal end portion of the connector includes a freely-deformable flexural deformation portion having a thickness smaller than a thickness of a remaining portion of the terminal end portion, the flexural deformation portion configured to make water-tight contact with the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port.

53. The air conditioning system of claim 52, wherein an inner diameter of the flexural deformation portion is set smaller than an outer diameter of the drainage port so the flexural deformation portion of the connector makes surface-to-surface contact with the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port in a process of fitting the connector to the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port.

54. The air conditioning system of claim 44, wherein the sealing means includes an O-ring installed between the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port and an inner circumferential surface of the connector to water-tightly seal a gap between the drainage port and the connector.

55. The air conditioning system of claim 54, wherein the O-ring is installed between the drainage port and the connector in a position corresponding to an opening portion of the connector to enable a worker to visually recognize an installation state of the O-ring.

56. The air conditioning system of claim 54, wherein the drainage port includes a shoulder surface formed on the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port to make contact with one side surface of the O-ring, and wherein the connector includes a ring-holding surface formed in a corresponding relationship with the shoulder surface of the drainage port to make contact with an other side surface of the O-ring.

57. The air conditioning system of claim 56, wherein one of the shoulder surface of the drainage port and the ring-holding surface of the connector is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the other.

58. The air conditioning system of claim 57, wherein the one of the shoulder surface of the drainage port and the ring-holding surface of the connector is inclined to press the O-ring against the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port.

59. The air conditioning system of claim 58, wherein the shoulder surface of the drainage port is formed to make a right angle with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port, and wherein the ring-holding surface of the connector is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the shoulder surface of the drainage port.

60. The air conditioning system of claim 58, wherein the ring-holding surface of the connector is formed to make a right angle with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port, and the shoulder surface of the drainage port is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the ring-holding surface of the connector.

61. The air conditioning system of claim 60, wherein the shoulder surface of the drainage port extends radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the drainage port and has a height larger than a diameter of the O-ring.

62. The air conditioning system of claim 60, wherein a gap between the shoulder surface of the drainage port and the ring-holding surface of the connector corresponding to an outer portion of the O-ring is set smaller than the diameter of the O-ring to restrain removal of the O-ring.