AIR DUCT ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

An air duct assembly for a vehicle heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a first duct member having a pair of opposed side walls, an upper wall and a lower wall, a front wall, a rear wall and a central passageway. A second duct member is operatively attached to the first duct member, and includes a plurality of integrally formed chambers. Each chamber has a pair of opposed side walls, an upper wall and a lower wall interconnecting the sidewalls, a front wall and a rear wall and a central passageway extending between an opening in the front wall and an opening in the upper wall. A door member is disposed between the first duct member and the second duct member. The door member includes a plurality of flaps that control the flow of air through the second duct member and the first duct member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating airflow through an occupant compartment of a vehicle, according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an outlet air duct assembly located in a quarter panel of the occupant compartment of a vehicle, according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the air duct assembly of FIG. 2, according to the present invention.

Claims

1. An integral air duct assembly for use with a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system on a vehicle comprising: a first duct member having a pair of opposed side walls, an upper wall and a lower wall interconnecting the sidewalls, a front wall having an opening and a rear wall having an opening and a central passageway extending between the opening in the front wall and the opening in the rear wall;a second duct member operatively attached to the first duct member, wherein the second duct member includes a plurality of integrally formed chambers, with each chamber having a pair of opposed side walls, an upper wall and a lower wall interconnecting the sidewalls, a front wall and a rear wall and a central passageway extending between an opening in the front wall and an opening in the upper wall; anda door member disposed between the first duct member and the second duct member, wherein the door member is generally planar and includes a plurality of integrally formed flaps corresponding to the opening in the front wall of each chamber of the second duct member, to control the flow of air between the second duct member and the first duct member.

2. The air duct assembly of claim 1 further comprising a gasket adapted to be received between the first duct member and the second duct member.

3. The air duct assembly of claim 2 wherein said gasket is made from a rubber material.

4. The air duct assembly of claim 1 wherein the front wall of the first duct member includes a flange portion that extends outwardly beyond the side wall.

5. The air duct assembly of claim 1 wherein the second duct member includes three integrally connected chambers and the door member includes three flaps that each form a door controlling access to each corresponding opening in the second door member.

6. The air duct assembly of claim 1 further comprising a connecting means for securing the first duct member to the second door member.

7. The air duct assembly of claim 6 wherein said connecting means is a tab projecting from the first duct member that is in snap-fit engagement with a slot in the side wall of the second duct member.

8. The air duct assembly of claim 6 wherein said connecting means is a tab projecting from the second duct member that is in snap-fit engagement with a slot in the side wall of the first duct member.

9. An air duct assembly for use with a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system on a vehicle comprising: a first duct member having a pair of opposed side walls, an upper wall and a lower wall interconnecting the sidewalls, a front wall having an opening and a rear wall having an opening and a central passageway extending between the opening in the front wall and the opening in the rear wall, wherein the front wall includes a plurality of openings and a flange portion that extends outwardly beyond the side wall;a second duct member operatively attached to the first duct member, wherein the second duct member includes a three integrally connected chambers, with each chamber having a pair of opposed side walls, an upper wall and a lower wall interconnecting the sidewalls, a front wall and a rear wall and a central passageway extending between an opening in the front wall and an opening in the upper wall; anda door member disposed between the first duct member and the second duct member, wherein the door member is generally planar and includes a three integrally formed flaps corresponding to the opening in the front wall of each chamber of the second duct member, to control the flow of air between the second duct member and the first duct member.

10. The air duct assembly of claim 9 further comprising a gasket adapted to be received between the first duct member and the second duct member.

11. The air duct assembly of claim 9 wherein said gasket is made from a rubber material.

12. The air duct assembly of claim 9 further comprising a connecting means for securing the first duct member to the second door member.

13. The air duct assembly of claim 9 wherein said connecting means is a tab projecting from the first duct member that is in snap-fit engagement with a slot in the side wall of the second duct member.

14. The air duct assembly of claim 9 wherein said connecting means is a tab projecting from the second duct member that is in snap-fit engagement with a slot in the side wall of the first duct member.

15. An air duct assembly for use with a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system on a vehicle comprising; a first duct member having a pair of opposed side walls, an upper wall and a lower wall interconnecting the sidewalls, a front wall having an opening and a rear wall having an opening and a central passageway extending between the opening in the front wall and the opening in the rear wall, wherein the front wall includes a plurality of openings and a flange portion that extends outwardly beyond the side wall;a second duct member operatively attached to the first duct member using a connecting means, wherein the second duct member includes a three integrally connected chambers, with each chamber having a pair of opposed side walls, an upper wall and a lower wall interconnecting the sidewalls, a front wall and a rear wall and a central passageway extending between an opening in the front wall and an opening in the upper wall;a door member disposed between the first duct member and the second duct member, wherein the door member is generally planar and includes a three integrally formed flaps corresponding to the opening in the front wall of each chamber of the second duct member, to control the flow of air between the second duct member and the first duct member; anda gasket adapted to be received between the first duct member and the second duct member.

16. The air duct assembly of claim 15 wherein said gasket is made from a rubber material.

17. The air duct assembly of claim 15 wherein said connecting means is a tab projecting from the first duct member that is in snap-fit engagement with a slot in the side wall of the second duct member.

18. The air duct assembly of claim 15 wherein said connecting means is a tab projecting from the second duct member that is in snap-fit engagement with a slot in the side wall of the first duct member.