Patent Application
20200324618
This disclosure relates generally to minimizing noise in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system of a vehicle and more specifically to a double wall structure of a housing of the HVAC system.
A vehicle typically includes a climate control system which maintains a temperature within a passenger compartment of the vehicle at a comfortable level by providing heating, cooling, and ventilation. Comfort is maintained in the passenger compartment by an integrated mechanism referred to 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.
The HVAC system commonly employs a housing including a blower and one or more heating and cooling devices such as heat exchangers and rotating doors. The blower receives air from an environment outside of the vehicle in a fresh air operating mode of the vehicle and air from inside the vehicle in a recirculation operating mode of the vehicle. Undesirable noise from the HVAC system may be generated and directed towards a passenger compartment of the vehicle. Particularly, the noise may be generated by the blower during the recirculation operating mode of the vehicle.
In certain applications, the HVAC system is disposed towards a front of the vehicle. A spacing for receiving the HVAC system and arrangement of the HVAC system with respect to other devices and structures of the vehicle may be limited based on the functional and packaging requirements of the vehicle. As a result of the limited spacing and arrangement of the HVAC system and package requirements, options for modifying an arrangement of the HVAC system or adjacent components of the vehicle to minimize the noise in a cost effective manner are limited.
In an example according to prior art, as shown in
Therefore, it is desired to provide a double wall structure within a direction of noise traveling from an HVAC system to a passenger compartment of the vehicle, wherein the double wall structure minimizes the noise traveling from the HVAC system and minimizes a compromise to vehicle package requirements and cost efficiency.
In accordance and attuned with the present invention, a double wall structure provided within a direction of noise traveling from an HVAC system to a passenger compartment of the vehicle, wherein the double wall structure minimizes the noise traveling from the HVAC system and minimizes a compromise to vehicle package requirements and cost efficiency has surprisingly been discovered.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a noise attenuation structure of a housing of a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system of a vehicle includes a double wall structure is disclosed. The double wall structure is configured to extend outwardly from an outer surface of the housing to a noise path of the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system. The double wall structure has a first wall and a second wall spaced from the first wall.
According to another embodiment of the disclosure, a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system of a vehicle includes a blower and an air inlet housing defining a chamber in communication with the blower. A noise attenuation structure is disposed on an outer surface of the air inlet housing. The noise attenuation structure includes a first wall and a second wall spaced from the first wall.
According to yet another embodiment of the disclosure, a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system and a instrument panel assembly of a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly includes a top shelf of the instrument panel and an air inlet housing of the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system disposed under the top shelf. An outer surface of the air inlet housing is spaced from the top shelf to form a gap therebetween. A noise path conveys noise therethrough. The noise path extends through the air inlet housing and through the gap. A noise attenuation structure is disposed in the noise path in the gap. The noise attenuation structure includes a first wall and a second wall.
The above objects and advantages of the invention, as well as others, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from reading the following detailed description of an embodiment of the invention when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings, in which:
The following detailed description and appended drawings describe 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. In respect of the methods disclosed, the steps presented are exemplary in nature, and thus, the order of the steps is not necessary or critical unless otherwise noted.
A” and “an” as used herein indicate “at least one” of the item is present; a plurality of such items may be present, when possible. As used herein, “substantially” means “to a considerable degree,” “largely,” or “proximately” as a person skilled in the art in view of the instant disclosure would understand the term. Spatially relative terms, such as “front,” “back,” “inner,” “outer,” “bottom,” “top,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “upper,” “lower,” “side,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) 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.
The HVAC system 1 includes a housing 12 defining a chamber 14 for conveying air therethrough. In the cross-section illustrated, the housing 12 is a blower inlet housing assembly forming a portion of the HVAC system 1 of the vehicle 4. The housing 12 includes a blower housing 12a receiving a blower 10, an air inlet housing 12b, and a fresh air housing 12c. The blower 10 receives the air from the air inlet housing 12b from either the passenger compartment or the environment and conveys the air through the HVAC system 1. The HVAC system 1 operates between a fresh air operating mode and recirculation operating mode. During the fresh air operating mode, 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 a recirculated air opening 30 to the air inlet housing 12b and from the air inlet housing 12b to the blower 10. The air received by the blower 10 from the passenger compartment 18 of the vehicle 4 or the environment is then distributed through the HVAC system 1 to the conduits 3c such as air ducts to areas 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 selectively rotates between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the door 36 closes the recirculated air opening 30 to prevent the recirculated air from being received into the air inlet housing 12b. In the second position, the door 36 closes a fresh air opening 38 to prevent the fresh air from being received into the air inlet housing 12b. As illustrated, the door 36 is in an intermediate position between the first position and the second position.
While not shown, it is understood the housing 12 is coupled to or integrally formed with other housings of the HVAC system 1 such as a main housing fluidly connecting the housing 12 to the conduits 3c. Additionally, while not shown, the HVAC system 1 can include other devices or components commonly included in HVAC systems such as heat exchangers, valves, alternate doors or flaps, walls, partitions, or similar components.
A noise attenuation structure 32 is disposed in a noise path of noise 24. The noise attenuation structure 32 is configured as a double wall structure extends outwardly from an outer surface 34 of the air inlet housing 12b. The noise attenuation structure 32 extends into a gap 40 formed intermediate the top shelf 8 of the instrument panel 6 and the outer surface 34 of the air inlet housing 12b. The noise attenuation structure 32 is formed adjacent an area 26 (generally defined by the circle) including the connector 3a disposed beneath a portion of the windshield 22 and the top shelf 8 of the instrument panel 6.
During the recirculation operating mode, the blower 10 generates the noise 24 that travels in the noise path in a direction indicated by the solid arrow. As used herein, the term “noise” refers to a sound or sounds generated by operation of the vehicle 4 such as operation of the blower 10, turbulent air flow through the housing 12 of the HVAC system 1, or operation of other components of the HVAC system 1. The noise 24 is typically undesired by passengers in the passenger compartment 18. The noise 24 travels from the blower 10 to the gap 40 and to the noise attenuation structure 32. The noise 24 is attenuated and dissipated by the noise attenuation structure 32. The noise 40 is militated from traveling beyond the noise attenuation structure 32 to the area 26 or beyond the area 26 to the windshield 22 and, ultimately, the passenger compartment 18.
The noise attenuation structure 32 extends outwardly from the outer surface 34 of the upper wall 44 of the air inlet housing 12b and is disposed intermediate the recirculated air opening 30 and the fresh air opening 38. The noise attenuation structure 32 includes a first wall 50 and a second wall 52 spaced from the first wall 50. The walls 50, 52 extend substantially along an entire length of the air inlet housing 12b and are substantially equal in length. However, it is understood, the walls 50, 52 can extend less than or greater than the length of the air inlet housing 12b, if desired. Additionally, the walls 50, 52 can extend at unequal lengths from each other.
Referring to
With renewed reference to
The noise attenuation structure 32 is formed by a plastic material by a molding process. However, the noise attenuation structure 32 can be formed by any process from any material, as desired. The noise attenuation structure 32 is integrally formed with the air inlet housing 12b. However, it is understood, the noise attenuation structure 32 can be separately formed from the air inlet housing 12b and coupled thereto.
During operation of the vehicle 4, particularly during the recirculation operating mode, the noise 24 travels in the noise path from the blower 10, through the air inlet housing 12b, outwardly from the air inlet housing 12b through the recirculated air opening 30, and to the gap 40. Since the noise attention structure 32 is disposed in the noise path, a first portion of the noise 24 traveling through the noise path is dissipated by the first wall 50. A second portion of the noise 24 not entirely dissipated by the first wall 50 continues to travel beyond the first wall 50 and is then dissipated by the second wall 52. As a result, the noise 24 is prevented from traveling beyond the noise attenuation structure 32 to the area 26 and the windshield 22 and from the windshield 22 to the passenger compartment 18. Therefore, a comfort within the passenger compartment 18 related to noise tolerance is not compromised.
The noise barrier 56 is formed from a noise absorbing acoustic foam material, for example. However, the noise barrier 56 can be formed from wool, fiberglass, vinyl, plastic, glass or any other noise absorbing, dampening, attenuating, or insulating material as desired. The noise barrier 56 is positioned intermediate the first wall 50′ and the second wall 52′. The noise barrier 56 has a width equal to a distance between the walls 50′, 52′. However, the noise barrier 56 may have a width less than the distance between the walls 50′, 52′, if desired. A height of the noise barrier 56 is greater than the height of the walls 50′, 52′ to minimize the noise 24 traveling the noise path above the walls 50′, 52′. However, it is understood, the height of the walls 50′, 52′ can be less than or equal to the height of the walls 50′, 52′. In the embodiment illustrated, the ribs 54 are not included between the first wall 50′ and the second wall 52′ to accommodate the noise barrier 56. The noise barrier 56, therefore, provides support and rigidity to the walls 50′, 52′ by minimizing a bending of the walls 50′, 52′. As illustrated, a single one of the noise barrier 56 is shown. However, the noise barrier 56 can be a plurality of layered, stacked, or piled noise attenuating materials.
It is understood, the noise attenuation structure 32, 32′ can be positioned in alternate arrangements with respect to the air inlet housing 12b without departing from the scope of the disclosure depending on the location of the noise path. Additionally, more than one noise attenuation structure 32, 32′ can extend from the air inlet housing 12b, if desired, to militate the noise 24 traveling through the noise path or to militate against other noises traveling through alternate noise paths.
Advantageously, the noise 24 traveling through the HVAC system 1 to the passenger compartment 18 is reduced by the noise attenuation structure 32, 32′. In addition to the walls 50, 50′, 52, 52′, a space formed between the first wall 50, 50′ and the second wall 52, 52′ is configured as a noise isolating air space configured to further facilitate attenuation of the noise 24 traveling through the noise path to the windshield 22 and reflecting off 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.
