NESTED HVAC LINES

Abstract

A heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) conduit includes a first HVAC line at least partially nested within a second HVAC line having a configuration defining a U- or C-shaped receiver in cross-section. The first HVAC line is fabricated of a first material and the second HVAC line is fabricated of a second material that is different from the first material.

Claims

1. A heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) conduit, comprising a first HVAC line at least partially nested within a second HVAC line having a configuration defining a U- or C-shaped receiver in cross-section.

2. The HVAC conduit of claim 1, wherein the first HVAC line is fabricated of a first material and the second HVAC line is fabricated of a second material that is different from the first material.

3. The HVAC conduit of claim 1, wherein the second HVAC line defines an open receiver configured to engage at least a portion of a length dimension of the first HVAC line therein.

4. The HVAC conduit of claim 3, wherein the first HVAC line is fabricated of a plastic or polymer.

5. The HVAC conduit of claim 3, wherein the second HVAC line is fabricated of a metal.

6. The HVAC conduit of claim 5, wherein the metal is aluminum or an alloy thereof.

7. The HVAC conduit of claim 1, further including a connector securing the first HVAC line to the second HVAC line.

8. The HVAC conduit of claim 7, wherein the connector is one or more of a strap, a band, a sheath, a sleeve, and a bracket holding at least a portion of the nested first and second HVAC lines.

9. A vehicle heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system comprising a plurality of HVAC lines adapted for transport of fluids at a high temperature and/or pressure and a plurality of HVAC lines adapted for transport of fluids at a low temperature and/or pressure, further including one or more HVAC conduits each comprising a first HVAC line at least partially nested within an open receiver defined by a second HVAC line.

10. The HVAC system of claim 9, wherein the first HVAC line is fabricated of a first material and the second HVAC line is fabricated of a second material having a different resistance to high temperature and/or pressure than the first material.

11. The HVAC system of claim 10, wherein the first HVAC line is a low pressure HVAC line fabricated of a plastic or polymer.

12. The HVAC system of claim 10, wherein the second HVAC line is a high pressure HVAC line fabricated of a metal.

13. The HVAC system of claim 10, wherein the second HVAC line is a low pressure HVAC line fabricated of a plastic or polymer.

14. The HVAC system of claim 9, wherein the first HVAC line is a high pressure HVAC line fabricated of a metal.

15. A vehicle heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising: a high pressure side; a low pressure side; a plurality of HVAC lines adapted for transporting high pressure fluids and low pressure fluids through and between the high pressure side and the low pressure side; and one or more HVAC conduits comprising a plastic or polymer low pressure HVAC line at least partially nested with a metal high pressure HVAC line.

16. The HVAC system of claim 15, wherein the metal high pressure HVAC line defines an open receiver configured to engage at least a portion of a length dimension of the plastic low pressure HVAC line therein.

17. The HVAC system of claim 15, wherein the plastic or polymer low pressure HVAC line defines an open receiver configured to engage at least a portion of a length dimension of the metal high pressure HVAC line therein.

18. The HVAC system of claim 15, wherein the metal is aluminum or an alloy thereof.

19. The HVAC system of claim 15, further including a connector securing the plastic low pressure HVAC line to the metal high pressure HVAC line.

20. The HVAC system of claim 19, wherein the connector is one or more of a strap, a band, a sheath, a sleeve, and a bracket holding at least a portion of the plastic low pressure and metal high pressure HVAC lines.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of an HVAC conduit, and together with the description serve to explain certain principles thereof. In the drawings:

[0017] FIG. 1 depicts a representative prior art vehicle HVAC system;

[0018] FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of an HVAC conduit according to the present description;

[0019] FIG. 3A depicts an alternative embodiment of the HVAC conduit of FIG. 2;

[0020] FIG. 3B depicts another alternative embodiment of the HVAC conduit of FIG. 2;

[0021] FIG. 3C depicts yet another alternative embodiment of the HVAC conduit of FIG. 2;

[0022] FIG. 4A depicts a prior art under-hood configuration of HVAC lines;

[0023] FIG. 4B depicts the under-hood configuration of FIG. 4A using the HVAC conduit of FIG. 2;

[0024] FIG. 5A depicts a prior art underbody configuration of HVAC lines for an auxiliary HVAC system; and

[0025] FIG. 5B depicts the underbody configuration of FIG. 5A using the HVAC conduit of FIG. 2.

[0026] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosed HVAC conduit, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures wherein like reference numerals identify like features.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of an HVAC conduit 200 according to the present disclosure. As shown the conduit 200 includes a first HVAC line 202 defining an interior lumen 204 allowing passage of a fluid, nested with a second HVAC line 206 defining an interior lumen 208 allowing passage of a fluid. In the depicted embodiment, the first HVAC line 202 defines a substantially cylindrical exterior dimension having a substantially circular cross section. The second HVAC line 206 is configured to define a receiver 210 for the first HVAC line 202. In the depicted embodiment, the second HVAC line 206 defines in cross-section substantially a C- or U-shaped receiver 210, dimensioned to receive at least a portion of an exterior cross-sectional dimension of the first HVAC line 202 therein.

[0028] The receiver 210 may be dimensioned for a suitably snug fit to prevent inadvertent dislodgement of the first HVAC line 202. Optionally, a connector 212 may be provided to secure the first HVAC line 202 to the second HVAC line 206, thereby ensuring that the two lines will not separate, for example due to vibration encountered during vehicle operation. Non-limiting examples of suitable connectors 212 include straps, bands, brackets, and sheaths or sleeves surrounding at least a portion of an exterior circumference and/or a length dimension of the nested HVAC conduit 200.

[0029] In other embodiments (see FIG. 3C), the connectors may be one or more clips 211 disposed on an interior surface of the receiver 210 defined by the second HVAC line 206, the clips being configured and dimensioned for snugly engaging the first HVAC line 202.

[0030] Of course, alternative configurations are contemplated for the nested HVAC conduit 200 in accordance with the exterior geometries of the first HVAC line 202 and/or the second HVAC line 206, the particular underbody and/or under-hood location at which the nested HVAC conduit is to be placed, etc. As non-limiting examples (see FIG. 3A), the second HVAC line 206 could define a receiver 210 having a more rectangular exterior and interior cross-section. Still more (see FIG. 3B), the second HVAC line 206 could define a nearly closed semicircular configuration including a gap 300 through which the first HVAC line 202 could be forced during assembly. All such alternative embodiments are contemplated for use herein.

[0031] In an embodiment, the first HVAC line 202 is configured as a low pressure HVAC line, that is, is fabricated of a material that is less resistant to temperature and pressure imposed by fluids passing therethrough. In embodiments, the first HVAC line 202 is fabricated of a suitable plastic or polymer.

[0032] In an embodiment, the second HVAC line 206 is configured as a high pressure HVAC line, that is, is fabricated of a material that is more resistant to temperature and pressure imposed by fluids passing therethrough, and is also more shock-resistant. In embodiments, the second HVAC line 206 is fabricated of a suitable metal, for example an aluminum or an alloy.

[0033] Of course, alternative embodiments are contemplated. For example, the first HVAC line 202 may be configured as a high pressure HVAC line fabricated of a metal, and the second HVAC line 206 may be configured as a low pressure HVAC line fabricated of a plastic or polymer. All such alternative embodiments are contemplated.

[0034] As will be appreciated, the above-described nested HVAC conduit 200 provides numerous advantages. The second HVAC line 206 of the nested HVAC conduit 200, in addition to its primary function of transporting fluids through portions of an HVAC system 100, provides a temperature and impact shield for the first HVAC line 202, protecting it from heat generated by other vehicle components such as the motor (not shown), etc., and also from impacts such as from road debris thrown up during vehicle travel. Thus, by implementation of the described nested HVAC conduit 200 external shielding is not required, reducing the number of parts required and also cost.

[0035] Moreover, use of the described nested HVAC conduit 200 allows co-routing two HVAC lines 202, 206 such as a high pressure HVAC line and a low pressure HVAC line using approximately half of the packaging space that would be required to separately route a low pressure HVAC line and a high pressure HVAC line. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, conventionally in an under-hood situation near a vehicle motor 400, a separate high pressure HVAC line 402 and a low pressure HVAC line 404 would be provided, routed between an HVAC case (not shown) and the condenser 104 and compressor (not shown). Each line 402, 404 would then potentially require separate shielding 406, separate brackets or a single larger bracket 408 capable of individually securing both lines, etc. All these components contribute to increased requirements for packaging space, increased cost of parts and so cost of manufacture, etc.

[0036] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B use of the presently described nested HVAC conduit 200 reduces the required packaging space by approximately half, allowing co-routing of both the high and low pressure HVAC lines in substantially the space required for a single line, and in the depicted embodiment necessitating only a single, smaller bracket 410 to support the lines.

[0037] In another example, it is well known to provide auxiliary HVAC systems for vehicles. These auxiliary HV AC systems may be substantially identically configured to primary HVAC systems as described above, or may be an air-conditioning-only or heater-only system. Auxiliary HVAC systems are often positioned either in the rear trim assembly, a center console, under a seat, or otherwise within the vehicle passenger compartment. Auxiliary HVAC systems are used to provide or supplement climate control in portions of vehicles that may not be efficiently reached by the primary HVAC system, for example to control temperature, humidity, etc. in rear portions of multi-passenger vehicles such as sport-utility vehicles, vans, mini-vans, etc.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 5A, typically various high pressure HVAC lines and low pressure HVAC lines are provided routed under the vehicle chassis 500, i.e. an underbody routing. For example, among other HVAC lines there may be provided a high pressure HVAC liquid line 502 and a low pressure HVAC suction line 504, and other high and/or low pressure HVAC lines 506a, 506b. These HVAC lines 502, 504, 506a, 506b provide fluid communication between the auxiliary HVAC case 508 and the primary HVAC unit 100. The underbody HVAC lines 502, 504, 506a, 506b potentially require separate shielding, separate brackets, etc., contributing to increased packaging space requirements, increased cost of parts and so cost of manufacture, etc.

[0039] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B the above configuration of a high pressure HVAC liquid line 502 and a low pressure HVAC suction line 504, replaced by the nested HVAC conduit 200 of the present disclosure wherein the first HVAC line 202 (not visible in this view) serving as the suction line 504 is nested within the second HVAC line 206 serving as the liquid line 502, reduces the required packaging space by approximately half, allowing co-routing of both the high and low pressure HVAC lines in substantially the space required for a single line.

[0040] Obvious modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.