Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] This disclosure relates generally to Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) systems, more particularly to HVAC systems for moisture control.
BACKGROUND
[002] Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) systems help maintain good indoor air quality through adequate ventilation with filtration and for providing thermal comfort. HVAC systems are generally customized based on operational requirements. An HVAC system in general may include an air circulation system that may receive ambient air for circulation within a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The ambient air is sucked inside a closed area with the help of fans and processed to control temperature, and filtered to filter out dust and the like.
[003] Some HVAC systems in vehicles may have an opening in an engine hood or on cowl panel of the vehicle for receiving ambient air. Through the opening, sometimes, due to which, moisture due to rain, etc. may enter the HVAC system. This entry of moisture may increase humidity of air being circulated inside the passenger compartment. As will be appreciated, an increased humidity level inside the passenger compartment may lead to formation of mist on the windshield and may also cause discomfort to the passengers.
[004] Some conventional vehicles may utilize special filters for capturing mist in the air sucked inside the HVAC system of the vehicle. However, such filters add to the maintenance cost of the vehicle as they require regular replacement. Further, such filters, if not replaced regularly may lead to the buildup of bacteria and circulation of foul-smelling air inside the vehicle. Further, some HVAC systems, in order to control entry of moisture in the air, may include restrictions in the air ventilation passage. Such restrictions may lead to reduced air pressure inside the vehicle. Further, the means of restriction may be susceptible to accumulation of mist/dust particles.
[005] Accordingly, there is a requirement of a solution for reducing the moisture content in the air being supplied inside the vehicles by the HVAC system.
SUMMARY
[006] In one embodiment, an HVAC system is provided. The HVAC system may include an HVAC duct which may include an air inlet, an air outlet, an air passage and at least one serrated baffle. The air passage may be between the air inlet and the air outlet. Further, the air passage may include an upper surface and a lower surface. The at least one serrated baffle may be installed on the upper surface and/or the lower surface. In an embodiment, the at least one serrated baffle may include a serrated surface in the direction of air inflow.
[007] In another embodiment, a vehicle comprising an HVAC system is disclosed. The HVAC system may include an HVAC duct which may include an air inlet, an air outlet, an air passage and at least one serrated baffle. It is to be noted that the air passage may be between the air inlet and the air outlet. Further, the air passage may include an upper surface and a lower surface. It is to be noted that the at least one serrated baffle may be installed on the upper surface and/or the lower surface. In an embodiment, the at least one serrated baffle may include a serrate surface in the direction of air inflow.
[008] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[009] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles.
[010] FIG. 1 illustrates a side sectional view of a HVAC duct, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[011] FIG. 2A illustrates an exploded isometric view of the HVAC duct, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[012] FIG. 2B illustrates an isometric view each of the two sections being complementary to each other have at least one half of the top baffle and one half of the at least one bottom baffle (collectively referred to as the top baffle and the bottom baffle), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[013] FIG. 2C illustrates an enlarged view of the inlet depicting the serrated surface of the at least one top baffle in the HVAC duct, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[014] FIG. 3A illustrates a side close-up view of at least one bottom baffle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[015] FIG. 3B illustrates a super close-up of the side view of the at least one serrated baffle depicting a single trapezoidal shaped rib, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[016] FIG. 3C illustrates a side close-up view of at least one top baffle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[017] FIG. 4 illustrates a back sectional isometric view of the HVAC duct, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[018] The foregoing description has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which forms the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying other devices, systems, assemblies and mechanisms for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that, such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristics of the disclosure, to its device or system, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.
[019] The terms “including”, “comprises”, “comprising”, “comprising of” or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusions, such that a system or a device that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.
[020] Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same numerals have been used to refer to the same or like parts. The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to FIGs. 1-4. It is to be noted that the system may be employed in any vehicle including but not limited to a passenger vehicle, a utility vehicle, commercial vehicles, and any other transportable machinery. For a sake of clarity, vehicles are not shown.
[021] Referring now to FIG. 1, a side sectional view 100 of an HVAC duct 102 is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. By way of an example, the HVAC duct 102 may be used in an HVAC system (not shown). In an embodiment, the HVAC system may be utilized in, for example, a vehicle. The HVAC duct 102 may include an air inlet 104 and an air outlet 106. In one embodiment, the air inlet 104 may be connected to an opening of a cowl panel (not shown) of a vehicle (not shown) to allow the air to enter from the opening in the cowl panel (not shown). Further, the HVAC duct 102 may include an air passage 108 between the air inlet 104 and the air outlet 106. A fan (not shown) may be coupled to the air outlet 106 in order to create a suction pressure in the HVAC duct 102 that may force the air to enter from the air inlet 104 as depicted by arrows 109. The air may then pass through the air passage 108 towards the air outlet 106 due to the suction pressure created by the fan. The air from the air outlet 106 may enter a passenger cabin (not shown) of a vehicle.
[022] As shown in FIG. 1, the air passage 106 may include an upper surface 110 and a lower surface 112. In an embodiment, the HVAC duct 102 may include at least one serrated baffle 114 installed on the upper surface 110 and/or the lower surface 112. It is to be noted that the depiction of a plurality of serrated baffles 114 on both the upper surface 110 and the lower surface 112 in FIG. 1, should not be considered limiting.
[023] In an embodiment, at least one top baffle 114A may be provided on the upper surface 110 and at least one bottom baffle 114B may be provided on the lower surface 112. In an embodiment, a number of serrated baffles 114 provided on the upper surface 110 and/or the lower surface 112 may be determined as per design requirement.
[024] It is to be noted that the at least one serrated baffle 114 may include a serrated surface 115A and a non-serrated surface 115B. The serrated surface 115A may face towards the direction of air inflow 109 from the air inlet 104 and the non-serrated surface 115B may be away from the direction of air flow. In an embodiment, the serrated surface 115A may include a plurality of ribs 120 (as described in more detail in FIG. 2A). Accordingly, the serrated surface 115A may allow efficient separation of mist from the air passing through the air passage 108. In an embodiment, the serrated surface 115A may provide resistance to the air flow, causing the mist to forcefully condense on the serrated surface 115A.
[025] In an embodiment, the at least one serrated baffles 114 installed on the upper surface 110 and/or the lower surface 112 may be inclined at a predefined angle with respect to the upper surface 110 and/or the lower surface 112 on which the baffle is deployed. In an embodiment, the at least one top baffle 114A may be inclined at a first predefined angle ‘a’ with respect to the upper surface 110. In an embodiment, the at least one bottom baffle 114B may be inclined at a second predefined angle ‘ß’ with respect to the lower surface 112. In an embodiment, the inclination of each of the serrated baffles 114 ‘a’ and ‘ß’ may be different or equal based on the required air flow pressure to be maintained across the HVAC duct 102. In an embodiment, the first predefined angle ‘a’ and/or the second predefined angle ‘ß’ may be equal to, but not limited to, 90 degrees or 108 degrees with respect to the upper surface 110 and the lower surface 112 respectively. In an embodiment, the first predefined angle ‘a’ and/or the second predefined angle ‘ß’ may be selected or modified to modulate the air pressure and moisture level required inside the passenger cabin (not shown).
[026] Further, the at least one serrated baffle 114 may be supported via a support leg 118 connecting the upper surface 110 or the lower surface 112 from the non-serrated surface 115B.
[027] Further, the HVAC duct 102 may include a drainage port 116 at, but not limited to, an air inlet side of the lower surface 112 as shown in FIG. 1. In another embodiment, the drainage port 116 may be provided at an air outlet side of the lower surface 112. It is to be noted that the drainage port 116 may enable drainage of the condensed mist that may accumulate on the lower surface 112 of the HVAC duct 102.
[028] The inclination of the at least one baffle 114 with respect to the upper surface 110 or the lower surface 112 may allow air delivery from the outside atmosphere to the passenger cabin via the HVAC duct 102 at an optimum air pressure. In an embodiment, height and the inclination of the at least one serrated baffle 114 may vary based on the diameter of the HVAC duct 102, the amount of mist separation required and the required air pressure to be maintained in a passenger cabin of a vehicle. Due to the inclination of the at least one baffle 114, momentum change of the air inflowing in the air passage 108 may be prevented, thereby ensuring appropriate and efficient circulation of the air in the passenger cabin. In an embodiment, due to different inclination angles of the at least one top baffle 114A and the at least one bottom baffle 114B, the momentum of the air may be controlled, and the mist in the air may forcefully condense on the serrated surfaces 115 of each of the baffles 114A and 114B.
[029] In an embodiment, the at least one top baffle 114A and the at least one bottom baffle 114B may be placed alternatively with respect to each other. Also, the at least one top baffle 114A and the at least one bottom baffle 114B may be separated by a first predefined distance “x” along a length of the air passage 108. In an embodiment, in case of a plurality of top baffles 114A and a plurality of bottom baffles 114B, each of the plurality of top baffles 114A may be separated by a second predefined distance “y” and each of the plurality of bottom baffles 114B may be separated by a third predefined distance “z”.
[030] Referring now to FIG. 2A, an exploded isometric view 200A of the HVAC duct 102 as viewed from the air inlet side is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The HVAC duct 102 may include two sections or halves 102A and 102B that may be, but not limited to, complementary in design. As shown in FIG. 2A, the two sections 102A and 102B may be joined to each other in a width-wise direction of the duct using one or more fastening mechanisms, such as, but not limited to, fasteners that may be fastened from one section and may be locked onto the other section in order to hold them together. In an embodiment, the two sections 102A and 102B may be joined in an airtight manner. In an embodiment, the outer surface of the two sections 102A and 102B may include complementary fastening holes 212 at the sectional periphery of the two sections 102A and 102B. The two sections 102A and 102B may be joined by fastening a fastener across the complementary fastening holes 212. In an embodiment, the fastening holes 210 and the fastener may be threaded to be fastened into each other. In an embodiment, one or more clip locks 214 may be provided on the outer surface of the two sections 102A and 102B along the sectional periphery of each of the two sections 102A and 102B to clip lock one of the two sections 102A and 102B into another.
[031] Referring now to FIG. 2B, an isometric view 200B of the HVAC duct 102 is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The isometric view 200B depicts the two sections 102A and 102B of the HVAC duct 102 in a locked position.
[032] Referring now to FIG. 2B, each of the two sections 102A and 102B being complementary to each other have at least one half of the top baffle 114A and one half of the at least one bottom baffle 114B. The serrated surfaces 115A of each of the top baffle 114A and the bottom baffle 114B (collectively referred to as the at least one serrated baffle 114) may include a plurality of ribs 120. The serrated surface 115A may be provided in the direction of air inflow. FIG. 2B depicts each of the two sections 102A and 102B depicts an HVAC duct 102 by joining each of the two sections 102A and 102B. Accordingly, the half of the top baffle 114A and one half of the at least one bottom baffle 114B are joined or locked into each other to form a complete top baffle 114A and a complete bottom baffle 114B.
[033] FIG. 2C depicts an enlarged view 200C of the inlet 104 depicting the serrated surface 115A of the at least one top baffle 114A in the HVAC duct 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The top view 200C depicts a serrated top baffle 114A having a serrated surface 115A. As shown in FIG. 2C and FIG. 2B, the plurality of ribs 120 on least one half of the top baffle 114A of the section 102A and other half of the top baffle 114A of section 102B are shown. It is to be noted that the plurality of ribs 120 may be provided as a first set of ribs 202A, 206A and a second set of ribs 202B, 206B on each of the two sections 102A and 102B. Further, the first set of ribs 202A and the second set ribs 202B in the section 102A may be arranged in a first column and a second column parallel to each other and separated by a drain gallery 204. The first set of ribs 206A and the second set of ribs 206B in the section 102B may be arranged in a first column and a second column parallel to each other separated by a drain gallery 208.
[034] Further, as shown in FIG. 2C, each of the first set of ribs 202A, 206A and the second set ribs 202B, 206B may be inclined towards the drain galleries 204 and 206 respectively at a predefined inclination with respect to the drain galleries 204 and 206 respectively. Accordingly, each of the first set of ribs 202A, 206A and the second set ribs 202B, 206B increase the surface area of the top baffle 114A enabling increased accumulation of mist particles on the plurality of ribs 202. The air flowing from the outside through the air inlet 104 of the HVAC duct 102 is forced to strike against the at least one top baffle 114A, due to which mist in the air may condense as water droplets and get accumulated over the ribs 102. Due to the inclination of each of the first set of ribs 202A, 206A and the second set ribs 202B, 206B towards the drain galleries 204 and 206, the mist droplets may slide towards the drain galleries 204 and 206 due to gravity and fall down to be drained from the drainage port 116.
[035] FIG. 3A depicts a side close-up view 300A of at least one bottom baffle 114B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3A, each of the plurality of ribs 120 may be, but not limited to, trapezoidal in shape. In another embodiment, each of the plurality of ribs 120 may be, but not limited to, triangular in shape. As shown in the side close-up view 300A, each of the plurality of ribs 120 has a side cross-sectional shape of a right-angled trapezoid or a right angled triangle. Further, the trapezoidal shaped ribs 120 may be arranged on the serrated surface 115A in a continuous manner stacked one below another along the length of the at least one serrated baffle 114.
[036] FIG. 3B depicts a super close-up of the side view 300A of the at least one serrated baffle 114 depicting a single trapezoidal shaped rib 302 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Accordingly, parallel sides 304 and 306 of the trapezoidal shaped rib 302 may be perpendicular to the serrated surface 115A. On the two parallel sides 304 and 306, 304 may be longer than 306. Further, each of the plurality of trapezoidal shaped ribs 302 may be arranged such that the longer sides 304 are kept upwards towards the upper surface 110. Therefore, an edge of the longer side 304 and a front side 308 of the trapezoidal shaped rib 302 protrudes out perpendicular to the serrated surface 115A. Further, a front side 308 of the trapezoidal shaped rib 302 may connect the longer side 304 and the side 306 to form an inclined front surface. Accordingly, the trapezoidal shaped ribs 302 on the serrated surface 115A increase the surface area of the at least one serrated baffle 114. Further, each of the trapezoidal shaped rib 302 allows the mist accumulating on its surface to slide down through the inclined front side 308 to settle on the longer base 304 and finally drain down through the drain galleries 204 and 208 due to gravity.
[037] FIG. 3C depicts a side close-up view 300C of at least one top baffle 114A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The placement of the trapezoidal shaped ribs 302 on the serrated surface 115A is similar to as explained in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B. Further, the top baffle 114A on a lower end has a J-edge 310. In an embodiment, the J-edge 310 of the top baffle 114A may act as an accumulator for the mist particles. As the accumulation of mist particles increases above certain weight, it may accumulate and form droplets. Accordingly, the mist droplets may collect on the J-edge 310 and slide towards the corresponding drain galleries 204, 208 or may fall down on the lower surface 112 in order to be drained from the drainage duct 116.
[038] FIG. 4 depicts a back sectional isometric view 400 of the HVAC duct 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The back sectional isometric view 400 shows back perspective views of the two sections 102A and 102B of the HVAC duct 102. As shown in FIG. 4, the section 102A includes the drainage duct 116. In an embodiment, any of the two sections 102A and 102B may include the drainage duct 116. Further, the bottom baffles 114B may include one or more drainage holes 310 that may allow the condensed mist collected on the lower surface 112 behind the bottom baffles 114B to be drained. The one or more drainage holes 310 may allow the condensed mist to move towards the drainage duct 116.
[039] Accordingly, the HVAC duct 102 of the present disclosure may allow for effective condensation of a portion of mist in air being sucked in through the air inlet 104. The portion of the mist in the air may be forced to condense due to presence of the at least one serrated baffle 114 in the air passage 108. In an embodiment, the trapezoidal shape of the ribs on the serrated surface 115B of the at least one baffle 114 allows for forced condensation of the portion of mist in the air. In an embodiment, the serrated baffles 114 allow for an increased mist condensation as compared to non-serrated baffles. In accordance with experimental data, there is an increase of 50% of mist condensation in case the HVAC duct with serrated baffles 114 is utilized as compared to an HVAC duct with non-serrated baffles. Further, airflow delivery in the passenger cabin is improved by approximately 27% when using the serrated baffles 114 of the present disclosure as compared to non-serrated baffles.
[040] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
[041] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
[042] In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.
[043] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

, Claims:CLAIMS
I/We claim:
1. An HVAC system, comprising:
an HVAC duct (102) comprising:
an air inlet (104);
an air outlet (106);
an air passage (108) between the air inlet (104) and the air outlet (106), the air passage (108) comprising an upper surface (110) and a lower surface (112); and
at least one serrated baffle (114) installed on the upper surface (110) and/or the lower surface (112), wherein the at least one serrated baffle (114) comprises a serrated surface in a direction of air inflow.

2. The HVAC system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the serrated surface comprises a plurality of ribs (202).

3. The HVAC system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plurality of ribs (120) comprises a first set of ribs (202A, 206A) arranged in a first column and a second set of ribs (202B, 206B) arranged in a second column,
wherein the first set of ribs (202A, 206A) and the second set of ribs (202B, 206B¬) are parallel to each other, and wherein the first column and the second column are separated by a drain gallery (204, 208).

4. The HVAC system as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of ribs (120) is inclined towards the drain gallery (204, 208) at a predefined inclination with respect to the drain gallery (204, 208).

5. The HVAC system as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of ribs (120) is trapezoidal in shape, wherein for each of the plurality of ribs (120), the bases of the trapezoidal shaped rib are perpendicular to the serrated surface.

6. The HVAC system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper surface (110) comprises at least one top baffle (114A) and the lower surface (112) comprises at least one bottom baffle (114B).

7. The HVAC system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one top baffle (114A) and the at least one bottom baffle (114B) are alternately placed with respect to each other, wherein the at least one top baffle (114A) and the at least one bottom baffle (114B) are separated by a predefined distance along a length of the air passage (108).

8. The HVAC system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one top baffle (114) is inclined at a first predefined angle with respect to the upper surface (110) and the at least one bottom baffle (114B) is inclined at a second predefined angle with respect to the lower surface (112).

9. The HVAC system as claimed in claim 6, comprising a fan coupled to the air outlet (106) and configured to create a suction pressure in the HVAC duct (102),
wherein the at least one top baffle (114A) and the at least one bottom baffle (114B) are configured to condense a portion of mist in the air passing through the air passage (108) based on the suction pressure.

10. The HVAC system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least one top baffle (114A) comprises a J-edge configured to collect the condensed portion of mist.

11. The HVAC system as claimed in claim 9, wherein at least one bottom baffle (114B) comprises at least one drainage hole (402) towards the lower surface (112) to allow passage for the condensed portion of mist.

12. The HVAC system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the HVAC duct (102) comprises a drainage port (116) at an air inlet side of the lower surface or at an air outlet side of the lower surface for draining the condensed portion of mist.

13. A vehicle, comprising:
an HVAC system comprising:
an HVAC duct (102) comprising:
an air inlet (104);
an air outlet (106);
an air passage (108) between the air inlet (104) and the air outlet (106), the air passage (108) comprising an upper surface (110) and a lower surface (112); and
at least one serrated baffle (114) installed on at least one of the upper surface (110) and/or the lower surface (112), wherein the at least one serrated baffle (114) comprises a serrated surface in a direction of air inflow.

14. The vehicle as claimed in claim 13, wherein the air inlet (104) is connected to an opening of a cowl panel of the vehicle.