CLIAMS:We claim:
1. An air intake system (10) for an Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system for a vehicle (1), comprising:
a first duct (20) mounted inside under dashboard of the vehicle (1), wherein one end of the first duct (20) is connected to a blower (30) and other end of the first duct (20) is connected to a recirculation mouth (40) of the HVAC system (100) to draw air from front portion of a passenger compartment of the vehicle (1);
characterized in that,
a second duct (50) mounted inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle (1) at predetermined location, wherein one end of the second duct (50) is placed at predetermined position and proximal to the blower (30) which facilitates the blower (30) to draw air through the second duct (50) and other end of the second duct (50) is extended till rear portion of the passenger compartment to draw air from the rear portion of the passenger compartment of the vehicle (1),
wherein the blower (30) is adapted to draw air from both the front portion and rear portion of the passenger compartment through the first duct (20) and the second duct (20) for cooling the air during recirculation mode of the HVAC system (100).

2. The air intake system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined position for placing the one end of the second duct (50) is at the recirculation mouth (40) of the HVAC system (100).

3. The air intake system (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second duct (50) mounted at the recirculation mouth such that substantial half portion of the recirculation mouth is covered by the second duct (50) for drawing air from the rear portion of the passenger compartment.

4. The air intake system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one end of the second duct (50) is connected to the blower (30).

5. The air intake system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second duct (50) is provided below floor console (60) of the vehicle (1).

6. The HVAC system (100) comprising
a compressor assembly comprising a compressor, a clutch unit and a mounting unit;
a condenser assembly comprising a condenser core, a receiver drier bottle, a fan and a mounting means;
an evaporator assembly comprising an evaporator casing, an evaporator coil, anti-icing device, an air filter and an air inlet with flap and its mechanism and an expansion valve;
a blower-heater assembly comprising a casing, a heater coil, a blower motor and a wheel, resistors, dampers /flaps and their mechanisms, and air exit adaptor; and
an air intake system (10) as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the compressor assembly, the condenser assembly, the heater-blower assembly and the evaporator assembly are mounted in HVAC system under dashboard/ instrument panel, and the air intake system (10) is provided under the dashboard for effective functioning of the HVAC system (100).

7. The HVAC system (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the heater-blower assembly and the evaporator assembly are connected through the first duct (20) to make use of a single blower (30) for heating and cooling of cabin of the vehicle (1).

Dated this 31st day of December, 2013 P. H. D. RANGAPPA
IN/PA-1538
Of K & S Partners
Attorney for the Applicant

,TagSPECI:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10 and rule 13]

TITLE: “AN AIR INTAKE SYSTEM FOR A HEATING, VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE”

NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE APPLICANT: TATA MOTORS LIMITED, an Indian company having its registered office at Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400 001, Maharashtra, INDIA.

Nationality: Indian

The following specification particularly describes the nature of the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
The disclosure generally relates to cabin climate control system for an automobile. More particularly relates to Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE AND PRIOR ARTS
The HVAC system is commonly used in automobiles to provide comfort to passengers in different climatic conditions. Air is drawn into the HVAC unit either from inside the cabin of the automobile or from outside atmosphere. The drawn air is cooled or heated by the HVAC unit as per passenger needs and is finally delivered to the passenger cabin.

Conventional HVAC system consists of a blower assembly, a heater assembly, an evaporator assembly, a duct assembly, a condenser unit and a compressor unit. The blower assembly, the heater assembly, the evaporator assembly and the duct assembly are housed below instrument panel/dashboard. Fresh air from the atmosphere or recirculated air from the vehicle cabin is filtered by a filter assembly within the HVAC system and conditioned air is delivered to cabin through the duct assembly.

The recirculated air is used in most of the case when there is requirement of fast cooling. The blower in recirculation mode circulates the air in the cabin and drop down the temperature of cabin. The drawback of the existing conventional phenomenon is that when the cabin is soaked, the AC system takes time to cool the cabin. Because cool air from the HVAC system takes time to reach corners of the cabin which is already at high temperature. Further, since the blower air intake is at the instrument panel the air near the instrument panel gets cooler faster compare to rear passenger seats.

In view of the above limitation, there is a need to develop an air intake system to increase the cooling effect at the rear portion of the cabin or passenger compartment.

OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
One object of the present disclosure is to provide an air intake system for a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system for a vehicle to increase cooling rate of cabin of the passenger compartment during recirculation mode of the HVAC.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a rear duct in the cabin of the passenger compartment for to increase cooling rate of cabin of the passenger compartment during recirculation mode of the HVAC.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides for an air intake system for a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system for a vehicle. The air intake system comprises a first duct mounted inside under the dashboard of the vehicle, wherein one end of the first duct is connected to a blower and other end of the first duct is connected to a recirculation mouth of the HVAC system to draw air from front portion of a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The air intake system further comprises a second duct mounted inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle at predetermined location, wherein one end of the second duct is placed at predetermined position and proximal to the blower which facilitates the blower to draw air through the second duct and other end of the second duct is extended till rear portion of the passenger compartment to draw air from the rear portion of the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The blower is adapted to draw air from both the front portion and rear portion of the passenger compartment through the first duct and the second duct for cooling the air inside the vehicle during recirculation mode of the HVAC system.

In one embodiment, the predetermined position for placing the one end of the second duct is at the recirculation mouth of the HVAC system.

In one embodiment, the second duct mounted at the recirculation mouth such that substantial half portion of the recirculation mouth is covered by the second duct for drawing air from the rear portion of the passenger compartment.

In one embodiment, the one end of the second duct is connected to the blower.

In one embodiment, the second duct is provided below floor console of the vehicle or any one of sides of the vehicle or roof of the vehicle.

In one embodiment, the second duct is further provided with grills defrost for defrosting the HVAC system.

In one embodiment, the second duct is foldable at predetermined lengths and is retrofittable.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides for a HVAC system. The HVAC system comprises a compressor assembly, a condenser assembly, an evaporator assembly, a blower-heater assembly, an air intake system. The compressor assembly comprising a compressor, a clutch unit and a mounting unit and is mounted on an engine block of the vehicle. The condenser assembly comprising a condenser core, a receiver drier bottle, a fan and a mounting means and is mounted on body of the vehicle. The evaporator assembly comprises an evaporator casing, an evaporator coil, anti-icing device, an air filter and an air inlet with flap and its mechanism and an expansion valve. The evaporator assembly is mounted in HVAC system under dashboard/ instrument panel. The blower-heater assembly comprising a casing, a heater coil, a blower motor and a wheel, resistors, dampers /flaps and their mechanisms, and air exit adaptor. The heater-blower assembly is mounted on body of the vehicle. The air intake system comprises a first duct mounted under the dashboard the vehicle, wherein one end of the first duct is connected to a blower and other end of the first duct is connected to a recirculation mouth of the HVAC system to draw air from front portion of a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The air intake system further comprises a second duct mounted inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle at predetermined location, wherein one end of the second duct is placed at predetermined position and proximal to the blower which facilitates the blower to draw air through the second duct and other end of the second duct is extended till rear portion of the passenger compartment to draw air from the rear portion of the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The blower is adapted to draw air from both the front portion and rear portion of the passenger compartment through the first duct and the second duct for cooling the air during recirculation mode of the HVAC system.

In one embodiment, the heater-blower assembly and the evaporator assembly are connected through a duct to make use of a single blower for heating and cooling of cabin of the vehicle.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of vehicle comprising an air intake system according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the Fig. 1 according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the vehicle comprising the air intake system, wherein one end of the second duct is placed at recirculation mouth of the HVAC system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the vehicle comprising the air intake system, wherein one end of the second duct is connected to a blower of the HVAC system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The foregoing 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 form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures 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 spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, 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.

It is to be noted at this point that all of the above described components, whether alone or in any combination, are claimed as being essential to the disclosure, in particular the details depicted in the drawings and reference numerals in the drawings are as given below.

Table of referral numerals

Referral Numerals Description
1 Vehicle
10 Air intake assembly
20 First duct
30 Blower
40 Recirculation mouth
50 Second duct
50a Inlet of the second duct or other end of the second duct
50b Outlet of the second duct or one end of the second duct
60 Floor console
70 Roof
100 HVAC system

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a side and top views of vehicle comprising an air intake system according to the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the air intake system (10) is provided for a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system for a vehicle (1). The air intake system comprises a first duct (20) (shown in FIG. 3) mounted under the dashboard of the vehicle (1). One end of the first duct (20) is connected to a blower (30) and other end of the first duct (20) is connected to a recirculation mouth (40) of the HVAC system (100) to draw air from front portion of a passenger compartment of the vehicle (1). The air intake system (10) further comprises a second duct (50) mounted inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle (1) at predetermined location. In one embodiment, the second duct (50) is provided at locations such as but not limited to locations like below a floor console (60) of the vehicle (1). One end (50b) of the second duct (50) is placed at predetermined position and proximal to the blower (30) which facilitates the blower (30) to draw air through the second duct (50) and other end (50a) of the second duct (50) is extended till rear portion of the passenger compartment to draw air from the rear portion of the passenger compartment of the vehicle (1). In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the predetermined position for placing the one end (50b) of the second duct (50) is at the recirculation mouth (40) of the HVAC system (100). The second duct (50) placed at the recirculation mouth in such a way that substantial half portion of the recirculation mouth (40) is covered by the second duct (50) for drawing air from the rear portion of the passenger compartment. In an exemplary embodiment, the second duct (50) covers about 50% of the recirculation mouth (40) and thus, the air drawn from the second duct (50) contributes to about 50% of the total air to be cooled in the passenger compartment of the vehicle (1). In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the one end (50b) of the second duct (50) is connected to the blower (30). The blower (30) is adapted to draw air from both the front portion and rear portion of the passenger compartment through the first duct (20) and the second duct (50) for cooling the air during recirculation mode of the HVAC system (100). In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, air from both the front and rear portion of the passenger compartment is drawn into the HVAC system for cooling the air during recirculation mode of the HVAC system (100). In one embodiment, the second duct (50) is retrofittable.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the second duct (50) is placed at the recirculation mouth (40) of the HVAC system (100) of the vehicle (1) as shown in FIG. 3.

In one embodiment, the air intake system (10) can be installed in vehicles which comprises two rowed seating arrangements and also in vehicle which comprises three rowed seating arrangements (as shown in FIG. 3).

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the second duct (50) is connected to the blower (30) of the HVAC system (100) of the vehicle (1) as shown in the FIG. 4.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides for a HVAC system (100). The HVAC system (100) comprises a compressor assembly, a condenser assembly, an evaporator assembly, a blower-heater assembly and an air intake system. The compressor assembly consists of a compressor, a clutch unit and a mounting unit. The condenser assembly consists of a condenser core, a receiver drier bottle, a fan and a mounting means. The evaporator assembly consists of an evaporator casing, an evaporator coil, anti-icing device, an air filter and an air inlet with flap and its mechanism and an expansion valve. The blower-heater assembly consists of a casing, a heater coil, a blower motor and a wheel, resistors, dampers /flaps and their mechanisms, and air exit adaptor.

The compressor assembly, the condenser assembly and the evaporator assembly are joined by pipes and hoses to complete refrigeration circuit of the HVAC system (100). The heater coil is connected to engine block with hoses and pipes so that hot water from the engine is used to heat up the air to complete heating circuit.

The compressor assembly, the condenser assembly, the heater-blower assembly and the evaporator assembly are mounted in HVAC system under dashboard/ instrument panel, and the air intake system (10) is provided under the dashboard for effective functioning of the HVAC system (100).

The heater-blower assembly and the evaporator assembly are connected through a first duct (20) to make use of a single blower (30) for heating and cooling of cabin or passenger compartment of the vehicle (1). The exit adaptor is further provided with duct assembly to distribute air as per desired requirement.

Advantages
In one embodiment, the HVAC system with a dual point air intake system for recirculation mode increases cooling effect in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

In one embodiment, the dual point air intake system achieves required temperature in short time which in turn reduces total power consumption.

In one embodiment, the air intake system is retrofittable and can be easily packaged in vehicles.

In one embodiment, the air intake system effectively utilizes the space below the floor console in automobile.

In one embodiment, the air intake system improves cooling when there is no auxiliary AC unit is available.

In one embodiment, the total cost of the HVAC system is reduced due to deletion of auxiliary AC system, reduction in charge quality etc.

In one embodiment, the air intake system facilitates fast comfort due to rear portion cooling of the vehicle.

In one embodiment, the air intake system performs better when clubbed with single AC system so no auxiliary AC system required.

In one embodiment, the complexity in the HVAC system is reduced as number of parts is getting reduced and no mechanical parts are getting added.

In one embodiment, the total weight of the system is reduced and hence power consumption of complete AC system of the vehicle is also reduced.

In one embodiment, the HVAC system facilitates fast cooling and hence less compressor running and also reduced parasitic load on the engine and thereby less carbon formation and discharge to the environment.

In one embodiment, the air intake system helps to improvement fuel efficiency.

Equivalents
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.

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.”

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.