Description:FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the field of Automotive heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and more particularly, an assembly to control fluid leakage using a double collar door and a method thereof.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Automotive heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in a vehicle are used to control the internal temperature of the vehicle cabin. The HVAC system is responsible for providing comfort for drivers and passengers. It is intended to maintain in-vehicle temperature and humidity within a range that is comfortable for the people inside and provides fresh and clean air. One of the key components of an automotive HVAC system is the distribution and temperature doors or flaps.
[0003] The distribution door is used to control the air distribution at different HVAC outlets while the temperature door or flaps are used to control the hot and cold air flow. These doors/flaps are assembled into the HVAC housing and rotate along the defined axis to manage the airflow as needed. Typically, by design and functional requirements, there may be clearances between the housing collar and the door call, of the HVAC doors and flaps. in which they are situated and results in air leakages. This is especially true in the case of foam pasted doors/flaps and leads to adverse effects on overall HVAC performance.
[0004] Air leakage is one of the main concerns in automotive HVAC and in plastic parts. Specifically, air leakages reduce the air flow and therefore has the potential of reducing the efficiency and output of the HVAC unit. Therefore, proper leak proof sealing or joint is very important to avoid leakages through the plastic housing parts and moving flaps/doors. However, existing sealing solutions face several drawbacks, including material degradation over time, complex assembly and maintenance requirements, limited durability under dynamic conditions, compromised system performance, increased costs, design constraints, and the like.
[0005] Hence, there is a need for an assembly to control fluid leakage which addresses the aforementioned issue(s).
OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTIONS
[0006] The primary objective of the invention is to minimize fluid leakage in an automotive HVAC system through a double collar door structure which includes a door collar and a housing collar.
[0007] Another objective of the invention is to allow the door to rotate around the rotational axis by the door collar and the housing collar, thereby minimizing the air gaps.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0008] In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, an assembly to control fluid leakage using a double collar door is provided. The assembly includes a housing collar adapted to a cylindrical shell structure. The housing collar is positioned in an automotive heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit. The assembly includes a door shaft coupled to the housing collar. The door shaft is adapted to mate with the housing collar, when operational. The assembly includes a door collar arranged on the door shaft. The door collar is adapted to fit within the housing collar when mated. The door collar is adapted to a sandwich cylindrical shell structure. The door collar includes a first inner shell and first outer shell. The first inner shell is adapted to project out of the first outer shell to a predetermined length. The housing collar includes a second inner shell and a second outer shell. The second inner shell of the housing collar is adapted to accommodate the first inner shell of the door collar. The first inner shell of the door collar is adapted to project out of the second inner shell of the housing collar, when mated. The second outer shell of the housing collar is adapted to accommodate the first outer shell of the door collar. When the second outer shell of the housing collar is mated with the first outer shell of the door collar causes the door shaft to rotate one of door and flap along a defined rotational axis, thereby incorporating the double collar door, minimizing gaps, ensuring control of fluid leakage.
[0009] In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method to operate an assembly to control fluid leakage using a double collar door is provided. The method includes mating, by a door shaft, with a housing collar, when operational. The method includes fitting, by a door collar, within the housing collar when mated. The method includes projecting, by a first inner shell, out of the first outer shell to a predetermined length. The method includes accommodating, by a second inner shell, the first inner shell of the door collar. The method includes projecting, by a first inner shell, out of the second inner shell of the housing collar, when mated. The method includes and accommodating, by a second outer shell of the housing collar, a first outer shell of the door collar. When the second outer shell of the housing collar is mated with the first outer shell of the door collar causes the door shaft to rotate one of door and flap along a defined rotational axis, thereby incorporating the double collar door, minimizing gaps, ensuring control of fluid leakage.
[0010] To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the disclosure will follow by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended figures. It is to be appreciated that these figures depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the appended figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional schematic representation of an assembly to control fluid leakage using a double collar door in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 2 (a) and FIG. 2 (b) is a schematic representation of the assembly to control fluid leakage using a double collar door of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart representing the steps involved in a method to operate an assembly to control fluid leakage using a double collar door in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0015] Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0017] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or subsystems or elements or structures or components preceded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices, sub-systems, elements, structures, components, additional devices, additional sub-systems, additional elements, additional structures or additional components. Appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but not necessarily do, all refer to the same embodiment.
[0018] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting.
[0019] In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings. The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0020] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an assembly to control fluid leakage using a double collar door. The assembly includes a housing collar adapted to a cylindrical shell structure. The housing collar is positioned in an automotive heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit. The assembly includes a door shaft coupled to the housing collar. The door shaft is adapted to mate with the housing collar, when operational. The assembly includes a door collar arranged on the door shaft. The door collar is adapted to fit within the housing collar when mated. The door collar is adapted to a sandwich cylindrical shell structure. The door collar includes a first inner shell and first outer shell. The first inner shell is adapted to project out of the first outer shell to a predetermined length. The housing collar includes a second inner shell and a second outer shell. The second inner shell of the housing collar is adapted to accommodate the first inner shell of the door collar. The first inner shell of the door collar is adapted to project out of the second inner shell of the housing collar, when mated. The second outer shell of the housing collar is adapted to accommodate the first outer shell of the door collar. When the second outer shell of the housing collar is mated with the first outer shell of the door collar causes the door shaft to rotate one of door and flap along a defined rotational axis, thereby incorporating the double collar door, minimizing gaps, ensuring control of fluid leakage.
[0021] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional schematic representation of an assembly to control fluid leakage using a double collar door in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The assembly (100) includes a housing collar (110) adapted to a cylindrical shell structure. The housing collar (110) is positioned in an automotive HVAC unit. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning is the use of various technologies to control the temperature, humidity, and purity of the air in an enclosed space. Its goal is to provide thermal comfort and acceptable indoor air quality. In an embodiment, the enclosed space is a vehicle cabin. The automotive heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in the vehicle are used to control the internal temperature, humidity, and purity of air in the vehicle cabin. Further, the housing collar (110) may be made from various materials depending on the specific application and requirements. Examples of the material includes, but is not limited to, steel, aluminum, iron, plastic and the like.
[0022] The assembly (100) includes a door shaft (112) coupled to the housing collar (110). The door shaft (112) is adapted to mate with the housing collar (110), when operational.
[0023] The assembly (100) includes a door collar (114) arranged on the door shaft (112). The door collar (114) is adapted to fit within the housing collar (110) when mated. The door collar (114) is assembled into the automotive heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit. The door collar (114) is a sandwich cylindrical shell structure. The door collar (114) includes a first inner shell and first outer shell. The first inner shell is adapted to project out of the first outer shell to a predetermined length.
[0024] In an embodiment, the predetermined length of projection of the first inner shell is adjustable to set air leakage reduction.
[0025] In another embodiment, the door collar (114) and housing collar (110) are coated with a friction-reducing material to facilitate one of door and flap rotation.
[0026] The housing collar (110) includes a second inner shell and a second outer shell. The second inner shell of the housing collar (110) is adapted to accommodate the first inner shell of the door collar (114). The first inner shell of the door collar (114) is adapted to project out of the second inner shell of the housing collar (110), when mated. The second outer shell of the housing collar (110) is adapted to accommodate the first outer shell of the door collar (114). When the second outer shell of the housing collar (110) is mated with the first outer shell of the door collar (114) causes the door shaft (112) to rotate one of door and flap along a defined rotational axis (116). The doors/flaps are used to control the hot and cold air flow. The doors/flaps are assembled into the HVAC housing and rotate along the defined axis. The housing collar (110) and the door collar (114) are designed to allow the rotations of door/flap along the rotation axis thereby incorporating the double collar door, minimizing gaps, ensuring control of fluid leakage.
[0027] FIG. 2 (a) and FIG. 2 (b) is a schematic representation of an assembly to control fluid leakage using a double collar door of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2(a) is highlighting the door shaft (112) which is connected to a housing collar (110). The housing collar (110) is highlighted in FIG 2(b). The door shaft (112) mates with the housing collar (110) when the assembly (100) is operational. The door shaft (112) is the structural connection between the housing collar (110) and the door collar (114).
[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart representing the steps involved in a method (300) to operate an assembly to control fluid leakage using a double collar door in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method (300) includes mating, by a door shaft, with a housing collar, when operational in step 310. The door shaft is adapted to rotate one of a door and flap along a predefined rotational axis.
[0029] The method (300) includes fitting, by a door collar, within the housing collar when mated in step 320.
[0030] The method (300) includes projecting, by a first inner shell, out of the first outer shell to a predetermined length in step 330. The door collar is assembled into the HVAC unit. In one embodiment, the door collar and the housing collar are coated with a friction-reducing material to facilitate one of door and flap rotation.
[0031] The method (300) includes accommodating, by a second inner shell, the first inner shell of the door collar in step 340.
[0032] The method (300) includes projecting, by a first inner shell, out of the second inner shell of the housing collar, when mated in step 350. The projection of the first inner shell is adjustable to set air leakage reduction.
[0033] The method (300) includes and accommodating, by a second outer shell of the housing collar, a first outer shell of the door collar. When the second outer shell of the housing collar is mated with the first outer shell of the door collar causes the door shaft to rotate one of door and flap along a defined rotational axis, thereby incorporating the double collar door, minimizing gaps, ensuring control of fluid leakage in step 360.
[0034] Various embodiments of the assembly to control fluid leakage using a double collar door and a method thereof as described above introduce the double collar door structure, which includes the door collar and housing collar with the cylindrical shell structures and inner and outer shells, ensures a tight seal and minimizes air gaps and thereby reduces fluid leakage in the HVAC system. Further, minimized air gaps and controlling fluid leakage results in a more efficient HVAC system that delivers consistent performance.
[0035] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the disclosure and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.
[0036] While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.
[0037] The figures and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, the order of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts need to be necessarily performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.
, Claims:1. An assembly (100) to control fluid leakage using a double collar door comprising:
a housing collar (110) adapted to a cylindrical shell structure, wherein the housing collar (110) is positioned in an automotive heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit;
characterized in that:
a door shaft (112) coupled to the housing collar (110), wherein the door shaft (112) is adapted to mate with the housing collar (110), when operational;
a door collar (114) arranged on the door shaft (112), wherein the door collar (114) is adapted to fit within the housing collar (110) when mated,
wherein the door collar (114) is adapted to a sandwich cylindrical shell structure,
wherein the door collar (114) comprises a first inner shell and first outer shell,
wherein the first inner shell is adapted to project out of the first outer shell to a predetermined length;
wherein the housing collar (110) comprises a second inner shell and a second outer shell,
wherein the second inner shell of the housing collar (110) is adapted to accommodate the first inner shell of the door collar (114),
wherein the first inner shell of the door collar (114) is adapted to project out of the second inner shell of the housing collar (110), when mated,
wherein the second outer shell of the housing collar (110) is adapted to accommodate the first outer shell of the door collar (114), wherein when the second outer shell of the housing collar (110) is mated with the first outer shell of the door collar (114) causes the door shaft (112) to rotate one of door and flap along a defined rotational axis (116), thereby incorporating the double collar door, minimizing gaps, ensuring control of fluid leakage.
2. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the door collar (114) is assembled into the automotive heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit.
3. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the door shaft (112) is adapted to rotate of one of door and flap along the defined rotational axis.
4. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined length of projection of the first inner shell is adjustable to set air leakage reduction.
5. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the door collar (114) and housing collar (110) are coated with a friction-reducing material to facilitate one of door and flap rotation.
6. A method (300) to operate an assembly to control fluid leakage using a double collar door comprising:
characterized in that:
mating, by a door shaft, with a housing collar, when operational; (310)
fitting, by a door collar, within the housing collar when mated; (320)
projecting, by a first inner shell, out of the first outer shell to a predetermined length; (330)
accommodating, by a second inner shell, the first inner shell of the door collar; (340)
projecting, by a first inner shell, out of the second inner shell of the housing collar, when mated; and (350)
accommodating, by a second outer shell of the housing collar, a first outer shell of the door collar, wherein when the second outer shell of the housing collar is mated with the first outer shell of the door collar causes the door shaft to rotate one of door and flap along a defined rotational axis, thereby incorporating the double collar door, minimizing gaps, ensuring control of fluid leakage. (360)

Dated this 06th day of February 2024

Signature

Jinsu Abraham
Patent Agent (IN/PA-3267)
Agent for the Applicant