DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure relates to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and more particularly to a control panel of an HVAC system for automobiles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Today’s automobiles come equipped with various designs of control panels for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems for automobile interiors. The control panels for HVAC may be custom designed based on the preferences of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). Owing to design and configuration of internal components, the currently available control panels are susceptible to damage based on external environmental conditions, such as humidity or dust particles entering into the structure of the control panels. In case water or dust particles enter inside the internal circuitry of the control panel, internal components of the control panel, such as the liquid control display (LCD), copper traces, the printed circuit board (PCB), semiconductors, the microcontroller may be damaged to the extent of the permanent damage.
The existing solutions for the construction of the control panels for HVAC systems for automobiles are not effective in providing complete dust and waterproof structure. Further, the user is also required to be cautious while operating the control panel by way of providing user-inputs. For example, if the control panel is operated with wet hands, the switches present on the control panel and the internal components of the control panel may be damaged. There may be even accidental situations when a user may spill a drink while driving, which may splash over the control panel resulting in a large quantity of liquid entering inside the control panel causing permanent damage to the internal circuitry.
In view of the above, there is a need for a solution for the improved construction of control panels for HVAC systems for automobiles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified format that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention, and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.
According to an embodiment, a control panel for an HVAC system is disclosed. The control panel comprises a top cover and a back cover adapted to interlock with the top cover to form a housing for one or more components of the control panel. The control panel further comprises a lens assembly disposed within the housing. The lens assembly comprises a resting pad and a display lens. The display lens is disposed on the resting pad forming an annular channel at a periphery of the lens assembly. The control panel further comprises a sealing member adapted to be disposed on the annular channel of the lens assembly, where the sealing member is compressed in between the top cover and the resting pad in an assembled state of the control panel.
To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 illustrates a conventional control panel 10 for an HVAC system.
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a control panel for an HVAC system for automobiles, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the control panel, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 4 illustrates a horizontal sectional view of the control panel 20, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 5 illustrates a detailed view of the horizontal sectional view of the control panel, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figures 6 and 7 illustrate detailed views of a section of the control panel, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 8 illustrates a lens assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclsoure.
Figure 9 illustrates a top perspective view of a back cover of a control panel, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclsoure.
Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
It should be understood at the outset that although illustrative implementations of the embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated below, the present invention may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or in existence. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, including the exemplary design and implementation illustrated and described herein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.
The term “some” as used herein is defined as “none, or one, or more than one, or all.” Accordingly, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would all fall under the definition of “some.” The term “some embodiments” may refer to no embodiments or to one embodiment or to several embodiments or to all embodiments. Accordingly, the term “some embodiments” are defined as meaning “no embodiment, or one embodiment, or more than one embodiment, or all embodiments.”
The terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and does not limit, restrict or reduce the scope of the claims or their equivalents.
More specifically, any terms used herein such as but not limited to “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and grammatical variants thereof do NOT specify an exact limitation or restriction and certainly do NOT exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated, and furthermore must NOT be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated with the limiting language “MUST comprise” or “NEEDS TO include.”
Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, either way, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do NOT preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language such as “there NEEDS to be one or more . . . ” or “one or more element is REQUIRED.”
Unless otherwise defined, all terms, and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having an ordinary skill in the art.
Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements presented in the attached claims. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of illuminating one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the attached claims fulfill the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.
Use of the phrases and/or terms such as but not limited to “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or variants thereof do NOT necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or alternatively in the context of more than one embodiment, or further alternatively in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.
Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should NOT be necessarily taken as limiting factors to the attached claims. The attached claims and their legal equivalents can be realized in the context of embodiments other than the ones used as illustrative examples in the description below.
Figure 1 illustrates a conventional control panel 10 for an HVAC system. A housing of the control panel 10 may include at least a top cover 11. As shown in the figure, in the conventional control panel 10, due to gaps in between the supporting components of the top cover 11 and a receptacle, dust and liquid particles may easily enter inside the control panel 10 causing damage to the internal component. The dust and liquid particles may enter from the top regions and the side regions of the top cover 11 as shown by arrow 12 in the Figure. 1.
According to aspects of the present disclosure, an improved design of the control panel is provided. In an embodiment, a sealing member is interposed between a top cover and a display of the control panel, such that entry of dust particles or water is mitigated.
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a control panel 20 for an HVAC system for automobiles, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. According to said embodiment, the control panel 20 comprises a sealing member interposed between a top cover and a resting pad. In an example, the sealing member may be composed of an elastomeric material. By way of an example, the elastomeric material used for the sealing member may have a hardness range of 15-75 shore A.
Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the control panel 20, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In said embodiment, the control panel 20 includes at least a top cover 22, a sealing member 24, a lens assembly 26, a top printed circuit board (PCB) 28, a bottom PCB 30, and a back cover 32.
In an example, the back cover 32 is adapted to interlock with the top cover 22 to form a housing for the aforementioned components of the control panel 20. In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the top cover 22 may include a plurality of snap-fit ribs 21. The snap-fit ribs 21 are adapted to interlock the top cover 22 with the back cover 32. In an example, the top cover 22 may comprise a plurality of grooves (not shown in the figure). The plurality of grooves is adapted to receive a plurality of screws for interlocking the top 22 cover with the back cover 32. In an example, the back cover 32 comprises a plurality of snap-locks (not shown in the figure). The snap locks are adapted to interlock with the snap-fit ribs 21 of the top cover 22.
In an example, the lens assembly 26 may include a display lens and a resting pad. In said example, the display lens is disposed on the resting pad to form an annular channel at a periphery of the lens assembly 26. In an example, the display lens may be an LCD panel.
In an embodiment, the sealing member 24 is adapted to be disposed on the annular channel of the lens assembly 26, such that the sealing member is compressed in between the top cover 22 and the resting pad in an assembled state of the control panel 20. In said embodiment, the back cover 32 may include a plurlaity of supporting ribs 34. Each of the supporting ribs 34 protrudes from a surface of the back cover 32 and into the housing In an example, each of the supporting ribs 34 is adapted to apply pressure on the resting pad provided within the housing to compress the sealing member 24 in-between the top cover 22 and the resting pad, in the assembled state of the control panel 20. In an example, the PCBs (28, 30) may include an array of PCBs depending upon the OEM. Furthermore, a plurality of fasteners 36 may be used for interlocking one or more of the aforementioned components of the control panel 20.
Figure 4 illustrates a horizontal sectional view 40 of the control panel 20, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclsoure, the control panel 20 may consist of a snap-fit section 42. In an example, one or more components, such as the top cover 22, the back cover 32, the sealing member 24 included in the snap-fit section 42 may be sealed in a manner providing maximum protection to the control panel 20 against dust and liquid particles. Figure 5 illustrates a detailed view 50 of the horizontal sectional view 40 of the control panel 20, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Shown in the figure 5 is the top cover 22, the back cover 32, and the sealing member 24 interposed in-between the top cover 22 and the back cover 32. Specifically, as mentioned above, the sealing member 24 is positioned in between the top cover 22 and the resting pad of the lens assembly 26. In an example, the back cover 32 comprises the supporting ribs 34. Each supporting rib 34 is adapted to apply pressure on the resting pad so as to compress the sealing member 24.
In an example, the aforementioned arrangemenet provides protection to components, such as the display lens, the PCBs 28 and 30, against environmental factors, such as water and dirt. In an example, to further strengthen the protection against external agents causing damage to the internal components of the control panel 20, the sealing member 24 may actually extend all around the peripheral region of the top cover 22, thereby providing protection from all sides.
Section 52 showcases the compression of the sealing member 24 in between the top cover 22 and the back cover 32. A more detailed view of the section 52 is provided in Figures 6 and 7. Figures 6 and 7 illustrate detailed views 60 and 70, respectively, of the section 52.
Figure 8 illustrates a lens assembly 80, according to an embodiment of the present disclsoure. The lens assembly 80 is similar to the lens assembly 26 of the control panel 20. In an example, the lens assembly 80 comprises a resting pad 82 and a lens 84. According to an embodiment, the display lens 84 is disposed on the resting pad 82 in a manner such that an annular channel is formed at a periphery of the lens assembly 80
Figure 9 illustrates a top perspective view 90 of the back cover 32, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclsoure. As explained earlier, the back cover 32 includes supporting ribs 32 for exerting sufficient pressure to the sealing member 24 to be tightly interposed between the top cover 22 and the resting pad. In an additional embodiment, the back cover 32 includes along with the supporting ribs 34, fastening ribs 38 for the screws (not shown in this Figure) and snap-locks 40 for snap fitting to the snap-fit ribs 21 of the top cover 22.
The teachings of the present disclosure may be implemented to provide tight sealing for the components of control panels for HVAC systems. Accordingly, the entry of the dust particles and water particles may be mitigated. Furthermore, arrangement of the components as disclsoed according to aspects of the present subject matter, provides for less complex approach of assembling control panels.
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 in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element or split into multipel functional elements.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:

1. A control panel for a Heating, Ventilation, and an Air-Conditioning (HVAC) system, the control panel comprising:
a top cover;
a back cover adapted to interlock with the top cover to form a housing for one or more components of the control panel;
a lens assembly disposed within the housing, the lens assembly comprising:
a resting pad; and
a display lens disposed on the resting pad forming an annular channel at a periphery of the lens assembly; and
a sealing member adapted to be disposed on the annular channel of the lens assembly, wherein the sealing member is compressed in between the top cover and the resting pad in an assembled state of the control panel.

2. The control panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top cover comprises a plurality of snap-fit ribs adapted to interlock the top cover with the back cover.

3. The control panel as claimed in claim 2, wherein the back cover comprises a plurality of snap-locks adapted to interlock with the snap-fit ribs of the top cover.

4. The control panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the back cover comprises a plurality of supporting ribs protruding from a surface of the back cover and into the housing, wherein each of the supporting ribs is adapted to apply pressure on the resting pad to compress the sealing member in-between the top cover and the resting pad, in the assembled state of the control panel.

5. The control panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top cover comprises a plurality of grooves, wherein the plurality of grooves is adapted to receive a plurality of screws for interlocking the top cover with the back cover.

6. The control panel as claimed in claim 5, wherein the back cover comprises a plurality of fastening ribs, wherein the plurality of fastening ribs is positioned co-axially to the plurality of grooves, and wherein each of the plurality of fastening ribs is adapted to receive a screw from the plurality of screws.

7. The control panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing member is made of elastomeric material.

8. The control panel as claimed in claim 7, wherein a hardness of the elastomeric material is within a range of about 15 to 75 shore A.