Abstract:
A climate control duct architecture having partitions to provide effective distribution of air immediately as it exits the HVAC. By strategic positioning and configuring of the partitions the duct architecture may be tuned to provide maximum console airflow and desired system airflow distribution with a minimum amount of interference to the airflow due to turbulence.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to climate control duct systems for vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a climate control duct architecture that includes partitions which provide distribution of air as it exits the HVAC. By strategic positioning and configuring of the partitions the duct architecture may be tuned to provide maximum console airflow and desired distribution across the system with a minimum amount of interference to the airflow due to turbulence. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Modern vehicle interiors are provided with climate control systems. Central to the climate control system is the HVAC which produces climatized air for distribution into the interior of the vehicle through a variety of ducts. Known arrangements of ducts in climate control systems include a path to the panel registers and to the console which takes place at a distance away from the air outlet of the HVAC. Essentially such systems build a plenum structure into the ducts where the flow can become disorganized. To provide a proper amount of airflow known systems frequently must rely on on-board auxiliary devices to increase airflow. 
     Furthermore, the duct architecture is constrained by packaging requirements. In the modern vehicle a greater number of components required for safety and comfort of the occupants are included in and adjacent to the instrument panel while at the same time designs of the instrument panel itself put increased pressure on the designer to engineer appropriate duct work. Accordingly, the package needed for ducts often gets compromised. This, together with the new designs of instrument panels that often have more lay back angles, brings about continuous challenges to climate control designers to engineer systems that deliver acceptable levels of vehicle airflow. 
     As a consequence, console airflow of known systems often ends up being low and the comfort levels of the rear passengers are often not attained. 
     Accordingly, as in so many areas of vehicle design, an improved method of providing a more efficient arrangement for providing adequate airflow to all vehicle passengers is desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention represents an advancement in the art of vehicle climate control system duct architecture. The arrangement disclosed herein includes a partitioned duct having an inlet that is fitted to the outlet of the HVAC. The partitioned duct includes two or more air outlets and a like number of air channels formed between the inlet and the air outlets. A dividing wall is formed to separate each of the channels. The dividing wall includes a leading edge that is provided adjacent the outlet of the HVAC. A number of dividing walls may be used based on the number of airflow channels. For example, if there are two airflow channels there will be a dividing wall separating one channel from the other. If there are four airflow channels, then there would be a dividing wall that separates each channel from the adjacent channel. 
     The partitioned duct may include a base element, a cover element, and an intermediate element situated between the base element and the cover element. The base, cover and intermediate elements may be formed from a molded material. 
     The arrangement and configuration of the airflow chambers and the dividing wall or walls of the partitioned duct may be adjusted or tuned for maximum airflow and minimum turbulence. The arrangement and configuration of the airflow chambers and the dividing wall or walls could be adapted as required for the number and placement of downstream ducts and vent outlets. 
     By providing for the distribution of air at the exit of the HVAC the arrangement disclosed herein reduces air turbulence thus increasing airflow through the duct system. This streamlined arrangement virtually eliminates disorganized airflow and the consequential deceleration and acceleration by splitting airflow directed to each outlet at the earliest stage of the airflow path. The arrangement of the present invention provides optimum airflow with minimum energy requirements. 
     Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should now be made to the embodiment illustrated in greater detail in the accompanying drawings and described below by way of examples of the invention wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an airflow distribution duct of the known art; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a diagrammatic sectional view of the airflow distribution duct of  FIG. 1  that illustrates the airflow through the plenum according to known designs in which the airflow is slowed and turbulence is created as illustrated by the airflow lines; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a partitioned duct according to the disclosed invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded view of the elements of the partitioned duct of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of a duct system that incorporates the partitioned duct of the disclosed invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a view of the partitioned duct of the disclosed invention taken from its air inlet end; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a view similar to that of  FIG. 6  illustrating the pathways of the individual airflow channels; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an alternate perspective view of the partitioned duct of the disclosed invention; and 
         FIG. 9  is a diagrammatic sectional view of the partitioned duct of the disclosed invention illustrating airflow through the duct where the airflow is unimpeded and is virtually void of evidence of turbulence. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In the following figures, the same reference numerals are used to refer to the same components. In the following description, various operating parameters and components are described for one constructed embodiment. These specific parameters and components are included as examples and are not meant to be limiting. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of an airflow distribution duct according to the known art, generally illustrated as  10 , is shown. The airflow distribution duct  10  includes a body  12 , a first outlet  14 , a second outlet  16 , a third outlet  18 , a fourth outlet  20 , a fifth outlet  22 , and a sixth outlet  24 . There can be a greater or lesser number of outlets as is known in the art and the arrangement shown is only for illustrative purposes as representing the state of the prior art. Of particular interest is the body  12  which conventionally includes a plenum section for receiving inflowing air coming from the HVAC to which individual outlets  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  and  24  are connected. Conventionally illustrated in  FIG. 1  is the body  12  having two plenum volumes, including a first plenum volume  28  and a second plenum volume  30 . 
     The arrangement of the known art as defined by the plural plenums results in an inefficient way of delivering air to and through the duct system of the vehicle. This is illustrated in  FIG. 2  in which a diagrammatic sectional view of the airflow distribution duct  10  of  FIG. 1  is illustrated. Typically the airflow distribution duct  10  includes a plenum  32  having an airflow inlet  34 . The airflow inlet  34  is fixed to the outlet end of an HVAC (not shown). The airflow distribution duct  10  typically includes one or two restricted areas  36  that restrict air to various outlets to balance the system. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the reliance of the prior art upon the plenum arrangement results in impeded and turbulent airflow through the airflow distribution duct  10 . At the upper end of the airflow distribution duct  10  is an area of relatively low velocity  38  in which a great deal of poorly flowing, turbulent air is shown. Another area of low velocity is in an area of restricted flow  40  that is adjacent the restricted area  36 . A third area of low velocity  42  arises where the airflow distribution duct  10  meets a floor outlet  44 . The area of low velocity  42  is an area of stagnant air. 
     The airflow problems shown in  FIG. 2  are intended to be illustrative and not limiting but suggest typical airflow problems created in known duct systems that rely upon a plurality of plenums to distribute air to the various airflow outlets. Impeded airflow of the type illustrated results in low velocity of airflow particularly at the most remote outlets of the vehicle climate control system, such as would be found in the rear seat area of a van or of an SUV. Vehicle designers have overcome this problem in part by providing on-board auxiliary airflow devices (not shown) to increase airflow. 
     The disclosed invention overcomes the limitations of the prior art by providing a tunable partitioned duct, generally illustrated as  50 , shown in  FIG. 3 . The tunable partitioned duct  50  includes a body  52  having a first outlet  54 , a second outlet  56 , a third outlet  58 , a fourth outlet  60 , a fifth outlet  62 , and a sixth outlet  64 . A greater or lesser number of outlets may be provided. The tunable partitioned duct  50  embodies improvements over the prior art that are substantially internal and thus the tunable partitioned duct  50  of the disclosed invention can replace existing airflow distribution ducts of the type shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and described in relation thereto. Thus capable of being a substituting unit, the remainder of the duct system of the vehicle can be used with the disclosed invention without modification, adding to convenience of design and cost savings. 
     An exploded view of the tunable partitioned duct  50  of the disclosed invention is shown in  FIG. 4 . As shown, the tunable partitioned duct  50  preferably but not absolutely is composed of an inlet half  66 , a cover half  68 , and an intermediate portion  70 . One or more of the inlet half  66 , the cover half  68 , and the intermediate portion  70  may be formed by molding, although it is to be understood that a variety of alternate methods of construction may be utilized. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a variety of dividing walls are provided to define channels into which flowing air is selectively directed. Centrally provided on the inlet half  66  is a central divider  72 . Similarly, a central divider  74  is provided on the intermediate portion  70  while a central divider  76  is provided on the cover half  68 . When the inlet half  66 , the intermediate portion  70  and the cover half  68  are assembled, the central divider  72 , the central divider  74 , and the central divider  76  operate as one as a central divider  77  illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
     Additional walls are formed in the tunable partitioned duct  50  for directing airflow. Specifically, a right-left divider  78  is formed on the inlet half  66  while a right-left divider  80  is formed on the intermediate portion  70 . A right-left divider  82  is formed on the cover half  68 . When the inlet half  66 , the intermediate portion  70  and the cover half  68  are assembled the right-left divider  78 , the right-left divider  80 , and the right-left divider  82  operate as one to divide the airflow between the first outlet  54  and the second outlet  56 . 
     In addition to the right-left divider, the tunable partitioned duct  50  of the disclosed invention is fitted with a left-right divider for directing airflow. Specifically, a left-right divider  84  is formed on the inlet half  66  while a left-right divider  86  is formed on the intermediate portion  70 . A left divider  88  is formed on the cover half  68 . When the inlet half  66 , the intermediate portion  70  and the cover half  68  are assembled the left-right divider  84 , the left-right divider  86 , and the left-right divider  88  operate as one to divide the airflow between the fourth outlet  60  and the sixth outlet  64 . 
     A divider  90  is also provided in the intermediate portion  70  to divide the inflowing air between that air flowing to a first series of air outlets (the first outlet  54 , the second outlet  56 , the fourth outlet  60 , and the sixth outlet  64 ) and a second series of air outlets (the third outlet  58  and the fifth outlet  62 ). The divider  90  is also illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
     An exemplary duct system arrangement for a vehicle is shown in  FIG. 5  and is generally illustrated as  100 . The duct system arrangement  100  includes the tunable partitioned duct  50 , two outflow ducts  102  and  104 , a distribution duct  106 , a rear lead duct  108 , and a vent  110 . As noted above, the tunable partitioned duct  50  may be utilized with known and existing systems, such as that illustrated in  FIG. 5 , with no modifications. It is to be understood that the duct system arrangement  100  of  FIG. 5  is shown for illustrative purposes only and a wide array of versions and configurations may be adapted as well. 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate a view of the tunable partitioned duct  50  of the present invention taken from its inlet side. As illustrated, the inlet side is divided into a number of channels by the central divider  77  and the divider  90 . The channels include a first airflow channel  120 , a second airflow channel  122 , a third airflow channel  124 , and a fourth airflow channel  126 . The first airflow channel  120  is fluidly continuous with the fourth airflow outlet  60 , the second airflow channel  120  is fluidly continuous with the second airflow outlet  56 , the third airflow channel  124  is fluidly continuous with the fifth airflow outlet  62 , and the fourth airflow channel  126  is fluidly continuous with the third airflow outlet  58 . 
     In addition to the first airflow channel  120 , the second airflow channel  122 , the third airflow channel  124 , and the fourth airflow channel  126 , a fifth airflow channel  128  is provided in fluid communication with the sixth airflow outlet  64  and a sixth airflow channel  130  is provided in fluid communication with the first airflow outlet  54 . Furthermore, and optionally as shown in  FIG. 6 , a seventh airflow channel  132  and an eighth airflow channel  134  are provided. The seventh airflow channel  132  and the eighth airflow channel  134  may be fluidly associated with, for example, lap coolers (not shown). It is to be understood that a greater or lesser number of airflow channels may be provided. However, regardless of the number of channels, the dividers that define the channels are substantially adjacent with and may abut directly against the outlet of the HVAC. 
     With respect to  FIG. 8 , a perspective view of the tunable partitioned duct  50  as disclosed in the present invention is illustrated. The angle of this view differs from the perspective angle shown and described in  FIG. 3 . This view more clearly shows the sixth airflow outlet  64 . In addition, this view illustrates extension ducts  102  and  104  fitted to the third airflow outlet  58  and the fifth airflow outlet  62  respectively. Again, this arrangement can be readily modified as required for adaptation to a particular vehicle arrangement. 
     The tunable partitioned duct illustrated herein and described above is effective at reducing turbulence and increasing airflow as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , which is a diagrammatic sectional view of the partitioned duct of the disclosed invention. The airflow through the duct is illustrated. As may be understood by the figure, the airflow is virtually entirely unimpeded and is virtually void of evidence of turbulence. The continuous and clear airflow illustrated by the various and several lines denote high velocity without areas of stagnation or restriction, offering a considerable advantage over the prior art illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     The foregoing discussion discloses and describes an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the true spirit and fair scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. Specifically, and as noted above, the variety, position and number of lighting elements provided in conjunction with the floor console can be readily altered to meet the requirements of a specific application without deviating from the present invention.