Airflow control in heating and air conditioning units

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of directing ventilating air and airflow control in a ventilating, heating or air conditioning system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a structure and method to provide air flow mixture via an air mixer structure or ‘baffle’ located within a blend door. The simplified HVAC unit provides a baffle/blend door assembly comprising an air mixer structure wherein the attachment means of baffle and barrel door is such that it provides for ease of assembly. The baffle/barrel door assembly provides for smaller packaging volume with the same functionality as larger HVAC units.

1 . An air distribution module for a vehicle heating, ventilation and air conditioning system comprising: 
 a housing;    a heating means;    an evaporator means;    a door;    a baffle;    a first conduit for a first air flow;    a second conduit for a second air flow;    an opening between said first and second conduits for merging said first and second airflows in a mixing region;    wherein the baffle is located within the door.    
   
   
       2 . An air distribution module for a vehicle heating, ventilation and air conditioning system comprising: 
 a housing;    a heating means;    an evaporator means;    a blend door;    a baffle;    a first conduit for a first air flow;    a second conduit for a second air flow;    an opening between said first and second conduits for merging said first and second airflows in a mixing region;    wherein the baffle is located within the blend door.    
   
   
       3 . An air distribution module according to  claim 2  wherein the blend door is a barrel door.  
   
   
       4 . An air distribution module according to  claim 1  wherein the baffle is a cross-flow baffle.  
   
   
       5 . An air distribution module according to  claim 3  wherein the baffle is a cross-flow baffle.  
   
   
       6 . An air distribution module for a vehicle heating, ventilation and air conditioning system comprising: 
 a housing;    a heating means;    an evaporator means;    a baffle/blend door assembly;    a first conduit for a first air flow;    a second conduit for a second air flow;    an opening between said first and second conduits for merging said first and second airflows in a mixing region;    wherein the baffle/blend door assembly downstream of the heater means and the evaporator means.    
   
   
       7 . An air distribution module according to  claim 6  wherein said baffle/blend door assembly comprises a barrel door.  
   
   
       8 . An air distribution module according to  claim 6  wherein said baffle/blend door assembly comprises a cross flow baffle.  
   
   
       9 . An air distribution module according to  claim 7  wherein said baffle/blend door assembly comprises a cross flow baffle.  
   
   
       10 . An air distribution module according to  claim 9  wherein the baffle is attached or functionally fitted into the housing.  
   
   
       11 . An air distribution module for a vehicle heating, ventilation and air conditioning system according to  claim 10  wherein the baffle/blend door assembly comprises an attachment means sliding permitting the baffle/blend door assembly to be attached using a sliding motion.