HVAC case having equalized sealing force tongue and groove joint

{
  "publication_number": "US9061566B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "HVAC case having equalized sealing force tongue and groove joint",
  "abstract": "A case includes a first case section and a second case section defining an interior. The first case section includes a groove extending along the first case section. The second case section includes a tongue extending along the second case section into the groove. The groove includes a groove inner wall proximal to the interior of the case and a groove outer wall distal from the interior of the case. The tongue extends from a tongue base end to a tongue free end and includes a tongue inner wall proximal to the interior of the case and a tongue outer wall distal from the interior of the case. The tongue free end is in contact with the groove inner wall and spaced apart from the groove outer wall and the tongue base end is in contact with the groove outer wall and spaced apart from the groove inner wall.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A heating and ventilation and air conditioning system comprising: a case including a first case section and second case section mating along a mating axis and defining an interior of said case; a groove in and extending along said first case section; and a tongue extending from and along said second case section into said groove for sealing said first case section and said second case section together to prevent leakage of air out of said case between said tongue and said groove; wherein said groove includes a groove inner wall proximal to said interior of said case, a groove outer wall distal from said interior of said case, and a groove bottom wall joining said groove inner wall to said groove outer wall; wherein said tongue extends from a tongue base end to a tongue free end and includes a tongue inner wall proximal to said interior of said case, a tongue outer wall distal from said interior of said case, and a tongue end wall joining said tongue inner wall to said tongue outer wall, said tongue free end being in contact with said groove inner wall and spaced apart from said groove outer wall and said tongue base end being in contact with said groove outer wall and spaced apart from said groove inner wall, thereby forming diagonally opposing areas of contact between said tongue and said groove; wherein said tongue outer wall includes a lead-in section proximal to said tongue free end and spaced apart from said groove outer wall, an interference section proximal to said tongue base end and in contact with said groove outer wall, and a transition section which joins said lead-in section to said interference section, wherein said transition section is inclined to said mating axis; and wherein said transition section is in contact with said groove outer wall when said tongue is being inserted into said groove and wherein said transition section is spaced apart from said groove outer wall when said tongue is inserted completely into said groove.",
    "2. A heating and ventilation and air conditioning system as in claim 1 wherein said groove inner wall flexes said tongue free end toward said groove outer wall.",
    "3. A heating and ventilation and air conditioning system as in claim 2 wherein said tongue base end flexes said groove outer wall away from said groove inner wall.",
    "4. A heating and ventilation and air conditioning system as in claim 3 wherein one of said first case section and said second case section includes a mounting flange and the other of said first case section and said second case section includes a mounting boss, wherein said mounting flange and said mounting boss are used to securely fasten said first case section to said second case section, and wherein said mounting flange and said mounting boss do not interfere with said tongue free end from flexing toward said groove outer wall and said groove outer wall from flexing away from said groove inner wall.",
    "5. A heating and ventilation and air conditioning system as in claim 4 wherein a threaded fastener interfaces with said mounting flange and said mounting boss to securely fasten said first case section to said second case section.",
    "6. A heating and ventilation and air conditioning system as in claim 1 wherein said tongue base end flexes said groove outer wall away from said groove inner wall.",
    "7. A heating and ventilation and air conditioning system as in claim 1 wherein said groove inner wall is inclined to said mating axis such that the end of said groove inner wall that is proximal to said groove bottom wall is inclined away from said mating axis.",
    "8. A heating and ventilation and air conditioning system as in claim 1 wherein said tongue inner wall is inclined to said mating axis and to said groove inner wall.",
    "9. A heating and ventilation and air conditioning system as in claim 8 wherein said tongue inner wall is inclined to said mating axis to a less magnitude than said groove inner wall is inclined to said mating axis.",
    "10. A heating and ventilation and air conditioning system as in claim 1 wherein said transition section is inclined to at least one of said lead-in section and said interference section.",
    "11. A heating and ventilation and air conditioning system as in claim 1 wherein the thickness of said tongue from said tongue inner wall to said lead-in section is less than the thickness of said tongue from said tongue inner wall to said interference section.",
    "12. A heating and ventilation and air conditioning system as in claim 1 wherein said tongue free end defines a first contact area with said groove inner wall and said tongue base end defines a second contact area with said groove outer wall such that said first contact area is offset from said second contact area along said mating axis."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to a case for a heating and ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system in a motor vehicle; more particularly to an arrangement for sealing between two sections of a case for such a HVAC system; and still even more particularly to a compact tongue and groove arrangement for sealing between two sections of a case for such a HVAC system.\n\nHVAC systems for motor vehicles generally include molded plastic case sections that are joined together by various means. If the joint between the sections of the case does not have an air-tight seal, then it is possible for air to leak from the case which may result in loss of comfort in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, undesirable noise, or both.\n\nThere are several methods to provide sealing at the joints of the case. One method is to use a tongue and groove joint as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,601 to Gilliam et al. To maintain moldability and assemble-ability of the case sections, the tolerances of the tongue and groove are such that only at maximum material condition does the tongue have line-on-line contact within the groove. At all other conditions, there is a gap between the tongue and the groove. Other methods relate to putting a sealing material such as foam, sealant, or seals between sections of the case to seal any irregularities. The addition of foam, sealant, or seals may add cost and can misassembled.\n\nU.S. Pat. No. 7,036,825 to Pettitt et al. teaches a case with a tongue and groove arrangement where the tongue is wider than the groove.",
  "cpc": [
    "B60H 1/00528",
    "B60H 2001/00635",
    "F16B 5/0012",
    "Y10T 403/7073"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B60H 1/00",
    "B60H 1/02",
    "F16B 5/00"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Delphi Technologies Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Garrett W. Hoehn"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2012-10-25",
  "publication_date": "2015-06-23",
  "grant_date": "2015-06-23",
  "priority_date": "2012-10-25",
  "application_number": "US-201213660377-A",
  "family_id": "50547352",
  "cited_by_count": 14,
  "citations": [
    "US4664551A",
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    "EP0414946A1",
    "DE4425362A1",
    "US5699601A",
    "US7036825B2",
    "US20070105421A1",
    "US20080146138A1",
    "US20110017742A1"
  ]
}