Ventilation – Vehicle – Roof structure
Reexamination Certificate
2003-01-29
2004-08-24
Joyce, Harold (Department: 3749)
Ventilation
Vehicle
Roof structure
C454S158000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06780097
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to structural members which are used in the construction of a vehicle body. More particularly, the present invention relates to that portion of the vehicle body which carries or encloses a person at the location on the body where the operation of the vehicle is controlled including constructional elements of the cab such as a framework or panel or joint or such similar element. Specifically, the present invention relates to the roof portion of the cab structure having means for the treatment of cab atmosphere, such as heating, cooling or ventilating the air within the cab.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known that work vehicles such as agricultural tractors and equipment as well as construction equipment are frequently operated in less than ideal environmental conditions. For example such equipment is often operated in uncomfortably warm or cold weather and in dusty conditions caused by the work being done by the vehicle. It has thus been desired to provide operator's stations in such vehicles which insulate the operator from such adverse environmental conditions by filtering and conditioning the air inside the cab. One approach has been to dispose the components of an HVAC system in a housing having air inlet and outlet apertures. The housing is then mounted to the vehicle roof or installed into the roof structure. This results in a cumbersome structure which does not optimize the available space and frequently intrudes into the operator's station impairing the free movement of the operator and sometimes obstructing the operator's field of view. Similarly, the ducts, hoses, conduits, wiring and inlet and outlet vents are typically positioned based upon available space rather than efficient ergonomic placement.
Previous attempts at overcoming these disadvantages have involved the use of one piece roto-molded roof structures which have a well or compartment formed therein to receive the HVAC unit and having air ducts and vents molded into the roof structure. Such attempts have created their own disadvantages. For example, roto-molded parts do not have a high degree of dimensional stability and thus present a number of fit, mount-up, and aesthetic difficulties. Further, one piece designs do not allow access for servicing, and present difficulties in the routing of conduit and wiring.
Accordingly, there is a clear need in the art for a molded roof structure for a work vehicle which incorporates the components of an HVAC system into the structure itself in a way that facilitates servicing, routing of lines, and ergonomic placement of ducts and vents.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the invention to provide a two piece roof structure having the necessary intakes, ducts and vents for the HVAC system formed therein.
Another object of the invention is the provision of a two piece roof structure having means for housing the HVAC components within the roof itself.
A further object of the invention is to provide a two piece roof structure which facilitates servicing of HVAC components and routing of HVAC lines.
An additional object of the invention is the provision of a two piece roof structure which can be compression molded using known techniques.
The foregoing and other objects of the invention together with the advantages thereof over the known art which will become apparent from the detailed specification which follows are attained by a two piece vehicle roof structure comprising: a lower roof member; a core chamber formed in the lower roof member; at least one HVAC core disposed in the core chamber; at least one fresh air duct molded in the lower roof member; at least one first air intake aperture in the fresh air duct; at least one first filter element removably mounted in the first air intake aperture; at least one unconditioned air duct communicating between the fresh air intake aperture and first filter element and the HVAC core chamber; at least one second air intake aperture in the unconditioned air duct; at least one second filter element removably mounted to the second air intake aperture; at least one conditioned air duct formed in the lower roof member; at least one conditioned air vent in the conditioned air duct; at least one blower disposed in the core chamber, the blower having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet drawing air from the core chamber and the outlet expelling air into the conditioned air duct; and, an upper roof member mounted to the lower roof member to enclose the core chamber, the unconditioned air duct, and the conditioned air duct to form discrete air passages between the roof members.
Other objects of the invention are attained by a two piece vehicle roof structure comprising: an upper roof member; a lower roof member having an upper side and a lower side; a core chamber formed in the lower roof member; at least one HVAC core disposed in the core chamber; at least one fresh air duct molded in the lower side of the lower roof member; at least one fresh air intake louver removably mounted to the fresh air duct; at least one first air intake aperture in the fresh air duct; at least one fresh air filter removably mounted in the first air intake aperture; at least one fresh air dust tray removably mounted to the fresh air duct; at least one unconditioned air duct communicating between the fresh air intake aperture and fresh air filter and the HVAC core chamber; at least one second air intake aperture in the unconditioned air duct; at least one recirculated air filter removably mounted to the second air intake aperture; at least one conditioned air duct formed in the lower roof member; at least one conditioned air vent formed in the conditioned air duct; and, at least one blower disposed in the core chamber, the blower having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet drawing air from the core chamber and the outlet expelling air into the conditioned air duct; wherein the upper roof member is mounted to the lower roof member to enclose the core chamber, the unconditioned air duct, and the conditioned air duct to form discrete air passages between the roof members.
Still other objects of the invention are attained by a two piece roof structure for enclosing one or more sidewalls to define a vehicle cab comprising: a lower roof member; a core chamber formed in the lower roof member, the core chamber having at least one condensate well and drain; at least one HVAC core comprising heating and cooling elements disposed in the core chamber, the HVAC core having input and output lines; at least one fresh air duct molded in the lower roof member; at least one fresh air intake louver removably mounted to the fresh air duct; at least one first air intake aperture in the fresh air duct; at least one fresh air filter removably mounted in the first air intake aperture; at least one fresh air dust tray removably mounted to the fresh air duct; at least one unconditioned air duct communicating between the fresh air intake aperture and fresh air filter and the HVAC core chamber, wherein the lines of the HVAC core are routed through the unconditioned air duct; at least one second air intake aperture in the unconditioned air duct; at least one recirculated air filter removably mounted to the second air intake aperture; at least one conditioned air duct formed in the lower roof member, the conditioned air duct having a duct cover affixed thereto; at least one conditioned air vent formed in the conditioned air duct the conditioned air vent having a control louver affixed thereto; at least one blower disposed in a contoured blower area of the core chamber, the blower having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet drawing air from the core chamber and the outlet expelling air into the conditioned air duct, wherein the lower roof member includes a partition wall adjacent to the blower area for routing air from the unconditioned air duct through the HVAC cores; an upper roof member having at least one removable access panel covering at least one access aperture mounted to th
Fryk Bruce Kevin
Shuttleworth Adam Joe
Deere & Company
Joyce Harold
LandOfFree
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