Air conditioning unit

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an air conditioning device mounted on a vehicle, in which a passenger compartment is open to the outside of the vehicle, and the air conditioning device comprises: a front air outlet, which is provided at the front side of the vehicle more forward than a riding position of the passenger, and sends temperature-regulated air toward the riding position; a rear air outlet, which is provided at the rear side of the vehicle more rearward than the riding position, and sends temperature-regulated air toward the riding position; and a control unit, which controls the air conditioning device. When the vehicle moves forward, the control unit controls to send air from the front air outlet, and when the vehicle moves backward, the control unit controls to send air from the rear air outlet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioning device. Background Art

[0002] As an air conditioning device mounted on an open-type vehicle such as a forklift, a device for controlling the blowing direction of temperature-regulated wind is known. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-326964 discloses a technique in which a louver provided at an air outlet in front of a roof of a vehicle is controlled to blow air downward when the vehicle is moving forward, and blow air in the direction of travel of the vehicle, i.e., to the rear when the vehicle is moving backward. Thus, when the vehicle is moving backward, the temperature-regulated wind is blown away by the headwind generated by the inertia of the vehicle when it is moving, and the air near the passengers can be converted into air mixed with the temperature-regulated wind and the outside air. Summary of the invention

[0003] However, when air is sent in the moving direction of the vehicle, the temperature-regulated air is stirred by the headwind generated by the inertia of the air. As a result, the temperature-regulated air may not flow to the intended location. Therefore, a technology capable of sending the temperature-regulated air to the desired location is required.

[0004] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems and can be implemented as the following aspects.

[0005] (1) According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an air conditioning device mounted on a vehicle, wherein a passenger compartment of the vehicle is open to the outside of the vehicle. The air conditioning device comprises: a front air outlet disposed at a front side of the vehicle that is forward of a seat position of the passenger, and supplies temperature-regulated air toward the seat position; a rear air outlet disposed at a rear side of the vehicle that is rear of the seat position, and supplies temperature-regulated air toward the seat position; and a control unit that controls the air conditioning device.

[0006] When the vehicle moves forward, the control unit controls to supply air from the front air outlet, and when the vehicle moves backward, the control unit controls to supply air from the rear air outlet.

[0007] According to the air conditioning device of this embodiment, the control unit controls the air conditioning device so that the temperature-regulated air is blown out in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the vehicle. Therefore, the air conditioning device can send air to the position where the passengers are sitting without going against the airflow generated by the movement of the vehicle. Therefore, the temperature-regulated air can be sent to the desired position.

[0008] (2) In the air conditioning apparatus of the above aspect, when the speed of the vehicle is equal to or lower than a predetermined speed, the control unit may perform control so as to blow air from the front air outlet and the rear air outlet.

[0009] In this manner, for example, when a strong airflow is not generated due to the movement of the vehicle, air can be supplied from both the front air outlet and the rear air outlet, thereby enabling more efficient air conditioning than when air is supplied from only one of the air outlets.

[0010] (3) In the air conditioning apparatus of the above aspect, the vehicle may be a work vehicle that transports a placed object by lifting it.

[0011] In such a mode, the vehicle frequently travels backward. Therefore, air supply from the rear air supply port when the vehicle moves backward is particularly effective.

[0012] (4) In the air conditioning device of the above aspect, the rear air outlet may include a rear first air outlet provided on the right side of the vehicle and a rear second air outlet provided on the left side of the vehicle.

[0013] In such a manner, even in a case where wind is received from the right side of the vehicle or in a case where wind is received from the left side of the vehicle, temperature-regulated air can be sent to a desired position.

[0014] (5) In the air conditioning device of the above aspect, the front air outlet may include a front first air outlet provided on the right side of the vehicle and a front second air outlet provided on the left side of the vehicle.

[0015] In such a manner, even in a case where wind is received from the right side of the vehicle or in a case where wind is received from the left side of the vehicle, temperature-regulated air can be sent to a desired position.

[0016] (6) In the air-conditioning device of the above-mentioned method, the vehicle comprises: a steering wheel, which supports the vehicle, enables the vehicle to move, and changes the driving direction of the vehicle; and other wheels, which together with the steering wheel support the vehicle and enable the vehicle to move. The air-conditioning device comprises a wind direction adjusting unit, which is capable of changing the air supply direction of at least the air supply outlets located on the same side as the steering wheel relative to the riding position among the front air supply outlets and the rear air supply outlets. When the vehicle changes its driving direction while traveling in a direction from the other wheels toward the steering wheel, the control unit can control the wind direction adjusting unit so that the air supply outlets located on the same side as the steering wheel are deflected to the direction in which the vehicle changes its direction and supplies air.

[0017] In this aspect, since the control unit controls the wind direction adjusting unit, when the vehicle changes direction, the temperature-regulated air can be sent to the space of the destination to which the riding position moves.

[0018] In addition, the present disclosure can be implemented in various forms, and can be implemented in forms such as a vehicle including an air conditioning device of this form, or an air conditioning method using the air conditioning device of this form. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals denote like components.

[0020] Figure 1 It is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an air conditioning device.

[0021] Figure 2 It is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an air conditioning apparatus in the second embodiment.

[0022] Figure 3 It is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an air conditioning apparatus in the third embodiment.

[0023] Figure 4 It is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an air conditioning apparatus in a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] A. First Implementation Method:

[0025] Figure 1 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an air conditioning device 110 in the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The air conditioning device 110 is mounted on a vehicle 100, in which a passenger compartment is open to the outside of the vehicle. In the present embodiment, the vehicle 100 is a work vehicle that transports an object by lifting it. The vehicle 100 is, for example, a forklift. Alternatively, the vehicle 100 may be a tractor. Figure 1 , mutually orthogonal x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis are shown. The x-axis is the front-rear direction of the vehicle 100, the y-axis is the left-right direction of the vehicle 100, and the z-axis is the up-down direction of the vehicle 100. These axes are Figure 1 The axes shown later correspond.

[0026] The vehicle 100 includes a steering wheel 120 and other wheels 130. The steering wheel 120 is a wheel that supports the vehicle 100 to travel and changes the travel direction of the vehicle 100. The other wheels 130 are wheels that support the vehicle 100 to travel together with the steering wheel 120. In the present embodiment, the rear wheels (-x-axis direction side) of the vehicle 100 are the steering wheels 120, and the front wheels (+x-axis direction side) of the vehicle 100 are the other wheels 130.

[0027] The air conditioning device 110 is a spot air conditioner that supplies air to a limited target. The air conditioning device 110 supplies air to passengers in the open compartment of the vehicle 100. The air conditioning device 110 includes a front duct 10, a rear duct 20, a control unit 30, and an air conditioning unit 40. The air conditioning unit 40 generates temperature-regulated air. In the present embodiment, the air conditioning unit 40 is disposed on an upper portion of the vehicle 100.

[0028] The front duct 10 has a front damper 11 and a front air supply port 12. The front duct 10 is a pipe that allows air to flow through the air conditioning unit 40 for temperature adjustment. The front damper 11 is provided in the front duct 10 to open and close the front duct 10. The front air supply port 12 is the opening end of the front duct 10. The front air supply port 12 is provided above (on the +z-axis side) the front side (on the +x-axis side) of the vehicle 100 that is further forward than the riding position P1. More specifically, the front air supply port 12 is provided above the head of the passenger located at the riding position P1 so as not to obstruct the passenger's field of vision. The front air supply port 12 supplies temperature-regulated air to the riding position P1 where the passenger is seated.

[0029] The rear duct 20 has a rear damper 21 and a rear air supply port 22. The rear duct 20 is a pipe that allows air to flow through the air conditioning unit 40. The rear damper 21 is provided in the rear duct 20 to open and close the rear duct 20. The rear air supply port 22 is an open end of the rear duct 20. The rear air supply port 22 is provided above (on the +z axis side) the rear side (on the -x axis side) of the vehicle 100 that is further rearward than the riding position P1. The rear air supply port 22 supplies air to the riding position P1 to adjust the temperature.

[0030] The control unit 30 controls the air conditioning device 110. When the vehicle 100 moves forward, the control unit 30 controls to supply air from the front air outlet 12. In addition, when the vehicle 100 moves backward, the control unit 30 controls to supply air from the rear air outlet 22. The control unit 30 performs these controls by, for example, controlling the front damper 11 and the rear damper 21. The control unit 30 can determine the direction of travel of the vehicle 100 based on the direction of the steering wheel 120 of the vehicle 100. The control unit 30 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer, and the microcomputer is composed of a central processing unit (CPU), RAM, and ROM provided in the air conditioning unit 40, and these controls are implemented by executing a pre-installed program by the microcomputer. However, some or all of these controls can also be implemented by hardware circuits.

[0031] When the vehicle 100 moves in the direction of arrow A1 (+x-axis direction), due to inertia, a headwind is generated in the direction opposite to arrow A1, that is, in the direction of arrow A2 (-x-axis direction). In this case, the control unit 30 controls to send air from the front air outlet 12. Therefore, the temperature-adjusted air blown out from the front air outlet 12 can be sent to the riding position P1 along the headwind. In addition, the temperature-adjusted air blown out from the rear air outlet 22 can be prevented from being stirred by the headwind.

[0032] On the other hand, when the vehicle 100 moves in the direction of arrow A2, due to inertia, a headwind is generated in the direction opposite to arrow A2, that is, in the direction of arrow A1. In this case, the control unit 30 controls to send air from the rear air outlet 22. Therefore, the temperature-adjusted air blown out from the rear air outlet 22 can be sent to the riding position P1 along the headwind. In addition, the temperature-adjusted air blown out from the front air outlet 12 can be prevented from being stirred by the headwind.

[0033] According to the air conditioning device 110 of the present embodiment described above, the control unit 30 controls the air conditioning device 110 so that the temperature-regulated wind is blown in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the vehicle 100. Therefore, the air conditioning device 110 can send air to the riding position P1 where the passenger is riding without going against the airflow generated by the movement of the vehicle 100. Therefore, the temperature-regulated air can be sent to a desired position.

[0034] Furthermore, the vehicle 100 is a working vehicle. Working vehicles frequently travel backward. Therefore, the air supply from the rear air supply port 22 when the vehicle 100 moves backward is particularly effective.

[0035] B. Second Implementation

[0036] Figure 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an air conditioner 110B in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the air conditioner 110B is different from the air conditioner 110 in the first embodiment in the following points: the front air supply port 12 includes a front first air supply port 12a and a front second air supply port 12b, and the rear air supply port 22 includes a rear first air supply port 22a and a rear second air supply port 22b. The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. Figure 2 The vehicle 100 is viewed from above (in the +z-axis direction). In order to facilitate illustration, the control unit 30 and the air conditioning unit 40 are omitted.

[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, the front air outlet 12 has a front first air outlet 12a provided on the right side (+y axis side) of the vehicle 100, and a front second air outlet 12b provided on the left side (-y axis side) of the vehicle 100. The rear air outlet 22 has a rear first air outlet 22a provided on the right side of the vehicle 100, and a rear second air outlet 22b provided on the left side of the vehicle 100.

[0038] When the vehicle 100 moves forward, the control unit 30 controls to blow air from the front first air outlet 12a and the front second air outlet 12b. When the vehicle 100 moves backward, the control unit 30 controls to blow air from the rear first air outlet 22a and the rear second air outlet 22b.

[0039] According to the air conditioning device 110B of the second embodiment described above, the rear air outlet 22 has a rear first air outlet 22a and a rear second air outlet 22b on the left and right sides of the vehicle 100, respectively. Therefore, for example, even when wind is received from the right side of the vehicle or when wind is received from the left side of the vehicle, the temperature-regulated air can be sent to a more desired position by using the wind sent from the rear first air outlet 22a. In addition, the front air outlet 12 has a front first air outlet 12a and a front second air outlet 12b on the left and right sides of the vehicle 100, respectively. Therefore, for example, even when wind is received from the right side of the vehicle or when wind is received from the left side of the vehicle, the temperature-regulated air can be sent to a more desired position by using the wind sent from the front first air outlet 12a.

[0040] C. Third Implementation

[0041] Figure 3 110C is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an air conditioning device 110C in the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, the air conditioning device 110C is different from the air conditioning device 110 in the first embodiment in that it includes an air direction adjuster 50 , and the other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. Figure 3The vehicle 100 is viewed from above (in the +z-axis direction). In order to facilitate illustration, the control unit 30 and the air conditioning unit 40 are omitted.

[0042] The wind direction adjusting unit 50 can change the air supply direction of the rear air outlet 22 located on the same side as the steering wheel 120 relative to the riding position P1. In the present embodiment, the wind direction adjusting unit 50 is a louver provided at the rear air outlet 22 and a motor driving the louver. The louver is composed of a plurality of blades in the shape of elongated plates arranged in parallel with gaps therebetween.

[0043] When the vehicle 100 changes its travel direction while traveling in the direction from the other wheels 130 toward the steering wheel 120 (−x-axis direction), the control unit 30 controls the wind direction adjuster 50 to deflect the rear air outlet 22 and blow air in the direction in which the vehicle 100 changes its direction.

[0044] According to the air conditioning device 110C of the third embodiment described above, since the control unit 30 controls the wind direction adjusting unit 50 , when the vehicle 100 changes direction, temperature-regulated air can be delivered to the space to which the riding position P1 moves.

[0045] D. Fourth Implementation

[0046] Figure 4 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an air conditioning device 110D in the fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the air conditioning device 110D is different from the air conditioning device 110 in the first embodiment in that it is disposed in the lower portion of the vehicle 100, and the other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. Figure 4 As shown, the front air outlet 12 is provided on the front lower side of the vehicle 100. The fourth embodiment also has basically the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

[0047] E. Other implementation methods:

[0048] (E1) In the above embodiment, the vehicle 100 is a work vehicle that lifts and transports a placed object. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the vehicle 100 may be a three-wheeled vehicle such as a tuk-tuk or a golf cart.

[0049] (E2) In the above embodiment, the air conditioning device 110 has only one air conditioning unit 40. Without limitation thereto, the air conditioning device 110 may also have a plurality of air conditioning units 40. More specifically, the air conditioning device 110 may have an air conditioning unit 40 at each air outlet. For example, the air conditioning device 110 may have a front air conditioning unit that generates temperature-regulated wind that is sent only from the front air outlet 12 and a rear air conditioning unit that generates temperature-regulated wind that is sent only from the rear air outlet 22.

[0050] (E3) In the above embodiment, when the speed of the vehicle 100 is less than or equal to a predetermined speed, the control unit 30 may also control to supply air from both the front air outlet 12 and the rear air outlet 22. According to this mode, for example, when a strong airflow is not generated due to the movement of the vehicle 100, air can be supplied from both the front air outlet 12 and the rear air outlet 22. Therefore, air conditioning can be performed more efficiently than when air is supplied from only one of the air outlets.

[0051] (E4) In the above embodiment, the control unit 30 determines the traveling direction of the vehicle 100 based on the direction of the steering wheel 120 of the vehicle 100. Without being limited to this, the control unit 30 may determine the traveling direction of the vehicle 100 based on the detection result of a gyro sensor mounted on the vehicle 100, for example.

[0052] (E5) In the above embodiment, the rear wheels of the vehicle 100 are steered wheels 120. Without limitation thereto, the front wheels of the vehicle 100 may also be steered wheels 120. In addition, both the front wheels and the rear wheels of the vehicle 100 may also be steered wheels 120.

[0053] (E6) In the above-mentioned second embodiment, the air conditioning device 110B has the following structure: the front air supply port 12 has the first front air supply port 12a and the second front air supply port 12b, and the rear air supply port 22 has the first rear air supply port 22a and the second rear air supply port 22b. Alternatively, the air conditioning device 110B may also have the following structure: only the rear air supply port 22 has a plurality of air supply ports, and the front air supply port 12 has only one air supply port. In addition, the air conditioning device 110B may also have the following structure: only the front air supply port 12 has a plurality of air supply ports, and the rear air supply port 22 has only one air supply port.

[0054] (E7) In the above-mentioned second embodiment, the air conditioning device 110B may also include a wind direction adjusting unit 50. The wind direction adjusting unit 50 is, for example, a damper for adjusting the air volume, which is provided at the first rear air supply port 22a and the second rear air supply port 22b. The control unit 30 controls the air volume of the first rear air supply port 22a and the second rear air supply port 22b by controlling the wind direction adjusting unit 50, thereby changing the air supply direction of the rear air supply port 22 to the left and right. More specifically, the control unit 30 controls so that air is supplied only from the first rear air supply port 22a, and air is not supplied from the second rear air supply port 22b, thereby changing the air supply direction of the rear air supply port 22 to the left direction relative to the traveling direction of the vehicle 100.

[0055] (E8) In the third embodiment, the wind direction adjuster 50 is a louver provided at the rear air outlet 22 and a motor driving the louver. Alternatively, the wind direction adjuster 50 may be configured to change the direction of the rear air outlet 22 itself by changing the direction of the rear duct 20.

[0056] (E9) In the third embodiment, the wind direction adjusting unit 50 is provided only at the rear air outlet 22. Without limitation thereto, the wind direction adjusting unit 50 may also be provided at the front air outlet 12. Preferably, the air conditioning device 110C includes a wind direction adjusting unit 50 that can change the air supply direction of at least the air outlet located on the same side as the steering wheel 120 relative to the riding position P1, among the front air outlet 12 and the rear air outlet 22.

[0057] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and can be implemented in various configurations within the scope of the main purpose. For example, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each mode described in the content of the invention can be appropriately replaced or combined to solve the above-mentioned problems or achieve part or all of the above-mentioned effects. In addition, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

Claims

1. An air conditioning device mounted on a vehicle, wherein a passenger compartment of the vehicle is open to the outside of the vehicle, the air conditioning device comprising: a front air outlet provided at the front side of the vehicle further forward than a riding position where the passenger sits, and sending temperature-regulated air toward the riding position; a rear air outlet disposed at the rear side of the vehicle further rearward than the riding position and sending temperature-regulated air toward the riding position; as well as a control unit, which controls the air conditioning device, wherein, when the vehicle is moving forward, the control unit controls to send air from the front air outlet, to send the temperature-regulated air blown out from the front air outlet to the riding position along the headwind, and to prevent the temperature-regulated air blown out from the rear air outlet from being stirred by the headwind, When the vehicle moves backward, the control unit controls to send air from the rear air outlet, sends the temperature-regulated air blown out from the rear air outlet to the boarding position along the headwind, and prevents the temperature-regulated air blown out from the front air outlet from being stirred by the headwind.

2. The air conditioning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vehicle is a work vehicle that transports a placed object by lifting it.

3. The air conditioning device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The rear air outlet includes a rear first air outlet provided on the right side of the vehicle and a rear second air outlet provided on the left side of the vehicle.

4. The air conditioning device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The front air outlet includes a front first air outlet provided on the right side of the vehicle and a front second air outlet provided on the left side of the vehicle.

5. The air conditioning device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The vehicle has: a steering wheel that supports the vehicle, enables the vehicle to travel, and changes the travel direction of the vehicle; and other wheels, which together with the steering wheel support the vehicle and enable the vehicle to travel, The air conditioning device includes an air direction adjusting unit capable of changing the air supply direction of at least one of the front air outlet and the rear air outlet, which is located on the same side as the steering wheel relative to the riding position, to the left and right. When the vehicle changes its travel direction while traveling from the other wheels toward the steering wheel, the control unit controls the wind direction adjusting unit so that the air outlet located on the same side as the steering wheel is deflected to supply air in the direction in which the vehicle changes its direction.

Images