vehicle air conditioning

Abstract

A vehicle air conditioning system is provided that ensures adequate foot space for the front seat occupant. The vehicle air conditioning system (20; 20A; 20B) directs air to the front seat (12) where the vehicle occupant can sit and to the rear seat (13) located behind the front seat (12). A rear seat hot air passage (RH) for guiding the airflow, which has passed through a heated heat exchanger (33), to the rear seat (13) is located downstream of the heated heat exchanger (33), relative to the direction of airflow. The rear seat hot air passage (RH) is located between a cooling heat exchanger (32) and a heating heat exchanger (33).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a vehicle air conditioner capable of blowing air to the rear seats. Background Technology

[0002] Many vehicles are equipped with air conditioning to regulate the temperature inside the passenger compartment. Some vehicle air conditioning systems can direct airflow to the rear seats. Background art related to such vehicle air conditioning is disclosed in PTL 1.

[0003] The vehicle air conditioning system disclosed in PTL 1 has a cooling heat exchanger and a heating heat exchanger housed within its casing. The cooling heat exchanger cools the blown air, while the heating heat exchanger heats the air that has passed through it. Behind the heating heat exchanger, a duct extending toward the rear seats is provided to blow air toward the rear seat occupants.

[0004] [List of Citations]

[0005] [Patent Literature]

[0006] PTL 1:JP2010-36738A Summary of the Invention

[0007] [Technical Issues]

[0008] Typically, vehicle air conditioning units are located in front of the front seats. With the ducts used to blow air to the rear seats protruding far behind the air conditioning unit, the legroom for front seat occupants is reduced.

[0009] The purpose of this invention is to provide a vehicle air conditioner that can ensure sufficient legroom for front-seat occupants.

[0010] [Solution to the problem]

[0011] In the following description, reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are enclosed in parentheses to facilitate understanding of the invention, but the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown.

[0012] The present invention provides a vehicle air conditioner capable of blowing air toward a front seat (12) where vehicle occupants can sit and a rear seat (13) located behind the front seat (12).

[0013] The internal space (IS) of the housing (50) is provided with: a cooling heat exchanger (32) capable of cooling the blown air; and a heating heat exchanger (33) capable of heating the air that has passed through the cooling heat exchanger (32).

[0014] The heating heat exchanger (33) is positioned behind the cooling heat exchanger (32) relative to the vehicle's direction of travel, and

[0015] The internal space (IS) is formed by: a cold air flow path (CP), through which blown air that has passed only through the cooling heat exchanger (32) flows; a hot air flow path (HP), through which blown air that has passed through the heating heat exchanger (33) flows; and a mixing flow path (MP), in which the blown air that has passed through the cold air flow path (CP) and the blown air that has passed through the hot air flow path (HP) are mixed, wherein,

[0016] Relative to the flow direction of the blown air, a rear seat hot air passage (RH) for guiding the blown air that has passed through the heated heat exchanger (33) to the rear seat (13) is located on the downstream side of the heated heat exchanger (33), and

[0017] The rear seat hot air passage (RH) is located between the cooling heat exchanger (32) and the heating heat exchanger (33).

[0018] [Beneficial effects of the invention]

[0019] The present invention can provide a vehicle air conditioner that can ensure sufficient legroom for front-seat occupants. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a vehicle equipped with an air conditioner according to the first example.

[0021] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The image shows a perspective view of the vehicle's air conditioning system.

[0022] Figure 3 It is along Figure 2 The sectional view taken from line 3-3 in the figure.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle's air conditioning status as seen from the side, based on the second example.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle's air conditioning status as seen from the side, based on the third example. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the specification, the front-to-back direction refers to the front-to-back direction relative to the forward direction of the vehicle equipped with the vehicle air conditioner, and the left-to-right direction refers to the left-to-right direction relative to the vehicle occupants. In the drawings, the forward direction relative to the forward direction of the vehicle is represented by Fr, the rearward direction relative to the forward direction of the vehicle is represented by Rr, the leftward direction from the occupants' perspective is represented by Le, the rightward direction from the occupants' perspective is represented by Ri, the upward direction is represented by Up, and the downward direction is represented by Dn.

[0026] First Example

[0027] refer to Figure 1 . Figure 1 A vehicle 10 equipped with a vehicle air conditioner 20 (hereinafter referred to as "air conditioner 20") is shown. The vehicle 10 is, for example, a passenger car, and has: a right front seat 12 and a left front seat 12 located at the front of the passenger compartment VI; and a rear seat 13 located behind these front seats 12, 12, at both ends in the width direction of the vehicle.

[0028] Air conditioning unit 20 is located in front of the front seats 12, 12, and is used to blow air, which has been adjusted to a predetermined temperature, into the occupants of the front seats 12, 12 and the rear seat 13. Side vent switching portions 14, 14 are formed in the portion located in front of the front seats 12, 12, and at the right and left ends in the vehicle width direction, respectively. Each side vent switching portion can be switched to allow or disallow the blowing of air. Central vent switching portions 15, 15 are formed in the portion located in front of the front seats 12, 12, and at the center side in the vehicle width direction, respectively. Each central vent switching portion can be switched to allow or disallow the blowing of air.

[0029] A rear duct 16 extending toward the rear seat 13 is connected to the air conditioner 20, and air can be blown to the rear seat 13 via the rear duct 16. A rear seat blower switching section 17 is provided at the rear end or downstream end of the rear duct 16, which can be switched to allow or disallow the blowing air to be blown to the rear seat 13.

[0030] The rear duct 16 can be arranged, for example, to extend rearward along the lower surface of the center console and upward along the rear surface of the center console. Alternatively, the rear duct 16 can extend under the floor inside the passenger compartment and rise along the B-pillar. Further alternatively, the rear duct 16 can branch in the middle to allow air to be directed to the upper and lower body of the rear seat occupants.

[0031] Each switching section 14, 15, 17 is configured to include louvers, and the air volume can be switched by fully opening to fully closing when the occupant swings the operating sections 14a, 15a, 17a respectively.

[0032] refer to Figure 2 The air conditioner 20 includes: a blower unit 21 capable of drawing in air from inside and / or outside the vehicle compartment to blow air; and a temperature regulating unit 30 capable of regulating the air supplied from the blower unit 21 to a predetermined temperature. The air blown to the left from the blower unit 21 flows backward in the temperature regulating unit 30.

[0033] The blower unit 21 can be configured in a known way. For example, a blower fan is installed therein.

[0034] The air conditioner 20 can also be configured as a blower unit 21 located to the left of the temperature control unit 30. This arrangement can be appropriately selected based on factors such as the right or left position of the steering wheel.

[0035] refer to Figure 3 The temperature control unit 30 has: a housing 50, from the blower unit 21 (see...) Figure 2 The blown air is delivered into the housing 50; a cooling heat exchanger 32, which is disposed in the internal space of the housing 50 and can cool the blown air; a heating heat exchanger 33, which can heat the air that has passed through the cooling heat exchanger 32; a front seat temperature regulator 34, which is disposed downstream of the heating heat exchanger 33, to regulate the amount of blown air passing through the heating heat exchanger 33; a defrost door 36, a ventilation door 37, and a foot door 38, which are disposed downstream of the front seat temperature regulator 34, to switch the opening / closing of openings 51 to 54 respectively; and a rear seat blower mechanism 41, which extends downward in front of the heating heat exchanger 33 to guide the air that has passed through the heating heat exchanger 33 to the rear seat 13 (see Figure 1 The cold air introduction section 42 extends along the rear of the rear seat blower mechanism 41 and can introduce cold air; and the mixing section 60 is provided at the lower part of the housing 50 to mix the blown air that has passed through the rear seat blower mechanism 41 and the blown air that has passed through the cold air introduction section 42.

[0036] For example, the housing 50 is formed to include multiple parts. More specifically, the housing 50 is formed to include three parts, which constitute the upper right, upper left, and lower parts. An injection molded article can be used for each part. The housing 50 can be formed to include two parts, or it can be formed to include four or more parts.

[0037] Also referenced Figure 1 The housing 50 is opened to have: a defroster opening 51 through which blowing air to be delivered to the windshield passes; vents 52, 53 through which blowing air to be delivered to the upper body of the occupant in the front seat 12 passes; a footwell opening 54 through which blowing air to be delivered to the feet of the occupant in the front seat 12 passes; and a rear opening 55 through which blowing air to be delivered to the occupant in the rear seat 13 passes.

[0038] The interior space IS has: a cold air flow path CP, through which blown air has flowed only by cooling heat exchanger 32; a hot air flow path HP, through which blown air has flowed by heating heat exchanger 33; and a mixing flow path MP, through which blown air that has flowed through the cold air flow path CP and blown air that has flowed through the hot air flow path HP are mixed.

[0039] Ventilation openings 52 and 53 are: side ventilation opening 52, through which air blown from the side ventilation opening switching part 14 passes; and central ventilation opening 53, through which air blown from the central ventilation opening switching part 15 passes.

[0040] Each vent 52, 53 does not necessarily have to be formed at two locations, one in the center and one on the outside, in the vehicle width direction.

[0041] refer to Figure 3 The cooling heat exchanger 32 is disposed at the front of the housing 50, such that the blown air passes through it substantially in a front-to-back direction. The blown air is cooled by exchanging heat with a heat medium passing through the cooling heat exchanger 32. For example, a fluorocarbon refrigerant or carbon dioxide can be used as the heat medium.

[0042] The heating heat exchanger 33 is disposed downstream of the cooling heat exchanger 32 and is configured such that the blown air passes through it substantially vertically. For example, the heating heat exchanger 33 includes: a hot water heater 33a in which hot water that has flowed through and been heated by the engine flows; and an electric heater 33b that is heated when energized.

[0043] In the state shown in the figure, the blown air, which has passed through the cooling heat exchanger 32, partially passes through the right and left sides of the rear seat blower component 41 and is guided to the area below the heating heat exchanger 33, where it flows upward. At this time, the blown air is heated by the heating heat exchanger 33.

[0044] The heating heat exchanger 33 does not always have to include two components, namely a hot water heater 33a and an electric heater 33b, and may include only one of them. Alternatively, a heater using a heat medium other than hot water may be used as the heating heat exchanger 33. For example, fluorocarbon refrigerants or carbon dioxide may be used as the heat medium.

[0045] The front seat temperature regulator 34 includes: a front seat temperature regulating actuator (not shown) that generates a rotational driving force when energized; a drive shaft having a pinion 34a connected to and rotating the front seat temperature regulating actuator; and a door 34b that slides substantially in a front-rear direction when engaged with the pinion 34a, thereby rotating the drive shaft. The door 34b has a rack that meshes with the pinion 34a.

[0046] The opening amount of the cold air flow path CP and the hot air flow path HP is adjusted by moving the door 34b. In this way, the volume of cold and hot air flowing into the mixing flow path MP is adjusted so that when the cold and hot air mix in the mixing flow path MP, the temperature of the mixed air becomes a predetermined temperature.

[0047] The front seat temperature regulator 34 may not include a sliding door, but may include a swing door that can rotate about a rotation axis.

[0048] The defrost open / close door 36 is a swing door that can swing to adjust the opening amount of the defrost opening 51.

[0049] Ventilation vent opening / closing door 37 is a swing door, which can swing to adjust the opening amount of ventilation vents 52 and 53.

[0050] The foot-operated opening / closing door 38 is a swing door that can swing to adjust the opening amount of the foot opening 54.

[0051] The rear blower component 41 is a duct-like member extending vertically in front of the heating heat exchanger 33. The rear blower component 41 is configured such that its width in the left-right direction is smaller than the width of the heating heat exchanger 33 in the left-right direction. Thus, the blown air that has passed through the cooling heat exchanger 32 can pass through the right and left sides of the rear blower component 41 and flow into the heating heat exchanger 33. The upper end of the rear blower component 41 faces the downstream end of the heating heat exchanger 33, and the lower end of the rear blower component 41 faces the mixing section 60.

[0052] The interior of the rear seat blower component 41 serves as the rear seat hot air passage RH, through which blown air heated by the heated heat exchanger 33 passes. The rear seat hot air passage RH can be described as a flow path for guiding the blown air, which has passed through the heated heat exchanger 33, to the rear seat 13 (see [link to relevant documentation]). Figure 1 The rear seat hot air passage RH is located between the cooling heat exchanger 32 and the heating heat exchanger 33.

[0053] As described above, the rear seat hot air passage RH is surrounded by the cold air flow path CP. Therefore, there is a concern that the hot air flowing through the rear seat hot air passage RH may be unintentionally cooled. Alternatively, there is a concern that the cold air flowing through the cold air flow path CP may be unintentionally heated. In this case, for example, an insulation material such as polyurethane foam may be bonded around the rear seat blower component 41, or the rear seat blower component 41 itself may be formed of foam resin. This can improve the insulation performance of the rear seat blower component 41 and prevent undesirable heat exchange. Such insulation measures are not always necessary, but are appropriately selected considering factors such as the temperature of the harmonic air blown from the air conditioner 20 and cost. In addition, when the insulation material is bonded to the rear seat blower component 41, the bonding location may be the outer surface of the rear seat blower component 41 or its inner surface facing the rear seat hot air passage RH.

[0054] The rear seat blower component 41 can be integrally formed with the housing 50, or it can be formed from a component separate from the housing 50. Furthermore, the entire cold air introduction section 42 is particularly preferably located in front of the heating heat exchanger 33.

[0055] The cold air introduction section 42 is the part that guides the cold blown air flowing in the cold air flow path CP to the mixing section 60. The cold air introduction section 42 is located behind the rear seat blower mechanism 41 and below the heating heat exchanger 33.

[0056] For example, the cold air inlet portion 42 is formed of a duct-like member with an open upper surface and is integrally formed with the rear surface of the rear blower component 41. The upper end of the cold air inlet portion 42 serves as a cold air inlet 42a, which opens to allow blown air from the cold air flow path CP to enter. The cold air inlet 42a is formed to slope rearward and downward.

[0057] The cold air intake section 42 can be provided separately from the rear seat blower mechanism 41, and can be formed by a different component than the rear seat blower mechanism 41. The cold air inlet 42a can also be formed by the rear opening 55.

[0058] The mixing section 60 is a component in which hot blown air that has passed through the rear seat hot air passage RH and cold air introduced from the cold air inlet 42 are mixed. The mixing section 60 is formed by a component separate from the housing 50 and is attached to the lower part of the housing 50. In other words, it can be described as the mixing section 60 being disposed outside and adjacent to the housing 50.

[0059] Furthermore, a portion of the mixing section 60 is located in front of the heating heat exchanger 33, while the remainder is located below the heating heat exchanger 33. The mixing section 60 is preferably located at least in front of the rear end of the heating heat exchanger 33. Most preferably, the entire mixing section 60 is located in front of the heating heat exchanger 33. The reasons for this will be described below.

[0060] The mixing section 60 includes: a mixing section housing 61 which is tightly attached to the lower surface of the housing 50; and a rear seat temperature regulator 70 disposed in the mixing section housing 61 to regulate the temperature of the blown air.

[0061] The rear seat temperature regulator 70 includes: a rear seat temperature regulating actuator 71 disposed outside the mixing section housing 61 and generating a rotational driving force when energized; and a rear seat temperature regulating door 72 disposed within the mixing section housing 61 and oscillating when the rear seat temperature regulating actuator 71 is actuated to regulate the mixing ratio between hot and cold air. For example, a stepper motor can be used as the rear seat temperature regulating actuator 71.

[0062] The rear conduit 16 is connected to the lower part of the mixing section 60. The rear conduit 16 extends downward from the lower end of the mixing section 60 and extends rearward along the floor surface.

[0063] Second example

[0064] Next, the air conditioner 20A according to the second example will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0065] Figure 4 A temperature regulating unit 30A used in an air conditioner 20A according to the second example is shown. Components identical to those in the first example will be indicated by the same reference numerals and will not be described in detail hereafter.

[0066] A cold air inlet 41Aa for drawing in blown air through the cold air flow path CP is formed on the rear surface of the rear seat blower component 41A (the side surface of the rear seat hot air passage RH). The internal portion of the rear seat blower component 41A from the heating heat exchanger 33 to the portion where the cold air inlet 41Aa is formed serves as the rear seat hot air passage RH, through which blown air heated by the heating heat exchanger 33 passes. A rear seat temperature regulator 70A for adjusting the temperature of the blown air is provided in the portion of the rear seat blower component 41A where the cold air inlet 41Aa is formed.

[0067] The rear seat temperature regulator 70A includes: a rear seat temperature regulating actuator 71 disposed outside the rear seat blower mechanism 41A; and a rear seat temperature regulating door 72A that swings when the rear seat temperature regulating actuator 71 is actuated. The rear seat temperature regulating door 72A can swing inside the rear seat blower mechanism 41A.

[0068] The internal portion of the rear seat blower component 41A located downstream of the rear seat hot air passage RH serves as the rear seat mixing flow path RM, in which the blown air that has flowed through the rear seat hot air passage RH and the blown air that has been drawn in from the cold air inlet 41Aa are mixed.

[0069] The rear seat temperature control door 72A is configured to swing from a position where the rear seat hot air passage RH is completely closed to a position where the cold air inlet 41Aa is completely closed. (The air is to be delivered to the rear seat 13 (see...)) Figure 1 The temperature of the blowing air is adjusted by the position of the rear seat temperature control door 72A.

[0070] Here, the entire rear seat temperature control door 72A and the entire rear seat blower component 41A (the entire rear seat mixing flow path RM) are particularly preferably located in front of the heating heat exchanger 33.

[0071] Third Example

[0072] Next, the air conditioner 20B according to the third example will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0073] Figure 5A temperature regulating unit 30B used in an air conditioner 20B according to a third example is shown. Common components of the first and / or second examples will be indicated by the same reference numerals and will not be described in detail.

[0074] A cold air inlet 41Ba for drawing in blown air through the cold air flow path CP is formed on the lower surface of the front portion of the rear seat blower component 41B (the side surface of the rear seat hot air passage RH). The internal portion of the rear seat blower component 41B from the heating heat exchanger 33 to the portion where the cold air inlet 41Ba is formed serves as the rear seat hot air passage RH, through which blown air heated by the heating heat exchanger 33 passes. A rear seat temperature regulator 70A for adjusting the temperature of the blown air is provided in the portion of the rear seat blower component 41B where the cold air inlet 41Ba is formed.

[0075] The rear seat temperature regulator 70A includes: a rear seat temperature regulating actuator 71 disposed outside the rear seat blower mechanism 41; and a rear seat temperature regulating door 72A that swings when the rear seat temperature regulating actuator 71 is actuated. The rear seat temperature regulating door 72A can swing inside the rear seat blower mechanism 41B.

[0076] The internal portion of the rear seat blower component 41 located downstream of the rear seat hot air passage RH serves as the rear seat mixing flow path RM, in which the blown air that has flowed through the rear seat hot air passage RH and the blown air that has been drawn in from the cold air inlet 41Ba are mixed.

[0077] The rear seat temperature control door 72A is configured to swing from a position where the rear seat hot air passage RH is completely closed to a position where the cold air inlet 41Ba is completely closed. (The air is then transported to the rear seat 13 (see...)) Figure 1 The temperature of the blowing air is adjusted by the position of the rear seat temperature control door 72A.

[0078] Other examples

[0079] So far, it has been described that the heating heat exchanger 33 is configured such that the blown air passes through it substantially in the vertical direction. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto. For example, the heating heat exchanger 33 may be vertically arranged (extending vertically) and may be configured such that the blown air passes through it substantially in the front-back direction. In this case, the rear blower mechanism 41 may be configured to open behind the heating heat exchanger 33 (i.e., the hot air flow path HP through which the hot air flowing from the heating heat exchanger 33 flows) and be arranged between the cooling heat exchanger 32 and the heating heat exchanger 33 via the upper surface of the heating heat exchanger 33.

[0080] The present invention will be summarized as follows.

[0081] refer to Figure 1 and Figures 3 to 5 In the first case, air conditioners 20, 20A, and 20B can each blow air to the front seat 12 where vehicle occupants can sit and the rear seat 13 located behind the front seat 12. Furthermore, in each air conditioner 20, 20A, and 20B, a cooling heat exchanger 32 capable of cooling the blown air and a heating heat exchanger 33 capable of heating the air that has passed through the cooling heat exchanger 32 are provided in the internal space IS of the housing 50. The heating heat exchanger 33 is located behind the cooling heat exchanger 32 relative to the vehicle's forward direction. The internal space IS is formed with: a cold air flow path CP, through which blown air that has passed only through the cooling heat exchanger 32 flows; a hot air flow path HP, through which blown air that has passed through the heating heat exchanger 33 flows; and a mixing flow path MP, in which the blown air that has passed through the cold air flow path CP and the blown air that has passed through the hot air flow path HP are mixed. Referring to the flow direction of the blown air, a rear seat hot air passage RH for guiding the blown air that has passed through the heating heat exchanger 33 to the rear seat 13 is provided on the downstream side of the heating heat exchanger 33, and the rear seat hot air passage RH is provided between the cooling heat exchanger 32 and the heating heat exchanger 33.

[0082] refer to Figures 3 to 5 The rear seat hot air passage RH is located between the cooling heat exchanger 32 and the heating heat exchanger 33. In this way, the rear duct 16 can be connected by bypassing the lower rear portion of the housing 50 (see...). Figure 1 Therefore, sufficient legroom can be ensured for the occupants in the front 12 seats.

[0083] refer to Figure 3 In the second case, in the air conditioner 20 of the first case, a mixing section 60 for mixing the blown air that has passed through the rear seat hot air passage RH and the blown air that has passed through the cold air flow path CP is provided outside the housing 50 and adjacent to the outside of the housing 50. The mixing section 60 is provided with a rear seat temperature regulator 70, which is capable of adjusting the ratio of the blown air from the rear seat hot air passage RH and the ratio of the blown air from the cold air flow path CP.

[0084] The mixing section 60, which houses the rear seat temperature regulator 70, is located outside and adjacent to the exterior of the housing 50. In cases where the air conditioner 20 is used only to regulate the temperature of the front seats 12, the air conditioner 20 can be used for the front seats 12 by closing the opening (rear opening 55) in the housing 50 where the mixing section 60 is located. This configuration is preferred in terms of improving the versatility of the components.

[0085] As a third scenario, in the air conditioning 20 of the second scenario, the mixing section 60 is positioned at the front relative to the rear end of the heating heat exchanger 33, relative to the vehicle's forward direction. By positioning the mixing section 60 in front of the rear end of the heating heat exchanger 33, legroom for occupants in the front seat 12 can be further reliably ensured.

[0086] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 As a fourth case, the air conditioner 20A of the first case 20B includes: cold air inlets 41Aa and 41Ba, each inlet being formed on the side surface of the rear seat hot air passage RH relative to the flow direction of the blown air flowing through the rear seat hot air passage RH, and each inlet being open to allow blown air from the cold air flow path CP to enter; a rear seat mixing flow path RM, which is formed on the downstream side of the rear seat hot air passage RH, and in which the blown air that has flowed through the rear seat hot air passage RH and the blown air that has been drawn in from the cold air inlets 41Aa and 41Ba are mixed; and a rear seat temperature regulator 70A, which is capable of opening / closing the rear seat hot air passage RH and the cold air inlets 41Aa and 41Ba, and is capable of adjusting the ratio of the blown air that has passed through the rear seat hot air passage RH and the ratio of the blown air that has been drawn in from the cold air inlets 41Aa and 41Ba. The rear seat temperature regulator 70A includes: a rear seat temperature regulating actuator 71 as a drive source; and a rear seat temperature regulating door 72A, which is disposed in the boundary portion between the rear seat hot air passage RH and the rear seat mixing flow path RM, and is driven by the rear seat temperature regulating actuator 71. At least the rear seat temperature regulating door 72A is disposed in the housing 50.

[0087] Since the rear seat temperature control door 72A is located in the housing 50, the size of the air conditioners 20A and 20B can be reduced, and the legroom for occupants in the front seat 12 can be reliably ensured.

[0088] As a fifth scenario, in the air conditioning systems 20A and 20B of the fourth scenario, the rear seat temperature control door 72A and the rear seat mixed flow path RM are positioned in front of the rear end of the heating heat exchanger 33 relative to the vehicle's forward direction. By positioning the rear seat temperature control door 72A and the rear seat mixed flow path RM in front of the rear end of the heating heat exchanger 33, legroom for occupants in the front seat 12 can be further reliably ensured.

[0089] As a sixth case, in any of the first to fifth cases of air conditioners 20, 20A, 20B, the heating heat exchanger 33 is configured such that the blown air passes through it in a generally vertical direction. By configuring the heating heat exchanger 33 to be substantially horizontal, the vertical dimension of the rear of each air conditioner 20, 20A, 20B can be reduced, and legroom for occupants in the front seat 12 can be reliably ensured.

[0090] The present invention is not limited to these examples as long as the operational effects of the present invention can be achieved.

[0091] [Industrial Applicability]

[0092] The air conditioner of this invention is applicable to air conditioners installed in passenger vehicles.

[0093] List of reference numerals

[0094] 12: Front seat

[0095] 13: Back seat

[0096] 20, 20A, 20B: Vehicle air conditioning

[0097] 32: Cooling heat exchanger

[0098] 33: Heating heat exchanger

[0099] 42a, 41Aa, 41Ba: Cold air inlets

[0100] 50: Casing

[0101] 60: Mixed Section

[0102] 70, 70A: Rear seat temperature regulator

[0103] 71: Rear seat temperature regulation actuator

[0104] 72, 72A: Rear seat temperature control door

[0105] IS: Interior Space

[0106] CP: Cold air flow path

[0107] HP: Hot air flow path

[0108] MP: Mixed Flow Path

[0109] RH: Rear seat heated air duct

[0110] RM: Rear Seat Mixed Flow Path

Claims

1. A vehicle air conditioner capable of blowing air toward a front seat (12) where vehicle occupants can sit and a rear seat (13) located behind the front seat (12), The internal space (IS) of the housing (50) is provided with: a cooling heat exchanger (32) capable of cooling the blown air; and a heating heat exchanger (33) capable of heating the air that has passed through the cooling heat exchanger (32). The heating heat exchanger (33) is positioned behind the cooling heat exchanger (32) relative to the vehicle's direction of travel, and The internal space (IS) is formed by: a cold air flow path (CP), through which blown air that has passed only through the cooling heat exchanger (32) flows; a hot air flow path (HP), through which blown air that has passed through the heating heat exchanger (33) flows; and a mixing flow path (MP), in which the blown air that has passed through the cold air flow path (CP) and the blown air that has passed through the hot air flow path (HP) are mixed, wherein, Relative to the flow direction of the blown air, a rear seat hot air passage (RH) for guiding the blown air that has passed through the heated heat exchanger (33) to the rear seat (13) is located on the downstream side of the heated heat exchanger (33), and The rear seat hot air passage (RH) is located between the cooling heat exchanger (32) and the heating heat exchanger (33).

2. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein, A mixing section (60) is disposed outside the housing (50) and adjacent to the outside of the housing (50). This mixing section is used to mix the blown air that has passed through the rear seat hot air passage (RH) and the blown air that has passed through the cold air flow path (CP). The mixing section (60) is equipped with a rear seat temperature regulator (70) which can adjust the ratio of blown air from the rear seat hot air passage (RH) and the ratio of blown air from the cold air flow path (CP).

3. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein, The mixing section (60) is located in front of the rear end of the heating heat exchanger (33) relative to the vehicle's direction of travel.

4. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising: A cold air inlet (41Aa; 41Ba) is formed on the side surface of the rear seat hot air passage (RH) relative to the flow direction of the blown air flowing through the rear seat hot air passage (RH) and is opened to allow blown air to be drawn in from the cold air flow path (CP). The rear seat mixing flow path (RM) is formed on the downstream side of the rear seat hot air passage (RH), and the blown air that has flowed through the rear seat hot air passage (RH) and the blown air that has been drawn in from the cold air inlet (41Aa; 41Ba) are mixed therein. as well as The rear seat temperature regulator (70A) is capable of opening / closing the rear seat hot air passage (RH) and the cold air inlet (41Aa; 41B) and adjusting the ratio of the blown air through the rear seat hot air passage (RH) to the ratio of the blown air drawn in from the cold air inlet (41Aa; 41Ba), wherein, The rear seat temperature regulator (70A) includes: a rear seat temperature regulation actuator (71) as a drive source; and a rear seat temperature regulation gate (72A) disposed in the boundary portion between the rear seat hot air passage (RH) and the rear seat mixing flow path (RM), and driven by the rear seat temperature regulation actuator (71). At least the rear seat temperature control door (72A) is located inside the housing (50).

5. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein, The rear seat temperature control door (72A) and the rear seat mixed flow path (RM) are positioned in front of the rear end of the heating heat exchanger (33) relative to the vehicle's forward direction.

6. The vehicle air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The heating heat exchanger (33) is configured such that the blown air passes through it in a generally vertical direction.

Images