Vehicle air conditioner and vehicle superstructure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle air conditioner that can avoid an unusable state caused by unintended fusion of a temperature fuse by maintaining heat dissipation of a register even when installed in an upper section of a vehicle, and to provide a vehicle superstructure with the vehicle air conditioner installed thereto.SOLUTION: A vehicle air conditioner 106 is installed on a roof panel 104 on a vehicle interior side of a vehicle 102. The vehicle air conditioner comprises: a wall section 116 which is part of an external surface of the vehicle air conditioner and partitions a predetermined storage space 122; an insertion hole 124 provided on the wall section; an output adjusting section 130 which is inserted into the insertion hole and stored in the storage space to adjust output of the vehicle air conditioner; and a bracket 132 which is connected to the output adjusting section and externally covers the insertion hole. The output adjusting section includes a temperature fuse 134 made of a fusing material which melts when a temperature reaches a fusing temperature, thereby cutting off electric energization. The bracket covers the insertion hole with a predetermined first gap 140 from the wall section, thereby allowing the storage space to communicate with an exterior of the wall section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioning system and a vehicle upper structure of a vehicle in which the vehicle air conditioning system is arranged. [Background technology]

[0002] In the upper structure of a vehicle such as an automobile, an air conditioner (vehicle air conditioner) may be arranged on the passenger compartment side of a roof panel. Patent Document 1 shows a technology relating to a vehicle upper structure in which an air conditioner is attached to the upper part of the passenger compartment. Here, the air conditioner includes an upper case, a lower case, a cross-flow fan arranged inside these cases, a motor that drives the cross-flow fan, a register, etc.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a technique related to a resistor used in a blower of a vehicle air conditioner. The resistor includes a heat sink made of an aluminum plate or the like, a resistor that acts as an electrical resistor and is sandwiched between the heat sinks via an insulator, and a temperature fuse.

[0004] The amount of current flowing through the circuit can be changed by selecting a resistor to be energized from among multiple resistors provided in the register. By applying the register of Patent Document 2 to the air conditioner of Patent Document 1, the amount of electricity supplied to the motor can be changed to adjust the rotation speed of the fan, and the desired volume of conditioned air can be supplied to the vehicle cabin.

[0005] On the other hand, a thermal fuse is an overheat protection element that has a fusing material that melts when the temperature exceeds a predetermined value. When an unintended amount of current flows due to a breakdown in electrical equipment or a short circuit in the internal circuit, excessive heat is generated from the resistor. The heat generated in the resistor is released from the heat sink, raising the temperature of the fusing material of the thermal fuse, and when it reaches the melting temperature of the fusing material, it melts and cuts off the electrical circuit. This stops the flow of electricity to the electrical circuit, and as the flow of electricity to the resistor stops, heat generation also stops, ensuring the safety of the product. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 3-139417 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-245607 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Air conditioners installed at the top of the vehicle cabin are located above the passenger space and are therefore prone to becoming hot. Air conditioners are also located near the roof panel. The roof panel is heated by sunlight and the hot air outside the vehicle in summer, and heat is easily transferred to the inside of the vehicle cabin. For this reason, the temperature of the heat sink and thermal fuse of the air conditioner's register is likely to rise, and it is desirable to take care to ensure that the thermal fuse does not melt when the current flowing through the register is at an appropriate level.

[0008] In view of these problems, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle air conditioning unit that can maintain the heat dissipation amount of the register even when mounted on the top of a vehicle, and prevent the temperature fuse from unintentionally melting and rendering the unit unusable, as well as a vehicle upper structure in which the vehicle air conditioning unit is arranged. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, a representative configuration of a vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention is a vehicle air conditioner (106) arranged on the passenger compartment side of a roof panel (104) of a vehicle (102), comprising a wall portion (116) forming an outer surface of the device and partitioning a predetermined storage space (122), an insertion hole (124) provided in the wall portion (116), an output adjustment portion (130) inserted through the insertion hole (124) and accommodated in the storage space (122) for adjusting the output of the air conditioner (106), and and a bracket (132) connected to the output adjustment unit (130) and covering the insertion hole (124) from the outside, the output adjustment unit including a temperature fuse (134) made of a fusible material that cuts off electrical current by melting when a melting temperature is reached, and the bracket (132) covers the insertion hole (124) via a predetermined first gap (140) between the bracket (132) and the wall portion (116), thereby communicating the storage space (122) with the outside of the wall portion (116).

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, a typical configuration of a vehicle upper structure according to the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a roof panel (104) of a vehicle (102) and a vehicle air conditioning device (106) according to the present invention arranged on the passenger compartment side of the roof panel (104). Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle air conditioning unit that maintains the amount of heat dissipation from the heat sink of the register even when mounted on the top of a vehicle, and prevents the temperature fuse from unintentionally melting and rendering the unit unusable, and a vehicle upper structure in which the vehicle air conditioning unit is arranged. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a vehicle upper structure according to an embodiment of the present invention together with a part of a vehicle. [Diagram 2] 2 is a diagram showing a main part of an air conditioning device of the vehicle upper structure of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing main components of the air conditioner of FIG. 2. [Figure 4]FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a main part of a vehicle upper structure equipped with the air conditioning device of FIG. 2(a). [Diagram 5] 5 is a diagram showing a state in which a main part of a vehicle upper structure equipped with the air conditioning device of FIG. 2(a) is viewed from a direction different from that of FIG. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] A typical configuration of a vehicle air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention is a vehicle air conditioner that is arranged on the passenger compartment side of a roof panel of a vehicle, and has a wall portion that forms the outer surface of the device and partitions a specified storage space, an insertion hole provided in the wall portion, an output adjustment portion that is inserted through the insertion hole and accommodated in the storage space and adjusts the output of the air conditioner, and a bracket that is connected to the output adjustment portion and covers the insertion hole from the outside, wherein the output adjustment portion includes a temperature fuse formed of a fusing material that cuts off electrical current by fusing when it reaches its fusing temperature, and the bracket covers the insertion hole via a specified first gap between it and the wall portion, thereby communicating (ventilating) the storage space with the outside of the wall portion.

[0014] In the thermal fuse having the above structure, if, for example, a resin is used as the fusing material, the resin may deform when it exceeds its glass transition temperature even before the ambient temperature reaches the melting point, causing the electrical current to be cut off unintentionally. In such a case, even if there is no abnormal overheating due to a breakdown in the electrical equipment or a short circuit in the internal circuit, the lead wire of the thermal fuse may break, causing the air conditioner to become unusable.

[0015] In the above configuration, the bracket is connected to the output adjustment unit including the thermal fuse, and the bracket covers the insertion hole via a first gap between the bracket and the wall, thereby providing ventilation between the storage space that stores the output adjustment unit and the outside. Therefore, in the air conditioner, the warm air around the thermal fuse of the output adjustment unit is exhausted from the storage space to the outside through the first gap between the bracket and the wall. Alternatively, the relatively cool air outside the wall flows into the storage space through the first gap between the bracket and the wall. Therefore, the above configuration can prevent the air conditioner from becoming unusable unintentionally by suppressing the rise in the temperature around the thermal fuse, suppressing the deformation of the fusing material, and suppressing the unintended disconnection of the lead wire.

[0016] The output adjustment unit has a planar portion on which the thermal fuse is exposed and arranged, the front and back of the planar portion are arranged in an orientation facing up and down, and the thermal fuse is inserted into the insertion hole via a predetermined second gap between the upper surface of the planar portion and the upper edge of the insertion hole.

[0017] As a result, when the air around the thermal fuse is heated, the heated air moves upward and passes through the second gap between the upper surface of the flat part of the output adjustment part and the upper edge of the insertion hole, and is exhausted from the accommodation space to the outside. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the temperature around the thermal fuse. In addition, because the front and back of the flat part of the output adjustment part face up and down, i.e., are arranged horizontally, the vertical dimension of the air conditioner can be reduced, making it easier to accommodate the air conditioner in the limited space on the passenger compartment side of the roof panel.

[0018] The flat surface of the output adjustment unit may be inclined downward as it approaches the insertion hole. Since the flat surface of the output adjustment unit is inclined downward as it approaches the insertion hole, the bracket covering the insertion hole from the outside is in a position away from the insertion hole. This makes it possible to increase the first gap between the bracket and the wall, and more reliably exhaust the heated air around the thermal fuse to the outside for heat dissipation.

[0019] It is preferable that a pair of portions is provided between the bracket and the wall portion on both sides of the insertion hole, and the first gap is maintained by the portions.

[0020] In this way, since the pair of parts are interposed between the bracket and the wall on both sides of the insertion hole, it is possible to prevent condensation water and the like from entering the output adjustment part from both sides of the first gap between the bracket and the wall. The pair of parts also function as a spacer that maintains the first gap. The pair of parts may be formed integrally with the bracket or may be separate from the bracket.

[0021] Each of the pair of portions preferably includes a connecting portion connected to the wall portion by a predetermined connecting jig, and an extension portion extending in the vertical direction from the connecting portion.

[0022] In this way, since the pair of parts are connected to the wall by the connecting part, the first gap can be reliably maintained between the bracket and the wall. Also, since the pair of parts include an extension part that extends in the vertical direction from the connecting part, it is possible to prevent the bracket from tilting from the connecting part as a starting point. Therefore, it is easy to maintain the dimensions of the first gap and the second gap at the desired dimensions.

[0023] The bracket may include a harness connected to the bracket, and the harness may be routed above the first gap. In this manner, since the harness is routed above the first gap, it is possible to prevent condensation water from falling into the first gap.

[0024] A typical configuration of a vehicle upper structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that it includes a roof panel of a vehicle and the above-mentioned vehicle air conditioner arranged on the passenger compartment side of the roof panel. By arranging the above-mentioned vehicle air conditioner on the passenger compartment side of the roof panel in this manner, it is possible to obtain a vehicle upper structure that suppresses an increase in the temperature around the thermal fuse and prevents the air conditioner from becoming unintentionally unavailable.

[0025] The above roof panel may have an inclined portion above the first gap, and the lower end of the inclined portion may be located away from the first gap. This allows condensation water flowing along the underside of the roof panel to be guided to the lower end of the inclined portion located away from the first gap. This makes it possible to prevent condensation water from falling into the first gap.

[0026] The above-mentioned vehicle air conditioning device is preferably disposed on the inside in the vehicle width direction of an upper portion of a pillar supporting a roof panel, and the output adjustment unit is in communication with the interior space of the pillar. The pillar is located below the roof panel. Therefore, the air in the interior space of the pillar has a lower temperature than the heated air around the output adjustment unit. In the above-mentioned configuration, since the output adjustment unit is in communication with the interior space of the pillar, the lower temperature air in the interior space of the pillar mixes with the heated air around the output adjustment unit, thereby suppressing an increase in the temperature around the output adjustment unit. EXAMPLES

[0027] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific values ​​shown in the embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are given the same reference numerals to avoid repeated explanations, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0028] 1 is a diagram showing a vehicle upper structure 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention together with a part of a vehicle 102. In each of the following drawings, the front-rear direction of the vehicle is indicated by arrows Front and Back, the left and right directions of the vehicle width are indicated by arrows Left and Right, and the top-bottom direction of the vehicle is indicated by arrows Up and Down.

[0029] The vehicle upper structure 100 includes a roof panel 104 of a vehicle 102, and a vehicle air conditioner (air conditioner) 106 shown by a dashed line in the figure. The air conditioner 106 is a device that maintains comfort inside the vehicle cabin by blowing cool air into the vehicle cabin. In addition, in the description of the embodiments of the present invention, the vehicle air conditioner 106 may be simply referred to as the air conditioner 106.

[0030] The air conditioner 106 is disposed on the passenger compartment side of the roof panel 104, i.e., in a position where the temperature is likely to rise due to irradiation by sunlight. The air conditioner 106 is also disposed on the inside, in the vehicle width direction, of an upper portion 110 of a pillar 108 that supports the roof panel 104. The pillar 108 is located below the roof panel 104. For this reason, the air in an internal space 112 of the pillar 108 has a lower temperature than the air on the passenger compartment side of the roof panel 104 where the air conditioner 106 is disposed.

[0031] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the main parts of the air conditioning device 106 of the vehicle upper structure 100 of Fig. 1. Fig. 2(a) shows the air conditioning device 106 in area A with the roof panel 104 of Fig. 1 omitted. Fig. 2(b) shows a pair of spacers 114a, 114b of the air conditioning device 106 of Fig. 2(a). Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the main components of the air conditioning device 106 of Fig. 2.

[0032] The air conditioner 106 has a wall 116 shown in Fig. 2(a). The wall 116 includes an upper wall 118 and a lower wall 120, which are assembled vertically to form the outer surface of the device and define a predetermined storage space 122 (see Fig. 4(b)). The wall 116 is also provided with an insertion hole 124. The insertion hole 124 is formed into a rectangular shape by combining, for example, a notch 126 of the upper wall 118 and a notch 128 of the lower wall 120 shown in Fig. 5(b) vertically.

[0033] The air conditioner 106 further includes an output adjustment unit 130 and a bracket 132 shown in Fig. 2(a) and Fig. 3(a), and a pair of spacers 114a, 114b shown in Fig. 2(a) and Fig. 2(b). The output adjustment unit 130 is a register having a flat surface 170 on which a thermal fuse 134 shown in Fig. 3(a) is exposed and disposed, and is inserted through an insertion hole 124 in the wall 116 and accommodated in the accommodation space 122. The flat surface 170 is made of metal, and heat generated when current is applied to terminals Lo, Mi, and Hi, which will be described later, is transferred to the flat surface 170 and dissipated to the air around the flat surface 170. Note that Fig. 3(a) is a view of the output adjustment unit 130 and the bracket 132 viewed from above.

[0034] The output adjustment unit 130 includes a thermal fuse 134 and an output selection unit 136 consisting of multiple terminals Lo, Mi, Hi, and MO shown in FIG. 3(a), and forms a circuit shown in FIG. 3(b) that adjusts the output of the air conditioner 106.

[0035] A current is applied to the terminal MO of the output selection unit 136. The wire of the terminal Hi is thicker than the wires of the terminals Lo and Mi. The wires of the terminals Lo and Mi are the same thickness. The wire of the terminal Lo is longer than the wire of the terminal Mi. Therefore, the wire of the terminal Lo has a higher electrical resistance than the wire of the terminal Mi. Furthermore, the wire of the terminal Hi is shorter than the wire of the terminal Mi. Therefore, by selecting the terminal Hi in the output selection 136, the output of the air conditioner 106 becomes high output (Hi), and by selecting the terminal Lo, the air conditioner 106 becomes low output (Low). Then, by passing current through each of the terminals Lo, Mi, and Hi, heat is generated according to the magnitude of the electrical resistance. The generated heat is transferred to the flat portion 170 of the output adjustment unit 130 and dissipated to the surroundings.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3(a), the thermal fuse 134 is disposed inside the flat portion 170 of the output adjustment unit 130, separated from the flat portion 170 by a space. The thermal fuse 134 has a fusing portion 138 that cuts off electrical current by fusing. A resin that is conventionally known as a fusing material is used for the fusing portion 138. The thermal fuse 134 is disposed with a space between it and the flat portion 170, and when the flat portion 170 radiates heat, the temperature rises due to heat radiation from the flat portion 170 or through contact with heated air on the surface of the flat portion 170.

[0037] When an excessive current flows through each of the terminals Lo, Mi, and Hi due to a breakdown in an electrical device or a short circuit in the internal circuit, the amount of heat generated from the flat portion 170 also becomes excessively large. When the temperature of the fusing portion 138 rises and reaches its melting temperature, the fusing material softens. The electrodes (not shown) arranged in the fusing portion 138 are biased in advance to separate, but the separation is prevented by the fusing material. However, the softening of the fusing material allows the electrodes to separate, and the electrical circuit is interrupted.

[0038] When there is no failure of the electrical device or a short circuit in the internal circuit, and the appropriate amount of current flows through each of the terminals Lo, Mi, and Hi, the amount of heat generated from the flat portion 170 is the expected amount. Even if the temperature of the fusing portion 138 rises, it does not reach the melting temperature, and the fusing material does not soften. This prevents the electrodes arranged in the fusing portion 138 from separating, and the electrical circuit is not interrupted.

[0039] On the other hand, even if there is no failure of the electrical equipment or a short circuit in the internal circuit and an appropriate amount of current flows through each terminal Lo, Mi, and Hi, there is a risk that the electrical circuit will be interrupted if the temperature of thermal fuse 134 (the temperature of melting portion 138) reaches its melting temperature.

[0040] Therefore, the vehicle upper structure 100 employs a configuration that can suppress an increase in the temperature around the thermal fuse 134 and prevent the air conditioner 106 from becoming unintentionally unavailable. Specifically, the bracket 132 of the air conditioner 106 is a member connected to the output adjustment unit 130 as shown in FIG. 3(a). Also, the bracket 132 covers the insertion hole 124 from the outside via a predetermined first gap 140 (e.g., about 10 mm) between the bracket 132 and the wall portion 116 (upper wall portion 118 in the figure) as shown in FIG. 2(a). As a result, the bracket 132 communicates (ventilates) the accommodation space 122 with the outside of the wall portion 116 (see arrows D and E in FIG. 4(b)).

[0041] This configuration prevents air that has become hot due to heat dissipation from the flat portion 170 and heat dissipation from the roof panel 104 to the passenger compartment due to irradiation of sunlight from accumulating around the output adjustment portion 130, facilitates heat dissipation from the flat portion 170, and prevents the melting portion 138 from reaching its melting temperature. In other words, when an appropriate amount of current flows, it prevents the air conditioner 106 from becoming unintentionally disabled.

[0042] The bracket 132 is formed of a rigid resin and has, for example, a rectangular main body 142. A connection port 144 is formed in the main body 142. A harness 148 is connected to the connection port 144 via a connector 146. The harness 148 is supported by a harness support portion 149 provided on the upper wall portion 118, and is further routed above the first gap 140 (see FIG. 4(b)). Therefore, even if condensation water flowing down the underside of the roof panel 104 falls, the harness 148 receives the condensation water, so that the condensation water can be prevented from falling into the first gap 140.

[0043] The side walls 150a, 150b of the main body 142 have flanges 152a, 152b that protrude in the vehicle front-rear direction. The flanges 152a, 152b are provided with through holes 154a, 154b shown in Fig. 3(a). Bolts 156a, 156b, which are connecting jigs, are inserted through the through holes 154a, 154b.

[0044] The main body 142 also has step portions 158a, 158b that come into contact with the pair of spacers 114a, 114b shown in Fig. 2(a). The pair of spacers 114a, 114b includes connecting portions 162a, 162b in which bolt holes 160a, 160b are provided, and extension portions 164a, 164b that extend in the vertical direction from the connecting portions 162a, 162b, as shown in Fig. 2(b). The material of the pair of spacers 114a, 114b is not particularly limited as long as it is a member that is suitable for the temperature range and vibration conditions required for the vehicle upper structure 100 and has a hardness equal to or higher than a predetermined value, but examples of the material that can be used include polypropylene, aluminum, and stainless steel.

[0045] The connecting portions 162a, 162b are connected to the wall portion 116 together with the main body portion 142 of the bracket 132 by passing the bolts 156a, 156b through the bolt holes 160a, 160b while the through holes 154a, 154b of the main body portion 142 are overlapped with the bolt holes 160a, 160b. The extension portions 164a, 164b abut against the step portions 158a, 158b of the main body portion 142 on both sides of the insertion hole 124 of the wall portion 116, and are interposed between the main body portion 142 of the bracket 132 and the wall portion 116 to maintain the first gap 140.

[0046] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a main part of the vehicle upper structure 100 equipped with the air conditioning device 106 of Fig. 2(a). Fig. 4(a) shows the vehicle upper structure 100 as seen from the outside in the vehicle width direction. In the figure, a pair of spacers 114a, 114b are indicated by chain lines. Fig. 4(b) is a BB cross-sectional view of the vehicle upper structure 100 of Fig. 1 and Fig. 4(a).

[0047] The air conditioner 106 is disposed in a ceiling space 168 between the roof panel 104 and a passenger compartment ceiling 166. The planar output adjustment unit 130 is disposed with its planar portion 170 facing up and down as shown in FIG. 4(b). The output adjustment unit 130 is inserted into the insertion hole 124 via a predetermined second gap 174 between the planar portion 170 and an upper edge 172 of the insertion hole 124, and is accommodated in the accommodation space 122. Furthermore, the planar portion 170 of the output adjustment unit 130 is inclined downward as it approaches the insertion hole 124, as shown by angle α in FIG. 4(b).

[0048] Furthermore, the roof panel 104 has an inclined portion 176a above the output adjustment portion 130 and the first gap 140. This inclined portion 176a is inclined downward as it approaches the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and its lower end 178a is located at a position away from the output adjustment portion 130, the first gap 140, the bracket 132, and the harness 148.

[0049] As a result, the condensation water flowing down the underside of the roof panel 104 is guided to the lower end 178a of the inclined portion 176a as shown by the path Wa, and is less likely to fall onto the output adjustment portion 130, the first gap 140, the bracket 132, and the harness 148. This makes it possible to prevent the condensation water from entering the first gap 140.

[0050] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a state where a main part of the vehicle upper structure 100 equipped with the air conditioning device 106 of Fig. 2(a) is seen from a direction different from that of Fig. 4. Fig. 5(a) shows the vehicle upper structure 100 as seen from the rear side of the vehicle. Note that in the figure, the spacer 114b is indicated by a chain line. Fig. 5(b) is a CC cross-sectional view of the vehicle upper structure 100 of Fig. 1 and Fig. 5(a).

[0051] 5(b), the roof panel 104 has an inclined portion 176b above the output adjustment portion 130 and the insertion hole 124 of the wall portion 116. This inclined portion 176b is inclined downward toward the front of the vehicle, and its lower end 178b is located away from the output adjustment portion 130, the insertion hole 124, the bracket 132, and the harness 148. In addition, the lower end 178b of the inclined portion 176b is also located away from the first gap 140.

[0052] As a result, the condensation water flowing down the underside of the roof panel 104 is guided to the lower end 178b of the inclined portion 176b as shown by the path Wb, and is less likely to fall onto the output adjustment portion 130, the first gap 140, the bracket 132, and the harness 148. This makes it possible to suppress the infiltration of the condensation water into the first gap 140.

[0053] 4 and 5 is connected to the interior space 112 of the pillar 108 shown in Fig. 1. Therefore, the output adjustment unit 130 of the air conditioner 106 arranged in the ceiling space 168 is also connected to the interior space 112 of the pillar 108.

[0054] In the vehicle upper structure 100, a bracket 132 is connected to the output adjustment unit 130 including a thermal fuse 134, and the bracket 132 covers the insertion hole 124 via a first gap 140 between the bracket 132 and the wall portion 116. In this way, in the vehicle upper structure 100, the accommodation space 122 that accommodates the output adjustment unit 130 is in communication (ventilated) with the outside of the wall portion 116, as shown by arrows D and E in FIG. 4(b).

[0055] For this reason, in the air conditioner 106, the warmed air around the thermal fuse 134 of the output adjustment unit 130 (the air around the thermal fuse 134 that has been warmed by heat dissipation from the flat portion 170 and heat dissipation from the roof panel 104 to the passenger compartment) is exhausted from the accommodation space 122 to the outside of the wall portion 116 through the first gap 140 between the bracket 132 and the wall portion 116. Therefore, according to the vehicle upper structure 100, it is possible to prevent the air conditioner 106 from becoming unintentionally unusable by suppressing an increase in the temperature around the thermal fuse 134, suppressing deformation of the fusing material of the fusing portion 138, and suppressing unintentional disconnection of the lead wire.

[0056] 4(b), the output adjustment unit 130 is disposed with the front and back of the planar portion 170 facing up and down, and is inserted into the insertion hole 124 via a second gap 174 between the planar portion 170 and an upper edge 172 of the insertion hole 124. Therefore, when the air around the thermal fuse 134 is heated, the heated air moves upward and passes through the second gap 174, and is exhausted from the accommodation space 122 to the outside. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the temperature around the thermal fuse 134 in the vehicle upper structure 100.

[0057] In the vehicle upper structure 100, the flat portion 170 of the output adjustment unit 130 is arranged horizontally (including in a position close to horizontal), which allows the vertical dimension of the air conditioner 106 to be reduced. As a result, it becomes easier to accommodate the air conditioner 106 in the ceiling space 168 shown in Figures 4 and 5, which is the limited space between the roof panel 104 and the passenger compartment ceiling 166.

[0058] 4(b), the flat surface 170 of the output adjustment section 130 is inclined downward as it approaches the insertion hole 124, and therefore the upper part of the bracket 132 covering the insertion hole 124 from the outside is oriented away from the insertion hole 124. As a result, in the vehicle upper structure 100, the first gap 140 between the bracket 132 and the wall section 116 can be made larger, and the heated air around the thermal fuse 134 can be more reliably exhausted to the outside to dissipate heat.

[0059] The pair of spacers 114a, 114b are interposed between the bracket 132 and the wall portion 116 on both sides of the insertion hole 124 to maintain the first gap 140. Therefore, in the vehicle upper structure 100, it is possible to prevent condensation water and the like from entering the output adjustment unit 130 from both sides of the first gap 140 between the bracket 132 and the wall portion 116.

[0060] Furthermore, since the pair of spacers 114a, 114b are connected to the wall portion 116 by the connecting portions 162a, 162b, the first gap 140 can be reliably maintained between the bracket 132 and the wall portion 116. Furthermore, the extension portions 164a, 164b of the pair of spacers 114a, 114b extend in the vertical direction from the connecting portions 162a, 162b, and further abut against the step portions 158a, 158b of the main body portion 142 of the bracket 132. Therefore, in the vehicle upper structure 100, the bracket 132 can be prevented from tilting from the connecting portions 162a, 162b of the pair of spacers 114a, 114b as starting points, and the dimensions of the first gap 140 and the second gap 174 can be easily maintained at desired dimensions.

[0061] 4 and 5 is connected to the interior space 112 of the pillar 108 shown in Fig. 1. Therefore, in the vehicle upper structure 100, the warmed air around the output adjustment unit 130 is mixed with the cooler air in the interior space 112 of the pillar 108, thereby suppressing an increase in the temperature around the output adjustment unit 130.

[0062] Furthermore, in the vehicle upper structure 100, the heated air around the thermal fuse 134 is exhausted to the outside of the wall portion 116 through the second gap 174, and at the same time, the unheated air present in the ceiling space 168 communicating with the pillar 108 is supplied to the accommodation space 122. This makes it possible to more effectively suppress an increase in the temperature around the thermal fuse 134 and to suppress an increase in the temperature around the output adjustment unit 130.

[0063] In the vehicle upper structure 100, the first gap 140 is maintained between the bracket 132 and the wall portion 116 by the pair of spacers 114a, 114b that are separate from the bracket 132, but this is not limited to the above. As an example, a portion having the same shape as the pair of spacers 114a, 114b may be formed integrally with the bracket 132, and the first gap 140 may be maintained by this portion.

[0064] In addition, the output adjustment section 130 is inserted into the insertion hole 124 via a predetermined second gap 174 between the upper surface of the flat section 170 and the upper edge 172 of the insertion hole. However, it is preferable that the output adjustment section 130 is inserted through a third gap 175 between the lower surface of the flat section 170 and the lower edge 173 of the insertion hole 124 as shown in FIG. 4(b).

[0065] Furthermore, as an example, the thermal fuse 134 has been described as being arranged inside the planar portion 170 of the output adjustment unit 130, separated from the planar portion 170 by a space, but this is not limited thereto, and the thermal fuse 134 may be arranged so as to abut against the planar portion 170 without a space therebetween.

[0066] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can think of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0067] The present invention can be used in a vehicle air conditioning system and a vehicle upper structure in which the vehicle air conditioning system is disposed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 100...vehicle upper structure, 102...vehicle, 104...roof panel, 106...vehicle air conditioning device, 108...pillar, 110...upper part of pillar, 112...internal space of pillar, 114a, 114b...spacer, 116...wall portion, 118...upper wall portion, 120...lower wall portion, 122...accommodation space, 124...insertion hole in wall portion, 126, 128...notch portion, 130...output adjustment portion, 132...bracket, 134...thermal fuse, 136...output selection portion, 138...melting portion, 140...first gap, 142...main body of bracket, 144...connection port, 146...connector, 148...harness , 149... harness support portion, 150a, 150b... side wall of main body portion, 152a, 152b... flange portion, 154a, 154b... through hole, 156a, 156b... bolt, 158a, 158b... step portion, 160a, 160b... bolt hole, 162a, 162b... connection portion, 164a, 164b... extension portion, 166... ​​cabin ceiling, 168... ceiling space, 170... flat portion of output adjustment portion, 172... upper edge of insertion hole, 173... lower edge of insertion hole, 174... second gap, 175... third gap, 176a, 176b... inclined portion of roof panel, 178a, 178b... lower end of inclined portion

Claims

1. A vehicle air conditioner (106) disposed on a passenger compartment side of a roof panel (104) of a vehicle (102), A wall portion (116) that constitutes the outer surface of the device and defines a predetermined storage space (122); An insertion hole (124) provided in the wall portion (116); an output adjustment unit (130) that is inserted through the insertion hole (124) and accommodated in the accommodation space (122) and adjusts the output of the air conditioner (106); a bracket (132) connected to the output adjustment portion (130) and covering the insertion hole (124) from the outside; The output adjustment unit (130) includes a thermal fuse (134) made of a fusing material that cuts off electrical current by fusing when a fusing temperature is reached, The bracket (132) covers the insertion hole (124) via a predetermined first gap (140) between the bracket (132) and the wall portion (116), thereby connecting the storage space (122) to the outside of the wall portion (116).

2. The vehicle air conditioning device (106) according to claim 1, characterized in that the output adjustment portion (130) has a flat portion (170) on which the temperature fuse (134) is exposed, the front and back of the flat portion are arranged in an orientation facing up and down, and the temperature fuse (134) is inserted into the insertion hole (124) via a predetermined second gap (174) between the upper surface of the flat portion (170) and an upper edge (172) of the insertion hole.

3. 3. The vehicle air conditioning system (106) according to claim 2, wherein the flat surface (170) of the output adjustment portion is inclined downward as it approaches the insertion hole (124).

4. 2. The vehicle air conditioning system (106) according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a pair of portions interposed between the bracket (132) and the wall portion on either side of the insertion hole (124), and the first gap (140) is maintained by these portions.

5. The vehicle air conditioning system (106) according to claim 4, characterized in that each of the pair of portions includes a connecting portion (162a, 162b) connected to the wall portion (116) by a predetermined connecting jig, and an extension portion (164a, 164b) extending in the vertical direction from the connecting portion.

6. A harness (148) connected to the bracket (132), 2. The vehicle air conditioning system (106) of claim 1, wherein the harness (148) is routed above the first gap (140).

7. A vehicle upper structure (100) comprising a roof panel (104) of a vehicle (102) and a vehicle air conditioning device (106) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, arranged on the passenger compartment side of the roof panel (104).

8. The roof panel (104) has an inclined portion (176a, 176b) above the first gap (140); The vehicle upper structure (100) of claim 7, wherein the lower ends (178a, 178b) of the ramps are located away from the first gap (140).

9. The vehicle air conditioning device (106) is disposed on an inner side in a vehicle width direction of an upper portion (110) of a pillar (108) supporting the roof panel (104), The vehicle upper structure (100) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the output adjustment portion (130) is in communication with the interior space (112) of the pillar (108).

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