Vehicular air conditioner

Abstract

To provide a vehicular air conditioner that is provided with a door mechanism having both functions of a foot door and of an internal / external air two-layer-flow door so as to downsize a case, and can reduce pressure loss during a foot mode.SOLUTION: A vehicular air conditioner 1 comprises: a bulkhead 6A partitioning a first passage 61 and a second passage 62 for air in a case 6; a foot blowing part 7 that blows air into a lower space in a space in a vehicle interior; a foot inflow part 73 into which air flowing toward the foot blowing part 7 flows, at downstream sides of the first passage 61 and of the second passage 62; a vertical-directional communicating part 31V through which the first passage 61 and the second passage 62 are made to communicate with the foot inflow part 73; and a communicating door 25 that can open and close the vertical-directional communicating part 31V, where the communicating door 25 is opened or closed, so that a first communicating path F1 through which the first passage 61 is made to communicate with the foot inflow part 73 and a second communicating path F2 through which the second passage 62 is made to communicate with the foot inflow part 73 can be formed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioner.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in vehicle air conditioners, those equipped with HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) have become widespread. HVAC includes a blower, a heat exchange section (evaporator and heater core), an air mix door, etc. inside, and heats or cools the air introduced into the unit by the blower and blows it into the vehicle interior.

[0003] In addition, in vehicle air conditioners, there is a demand for achieving both ensuring anti-fogging performance with fresh and low-humidity outside air and maintaining (improving) the vehicle interior environment, and improving heating performance by blowing warm inside air to the feet of the occupants. Therefore, in HVAC, a partition wall is provided to divide the air passage into a first passage on the outside air side and a second passage on the inside air side, and a device capable of setting an inside / outside air two-layer flow mode in which the introduced outside air is circulated in the upper layer of HVAC and the inside air is circulated in the lower layer has been developed.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an HVAC having a door (foot door) for opening and closing a passage for blowing to the feet of the occupants and a door (two-layer flow door) for partitioning the inside of the HVAC into two layers, an upper layer (outside air introduction) passage and a lower layer (inside air circulation) passage.

[0005] In addition, Patent Document 2 discloses an HVAC provided with a two-layer flow door for partitioning the inside of the housing of the HVAC into an upper layer and a lower layer and a door mechanism that doubles as a single door for the foot door.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, since the foot door and the inside / outside air two-layer flow door are provided separately, it is necessary to secure a certain amount of space in consideration of the driving range of each door under the downwind of the HVAC, and there is a problem that the miniaturization of the HVAC does not progress.

[0008] Further, in the technology described in Patent Document 2, although it constitutes a door mechanism having the functions of a foot door and an inside / outside air two-layer flow door, when in the mode of blowing inside air to the feet of the passengers (foot mode), the opening area of the air passage in the door mechanism cannot be sufficiently secured, and there is a problem that the pressure loss increases.

[0009] In view of such circumstances, the present invention aims to provide an air conditioner for a vehicle that can reduce the size of the case by providing a door mechanism having the functions of a foot door and an inside / outside air two-layer flow door, and can reduce the pressure loss in the foot mode.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] The present invention relates to an air conditioner for a vehicle, comprising a partition wall that partitions a first passage and a second passage of air in a case, and a blowing portion that blows air into a lower space in a vehicle interior, wherein an inflow portion into which air flows toward the blowing portion is provided on the downstream side of the first passage and the second passage, a communication portion that communicates the first passage, the second passage, and the inflow portion, and a communication door that can open and close the communication portion, and depending on the open / closed state of the communication door, a first communication passage that communicates the first passage and the inflow portion, and a second communication passage that communicates the second passage and the inflow portion can be formed.

Effects of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, by providing a door mechanism having the functions of a foot door and an inside / outside air two-layer flow door, it is possible to reduce the size of the case and achieve an excellent effect of providing a vehicle air conditioner capable of reducing the pressure loss in the foot mode.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIGS. 1 to 7 are examples of embodiments of the present invention. In the figures, parts denoted by the same reference numerals indicate parts having the same function, and duplicate descriptions in each figure will be omitted as appropriate.

[0014] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an HVAC which is a vehicle air conditioner 1 of the present invention. The vehicle air conditioner (HVAC) 1 includes, for example, an air introduction unit 1A and a temperature control blower unit 1B connected thereto. The air introduction unit 1A takes in outside air and inside air and introduces them into the temperature control blower unit 1B. The temperature control blower unit 1B includes a blower, a heat exchange unit (evaporator and heater core), an air mix door, etc. inside its case 6, and is configured to heat or cool the air introduced into the case 6 by the air introduction unit 1A and blow it into the vehicle interior.

[0015] Here, as the definition of the directions in FIG. 1, the vertical direction in the drawing is defined as the height direction H of the vehicle air conditioner 1, the direction from the upper left to the lower right in the drawing, which is orthogonal to the height direction H, is defined as the width direction W of the vehicle air conditioner 1, and the direction orthogonal to the height direction H and the width direction W is defined as the length direction L of the vehicle air conditioner 1. The vehicle air conditioner 1 has the upper and lower parts in the height direction H as the up and down (top and bottom) directions of the vehicle, the front side of the paper surface in the length direction L as the engine room side (front), the back side as the vehicle interior side (rear), the upper left side of the paper surface in the width direction W as the right side of the vehicle (the right side when facing forward), and the lower right direction of the paper surface as the left side of the vehicle (the left side when facing forward), and is mounted in the front of the vehicle interior (inside the instrument panel not shown). For each figure after FIG. 1, the description will be made using the definition of the directions in FIG. 1.

[0016] In particular, the vehicle air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment can set an inside and outside air two-layer flow mode in which the air passage flowing through the case 6 of the temperature control blower unit 1B is partitioned by a partition wall into a first passage (for example, an upper layer side passage) and a second passage (for example, a lower layer side passage), the first passage allows the outside air introduced from the outside to flow through, and the second passage allows the inside air to circulate.

[0017] <Air introduction unit> The air introduction unit 1A, also referred to as an intake unit, includes a blower unit that constitutes a blower (not shown) and a drive unit (motor) inside a substantially cylindrical case (intake case 4 (4A, 4B)). The air introduction unit 1A has a configuration that is generally symmetric about the vicinity of the center in the height direction H. An upper-side blower unit that blows air into the upper-layer passage of the temperature control blower unit 1B is arranged in the upper intake case 4A, and a lower-side blower unit that blows air into the lower-layer passage of the temperature control blower unit 1B is arranged in the lower intake case 4B. The upper-side blower unit and the lower-side blower unit rotate coaxially, for example, by a drive shaft of the drive unit.

[0018] On the outer peripheral surface of the intake case 4, outside air inlets 2 (2A, 2B) arranged in the vertical direction are provided. The outside air inlet 2A is an outside air inlet for the upper-side blower unit, and the outside air inlet 2B is an outside air inlet for the lower-side blower unit. In addition, at the upper and lower ends of the intake case 4, inner air inlets 3 (3A, 3B) in a substantially semi-cylindrical (dome) shape of a mesh are provided. The inner air inlet 3A is an inner air inlet for the upper-side blower unit, and the inner air inlet 3B is an inner air inlet for the lower-side blower unit. One end side of the arc of the substantially semi-cylindrical shape of the inner air inlets 3A, 3B is continuous with the outside air inlets 2A, 2B, respectively. Inside the inner air inlets 3A, 3B, rotary doors (not shown) having a shape along these are provided. The door of the intake case 4A is swingable about a swing shaft 5 (5A). By rotating in one direction about the swing shaft 5A, the outside air inlet 2A is closed and the inner air inlet 3A is opened, and by rotating in the other direction about the swing shaft 5A, the outside air inlet 2A is opened and the inner air inlet 3A is closed. Similarly, the door of the intake case 4B closes the outside air inlet 2B and opens the inner air inlet 3B by rotating in one direction about the swing shaft 5B, and opens the outside air inlet 2B and closes the inner air inlet 3B by rotating in the other direction about the swing shaft 5B.

[0019] <Temperature control blower unit> FIG. 2 is a side view showing the internal configuration of the temperature-controlled blower unit 1B, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views. For convenience of explanation, in FIGS. 2 to 4, illustration of a partial configuration of the case 6 is omitted.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, in the temperature-controlled blower unit 1B, an air passage is generally formed in the case 6 from the rear (right side in FIG. 2) to the front (left side in FIG. 2) in the length direction L. In the present embodiment, the inside of the case 6 is divided into two in the height direction H by a partition wall 6A, and the air passage is partitioned into an upper layer side passage (first passage) 61 and a lower layer side passage (second passage) 62. Ducts extending from the intake case 4 are connected to the air introduction portions 13 (13A, 13B) at the rear end of the case 6. That is, the air from the upper layer side blower unit of the air introduction unit 1A is introduced into the upper layer side passage 61 from the air introduction portion 13A of the temperature-controlled blower unit 1B, and the air from the lower layer side blower unit of the air introduction unit 1A is introduced into the lower layer side passage 62 from the air introduction portion 13B of the temperature-controlled blower unit 1B.

[0021] The vehicle air conditioner 1 can be set to an inside / outside air two-layer flow mode in which outside air flows through the upper layer side passage 61 and inside air circulates (flows) through the lower layer side passage 62. However, when the inside / outside air two-layer flow mode is not set (non-inside / outside air two-layer flow mode), outside air or inside air can flow through both the upper layer side passage 61 and the lower layer side passage 62.

[0022] Specifically, as a mode on the side where air is introduced, the temperature-controlled blower unit 1B can switch between an inside / outside air two-layer flow mode in which the air passage in the device is separated into the upper layer side passage 61 and the lower layer side passage 62, outside air flows through the upper layer side passage 61, and inside air circulates (flows) through the lower layer side passage 62, and a non-inside / outside air two-layer flow mode in which the air passage is not separated into the upper layer side passage 61 and the lower layer side passage 62.

[0023] In addition, as the air blowing state into the vehicle interior, the temperature control and air blowing unit 1B can switch between a foot open state in which air is blown to the lower side (foot area of the occupant) in the vehicle interior and a foot closed state in which air is not blown to the lower side in the vehicle interior. Further, independently of the foot open state or the foot closed state, it is possible to switch between a rear vent open state in which air is blown to the upper side (face side of the occupant) of the rear seat and a rear vent closed state in which air is not blown to the upper side of the rear seat. Details thereof will be described later.

[0024] Inside the temperature control and air blowing unit 1B, there are provided a filter 10 for purifying the air passing through the upper layer side passage 61 and the lower layer side passage 62, a first heat exchange part (cooler) 11 for cooling the air passing through the upper layer side passage 61 and the lower layer side passage 62, and a second heat exchange part (heater) 12 for heating the air passing through the upper layer side passage 61 and the lower layer side passage 62. These are provided so as to straddle the partition wall 6A.

[0025] Also, in this example, a first air mix door 15 is provided on the upstream side of the second heat exchange part 12 of the upper layer side passage 61, and a second air mix door 16 is provided on the upstream side of the second heat exchange part 12 of the lower layer side passage 62.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 1 again, a plurality of air blowing parts are provided on the side opposite to the air introduction part 13 (downstream side of the air passage). The blowing parts are, for example, a lower side blowing part 7 (7A, 7B) that blows air into the lower side space in the vehicle interior, a first upper side blowing part 8 (8A, 8B) and a second upper side blowing part 9 that blow air into the upper side space in the vehicle interior.

[0027] More specifically, as the lower side blowing part 7, a front lower side blowing part 7A (hereinafter referred to as "front foot blowing part 7A") that blows air into the front space in the vehicle interior and a rear lower side blowing part 7B (hereinafter referred to as "rear foot blowing part 7B") that blows air into the rear space in the vehicle interior are provided.

[0028] The front foot air outlet section 7A further includes a right front foot air outlet section 7AR that blows air to the right side (e.g., the driver's seat side) in the vehicle interior, and a left front foot air outlet section 7AL that blows air to the left side (e.g., the passenger seat side) in the vehicle interior.

[0029] The rear foot air outlet section 7B further includes a right rear foot air outlet section 7BR that blows air to the right side (e.g., the driver's seat side) in the vehicle interior, and a left rear foot air outlet section 7BL that blows air to the left side (e.g., the passenger seat side) in the vehicle interior.

[0030] Also, as the first upper air outlet section 8, a first front upper air outlet section 8A (hereinafter referred to as "front vent air outlet section 8A") that blows air to the front space in the vehicle interior, and a rear upper air outlet section 8B (hereinafter referred to as "rear vent air outlet section 8B") that blows air to the rear space in the vehicle interior are provided. The front vent air outlet section 8A further includes a right front vent air outlet section 8AR that blows air to the right side (e.g., the driver's seat side) in the vehicle interior, and a left front vent air outlet section 8AL that blows air to the left side (e.g., the passenger seat side) in the vehicle interior. The rear vent air outlet section 8B is a single air outlet section without distinction between left and right.

[0031] Also, the second upper air outlet section 9 is an air outlet section (defroster (DEF) air outlet section) that blows air mainly near the window in the front space in the vehicle interior. The defroster air outlet section 9 further includes a right defroster air outlet section 9R that blows air to the right side (e.g., the driver's seat side) in the vehicle interior, and a left defroster air outlet section 9L that blows air to the left side (e.g., the passenger seat side) in the vehicle interior.

[0032] The temperature control and air supply unit 1B is divided into a right region 1BR and a left region 1BL with the approximate center position in the width direction W as the boundary, and both have generally the same (left - right symmetric) structure. That is, in the left region 1BL of the temperature control and air supply unit 1B, a left front vent outlet 8AL, a left defroster outlet 9L, a left front foot outlet 7AL, and a left rear foot outlet 7BL are provided. In the right region 1BR of the temperature control and air supply unit 1B, a right front vent outlet 8AR, a right defroster outlet 9R, a right front foot outlet 7AR, and a right rear foot outlet 7BR are provided. Also, at the lower part of the center in the width direction W of the temperature control and air supply unit 1B, one rear vent outlet 8B common to both the right and left is provided so as to straddle the right region 1BR and the left region 1BL.

[0033] Also, the temperature control and air supply unit 1B is partitioned into three regions: a first region 60A, a second region 60B, and a third region 60C in a part of the region inside the case 6, specifically in the region downstream of, for example, the second heat exchanger 12. The first region 60A, the second region 60B, and the third region 60C are at the downstream end in the length direction L of the case 6 and are partitioned by the case members 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E that constitute the case 6 and the internal partition walls (or ribs) so as to be arranged side - by - side in the width direction W.

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the internal configuration of the temperature control and air supply unit 1B will be described. FIG. 2 is a side view looking at the case member 6D from the left side, omitting the illustration of the left case member 6B and the adjacent case member 6C in the width direction W. FIG. 3 is a perspective view omitting the illustration of the left case member 6B in the width direction W. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of the case 6 in a transparent manner.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 2, in the left region 1BL, there are provided a left front vent door 21 for controlling the inflow / shut-off of air to the left front vent outlet 8AL, a left defroster door 22 for controlling the inflow / shut-off of air to the left defroster outlet 9L, a left foot door (communication door) 25 for controlling the inflow / shut-off of air to the left front foot outlet 7AL and the left rear foot outlet 7BL (see FIG. 1), and a left rear foot door 26 for controlling the inflow / shut-off of air to the left rear foot outlet 7BL. The communication door 25 and the left rear foot door 26 are, for example, a single flat plate door as shown by the solid line in FIG. 2, and in FIG. 2, the states in which their postures are changed are shown together by the dashed line and the thick dashed line.

[0036] Although not shown in the drawing, similarly in the right region 1BR, there are provided a right front vent door for controlling the inflow / shut-off of air to the right front vent outlet 8AR, a right defroster door for controlling the inflow / shut-off of air to the right defroster outlet 9R, a right foot (communication door) for controlling the inflow / shut-off of air to the right front foot outlet 7AR and the right rear foot outlet 7BR, and a right rear foot door for controlling the inflow / shut-off of air to the right rear foot outlet 7BR, and these configurations are the same as those of the left region 1BL shown in FIG. 2.

[0037] Referring also to FIG. 1, the first region 60A is partitioned by a case member 6B (not shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) and a case member 6C (not shown in FIG. 2), and a plurality of doors in the left region 1BL, specifically, the left front vent door 21, the left defroster door 22, the left foot door (communication door) 25, and the left rear foot door 26 are accommodated. Also, the first air mix door 15 and the second air mix door 16 in the left region 1BL are accommodated.

[0038] A part of the case members 6B and 6C extends to the lower part of the case 6, thereby forming the left rear foot passage 65 and the left rear foot outlet 7BL at its downstream end. Also, the communication part 31 is formed by the ribs 6F and 6G in the case members 6B and 6C, which will be described later.

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the second region 60B is defined by the case members 6C and 6D. The second region 60B is formed as a space spanning the left region 1BL and the right region 1BR. As shown in FIG. 2, a rear vent door 27 for controlling the inflow / shut-off of air to the rear vent blowing portion 8B is provided inside the second region 60B. Further, rear vent blowing openings 32 are provided on the opposing surfaces of the case members 6C and 6D that define the second region 60B with respect to the second heat exchange portion 12 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). A part of the case members 6C and 6D extends to the lower part of the case 6, thereby forming a rear vent passage 66 and a rear vent blowing portion 8B at its downstream end.

[0040] In this example, for instance, the partition wall 6CA of the case member 6C protrudes in the length direction L, partitioning the right region 1BR and the left region 1BL.

[0041] The third region 60C is defined by the case members 6D and 6E and houses a plurality of doors in the right region 1BR. A part of the case members 6D and 6E extends to the lower part of the case 6, thereby forming a right rear foot passage 67 and a right rear foot blowing portion 7BR at its downstream end. Further, a communication portion is formed by ribs (not shown) inside the case members 6D and 6E. Since the internal configuration of the third region 60C is the same as that of the first region 60A, the description thereof is omitted.

[0042] Hereinafter, since the configurations of the left region 1BL (inside the first region 60A) and the right region 1BR (inside the third region 60C) of the temperature control blower unit 1B are the same, referring to the configuration of the left region 1BL (the first region 60A) shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the description will be made without distinguishing between the left and right.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 2, above the second heat exchange portion 12 of the upper layer side passage 61, a front vent inflow portion 71 is provided between the front vent door 21 and the front vent blowing portion 8A. Further, a defroster inflow portion 72 is provided between the defroster door 22 and the defroster blowing portion 9.

[0044] The front foot blowing part 7A is provided on the side of the case 6, that is, at the front end in the length direction L of the case member 6B and near the approximate center in the height direction H (see Fig. 1). A rear foot blowing part 7B is provided at the lower end of the case 6 below the front foot blowing part 7A in the height direction H. Ducts (not shown) are connected to the front foot blowing part 7A and the rear foot blowing part 7B to blow air into the vehicle interior.

[0045] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a foot inflow part 73 is provided downstream of the upper layer side passage 61 and the lower layer side passage 62 in the first region 60A. The foot inflow part 73 is a space through which air flowing in the upper layer side passage 61 and the lower layer side passage 62 flows and into which air heading for the foot blowing part 7 (front foot blowing part 7A and rear foot blowing part 7B) flows. The front foot blowing part 7A is arranged on the side in the width direction W of the foot inflow part 73 (the downstream side in the air flow), and the rear foot blowing part 7B is arranged below the front foot blowing part 7A in the height direction H of the foot inflow part 73 (the downstream side in the air flow).

[0046] The foot inflow part 73 communicates with the upper layer side passage 61 and the lower layer side passage 62 through a communication part 31. The air flowing into the foot inflow part 73 can be branched and blown out to the front foot blowing part 7A and the rear foot blowing part 7B respectively with the foot inflow part 73 as a branch point.

[0047] As shown by the dashed-dotted arrow in Fig. 3, the communication part 31 is a part opened so that air can flow in both the length direction L and the height direction H. The communication part 31 enables the foot inflow part 73 to communicate with the upper layer side passage 61, the foot inflow part 73 to communicate with the lower layer side passage 62, and the upper layer side passage 61 to communicate with the lower layer side passage 62. The communication part 31 in this example is partitioned by ribs 6F, 6G protruding inward of the case 6. Similar ribs 6F, 6G are also provided on the case member 6B (not shown in Fig. 3), and the communication part 31 is an opening provided in the case members 6B, 6C.

[0048] More specifically, the portion (region) between the ribs 6F arranged to face each other in the height direction H is referred to as the vertical communication portion 31V. The portion (region) between the ribs 6G arranged to face each other in the length direction L is referred to as the horizontal communication portion 31H.

[0049] The communication door 25 is a door capable of opening and closing the communication portion 31, and is, for example, a plate-shaped door rotatable about a rotation axis 25A. Although a plurality of communication doors 25 are shown in FIG. 2, it shows the change in the posture of the communication door 25, and there is one communication door 25 in each of the first region 60A and the third region 60C as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 4, the communication door 25 has a substantially rectangular shape having a set of first sides 251 extending in the width direction W of the case 6 and a set of second sides 252 extending in a direction orthogonal to the first sides 251, and a rotation axis 25A extending in the width direction W of the case 6 is inserted near the center of the second sides 252.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rotation axis 25A is provided in a region of the case 6 other than the end portion of the communication portion 31. More specifically, the rotation axis 25A is provided at substantially the center of the vertical communication portion 31V and substantially the center of the horizontal communication portion 31H. The rotation axis 25A supports the communication door 25 so as to be rotatable 360 degrees, but the rotation of the communication door 25 is restricted within a predetermined angle range by the ribs 6F and 6G. The ribs 6F and 6G restrict the rotation of the communication door 25 and close the communication portion 31 by coming into contact with the communication door 25.

[0052] With such a configuration, when the communication door 25 comes into the first posture of contacting the rib 6F (the posture shown in FIG. 2(a) where the communication door 25 stands upright in the height direction H (substantially vertical direction)), the vertical communication portion 31V is closed. As a result, the upper side passage 61 and the foot inflow portion 73 are blocked, and the lower side passage 62 and the foot inflow portion 73 are blocked.

[0053] Here, the front foot blowing portion 7A is an opening having a substantially rectangular shape as shown by the two-dot chain line virtual line in FIG. 2. When the communication door 25 is in the first posture, the rear side (side side) of the front foot blowing portion 7A is located in front of the communication door 25. That is, when the communication door 25 is in the first posture, the air flow from the foot inflow portion 73 to the foot blowing portion 7 is also blocked. On the other hand, the upper layer side passage 61 and the lower layer side passage 62 communicate with each other.

[0054] Further, when the communication door 25 is in the second posture in which it abuts against the rib 6G (the posture shown in FIG. 2(b) in which the communication door 25 rolls over in the length direction L (substantially horizontal direction)), the horizontal direction communication portion 31H is closed, and the upper layer side passage 61 and the lower layer side passage 62 are blocked from each other. On the other hand, the upper layer side passage 61 and the foot inflow portion 73 communicate with each other, and the lower layer side passage 62 and the foot inflow portion 73 communicate with each other. Also, when the communication door 25 is in the second posture, the upper side of the front foot blowing portion 7A (shown by the two-dot chain line virtual line in FIG. 2) is located below the communication door 25. That is, air flows from the foot inflow portion 73 to the foot blowing portion 7.

[0055] Further, when the communication door 25 is in the third posture (the posture shown in FIG. 2(c)) in which it does not abut against either of the ribs 6F and 6G, the upper layer side passage 61 and the foot inflow portion 73 communicate with each other, the lower layer side passage 62 and the foot inflow portion 73 communicate with each other, and further the upper layer side passage 61 and the lower layer side passage 62 communicate with each other. Specifically, a first communication passage F1 in which the upper layer side passage 61 and the foot inflow portion 73 communicate with each other is formed above the communication door 25, and at the same time, a second communication passage F2 in which the lower layer side passage 62 and the foot inflow portion 73 communicate with each other is formed below the communication door 25. When the communication door 25 is in the third posture, a part of the communication door 25 overlaps the front foot blowing portion 7A in the width direction W.

[0056] The communication door 25 rotates, for example, within a range of 90 degrees around the rotation axis 25A. When the rotation angle of the communication door 25 in the first posture is set to 0 degrees, the rotation angle of the communication door 25 in the second posture is 90 degrees, and the rotation angle of the communication door 25 in the third posture can be said to be an angle within a predetermined range greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees. That is, the rotation angle in the case of the third posture is not limited to approximately 45 degrees as shown in FIG. 2, and may be other rotation angles.

[0057] In this way, the communication door 25 shuts off and separates the upper layer side passage 61 and the lower layer side passage 62 from each other by opening and closing the horizontal communication portion 31H. That is, it is possible to switch whether to adopt the internal and external air two-layer flow mode by opening and closing the communication door 25. Further, the communication door 25 can switch whether to enter the mode (foot mode) of blowing air to the feet of the passengers by opening and closing the vertical communication portion 31V. That is, the communication door 25 is a door that serves as both an internal and external air two-layer flow door and a foot door.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 3, a rear foot door 26 is provided below (downstream) in the height direction H of the foot inflow portion 73. The rear foot door 26 is a door that allows air to flow through or shuts off the rear foot passage 65 and the rear foot blowing portion 7B. The rear foot door 26 is, for example, a substantially rectangular plate-shaped door, and is attached in a cantilever state to a rotation axis 26A whose one side extends in the width direction W of the case 6 so as to be swingable within a predetermined angle range. The rear foot door 26 swings within a range of, for example, 45 degrees to 60 degrees around the rotation axis 26A. The rotation axis 26A is attached to, for example, the inner wall of the upstream end portion (rear foot blowing opening 33) of the rear foot passage 65.

[0059] In the present embodiment, when the communication portion 31 communicates with the foot inflow portion 73, the air flowing through the case 6 reaches the foot inflow portion 73, and branches from there to the front foot blowing portion 7A and the rear foot blowing portion 7B (when the rear foot door 26 is open). That is, in the rear foot blowing portion 7B, air in the same state (temperature) as the air blown out from the front foot blowing portion 7A can be blown out.

[0060] Also, when the communicating door 25 is in the third posture, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 2, a first communication passage F1 is formed above the communicating door 25, and at the same time, a second communication passage F2 is formed below the communicating door 25. Since the passage (cross-sectional area) of the air blown out by the foot blowing portion 7 is widened, the pressure loss during foot blowing can be reduced.

[0061] Furthermore, since the right region 1BR and the left region 1BL have the same configuration and individual control is possible for each of the left and right sides, the temperature adjustment of the left and right regions in the vehicle interior can be performed independently.

[0062] In addition, in the present embodiment, a single rear vent blowing portion 8B is provided in common for the right region 1BR and the left region 1BL. As shown in FIG. 2, a rear vent blowing opening 32 connected to the rear vent blowing portion 8B is provided substantially at the center in the width direction W within the space partitioned by the lower layer side passage 62 of the temperature control blower unit 1B so as to straddle the right region 1BR and the left region 1BL. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a rear vent blowing opening 32 is provided on the opposing surface of the case members 6C and 6D partitioning the second region 60B with the second heat exchanger 12. Further, a rear vent door 27 capable of opening and closing the rear vent blowing opening 32 is provided at the rear vent blowing opening 32.

[0063] The rear vent blowing opening 32 is connected to the rear vent blowing portion 8B via a rear vent passage 66 extending to the lower part of the case 6. That is, the rear vent blowing opening 32 can directly guide the air that has flowed through the lower layer side passage 62 to the rear vent blowing portion 8B.

[0064] Thereby, for example, compared with a configuration in which a part of the air blown out from the front vent blowing portion provided above the vehicle air conditioner 1 is routed downward and blown out from the rear vent blowing portion, there is no need to route the passage from above to below, which can contribute to the miniaturization of the case 6.

[0065] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the positional relationship of the communicating door (foot door) 25, the rear foot door 26, and the rear vent door 27.

[0066] The rear vent door 27 is, for example, a rotary door, and has a rotary shaft 27A extending in the width direction W, a fan-shaped side surface 271 disposed opposite in the width direction W, and a curved surface 272 connecting the arc portions of the fan-shaped side surface 271. The rotary shaft 27A is inserted through a main portion of the fan-shaped side surface 271, and the curved surface 272 is swingable within a predetermined angle range about the rotary shaft 27A in a cradle-like manner. The rotary shaft 27A is fixed to the foremost end portion of the case 6, and the curved surface 272 is convex in a direction away from the rotary shaft 27A and is hollow inside (on the rotary shaft 27A side). Both end sides of the arc of the curved surface 272 are openings (first door opening 273, second door opening 274), and the curved surface 272 (and the hollow portion inside thereof) becomes a part of the air flow path depending on the open / closed state of the rear vent door 27. The rear vent door 27 (the curved surface 272 thereof) swings about the rotary shaft 27A within a range of, for example, 45 degrees to 60 degrees.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 2, when the curved surface 272 rotates to the uppermost position, the first door opening 273 is in close proximity to (abuts against) the inner surface of the case 6 and the rear vent outlet opening 32 opens and communicates with the rear vent passage 66. The upper end portion in the height direction H of the rear vent outlet opening 32 is abutted by a part of the rear vent door 27, and the air flowing through the lower layer side passage 62 flows into the rear vent passage 66 without leaking above the rear vent door 27.

[0068] On the other hand, when the curved surface 272 rotates to the lower position, a part of the curved surface 272 enters and closes the rear vent outlet opening 32, and the flow of the air flowing through the lower layer side passage 62 to the rear vent passage 66 is blocked.

[0069] The rear vent door 27 is disposed straddling the right region 1BR and the left region 1BL. When the rear vent outlet opening 32 is open, the air flowing through the right region 1BR and the air flowing through the left region 1BL flow into the rear vent outlet opening 32 while being separated by the partition wall 6CA of the case member 6C and the partition wall of the case member 6D adjacent thereto, and then these airs are mixed and sent to the rear vent passage 66.

[0070] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the rear vent blowing opening 32 and the foot inflow portion 73 are arranged at the front end portion of the case 6 along the width direction W of the case 6. Further, the rear vent blowing opening 32, the rear foot blowing opening 33, and the rear foot door 26 that opens and closes the rear foot blowing opening 33 are arranged side by side (adjacent to each other) in the width direction W of the case 6. However, the rear vent blowing opening 32 is separated from the foot inflow portion 73 and the rear foot blowing opening 33 by the case member 6C and its partition wall 6CA, and the air flowing into the foot inflow portion 73 and the rear foot blowing opening 33 does not mix with the air flowing through the rear vent blowing opening 32 (in a separated state from each other), and the blowing of each can be controlled independently.

[0071] Further, the rear foot door 26 and the rear vent door 27 are arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction W as shown in FIG. 4, but the rotation axis 27A of the rear vent door 27 and the rotation axis 26A of the rear foot door 26 are arranged in parallel. More specifically, the rotation axis 27A of the rear vent door 27 and the rotation axis 26A of the rear foot door 26 are adjacent to each other in the width direction W and are arranged at positions shifted (non-overlapping positions) in the length direction L and the height direction H. Thereby, space saving is achieved in the arrangement of the rear foot door 26 and the rear vent door 27.

[0072] <Air flow> With reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, the air flow in the temperature control blower unit 1B will be mainly described. FIG. 5 is a schematic side view for explaining the air flow in the temperature control blower unit 1B.

[0073] The air taken in by the upper-layer side blower unit of the air introduction unit 1A is introduced into the upper-layer side passage 61 of the temperature control blower unit 1B. The air flowing through the upper-layer side passage 61 passes through the filter 10 and the first heat exchange section (cooler) 11 installed in the case 6, and then the air passage is switched by the first air mixing door 15. At this time, in one state of the first air mixing door 15, it flows without passing through the second heat exchange section 12 (bypassing the passage above it), and when the first air mixing door 15 is in another state, it flows through the second heat exchange section 12. Then, it blows out into the vehicle interior from at least one of the lower side blowing section 7, the first upper side blowing section 8, and the second upper side blowing section 9.

[0074] Also, the air taken in by the lower-layer side blower unit of the air introduction unit 1A is introduced into the lower-layer side passage 62 of the temperature control blower unit 1B. The air flowing through the lower-layer side passage 62 passes through the filter 10 and the first heat exchange section (cooler) 11, and then the air passage is switched by the second air mixing door 16. At this time, in one state of the second air mixing door 16, it flows without passing through the second heat exchange section 12 (bypassing the passage below it), and when the second air mixing door 16 is in another state, it flows through the second heat exchange section 12. Then, it blows out into the vehicle interior from at least one of the lower side blowing section 7, the first upper side blowing section 8, and the second upper side blowing section 9.

[0075] <Air introduction mode> As the air introduction mode to the temperature control blower unit 1B, for example, there are settings of the internal air introduction mode, the outside air introduction mode, and the internal and outside air two-layer flow mode. These can be switched according to the state of the door of the intake case 4 in the air introduction unit 1A.

[0076] The internal air introduction mode is a mode in which the outside air inlets 2 (2A, 2B) are blocked by the door of the intake case 4 and the internal air inlets 3 (3A, 3B) are open. In the temperature control blower unit 1B, the internal air circulates in both the upper-layer side passage 61 and the lower-layer side passage 62 (the air in the vehicle interior circulates).

[0077] The outside air introduction mode is a mode in which the inside air intake port 3 is blocked by the door of the intake case 4 and the outside air intake port 2 is open. In the temperature control blower unit 1B, outside air flows through both the upper side passage 61 and the lower side passage 62.

[0078] In the inside / outside air two-layer flow mode, in the upper side blower unit of the air introduction unit 1A, the door of the intake case 4A blocks the inside air intake port 3A and opens the outside air intake port 2A, and in the lower side blower unit, the door of the intake case 4B blocks the outside air intake port 2B and opens the inside air intake port 3B. In this case, in the temperature control blower unit 1B, outside air flows through the upper side passage 61 and inside air flows through the lower side passage 62.

[0079] <Air blowing state> Hereinafter, an example of the air blowing state in the vehicle air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment will be described. However, the air blowing state in the vehicle air conditioner 1 is not limited to the state described below.

[0080] As the air blowing state of the vehicle air conditioner 1, there are a foot open state in which air is blown to the lower side (foot area of the occupant) in the vehicle interior and a foot closed state in which air is not blown to the lower side in the vehicle interior, and these can be switched. Further, the foot open state includes a foot open state in the inside / outside air two-layer flow mode as the air introduction mode and a foot open state in a non-inside / outside air two-layer flow mode (outside air introduction mode or inside air circulation mode), and these can be switched.

[0081] Furthermore, independent of both the foot open state and the foot closed state, there are a rear vent open state in which air is blown to the upper side (face side of the occupant) of the rear seat and a rear vent closed state in which air is not blown to the upper side of the rear seat, and these can be switched.

[0082] Specifically, the vehicle air conditioner 1 has, for example, a first operation mode, a second operation mode, and a third operation mode as operation modes, and these can be switched by the open / closed state of the communication door 25.

[0083] <<First operating mode: The mode in which the feet are open in the outside / inside air two-layer flow mode>> FIG. 5(A) is a side sectional view of the vehicle air conditioner 1 showing the state with the feet open in the outside / inside air two-layer flow mode. In this state, in order to enter the outside / inside air two-layer flow mode, the communication door 25 assumes the second posture (the posture of lying on its side in a substantially horizontal direction). Also, in this case, for example, the defroster door 22 opens and the front vent door 21 closes. When the communication door 25 assumes the second posture, the horizontal communication portion 31H is closed, and the upper layer side passage 61 and the lower layer side passage 62 are blocked from each other. As a result, outside air flows in the upper layer side passage 61 and inside air flows in the lower layer side passage 62 separately from each other.

[0084] In the upper layer side space, the outside air flowing through the upper layer side passage 61 flows into the defroster inlet portion 72 as indicated by the arrow and blows out from the defroster outlet portion 9 into the vehicle interior (the upper front space (particularly near the window)). At this time, although the upper layer side passage 61 and the foot inlet portion 73 communicate with each other, since the communication door 25 blocks the flow path to the rear foot passage 65 above the upper side of the front foot outlet portion 7A (see FIG. 2), the outside air flowing through the upper layer side passage 61 does not flow into the foot outlet portion 7 (the front foot outlet portion 7A and the rear foot outlet portion 7B).

[0085] On the other hand, in the lower layer side space, the lower layer side passage 62 and the foot inlet portion 73 communicate with each other. Also, at this time, the rear foot door 26 is open. Therefore, the inside air flowing through the lower layer side passage 62 flows into the foot inlet portion 73 as indicated by the arrow, and a part of it blows out from the front foot outlet portion 7A into the vehicle interior. Also, a remaining part of the inside air blows out from the rear foot outlet portion 7B into the vehicle interior through the rear foot passage 65.

[0086] The "state with the feet open in the outside / inside air two-layer flow mode" is, for example, the operating state during heating in winter. That is, with the horizontal communication portion 31H closed by the communication door 25, the upper layer side passage 61 and, for example, the defroster outlet portion 9 are made to communicate with each other, and outside air is blown out from the defroster outlet portion 9, and at the same time, the lower layer side passage 62 and the foot outlet portion 7 are made to communicate with each other so that the warmed inside air can be blown out from the foot outlet portion 7.

[0087] During the winter heating operation, since the window is likely to fog up, outside air is circulated through the upper-side passage 61 in the inside / outside air two-layer flow mode, and the outside air is blown onto the window from the defroster outlet 9. On the other hand, the warmed inside air is circulated in the vehicle interior. At this time, although the communication door 25 is in the second posture by being set to the inside / outside air two-layer flow mode, since the lower-side passage 62 and the foot inflow portion 73 communicate with each other, the warmed inside air can be blown out from the front foot outlet 7A downstream of the foot inflow portion 73 to the front seats (driver's seat and passenger seat). Also, when there is a passenger in the rear seat, the rear foot door 26 is opened. Thereby, the inside air can be circulated from the foot inflow portion 73 to the rear foot outlet 7B by branching. In the present embodiment, since the same air can be sent out from the foot inflow portion 73 to branch to the front foot outlet 7A and the rear foot outlet 7B, the warmed inside air in the same state as the air blown out to the front seats can be blown out to the rear seats.

[0088] Note that in FIG. 5, an example is shown in which the defroster door 22 is open and the front vent door 21 is closed, but a state where the defroster door 22 is closed and the front vent door 21 is open may also be possible.

[0089] <<Second driving mode: a mode in which the foot is closed in the non-inside / outside air two-layer flow mode>> FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the vehicle air conditioner 1 showing a foot closed state in a non-inner / outer air two-layer flow mode (e.g., inner air circulation mode). In this state, the inner air flows through both the upper layer side passage 61 and the lower layer side passage 62. Also, the communication door 25 is in the first posture (a posture of standing upright in a substantially vertical direction). Also, for example, the defroster door 22 is closed and the front vent door 21 is open. This operation mode is also called the vent mode. When the communication door 25 is in the first posture, the vertical communication portion 31V is closed, and both the space between the upper layer side passage 61 and the foot inflow portion 73 and the space between the lower layer side passage 62 and the foot inflow portion 73 are blocked. As a result, the inner air is not blown out from the foot blowout portion 7 into the vehicle interior. On the other hand, since the upper layer side passage 61 and the lower layer side passage 62 communicate with each other, the inner air flowing through the upper layer side passage 61 and the inner air flowing through the lower layer side passage 62 both go upward above the case 6, flow into the front vent inflow portion 71, and are blown out from the front vent blowout portion 8A into the vehicle interior (the upper front space in the vehicle).

[0090] In the lower layer side space, the lower layer side passage 62 and the foot inflow portion 73 are blocked. Therefore, the inner air flowing through the lower layer side passage 62 goes upward into the case 6 from a part of the horizontal communication portion 31H on the upstream side of the communication door 25, flows into the front vent inflow portion 71, and is blown out from the front vent blowout portion 8A into the vehicle interior (the upper front space in the vehicle).

[0091] In the case of the foot closed state in the outside air introduction mode, it is the same as above except that the defroster door 22 is open and the front vent door 21 is closed.

[0092] <<Third operation mode: a mode in which the foot is open in the non-inner / outer air two-layer flow mode>> FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of the vehicle air conditioner 1 showing the foot open state in the non-inner / outer air two-layer flow mode (for example, the inner air circulation mode). In this state, the inner air flows through both the upper layer side passage 61 and the lower layer side passage 62. Also, the communication door 25 is in the third posture (a posture inclined with respect to the first and second postures). As a result, both the vertical communication portion 31V and the horizontal communication portion 31H are not completely closed. In other words, a first communication passage F1 that communicates the upper layer side passage 61 and the foot inflow portion 73 is formed above the communication door 25, and at the same time, a second communication passage F2 that communicates the lower layer side passage 62 and the foot inflow portion 73 is formed below the communication door 25. Also, for example, both the defroster door 22 and the front vent door 21 are closed. This operation mode is also called the foot mode.

[0093] When the communication door 25 is in the third posture, the inner air that has flowed through the upper layer side passage 61 flows into the foot inflow portion 73 via the first communication passage F1. Also, the inner air that has flowed through the lower layer side passage 62 flows into the foot inflow portion 73 via the second communication passage F2. In addition, since the upper layer side passage 61 and the lower layer side passage 62 are in communication (not blocked), a part of the inner air that has flowed through the upper layer side passage 61 also flows into the foot inflow portion 73 via the second communication passage F2.

[0094] A part of the inner air that has flowed into the foot inflow portion 73 blows out into the vehicle interior from the front foot blowout portion 7A. Also, when there is a passenger in the rear seat at this time, the rear foot door 26 is also opened. As a result, a part of the inner air that has flowed into the foot inflow portion 73 blows out into the vehicle interior from the rear foot blowout portion 7B via the rear foot passage 65. In the present embodiment, when the rear foot door 26 is opened, the communication door 25 is always open.

[0095] Also, FIGS. 5 to 7 all illustrate the case where the air flowing through the upper layer side passage 61 and the lower layer side passage 62 passes through the second heat exchange portion 12. However, as described above, depending on the states of the first air mix door 15 and the second air mix door 16, there may be a case where it does not pass through the second heat exchange portion 12.

[0096] <<Rear vent open state>> In the rear vent open state, as shown by the broken line in Fig. 5, the curved surface 272 of the rear vent door 27 rotates so that, for example, it is positioned at the uppermost position, and the rear vent blowing opening 32 is in an open state. Since the rear vent door 27 is a component of the second region 60B, it is shown by a broken line in Figs. 5 to 7. In this case, the rear vent blowing opening 32 communicates with the rear vent passage 66. Since the rear vent door 27 is driven independently of the communication door 25 and the rear foot door 26, regardless of the state of the foot blowing portion 7 (for example, even if the foot blowing portion 7 is in a closed state), the air (for example, the interior air) in the lower layer side passage 62 can be blown out from the rear vent blowing portion 8B. Also, even if the foot blowing portion 7 is in an open state, air at a temperature different from the blowing temperature from the foot blowing portion 7 can be blown out from the rear vent blowing portion 8B.

[0097] For example, blowing can be performed from the rear vent blowing portion 8B in the above-described "foot open state in the inside / outside air two-layer flow mode". The "foot open state in the inside / outside air two-layer flow mode" is mainly an operating state during heating in winter. By setting the rear vent to the open state accordingly, the warmed interior air is sent into the vehicle interior from the rear vent blowing portion 8B. In the rear seat, the priority of removing window fogging (blowing out the outside air flowing through the upper layer side passage 61) is low. Therefore, by opening the rear vent blowing opening 32 and blowing out the air (in this case, the warmed interior air) flowing through the lower layer side passage 62 from the rear vent blowing portion 8B to the rear seat, the heating efficiency of the rear seat can be improved.

[0098] In addition, since the air from the rear vent blowing portion 8B blows near the face of the occupant in the rear seat, even in winter, if the same temperature as that of the foot blowing portion 7 is blown out, it may be uncomfortable for the occupant. Even in such a case, according to the present embodiment, even though it is the internal air flowing through the same lower layer side passage 62, the path to the foot blowing portion 7 and the path to the rear vent blowing portion 8B are separated. Since the air flowing into the rear vent opening 32 is the air that mixes the left side region 1BL and the right side region 1BR, for example, by adjusting the state of the second air mixing door 16 in the left side region 1BL and the right side region 1BR, it is also possible to reduce the temperature of the internal air blown out from the rear vent blowing portion 8B compared to the temperature of the internal air blown out from the foot blowing portion 7.

[0099] Also, for example, when blowing air from the rear vent blowing portion 8B, the blowing of air from the foot blowing portion 7 can be stopped, and the temperature adjustment of the rear seat can be performed flexibly.

[0100] Note that the control of the rear vent door 27 can be controlled independently of the control of the communication door 25 and the rear foot door 26. For example, in the above-mentioned "foot closed state in the non-internal / external air two-layer flow mode", blowing from the front vent blowing portion 8A and blowing from the rear vent blowing portion 8B can be performed together. For example, during cooling in summer, usually, the internal / external air two-layer flow mode is not set (for example, in the case of the auto control of the vehicle air conditioner 1). In such a case, the rear seat can be cooled by blowing out the cooled internal air flowing through the lower layer side passage 62 from the rear vent blowing portion 8B.

[0101] <<Rear vent closed state>> As shown by the dashed line in FIG. 6, the rear vent closed state is a state in which the curved surface 272 of the rear vent door 27 enters the rear vent opening 32 by the rotation of the rear vent door 27 and closes it. Since the rear vent door 27 is driven independently of the communication door 25 and the rear foot door 26, regardless of the state of the foot blowing portion 7 (for example, even if the foot blowing portion 7 is in the open state), the air (for example, internal air) in the lower layer side passage 62 does not blow out from the rear vent blowing portion 8B.

[0102] As described above, the vehicle air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment includes a partition wall 6A that partitions a first air passage (upper layer side passage) 61 and a second air passage (lower layer side passage) 62 in the case 6, a foot blowing portion 7 (front foot blowing portion 7A, rear foot blowing portion 7B) that blows air into the lower space in the vehicle interior space, a foot inflow portion 73 into which air flowing toward the foot blowing portion 7 flows on the downstream sides of the first passage 61 and the second passage 62, the first passage 61 and the second passage 62, and a vertical communication portion 31V (communication portion 31) that communicates the foot inflow portion 73, and has a communication door 25 that can open and close the vertical communication portion 31V. Then, depending on the open / closed state of the communication door 25, a first communication passage F1 that communicates the first passage 61 and the foot inflow portion 73 and a second communication passage F2 that communicates the second passage 62 and the foot inflow portion 73 can be formed.

[0103] Thereby, a sufficient communication passage to the foot inflow portion 73 can be ensured. In particular, since the first communication passage 61 and the second passage 62 can be formed simultaneously, a sufficient opening area to the foot inflow portion 73 can be ensured in the foot open state, and the pressure loss can be reduced.

[0104] Specifically, the communication door 25 is rotatable to a first posture that closes the vertical communication portion 31V, a second posture that closes the horizontal communication portion 31H, and a third posture between these. In the case of the third posture, the first communication passage F1 above the communication door 25 and the second communication passage F2 below the communication door can be formed simultaneously.

[0105] Accordingly, for example, in the foot-open state of the non-outdoor / indoor air two-layer flow mode (e.g., the internal air circulation mode), the air flowing through the upper-layer side passage 61 is blown out from the foot blowing portion 7 via the first connecting passage F1, and the air flowing through the lower-layer side passage 62 is blown out from the foot blowing portion 7 via the second connecting passage F2. At the same time, a part of the air flowing through the upper-layer side passage 61 can be blown out from the foot blowing portion 7 via the second connecting passage F2. Since the upper-layer side passage 61 and the lower-layer side passage 62 are in communication (not blocked), a part of the internal air flowing through the upper-layer side passage 61 can be made to flow into the foot inflow portion 73 via the second connecting passage F2. That is, in the foot-open state, a sufficient opening area to the foot inflow portion 73 can be ensured, and the pressure loss can be reduced.

[0106] Further, the communication door 25 is plate-shaped and has a configuration in which a rotation shaft 25A is inserted through a portion other than its end portions (central portion). Also, since the rotation shaft 25A is arranged near the center of the communication portion 31 (the center of each of the vertical direction communication portion 31V and the horizontal direction communication portion 31H), it is possible to prevent the case 6 from becoming large-sized while ensuring a large rotation range of the communication door 25.

[0107] Also, the front foot blowing portion 7A and the rear foot blowing portion 7B are arranged such that the front foot blowing portion 7A branches from the foot inflow portion 73 and the rear foot blowing portion 7B also branches from the foot inflow portion 73.

[0108] Specifically, the front foot blowing portion 7A is provided on the side surface of the case 6, and the rear foot blowing portion 7B is provided at the lower portion of the case 6, and both are configured (arranged) to branch from the foot inflow portion 73. Thereby, for example, compared with a configuration in which the front foot blowing portion is provided at the upper portion of the case and a passage is routed from there to the lower portion of the case to provide the rear foot blowing portion, the case 6 of the vehicle air conditioner 1 can be miniaturized.

[0109] Furthermore, since the rear foot air outlet 7B and the front foot air outlet 7A are configured to branch from the foot air inlet 73 (as air from the foot air inlet 73 flows through both), for example, when setting the inside / outside air two-layer flow mode, air that has flowed through the lower layer passage 62 (inside air in a similarly warmed temperature range) can be blown out into the front and rear spaces in the vehicle interior, and the temperature difference between the front and rear spaces can be reduced.

[0110] In addition, the communication part 31 has a horizontal communication part 31H (communication part 31) that connects the first passage 61 and the second passage 62, and the communication door 25 can also open and close the horizontal communication part 31H. Further, in the present embodiment, above the first passage 61, there are a front vent air outlet 8A that blows air into the upper space in the vehicle interior and a defroster air outlet 9. With the horizontal communication part 31H closed due to the open / closed state of the communication door 25, the first passage 61 can communicate with the front vent air outlet 8A and / or the defroster air outlet 9, and the second passage 62 can communicate with the foot air outlet 7.

[0111] That is, since the communication door 25 can combine the functions of the inside / outside air two-layer flow door and the foot door, it is possible to avoid an increase in the size of the case 6 of the vehicle air conditioner 1.

[0112] As a result, even when the capacity of the space on the leeward side of the second heat exchange part (heater) 12 is reduced, the air conditioning capacity required in the case of the foot open state can be sufficiently satisfied, contributing to the miniaturization of the vehicle air conditioner 1.

[0113] In addition, the vehicle air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment includes a partition wall 6A that partitions a first air passage (upper layer side passage) 61 and a second air passage (lower layer side passage) 62 in the case 6, a rear vent blowing portion 8B that blows air into the upper rear space in the vehicle interior, a front vent blowing portion 8A that blows air into the upper front space in the vehicle interior, and a foot blowing portion 7 that blows air into the lower space in the vehicle interior. The front vent blowing portion 8A is provided on the side where the upper layer side passage 61 is partitioned, the foot blowing portion 7 is provided on the side where the second passage 62 is partitioned, and a rear vent blowing opening 32 connected to the rear vent blowing portion 8B is provided in the space where the second passage 62 is partitioned.

[0114] With such a configuration, the air in the lower layer side passage 62 can be directly taken into the rear vent blowing opening 32. Thereby, for example, when the inner and outer air two-layer flow mode is set during heating in winter, the warmed inner air can be blown out from the rear vent blowing portion 8B, and the heating efficiency of the rear seats can be improved.

[0115] In addition, since the rear vent blowing opening 32 for blowing air into the upper rear space is provided in the space where the lower layer side passage 62 is formed, and the air is blown directly from the lower layer side passage 62 to the rear vent blowing portion 8B provided at the lower part of the case 6, for example, compared with a configuration in which a duct (passage) is routed from the front vent blowing portion provided at the upper part of the case to the lower part of the case to blow out the rear vent, the size of the case can be reduced.

[0116] In addition, since the rear vent blowing opening 32 is disposed opposite to the second heat exchange portion 12 (heater, indoor condenser, heater core, etc.) in the vehicle air conditioner 1, the inflow of warmed air into the rear vent blowing opening 32 is promoted particularly during heating.

[0117] In addition, the rear vent blowing opening 32 and the foot inflow portion 73 are arranged vertically in the height direction H while separating the air flow from each other, and are arranged so as to partially overlap along the flow width direction (width direction W) of the second passage 62. Thereby, the region in the case 6 can be effectively utilized, and an increase in the size of the case 6 can be avoided.

[0118] In addition, the rear vent blowing opening 32 and the rear foot blowing opening 33 connected to the rear foot blowing portion 7B are arranged side by side in the flow width direction (width direction W) of the second passage 62 while separating the air flows from each other. As a result, the blowing of the rear vent blowing portion 8B can be performed regardless of (without being affected by) the blowing state to the foot blowing portion 7. For example, even when the foot blowing portion 7 does not perform blowing, blowing from the rear vent blowing portion 8B becomes possible, and the air conditioning environment in the rear space can be improved. Also, the region inside the case 6 can be effectively utilized, and an increase in the size of the case 6 can be avoided.

[0119] In addition, for example, miniaturization of the case is achieved as compared with a configuration in which, for example, a duct or the like is routed from an upper front vent blowing portion to a lower rear vent blowing portion.

[0120] In addition, the rotation axis 27A of the rear vent door 27 capable of opening and closing the rear vent blowing opening 32 and the rotation axis 26A of the rear foot door 26 capable of opening and closing the rear foot blowing opening 33 are displaced and arranged not only in the width direction W but also in the length direction L and the height direction H. That is, the rear vent door 27 and the rear foot door 26 are provided individually, and both are arranged side by side in the width direction W of the case 6, and the rotation axis 27A of the rear vent door 27 and the rotation axis 26A of the rear foot door 26 are displaced (so as not to overlap). As a result, the driving range of each door can be minimized, and the required space can be reduced. This also contributes to the miniaturization of the case 6 of the vehicle air conditioner 1.

[0121] In addition, the opening and closing of the rear vent door 27 and the rear foot door 26 can be controlled individually, and the degree of freedom in air conditioning control can be increased.

[0122] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and design changes and the like within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. In addition, as long as there are no particular contradictions or problems in the purpose and configuration of the above-described embodiments, it is possible to combine them by diverting each other's technologies.

Explanation of Signs

[0123] 1 Vehicle air conditioner 1A Air introduction unit 1B Temperature control and blowing unit 1BL Left side area 1BR Right side area 6 Case 6A Partition wall 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E Case members 7 Lower side blowing part (foot blowing part) 7A Front lower side blowing part (front foot blowing part) 7B Rear lower side blowing part (rear foot blowing part) 8A Front vent blowing part 8B Rear vent blowing part 9 Defroster blowing part 10 Filter 13, 13A, 13B Air introduction part 25 Communication door (foot door) 26 Rear foot door 27 Rear vent door 31 Communication part 31H Horizontal communication part 31V Vertical communication part 32 Rear vent blowing opening 61 Upper layer side passage (first passage) 62 Lower layer side passage (second passage) 73 Foot inflow part

Claims

1. A partition wall that divides a first air passage and a second air passage in a case, An air outlet that blows air into the lower space in the vehicle interior, A vehicle air conditioner comprising: An inflow portion into which air flowing toward the air outlet flows on the downstream sides of the first passage and the second passage; A communication portion that communicates the first passage, the second passage, and the inflow portion; A communication door that can open and close the communication portion, and having, Depending on the open / closed state of the communication door, A first communication passage that communicates the first passage and the inflow portion, and a second communication passage that communicates the second passage and the inflow portion can be formed, A vehicle air conditioner characterized by the above.

2. The first communication passage and the second passage can be formed simultaneously, The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. The communication door is a plate-shaped door that can open and close the communication portion by rotating about a rotation axis, The rotation axis is disposed near the center of the communication portion, The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

4. The air outlet includes: A front air outlet that branches from the inflow portion and blows air into the front space in the vehicle interior, A rear air outlet that branches from the inflow portion and guides air into the rear space in the vehicle interior, The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

5. It has another communication portion that communicates the first passage and the second passage, The communication door can open and close the other communication portion, The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

6. The first passage is on the upper layer side in the case, The second passage is on the lower layer side in the case, It has another air outlet that blows air into the upper space in the vehicle interior above the first passage, Depending on the open / closed state of the communication door, a first operation mode, a second operation mode, and a third operation mode can be switched, The first operation mode is a mode in which the other communication portion is closed, the first passage communicates with the other air outlet, and the second passage communicates with the air outlet, The second operation mode is a mode in which the other communication portion is open and the first passage and the second passage communicate with the other air outlet, The third operation mode is a mode in which the other communication portion is open and the first passage and the second passage communicate with the air outlet, The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 5, characterized by the above.

Images