Vehicle air conditioner

Abstract

To provide a vehicle air conditioner which can enhance quietness in a cabin.SOLUTION: A vehicle air conditioner (30; 30A; 30B) is provided in a vehicle (10) in which a cabin (CR) and a front chamber (FR) are sectioned by a dash panel (12) and a cowl box (20) is arranged in an upper portion of the dash panel (12). In the cowl box (20), an inside air communication opening (21a) through which inside air can pass is formed. The vehicle air conditioner (30; 30A; 30B) has a blower unit (40; 40A; 40B) for introducing and blowing air. The blower unit (40; 40A; 40B) includes an intake duct (50; 50A; 50B) for taking in air. The intake duct (50; 50A; 50B) is arranged in the front chamber (FR) and an inside air side introduction port (51a) for taking in inside air is connected to the inside air communication opening (21a).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioner for adjusting the temperature inside a vehicle cabin.

Background Art

[0002] As a prior art related to a vehicle air conditioner for adjusting the temperature inside a vehicle cabin, there is a technique disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0003] The vehicle air conditioner disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a blower unit for introducing and blowing air, a temperature control unit for conditioning the temperature of the air blown from the blower unit, and a distribution unit for distributing the air whose temperature has been conditioned by the temperature control unit into the vehicle cabin. The vehicle on which the vehicle air conditioner is mounted is partitioned by a dash panel into a vehicle cabin where passengers ride and a front cabin located in front of this vehicle cabin. The blower unit and the temperature control unit are provided in the front cabin, and the distribution unit is provided in the vehicle cabin.

[0004] By providing the blower unit and the temperature control unit in the front cabin, it is possible to secure a wider space in the vehicle cabin by the size of the blower unit and the temperature control unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Incidentally, it is known that noise called road noise is generated while the vehicle is running. Road noise is generated in the tire part and transmitted to the front compartment. The road noise transmitted to the front compartment is prevented from entering the passenger compartment by the dash panel. Here, in the vehicle equipped with the vehicle air conditioner disclosed in Patent Document 1, an opening is provided in the dash panel below the blower unit. And this opening of the dash panel is utilized as a passage for supplying the air in the passenger compartment to the blower unit and a passage for supplying the air temperature-controlled by the temperature control unit to the passenger compartment.

[0007] Thus, when a relatively large opening is provided in the lower part of the dash panel, there is a possibility that the road noise transmitted to the front compartment reaches the passenger compartment. In order to improve the comfort of the passengers, it is desirable to reduce the road noise transmitted to the passenger compartment.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle air conditioner capable of enhancing the quietness in the passenger compartment.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] In the following description, for the sake of easy understanding of the present invention, reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are appended in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated forms thereby.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, there is provided a vehicle air conditioner (30; 30A; 30B) provided in a vehicle (10) in which a passenger compartment (CR) in which a passenger rides is partitioned from a front compartment (FR) located in front of the passenger compartment (CR) by a dash panel (12), and a cowl box (20) is connected to the upper part of the dash panel (12), an inside air communication opening (21a) through which inside air, which is the air in the passenger compartment (CR), can pass is formed in the cowl box (20), the vehicle air conditioner (30; 30A; 30B) has a blower unit (40; 40A; 40B) for introducing and blowing air, The blower unit (40; 40A; 40B) includes an intake duct (50; 50A; 50B) for taking in air. The intake duct (50; 50A; 50B) is disposed in the front chamber (FR), and an inside-air side inlet (51a) for taking in inside air is connected to the inside-air communication opening (21a). A vehicle air conditioner is provided.

Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, a vehicle air conditioner capable of enhancing the quietness in the vehicle interior can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description, front and rear are based on the traveling direction of the vehicle, and left and right are based on the left and right of a passenger sitting in the vehicle. In the drawings, Fr indicates front, Rr indicates rear, Le indicates left, Ri indicates right, Up indicates up, and Dn indicates down.

[0014] <Example 1> Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 shows a vehicle 10 in a state where a vehicle air conditioner 30 (hereinafter referred to as "air conditioner 30") is mounted.

[0015] Refer to FIG. 2. The floor surface of the vehicle 10 is constituted by a floor panel 11, and a dash panel 12 extends vertically from the front end of the floor panel 11. The dash panel 12 is provided across the left - right direction, and a dash panel opening 12a is formed at a position where the air - conditioning device 30 is provided.

[0016] The air - conditioning device 30 is a device that supplies conditioned air not only above the front window 16 and in the passenger compartment CR but also below the passenger compartment CR, and is provided near the vertical center of the dash panel 12. For this reason, the dash panel opening 12a is provided near the vertical center of the dash panel 12.

[0017] The dash panel 12 divides the passenger compartment CR where the passengers ride and the front compartment FR located in front of this passenger compartment CR. Front wheels 13 are provided along the left and right outer surfaces of the front compartment FR respectively. The outer peripheral surface of the front wheel 13 is constituted by a tire.

[0018] Above the dash panel 12, a cowl box 20 extends across the left - right direction. The cowl box 20 is connected to the upper part of the dash panel 12. Also, the cowl box 20 is provided so as to close the gap between the bonnet 15 and the front window 16.

[0019] The air - conditioning device 30 for adjusting the temperature in the passenger compartment CR is provided below the cowl box 20 so as to sandwich the dash panel 12.

[0020] An instrument panel 17 extends from above the cowl box 20 toward the rear. The instrument panel 17 is an interior member that covers the cowl box 20, the air - conditioning device 30, etc. An air - blowing hole 17a for blowing air to the front window 16 is formed in the instrument panel 17.

[0021] The cowl box 20 can be made of resin or metal. The cowl box 20 has a box body 21 formed in a box shape and a cowl top panel 22 extending forward from the box body 21 with a part facing outside the vehicle. The box body 21 and the cowl top panel 22 may be integrally formed or may be constituted by separate members.

[0022] The front surface of the box body 21 faces the front chamber FR, and the rear surface faces the passenger compartment CR. An inside air communication opening 21a through which inside air, which is the air in the passenger compartment CR, can pass is formed in the front part of the box body 21. An inside air introduction opening 21b, which is an opening facing the passenger compartment CR and through which inside air can be introduced, is formed in the rear part of the box body 21. It is preferable that at least a part of the inside air introduction opening 21b is formed at a position overlapping behind the inside air communication opening 21a. Harnesses and structures (not shown) may be provided inside the box body 21, and by forming the inside air communication opening 21a and the inside air introduction opening 21b so as to overlap when viewed along the vehicle traveling direction, the ventilation resistance when the inside air flows from the passenger compartment CR to the front chamber FR can be reduced.

[0023] The inside air communication opening 21a and the inside air introduction opening 21b are provided above the dash panel opening 12a.

[0024] An outside air introduction opening 22a through which outside air, which is the air outside the vehicle, can be introduced is formed in the cowl top panel 22.

[0025] The air conditioner 30 has a blower unit 40 for introducing and blowing air and a temperature control unit 60 for conditioning the temperature of the air blown from the blower unit 40.

[0026] The blower unit 40 includes a blower housing 41 through which blower air flows, a fan 42 rotatably housed in the blower housing 41, and an intake duct 50 connected from the cowl box 20 to the blower housing 41 through which blower air flows. When the fan 42 rotates, air is sent from the intake duct 50 into the interior of the blower housing 41. A sirocco fan is used for the fan 42.

[0027] Refer to FIG. 1. The intake duct 50 has a blower air introduction portion 51 into which air is introduced, a blower air delivery portion 52 connected to the blower housing 41 and sending blower air into the interior of the blower housing 41, and a duct main body portion 53 connecting the blower air introduction portion 51 to the blower air delivery portion 52.

[0028] Refer to FIG. 2. The intake duct 50 includes an inside / outside air adjustment door 54 that is swingably provided inside the blower air introduction portion 51 and adjusts the introduction ratio of inside air and outside air.

[0029] In the blower air introduction portion 51, an inside air side inlet 51a connected to the inside air communication opening 21a for introducing inside air and an outside air side inlet 51b connected to the outside air introduction opening 22a for introducing outside air are formed. At least a part of the inside air side inlet 51a is formed at a position overlapping behind the outside air side inlet 51b.

[0030] Refer to FIG. 1. The blower air introduction portion 51 (the inside air side inlet 51a (refer to FIG. 2)) is located in front of the passenger seat 18 with respect to the blower housing 41 disposed at the vehicle width center. In other words, the blower air introduction portion 51 is offset to the side opposite to the driver's seat 19 with reference to the vehicle width center. It can also be said that the blower air introduction portion 51 is provided outside the vehicle width with respect to the axis of the wiper swingably supported by the cowl box 20.

[0031] Refer to FIG. 2. The inside / outside air adjustment door 54 swings when the actuator operates. The inside / outside air adjustment door 54 is provided between the inside air inlet 51a and the outside air inlet 51b. The inside / outside air adjustment door 54 can swing from the position where the inside air inlet 51a is fully open (the position where the outside air inlet 51b is fully closed (the position shown in the figure)) to the position where the outside air inlet 51b is fully open (the position where the inside air inlet 51a is fully closed), and can also be stopped in between. The position of the inside / outside air adjustment door 54 is adjusted by the control unit controlling the actuator based on the temperature and humidity inside the passenger compartment CR.

[0032] Note that the inside / outside air adjustment door 54 may be connected by a lever and a cable (not shown) provided in the passenger compartment CR and configured to be manually positioned by a passenger boarding the passenger compartment CR.

[0033] The temperature control unit 60 has a temperature control housing 61 through which the blown air sent from the blower unit 40 flows. Since the blower housing 41 and the temperature control housing 61 are provided so as to sandwich the dash panel opening 12a, the blown air sent from the blower unit 40 provided in the front compartment FR can be guided to the temperature control unit 60 provided in the passenger compartment CR.

[0034] Inside the temperature control housing 61, there are provided a cooling heat exchanger 62 for cooling the passing blown air, a heating heat exchanger 63 through which the blown air that has passed through the cooling heat exchanger 62 can pass, and a temperature control mechanism 64 for adjusting the temperature of the blown air by adjusting the ratio of the blown air passing through the heating heat exchanger 63.

[0035] Refer to FIG. 3. Connected to the temperature control housing 61 are a defroster duct 71 for guiding the blown air sent to the front window 16 (refer to FIG. 2), a vent duct 72 for guiding the blown air sent to the upper body of the front seat passenger, a foot duct 73 for guiding the blown air sent to the feet of the front seat passenger, and a rear duct 74 for guiding the blown air sent to the rear seat passenger.

[0036] The deflector duct 71 has a deflector duct body 71a that guides the blown air upward from the upper surface of the temperature control housing 61, and side deflector ducts 71b, 71b that extend from the deflector duct body 71a to the left and right respectively and guide the blown air to the left and right ends. The deflector duct body 71a is sometimes also called a deflector nozzle.

[0037] The deflector duct body 71a is formed so as to widen in the left - right direction as it goes from bottom to top. By forming the deflector duct body 71a in a fan - like shape in this way, the conditioned air temperature - conditioned by the temperature control unit 60 can be efficiently supplied according to the shape of the front window 16.

[0038] The vent duct 72 is integrally formed with center vent ducts 72a, 72a that guide the blown air to the center of the vehicle width, and side vent ducts 72b, 72b that extend from between these center vent ducts 72a, 72a to the left and right respectively and guide the blown air to the left and right ends.

[0039] Note that the center vent duct 72a and the side vent duct 72b do not necessarily have to be integrally formed and may be configured separately.

[0040] The rear duct 74 has a rear duct connection part 74a that is connected to the lower surface or the rear surface of the temperature control housing 61 and guides the blown air rearward, and a rear duct body 74b that extends from the rear duct connection part 74a to the vicinity of the rear seat. The rear duct connection part 74a and the rear duct body 74b do not necessarily have to be configured separately and may be integrally formed.

[0041] Refer also to FIG. 2. A part of the side deflector duct 71b is located behind the inside air introduction opening 21b. Also, a part of the side vent duct 72b is located behind the inside air introduction opening 21b. Here, behind the inside air introduction opening 21b means a position that overlaps the inside air introduction opening 21b when viewed in the front - rear direction.

[0042] Note that it is not always necessary for both the side deflector duct 71b and the side vent duct 72b to be located behind the interior air introduction opening 21b. A part of only one of the side deflector duct 71b or the side vent duct 72b may be located behind the interior air introduction opening 21b.

[0043] <Example 2> Next, the air conditioner 30A according to Example 2 will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0044] FIG. 4 shows the air conditioner 30A according to Example 2. FIG. 4A shows the air conditioner 30A as viewed from the front. The air conditioner 30A shown in FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4B-4B of FIG. 4A and shows the air conditioner 30A as viewed from the side.

[0045] In the air conditioner 30A according to Example 2, the position of the air supply air introduction part 51A is different from that of the air conditioner 30 (see FIG. 1) according to Example 1. Also, an axial flow fan is used for the fan 42A. Regarding other basic configurations, they are common to the air conditioner according to Example 1. For parts common to Example 1, the reference numerals are reused and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0046] The fan 42A of the air supply unit 40A is an axial flow fan and is provided in front of the temperature control unit 60.

[0047] Also, the air supply air introduction part 51A of the intake duct 50A is provided at the center in the vehicle width direction.

[0048] <Example 3> Next, the air conditioner 30B according to Example 3 will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0049] FIG. 5 shows the air conditioner 30B as viewed from the passenger compartment CR side. The temperature control housing 61 (see FIG. 2) is omitted. For parts common to Example 1 or Example 2, the reference numerals are reused and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0050] The intake duct 50B that constitutes the blower unit 40B has two blower air introduction parts 51B, 51B. The blower air introduced from the two blower air introduction parts 51B, 51B flows separately in upper and lower two layers. The present invention can also be applied to the air conditioner 30B in which such blower air flows in two layers.

[0051] <Modified Examples of Examples 1 to 3> Refer to FIG. 2. The deflector duct 71 may be arranged offset with respect to the inside air introduction opening 21b.

[0052] The air conditioners 30, 30A, 30B described above are summarized below.

[0053] Refer to FIG. 2. First, the air conditioner 30 is provided in a vehicle 10 in which a dash panel 12 partitions a passenger compartment CR in which a passenger rides and a front compartment FR located in front of the passenger compartment CR, and a cowl box 20 is arranged above the dash panel 12. An inside air communication opening 21a through which inside air, which is the air in the passenger compartment CR, can pass is formed in the cowl box 20. The air conditioner 30 has a blower unit 40 for introducing and blowing air, and the blower unit 40 includes an intake duct 50 for taking in air. The intake duct 50 is arranged in the front compartment FR, and an inside air side inlet 51a for taking in inside air is connected to the inside air communication opening 21a. The same applies to the air conditioners 30A and 30B.

[0054] The inside air in the passenger compartment CR can be inhaled via the cowl box 20 provided above the dash panel 12. Since the cowl box 20 is provided above the dash panel opening 12a and is away from the ground, it is possible to suppress road noise from reaching the passenger compartment CR and improve the quietness in the passenger compartment CR. Further, regarding the dash panel opening 12a, since it no longer serves to supply the air in the passenger compartment CR to the blower unit 40, it can be formed small, and road noise reaching the passenger compartment CR can be suppressed.

[0055] Refer to FIG. 1. Second, in the first air conditioner 30, the inside-air inlet 51a (air supply inlet 51) is located in front of the passenger seat 18. By positioning the inside-air inlet 51a away from the driver's seat 19, the position where road noise enters can be moved farther away from the driver, and the volume reaching the driver can be suppressed. Further, it is preferable that the inside-air introduction opening 21b formed in the cowl box 20 is located in front of the passenger seat 18. The position where road noise enters can be moved farther away from the driver, and the volume reaching the driver can be more reliably suppressed.

[0056] Refer to FIG. 2. Third, the first or second air conditioner 30 further includes a temperature control unit 60 that harmonizes the temperature of the air blown from the blower unit 40. The temperature control unit 60 is disposed in the vehicle cabin CR and has a defroster duct 71 that guides the temperature-harmonized air to the front windshield 16. The cowl box 20 is formed with an inside-air introduction opening 21b that is an opening facing the vehicle cabin CR and through which inside air, which is the air inside the vehicle cabin CR, can be introduced. The defroster duct 71 is at least partially located behind the inside-air introduction opening 21b. In particular, it is preferable that the defroster duct main body 71a is configured to be located behind the inside-air introduction opening 21b. The same applies to the air conditioner 30A.

[0057] With respect to the road noise that enters the vehicle cabin CR from the inside-air introduction opening 21b and can reach the passengers, the defroster duct 71 interferes therewith, and the volume reaching the passengers can be suppressed. In particular, when the defroster duct main body 71a formed in a fan shape as the defroster duct 71 is located behind the inside-air introduction opening 21b, the volume reaching the passengers can be more efficiently suppressed.

[0058] Fourthly, the first or second air conditioner 30 further includes a temperature control unit 60 that adjusts the temperature of the air blown from the blower unit 40. The temperature control unit 60 is disposed in the passenger compartment CR and has a defroster duct 71 that guides the temperature-adjusted air to the front window 16. The cowl box 20 is formed with an inside air introduction opening 21b that is an opening facing the passenger compartment CR and through which inside air, which is the air inside the passenger compartment CR, can be introduced. The defroster duct 71 is disposed offset with respect to the inside air introduction opening 21b. The same applies to the air conditioner 30A.

[0059] By providing the defroster duct 71 offset with respect to the inside air introduction opening 21b, the flow of the inside air introduced from the inside air introduction opening 21b can be smoothed.

[0060] Fifthly, the first to fourth air conditioners 30 further include a temperature control unit 60 that adjusts the temperature of the air blown from the blower unit 40. The temperature control unit 60 is disposed in the passenger compartment CR and has a side vent duct 72b that extends in the width direction of the passenger compartment CR and guides the temperature-adjusted air from the front part of the right or left end of the passenger compartment CR toward the upper body of the occupant. The cowl box 20 is formed with an inside air introduction opening 21b that is an opening facing the passenger compartment CR and through which inside air, which is the air inside the passenger compartment CR, can be introduced. At least a part of the side vent duct 72b is located behind the inside air introduction opening 21b. The same applies to the air conditioner 30A.

[0061] The side vent duct 72b interferes with the road noise that enters the passenger compartment CR from the inside air introduction opening 21b and can reach the occupant, and the volume reaching the occupant can be suppressed.

[0062] Note that, in the present invention, although the air conditioner that blows the air for ventilation at the same temperature to each seat has been described as an example, the present invention can also be applied to an air conditioner that can change the temperature of the air for ventilation between the front seat and the rear seat, or an air conditioner that can blow the air for ventilation at different temperatures to each seat.

[0063] In addition, although examples using a sirocco fan or an axial flow fan have been described for the fans 42 and 42A, it is also possible to use a crossflow fan (oblique flow fan) or two sirocco fans attached to the rotating shafts of a bi-axial motor, and the types of fans are not limited to these.

[0064] Moreover, the invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is also possible to combine the respective embodiments. For example, it is possible to use a sirocco fan or a crossflow fan in the air conditioner of FIG. 4, or to provide an axial flow fan in the air conditioner of FIG. 2. Further, in the air conditioners of FIGS. 2 and 4, the deflector duct 71 may be arranged offset with respect to the inside air introduction opening 21b. Also, in the air conditioner of FIG. 5, the side deflector duct 71b and the side vent duct 72b may be arranged so as to overlap behind the inside air introduction opening 21b. Further, the temperature control housing 61 may be divided, and the upstream side of the temperature control housing 61, the cooling heat exchanger 62, the temperature control mechanism 64, and the heating heat exchanger 63 may be arranged on the front chamber FR side, and the downstream side of the temperature control housing 61 may be arranged on the passenger compartment CR side.

[0065] As long as the effects and advantages of the present invention are achieved, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

Industrial Applicability

[0066] The air conditioner of the present invention is suitable for mounting on a passenger car.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0067] 10…Vehicle 12…Dash panel 20…Cowl box 21a…Inside air communication opening 30, 30A, 30B…Vehicle air conditioner 40, 40A, 40B…Blower unit 50, 50A, 50B…Intake duct 51a…Inside air side inlet 60…Temperature control unit 71…Deflector duct 72b…Side vent duct CR…Passenger compartment FR...antechamber

Claims

1. A vehicle air conditioner (30; 30A; 30B) provided in a vehicle (10) in which a passenger compartment (CR) where a passenger rides is partitioned by a dash panel (12) and a front compartment (FR) located in front of the passenger compartment (CR), and a cowl box (20) is connected to the upper part of the dash panel (12), wherein an inside air communication opening (21a) through which inside air, which is the air in the passenger compartment (CR), can pass is formed in the cowl box (20), the vehicle air conditioner (30; 30A; 30B) has a blower unit (40; 40A; 40B) for introducing and blowing air, the blower unit (40; 40A; 40B) includes an intake duct (50; 50A; 50B) for taking in air, the intake duct (50; 50A; 50B) is disposed in the front compartment (FR), and an inside air side inlet (51a) for taking in inside air is connected to the inside air communication opening (21a), and the vehicle air conditioner is characterized by this.

2. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the inside air side inlet (51a) is located in front of the passenger seat (18).

3. further comprising a temperature control unit (60) for conditioning the temperature of the air blown from the blower unit (40; 40A), the temperature control unit (60) is disposed in the passenger compartment (CR) and has a defrost duct (71) for guiding the temperature-conditioned air to the front window (16), an inside air introduction opening (21b) which is an opening facing the passenger compartment (CR) and through which inside air, which is the air in the passenger compartment (CR), can be introduced is formed in the cowl box (20), the vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the defrost duct (71) is located behind the inside air introduction opening (21b).

4. further comprising a temperature control unit (60) for conditioning the temperature of the air blown from the blower unit (40; 40A), the temperature control unit (60) is disposed in the passenger compartment (CR) and has a defrost duct (71) for guiding the temperature-conditioned air to the front window (16), an inside air introduction opening (21b) which is an opening facing the passenger compartment (CR) and through which inside air, which is the air in the passenger compartment (CR), can be introduced is formed in the cowl box (20), the vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the defrost duct (71) is offset and disposed with respect to the inside air introduction opening (21b).

5. further comprising a temperature control unit (60) for conditioning the temperature of the air blown from the blower unit (40; 40A), wherein the temperature control unit (60) is disposed in the passenger compartment (CR), and has a side vent duct (72b) extending in the width direction of the passenger compartment (CR) and guiding conditioned air towards the upper body of the occupant from the front part of the right or left end of the passenger compartment (CR), an inside air introduction opening (21b) which is an opening facing the passenger compartment (CR) and through which inside air, which is the air inside the passenger compartment (CR), can be introduced, is formed in the cowl box (20), The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the side vent duct (72b) is located behind the inside air introduction opening (21b).

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