Vehicle air conditioning unit

Abstract

The refrigerant circuit for hydrocarbon refrigerants is isolated from other components of the vehicle body. [Solution] The vehicle air conditioning system comprises a refrigerant circuit R, a first coolant circuit C1, and a second coolant circuit C2. The refrigerant circuit R has a compressor 20, a condenser for heat dissipation, an expansion valve 24a, and an evaporator for heat absorption, through which a hydrocarbon refrigerant circulates. The first heat exchanger 30 is integrated with the condenser of the refrigerant circuit R and transfers heat from the refrigerant in the condenser to the first coolant. The first coolant circuit C1 has a radiator through which the first coolant circulates. The second heat exchanger 40 is integrated with the evaporator of the refrigerant circuit R and cools the second coolant with the refrigerant in the evaporator. The second coolant circuit C2 circulates the second coolant and supplies it to the cooler core. The cooler core is located in the air passage of the air conditioning unit. The vehicle air conditioning system comprises a case 100 in which the refrigerant circuit R and the first and second heat exchangers 30 and 40 are housed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification relates to an in-vehicle air conditioner, and particularly discloses an in-vehicle air conditioner using a hydrocarbon refrigerant.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, use of hydrocarbon refrigerants (HC refrigerants) such as propane with a low global warming potential as a refrigerant for air conditioners has been considered. Since HC refrigerants are flammable, configurations for preventing refrigerant leakage and ensuring safety in case of refrigerant leakage have been studied.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses using propane as a refrigerant for a vehicle air conditioner. The air conditioner in this document installs a refrigeration circuit in an engine room, partitions the space between the engine room and the passenger compartment with a partition wall, and uses a heat pipe penetrating the partition wall to transfer the cooling capacity of the refrigeration circuit to the passenger compartment, so that even if refrigerant leaks from the refrigeration circuit, the refrigerant does not flow into the passenger compartment.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In an in-vehicle air conditioner, it is desired to isolate the refrigerant circuit of a hydrocarbon refrigerant from other elements of the vehicle body to enhance the safety of the vehicle.

[0006] This specification discloses an in-vehicle air conditioner that isolates the refrigerant circuit of a hydrocarbon refrigerant from other elements of the vehicle body.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The in-vehicle air conditioning system disclosed herein is characterized by comprising: a refrigerant circuit through which a hydrocarbon refrigerant circulates, having a compressor, a condenser for heat dissipation, an expansion valve, and an evaporator for heat absorption; a first heat exchanger integrated with the condenser of the refrigerant circuit, which transfers heat from the refrigerant in the condenser to a first coolant; a first coolant circuit through which the first coolant circulates, having a radiator; a second heat exchanger integrated with the evaporator of the refrigerant circuit, which cools a second coolant with the refrigerant in the evaporator; a second coolant circuit through which the second coolant circulates, having a cooler core; an air conditioning unit having an air passage in which the cooler core is located, which cools the air passing through the air passage and blows it into the passenger compartment; and a case in which the refrigerant circuit and the first and second heat exchangers are housed.

[0008] In this configuration, the refrigerant circuit dissipates heat to the first coolant of the first coolant circuit and absorbs heat to the second coolant of the second coolant circuit. This allows the refrigerant circuit to be concentrated in a relatively small area within the vehicle, and the refrigerant circuit and the first and second heat exchangers to be housed within a case. By housing the refrigerant circuit and the first and second heat exchangers within the case, they can be isolated from other elements of the vehicle body. In the event of a refrigerant leak from the refrigerant circuit, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant from flowing to other elements of the vehicle body. Furthermore, the case can protect the refrigerant circuit in the event of a vehicle collision.

[0009] In the in-vehicle air conditioning system of this disclosure, the case may have heat-shielding properties.

[0010] With this configuration, the case blocks radiant heat from the outside of the case, thereby suppressing the heating of the refrigerant circuit caused by that heat.

[0011] In the in-vehicle air conditioning system of the present disclosure, the vehicle may be equipped with a drive unit having a power source, the case may be arranged adjacent to the drive unit, and at least the side of the case facing the drive unit may have heat-shielding properties.

[0012] With this configuration, the case blocks radiant heat from the drive unit, thereby suppressing the heating of the refrigerant circuit caused by that heat.

[0013] In the in-vehicle air conditioning system of the present disclosure, the case may have a hole in its bottom wall, and a hose extending downwards to the vehicle may be connected to the hole in the case.

[0014] With this configuration, if refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant circuit, that refrigerant can be guided to the underside of the vehicle via a hose.

[0015] In the in-vehicle air conditioning system of the present disclosure, the bottom wall of the case may be provided with an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the hole of the case.

[0016] With this configuration, if refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant circuit, it can be smoothly directed towards the hole in the bottom wall of the case.

[0017] In the vehicle air conditioning system of this disclosure, the hydrocarbon refrigerant may be propane or a refrigerant mainly composed of propane.

[0018] The vehicles disclosed herein are equipped with the above-described on-board air conditioning system. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] The technology disclosed herein allows for the isolation of a hydrocarbon refrigerant circuit from other elements of the vehicle body. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0020] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning system. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing the layout of the air conditioning system inside the vehicle. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view illustrating the location of the refrigerant module case within the vehicle. [Figure 4] This is a disassembled perspective view of the refrigerant module case. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view showing a refrigerant module housed in a case body. [Figure 6] (A) is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of the case of the refrigerant module, and (B) is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of another case of the refrigerant module. [Figure 7] It is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of another air conditioner.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0021] <Preface> Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals are assigned to equivalent elements in all the drawings, and duplicate descriptions are omitted. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the terms indicating directions and orientations such as front, rear, left, right, up, and down represent the directions and orientations related to the vehicle. In each figure, the direction of arrow FR represents the front, the direction of arrow UP represents the up, and the direction of arrow LH represents the left.

[0022] The air conditioner is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile. In each of the embodiments described below, the type of vehicle on which the air conditioner is mounted is not limited. For example, the vehicle may be an engine vehicle powered by an engine, an electric vehicle powered by a motor, a hybrid electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle equipped with both an engine and a motor, a fuel cell vehicle equipped with a fuel cell, or a battery electric vehicle powered by electric power stored in a battery.

[0023] The air conditioning system includes a refrigerant circuit through which a hydrocarbon refrigerant (referred to as an HC refrigerant) circulates. HC refrigerants are flammable. Examples of HC refrigerants include propane, butane, isobutane, ethane, ethylene, and propylene. In the refrigerant circuit, one of these HC refrigerants, or a mixture of two or more of these HC refrigerants, may be used. Alternatively, a mixed refrigerant may be used in the refrigerant circuit, which mainly consists of one or more HC refrigerants, as well as refrigerants other than HC refrigerants and various additives. For example, in the refrigerant circuit, propane, or a refrigerant mainly consisting of propane, containing at least one of other refrigerants and additives (a refrigerant mainly composed of propane), may be used. An example of an HC refrigerant may be R290. In this specification, hydrocarbon refrigerant (HC refrigerant) means a pure hydrocarbon refrigerant or a refrigerant mainly composed of a hydrocarbon refrigerant.

[0024] The refrigerant circuit serves as the heat source for the air conditioning system. The refrigerant circuit comprises, in order along the direction of refrigerant flow, a compressor, a condenser for heat dissipation, an expansion valve, and an evaporator for heat absorption. A receiver may be provided between the condenser and the expansion valve. An accumulator may also be provided between the evaporator and the compressor.

[0025] An air conditioning system may include a high-temperature coolant circuit through which a coolant heated by a condenser in the refrigerant circuit circulates, and a low-temperature coolant circuit through which a coolant cooled by an evaporator in the refrigerant circuit circulates. The coolant is a heat transfer medium, and the high-temperature coolant circuit and the low-temperature coolant circuit are heat transfer medium circuits, respectively.

[0026] In the embodiments described below, as shown in Figure 1, the air conditioning system 12 includes a first coolant circuit C1 as a high-temperature coolant circuit and second and third coolant circuits C2 and C3 as low-temperature coolant circuits. The air conditioning system 12 can be configured without the third coolant circuit C3, which will be explained with reference to Figure 7.

[0027] The coolant in the first to third coolant circuits C1, C2, and C3 may be coolant water. That is, the coolant may be water without additives, water mixed with additives such as antifreeze or preservatives, or coolant fluid. Furthermore, the coolant may also be a liquid heat transfer medium such as oil, and is not limited to that.

[0028] In the embodiments described below, the refrigerant circuit is located under the vehicle's front hood. Hereafter, regardless of the presence or type of power source (engine, motor, etc.) under the front hood, the area under the front hood will be referred to as the "engine room".

[0029] <Embodiment> Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the air conditioning system 12 according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the air conditioning system 12 inside the vehicle. The vehicle 10 is equipped with a battery 54 that supplies power to a motor as a power source. The vehicle 10 may be, for example, a battery electric vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, etc.

[0030] The air conditioning unit 12 provides air conditioning to the vehicle compartment 90 and also cools the battery 54. The air conditioning unit 12 may also be configured to cool other in-vehicle equipment, such as a PCU (Power Control Unit), along with the battery 54, or in place of the battery 54.

[0031] As shown in Figure 1, the air conditioning system 12 comprises a refrigerant circuit R which serves as a heat source, first to third coolant circuits C1, C2, and C3, and an air conditioning unit 70. The first coolant circuit C1 circulates a first coolant heated by the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit R. The second coolant circuit C2 circulates a second coolant cooled by the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit R. Similarly, the third coolant circuit C3 circulates a third coolant cooled by the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit R. The air conditioning unit 70 supplies air cooled by the second coolant circulating in the second coolant circuit C2 into the vehicle cabin.

[0032] The refrigerant circuit R is a closed circuit that circulates an HC-based refrigerant (hereinafter also simply referred to as refrigerant) by sequentially connecting a compressor 20, a condenser 22, a receiver 28, expansion valves 24a and 24b, and evaporators 26a and 26b via refrigerant piping. The expansion valve 24a and evaporator 26a are connected in series, and similarly, the expansion valve 24b and evaporator 26b are connected in series. The refrigerant flow paths of the expansion valve 24a and evaporator 26a and the refrigerant flow paths of the expansion valve 24b and evaporator 26b are connected in parallel.

[0033] The air conditioning unit 12 includes a heat exchanger 30. The heat exchanger 30 is integrated with the condenser 22 of the refrigerant circuit R and exchanges heat between the refrigerant of the refrigerant circuit R and the first coolant of the first coolant circuit C1. The heat exchanger 30 is a water-cooled condenser and may be, for example, a plate heat exchanger. The heat exchanger 30 is the first heat exchanger.

[0034] The first coolant circuit C1 is a closed circuit that circulates the first coolant, consisting of a water pump 32, a heat exchanger 30, and a radiator 34 connected sequentially by coolant piping. The radiator 34 is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the first coolant and the vehicle's airflow Wtr. In the first coolant circuit C1, the first coolant, pressurized by the water pump 32, becomes hot due to heat dissipation from the refrigerant in the condenser 22 of the refrigerant circuit R as it passes through the heat exchanger 30. The hot first coolant is then sent to the radiator 34, where it is cooled by the vehicle's airflow Wtr.

[0035] Furthermore, the air conditioning unit 12 includes a heat exchanger 40. The heat exchanger 40 is integrated with the evaporator 26a of the refrigerant circuit R and exchanges heat between the refrigerant of the refrigerant circuit R and the second coolant of the second coolant circuit C2. The heat exchanger 40 may be, for example, a plate heat exchanger. The heat exchanger 40 is the second heat exchanger.

[0036] The second coolant circuit C2 is a closed circuit that circulates the second coolant, with the water pump 42, heat exchanger 40, and cooler core 72 sequentially connected by coolant piping. The cooler core 72 is a heat exchanger located in the air passage 75 of the air conditioning unit 70, which exchanges heat between the second coolant and the conditioned air (Wac). In the second coolant circuit C2, the second coolant, pressurized by the water pump 42, becomes cold due to the heat absorption of the refrigerant in the evaporator 26a of the refrigerant circuit R as it passes through the heat exchanger 40. The cold second coolant is then sent to the cooler core 72, where it cools the conditioned air (Wac).

[0037] Furthermore, the air conditioning unit 12 includes a heat exchanger 50. The heat exchanger 50 is integrated with the evaporator 26b of the refrigerant circuit R and exchanges heat between the refrigerant of the refrigerant circuit R and the third coolant of the third coolant circuit C3. The heat exchanger 50 may be, for example, a plate heat exchanger. The heat exchanger 50 is the third heat exchanger.

[0038] The third coolant circuit C3 is a closed circuit that circulates the third coolant, with the water pump 52, heat exchanger 50, and battery 54 sequentially connected by coolant piping. In the third coolant circuit C3, the coolant pumped by the water pump 52 becomes cold due to the absorption of heat by the refrigerant in the evaporator 26b in the refrigerant circuit R as it passes through the heat exchanger 50. The cold third coolant is then sent to the battery 54 to cool it. In this specification, the third coolant circuit C3 and the third coolant are also referred to as the battery coolant circuit and the battery coolant, respectively.

[0039] In this specification, the expansion valve 24a, evaporator 26a, and heat exchanger 40 are also referred to as the air conditioning expansion valve, air conditioning evaporator, and air conditioning heat exchanger, respectively. Furthermore, the expansion valve 24b, evaporator 26b, and heat exchanger 50 are also referred to as the battery expansion valve, battery evaporator, and battery heat exchanger, respectively.

[0040] In the refrigerant circuit R, the refrigerant circulates as follows: The compressor 20 discharges high-pressure gaseous refrigerant, which dissipates heat and liquefies and condenses in the condenser 22 by exchanging heat with the first coolant of the first coolant circuit C1, which passes through the heat exchanger 30, becoming high-pressure liquid refrigerant. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing out of the condenser 22 is depressurized and expanded by the expansion valve 24a via the receiver 28, becoming low-pressure refrigerant, and flows into the evaporator 26a. The low-pressure refrigerant flowing into the evaporator 26a evaporates by exchanging heat with the second coolant of the second coolant circuit C2, which passes through the heat exchanger 40, becoming gaseous refrigerant, flowing out of the evaporator 26a, and returning to the compressor 20.

[0041] Furthermore, the high-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing out of the condenser 22 is depressurized and expanded by the expansion valve 24b via the receiver 28, becoming low-pressure refrigerant, and flows into the evaporator 26b. The low-pressure refrigerant flowing into the evaporator 26b evaporates by exchanging heat with the third coolant in the third coolant circuit C3 that passes through the heat exchanger 50, becoming gaseous refrigerant, flowing out of the evaporator 26b, and returning to the compressor 20.

[0042] The air conditioning unit 70 comprises a blower 80 and an air passage 75 formed by a case (not shown). Inside the air passage 75, the blower 80, a cooler core 72, and a heater core 74 are arranged in order from the direction of airflow. The heater core 74 is a heat exchanger to which, for example, engine coolant or coolant heated by a PTC heater for water heating is supplied. The heater core 74 may also be configured to be supplied with coolant heated by the heat exchanger 30.

[0043] The blower 80 introduces air into the air passage 75 from an air intake (not shown) and blows this air through the cooler core 72 and heater core 74, thereby supplying temperature-controlled air to the passenger compartment. An air mix door 82 is provided inside the air passage 75, which adjusts the ratio of air that has passed through the cooler core 72 to that which flows to the heater core 74. The air conditioning unit 70 may employ conventional HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) technology.

[0044] As shown in Figure 2, the engine compartment 92 and the passenger compartment 90 are separated by a dashboard 94. An instrument panel (not shown) is provided on the passenger compartment 90 side of the dashboard 94. The air conditioning unit 70 is located between the instrument panel and the dashboard 94.

[0045] The battery 54 is located under the floor of the passenger compartment 90, that is, under the floor panel 96. However, the battery 54 may also be located under the seats or at the rear of the vehicle, and its location is not limited.

[0046] The air conditioning unit 12 includes a controller. The controller may consist of a processor and a memory device, and may be, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit). The controller controls the equipment included in the air conditioning unit 12 based on detection information from multiple sensors (temperature sensors that detect outside temperature, inside temperature, and battery temperature, solar radiation sensors, pressure sensors, etc.), and setting information from an operation panel operated by the user. The controller may employ conventional air conditioning control technology.

[0047] The refrigerant circuit R is integrated to form a refrigerant module RM, as shown in the upper right of Figure 4. Specifically, the refrigerant module RM is a unit that integrates the equipment (components) of the air conditioning unit 12 located inside the dashed line in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 4, the refrigerant module RM consists of a compressor 20, the first to third heat exchangers 30, 40, and 50, a receiver 28, and two expansion valves 24a and 24b, which are fixed to the upper surface of a plate 150 by screws or the like. The equipment is connected to each other by refrigerant piping 152.

[0048] The air conditioning unit 12 comprises a case 100, as shown in Figure 4. The case 100 includes a case body 102 and a top panel 103. The refrigerant module RM is housed inside the case body 102, as shown in Figure 5. The refrigerant module RM is fixed to the inner surface of the case body 102 via a bracket (not shown). The top panel 103 is attached to the case body 102 so as to cover the case body 102 in which the refrigerant module RM is housed.

[0049] The case body 102 has an outer surface that provides heat shielding. Heat shielding may be achieved by forming the case body 102 itself with a heat shielding material, or by applying aluminum vapor deposition, aluminum foil, etc., to the outer surface of the case body 102. As shown in Figure 4, the case body 102 includes a front wall 112, a rear wall 114, a left side wall 116, a right side wall 117, and a bottom wall 118. The outer surfaces of these walls provide heat shielding. The case body 102 also has a flange 130 that protrudes outward at its upper end. The flange 130 has a frame shape when viewed from above.

[0050] As shown in Figure 5, the left wall 116 has two through holes 136a and 136b through which the piping of the first coolant circuit C1 passes. The right wall 117 has two through holes 136c and 136d through which the piping of the second coolant circuit C2 passes, and two through holes 136e and 136f through which the piping of the third coolant circuit C3 passes. Note that each of the six through holes 136a to 136f may have a sealing material at its edge to prevent gaps from forming between it and the outer surface of the piping.

[0051] Furthermore, one or more walls of the case body 102 may have holes (not shown) for passing electrical wires such as power lines and control lines connected to equipment such as the compressor 20. In addition, a sealing material may be provided at the edge of the holes for the electrical wires to prevent gaps from forming between the outer surface of the wires and the sealing material.

[0052] The bottom wall 118 of the case body 102 is provided with a hole 140, as shown in Figure 4. A hose 142 extending downwards to the vehicle is connected to this hole 140. Figure 6(A) shows a cross-section of the refrigerant module case 100. The hose 142 extends from the hole 140 in the bottom wall 118 to the bottom of the vehicle body. The end of the hose 142 (not shown) may be fixed to a vehicle body structure located at the bottom (or bottom) of the engine compartment.

[0053] The top panel 103 also has an outer surface that provides heat insulation. Heat insulation may be achieved by forming the top panel 103 itself with a heat-insulating material, or by applying aluminum vapor deposition, aluminum foil, etc., to the outer surface of the top panel 103. The top panel 103 is placed on the flange 130 of the case body 102. The outer periphery of the top panel 103 is fastened to the flange 130 of the case body 102 by multiple screws. For example, screw holes are provided at regular intervals on the outer periphery of the top panel 103 and the flange 130 of the case body 102. Nuts are placed on the lower surface of the flange 130 of the case body 102 corresponding to the screw holes. Multiple male screws are passed from the upper side of the top panel 103 through the aligned screw holes of the top panel 103 and the screw holes of the case body 102, and screwed into the nuts on the lower surface of the flange 130.

[0054] The flange 130 of the case body 102 may have a sealing material on its upper surface to prevent a gap from forming between it and the outer periphery of the top panel 103. Alternatively, the outer periphery of the top panel 103 may have a sealing material on its lower surface to prevent a gap from forming between it and the flange 130 of the case body 102.

[0055] The refrigerant module case 100 is located in the engine compartment 92, as shown in Figure 2. The first coolant circuit C1 is located in front of the case 100. The case 100 may be located behind the collision deformation region at the front of the vehicle. This reduces the collision load input to the refrigerant module RM (refrigerant circuit R) when the vehicle 10 is involved in a head-on collision.

[0056] Figure 3 shows a more specific location of the refrigerant module case 100. The vehicle 10 includes a drive unit 14. The drive unit 14 consists of a power source for the vehicle 10 and a structure integrated therewith. The power source may include an engine, a motor, or both. The drive unit 14 may be, for example, an engine unit, a motor unit, a powertrain unit including an engine and a transaxle, or an eAxle. The drive unit 14 is located in the engine compartment 92.

[0057] As shown in Figure 3, the refrigerant module case 100 is positioned adjacent to the drive unit 14. Specifically, the case 100 is positioned behind the front end 14F of the drive unit 14 and above the drive unit 14. The area behind the front end 14F of the drive unit 14 is a protected space during a head-on collision of the vehicle 10. By positioning the case 100 in this space, the collision load input to the refrigerant module RM (refrigerant circuit R) during a head-on collision of the vehicle 10 can be reduced. Alternatively, the refrigerant module case 100 may be positioned behind the front end 14F of the drive unit 14 and below the drive unit 14.

[0058] The drive unit 14 is also shown in Figures 4 and 6(A). As shown in these figures, the hose 142 of the case 100 is located on the rear side of the drive unit 14.

[0059] According to the embodiment described above, the refrigerant circuit R dissipates heat to the coolant of the first coolant circuit C1 and absorbs heat to the coolant of the second and third coolant circuits C2 and C3. Therefore, the refrigerant circuit R can be concentrated in a relatively small area within the vehicle, and the refrigerant circuit R and the first to third heat exchangers 30, 40, and 50 can be housed in the case 100. By housing the refrigerant circuit R and the first to third heat exchangers 30, 40, and 50 in the case 100, they can be isolated from other elements of the vehicle body. Even if HC-based refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant circuit R, it is possible to suppress the outflow of that HC-based refrigerant to other elements of the vehicle body. Furthermore, in the event of a vehicle collision, the case 100 can protect the refrigerant circuit R.

[0060] Furthermore, according to the embodiment described above, since the case 100 has heat-shielding properties, radiant heat from the drive unit 14 is blocked, and the heating of the refrigerant circuit R due to that heat can be suppressed.

[0061] Furthermore, according to the embodiment described above, as shown in Figure 6(A), the bottom wall 118 of the case body 102 has a hole 140, and a hose 142 extending downwards to the vehicle is connected to this hole 140. Therefore, if HC-based refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant circuit R, the HC-based refrigerant can be guided downwards to the vehicle via the hose 142. Since HC-based refrigerant is generally heavier than air, it flows downwards through the hose 142. This allows the HC-based refrigerant to be released to a relatively safe location at the bottom of the vehicle.

[0062] <Variation> Figure 6(B) shows a cross-section of another case 100-1 of the refrigerant module. In this case 100-1, the bottom wall 118 of the case body 102-1 has an inclined surface 119 that slopes downward toward the hole 140. The bottom wall 118 slopes downward toward the hole 140 from the left end and the right end, as well as from the front end and the rear end toward the hole 140. With this configuration, if HC-based refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant circuit R, the refrigerant can be smoothly directed toward the hole 140.

[0063] In the embodiments described above, cases 100 and 100-1 had a top panel 103. However, cases 100 and 100-1 may be constructed without the top panel 103. Also, the top panel 103 may have an opening.

[0064] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, all walls of cases 100 and 100-1 had heat-shielding properties. However, only the side of cases 100 and 100-1 facing the drive unit 14 (for example, the bottom wall 118) may have heat-shielding properties. Cases 100 and 100-1 may be arranged adjacent to heat-generating elements other than the drive unit 14. It is preferable that at least the side of cases 100 and 100-1 facing the heat-generating elements has heat-shielding properties. Also, for example, if there are no heat-generating elements such as the drive unit 14 near cases 100 and 100-1, cases 100 and 100-1 may not have heat-shielding properties. Cases 100 and 100-1, in whole or in part, may be made of resin or the like.

[0065] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, the refrigerant circuit R was integrated by the plate 150 to constitute the refrigerant module RM. However, the refrigerant circuit R does not need to be integrated by the plate 150 or the like. That is, the refrigerant circuit R only needs to be housed inside the cases 100 and 100-1. For example, the multiple devices constituting the refrigerant circuit R may be individually fixed to the inner surface of the cases 100 and 100-1.

[0066] <Another air conditioning unit> Next, another air conditioning system will be described. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of another air conditioning system 12a. This air conditioning system 12a is configured by omitting the expansion valve 24b, the third heat exchanger 50, and the third coolant circuit C3 from the air conditioning system 12 described above (see Figure 1). The refrigerant circuit Ra of this air conditioning system 12a is configured by sequentially connecting the compressor 20, condenser 22, receiver 28, expansion valve 24a, and evaporator 26a with refrigerant piping.

[0067] This air conditioning unit 12a is configured not to cool the battery 54 (see Figure 1). The battery 54 may be cooled by a separate cooling device provided separately from the air conditioning unit 12a. Furthermore, vehicles such as engine-powered vehicles that do not have a battery 54 (a battery that supplies power to the motor) do not require a cooling device for the battery, and therefore this air conditioning unit 12a can be used.

[0068] In this air conditioning unit 12a, the equipment (components) located inside the dashed line in Figure 7 are housed in the cases 100 and 100-1 described above. These equipment (components) may be housed in the cases 100 and 100-1 in the form of an integrated refrigerant module RMa, or individually fixed to the inner surface of the cases. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0069] 10 Vehicle, 12,12a Air conditioning system, 14 Drive unit, 14F Front end, 20 Compressor, 22 Condenser, 24a Expansion valve (Air conditioning expansion valve), 24b Expansion valve (Battery expansion valve), 26a Evaporator (Air conditioning evaporator), 26b Evaporator (Battery evaporator), 28 Receiver, 30 Heat exchanger (First heat exchanger), 32 Water pump, 34 Radiator, 40 Heat exchanger (Second heat exchanger, Air conditioning heat exchanger), 42 Water pump, 50 Heat exchanger (Third heat exchanger, Battery heat exchanger), 52 Water pump, 54 Battery, 70 Air conditioning unit, 72 Cooler core, 74 Heater core, 75 Air passage, 80 Blower, 82 Air mix door, 90 Passenger compartment, 92 Engine room, 94 Dashboard, 96 Floor panel, 100, 100-1 Case, 102, 102-1 Case body, 103 Top panel, 112 Front wall, 114 Rear wall, 116 Left side wall, 117 Right side wall, 118 Bottom wall, 119 Inclined surface, 130 Flange, 136a~136f Through hole, 140 Hole, 142 Hose, 150 Plate, 152 Refrigerant piping, R, Ra Refrigerant circuit, RM, RMa Refrigerant module, C1 First coolant circuit, C2 Second coolant circuit (Air conditioning coolant circuit), C3 Third coolant circuit (Battery coolant circuit), Wtr Driving airflow, Wac Air conditioning airflow.

Claims

1. In-vehicle air conditioning system, A refrigerant circuit through which a hydrocarbon refrigerant circulates has a compressor, a condenser for heat dissipation, an expansion valve, and an evaporator for heat absorption, A first heat exchanger, which is integrated with the condenser of the refrigerant circuit and transfers heat from the refrigerant in the condenser to the first coolant, A first coolant circuit having a radiator through which the first coolant circulates, A second heat exchanger, which is integrated with the evaporator of the refrigerant circuit, cools the second coolant with the refrigerant in the evaporator, A second coolant circuit having a cooler core through which the second coolant circulates, The cooler core has an air passage located inside, and the air conditioning unit cools the air passing through the air passage and blows it into the passenger compartment. The system comprises a case in which the refrigerant circuit and the first and second heat exchangers are housed. In-vehicle air conditioner.

2. An in-vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 1, The aforementioned case has heat-shielding properties. In-vehicle air conditioner.

3. An in-vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 1, The vehicle is equipped with a drive unit that has a power source, The aforementioned case is positioned adjacent to the drive unit, At least the side of the case facing the drive unit has heat-shielding properties. In-vehicle air conditioner.

4. An in-vehicle air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The case has a hole in its bottom wall, A hose extending downwards from the vehicle is connected to the hole in the case. In-vehicle air conditioner.

5. An in-vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 4, The bottom wall of the case has an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the hole of the case. In-vehicle air conditioner.

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