Vehicle air conditioning system

Abstract

To provide a vehicle air conditioning system that can increase the interior space of a vehicle. [Solution] The vehicle air conditioning system 30 is provided on the vehicle side of the dash panel 11 that separates the passenger compartment S1 and the front compartment S2, and includes an air conditioning unit 31 that adjusts the temperature of the air led to the passenger compartment S1, and an air conditioning duct 40 that leads the air whose temperature has been adjusted by the air conditioning unit 31 to the passenger compartment. The air conditioning duct 40 has a connecting duct 41 whose upstream end is connected to the air conditioning unit 31, and a branching duct 42 whose upstream end is connected to the connecting duct 41 and which branches the air led from the connecting duct 41. The branching duct 42 is provided inside a console 20 which is provided on the vehicle side of the dash panel 11. The upstream end of the connecting duct 41 is connected to the air conditioning unit 31 on the vehicle side of the dash panel 11.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle air conditioner including an air conditioning unit disposed inside an instrument panel, and an air conditioning duct disposed inside a center console extending rearward from the instrument panel, wherein temperature-adjusted air supplied from the air conditioning unit to a front portion of the air conditioning duct is discharged into a vehicle compartment from a rear portion of the air conditioning duct. [Prior Art Literature] [Patent Literature]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2015-083397 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] In a vehicle air conditioner, a connection between the air conditioning unit and the air conditioning duct may be provided on the compartment side relative to a dash panel. In such a case, at least the connection portion of the air conditioning unit connected to the air conditioning duct needs to be provided on the compartment side relative to the dash panel. For this reason, the vehicle interior space tends to be compressed by the air conditioning unit.

[0005] In view of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain a vehicle air conditioner that can widen a vehicle interior space. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0006] The vehicle air conditioning system according to the first embodiment includes an air conditioning unit provided on the vehicle side forward of the dash panel separating the passenger compartment and the front compartment, which adjusts the temperature of the air led into the passenger compartment, and an air conditioning duct that leads the air whose temperature has been adjusted by the air conditioning unit into the passenger compartment, wherein the air conditioning duct has a connecting duct whose upstream end is connected to the air conditioning unit, and a branching duct whose upstream end is connected to the connecting duct and which branches the air led from the connecting duct, wherein the branching duct is provided inside a console provided on the vehicle side rearward of the dash panel, and the upstream end of the connecting duct is connected to the air conditioning unit on the vehicle side forward of the dash panel.

[0007] In the vehicle air conditioning system according to the first embodiment, the branch duct is provided inside the console. This allows for a larger interior space compared to the case where the branch duct is provided outside the console (i.e., in the passenger compartment).

[0008] Furthermore, in the vehicle air conditioning system according to the first embodiment, the upstream end of the connecting duct is connected to the air conditioning unit on the vehicle front side of the dashboard panel. This eliminates the need to provide the portion of the air conditioning unit connected to the air conditioning duct (connecting duct) on the passenger compartment side of the dashboard panel. Consequently, the passenger compartment space can be made larger.

[0009] In the vehicle air conditioning system according to the second embodiment, the connecting duct is located below the floor carpet in the first embodiment.

[0010] In the vehicle air conditioning system according to the second embodiment, the connecting duct is positioned below the floor carpet. This makes it less likely for the connecting duct to encroach on the interior space of the vehicle. Therefore, the interior space of the vehicle can be made larger.

[0011] The vehicle air conditioning system according to the third embodiment, in the first or second embodiment, has a branch duct provided with a first outlet and a second outlet from which air is discharged, a console provided with a first opening at the upper part of its rear end that opens toward the passenger compartment and a second opening at the lower part of its rear end that opens toward the passenger compartment, and the air conditioning duct having a first duct connecting the first opening of the console and the first outlet of the branch duct, and a second duct connecting the second opening of the console and the second outlet of the branch duct.

[0012] In the vehicle air conditioning system according to the third embodiment, the air conditioning duct includes a first duct connecting a first opening of the console to a first outlet of the branch duct, and a second duct connecting a second opening of the console to a second outlet of the branch duct. In other words, in the above configuration, the interior space of the vehicle can be made larger in a structure in which air whose temperature has been adjusted by the air conditioning unit is discharged into the vehicle interior space from multiple locations (specifically, the first opening and the second opening).

[0013] In the fourth embodiment, the vehicle air conditioning system, in the third embodiment, has a branch duct comprising a first cover portion that can open and close the first outlet and a second cover portion that can open and close the second outlet.

[0014] In the vehicle air conditioning system according to the fourth embodiment, the branch duct has a first cover portion that can open and close a first outlet, and a second cover portion that can open and close a second outlet. As a result, the branch duct can switch between a state in which the first and second outlets are open and a state in which they are closed. Therefore, it is possible to switch between a state in which temperature-controlled air is discharged from the first opening and a state in which no air is discharged. Similarly, it is possible to switch between a state in which temperature-controlled air is discharged from the second opening and a state in which no air is discharged. Thus, the temperature of the vehicle interior can be suitably adjusted. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] As described above, the vehicle air conditioning system according to the present invention has the excellent effect of being able to enlarge the interior space of the vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of a branch duct of a vehicle air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the vehicle air conditioning system according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. In each figure, arrows FR indicate the front of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction, arrow RH indicates the left side of the vehicle in the width direction, and arrow UP indicates the top of the vehicle in the vertical direction. In the following description, the longitudinal direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction refer to the longitudinal direction, width direction, and vertical direction of the vehicle, respectively. The left-right direction refers to the left-right direction when the vehicle is facing forward.

[0018] As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle air conditioning system 30 according to this embodiment is installed in a vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 includes a dash panel 10 that separates the passenger compartment S1 from the front compartment, an instrument panel 11 installed on the passenger compartment S1 side of the dash panel 10, a pair of seats 12 installed on the rear side of the instrument panel 11 and arranged side by side at a predetermined interval in the vehicle width direction, a console 20 installed between the pair of seats 12, and a vehicle air conditioning system 30 that supplies temperature-controlled air to the passenger compartment S1.

[0019] The dash panel 10 is located at the front of the vehicle. The dash panel 10 is a plate-shaped member, and its surface is arranged to include the vertical and horizontal directions of the vehicle. The dash panel 10 separates the interior space of the passenger compartment S1 where the occupant D sits from the front compartment S2.

[0020] A plurality of through-holes 10A penetrating in the plate thickness direction (in the present embodiment, the vehicle front-rear direction) are formed in a lower portion of the dash panel 10. A connection duct of a vehicle air conditioner 30, which will be described later, is inserted through the through-hole 10A.

[0021] The instrument panel 11 is provided on the vehicle rear side of the dash panel 10. A space is provided inside the instrument panel 11, and various devices are accommodated in the space.

[0022] A pair of seats 12 are provided on the vehicle rear side of the instrument panel 11. The pair of seats 12 are provided so as to be spaced apart from each other in the vehicle left-right direction. One of the pair of seats 12 serves as a driver's seat, and the other of the pair of seats 12 serves as a passenger seat. Each seat 12 includes a seat cushion 13 on which an occupant D sits, and a seat back 14 attached to a vehicle rear portion of the seat cushion 13. The front side of the seat 12 faces toward the front of the vehicle, and the body of the occupant D sitting on the seat 12 faces toward the front of the vehicle.

[0023] The console 20 is provided on the vehicle rear side of the dash panel 10. The console 20 is provided at a central portion in the vehicle width direction, and is provided between the pair of seats 12. The console 20 is provided so as to protrude upward from the bottom of a vehicle compartment S1, and has a space (hereinafter referred to as "internal space S3") formed therein. Specifically, the internal space S3 is provided between the console 20 and a floor panel 16. A part of the floor panel 16 is covered by a floor carpet 17 from above.

[0024] The console 20 includes a console box 21 and a cup holder 23 provided on the front side of the console box 21. The rear end 20A of the console 20 is a wall that extends vertically and in the vehicle width direction and faces the rear space where the rear seats are located (the space in the passenger compartment S1 behind the driver's seat and passenger seat). The rear end 20A is provided with a first air vent (first opening) 20B and a second air vent (second opening) 20C that open to the rear space. The second air vent 20C is located below the first air vent 20B.

[0025] The console box 21 is provided on the console 20 from a predetermined position in the vehicle's longitudinal direction to its rear end. The console box 21 is recessed from the top surface of the console 20. An opening is provided at the upper end of the console box 21 that opens into the passenger compartment S1.

[0026] An armrest 22 is provided on the upper part of the console box 21, covering the console box 21 from the upper side of the vehicle. The armrest 22 extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A hinge shaft (not shown) is provided at the rear end of the console box 21 so as to be rotatable in the vehicle width direction as its axial direction. The rear end of the armrest 22 is connected to the hinge shaft. As a result, the armrest 22 constitutes a lid that opens and closes an opening provided at the upper end of the console box 21.

[0027] A cup holder 23 is provided on the front side of the armrest 22. The cup holder 23 is recessed from the top surface of the console 20. The cup holder 23 is configured to accommodate a cup 24.

[0028] <Vehicle air conditioning system> The vehicle air conditioning system 30 is a device that supplies temperature-controlled air to the passenger compartment S1. The vehicle air conditioning system 30 comprises an air conditioning unit 31 located on the front side of the vehicle relative to the dash panel 10, and an air conditioning duct 40 that guides the air whose temperature has been adjusted by the air conditioning unit to the passenger compartment S1.

[0029] The air conditioning unit 31 is located entirely in the front of the vehicle, ahead of the dashboard panel 10. In other words, the entire air conditioning unit 31 is located in the front compartment S2. The air conditioning unit 31 adjusts the temperature of the air supplied to the passenger compartment. The air conditioning unit 31 has a housing 31A that acts as an outer shell, a heater (not shown) housed inside the housing 31A, and an evaporator (not shown) housed inside the housing 31A. Air is introduced into the housing 31A by the air conditioning unit 31. The air conditioning unit 31 adjusts the temperature of the air introduced into the housing 31A using the heater and the evaporator, which is part of the refrigeration cycle. Note that the method by which the air conditioning unit 31 adjusts the temperature of the air is not limited to a specific method; for example, it may adjust the temperature of the air by adjusting the amount of air supplied to the heater and the amount of air supplied to the evaporator.

[0030] An opening is formed at the lower end of the housing 31A of the air conditioning unit 31, and an air conditioning duct 40 is connected to this opening. The air conditioning unit 31 supplies air whose temperature has been adjusted within the housing 31A to the passenger compartment S1 via the air conditioning duct 40, etc.

[0031] The air conditioning duct 40 carries air whose temperature has been adjusted by the air conditioning unit 31. The air conditioning duct 40 guides the air whose temperature has been adjusted by the air conditioning unit 31 to the rear space (the space in the vehicle compartment S1 that is behind the driver's seat and passenger seat). The air conditioning duct 40 includes a connecting duct 41 connected to the air conditioning unit 31, a branch duct 42 connected to the downstream end of the connecting duct 41, a first duct 43 connected to the branch duct 42, and a second duct 44 connected to the branch duct 42.

[0032] The upstream end of the connecting duct 41 is connected to the air conditioning unit 31. More specifically, the upstream end of the connecting duct 41 is connected to an opening provided at the lower end of the housing 31A of the air conditioning unit 31. The upstream end of the connecting duct is connected to the air conditioning unit 31 on the vehicle front side of the dash panel 10.

[0033] The downstream end of the connecting duct 41 is connected to the upstream end of the branch duct 42. The connecting duct 41 connects the air conditioning unit 31 and the branch duct 42. The connecting duct 41 guides the air discharged from the air conditioning unit 31 to the branch duct 42.

[0034] The connecting duct 41 passes through a through-hole 10A provided in the dash panel 10 at an intermediate position. A portion of the connecting duct 41 is covered from above by the floor carpet 17; that is, it is located below the floor carpet 17.

[0035] The connecting duct 41 integrally comprises a first portion 41A that is connected to the air conditioning unit 31 and extends in the vertical direction, a second portion 41B that bends from the downstream end of the first portion 41A and extends toward the rear of the vehicle, and a third portion 41C that bends from the downstream end of the second portion 41B and extends upward and toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0036] The first section 41A is located in the front compartment S2. The upstream end of the first section 41A is connected to the air conditioning unit 31. The downstream end of the first section 41A is connected to the second section.

[0037] The second section 41B extends linearly along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The upstream end of the second section 41B is connected to the first section 41A. The downstream end of the second section 41B is connected to the third section 41C.

[0038] The second part 41B is inserted through a through-hole 10A provided in the dash panel 10. That is, the upstream part of the second part 41A is provided in the front compartment S2, and the downstream part of the second part 41A is provided in the passenger compartment S1. The downstream part of the second part 41A (the part provided in the passenger compartment S1) is provided in the central part in the vehicle width direction and is provided on the upper side of the floor panel 16. Furthermore, the downstream part of the second part 41A (the part provided on the upper side of the floor panel 16) is covered from above by the floor carpet 17.

[0039] The third section 41C is located in the internal space S3 of the console 20. The third section 41C extends inclined with respect to the horizontal side. The third section 41C extends upward and rearward towards the vehicle. The upstream end of the third section 41C is connected to the second section 41B. The downstream end of the third section 41C is connected to the upstream end of the branch duct 42.

[0040] The branch duct 42 is located in the internal space S3 of the console 20. The branch duct 42 is located on the vehicle front side of the console box 21. The branch duct 42 is located below the cup holder 23. The branch duct 42 is located on the vehicle rear side of the instrument panel 11. The branch duct 42 is located between a pair of seats 12. The position of the branch duct 42 in the vehicle front-rear direction is approximately the same as that of the seats 12.

[0041] The upstream end of the branch duct 42 is connected to the connecting duct 41 (specifically, the third portion 41C of the connecting duct 41). The branch duct 42 branches the air led from the connecting duct 41 and supplies it to the first duct 4 and the second duct 44.

[0042] As shown in Figure 2, the branch duct 42 integrally comprises an upstream section 42A connected to the connecting duct 41, and a first branch section 42B and a second branch section 42C connected to the downstream side of the upstream section 42A (in this embodiment, the rear side of the vehicle). The first branch section 42B is located above the second branch section 42C. A first outlet 42B1 is provided at the downstream end of the first branch section 42B. A second outlet 42C1 is provided at the downstream end of the second branch section 42C. The first branch section 42B and the second branch section 42C extend along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The first branch section 42B and the second branch section 42C are located parallel to each other.

[0043] An airflow channel is provided inside the upstream section 42A. Airflow channels are also provided inside the first branch section 42B and the second branch section 42C. The airflow channel inside the first branch section 42B and the airflow channel inside the second branch section 42C are in a parallel relationship. The airflow channels inside the first branch section 42B and the second branch section 42C are each connected to the airflow channel inside the upstream section 42A. The air introduced into the airflow channel inside the upstream section 42A is branched into the airflow channels inside the first branch section 42B and the second branch section 42C.

[0044] As shown in Figure 1, the branch duct 42 has a first cover 46 and a second cover 47. The first cover 46 is provided on the first branch section 42B. The first cover 46 is capable of opening and closing the first outlet 42B1 provided on the first branch section 42B. That is, the first cover 46 is capable of switching between a closed state and an open state for the first outlet 42B1. The first cover 46 is provided on the second branch section 42C. The second cover 47 is provided on the second branch section 42C. The second cover 47 is capable of opening and closing the second outlet 42C1 provided on the second branch section 42C. That is, the second cover 47 is capable of switching between a closed state and an open state for the second outlet 42C1.

[0045] As shown in Figure 1, the first duct 43 extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The first duct 43 is located in the internal space S3 of the console 20.

[0046] The upstream end of the first duct 43 is connected to the first branch section 42B of the branch duct 42. Specifically, the upstream end of the first duct 43 is connected to the first outlet 42B1 of the first branch section 42B. The downstream end of the first duct 43 is connected to the first air outlet 20B provided in the console 20. The first duct 43 connects the first air outlet 20B of the console 20 to the first outlet 42B1 of the branch duct 42. The first duct 43 is located on the lower side of the console box 21.

[0047] The second duct 44 extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The first duct 43 is located in the internal space S3 of the console 20.

[0048] The upstream end of the second duct 44 is connected to the second branch section 42C of the branch duct 42. Specifically, the upstream end of the second duct 44 is connected to the second outlet 42C1 of the second branch section 42C. The downstream end of the second duct 44 is connected to the second air outlet 20C provided in the console 20. The second duct 44 connects the second air outlet 20C of the console 20 to the second outlet 42C1 of the branch duct 42. The second duct 44 is located on the lower side of the console box 21. The downstream end of the second duct 44 is widened in diameter.

[0049] For example, the combined area of ​​the flow path of the first duct 43 and the second duct 44 may be greater than the flow path area of ​​the connecting duct 41. In other words, the combined volume of the first duct 43 and the second duct 44 per unit length may be greater than the volume of the connecting duct 41. In this case, by providing the branch duct 42 downstream in the air conditioning duct 40, the length of the relatively small connecting duct 41 becomes longer, and the lengths of the first duct 43 and the second duct 44, whose combined volume is relatively large, become shorter. Therefore, the overall volume of the air conditioning duct 40 can be reduced, thereby suppressing the pressure on the vehicle compartment S1.

[0050] <Airflow> Next, the airflow of the vehicle air conditioning system 30 in this embodiment will be described. As shown in Figure 1, the air whose temperature has been adjusted by the air conditioning unit 31 is discharged into the air conditioning duct 40 connected to the housing 31A of the air conditioning unit 31. The air discharged into the air conditioning duct 40 circulates within the air conditioning duct 40 and is discharged into the passenger compartment S1.

[0051] Specifically, the air discharged from the air conditioning unit 31 first flows through the connecting duct 41. The air that has flowed through the connecting duct 41 is then introduced into the branch duct 42. The air introduced into the branch duct 42 is then split into two.

[0052] One of the two divided air streams is introduced into the first duct 43 via the first branching section 42B. The air introduced into the first duct 43 circulates within the first duct 43 and is discharged into the passenger compartment S1 (specifically, the space in the passenger compartment S1 behind the driver's and passenger's seats) from the first air outlet 20B located on the upper part of the console 20. The first air outlet 20B may also be, for example, a rear face air outlet that blows air towards the heads of occupants seated in the rear seats (not shown).

[0053] Furthermore, the other portion of the air, which has been split into two by the branch duct 42, is introduced into the second duct 44 via the second branch section 42C. The air introduced into the second duct 44 circulates within the second duct 44 and is discharged into the passenger compartment S1 (specifically, the space in the passenger compartment S1 behind the driver's seat and passenger seat) from the second air outlet 20C located at the bottom of the console 20. The second air outlet 20C may also be, for example, a rear foot air outlet that blows air towards the feet of an occupant seated in the rear seat (not shown).

[0054] <Mechanism of Action / Effect> According to this embodiment, the following effects and advantages are achieved. In this embodiment, the branch duct 42 is located inside the console 20. This allows for a larger interior space in the vehicle compartment S1 compared to the case where the branch duct 42 is located outside the console 20 (i.e., in the vehicle compartment S1).

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the upstream end of the connecting duct 41 is connected to the air conditioning unit 31 on the vehicle-front side of the dash panel 10. This eliminates the need to provide the portion of the air conditioning unit 31 connected to the air conditioning duct 40 (connecting duct 41) on the passenger compartment S1 side of the dash panel 10. Consequently, the passenger compartment S1 can be made larger.

[0056] In this embodiment, the connecting duct 41 is positioned below the floor carpet 17. This prevents the connecting duct 41 from encroaching on the interior space of the vehicle compartment S1. Therefore, the vehicle compartment S1 can be made more spacious.

[0057] In this embodiment, the air conditioning duct 40 includes a first duct 43 connecting the first air outlet 20B of the console 20 to the first outlet 42B1 of the branch duct 42, and a second duct 44 connecting the second air outlet 20C of the console 20 to the second outlet 42C1 of the branch duct 42. In other words, in this embodiment, the structure allows the vehicle interior S1 to be made larger in a structure where air whose temperature has been adjusted by the air conditioning unit 31 is discharged into the vehicle interior S1 space from multiple locations (specifically, the first air outlet 20B and the second air outlet 20C).

[0058] In this embodiment, the branch duct 42 has a first cover portion 46 that can open and close the first outlet 42B1, and a second cover portion 47 that can open and close the second outlet 42C1. As a result, the branch duct 42 can switch between a state in which the first outlet 42B1 and the second outlet 42C1 are open and a state in which they are closed. Therefore, it is possible to switch between a state in which temperature-controlled air is discharged from the first air outlet 20B and a state in which no air is discharged. Similarly, it is possible to switch between a state in which temperature-controlled air is discharged from the second air outlet 20C and a state in which no air is discharged. Thus, the temperature of the vehicle interior S1 can be suitably adjusted.

[0059] Furthermore, if the air conditioning duct 40 is designed to direct air to only one air outlet, this can be addressed by closing the first cover 46 or the second cover 47. In this way, by providing the first cover 46 or the second cover 47, it is possible to accommodate both cases where there is one air outlet and cases where there are multiple air outlets. Therefore, versatility can be improved.

[0060] Although the vehicle air conditioning system according to the embodiment has been described above, the present invention can be modified as appropriate without departing from its spirit.

[0061] For example, in the above embodiment, an example was described in which the entire air conditioning unit 31 is provided in the front compartment S2, which is on the front side of the dash panel 10 of the vehicle, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a part of the air conditioning unit 31 (for example, the rear part in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle) may be provided on the rear side of the vehicle beyond the dash panel 10. Specifically, for example, a part of the air conditioning unit 31 may be provided on the front side of the instrument panel 11 of the vehicle (i.e., inside the instrument panel 11).

[0062] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes an example in which the connection portion between the air conditioning unit 31 and the air conditioning duct 40 is provided on the vehicle front side of the dash panel 10, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the connection portion between the air conditioning unit 31 and the air conditioning duct 40 may be provided on the vehicle rear side of the dash panel 10. Specifically, for example, the connection portion between the air conditioning unit 31 and the air conditioning duct 40 may be provided on the vehicle rear side of the dash panel 10 and on the vehicle front side of the instrument panel 11.

[0063] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes an example in which the connecting duct 41 of the air conditioning duct 40 is positioned below the floor carpet, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the connecting duct 41 may be positioned above the floor carpet 17.

[0064] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes an example in which the downstream end of the air conditioning duct 40 is connected to the first air outlet 20B and the second air outlet 20C provided in the console 20, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the downstream end of the air conditioning duct 40 may be connected to other outlets (air outlets) that supply air to the vehicle compartment S1.

[0065] Furthermore, although the above embodiment described an example in which the sum of the flow area of ​​the first duct 43 and the flow area of ​​the second duct 44 is larger than the flow area of ​​the connecting duct 41, the present invention is not limited to this. The sum of the flow area of ​​the first duct 43 and the flow area of ​​the second duct 44 may be equal to the flow area of ​​the connecting duct 41. Also, the sum of the flow area of ​​the first duct 43 and the flow area of ​​the second duct 44 may be smaller than the flow area of ​​the connecting duct 41. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 11. Dashboard 16 Floor Carpet 20 Consoles 20B 1st ventilation port (1st opening) 20C 2nd ventilation port (2nd opening) 30. Vehicle air conditioning system 31 Air conditioning unit 40 Air conditioning ducts 41 Connecting duct 42 Branch duct 42B1 1st outlet 42C1 2nd outlet 43. Duct No. 1 44. Duct No. 2 S1 cabin S2 Front Compartment

Claims

1. An air conditioning unit is provided on the front side of the vehicle, beyond the dashboard panel that separates the passenger compartment from the front compartment, to adjust the temperature of the air supplied to the passenger compartment. The system includes an air conditioning duct that guides air whose temperature has been adjusted by the aforementioned air conditioning unit into the passenger compartment, The air conditioning duct comprises a connecting duct whose upstream end is connected to the air conditioning unit, and a branching duct whose upstream end is connected to the connecting duct and which branches the air led from the connecting duct. The aforementioned branch duct is located inside the console, which is positioned further rearward than the dashboard panel. A vehicle air conditioning system in which the upstream end of the connecting duct is connected to the air conditioning unit on the vehicle-front side of the dash panel.

2. The vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the connecting duct is located below the floor carpet.

3. The aforementioned branch duct is provided with a first outlet and a second outlet from which air is discharged. The console is provided with a first opening at the upper part of its rear end that opens toward the passenger compartment, and a second opening at the lower part of its rear end that opens toward the passenger compartment. The vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the air conditioning duct comprises a first duct connecting the first opening of the console to the first outlet of the branch duct, and a second duct connecting the second opening of the console to the second outlet of the branch duct.

4. The vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 3, wherein the branch duct has a first cover portion that can open and close the first outlet and a second cover portion that can open and close the second outlet.

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