Vehicle air conditioning system

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a vehicular air-conditioning device having a long product service life. [Solution] A case (40) of this vehicular air-conditioning device (10; 10A) is provided with a case hole (41) in a location where the case hole (41) faces both a first flow path (51) and a second flow path (52). Installed in the case hole (41) is an aspirator (60) that sucks in air in the vehicle interior using outflow air flowing out from the case hole (41) and that channels out the outflow air and the sucked-in air in the vehicle interior (Vi). The case hole (41) is preferably provided in an upper surface (40b) of the case (40). The case hole (41) is preferably provided facing a first front-seat flow path (51a) and a second front-seat flow path (52a).

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Many vehicles are equipped with vehicle air conditioners to adjust the temperature inside the vehicle cabin, etc. Patent Document 1 discloses a conventional technology relating to vehicle air conditioners.

[0003] The vehicle air conditioner disclosed in Patent Document 1 divides a flow path formed inside a case into a first flow path and a second flow path by providing a partition wall, and provides temperature adjustment means for adjusting the temperature in each of these flow paths. In addition, an opening for each flow path is provided with an opening door for adjusting the amount of air blown out from the opening. This makes it possible to adjust the temperature and amount of air blown out from the opening for each seat. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-296717 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the vehicle air conditioner disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, only the outlet of the second flow path may be opened and the outlet of the first flow path may be closed. In this case, almost no air flows through the first flow path, so heat is trapped around the heater. There is a risk that the case or the like may deteriorate due to the trapped heat. If the effects of heat can be reduced, the product life of the vehicle air conditioner can be extended.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle air conditioner having a long product life. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In the following description, reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are placed in parentheses to facilitate understanding of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated form.

[0008] According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle air conditioner (10; 10A) arranged in a vehicle compartment, A case (40) having an air flow path (50) formed therein; an evaporator (23) disposed in the flow path (50) for cooling air; a heater (24; 84) for heating the air that has passed through the evaporator (23); a partition wall (25) for dividing the flow path (50) and for dividing the air that has passed through the heater (24; 84) into a first flow path (51) and a second flow path (52); a first temperature adjusting means (26) provided in the first flow path (51) for adjusting the temperature of air flowing through the first flow path (51); a second temperature adjusting means (27) provided in the second flow path (52) for adjusting the temperature of air flowing through the second flow path (52); a first outlet (42, 43, 47; 49) formed in the case (40) and configured to blow out air that has flowed through the first flow path (51); a first opening / closing door (32, 33, 37; 39) capable of adjusting the amount of air blown out from the first air outlet (42, 43, 47; 49); a second outlet (44-46, 48) formed in the case (40) and configured to blow out air that has flowed through the second flow path (52); a second opening / closing door (34-36, 38) capable of adjusting the amount of air blown out from the second air outlet (44-46, 48), the first opening / closing door (32, 33, 37; 39) is capable of closing the first air outlet (42, 43, 47; 49); the second opening / closing door (34-36, 38) is capable of closing the second air outlet (44-46, 48); The case (40) is provided with a case hole (41) at a portion facing both the first flow path (51) and the second flow path (52), An air conditioner for a vehicle is provided in this case hole (41), in which an aspirator (60) is installed that uses the outflow air flowing out from the case hole (41) to draw in air from within the vehicle cabin and discharges the outflow air and the drawn-in air from within the vehicle cabin. Effect of the Invention

[0009] The present invention can provide a vehicle air conditioner having a long product life. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle air conditioner according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the vehicle air conditioning device shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the aspirator shown in FIG. [Figure 4] 4A is a cross-sectional view of the aspirator shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4B-4B in FIG. 4A. [Diagram 5] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle air conditioner according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fr indicates front, Rr indicates rear, Le indicates left, Ri indicates right, Up indicates top, and Dn indicates bottom.

[0012] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. In the description, left and right refer to the left and right of the passengers of the vehicle in which the automotive air conditioner is installed, and front and rear refer to the front and rear of the vehicle in the traveling direction of the vehicle. In the drawings, Fr means front, Rr means rear, Le means left, Ri means right, Up means up, and Dn means down.

[0013] <Example 1> Please refer to Figures 1 and 2. A vehicle air conditioner 10 (hereinafter, abbreviated as "air conditioner 10") that adjusts the temperature inside a vehicle compartment Vi is mounted on, for example, a passenger car. The air conditioner 10 is disposed in the front of the vehicle compartment Vi and extends generally in the left-right direction.

[0014] In addition to the air conditioner 10, seats S1 to S4 for passengers to sit on are provided in the vehicle interior Vi. The seats S1 to S4 are a front left seat S1 (front seat S1) located on the left side of the front row, a front right seat S2 located on the right side of the front row, a rear left seat S3 located behind the front left seat S1, and a rear right seat S4 located behind the front right seat S2.

[0015] The air conditioner 10 can blow air toward each of the seats S1 to S4. The air conditioner 10 can also blow air at different temperatures to the seats S1, S3 on the left side and the seats S2, S4 on the right side. The air conditioner 10 will be described in detail below.

[0016] Please refer to Fig. 2. The air conditioner 10 has an air blower 11 that blows out the drawn air, and a temperature regulator 20 that adjusts the temperature of the air blown from the air blower 11 and discharges it into the vehicle interior.

[0017] An impeller 11a and a motor (not shown) are housed in the blower unit 11. The impeller 11a rotates when driven by the motor, and air inside and / or outside the vehicle cabin is drawn into the blower unit 11. The air drawn into the blower unit 11 is supplied to the front part of the temperature adjustment unit 20, which is disposed downstream with respect to the air flow direction. Hereinafter, when the terms "upstream" and "downstream" are simply used, the air flow direction is used as the reference.

[0018] 2. The temperature adjustment unit 20 includes a case 40 connected to the blower unit 11 (see FIG. 1) and having an air flow path 50 formed therein, an evaporator 23 arranged on the flow path 50 and cooling the air, a heater 24 arranged downstream of the evaporator 23 and heating the air that has passed through the evaporator 23, a partition wall 25 capable of dividing the air that has passed through the heater 24 into a first flow path 51 and a second flow path 52, a first temperature adjustment means 26 arranged in the first flow path 51 and adjusting the temperature of the air flowing through the first flow path 51, a second temperature adjustment means 27 arranged in the second flow path 52 and adjusting the temperature of the air flowing through the second flow path 52, and an aspirator 60 facing a case hole 41 opened in the case 40 and sucking air in the vehicle interior Vi using the outflow air flowing out from the case hole 41.

[0019] The case 40 is manufactured by injection molding a resin material such as polypropylene, and has a first vent outlet 42 formed downstream of the first flow path 51 to blow air to the upper body of an occupant seated in the front left seat S1, a first foot outlet 43 formed downstream of the first flow path 51 to blow air to the feet of an occupant seated in the front left seat S1, a second vent outlet 44 formed downstream of the second flow path 52 to blow air to the upper body of an occupant seated in the front right seat S2, and a second vent outlet 45 formed downstream of the second flow path 52 to blow air to the upper body of an occupant seated in the front right seat S2. the first flow path 51 and a second foot air outlet 45 for blowing air to the feet of an occupant seated in the front right seat S2, a defroster air outlet 46 for blowing air from the second flow path 52 toward the windshield to prevent fogging of the windshield, a first rear air outlet 47 for blowing air to an occupant seated in the rear left seat S3, and a second rear air outlet 48 for blowing air to an occupant seated in the rear right seat S4.

[0020] The first vent outlet 42, the first foot outlet 43, and the first rear outlet 47 have in common that they all face the first flow path 51. Hereinafter, the first vent outlet 42, the first foot outlet 43, and the first rear outlet 47 may be collectively referred to as the first outlets 42, 43, 47.

[0021] The second vent outlet 44, the second foot outlet 45, the defroster outlet 46, and the second rear outlet 48 have in common that they all face the second flow path 52. Hereinafter, the second vent outlet 44, the second foot outlet 45, the defroster outlet 46, and the second rear outlet 48 may be collectively referred to as the second outlets 44-46, 48.

[0022] The defroster air outlet 46 can also be formed to face the first flow passage 51. In this case, the defroster air outlet 46 is included in the first air outlet.

[0023] A first vent door 32 (first door 32) capable of adjusting the amount of air blown out from the first vent outlet 42 is provided at a location facing the first vent outlet 42. A first foot door 33 (first door 33) capable of adjusting the amount of air blown out from the first foot outlet 43 is provided at a location facing the first foot outlet 43.

[0024] A second vent door 34 (second door 34) capable of adjusting the amount of air blown out from the second vent outlet 44 is provided at a location facing the second vent outlet 44. A second foot door 35 capable of adjusting the amount of air blown out from the second foot outlet 45 is provided at a location facing the second foot outlet 45. A defroster door 36 (second door 36) capable of adjusting the amount of air blown out from the defroster outlet 46 is provided at a location facing the defroster outlet 46.

[0025] A first rear opening / closing door 37 (first opening / closing door 37) capable of adjusting the amount of air blown out from the first rear air outlet 47 is provided at a location facing the first rear air outlet 47. A second rear opening / closing door 38 (second opening / closing door 38) capable of adjusting the amount of air blown out from the second rear air outlet 48 is provided at a location facing the second rear air outlet 48.

[0026] The first vent door 32, the first foot door 33, and the first rear door 37 have in common that they are all doors that face the first air outlets 42, 43, and 47. Hereinafter, the first vent door 32, the first foot door 33, and the first rear door 37 may be collectively referred to as the first doors 32, 33, and 37.

[0027] The second vent door 34, the second foot door 35, the defroster door 36, and the second rear door 38 have in common that they are all doors facing the second air outlets 44-46, 48. Hereinafter, the second vent door 34, the second foot door 35, the defroster door 36, and the second rear door 38 may be collectively referred to as the second doors 34-36, 38.

[0028] As described above, the defroster air outlet 46 can also be formed to face the first flow passage 51. In this case, the defroster opening / closing door 36 is included in the first opening / closing door that opens and closes the first air outlet.

[0029] A first duct D1 extends from the first rear air outlet 47 toward the rear left seat S3 to blow air to an occupant seated in the rear left seat S3. A second duct D2 extends from the second rear air outlet 48 toward the rear right seat S4 to blow air to an occupant seated in the rear right seat S4.

[0030] The positions where the ends of the ducts D1 and D2 face can be appropriately set, such as the B-pillar or the rear end of the center console. The ducts D1 and D2 can be further branched, and the parts they pass through can be switched depending on the operation mode of the air conditioner 10. The branched ducts can also face different positions.

[0031] The case 40 is formed by combining a plurality of resin molded parts. In the case 40, a portion facing the first flow passage 51 and facing the partition wall 25 is referred to as an opposing wall portion 40a.

[0032] The first flow path 51 formed inside the case 40 has a first front seat flow path 51a through which air flows to be blown to the front left seat S1, and a first rear seat flow path 51b that branches off from the first front seat flow path 51a and through which air flows to be blown to the rear left seat S3.

[0033] The second flow path 52 has a second front seat flow path 52a through which air flows to be blown to the front right seat S2, and a second rear seat flow path 52b that branches off from the second front seat flow path 52a and through which air flows to be blown to the rear right seat S4.

[0034] The case hole 41 formed in the upper surface 40b (see FIG. 1) of the case 40 is formed to face both the first flow path 51 and the second flow path 52 across the partition wall 25. More specifically, the case hole 41 is provided to face the first front seat flow path 51a and the second front seat flow path 52a.

[0035] The evaporator 23 is provided so as to cover the upstream end of the first flow path 51 and the upstream end of the second flow path 52. A refrigerant flows through the evaporator 23, and air passing through the evaporator 23 is cooled by heat exchange with the refrigerant.

[0036] The heater 24 is composed of a hot water heater 24a through which hot water flows and an electric heater 24b that generates heat when electricity is applied. The hot water heater 24a and the electric heater 24b are both provided to penetrate the partition wall 25 and face both the first flow path 51 and the second flow path 52.

[0037] The electric heater 24b is equipped with a heating element that becomes hot (for example, about 180° C.) when electricity is applied. The heating element generates heat when electricity is applied, regardless of the air flow state of the first flow path 51 and the second flow path 52.

[0038] The partition wall 25 extends rearward from a portion adjacent to the rear surface of the evaporator 23. Note that there may be a gap between the upstream end of the partition wall 25 and the evaporator 23.

[0039] The first temperature adjustment means 26 is a cantilever air mix door that is swingably provided in the first flow path 51. When the passenger sets the temperature, a motor (not shown) is operated to swing the first temperature adjustment means 26. The swinging of the first temperature adjustment means 26 adjusts the ratio of air that flows toward the heater 24 and air that bypasses the heater 24, thereby adjusting the temperature. In the state shown in the figure, all of the air that has passed through the evaporator 23 passes through the heater 24. Although not shown, the first temperature adjustment means 26 may be a well-known sliding door instead of a cantilever door.

[0040] The second temperature adjustment means 27 is similar to the first temperature adjustment means 26. That is, the second temperature adjustment means 27 is a cantilever air mix door that is swingably provided in the second flow path 52. When the passenger sets the temperature, a motor (not shown) is operated to swing the second temperature adjustment means 27. The second temperature adjustment means 27 swings to adjust the ratio of air that goes toward the heater 24 and air that bypasses the heater 24, thereby adjusting the temperature. In the state shown in the figure, all of the air that has passed through the evaporator 23 passes through the heater 24. Although not shown, the second temperature adjustment means 27 may be a well-known sliding door instead of a cantilever door.

[0041] When an occupant switches the driving mode, a motor (not shown) is operated to rotate the first vent door 32. The rotation of the first vent door 32 allows or restricts the air from being blown out from the first vent outlet 42. In the state shown in the figure, the first vent door 32 closes the first vent outlet 42. When the driving mode of the front left seat S1 becomes the cooling mode, the first vent door 32 rotates approximately 90° and opens the first vent outlet 42.

[0042] The other doors 33 to 38 are also configured to rotate to predetermined positions depending on the driving mode. For example, the first foot door 33 opens the first foot air outlet 43 when the driving mode for the front left seat S1 is the heating mode. The defroster door 36 opens the defroster air outlet 46 when the driving mode is the defroster mode for defrosting the windshield.

[0043] In the state shown in the figure, the second foot outlet 45 and the defroster outlet 46 are open, while the first foot outlet 43, the second vent outlet 44, the first rear outlet 47, and the second rear outlet 48 are closed.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 1, the aspirator 60 is provided on the upper surface 40b of the case 40. Please refer to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4A. The aspirator 60 has an aspirator main body 61 that is inserted into the case hole 41 and into which air inside the case 40 flows, a diffuser 62 that extends from the tip of the aspirator main body 61 along the upper surface 40b of the case 40 and discharges the air that has passed through the aspirator main body 61, and a substantially cylindrical nozzle 63 that is inserted into the aspirator main body 61.

[0045] The tip of a tube 71 is connected to the end of the nozzle 63, and the end of the tube 71 faces the vehicle compartment Vi. A temperature sensor 72 for detecting the temperature inside the vehicle compartment Vi is provided inside the tube 71.

[0046] 4A and 4B. Looking into the aspirator body 61 (case hole 41) from above, it can be seen that the flow path 50 is partitioned into a first front seat flow path 51a and a second front seat flow path 52a by the partition wall 25. It can also be said that the case hole 41 is provided at a location facing both the first flow path 51 and the second flow path 52.

[0047] A portion of the air inside the case 40 flows from the case hole 41 into the aspirator body 61 and flows out through the diffuser 62 to the outside. At this time, the flow of outflowing air from inside the case 40 generates negative pressure at the tip of the nozzle 63. The generated negative pressure sucks in air inside the vehicle compartment Vi. The sucked in air passes through the tube 71 and the nozzle 63 and flows out through the diffuser 62 to the outside. A temperature sensor 72 is provided inside the tube 71, and the temperature inside the vehicle compartment Vi can be detected from the temperature of the air passing through the tube 71.

[0048] The temperature of the passenger compartment Vi (the temperature of the air inside the passenger compartment) detected by the temperature sensor 72 is input to a control device (not shown), calculated together with physical quantities input from other temperature sensors and devices, and reflected in the temperature control of the air conditioning device 10.

[0049] The air conditioner 10 described above provides the following advantages.

[0050] 2 and 4. The air sent to the flow path 50 by the blower 11 passes through the evaporator 23 and flows into the first flow path 51 and the second flow path 52. In the heating mode, hot water is passed through the hot water heater 24a, and power is applied to the electric heater 24b. For example, a blowing mode may be selected in which the first air outlets 42, 43, 47 are closed by the first opening / closing doors 32, 33, 37, and any of the second air outlets 44-46, 48 are opened by the second opening / closing doors 34-36, 38. At this time, the air that has flowed into the second flow path 52 is heated by the heater 24 (hot water heater 24a and electric heater 24b) to become hot air, and is blown out from any of the second air outlets 44-46, 48 into the vehicle interior Vi. Furthermore, the air that has flowed into the first flow path 51 is heated by the heater 24 (hot water heater 24a and electric heater 24b) and becomes hot air, but is prevented from being blown out from the first air outlets 42, 43, 47 into the vehicle interior Vi and remains in the first flow path 51. In particular, the air that remains in the first flow path 51 may be excessively heated by the heating element of the electric heater 24b. When a blowing mode is selected in which the second air outlets 44-46, 48 are blocked by the second opening / closing doors 34-36, 38 and any of the first air outlets 42, 43, 47 are opened by the first opening / closing doors 32, 33, 37, heat remains in the second flow path 52.

[0051] However, in this embodiment, the air in the first flow path 51 and the second flow path 52 flows out into the vehicle interior Vi through the case hole 41 and the aspirator 60 provided in a portion facing both the first flow path 51 and the second flow path 52, thereby preventing the heat around the heater 24 from accumulating in the first flow path 51 and the second flow path 52. This reduces the influence of heat on the case 40 and the like caused by the heat buildup, and provides an air conditioner 10 with a long product life. In particular, according to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the retention of heat even when either of the flow paths 51, 52 is closed, which is particularly preferable.

[0052] Since the high-temperature air has a lower relative mass than the surrounding air and rises, it tends to gather above the first flow path 51. Here, by forming the case hole 41 in the upper surface 40b of the case 40, it becomes easier to release particularly high-temperature air to the outside. This makes it possible to efficiently suppress the retention of heat.

[0053] In addition, the air conditioner 10 is generally set to blow more air toward the front seats S1, S2 than toward the rear seats S3, S4, and the front seat passages 51a, 52a have a larger spatial volume than the rear seat passages 51b, 52b. By providing the case hole 41 facing the front seat passages 51a, 52a, it is possible to prevent high-temperature air from accumulating in a large volume space, and the air conditioner 10 as a whole can effectively suppress heat accumulation.

[0054] <Example 2> Second Embodiment Next, an air conditioner 10A according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0055] FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of an air conditioner 10A according to a second embodiment. In the temperature adjustment section 20A of the air conditioner 10A according to the second embodiment, the first flow path 51 is disposed on the right side, and the second flow path 52 is disposed on the left side. Furthermore, the air conditioner 10A does not have an air outlet to the rear seats. Also, the defroster air outlet 49 (first air outlet 49) and the defroster opening and closing door 39 (first opening and closing door 39) are provided in the first flow path 51. Also, the heater 84 is composed of only a hot water heater, and does not have an electric heater.

[0056] Other basic configurations are the same as those of the air conditioner 10 (see FIG. 2) according to the first embodiment. The same reference numerals are used for the parts common to the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0057] The air conditioner 10A described above also achieves the desired effects of the present invention.

[0058] The air conditioner according to the present invention is not limited to those shown in each embodiment. For example, it is possible to combine each embodiment. It is also possible to configure the heater of the air conditioner shown in Fig. 2 only with a hot water heater, and to provide an air outlet to the rear seat in the air conditioner shown in Fig. 5.

[0059] As long as the functions and effects of the present invention are achieved, the present invention is not limited to the examples. [Industrial Applicability]

[0060] The air conditioner of the present invention is suitable for installation in a passenger vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 10, 10A…Vehicle air conditioning system 23...Evaporator 24, 84...Heater 25…Partition wall 26...First temperature adjustment means 27…Second temperature adjustment means 32…First vent door (first door) 33…First foot opening door (first opening door) 34…Second vent door (second door) 35…Second foot opening door (second opening door) 36…Defroster door (second door) 37…First rear door (first door) 38…Second rear opening door (Second opening door) 39…Defroster door (first door) 40...case, 40b...upper surface 41…Case hole 42…First vent outlet (first outlet) 43…First foot air outlet (first air outlet) 44…Second vent outlet (second outlet) 45…Second foot air outlet (second air outlet) 46…Defroster outlet (second outlet) 47...1st rear air outlet (1st air outlet) 48…Second rear air outlet (second air outlet) 49…Defroster outlet (1st outlet) 50...Flow path 51...first flow path, 51a...first flow path for front seats, 51b...first flow path for rear seats 52... second flow path, 52a... second flow path for front seats, 52b... second flow path for rear seats 60…Aspirator Vi…Car interior S1…Front left seat (front seat) S2…Front right seat (front seat) S3…Rear left seat (rear seat) S4…Rear right seat (rear seat)

Claims

1. A vehicle air conditioning device (10; 10A) disposed in a vehicle cabin, A case (40) having an air flow path (50) formed therein; an evaporator (23) disposed in the flow path (50) for cooling air; A heater (24; 84) for heating the air that has passed through the evaporator (23); a partition wall (25) for dividing the flow path (50) and for dividing the air that has passed through the heater (24; 84) into a first flow path (51) and a second flow path (52); a first temperature adjusting means (26) provided in the first flow path (51) for adjusting the temperature of air flowing through the first flow path (51); a second temperature adjusting means (27) provided in the second flow path (52) for adjusting the temperature of air flowing through the second flow path (52); a first outlet (42, 43, 47; 49) formed in the case (40) and configured to blow out air that has flowed through the first flow path (51); a first opening / closing door (32, 33, 37; 39) capable of adjusting the amount of air blown out from the first air outlet (42, 43, 47; 49); a second outlet (44-46, 48) formed in the case (40) and configured to blow out air that has flowed through the second flow path (52); a second opening / closing door (34-36, 38) capable of adjusting the amount of air blown out from the second air outlet (44-46, 48), the first opening / closing door (32, 33, 37; 39) is capable of closing the first air outlet (42, 43, 47; 49); the second opening / closing door (34-36, 38) is capable of closing the second air outlet (44-46, 48); The case (40) is provided with a case hole (41) at a portion facing both the first flow path (51) and the second flow path (52), The vehicle air conditioning system includes an aspirator (60) installed in the case hole (41) that uses the air flowing out of the case hole (41) to draw in air from within the vehicle cabin and discharges the air that has been drawn in together with the outflow air.

2. 2. The vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the case hole (41) is provided in an upper surface (40b) of the case (40).

3. The first flow path (51) has a first front seat flow path (50) through which air flows to be blown to a front seat in the vehicle compartment, and a first rear seat flow path (50) through which air flows to be blown to a rear seat in the vehicle compartment, The second flow path (52) has a second front seat flow path (50) through which air flows to be blown to a front seat in the vehicle compartment, and a second rear seat flow path (50) through which air flows to be blown to a rear seat in the vehicle compartment, 3. The vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the case hole (41) is provided facing the first front seat passage (50) and the second front seat passage (55).

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