Vehicle air conditioner

Abstract

To provide an air conditioner for vehicle which can sterilize air circulating in the interior thereof, and can assure smooth air circulation.SOLUTION: An air conditioner for a vehicle comprises: an air flow passage which delivers air into a compartment of the vehicle; a light emission device which irradiates air circulating in the air flow passage with UV light. The light emission device has a light guide plate which is provided along an inner wall surface of the air flow passage, and an ultraviolet LED which irradiates a side peripheral surface of the light guide plate with the UV light to introduce the UV light inside. The UV light introduced into the light guide plate travels while reflecting inside the light guide plate, and is injected from an injection surface formed on one plate surface which is a face on a side opposite to the inner wall surface of the air flow passage.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioner capable of supplying comfortable air sterilized by ultraviolet light into a room, and a light emitting device used therefor.

Background Art

[0002] A vehicle air conditioner (hereinafter also referred to as a vehicle air conditioner) selectively takes in outside air or inside air, cools or heats the air by a refrigeration cycle, and sends it into the vehicle interior.

[0003] Conventionally, in this type of vehicle air conditioner, as shown in Patent Document 1, an ultraviolet lamp is provided inside the air conditioner, and sterilization of devices (for example, an evaporator, a filter, etc.) inside the air conditioner, decomposition of odor substances, etc. are performed through a photocatalyst by ultraviolet rays emitted from this ultraviolet lamp. There is something known as doing it.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, since the ultraviolet lamp is bulky, it hinders the miniaturization of the air conditioner and becomes a resistance to the air flowing inside the air conditioner.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and the main object thereof is to provide a vehicle air conditioner or the like that can sterilize the air flowing inside and can ensure smooth air flow.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] That is, the vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention includes an air flow path for sending air into the vehicle interior, and a light emitting device for irradiating ultraviolet light to the air flowing through the air flow path. The light emitting device has a light guide plate provided along the inner wall surface of the air flow path, and an ultraviolet LED for irradiating ultraviolet light to the side circumferential surface of the light guide plate and introducing it into the light guide plate. The ultraviolet light introduced into the light guide plate travels while being reflected inside the light guide plate, and is configured to be emitted from an emission surface formed on one plate surface which is the surface opposite to the inner wall surface of the air flow path.

[0008] With such a configuration, since the light emitting device is provided along the inner wall surface of the air flow path, it hardly obstructs the air flowing through the air flow path, and the ultraviolet light emitted by surface emission passes so as to widely cross the air flow path. Thus, the ultraviolet light reaches a wide area inside the air flow path, and the sterilization efficiency of the air can be maintained high.

[0009] If it further includes a dust filter provided in the air flow path and is configured such that the ultraviolet light irradiates the filter, dust and dirt collected by the dust filter can also be sterilized.

[0010] As a specific embodiment for surface emission, fine irregularities are provided on the emission surface on the one plate surface, the other plate surface is a smooth surface, and the ultraviolet light introduced into the light guide plate is configured to be scattered by the irregularities of the emission surface and then emitted to the outside.

[0011] With such a configuration, by adjusting the size, shape, density, etc. of the irregularities, a surface emission mode that is efficient for sterilization and the like can be obtained.

[0012] In addition, the light-emitting device in the vehicle air conditioner of the present invention includes a frame body arranged such that an opening is orthogonal to the air flow direction, one or a plurality of light guide rods provided so as to straddle the frame body, and an ultraviolet LED that irradiates the end face of the light guide rod with ultraviolet light and introduces it into the inside thereof. The ultraviolet light introduced into the inside of the light guide rod may be configured to travel while reflecting inside the light guide rod and be emitted from an emission surface formed on the side circumferential surface thereof.

[0013] If it is such a thing, it is difficult to inhibit the air flow, and the ultraviolet light emitted from the side circumferential surface of the light guide rod can reach a wide area in the air flow path and maintain a high air sterilization efficiency.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, since the air flow is hardly excluded and the ultraviolet light reaches a wide area of the air flow path, the air sterilization efficiency can be maintained high.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] The vehicle air conditioner according to each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] <First Embodiment> As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle air conditioner 100 has an air flow path 5 inside that sucks air from either the interior or exterior of, for example, a passenger car (vehicle) and discharges the air into the interior, and adjusts the temperature and the like of the air in the vehicle interior by adjusting the air flowing through the air flow path 5.

[0018] In the air flow path 5, an intake port 51 communicating with the outside and the inside respectively, an intake switching damper 52 that selectively opens one of the intake ports 51, a dust-proof filter 53 that dust-proofs the air flowing through the air flow path 5, a blower 54 that allows air to flow through the air flow path 5, an indoor heat exchanger 55 that is part of the air conditioner main body, and an outlet 56 communicating with the outlet to the interior are provided in this order from the upstream side.

[0019] Also, in this air flow path 5, in the portion where the dust-proof filter 53, the blower 54, and the indoor heat exchanger 55 are arranged, an accommodation portion 57 having a larger diameter is provided in the front and rear portions thereof to accommodate them. The accommodation portion 57 of the indoor heat exchanger 55 has the same configuration.

[0020] Note that the indoor heat exchanger 55 is part of a refrigeration cycle system 7 that constitutes the vehicle air conditioner 100. This refrigeration cycle system 7 has a compressor (not shown), an indoor heat exchanger 55, an expansion valve (not shown), and an outdoor heat exchanger (not shown) arranged in parallel on a refrigerant flow path 7a through which the refrigerant flows. Further, a four-way valve (not shown) is provided in this refrigerant flow path, and by switching it, the flow of the refrigerant is reversed, and the functions as an evaporator or a condenser in each of the heat exchangers are reversed, so that cooling and heating can be switched.

[0021] Thus, the vehicle air conditioner 100 in this embodiment further includes a light-emitting device 1 that emits ultraviolet light for sterilizing the air flowing through the air flow path 5 as shown in FIGS. 2 to 3. Here, the sterilization mentioned here is in a broad sense and includes concepts such as disinfection and bacteriostasis.

[0022] This light-emitting device 1 includes a flat light guide plate 2 and ultraviolet LEDs 3 provided so as to face the side circumferential surface of the light guide plate 2, and the ultraviolet light introduced into the light guide plate 2 from the side circumferential surface travels while being reflected inside the light guide plate 2 and is configured to be emitted from an emission surface 23b formed on one plate surface 22 of the light guide plate 2, having a flat shape.

[0023] Each part will be described in detail.

[0024] The light guide plate 2 is in the shape of a rectangular flat plate and is formed of glass or a transparent resin having resistance to ultraviolet light. Further, on one plate surface 23 of the light guide plate 2, an emission surface 23b having fine irregularities 23a formed thereon is provided, and the other plate surface 22 of the light guide plate 2 is a smooth surface. And the ultraviolet light introduced into the light guide plate 2 is configured to be diffusely reflected at the emission surface 23b where the irregularities 23a are formed and emitted to the outside.

[0025] The ultraviolet LED 3 is a surface-mounted type that emits ultraviolet light in the UVA region (for example, light having a wavelength of about 360 nm). Here, one or multiple rows are arranged side by side on a strip-shaped wiring board 31. This ultraviolet LED 3 is built into a housing 8 having one surface open, and the opening of this housing 8 is attached to one side of the light guide plate 2 so that ultraviolet light is introduced into the interior from substantially the entire region of the side circumferential surface on one side of the light guide plate 8.

[0026] Note that the ultraviolet LED 3 may be attached not only to one side of the light guide plate but also to all four sides, or only to two opposing sides.

[0027] In addition, as the ultraviolet LED 3, those that emit ultraviolet light in the aforementioned UVA region have the advantage of a large light quantity. However, since the sterilizing power per unit light quantity is slightly inferior, for example, those that emit ultraviolet light in the UVC region (for example, light near a wavelength of 260 nm) with a slightly smaller light quantity but excellent sterilizing power per unit light quantity may be used.

[0028] The light-emitting device 1 configured as described above is provided along the inner wall surface that forms the air flow path 5 with the light-emitting surface 23b of the light guide plate 2 facing the front side.

[0029] In this embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, the light-emitting device 1 is arranged along the diagonal inner wall of the accommodating portion 57 that extends to the downstream side of the dust filter 53. Also, here, the light-emitting device 1 is arranged along the inner wall of the accommodating portion 57 that extends to the upstream side of the indoor heat exchanger 55 and is orthogonal to the air flow direction. In such a configuration, when the ultraviolet LED 3 emits light, the ultraviolet light is emitted from the light-emitting surface 23b of the light guide plate 2 and widely irradiated so as to cross the air flow path 5.

[0030] Thus, in such a case, since the flat light-emitting device 1 is arranged along the inner wall of the air flow path 5, it hardly obstructs the air flow. Moreover, since the ultraviolet light emitted by surface emission widely crosses the air flow path 5, the ultraviolet light is irradiated over a wide area in the air flow path 5, and the sterilization efficiency of the air can be maintained high.

[0031] In addition, since the dust filter 53 and the indoor heat exchanger 55 where bacteria are likely to adhere are irradiated with ultraviolet light, effective sterilization can also be achieved.

[0032] <Second Embodiment> The vehicle air conditioner 100 according to this embodiment has the same basic configuration as that of the first embodiment except for the light-emitting device, so the description is omitted. Also, for the vehicle air conditioner 100, the reference numerals are the same.

[0033] On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the light-emitting device 1X according to this embodiment includes a frame body 11X arranged such that the opening is orthogonal to the flow direction of the air in the air flow path 5, one or a plurality of light guide rods 12X provided so as to straddle the frame body 11X, and an ultraviolet LED 13X that irradiates the end face of the light guide rod 12X with ultraviolet light and introduces it into the inside thereof. Then, the ultraviolet light introduced into the light guide rod 12X is configured to travel while being reflected inside the light guide rod 12X and be emitted from its side circumferential surface 12aX.

[0034] Specifically, the frame body 11X has, for example, a rectangular annular shape, and its outer circumferential surface is fitted into the inner circumferential surface of the air flow path 5 with almost no gap. In this embodiment, the frame body 11X is arranged in front of the air outlet 58 into the vehicle interior in the vehicle air conditioner 100.

[0035] The light guide rod 12X is a transparent body having a linear cylindrical shape, and two are provided in parallel at a predetermined distance so as to straddle between the opposing sides of the frame body 11X. All or part of the side circumferential surface 12aX of the light guide rod 12X is a light emitting surface 12bX provided with fine irregularities.

[0036] The ultraviolet LED 13X is the same as that in the first embodiment. Here, it is arranged inside the frame body 11X and is configured to irradiate ultraviolet light into the inside from one end face of the light guide rod 12X.

[0037] In such a configuration, when the ultraviolet LED 13X emits light, the ultraviolet light is emitted from the side circumferential surface 12aX of the light guide rod 12X and widely irradiates the air flow path 5. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, ultraviolet light is irradiated over a wide area in the air flow path 5, and the sterilization efficiency of the air can be maintained high.

[0038] <Other Embodiments> Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the structure for surface light emission is not limited to providing unevenness on the light guide plate 2. A structure in which a diffusion reflection plate is attached to the back surface of the light guide plate 2 may also be used.

[0039] Also, the attachment position of the light-emitting device may be set at various locations according to the shape of the air flow path.

[0040] Further, the light guide plate 2 is not limited to being rectangular, and may be any shape that follows the shape of the inner wall surface of the air flow path, such as circular or annular as shown in FIG. 7. Furthermore, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, it may be cylindrical or square cylindrical and may be fitted and attached to the inner wall of the air flow path 5. If it is a part where the air flow path 5 expands, it may be frustum of a cone shape or frustum of a pyramid shape. The light guide rod 12X may be prismatic or may be one that damages the surface of the optical fiber and emits light therefrom.

[0041] In addition, the present invention can be variously modified as long as it does not depart from the gist thereof.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0042] 100 Vehicle air conditioner 1, 1X Light-emitting device 2 Light guide plate 21 Side peripheral surface 3, 13X UV LED B Ultraviolet light 22 One plate surface 23b, 12bX Emission surface 23 The other plate surface 23a Unevenness 4 Air conditioner main body 5 Air flow path 6 Dust filter 11X Frame body 12X Light guide rod

Claims

1. An air flow path for delivering air into the interior of a vehicle, a light-emitting device for irradiating ultraviolet light onto the air flowing through the air flow path, and a dust filter provided in the air flow path, wherein the light-emitting device is a light guide plate having a pair of front and back plate surfaces and a side peripheral surface formed between the peripheries of the pair of plate surfaces, and the light guide plate is provided on an inner wall surface forming the air flow path such that one of the pair of plate surfaces is along the inner wall surface, and has an ultraviolet LED for irradiating ultraviolet light in the UVC region onto the side peripheral surface of the light guide plate and introducing the ultraviolet light into the light guide plate, and the ultraviolet light introduced into the light guide plate travels while being reflected inside the light guide plate, and is configured to be emitted from an emission surface formed on the one plate surface and irradiated onto the dust filter. The vehicle air conditioner is characterized by this.

2. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein fine irregularities are provided on the emission surface of the one plate surface, the other plate surface is a smooth surface, and the ultraviolet light introduced into the light guide plate is configured to be scattered by the irregularities of the emission surface and then emitted to the outside.

3. It is used in a vehicle air conditioner in which an air flow path for delivering air into the interior of a vehicle is formed inside, and the air flowing through the air flow path is adjusted. a light guide plate having a pair of front and back plate surfaces and a side peripheral surface formed between the peripheries of the pair of plate surfaces, and the light guide plate is provided on an inner wall surface forming the air flow path such that one of the pair of plate surfaces is along the inner wall surface, and has an ultraviolet LED for irradiating ultraviolet light in the UVC region onto the side peripheral surface of the light guide plate and introducing the ultraviolet light into the light guide plate, and the ultraviolet light introduced into the light guide plate travels while being reflected inside the light guide plate, and is configured to be emitted from an emission surface formed on the one plate surface and irradiated onto a dust filter provided in the air flow path. The light-emitting device is characterized by this.

4. An air flow path for delivering air into the interior of a vehicle, and a light-emitting device for irradiating ultraviolet light onto the air flowing through the air flow path, wherein the light-emitting device is a frame body having an annular shape, an opening formed surrounded by the annular portion being orthogonal to the air flow direction, and being arranged to fit into an inner peripheral surface forming the air flow path, one or a plurality of light guide rods provided so as to straddle the frame body, and an ultraviolet LED for irradiating ultraviolet light onto an end face of the light guide rod and introducing the ultraviolet light into the light guide rod. The vehicle air conditioner is characterized in that ultraviolet light introduced into the light guide bar travels while being reflected inside the light guide bar and is emitted from an emission surface formed on the side peripheral surface thereof.

5. It is used for a vehicle air conditioner in which an air flow path for sending air into the vehicle interior is formed inside, and the air flowing through the air flow path is adjusted. A frame body that forms an annular shape, an opening formed surrounded by the annular portion is orthogonal to the air flow direction, and is arranged so as to fit into the inner peripheral surface forming the air flow path. One or a plurality of light guide bars provided so as to straddle the frame body. It has an ultraviolet LED that irradiates the end face of the light guide bar with ultraviolet light and introduces it into the inside thereof. The light emitting device is characterized in that ultraviolet light introduced into the light guide bar travels while being reflected inside the light guide bar and is emitted from an emission surface formed on the side peripheral surface thereof.

Images