Airflow generation system

Abstract

An airflow generation system comprising: a cold source 1 that is disposed on a roof panel R of a vehicle V and has a radiative cooling function; a roof trim T; a cold air flow path 2 that is formed between the cold source 1 and the roof trim T; an air inlet 3 that allows the air of the cabin 50 to flow into the cold air flow path 2; an air outlet 4 that allows air in the cold air flow path 2 to flow out to the cabin 50; and an airflow generator 5 that generates a cold airflow F1 in the direction from the air inlet 3 to the air outlet 4. The airflow generation system generates a circulating airflow F2 in the direction from the air outlet 4 side to the air inlet 3 side in the cabin 50 and reduces the temperature of the entire cabin 50 with less energy.

Description

Airflow Generation System

[0001] The present invention relates to an airflow generating system used to reduce cabin temperature in various vehicles, such as automobiles.

[0002] A conventional airflow generating system as described above is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1. The airflow generating system described in Patent Document 1 includes an air conditioning unit disposed on the roof of a vehicle and a circulation unit disposed in the cabin. The air conditioning unit takes cabin air through an air conditioning intake into an air conditioning communication passage, and the air cooled by an evaporator in the air conditioning communication passage is blown out into the cabin through an air outlet. The circulation unit includes a circulation blower, which takes air blown from the air conditioning outlet toward the circulation intake into the circulation communication passage and blows the air from the circulation outlet toward the air conditioning intake.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-182118

[0004] However, the conventional airflow generating system described above performs zone air conditioning for the cabin by circulating cool air from an air conditioning unit installed on the roof, i.e., an on-board air conditioner, through a circulation device installed in the cabin. Therefore, a large amount of energy is required to lower the temperature of the entire cabin, which has become hot while the vehicle is parked, for example.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional situation, and has an object to provide an airflow generating system that can reduce the temperature of the entire cabin with less energy.

[0006] The airflow generating system of the present invention includes a cold source disposed on a roof panel of a vehicle and having a radiative cooling function for maintaining a temperature lower than that of the cabin, a roof trim disposed inside the roof panel, a cold air flow path formed between the cold source and the roof trim, an air inlet for introducing cabin air into the cold air flow path, and an air outlet for discharging air in the cold air flow path into the cabin. The airflow generating system further includes an airflow generator for generating a cold air flow in the cold air flow path from the air inlet to the air outlet, thereby generating a circulating airflow in the cabin from the air outlet side to the air inlet side.

[0007] The airflow generating system according to the present invention uses an airflow generator to generate a cold airflow in a cold air flow path from the air inlet to the air outlet. That is, the airflow generating system uses a cold source having a radiative cooling function to cool cabin air that has flowed into the cold air flow path from the air inlet, so that a cold airflow is generated in the cold air flow path simply by driving the airflow generator. The airflow generating system then discharges the cold airflow into the cabin from the air outlet. As a result, a circulating airflow, which is a cold airflow from the air outlet side to the air inlet side, is generated in the cabin, reducing the temperature of the cabin.

[0008] In this way, the airflow generating system of the present invention generates a cold air flow in the cold air flow path and a circulating air flow in the cabin simply by driving the airflow generator, thereby achieving a reduction in the temperature of the entire cabin with little energy.

[0009] 1 is an explanatory side view of a vehicle's main parts, illustrating a first embodiment of an airflow generating system according to the present invention. It is a cross-sectional view (A) taken along the arrows A-A, a cross-sectional view (B) taken along the arrows B-B, and a cross-sectional view (C) taken along the arrows C-C in FIG. 1. It is a horizontal cross-sectional view (A) illustrating a lateral wind direction adjustment mechanism, a vertical cross-sectional view (B) illustrating a lateral wind direction adjustment mechanism, and a vertical cross-sectional view (C) illustrating a vertical wind direction adjustment mechanism in a second embodiment of an airflow generating system according to the present invention. It is an explanatory side view (A) of a vehicle's main parts, illustrating a third embodiment of an airflow generating system according to the present invention, and an explanatory side view (B) of a vehicle's main parts, illustrating a fourth embodiment. It is a graph showing the results of measuring the temperature of the heater portion (A), the temperature of the windshield portion (B), and the temperature of the roof portion (C) under different conditions, with the intake temperature kept constant and the conditions varied. It is a graph showing the results of measuring the temperature of the heater portion (A), the temperature of the windshield portion (B), and the temperature of the roof portion (C) under different conditions, with the intake temperature kept constant. 10A and 10B are graphs showing the results of measuring the temperature change in the driver's seat area to confirm the effect of the partition. 10B are graphs showing the results of measuring the temperature of the roof area (A) and the temperature of the driver's seat area (C) with the defroster activated. 10C are graphs showing the results of measuring the temperature of the roof area (A), the temperature of the heater area (B), and the temperature of the driver's seat area (C) with the intake temperature changed.

[0010] 1 is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment of an airflow generating system according to the present invention. The vehicle V shown in the figure has a roof panel R and a windshield WS, and a cabin 50 containing front seats FS, rear seats RS, a dashboard D, a steering wheel H, and the like.

[0011] The airflow generating system shown in Fig. 1 basically comprises a cold source 1 that is disposed on the roof panel R of the vehicle V and has a radiative cooling function that maintains a temperature lower than that of the cabin 50, a roof trim T that is disposed inside the roof panel R, and a cold air flow path 2 that is formed between the cold source 1 and the roof trim T. Note that Fig. 1 shows each component diagrammatically for convenience, and the exact position, size, etc. of each component are not limited to those shown in the figure.

[0012] The airflow generating system also includes an air inlet 3 that allows air from the cabin 50 to flow into the cold air flow path 2, an air outlet 4 that allows air in the cold air flow path 2 to flow out into the cabin 50, and an airflow generator 5 that generates a cold air flow F1 in the cold air flow path 2 in a direction from the air inlet 3 to the air outlet 4, and generates a circulating air flow F2 in the cabin 50 in a direction from the air outlet 4 side to the air inlet 3 side.

[0013] The cold source 1 is a known cooling sheet or structure used in various fields such as vehicles and buildings, and has a radiative cooling function itself. In this embodiment, it is provided on the outer panel of the roof panel R.

[0014] The roof trim T is an interior material of the roof portion, and as shown in FIG. 2 , it forms a cool air flow path 2 over almost the entire area between it and the cold source 1, and in this embodiment, it integrally includes an air inlet 3 and an air outlet 4. The cool air flow path 2 is closed at both ends in the left-right direction of the vehicle. As a more preferable configuration, the air inlet 3 can be located rearward of the center of the roof trim T in the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction, and in this embodiment, it is located at the vehicle's rear end. Furthermore, as a more preferable configuration, the air outlet 4 can be located forward of the center of the roof trim T in the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction, and in this embodiment, it is located at the vehicle's front end.

[0015] In addition, the illustrated airflow generating system has air outlets 4, 4 arranged at two locations on the left and right of the vehicle corresponding to the driver's seat and passenger seat of the front seat FS, as shown in Fig. 2(A), and one air inlet 3 arranged across the left and right of the vehicle, as shown in Fig. 2(C). In this embodiment, the air outlets 4, 4 are arranged facing the upper surfaces of the dashboard D and the instrument panel. The number and size of the air outlets 4 and the air inlet 3 are not limited and can be changed as appropriate.

[0016] The airflow generator 5 is not particularly limited as long as it generates a unidirectional airflow in the cool air flow path 2, but a typical example is a fan. In this embodiment, the airflow generator 5 is disposed in the center of the cool air flow path 2 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. More preferably, the airflow generators 5 can be disposed at multiple locations in the transverse direction of the vehicle. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2B , two airflow generators 5, 5 are disposed in two locations in the transverse direction of the vehicle. Each airflow generator 5 generates a cool airflow F1 in the cool air flow path 2 in the direction from the air inlet 3 to the air outlet 4, i.e., from the rear to the front of the vehicle. The number and location of the airflow generators 5 are not limited.

[0017] The airflow generation system of this embodiment also includes an airflow controller 6 that controls the airflow generator 5. The airflow controller 6 has at least the functions of operating and stopping the airflow generator 5 and adjusting the air flow rate, but in this embodiment it also has the function of adjusting the air flow rate. The air flow rate can be adjusted by changing the output of the airflow generator (fan) 5.

[0018] The airflow controller 6 has an operating section that is manually operated, and can cooperate with the automotive air conditioner 7. In this embodiment, a temperature detector 8 is provided to detect the temperature of the cabin 50, and the airflow generator 5 and the automotive air conditioner 7 can be controlled based on the temperature detected by the temperature detector 8.

[0019] The airflow generating system having the above configuration uses the airflow generator 5 to generate a cold air flow F1 in the cold air flow path 2 in a direction from the air inlet 3 to the air outlet 4. That is, the airflow generating system uses the cold source 1 having a radiative cooling function to cool the air in the cabin 50 that has been introduced into the cold air flow path 2 from the air inlet 3, so that simply driving the airflow generator 5 generates the cold air flow F1 in the cold air flow path 2. Then, the airflow generating system causes the cold air to flow out from the air outlet 4 to the cabin 50.

[0020] As a result, a circulating airflow F2, which is a cold airflow flowing from the air outlet 4 side to the air inlet 3 side, i.e., from the front to the rear of the vehicle, is generated in the cabin 50, reducing the temperature of the cabin 50. In addition, the air that has flowed to the rear of the vehicle body of the cabin 50 is taken into the cold air flow path 2 through the air inlet 3 and cooled again.

[0021] In this way, the airflow generating system continuously generates a cold air flow F1 in the cold air flow path 2 and a circulating air flow in the cabin 50 simply by driving the airflow generator 5, thereby achieving a reduction in the temperature of the entire cabin 50 using little energy.

[0022] Furthermore, by configuring the roof trim R to have the air inlet 3 and the air outlet 4, the air flow generating system can be compactly incorporated into the existing roof trim R. Moreover, the roof trim R equipped with the air flow generating system is made into a unit, which can contribute to improving the assembly workability of the vehicle V.

[0023] Here, when the vehicle V is exposed to direct sunlight (arrow L in Figure 1) while parked, the top surfaces of the dashboard D and instrument panel reach the highest temperatures, which makes it easy for the temperature in the front area of ​​the cabin 50 to rise, and heat radiation from the top surfaces of the dashboard D and instrument panel can cause discomfort to the occupants.

[0024] Therefore, the above-mentioned airflow generating system positions the air inlet 3 rearward of the center of the roof trim R in the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction, and positions the air outlet 4 forward of the roof trim R in the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction, thereby suppressing the mixing of warm air and cold air in the cold air flow path 2 and improving heat conversion efficiency.

[0025] Furthermore, the airflow generating system, in particular, positions the air outlet 4 toward the top surfaces of the dashboard D and the instrument panel, thereby intensively cooling the dashboard D and the top surfaces of the instrument panel, which are heat radiation areas, and quickly reducing the temperature of the cabin 50.

[0026] Furthermore, by arranging the airflow generator 5 inside the cold air flow path 2, the above-mentioned airflow generating system can create a pressure difference inside the cooling flow path 2, making it possible to easily generate a cold air flow F1 with a sufficient flow rate, and can also visually hide equipment to improve the appearance of the interior of the cabin 50.

[0027] Furthermore, by arranging the airflow generators 5 at multiple locations on the left and right sides of the vehicle, the airflow generating system increases the flow rate of the cold air flow F1, thereby increasing the flow rate of the circulator flow F2, thereby further improving the cooling function of the entire cabin 50.

[0028] Furthermore, the airflow generating system includes an airflow controller 6 that controls the airflow generator 5, and the airflow generator 6 has the function of operating and stopping, or operating and stopping and adjusting the air flow rate, of the airflow generator 5. This makes the airflow generating system easy to operate manually and also allows for automatic control.

[0029] Furthermore, the airflow generating system is equipped with a temperature detector 8 that detects the temperature of the cabin 50, and by controlling the airflow generator 5 based on the temperature detected by the temperature detector 8, automatic control is possible and the system can be made to work in conjunction with the automotive air conditioner 7. And, because the airflow generating system functions as part of the automotive air conditioner 7, the control device for the automotive air conditioner equipped with the airflow generating system can reduce the energy required for air conditioning accordingly.

[0030] Furthermore, a vehicle equipped with the above airflow generating system can reduce the cabin temperature with less energy, thereby achieving overall energy savings and efficient energy distribution.

[0031] 3 and 4 are diagrams illustrating second to fourth embodiments of the airflow generation system according to the present invention. In the following embodiments, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0032] Second Embodiment As shown in Fig. 3, the airflow generation system includes an airflow direction adjustment mechanism 60 that changes the flow direction of air flowing into the cabin 50. As shown in Figs. 3A and 3B, the airflow direction adjustment mechanism 60 includes a rectangular fixed frame 61 that is attached to the air outlet (reference numeral 4 in Fig. 1), and a rectangular movable frame 62 that is attached inside the fixed frame 61, as shown in Fig. 3C.

[0033] The fixed frame 61 and the movable frame 62 are combined so that their contact surfaces form a spherical or curved joint. A plurality of louvers 63 rotatably supported by vertical shafts are arranged inside the movable frame 62. A common link 65 having a left-right operating unit 64 is connected to each louver 63. The movable frame 62 also has, at its lower part, an up-down operating unit 66 that penetrates the fixed frame 61 downward.

[0034] The airflow direction adjustment mechanism 60 can change the direction of the cool air flowing out of the air outlet in the left-right direction by moving the left-right operation unit 64 in the left-right direction of the vehicle, thereby rotating all of the louvers 63 simultaneously as shown by the dotted lines in Figure 3(A) . Also, the airflow direction adjustment mechanism 60 can change the direction of the cool air flowing out of the air outlet in the up-down direction by moving the up-down operation unit 66 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, thereby rotating the movable frame 62 in the up-down direction relative to the fixed frame 61.

[0035] An airflow generating system equipped with such an airflow direction adjustment mechanism 60 can obtain the same functions and effects as those of the first embodiment, and can also realize further improvement in convenience by allowing the occupant to select the airflow direction according to their preference. Note that the configuration of the airflow direction adjustment mechanism 60 is not limited to that of the above embodiment, and it may be configured such that the movable part is driven by a motor or the like, or a throttle or the like for adjusting the airflow volume may be added.

[0036] 4A and 4B, an airflow generating system is provided in which an airflow generator 5 is disposed outside the cool air flow path 2 and at least one of the air inlet 3 and the air outlet 4. In the airflow generating system shown in Fig. 4A, an airflow generator 5 is disposed outside the cool air flow path 2 and outside the air outlet 4.

[0037] The above-mentioned airflow generating system operates the airflow generator 5 arranged outside the air outlet 4 to suck in the cold air flow path 2, drawing air from the cabin 50 into the cold air flow path 2 from the air inlet 3, and cooling the drawn air using the cold source 1.

[0038] 4(B) is configured such that an airflow generator 5 is disposed outside the cold air flow path 2, outside the air inlet 3. In the above airflow generating system, by operating the airflow generator 5 disposed outside the air inlet 3, the inside of the cold air flow path 2 is pressurized and air from the cabin 50 is sent from the air inlet 3 into the cold air flow path 2, and the sent air is cooled by the cold source 1.

[0039] Each of the above airflow generating systems can obtain the same functions and effects as the first embodiment, and can also generate a cold air flow by creating a pressure difference within the cold air flow path 2, and can also ensure the volume of the cabin 50 by reducing the height dimensions, etc., of the cold air flow path.

[0040] In addition, the airflow generating system can also be configured so that the airflow generators 5 are arranged at both the air inlet 3 and the air outlet 4, or both inside and outside the cold air flow path 2, allowing the position and placement of the airflow generators 5 to be freely selected.

[0041] <Test Implementation> Tests were conducted on the airflow generating system according to the present invention, in which airflow was generated under the following conditions 1 to 7, and the temperature of each part was measured. The parts where the temperature was measured were the heater part of the dashboard, the windshield part, the roof part, and the head part of the driver's seat.

[0042] Condition 1: An airflow from the rear of the vehicle to the front is generated in the cold air flow path 2. Condition 2: An airflow from the front of the vehicle to the rear is generated in the cold air flow path 2. Condition 3: A partition that directs the cold air flow is placed in the cold air flow path 2, and an airflow from the rear of the vehicle to the front is generated. Condition 4: A partition is placed in the cold air flow path 2, and an airflow from the front of the vehicle to the rear is generated. Condition 5: The defroster is activated. Condition 6: A partition is placed in the cold air flow path 2, the intake temperature is kept constant, and an airflow from the rear of the vehicle to the front is generated. Condition 7: A partition is placed in the cold air flow path 2, and the intake temperature is changed, and an airflow from the front of the vehicle to the rear is generated.

[0043] Figure 5 shows the results of tests conducted under conditions 1 and 2. The test procedure was as follows: in a configuration equivalent to the airflow generating system shown in Figure 1, the heater and chiller were operated for 90 minutes, and then the airflow generator 5 was operated to measure the temperature change over time.

[0044] As is clear from Figures 5A and 5B, the temperature change in the heater and windshield areas is greater when the cold air flow F1 is generated from the rear to the front of the vehicle (condition 1) than when the cold air flow F1 is generated from the front to the rear of the vehicle (condition 2). Also, as is clear from Figure 5C, the temperature change in the roof area is greater due to the action of the cold source 1, regardless of the direction of the cold air flow F1.

[0045] As a result, it was found that the airflow generating system generates a cold airflow F1 in the cold air flow path 2 from the rear to the front of the vehicle, as shown in Figure 1, and generates a circulating airflow F2 in the cabin 50 from the front to the rear of the vehicle, thereby causing heat exchange between the cold air and the heater and suppressing the temperature of the cabin 50.

[0046] Fig. 6 shows the results of tests carried out under conditions 3 and 7. The test procedure was the same as the test shown in Fig. 5, but the intake temperature to the cold air flow path 2 was unified.

[0047] As is clear from Figures 6A and 6B, the temperature change in the heater and windshield areas is greater when the cold air flow F1 is generated from the rear to the front of the vehicle (condition 3) than when the cold air flow F1 is generated from the front to the rear of the vehicle (condition 7). Also, as is clear from Figure 6C, the temperature change in the roof area is greater due to the action of the cold source 1, regardless of the direction of the cold air flow F1.

[0048] As a result, it was found that the airflow generating system can suppress the temperature of the cabin 50 without being affected by the intake temperature into the cold air flow path 2 by generating a cold air flow F1 from the rear to the front of the vehicle within the cold air flow path 2 and generating a circulating air flow F2 in the cabin 50 from the front to the rear of the vehicle.

[0049] Fig. 7 shows the results of tests conducted under conditions 1 and 3. As is clear from Fig. 7, there was no change in temperature or the amount of change in temperature in the head area of ​​the driver's seat under any of the conditions, and there was no difference in how easily the cabin 50 cooled, regardless of whether or not a partition was present.

[0050] Figure 8 shows the results of tests conducted under conditions 3 and 5. As is clear from Figures 8(A) and (B), in the driver's seat head area, the defroster is on and air does not smoothly enter the narrow cold air flow path 2, making it difficult for heat exchange to occur, but in the roof area, the amount of temperature change is large due to the cold source 1.

[0051] Figure 9 shows the results of tests conducted under conditions 4 and 7. As is clear from Figures 9(A) to (C), when warm air and cold air are introduced into the cooling flow path 2, the cooling rate is faster when cold air is used, but it was found that the temperature reached is approximately the same in both cases.

[0052] From the above, the airflow generating device according to the present invention can suppress the temperature of the cabin 50 more effectively by generating the cold airflow F1 in the cold air flow path 2 in the direction from the front to the rear of the vehicle than by operating the defroster. The airflow generating device can suppress the temperature of the cabin 50 most efficiently by generating the cold airflow F1 in the cold air flow path 2 in the direction from the rear to the front of the vehicle, as shown in FIG.

[0053] The configuration of the airflow generating system according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present invention, depending on the structure of the vehicle cabin, etc.

[0054] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Cold source 2 Cold air flow path 3 Air inlet 4 Air outlet 5 Air flow generator 6 Air flow controller 7 Automotive air conditioner 8 Temperature detector 50 Cabin 60 Air direction adjustment mechanism D Dashboard F1 Cold air flow F2 Circulating air flow R Roof panel T Roof trim V Vehicle (automobile)

Claims

1. A roof panel is provided on a roof portion of a vehicle, and a roof trim is an interior material disposed inside the roof panel, A cold source provided on the outer surface of the roof panel and having a radiative cooling function for maintaining a temperature lower than that of the cabin; a cool air flow path formed between the roof panel and the roof trim such that air in the cabin directly contacts the roof panel; an air inlet for introducing cabin air into the cold air flow path; an air outlet through which air in the cold air flow path flows out into the cabin; an airflow generator that generates a cold air flow in the cold air flow path from the air inlet to the air outlet, wherein the cabin air that has flowed into the cold air flow path is cooled by the cold source, and a circulating airflow is generated in the cabin in the direction from the air outlet side to the air inlet side.

2. The airflow generating system of claim 1 , wherein the roof trim includes the airflow inlet and the airflow outlet.

3. The air inlet is disposed rearward of a center of the roof trim in a front-rear direction of the vehicle, 3. The airflow generating system according to claim 1, wherein the air outlet is disposed forward of a center of the roof trim in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

4. 4. The airflow generating system of claim 3, wherein said airflow outlet is disposed toward an upper surface of a dashboard and instrument panel.

5. 2. The airflow generating system of claim 1, wherein the airflow generator is disposed within the cold air flow path.

6. 2. The airflow generating system of claim 1, wherein the airflow generator is disposed outside the cold air flow path relative to at least one of the air inlet and the air outlet.

7. 2. The airflow generating system according to claim 1, wherein the airflow generators are disposed at a plurality of positions in the left-right direction of the vehicle.

8. an airflow controller for controlling the airflow generator; 2. The airflow generating system according to claim 1, wherein the airflow generator has a function of at least starting and stopping the airflow generator and adjusting an air flow rate.

9. a temperature detector for detecting a temperature of the cabin; 9. The airflow generating system according to claim 8, wherein the airflow controller controls the airflow generator based on the temperature detected by the temperature detector.

10. 2. The airflow generating system according to claim 1, further comprising an airflow direction adjusting mechanism for changing the flow direction of the air flowing out into the cabin.

11. A roof trim for an automobile comprising the airflow generating system according to claim 1.

12. 2. A control device for an automobile air conditioner, comprising the air flow generating system according to claim 1.

13. A vehicle comprising the airflow generating system according to claim 1.