Air-conditioning device

Abstract

An inside / outside air intake case (10) provided in an air conditioning device (1) is provided on the engine-compartment or motor-compartment (2) side of an opening (5) formed in a partition wall (4), and an air conditioning case (20) is provided on the cabin (3) side of the opening hole (5) formed in the partition wall (4). A blower (30) is provided in the air conditioning case (20) such that an air intake port (33) of a fan (31) that rotates about a predetermined axis (CL) faces the opening hole (5). A space in the air conditioning case (20) that is set apart from the axis (CL) of the fan (31) in the radial direction is partitioned by the partition wall (40) into a plurality of regions in the rotation direction of the fan (31). A plurality of outer passages (50) are defined in the air conditioning case (20) by an inner wall (22) that is set apart from the axis (CL) of the fan (31) in the radial direction, an inner wall (23) on the partition-wall (4) side, and the partition wall (40). The plurality of outer passages (50) are formed so as to be set apart from the axis (CL) of the fan (31) in the radial direction.

Description

air conditioner CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-006259, filed on January 18, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioning device mounted on a vehicle.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an air conditioner that is attached to a partition wall (i.e., a firewall) that separates an engine room or motor room from a passenger compartment of a vehicle, and that is provided across the engine room or motor room and the passenger compartment.

[0004] In the air conditioner described in Patent Document 1, an inside / outside air intake case that draws in air inside and outside the vehicle cabin is located in an area on the engine compartment side of a partition wall, and an air conditioning case equipped with a blower is located in an area on the interior side of the partition wall. The air conditioner is fixed by a fixing member via a seal packing around an opening formed in the partition wall.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-182226

[0006] However, the air conditioner described in Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which the passage downstream of the fan of the blower extends only in one direction, radially outward from the axis of rotation of the fan. Therefore, this air conditioner has a problem of increased vibration due to an imbalance in the wind pressure acting on the inner wall surrounding the radially outer side of the fan. As a result, the seal packing installed between the air conditioner and the partition wall deteriorates due to the vibration. Furthermore, when the air conditioner is fixed to the partition wall with screws or the like, the vibration of the air conditioner is transmitted directly to the partition wall, causing abnormal noise and other problems.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an air conditioner that can suppress vibrations.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an air conditioning device provided in a partition wall separating an engine room or motor room from the passenger compartment of a vehicle includes: an inside / outside air intake case provided on the engine room or motor room side of an opening formed in the partition wall; an air conditioning case provided on the passenger compartment side of the opening formed in the partition wall; a blower having a fan that rotates around a predetermined axis and provided in the air conditioning case so that the air intake port of the fan faces the opening hole; a partition wall that divides a space radially outward from the axis of the fan into multiple regions in the rotation direction of the fan within the air conditioning case; and a multiple number of outer passages formed radially outward from the axis of the fan, which are partitioned by an inner wall of the air conditioning case radially outward from the axis of the fan, an inner wall on the partition wall side, and the partition wall.

[0009] According to this, the air blown from the fan flows through multiple outer passages formed radially outward from the fan axis. This balances the wind pressure acting on the inner walls forming each of the multiple outer passages, thereby suppressing vibration. Furthermore, when the airflow rate of the blower described in Patent Document 1 is the same as the airflow rate of the blower provided in the air conditioning device of one aspect of the present disclosure, the air conditioning device of one aspect of the present disclosure can reduce the wind pressure acting on the inner walls forming each of the multiple outer passages compared to the blower described in Patent Document 1, thereby suppressing vibration. As a result, when a sealing packing is provided between the air conditioning case and the partition wall, deterioration of the sealing packing due to vibration can be suppressed. Furthermore, when the air conditioning case and the partition wall are fixed with screws or the like, noise caused by vibration of the partition wall can be suppressed.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an air conditioning device provided in a partition wall separating an engine room or a motor room of a vehicle from the interior of a passenger compartment includes: an inside / outside air intake case provided on the engine room or motor room side of an opening formed in the partition wall; an air conditioning case provided on the interior of the passenger compartment side of the opening formed in the partition wall; a blower having a fan that rotates around a predetermined axis and provided in the air conditioning case so that the air intake port of the fan faces the opening hole; an outer passage partitioned by an inner wall of the air conditioning case that surrounds the entire circumference radially outward from the axis of the fan and an inner wall on the partition wall side, and formed around the entire circumference radially outward from the axis of the fan; and a downstream passage formed in the air conditioning case on the opposite side of the partition wall from the fan, and communicating with the outer passage.

[0011] According to this, the air blown out from the fan flows through an outer passage formed around the entire circumference radially outward from the fan axis. This balances the wind pressure acting on various locations on the inner wall forming the outer passage, thereby suppressing vibration. Furthermore, when the airflow volume of the blower described in Patent Document 1 is the same as the airflow volume of the blower provided in the air conditioning device of another aspect of the present disclosure, the air conditioning device of another aspect of the present disclosure can reduce the wind pressure acting on various locations on the inner wall forming the outer passage compared to the blower described in Patent Document 1, thereby suppressing vibration. As a result, when a seal packing is provided between the air conditioning case and the partition wall, deterioration of the seal packing due to vibration can be suppressed. Furthermore, when the air conditioning case and the partition wall are fixed with screws or the like, noise caused by vibration of the partition wall can be suppressed.

[0012] 1. A cross-sectional view of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment. A cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1. A cross-sectional view of an air conditioner according to a second embodiment. A cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3. A cross-sectional view of a portion corresponding to FIG. 2 in an air conditioner according to a third embodiment. A cross-sectional view of an air conditioner according to a fourth embodiment. A cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG.

[0013] Hereinafter, multiple embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, identical or equivalent parts will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0014] First Embodiment An air conditioner according to a first embodiment will be described below. As shown in Fig. 1, the air conditioner 1 according to this embodiment is attached to a partition wall 4 (i.e., a firewall) that separates an engine room or motor room 2 from a passenger compartment 3 of a vehicle, and is configured to straddle the engine room or motor room 2 and the passenger compartment 3.

[0015] In addition, the coordinates shown in each drawing indicate the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle when the air conditioning device 1 is installed in the vehicle as "front" and "rear," the up-and-down direction of the vehicle as "up" and "down," and the left and right directions of the vehicle width as "left" and "right."

[0016] The air conditioner 1 includes an inside / outside air intake case 10, an air conditioning case 20, a blower 30, a partition wall 40, a plurality of outside passages 50, a downstream passage 60, and the like.

[0017] The inside / outside air intake case 10 is provided in an area on the engine compartment or motor compartment 2 side of the opening 5 formed in the partition wall 4. The inside / outside air intake case 10 has an inside air intake port 11 that draws in air inside the vehicle cabin (hereinafter referred to as "inside air") and an outside air intake port 12 that draws in air outside the vehicle cabin (hereinafter referred to as "outside air"). An inside / outside air door 13 that opens and closes the inside air intake port 11 and the outside air intake port 12 is provided inside the inside / outside air intake case 10. The inside / outside air door 13 can switch the intake ratio of inside air and outside air.

[0018] The air conditioning case 20 is provided in an area on the vehicle interior 3 side of the opening 5 formed in the partition wall 4. More specifically, the air conditioning case 20 is provided inside an instrument panel (not shown) in the area on the vehicle interior 3 side. In the air conditioner 1 of this embodiment, the inside / outside air intake case 10 is provided in an area on the engine compartment or motor compartment 2 side, so that the size of the air conditioning case 20 provided in the area on the vehicle interior 3 side can be reduced. This makes it possible to reduce the space within the instrument panel where the air conditioning case 20 is arranged, thereby ensuring a larger living space in the vehicle interior 3.

[0019] The air conditioning case 20 is fixed to the partition wall 4. A seal packing 6 is provided between the air conditioning case 20 and the partition wall 4. The seal packing 6 prevents air leakage from inside the air conditioning case 20 and can suppress the transmission of vibration between the air conditioning case 20 and the partition wall 4. Although not shown, the seal packing 6 may be omitted and the air conditioning case 20 and the partition wall 4 may be directly fixed together with screws or the like (not shown). Alternatively, the seal packing 6 may be interposed between the air conditioning case 20 and the partition wall 4 and fixed together with screws or the like.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the blower 30 includes a fan 31 and an electric motor 32 that rotates the fan 31. Driven by the electric motor 32, the fan 31 rotates about a predetermined axis CL. The fan 31 may be a centrifugal fan, such as a turbofan or a sirocco fan. The blower 30 is installed inside the air conditioning case 20 so that the air intake port 33 of the fan 31 faces the opening 5 in the partition wall 4. A bell mouth 21 is installed in the air conditioning case 20 on the partition wall 4 side. The inner opening of the bell mouth 21 and the air intake port 33 of the fan 31 are approximately aligned. The opening 5 in the partition wall 4, the inner opening of the bell mouth 21, and the air intake port 33 of the fan 31 are approximately coaxially arranged.

[0021] In the following description, the radial direction of an imaginary circle that is perpendicular to the rotation axis CL of the fan 31 and has the axis CL as its center is referred to as the "radial direction with respect to the axis CL of the fan 31." Additionally, the direction that moves away from the axis CL in the radial direction with respect to the axis CL of the fan 31 is referred to as the "radial outward direction with respect to the axis CL of the fan 31."

[0022] Two partition walls 40 are provided inside the air conditioning case 20 on the radially outer side of the axis CL of the fan 31. The partition walls 40 are walls that divide the space radially outward of the axis CL of the fan 31 into multiple regions in the rotation direction of the fan 31. In this embodiment, the two partition walls 40 are provided on the left and right sides of the fan 31 in the vehicle width direction. The two partition walls 40 are also provided at symmetrical positions with respect to the axis CL of the fan 31.

[0023] A plurality of outer passages 50 are formed inside the air conditioning case 20, radially outward from the axial center CL of the fan 31. The plurality of outer passages 50 are partitioned by an inner wall 22 of the air conditioning case 20 that is radially outward from the axial center CL of the fan 31, an inner wall 23 on the partition wall 4 side, and two partition walls 40. The inner wall 22 of the air conditioning case 20 that is radially outward from the axial center CL of the fan 31 is provided so as to surround the entire circumference radially outward from the axial center CL of the fan 31.

[0024] In the first embodiment, the multiple outer passages 50 include a first outer passage 51 and a second outer passage 52. The first outer passage 51 and the second outer passage 52 are formed symmetrically with respect to the axis CL of the fan 31. Specifically, the first outer passage 51 is formed on the vehicle upper side with respect to the axis CL of the fan 31, and the second outer passage 52 is formed on the vehicle lower side with respect to the axis CL of the fan 31. As shown in FIG. 2 , in a cross section perpendicular to the axis CL of the fan 31, the flow path areas of the first outer passage 51 and the second outer passage 52 are preferably approximately the same. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1 , in a cross section parallel to the axis CL of the fan 31, the flow path areas of the first outer passage 51 and the second outer passage 52 are preferably approximately the same. Note that in the present disclosure, "approximately the same" means not only completely the same but also includes an error of about 10 to 20%.

[0025] A downstream passage 60 is formed inside the air conditioning case 20 on the opposite side of the partition wall 4 from the fan 31. In Fig. 1, for the sake of explanation, the boundary between the outer passage 50 and the downstream passage 60 is indicated by a dashed line B, but in reality, the outer passage 50 and the downstream passage 60 are a continuous space. Therefore, the first outer passage 51, the second outer passage 52, and the downstream passage 60 are in communication with each other.

[0026] Although not shown in the first embodiment, the downstream passage 60 is provided with a cooling device that cools the air flowing through the downstream passage 60, a heating device that heats the air that has passed through the cooling device, and the like. The downstream passage 60 is also connected to an air outlet provided in an instrument panel or the like via a duct or the like (not shown).

[0027] In the air conditioner 1 of the first embodiment described above, when the electric motor 32 of the blower 30 is driven, the fan 31 rotates, and outside air is drawn in through the outside air inlet 12, or inside air is drawn in through the inside air inlet 11. The air is drawn into the fan 31 through the opening of the bell mouth 21, and is blown out from the trailing edge of the fan 31 into the first outside passage 51 and the second outside passage 52, and then flows through the downstream passage 60. In FIGS. 1 and 2 , arrow F1 indicates the direction in which the air blown out from the fan 31 flows through the first outside passage 51, and arrow F2 indicates the direction in which the air blown out from the fan 31 flows through the second outside passage 52. Arrows F3 and F4 indicate the directions in which these air flows through the downstream passage 60. As indicated by arrows F1 and F2, the wind pressure acting on the inner wall forming the first outside passage 51 and the wind pressure acting on the inner wall forming the second outside passage 52 are balanced. The air flowing through the downstream passage 60 indicated by arrows F3 and F4 has its temperature and humidity adjusted by cooling and heating devices (not shown) before being blown out into the passenger compartment 3 through the air outlet.

[0028] The air conditioner 1 of the first embodiment described above provides the following advantages.

[0029] (1) The air conditioning device 1 of the first embodiment is configured such that an inside / outside air intake case 10 is provided on the engine compartment or motor compartment 2 side of the opening 5 in the partition wall 4 of the vehicle, and an air conditioning case 20 is provided on the passenger compartment 3 side. Within the air conditioning case 20, multiple outer passages 50 are formed in a region radially outward from the axis CL of the fan 31. The multiple outer passages 50 are partitioned by an inner wall 22 of the air conditioning case 20 that is radially outward from the axis CL of the fan 31, an inner wall 23 on the partition wall 4 side, and a partition wall 40. As a result, the air blown out from the fan 31 flows through the multiple outer passages 50 formed in a region radially outward from the axis CL of the fan 31. Therefore, the wind pressure acting on the inner walls that form each of the multiple outer passages 50 is balanced, thereby suppressing vibration. Furthermore, compared to the configuration of Patent Document 1, when the air volume blown out from the fan 31 is the same, the wind pressure acting on the inner walls forming each of the multiple outer passages 50 can be reduced, thereby suppressing vibration. As a result, deterioration of the seal packing 6 provided between the air conditioning case 20 and the partition wall 4 due to vibration can be suppressed. Furthermore, when the air conditioning case 20 and the partition wall 4 are fixed with screws or the like, the generation of abnormal noise due to vibration of the partition wall 4 can be suppressed.

[0030] (2) In the first embodiment, the multiple outer passages 50 are formed symmetrically with respect to the axis CL of the fan 31. Specifically, the first outer passage 51 and the second outer passage 52 are formed symmetrically with respect to the axis CL of the fan 31. This allows the wind pressure acting on the inner wall forming the first outer passage 51 and the wind pressure acting on the inner wall forming the second outer passage 52 to be balanced. Furthermore, compared to the configuration of Patent Document 1, when the volume of air blown out from the fan 31 is the same, the air conditioner 1 of the first embodiment can reduce both the wind pressure acting on the inner wall forming the first outer passage 51 and the wind pressure acting on the inner wall forming the second outer passage 52. Therefore, vibration of the air conditioner 1 can be suppressed.

[0031] (3) In the first embodiment, the downstream passage 60 communicating with the outer passage 50 is formed inside the air conditioning case 20 on the opposite side of the partition wall 4 from the fan 31. This allows the inner wall 22 of the air conditioning case 20 to be provided so as to surround the entire circumference radially outward from the axis CL of the fan 31.

[0032] Second Embodiment A second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the configuration of the outer passage 50 is changed from that of the first embodiment, but other aspects are the same as those of the first embodiment, so only the differences from the first embodiment will be described.

[0033] 3 and 4 , the air conditioner 1 of the second embodiment does not have a partition wall 40 radially outward from the axial center CL of the fan 31. Therefore, an outer passage 50 is formed around the entire circumference radially outward from the axial center CL of the fan 31. The outer passage 50 is defined by an inner wall 22 of the air conditioning case 20 radially outward from the axial center CL of the fan 31 and an inner wall 23 on the partition wall 4 side. Note that the inner wall 22 of the air conditioning case 20 radially outward from the axial center CL of the fan 31 is provided to surround the entire circumference radially outward from the axial center CL of the fan 31.

[0034] 3 , it is preferable that the distance between the inner wall 22 of the air conditioning case 20 on the radially outer side with respect to the axis CL of the fan 31 and the outer peripheral edge 34 of the fan 31 is approximately the same at positions symmetrical about the axis CL. For example, it is preferable that the distance between the inner wall 221 of the air conditioning case 20 on the upper side of the vehicle and the outer peripheral edge 34 of the fan 31 is approximately the same as the distance between the inner wall 222 of the air conditioning case 20 on the lower side of the vehicle and the outer peripheral edge 34 of the fan 31. It is also preferable that the distance between the inner wall 223 of the air conditioning case 20 on the right side in the vehicle width direction and the outer peripheral edge 34 of the fan 31 is approximately the same as the distance between the inner wall 224 of the air conditioning case 20 on the left side in the vehicle width direction and the outer peripheral edge 34 of the fan 31. Note that in the present disclosure, "approximately the same" means not only completely the same but also includes an error of about 10 to 20%.

[0035] A downstream passage 60 is formed inside the air conditioning case 20 on the opposite side of the partition wall 4 from the fan 31. For the sake of explanation, the boundary between the outer passage 50 and the downstream passage 60 is indicated by a dashed line B in Figure 3 as well, but in reality, the outer passage 50 and the downstream passage 60 are a continuous space. Therefore, the outer passage 50 and the downstream passage 60 are in communication with each other.

[0036] In the air conditioner 1 of the second embodiment described above, when the electric motor 32 of the blower 30 is driven, the fan 31 rotates, drawing in outside air through the outside air inlet 12 or drawing in inside air through the inside air inlet 11. The air is drawn into the fan 31 through the opening of the bell mouth 21, blown radially from the trailing edge of the fan 31 into the outer passage 50, and then flows through the downstream passage 60. Arrows F5 to F12 in FIGS. 3 and 4 indicate the direction in which the air blown out from the fan 31 flows through the outer passage 50, and arrows F13 and F14 indicate the direction in which the air flows through the downstream passage 60. As indicated by arrows F5 to F12, the wind pressures acting on various locations on the inner wall forming the outer passage 50 are balanced. The air flowing through the downstream passage 60 indicated by arrows F13 and F14 has its temperature and humidity adjusted by cooling and heating devices (not shown) before being blown into the passenger compartment 3 through the air outlet.

[0037] In the air conditioning device 1 of the second embodiment described above, an outer passage 50 is formed in the air conditioning case 20 around the entire circumference radially outward from the axis CL of the fan 31. The outer passage 50 is defined by an inner wall 22 that surrounds the entire circumference radially outward from the axis CL of the fan 31 in the air conditioning case 20, and an inner wall 23 on the partition wall 4 side. A downstream passage 60 that communicates with the outer passage 50 is formed on the opposite side of the partition wall 4 from the fan 31 in the air conditioning case 20. As a result, the air blown out from the fan 31 flows through the outer passage 50 that is formed around the entire circumference radially outward from the axis CL of the fan 31. This balances the wind pressure acting on each location on the inner wall that forms the outer passage 50, thereby suppressing vibration. Furthermore, when the airflow rate of the blower described in Patent Document 1 and the airflow rate of the blower 30 provided in the air conditioner 1 of the second embodiment are the same, the air conditioner 1 of the second embodiment can reduce the wind pressure acting on the inner walls forming the multiple outer passages 50 compared to the one described in Patent Document 1, thereby suppressing vibration. Furthermore, the air conditioner 1 of the second embodiment has a more balanced wind pressure acting on the inner walls forming the outer passages 50 compared to the one in the first embodiment. In other words, the air conditioner 1 of the second embodiment has a better balance of wind pressure. Furthermore, the air conditioner 1 of the second embodiment has a larger blowing area, which distributes wind pressure and makes it less likely to vibrate.

[0038] Third Embodiment A third embodiment will be described. The third embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except for the configuration of the outer passage 50, and therefore only the differences from the first embodiment will be described.

[0039] 5, in the third embodiment, three partition walls 40 are provided radially outward from the axial center CL of the fan 31 inside the air conditioning case 20. The three partition walls 40 are provided at approximately equal intervals (in other words, at intervals of approximately 120°) in the circumferential direction centered on the axial center CL of the fan 31.

[0040] Three outer passages 50 are formed inside the air conditioning case 20 in a region radially outward from the axial center CL of the fan 31. Each of the three outer passages 50 is defined by an inner wall 22 of the air conditioning case 20 radially outward from the axial center CL of the fan 31, an inner wall 23 on the partition wall 4 side, and a partition wall 40.

[0041] In the third embodiment, the multiple outer passages 50 include a first outer passage 51, a second outer passage 52, and a third outer passage 53. Specifically, the first outer passage 51 is formed on the upper side of the vehicle with respect to the axial center CL of the fan 31, the second outer passage 52 is formed on the right side of the axial center CL of the fan 31 in the vehicle width direction, and the third outer passage 53 is formed on the left side of the axial center CL of the fan 31 in the vehicle width direction. The first outer passage 51, the second outer passage 52, and the third outer passage 53 are arranged at approximately equal intervals (in other words, at intervals of approximately 120°) in the circumferential direction centered on the axial center CL of the fan 31. In the present disclosure, approximately equal intervals refers to completely equal intervals as well as an error of about 10 to 20%.

[0042] Although not shown, a downstream passage 60 is formed inside the air conditioning case 20 on the opposite side of the partition wall 4 from the fan 31. The first outer passage 51, the second outer passage 52, and the third outer passage 53 are all in communication with the downstream passage 60.

[0043] In the air conditioner 1 described above, when the electric motor 32 of the blower 30 is driven, the fan 31 rotates, and outside air is drawn in through the outside air inlet 12, or inside air is drawn in through the inside air inlet 11. The air is drawn into the fan 31 through the opening of the bell mouth 21 and blown out from the trailing edge of the fan 31 into the first outer passage 51, the second outer passage 52, and the third outer passage 53, and then flows through the downstream passage 60. Arrows F15 to F17 in FIG. 5 indicate the directions in which the air blown out from the fan 31 flows through the first outer passage 51, the second outer passage 52, and the third outer passage 53, respectively. As indicated by arrows F15 to F17, the wind pressure acting on the inner wall forming the first outer passage 51, the wind pressure acting on the inner wall forming the second outer passage 52, and the wind pressure acting on the inner wall forming the third outer passage 53 are balanced.

[0044] The air conditioner 1 of the third embodiment described above also achieves the same effects as those of the first and second embodiments. More specifically, the air conditioner 1 of the third embodiment achieves a vibration suppression effect intermediate between those of the first and second embodiments.

[0045] (Fourth embodiment) A fourth embodiment will be described. In the fourth embodiment, in comparison with the first to third embodiments, the components arranged in the downstream passage 60 and their operation will be described. Since the other components are the same as the first to third embodiments, only the parts that are different from the first to third embodiments will be described.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 6, the air conditioner 1 of the fourth embodiment includes a filter 70, a cooling device 80, an air mix door 90, and a heating device 100 in this order from the upstream side in the downstream passage 60.

[0047] The filter 70 is made of, for example, nonwoven fabric and traps foreign matter contained in the air flowing through the downstream passage 60. The cooling device 80 is made of, for example, an evaporator of a refrigeration cycle device, and cools the air by heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing through the tubes of the evaporator and the air passing through the evaporator. The heating device 100 is made of, for example, a heater core through which coolant for an engine or motor flows, and heats the air by heat exchange between the high-temperature coolant flowing through the tubes of the heater core and the air passing through the heater core. However, the heating device 100 is not limited to this, and may also be made of a capacitor of a refrigeration cycle device, a PTC heater, or the like.

[0048] 6 and 7 , a plurality of bypass passages 61, 62 are formed between the inner wall of the downstream passage 60 and the heating device 100 within the air conditioning case 20. In this embodiment, of the plurality of bypass passages 61, 62, the one formed above the heating device 100 is referred to as a first bypass passage 61, and the one formed below the heating device 100 is referred to as a second bypass passage 62. The first bypass passage 61 and the second bypass passage 62 are formed at positions symmetrical with respect to the heating device 100. In a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the flow path center line of the downstream passage 60, the flow path areas of the first bypass passage 61 and the second bypass passage 62 are preferably approximately the same.

[0049] Two air mix doors 90 are provided upstream of the heating device 100. The air mix doors 90 are, for example, sliding doors. In this embodiment, of the multiple air mix doors 90, the one located on the upper side of the vehicle is referred to as a first air mix door 91, and the one located on the lower side of the vehicle is referred to as a second air mix door 92.

[0050] The two air mix doors 90 can open and close the bypass passages 61, 62 and the heating device 100. Specifically, Fig. 6 shows a state in which the two air mix doors 90 open the first bypass passage 61 and the second bypass passage 62 and close the heating device 100. In this state, as shown by arrows F18 and F19, the air flowing through the downstream passage 60 bypasses the heating device 100 and flows through the first bypass passage 61 and the second bypass passage 62.

[0051] Although not shown, the first air mix door 91 can be moved upward from the state shown in FIG. 6 , and the second air mix door 92 can be moved downward from the state shown in FIG. 6 . When the first air mix door 91 is moved upward from the state shown in FIG. 6 , the first bypass passage 61 is blocked, and the heating device 100 is opened. When the second air mix door 92 is moved downward from the state shown in FIG. 6 , the second bypass passage 62 is blocked, and the heating device 100 is opened. In this case, the air flowing through the downstream passage 60 flows through the heating device 100 without flowing through the first bypass passage 61 or the second bypass passage 62. Note that by adjusting the opening degrees of the first air mix door 91 and the second air mix door 92, the air volume flowing through the first bypass passage 61, the air volume flowing through the second bypass passage 62, and the air volume passing through the heating device 100 can each be adjusted.

[0052] The first air mix door 91 and the second air mix door 92 are driven and controlled by the air conditioning control device 7 (hereinafter referred to as the "air conditioning ECU 7"). ECU stands for Electronic Control Unit. The air conditioning ECU 7 is composed of a microcomputer including a processor that performs control processing and arithmetic processing, a storage unit such as ROM and RAM that stores programs and data, and its peripheral circuits. The storage unit (i.e., memory) is a non-transient physical storage medium. In the air conditioning ECU 7, the processor performs various control processing and arithmetic processing based on the programs stored in the storage unit.

[0053] During maximum cooling, the air conditioning ECU 7 drives the first air mix door 91 and the second air mix door 92 as shown in Fig. 6 to fully open the first bypass passage 61 and the second bypass passage 62, shielding the heating device 100. As a result, air bypassing the heating device 100 flows through the first bypass passage 61 and the second bypass passage 62. This makes it possible to balance the air pressure acting on the inner wall forming the first bypass passage 61 and the inner wall forming the second bypass passage 62 in the air conditioning case 20, thereby suppressing vibration of the air conditioner 1. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, vertically symmetrical air blowing is achieved during maximum cooling, when the air volume is greatest and vibration is greatest.

[0054] Depending on the air outlet mode, a difference may occur between the opening degrees of the first bypass passage 61 and the second bypass passage 62, resulting in a difference in the volume of air blown upward and downward from the blower 30. For example, in the bi-level mode, a cool head and warm feet environment is required, so it is conceivable to reduce the opening degree of the second bypass passage 62 using the second air mix door 92 and increase the opening degree of the first bypass passage 61 using the first air mix door 91. However, since the total air volume in the bi-level mode is smaller than that in maximum cooling, the impact of vibration of the blower 30 is smaller than that in maximum cooling. As such, the fourth embodiment is configured to maximize the vibration suppression effect during maximum cooling, when the impact of vibration of the blower 30 is greatest.

[0055] In the air conditioner 1 of the fourth embodiment described above, multiple bypass passages 61, 62 are formed in the air conditioning case 20 at positions symmetrical with respect to the heating device 100. The air conditioning ECU 7 fully opens the multiple bypass passages 61, 62 and controls the air mix door 90 to shield the heating device 100 during maximum cooling. Accordingly, during maximum cooling when the amount of air blown by the blower 30 is at its maximum, the air conditioning ECU 7 fully opens the multiple bypass passages 61, 62 using the air mix door 90 to shield the heating device 100. Therefore, it is possible to balance the air pressure acting on the inner walls that form the multiple bypass passages 61, 62, and vibration of the air conditioner 1 can be suppressed.

[0056] (Other Embodiments) (1) In the first embodiment, the first outer passage 51 and the second outer passage 52 are disposed symmetrically in the vertical direction of the vehicle with respect to the axis CL of the fan 31. However, this is not limiting. For example, the first outer passage 51 and the second outer passage 52 may be disposed symmetrically in the left-right direction in the vehicle width direction, or may be disposed symmetrically in a diagonal direction.

[0057] (2) In the above first to third embodiments, the air conditioner 1 is described as having one to three outer passages 50, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the air conditioner 1 may be provided with four or more outer passages 50.

[0058] (3) In the first embodiment, the multiple outer passages 50 included in the air conditioner 1 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the axial center CL of the fan 31. However, this is not limiting. For example, the multiple outer passages 50 may be arranged asymmetrically with respect to the axial center CL of the fan 31. In this case, although the balance of wind pressure is inferior, the effect of reducing the amount of airflow per direction can be obtained, thereby reducing vibration.

[0059] (4) In the fourth embodiment, the first bypass passage 61 and the second bypass passage 62 are arranged symmetrically in the vertical direction of the vehicle with the heating device 100 in between, but this is not limited to this. For example, the first bypass passage 61 and the second bypass passage 62 may be arranged symmetrically in the left and right direction of the vehicle width with the heating device 100 in between, or may be arranged symmetrically in a diagonal direction.

[0060] (5) In the above embodiments, the cooling device 80 and the filter 70 are disposed in the downstream passage 60, but this is not limiting. For example, the cooling device 80 or the filter 70 may be disposed in a passage within the inside / outside air intake case 10, or may be disposed in a passage formed between the inside / outside air intake case 10 and the partition wall 4.

[0061] (6) In the above embodiments, a centrifugal fan is used as the fan 31 of the blower 30. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an axial flow fan or a mixed flow fan may be used.

[0062] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments and portions thereof are not unrelated to each other and can be combined as appropriate unless the combination is clearly impossible. It goes without saying that, in each of the above embodiments, the elements constituting the embodiments are not necessarily essential unless specifically stated as essential or clearly considered essential in principle. Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, when numerical values ​​such as the number, values, amounts, and ranges of components of the embodiments are mentioned, they are not limited to the specific numbers unless specifically stated as essential or clearly limited to a specific number in principle. Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, when the shape, positional relationship, etc. of components, etc. are mentioned, they are not limited to the shape, positional relationship, etc., unless specifically stated or limited to a specific shape, positional relationship, etc. in principle.

[0063] The controller and methods described herein may be implemented by a special-purpose computer configured with a processor and memory programmed to perform one or more functions embodied in a computer program. Alternatively, the controller and methods described herein may be implemented by a special-purpose computer configured with a processor configured with one or more dedicated hardware logic circuits. Alternatively, the controller and methods described herein may be implemented by one or more special-purpose computers configured with a processor and memory programmed to perform one or more functions in combination with a processor configured with one or more hardware logic circuits. Furthermore, the computer program may be stored as instructions executed by a computer on a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium.

[0064] (Aspects of the present disclosure) The above-described present disclosure can be understood from the following aspects, for example. [First aspect] An air conditioning device provided in a partition wall (4) separating an engine room or motor room (2) from a passenger compartment (3) of a vehicle, comprising: an inside / outside air intake case (10) provided on the engine room or motor room side of an opening hole (5) formed in the partition wall; an air conditioning case (20) provided on the passenger compartment side of the opening hole formed in the partition wall; a blower (30) having a fan (31) rotating about a predetermined axis (CL) and provided in the air conditioning case such that an air intake port (33) of the fan faces the opening hole; and a partition wall (40) that divides a space radially outward from the axis of the fan into a plurality of regions in the rotation direction of the fan within the air conditioning case. An air conditioning device comprising: a plurality of outer passages (50) formed radially outward from the axial center of the fan, the outer passages being partitioned by an inner wall (22) of the air conditioning case radially outward from the axial center of the fan, an inner wall (23) on the partition wall side, and the partition wall within the air conditioning case. [Second Aspect] The air conditioning device according to the first aspect, wherein the plurality of outer passages are formed in positions symmetrical with respect to the axial center of the fan. [Third Aspect] The air conditioning device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the plurality of outer passages include a first outer passage (51) and a second outer passage (52), the first outer passage and the second outer passage being formed in positions symmetrical with respect to the axial center of the fan. [Fourth Aspect] The air conditioning device according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising a downstream passage (60) formed on the opposite side of the fan from the partition wall within the air conditioning case, the downstream passage communicating with the plurality of outer passages.[Fifth Aspect] An air conditioning device provided in a partition wall (4) separating an engine room or motor room (2) from a passenger compartment (3) of a vehicle, the air conditioning device comprising: an inside / outside air intake case (10) provided on the engine room or motor room side of an opening hole (5) formed in the partition wall; an air conditioning case (20) provided on the passenger compartment side of the opening hole formed in the partition wall; a blower (30) having a fan (31) rotating about a predetermined axis (CL) and provided in the air conditioning case such that an air intake port (33) of the fan faces the opening hole; an outer passage (50) defined by an inner wall (22) of the air conditioning case radially outward from the axis of the fan and an inner wall (23) on the partition wall side, the outer passage (50) formed around the entire circumference radially outward from the axis of the fan; and a downstream passage (60) formed in the air conditioning case on the opposite side of the partition wall from the fan, the downstream passage communicating with the outer passage. [Sixth Aspect] The air conditioner according to the fourth or fifth aspect, further comprising: a cooling device (80) that cools air; a heating device (100) that is arranged downstream of the cooling device and heats air flowing through the downstream passage; a plurality of bypass passages (61, 62) that are formed in the air conditioning case between an inner wall of the downstream passage and the heating device, the plurality of bypass passages being formed at positions symmetrical with respect to the heating device; an air mix door (90) that opens and closes the heating device and the plurality of bypass passages; and an air conditioning control device (7) that drives and controls the air mix door to fully open the plurality of bypass passages and close the heating device during maximum cooling when the amount of air blown by the blower is at a maximum.

Claims

1. In an air conditioning system installed in a bulkhead (4) separating the engine room or motor room (2) and the passenger compartment (3) of a vehicle, An internal / external air intake case (10) is provided on the engine room or motor room side with respect to the opening (5) formed in the partition wall, An air conditioning case (20) is provided on the vehicle interior side of the opening formed in the partition wall, A blower (30) is provided inside the air conditioning case, having a fan (31) that rotates about a predetermined axis (CL), and the air intake port (33) of the fan faces the opening. Within the air conditioning case, a partition wall (40) divides the space radially outward from the axis of the fan into multiple regions in the direction of rotation of the fan, An air conditioning device comprising the air conditioning case, an inner wall (22) radially outward with respect to the axis of the fan, an inner wall (23) on the partition wall side, and a plurality of outer passages (50) formed radially outward with respect to the axis of the fan.

2. The air conditioning device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of outer passages are formed at positions symmetrical with respect to the axis of the fan.

3. The multiple outer passages include a first outer passage (51) and a second outer passage (52), The air conditioning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first outer passage and the second outer passage are formed at positions symmetrical with respect to the axis of the fan.

4. The air conditioning device according to claim 1, further comprising a downstream passage (60) formed within the air conditioning case on the side opposite to the partition wall relative to the fan, and communicating with a plurality of the outer passages.

5. In an air conditioning system installed in a bulkhead (4) separating the engine room or motor room (2) and the passenger compartment (3) of a vehicle, An internal / external air intake case (10) is provided on the engine room or motor room side with respect to the opening (5) formed in the partition wall, An air conditioning case (20) is provided on the vehicle interior side of the opening formed in the partition wall, A blower (30) is provided inside the air conditioning case, having a fan (31) that rotates about a predetermined axis (CL), and the air intake port (33) of the fan faces the opening. The air conditioning case is partitioned by an inner wall (22) that surrounds the entire circumference radially outward with respect to the axis of the fan and an inner wall (23) on the partition wall side, and an outer passage (50) is formed around the entire circumference radially outward with respect to the axis of the fan, An air conditioning device comprising a downstream passage (60) formed within the air conditioning case on the side opposite to the partition wall relative to the fan, and communicating with the outer passage.

6. A cooling device (80) for cooling the air, A heating device (100) is located downstream of the cooling device and heats the air flowing through the downstream passage, A plurality of bypass passages (61, 62) formed between the inner wall of the downstream passage and the heating equipment within the air conditioning case, wherein the plurality of bypass passages are formed at positions symmetrical with respect to the heating equipment, The heating equipment and the air mix door (90) that opens and closes the multiple bypass passages, The air conditioning system according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising an air conditioning control device (7) that drives and controls the air mix door to fully open a plurality of bypass passages and shield the heating equipment during maximum cooling when the amount of air blown by the blower is at its maximum.

7. The air conditioning device according to claim 1 or 5, further comprising a sealing member (6) provided between the air conditioning case and the partition wall, and at least one of a fastening member connecting the air conditioning case and the partition wall.