Blowing unit for vehicle air conditioning

Abstract

Blowing unit (30) for vehicle air conditioning, comprising an indoor / outdoor air regulating door (50) being provided above a suction port (46) in a blower housing (40), wherein the indoor / outdoor air regulating door (50) regulates a ratio of indoor air from a vehicle compartment and outdoor air from outside a vehicle which are sucked into the blower housing (40), and the indoor / outdoor air regulating door (50) is capable of sliding so as to describe an upwardly convex arc-shaped path centred on a door rotational centre line positioned below the suction port (46).

Description

[Title of the Invention] Blowing unit for vehicle air conditioning[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a blowing unit which is used in a vehicle air conditioning device.[Background Art]

[0002] Vehicle air conditioning devices generally comprise a blowing unit for blowing air, and an air conditioning unit for adjusting the temperature and humidity of blown air which is blown from the blowing unit. The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known as prior art relating to a vehicle air conditioning device.

[0003] In the air conditioning unit disclosed in Patent Document 1, a heater for warming the blown air is placed at a horizontal orientation, whereby a vertical dimension of a rear portion of the air conditioning unit in particular can be shortened.[Prior Art Documents][Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-062725 A[Summary of the Invention][Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0005] If a blowing unit for vehicle air conditioning, which is often disposed adjacent to the air conditioning unit, could also be made compact in the vertical direction, then it would be possible to ensure a larger space inside a vehicle compartment, which is desirable.

[0006] The problem addressed by the present invention lies in providing a blowing unit for vehicle air conditioning which is compact in a vertical direction.[Means for Solving the Problems]

[0007] The reference symbols used in the appended drawings are added in parentheses in the description below in order to make the present invention easier to understand, but this does not limit the present invention to the forms depicted.

[0008] The present disclosure provides a blowing unit for vehicle air conditioning which is mounted in a vehicle compartment (VI) of a vehicle (10), the blowing unit for vehicle air conditioning comprising: a blower housing (40; 40A; 40B) into which blown air is sucked from a suction port (46) formed in an upper surface and from which blown air is blown out from a blowout port (47) formed on the side thereof, a flow path area constituting an area of a flow path (R) for the blown air gradually widening; a blower motor (32) having a rotary shaft portion (32a); a fan (33) which is rotatably provided inside the blower housing (40; 40A; 40B) and sucks blown air into the blower housing (40; 40A; 40B) from the suction port (46) by rotating about a rotational axis (CL) of the rotary shaft portion (32a), and also blows out blown air in a direction orthogonal to the rotational axis (CL); and an indoor / outdoor air regulating door (50; 50A) which is provided above the suction port (46) and regulates a ratio of indoor air from the vehicle compartment (VI) and outdoor air from outside the vehicle which are sucked into the blower housing (40; 40A; 40B), wherein the blowout port (47) is formed in front of the rotational axis (CL), the blower housing (40; 40A; 40B) has a downwardly enlarged portion (44) protruding gradually downward toward the downstream of the flow path (R), and the indoor / outdoor air regulating door (50; 50A) is capable of sliding so as to describe an upwardly convex arc-shaped path centred on a door rotational centre line (O) positioned below the suction port (46).

[0009] Furthermore, another aspect of the present disclosure provides a blowing unit for vehicle air conditioning which is mounted in a vehicle compartment (VI) of a vehicle (10), the blowing unitfor vehicle air conditioning comprising: a blower housing (40; 40A; 40B) into which blown air is sucked from a suction port (46) formed in an upper surface and from which blown air is blown out from a blowout port (47) formed on the side thereof, a flow path area constituting an area of a flow path (R) for the blown air gradually widening; a blower motor (32) having a rotary shaft portion (32a); a fan (33; 33B) which is rotatably provided inside the blower housing (40; 40A; 40B) and sucks blown air into the blower housing (40; 40A; 40B) from the suction port (46) by rotating about a rotational axis (CL) of the rotary shaft portion (32a), and also blows out blown air in a direction orthogonal to the rotational axis (CL); and an indoor / outdoor air regulating door (50C) which is provided above the suction port (46) and regulates proportions of indoor air from the vehicle compartment (VI) and outdoor air from outside the vehicle which are sucked into the blower housing (40; 40 A; 40B), wherein the blowout port (47) is formed in front of the rotational axis (CL), the blower housing (40; 40A; 40B) has a downwardly enlarged portion (44) protruding gradually downward toward the downstream of the flow path (R), and the indoor / outdoor air regulating door (50C) is capable of sliding so as to describe a planar path. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The present invention makes it possible to provide a blowing unit for vehicle air conditioning which is compact in a vertical direction.[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0011] [Fig. 1] is a schematic diagram of a vehicle in which a blowing unit for vehicle air conditioning according to example 1 is mounted.[Fig. 2] is a view in cross section along the line 2-2 in fig. 1.[Fig. 3] is an oblique view of the blowing unit for vehicle air conditioning shown in fig. 2.[Fig. 4] is a view in cross section along the line 4-4 in fig. 1.[Fig. 5] is a view in cross section of a blowing unit for vehicle air conditioning according toexample 2.[Fig. 6] Fig. 6A is an oblique view of the blowing unit for vehicle air conditioning shown in fig. 5, and fig. 6B depicts a state in which an indoor / outdoor air regulating door has been removed from the blowing unit for vehicle air conditioning shown in fig. 6A.[Fig. 7] is a view in cross section of an air conditioning unit for vehicle air conditioning which is fed with blown air from the blowing unit for vehicle air conditioning shown in fig. 5.[Fig. 8] is a view in cross section of a blowing unit for vehicle air conditioning according to example 3.[Embodiment of the Invention]

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the appended drawings. In the description, it should be noted that left / right indicate left / right from the point of view of an occupant of a vehicle in which the vehicle air conditioning device is mounted, and front / rear indicate front / rear based on a direction of advance of the vehicle. Furthermore, in the drawings, Fr denotes front, Rr denotes rear, Le denotes left from the point of view of a vehicle occupant, Ri denotes right from the point of view of a vehicle occupant, Up denotes upward, and Dn denotes downward. The forms depicted in the appended drawings are examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to those forms.

[0013] <Example 1>See fig. 1. Fig. 1 shows a vehicle 10 in which a vehicle air conditioning device 20 (referred to below as an “air conditioning device 20”) is mounted. The vehicle 10 is a passenger vehicle, for example, and comprises: left and right front seats 12, 12 provided in a front portion inside a vehicle compartment VI; and a back seat 13 provided across both ends in a vehicle width direction behind the front seats 12, 12.

[0014] The air conditioning device 20 is provided in front of the front seats 12, 12, and is used in order to blow air which has been adjusted to a predetermined temperature to passengers in the front seats 12, 12 and the back seat 13. Side vent switching portions 14, 14 capable of switching whether ornot blown air can be blown out are respectively formed at a left-hand end and a right-hand end in the vehicle width direction in front of the front seats 12. Centre vent switching portions 15, 15 capable of switching whether or not blown air can be blown out are formed in the centre in the vehicle width direction in front of the front seats 12.

[0015] A rear duct 16 extending toward the back seat 13 is connected to the air conditioning device 20, and air can be blown to the back seat 13 through the rear duct 16. A back-seat ventilation switching portion 17 capable of switching whether or not blown air can be blown to the back seat 13 is provided at a rear end or a downstream end of the rear duct 16.

[0016] The rear duct 16 may be arranged so as to extend toward the rear along a lower surface of a centre console, then extend upward along a rear surface of the centre console, for example. Alternatively, the rear duct 16 may also pass under the floor of the vehicle compartment VI and then run upward along the B pillar. Furthermore, the rear duct 16 may be arranged so as to branch part way along, enabling air to be blown to the upper body and lower body of back-seat vehicle occupants.

[0017] The respective switching portions 14, 15, 17 are configured by louvres, and the vehicle occupant may switch the amount of air which is blown from fully open to fully closed by swinging operating portions 14a, 15a, 17a.

[0018] The air conditioning device 20 comprises: a blowing unit 30 for vehicle air conditioning (referred to below as a “blowing unit 30”) capable of taking in air from the vehicle compartment VI and / or air from outside the vehicle, and blowing this air; and an air conditioning unit 60 for vehicle air conditioning (referred to below as an “air conditioning unit 60”) for adjusting blown air fed from the blowing unit 30 to a predetermined temperature and humidity. Blown air which has been fed toward the right from the blowing unit 30 flows into and through the air conditioning unit 60. The blown air fed into the air conditioning unit 60 is temperature- and humidity-adjusted, and is blown out from the respective switching portions 14, 15, 17 into the vehicle compartment VI.

[0019] See fig. 2. The blowing unit 30 comprises: a blower housing 40 serving as a case; a blower motor 32 which is fixed to a bottom portion of the blower housing 40 and is actuated by being energized; a fan 33 which is connected to the blower motor 32 and blows air by rotating; an indoor / outdoor air regulating door 50 which is provided above the blower housing 40 in such a way as to be capable of sliding in a front-rear direction, and switches a ratio of air introduced into the blower housing 40; and a filter 35 which is provided above and along a path of the indoor / outdoor air regulating door 50, and suppresses the ingress of dust from the outside into the blower housing 40.

[0020] A dashboard 18, which divides the vehicle into the vehicle compartment VI where the passengers ride and a front compartment MR positioned in front of the vehicle compartment VI, is provided at a front portion of the blowing unit 30. Moreover, the dashboard 18 comprises a dashboard main body 18a configured by a steel sheet constituting a structure of the vehicle 10, and a sound-absorbing material 18b for suppressing noise penetrating into the vehicle compartment VI through the dashboard main body 18a. Furthermore, an outdoor air duct 19 for guiding air from outside the vehicle toward the blowing unit 30 is provided above the filter 35.

[0021] The blower housing 40 is what is known as a scroll-type housing having an internal cavity. The internal cavity part of the blower housing 40 is configured as a flow path R through which sucked- in air flows. The flow path R gradually widens toward the downstream, based on a flow direction of blown air. The blower housing 40 comprises two resin parts above and below, and is formed by combining these parts.

[0022] The blower housing 40 comprises: a bottom surface portion 41 to which the blower motor 32 is fixed; an upper surface portion 42 facing the bottom surface portion 41; a side surface portion 43 covering an outer circumference of the fan 33; a downwardly enlarged portion 44 protruding below the bottom surface portion 41 and enlarging the flow path R; and an upwardly enlarged portion 45 protruding above the upper surface portion 42 and enlarging the flow path R.

[0023] The bottom surface portion 41 is inclined downwardly forward from the rear.

[0024] A substantially circular suction port 46 through which air from the outside passes when the fan 33 has been actuated is formed in the upper surface portion 42. A part of the upper surface portion 42 surrounding the suction port 46 exhibits what is known as a bell mouth shape and is downwardly curved toward the fan 33.

[0025] See fig. 3. A downstream end portion of the blower housing 40 is configured as a blowout port 47 for blowing out blown air toward the air conditioning unit 60 (see fig. 1). An area of the flow path R of the blowing unit 30 reaches a maximum at the blowout port 47. Blown air blown out from the blowout port 47 is fed to the air conditioning unit 60 (see fig. 1).

[0026] See fig. 2. An amount of downward protrusion of the downwardly enlarged portion 44 gradually increases from upstream toward downstream, based on the flow direction of the blown air. The same also applies to the upwardly enlarged portion 45. That is to say, an amount of protrusion of the upwardly enlarged portion 45 gradually increases from upstream toward downstream, based on the flow direction of the blown air.

[0027] The area of the flow path R gradually increases from upstream toward downstream because of the fact that a winding angle increases and a distance of the side surface portion 43 from the fan 33 also becomes longer, and that the amounts of protrusion of the downwardly enlarged portion 44 and the upwardly enlarged portion 45 increase.

[0028] It should be noted that the blower housing 40 may also be configured by combining three or more parts. Furthermore, the upwardly enlarged portion 45 need not necessarily be provided in the blower housing 40.

[0029] A well-known electric motor may be used for the blower motor 32. The blower motor 32 isconnected to a control unit which is not depicted, the control unit varying an amount of energization of the blower motor 32 according to a set temperature and a temperature inside the vehicle compartment VI of the vehicle, etc., and a rotation speed of the rotary shaft portion 32a is controlled on that basis. By varying the rotation speed of the rotary shaft portion 32a, the rotation speed of the fan 33 also changes, varying the amount of air which is blown.

[0030] A rotational axis CL, which is a rotational centre line of the rotary shaft portion 32a of the blower motor 32 and extends along the rotary shaft portion 32a is preferably inclined upwardly forward from below, although the reason for this will be described later. The blower motor 32 is fixed to the bottom surface portion 41 which extends downwardly forward, whereby the rotational axis CL is likewise also inclined upwardly forward from below.

[0031] It should be noted that the present invention does not exclude a vertical orientation of the rotational axis CL, or a form in which the rotational axis CL is inclined upwardly backward from below, or a form in which the rotational axis CL is inclined to either the left or the right.

[0032] A well-known sirocco fan may be used for the fan 33. The fan 33 is mounted on the rotary shaft portion 32a and rotates together with the rotary shaft portion 32a. When the fan 33 rotates, air is drawn in from the suction port 46 and blown toward the side surface portion 43. In other words, when the fan 33 rotates, air is drawn from the axial direction of the rotational axis CL and blown out over the whole circumference in a direction orthogonal to the rotational axis CL.

[0033] The indoor / outdoor air regulating door 50 comprises: an actuator (not depicted) capable of being energized by means of the control unit; a shaft 52 which is rotated by operation of the actuator; a pinion gear 53 provided on the shaft 52; and a door main body 55 capable of sliding over the blower housing 40 as a result of rotation of the pinion gear 53.

[0034] The pinion gear 53 also rotates when the actuator rotates to rotate the shaft 52. When the pinion gear 53 rotates, the door main body 55 slides in substantially the shape of an arc about a doorrotational centre line O. A ratio of air from inside the vehicle compartment VI (indoor air) and air taken in from outside the vehicle (outdoor air) is regulated according to the position of the door main body 55.

[0035] The pinion gear 53 is positioned above the suction port 46 and below a downstream end portion of an outdoor air duct 19. Furthermore, the height of a lower end of the pinion gear 53 is below an upper end position (at least the highest upper end position) of the upwardly enlarged portion 45.

[0036] The door main body 55 is configured by a plate-shaped member exhibiting an arc shape following a path. A rack-shaped rack portion is integrally formed with a back surface (the surface facing the suction port 46) of the door main body 55. The rack portion meshes with the pinion gear 53.

[0037] The door rotational centre line O of the door main body 55 is positioned below a lower end of the downwardly enlarged portion 44 and is also positioned below and in front of the blower motor 32.

[0038] For example, window glass is likely to become misted when there is high humidity in the vehicle compartment VI. For this reason, the humidity inside the vehicle compartment VI is preferably reduced by taking in a large amount of dry air from outside the vehicle. Meanwhile, when there is low or suitable humidity inside the vehicle compartment VI, the air from inside the vehicle compartment VI which is adjusted to a suitable temperature can be circulated, whereby the vehicle compartment VI can be maintained at a set temperature using less energy than when air from outside the vehicle is taken in.

[0039] The door main body 55 has closed a rear side of the suction port 46 and opened a front side thereof in the state shown in fig. 3. In this case, air from outside the vehicle can be taken into the blower housing 40. On the other hand, by causing the door main body 55 to slide forward, it becomes possible to suck air which is inside the vehicle compartment VI from the suction port 46into the blower housing 40, although this is not depicted. It also becomes possible to take air from both outside the vehicle and inside the vehicle compartment VI into the blower housing 40 by stopping the door main body 55 at an intermediate position.

[0040] A nonwoven fabric or a mesh may be used for the filter 35. Ingress of dust from the suction port 46 into the blower housing 40 can be suppressed by providing the filter 35. Furthermore, adhesion of dust to the pinion gear 53 can be suppressed by providing the filter 35 upstream of the indoor / outdoor air regulating door 50 in the flow of air sucked into the suction port 46.

[0041] See fig. 4. The air conditioning unit 60 comprises: an air conditioning-side housing 61 to which blown air from the blowing unit 30 (see fig. 1) is fed; a cooling heat exchanger 62 which is provided in an internal space IS of the air conditioning- side housing 61 and is capable of cooling blown air; a heating heat exchanger 63 capable of heating air that has passed through the cooling heat exchanger 62; a front-seat temperature regulating device 64 which is provided downstream of the heating heat exchanger 63 and adjusts the amount of blown air passing through the heating heat exchanger 63; a defroster opening / closing door 81, vent opening / closing door 82 and footwell opening / closing door 83 which are provided downstream of the front-seat temperature regulating device 64 and switch opening / closing of opening portions 66-69 (see fig. 1 for the side vent opening portion 68); and a back-seat air conditioning portion 90 which extends downward at a front portion of the heating heat exchanger 63 and adjusts the temperature of the air delivered to the back seat 13 (see fig. 1).

[0042] Moreover, the back-seat air conditioning portion 90 has a smaller lateral dimension than the internal space IS in the air conditioning- side housing 61, and air that has flowed out from the cooling heat exchanger 62 can reach the heating heat exchanger 63 through regions to the left and right of the back-seat air conditioning portion 90.

[0043] The air conditioning- side housing 61 is formed by multiple parts, for example. More specifically, the air conditioning-side housing 61 is formed by three parts: parts constituting theleft and right of an upper portion, and a part constituting a lower portion. Injection molded components may be used for each of the parts. Moreover, the air conditioning-side housing 61 may also be formed by two parts, or may also be formed by four or more parts.

[0044] A bottom surface of the air conditioning-side housing 61 is inclined upwardly from the front toward the rear.

[0045] The heating heat exchanger 63 is provided to the rear of the cooling heat exchanger 62 and is also provided at a horizontal orientation so that blown air passes therethrough in a substantially vertical direction. The heating heat exchanger 63 comprises, for example: a warm water heater 63a through which warm water warmed by passing through the engine internally flows; and an electric heater 63b heated by means of energization.

[0046] In the state shown in fig. 4, some of the blown air that has passed through the cooling heat exchanger 62 passes to the left and right of the back-seat air conditioning portion 90 and is guided below the heating heat exchanger 63, and then flows upward. At this time, the blown air is warmed by means of the heating heat exchanger 63.

[0047] The back-seat air conditioning portion 90 comprises: a housing-internal duct 91 extending downward from downstream of the heating heat exchanger 63 and connected to the rear duct 16; and a back-seat air conditioning door 92 which is provided so as to be capable of opening / closing an opening formed in the housing-internal duct 91, and which adjusts a flow rate of cold air supplied to the housing-internal duct 91.

[0048] As described above, the air conditioning unit 60 shown in fig. 4 is disposed downstream of the blowing unit 30 shown in fig. 2 and 3, and the air conditioning device 20 is disposed in a front portion of the vehicle compartment VI along the lateral direction of the vehicle 10, thereby making it possible to increase legroom for vehicle occupants sitting in the front seats 12, 12, which is desirable.

[0049] <Example 2>A blowing unit 30A according to example 2 will be described next with reference to the drawings.

[0050] See fig. 5. Fig. 5 shows the cross-sectional configuration of the blowing unit 30A according to example 2. The blowing unit 30A is used in a vehicle air conditioning device 20A in the same way as in example 1. Meanwhile, the configurations of a blower housing 40A and an indoor / outdoor air regulating door 50A of the blowing unit 30A differ from those of the blowing unit 30 according to example 1 (see fig. 2). Furthermore, the blowing unit 30A also differs in that it comprises an introduction member 100 for introducing air at a lower portion of the fan 33.

[0051] The other basic components are common to those of the blowing unit 30 according to example 1. The parts in common with example 1 bear the same reference symbols and will not be described in detail again.

[0052] The blower housing 40A comprises a dividing wall 48 extending from the side surface portion 43 toward the fan 33 and dividing the flow path R into an upper flow path R1 and a lower flow path R2. The region above the dividing wall 48 refers to the upper flow path Rl, and the region below refers to the lower flow path R2.

[0053] See fig. 6A. A door main body 55A of the indoor / outdoor air regulating door 50A is configured by two doors: a first door 55f and a second door 55s. The first door 55f comprises two plate members arranged with the second door 55s interposed therebetween. The first door 55f and the second door 55s are integrally formed with a rack-shaped rack portion on back surfaces thereof, and are each independently actuated by meshing with pinion gears driven by means of separate motors.

[0054] See also fig. 5. The first door 55f adjusts the ratio of indoor air and outdoor air fed to the upperflow path Rl. The second door 55s adjusts the ratio of indoor air and outdoor air fed to the lower flow path R2. Here, indoor air refers to air inside the vehicle compartment VI, and outdoor air refers to air outside the vehicle.

[0055] See fig. 5 and fig. 6B. The blowing unit 30A comprises the introduction member 100 for introducing air at the lower portion of the fan 33. The introduction member 100 comprises: a head portion 101 which widens toward the top of the blower housing 40 A; and a neck portion 102 which extends downward from the head portion 101 and is positioned inside the fan 33 in a part surrounded by vanes.

[0056] A portion of the head portion 101 abuts the upwardly enlarged portion 45 and another portion thereof abuts the upper surface portion 42, whereby the head portion 101 is supported in the blower housing 40. An upper end of the head portion 101 exhibits a shape which follows a path of the first door 55f.

[0057] The neck portion 102 exhibits a shape which gradually increases in diameter toward a lower end constituting a downstream side.

[0058] See fig. 7. Fig. 7 shows an air conditioning unit 60A which is fed with blown air from the blowing unit 30A shown in fig. 5 and internally adjusts the temperature and humidity of the blown air. The basic components are the same as those of the blowing unit 30 shown in fig. 4, and common parts bear the same reference symbols and will not be described in detail again.

[0059] An air conditioning-side housing 61 A through which blown air flows comprises air conditioning- side dividing walls 111, 112 for dividing the flow path R into upper and lower flow paths. The flow path R is divided into the upper flow path Rl and the lower flow path R2 by means of the air conditioning- side dividing walls 111, 112.

[0060] A rotatably-provided flow path switching door 113 is provided between the air conditioning-sidedividing walls 111, 112. In the state shown in the drawing, the flow path switching door 113, together with the air conditioning-side dividing walls 111, 112, has divided the flow path R into the upper flow path R1 and the lower flow path R2. Meanwhile, if the flow path switching door 113 is rotated, then some of the blown air flows from the lower flow path R2 to the upper flow path Rl, or from the upper flow path R1 to the lower flow path R2.

[0061] By virtue of the air conditioning unit 60A shown in fig. 7, air inside the vehicle compartment VI is circulated while warm, dry air is blown at the front windscreen from the defroster opening portion 66, for example, whereby the vehicle compartment can be warmed using less energy than when air from outside the vehicle is taken in. A detailed description will be given below.

[0062] See fig. 5 and fig. 6 A . When the fan 33 is actuated while the door main body 55A is in the state shown in fig. 6A, air from outside the vehicle (outdoor air) is sucked into the upper flow path Rl, and air from inside the vehicle compartment VI (indoor air) is sucked into the lower flow path R2.

[0063] See fig. 5. The air which is introduced into the upper flow path Rl is sucked from outside the vehicle into the blower housing 40A from between the introduction member 100 and the upper surface portion 42 while avoiding the introduction member 100. More specifically, the air introduced into the upper flow path Rl of the blowing unit 30A is guided from outside the vehicle to the blowing unit 30A by means of the outdoor air duct 19, passes through regions of the introduction member 100 adjacent to the right-hand side and the left-hand side of the upper surface portion 42, passes between the suction port 46 and the neck portion 102 of the introduction member 100, and is then sucked into the upper flow path Rl. After the blown air has flowed through the upper flow path Rl of the blowing unit 30A, it is then supplied to the upper flow path Rl of the air conditioning unit 60A.

[0064] The air which is introduced into the lower flow path R2 flows from the vehicle compartment VI toward the introduction member 100, and is sucked inside the blower housing 40A from theinterior of the introduction member 100. More specifically, the air which is introduced into the lower flow path R2 of the blowing unit 30A is sucked into the lower path R2 from the upper surface portion 42 after passing through the inside of the neck portion 102 of the introduction member 100, and is supplied to the lower flow path R2 of the air conditioning unit 60A.

[0065] See fig. 7. The blown air sucked in from outside the vehicle passes through the upper flow path R1 and flows into the air conditioning- side housing 61 A. The blown air passing through the upper flow path R1 is formed into warm air at a predetermined temperature by passing through the cooling heat exchanger 62 and the heating heat exchanger 63. The blown air which has been conditioned to a predetermined temperature is blown out from the defroster opening portion 66 toward the front windscreen and thereby suppresses misting of the front windscreen.

[0066] It should be noted that, in the state shown in the drawings, the centre vent opening portion 67 has been closed by the vent opening / closing door 82.

[0067] Meanwhile, the blown air sucked in from inside the vehicle compartment VI passes through the lower flow path R2 and flows into the air conditioning-side housing 61 A. The blown air passing through the lower flow path R2 is formed into warm air at a predetermined temperature by passing through the cooling heat exchanger 62 and the heating heat exchanger 63. The blown air which has been conditioned to a predetermined temperature is blown out from the footwell opening portion 69 toward the feet of the vehicle occupant and thereby warms the vehicle compartment VI.

[0068] <Example 3>A blowing unit 3 0 B according to example 3 will be described next with reference to the drawings.

[0069] See fig. 8. Fig. 8 shows the cross-sectional configuration of the blowing unit 3 0 B according to example 3. The blowing unit 3 0 B is used in a vehicle air conditioning device 2 0 B in the same way as in example 1. Meanwhile, the configurations of a blower housing 40B and a fan33B of the blowing unit 30B differ from those of the blowing unit 30, 30A according to example 1 and / or example 2 (see fig. 3 and 5). Furthermore, the blowing unit 30B also differs in that a second indoor / outdoor air regulating door 120 and a second filter 131 are provided below the blower housing 40B.

[0070] Furthermore, the vehicle 10 is provided with the outdoor air duct 19 not only above but also below the blowing unit 30B.

[0071] The other basic components are common to those of the blowing units 30, 30A according to example 1 and / or example 2. The parts in common with example 1 and / or example 2 bear the same reference symbols and will not be described in detail again.

[0072] The blowing unit 30B shown in fig. 8 is also connected for use to the air conditioning unit 60A (see fig. 7) having the flow path R divided into upper and lower flow paths.

[0073] The second suction port 49 for the passage of air sucked inside is formed in a bottom surface portion 4 IB of the blower housing 40B.

[0074] A partition wall 33d which, together with the dividing wall 48, partitions the flow path R into the upper flow path R1 and the lower flow path R2 is provided in the fan 33B.

[0075] The second indoor / outdoor air regulating door 120 for regulating the ratio of indoor air from inside the vehicle compartment VI and outdoor air from outside the vehicle is provided below the second suction port 49. The basic configuration of the second indoor / outdoor air regulating door 120 is the same as that of the indoor / outdoor air regulating door 50. The second indoor / outdoor air regulating door 120 comprises: an actuator (not depicted) capable of being energized by means of the control unit; a second shaft 122 which is rotated by operation of the actuator; a second pinion gear 123 provided on the second shaft 122; and a second door main body 125 capable of sliding under the blower housing 40B as a result of rotation of the second pinion gear 123.

[0076] The second door main body 125 is operated independently of the door main body 55.

[0077] The second filter 131 for restricting dust being sucked in from the second suction port 49 is provided below the second indoor / outdoor air regulating door 120.

[0078] A nonwoven fabric or a mesh may be used for the second filter 131. Adhesion of dust to the second pinion gear 123 may be suppressed by providing the second filter 131 so as to cover the second indoor / outdoor air regulating door 120.

[0079] It should be noted that the rotational axis CL may be inclined upwardly forward from below, as with the blowing unit 30 shown in fig. 3.

[0080] By virtue of the blowing unit 30B, air sucked in from the suction port 46 flows through the upper flow path Rl, and air sucked in from the second suction port 49 flows through the lower flow path R2.

[0081] <Example 4>A blowing unit 30C according to example 4 will be described next.

[0082] The blowing unit 30C according to example 4 is used in a vehicle air conditioning device 20C, and comprises an indoor / outdoor air regulating door 50C which slides so as to describe a planar path, unlike the indoor / outdoor air regulating doors 50, 50A shown in fig. 2, 5 and 8. The other basic components are common to those of the blowing units 30, 30A, 30B according to any of examples 1-3. The parts in common with any of examples 1-3 bear the same reference symbols and will not be described in detail again.

[0083] The components of the indoor / outdoor air regulating door 50C (not depicted) are the same as those of the indoor / outdoor air regulating door 50 shown in fig. 2. The indoor / outdoor airregulating door 50C comprises: an actuator (not depicted) capable of being energized by means of the control unit; a shaft 52C which is rotated by operation of the actuator; a pinion gear 53C provided on the shaft 52C; and a door main body 55C capable of sliding over the blower housing 40 as a result of rotation of the pinion gear 53C.

[0084] The pinion gear 53C also rotates when the actuator rotates to rotate the shaft 52C. When the pinion gear 53C rotates, the door main body 55C slides in a planar form. The ratio of air from inside the vehicle compartment VI (indoor air) and air taken in from outside the vehicle (outdoor air) is regulated according to the position of the door main body 55C.

[0085] It should be noted that the indoor / outdoor air regulating door 50C which slides in this planar form may also be used instead of the indoor / outdoor air regulating door 50A of the blowing unit 30A shown in fig. 5, and instead of the indoor / outdoor air regulating door 50 in the blowing unit 30B shown in fig. 8. Furthermore, the path of the indoor / outdoor air regulating door 120 used in the blowing unit 30B shown in fig. 8 may also be configured to describe a planar path such as that of the indoor / outdoor air regulating door 50C.

[0086] For example, when the indoor / outdoor air regulating door 50C which moves on a planar path is employed instead of the indoor / outdoor air regulating door 50A shown in fig. 5, the door main body 55C of the indoor / outdoor air regulating door 50C may comprise a first door 55Cf for adjusting the ratio of indoor air and outdoor air fed to the upper flow path Rl, and a second door 55Cs for adjusting the ratio of indoor air and outdoor air fed to the lower flow path R2.

[0087] The blowing units 30, 30A, 30B, 30C described above are summarized below.

[0088] See fig. 1. Firstly, the blowing unit 30 is mounted in the vehicle compartment VI of the vehicle 10. See fig. 2 and fig. 3. The blowing unit 30 comprises: the blower housing 40 into which blown air is sucked from the suction port 46 formed in the upper surface and from which blown air is blown out from the blowout port 47 formed on the side thereof, the flow path area constituting thearea of the flow path R for the blown air gradually widening; the blower motor 32 having the rotary shaft portion 32a; the fan 33 which is rotatably provided inside the blower housing 40 and sucks blown air into the blower housing 40 from the suction port 46 by rotating about the rotational axis CL of the rotary shaft portion 32a, and also delivers blown air to the downstream side of the flow path R; and the indoor / outdoor air regulating door 50 which is provided above the suction port 46 and regulates the ratio of indoor air from the vehicle compartment VI and outdoor air from outside the vehicle which are sucked into the blower housing 40.

[0089] The blowout port 47 is formed in front of the rotational axis CL. Furthermore, the blower housing 40 has the downwardly enlarged portion 44 protruding gradually downward toward the downstream of the flow path R. The indoor / outdoor air regulating door 50 is capable of sliding so as to describe an upwardly convex arc- shaped path centred on the door rotational centre line O positioned below the suction port 46.

[0090] By setting the door rotational centre line O at a low position, it is possible to allow the indoor / outdoor air regulating door 50 to slide in the vicinity of the suction port 46, and to make the blowing unit 30 compact in the vertical direction. Furthermore, by forming the blowout port 47 in front of the rotational axis CL, it is possible to make the vertical dimension of the blowing unit 30 to the rear of the rotational axis CL compact. The same also applies to the blowing unit 30A shown in fig. 4 and the blowing unit 30B shown in fig. 5.

[0091] See fig. 1. Secondly, the blowing unit 30C which is not depicted is mounted in the vehicle compartment VI of the vehicle 10. See fig. 2 and fig. 3. The blowing unit 30C which is not depicted (corresponding to the blowing unit 30 in fig. 2) comprises: the blower housing 40 into which blown air is sucked from the suction port 46 formed in the upper surface and from which blown air is blown out from the blowout port 47 formed on the side thereof, the flow path area constituting the area of the flow path R for the blown air gradually widening; the blower motor 32 having the rotary shaft portion 32a; the fan 33 which is rotatably provided inside the blower housing 40 and sucks blown air into the blower housing 40 from the suction port 46 by rotatingabout the rotational axis CL of the rotary shaft portion 32a, and also delivers blown air to the downstream side of the flow path R; and the indoor / outdoor air regulating door 50C which is not depicted (corresponding to the indoor / outdoor air regulating door 50 in fig. 2; the same hereinafter) and which is provided above the suction port 46 and regulates the ratio of indoor air from the vehicle compartment VI and outdoor air from outside the vehicle which are sucked into the blower housing 40.

[0092] The blowout port 47 is formed in front of the rotational axis CL. Furthermore, the blower housing 40 has the downwardly enlarged portion 44 protruding gradually downward toward the downstream of the flow path R. The indoor / outdoor air regulating door 50C is capable of sliding so as to describe a planar path.

[0093] By making the the indoor / outdoor air regulating door 50C capable of sliding so as to describe a planar path, it is possible to allow the indoor / outdoor air regulating door 50C to slide in the vicinity of the suction port 46, and to make the blowing unit 30C compact in the vertical direction. Furthermore, by forming the blowout port 47 in front of the rotational axis CL, it is possible to make the vertical dimension of the blowing unit 30 to the rear of the rotational axis CL compact.

[0094] Thirdly, in the first or second blowing unit 30, the blower housing 40 has the upwardly enlarged portion 45 protruding gradually upward toward the downstream of the flow path R. By providing the upwardly enlarged portion 45, it is possible to achieve a sufficient volume of air flow while reducing the amount of protrusion of the downwardly enlarged portion 44. It is possible to achieve a uniform air velocity of blown air blown out from the blowout port 47 while making the blowing unit 30 compact in the vertical direction. The same also applies to the blowing unit 30A shown in fig. 4, the blowing unit 30B shown in fig. 5, and the blowing unit 30C which is not depicted.

[0095] Fourthly, in any of the first to third blowing units 30, the rotational axis CL is inclined upwardly forward from below. Blown air also flows readily to the lower portion of the downwardly enlarged portion 44, so air can be blown more reliably to the downwardly enlarged portion 44 as a whole. Itis furthermore possible to reduce dead space formed between the lower surface of the blower housing 40 and the downwardly enlarged portion 44. The same also applies to the blowing unit 30A shown in fig. 4 and the blowing unit 30C which is not depicted.

[0096] See fig. 4A and fig. 5. Fifthly, in any of the first to fourth blower units 30A, the dividing wall 48 for dividing the flow path R into upper and lower flow paths around the radially outer side of the fan 33 is provided in the blower housing 40A. The introduction member 100 for guiding blown air to each of the upper flow path R1 formed at the upper portion of the dividing wall 48 and the lower flow path R2 formed at the lower portion of the dividing wall 48 is provided from the downstream side of the indoor / outdoor air regulating door 50 up to the dividing wall 48. The indoor / outdoor air regulating door 50 comprises: the first door 55f for adjusting the ratio of indoor air and outdoor air fed to the upper flow path Rl; and the second door 55s for adjusting the ratio of indoor air and outdoor air fed to the lower flow path R2. It is possible to provide a compact blowing unit 30A while air can be blown through the two layers of the upper flow path Rl above and the lower flow path R2 below. The same also applies to the blowing unit 30C which is not depicted.

[0097] See fig. 8. Sixthly, in any of the first to fourth blowing units 30B, the dividing wall 48 for dividing the flow path R into upper and lower flow paths around the radially outer side of the fan 33B, and the second suction port 49 which is formed on the lower surface opposite the suction port 46 in order to take blown air into the lower flow path R2 formed at the lower portion of the dividing wall 48 are provided in the blower housing 40B.

[0098] The partition wall 33d for partitioning the upper flow path Rl formed at the upper portion of the dividing wall 48, and the lower flow path R2, is provided in the fan 33. The second indoor / outdoor air regulating door 120 for regulating the ratio of indoor air from inside the vehicle compartment VI and outdoor air from outside the vehicle which are sucked into the blower housing 40B is provided below the second suction port 49. The second indoor / outdoor air regulating door 120 is capable of sliding so as to describe a downwardly convex arc-shaped path centred on the seconddoor rotational centre line 02 positioned above the second suction port 49.

[0099] It is possible to provide a compact blowing unit 30B while providing the indoor / outdoor air regulating doors 50, 120 at the top and bottom. The same also applies to the blowing unit 30C which is not depicted.

[0100] It should be noted that, in the examples described, the indoor / outdoor air regulating door of the blowing unit according to the present invention is electronically controlled by means of the control unit, but it is equally possible for the door main bodies 55, 55A, 55C to be capable of regulating the ratio of indoor / outdoor air by moving in response to operation of a manual handle by a vehicle occupant.

[0101] Furthermore, the indoor / outdoor air regulating doors 50, 50A should be capable of sliding so as to describe an upwardly convex arc- shaped path, and the door rotational centre line O thereof should be positioned below the suction port 46. Adopting such a configuration restricts vertical protrusion of the arc-shaped path of the indoor / outdoor air regulating doors 50, 50A, and the blowing units 30, 30A, 30B can be made compact in the vertical direction. In addition, the door rotational centre line O is preferably positioned below the bottom surface portion 41. This further restricts vertical protrusion of the arc-shaped path of the indoor / outdoor air regulating doors 50, 50A, and the blowing units 30, 30A, 30B can be made even more compact in the vertical direction.

[0102] Furthermore, the second door rotational centre line 02 was described as being positioned above the second suction port 49, but the second door rotational centre line 02 is preferably positioned above the upper surface portion 42. This further restricts vertical protrusion of the arc-shaped path of the second indoor / outdoor air regulating door 120, and the blowing unit 30B can be made even more compact in the vertical direction.

[0103] The present invention is not limited to the examples, provided that the actions and effects of the present invention are demonstrated. For example, the partition wall 33d provided in the fan 33Bdescribed in example 3 may equally be provided in the fan 33 described in example 2. This makes it possible to improve separation of outdoor air that has passed outside the neck portion 102 of the introduction member 100 and indoor air that has passed through the neck portion 102.[Industrial Applicability]

[0104] The blowing unit according to the present invention is suitable for mounting in a passenger vehicle.[Key to Symbols]

[0105] 10... Vehicle30, 30A, 30B, 30C... Blowing unit for vehicle air conditioning32... Blower motor, 32a... Rotary shaft portion33, 33B... Fan, 33d... Partition wall40, 40A, 40B... Blower housing44... Downwardly enlarged portion45... Upwardly enlarged portion46... Suction port47... Blowout port48... Dividing wall49... Second suction port50, 50A, 50C... Indoor / outdoor air regulating door55f... First door, 55s... Second door100... Introduction member120... Second indoor / outdoor air regulating doorVI... Vehicle compartmentCL... Rotational axisO... Door rotational centre line02... Second door rotational centre lineR... Flow path, R1... Upper flow path, R2... Lower flow path

Claims

[Document Name] CLAIMS

1. Blowing unit for vehicle air conditioning which is mounted in a vehicle compartment (VI) of a vehicle (10), the blowing unit for vehicle air conditioning comprising: a blower housing (40; 40A; 40B) into which blown air is sucked from a suction port (46) formed in an upper surface and from which blown air is blown out from a blowout port (47) formed on the side thereof, a flow path area constituting an area of a flow path (R) for the blown air gradually widening; a blower motor (32) having a rotary shaft portion (32a); a fan (33; 33B) which is rotatably provided inside the blower housing (40; 40A; 40B) and sucks blown air into the blower housing (40; 40A; 40B) from the suction port (46) by rotating about a rotational axis (CL) of the rotary shaft portion (32a), and also blows out blown air in a direction orthogonal to the rotational axis (CL); and an indoor / outdoor air regulating door (50; 50A) which is provided above the suction port (46) and regulates a ratio of indoor air from the vehicle compartment (VI) and outdoor air from outside the vehicle which are sucked into the blower housing (40; 40A; 40B), wherein the blowout port (47) is formed in front of the rotational axis (CL), the blower housing (40; 40A; 40B) has a downwardly enlarged portion (44) protruding gradually downward toward the downstream of the flow path (R), and the indoor / outdoor air regulating door (50; 50A) is capable of sliding so as to describe an upwardly convex arc-shaped path centred on a door rotational centre line (O) positioned below the suction port (46).

2. Blowing unit for vehicle air conditioning which is mounted in a vehicle compartment (VI) of a vehicle (10), the blowing unit for vehicle air conditioning comprising: a blower housing (40; 40A; 40B) into which blown air is sucked from a suction port (46) formed in an upper surface and from which blown air is blown out from a blowout port (47) formed on the side thereof, a flow path area constituting an area of a flow path (R) for the blown air gradually widening;a blower motor (32) having a rotary shaft portion (32a); a fan (33; 33B) which is rotatably provided inside the blower housing (40; 40A; 40B) and sucks blown air into the blower housing (40; 40A; 40B) from the suction port (46) by rotating about a rotational axis (CL) of the rotary shaft portion (32a), and also blows out blown air in a direction orthogonal to the rotational axis (CL); and an indoor / outdoor air regulating door (50C) which is provided above the suction port (46) and regulates proportions of indoor air from the vehicle compartment (VI) and outdoor air from outside the vehicle which are sucked into the blower housing (40; 40 A; 40B), wherein the blowout port (47) is formed in front of the rotational axis (CL), the blower housing (40; 40A; 40B) has a downwardly enlarged portion (44) protruding gradually downward toward the downstream of the flow path (R), and the indoor / outdoor air regulating door (50C) is capable of sliding so as to describe a planar path.

3. Blowing unit for vehicle air conditioning according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the blower housing (40; 40A; 40B) comprises an upwardly enlarged portion (45) protruding gradually upward toward the downstream of the flow path (R).

4. Blowing unit for vehicle air conditioning according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotational axis (CL) is inclined upwardly forward from below.

5. Blowing unit for vehicle air conditioning according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a dividing wall (48) for dividing the flow path (R) into upper and lower flow paths around a radially outer side of the fan (33) is provided in the blower housing (40A), an introduction member (100) for guiding blown air to each of an upper flow path (Rl) formed at an upper portion of the dividing wall (48) and a lower flow path (R2) formed at a lower portion of the dividing wall (48) is provided from a downstream side of the indoor / outdoor air regulating door (50A; 50C) up to the dividing wall (48), and the indoor / outdoor air regulating door (50A; 50C) comprises: a first door (55f; 50Cf) for adjusting a ratio of indoor air and outdoor air fed to the upper flow path (Rl); and a second door(55s; 5OCs) for adjusting a ratio of indoor air and outdoor air fed to the lower flow path (R2).

6. Blowing unit for vehicle air conditioning according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a dividing wall (48) for dividing the flow path (R) into upper and lower flow paths around a radially outer side of the fan (33), and a second suction port (49) which is formed on a lower surface opposite the suction port (46) in order to take blown air into a lower flow path (R2) formed at a lower portion of the dividing wall (48) are provided in the blower housing (40B), a partition wall (33d) for partitioning an upper flow path (Rl) formed at an upper portion of the dividing wall (48), and the lower flow path (R2), is provided in the fan (33B), a second indoor / outdoor air regulating door (120) for regulating a ratio of indoor air from inside the vehicle compartment (VI) and outdoor air from outside the vehicle which are sucked into the blower housing (40B) is provided below the second suction port (49), and the second indoor / outdoor air regulating door (120) is capable of sliding so as to describe a downwardly convex arc-shaped path centred on a second door rotational centre line (02) positioned above the second suction port (49).

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