Vehicle air conditioning unit

Abstract

A vehicle air conditioning unit (1) comprises: an air conditioning case (10) that forms an air ventilation path; a blower (30) for generating an airflow in the ventilation path heading toward the interior of the vehicle cabin; and an air filter (22) disposed on the air flow upstream side with respect to the blower. The air conditioning case includes a filter accommodation part (12) in which the air filter is accommodated. The angle formed by a ventilation surface (220) positioned on the blower side of the air filter and the opening surface of the suction port of the blower is defined as a filter angle. At this time, the filter accommodation part is provided with an insertion port (121) for inserting the air filter into the air conditioning case in a first orientation at which the filter angle exceeds a prescribed reference angle. Additionally, the filter accommodation part is provided with a space in which the orientation of the air filter can be tilted from the first orientation to a second orientation in which the filter angle is less than or equal to the reference angle. The air filter is installed in the filter accommodation part in the second orientation.

Description

Vehicle air conditioning unit CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-026703, filed on February 26, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to vehicle air conditioning units.

[0003] Conventionally, in a vehicle air conditioning unit in which both the intake unit and the blower are located in the engine compartment, a unit has been disclosed in which, taking into consideration ease of maintenance, the air filter is placed in the intake unit in a forward-leaning position, with the front end of the air filter higher than the rear end (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] International Publication No. 2020 / 231102

[0005] Incidentally, the inventors of the present invention have studied the intake structure of the vehicle air conditioning unit described in Patent Document 1, in order to reduce the size of the intake unit, by positioning the blower so that the opening surface of the blower's intake port is in a nearly vertical position.

[0006] According to the inventors' investigations, it was found that the restriction on the orientation of the air filter in the above-described air intake structure creates a sharply curved passage between the installed air filter and the air intake of the blower, which tends to cause bias in the air velocity distribution near the air intake of the blower. Such bias in the air velocity distribution near the air intake of the blower is undesirable because it can lead to a deterioration in air blowing performance. This problem is not limited to the above-described air intake structure, but can also occur in structures in which a sharply curved passage is formed between the air filter and the air intake of the blower.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle air conditioning unit that can suppress deterioration in the blowing performance of a blower even if there are restrictions on the posture of the air filter when it is inserted.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle air conditioning unit comprises: an air conditioning case that forms an air ventilation path; a blower that generates an airflow in the ventilation path toward the vehicle cabin; and an air filter that is arranged upstream of the air flow of the blower, wherein the air conditioning case includes a filter accommodating section that accommodates the air filter, and when the angle formed between the ventilation surface of the air filter located on the blower side and the opening surface of the blower's intake port is defined as the filter angle, the filter accommodating section is provided with an insertion port for inserting the air filter into the inside of the air conditioning case in a first position in which the filter angle exceeds a predetermined reference angle, and is provided with space to enable the position of the air filter to be tilted from the first position to a second position in which the filter angle is equal to or less than the reference angle, and the air filter is attached in the filter accommodating section in the second position.

[0009] In this way, if the position of the air filter can be tilted in the filter accommodating section, even if there are restrictions when inserting the air filter, bending of the passage between the air filter and the intake port of the blower when the air filter is installed can be prevented.

[0010] Therefore, according to the vehicle air conditioning unit of the present disclosure, even if there are restrictions on inserting the air filter, it is possible to suppress deterioration in the blower's air blowing performance.

[0011] 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a state in which a vehicle air conditioning unit according to a first embodiment is mounted on a vehicle. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle air conditioning unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an air velocity distribution near an intake port of a blower in an air conditioning unit that is a comparative example of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a filter angle when an air filter is inserted. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a filter angle when an air filter is attached. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a filter guide. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a filter cover. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an air velocity distribution near an intake port of a blower in a vehicle air conditioning unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle air conditioning unit according to a second embodiment. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a filter angle when an air filter of a vehicle air conditioning unit according to a third embodiment is inserted. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a filter angle when an air filter of a vehicle air conditioning unit according to the third embodiment is attached. FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing a portion of a vehicle air conditioning unit according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a portion of a vehicle air conditioning unit according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a portion of a vehicle air conditioning unit according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a method of installing a partition in a vehicle air conditioning unit according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a portion of a vehicle air conditioning unit according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a method for inserting a partition of a vehicle air conditioning unit according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a part of a vehicle air conditioning unit according to a seventh embodiment. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a method for installing an air filter in a vehicle air conditioning unit according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a part of a vehicle air conditioning unit according to an eighth embodiment. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a method for installing an air filter in a vehicle air conditioning unit according to the eighth embodiment. FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a part of a vehicle air conditioning unit according to a ninth embodiment. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a method for installing an air filter in a vehicle air conditioning unit according to the ninth embodiment.

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, parts that are the same as or equivalent to those described in the preceding embodiments will be given the same reference numerals, and their description may be omitted. Furthermore, in the embodiments, when only some of the components are described, the components described in the preceding embodiments can be applied to the remaining components. The following embodiments can be partially combined with each other, even if not specifically stated, as long as there is no particular problem with the combination.

[0013] First Embodiment This embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which a vehicle air conditioning unit 1 according to the present disclosure is applied to a vehicle V whose front side is separated by a dash panel DP into a vehicle interior V1 and a front space V0 that is different from the vehicle interior V1. Note that the arrows indicating front-rear, up-down, left-right in each figure indicate the orientation of the vehicle V on which the vehicle air conditioning unit 1 is installed.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1 , the vehicle air conditioning unit 1 is disposed through the dash panel DP so as to straddle the vehicle interior V1 and the front space V0. The front space V0 is a space where vehicle drive equipment such as an engine and a motor are disposed, and is referred to as an engine room, a motor room, etc. The vehicle air conditioning unit 1 is disposed in a so-called center-mounted layout, that is, between the driver's seat space where the driver's seat DS is disposed and the passenger seat space where the passenger seat PS is disposed in the left-right direction of the vehicle V. In this example, the driver's seat space constitutes the right-side space of the vehicle interior V1, and the passenger seat space constitutes the left-side space of the vehicle interior V1.

[0015] 2, the vehicle air conditioning unit 1 is configured by assembling three modules: an intake module 1A, a blower module 1B, and a temperature control module 1C. The vehicle air conditioning unit 1 is assembled with the intake module 1A, the blower module 1B, and the temperature control module 1C arranged in this order from front to back. Specifically, in the vehicle air conditioning unit 1, the intake module 1A is disposed in front of the blower module 1B, and the blower module 1B is disposed in front of the temperature control module 1C.

[0016] The intake module 1A introduces at least one of outside air and inside air. The intake module 1A is disposed not in the vehicle interior V1 but in a front space V0, which is an external space.

[0017] The blower module 1B includes a blower 30 that draws in at least one of outside air and inside air via the intake module 1A. The blower module 1B has an air intake port 13a formed on one side of the blower 30 in the axial direction CL, and an air outlet 13b formed on the other side of the blower 30 in the axial direction CL. The intake module 1A is assembled to the blower module 1B at a location on the intake port 13a side. The blower module 1B is disposed not in the vehicle interior V1 but in a front space V0, which is an external space.

[0018] The temperature control module 1C adjusts the temperature of the air blown out from the blower 30 and sends it into the vehicle interior V1. The temperature control module 1C is attached to the blower module 1B on the side of the air outlet 13b. The temperature control module 1C is disposed inside the instrument panel IP within the vehicle interior V1.

[0019] The vehicle air conditioning unit 1 configured in this manner includes an air conditioning case 10, an inside / outside air switching door 20, an air filter 22, a blower 30, an evaporator 40, a heater core 50, an air mix door 60, and a mode switching door 70.

[0020] The air conditioning case 10 is a component that forms the outer shell of the vehicle air conditioning unit 1 and that forms an air ventilation path therein. The air conditioning case 10 includes an intake section 11, a filter housing section 12, a fan housing section 13, and a thermal equipment housing section 14.

[0021] The intake section 11 switches between inside air circulation, which guides inside air to the air filter 22, and outside air introduction, which guides outside air to the air filter 22, by operating an inside / outside air switching door 20. An outside air inlet 111 for introducing outside air and an inside air inlet 112 for introducing inside air are formed in an upper portion of the intake section 11. The intake section 11 also has an inside / outside air switching door 20 for opening and closing the outside air inlet 111 and the inside air inlet 112.

[0022] The inside / outside air switching door 20 is configured as a rotary door that opens and closes the outside air inlet 111 and the inside air inlet 112. Note that the inside / outside air switching door 20 may not be a rotary door, but may instead be configured as a cantilevered plate door, a butterfly door, or the like.

[0023] A filter housing portion 12 is provided below the intake portion 11. The filter housing portion 12 forms a space in which an air filter 22 is disposed. The filter housing portion 12 is formed with an insertion opening 121 for inserting the air filter 22.

[0024] Typically, drive machinery and refrigeration cycle components are arranged in an engine room or the like. To avoid interference with these components, the insertion opening 121 is provided at the top of the front side of the air conditioning case 10. Furthermore, in consideration of ease of maintenance, including removal and installation, the filter housing section 12 is configured so that the air filter 22 can be inserted into the insertion opening 121 in a forward-leaning position, with the front portion of the air filter 22 positioned higher than the rear portion. These will be described later.

[0025] Air filter 22 captures foreign matter that has entered through at least one of outside air inlet 111 and inside air inlet 112. Air filter 22 includes, for example, a filter material formed by folding a breathable sheet into a pleated shape, and a reinforcing portion that reinforces the end of the filter material.

[0026] In addition to filtering out foreign matter, the air filter 22 also has a rectifying effect, which makes it easier for the direction of air flowing out from the ventilation surface 220 of the air filter 22 on the blower 30 side to be rectified in a direction substantially perpendicular to the ventilation surface 220.

[0027] The filter housing section 12 has a curved passage formed therein that causes air that has flowed in from above the air filter 22 to flow toward the rear side of the air filter 22. The filter housing section 12 has a fan housing section 13 connected to a portion of the filter housing section 12 behind the air filter 22.

[0028] The fan housing 13 constitutes a fan case that houses the fan 31 of the blower 30. The fan housing 13 has a cylindrical outer shape when viewed from the outside. The fan housing 13 has an intake port 13a formed in an upstream portion that connects to the filter housing 12, and an outlet port 13b formed in a downstream portion that connects to the thermal equipment housing 14.

[0029] The blower 30 includes a fan 31 and a fan motor 32 that rotates the fan 31. The blower 30 is mounted on the vehicle V with the opening plane of the intake port 13a intersecting the horizontal direction. The opening plane is a plane that includes the opening of the intake port 13a.

[0030] The fan 31 and the fan motor 32 of the blower 30 are disposed between the intake port 13a and the outlet port 13b of the fan housing section 13. The blower 30 of this embodiment is disposed in such a position that the axial direction CL of the rotation axis AX of the fan 31 is substantially horizontal.

[0031] The fan 31 is a centrifugal fan that draws in air from one side of the axial direction CL of the rotation axis AX and blows it out in a direction away from the rotation axis AX. The air blown out from the fan 31 flows toward the air outlet 13b at the rear through a passage between the outer periphery of the fan 31 and the inner surface of the fan housing section 13. In this way, the blower 30 of this embodiment is configured to draw in air from the front side and blow it out rearward.

[0032] The fan housing 13 is connected at its portion on the air outlet 13b side to the thermal equipment housing 14. The thermal equipment housing 14 forms a space in which at least a portion of the thermal equipment that adjusts the temperature of the air blown out from the blower 30 is housed. An evaporator 40 is disposed in the thermal equipment housing 14 near the portion connected to the air outlet 13b.

[0033] The evaporator 40 is one type of thermal equipment and is a cooling heat exchanger that cools the air passing through the evaporator 40. The evaporator 40 is housed inside the thermal equipment housing 14 so that all of the air blown out from the blower 30 passes through the evaporator 40. The evaporator 40, together with a compressor, a radiator, and an expansion valve (not shown), constitutes a vapor compression refrigeration cycle. The evaporator 40 evaporates the refrigerant and cools the air by exchanging heat between the low-pressure refrigerant decompressed by the expansion valve and the air.

[0034] A heater core 50, which constitutes a thermal device together with the evaporator 40, is disposed downstream of the air flow of the evaporator 40. The heater core 50 is a heating heat exchanger that heats the air that has passed through the heater core 50.

[0035] A bypass passage 51 is formed above the heater core 50, allowing the air that has passed through the evaporator 40 to bypass the heater core 50. An air mix door 60 is disposed between the evaporator 40 and the heater core 50.

[0036] The air mix door 60 adjusts the ratio of the amount of air passing through the heater core 50 to the amount of air passing through the bypass passage 51. In this embodiment, the air mix door 60 is configured as a sliding door. However, the air mix door 60 may also be configured as, for example, a plate door.

[0037] The thermal equipment housing 14 is disposed in the vehicle interior V1. The thermal equipment housing 14 is formed with a defroster outlet 141, a face outlet 142, and a foot outlet 143 as outlets for blowing air into the vehicle interior V1.

[0038] The defroster outlet 141 is an outlet for blowing air toward the inside of the front windshield of the vehicle V. The defroster outlet 141 is provided on the upper surface of the thermal equipment housing 14. A defroster door 71 that constitutes the mode switching door 70 is disposed upstream of the defroster outlet 141 in the air flow direction. The defroster outlet 141 is opened and closed by the defroster door 71.

[0039] The face air outlet 142 is an outlet for blowing air toward the upper bodies of occupants in the vehicle interior V1. The face air outlet 142 is provided on the intermediate surface between the top surface and the rear surface of the thermal equipment housing 14. A face door 72 constituting the mode switching door 70 is disposed upstream of the face air outlet 142 in the air flow direction. The face air outlet 142 is opened and closed by the face door 72.

[0040] The foot air outlet 143 is an air outlet for blowing air toward the lower bodies of occupants in the vehicle interior V1. The foot air outlet 143 is provided on the rear surface of the thermal equipment housing 14. A foot door 73 that constitutes the mode switching door 70 is disposed upstream of the foot air outlet 143 in the air flow direction. The foot air outlet 143 is opened and closed by the foot door 73.

[0041] 3 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning unit CE as a comparative example of the first embodiment. The air conditioning unit CE of the comparative example has an air filter 22 attached in a different position than the vehicle air conditioning unit 1 of the first embodiment. For ease of explanation, components of the air conditioning unit CE of the comparative example that are common to or correspond to components of the vehicle air conditioning unit 1 of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as the components of the vehicle air conditioning unit 1 of the first embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0042] 3, the air conditioning unit CE of the comparative example is mounted inside the intake section 11 in a forward-inclined position, with the front end of the air filter 22 higher than the rear end, in consideration of ease of attachment and detachment of the air filter 22. In the air conditioning unit CE of the comparative example, the air filter 22 is mounted so that the angle formed between the ventilation surface 220 of the air filter 22 on the blower 30 side and the opening surface of the intake port 13a of the blower 30 (hereinafter referred to as the filter angle θf) is an obtuse angle.

[0043] When the air filter 22 is positioned in a forward-inclined position, as in the air conditioning unit CE of the comparative example, the passage between the air filter 22 and the intake port 13a of the blower 30 forms a sharply curved passage. In addition, the air that has passed through the air filter 22 is rectified in a direction substantially perpendicular to the ventilation surface 220 of the air filter 22, which makes it easier for the air to flow diagonally downward from the rear side to the front side.

[0044] With this structure, air tends to separate near the upper end of the intake port 13a in the filter housing section 12, and tends to flow unevenly near the lower end of the intake port 13a along the inner wall surface of the filter housing section 12. This tends to result in an uneven wind speed distribution near the intake port 13a of the blower 30, where the wind speed on the upper side is significantly lower than the wind speed on the lower side. This uneven wind speed distribution near the intake port 13a of the blower 30 is undesirable because it can cause a deterioration in the blowing performance.

[0045] Taking these factors into consideration, the vehicle air conditioning unit 1 of this embodiment is provided with an insertion port 121 in the filter accommodating section 12 for inserting the air filter 22 into the inside of the air conditioning case 10 in a first position in which the filter angle θf exceeds a predetermined reference angle, as shown in Figure 4.

[0046] The first position is a forward-leaning position in which the front portion of the air filter 22 relative to the vehicle V is positioned higher than the rear portion, so that the air filter 22 can be easily inserted diagonally downward from the front to the rear with the engine hood or motor hood open. The first position is also a position in which the filter angle θf is an obtuse angle that exceeds a right angle. The reference angle is set to, for example, 90°.

[0047] 5, the filter housing portion 12 is provided with a space that allows the air filter 22 to be tilted from the first position to a second position in which the filter angle θf is equal to or smaller than the reference angle. The air filter 22 is attached to the filter housing portion 12 in the second position.

[0048] The second posture is a rearward tilt posture in which the rear portion of the air filter 22 relative to the vehicle V is positioned higher than the front portion of the air filter 22. The second posture is also a posture in which the filter angle θf is equal to or smaller than a right angle.

[0049] Here, the air conditioning case 10 is provided with a guide portion 123 that assists in inserting the air filter 22 into the filter housing portion 12 and changes the position of the air filter 22 between the first position and the second position. The guide portion 123 has a shape that protrudes from the inner surface of the filter housing portion 12. The guide portion 123 is realized, for example, by a rib formed on the inner surface of the air conditioning case 10 or an uneven inner wall shape.

[0050] The guide portion 123 includes a first member 123a extending diagonally downward toward the rear from the upper end of the insertion opening 121, and a second member 123b disposed relative to the first member 123a at a distance slightly larger than the thickness of the air filter 22. The second member 123b extends diagonally downward toward the rear so as to be substantially parallel to the first member 123a. The second member 123b is disposed further rearward of the vehicle V than the first member 123a so that the first member 123a and the second member 123b do not overlap each other in the up-down direction.

[0051] The first member 123a and the second member 123b assist in inserting the air filter 22 into the filter housing portion 12. The first member 123a also forms a door seal that comes into contact with the inside / outside air switching door 20 to provide a seal when the inside / outside air switching door 20 is displaced to a position that closes the outside air inlet 111, as shown in Fig. 7 , for example.

[0052] Additionally, the guide portion 123 includes a third member 123c extending obliquely upward and rearward from the lower end of the first member 123a, and a fourth member 123d disposed relative to the third member 123c at a distance slightly larger than the thickness of the air filter 22. The fourth member 123d extends obliquely downward and forward from the upper end of the second member 123b so as to be substantially parallel to the third member 123c. The third member 123c and the fourth member 123d are disposed closer to the front of the vehicle V than the third member 123c so that they overlap each other in the up-down direction.

[0053] The third member 123c and the fourth member 123d are used to change the position of the air filter 22 between the first position and the second position inside the filter housing portion 12. The third member 123c and the fourth member 123d form a "filter seal" that comes into contact with and seals the air filter 22 when the air filter 22 is attached to the filter housing portion 12. Furthermore, the third member 123c forms a "door seal" that comes into contact with and seals the inside / outside air switching door 20 when the inside / outside air switching door 20 is displaced to a position that closes the inside air inlet 112, as shown in FIG.

[0054] Here, the filter accommodating section 12 includes a filter cover 124 that closes the insertion opening 121. The filter cover 124 includes a cover section 124a that covers the insertion opening 121 and a fixing section 124b that comes into contact with the air filter 22 and maintains the attitude of the air filter 22 in the second attitude.

[0055] The fixing portion 124b is connected to the inner surface of the cover portion 124a. In order to reduce ventilation resistance, the fixing portion 124b has a portion 124c connected to the cover portion 124a, which extends along the inner wall of the air conditioning case 10, and a contact portion 124d at the tip of the portion 124c that comes into contact with the air filter 22.

[0056] In the vehicle air conditioning unit 1 of this embodiment configured as described above, the air filter 22 is attached to the filter housing portion 12 in a rearward tilted position, which provides a gentle curve in the passage between the air filter 22 and the intake port 13a of the blower 30. This prevents air from separating from the filter housing portion 12 near the upper end of the intake port 13a along the inner wall surface of the filter housing portion 12. As a result, deviations in the air speed distribution near the intake port 13a of the blower 30 are reduced. This prevents deterioration of air blowing performance due to deviations in the air speed distribution near the intake port 13a of the blower 30.

[0057] The vehicle air conditioning unit 1 of this embodiment also has the following features.

[0058] (1) The air conditioning case 10 includes a thermal equipment housing 14 that houses at least a portion of a thermal equipment that adjusts the temperature of air blown into the vehicle interior V1. In the vehicle air conditioning unit 1, the thermal equipment housing 14 is located within the vehicle interior V1, and the filter housing 12 and the fan housing 13 are disposed in a space separated from the vehicle interior V1 by the dash panel DP. In addition, the vehicle air conditioning unit 1 is disposed such that the portion between the fan housing 13 and the thermal equipment housing 14 penetrates the dash panel DP. In this manner, a structure in which the filter housing 12 and the fan housing 13 are disposed in a space separated from the vehicle interior V1 ensures more space within the vehicle interior V1 than a structure in which the filter housing 12 and the fan housing 13 are disposed within the vehicle interior V1.

[0059] (2) The blower 30 is mounted on the vehicle V with the opening surface of the blower 30 intersecting the horizontal direction. This reduces the horizontal size of the vehicle air conditioning unit 1 compared to when the opening surface of the intake port 13a of the blower 30 is horizontal, thereby improving the mountability on the vehicle V.

[0060] (3) The posture of the air filter 22 when it is inserted (i.e., the first posture) is a forward-leaning posture in which the portion of the air filter 22 that is on the front side of the vehicle V is positioned higher than the portion of the air filter 22 that is on the rear side. If the filter 22 can be inserted into the insertion opening 121 of the air filter 22 in this forward-leaning posture, there is an advantage in that maintenance work such as replacing the air filter 22 can be easily performed.

[0061] (4) The posture of the air filter 22 when it is attached (i.e., the second posture) is a rearward tilt posture in which the rear portion of the air filter 22 relative to the vehicle V is positioned higher than the front portion of the air filter 22. This prevents bending of the passage between the air filter 22 and the intake port 13a of the blower 30 when the air filter 22 is attached, and also makes it easier to perform maintenance work such as replacing the air filter 22.

[0062] (5) The air conditioning case 10 is provided with the guide portion 123 for assisting in the insertion of the air filter 22 into the filter housing portion 12 and for changing the orientation of the air filter 22 from the first orientation to the second orientation. This has the advantage of making it easier to tilt the orientation of the air filter 22 in the filter housing portion 12.

[0063] (6) The vehicle air conditioning unit 1 includes the intake section 11 that switches between inside air circulation, which guides inside air to the air filter 22, and outside air introduction, which guides outside air to the air filter 22, by operating the inside / outside air switching door 20. The guide section 123 includes a portion that functions as a door seal that comes into contact with the inside / outside air switching door 20 to provide a seal in one of the inside air circulation and outside air introduction modes.

[0064] In this way, if a part of the guide portion 123 is configured to function as a door seal portion of the inside / outside air switching door 20, a structure for tilting the position of the air filter 22 in the filter accommodating portion 12 and a seal structure of the inside / outside air switching door 20 can be easily realized.

[0065] (7) The guide portion 123 includes a portion that functions as a filter seal that contacts and seals the air filter 22 when the air filter 22 is attached to the filter accommodating portion 12 in the second position. In this way, if a portion of the guide portion 123 is configured to function as a filter seal, it is possible to easily realize a structure that tilts the position of the air filter 22 in the filter accommodating portion 12 and a sealing structure for the air filter 22.

[0066] (8) The filter accommodating section 12 includes a filter cover 124 that closes the insertion opening 121. The filter cover 124 includes a cover portion 124a that covers the insertion opening 121 and a fixing portion 124b that comes into contact with the air filter 22 and maintains the orientation of the air filter 22 in the second orientation. As a result, when the insertion opening 121 is closed with the filter cover 124, the orientation of the air filter 22 can be fixed in the second orientation.

[0067] (9) Specifically, the posture of the air filter 22 when it is attached (i.e., the second posture) is a posture in which the filter angle θf is equal to or smaller than a right angle. This makes it possible to prevent bending of the passage between the air filter 22 and the intake port 13a of the blower 30 when the air filter 22 is attached.

[0068] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. In this embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 9, in the vehicle air conditioning unit 1 of this embodiment, the blower module 1B is disposed in the vehicle interior V1 rather than in the front space V0 which is the external space.

[0070] In the vehicle air conditioning unit 1, the thermal equipment housing 14 and the fan housing 13 are located within the vehicle interior V1, and the filter housing 12 is disposed in a space separated from the vehicle interior V1 by the dash panel DP. The vehicle air conditioning unit 1 is disposed such that the portion between the fan housing 13 and the filter housing 12 penetrates the dash panel DP. In this manner, with the filter housing 12 disposed in a space separated from the vehicle interior V1, more space can be secured within the vehicle interior V1 than in a configuration in which the filter housing 12 is disposed within the vehicle interior V1.

[0071] The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. The vehicle air conditioning unit 1 of this embodiment can obtain the same effects as those of the first embodiment that are achieved by the configuration common to or equivalent to that of the first embodiment.

[0072] Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11. In this embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0073] 10 and 11 , the blower 30 of this embodiment is mounted on the vehicle V with the opening surface of the intake port 13 a tilted relative to the horizontal direction. Specifically, the blower 30 is disposed with the rear portion positioned higher than the front portion.

[0074] 10 , the vehicle air conditioning unit 1 of this embodiment is provided with an insertion opening 121 in the filter housing portion 12 for inserting the air filter 22 into the air conditioning case 10 in a first position where the filter angle θf exceeds a predetermined reference angle. The first position is a forward-leaning position where the front portion of the air filter 22 with respect to the vehicle V is positioned higher than the rear portion.

[0075] 11 , the filter housing portion 12 is provided with a space that allows the air filter 22 to be tilted from the first position to a second position in which the filter angle θf is equal to or smaller than the reference angle. The air filter 22 is attached to the filter housing portion 12 in the second position. The second position is a rearward-tilted position in which the rear portion of the air filter 22 relative to the vehicle V is positioned higher than the front portion.

[0076] Specifically, air filter 22 is disposed in filter housing portion 12 so as to face blower 30 in axial direction CL of blower 30. Air filter 22 and blower 30 are disposed so that ventilation surface 220 and the opening surface of intake port 13a are substantially parallel to each other.

[0077] In the vehicle air conditioning unit 1 of this embodiment configured as described above, the air filter 22 and the blower 30 are arranged opposite each other in the axial direction CL, and the ventilation surface 220 of the air filter 22 and the opening surface of the intake port 13a of the blower 30 are arranged approximately parallel to each other.

[0078] With this, the air passage between the air filter 22 and the blower 30 extends linearly along the axial direction CL of the blower 30, thereby suppressing air separation caused by a curved passage. As a result, bias in the air speed distribution near the suction port 13a of the blower 30 is suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress deterioration in air blowing performance caused by bias in the air speed distribution near the suction port 13a of the blower 30.

[0079] The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. The vehicle air conditioning unit 1 of this embodiment can obtain the same effects as those of the first embodiment that are achieved by the configuration common to or equivalent to that of the first embodiment.

[0080] Fourth Embodiment Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 12 and Fig. 13. In this embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0081] As shown in Figure 12, in the vehicle air conditioning unit 1, the internal space of the air conditioning case 10 is divided into a right space 10A and a left space 10B by a partition plate 15 so that the switching between inside and outside air can be set separately for the right space and the left space in the vehicle cabin.

[0082] As shown in Figure 13, the partition plate 15 includes a plate-shaped partition portion 150 that divides a portion of the space upstream of the air filter 22 into two spaces. The partition portion 150 has a shape (trapezoidal in this example) that is capable of dividing the space between the air filter 2 and the first member 123a of the guide portion 123 into two spaces. Note that in Figure 13, a dotted pattern is applied to the partition portion 150 to show the shape of the partition portion 150, but the dotted pattern does not actually apply to the partition portion 150.

[0083] The partition 150 is installed after the air filter 22 is accommodated in the filter accommodating section 12. The partition 150 is configured to be able to be inserted and removed through the insertion opening 121. In this embodiment, the partition 150 is configured as an integrally molded part that is molded integrally with the filter cover 124 that closes the insertion opening 121. In addition, the lower end of the partition 150 comes into contact with the air filter 22 and functions as a fixing part 151 that maintains the attitude of the air filter 22 in the second attitude.

[0084] The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. The vehicle air conditioning unit 1 of this embodiment can obtain the same effects as those of the first embodiment that are achieved by the configuration common to or equivalent to that of the first embodiment.

[0085] The vehicle air conditioning unit 1 of this embodiment has the following features: (1) The vehicle air conditioning unit 1 includes a partition 150 that divides a portion of the space upstream of the air filter 22 in the air flow direction into two spaces. The partition 150 is configured to be insertable and removable through the insertion opening 121. With this configuration, for example, the space required for tilting the air filter 22 can also be divided into two spaces by the partition 150. This makes it possible, for example, to separately set the switching between inside and outside air for the right and left spaces in the vehicle cabin.

[0086] (2) The partition portion 150 is formed integrally with the filter cover 124 that closes the insertion opening 121, and includes a fixing portion 151 that contacts the air filter 22 and maintains the attitude of the air filter 22 in the second attitude. With this, when the insertion opening 121 is closed with the filter cover 124, a portion of the space on the upstream side of the air flow of the air filter 22 is divided into two spaces, and the attitude of the air filter 22 can be fixed in the second attitude.

[0087] (Variation of the Fourth Embodiment) The partition 150 is preferably configured integrally with the filter cover 124 that closes the insertion opening 121, but may be configured separately from the filter cover 124. Furthermore, the partition 150 preferably includes a fixing portion 151 that contacts the air filter 22 to maintain the attitude of the air filter 22 in the second attitude, but this is not essential.

[0088] Fifth Embodiment Next, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 14 and 15. In this embodiment, differences from the fourth embodiment will be mainly described.

[0089] 14 , the partition 150 has a first portion 150a, a portion of which is integral with the filter cover 124, and a second portion 150b, which is integral with the air filter 22. The first portion 150a includes a portion that contacts the first member 123a of the guide portion 123. The second portion 150b includes a portion that contacts the air filter 22. The second portion 150b extends in a direction intersecting with the ventilation surface 220 from a portion of the upper surface of the air filter 22 that is closer to the insertion opening 121 so that the air filter 22 can be inserted into or removed from the insertion opening 121 together with the air filter 22. When the air filter 22 is attached, the second portion 150b extends obliquely with respect to the ventilation surface 220 so as to face the insertion opening 121.

[0090] A method for installing the partition 150 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. 15 . First, the second portion 150b of the partition 150 is inserted into the filter accommodating section 12 through the insertion opening 121 together with the air filter 22. At this time, the second portion 150b is inserted into the filter accommodating section 12 by gradually tilting the attitude of the air filter 22 from the first attitude to the second attitude. Once the insertion of the second portion 150b of the partition 150 is complete, the first portion 150a is inserted into the filter accommodating section 12, and then the insertion opening 121 is closed with the filter cover 124. In this manner, the partition 150 of this embodiment is installed inside the filter accommodating section 12.

[0091] The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the fourth embodiment. The vehicle air conditioning unit 1 of this embodiment can obtain the same effects as those of the fourth embodiment, which are achieved by the configuration common to or equivalent to that of the fourth embodiment.

[0092] Sixth Embodiment Next, a sixth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 16 and 17. In this embodiment, differences from the fourth embodiment will be mainly described.

[0093] As shown in Figure 16, the partition 150 is not part of the filter cover 124 but is integral with the air filter 22. The partition 150 is, for example, an integrally molded part molded integrally with a member forming the framework of the air filter 22. The partition 150 includes a portion that contacts the first member 123a of the guide portion 123 and a portion that contacts the air filter 22. The partition 150 extends in a direction intersecting with the ventilation surface 220 from a portion of the upper surface of the air filter 22 that is closer to the insertion opening 121 so that the partition 150 can be inserted and removed from the insertion opening 121 together with the air filter 22. When the air filter 22 is attached, the partition 150 extends obliquely with respect to the ventilation surface 220 so as to face the insertion opening 121.

[0094] A method for installing the partition 150 configured in this manner will be described with reference to Figure 17. First, the partition 150 is inserted into the filter accommodating section 12 together with the air filter 22 through the insertion opening 121. At this time, the attitude of the air filter 22 is gradually tilted from the first attitude to the second attitude, thereby inserting the partition 150 into the filter accommodating section 12. Once the insertion of the partition 150 is complete, the insertion opening 121 is closed with the filter cover 124. In this manner, the partition 150 of this embodiment is installed inside the filter accommodating section 12.

[0095] The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the fourth embodiment. The vehicle air conditioning unit 1 of this embodiment can obtain the same effects as those of the fourth embodiment, which are achieved by the configuration common to or equivalent to that of the fourth embodiment.

[0096] Seventh Embodiment Next, a seventh embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 18 and 19. In this embodiment, differences from the fourth embodiment will be mainly described.

[0097] 18 , the air conditioning case 10 is provided with an induction guide wall 125 that guides the air filter 22 from the first position to the second position when gravity or an external force acts on the air filter 22 during insertion of the air filter 22. Similar to the guide portion 123, the induction guide wall 125 has a shape that protrudes from the inner surface of the filter accommodating portion 12. The induction guide wall 125 is realized, for example, by ribs formed on the inner surface of the air conditioning case 10 or an uneven inner wall shape.

[0098] The guide wall 125 is provided so as to be continuous with the second member 123b of the guide portion 123. The rear end of the air filter 22 abuts against the guide wall 125 when the air filter 22 is inserted. The guide wall 125 is curved in an arc shape so that the posture of the air filter 22 gradually tilts from the first posture to the second posture when the air filter 22 is accommodated in the filter accommodating portion 12.

[0099] 19 , in the vehicle air conditioning unit 1 configured as above, the air filter 22 is inserted into the filter housing portion 12 through the insertion opening 121. When the air filter 22 moves toward the rear of the filter housing portion 12 due to its own weight or is pushed toward the rear of the filter housing portion 12, the rear end of the air filter 22 abuts against the arc-shaped induction guide wall portion 125. This causes the air filter 22 to gradually tilt from the first position to the second position, completing the insertion of the air filter 22.

[0100] The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the fourth embodiment. The vehicle air conditioning unit 1 of this embodiment can obtain the same effects as those of the fourth embodiment, which are achieved by the configuration common to or equivalent to that of the fourth embodiment.

[0101] The vehicle air conditioning unit 1 of this embodiment has the following features: (1) The air conditioning case 10 is provided with an induction guide wall portion 125 that guides the orientation of the air filter 22 from the first orientation to the second orientation when gravity or an external force acts on the air filter 22 during insertion of the air filter 22. This has the advantage that, for example, the orientation of the air filter 22 in the filter housing portion 12 can be tilted simply by pushing the air filter 22 in.

[0102] Eighth Embodiment Next, an eighth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 20 and 21. In this embodiment, differences from the seventh embodiment will be mainly described.

[0103] The vehicle air conditioning unit 1 of this embodiment is devised to maintain the posture of the air filter 22 in the second posture with respect to the air conditioning case 10 and the air filter 22. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 20 , the air conditioning case 10 is provided with a locking portion 16 for locking a convex engaging portion 221 provided on the air filter 22. This locking portion 16 is configured as a recess formed in the filter housing portion 12. More specifically, the locking portion 16 is formed in a portion of the filter housing portion 12 that faces the rear end of the air filter 22 in the second posture.

[0104] Meanwhile, the air filter 22 is provided with an engaging portion 221 that engages with the locking portion 16 when the air filter 22 is tilted to the second posture. The engaging portion 221 is configured as a protrusion added to the side end portion of the air filter 22. More specifically, the engaging portion 221 is formed at the rear end portion of the air filter 22.

[0105] In the vehicle air conditioning unit 1 configured as described above, the air filter 22 is inserted into the filter housing portion 12 through the insertion opening 121, and the attitude of the air filter 22 is tilted from the first attitude to the second attitude. When the attitude of the air filter 22 is in the second attitude, for example, as shown in Fig. 21 , the engaging portion 221 of the air filter 22 engages with the locking portion 16 provided on the filter housing portion 12. This maintains the attitude of the air filter 22 in the second attitude.

[0106] The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the seventh embodiment. The vehicle air conditioning unit 1 of this embodiment can obtain the same effects as those of the seventh embodiment, which are achieved by the configuration common to or equivalent to that of the seventh embodiment.

[0107] The vehicle air conditioning unit 1 of this embodiment has the following features: (1) The vehicle air conditioning unit 1 is provided with a locking portion 16 on the air conditioning case 10, and with an engaging portion 221 on the air filter 22 that engages with the locking portion 16 when the air filter 22 is tilted to the second position. This allows the position of the air filter 22 to be fixed in the second position using a simple method.

[0108] Ninth Embodiment Next, a ninth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 22 and Fig. 23. In this embodiment, differences from the eighth embodiment will be mainly described.

[0109] 22 , the air filter 22 is provided with a locking portion 222 for locking with a convex engaging portion 17 provided on the air conditioning case 10. The locking portion 222 is configured as a recess formed in a side end portion of the air filter 22. More specifically, the locking portion 222 is formed in the rear end portion of the air filter 22.

[0110] Meanwhile, the air conditioning case 10 is provided with an engaging portion 17 that engages with the locking portion 222 when the air filter 22 is tilted to the second position. This engaging portion 17 is configured as a protrusion formed on the filter housing portion 12. More specifically, the engaging portion 17 is formed in a portion of the filter housing portion 12 that faces the rear end portion of the air filter 22 when it is in the second position.

[0111] In the vehicle air conditioning unit 1 configured as described above, the air filter 22 is inserted into the filter housing portion 12 through the insertion opening 121, and the attitude of the air filter 22 is tilted from the first attitude to the second attitude. When the attitude of the air filter 22 is in the second attitude, for example, as shown in Fig. 23 , the engaging portion 17 provided on the filter housing portion 12 of the air conditioning case 10 engages with the locking portion 222 provided on the air filter 22. This maintains the attitude of the air filter 22 in the second attitude.

[0112] The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the seventh embodiment. The vehicle air conditioning unit 1 of this embodiment can obtain the same effects as those of the seventh embodiment, which are achieved by the configuration common to or equivalent to that of the seventh embodiment.

[0113] Other Embodiments Although typical embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified in various ways, for example, as follows.

[0114] In the vehicle air conditioning unit 1 of the above-described embodiment, the thermal equipment housing 14 is located in the vehicle interior V1, and the filter housing 12 is located in a space separated from the vehicle interior V1 by the dash panel DP. However, the vehicle air conditioning unit 1 may be arranged so that both the thermal equipment housing 14 and the filter housing 12 are located in the vehicle interior V1.

[0115] As in the above-described embodiment, the blower 30 is preferably mounted on the vehicle V with the opening surface of the intake port 13a intersecting the horizontal direction, but is not limited to this. The blower 30 may also be mounted on the vehicle V with the opening surface of the intake port 13a aligned horizontally.

[0116] In the above embodiment, the first attitude of the air filter 22 is a forward-leaning attitude in which the front portion of the air filter 22 with respect to the vehicle V is positioned higher than the rear portion of the air filter 22, but is not limited to this. The first attitude of the air filter 22 may be an attitude in which the ventilation surface 220 of the air filter 22 is horizontal, for example, as long as the filter angle θf is larger than that of the second attitude.

[0117] In the above-described embodiment, the second attitude of the air filter 22 may be an attitude in which the ventilation surface 220 of the air filter 22 is horizontal, as long as the filter angle θf is smaller than that of the first attitude.

[0118] As in the above-described embodiment, it is desirable to provide the air conditioning case 10 with a guide portion 123 for assisting in the insertion of the air filter 22 into the filter housing portion 12 and for changing the orientation of the air filter 22 from the first orientation to the second orientation, but this is not limitative. The guide portion 123 may be configured as a component separate from the air conditioning case 10. The guide portion 123 may be configured solely as a member for assisting in the insertion of the air filter 22 into the filter housing portion 12. The guide portion 123 may be configured solely as a member for changing the orientation of the air filter 22 from the first orientation to the second orientation. Note that the guide portion 123 is not essential and may be omitted.

[0119] As in the above-described embodiment, it is desirable that a portion of the guide portion 123 is configured to also serve as a door seal portion that contacts and seals with the inside / outside air switching door 20, but it does not have to be configured in this way.

[0120] As in the above-described embodiment, it is desirable that a portion of the guide portion 123 is configured to also serve as a filter seal portion that contacts and seals with the air filter 22, but it does not have to be configured in this way.

[0121] As in the above-described embodiment, it is desirable that the filter cover 124 be configured to include a cover portion 124a that covers the insertion port 121 and a fixing portion 124b that maintains the position of the air filter 22 in the second position, but it does not have to be configured in this manner.

[0122] As in the above-described embodiment, the second attitude is preferably an attitude in which the filter angle θf is equal to or smaller than a right angle, but it does not have to be this way.

[0123] The above-described embodiment illustrates a vehicle air conditioning unit 1 with a center-mounted layout, but the vehicle air conditioning unit 1 may also be arranged in a layout in which a portion of it is offset to the right or left side of the vehicle V.

[0124] In the above-described embodiments, it goes without saying that the elements constituting the embodiments are not necessarily essential unless they are specifically stated as essential or are clearly considered essential in principle.

[0125] In the above-described embodiments, when numerical values ​​such as the number, values, amounts, ranges, etc. of components of the embodiments are mentioned, they are not limited to the specific numbers unless they are specifically stated as essential or are clearly limited to a specific number in principle.

[0126] In the above-described embodiments, when referring to the shapes, positional relationships, etc. of components, etc., the shapes, positional relationships, etc. are not limited to those unless otherwise specified or when they are fundamentally limited to specific shapes, positional relationships, etc.

[0127] [Aspects of the present disclosure] [First aspect] A vehicle air conditioning unit comprising: an air conditioning case (10) that forms an air ventilation path; a blower (30) that generates an airflow in the ventilation path toward a vehicle cabin; and an air filter (22) that is arranged upstream of the air flow of the blower, wherein the air conditioning case includes a filter housing portion (12) that houses the air filter, and when a filter angle is an angle formed by an air ventilation surface (220) of the air filter that is located on the blower side and an opening plane of an intake port of the blower, the filter housing portion is provided with an insertion opening (121) for inserting the air filter into the air conditioning case in a first position where the filter angle exceeds a predetermined reference angle, and is provided with a space that allows the position of the air filter to be tilted from the first position to a second position where the filter angle is equal to or less than the reference angle, and the air filter is attached in the second position in the filter housing portion.

[0128] [Second Aspect] The vehicle air conditioning unit according to the first aspect, wherein the air conditioning case includes a thermal equipment housing (14) that houses at least a part of a thermal equipment (40, 50) that adjusts the temperature of the air blown into the vehicle compartment, and the thermal equipment housing is located within the vehicle compartment, and the portion between the thermal equipment housing and the filter housing is arranged to penetrate a dash panel (DP) so that the filter housing is located in a space separated from the vehicle compartment via the dash panel.

[0129] [Third Aspect] The vehicle air conditioning unit according to the first or second aspect, wherein the blower is mounted on the vehicle (V) with the opening surface intersecting the horizontal direction.

[0130] [Fourth Aspect] The vehicle air conditioning unit according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the first position is a forward-leaning position in which a portion of the air filter on a front side of the vehicle is positioned higher than a portion on a rear side of the vehicle.

[0131] [Fifth Aspect] The vehicle air conditioning unit according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the second posture is a posture in which the ventilation surface of the air filter is horizontal, or a rearward tilted posture in which the rear portion of the air filter is positioned higher than the front portion of the vehicle.

[0132] [Sixth Aspect] A vehicle air conditioning unit as described in any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein a guide portion (123) is provided on the air conditioning case to assist in inserting the air filter into the filter accommodating portion and to change the position of the air filter from the first position to the second position.

[0133] [Seventh Aspect] A vehicle air conditioning unit as described in the sixth aspect, comprising an intake section (11) that switches between inside air circulation that guides inside air to the air filter and outside air introduction that guides outside air to the air filter by operating an inside / outside air switching door (20), and the guide section includes a door seal section (123a, 123c) that contacts and seals with the inside / outside air switching door in one of the inside air circulation and the outside air introduction.

[0134] [Eighth Aspect] The vehicle air conditioning unit according to the sixth or seventh aspect, wherein the guide portion includes a filter seal portion (123c, 123d) that contacts and seals the air filter when the air filter is attached to the filter accommodating portion in the second position.

[0135] [Ninth Aspect] The vehicle air conditioning unit according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the filter accommodating portion includes a filter cover (124) that closes the insertion opening, and the filter cover includes a cover portion (124a) that covers the insertion opening and a fixing portion (124b) that contacts the air filter and maintains the attitude of the air filter in the second attitude.

[0136] [Tenth Aspect] The vehicle air conditioning unit according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the second position is a position in which the filter angle is equal to or smaller than a right angle.

[0137] [Eleventh Aspect] The vehicle air conditioning unit according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising a partition (150) that separates a portion of the space on the upstream side of the air flow of the air filter into a space into which inside air is introduced and a space into which outside air is introduced, and the partition is configured to be insertable and removable through the insertion opening.

[0138] [Twelfth Aspect] The vehicle air conditioning unit according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the partition portion is integrally formed with a filter cover (124) that closes the insertion opening, and includes a fixing portion (151) that contacts the air filter to maintain the attitude of the air filter in the second attitude.

[0139] [Thirteenth Aspect] A vehicle air conditioning unit according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the air conditioning case is provided with an induction guide wall portion (125) that guides the posture of the air filter from the first posture to the second posture when gravity or an external force acts on the air filter when the air filter is inserted.

[0140] [14th Aspect] A vehicle air conditioning unit according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the air filter and the air conditioning case are provided with a locking portion (222, 16) on one side, and an engaging portion (221, 17) on the other side that engages with the locking portion when the air filter is tilted to the second position.

[0141] [Fifteenth Aspect] A vehicle air conditioning unit according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the air conditioning case is provided with an induction guide wall portion (125) that guides the posture of the air filter from the first posture to the second posture when gravity or an external force acts on the air filter when the air filter is inserted, and the air filter and the air conditioning case are provided with a locking portion (222, 16) on one side, and an engaging portion (221, 17) that engages with the locking portion when the air filter is tilted to the second posture on the other side.

Claims

1. A vehicle air conditioning unit comprising: an air conditioning case (10) that forms an air ventilation path; a blower (30) that generates an air current in the ventilation path toward the vehicle cabin; and an air filter (22) that is arranged upstream of the air flow of the blower, wherein the air conditioning case includes a filter housing section (12) that houses the air filter, and when the angle formed by the air ventilation surface (220) of the air filter that is located on the blower side and the opening surface of the intake port of the blower is defined as a filter angle, the filter housing section is provided with an insertion opening (121) for inserting the air filter into the inside of the air conditioning case in a first position where the filter angle exceeds a predetermined reference angle, and is provided with a space that allows the position of the air filter to be tilted from the first position to a second position where the filter angle is equal to or less than the reference angle, and the air filter is attached in the second position in the filter housing section.

2. The vehicle air conditioning unit of claim 1, wherein the air conditioning case includes a thermal equipment housing (14) that houses at least a portion of a thermal equipment (40, 50) that adjusts the temperature of the air blown into the vehicle cabin, and the thermal equipment housing is located within the vehicle cabin, and the portion between the thermal equipment housing and the filter housing is positioned so as to penetrate the dash panel (DP) so that the filter housing is located in a space separated from the vehicle cabin via the dash panel (DP).

3. The vehicle air conditioning unit according to claim 2, wherein the blower is mounted on the vehicle (V) with the opening surface intersecting the horizontal direction.

4. A vehicle air conditioning unit according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first position is a forward tilted position in which a portion of the air filter on the front side of the vehicle is positioned higher than a portion on the rear side.

5. A vehicle air conditioning unit as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein the second position is a position in which the ventilation surface of the air filter is horizontal, or a rearward-inclined position in which the rear portion of the air filter is positioned higher than the front portion of the vehicle.

6. A vehicle air conditioning unit as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a guide portion (123) is provided on the air conditioning case to assist in inserting the air filter into the filter accommodating portion and to change the position of the air filter from the first position to the second position.

7. A vehicle air conditioning unit as described in claim 6, comprising an intake section (11) that switches between inside air circulation, which guides inside air to the air filter, and outside air introduction, which guides outside air to the air filter, by operating an inside / outside air switching door (20), and the guide section includes a door seal section (123a, 123c) that contacts and seals with the inside / outside air switching door in one of the inside air circulation and the outside air introduction.

8. A vehicle air conditioning unit as described in claim 6, wherein the guide portion includes a filter seal portion (123c, 123d) that contacts and seals with the air filter when the air filter is attached to the filter accommodating portion in the second position.

9. A vehicle air conditioning unit as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the filter accommodating section includes a filter cover (124) that closes the insertion opening, and the filter cover includes a cover section (124a) that covers the insertion opening and a fixing section (124b) that contacts the air filter and maintains the position of the air filter in the second position.

10. A vehicle air conditioning unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second position is a position in which the filter angle is equal to or smaller than a right angle.

11. A vehicle air conditioning unit as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a partition (150) that divides a portion of the space on the upstream side of the air flow of the air filter into two spaces, and the partition is configured to be insertable and removable through the insertion opening.

12. A vehicle air conditioning unit as described in claim 11, wherein the partition portion is integrally formed with a filter cover (124) that closes the insertion opening and includes a fixing portion (151) that contacts the air filter to maintain the position of the air filter in the second position.

13. A vehicle air conditioning unit as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the air conditioning case is provided with a guide wall portion (125) that guides the position of the air filter from the first position to the second position when gravity or an external force acts on the air filter when the air filter is inserted.

14. A vehicle air conditioning unit as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein one of the air filter and the air conditioning case is provided with a locking portion (222, 16), and the other is provided with an engagement portion (221, 17) that engages with the locking portion when the air filter is tilted to the second position.

15. A vehicle air conditioning unit as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the air conditioning case is provided with a guide wall portion (125) that guides the posture of the air filter from the first posture to the second posture when gravity or an external force acts on the air filter when the air filter is inserted, and the air filter and the air conditioning case are provided with a locking portion (222, 16) on one side and an engaging portion (221, 17) on the other side that engages with the locking portion when the air filter is tilted to the second posture.

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